Jack's new 'hood

So, the neighborhood is great. I still am not up to talking about what we left behind, so until then I will talk about what we are gaining.

Our neighbors invited us to participate in their evening ritual. At least eight kids (who all are within a year or two of Jack) get together every evening and ride power wheels in the back alley lined with garages. And I mean HUGE power wheels. One kid has a large Lightning McQueen, another a big four wheeler that I could fit in, a over sized Jeep and a few other motorized vehicles. Our next door neighbor, Dani (pronounced Danny) let Jack borrow the smaller power wheel that her three and a half year old learned to drive on. (Yeah I know...) The whole thing was hilarious and also so absurd to watch! Jack had so much fun and can't wait till tomorrow evening. And here I was thinking we had no cool ideas for Jack for Christmas.

I managed to snap a few pictures tonight. Jack was upgraded to the Lightning McQueen car tonight..

Bongo turned 3 today

I couldn't let the day pass without mentioning that today was Bongo's third birthday. Believe me, had I known, we definitely would not have chosen to move today... Around three this afternoon Jack casually mentioned it was indeed Bongo's birthday and he and Dee-da were going to be coming over soon for his party. Zack, being the wonderful dad he is, reminded us all that he would be expecting a birthday cake. Jack notified us that Bongo would also need a balloon. So after giving up on the dream that I would be able to make dinner at home tonight (having professional movers is great but man alive I don't have any clue where they packed ANYTHING) we stopped at the grocery store where I found a perfect mini blue and purple cake and a balloon. When we got home, we sang to Bongo (I was lucky enough to sit next to the birthday boy) and Jack helped him blow out his candles. The cake turned all of our mouths blue.

Happy, Happy third birthday Bongo! Our family wouldn't be the same without you!

New Beginnings

Today, as Jack and I boarded our plane holding one way tickets from San Jose to San Diego it hit me. We are not coming back here. At least not back to our Home. It was a perfect take off. We flew right over Safeway, right over the park where Jack went on the swings and down the slide for the first time, the bagel store where Jack ate more mini cinnamon raisin bagels with cream cheese then I care to admit as we discussed our favorite cars, colors, and why the sky is blue, the school where we went to make baskets each evening, and then more recently to race cars, then over Archstone and finally over Nantucket and the park that I looked out on for the last three years. It was a fitting end to a wonderful four years in Santa Clara.

I woke up the other morning at Dani and Sean's house. Zack had already left to catch his airplane and use his one way ticket to San Diego. Jack was still asleep and I just kept thinking over and over again, "My heart hurts." Believe me, I know it's not the end of the world, and I am aware that San Diego is wonderful, but it's not Home yet. Home is something real, and essential in my life. It's a safe haven from the world that I can't control. So, leaving Home is a big deal to me. The only thing making this possible is my faith that Home is where Jack and Zack are (if only I could convince Dani and Sean that they have to attach themselves to us then I'd be set).

I have also been thinking about my grandmother, Baba, a lot. She and her sister Bosa lived in a duplex with their families in Milwaukee. Baba and Deda had three kids, and Bosa and Deka had four kids. I have grown up hearing all about the mischief those seven kids got into growing up essentially in one home. After a few years Baba and Deda moved their family to California and Bosa and Deka remained with their family in Milwaukee. I asked Baba a few years ago, when I was getting ready to move away from Dani for the first time and get married, whether it was a hard decision to make. She told me absolutely not. That it was the right decision for her family and that she and Bosa would always be sisters whether they lived in the same house or across the country.

The truth is I am not me without Dani. I guess that's why we came as a pair. I just have to keep reminding myself that we will always be sisters whether we live in the same house or across the country.

Moments

Yes, I realize we just left our home of four years and our good friends but I'm not ready to talk about it just yet.

Yesterday in the car Jack and I were chatting about what happened when his imaginary beetle got a flat tire and Bongo let him borrow his Mini Cooper and took his beetle to the mechanic for him. All at once he said, "Oh, I have to remember to tell Dee-da about that." I asked him who Dee-da was, he said, "Oh, just someone I work with." It was all so matter of fact that I just burst out laughing. What a funny kid.

Tonight at dinner, Jack was staring off into space. I asked him what he was thinking and he said, "I was just thinking that it's about time for us to buy a BMW."

Pretty much sums up the inner workings of my child's brain.

