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.

Greetings From Brasil

Well...I woke up extremely tired and kind of hungover in São Paulo, Brazil. Somehow I'm luck enough to have planned a trip to Brazil with a friend from college, that I've seen twice in ten years.  Our adventure had us standing in line for two hours in the south side of São Paulo.  The strange course of events that reunited us while she lives in San Fransciso and me in Akron led us to galavanting around Brazil.

So far...pretty amazing.

One piece of advice and totally unrelated to Brazil: Keep your one wild and crazy friend that never grew up, never got responsible and never had kids. She will remind you of those days when you were young, crazy, irresponsible, and childless. It's fun.

Always Thinking Safety First

Came home Friday from work to the kids hanging out in the living room:

Me: Hey Jackson!
Jackson:  Hi Mama!
Me: Hi Aida!
Aida:  Hi Mama!
Ivie:  MAMA!
Me:  Where's daddy?
Jackson:  I don't know? (turns back to iPad and TV while hanging off the couch)

So where was daddy?  Oh...just cutting down trees...by himself. No, no, not small trees.

 At one point (he still doesn't know I'm home) he had a tree stuck, intertwined with other trees.

   


































He wore safety glasses.
Daddy of the Year:  Always thinking safety first.

Already March?

Found this gem of a picture in Jackson's room this week.

Gotta love seven year old little boys!