So, let me just kick off this entry with one of our first post-covid pandemic lockdown adventures ~ our trip to Louisville...just the three of us - you, me, and Lao Lao. It's been awhile since our trio has been able to venture anywhere and it felt so good! So much laughter, jokes, and banter in the car...good-natured teasing and more inside jokes created. And if there was any question, P!nk is officially our road-trip soundtrack. Ha. We went to see Bernheim Forest and their Forest Giants scultures from a Danish sculptor. We also went to see the Witches Tree in Old Louisville, the Butchertown shops (a great little, funky, progressive, LGBTQIA friendly section), and both nights had the swimming pool to ourselves at the hotel. You fought any and all pictures, even apologizing for it later and admitting you feel awkward in front of the camera (me too, kid)...and later in the month confessing some of your struggles lately with getting your picture taken amidst your ever changing relationship with yourself as you grow up and get older. It's one of those things that I understand at a gut level, it is normal for a majority of kids your age (and older), and also, (most painfully), something that I can't make better very easily or quickly. *sigh* But...it will get easier...eventually. And that's all I will say about that as it is your personal story to experience and only share if you choose to do so.
Some of our inside jokes include ... ".2 miles!" Getting lost in the dark, curvy, creepy backroads of Kentucky countryside, hearing nothing from mom in the backseat other than random facts about bourbon, as she searched for distilleries on her phone and finally looking up, alarmed because we were clearly lost (even though you and I had been stressing and discussing this fact for the last 5 minutes) - ha!. You also ate like a horse on this trip - could be the yummy southern food or could be a growth spurt coming. Who knows? Then, once home, you wanted to hang with me late that night and thanked me for taking you to KY...it was such a long-awaited, special trip. I just love who you are so much, kiddo!
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum - the Forest Giants below - all made out of wood and nails and natural materials!
After Louisville, it was just about Easter and Lao Lao surprised you with a catronaut backpack for Lucky...which he loves! Ruth got one, too . Let me just say, it is HILARIOUS to see y'all walking through the neighborhood in these.
And speaking of Easter, we decided to surprise our friend Erin's little one (Remy) with an Easter Bunny surprise on her porch. It's so fun to become the magic once you realize the truth as you get older. Thank you for being my ever-willing partner in magic! Remy LOVED it.
Here's just a few important reminders.
And we got a visit from Malcolm, too! He came over for dinner and a bonfire, bringing over his guitar and ukelele which he gave you a brief lesson and serenaded us. Here's what I had to share on socials after he left. #blessed.
You know how sometimes people come into your life for reasons you would have never conceived of before but now, you can't imagine not having met them? Like, the kind of people who make you see the world completely differently, as it should be, simply because of who they are?
Yeah. I ❤ those kinds of people.
While the nation is a bit quieter this spring and going into summer than it was last year. However, it doesn't mean that the struggles for equality are anywhere near being over. Here are some photos of a recent local march for BLM that we attended, hosted by many local youth. Unfortunately, there's always a reason to march. Fortunately, there are many willing to do so.
I love his shirt
Remember what I said about Lucky enjoying his backpack? Exhibit A.
The following photo was shared on my socials, along with the accompanying caption below. Who knew shopping for coffee mugs could put Mama so deeply in her feels?
"It's been a week. A long week. For lots of various reasons. This afternoon I had to run out and grab some things for the house and stumbled upon these two mugs. The only ones of their kind left in the shop and absolutely perfect for me.
When Mali was tiny, they used to love all of the "Llama Llama" books by Anna Dewdney. Do you guys remember those? Their favorite (which they knew by heart) was "Llama Llama Mad at Mama". Before they could recite it, they'd sign it (very dramatically) in sign language along w me. It used to crack us up.
Now...as M is older and dealing w all of the "fun" that is perfectly normal in middle school and teenagehood, I find myself holding my breath and hoping that they can maintain their spark, stay wild and true to themself as they ride the waves of this current chapter and into adulthood. It can be a difficult task. Heck, many of us adults still struggle w it! And that's ok. With Mali, though, given what I've seen so far, I'm pretty darn confident that they can do it. But, I still hold my breath... because moms are gonna mom. 🤷♀️
Anyway, that's all. If you made it this far, this was my long-winded way of saying "Hey! Look at my new mugs!" 😉
#RemindersFromTheUniverse #ThankfulForTheLittleThings #MomLife"
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Next up was Mother's Day! (Talk about putting me in my feels!)
