Sunday, September 8, 2013

School has started, 2nd grader & Pre-K kid!


That's exactly how it happens, in the blink of an eye.  We just returned from a trip to Ohio and it all seems like a dream.  I sometimes wonder how that happens, is it really real?  Just yesterday I was playing summer sports and climbing trees, then I'm a college kid, then I'm on a road trip to Colorado, then I'm married and have 2 beautiful kids.  I can honestly say I've done a lot and seen a lot in my life of 38 years, life-death-happiness-sadness-joys-pains, but I've never been alone in my little world, I'm always surrounded by love and strength from family and friends.  I just wonder where we will all be in the next blink.

Charlee is now in Pre-K, God Bless her teachers!  This smart little girl comes home happy about homework, happy for now anyhow, ha ha.  We'll take it while we can get it.  Just a few months ago we she failed her eye exam and from there we found she has one very bad eye.  She is wearing glasses, and doing a great job of keeping them on, not much fighting with her on that matter.  We've had one follow up eye exam and it seems that things are improving.  They think there is a chance it will correct her vision since we've caught this early. We'll have another exam in about a month.  Keep your fingers crosses.  In the mean time, she is so cute with her little pink & purple glasses! We love watching her grow and learn and play, Baran is her idol these days and she often tries to do everything he does.  She's learned to swing on her own, and jump off from real high. She follows him around on his scooter, climbs up the front tree after him, it's great.  They build lots of forts all over my house and recently started putting on shows for us, love it!

Baran is now my 2nd grader.  He has stated that he really likes second grade and his teacher.  I don't think I ever got that response in first grade.   He played another summer of soccer and actually started to get the hang of it, we saw some fight in him which of course made me happy happy.  We didn't do the fall season of soccer because our plan is to get the kids in to swimming lessons throughout the winter.  Baran wanted a break.  Of course I've been trying to get him to play catch in the backyard with me, I'll keep trying.  I did get a whiffle ball bat the other day, he grabbed it right up and started batting away.  He would just toss it to himself and hit it almost every time.  We decided to try to pitch it to him and he was unstoppable - he might have some of his Momma's genes in him after all!!  However, his favorite thing is video games, of course.  We constantly hear, "Can I play on your phone? Can I play the X-Box? Can I play on the computer?  Would you just buy me a phone so I don't have to bug you?"  At 7 years old, he's really good too.  The battle of video games and outside activities is constant.  Luckily he's become good at scooter riding with his neighbor buddy Diego, they have a lot of fun riding, playing, and hanging out - they are both very silly kids.

Bryan keeps plugging away, his job is good with the normal ups and downs.  He is still working with the basement company but recently has been getting a lot of calls from referral customers.  His work and skill is magnificent.  In another breathe, he is the son of a beekeeper, and has had a lot of angst and confusion. With the company probably falling in to the arms of another family, Bryan has been a ball of stress.  He hasn't worked with the bees for a very long time and knows there are a lot of guys that already do the job with ease.  Dad is growing tired and needs to start making decisions about what to do with the company.  Is Bryan the next in line to take over?  He and his Dad have talked for hours about it.  At this point, it looks like the company will be sold to another family.  I guess we will just work on living one day at a time.  I kinda liked the thought of moving closer to family.  I didn't like the thought of packing of this house.

Speaking of houses, we have a patio!!!  We buckled down and spent the bucks and have been living on the back patio almost all summer.  It took 10 years but we finally got it done, we got concrete!  We also bought a smoker and have enjoyed the feasts and dinners outside - it has been great!

As for me, I'm the property manager and real estate agent of Blue Sage Realty for 6 years now in December.  Life with Blue Sage started shortly after Everett died.  The company has done a lot in the 6 years I've been here and we've grown together as a team.

As for Everett, I still miss him, I still cry for my baby.  I see Baran and Charlee and wonder what could have/would have been.  Perhaps we would not have met our Charlee-warley, perhaps we would have 3 rug rats running around playing and fighting.  I can't wait to see his face again one day.  I visit his grave and send up happy thoughts, Momma loves him and misses him.  I pretty sure Grandpa John, Uncie and Everett are hanging out watching over all of us - that gives me peace.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Has it been a year?!?!?!

Oh my goodness, life has been busy but my oh my,  can't believe it's been a year. 

Baran is in 1st grade now.  He is loving it!  He's such a smart kid and makes ma & pa proud!  Every morning we are able to walk him down the hill to the school, our moment of "Baran" time.  Every day he asks to ride his bike, "maybe next year" we tell him.  The next day, he asks again.  The kid sure loves to ride his bike - probably because he just learned this summer.  He also started soccer this summer and is now at the start of his second season.  It's funny to watch the team play cuz they're all a bit spacey, pulling the grass, watching the birds, you name it.  He likes it though so, we keep going!

