Letters For Lucas

Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son

I Have

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I am 39 years old and I have:

1. Jumped out of an airplane (tandem).

2. Been on a safari in Kenya.

3. Climbed a pyramid in Egypt.

4. Gone to the airport to meet friends and family when they’ve had layovers.

5. Lent money to someone and never expected it back.

6. Drank milk out of the carton.

7. Taken Lucas to Disneyland by myself. TWICE!

8. Lived in a perpetual state of missing someone.

9. Walked across the Golden Gate Bridge.

3-Day Walk, San Francisco - October, 2010

10. Fell in love with the Eiffel Tower the very first time I saw it. I was 10 and have been blessed to have seen five more times.

11. Been voted “Best Groomed” in high school. What am I a dog?

12. Earned an Outstanding Customer Service award.

13. Delivered a child with no drugs. By choice.

14. Cried myself to sleep.

15. Seen the Dave Matthews Band in concert two dozen times.

I heart DMB!

16. Been to a movie by myself.

18. Thrown a surprise party.

19. Been in three car accidents. All my fault.

Accident #3, 2008

20. Gotten ooey gooey weak in the knees when my husband smiles at me.

21. Stayed up WAY past my bedtime. Nightly.

22. Three tattoos.

This post was written for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, Prompt 1.) Last week we wrote about what we have never done… (Check out my I Never list here.) this week write a list of 22 things you HAVE done. (inspired by Sellabit Mom)

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We Remembered

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We remembered.

We avoided eye contact at first.

We got dressed and put on make-up.

We went to brunch and toasted with champagne.

We enjoyed a little retail therapy and indulged in sweet treats. Both helped for a little while.

We received dozens of beautiful flowers and at least a 100 of other tokens of love and well wishes throughout the day in the form of phone calls, text messages, Facebook and Twitter posts. Each one helped immensely.

We listened to their favorite music and smiled.

We talked about the year ahead and what they would be missing.

We drew animals and painted shapes with Lucas and giggled.

We sat around the dining room table and devoured the comfort food my husband prepared. There were more toasts.

We looked through the sympathy cards we were sent four years ago. Many I had not read before. All of them heartfelt.

We went to a movie and sat side by side in the dark and laughed in all the same places.

We hugged.

We cried.

We remembered.

Another anniversary come and gone.

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Adding To Our Family

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The last time I owned a pet (other than a fish), I was 13. 32 years ago today (!) my family got a puppy.

The day we brought Licorice home, October 5, 1979.

Part Labrador, part Poodle and way before they were called Labradoodles, Licorice was black with a little patch of white fur on her chest. She was sweetest and smartest dog I’ve ever been around.

Running along the ocean was one of Licorice’s favorite activities and we had to spell the word beach or she would go bonkers.

Despite sleeping at the foot of my bed, to be fair Licorice was my mother’s dog. We had her for six years and when we moved, we gave her to some friends that lived down the street.

My mother and Licorice, circa 1982

It’s time for another dog.

My husband STRONGLY disagrees.

ARGUMENTS FOR GETTING A DOG:

  • We’ve been wanting to add to our family. A pet would be a perfect addition teaching Lucas responsibility and giving him a wonderful life long playmate.
  • We have a large backyard with plenty of room for a pooch to roam.
  • I don’t think a more unconditional love exists than the one between a dog and it’s owner. Even when you’re feeling (and acting) miserable, they still love you.
  • Lucas really like dogs, although to be honest (much to my chagrin), he seems like more of a cat person. WE WILL NOT BE OWNING A CAT!! EVER.
  • I love to walk and vow to be in charge of this daily (and nightly) activity.
  • Extra security… for when my husband travels.
  • Opportunity to give a dog a second chance by adopting or saving a pound puppy.
  • Who could resist these precious faces?

Image courtesy of Pinterest. Click image for source.

Image courtesy of Pinterest. Click image for source.

