Scooters and Tumbling and Tornadoes, Oh My!

Sheesh - just when I think we might have a free moment, we don't. Lots of happenings recently:

Bike Rally
One of my favorite events of the school year, this party probably used to be educational (i.e., "Follow the rules of the road. Take turns with other drivers. Stop at the stop signs."), but now it's just a fun day for families. In our case, it was a wake-up call to the fact that we really should start working on riding a 2-wheeler. Anyway, it was hot (90 degrees), and sweaty, but so cute. I will definitely miss this activity next year. BTW, I only have two photos; I was that mother who forgot to charge the camera.




Medals
The end of tumbling classes resulted in a cute parents' show and medal ceremony. I am a little concerned about Jacob's flexibility (he can do the splits both ways) and strength (he can do 4 chin-ups in a row, which is 4 more than either his dad or I can do); does this mean he'll be able to whup our butts in a few years?








Tornadoes
At the slightest hint of springtime humidity and wind, the weathermen here go berserk. They like their viewers to feel that the weather is symbolic of the apocalyspe instead of a typical Monday in May. Unfortunately, yesterday they were right. Bypassing our neighborhood, several surrounding areas were affected and it's all very sad. On a different note, when talking to my husband on the phone about my fear of getting in a small, dark closet with 2 dogs, a cat, and a 6 year-old, he basically told me to eff the cat, a notion I never thought he'd consider. Not that we don't love her, but she is the Anti-Christ and my first-aid kit isn't sufficient enough to handle the aftermath of the Devil's Den.

(Speaking of) Dogs
The dogs seem to be getting along. They play, eat and sleep together constantly. I think Sugar is glad to have the company. Honestly, the biggest drawback is the amount of doo that we now have in the backyard. But, really, I'm not complaining, especially since that's the one thing I refuse to do around the house. Mark might have a different take but, really, he shouldn't complain, either. Especially since that's the one thing he HAS to do around the house. :)

Someday

Oh, Jacob. I hate that you sometimes have to see me sad.

I hate that people ask if "it's about time for another;" I hate that nosy shopkeepers inquire if your list to Santa includes a sibling; I hate that your friends (no fault to them, as they're as young and innocent as you) ask me why you don't have a brother or sister as they sit next to you in the back seat.

But the thing I hate the most is that I have no good answers when you're the question-asker.

We will probably not "get (you) a brother or sister." And it's not because you don't deserve one because, you, Jacob, deserve the world. Your daddy and I would have loved nothing more than to give you a playmate, a confidante, a hair-puller and tagalong. We would have loved to taught you to change a diaper, shampoo a bald head, and share your favorite book. Without a doubt, you would have been the best big brother in the universe, and you would have done so with such a gentle lovingness that it would have put our techniques to shame.

I know this is hard for a 6 year-old who has won over the world to understand, but we don't always get what we want. It's no one's fault, and it's not fair, but it's the way it is. I told you once that God decides who gets to raise His babies. That probably wasn't the right way to explain it; unfortunately, I don't know the right way, especially when it seems that the most ill-equipped, financially strapped people become parents, looking at child-rearing as a "right" instead of a "privilege." But, again, there is no explanation.

Someday, when you're older and the time is right, I'll tell you many stories and show you many pictures. Stories that I think about every single day of my life, and pictures that I keep only because I don't know what else to do with them. Things that time will have healed, and memories that will be just distant enough to be only memories.

Until then, it's important to me that you know that, if I get nothing else in life, I got the most important, most perfect, brightest star in the galaxy. It's important that you know, if nothing else, that you have a luxury none of your friends have, and that's your Dad and me. You get us all to yourself; no fighting over laps or bedtime hugs or seats at the dinner table. They're all for you. They will always be all for you.

As if it Wasn't Crazy Enough...

Quite an expensive weekend at 3829 so far...

Last night (in a fit of either rage, stupidity, or boredom), we ordered a television off Home Shopping Network's website (hmmm...sounds more like "drunkeness" when I throw in the HSN nugget, yes?). Anyway, not that we EVER shop HSN, or ever will again, but a good deal, plus a coupon, plus free S&H, should ensure that our new 37" bedroom TV will arrive on our doorstep in 5-7 days. Now I will also have to figure out how much a second cable/DVR box will cost me per month, because don't think I'm going to settle for network in bed. Totally takes the guesswork out of what I'll be doing from now on while the boys play video games in the other room...

So then this morning, we officially became a bi-racial family. Yep, we got a dog to babysit our other dog. Not 100% sure what her pedigree is but, to use the term the sweet lady from the rescue coined, she's definitely got some Terrier-ist in her. Her name was Gabby, but about 35 suggestions and a few tears later, we settled on "Rosie." Funny that we now have 3 animals with names that, due to our lag in the "r" sound, our son cannot pronounce. To catch you up, that's "Sugoh," "Gwacie," and now "Wosie."





Anyway, after an emergency trip to our favorite groomer, we've decided that she's super cute and a big lover, so I think she'll fit right in here (because, you know, we're super cute and big lovers!). Of course, the cat hates her but, aside from Mark and I, there's really no one that the cat doesn't hate, so...life goes on.

Since I know you were just about to ask, all "Welcome, Rosie!" and/or "Hang in there, Shannon!" gifts and money orders can be sent to our home. I can also provide you with our PayPal account in case that works best for you; just let me know.