Happy Birthday, J-Mav!

Dear J-Mav -

Nine! Really?! How is that possible?!? I mean, I KNOW how it's possible, but it just doesn't seem possible. I feel like it was just yesterday that we were bringing you home from the hospital and hanging out with the neighbors a couple days later at the 4th of July block party. You were so long and gangly... a half inch longer than your brother was a birth; your brother, who at 14 is already taller than I am. What does that mean for your height five years from now? I fear I will soon be a midget in my own home. Sigh.

This has been another year of big things and change for you. As mentioned above, you grew a lot! I suspect when you have your well-check, you will have gained about ten pounds and grown about 4 or 5 inches. We'll see. Which reminds me, I need to schedule your well check!

You finished 3rd grade with flying colors. Academically, you had almost all Os on your report card all year. And you got Pass/Advanced on both your Social Studies (521 out of 600) and Science (600 out of 600) SOLs. The "Work Habits" section of the report card was another story. But there was improvement toward the end of year. Areas that still need work for next year are:

• Exhibits Self Control
• Complies with Established Rules
• Listens to and Follows Directions
• Uses Time Constructively

However, I will say that all but "Exhibits Self Control" improved to Satisfactory for the second half of the year. That coincides with when you officially diagnosed with and started taking medication for ADHD, so we were happy to see that the medication has helped settle your brain and make better choices. We waited and observed for awhile... we being Dad and me, as well as your doctor. Your doctor felt that you were borderline for diagnosis and that maturity might be a factor. While that's likely still the case (you are one of the youngest in your class... the Class of 2021), we and the doctor thought it was time to do an official evaluation after you were struggling with those work habits at the beginning of school. The medication HAS made a difference in your self control.

You continue to have a large group of friends and you seem to be popular at school. Sometimes I don't always know that this is a good thing as I think sometimes your popularity stems from your love of making people laugh and getting a reaction. But you are a super smart and funny little guy, so I can see why people are drawn to you. Friendships with certain people ebb and flow, but you consistently remain tight with your buddy JE. At this point, you are more like brothers than just friends. :)

Athletically, you have had a break-out year with hockey.  You tried out for and made the Mite Silver team last season and had a great year. You also played on a Mite House team, coached by Dad. You had fun with both... especially traveling to a tournament in Hershey with the Mite Silver. During the season, you committed to improving your skating and we signed you up for a weekly skating lesson. You rarely complained about getting up at 4:45am once a week and going for a skating lesson before school. And ya know what? Your hard work and dedication paid off. You made the Spring Development "A" team, and you were named to the Squirt Blue 2003 team for next season... the only player to be named who didn't play on the Mite Blue team last year. That's a huge accomplishment, and one that you can be proud of.

You also played "up" to AA baseball this spring. You had a good season with the Rattlers, and had a nice group of teammates. Your team had little success during the regular season, but pulled it together for the playoff game and made it into the championship game. You lost the championship game, but how great to end up with a runner-up trophy! I don't know if you will continue with baseball after this season; you seemed a little wishy-washy about it. I think, compared to hockey, it's kind of boring for you. At one point you told me that you "hated baseball because you just stand around waiting for something to happen." So we'll see. It's totally up to you.

You are a little mouthy with a little more attitude than I'd like at times, but you are also my sweet cuddler. You are always ready with a hug, and it's not hard to coax a smile out of you when you are being poopy. You love being home and doing things with your family. More often than not, you'd rather eat pasta at home than go out to dinner. And you love playing games. Any games will do. And puzzles. And, wow, are you a smart little cookie. So observant, too.

So happy birthday, J-Mav... enjoy your last year in single digits! I can't wait to see what this year brings!

Love,
Mom

14

Somehow, 14 years has gone by since my first child was born. Not sure how that's possible, but the reality is it's a done deal. I now have a son who is only a half inch shorter than I am, and who wears shoes a size larger than his dad. Yet, it seems like only yesterday that that same man-child was a little boy running to me in tears because he scraped his knee while playing street hockey in the driveway.

There were many days over the past year that Hubby and I wondered if Keeper Boy would survive until his 14th birthday. To say that he is trying would be an understatement. He tends to make life so much harder for himself than it needs to be. We talk about that often, though it doesn't seem to sink in. Some day, maybe, the light bulb will go off. In the meantime, we provide structure, discipline, and an Algebra tutor. Someday he will [hopefully] appreciate all of it. Currently, we are just annoying and awful.

There were just as many days over the past year that make us proud and happy. Lots of quarters on the honor roll in the past year. Making Symphonic Band (and skipping right over Concert Band in the process). Telling a friend who was visiting that they couldn't do something because it is not allowed in our house. Playing some of his best hockey this season. Encouraging J-Mav to attend sleep away camp for the first time. And so much more.

This 14th year of my son's life is going to be amazing. So many opportunities all rolled into one amazing year. In March/April he is going to Europe for ten days on a school trip. He will play spring hockey for his future high school. He is spending six weeks in Hawaii this summer, helping to care for his cousins and soaking in all Hawaii has to offer. And he will start high school in the fall. How do you top that?

