High Blood Pressure Dropper

H had a dental appointment at 8:30am, a pediatrician appointment at 10am and then pre-school at 11:45am. By the time we arrived at school, you can tell she was ready to crash. But being the trooper she is, plus she immensely enjoys school, she stuck it out until the very end when they hold their candle light blessing song before dismissal. Mike picked her up from school that afternoon and reported back that H was fast asleep in her teacher's arms. She was out cold.

Now, 2 memories entered my mind. And having been a teacher in my previous life, I remember fondly of a little second grader who was so tired from having stayed up a little too late from the excitement of his cousins visit. Right during floor math, he sprawled out on his stomach and crawled under a desk and fell asleep. I was so touched by his body's honesty. The authentic winding down to rest his body exhibited instead of the hyper-crazed disruptive behaviors others have shown.

When H was about 4 months old, I took her to my old school where they were holding the all school Easter service in the great Cathedral. One of the moms took a hold of her and as the choir belted out in unison with the organ, she fell asleep in the parent's arms. She was a Wall Street commodities trader and one can only imagine the rushed pace her professional life demands yet as she watched H's sweet face as her chest swelled and collapsed from her heavy breathing, I literally saw the tension in her body leave her. I imagine her BP dropped considerably too.

I imagine that H's pre-school teacher felt the same way today. She is a beautiful soul to begin with and to have one of her students fall asleep in her arms must have touched her immensely. It means that our H trusts and loves her so completely that she just let go and let it happen. All muscles relaxed as she molded her body into her teacher's and drifted off into slumber. I am so proud of my H. She is everything I could possibly desire in a daughter, a friend and a human being. So natural.....

Happy Birthday, H!

Daughter and I just returned from a train trip to Seattle. I invited one of my oldest friends and her daughter who just celebrated her 3rd birthday. Traveling by train is the way to go when you have toddlers. No seatbelts, freedom to walk around, visits to the potty and dining car are a snap. We sat at the seats which face each other with a table between us. It was like sitting in a booth of a moving diner. We had so much fun.

We spent one night in downtown Seattle at the W Hotel. The concierge brought us chocolate cupcakes to commemorate the girls' birthdays. We dined out for a late dinner, did a late checkout, and spent over an hour at an amazing toy store a few blocks from the train station. We had lunch at a Creole restaurant and caught the 2:20pm train headed back to Portland. The 3 and a half hour ride became 5 hours when our train hit a car at a crossing.

Apparently, black ice caused the stopping car to skid onto the tracks. The passengers jumped out before the our train came and we fortunately hit an empty car. No major damage and no human injuries. Thank God!!!

When we finally pulled into the station, H ran to greet her Daddy and jumped into his arms while bursting into tears. She began an all out cry fest. Not sure how to interpret that one. Was she so glad to see him she cried for joy?

Talladega Nights

Just watched this incredibly funny movie with Mike after the kids got to bed early. If you go into it with zero expectations and a nonchalant attitude, you'll find yourself slapping your mouth shut from laughing too loud. The storyline takes you from beginning to end of a man who only wants his father's love and approval through what he thought was something his father admired....speed through racing cars. The interesting thing is that what happens to Ricky Bobby is quite predictable in that he attains stardom status, makes crazy money and lands himself a trophy wife, etc.

The surprising twists and turns can be found in the "culture" of his family and friends. For example, talking trash to elders by the little boys, the debate over prayers to which Jesus at the dinner table, the friend who only knows that being second and a punching bag is the only way to be a friend, and Will Ferrell pulls it all off with his signature infantile style. I think he is absolutely hilarious. I loved him on SNL, and loved him as one of the Roxbury brothers, and love all his feature films.

By the end, he is humbled by his downfall and seeks the comfort of mom. I laughed until I cried. Go rent it.

Is it too late for a New Year's resolution?

It's already nine days into the new year... We rang in the new year with a fight. Aside from my holidays bah humbug attitude, I managed to purge on Mike all the "stuff" I'd been bottling up inside. Poor guy. He doesn't know what hit him...as always. But after simmering in the smoke post battle, I've come to a few conclusions.

1. Whatever it is that makes me dissatisfied or unsettled (thus needing to voice my grievance) seem petty compared to many of the larger issues some people have to struggle with on a day to day basis. I'm thinking about clinical depression, loneliness, ADHD, social anxiety, etc. I have none of these (PMS doesn't count).

2. Ultimately, I have the power to change and redirect things affecting my life. I have choices I can make. There are opportunities that present themselves to me whether I go looking for them or not. For all of this I should be thankful. Amen.

3. My children and husband are the most important people in my life. They should feel loved, supported and cared for always. I cannot ever neglect that grand responsibility as a wife and mother. When my children are sought out, loved and adored by others, it is a direct reflection on how I nurture them. Same goes for my husband.

4. All in all, I have really nothing substantial to complain about. I just need one inspiring pick me up to point me in the right direction. I will pursue this. I will find something that excites me and begin my new project. I don't want to waste another day without a start.

SOOOOOO.....where does that leave me? I am ready for the new year...now. 2007 shall hold new adventures, new journeys and hopefully give me another year of meaningful growth and learning. I am open to seeing where this year will take me and my beautiful family. Life is good.