Potty Time

Jack went to the bathroom on the potty 2 times this evening!! Whoo hoo!! It totally came out of no where and I still think we are a ways away from giving up diapers, but we are so proud of him and better yet, he is so proud of himself! Way to go Jack!

Memories

Today was an unbelievably hard day. I can take most things Jack throws at me, but when he's mean to me I just want to roll up in a ball and give up. Today was one of those days. I know he is just testing boundaries, but the kid spent most of the day in time outs, one after another, after another. I know it is largely because his life is getting turned upside down. Adda and Poppi are gone, we are in the process of moving, and Zack is working in San Diego a few days a week. Heck, it's a lot for me to handle and I have over a quarter of a century on this kid. I kept thinking about something I read the other day about not just surviving our children. I try so hard to be in the moment, but today I'm afraid all I did was survive Jack. We had one moment today where I worked through my "I'm off of caffeine again" headache, and we sat and talked about change and how he felt inside. He told me he felt real bad inside and didn't want to move and leave his friends. All I could do was hug him, reassure him that I love him always, and that we would make new friends and always remember our old ones. Such a big lesson for such a small fry.

On a side note, Jack told me today that if he went into the street without holding one of our hands he would be hit by a car and his head would fall off. I was so shocked. I have no idea where he came up with such a gruesome idea! I asked him, and he blamed Zack. Zack however vehemently denies ever saying such a thing to Jack. I told him his head wouldn't fall off, but he kept insisting it would. Finally, I just let him go on believing it. Maybe it will help him not go in the road alone, or maybe 20 years from now I will get to hear him tell the story of how I told him his head would fall off if he went in the street on his own. Hopefully this entry will serve as a record that he came up with that one all on his own.

Jack is also convinced that his teeth will turn green if he doesn't brush them. "Like the Hulk". This one Adda is responsible for. They saw a picture of the Hulk on a trash can during beach week and in response to Jack's questioning why his teeth were green, Adda told him it was because he didn't brush them. Good thinking. Except now he insists on brushing his teeth, and crys in his crib at nap time if he remembers he didn't brush them. I have tried also to be honest with him and tell him chances are his teeth won't be green if he misses one day, but he doesn't believe me. Like I said. Twenty years from now, that one's on Adda's tab. My tab is full...enough believe me. :)

Jack & Zoe Hugs

Zoe is pretty much Jack's best friend right now. I am always amazed at how well the two of them play together. They help each other up when they fall and just overall get a kick out of one another. Of course there are meltdowns. Jack is going to miss sweet Zoe and Maryanne when we move. This video is after their swim lessons one day. And yes, I did edit out the next frame when Jack pushed her. No need to remember that...

Jack's Swimming Lesson #2

Teacher Brittany is AWESOME. This is a video from Jack's second 30 minute lesson with her. He is now on lesson 6 and can swim half the length of a pool, lifts his head to get a new breath, can swim to the stairs, can jump into the pool, turn around and then pull himself up out on the side of the pool. Seriously, the kid is now a fish.

Our new Home

We spent the last week down (See Zack I'm trying) in San Diego on a home finding tour. We had a wonderful hotel in La Jolla that was pretty much bigger then our apartment which we made our home base. Intuit provided us with an awesome Realtor, Lauren, who spent all day Tuesday with us. The day started at 8:30 and Jack, who we had just that morning admitted that our new home was not going to next door to Dani and Sean, was none to pleased. We must have seen 15-17 places that first day, and the first 10 or so Jack loudly announced that he did not like them and did not want to live there. Finally, we found a wonderful little community. As soon as we drove down the street I knew it was where I wanted to live. It is lined with cute little trees, has basketball courts, a swimming pool, tons of grassy fields and two little parks and playgrounds in the immediate community.

We found two houses that we were considering. One that had a great back yard with an outdoor fireplace, waterfall, fish pond with lily pads and real live grass. This was almost our home, until we found out that the owners were moving their kids to Switzerland for 2 years and wanted their home to be left exactly the way they had it so that it would be the same for when their kids came home. That meant, all the walls had to stay painted the colors they choose (which were all nice colors for the most part except for a seriously awful magenta bathroom) and the bamboo that lined the bottom half of one room could not be removed. We quickly realized, that although it was our favorite place thus far because it felt like a home, it in the end wasn't our home and we didn't want to live in someone elses' home.

