Football, A Hysterectomy, and a 40th Birthday Party

Summer is ending.  (Sad face). We have had a fabulous summer.  Summer 2013 went a little something like this:

Baseball. T-ball. Ocean City. Babysitters. St. Louis. Swimming. St. Louis again. Grandparents. Friends. Staying up late. Sleeping in. Mama home for a month.

Pretty good stuff.

Jackson starts 3rd grade next week and Aida starts kindergarten.  KINDERGARTEN ------ enter stage left tears.  Oh my goodness.  I can't believe my spunky, girly, smart, beautiful, little baby girl Aida is starting school.  It is so hard to believe it has been six years since she was born on Scott and I's first wedding anniversary. She is so excited to start kindergarten.

After a relaxing summer, our fall is about to get crazy! Jackson started pee wee football three weeks ago, Aida starts soccer next week, and both Aida and Ivie start dance in two weeks. Zone defense will be in full press mode as Scott and I try to get each kid to their respective activities.  It is so exciting though!  Jackson LOVES football and Aida is so excited to play soccer again.  Ivie, well, she has promised that she will talk to her dance teachers.

I've been home the past three weeks recovering from a hysterectomy. Yep, tubes, cervix and uterus gone.  HAPPY. DANCE. Yes I am only 32, but clearly the Ws don't need any more children, and the pain was too much.  So, it's done!  The first week post surgery sucked.  SUCKED. But I am feeling better each day.

Two weeks post surgery we traveled with the kids to St. Louis to celebrate the 40th birthday of Scott's really good friend Frankie (Scott's only friend that came to our 26-person wedding reception/ceremony).  We. Had. A. Blast.  We had three fun days spent with some of the best people I've had the pleasure of meeting. A saturday night filled with Michael Bolton songs being sung by about 15 drunk people between the ages of 32 and 70, around a homemade outdoor pool, a clear night, a beautiful home and a meteor shower.  Fun.

It was ten years ago exactly that I invited myself to Frank's 30th birthday party as I obsessed over Scott.  It was ten years ago that I first met all of these fabulous people and had an equally great time.  Ten years later, I again invited myself as Scott thought he was going to have a bachelor weekend in STL...hahaha! No way brother.  Too much fun.

So as I go back to work and the kids go back to school, I feel ready for the next chapter having ended a pretty awesome chapter: Summer 2013.

So this is what married people do without kids...

Today I woke up around 8.  I laid in bed, checked Facebook and Twitter and watched some reruns of Breaking Bad.  Scott finally woke up around ten, did some work, then we went to the lake and had lunch.

From 12:30 until 5, I continued to lay in bed watching reruns of Breaking Bad and Scott dozed in and out of consciousness watching the British Open in the living room.

Six o'clock, we headed to dinner.  We realized our favorite spot was right in the middle of the local Italian American festival, roamed around for a minute, ate dinner and now we're back home.  I'm writing a blog and Scott is talking to an old friend.

SOOOOOOOO...this is what people without children do on a Sunday?!?!?!.  Nice.

But I sure do miss my kids.  We talked about all three of them at dinner. Each one individually.  The kind of people we think they'll be when they grow up and and how they are now.  We decided that Jackson will be responsible and handsome and probably some investment banker. Aida will probably show up to her wedding with tattoos down her arms and back.  Ivie, well, we just don't know about her yet.

We've had a great summer; the kids have had a great summer.  As we wind down, I thank Don and Sharon W for taking the kids for a wopping ten days.  Scott and I haven't had this time together ever.  It is nice and rewarding, but I will be so excited to hug and kids the little people when they return.

Until then, I will drink wine at 4 p.m. and lay in bed and watch reruns.

Just a couple of old friends talking politics

There is just something so special about old friends:  You know those friends that you can completely be yourself around, will tell you the honest truth, and will entertain your deepest thoughts on an hour train ride even when you miss your next train, hail a cab in the not-so-good part of a big city - all after a wine-filled night.

Last week, I had the pleasure of traveling to San Francisco for work.  After being let down by one good friend, I remembered that I had another good friend in the Bay area. Josh and I spent 75% of our time together between 2001-2005, then we both moved from Missouri to opposite coasts. After eight years of not seeing each other and only talking a handful of times, we spent three super fun days together picking up exactly where we had left off!  Good friends are good.  And not just any good friend, but those friends that you somehow always end up doing something completely stupid, drinking too much, and getting into philosophical conversations even though you both know you won't remember how you fixed the world the next morning.  As frustrated as I am with my job these days, I'm lucky to get to occasionally travel and I'm pretty lucky to know some pretty awesome people around the country.

