Jackie

Jackie used to come out every October.  This is October of 2001.  That is cute, little Tate and the house was our lovely Hart Road townhouse.  Grandma Jackie taught Coleman and Tate to climb the stairs in that house.  Those were the days....

As Fall rolls around, I still miss Jackie terribly after all these years.  She loved Fall in Maryland, Halloween and being with her grandchildren.  She would have been so proud of the boys and who they are becoming.  

I know it is still painful for Eric.  I wish I could change this.  I am just glad that we have good memories of her and many keepsakes for the boys.  We also try to talk about her in order to keep her memory alive and strong.  Grandma Jackie is important. 

On Friday Jackie's brother Dennis died.   Sad.  

Let me take a selfie

This is just me.  Bad lighting.  Hair up.  Late at night.  2013 I think...  I never take pics of me and certainly not selfies.  I am not sure if I even know how.  I am still struggling with my weight issue so I don't care for my pics.  I am trying to get over this as I want my kids to see me more in pics with them and especially Eric.

Choice.  Chance. Change.  I think I got it this time.  I am sick of the rhetoric.

Lonely me will be empowered me.  (Today was tough).

I did get this email from Jill which made me very happy.  Just what the doctor ordered.  I am blessed with good friends all around.

Maybe I am on my fake period.  Ick.  From Jill.....

So...I pretended not to hear when you said that Eric was going to take a job in Newport.

I just want you to know that you and your freaking family would leave a large ass hole in my heart.

It's not only Jennifer that loves you!  I can speak for the entire family that we would all be incredibly sad.  It would be very hard and very emotional and it would suck!

So, you had sure as hell pray and fast and find out if it's what's best for you and your family.  If you do that, then I can take it.  But, if you don't do that I'll think you're an idiot and just feel angry.

I don't know why you're having a hard time with Jennifer moving.  The people that she doesn't care most about should be sad (not you and me!!!).  To be perfectly honest, I don't care at all that they're moving.  I don't care because I know that she loves me most and you second (no offense, but we shared a bed for years).  You and Eric are the most important people to her.  You two are the ONLY people that matter to her as much as her brother and sisters. I'm dead stinking serious.

That is all for now.

I love you.

Jill

Ted Bundy is not a nice man

DC has some cool museums.  Some are not as known as others.  The Crime Museum falls into this category but is a very interesting place.  On Sunday (we never do this...), we snuck away as  there was no school on Monday but most importantly, the museum is losing their lease and closing doors at the end of the month. Total bummer.

We spent several hours milling around information and artifacts of famous killers and criminals of history.  The above pic is Ted Bundy's car.  He was a "handsome" serial killer of woman and a total creep.  A woman in my current ward (Janet Gress) went on a date with him in this very car.  She must have a tough guardian angel because she lived to tell about it.

It was really fun because we all enjoyed the museum and got something out of it.  They  have a great collection and I hope they find a new and better place.  We went to dinner afterwards and called it a day.

I guess if I had to hashtag the day it would be #morbidfunindc   #breakingthesabbathforted

Lol!!

First day of School 2013 and..... this is what I am talking about....

I searched and searched and cannot find my first day of school pics from 2013.  Thank goodness for Facebook because I did post them there....on time even!  I didn't take most of these and I can't remember why.  

THIS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!  Going back and marching forward is going to be tricky.   Finding pics is hard.  Remembering what I covered or not is time consuming.  Maybe I have lost some things. (like my mind....)    Dang.  A several year break should get you a spank on the bum.  I regret and yet I don't.  

So, here is my plan.  3-5 posts a week until we are caught up or happy with where we are.  Some will be devoted to undocumented and amazing events, memories, trips etc and the rest will be daily life.  Capturing now.  Being present.  When I have a few minutes (oh, let's be real... a few hours), I will schedule a few in and not worry about lost time or dirty dishes.  

And.... with that... here is lovely 2013.  

Coleman, 9th grade at PHS.  Humanities house.  Serious.  Intellectual.   Sweet.  

Tate, 7th grade at LPMS.  Soccer player.  Inventor of things.  Quite and reliable.  Cuddler.  

Gabi, 4th grade at DES.  Artist.  Football player.  Best humor ever.  Tender.

My boys.  Their get along time is dwindling.  Dang.  

Finny, Kindergarten at Epworth School.  My baby.  I couldn't have him gone all day so I put him in private kindergarten.  We go on lots of dates and I really enjoy my last son.  He is mad because I won't let him see the pics.  My child of technology.  

Finny.  Thoughtful.  Funny.  Loves sports.  Sassy.  Lots to hug.  

I used to write and rewrite my thoughts and descriptions but now I must focus on quantity and less on quality.  Or rather.... I want both.  I may be the lone reader, but I will feel relieved, happy, committed, and know that while I could, I chose to document and make a difference in my little boy family.  

On a side note, Jennifer and Nick move to another town and county on Saturday.  I have visions of Pavuk sadness creeping back into my life.  It's not far, but it is.  I know it is for the better for them and am proud that they could make such a hard choice, but I feel lost, sad and anxious.  My emergency contact list is getting smaller.  That worries me.  Living without family was always easier when we were surrounded by family who substituted as family.  Jill will leave and eventually Kolette will leave.  I suffered a looooong time after Pam left.  I was brokenhearted for years.  The move has taken its toll on our friendship and although I will always love her, we are not connected like we used to be.  Here it goes.... we are not close.  

I have the same fears for Jen's move.  I hope to be different.  I guess we will see.  Change is hard. Life is funny.  Our plan is not always our own.  I hope the end of the world is not this month.  That would stink and really throw a wrench in EVERYTHING. 

California dreaming. 

A Christmas card in January

And..... we have the lone family photo from 2014.... that was actually sent in January.  Here is part of my lesson learned part 2.  When you don't have a picture, you can't send out a good Christmas card.  Dang.  I love sending out Christmas cards and have my entire married life (that would be 23 years of wedded bliss).

Luckily Caitlin Moulton came home from college for Christmas and is a new budding photographer.  She took some pics of the boys and the favorite was this.  I send out Happy New Year cards to many great friends!  So, it did work out BUT I like Christmas cards so we will be getting our pictures done via Wendy next month.  Yea!

My boys are cute!  They sure are changing.

#boymom #happy

I learned my lesson.....

This is my family photo from 2013.  It was done by my friend Wendy from Bluelily.  I didn't schedule any time for family photos in 2014 and BOY DO I REGRET THAT!!!!  So, I learned my lesson the hard way with no real family pics from 2014.  Boo hoo.

Eric was gone on this day and I do have fabulous pics that I will someday post.  She is amazing and I will do this no matter what the schedule until they are all gone.

I love this pic.  I love my insane boys.  I love Wendy. (O:

This is priceless.

First day of school 2014

Coleman, 15 years, Sophomore at PHS

Tate, 13 years, last year at Lakelands Park Middle School

Gabriel, 11 years and a fine 5th grade patrol at Darnestown Elementary School

Gabe and Finny in school together at last!  Gabe was sick the first day of school so this is HIS first day of school (hence the different clothing for Finny)

Daddy getting in on the pics action.  What a handsome man!  The boys sure love their Daddy!! 

Last year in Elementary School.  I think he is really glad!  (O:

Phineas's first year at DES.  6 years and a very ready 1st grader

Daddy and Grandma!!  Now that is a good first day of school pic!  So fun to have our Grandparents here visiting!

Grandpa John and Grandma Karen!  Sure is special to have them see Finn off to his new school!  We sure love them!