The last trip to Kiyo's lakehouse.
How long can you hold your breath?
Star gazing.
Smores in the backyard with the neighbors.
Fall soccer.
It's bittersweet.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Signs of September
There are signs that September is around the corner. The morning dew. The chilly nights. And school is just two days away.
The last trip to Kiyo's lakehouse.
Smores in the backyard with the neighbors.
Fall soccer.
It's bittersweet.
The last trip to Kiyo's lakehouse.
Smores in the backyard with the neighbors.
Fall soccer.
It's bittersweet.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
22 pokes
After two scares in the past year, one of which included a visit to ER, with Lilia's shortness of breath and wheezing, she finally made it to an allergist.
This morning I was up early, not knowing what to expect, I packed a bag. In addition to her five medications to share with the doctor, I packed snacks, drinks, a blanket, crayons, paper and books. My goal was to pull out all the comforts of home to distract her from whatever may cause her discomfort.
But really, besides the fruit chews, she had what she needed, stretched out, tummy down, with Dora the Explorer on the 16" screen tv.
Breathe.
The actual questions and discussion took the longest. He asked me why I self-diagnosed cats as the allergy culprit. It just seemed an exact match. 22 dabs of extracts from cats, dogs, mold, grass, pollen, etc, were applied to her back. 22 pokes. Wait 15 minutes. The only one her body reacted to was cats, the doctor and nurse were surprised I was right. Maybe I should become an allergist post WEA?
She was brave. She was strong. No tears. No complaints. Dora helped. I'm glad it's over and we have a plan for future exposure/outbreaks.
We followed up with a visit to Tacoma's landmark Frisko Freeze -- 60 years strong and they still look the same and serve great food.
And after answering all the questions, I think I've self-diagnosed Henry. His appointment is in a few months.
********
Packing up for a road trip with Rhea and Sofia. To Portland we go. Go Reign!!!
This morning I was up early, not knowing what to expect, I packed a bag. In addition to her five medications to share with the doctor, I packed snacks, drinks, a blanket, crayons, paper and books. My goal was to pull out all the comforts of home to distract her from whatever may cause her discomfort.
But really, besides the fruit chews, she had what she needed, stretched out, tummy down, with Dora the Explorer on the 16" screen tv.
Breathe.
The actual questions and discussion took the longest. He asked me why I self-diagnosed cats as the allergy culprit. It just seemed an exact match. 22 dabs of extracts from cats, dogs, mold, grass, pollen, etc, were applied to her back. 22 pokes. Wait 15 minutes. The only one her body reacted to was cats, the doctor and nurse were surprised I was right. Maybe I should become an allergist post WEA?
She was brave. She was strong. No tears. No complaints. Dora helped. I'm glad it's over and we have a plan for future exposure/outbreaks.
We followed up with a visit to Tacoma's landmark Frisko Freeze -- 60 years strong and they still look the same and serve great food.
And after answering all the questions, I think I've self-diagnosed Henry. His appointment is in a few months.
********
Packing up for a road trip with Rhea and Sofia. To Portland we go. Go Reign!!!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tiffany
My sweet Tiffany Jean got married. She entered my world around 1979 when I was thirteen years old and she was one. I was not a wild teen, much more a homebody who loved children and loved to earn money. So I welcomed the new neighbors across the street, the Leggett's -- Bruce, Nancy, Jen (4) and Tiffany.
I remember the day quite well, when Tiff took ill. She was only 15 months old. High fever, lethargic, stiff neck. Spinal meningitis. Recovery was long. I remember the day she came home. Tiff had lost her ability to stand and walk and she couldn't hold her head up. Her body was weak, and no longer as advanced as her age. She had also permanently lost her hearing. It changed all our lives. It changed our relationships. My life was changed forever.
Tiff was one of my first exposures to being a "mom". I babysat her long days and nights. All summer break. I went on day and weekend trips with the family. Tiff would cry when I would leave her house to walk home across the street. Her face smashed against the screen door. She was my baby too. I learned sign language right along with her and her family. I went to ASL conferences with her mom as a teen to the University. As we grew older, her family trusted me more and more. She'd begin to take trips with me. Up north for the weekend, her and Jen. Around town in the back of Betty Buick. No seatbelts required, her and Jen would laugh as they flung around the back seat as I took the corners sharply.
