Life Is Good

I have to admit...I've been cheating.  Since I upgraded from my iPhone1 to my iPhone5 this summer, I have been obsessed with all the great things it can do and I have become a big fan of instagram. I love it...so, many of my cute captions, photos and moments have been my recent instagram posts.

Life is good in the Aiden house.

Sinobia is swimming like crazy and loving it.  She just completed a 4-day-in-a-row swim meet last weekend and is heading to another one this weekend.  Her room smells like chlorine, but she doesn't seem to notice, since it also oozes out of her pores.  Our hamper is always full of wet towels and soggy swimsuits and I trip over her swim bag a few times a week (since it lays in the middle of the dining room floor).

8th grade is going well.  We just got our high school registration forms in the mail this week.  Can you believe it?  Our baby will be in high school next year!

Gabby is doing well in San Jose.  She texts me often and calls home faithfully on Sunday nights.  Her auntie Stephanie sent her a flat screen TV just in time for the new season of Scandal.  I'm a little jealous, her TV is bigger and better than the one we have at home!  Thanks Steph!

 I check the San Jose weather every day.  It hasn't rained since she's been there.  So, sunny California is treating my girl well.  There have been moments when I have to stop and remember that she is not at home, then I start missing her.  This is the time of year when we like to bake.  She's my cooking partner.  This is Scandal season.  She's the only one in the house that watches it with me.  Moments like these really make me miss her.  She will be home for Christmas.

Eric is doing well.  Work keeps him busy.  He and Sinobia are a little gang.  They have been teaming up on me lately.  Sinobia is pretty quick witted and has some good jokes.  She and Eric tag-team with each other with the jokes (always at my expense).  They're pretty funny.  Most times I have to laugh with them.  Eric misses Gabby too.  He's trying to hold Sinobia close to home these days...attempting to stunt her social life and freedom.  I can tell the reality that, she too, will be gone in a few years has hit him.  She is pretty good a persuading him to let her loose, usually it's with the promise of constant texting and communication while she is away from home.

I have figured out that, it was evident years ago, Sinobia is a free spirit.  She cannot be contained.  She needs some reigning in from time to time, but for the most part we have done a good job with giving her the skills she needs to be school smart, street smart and use common sense.   I love watching her grow up in her teenage years.  She is not the girl I lived with a few years ago. She is constantly morphing into this person that I am in awe of.  Her maturity takes me by surprise as does her need to be silly and just a kid.

The cat, the dog and the snake are all alive and doing well!  Nothing has changed with them.

That's it for now...Life is good.  I will try to spread my love and attention evenly between Abundantly Aiden and Instagram.

The Person That I Am...

Sorry that it has been a few weeks since my last post.  I've been a little lazy.  A little tired.  A little blah.

Last week I turned 45 years old.  I'm starting to think about the person I am.  The person I still want to be.  The person I will evolve into.

I would like to be the person that comes home and sits on the couch all night in front of the TV.
I would like to be the person that stays up late surfing the Internet or browsing through Facebook.
I would like to be the person that gets to sleep late and doesn't have to walk the dog.

I am not that person.

I want to be the person that doesn't have to carpool.
I want to be the person that doesn't volunteer.
I want to be the person that has nothing on her calendar.

I am not that person.

I want to be the person that doesn't care if the trash gets taken out.
I want to be the person that doesn't care if her house is clean.
I want to be the person that doesn't fully commit to everything that she does.

I am not that person.

I want to be the person that has "just a job".
I want to be the person that does "just enough" to get by.
I want to be the person that takes hand-outs, asks for favors and waits for others to do things for her.

I am not that person.

I was reminded the other day, while talking to an old childhood friend that I was not that person.  "That is not the kind of person you are Tracy."  "You are not bred that way."  He is right.

I am not designed that way.  I was raised and bred to be active in my children's lives and in the community.  I was taught to make my own path, hold my own and have a purpose in life.  I was taught to make a difference everyday I am blessed to wake up.  I was bred to be hard working, resilient and strong.

I was taught well by my parents.  Many of these "life lessons"came from my dad.  He lead by example.  I never saw him quit, give-up or turn his back on someone in need.  He was supportive and active in the community.  He was an amazing role model to all that knew him.  He was exactly the person he wanted to be.

I want to be that person.

It's hard to be that person.  You get tired.  I get tired.  I wonder if I am raising my children well and breeding another generation of strong women that will make a difference to others everyday.  Will they want to be that person?  Will they too get tired of being that person? I don't know.

Hmmm, maybe it's a "phase of life" that I am going through.  Could this be my mid-life crisis...rebelling against the ways in which I was raised?  I 'm not sure, but I hope it doesn't last long.  I don't like feeling this way.  I feel guilty wanting a more leisurely, laid-back, care-free life. I feel guilty about just wanting to do nothing.   My life is wonderful...it is blessed. I've got to snap out of this soon!

