A couple great weekends!!

It has been a great couple weekends lately with the family. Chris and I got out for the evening to Ra Sushi downtown for Lisa's Bday. It was a great time and nice to get out. We also took the kids to the pumpkin patch of which was another hot October out there. The boys wedged themselves between many a pumpkin before deciding on the lumpy one Cameron liked. Cameron got bit by a turkey they had there as well. Ah the fun! Work is busy but days fly by and already conferences will be upon us. New report cards so teachers are stressing about having evidence to prove their grades....isn't that always what we have done? This past weekend I actually made it to the gym on Friday again-always feels better but doesn't happen as it should! Saturday and Sunday were fairly lazy and nice. We went to beach and dinner-beautiful night....today we went to Gordon's and had a nice dinner with family. Off to watch Entourage and off to bed. This Friday is Halloween so am sure will be crazy week!

October arrives

As my body felt like I was run over by a Mack Truck last Friday I came to realize that a 70% contract as a teacher is far from feeling like you are 70%. It would be easier to either be at home full time or work full time. Seeing as my paycheck runs directly back into daycare the minute I get it I am puzzled why I am back at work most days!
I have missed blogging about all things cute and funny lately the boys have done or said.....always thinking I will be on top of things and forget as weeks fly by to record them. Cameron asked me the other day, "mommy why does daddy always have to talk about work?" And I said because that is what he does all day and he said "that's not very exciting!" From the mouth of babes. At least he gets it now early on.
My grandfather passes away this past week and his funeral was last Friday. I was the only grandchild for first 10 yrs on my mom's side so it was hard to not be there for it. More so for my mom but know it would have been good to go. Getting a flight and dragging boys solo with me after cost and stress of it all I opted to forgo. I will try and get them out there in the next year. I cannot imagine what it is like to lose a parent. With a grandparent it is hard and especially if you are close but nothing like a parent I imagine. There must be a void you feel that can never be filled.

August 2008 was busy! We took our family vacation with my dad to our friend Lexy Parker's family ranch Wyntoon. This was the Hearst Family Ranch-she is a descendant of William Randolph himself. I cannot begin to explain the experience-no words or even pictures does it justice. It was beautiful and held so much history. Such a fairytale experience and we were lucky to get the chance.
I had a week before I had to go back to work upon return and we then headed again to Big Bear as the Parker's have a house there. We hung out at the house, went out to eat and had a bbq.
I returned to work 70% contract sharing with another girl. It has been hectic and I am feeling like it is more than 70% but I need to know when to say when and hope I make it a habit. The boys are both going to school M-F-I get Kieren early most days and then go back and get Cameron later as he likes to stay and play. Cameron is now 4 and loves school and friends. Kieren is now 1 and had no problems getting into school mode-loves it and they love him there. They say he is the happiest baby they have seen. He is attempting to stand and wobbling and falling but taking some steps and gets the occasional battle wounds to show for it. They do the funniest things or say them and from lagging on the blog I forget them with my memory so I am trying to get back into it here again.

