His Hero

As mentioned below, Jared had to do a project for his English class. He had to answer 3 questions: What is your definition of a hero?

Who is your hero?

Why is that person your hero?

Bring in a photo of your hero.

Here is what he wrote...warning, it's a tear-jerker.

My definition of a hero: a hero is a person who goes above what is expected of them, just to make a difference in somebody's life.

My hero is: Steve Jablecki- My step-Dad

"I picked my step Dad as my hero because of what he does for me and my family. When I was about a year old, my Mom and my Dad got divorced (we had been living in Oregon then). Of course, because I was so young I didn't quite know what was going on, but I know now that my Mom was very hurt. Both of my parents were in a tough time of their lives. My Mom and my Dad both moved and both went back to their jobs. My Dad was at the beginning of his singing career and my Mom was one of the bosses at NorthStar. Also working at NorthStar was Steve. He wasn't a boss or anything, but he worked there. Steve hung out with my Mom a lot and they were very good friends, but then they started going out on dates. Then, finally in New York City, Steve asked my Mom to marry him and she said yes. I was 3 years old.

In 2000, we moved to Cape Cod. After my Mom moved to Cape Cod and my Dad stayed in California, I didn't really think I'd ever get to see my Dad as much as I would like to or ever get to have that feeling of seeing my Dad every day. When Steve came along, everything changed. He acted like a Dad to me. He makes me a better person everyday of my life. Even though I'm not blood related to Steve, he treats me like I'm his son. That's the reason I picked Steve as my hero, because when my Mom and Dad got divorced, Steve stepped in and treated me like his own son. Now-a-days, Steve and my Mom have had 3 kids together. So now it's me, my Mom, my step-Dad and my 4 brothers and sisters. Of course, I do get to see my Dad a few times a year. Me and my sister fly out to California a few times a year, but after that we fly back home to stay with my hero and the rest of my family.

The word hero means a lot to me. It means a lot to me because of all the hero's in my life. You already know that Steve is one, but my Mom and my Dad are hero's to me too. I have a lot of hero's in my life. "

What a beautiful, heart-felt tribute from my 12 year old son. :)

Nine Years...

Yesterday was our 9th Anniversary. Sometimes it feels like yesterday that we were married. Other times, it feels like it's all I've even known...to love and be loved by Steve. Life wasn't always kind to me, but God blessed the broken road that brought Steve and I together. These days, I prefer to leave the past where it belongs...buried, deep in the past. Suffice to say, "To the jerks in my past...thanks for the lessons you taught me". Nothing worth having comes easily. Peace...so hard to find, so worth having.

Kasi and I baked my "famous chocolate chip cookies" yesterday. She was so cute in her little apron, standing on her stool, helping me with the mixer. She suggested we make him a "really big one". We made a few dozen for everyone, and then a big heart shaped one for Daddy. I said, "do you know why I made him a heart"? Her response, "because he loves his whole flamily". I smiled..."you're right, and his whole family loves him too." "Yup, a whole bunch", she said. The cookies were supposed to be a surprise for Daddy...but when we ran to the store, he apparently came home and discovered them on the counter. Oh well. It's the thought that counts. We added some chocolate frosting to the heart cookie...and it was good to go.

He brought some flowers to me, they were beautiful. I got him some peanut-butter/chococate fudge. :)

Sierra's game was rescheduled and she got off early. So, we ordered pizza for the kids, let them have some cookies...and Steve and I headed to Siena for a quick dinner together. We had a great meal, and enjoyed some time to just talk. We caught up on the happenings in our extended families...and chatted about our kids. We were home in time to put the kids to bed.

While we were out, I told Steve about what Jared shared with me today. He has to write a project for English on his "hero". He chose Steve. I can't wait to see what he writes. I could write a novel about why Steve is my hero...but straight from the heart of a 12 year old boy who Steve has loved since he was 2...who's presence has made all the difference...this promises to be priceless.

The card Steve chose for me was beautiful, and the sentiment was perfect: "How many can say they have a true partner, friend and lover that they can count on in good times and bad? How many can say their love is even stronger for all they've been through together? Only a lucky few...like me." Then he wrote, "Thanks for all you do to make our lives and family so special. Love Always, Steve."

Nine years...who knew a lifetime could be measured in such a short period of time. Looking forward to eternity together.

Who comes up with these ideas?!

Obviously someone WITHOUT five kids to deal with in the morning.

Sierra and Jared were on their way and I had gotten Malia showered and dressed. She was slowly eating her breakfast when I heard Shawn bellowing from downstairs:

"Mom, we're supposed to wear red, white and blue today...the whole school has to".

UGH. SO, I had to go search through Malia's clothes for something patriotic, while racing against the clock to get her to eat and get out the door. We already had a "red, white and blue day"...2 weeks ago. This, of course, was when the weather was better and she was able to wear a cute capri outfit. It's too cold for that now, and she doesn't own other things of primary colors. This is Malia afterall...the girl lives in pink and purple. She refuses to wear jeans...so finding blue was hard too. After trying on 3 pairs of old jeans (all of which she had outgrown) and negotiating for quite some time, I found an old American flag sweater of Jared's in a bin in the basement and got her dressed...again.

Meanwhile, I was able to find Shawn's clothes quickly. Being New England sports fans...both the Red Sox and Patriots are red, white and blue. So, I threw one of his jersey's on him.

