Letters For Lucas

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

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The Facts Of Life

Posted on April 9, 2016 Written by Tonya

I haven’t blogged all year.

There have been 100 days in 2016 and I haven’t posted a single thing.

Until today.

I write to process and over the last two weeks there has just been too much.

So today I have to write.

On March 29 my good friend, Shane, from both high school and college, found out that his seven year old son, Hollis has DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), an inoperable and incurable cancer. Shane is one of the nicest people I have ever met and his family does not deserve this.

No family does.

The Doherty family faith is unwavering and their support system immense. If there is a God, I hope he’s listening to the thousands of family and friends praying for this precious little boy.

To learn more about this amazing family, watch this from Fox 10 Phoenix: Valley boy battles rare form of brain Cancer.

I created this simple graphic using the app A Beautiful Mess and it warms my heart to see it all over Facebook.

I created this simple graphic using the app A Beautiful Mess and it warms my heart to see it all over Facebook.

Three days later one of Todd’s former colleagues lost her long battle to cancer.

We then discovered my dear father-in-law was hospitalized while vacationing in China with an pneumonia. Luckily, he made it home safely yesterday, but as we waited for news from around the world as to whether or not his team of doctors were going to allow him to travel, we heard my sister’s fiancé’s mother’s cancer is back. She has a grueling treatment ahead of her.

The next day we learned the sad news that another friend’s father had died.

Death and illness are all part of life, I get that but we have had our fair share of bad news lately and when it keeps coming day in and day out, it’s difficult for me to wrap my head around each blow.

It’s cruel.

When bad things happen it forces me to stop and take inventory and appreciate all the goodness in my life. And to be fair, there was a lot of goodness in the last two weeks too.

My brave friend, Anna gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Andrew Luke! Her story is absolutely incredible and this baby is already so loved. Back in September, 2014, I shared a review of her book, Rare Bird here: Loss is Loss is Loss.

After months and months of planning, my sweet friend and now business partner (!), Nichole and I launched our social media consulting business, Take Flight. We are over the moon and can’t wait to see where this new venture takes us. We already have three clients and two proposals in the works!

Despite a lot of together time and several rainy days stuck indoors, we survived Spring Break and a quick sun-filled get-away to Palm Springs! Nothing makes me happier than seeing this boy smile and he knows exactly how to make me put just about everything into perspective.

Spring Break 2016 Day 5/9 - La Quinta

Spring Break 2016 Day 5/9 – La Quinta

I suppose, you take the good, you take the bad, right?

Related Posts:

  • Taking Care Of Business
  • A Good Cry
  • Death

Filed Under: death, difficult subjects, family, friends, life, spring break, take flight Tagged With: death, difficult subjects, family, friends, life, Orme, spring break, take flight

Spring Break: Day 1

Posted on April 8, 2014 Written by Tonya

We left the house at 8:30 for an 8:45 pediatrician appointment and didn’t plan to return until close to 4:00. I had gotten up before both kids so I could take a shower, prepare breakfast and pack our bag for the day. I had thought of everything; I was wearing sensible shoes and excited that Lucas had decided to go the aquarium in between appointments (he and I had dentist appointments after lunch). It was the first day of his Spring Break!

We were ready to go and I was a diaper bag packer extraordinaire!

Shot records for both kids
A change of clothes for Lola, sweatshirt for Lucas
Socks
Lucas’s favorite cereal bars and fruit chews
Wet Ones and hand sanitizer
Wipes
Changing pad
Bottles with measured power for two feedings plus back up packets of formula, just in case
Nipples with covers
Burp cloths
Bottled water
Extra blanket
Hats
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Crayons
Notepad
Cash and checkbook
Fully charged phone and car charger
Keys

It wasn’t until lunch time that I realized I had no diapers. Not a one! I couldn’t have left the house without diapers, could I?! What kind of mother am I? Plus, hadn’t I thought of everything? No diapers?! What?!

No, I hadn’t left the house without diapers, I just used my last ONE at the doctor’s office.

Too far from home to make it there and back out in time for our dentist appointment, we had to take a detour to a nearby grocery store and forgo going to a park. Lucas was disappointed, but understanding. He was a true champ but thoroughly enjoyed announcing (throwing me under the bus) to everyone we encountered the rest of the day by saying, “My mommy is going crazy because she forgot diapers because she was tired because she had to take care of Lola all night because Daddy is traveling”.

Oy, kids! O_o

photo

Related Posts:

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Filed Under: outing, photos, SAHM, spring break Tagged With: outing, photos, SAHM, spring break

Spring Break 2013

Posted on April 26, 2013 Written by Tonya

If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram then you know Lucas was on Spring Break last week. I posted a lot of these photos already, but here are more highlights from our very long, yet very fun 10 days together.

