College bound…not yet thankfully

Last week I had a reminder of a conversation I had with a collegue at a conference a few weeks ago. I was attending a conference in South Carolina and began to make small talk over a drink discussing, of course, sports of all things. My new friend from California expressed his love of all things athletic and shared many stories of chasing his daughter around the western US playing travel volleyball.

He mentioned that now while his daughter patrols the courts for a small college in Washington state nothing can replace the times of her youth. He spoke so elequently of what he missed most of his daughter’s younger days. Was it the games, practices, late night dinners or running the carpools? No, it was the many car rides home from events just him and his daughter discussing everything from the day’s events, music, current events or whatever came to mind.

Last week, Hunter and I spent the weekend together as she played ball dodging lightning and rain delays throughout. Though the team brought home second place out of a highly competitive group of 15, I couldn’t help but think back to the thoughts of my friend from California. He’s exactly spot on. These are the moments that I continue and will always cherish whether its Hunter’s softball or events for RJ and Paige.

I write this from under a shade tree enjoying a beautiful day of softball after answering RJ’s question on the “infield fly rule”. Yes, he’s only five. Looking forward to a good weekend of ball but more so to the ride home!

Yawn!

Well Paige has been home for about 48 hours now and somehow decided that 3am is the new “breakfast time”.  Unfortunately, she likes to stay awake until “lunchtime” which usually equals about 7am.  Here’s hoping that we can get this straightened out before too much longer.

Special thanks go out to the grandparents!  Gram was here all week and Grandma Cathy is expected tomorrow for the next week.  It really is great to have the help and support.  Hunter and RJ have love spending time with their grandparents while the rest of us will try to work into a routine.

The kids appear to have fallen into their roles as the older sibling.  RJ even took the time to help Paige out with her pacifier this morning.  Huge step for someone who was ready to move out not to long ago.  LOL 

The beginning of the week will bring work for me therefore introducing another variable into our routine equation.  The older kids week includes sports’ practices and plans with friends.  Next weekend brings our first post-natal softball tournament and we’ll see what kind of fracas that puts us all in.

Life hopefully will begin to settle into the new normal.  Stay tuned.

And Then There Were 3!!!

Well, It’s August 1, 2011 and Paige Elizabeth arrived earlier this morning.   Weighing in at 7 lbs and 11 ounces, she came into the world just before 8am.  Both Mom and daughter are doing just fine.

 

Paige Elizabeth

 

Many months ago when RJ was initially informed of a baby’s pending arrival he made the following statement, “If the baby is a girl then I’m going to live with Bob or PaPa Joe!” Once the sonograms were done and the baby’s sex was established, he once again announced his decision to leave North Carolina.  Finally, today came as Paige entered the world. To see the look on both his and Hunter’s face when they saw their new sister was absolutely amazing. For the moment they no longer fought or picked with one another but were immediately drawn to their new little sister. 

The 3 Amigos

Hunter jumped in, grabbed Paige and began to rock her while she whispered lord knows what into her ear.  (Could’ve been sweet nothings..could’ve been advice…could’ve been complaints about middle school drama…who knows.)  RJ on the other hand was a little more timid.  He appeared afraid to touch her because I think he was scared that he might break her. Finally he took the plunge. He sat down held his sister for minute after minute after minute.

When it was time for Gram to take them home for the afternoon, both Hunter and RJ said their goodbyes and both stopped to have a moment with their new cohort.  Hunter kissed Paige, told her she loved her and moved slowly away.  RJ told Paige he loved her and began to leave.  Just as he was exiting he ran back in and said, “I want to give my new sister a kiss!”  And just like that the little one was accepted into the club.

“Here’s to all things new!”

It’s the end of the world as we know it…and I FEEL FINE!!!

Times they are a changin’

Well here goes my first time at blogging. I’ve thought about doing this for a long time and haven’t been able to lock onto a subject matter. The theme finally hit me after visiting the blog of a friend and former colleague. Nothing is more important in this world than family. Family can lift you up when you need it, pat you on the back and drive you crazy all at the same time. But I know I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

My crowd is something else. My wife, Christy, and I are currently at least for the next few days blessed with two children. The oldest, Hunter, is very athletic and does very well in school. She is a daddy’s girl even when she rolls here eyes at me in typical teenage fashion and will be starting her final year of middle school this fall. She enjoys playing softball on the highly competitive travel circuit while splitting out time for action on the middle school basketball, volleyball and softball teams. She holds a VERY special place in my heart as that she only came to live with Christy and I in 2010. She faces all of the same challenges with step-parents and two-households that many do in today’s time. Hunter is very mature where these items are concerned and unfortunately she has had to be just that many times. She’s growing into a fine young woman and I’m thankful for the time that we have grown so much closer over the past year.

RJ…Man that boy is a trip! What comes out of his mouth sometimes just cracks me up! RJ will be heading off to kindergarten later this fall. He is growing up so fast. It seems like yesterday that he was born and now he’s kissed pre-school goodbye and has his eyes set on “big school”. When I look at him I see myself from so many years ago (even though he looks exactly like his Mom and Grandaddy Bob). He loves to watch and play sports and play computer games but most of all he is “all boy”. I love to spend time with him on our “boys’ days”. Hanging out at the golf course, racetrack or coaching his teams have added a part of my life that I never realized how much I had missed when I was little. I never got to spend that time with my father until my early teenage years when my “Dad” came into my life. Seeing RJ’s eyes light up when we do something new together tells me I’m at least trying and maybe even occasionally succeeding in doing the right thing.

Finally and assuming all goes to plan, Paige, will come into the world on Monday. SURPRISE!!! Yes, maybe that’s what we should name her instead! LOL Paige may have been not on our radar but I can already feel her in my heart. I can’t wait to hold her and tell her how much I love her, watch her learn to walk and talk and maybe even to throw a screwball on the outside corner on a 2-2 count. She’ll be here soon and our world will change forever.

My goal is to update this blog regularly so that we can all have a diary of our frenetic days while also offering others some insight into our wild bunch and the things that affect us on many levels. I don’t intend to air our dirty laundry but contrarily illustrate the ups and downs of life as a parent of these kids of diverse age and interest. Hopefully, I don’t screw them up too bad and they’ll someday read these posts and know that I tried my best and occasionally gave them some good advice. I’ve got my seat belt fastened and ready to enjoy the ride!