Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to my favorite son!

Today, although there have been early signs of onset, Ceres officially became a teenager [insert your condolences here]. How did it happen? Where did that little boy, the one who used to shake his booty to jazz music, with the stunning smile and sparkling eyes go? Will I ever see him again?


Occasionally, that boy emerges from its generally happy, but sarcastic and sometimes moody host and reveals his chatty, charming self . Examples of these moments include the trip to Best Buy a couple of days ago to purchase an Xbox 360 Elite for his birthday (I was totally and completely outnumbered on this decision, not to mention not even considered a reliable source of reasoning), the day school started late and his piano lesson was canceled, the drive to a sleepover where there would be much Xbox playing and very little sleep, and finally getting that long-procrastinated book report done. I love those moments.

Somehow, I've got to come to terms with the fact that my son is an ever-changing being progressing through this life at (to me) an alarming speed. My sincerest hope is that he will always find joy, expansive or minute, throughout his life and that his family (well, selfishly, me in particular) will be a major source of that joy to him.

He is my baby, my boy, my teenager, my missionary, my grand children's father, my son. I love him, all.



*Although his birthday was on a Monday, we bought his Xbox the Saturday before. We teased him that, even though he had gone with us to purchase it and that it was in his hot little hands and he could set it up, he wasn't allowed to play it until his birthday. We thought he understood that we were teasing, but he was unsure. It was late when we got home, so he set it up and then went to bed. Sunday morning, I woke up and found him in the family room watching TV. I asked why he wasn't playing Xbox and he replied that he thought he wasn't supposed to play it until Monday. I told him we were only joking. He then jumped up off the couch, said, "See ya!", and zoomed out of the room. We haven't seen him since.

They Weren't Looking at Her Shoes

My sister, Toni, and her husband came down from Utah this last weekend for my nephew's missionary farewell. While she was here, she and I and mom took a little trip to Dillard's. We stopped in the shoe department to observe a pair of shoes. I liked their greenish color, but the design of the shoe was odd. We had decided we didn't like the shoes when I looked to see what brand they were (you know how, when you're on the fence about a pair of shoes, the brand name can make all the difference of whether they are "worthy" of your feet or not?). Well. . .

They were Jessica Simpson shoes.

As my mom reached to touch them, I exclaimed, "Don't touch those, they have cooties!"

Startled, she drew back her hand and asked, "Huh?"

I first had to tell her who Jessica Simpson was, and then explain to her that my (other) sister and I have boycotted Jessica Simpson's shoe collection because her public image (a little bit dumb, a little bit trashy, a whole lot of fake blonde hair) gives us Roly-Eye-and-Gag Syndrome (yeah, I just made that up. Do I need to explain?).

So we moved on. We had a great weekend with nary another thought of the celebrity. Jake's farewell was awesome; his talk really good (and as Grandma Honey said to me, the most we'd ever heard him talk at once).

Last night, after Toni had flown home, I received a text message from her. Our texting conversation went like this:

Toni: You just missed Jessica Simpson! SLC airport.

He (Randy, her husband) had one of the guys forward a picture so we could send it to you but it didn't come. Sorry.

All these guys are congratulating themselves for getting pictures of her. Oh, now Randy's best friends with them!

Me: That is too funny. Did she have cute shoes on?

Toni: Um, I wasn't that interested so I didn't look. How dumb is that?

Actually I don't think any of the guys were looking at her feet either.

Me: Really??? I thought that would be the first place they'd look. Silly me.

Toni: Fw: here it is.














Me: Oh, cool. Yeah, definitely not looking at her shoes.

I Like Him

A few nights ago I woke up from a dream. As I shifted my position in bed, Dave murmured something in my ear and settled his arm over me.

"Are you awake?" I asked. "I want to tell you about my dream."

He mumbled yes. I knew he wouldn't remember what I told him, but I wanted to remember the dream. So I proceeded to tell him:

In my dream, my life is pretty much the same as it is now, except that somewhere along life's path, Dave and I had gone our separate ways and I am now married to another man, a nameless, faceless person. I know that, as part of my dream, I love this other man and that he is the father of my son (my same son, who looks just like Dave). However, after all these years, Dave and I meet again. And as we are talking we realize that we were never supposed to have been apart. Without a moment's hesitation I decide that it doesn't matter what it takes, it's time to leave my husband, take my child and be with Dave. It's the right thing to do.

I awake from this dream with the realization that this is affirmation that I have chosen the right person, my real husband, to be my partner through life's journey.

I have often wondered what my life would be like without Dave. Early in our relationship, on more than one occasion, we tried to break up. But we couldn't ever stay apart. And while our relationship was rocky in the beginning, as soon as we got married we settled into happiness and comfort.

I am incredibly lucky to be loved (unconditionally) by this man. And everyday he gives me reasons to love him back.

But we don't say it too often - I love you - because it's more important to us that we like each other. So we say "I like you". And it makes us happy.

Sockology II

I have managed to post twice in one day. While most of you may die of shock (I'm barely clinging to life myself), I know some of my fellow bloggers will be very proud of me. Savor the moment. This will only happen once.

Maybe I should spread out the bounty and save this for tomorrow, but I just couldn't put off this UPDATE on my socks.

My last sock knitting class was Aug. 23rd, during which time I finished the first sock. Here is a picture of it.

Four days later I had the second sock finished as well. What do you think of the contrasting color on the heel and toe? I received a lot of compliments from my classmates on my color choices. I was pretty pleased.

Tendu


Releve


(Look who stopped by for a sneak peek.)

Knitting these socks was surprisingly easy to do. Amazing! No wonder so many knitters do it. Anyway, I've already stocked up on some sock yarn and am eager to learn some more complex patterns. In the meantime, I've started a second pair of socks with a lighter weight yarn and smaller needles. More to come on that.

Also, during this time I finished another cabled hat. Just in time for our Labor Day camping trip. Voila!

Aikido

I thought I'd write about something Ceres does besides play video games. It's called Aikido, a Japanese martial art that focuses on redirecting the force of an attack to defend oneself while avoiding injury to yourself and the attacker. I think Ceres actually enjoys this hour away from his games (I'm as shocked as you). I keep wondering when the spell will break. But for now, I am enjoying these two hour (including drive time), twice a week, sitting through class, not doing housework, being a good mom, excursions to East Mesa.

Ceres' instructor, Darrell D'Antonli, explaining a technique...

...and performing it

Students learn to practice techniques with all kinds of partners, big and small. Here, the tallest and shortest students in class are grappling. Too funny.

For more information on Aikido, visit here.