I remember the anxiousness when she went off to school. Visiting Bow Lake and watching her through the one-way glass/mirror and being amazed with her signing progress. I remember the anxiousness when she moved to Vashon and how would she adjust going to a new school. I remember the anxiousness of her moving out to her first apartment, visiting her with Nancy and seeing the joy in her as she shared her new place decorated with sunflowers (that matched her first tattoo).
It's amazing to see her grow up. To change. To become a women. To become a mom. And to remember all the fun things about our experiences when we were younger.
Tiffany will always have a special place in my heart and life.
This past weekend she married James. A wonderful man. A wonderful father. Her soulmate. It was a masterful event. Our families joined. It was a blessed day with perfect weather, a great gathering of family and friends.
And I baked for her (and James) with all my love.
I remember the day quite well, when Tiff took ill. She was only 15 months old. High fever, lethargic, stiff neck. Spinal meningitis. Recovery was long. I remember the day she came home. Tiff had lost her ability to stand and walk and she couldn't hold her head up. Her body was weak, and no longer as advanced as her age. She had also permanently lost her hearing. It changed all our lives. It changed our relationships. My life was changed forever.
Tiff was one of my first exposures to being a "mom". I babysat her long days and nights. All summer break. I went on day and weekend trips with the family. Tiff would cry when I would leave her house to walk home across the street. Her face smashed against the screen door. She was my baby too. I learned sign language right along with her and her family. I went to ASL conferences with her mom as a teen to the University. As we grew older, her family trusted me more and more. She'd begin to take trips with me. Up north for the weekend, her and Jen. Around town in the back of Betty Buick. No seatbelts required, her and Jen would laugh as they flung around the back seat as I took the corners sharply.
I remember the anxiousness when she went off to school. Visiting Bow Lake and watching her through the one-way glass/mirror and being amazed with her signing progress. I remember the anxiousness when she moved to Vashon and how would she adjust going to a new school. I remember the anxiousness of her moving out to her first apartment, visiting her with Nancy and seeing the joy in her as she shared her new place decorated with sunflowers (that matched her first tattoo).
It's amazing to see her grow up. To change. To become a women. To become a mom. And to remember all the fun things about our experiences when we were younger.
Tiffany will always have a special place in my heart and life.
This past weekend she married James. A wonderful man. A wonderful father. Her soulmate. It was a masterful event. Our families joined. It was a blessed day with perfect weather, a great gathering of family and friends.
And I baked for her (and James) with all my love.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
A Whirlwind
It's been a whirlwind the last few days. I feel that as quickly as I'm checking items off of my to-do list, more get added on. There is also our Summer List, which two items were checked off. Nice.
Friday I had the day off. Sofia had a soccer tournament in town. She was playing her best friend Sophie's team and was a bit anxious. She wanted to win, but thought it would be better if they tied. A win-win for both girls. They both played a good game, and they did tie, 2-2.
Afterwards I thought it would be great to have Sophie's family over for a BBQ. What I wasn't thinking was how booked my day was already. An appointment in the morning, soccer, baking 2 batches of brownies, 2 batches of cookies and berry trifle for the family reunion plus grocery shopping for breakfast food for Sunday, and packing for the campout. It worked out, and all was happy.
After dinner smores by the fire pit...Ms. Romie took her smore game very seriously.
Saturday morning brought happy birthday wishes to JH. Double digits baby.
His birthday was a bit short changed in the sense that we had a soccer game in the morning and then headed up to Birch Bay for the family reunion. He wasn't happy. But the WWE tickets made things a bit better.
Not only was JH's ten-layer Eggo waffle stack a success, so was the Salazar Family reunion. I love connecting with those I don't see but once a year, and those that I see even more often. Lots of family, lots of fun, great memories. Lilia seems to pick right up where she left off with her cousins. Makes me happy.
There were hoops.
And camping.
Cousins swimming.
And soccer.
The Salazar women.
And breakfast.
It was a successful Salazar 2011.
Now to get through this week. Tiff's wedding is in t-minus 6 days. 500 cupcakes to bake, here I come.
Friday I had the day off. Sofia had a soccer tournament in town. She was playing her best friend Sophie's team and was a bit anxious. She wanted to win, but thought it would be better if they tied. A win-win for both girls. They both played a good game, and they did tie, 2-2.