Image courtesy of Snowesti. Click image for source.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST GETTING A DOG:

  • Discovering my favorite shoes chewed to smithereens.
  • We can’t even potty train our son, how would we ever potty train an animal?
  • No more spontaneous (or the other variety) trips – kenneling is expensive.
  • Vet care, food, toys, bedding, treats, etc. are also expensive.
  • Training. Ugh!
  • Shedding. Sigh.
  • Poop.
  • Saying good-bye is inevitable.

Okay, he may have won this argument… for now.

What do you think? Do you own a dog? What love and hate about pet ownership?

This post was written for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, 1.) Share a disagreement you’re having with someone and let your readers be the judge!

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When Daddy’s Away

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“You’re the yin to my yang, the ping to my pong, the normal to my crazy. Let’s be us together.” – The Big C

When Daddy’s away, there will be:

  • phone calls on speaker phone and cute photos and videos sent.
  • more time spent in jammies.
  • pizza lunch dates, dessert after every meal and sitting at Lucas’ table for snacks.
  • fewer time-outs.
  • preschool drop-offs that require more than support than the front office coordinator is able to provide.
  • requests to sleep in”Mommy and Daddy’s bed”.
  • bedtimes that get dragged out past 9:00 and nightmares at 1 o’clock in the morning.
  • tempers that flare and patience lost.
  • too many glasses of wine consumed.
  • more appreciation felt than ever expressed. 

Lucas misses his daddy as much as I do. Only one more sleep until he’s home!

This post was inspired by Stasha’s Monday Listicles, a linky right up my alley! This week’s topic: Yin Yang was chosen by Zook Book Nook.

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My Wedding Day

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I started participating in Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop over a year ago. My first entry was a post called Second Chances, in which I wrote about my wedding day.

I loved everything about that day at the time.

Now my memories are bittersweet because the day after my wedding was the last day I saw my parents alive.

Always up for a celebration, my parents thoroughly enjoyed my wedding day and were happy to see me happy. It was a day full of toasts and laughter, hugs and tears of joy. There was good conversation and sunshine. Todd and I were surrounded by all the people we love most in the world.

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Given there were only 27 guests in attendance and we got married at our home, the photographer we hired was a sweaty annoying mess, darting from here to there desperate for subject matter.

I suppose I can’t really blame him and in fact, today I’m grateful to him for capturing so many beautiful shots of my mom and dad.

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Candid, non-posed shots that I will treasure always.

And then there are these:

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Linking up with Natalie’s Down the Aisle.

Even though she only asked for our favorite photo – singular, I hope you understand why I couldn’t pick just one.

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Side By Side

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It wasn’t the sunniest of summer days on Saturday when we spent a few hours as a family at the beach.

Lucas, as aforementioned, LOVES the water, so his dad and I were shocked and amazed when he sat still and played with the sand and watched the waves go back and forth for almost an hour. 

I captured this photo and didn’t even notice that the seagull was in the shot, but I love it.

The seagull and those two boys. 

Sunny or not, it was the perfect day. 

This post is for Wordful Wednesdays and if you want to link up and see some really beautiful photographs, please visit Project Alicia.
 

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Noise Level: An Apology

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If your house is anything like ours, activity begins early. Typically just right of 6 AM, thanks to a 3 foot tall morning person.

Lucky for me, my husband starts his day then too, allowing me the luxury of sleeping in. And by “sleeping in”, I mean 8:00 most days. I’m spoiled, I know.

Todd wakes up to the sounds of “Daddy!” and repeated beckoning, which leads to forceful demanding pleads to play cars and trains, “eat something”, “Mickey show” and/or “read to me”.

We have a small house with wood floors so noises of all kinds, voices and the sounds of temper tantrums, which inevitably lead to time-outs carry throughout.

I’ve grown accustomed to the daybreak racket and can (for the most part) sleep through it, but I always feel bad when my sister (or any guests for that matter) stay the night.

I’d like to make a public apology here and now to Leah and any and all guests we ever have in our home. If you stay over, I can guarantee you two things: a lovely visit filled with good cheap wine and conversation and in the morning, lots of noise! Consider yourself warned.