Started the day with a wonderful, surprise call from a lovely, admirable fellow mama in DC (my friend, EB). She's a good egg and amazing role model as a mom and a human. How important it is to find people that you admire, adore, and make you laugh, with whom to connect in your life.
As for my lovely little family, I honesetly was not expecting much. But...y'all surprised the hell out of me. You gave me a lovely, funny, and super sweet card and then you and Daddy presented me with a cameo video from Michael Franti!! It was a personalized message from him to all of us and he got your pronouns right and shared a very special adoption story and message for all of us because he, himself, was adopted when he was a baby, too. It was incredible and I was spellbound and tearful for the nearly 4 minute long video. I watched with you and we both got teared up. You got so chatty and silly and loving and happy afterwards...and let me tell you...THAT was the best part of my Mother's Day surprise.
Later that night, we went to Lao Lao's for dinner with family (Uncle Forge, Uncle Flint, Rick, Aunt Monica, and Aunt Kenzie), then home where you stayed up making jokes, talking, laughing, and giving hugs until late at night. The best, the best, the best. Before bed that night, I made sure to tell you that the little things like hugs, helping with dishes at Lao Lao's, and hanging with us outside to get the dogs to poop and pee once home REALLY make a difference...because I miss you now that you're a teen and with friends all the time. And I love all of these little(ish) moments so much...especially the hugs.
my card
we made jiggly cake (nian gao)
and another late night gift...tweezing mom's eyebrows (ha!)
The next day you woke up and I decided to let you play hookey from school because of a tummy ache. The school year is almost done and you have kicked ass so I figured, why not? We snuggled briefly in the morning at the height of your tummy ache, then you made sugar cookies and brought me 4 on a plate in a cute presentation while I worked. That night we went on a long walk through the 'hood and we joked and laughed the whole way. It was a strangely perfect day. An extension to my Mother's Day, unexpected but SUPER welcome.
Have I mentioned how much I love when I work and you don't have school and you just randomly come in and sit near me? Something so simple but comforting in a weird way. You know?
And for some reason this year...the bluebells I love, that are normally only blooming for a couple weeks...have been hear for over a month! Wonder why?
first picture I took of them
still here, nourishing the bees over a month later
have I mentioned how much I love my little family?
and these two (up above and below) - inseparable cuddle buddies
seriously? cuteness factor 11
I also did a thing and painted our door and shutters bright aqua!
because it makes me happy and why not?
coffee in the morning with my new favorite mug
Can you believe that Daddy and I have been married for 20 years this year?! It doesn't seem that long at all. Which is a good sign, right? And even more surprising is that I could still fit into my wedding dress after 20 years. Who could have predicted that?
Our celebratory date night out for #20! Bridge Park in Dublin.
the secret to a happy life ^^^
kitties dining al fresco on the porch
I wonder what they're talking about?
And now...officially no more hookey days to call in because...it was the last day of school and you are officially now an 8th grader!! Wait, what?!
look at the annoyace in your eyes, ha.
one of your besties, Avery...both of you happy to be 8th graders!
And if it's May, you know what that means...our snappers are back to lay more eggs.
this one was just strolling down the middle of the sidewalk...so funny looking!
Impromptu adventure to Hayden Falls...a quick, easy to access, hidden gem in Columbus.
me, stealing your bucket hat
you'd never admit it...but your mom is kinda, slightly cool...maybe? ha.
June 4th was momentous for our family because it marked the 2nd vaccine for you, but the side effects hit you hard! However, now we are all vaxxed and have slightly less to worry about than we did a year ago. Whew! The next day on June 5th, we had a cookout and bonfire with Aunt Audrey, but you were feeling rough. It was a nice evening in spite of you feeling the creepy cruds. That night before bed, in spite of feeling sick, you offered to walk the dogs around the block with me to get them to poop (a nightly ritual) and you...held my hand! I was surprised and my heart was so melty. OMG, for real...how long has it been since you did that?! Needless to say, I was in heaven.
I think the animals will do just fine while we're on vacation and Audrey is here
This year we bought a pool membership and boy, oh boy, has it already been worth it!
trying to be a little kinder to my aging skin and so I'm using self-tanner - what a better
place to store it than with the Orange Menace's toilet paper!
