Top Ten from Austin

10.  The mexican freetail bats emerging at dusk from under Congress Avenue Bridge.

9.  Zilker Botanical Gardens.

7.  Watching Ana create two items out of glass.

6.  Great shopping!

5. A late, debaucharous (sp?) night of dancing with a skirt that was too short, with no concerns whatsoever.

4.  Witnessing Becky and Jon marry.  Beginning a life together is a big deal.

3.  Seeing my 75 year-old dad in a tuxedo for the first time (he gave away the bride), and asking him to dance.  Damn, he's pretty smooth.

2.  Watching my daughter recite a poem (below) during toasts in front of 100 people.  She's so brave, and I am tremendously proud.  4 days with her was such a tremendous gift.

1. Coming home to my 2 sweet boys, and my honey of a husband.

***
In poems, our earth's wonders
Are windowed through
Words
A good poem must haunt the heart
And be heeded by the head of the
Hearer
With a wave of words, a poet can
Change his feelings into cool, magical, mysterious
Mirages
Without poetry our world would be
Locked within itself--no longer enchanted by the poet's
Spell





Peter Keslo



****

Island Life, Here we Come

Our Homeaway Vacation Dream is coming true! We've booked the place and it is beautiful!
We took our passport photos, that I hope to scan into the blog.
We've purchased our tickets for departure in a few short weeks.
I'm taking Kevin's picture to get an online replacement of his dive card.
I'm calling American Airlines to let them know Olive will be on my lap.
I've purchased a Kelty framepack for Oliver to ride in at the airport and on hikes.

I'm researching our itinerary for the island, which will include:
several dive experiences
dolphin encounters for Ana and Elliot
horseback riding
snorkeling
tropical drinks
typical breakfast
oceanfront lounging
star gazing
deep breathing
belly laughing

And on the mainland:
I hope to meet my new 'niece' Crisella
I want to spend time with Tia Marta and Tio Yeto, Tia Thelma, Pamen, Hector Emilio & Maria Marta, Tio Eduardo, Tia Maria Teresa, Tio Rolando...I want to see how much Juan Alfredo, Hansie, Daniel, Rafael, Blanca, Ana Cecilia and Laura have grown.
I want to go to Copan Ruinas. The last time I was there, I was courting Kevin(-;
I want to eat sea bass on Lake Yojoa.
I want to take a day trip to San Antonio del Oriente.
I want to share my beautiful children with our beautiful family. I want them to fall in love with the land, the people, the traditions. I want to start a tradition of these visits...these were such a big part of my growth and development. I can't wait.

A bit whipped.

I don't know how long I can keep up this pace I've set for myself-

These days, I'm working 7-2:30 (feeding, pumping, & the rest of it beforehand). I used to sleep until 8 (bless Kevin for making breakfast) so this is a big change.

All in all, I like getting out so early, but with the preschool full of children until our oldest ones go to camp, I'm taking my two home when I leave at 2:30...preparing snack, planning an afternoon of activities--usually including some art experience, some science experience, one walk, backyard, 30 minutes of cartoon during dinner prep, and then, what used to be my only tasks after picking up the kids: cooking, cleaning, bathing, reading, and trying not to go insane while my children take turns needing everything when they are supposed to be sleeping. I am definitely feeling the "second shift" here, like I'm working two jobs. Elliot's energy and attention span are particularly trying...he runs from one thing to the next, and wears me out. I can't leave him in a room unattended unless the TV is on. He will find the one hazard slash danger slash fragile slash important thing to mutilate/spill/put in his mouth/destroy/take apart. And Kev's only home 2 nights a week now, and bedtime has sunken into the lowest pits of hell. All three kids are needing me and getting up and crying and teething and losing teeth and complaining about my parenting and waking up the child that just fell asleep and crying for their daddy when I feel like doing the exact same thing. Did I mention Ol's eating through the night?

And between the kindergarten apps, queries about summer camp, and work-related frustrations, I feel knackered. I was so very ready to throw my hands up on Friday, but tried something breathing, and put things in perspective. Here's what's going to get me to my vacation:

• Hearing - I'm now a part of the CMV community. Often I find it challenging to participate in these forums...our Elliot seems to be higher functioning than many cases (or at least the ones on the forum). The stories and challenges that some face are sobering. And sometimes, I feel them defeating me...with Elliot's tube coming out, I was convinced he was losing hearing in that ear. Hearing screen Thursday revealed that Elliot's hearing in his left ear hasn't changed since he was 6 months old. *whew*. I can't stop whispering to him, and enjoying his wide-eyes as he whispers a response. My focus on creating positive networks (yes, of typically developing children, mostly) has served us well. I'm not opposed to widening our circle, but in general, need other optimistic, realistic, and enjoyable people around me. I have ALWAYS been supported by my friends and family.
• Kindergarten - Ana is seen as a perfect fit at a program that I see as a perfect fit (curriculum-wise). I feel good about my search for a good school for her, and how it helped me "see" my child.
• Camp - I managed to find and afford a wonderful summer for Ana. This was eleventh hour insanity and some groveling, but she'll be with other peers having an amazing summer!
• Vacation... - It's finally coming together, and I feel good for throwing myself into the contest so wholly. I'm looking forward to that break when it comes!