Charlee is now 3 and is a determined little girl.  She just moved up in her 'school' to a new teacher and they are starting numbers, letters, colors and shapes.  It's great when she can recognize things that Baran is learning.  It makes it fun for them to play together.  She's also decided she loves cheerleading so when the Broncos play, she's got her pom-poms and megaphone. "Go Broncos!" she cheers.  Baran thought it would be a great idea for her to bring the pom-poms to his soccer game so she could cheer for him, so funny.

Both Bryan and I have been working our tails off.  This summer was gone before we could sneeze.  The amount of work has been great, especially since the construction and real estate world has really pooped out for the previous years.  We are hoping to do a little more 'relaxing' this winter, we NEED it!  First though, we've got a wedding - yes, Mark is getting married!!!  It'll be a great trip to Idaho to see the family and to share the special day with Mark and Angie.

Well, maybe next time won't be a year away. 



Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Texas?? Momma's away from the kids for a few.

Dad's at home, Nani came in to help out. In Dallas for a convention for work, property manager/Realtor stuff. It's kind of weird being all alone, away from the family. Not sure what to think yet.
Getting ready for Halloween, decorations went up this past weekend, Bryan does a good job, Baran likes to play with the skeletons. So I picked up a couple witch hats for me and Charlee to wear this year but no, Charlee wants to be a princess, OMG, it begins :-)
We are at 4 years now since Everett passed. It's hard to believe the curve balls life throws at you. I miss him just as much as I ever did. It's in these quiet moments of my days that my mind goes crazy, though I crave them so much. I wish I could just hold him once more. I recently read "Heaven is for Real", in between lots of crying, a must read. I know my baby is up there, hanging with my pops. Yes Pa, you got your boy - I know you two are having a blast - I have to believe!
Well, I'm realizing now the sun has gone down on my hotel room, no lights are on, I am sitting in complete darkness. I should probably go turn on a light, wipe away the tears and make something of the night.
Until next time...

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Summer time, just tryin' to live easy...



That's all I got, just tryin'.
(yawn)
Too much work and no play makes Jo a dull chick.......

Friday, December 17, 2010

Twas the Friday before Christmas, and all through the house....

...Not a creature was stirring, ya right!

Usually my mind is blank this time of year, what to get people, what do they want! I don't know I don't know!

This year, I wish I had a million dollars cause I have so many ideas! If only I did! So, instead I write this blog, because this makes me feel rich.

Life goes on, the kids get bigger and bigger. Baran's Christmas pageant was last Friday. Such proud parents we are. I like having a good kid. Feels like we've done our job in this life. Both he and Charlee are so sweet. Mind you, they do have their days! They are in no way perfect but, 'practically perfect in every way.'

Baran has the most interesting mind. He draws so well. His stories will blow your mind. He builds and designs, he's incredible. He loves to laugh. He loves to hug and snuggle and LOVE. He is our sweet sweet sunshine!
Charlee, good ol' Charlee - she's smart, she's a stinker. She tries our patience and melts our hearts. She's a little tomboy that loves to dance and laugh. You can see her frustration, she wants to talk to you and tries so hard. She's my wittle girl! Oh, how sweet she is. Funny thing, she can't say milk, she says "mil" and then clicks her tongue. It is the funniest thing!

Well, just a proud moment in a mom's heart.


Anyhow,

still stirring...

Saturday, October 23, 2010

October Crazies!!

Well, well well. Looks like we're back in the saddle again. Life doesn't slow down on it's own, you have to put on it's brakes. So far, I think I need new brakes.

We started October with Jackie and Dave visiting, then Mom came in the next weekend. The next weekend, Johnna and Josh and to finish off, we just took Mom back to the airport this morning. Really, it all happens so fast sometimes I wonder if it really happens. Was it just a dream. No, it was real and it was good. Almost a full month of family and we would do it all again. Now we just need the other half of the family to come in for November. Bellistons, it's your turn? Are you ready? We are waiting!

Yes, little Jackie is having a baby. Another April baby in the family? We will just have to wait and see...

Speaking of babies, little Everett would have been 3 this year. Of course, all the 'what if's' come into my head and invade the little bit of quite time I have during the day. We put some beautiful flowers on his stone and of course, a Halloween decoration. I see Charlee and Baran play and every day I wonder what would have been. But I love what I have and without life's unexpecteds, we probably wouldn't have Charlee. She sure is a pistol, but we love her the same. Our hugs are just a bit tighter these days :o)

We will be dressing up for Halloween this year. The Kissels are throwing a Birthday/Halloween party - it'll be fun. I think Baran wants to be Spiderman, Hulk-smash, a cowboy ghost, or ???? Charlee might be a buzzy bee! Bryan and I are pulling out the old Nightmare Before Christmas costumes and once again will be Sally and Jack. Now to find a red wig so this year I don't have to spray my hair.
Baran said he wanted a super spooky house so, we obliged. We decorated the front of the house with black lights, spider-webs, grave markers and other ghoulish things, Bryan did a great job!

Well, peace out for now - Charlee just woke up from her nap! She needs some hugs-n-kisses!