We appreciate your understanding. I suppose if we all slept 10+ hours we’d be raring to go with the sun too.

Well, maybe.
 
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Happy Father’s Day!

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The other day I overheard my husband tell someone that being/becoming a parent is mostly about the person you choose to do it with. It’s one of the nicest compliments I have ever received.

If in fact he meant he choose correctly by choosing me. Hmmm… maybe I should have asked for clarification. 

Well, I know I sure did.

 
I am so grateful to have such a wonderful, understanding husband that has more patience than anyone I have ever met and has embraced parenthood with so much love and joy that it makes my heart swell.
 
 
It has been such a thrill to watch Todd become a father and a really good one at that. Lucas is lucky to have such a sweet Daddy and role model. 

Happy Father’s Day to Todd and to all the hardworking, supportive and loving fathers out there.  

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Inspiration

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For me, inspiration comes from 101 different places…. a kind gesture, a meaningful connection with someone I admire, respect or never even met in real life, those that give of themselves and expect nothing in return, an exploration involving a passport, being within the comfort of my home, an epiphany that leads me down a road of self to discovery, a starry sky, a roaring ocean or a vast dissolute desert.

Inspiration also comes from:

My parents because their relationship complimented one another so seamlessly and it’s one that I would like to emulate, they exposed me to the whole world, they instilled in me a strong work ethic and a respect and empathy for all. My son because his light, curiosity and wonder amaze me daily. He makes me want to be a better person.My husband because he puts up with me and all my neurosis and supports me as a navigate through a very wide range of moods and emotions. My friends because no matter where our lives may take us or how busy we get, I know without a doubt we will always be there for each other. We share our successes and failures equally.But, it’s reading books, blogs, magazines, quotes and lyrics that inspire me the most. Just knowing that others have experienced what I have and learning their coping mechanisms or marveling at their own unique lives is a wonderful gift and makes me feel truly alive and incredibly hopeful in myself and the human race.

This post was written for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, Prompt 5) I’m inspired by… (A photo journal entry)

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Thoughts From The Massage Table

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Anyone that knows me will tell you that I have a really hard time relaxing.

A glass or three of wine usually does the trick, as does a long walk, sitting down for more than five minutes at a time, a long car ride, as long as I’m NOT the one driving and there is ZERO traffic and a massage.

I LOVE getting massages so I was thrilled when my husband told me that he booked us spa appointments for the day before Valentine’s day. It had been over eight months since my last massage and I was really looking forward to it!

While it was very relaxing, my mind was in a million other places… here are my thoughts from the massage table:

Did I remember to lay out Lucas’ jammies and overnight diaper for the sitter? Oh, why would I need to do that, she has put him to bed before.

I wish I had had more time on the treadmill before coming in here. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.

No, tomorrow, there will be no time for exercise. Music class followed by play date…

Dang it! Why didn’t I pee first?

At least I brushed my teeth. Whew!

Ouch, ouch, ouch, ahhhhh….

Why don’t I get massages more often?!

I have to remember to drink more water tomorrow.

I should drink more water anyway.

I can’t believe I haven’t had a Diet Coke in six days!

Okay, that really hurts! What is this lady doing to me? I don’t think my leg is meant to bend that way.

Shoot, I forgot to call my mother-in-law back. Again. When was it that she left that message? Oh yes, the day I took Lucas up to LA to visit Leah. Over a week ago. Gulp.

I hope Leah’s interview goes well tomorrow. But, Malibu? That would be a hellish commute. I guess for the right job…

How do massage therapists do this every day? Touching so many people’s feet would gross me out.

I hope the pants I brought to wear to dinner fit. I can’t remember the last time I wore them.

Did I bring the right bra?

What should I order for dinner?

That tickles.

Stop wincing.

Stop wincing.

I really wish I had peed first.

What is that heavenly smell? Is it lavender? Jasmine? Hmm… do I dare ask her? No, I do NOT want to engage!

Besides, I’m suppose to be relaxing.

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