NOT how I needed to start the day...again, WHO comes up with these ideas?! With NO notice?! Hope the whole school looked cute today and it was worth it. Oh wait, they wouldn't have time to notice...they were too busy turning around and sending them back home after a HALF DAY. Another HALF DAY of school...3 hours of school...then home. What about the parents who aren't home and have to pay daycare? Again, WHO comes up with these ideas? I now have a yard FULL of kids--10 to be exact--kids whose parents work and would have to pay daycare.

At least it's a yard full of patriotic kids.

Smart guy

Jared brought home his first Advanced Math test today. He scored a 96 -- "the highest in the class". :)

He also received his first mid-term report for Junior High. Across the board in all subjects, his achievement ranged from "Satisfactory" to "Very Good", his conduct was "Very Good" in all of them, and his work habits/effort rated "strong" in all subjects. Each teacher put, "Keep up the good work".

It is such a blessing to have Jared. He is polite, well-behaved, well-mannered, works hard...just brings a smile to his Mom's face and warms my heart. Great job, Jared :)

Pinch Me...

I've been a bit busy this past week. This post will go a long way in explaining my lack of blogging.

My Mom came to see us on Tuesday, she was coming down for a few days before heading home to pack. They sold their house in Maine and were heading south again. I haven't lived near my Mom in over 20 years...not for long anyway. Seems we're always a state (or 10) away from each other. I often watch friends with their Moms and I wish I had mine closer...to shop thrift stores with, to chat, to laugh, to walk on the beach, to watch the children grow....

Mom and Curly have land in NC and were planning on building a house on it, hoping that would make it more appealing so they could sell it. Fate jumped in when Curly caused an accident in Virginia. He was heading down with his truck and a 5th-wheel camper. Long story short, he is okay and the driver of the other car is too. However, both vehicles were totaled and the camper was damaged. Something in that illegal U-turn he took caused my Mom to make a U-turn with her life. She didn't want to move south...she was doing it to bide her time for now. Fact is though, that her grand-kids are growing up so very quickly. She decided she was going to fulfill her dream NOW and move to the Cape. She could have been in that truck and I would have likely lost my Mom that day. I almost lost her when I was 8...I don't care to ever go through that again. This entire ordeal has had God's hand-writing all over it. My Mom is the most self-less person I know. She has always put everyone before herself...to a fault. It is as if God put a 30 foot flag in the shape of a camper in front of her and said..."STOP, it's YOUR turn Rachel."

A bible verse came to mind: Your desire is what you long for, what or whom you long to be with. Your desire is where your heart is. Your desire is your greatest treasure and will be your reward. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

God knows the desires of her heart, he knows she wants to be near her children and her grandchildren...and we all want her near us too. So, like a gift tied up in a pretty satin bow, the week unfolded before us. We looked at an apartment, we scoured Craigslist, we drove around to different parts of town, we dreamed. Then, today, we looked inside this gift from God and we found the perfect little cottage for rent. It is reminiscent of a little dollhouse. The owner is a sweet 83 year old man and he was very accommodating. He isn't going to lock her into a lease, he's okay with whatever works for her. A smile came over my Mom's face today...she was so happy, so at peace...we just know it is God's will that she be near her family...at last.

My little brother Michael and his wife Megan are planning to move here soon too. My Mom would like to get a home with them to share. I'm hoping my brother Scott does too. This would be a dream come true.

I could ramble on, but I think I'll go enjoy some time with my Mom. She heads home in the morning to pack for the new chapter of her life. We could call it, "A Dream Came True":

"If my dreams could all come true, Paradise would be
In a little bungalow somewhere by the sea."

Or, I may just call it, "Pinch Me"...is this really real?!??! I'm so excited I'm afraid I'll wake up and it will all be a dream.

The kids are SO excited that Granny is moving to Cape Cod...but not NEARLY as ecstatic as I am.

Meet the Teachers...

Last night was "Meet the Teacher" night at Shawn and Malia's school. Malia's meeting was first. She has a wonderful teacher, who is exactly where she wants to be...teaching Kindergarten. We heard what a busy day they have, and were given "About Me" books. I took a few photos of pages of Malia's...she is quite the little budding artist. :) I can't seem to get all of these photos into this posting, so they are posted just below this one. I love all the details on her "My family" page. She told me later that I'm wearing a dress...phew, I thought she had made me fat ;) LOL. Love Daddy's long legs, too. Her "my favorite meal" is classic. Nice details...love the watermelon, cheese pizza, strawberry, mac and cheese, strawberry lemonade, cupcake and TWO strawberry ice-cream cones, LOL. Hmm...I think someone likes strawberry like her Mommy. Also, WOW...what a flamingo! Quite impressive for 6! Mrs. G told me afterwards that she uses Malia as an example all the time...that she is "SUCH a good girl", listens great, pays attention, tries hard, etc. She said the one thing she is going to work on with M is her apparent fear of being wrong. She won't answer something if she's afraid it won't be the right answer...can't figure out where she gets her perfectionism from, LOL. Poor kid got a double dose of it.

I would have LOVED to have brought home Shawn's paper, where he filled in blanks about himself. It gave such nice insight into him and how he views himself. He mentioned a lot about how he likes helping others and being a good friend. I'm so glad he sees himself how we do. :) He has always been our helper...and he loves it as much as we do. :) He also talked about how he is happiest when he is playing sports. I guess that paper is staying in his portfolio that he will be adding to all year, SO I'll share it in June ;) He has a ridiculously large class, thankfully his teacher has been teaching for 20 years. I'm really hoping the class size doesn't affect learning. Mrs. B told me after the meeting that she really enjoys Shawn, that he is very nice, polite and a great helper.

I think it'll be a great year for both of them :)