10 Years, 3 Days

Mauri turned a decade yesterday.  I really wanted to write a lovely tribute to my beautiful youngest daughter, but didn't have even a minute to sit, ponder, reflect, and write.

But don't worry, we celebrated.  In a flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of way.

Let's start at the very beginning of the celebration.  January 7th.

Mauri was in Utah, and had a slew of relatives to party with.

Her sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents gathered together in honor of Mar's big day.

She had a yummy cake (which cousin Lincoln apparently could NOT resist, thus the interesting and unique texture on the top and side of the cake).  She had candles.  They played party games and had a good time.

I would be amiss if I didn't thank everyone involved for making it such a memorable time for Mauri.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The next day, January 8th (Mar's actual birthday), she was up early, ready to hop a flight back to Colorado.  She would be flying as an "unaccompanied minor," and was initially a little 

concerned/afraid/worried.  

But, with home as her destination, she set aside her fears and forged ahead.

She enjoyed the flight, and was pleased as punch to be back home.  Even if there were no balloons, gifts, party or cake waiting for her there.

But we did stop and shop for her gift on our way home from the airport.  Here's what she came away with:

She has been riding hand-me-downs for YEARS, and was excited to finally get a brand spankin' new bike.  She couldn't wait to ride it when we got home, since it was a sunny, beautiful day.

But wait.  No time to ride.  Just admire it quickly, park it in the garage, and hop in the car.

The next five hours were spent here:

The celebration just doesn't stop.

After a long day at the very crowded meet, we headed to Panda Express for a birthday dinner.

Do we know how to have a party, or what?

Then we headed next door to the new frozen yogurt joint for a birthday dessert.

(I'll bet you wish this was YOUR birthday.  Cough, cough.)

Mauri was gracious and kind.  She didn't complain.  She didn't whine.  She was happy to be home, that was enough.

Today, thanks to her sweet friend Madalyn, Mar had a birthday cake.

Madalyn and her aunt had made the cake together.  I considered it a tender mercy, since I had not had the time to make a cake myself.  And everyone knows you need a cake to commemorate an important birthday properly.

The cake was delicious.  Thanks, Madalyn!

Mauri even found a party hat.

Three days.  One of planned celebrating, one of random compensation, and one of tender mercies.  

I'm sure there's a little more partying to be done.  Just a tad delayed.

Happy 10th Birthday, Mar!

The Funk

Despite all the wonderful memories from Cancun Christmas New Years fond farewells Winter Break, I have found myself in a bit of a funk.

Overwhelmed by the enormity of getting the house back in order, Christmas decorations put away, laundry done, work, carpooling and schedules, with a little family drama thrown in, I am finding it difficult to find the {BALANCE}.  

Not to mention that my energy is zapped, I'm missing my kids, PMDD is rearing it's ugly head, my skin is so dry it hurts (in shock after the lovely humid climate you-know-where), and I'm peeling like I actually recently overdid it in the sun.
Maybe we came home with more than one lobster.

(Christmas trees down and put away.  Check.)

But I have {HOPE} that it is just around the corner, and that sustains me.

And I'm not the only one in a funk around here.

Shilo had a swim meet this week.  She had only practiced once over the break, and once the day before the meet. She's had a little bit of a bug, and isn't at the top of her game.  She was frustrated that she added 5 seconds to her IM time, and didn't get a better time on the 500 -- her first time even attempting it.  Personally, I think she performed excellently.  A 500 is 20 laps, for pity's sake.  She came home with renewed ambition to step it up at practices and beat her times, hopefully to qualify with an A League time in at least one more event.

Bill tells me he's got the gunk, not the funk.

That guy cracks me up.  Everything is as a result of some kind of germ or bug.  The sore neck (could it be from stressful driving 14 hours in car?  He thinks not), the tiredness, the headaches, etc (to protect his privacy I will refrain from further detail).  Gunk or funk, it's kind of the same in my book.

Those kindergarten kids have definitely suffered from the funk.  There's nothing like having a couple of weeks off, full of fun, excitement, freedom from school, and sugar to throw a kid off.  Especially a kid with special needs who thrives on structure and consistency.  It's been good times at the school.

And Mauri's had the funk too.  I should have known that a whole week away from home would be hard for her.  But I was so consumed with coordinating the arrangements and making it all work at the least possible cost, that I just didn't.  My bad.

I should have known that she would find it difficult to be away from her mom and dad, sisters, and birds.  Even if she was spending many wonderful days with her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.  And over her birthday, no less.  I should have known.  (Which only adds to my funk... what was I thinking?  Two or three days would have been sufficient.  And we could have avoided the drama.)

So after a few phone calls, a nice long Skype session, and arrangements to have her fly home a day earlier (ON her birthday, in the early morning, so as to spend the day with the family), I think she feels better.  I hope.

Love you, Mar.

So here's hoping for less stressful, less messy, and more peaceful (PMDD-free) days ahead.