Shivering

The clouds moved in and a breeze swept through the air after swim classes today. The girls were shivering as they waited in line for lunch. This summer at the park, the school is providing breakfast and lunch for all children under 18 through some sort of grant apparently. It works well for us, TJei's swim class starts at 9:20am so we go early and the kids eat breakfast before class. Then, Mia's class finishes at 11:30. We stay in the pool and TJei joins us for about 30-45 minutes in the Tot Swim session. So, it is a bit after noon when we finish up ...just in time for lunch! :)

Except today. It was chilly. They endured though. So did I. :)

In My Thoughts

It hardly seems possible it's been so long ago. Ten years today. I think of you so very often. Especially when I hear myself saying something that could have easily come from you. Your words of encouragement echo in my ears. No matter what, you always had confidence in me. You boosted me and encouraged me. You'd get frustrated when I didn't have the same type of confidence. I can still envision that little fist balling up into an animated swing across your chest, just under your chin as you'd use it to emphasize the "see, I told you" expression and words excitedly rushing from your mouth. And, that smile...the one that wasn't really a smile, just the hint of one. The one that meant you knew all along it was doable, and glad I finally realized it, too. I love you, Mom. I miss you.

PS: You'd be so proud of Z's latest feat, too! There again, you always knew she could do it. :)

Dude & Dudette

Philip and Cassandra stopped by for a visit before he got ready to return to the Valley. The two of them are so cute together.  I'm looking forward to getting to know her better. :)

Invitations

Print copies will be in the mail ASAP. She is adorable and I had so much fun creating this design. Look how long her hair is when straightened! Oh my.

Tender Mercies

It's been a good day. A sad day, too. A friend called this morning. Her mother passed away during the night. It was expected. Maybe not quite this soon but still expected. I am grateful she called me. It has been such a blessing to spend time with her on this special day. I have witnessed tender mercies touching her life on... this day as they have over recent days. I am grateful for the knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan.

Father's Day

My own father passed away in 1991, the same year as Mike's mom. That was a hard year for us. There is another father in my life who deserves special accolades on this Father's Day. Actually, there are several special fathers in my life, my boys are great dad's too. Mike is the dad at the center of my world, my children's dad. Mike has always been active and involved in whatever the kids were doing. He coached soccer. helped with baseball teams, judged debate matches, participated in scouting, attended parent-teacher meetings, cooked, cleaned, escorted and outlawed whenever necessary to demonstrate love and interest in the kids and their lives. Love for their mother, too. Mike has always been so supportive of me and the things that interested me. Mike, you're amazing...and I love you so very much. You're working today but I am hoping you will enjoy this special day. xoxox

The picture above was taken in October 1991 at Roosevelt Lake. It is one of my all-time favorite pictures of Mike...so good looking and so fun loving.

So Proud!

Zena, I am so proud of you! You took the challenge and you prevailed. Wooohooo! Your efforts have been tremendous but the story itself has been pretty awesome, too. :) I am just awed by the fact someone was waiting for you to arrive and register for the Ohio Wheelchair Sports Games in Columbus...waiting for you to register and to ask you if you'd ever considered trying out for the US Paralympics Team.

Participation plaque and tee shirt.

Then to go to the Saginaw Valley competition-setting two National Records-and qualifying for the US Paralympics competition in Miramar, Florida. And wow! You did it again, two National Records, this time qualifying you to participate in international competition with the US Paralympics Team!

Two gold medals earned at Miramar US Paralympics competition.

I am so proud of you and the challenges you strive to overcome...in sporting events and in daily life. As one of the very few people with memories of you taking taking steps and walking as a little toddler, and memories of you in an iron lung, I know all too well none of us can fully understand just how challenging day to day life can be, not alone the added challenge of competition at national and international levels.

I recall in a recent conversation, when people were expecting just a bit too much from you in caring for others, I asked, "What do they think you are, Superwoman?"

I'd asked the question in a sarcastic way...dissin' those wanting more from you.

The title wasn't too far off though.

You've always been an independent - sassy - gal. Even as a youngster but especially as a teen and young woman. You set goals. And you didn't settle for reaching your goals, you moved the goal posts even further away each time you rolled over that finish line.

I am so proud of you, Z. I am proud of your accomplishments and I look forward to cheering you on through the next challenge you give yourself. You know I'm your greatest fan. (It's okay if others want to claim that role when out of my earshot.) You're Superwoman!

luvu

Sassy Sister

I am so proud of you! You continue to challenge yourself and set higher and higher goals of physical accomplishment in spite of the physical limitations you've been dealt through life. The happy tears fllowed when I learned you had set two new national records on discus. I know I give you grief about the WII (hehehe) and will probably continue to do so...just 'cause it's fun to have something to pick on you about!

I hope and pray you are able to raise the needed funds and make the trip to Florida for the National competition. I know this is a critical meet to qualify fot the National Paralympic Team. You deserve a place on that team and you would make such a good representative to demonstrate the abilities of the disabled.

I love you and wish you the best of luck during this next competition!

Busy Day

Mike is in the Valley. He rode down with Spence yesterday. When TJei asked "how did he get there?" after seeing our truck, I told her Maria's dad gave him a ride down. She says back, "Oh. Maria's brother's dad." LOL Too funny. Everything is relative to Ralph. :)

Today has been busy, busy, busy. I went to water aerobics from 7:00-8:00am then picked up TJei and took her to swim class from 8:45-9:15am. Then I took care of food orders. After that, I picked up the girls and rounded up their library books...four hours reading this past week, woohoo! We went to the library for storytime and located a bunch of new books for this upcoming week.

Later, I went to the pool for the adult session and visited with Christine while lounging in the water on a noodle. :) Visting with her made me recall we have a couple wet suits...somewhere. When Mike gets home we may try rounding them up. My old wet suit would probably fit her daughter. In fact, Mike's old suit may fit her son, maybe her husband.

hmmm I suspect Advil time is approaching. I may have to get my shoulder checked out before much longer. :(

Chris Meets Daphne

When I told Chris that Daphne was Jacob's littlle baby, he immediately scooped her up and crooned over her. Someone mentioned it being too bad there wasn't a camera around, but of course, I had a camera easily within reach. :) Hope I don't get booted for taking a picture in the chapel! The locale hadn't even crossed my thoughts beforehand. Christopher just adored his friend's little baby girl.

I Dream of Jeannie

Mia loves the two outfits from India that Sis. Patel gave her. They are so cute on her! :)

Her pose is just too funny. I love this little gal so much!

Summer Reading

The girls love to "read" books, or have books read to them. Today we went to the library and signed up for the summer reading program. And TJei is now old enough for her very own library card! Talk about excited. :)

The girls had fun listening to stories and playing games on the computers, too. I love that the library has a row of computers just for little kids. :)

Mia brought a chuckle throughout the library too. Wearing headphones to listen to the adventure, she suddenly called out to "warn" Dora not to go that way. LOL I was on the other side of the computers so could see across the library when it happened. Even the librarians were chuckling, knowing what had happened.