-
Gigi’s Letter to Santa
12.02.08 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Gigi’s Letter to SantaDear Santa,
I’m really excited for Christmas. And what I want to get is MySims (Wii Game), Jasmine Barbie and a Jasmine Horse. Oh! And Barbie house stuff. I would like Diamond Castle stuff. The Barbies I don’t have. I want the Diamond Castle Barbie house and the Diamond Castle horse and carriage.
I wish that it was always summer. When people don’t have enough toys or food it would be nice to give them enough toys and food. Can you please give people that stuff when they don’t have enough of that stuff?
We have a little baby and his name is Jude and he likes to play with lots of electronics stuff and with Barbies. I think he could have a wig to put on his head then he can pull his own hair. I would like you to bring him some car stuff and an electronic phone. Not a real one. A toy one.
Remember me from last year? I heard your voice when I was coming home. You said, “Hohoho!”
Love, Guinevere and Jude
-
Happy Thanksgiving!
11.27.08 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Happy Thanksgiving!I woke up this morning thinking of all the things I haven’t written for a while and decided that it was tame to update my blog. This has been a super bust time for us. Not that anything exceptional has happened, rather just life. This fall passed quickly and busily. Along with work there was a wedding to celebrate and my friend Elizabeth tied the knot to Jeff and became Mrs. Bray on October 4th. My friend Amy is preparing for a daughter to arrive after Christmas so we had a baby shower a few weeks ago. There were parties, dinners, things to do and people to see!
First, Jude is growing up. He was just fine, laying around for so long. Suddenly he is harkening back those ultrasound days when we likened him to a squirrel in a cage. The boy is on the move! He starts out sitting up, then in the process of reaching for something goes from being on one hip and one knee to a crawling position. He can’t crawl yet though so he ends up sort of rocking and reaching until he flops on his tummy. Then he’ll roll back and forth and ooch his way to the object of his desire where he’ll push himself back up into a sitting position until the next object of interest catches his eye. Crawling is imminent, as is walking. He is also capable of pulling himself up on the coffee table (or any other ledge for that matter) but can only get about halfway up, at which point he starts to fuss adn we run over to make sure he safely gets back to terra firma! He grew a few teeth last month, at the beginning of October. So now when he chews your fingers, it HURTS! He has learned to say Dada and uses it to wake Bradley up. Tap tap. DADA! Dadada! Tap tap! Dada! He is like a little alarm clock. Except you can’t turn him off with the tapping and talking. Then, when you actually creep your eyes open to peek at him, you are rewarded with the sweetest of baby smiles. While a bit annoying at 4:30 in the morning, you can’t stay annoyed for too long when you receive that look of adoration. When I get home after a day’s work, he is all over me, smiling and letting me know he’s glad I’m back. What a homecoming.
Gigi is the same sweet girl. We had some issues with listening of late, but I think we’ve got that back under control. For her fifth birthday (way back on October 13th) we had a swimming party. It was quite an event with a pool full of 5 year olds (and some older too). She loved it! Then she got every gift her little heart could ever desire. She had quite a good time. Preschool has been a little bit tougher this year. She never wants to go. We are being consistent though, as we know that we are building habits that will be reflected next year in kindergarten. I think she just hasn’t quite connected to this years’ teachers or something.
Last night I took Gigi on a date to see Mama Mia. We had a blast! I thought she’d like it, but she was up dancing around the whole time. I realize that some of the movie was not the most appropriate (or interesting) for her but we had such a good time. It was really nice to be on a date with just her. She watched the movie from my lap the whole time, asking lots of questions. Super fun. Now we want the soundtrack!
My birthday came and went without much fanfare. It landed smack in the middle of conference week AND on the day we have to stay until 6:30 to allow parents who work to have a later conference after work. It was fine, but I would have rather been with my own family than my student’s parents. Then we were supposed to have a date that Saturday night, but Gigi got sick and the whole house of cards came tumbling down. No date again. Then the next weekend we tried again, and the babysitter canceled. I’ve been a parent for five years now, and that was the first time I really felt like I lost out what I wanted to do to parenting. Oh well. 36 is rapidly coming and we’ll whoop it up then. I still can’t believe I am 35. That number just seems so old to me.
