Camping..... Pre-Johnny

Knowing the arrival of Johnny was fast approaching, we decided to go back up North to the ADK and get some last minute traveling done before we became tied down with our new baby.

Limekiln Lake was the only campground with availability left.

And... someone has transferred sites when I got there so we ended up with a very private water site! Not too shabby. :)

 I had been in Eagle Bay with the kids for most of the week, staying with a BFF, KJ. 

So Brian drove up and met us. He set up the entire campsite while the kids and I were at Enchanted Forest Water Safari.

(Which by the way, I vow never to return to there unless it's 80 degrees or hotter. Oh... and it's not windy! Because being there on a windy and 69 to 71 degree day is NOT fun for adults.... and it's a farce to say that their water is heated. No. It's. Not!)

But I kept a smile plastered on my face and the kids had a great time.

We arrived at our site and the kids were in love!

Water. Fire. Tents. Marshmallows. Dad. Boat. Seemingly tame Chipmunks.

What was there NOT to love!

Fire Boy here loves to set his marshmallows on fire and then walk around using it as a torch.

After a good, and full, nights sleep it's wonderful to wake up to Brian making bacon and eggs on the grill. 

And yes, the camping trip would not have been complete without Fancy Nancy joining us.

The minute we arrived we had two chipmunks that followed our every move. 

Brian had packed peanuts so we had a seemingly endless supply of food for them.

Almost eating out of our hands.

Weirdly, my death fear of rodents did not kick in.

I found them "cute".

The kids considered them our pets and were determined to stock their winter food supply themselves. 

They were so worried that the little chipmunks were not going to make it through the winter if they didn't give them one more peanut.

So approximately 250 peanuts later, I put my foot down and said enough!

(What they didn't know is that I filled a hollowed out log with many more. I mean.... I wouldn't forgive myself if they were starving in the next few months and I had had the means to help.)

:)

She's Broke.

The other day she must have done something really irritating to Sam because, the normally patient and calm boy, was screaming from the other room. 

"You're going to pay for that!!!!!"

Her response....

"That's ok, I don't have any money anyways!"

Dog Days of Summer

So it's been one full week of Johnny"ness".

He is settling in nicely with us.

After 3 baths,  2 trips to the vet, flea infestation removal, de-worming (again), a viral infection which led to vomiting and dehydration, which then led to injection of fluids and anti-vomiting medicine, prescription dog food....

I think we are in the free and clear for a little while.

He seems to have a great temperament and we ADORE him!

Nights are slowly getting better. We have definitely been thrown back to newborn baby days.

He is very smart and learning fast.

He is even starting to recognize his name.

I have to be honest in saying that I really did not want another puppy.... ever. 

I had wanted to adopt a golden about 2 or 3 years old.

The breed rescue groups denied us because we don't have a fully fenced in yard.

So I reluctantly started searching for a puppy.

So that is the short story of how we ended up with Johnny.

He's been worth every penny and worry.

Why?

Just look below and smile.

But most importantly it's because Beth has met her match.

I have often referred to Beth as my Karmic penance.

Johnny is hers.

:)

Heeeerrrrreeeee's........ Johnny! :)

Introducing the newest member of our family.

Our 6 week old Golden Retriever puppy named Johnny.

We are looking forward to watching him grow up right along side the kids.

I am wishing that this little guy will be a great dog for us.

I am hoping that he lives a long life and can carry the kids through high school.

I am praying that their childhood is enhanced and their love of animals is greatened by Johnny.

There is a lot of responsibilities loaded onto his little shoulders.

My dream is that someday when they are older, with their own families, they will be able to look back and think, "Johnny, he was the best dog ever!"

I Think I Gave Birth to Foreign Diplomats.

It's true.

Our life seems to be one big negotiation. 

The past few weeks as most American families were enjoying their summer weekends cutting the grass, going to the beach, family cook outs, swimming in pools, ect. we were heavily involved in something similar to NATO peace negotiations. 

They have forced my hand to resort to bribes and empty threats.

Everything from mealtime menus, clothing, movie viewing, which color plate gets used and by whom, seating placement (including but not limited to) in the vehicles and the  kitchen table, who's turn it is to get the mail, who's turn it is to turn off the shower...

and the list goes on and on.

These situations may seem mundane to the casual observer, but a wrong decision at any of these events and the fragile equilibrium between sanity and chaos can erupt ruthlessly.

I know.... I've seen it. I've lived it.

It is complex at times with Beth's command on Asian culture,

and Sam's knowledge and displays of brute force and guerilla warfare.

I do give them a slight learning curve.

Being that they are foreign diplomats, English is not their first language.

So that being said I have accepted the fact that I typically have to repeat certain phrases multiple times. 

Things like,

"Sam, get your hands off your sister."

"Beth, communicate in a different way, I don't understand the language of Whine & Scream."

Night times are especially critical. 

Anyone who knows our family struggles with sleep, know what I am talking about. 

I am very much to blame.... I admit it.

Since Sam was born I was so in love with him that I never wanted to let him go. 

Because of this, he fell asleep next to me for the next 4 to 5 years. 

Beth.... well Beth had her own problems but that's an entirely different story.

Long story short, we have a delicate balance to find every evening.