So we settled on a three bedroom house one block over. It does not have a yard, which is sad, but it does have a large patio area (perfect for Jack's basketball hoop, large beetle, table and chairs, bike, beep-beep and homeless man shopping cart), hard wood floors downstairs, and enough room for Jack to grow more then 3 feet tall. :)

Here are some pictures...









The only sad part is that the kitchen counters are not a very pretty color as the picture shows. If you want to see more, you'll have to come visit us...

I am most happy about not having to walk up three flights of stairs. More accurately, I am most excited about not having to drag Jack up three flights of stairs. Although visitors will have to park on the street and climb a few stairs, our garage is in the back of the house. Hurray!

Come visit us. Please?


**While we were in the area, we drove up to meet Tai and Baba for lunch in Irvine, and then drove a bit further to visit with Rachel in Newport.




**On a sad personal note. I remembered how San Diego's proximity to the beach and my hair don't mix on this trip. Hopefully they will find a way to coexist.

Home Sweet Home

We found a new home. More info and pictures to come as soon as we come up for air...

Brown Shorts Month

Jack has been wearing this pair of brown shorts every day for like two weeks. I got tired of the rolling around on the ground tantrums at the idea that, heaven forbid he put on a different pair that morning, and decided to pick my battles and let it officially be brown shorts month. Finally, a few days ago, I asked Jack why he loved his brown shorts so much? He told me that brown was Poppi's (Sean's) favorite color. Needless to say, my heart was softened towards those brown shorts.

In-n-Out and Aunt Sarah

We had a fun, but quick visit with Aunt Sarah when she came down to Mountain View last week for an interview. What could be better then hanging out with family, eating burgers, fries and milkshakes, and getting a super cool hat to wear!

Out of Town

We are headed down to San Diego tomorrow for the week in hopes that we will find our new home.
Wish us luck!!

Happy 6 Year Anniversary

Today is our 6 year anniversary. It have gone by so quickly, but at the same time, we have loved one another since we were 16 and truly feel like we have grown up together. This weekend, we took a drive up to Monterey (sans Jack) and stayed at the Tickle Pink Inn. Our room was seriously bigger then our apartment and one side lined with floor to ceiling windows of an beautiful ocean view. It was our first night away from Jack (thank you to Dani and Sean who did an awesome job taking care of Jack, and didn't hang up on me when I repeatedly reminded them not to lose him).

Zack and I had an amazing dinner at the Pacific Edge restaurant and managed to spend over $200 before tip on our meal. It was all delicious! This morning we woke up on our own, and had an hour long couples Swedish massage in our room. After a quick stop off at the outlets, we made our way home to a very happy, not lost Jack.

Happy happy anniversary Zack! You have made my life.

Here are a few pictures from our celebration!
Picture from our balcony



Dinner at the Pacific Edge

The end of an era

Hi friends, it's Zack. I'm posting about a sad occasion in my life, I no longer have a monopoly on licking the beaters and spatulas in the house. Jack has discovered these sweet delights.

on the bright side, at least we share this common interest!

Cool Guy PJS

I love buying Jack pjs. It is perhaps the clothes item I get the most joy out of buying since boy clothes are a bit boring most of the time. That being said, Jack has at least 15 pair of pjs in his drawer. However, since we got the "cool guy pjs" from Oliver and Brenden, Jack will not wear anything else to bed. Occasionally I put my foot down and insist they get washed and he is forced to wear something else to bed for one night, but most often this is the desired night time look:



The boxers have to be pulled way up high and folded over so they don't drag. So, thank you to the Wiley's, without who this look day in and day out would not be possible, and Jack would definitely not think he was as cool as he does now!

Blogging Break

Zack asked me to either "blog responsibly" or take a break from blogging about his work situation until negotiations were finished. I didn't know if I could be trusted to "blog responsibly" so I opted to remain silent on the matter. I am HAPPY (see it just took a few days) to confirm that Zack has accepted a fantastic offer and will be working in the San Diego office. He technically starts his new job on Monday, but will be working from Mountain View until we move, which will probably be mid September. Along with his new job came a great moving package which includes professional packers and movers. It feels weird to not be stressing about packing up, but I am using the time to sort through things and throw things out while Zack is at work thanks to Annee's helpful suggestions.