I will go on being the person that I am.  I will probably continue to daydream about that other person that is not me.  I will crave the life of little or no responsibility.  I will figure it all out.

The weird thing, that makes no sense at all, is that I love being me, the person that I am.  

The School Year Has Begun.

First day of school style.

Our 2013-2014 school year has begun.  Sinobia started 8th grade last Monday!  It blows my mind at how fast her middle school years have gone by.  Seems like yesterday that she was heading off to 6th grade with her bright yellow "first day of school" jeans on.  This year, as a veteran middle-schooler, she embraced a more laid back outfit for the return to school.  So cute, so cool, so hipster, so Sinobia!

She returned home after the first day of school, pleased with her new teachers and pleasantly surprised to, for the first time, have one of Gabby's teachers.  Sinobia academic path so far, has been designed for her not to have any teachers that her big sister had.  Following the foot-steps of a sibling can be a difficult thing.  We learned early on that our two girls were so significantly different from each other, that they deserved a chance to not have to be compared all of the time.  I believe that most teachers wouldn't realize they were related to each other unless they were told.  They look absolutely nothing alike, their personalities and temperaments are so different as well as how they approach school and life.  Our parenting styles change between the two of them too.  What works for one, will pretty much not work for the other.  No re-using or recycling parenting strategies for us.

Anyway, Sinobia has the privilege to have one of Gabby's favorite middle school teachers this year.  Gabby is excited for Sinobia to have a chance to work with this teacher and of course, Sinobia is excited to take on the challenge of letting this teacher know she is nothing like her sister:)

Speaking of Gabby, she seems to be adjusting well to life in California.  What's so hard about adjusting to life in an area where it never rains and is always sunny?  She is getting settled into her classes and college life. She has gone to SJSU's first football game, a few parties and road the train to find the Mall! I feel less sad about her being gone every time I hear her voice on the phone.  She sounds happy, she's doing fine, she's going to be OK.

So it has all begun...no TV, early wake-ups, making lunches, homework, carpooling and more socializing with friends.  Life is good.  No complaints.

Two thumbs up....life is good!

College Girl.

I have a college student now.  I'm currently sitting in the San Jose airport trying not to start sobbing, for fear that people will think I am crazy.  Well, I am crazy.  I'm crazy for thinking that I could drop Gabby off at school and not feel sad.  Crazy to think that I had it all together and was stronger than every other mom in the world that has dropped her kid off at school.  Crazy to think that a hug, a smile, a pat on the back and a high-five with a "kick some ass in college" chant would be enough.

We moved Gabby into her dorm room on Saturday morning.  I was fine, totally in work mode.

I cried Saturday night.  It finally hit me that the room we had spent all day decorating and filling with some comforts of home, was in fact going to be Gabby's new home.

I think I also cried on Saturday night because for the first time in 18 years, I realized that this journey Gabby was embarking on was completely out of my control.  I won't be there to help her make friends, this isn't the first day of kindergarten.  I am leaving her in a new place, in a new situation where she knows not a single person.  I won't be there to read her mind and decode her moods.  I won't be in control of anything.  I am leaving my girl on her own to grow up, mature and create her future.  I have to step back and be less of a participant and more of a spectator in this process.  My tears on Saturday were for the loss of my smothering-mothering phase in Gabby's life.

The final touches went into Gabby's dorm room on Sunday.  Lunch and dinner together and then the final goodbye.  We dropped her off in front of her dorm building. Sinobia at first gave a little "see ya later" pat on the back and then went back for more of a hug.  Eric...I'll let him Facebook about his goodbye.  Gabby is his first born, our Guinea pig child. He is beyond proud of her (and himself for being such a great dad).

I kept it together.  I told Gabby I didn't want to cry, I wanted to be strong for her, I am so happy for her, so very proud of her.  I gave her a huge hug, she hugged me back (I almost lost it then).  "Do you want me to walk you in?"  I was getting soft.  "No mom, I'll be OK."

Another hug and then she went walking in to her new home, her college dorm.  As soon as she disappeared around the corner, I lost it.  A moan and a wail, then the tears started to flow...it was ugly.  Sinobia was stunned.  "I've never heard you cry out loud" is what she told me later.

This has to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my parenting life...let my kid go.  It probably wouldn't be so bad if she were in Iowa or Indiana, but she is all the way across the country.  Now I  understand why fellow parents and friends have told me to "Hang in there", "I'll be there for you", "Call me if you need me", "It will all be OK".  My heart is aching, I can't describe it.  Only a parent that has done this can understand.

I hear it gets better, easier with time.  I think once I hear her voice in a few days or weeks and hear the comfort and confidence in her voice of a somewhat-transitioned college student, then I will feel a little better.  I'll keep you posted.

I am so very happy for Gabby.  She has wanted to be in California for so long.  I know she will get the hang of college life very quickly.  I am so very proud of Eric and I for being the parents that we have been.  It hasn't been easy, but these proud/sad moments make it all worth while.