Well... half way through his 15th year, he can get his driving permit. [Shudder]

Happy birthday, Bud!! I love you to the moon and back. :)

Birthday Blog, Part II

I truly would've been fine had I received nothing for my birthday. That said, it's always fun to get "schtuff." :-) And this year was fabulous -- jewelry and chocolate and shoes, oh my! What more could a gal ask for? Oh! How about a book and money/gift cards! Yes, it was a fabulous!

40 is the new ??

So, I'm 40. FORTY! It came and went with little fanfare. I woke up Saturday feeling the same as I felt when I went to bed Friday night. Looked the same, too, as far as I could tell. So what's the big deal? Why do people fret and moan and dread turning 40?

Idunno.

I'm fairly certain that a large reason that it didn't bother me in the least is because it didn't appear to phase either of my parents in the least. If it did, neither of them showed it. This, too, is probably a large part of why gray/silver hair did and does not freak me out. I have a good amount of that, too.

But I digress.

When my dad turned 40, my mom threw a surprise party for him. (It took two attempts as my dad, who NEVER got sick when I was growing up, had a hideous cold or the flu or something and my mom had to postpone the party for a week later, when he was feeling somewhat, but not all the way, human again). I don't remember necessarily thinking that 40 was old at that time (I was 9.5 at the time); but I do remember thinking it would be FOREVER before *I* was 40. I mean, my GOD. 40!

As I finished high school and went away to school, 25 no longer became so far away. By then my parents were pushing 60 and they certainly weren't old. Heck, my grandfather was in his 80s and HE wasn't old, either.

I blew past 25 (wondering why *I* didn't get a huge insurance discount like Hubby had the year before... hrmph), and waddled my way toward 30 while pregnant with Keeper Boy. Blew past 30, popped out another kid, and nope... still not old. But that 40 was creeping up on me fast.

So now here I am on the other side... joining a lot of my friends who crossed the fence before me. What do ya know? We're all still young and [sometimes] hip (though our now teenagers and tweens would probably tell you otherwise). And I'm once again redefining old. Because now my dad is 70 and mom will join him next year. They're STILL not old (most of the time). ;-P

I'm on the fence about 80. I know people in their 80s who ARE old. And I know people in their 80s who most definitely are NOT old.

But hey... I still have another whole lifetime until I get THERE! Today, 40 is looking pretty good!

40 years ago today...

Forty years ago today, my amazing husband was born amid heart-breaking circumstances. His father had died eight months prior without knowing of the amazing little toe-headed son that would make him a Daddy. It's not hard to see why my Hubby is the man he is today if you look at his mother. She, herself, is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. As a 20-year-old widow, she could've decided that having and/or raising a child on her own was too hard. Instead, she gave him a wonderful childhood, deep-rooted values and morals, and a little brother along the way. She gave him the chance to cross my path on a marching band field in Bowling Green, OH 19 years later.

Forty years ago today, I did not know my husband.

Forty years ago today, I was not even a glimmer in my parents' eyes... but I would be in a few months. :-)

But 20 years ago. That's a different story.

Twenty years ago today, Hubby and I had been dating for about eight months. We have now been together for more than half of both of our lives. That's a strange thought, but not a strange feeling. If feels perfectly right.

I am blessed to have such an amazing husband. I know this. I also know I don't always show him how great I think he is. He adores his mom, and is very close to his younger brother. He is not the kind of person who thinks housework and raising kids is a woman's job. He doesn't hate his in-laws. He kills random bugs that appear in the house so the kids and I don't have to. He goes to the beach with me every once in a while, even though it's not his favorite place to vacation. He voluntarily sleeps in the guest room if either he or I is sick. He even puts the toilet seat down most of the time. :-) He became a hockey fan in college because I was... and now he plays... I'm married to a hot [beer league] hockey player! ;-P He is one of the best Daddys I know. Our boys adore him (even when they say they don't). He's sensitive, patient, and, well, just amazing.

I love him as much now, if not more, than the day I said "I do."

Here's to the next 40 years! Happy birthday!

Seven years ago...

Dear J-Mav (aka Stink) -

Seven years ago you made your grand entrance into this world. You weren't waiting for anyone or anything, least of all the pain medication that would've made me a little more comfortable while you were making your way out into the world. But it was all good -- an 8-pound, 13-ounce bundle of joy with dark eyes and lots of dark hair!

Not to be outdone, your big brother lost his first tooth on the very day you were born! Too big milestones on one summer day.

From the time you were very little you have been very expressive. To this day, you make the funniest faces. Your eyes can open wider than any I've ever seen. And your sense of humor is just coming into its own. Trying to keep up with your brother causes you to push things a little too far at times; however, most of the time you are very cute.

