Progress Report

In case you were wondering (but most have probably forgotten to ask...), the ROOKIE triathlon came and went this past weekend...without me in attendance. A couple weeks ago my ultra-hip-cool-chick-friend/swim coach and I came to the mutual agreement that I was not ready for the swimming portion of ANY triathlon...even one named "The Rookie." So, I bowed out gracefully. All the while breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Yesterday the plan was to swim in open water at Boerne Lake...home to some infamous alligator. Thank you, God, for the lightning and thunder that prevented us from plunging into the choppy, murky waters. Yesterday morning I woke up with intense fear and some serious levels of anxiety coursing through my entire body. I was so relieved not to have to do the lake swim that I headed to the gym and ran 3 miles straight (and quite FAST!) before swimming in the gym pool (that is NOT infested with any alligators, thank you very much!).

Today Lisa and I biked 14 miles and then ran about a mile and a half. Not too bad given the warm temps and high humidity. Tomorrow is a day of rest...swimming on Friday and a bike/run on Saturday.

I'm completely excited and teeny bit nervous as the big day approaches. I am feeling stronger and sleeping more soundly. I am more conscious of and grateful for my body's capabilities. Once I conquer the lake swim and get over the fear of being an alligator's breakfast I believe there is no stopping me on June 8th. Or any day of the year for that matter.

Have you seen the movie "Curious George?" If not, well, it's one of the most feel-good movies you'll ever watch. I love the theme song's lyrics:

Who's to say I can't do everything?
Well, I can try.
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem
I wanna turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found...

Here's to turning the whole thing upside down. I cannot imagine living life any other way.

It's Great to be Me

Mother's Day was the best this year...I lost count how many times the kids said "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!" Lots of hugs and kisses came my way...which, thankfully, is not unlike most other days.

I'm a total and complete sucker for these hand made gifts...and the kids' teachers didn't disappoint. Here are Priya's photo flower pot, Deven's hand print in clay, and Trevor's hand painted Chinese food take-out box...complete with chopsticks and fortune cookies that actually had "Happy Mother's Day" messages inside! My heart was melting.

The photo book was compiled by Daddy and the kids...they went to great lengths to insert the pics in this giant, book-sized Hallmark scrapbook. So precious.



Since I have become quite the coffee addict...Animesh couldn't resist buying me these mugs for Mother's Day.



After church we headed to our neighborhood brunch...where we were lucky enough to be seated next to friends (and a soon-to-be mother of three.)



The kids had a blast playing chase, ring-around-the-rosey, and duck duck goose.



Resting on the lounge chairs by the pool. The resting lasted about a minute and then they were off again.



It really IS great to be me...the mother of these special little Indians.



After brunch we headed home to do absolutely nothing. Priya and I lounged around outside...



...while the boys flew their kites. It was a perfect, extra-windy day for it.



The day ended with me going to Game 4 of the Spurs/Hornets play off series with a dear friend. I haven't been to a game all season. Thankfully, I wasn't a bad luck charm, because the series is finally all tied up! GO SPURS GO!

What Makes a Mother?

This is for the mothers who have sat up
all night with sick toddlers in their arms,
wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer
wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,
'It's okay honey, Mommy's here.'

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on
end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at
work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains
on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and
make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to
babies they'll never see. And the mothers
who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art
collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal
bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching
from the warmth of their cars.
And that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, Mom?'
they could say, 'Of course, I wouldn't
have missed it for the world,' and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids
in the grocery store and swat them in despair when
they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.
And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize
how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with
their children and explained all about making
babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who
wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go
hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read 'Goodnight,
Moon' twice a night for a year. And then
read it again, 'Just one more time.'

This is for all the mothers who taught
their children to tie their shoelaces before
they started school. And for all the mothers
who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons
to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns
automatically when a little voice calls 'Mom?'
in a crowd, even though they know their
own offspring are at home -- or even away
at college -- or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids
to school with stomach aches, assuring them
they'd be just FINE once they got there, only
to get calls from the school nurse an hour later
asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone
astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they
bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of
recent school shootings, and the mothers
of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers
who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging
their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their
children to be peaceful, and now pray
they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and
sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache she feels when she
watches her son or daughter disappear
down the street, walking to school alone
for the very first time?