We are breaking the news to Jack slowly. He was very concerned when the idea of getting a new home first was broached. His main concern was what was going to happen to all of his toys. Once we reassured him that his toys were coming too, he agreed to the move. I think I am most excited about the limited time remaining that I have to coerce, persuade, demand, and carry Jack up 3 flights of stairs with no elevator. So Yeah for Zack! Yeah for our family! Yeah for San Diego! Yeah for a larger place (hopefully)! And triple Yeahs for a better job for Zack (or for that matter any job for Zack!!)

**On a side note, I just today realized that slide.com was putting music on our blog. My volume is usually turned off, so I had no idea. I'm not sure that I like that...

Quirky things about Jack I want to remember

He insists on kissing my toes before he goes to bed. Eww, and I have no idea where that one cam from.

Today Adda told him he was like a sponge. Jack corrected her and told her no, he was a wash cloth.

Jack wants to brush his teeth so they won't be green like the Hulks.

Jack begs us not to eat Cherrios each morning because "it will smell like Cherrios." He asks me to eat them a few steps away from him. Weird.

Jack told us today that everyone has an Adda. Oh, how I wish everyone had an Adda. The world would be a happier, more wonderful place.

Gilroy Gardens

Last week after my kickboxing class, we decided to be spontaneous, skip naptime and drive down to Gilroy Gardens to check it out. I had heard good things from some friends and it did not disappoint. The whole place is geared to kids Jack's age (well all but two rides). He LOVED it! He got to ride on the carousel, fire truck ride, race car ride, balloon ride (that went soooo fast and he wasn't scared at all), run through the waterfalls and fountains, ride the train, drive the cool car, and eat a churro. There were a few lines, but Jack handled them like a pro. He didn't complain once in line, maybe because it was such a new experience, or maybe because he was so jazzed that he got to go on all the "big kid" rides.

One moment I want to remember is when we put Jack on the carousel we were told no parents were allowed. It was Jack's first time on a ride without one of us, so I was clapping and dancing about (I know...just picture the spectacle) and cheering for my big boy before the ride started to try to boost his confidence. At which point I swear Jack looked so embarrassed and looked away! Oh, could it be starting this early????

San Jose Children's Discovery Museum

Despite the fact that the new job and upcoming move to San Diego appear to be occupying us fully, we are still managing to enjoy our days with good friends and family. Here are a few pictures from our trip to the Discovery Museum last week. We used to have an annual pass here, but the excessive amounts of kids not well monitored on field trips pushing my one year old out of their way totally turned me off. I was pleasantly surprised to find the museum nearly field trip free!! We had a blast!

I've always said, if he interviews he'll get it...

I have been psyching myself out, totally convinced Zack didn't get the job and feeling sorry for him. The job is his (YEAH for Zack!!) and now I'm feeling sorry for myself. Well not really sorry, just scared. If he didn't get the job it would have felt like we were spending the next year just treading water. It feels like a great opportunity for Zack's career, and honestly for our life. So, I guess, San Diego here we come! Ugh.

Hearing Good Things

So, Zack's interviews went really really well. He will hear for sure on Tuesday, but the recruiter emailed him today to tell him that she has been hearing really good things about him around the office but they will tell him officially Tuesday. Ugh. He is really excited about the job...in fact as far as jobs go, it's pretty much perfect for him. It's all about being an idea guy. He will be working to come up with new business ideas for Intuit. It's cheaper to live in San Diego. Ugh. It's nicer then up here. Ugh. We only wanted to be here for another year anyways. Ugh. It's not Korea :). We will have to leave Dani, the home we brought Jack home to, the place that has been home for half of our marriage (longer then anywhere else), the friends that we have made, the three parks all within walking distance, my trusted friend the alarm system, oh and did I mention Dani? Ugh. Not fun. If only I could say it didn't feel right. Ugh. Ugh. And did I mention Ugh.

August 25 is right around the corner

I'm not sure who is keeping track of the fact that August 25th (Zack's official layoff date) is just around the corner. First off, Zack has received a promotion !! YEAH !! which deserves to be celebrated despite being laid off. So Saturday night I am taking him to Scott's Seafood up in Palo Alto which he has been hinting ever so casually about wanting to try out. Secondly, Zack has 3 solid job offers, all as a Marketing Manager in the Mountain View office. All three are waiting on his decision in the next few weeks to come. Thirdly, Zack is now on a plane to San Diego to interview for another job he is interested in...dare I admit it's his first choice, which is super scary for those of us who don't like change even if it's good change. We will keep everyone in the loop as the deadline gets even closer...