Oh, poor Sinobia.  She doesn't know what she is in for.  She is now an only child at home, all eyes on her:)

Good Luck Gabby!  Miss you already!

We Made It!

We made it into San Jose this evening!  Three days was all it took for us to get to California.  

This morning we left Nevada and continued West. 

I think I have had my fill of mountains.  There seemed to be endless roads that go through mountains, around mountains or just run next to the mountains. 

Right before lunch, we decided to take a little detour to go see Lake Tahoe.  We had a little lunch by the lake and then the girls rented a paddle board and tried it out for the first time.

At some point during the paddle board adventure, we noticed smoke coming out of the mountains...another brush fire.

So we packed it in and headed up the mountain (and back down again), driving through some pretty heavy smoke.  I got some really great shots of the sky filled with smoke!

Dinner downtown San Jose and now safe and sound in our hotel room.  Tomorrow Gabby and Eric will give Sinobia and I a tour of the San Jose campus:)

Moving Further West

Today we left Wyoming and drove through Utah.  

We stopped in Echo Canyon for some photos and lunch, then stopped in Salt Lake City for an oil change and Jamba Juice, before heading further west into Nevada. 

I tried to stay awake most of the day today to check out the scenery.  

Along the way we caught some billowing smoke coming out of the mountains.  We assumed it was some sort of brush fire.

We passed through the Bonneville Salt Flats...

and then rode off into the sunset, settling in for the night in a fine casino resort in Nevada.

Onward West tomorrow!

Family Road Trip. Destination....San Jose State University!

There have been so many "good-bye" moments over the last few days.  Gabby will begin her Freshman year of college in a few days.  The farewells were not as I would have predicted.  I imagined Gabby slipping out of town, with very little fan-fare, calling as little attention to herself as possible.  It didn't go down like that at all.  There was a weekend full of parties, sleepovers, get-togethers and tears. On Monday, as we packed Gabby up, at the last minute, there continued to be a stream of friends and family stopping by to give Gabby hugs, kisses and wishes of good luck.  At one moment there were 5 girls on the couch, then girls outside having a picnic in the yard, girls crying in the living room and then aunts, cousins, grandma and more friends stopping by.  

Finally, around mid-night Gabby was packed and ready to go.  

By 6:00 am we were in the car, heading west.

Picnic's and couch time @ the Aiden House

"The Last Supper"  Farewell dinner @ the Brennan's house

Grandma's First Grandkid is off to college

Cousins get together for pizza and some final hugs.

We are on our way to San Jose State University.  It's our family road trip to take Gabby to college!

I slept through Iowa.  Apparently there is not much to see in that state anyway.  

Nebraska was a coffee stop and an Instagram photo opportunity.  

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the Poop Deck sign!

We have settled in Wyoming for the night.  Dinner, some TV, blogging and a comfy bed!  

More states to pass through tomorrow.

Congratulations, Farewell, Good Luck, See You For Christmas!

On Sunday afternoon we threw Gabby a Graduation/Going-Away/Trunk Party @ Lovelace Park.  She will be leaving home and heading to San Jose State University in 1 week!

Gabby was surrounded by friends and family that wanted to send her off to college with plenty of love and dorm room essentials.

Since Gabby hates being the center of attention, no toast, no speech and no tears were allowed.  Everyone at the party did, however, write a note filled with love, advice and wisdom for her "party memory book".

So now she's got a trunk filled with sheets and towels, a book filled with memories and notes and a heart filled with love.  What else do you need for college?  Oh yeah, a case of Ramen Noodles!

Good Luck Gabby!  We are all so very proud of you!

...and see you for Christmas!

Summer Intensive 2013

This past Saturday, Gabby performed @ The Actors Gymnasium (http://www.actorsgymnasium.com/).  After taking a 6 week Summer Intensive class, students are expected to perform routines that they choreograph on their own or with a group.

Last year, Gabby choreographed a routine with her friend Hannah (shout out to Hannah Schwimmer!!), this year they were at it again.  I have to say, this may be one of Gabby's best performances.  I may be saying this because I know it is the last performance for a while, as she is off to college in a few weeks, but I also noticed a maturity in her performance that I have never seen before.

Sniff, sniff...maybe I'm getting a little sad and sentimental?

Watch the video and see for yourself:

http://vimeo.com/71278265

The two girls choreographed and performed their routine on the Lyra this year.  They were too far apart from each other for me to get them both in my phone camera lens, so you just see Gabby.

There was also a really cute dance/tumbling act that she was in with her friends Alison, Brandon and Justin:     

https://picasaweb.google.com/107652494773560937054/20130730?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJaQxcfQn4zRDw&feat=directlink

Once again, I am forever grateful to the Actors Gym for taking my "always climbing on something" little girl and turning her into a crazy, strong, confident, and fearless woman.  I couldn't have asked for a better place for her to be so many afternoons and evenings after school.  I couldn't have asked for a better second family for her than the circus family she has gained over these last 11 years.  Until next summer....so long Actors Gym:)