Your young life has not been without medical issues, but luckily they have all been relatively minor and completely treatable. You were diagnosed with acid reflux when you were just six weeks old, but the Zantac (I think that's what it was called) prescription turned you into a new baby, and you outgrew it before you were two. You were diagnosed with asthma early on and had to use a nebulizer for a few years. We were able to pretty much stop that a couple years ago. Now you just need your inhaler every once in awhile--mostly when you have a cold, or when your allergies are really acting up. The allergies just popped up last year. What a mess. March, April, and May are not happy months for you. We control it as much as we can with your allergy medication and wait for the pollen season to pass. Most days you are such a trooper.

And the stitches... only my little J-Mav could manage to fall in a pool and require stitches in your chin while on a cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean! Again... you were such a trooper! You were parading around the ship that night dressed as a pirate with all the rest of the kids from Adventure Ocean.

You made two best friends when you were still in daycare and have maintained that friendship until this day. The Three Amigos are alive and well, and I'm so glad you have such great friendships at such an early age.

You have two years of school under your belt and are doing great. On to 2nd grade next year to learn new and interesting things.

The travel bug seems to have hit you, too... you are mostly a homebody in that you'd rather stay home with us than go out to eat or something like that. But you love going on trips! In your young life you've been to Alaska, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and New York, as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, and several Caribbean islands! Next summer: Hawaii! You are one lucky little guy!

And sports. Another natural athlete. You played soccer from the time you turned four, and have now also played two seasons of baseball. You just started hockey and are planning on playing on a Mites team in the fall. Unfortunately, I think that means you're going to have to give up soccer, but you are SO excited to be playing hockey (and you look adorable in all your gear).

It's been a wonderful seven years, and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store. Happy birthday little man. I love you to this much!!

Love,
Mama

Heard...

My niece called last night to wish Keeper Boy a happy birthday. I could only hear his side of the conversation...

Good.
. . .
Thanks.
. . .
Um... eating dinner. Mom made my favorite dinner.
. . .
Pasta and shrimp. And she made it fancy!

---------------------------------------------
I arranged the shrimp on water goblets so it was like a shrimp cocktail, and I served our drinks in goblets, instead of our everyday glasses. That was the extent of the "out of the ordinary." Who knew I had to do so little to be so "fancy"!?

I've had the best job in the world for 11 years!

Dear Keeper Boy -

Eleven years ago today, Daddy and I went to the hospital. I waddled my way into a Labor, Delivery, Recovery room; had a relatively short (induced) labor; and gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy ever. You.

We went to the hospital unsure of whether we'd be coming home with a little boy or a little girl. We knew you were ALL boy when the first thing you did upon exiting the cozy comfort of the womb was pee all over my doctor. Nice.

You were so long!! That hasn't ever really changed. Today you are less than six inches from being as tall as me. I'll be lucky if you aren't taller than me by the time you leave elementary school at the end of the next school year! Anyway, you were a beautiful, long, blue-eyed baby with ten fingers and ten toes and more blonde hair than I'd ever seen on a newborn (until your brother was born... but his hair was darker).

We brought you home and I began the trial and error process of learning how to be a mommy. Sure, a lot of things fell under the philosophy of "just do it." Maybe I didn't do them perfectly, but I did them at least somewhat naturally. Some things didn't come so naturally and took longer. I contend to this day that Daddy was way more comfortable around you as a newborn than I was. But we all learned together, and I think we did a pretty good job. :)

Very early on, you developed a deep and encompassing knowledge of and love for hockey. Other sports soon followed. But you remain the only three-year-old I've ever known who could correctly pronounce the entire Washington Capitals roster, and provide most of the players' jersey numbers. You started skating when you were three and playing hockey when you were four. You made the jump to goalie when you were six or seven, and haven't looked back. (Well, you have looked back once or twice... and we responded by reminding you how much we paid for your goalie gear.) Outside hockey, you play baseball in the spring and soccer at recess, and you love to watch pretty much any sport on TV.

You also developed a love of reading at a very young age. You were reading chapter books by the time you entered Kindergarten. Earlier this year you finished reading the last of the books in the Harry Potter series. I love that YOUR love of reading has never dwindled. I hope that you carry it into adulthood and never stop! If you never stop reading, you'll never stop learning.

The years have flown by. You are now a big brother. And a pretty good one at that. You have matured into an intelligent, funny, amazing young person. At the same time, you can be infuriating, antagonistic, and amazingly immature. As time marches on, however, it seems the scales are tipping much more to the former rather than the latter. Your ADHD medication helps. :-) There are times when I think I am getting a glimpse of what will be the teenage you, and perhaps even the man. Most of the time, I like what I see.

I know the days that you will want to spend all your free time with Daddy and me are limited. We go through phases when those days are already fading. And I know that sometimes you and I get along about as well as fire and ice. I imagine those times will, unfortunately, get more frequent as you move into the middle school and high school years. So I try to treasure every hug and every "I love you." I know I don't always do a very good job of that. But I hope you know that no matter what--even when I am beyond frustrated--I always love you.

Thank you for giving me the most amazing, frustrating, rewarding, tiring, and fun job I've ever had: Mom.

Happy birthday, Keeper Boy. I love you!