Thursday, April 28, 2011

Take My Breath Away

You know how sometimes things just happen at the right place and time and you know it's time to act?

I've seen on a couple fellow preemie/loss mom blogs this artist that writes children's names in the sand on the Australian beach as a memorial. Carly Marie Dudley started doing this in 2008 after her son was stillborn. Her site is beautiful, poignant, and her compassion is truly amazing.

Every once in a while she opens up a request page. I was reading a blog, reminded of her site and went and checked it yesterday. Lo and behold her request page was opening up last night! I knew it was karma.

I set a reminder on my phone and was online right at 8 pm last night to make my requests. Not only did I request Ella's name, but also requested for my good friend Becky who recently lost her daughter Olivia Ann at 18 weeks.

I hopped on the site today to see where we were on the wait list. I was totally unprepared to see her name in print. It felt like someone just sucked all the air out of the room. What a wonderful validation that she was here. I know I have a box of things from the hospital as validation....but I've never had the strength to go through them.

Here's a link to the site and the wait list (scroll down to see the names). I can't wait to show you the final image! And don't hesitate to donate to her cause if you feel so inclined, I'll be making one when we purchase the image.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Easter Photo's

Courtesy of talented Uncle Chris. Isn't Eisley (my niece) a doll? The boys just love her! More to come from my camera....you know, in like 4 months. :)




Monday, April 25, 2011

Gavin Update

Is eating A LOT. Not lying, last night he ate a 3 egg omelet with ham, then ate 1/4 of his dad's, then ate 2 pieces of toast.

Which may explain how he suddenly outgrew his size 7 pants - they are at the getting slightly awkward length at his ankles. We need to go shopping.

Which explains how he is now only a few inches from reaching my shoulders. What will I do when he catches me in height? Wear higher heels! Get slippers with platforms!

I had a wonderful encounter with his Kindergarten teacher last Friday while I was volunteering at the school. She started teaching 2nd grade this year and told me how she was so hoping to get him back in her class next year. How she is so excited when she gets to see him in the halls. How big his heart his, about as big as his eyes, and how sweet he is.

Always what a mama wants to hear - never mind being Harvard grad or the star player*, I hope he will always be kind and big hearted. Even if it means getting his heart stomped on by horrible girls, which will probably come with the territotry.
*although this would be a welcome bonus!

Gavin got a special treat on Saturday when he went to the Drake game with my mom, Dan and their friends from out of town. Apparently everywhere he went he was running! (Name that movie) And eating a lot, and came home starving.

We have a very busy week this week! On top of the 2 track & field practices, soccer practice, and baseball practice that are crammed into Mon - Wed, the schools are hosting the "Little Dragon Relays". Mon & Tues they are having clinics at the schools, which culminate in a track meet at the school on Wednesday. Please cross your fingers for some good weather! Most of our sports stuff was cancelled this last week or so due to rain and icky weather.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Jamie Oliver Foundation

I found my new charity! In case you didn't know already, I am passionate about food. Healthy, whole, organic, good for you food. I am horrified at what the USDA guidelines think is ok to feed our children.

Jamie Oliver had me at hello when his show "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" launched last year. I am apalled at what this country considers acceptable meals to feed our children. My biggest fear when I think about sending my Sam back to a day care center is not the quality of care, or germs, but the food he will be served. Canned, processed foods, day after day.

One of the lunch options at the elementary school last week was "MaxSnax Cheese Sticks". Since when are fried cheese sticks acceptable entree's???

Last week's Food Revolution episode demonstrated some of the icky stuff that the USDA approves to be included in hamburger meat. If your child eats school lunch, you really need to watch this show. It's making me want to go hang out in our school kitchen and see just what is going on there. At the last company I worked for I cut budgets and made processes more efficient for a living. Surely I can find a way to improve school meals?

While I am noodling on how I might be able to make an impact in my community, check out Jamie's web site. He's got some really great stuff going on, and if you were in the market for a new charity to donate to, I would highly recommend this one.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Minnesota Pics

From our trip to MN in February










Tuesday, April 12, 2011

I'm a Big Kid Now!



Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless

Monday, April 11, 2011

Rare Peaceful Quiet Play








"You're Not Gonna Stop Me Wind!"

"I'm going to keep on walking, wind!" ~ Sam Sellers

Yesterday evening we went on a walk and it was still super windy. Sam got a little panicked....it would literally stop him in his tracks it was so strong. Since I was already carrying his scooter, I really didn't want to carry him too.

I have started using phrases and mantra's as I run when I am going up a hill, or just getting tired. I figured it might as well work for him as well. So we started shouting at the wind.

For two blocks, his cute little voice:

"You're not gonna stop me wind! I'm going to keep on walking, wind!"

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Sam's Bday Pics

I'm getting further and further behind on picture posts! Here are the pictures from Sam's birthday.






Friday, April 8, 2011

A Love Note

Yesterday Gavin took some quiet time to himself and then popped up from the table and handed me this.....


Never mind that he's a few days early, it is proudly on display in my office. That's the four of us, and lots of balloons. Isn't he the best???

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Sunday Snacking

Sam decided that a sauce pan was the perfect receptacle for Chex Mix

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Ahem......it's coming.....

My Birthday!

Ok - here's the deal. I really do.not.want.anything for my birthday. I have lots of stuff. Plenty of stuff. And the stuff that I don't have, if I want it, I usually get it for myself. So there's no need for gifts. I won't be upset if I don't get a single thing. I do want you to remember it's my birthday and wish me well - that's it!

But, some people like to get gifts, and I usually never can answer the question what do you want for your birthday/christmas?

So here are some of my current favorite things. But still....more than happy to get nothing!

Burt's Bee's Rosemary Mint bar soap
Cookbook: Cooking at Home with Pedatha
Book: Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running
Starbucks Espresso Doubleshot cans
Restaurant: Zuzap
Coffee-Mate Italian Sweet Cream Flavored creamer
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Bars with Raisins and Walnuts
Lightweight ankle length socks for running
Large obnoxious sunglasses

Studs


Monday, April 4, 2011

Life with Gross Boys

Well, the boys all survived mommy being gone for 4 days/3 nights, and things seem to have returned to normal once again in the Sellers household.

Gavin played his first soccer game of the spring outdoor season on Saturday. I think the indoor season really helped build his ball control skills and after getting accustomed to playing together as a team, they had a really great game. Gavin played hard and was able to score some great goals. It's so fun to watch him on the field.

Sunday was a gorgeous day in Iowa! Chad said he heard somewhere that the temp reached 83 degrees....but this is uncorroborated. The kids spent most of the day outside - in the morning in our backyard attemtping to fly a (really crappy) kite, playing frisbee and baseball. Then it was off to my mom's for a lunch prepared on the grill, and more baseball, golf, soccer, and football games in the backyard. Sam helped her garden and dragged the shovel all over the backyard (pictures to come!).

Sam is such a character, and I can't believe the things he comes up with. Here is an example of the latest wackiness.....and an example of the potty humor that is prevailing in my house full of boys these days.

The morning I left for my trip, the cat threw up on the floor. Although not good for the carpet, or Chad who had to clean it up, it actually was good for getting me out the door because Sam was so mesmerized, he barely said good-bye to me. Saturday night "Uncle Zach" was over, and all of a sudden Sam started running to that spot on the carpet, pretended to scoop something up and then pretended to smear it all over Zach's feet. And then he would laugh hysterically and tell him he was covered in "cat poop". This went on for at least ten minutes.

Sigh. He also likes to run up to people, do an over the top pelvic thrust at them and yell "Tooooot!" And then laugh hysterically and say "I tooted you!"

Double sigh And Gavin's latest trick is making inappropriate sounds with his armpit.

I suspect it's only going to get worse before it gets better......I may need to schedule some regular girly time spa visits, except I'm not really into that sort of thing!