I kept us busy day in and day out by visiting amusement parks, regular parks, meeting new friends (Snoopy and Katie and her equally car-crazed son), scheduling play dates, soccer lessons, surprise lunch visits with Daddy, a sunset Duffy boat ride and there may have been an afternoon or two or three of ice cream.  

There was limited TV watching and iPhone/iPad playing, lots of wine (for me, not him) and only two naps (not that I counted or anything). By the way, those last two things have nothing to do with one another. NOT!!

Spring Break sure has changed from when I was in school, but my son is becoming a really cool kid and I like hanging out with him a lot. He’s funny, silly, kind, super fast on his scooter and so, so, SO determined… especially in the nap department. 

Wonder where he gets that?

spring break

Click here to see how we spent last Spring Break!

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  • Spring Break 2012
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Filed Under: memories, milestones, outing, photos, spring break Tagged With: memories, milestones, outing, photos, Practical Parenting, spring break

Back To Basics – Update

Posted on April 16, 2013 Written by Tonya

First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the explosions in Boston yesterday. It is heartbreaking that these events happen here and around the world.

 

We are half way through Project: Back To Basics, in which I vowed to go on a one month buying strike and refrain from buying Lucas any toys, games, Matchbox cars, Micro Drifters, sweets, books, or other unnecessary junk. Progress has been so-so and I’ve been keeping daily notes….

April 1: No incident

April 2: FedEx store – Lucas had a full melt down over markers and a package of Angry Birds flash drives. We walked out without anything and he was kicking and screaming.

April 3: Daddy brought home a Superman Pez dispenser from his trip. I wasn’t happy about it, but let it slide.

April 4: Lucas asked to borrowed a friend’s Monster Truck Cars after a play date.

April 5: Lakeshore Learning – Lucas had a crying fit over sponge dinosaurs, which he already has. I didn’t buy them and he pouted and fussed all the way home.

April 6: No incident and began telling me throughout the day that April is “no buy month”. Progress!!

April 7: Found a car at the park but still pleaded for Cars book, Angry Birds game and fishing pole with fish at Barnes & Noble. He didn’t get anything.

April 8: No incident – Spent two hours at the library and checked out 10 books, he acted like it was Christmas.

April 9: No incident

April 10: No incident

April 11: Lucas asked to borrow a friend’s stuffed turtle after play date.

April 12: Day 1 of Lucas’ Spring Break. We went to the Long Beach Aquarium and he begged me for an aquarium truck, which I bought. I know, I know. I felt like a total loser, but I did explain that he wasn’t going to get anything at Knott’s Berry Farm or Legoland, which we are planning to visit later in the week. SIDE NOTE: We have yearly passes to each amusement park. Lucas thanked me the rest of the day for the truck and played with it everyday. 

April 13: Aaron Brothers – Lucas asked to “just look” at children’s section, had designs on a box of markers, but was able to leave them on the shelf and there was no fit or mention of them again.

April 14: No incident

April 15: Knott’s Berry Farm – Lucas was able to walk through the gift shop without asking for anything and he reminded me of the deal we made at the aquarium. More progress!! 

April 16: Lucas and I spent two hours going through and organizing all of Lucas’ toys and made a small pile of items to donate. I could not be happier. There are still 14 days left in the month. I must stay strong!!

It’s really hard to say no your child, especially when they have big crocodile tears streaming down their face and they are causing a scene in a public place, but I’m learning slowly but surely to say no. No, not today, add it to your birthday list, let’s go home and play a game instead, what if we go to the park, etc. etc. etc.

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Filed Under: discipline, spring break, toys, update Tagged With: discipline, spring break, toys, update

Spring Break 2012

Posted on April 16, 2012 Written by Tonya

Today I’m missing my little side kick, but I am proud to report I we survived Spring Break!

In the beginning there was worry and dread. Lots of dread and then, I made a list! I outlined each day and before I knew it I was actually excited about Lucas being on Spring Break! 

The days were long, I’m not going to lie, but we had so much fun together.

Photobucket

There was a trip to the aquarium, a birthday party, a play date, ice cream, scooter time, a much needed hair cut, plenty of park time and we started swim lessons!

There were also at least 20 rounds of the game Cars & Trucks cards, pizza and macaroni and cheese lunches, a couple of afternoons with no naps that we filled with crayons, paint and multiple viewings of Rio. Oh, and there was one afternoon spent with a babysitter so Mommy could get her yoga on.

All in all the week went by super fast and we didn’t even get to everything on my list, but the memories of our time together and Lucas’ first Spring Break will last a lifetime. 

Linking up with Galit (These Little Waves) and Alison’s (Mama Wants This) monthly link up, Memories Captured.

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Filed Under: birthdays, exercise, memories, memories captured, outing, photos, spring break, swimming Tagged With: birthdays, exercise, memories, Memories Captured, outing, photos, spring break, swimming, yoga

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