Baseball and work have consumed my life.  Jackson is playing on two teams and Aida is playing t-ball.  I picked up two additional roles at work (don't congratulate just yet, unfortunately no promotion, hence recent frustration) and I've been busy managing our global environmental strategy.  It's kind of a big deal, well at least I think so, and I like what I do.  I'm still holding out for the big promotion and big title.  Stay tuned!


  

                       Scott, despite his environmentalist wife's recommendations, burning brush...ugh!

                              Standing in the very back of our yard looking at our house.

                               I painted our front door red...I'm still not completely sold on it!


Summer has also officially begun in the W household.  I now have a third grader and a kindergartner!  Yikes!  How the hell did that happen? We have a friend of the family watching the kids this summer. Yes!  No more getting up and getting three kids ready for daycare/school!!!  Yay me.

June already?  Yep...time is flying by.  I'm just trying to be good, live good, and have a little fun while I parent and do this wifey thing.  So far, I'm pleased.

Tonight I hope to debate politics and sports over wine with my other good friend, my husband, and our new friends, our great neighbors.  It's nights like those with Josh and tonight with Scott and new friends that remind me of the lighter side of life.

Oh and my kids; they're pretty special too!

Be good and have fun!

Weekend of birthdays, baseball, and a new house CEO

Jackson and Ivie's birthdays are two days apart.  In fact, I had the exact same due with both kids.  Ivie's birthday is May 3, 2010 and Jackson's birthday is May 5, 2005.  Both birthdays are obviously special because, well, they're my kids.  Jackson's birthday, well, his birth established the Ws:  Just being completely honest, Jackson is the reason why the Ws exist.  He started our family and kept us together.  Jackson was one and a half years old when Scott and I were married.  Jackson has an extremely special place in my heart because he and I were both Rocks (my maiden name) before we were Ws.  I carried Jackson for 40 weeks not knowing where we were going to live, if I would graduate from college (I was pregnant my senior year of college), or if he was a boy or girl (we didn't find out the sex at the typical 20 week ultrasound).  I love that boy with All. Of. My. Heart.  We have grown up together.  He has taught me how to be a mother.  I knew nothing before I had him.  That is the truth.  He gave me the gift I wasn't quite ready for:  motherhood.  But Jackson (and God) trusted me to lead him, educate him, and to be the most important person in his life.  Wow.  So far, I think I'm doing a good job:  He is caring, kind, gentle and has a huge heart.  You can look in his eyes and tell he is sincere.  I hope I do that little boy justice as his mother.

Ivie, well, of COURSE, I love me some Ivie!  She is my youngest. She is wild, spunky,  and blonde. How Scott and I had a blonde-haired child is crazy!  I'm African-American, Irish and Native American with dark hair. Scott is Italian and German with dark hair.  But some how, we ended up with a blonde-haired blued-eyed little girl.  Happy birthday Ivie!

This Saturday (and all Saturdays through June) was filled with baseball and t-ball.  Jackson and Aida both play.  I love watching them play baseball.

Lastly, Scott appointed himself as CEO of the W household this weekend.  No vote. No board approval (I think Scott is the board).  Saturday morning Scott declared, after I had failed at leading the family out of the house on time with all the necessary equipment, that I no longer could or should serve as the CEO of the W household.  He declared that we needed more leadership, better communication, and better planning.  Ok, so maybe time got away from me and 15 minutes before we needed to leave I was showering while Aida still didn't have her baseball pants, spikes, or glove, BUT...well, I believe Scott will resign shortly.  Managing a household of 5 is chaotic and at times stressful:  You never quite know where everyone's shoes are or the last time everyone brushed their teeth or showered.  There are doctor's appointments, practices, and bike days to remember.  I will keep you updated on our new CEO, Scott W; I guarantee he will forget the next bike day.

Have a great week!

Best. Party. Ever.

I will say:  Scott and I know how to throw a party!  There are many, MANY things that we cannot do together without arguing:  Most home improvement projects, driving long distances, and shopping for appliances.  However, me as the ex-server/bartender and him as a current caterer/corporate dining manager, we mesh well and we get. it. done.

Ok, so enough of me bragging about Scott and I's ability to steal decorating and recipe ideas from Pinterest.  Last night we did have a party at our house for my cousin Amber.  She turned thirty last week and I insisted that she celebrate at my house.  So. Much. Fun.!!!!!!  Oh my goodness:  Food, great people, and drinks allowed us to give my cousin the ultimate birthday gift:  Being surrounded by happiness, love, and great energy.