Everything was made better by Obama being elected though. What an exciting night on election night! The night felt like New Year’s Eve or something. Our family sat around the TV watching as each state was called, the number slowly climbing in the favor of our president elect. We cheered as he gained new states and cried when he finally was declared the winner. What an amazing night! We are so excited for this man to take office.
I got sucked into the Twilight craze this fall. I started out reading it to see if it was appropriate for my classroom library, and as of last night, finished book four, Breaking Dawn. I don’t know what it is about the books. THey’re less about vampires and more about romance, but so addictive. Now I am looking forward to seeing the movie. The feedback is that the movie is decent. We’ll see. I am one of those that almost always likes the book better.
Now the Christmas season is here. We decked the halls as soon as Halloween was over, so in our house it has been Christmas for a few weeks now. Our house just seemed so bare when we took the Halloween decorations down, so we replaced them rather than waiting. We his some pretty good sales for the kids too, so we’re all set in the gift department as well. That is a good thing too, because on December 11th we are headed back to Disneyland to celebrate Disney style. We talked my brother into coming with us this time, so there is a possibility that we will be able to ride some things together, without Jude, and have a super fantastic time with Bruce, Nancy and Shyla. So it’s good that we have Christmas all set up. When we come back, we won’t have to be all stressed out. It was funny to provide my lists of wants to my family for the kids. Gigi likes everything pink, purple, sparkly, and Barbie. Jude on the otherhand, likes mechanical items, tags, wires, strings and the like. The difference between the two is quite interesting.
So today, Thanksgiving, we are heading to the cemetery to visit Bradley’s recently deceased Grandpa, then we’ll head over to his uncle’s house to enjoy the Tofurkey. Tomorrow we’re off to Seattle to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade then to wander around the city a little. The rest of the weekend will be spent working on my National Boards and crafting.
I am thankful for my little people, Guinevere & Jude, my amazing husband, and the family we have created. I am thankful for the love I have from family, our health and our home. I always look at my life and think I am so lucky. That’s a pretty good thing and a nice way to feel about my life. I’m so blessed, there’s so much to be thankful for. I hope this Thanksgiving finds you in a similar place.
Blessings,
Tamara
-
Hot Autumn
09.14.08 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Hot AutumnGood morning.
I’ll start my day with some writing. It seems that I am better about my once a week blog habit when I am working. It just seems automatic that I should sit down on Sunday morning and recall the week that was.
First, school. It has been two weeks so far, but it has been really strange. Usually at this time of year school reigns over all in my thoughts and actions. I am usually exhausted and focused on that one place. This year, not so much. The passing of Grandpa has something to do with it, I am sure, but I also think it must have something to do also with the bike riding. I ride my bike to and from work every day (except once so far) and I think that by the time I arrive at home I have had enough time to process my day and my focus has become on my safety (read: not getting hit by the inconsiderate a-holes who treat the bike lane like their other lane) that I don’t really think about it once I am on my porch. I have been almost hit by a school bus twice and was inches from a car taking me out the other day. Drivers: look both ways before you take that free right! Anyhow, then when I get home from the ride, we go do something, like take a ride to the lake or to Mill Creek or the park. It’s like life has continued in spite of my job. And I like it. It’s not that fun to be always thinking about my job. My kids are definitely a new breed. I forget how much you have to work with them in order to have enough peace to get things done. We have out chatty kids and then some more. I am pretty much ok with that, but sometimes… It can just be a bit much. They are coming along though and I think in a short time we will have a well oiled machine ticking along accomplishing everything.