Phase 1- It starts by the proclamations of not being the slightest bit tired.

In fact they seem convinced that they can pull an all-nighter.

After much debate they finally agree go upstairs and begin their nightly rituals.

Phase 2- Lighting.

Yes, the lighting is as critical as West Bank negotiations between Israel and Palestine. 

Sam wants the hallway light on.... Beth doesn't because it's too bright.

Beth wants the bathroom light on.... the light doesn't travel far enough down the hallway for Sam's liking.

They both have night lights too.

But here's the kicker...

Beth faithfully sleeps with a sleep mask.

Regardless of the lighting situation she can't see it anyways.

So our mediation into the situation led us to remove the light bulbs from one of the hallway lights (for Sam) and the bathroom light goes on for Beth.

Both have their night lights on.

And then when everyone is satisfied, Beth slips her sleep mask over her eyes and falls fast asleep.

If Brian is the President and Treasure in the family than I must be the Secretary of State and Vice-President.

Maybe I need to give Hillary a call and get some advice.

Happy 10th Anniversary!

July 24, 1999

We were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Chittenango, NY.

Our reception was at Greystone Castle in Canastota, NY.

The day was a complete whirlwind, as most wedding days are.

I honestly don't remember a lot of it.

One of my most favorite details of the wedding, and very hard to forget, was that we had the Stan Colella Orchestra as our band.

Our first dance was, 'The Best is Yet to Come'.

Our cake was a small strawberry whip cream cake.

We used my grandparents (Lesko) cake topper from their wedding cake.

Our table centerpieces were individual wedding cakes.

I had all my flowers replicated from my Gramma Lesko's wedding photos too.

325 people were in attendance.

Steve was Brian's best man.

My Aunt Denise was my matron of honor.

My cousin Paula made the flower wreath around my head.

My mother picked out my dress, did the alterations, and made my veil.

My father gave me away.

I wore my Gramma Wilber's diamond pendant.

Luke, Patrick, Eric, Chad, Joey, and Keith stood up for Brian.

Laura, Rachel, Jenny, and Denise V. stood up for me.

Amanda and Angela were the cutest flower girls ever and Jake was our ring bearer.

Amy sang 'Old Irish Blessing', 'Higher Ground', 'All I Ask of  You', and 'Something That We Do' at the church.

Derek Day read from Khalil Gibran and  my aunt Mary and Uncle Jeff wrote and spoke a blessing together.

Grandpa Wilber gave a blessing before our dinner. 

Brian danced with his mom and I with my dad to 'I've Got the World on a String'

We danced and danced and danced.

We took the best trip of our life, for our honeymoon....

2 weeks out West with no plans, no reservations anywhere.

 Just maps, a car rental, some camping equipment and AAA books. 

It was adventurous, fun, and amazing.

July 24, 2009

A lot of things have changed in a mere 10 years.

We have lost 4 grandparents.

We lost 1 cat and 2 dogs.

We have gained 2 beautiful children.

We have owned 2 homes.

We changed vehicles 3 times.

We have gotten rid of Jet Skis, snowmobiles, and a boat.

Gave up a golf membership but gained SU and Yankee family season tickets.

We have had a few job changes as well.

We have traveled to places all through the country.

We have taken many many vacations.

We have gained family and friends, and lost family and friends.

We have created a new family for ourselves with new traditions.

We have replaced happy hour with little league, lacrosse, swimming lessons, and dance lessons.

We continue to learn about each other 

and adapt to the ever flowing changes life brings our way.

We are 10 years wiser but still consider ourselves rookies.

The ebb and flow of 10 years has had a natural flowing presence in our lives. 

It's not always easy. (In fact it's rarely easy.)

Sometimes it's perfect and sometimes it's not.

Sometimes it's happy and sometimes it's not.

but...

it's ours.

It's our 10 years. It's our history. It's our story together.

I wrote something in a shower card just recently and I stand by every word.

"Here’s to a lifetime of ups and downs but becoming closer in spite of them and because of them. Discovering love has many different faces through the years and learning to journey with it… not against it. Being each other’s best friend and treating each other as such. Learning that the words compromise, respect, trust, honesty, sacrifice and patience take on much more meaning than initially thought. Embarking on new realities… new ideals… new dreams.  Embracing and balancing your individuality as well as your togetherness equally. Finding out that sometimes silence and a willing ear is more comforting than words. That laughter and smiles should make up at least a small portion of everyday.

Accepting that even when things are not perfect it can still be happy. And realizing that perfection is just subjective perception.

Discovering that marriage is a marathon not a sprint. Conditioning your relationship with sincerity and generosity of all of the above factors (and many more) will give you the endurance of a lifetime."

Out of the mouth of Bethers

I was making dinner one night last week.

The kids were arguing about whether corn was a fruit or a vegetable.

I was ignoring it for the most part.

Sam was trying to tell Beth that corn was a vegetable and she was insistent that it was a fruit.

So Sam then asks me to give them the correct answer.

me - "Corn is a vegetable. Sorry Beth."

With in , ummm... I don't know 1 second or so, Beth straighten her shoulders, raised her chin, donned a very haughty expression, and simply stated with a sideways glance,

"Well, that's what the Japanese called it in the old days."

She simply refuses to be out done by anyone.