The jolt that takes her from sleep to
dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put
her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again
at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear
their key in the door and know they
are safe again in her home?

Or the need to flee from wherever she is
and hug her child when she hears news
of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are
universal and so our thoughts are for
young mothers stumbling through diaper
changes and sleep deprivation...
And for mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us...

Hang in there. In the end we can
only do the best we can. Tell them
every day that we love them. And pray.
And never stop being a mother.

Author Unknown

Biker Chicks

Priya's Bike Rodeo at school was last week. She just looked so grown up and so proud as she made her way through the obstacles. My dad commented that we should go speeding in Boerne during the bike rodeo since most of the police officers were at the school judging.




Very cool that all the kids received ribbons. Awards are tomorrow morning...because I'm in the "know" I know that Priya did not place, but that's okay. She participated, which is far more than I thought she would do since she has this thing about people watching her perform.



Fellow biker chick Mommy rode 12 1/2 miles with Lisa this morning. Then, we ran about a mile with spaghetti legs and full bladders. Trying to put all the events together in preparation for the big June 8th race.

We practice swimming in open water next week. So happy to hear that Boerne Lake is home to an alligator. SO HAPPY!

Dino-MITE!

Some shots from Deven's birthday party. We had the best weather for our outdoor celebration. Click on photos to see close up.

Mommysaurus Rex in all my glory. I had these made up for the party...Daddy wore his reluctantly, but he wore it. AND, he cooked all the yummy food for the grown-ups. Way to go, Daddysaurus.



The little Indians looked cute in their personalized shirts.



The excited birthday boy cannot WAIT to eat cake.



The Dino Family.



Trevorsaurus showcases a nice shiner he received while in the bouncy castle. Those things are dangerous...especially when you add a bunch of excited, active little boys.



Daddysaurus Rex showed off his (limited) balloon-making talents for friends.



Devensaurus received so many thoughtful, unusual Dino gifts...including this really cool excavation kit. The boys played "paleontologist" for a long time.



Priya and Mommysaurus chill out on the back patio after the bash ended.



And, Spridle doing his part by cleaning off the kid tables. On TOP of the tables. He's a hoot.



Fun party, gorgeous weather, and wonderful friends. Who could ask for more?

Time Stand Still

Five years ago today I arrived at Methodist Hospital at 5am so that I could be induced into labor. For many people in my neck of the woods, this day is remembered as Cinco de Mayo. For me, it is the day our beautiful 9 pound baby boy entered the world.

He was nicknamed "Baby" Deven by my friend, Lisa, and her family. The name stuck, and Deven's big sister, Mommy, and some of our closest friends still call him that. He doesn't mind...not yet anyway. He's still a mama's boy and one of the only boys the girls in his class will play with. Guess he's used to it having a big sister.

My absolute favorite picture of him the day he was born. I still hold him this way.



And, this is Baby Deven at his 5th birthday party this weekend. All grown up and such a hoot. We call him the jokester. He's either gonna be a wickedly intelligent scientist or an entertainer in Vegas. It's a toss-up--but it will be so much fun to see where his life takes him.



That old Rush song "Time Stand Still" popped in my head as I began to write this.

"Freeze this moment a little bit longer...make each sensation a little bit stronger..."

It is bittersweet watching the 3 little Indians become NOT so little so quickly...yet I relish the milestones they have reached and the accomplishments we have all celebrated. I look back on the last 5 years since Deven's birth and have seen many changes...in our children...in our family...in myself.

The days and months and years are whizzing by. And, I am reminded once again that life is so short. We must cherish each waking moment with those we hold dear. We must not take one moment with our loved ones for granted. That's what life is all about. Loving and being loved.

So, Baby Deven. Happy 5th birthday, sweet pea. We love you to the moon and back...to infinite and beyond...forever and ever.

Fascinating or Fossil?

Modern Art Museum by dumpr.net


Ok. I'm cracking myself up. I should be preparing for Deven's prehistoric dino bash (that is in about 16 hours), but instead I'm amusing myself on the computer. Isn't this picture amusing? Click on it for a larger view.

When I think of museums I think of either fascinating exhibits or really old fossils. Wonder what these people might be thinking as they stare at me. Fascinating or fossil?

Maybe both?