Lions, Tigers and Bears...Oh My!

Last night we took the kids to the "Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Baily Circus." The first thing Jeff said as we entered the arena was, "No one's getting cotton candy! It's $10!" Seriously...the concessions were double what you'd pay at Disneyland...but the kids had such a blast...it really was a spectacular show. I was skeptical at first because I'm not a fan of clowns or watching tamed animals parade in a circle. But some of the acts were amazing...the sequined acrobats were stunning...my palms were sweaty watching them fly...My favorite stunt was the motorcyclists locked in a globe and spinning around with perfect rhythm so they didn't ram into each other. Amazing!

The most fun part of the show was turning around to see the kids' awed expressions over the animals and acts...Max loved the contortionists and elephants and tigers...Laney asked how someone is able to get a job at the circus! She thinks it would be fun. I wondered that, too...

Gifts of the Spirit

Every so often I fall in love with my husband all over again. Tonight was one of those nights. It didn't happen over a candlelight dinner, a walk on the beach or intimate talking: It happened in our Bible study small group! We were asked to lead small group but I was so exhausted from the week, I asked Jeff to take the reigns on this one. He did such a fabulous job. As he facilitated the conversation and asked thought-provoking questions, I found myself so enamored by this wise (and often wise-cracking), tender-hearted man...As our time together was brought to a close, Jeff led a beautiful prayer of blessing, sending two of our small group members out to lead another group. Sometimes I wish I could record the words he so beautifully strings together when he's talking to the Lord. I love hearing my husband pray. I love hearing him tell jokes and getting other people to laugh. I love that my husband is dirty and imperfect but so darn cute, I just want to squeeze him.
As I looked over at Jeff this evening, my thoughts scrolled through the year and half we've been married. I always thought achievement was measured by goals met and awards earned...But if someone asked what my greatest achievement was to date, I would have to say MY MARRIAGE. We've both worked incredibly hard to talk things out, stay emotionally connected, to love each other fiercely when we're being unlovable, and to create a home that offers stability and love to two children who deeply need it.
Sometimes I go through set-backs and I let the enemy infiltrate my thoughts with a negative spirit...and I'm disheartened by the statistics that show 70% of marriages that involve stepchildren fail...But I'm banking on beating those odds. Tonight I feel lucky to have a husband who blesses me with his many gifts of the spirit...and his heart.

Max the Catcher

Max is having a lot of fun playing baseball this spring. He just discovered he's a leftie, like his Daddy. For the longest time he was batting with his right hand until Jeff suggested he switch. This picture was taken a week ago...Max was the catcher for the game...They don't keep score so I have no idea how many games his team has won...But the important thing is that he's having a blast, learning teamwork, and getting some great exercise...I should be exercising more myself, especially given the deep fried foods I ate last night at the Washington Cherry Festival!

The Great Camp Adventure '09

My mom says I remind her of the star of the old TV show "Green Acres"--her husband plucks her out of living a glamorous life in the city to re-locate in the country. She sings:
New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic to the smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.
Ah...now, relaxing in a penthouse in NYC is my idea of heaven on earth. Jeff's idea of lovin' life is being at one with nature. So, despite my protests, we took the kids camping--actual stake-your-tent-in-the-ground camping--this Memorial Day weekend.
Do you see how teeny this tent is in relation to our family? You can click on the video at the bottom of this post and Max and Laney will give you a tour.

I still fail to see the beauty of vacationing in dirt and grime, but the kids had a BLAST camping this weekend. We were packed like sardines in a tent designed for 2-3 people! Jeff and I shared a twin air mattress! Did I mention he's six feet tall and not exactly rail thin? I barely got a wink of sleep and had to walk five minutes to the nearest restroom at 3am! But earlier in the day we took the kids swimming, Jeff enjoyed the hot tub, and we went mini-golfing!

It wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without our friends, Jennifer and Jason, who were staying in an RV on the campgrounds this weekend. We roasted hot dogs and s'mores for dinner and played games into the night. Despite the rigors of getting back to nature, it was a neat bonding experience. The kids are already asking if we're going camping again next year...Uh, can I take a rain check?

Baby Ali

I've got two of the sweetest nieces in the world. But I only get to see my niece, Ali (from Indy), once a month at most, so it was fun to spend time with her. We fed some teddy bears tea, we strolled around Jeff's parents' neighborhood with Delaney (and got lost), and maybe I got a little too excited about pushing her around in her toy car and she fell off. (She's such a great baby--she didn't even flinch!)
She has a love/hate relationship with Jeff, though...Well, he would say it's mostly love but he had some making up to do after scaring her half to death! He's talking in his best "high" voice. I think they're both pretty cute.