Speaking of riding, I LOVE IT! I now have two bike. THe electric assist, which I take to school allows for a workout but still allows me to arrive reasonably un-sweaty. It is really nice, though ridiculously heavy (a whopping 70 pounds) and really can’t be ridden without the motor going like I had originally planned. It is just too heavy. So Bradley started looking on craigslist and found a lovely little Schwinn that weighs only 20 pounds and has hybrid tires on it (fatter than the tiny skinny ones I used to call ten speed tires but thinner than mountain bike tires). That thing flies, but is a really good workout. The electric I liken to a stationary bike. You pedal and it pretty much stays the same difficulty level except on big hills. I am back to losing weight again too. I am not really dieting, but have lost about ten pounds since 7/30 just from the biking. I am satisfied with that.
I started to look into the National boards in earnest and now have a bit of a guideline for completing them. It will be a challenge but doable I think. If I get all my lessons and video done by December I can spend the next few months writing, revising and editing. I am not too anxious to begin the writing. Once the can of worms is opened I fear it will take over my life.
The funeral on Friday was wonderful. It was really long and draining, but wonderful. Everybody had really nice things to say about Grandpa and Gigi did really well with the open casket. I thought she’d freak and not want to look, and initially that’s exactly what she did. With time though she wanted to go right up to see Grandpa’s body and even patted him on the head a few times. She cried, we cried and said a proper goodbye to him. One of the most moving parts for me was at the graveside service when the army personnel was there. The gal assisted Grandma to her seat and Taps was played. They folded the flag and gave it to Grandma. They were so sincere and respectful to Grandma. While it was the job of those soldiers to come do that, I sincerely believe that they were honestly honoring Grandpa’s service and were sad at his passing. I guess there aren’t many WWII veterans left and he deserves that honor.
Jude was passed around form arm to arm. He was wonderful during the whole day. He squealed mid ceremony and when Bradley played a song at the end, Jude knew instantly that his Daddy was up in front. He stood up on my lap and grinned and cooed for Bradley. He stole the show and the number one fan of Daddy.
Gigi has a birthday in a month. We reserved the Lynnwood Rec Center pool for the celebration. Now she is all a-flutter with planning the just right decorations and events. I think we are going with mermaids, but it could all change. SO far she has mentioned the following themes: Hannah Montana, Star Wars, Princess, Fairies and Peter Pan. Regardless of what we end up with I think that the planning will be as fun as the actual party for her. I can’t believe she’s almost five. Wow.
That’s been about it. We are all tired and trying to recover for another week of pre-school, teaching and baby care. We’ll survive. We always do.
Blessings,
-
Grandpa Kobs
09.07.08 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Grandpa Kobs
Current mood:Â
sad
Category: LifeBradley’s grandpa passed on last week on September third. This has been a pretty difficult week, saying goodbye to such a great man.I remember when I first met Bradley and heard that he lived with his grandparents thinking it a little odd. The friends I had were hightailing it out of their parent’s houses as fast and they could and I couldn’t imagine why someone would want to live with their grandparents. Bradley’s grandparents are unique though. They not only welcomed him into their home, but also allowed his friends to come and go as they needed and every one calls them Grandpa and Grandma. The other choice, Mr. and Mrs. Kobs was and is rarely used. I think that speaks to the comfort, kindness and openness that was offered in the Kobs home. I remember hearing that Grandpa and Grandma allowed Bradley to hold band practice in their basement. LOUD band practice! LONG band practice! And these two elderly people not only allowed it, but they encouraged it!
So I came to know and love Grandma and Grandpa Kobs too. They allowed me to move into the extra bedroom for a year while Bradley and I worked to save enough to move to Bellingham. We took them on road trips to Seaside, Eastern Washington, Spokane and Disneyland. When we finally made the move to Bellingham, Grandpa hopped in the truck with me and kept me entertained with his own stories of moving out west in an old jalopy truck from Iowa to make a new life for himself. Often during those first few years Grandpa and Grandma would make their way north to spend a night or two with us in Bellingham and we would stay up late listening to Grandpa’s war stories, stories about the egg farm, their early marriage and their children. We even videotaped it.