Moments continued

I can pretty much get Jack to help with anything by telling him it's going to make Zack happy. Last night he helped me get dinner ready and kept saying over and over with such sweet enthusiasm, "Momma, Papa is going to be so happy!"

Last Saturday Zack gave me the day off for some me time. When I got home to my boys, Zack told me that at one point in the day Jack looked over at him and said, "Papa, how come Momma doesn't make messes when she does this?" Yes, how come indeed. To his credit, all the messes were cleaned up before I got home.

Zack has brought out his two remote control cars that he built when he was a teenager. If Jack didn't think he had the coolest Papa in the world already, this solidified it. Most nights you can find us at the school racing the cars. Zack has explained all about how cars work, and now Jack is obsessed with "bustion engines" (combustion engines).

Kiddie Pool

Jack and I were invited over to a friend's pool today. It's a great set up because there is a pool, a hot tub and a kiddie pool. I was telling Jack how much fun we were going to have at the kiddie pool yesterday. A few hours later he came to me and said,
"Momma, I don't want to go to the doggie pool"
It took a few seconds, but turns out he was hearing "kitty pool" which quickly translated to "doggie pool" in his head. :)

Visiting with Grandma

This past week my mom was in town which pretty much translates to a parenting Sabbatical for Zack and me. Jack totally loves her and asks politely if Zack and I will leave the room so he can have her all to himself. Grandma's visits always include donuts, parks, visits to the bagel store, sandcastles, playing cars, and whatever new thing Jack is into. This time the trip included a stop off at our local bowling alley and Jack's first Mini golf experience. Here are some sweet pictures from the week.

Ilich Beach Week 08

Despite the trip beginning with tears, we had a wonderful time at Ilich Beach Week 08! Jack quickly remembered that although he was suddenly cousin-less, he was surrounded by adults who were ga-ga for him. Some of my sweetest memories are of watching him with Baba and Deda. Baba wanted nothing more then to get to sit and cuddle with him on the big pillow...and finally the big moment happened and it was priceless to see! Jack decided it would be funny if he called Deda "donut" and so "donut" he became! The week included lots of well deserved surfing for Zack and Sean (and Jack too), long walks to the park, donuts, bowling, bike riding with Baba, Jack playing in Grandma Kari's BMV and asking to open the hood to inspect the engine, dinner at Dukes for Zack and me, Baba hating every show we watched, Tablici, and an introduction to chavut cici for Zack and Sean.

We had an easy drive home, until 30 minutes from home Jack threw up. Thankfully the clothes that Sarah donated were right on top in the trunk and Jack was thrilled to get to wear an over-sized Cars shirt and boxers. By the time we got home Jack had a 104.5 degree fever. The mysterious illness left as quickly as it came, and by the next morning he showed no sign of ever having been sick. He did however spend the next week insisting on wearing Brenden and Oliver's large shirts and no pants and kept telling me how cool he looked. :)

Zackrison Beach Week 08

A few weeks ago we spent a week+ down in San Juan Capistrano for the Zackrison Beach Week 08. The house was fantastic and right on the beach which made for a lot of beach and water time! Jack loved getting to be one of the gang and got a real kick out of hanging out with his cousins. When we were driving away the last day and he realized his cousins weren't going to be at the new beach house he started crying. He was so sad to be leaving them! Then he asked if Zack's cousins (sisters and brother) were going to be at the new house and cried again when he was told they had to go home with their kids.

Some highlights include...
*Jack pushing Zack and me up on the beach and saying "You two stay here, I'm going in the waves"
*Oliver teaching Jack how to pull his shirt over his head
*Finding Jack along the back side of the house. When I asked him what he was doing, he told me he was hiding from Baby June so he could eat his Fruit Loops
*Grandma and Grandpa Z finally arriving to join in the fun
*waving to Jack on the train with all his cousins and Grandma and Grandpa Z
*playing card games once the kids went to sleep
*Mei Li getting locked in my car (on my watch...yikes!!!!)
*Jack deciding thumbs up didn't express how awesome things were, so he decided that he needed to use his thumb and his pointer finger in the shape of an "L" and went around doing it and saying "Cool dude!"
*Taking Jack to his first movie. He was so excited about popcorn, but didn't make it through the opening credits because he was so overwhelmed and scared of the noise and hugeness of it all...
*tons of quiet down time with family and loved ones!

Moments

A moment I don't want to forget...