I often question moving back to northeast Ohio.  Since I've been back home, I've had a lot of problems, but times like last night absolutely make it worth being closer to family and old friends.  I'm gushing about last night because I'm proud of Scott and I bringing together so many good people, making them feel comfortable and having them leave either a) drunk or b) hungover, but definitely full and worn out from hours of laughing and entertaining.  I feel good. I needed this weekend as a buffer between the end of one stressful work week and the beginnig of another uncertain stressful week ahead.

I like to have fun.  I like to eat.  I like to drink.  Combining all three with amazing company is an awesome feeling. 

 30 candles!!!!

 My daddy and me!!!

 Happy Scott.

 Best. Party. Ever. (words of the birthday girl)

My Aunt (birthday girl's mom). Amber (birthday girl). Karen (Amber's MIL), and baby Avery (Amber's little girl).

Ummm...about 2 a.m.

The lovely husband Mike (Amber's husband).

Ok. So I wasn't done bragging:  Best. Party. Ever.

North America v. South America

For my first trip outside of North America, I think I did pretty well.  We chose a beautiful location with great people and great food.  Candace and I really tried to immerse ourselves in the Brazilian culture by eating Brazilian food and drinking Brazilian beverages.  We attempted to learn Portuguese, but the differences between Spanish and Portuguese proved to make Portuguese difficult.

I personally battled my OCD, fear of germs, a bad head cold and unexplained facial swelling.  Together we battled differences in what it meant to be on vacation.  Despite these small challenges, I had an amazing trip that I hope I can repeat with my family in the future.  To put it plainly:  I'm in love with Brasil.

The United States is good.  We have a strong infrastructure, clean water, clean streets (for the most part), and democracy.  I don't know much about Brazil's economy or politics, but I do know that after a week in the country, the United States has a much better infrastructure.  Our sewer system is much better: Water in hotels works even though it is raining.  In many ways, the United States is like Brasil:  We have homeless people.  We have good areas of cities and we have bad areas in cities.  Brazilians, however, don't seem to be so stuffy and overworked.  The trip made me thankful for what we have here in the U.S. of A, but also made me realize some changes that would benefit Americans. 

I'm so happy to be back home.  I'm still sick and choosing to see a doctor today (something I was very skeptical of doing while in Brazil).  I missed my kids and Scott terribly and it was so great to see them yesterday.  I'm looking forward to the weekend.  Even though it will be cold, I'll worry about work, we'll spend the weekend doing chores and paying bills, and the closest body of water is a murky lake, I'm relaxed, content, and already planning my next international excursion.

Rio De Janeiro

Sao Paulo

The British Man, the Bank, and I

I'm enjoying Brazil.  It is extremely frustrating not understanding Portuguese but we're managing to survive. Rio is absolutely beautiful. The beach and the mountains are fabulous.

True Story

I went to the bank this morning to try to cash my travelers checks which have proven to be worthless.  While standing in line I asked a man, via my portuguese app, if the bank was open. The man was English. After chatting about where we were from, the bank teller comes out yells something in Portuguese. My new English friend turns to me and says "they're not opening...come quick!" So we hurriedly left the bank and proceeded to run, yes run, through the streets of Rio. At this point, all I've managed to understand is that the last bank wasn't going to open and all the people in the lobby would now be going to the other branch two blocks away and me and the Brit needed to be there before the others. So we ran.

The New Bank

Now the Brit and I are standing in line at the other branch. 10 a.m. Comes and goes. 10:01. 10:02. 10:03. Enter stage left angry Brazilian man. The angry Brazilian man walks up to the security glass and starts banging on it yelling in Portuguese and pointing to his phone. Apparently opening at 10:03 is not acceptable.

Meanwhile the Brit and I are chatting. He's a 50-60 year old white man with one eye that doesn't fully open. He's telling me about all of the places in the world that he's lived: Australia, Thailand, China, Singapore and of course Brazil.  While living in Singapore he made a living as a juggler. "sir, did you just say you juggled in Singapore?" "oh, yes, it was the best..." The Brit then went on to tell me how he also lived in San Francisco and Thailand but didn't like Thailand.

Thailand

Thailand didn't work out so well for the Brit: He had a women - paid for her in full - and she turned out to be a man.

So the Brit and I finally get inside. The number machine wasn't working and there was only one teller. I kept getting pushed aside by old people taking advantage of their old person status and moving to the front of the line. To save me time, the Brit was kind enough to ask one of the bank workers if they could cash my travelers checks.  No.

So that's how my story ends. The one-eyed Brit who once accidentally paid for a man and juggled in Singapore and I parted ways.

Today Candace and I are meeting up with a friend of hers that is also in Rio on vacation. Small world. Crazy world, but beautiful.