I remember on the day I married Bradley when we were getting ready to leave. Everybody was waiting for us to come out so they could toss the birdseed. Grandpa, with the stroke he had suffered years before, was slowly making his way around the building to watch us leave. People were getting impatient, wondering why we weren’t leaving yet, but we wanted him to see us go like everyone else. And when he finally made it, we saw his grin flash and the hand that tossed a bit of birdseed out way. For some reason, that is one of my favorite memories of him.
My grandparents always lived so far away. In Oregon, Idaho, or they passed long before my arrival or shortly after. It wasn’t until I met Bradley’s grandparents that I knew how special and important a grandparent relationship could be. They were and are my closest grandparents and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to know them. Grandpa was incredibly kind and helpful and loved his family in a masculine and accepting way. I loved Grandpa and already miss him terribly. I’ll miss how much he loved my husband and my babies. And I will miss the way he allowed me to love him. My Bradley is a lot like him and I feel lucky that Grandpa Kobs was such a powerful model for him. The result is that I have an incredibly kind, compassionate husband with a can-do attitude, just like his grandfather.
The following is the obituary from the Seattle times:
Carl Wilhelm Kobs was born in Hancock, Iowa on June 16, 1916. He passed away from complications of mesothelioma on Sept 3, 2008 at the age of 92. Carl was a veteran of WWII decorated with the purple heart, a farmer by birth and welder by trade, he shared the gifts of his charm and humor with all who knew him. Beloved patriarch to his family, Carl is survived by his wife of 64 years Alouise, son Gary, daughters Jeanie, Sheri & Julie, grandchildren Bradley, Christy, Jason, Brandon & Lisa as well as two great grandchildren Guinevere & Jude. Carl will be remembered for his strength of spirit, compassion, can-do nature, and lovely singing voice. A memorial service will be held at Acacia Memorial Park (14951 Bothell Way NE) at 1:30 on Saturday September 13th.His kindness and generosity were only superseded by his manners and good looks.
We’ll be seeing you in the funny pages, Grandpa!
-
Best Summer Ever
09.01.08 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Best Summer Ever
Current mood:Â
satisfied
Here I sit on the eve of the first day of school and I am reflecting on my summer. Bradley and I were talking last night about how this has been, hands down, the best summer ever. It started well with the trip to Disneyland, then a mellow July full of swims and bike rides, a fantastic family reunion, more bike rides, a great wedding, good easy camping, and marvelous over-nighters with friends. I think we squeezed in everything we wanted to this summer. No, we didn’t get to the ocean, but who cares. I haven’t had a summer this satisfying since my senior year summer when I worked hard, played hard and was so tired and saturated with fun and good times.I am just so in love with my kids and husband right now. Just looking at my babies gives me such joy. I can’t believe that Gigi will be five years old next month. Her long legs stretch and dangle off of my lap when she sits on me and her vocabulary is amazing. She uses words and intonations that are surprising to me. She is beginning to read and write by paying attentions to the sounds she hears. For example: Happy Birthday is written: Hepe Brsde. Invented and adorable spelling. I know it won’t be long until she is reading and writing without abandon. She is beautiful and tan with a lovely singing voice. This is a summer to remember. One of the things that Gigi has said lately is that she wants us to have another baby so that Jude can be a big brother too. I think that speaks volumes: She loves her brother so much that she wants him to experience that love too.
