Archive for January 2010

"DQ" does not mean Dairy Queen

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

All the boys are officially now "boarders". Code for "snowboarders". Good thing we invested in all those skis, boots, lessons and lift tickets over the last 10 years. It probably doesn't help that we live less than an hour away from the "best snowboarding mountain in the country" or so I'm told. I'm still trying to figure out if it's the blue circle or the green triangle runs that I can somewhat master. Or is it blue triangle and the green circle?? Clearly I need to just put my feet up in the lodge with a book and a cup of hot chocolate.

This year Ian wanted to try his hand at the "Legendary Banked Slalom"--a short snowboard race with no age limit. The first 200 local residents to sign up and pay their $10 could try their hand at the course in mid-January. Last Monday (MLK holiday) was the day. Everyone was registered and ready to make his mark on the mountain. Shaun White made his debut by setting the best time for his age group in 1998. Why couldn't one of my boarders do the same? Let's just say it wasn't an Olympic-hopeful-worthy day.

Upon arriving we learned that EVERYONE needed a lift ticket to not only participate but watch the race. I decided sending the camera with Trey would suffice and I'd cozy up with my journal, save $50 and wait to hear the results. A short 15 minutes later my cell phone rang but it wasn't one of my family members. "Dana? I'm here with your son, Ian. He took a fall and hurt his leg. He's OK but in a lot of pain. I won't leave him until ski patrol gets here. They're on their way now." The race had not even begun and we already had a casualty. The nurse and doctor on duty examined him and suggested heading back into town for an x-ray but more than likely it was a bad bruise of the tibia. (shin)

After getting him settled in to the car, I went to the bathroom and returned to find Ben in the backseat crying. Ian informed me: "he got DQ'd". What? The only DQ I know serves yummy Blizzards. Through the tears Ben let me know how stupid this all was and just because he missed one turn he got disqualified. How unfair the world can be when you're 8. To assuage his bruised ego, he then told us that the same tragedy had occurred on his big brother's attempt too. On the same turn. Quinn took his blow a little easier but the mountain had lost its lustre for all at this point.

An hour later we were back in the driveway and everyone's pride was back in check. According to the pediatrician, Ian's leg, in spite of his insistence, showed no breaks. But, for sympathy's sake, those crutches are helping to garner the desired attention.
There's always next year, "Shaun".


Ready to hit it.

Just seconds left.

And he's off.....


Just about to make the infamous turn...



Smiling...now.



































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Redefining Success

Sunday, January 17, 2010

I am stealing a post here today--on the Sabbath, no less. My favorite part of blogging is stumbling on to the writings of fellow bloggers out in "Blog Land". Through one of my blogger "friends" I found Matt Chandler and The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. My "friend" regularly raves about Matt's podcasts and so I decided to check him out. Shortly after I discovered Matt, a malignant tumor was discovered in his brain. Naturally he is praying for healing but an even greater desire of his heart is, as he said, "that he might suffer well." Can you imagine saying that? Even a couple of years ago I can't. Using suffer and well in the same sentence seems contradictory. Instead of wondering "why me?" his response has been "Why not me? Why not you?" I have so much more to say about this but for now I wanted to share the latest entry I read on Village Church's blog. This guy so eloquently describes the struggle we all face living in a culture of affluence and abundance.

I have never clicked on a "share" button on someone else's blog and transferred it to mine--and have it actually work. But this time it did so I think it's a sign I'm supposed to pass this on!

Redefining Success

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It's Official: He's a Teenager

Wednesday, January 6, 2010












I don't remember hitting the "fast forward" button but someone else must have. How on earth do thirteen years morph into a blink of an eye? When did "It's a boy?" become "It's an alien!"? When did I go from being the most beautiful, most adored, most hugged woman in his life to the biggest, dumbest, most uncool dork on the planet? Everyone warned me. I just didn't believe them. My child was going to be different. Kind of like my hubby and I were going to still make out on the sofa when we were old and gray. Oh, what an idealistic one I was.


Here's a little contrast between 1997 and 2010.......
Then:
  • Weight: 7 pounds, 7 ounces
  • Length: 20 inches
  • Smelled like: baby powder and sweetness
  • Acts like: an angel
  • Frequent sound he makes: cooing
  • Favorite way to spend time: cuddling/sleeping
Now:
  • Weight: 94 pounds
  • Length: 62 inches
  • Smells like: sweaty socks and deodorant
  • Acts like: a master of all subjects
  • Frequent sound he makes: mumbling
  • Favorite way to spend time: texting

In spite of the inevitable--and sometimes unwelcome-- changes that come with entering the teen years, I am still crazy about this boy. Just like the day they placed him in my arms. He is kind, personable, polite and generous. He still gives the warmest hugs and deepest compliments. He has a maturity that surpasses his age and leaves me amazed.

Happy Birthday, Quinn. I cherish being your mom and thank God that He has entrusted you to me for this season of your life and mine. I love you more than words can say.

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Happy New Year, Happy New Decade

Saturday, January 2, 2010


Ahhhhh...... the promise of a new year. 2010, I , for one, am so glad you're here. As the calendar turned, not only did we get a new year but a new decade as well. Can I get an "Amen"? I don't know about you but I was soooooooo ready to say "good riddance" to 2009.

Dear 2009,
It's time for us to part ways. You have not been kind to us. Suffice it to say you will go down in history as the year to be forgotten in our family memory book. Within a month of you arriving, I knew we weren't going to get along. I tend to go with how the year begins as an indicator of what kind of theme will ensue. By February it became clear that you were bringing change and instability. Two presents that I wanted to return. But these gifts became ones that kept on giving. Month after month after month. Sure we had a few reprieves here and there but, for the most part, you refused to let up on the trigger. I knew I couldn't get rid of you but by the last quarter of your stay I thought I'd become quite used to your presence. Come September you turned up the heat to the point I was begging you to leave. Clearly you wanted to go out with a bang. You definitely sealed the deal with that rotten stomach flu just in time for Christmas.
There was a large part of me that wanted to throw a BIG bash just to let you know how badly I wanted you gone. I felt desperate to assure you what a celebration it would be when your replacement came knocking on the door. Yet even that felt like a stretch. Instead we surrendered and settled for a cozy evening home with board games and a late dinner. The most effort and expense I put forth was buying the last two pairs of these lovely glasses from Walmart.
So, goodbye 2009. I'm sure you're not surprised by my lack of tears. 2010, please come in. I can already tell you're different.
Do we know how to party or what?
Gotta love the teenager.

Wild and crazy for sure.

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