Jack gently grabbed my face and turned it to face him one day after bowling and said, "Momma, do you know that I like you and I'm having fun with you?"
Sweet, sweet boy.

The Apple doesn't Fall Far

I do not [HEART] hiking. Seriously.

For anyone who has spent any real time with me, that statement shouldn't come as a shock. As a kid, I had to be enticed up the mountain with the promise of "chocolate chip" cookies (only once I had made it to the top of the mountain did I realize I had been duped and they were raisin cookies which everyone knows are never ever good enough to climb an entire mountain for!).

Fast forward to today. Some good friends invited Jack and I to go to San Antonio Open Space Park. Since we really didn't have anything better to do (READ we postponed bowling till Wednesday) we decided to go. It wasn't until we got there that I realized pretty much the entire activity was a nature walk. Nature walks are too close a cousin to hikes for me generally, but the company was fantastic and I was actually happy to be there. Jack on the other hand couldn't understand what we were doing there. I was upbeat telling him we were going on a hike and an adventure, and he kept asking me if we could go to Target now. He saw lizards, ran over bridges, posed for pictures with bugs, walked on logs, saw a deer roaming free (despite the picture looking like it was caged in, it was on the outside of the cage and just happened to be walking down from the hillside near the fence), got totally dusty, gave himself a water bottle shower, played with his friends and saw tractors. Getting in the car I was proud that I hadn't let my hatred of hiking affect his experience. I said, "Wow that was so much fun getting to go on a hike with our friends! To which he responded, "Um, next time how bout I just stay in the car?"

Alas, all my hard work and he saw through to the heart of the matter. Hikes=long bug filled, dusty, sweaty walks!

*Notice that I am so silly and had flip flops on! My red polish was totally brown before the morning was over.

Let's Go Bowling!

Words cannot do justice to how much Jack loves to bowl. I have no idea where the obsession came from, but it is here and we are embracing it thanks to a free pass that allows Jack to bowl 1 free game every day this summer! We are trying to keep it to twice a week so that the bowling mystic won't wear off too quickly. He loves choosing his ball, trying to carry the ball with his fingers in the holes, rolling it down the lane and then shouting "HURRAY!" at the top of his lungs regardless of whether he knocks down 1 or 10 pins! Zack's game is improving as well (bumpers tend to help adults too ;)). I know some of these pictures are super lame, but to be honest, I love how totally lame they are. I love that every shot I tried to get of Jack his eyes are either closed or he looks like he's a gone off the deep end a bit!

28 is getting a bit too close to 30 for my taste

Jack with his Birthday Momma!



Here is a picture of the cake that Jack and Zack made for me. For weeks Jack had asked me what type of cake I wanted for my birthday...well maybe more accurately he had told me for weeks that I wanted a pink cake for my birthday. The day before I was instructed that I wanted a pink "Sally" cake. He and Zack made me this awesome birthday cake, complete with two tailpipes (thanks to Jack). So much fun!!



I instantly felt old after looking at all of the smoke from all of the candles in the picture...I guess I have to remember that it's 29 candles (times 2 people) = 58 candles

Happy 4th of July!

We had a wonderful 4th of July! Our day started with a trip over to one of our favorite parks where Jack got to be in the annual Bike Parade. He really got a kick out of being one of the big kids riding (okay so maybe more like using his feet to push) his bike. At the finish line Jack got his first medal! The rest of the day included playing in the pool, helping wash my car and Adda's car (once again, maybe more like spraying us all with the hose) and then a crazy long nap that ended at 6:45pm. Any other night we would have woken him up, but the late nap made going out to see fireworks possible. It was Jack's first time seeing fireworks,and because of our experience a few weeks ago trying to take Jack to a movie and him being terrified by how loud it was, we stayed in a parking lot a few streets back. We all lay on the hood of our car and watched a great fireworks show which Jack loved! He kept asking me if we could watch it again on Tivo (pretty much as soon as the show started). I tried to tell him to just lay back and enjoy them while they were on, but it made me think of how many times I have struggled to learn that very same lesson. Now I have to help Jack learn to be in the moment and not worry about the next step, the next task, the next stage. For now, the special moment of lying on the hood of my car wrapped up in blankets with the two loves of my life, watching fireworks, totally in the moment will be the picture that I remember in the years to come.

A No Show

So, he hasn't shown up for class since the incident. Now I feel like the bad guy for standing up to him and calling him on his rudeness. Lame.