Then there’s Jude. Our gigantic little baby who began eating solid food at four months and now greedily gulps broccoli, green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, applesauce, bananas, peas and blueberries. I gave him a taste of hummus the other day. Initially he seemed to like it so I gave him a bigger taste. He began to gag and choke and soon thereafter expelled the entire contents of his stomach all over me and the kitchen floor. Bradley tried macaroni and Jude screamed at him. We forget that he is SO young to be eating in the first place and we need to take it slow. He is just so lovely and it is terribly exciting to give him all of those first tastes of being an eater. Jude smiles beautifully and is sleeping better and better with each passing week. Last night he was up only twice. A great improvement! He rolls this way and that and stuffs his toys into his mouth to chew on them. A definite favorite of his, much to his sister’s chagrin, is Guinevere’s hair. Only moments ago, Bradley was putting Gigi into the crib with Jude and he shot out his fat little hand and grabbed and fistful – all with a HUGE grin on is face. This is the little brother he is.
Bradley and I have had a wonderful summer together. There are highs and lows in any relationship. Those moments when you are simply partners and those times when the sun and moon revolve around one another. Then there are the times when, even after a dozen years of being together and you don’t think your love can grow anymore, it suddenly does and you feel like teenagers around one another. That’s been our August. I just feel so incredibly lucky to not just be married to such a kind and respectful person, but I get the added bonus of him being quite the looker too. Yesterday we were at a playground and I was watching him thinking about how cute he was (that’s language reverting back to high school)!
So, yeah, at this point I am feeling pretty blessed with my family.
Highlights from this summer:
*Getting on our bikes and riding all over Lynnwood and Mill Creek. I had forgotten how much fun going down a hill really fast is and pedaling your hardest to get back to the top of the other side. And so satisfying too!
*Getting my electric bike for some added assistance on said hills. I can cruise at about 20 MPH without pedaling if I am so inclined (though I need the workout too so don’t allow that too often).
*Staying in the beautiful cabin on Lake Pend Oreille near my grandpa’s house in Idaho. We were 60 feet from the most beautiful private beach and the clearest water ever. And the beds were heavenly!
*The family reunion was a blast. Also in Idaho.
*Disneyland (of course) Gigi was way into Thunder Mountain Railroad which was really fun.
*Our backyard pool was wonderful for dipping into after being out riding for a few hours in the hot weather.
*Hannah’s wedding was life changing for our family model as we watched generations of her family and his express the obvious love for the couple and one another.
*Guinevere as a flower girl. She was beautiful! If you want to see pictures and the bride’s account of Gigi, go to http://www.hbadventure.com/blog/ and scroll down a bit to see her. She was lovely.
*Guemes Island for the night made us want to go back and spend more time.
*Our weekend in Bellingham was the perfect cap to end our summer with our good friends Jeff and Michelle and their families. We enjoyed a six year old birthday party, tennis, wine, beer, and a campfire sing-a-long. So good.
*Mamma Mia with my Mama made me love her all the more. Toe tapping and good laughter was needed that day followed up with a good parking lot conversation. Both of us bawling during ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’. Her thinking of me, and me thinking of my own little girl. (Lyrics at the bottom of the blog).This summer did come with challenges too though:
*MRSA staph infections for both Bradley and I were painful and led to paranoia about germs and bacteria. Our house is incredibly antibacterialized now!
*Bradley’s Grandpa Kobs is really sick and in the hospital long term for now. We are all praying for his health and comfort as he fights his way through his battle with mesothelioma.Anyhow, I am looking forward very much to the beginning of school tomorrow. I am all ready for my students to come in. Many I know as I had the privilege of teaching them as second graders. So, the best summer ever.
Thanks,
TamaraSlipping through My Fingers
Schoolbag in hand
She leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye
With an absent-minded smile
I watch her go
With a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I’m loosing her forever
And without really entering her world
I’m glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl
Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what’s in her mind
Each time I think I’m close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Sleep in our eyes
Her and me at the breakfast table
Barely awake
I let precious time go by
Then when she’s gone
There’s that odd melancholy feeling
And a sense of guilt
I can’t deny
What happened to the wonderful adventures
The places I had planned for us to go
Well some of that we did
But most we didn’t
And why I just don’t know
Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what’s in her mind
Each time I think I’m close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers
Schoolbag in hand
She leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