Ice Show

The Owens Center Ice Show this year starred Delaney the Ice Show Princess! Isn't she darling in her costume? Tonight Jeff & I attended Laney's program. (Hey, Scott...you missed quite the treat. Next year I'm getting you and Susie tickets so you can remember those tender days of young parenthood...enjoying recital after recital!)
Delaney skated to "Jail House Rock." We got to present our princess with a dozen red roses to commemorate her achievement. She graduated to Level 6 in her ice skating program and she finally gets to learn how to jump! For those of you who missed the ice show spectacular, here's a clip of Laney's routine for your viewing pleasure:

Violin performance

My head is spinning with the kids' gazillion activities this week. With school recitals and end of the year performances, May is a CRAZY MONTH! Tonight Delaney had a violin performance. She's only in the fourth grade, but she plays in the 6th grade orchestra, which is a pretty great accomplishment for her. She played a few songs called "Fiddles on Fire," "Pluck and Stomp," and "Fancy Fiddles." For those of you who weren't able to make it, I tried to record a brief portion of her performance:

What's in a Name?

Last night Jeff told the kids they had to call his brothers and their wives "Aunt" and "Uncle." Delaney was flabbergasted. "Why do we need to start calling them Aunt and Uncle now? We never did before!" she protested. Jeff acknowledged he should've made them call his family members by their titles out of respect...and now that we've got two baby nieces in the family who are talking up a storm, we want them to call us "Aunt Cat" and "Uncle Jeff." Jeff encouraged the kids to set a good example for their baby cousins...Laney's still not buying it, but those are the rules!
On the morning show we discussed how this generation of children are getting relaxed about showing respect...A lot of kids call adults by their first names without the title of Ms. and Mr. and I was always surprised when Max and Delaney referred to their aunts and uncles on a first-name basis. A lot of our listeners were, too! So, that's a habit no longer! Hopefully...

The Best Stay-Cation

Jeff whisked me away this weekend to the Windy City. It was FABULOUS! We ate dinner at my favorite restaurant, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba (if you love tapas, this is the place to be)...and we saw the most visually stunning play I've ever seen--The Rose and the Rime. It was playing at the House Theater in Chicago...It was like spending the night in a snow globe, with joyous characters portraying the myth that anything powerful enough to fulfill your dreams is powerful enough to destroy them.

Speaking of dreams, check out my McDreamy Husband to the right...I'm kicking myself for not bringing my camera along our walk to Navy Pier. If you get a chance to go to Chicago this summer, you've got to check out Crystal Gardens. The six-story glass atrium features palm trees, fountains, and tropical plants galore. Not to mention the incredible Chicago skyline to take in. And the tulips are in full bloom along the Magnificent Mile. It's gorgeous.
But most of all, it was the thrill of my life to spend quality time with the most attentive husband in the world. It's still a struggle for me to be thousands of miles away from my family...But my every day has a touch of magic because he showers me with such love and joy. And on special getaways like this one, I'm more reminded of that than ever.

What Mother's Day Means to Me

A few years ago I met a couple of kids who'd change my life forever. I love them dearly, but if I knew back then what I know now, I would've curled up in a fetal position and called a therapist pronto! Being a step-mom is a journey laced with lots of tears, sweat, and questions. In a culture that often vilifies step-moms (in fairy tales and folklore), it can be difficult to happily embrace your newfound responsibility once you marry someone with children. I've met a lot of step-moms over the years and no matter what our backgrounds, our concerns are the same: What is my role, how do I bridge the divide between my step-kids' two families, and how can I maintain sanity when I'm saddled with all the frustrations and financial stress of being a parent without the rewards and respect conferred to birth parents?
(I've searched high and low for books on this to help but to no avail)...

I'm still sorting through some of the answers to those questions...But I'm happy to say that I've finally made peace with my role in my step-kids' lives. I love them and I know they love me. Most importantly, I'm in love with their Daddy and the best thing I can do is to love their father well and create a nurturing and stable home environment amid the brokenness of their parents' divorce.
Mother's Day can be incredibly awkward for step-moms...But I'm going to take ownership of the day for myself and celebrate all that I've achieved as a "Bonus Mom" to my "bonus kids." I'm grateful to have a husband who honors my sacrifices...and if you're a step-mom, I just want to encourage you to celebrate the incredible investments you're making in your step-kids' lives even if you do all the work and get grief instead of glory!