Did I say I wished time could slow down? Well warp speed has taken over instead! I guess denial in going back to work can do that! We have packed lots into a month. Fourth of July My parents came down. Chris and I took a bike ride down to beach and had some margaritas...then we spent it at our friend Chris's new house. He is a buddy (my) Chris grew up with in Orange Co.. We spent last 4th with him too. He sometimes comes here and spends New Years or whatever with us. We bbq'd, Cameron got to follow around Chris's son Troy and his daughter Tory-skateboarding...videogames...running....we watched the fireworks from the view from his house...hard to see very close-but was nice night. My parents were nice enough to keep Kieren at our house.
We had tickets as a gift to The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna again this year compliments of Gordon's. We met Tony and Heather at Gordon's and hung out-left kids with grandma/pa and headed out. We walked around beach area then got a few drinks with dinner. The show was good-it is different every year. I liked last years the best so far...more interactive.
We attended our friends sons baptism. Got some cute pics of Cam and Colin in church...they look like trouble! The walls didn't crumble. I told Cameron I would take him to church anytime he wanted. He has been a couple times with G/G Gordon but said it was boring. Of course it would be to a 3 yr old. We went to a restaurant after-I think I chased Cam around more than I ate but it was nice.
Cameron, Kieren and I all went to a dentist appointment. I am so glad that right now I somehow manage to have the whole crew on appt's and it works out somehow! I am sure it will get crazier! Cam and I checked out great! Cam got his prize and we were out the door. Same day Chris and I took Landon and we all went to the Del Mar races. Got our $2 bets and drink on! Met Noah and fiance' Katie there and afterwards got dinner at Bangkok Bai-great thai restaurant!
Then most important event..Cameron's bday! Thursday, July 31st Cameron Grant turned 4! We had my parents down, Chris's mom, Tony his brother and his fiance' Heather and bbq'd, pinata-which Cam was only one to do it..poor arms almost fell off, cake, presents....I was tired! Then Saturday we had a Pump it Up Bday at a bouncey place with 11 buddies and their parents. They had a blast!

July 2008

I haven't blogged in weeks and feel a bit out of touch. I had months still before returning to work and now I am feeling it creep upon me slowly. I know a part of it will be good but another I will miss being home...even on the most challenging days. Sometimes losing Zion, it feels like yesterday and sometimes a lifetime ago......things have been such a blur. I hope time can at least seem to slow down. Cameron will be 4 already end of the month. He was Kieren's age when we moved here-just a toddler. Remember when we small summers seemed to last a lifetime...life is a crazy ride. Some events that have happened already this month.....

The Loving Thoughts Keep Coming.....

I am so impressed and at the same time touched by our Zi's Dr./staff at California Veterinary Specialists Angel Care Cancer Center. It is an amazing place with people who absolutely love animals and want to do everything possible to help them live the longest, happiest lives possible..even with that evil Cancer.

I had only been a couple times as I said...Chris normally took Zion but the way they interacted with him and were affected by him it proved he had been the luckiest dog to recieve help with them. They refer to the dogs as kids. They are there to speak to anytime at the drop of a hat and are there for you to come in anytime as well. Unfortunately my visits ..each one had been for the saddest ones-but these were the times I needed people like this around me.

I cannot thank them enough for their kindness and love to Zion and the total respect for his last moments with us and wanting to say goodbyes. I know they become numb to the events such as ours to some extent but they told me that Zion was one they got attatched to and that he won over their hearts. They said they are sorry they were unable to do more for him.....are they kidding?! Do they realize they gave us the best gift they could have...we got almost 7 more happy months with him....a gift to him and us. He wouldn't have made it that first month unless we had taken him there.....we made the mistake of going to Bancroft and the inexperience and lack of attention to details almost cost us this time we were given.

So I hold the utmost respect and gratitude to them. Hopefully we can get Zion's pic in a frame and a card to express this. They even sent a letter today. Awesome. What more can I say! David Proulx and team go above and beyond and am so thankful to them.

Peaceful Paws

We chose to have Zion cremated through Peaceful Paws. I knew that the Vet Hospital would call to let us know he was ready to be picked up. I guess Chris got the call yesterday. I didn't know though and he came walking through the door holding a wooden box and paw print. I looked at what remained of our dog and more tears. I can't get over how heavy the box was. Our 90lb dog sure was heavy even now. Weird how a week ago he was here with us and big as life and now I have a box that while small is heavy as can be. I think Cameron will just keep his memories of doggie heaven as trying to explain cremation is a little advanced. I am not sure what we are going to do with his ashes yet. In some weird way it is comforting having him somehow with us. I also know all the places he loved...Grape Street Park was where he grew up-best dog park in San Diego, then Coronado dog beach-the nicest and biggest area at beach for dogs, and the million walks around our neighborhood now. Any of them would hold meaning. For now just going to let this too sink in and I guess it is just another adjustment......