Is it any wunda???(cue David Bowie) that I have found a collection of gray wiley hairs growing? I plucked 4 of them to Ana's fascination on the way to Bay St. Louis yesterday, and yet, there always seemed to be more. Things are just plain nuts right now but there's a lot of good beneath it all...and I've made some good things happen too, maybe at my own expense. But let me tell you people, that cabana boy better invest in a new pair of huarachi's (sp?) and stock up on some paper umbrellas cause mama's gonna have him walking some holes in his shoes with the fruity drinks come May.

Grand Prize Winna

Hi Emmy,

On behalf of HomeAway, CONGRATULATIONS on winning the “Why I Deserve a Getaway from HomeAway” contest. We look forward to helping you find and book the perfect rental home for your next vacation.

In order to facilitate the reservation process, please identify three properties from any of the HomeAway Web sites that you’d potentially like to stay in for your prize vacation, including your preferred travel dates. Searching by availability will help you eliminate any properties that might already be booked during that time. Also, if you’re planning to travel during the “peak season” of a particular destination, we recommend selecting your dates as soon as possible so that you have a greater selection of properties to choose from. The number of guests you can bring with you is dependent on the size of the property you decide to stay in. You can find some great homes within the prize value that will accommodate more than just your immediate family. In fact, having additional space is one of the many benefits of staying in a vacation rental property!

Once you’ve selected your favorite homes, I will work with the property owner to book your reservation.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact EB, Director of Global Public Relations, or me if you have questions.

Once again, congrats!

Sincerely,
JD
******
Two things:
1. Wanna help me look?
2. Who's comin' with me?

Dream Vacation!

The whole contest through Homeaway has been unbelievable. It all started with our Free! condo during Gustav, courtesy of Georges Georgiou and Vacation Rental By Owner. As if that wasn't enough, my blog post about his kindness led a Homeaway staffer to invite me to join this contest...which led to friends and family rallying behind us to win. It all goes back to Georges. I'm amazed by how kindesses and love can multiply.

So now, we're in the planning stages of this big trip. Because we had so much support, we hope to bring any friends and family with us, just as we did when we married. Of course, $5000 isn't much, but what I'm trying to say is that you're all invited to join us. We'll squeeze in who we can (which right now is Tita, Tito, Tia Ella, and Gigi), and help the rest of our friends find accommodations if the house is too small. We're pretty good at setting boundaries, and by no means are we expecting to descend upon the small town like a tour bus. We expect folks to do their own thing, and if we occasionally intersect, then so be it. If you're a good friend, who's curious enough to ask, please do. Being surrounded by people we love is all quite selfish, anyway.

And so as we look at our choices, this one is topping the list:

This is one of four like it, on Half Moon Key. It's at the end of the strip of dive shops and our favorite restaurants on West End Beach. The truly breathtaking beach is West Bay Beach, but it's lined with resorts and a chain hotel or two. West End=MidCity

West Bay=St. Charles Ave.

We are thinking of leaving the week after Jazz Fest, before the rainy season (and hurricane season), while it's warm enough to dive. We plan on a two week trip, one week on the island with our pals, and a week on the mainland with just family, introducing our children to their immense and colorful family that's only met them through pictures!

Ana's already planning the itinerary with snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, and horse-back riding on the agenda.

If you're bored, peruse the Homeaway site (search Roatan). We're taking suggestions on breath-taking accommodations!

In the name of white sand

Hi friends,

I've entered a blogging contest that I'm hoping you can help me to win. Homeaway is sponsoring a contest that will send us to paradise where we can stay in a vacation home if we get the most votes.

Here's how you can help:

1. Please vote for our family to win a trip to Honduras today! This link will send you to the summary of our post. Once you click the button to view the full entry and vote, you'll be prompted to enter your email address. A follow-up email will be sent to you (to avoid spamming in the contest) that you must respond to.

2. And please send your friends and family too!

Thanks

Send us to Honduras!

Six years ago, when Kevin and I married at sunset on a beach in Roatan, we were surrounded by family and friends. To “send us off,” they’d come with us, by taxi, then airplane, then seaplane, on a journey that connected the unlikeliest sorts of people in ways we couldn’t have anticipated.

I knew this was the case when we were standing in the New Orleans airport, and a college friend who’d traveled from Africa was chatting animatedly with Kevin’s sister-in-law, a country girl from Plaquemine, Louisiana, taking pictures together because they’d both worn black and white to travel.