Afterwards I thought it would be great to have Sophie's family over for a BBQ. What I wasn't thinking was how booked my day was already. An appointment in the morning, soccer, baking 2 batches of brownies, 2 batches of cookies and berry trifle for the family reunion plus grocery shopping for breakfast food for Sunday, and packing for the campout. It worked out, and all was happy.
After dinner smores by the fire pit...Ms. Romie took her smore game very seriously.
 |
| I know the pic is hard to see, but I like it that way. |
His birthday was a bit short changed in the sense that we had a soccer game in the morning and then headed up to Birch Bay for the family reunion. He wasn't happy. But the WWE tickets made things a bit better.
 |
| don't be too impressed, Fred Meyer. |
Not only was JH's ten-layer Eggo waffle stack a success, so was the Salazar Family reunion. I love connecting with those I don't see but once a year, and those that I see even more often. Lots of family, lots of fun, great memories. Lilia seems to pick right up where she left off with her cousins. Makes me happy.
There were hoops.
And camping.
Cousins swimming.
And soccer.
The Salazar women.
 |
| Tia Janie & my mama. |
It was a successful Salazar 2011.
Now to get through this week. Tiff's wedding is in t-minus 6 days. 500 cupcakes to bake, here I come.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Desert Aire | The Last Day
When I was younger, my family spent many weekend getaways with my Tia Janie (mom's sister), Uncle Henry and cousins. Often we went to the ocean, stayed in a hotel (which was BIG for us), had family meals, watched movies, played board games and lived in the pool until our toes were pruned. I have wonderful memories of those days. I love building similar memories with my siblings and their children. I wish my parents would join us more, but they are much more content with sitting home, tending to the garden and sleeping in their own bed.
After spending four days at Desert Air in Eastern Washington, we are home. It's always nice to get away with family, even though it's not far away, in a modest house, with 95 degree temps, hanging out poolside, it's still nice to be home.
My SIL and brother and I had a nice groove with cooking, cleaning and managing six kids. We work well together, I think.
Tonight, I too am glad to be in my bed.
I realize as I look through the pictures of the last few days, I'm not in these pictures. I need to work on that, even though I don't like to be photographed.
After spending four days at Desert Air in Eastern Washington, we are home. It's always nice to get away with family, even though it's not far away, in a modest house, with 95 degree temps, hanging out poolside, it's still nice to be home.
My SIL and brother and I had a nice groove with cooking, cleaning and managing six kids. We work well together, I think.
Tonight, I too am glad to be in my bed.
I realize as I look through the pictures of the last few days, I'm not in these pictures. I need to work on that, even though I don't like to be photographed.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Week in the Life | Sunday
I found a hotspot on the deck. Nice.
Sunday began early. Operation Secret Squirrel was to pack up the van for four days in Eastern Washington .... with cousins, with pool, with sun. They had no idea. We got in the car and drove for 2.5 hours east. They were excited but not patient. Trying to figure out direction, potential places, people we might see. The chant in the van "GWTF...go with the flow". Relax, just sit back and wait.
When we pulled up to the house, there was no sign of my brother and family, even their car was hid. When we pulled up to the back, walked on the deck, looked at the quiet pool, "SURPRISE" they jumped, hidden under all the blow-up water toys. They were surprised! Alex quickly jumped in, clothes and all.
Some pictures from Sunday.
I am grateful to my brother and his family for inviting us to share a fun few days ... summertime, summertime, summertime.
Sunday began early. Operation Secret Squirrel was to pack up the van for four days in Eastern Washington .... with cousins, with pool, with sun. They had no idea. We got in the car and drove for 2.5 hours east. They were excited but not patient. Trying to figure out direction, potential places, people we might see. The chant in the van "GWTF...go with the flow". Relax, just sit back and wait.
When we pulled up to the house, there was no sign of my brother and family, even their car was hid. When we pulled up to the back, walked on the deck, looked at the quiet pool, "SURPRISE" they jumped, hidden under all the blow-up water toys. They were surprised! Alex quickly jumped in, clothes and all.
Some pictures from Sunday.
I am grateful to my brother and his family for inviting us to share a fun few days ... summertime, summertime, summertime.
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