Super Moon

The moon is a familiar sight in our sky, brightening dark nights and reminding us of space exploration, past and present. But the Super Moon — on Monday, Nov. 14 — will be especially “super” because it’s the closest full moon to Earth since 1948. 

 My husband was able to capture these gorgeous photos of the Super Moon.  I love how you can see the different colors and make out the craters.

We won’t see another Super Moon like this until 2034.

Ice skating in 1975

I was 7 years old and remember watching World Figure Skating Championships on TV.  I thought Dorothy Hamill was beautiful.  Although I don't remember who won or who didn't, I knew I wanted to be just like her.   It was exciting when my sisters and I got ice skates for Christmas!

My Dad took us to a local ice rink that he played hockey on. The rink was located at The Hill School. Each winter my mom would dress us up warmly, even put baggies over our socks.  (Not sure why she thought this would keep us warm).  At first I clung to the walls as I went around the rink. Eventually I let go and had a lot of fun!  I loved the smell of the rink, the outdoor food trucks with french fries and the best hot coca ever.  To this day I can still smell the aromas.  Skating is one of my favorite childhood memories that I share with my sisters.
The rink was torn down around 10 years ago and replaced by a modern indoor rink.  My son played hockey on the newer rink a few times.  It really is a nice facility, but it's not the same as an outdoor rink.

A little trivia... The Hill School is a private school where Donald Trump's children attended.

The Evil Queen

 I have become a huge fan of Once Upon A Time on ABC.  My favorite character is Regina, The Evil Queen.  This halloween we attended a costumer party.  I've never been to a costume party before!  It was so much fun dressing up and being EVIL!  

My second favorite character from the show is Captain Hook. 

 Instead of Todd dressing up as Prince Charming I found a pirate costume!  

 Happy Halloween!

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers.  I love how they bloom a variety of different colors.  

The first two years, bushes didn't bloom at all.  I thought I had dysfunctional hydrangea's.
I've seen many bushes full of blooms in other peoples yards and have often wondered how they did it.

Last year - AHA! - I had a bunch of blooms!

I can't wait to see how many I get this spring!!

Zachary turns 21!

 

Now that are 21, which parenting rules still apply? Which ones are as irrelevant now as the Little Tikes car that you used to drive around in? Up and down the block you’d go, you’re little legs propelling you forward. What changes, now that you’re legally able to buy at a bar? Do my words of advice become pointless, or does maturing cause you to listen more closely?

How does it feel to look back over 21 years and know that, once and for all, your childhood is over? This marks the beginning of the next phase of your life — the start of your life as a grown man. I see the beginnings of it all, looking at you, remembering the sweet little boy with a Barney the Dinosaur obsession.

There’s so much more to come, and you’re anxious for it all to happen, I see that. Don’t rush it. There are so many things to figure out for your future, and it won’t happen all at once. Please, linger here for a moment and enjoy the present.

Sometimes I miss that little boy, the one with the purple dinosaur on his bed and enormous green eyes that looked at me as if I was the queen of the world. But I love the man you’ve become, that you’re becoming. If you don't mind I’ll hold onto the memories and look forward to the ones to come.

Letter to Zachary

Dear Zachary,

First - let me say that I do not mean to embarrass you with this; however, I do believe that it is a mother's prerogative to allow her emotions to overwhelm her at certain points of her life. The opportunity to begin the next chapter of your life as you enter into adult-hood is one of them. It is because this means that my chapter as your mother is going to begin changing as well.  So be patient with me, because if I’m crying while writing this, I will most certainly be crying as you read it.  A mother’s love knows no bounds and neither does her sadness and trepidation as her son moves onto the next phase of his life, without her holding his hand every step of the way.

When you were born, I was scared to death. Until that baby is in your arms, you can’t quite fathom the panic that sets in with all the responsibility looming ahead of you, but at the same time, you experience this unimaginable joy and love.  Unconditional love… from the first look in your eyes and the first time your little fist wrapped around my finger. I was instantly in love with you.  I remember standing for hours by your crib, just looking at you.  I was in awe that such a precious, perfect little baby was mine.  I was so in love that I would just cry sometimes as I held you.  Some nights I would get up just to hold you while you slept.  I felt like I was the luckiest mom alive to have you for my son.

Parenting you has been the ride of a lifetime. I wouldn’t trade it or give up a second I’ve spent with you, worrying about you, loving you, arguing with you. It’s been 21 years of pure emotion: love, joy, worry, anger, frustration, terror. Sometimes the emotion isn’t even mine, but yours. When you’re excited, happy or, worse, heartbroken, I feel those things, too.  

 Ever since you were born, I worried and wondered about whether or not I was being the best parent I could be. Did I make you feel important? Did we find enough time for the little things that live on in happy memories - like laughter, and hugs, and "just-between-us" moments?  Did I show you enough that you mean the world to me? And, more importantly, did you always know I loved you, even when I was angry at you?  I hope I’ve given you enough and made you feel loved, cherished and important.

Sometimes I just stare at you when you aren’t paying attention… and sometimes you catch me. :)  Why do I do that, you wonder?  There are lots of reasons.  I'm staring because it amazes me that someone as handsome, funny, loving and smart as you ever came out of me.  I think, how did I get so lucky?! 

 I'm staring at you with hope, because I know that you're sensitive and sometimes a clueless, naive kid…and because I know that the world you're moving into can be unpredictable and cruel at times. I just hope that I’ve given you enough ‘tools’ to make it in this world without too much difficulty.  

The biggest reason I'm staring is because I know that our time together is short and growing shorter by the day. The day is coming soon when I'll no longer be a part of your everyday life. There will be work, some girl who steals your heart, some career that keeps you busy. So knowing that my opportunities to teach and influence you will soon slow down to only the occasional Sunday dinners and holidays, makes me sad.

  I find myself frantically wondering if I've covered all the bases, told you all the things I wanted you to know…and wondering, too, if you ever truly listened.  I hope you did.  Ultimately, you are responsible for your own life. It’s a scary concept, isn’t it? Your happiness, your fortune, and your emotional well-being all essentially belong to you to control and steer. 

I know you aren't sure what you want to do with your life yet, but I have no doubts that you can do anything you set your mind to. That’s why college was good for you, it allowed you a little more time to figure it out and decide, while still having the safety of your family. It allowed you to ‘find yourself’ in a way working in the world, just won’t.  It allowed you to begin the responsibilities of being an adult, out on your own, for just awhile. 

 Now is the time for you to figure out who you want to become and where you want to go in life. I am nervous for you, but at the same time glowing with pride about the young man that you have grown to be.  

 Follow your dreams. Never give up on something you desperately want. Ever.  I want great things for you.  If I didn't always find a way to say it, I hope I always showed it - I'm proud to be your mother and I love you with my heart and soul.

Happy 21st Birthday My Darling Baby Boy.  I love you…forever.

Super Bowl Party

 Every year we host a Super Bowl party since our boys were youngsters.

This year was extra special because my son, Zachary's favorite team is the Broncos.

 He was confident the entire time that the Bronco's would win!!