The auspicious start pervaded the entire event, from the festive atmosphere on the airplane to the narrow strip of hotels and eateries that lined the Caribbean beach, as our loved ones made connections, dinner plans, and scuba dates on the dusty unpaved road.

On the day of the wedding, family flew in from the Honduran mainland and stood next to us, barefooted, voices trembling, as we began this incredible adventure together.

And since that day, so much has happened. We have parented three beautiful children, 5, 3, and 3 months. Our son Elliot was diagnosed with a congenital condition at age 4 months, when we returned from evacuating Hurricane Katrina. Kevin works nights, and shuttles him to speech, occupational, and physical therapies each day, now with our youngest child, Oliver in tow.

My work with a non-profit childcare center started by parents supports families rebuilding our great city. It’s rewarding work that consumes any energy I might have left from juggling three children under 5. That leaves little for my husband and me. With our opposite schedules, sometimes days go by when I feel like I haven’t seen him.

Having never met Elliot, all my family in Honduras knows of our son is that he was born with a disability. They’ve never been put under his spell and don’t yet know we’re the luckiest people alive to have him. I’d love the opportunity to share my beautiful family with them all.



Send us back. Vote today to send us here:

Downshifting

After my anemia scare, and some serious self-analysis, Kevin and I made the painful decision to spend a few days at the beach(-; We joined our gracious hosts, Paul, Holly & the crew, and brought our own two beach bums to Fort Walton Beach, FL and it was worth every gas station-bathroom run along the way.

Automatic playmates for the kids, great company for us grown-ups, luxurious accomodations at the Waterscape (SUPER amenities for children, esp.), impeccable weather=paradise!

By the way, has anyone ever seen a sea slug? Holding and playing with one in the bluegreen gulf waters was definitely a highlight for me.

And just as relaxing: returning to work with things running smoothly, and the assistant director relishing her role as my replacement. I really feel like I can go have a baby now.

Tomorrow, baby O is 36 weeks! It feels like it's happening so fast all of a sudden. But believe me, I'm ready.

Trip planning help?

Any ideas on a great weekend getaway...within an hour's drive, close to nature, quaint B&B?

It's Kevin's b-day Friday. Looking for a restful (and kid-friendly) getaway.

Paradise, at last

It so helps when you are beyond exhaustion and go on vacation. I'm so thoroughly immersed this year, and right into the swing of things. What I'm loving:

• Nighlty crabbing by flashlight with my daring darling. She showed up 2 pre-teens, picking up their sand crabs by paper plate. Who needs a plate, when you have speed and a sense of adventure?
• Daily clamming by the shore, sitting for hours with a swimsuit bottom heavy with sand, watching the diversity and plentitude of colorful clams washed ashore, digging voraciously before being captured and put in our buckets of sand and water. We've learned quite a bit about clam-atomy, and have 3 new shell field guides to help our explorations.
• "I swim." It's a good thing that we have Elliot's football-style suit that allows him to independently move about the pool. He won't let ANYONE hold him while in the pool, and insists that "I swim" sans help.
• Stolen moments with mom and dad and Aunt Gigi. For each of us.
• Virgin Pina Colada's and O'Douls Amber. I've never been so drunk with happiness(-;
• Baby bump in the sand...burying a hole, and lying on my "stomach" with no pressure on baby. Should I say, Baby boy?
• Playing with names for baby
• Pineapple Salsa after hours in the pool
• Not rushing anywhere, or having anything to distract me from time with my children. A perfect mother's day.
• Hands to help.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no better family vacation with little ones than a week at the beach. They are completely content, there's minimal schleping, nap time has never been easier, and there's no attraction to see, other than the light in a child's eyes when they see a fish, discover something about the ocean, or snuggle in your lap under a beach towel. I'm in love with my family, and grateful for this time. It feels like such a luxury.

Back to Reality

We're back from our train trip to Memphis and Chicago, and will be sharing our adventure in the next few days. It's a gift to be able to spend so much time together as a family.

Some highlights: Seeing my cousin and her family in Tennessee (her son fell in love with Elliot), walking the "length" of the Mississippi River via Mud Island, seeing beluga whales up close and personal at Shedd Aquarium, getting lost on the "L," getting completely hosed in Millineum Park(a real "funniest video" moment), and travelling on Amtrak with the kids. The large bag of toys, books on tape, and surprises was a waste of space (except maybe Sesame Street UNO). The nuance of train travel wasn't lost on any of us.

Coming home is a bit stressful...thinking of all the work I left behind, and how much there is to do, not to mention the bags of dirty laundry. I felt like as soon as I really started to get my bearings around Chi-town and relax it was time to go. That's how it is with travelling, I guess. Our next scheduled outing is to the beach in a condo in August. The furthest we'll be travelling is up and down the elevator to the ocean and pool. What a relief.