And finally...our long-awaited beach trip with the Williams' family has arrived!
I will pretty much let the photos speak for themselves. Brad is still recovering from his spinal injury and Dad had a random cold strike the day we were leaving (figures!) but it was a good trip in spite of those hurdles. I am just so thankful for our families' connection, your kind spirit, your surprising maturity (helping KK learn some new terms - yikes!), and your (and everyone's) sense of humor. No matter what happens in life, laughter makes it all more bearable.
Silkie is still with us
give a kid a Sharpie on a road trip
and this is what you get
rainbow to welcome us to Virginia
finally made it to the OBX!
evidently, we're repping all of Ohio?
L to R around the table...you, KK, Soul, Sierra, Laurel, and Sara
go-karts at Timbuk II
the traffic on route 12 was so bad, Daddy stayed stuck while I hiked the ice cream
and cold groceries home for almost a mile!
wriing on Alfie the dog's birthday cake
watching a scary movie
at the local farmer's market to get fresh seafood for a seafood boil that night...yum!
you and KK giving rides to those on rafts in the pool
digging a moat with Soul
naptime with Alfie
Daddy finally got his seafood boil that he missed that fateful summer
trying to figure out how to eat crab
Alfie, negotiating for some food
the Williams family!
handstands in the pool was one of the only ways to get pictures of you
more naptime with Alfie
my special morning run to Duck Donuts with you
the grown ups out for a fancy dinner...and a silly sunset selfie
a super cool shop near the beach house...loved the little garden section
putt-putting
fro-yo after putt-putt
and the following are all sunset pictures on the pier that you helped me capture
(you have such a good eye!)
you and KK getting that perfect shot
and finally...home...
happy faces of Mom and Dad after a long, safe, drive home
So grateful to have realized that the birds had left my plump blueberry crop alone while we were gone. Good thing, too, as these were the sweetest blueberries I've ever tasted!
we did NOT plan this...LOL! Happy Pride!
We had so many full, supermoons this quarter. Gorgeous, bella luna!
Super Pink Moon
Strawberry Supermoon
fledgling strawberries under the moonlight in our pots
snuggle sesh
We went to our first Fourth Fridays in June and it was wonderful, after a long, hard-fought, fight with City Council...they finally allowed the Pride Flag to be displayed at City Hall during the end of June. Remember how I said there's always a reason to march and get loud. Well, here's one of those reasons. Thanks to the newly formed, Westerville Queer Collective, and countless other community members (including your very own Lao Lao!) who stood up at a recent City Council meeting and bared their hearts and souls, shared their perspectives, feelings, stories, and wishes with council and the community...this was achieved. Still more work to do, but it's a good step towards better inclusivity. And if you were ever wondering, your Lao Lao is a badass and an incredible ally. Just sayin.
Daddy and I at Fourth Friday
just a random mama thought one beautiful, summer day
With all of the casual, lazy summer fun...we also got to get dressed up and help celebrate Tanisha and Demetrius' wedding. So fun to be able to gather in groups again and honor momentous occasions together!
Ashley, Kathy, Cynthia, Tanisha, and me
with the bride and groom
Normally, being a teen, you spend a LOT of time in your room. It's expected. So, imagine how elated I am whenever I come to bed and see this! I love our late night convos. Some of my favorite.
And check out our new flag! Happy Pride...this month...and July through May, too!
Just capturing Lao Lao in her natural spring and summer element...her garden.
And speaking of capturing random moments...here are just a few screenshots of texts among our family. Some make me swoon, others make me laugh. I love us.
an apology from you to me...not many kids your age can do this all on their own.
I'm very lucky and grateful.
picking out new glasses...too cute!
a text of you sharing with me about math
*big smile*
this one just made me giggle...our bed hog, Grizz
And finally we got to use our Father's Day gift to Dad! We bought him Stand Up Paddle board lessons on Hoover Reservoir. It took us weeks to be able to use them because of weather issues. It was much harder than we expected, the wind on Hoover was a bit much because of it being so open and also the wakes (even from slow boats) can really throw you off. Unfortunately, Daddy did fall in, but fortunately, it was so hot that it cooled him off and he didn't mind. So, while our gift was a bit of a bust...at least he can say that he did something that he's always wanted to try. It was still a nice family time together. Happy Father's Day, Daddy! We love you!
Happy Summer, finally!
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