A Mother's Nightmare

It is one of those phone calls that you fear you'll get one day, the one where your heart stops momentarily and you feel as though you'll never catch your breath. It was my sweet child on the other end saying, "mom, I'm lost, help me."

Well, actually he said, "so what would you say if I said I was lost?"
"I guess I'd laugh" was my response.
"Well, I'm completely lost, I have no idea where I am" He was laughing through the entire conversation so I didn't think he was in grave danger. He had left about 45 minutes earlier with the dog in tow to take her for a much needed walk. He has a path that he usually takes but today he decided, unintentionally, to go a different way. Before long all the homes all looked the same and the beautiful mountains he uses as a guide post were gone. It took a bit but he was able to find his way back to a familiar point the entire time making new friends on his way. It reminded me of the time we went to visit my grandmother in Boise. He told a lady at the playground that he was on vacation. She asked where he was from and he replied, "America". She asked him, holding back a grin, where he was then to which he replied, "Idaho". (Sorry Jen.)
His sense of direction rivals that of his father and those of you who have read the wonderful stories of him on the Trax understand exactly what that means. The good news is that the dog took a great nap afterward and his friends Kayla and Torrie went with him for the afternoon stroll.

(yes, that picture is old but it is so cute I had to put it in)

This is funny because Zachary has done at least 20 of these within the last year.

My friend Ann sent this to me a while back and since I've decided not to delve too deep for the next little bit I thought I'd share.

Things To Do at Walmart When You're Bored

As the cashier runs your purchase over the scanner, look mesmerized and say, "Wow, magic!"

Ask other customers if they have any Grey Poupon.

Attempt to fit others into very large gym bags.

Challenge other customers to duels with tubes of gift-wrap.

Contaminate the entire auto department by sampling all the spray air fresheners.

Dart around suspiciously while humming the theme from Mission Impossible.

Drag a lounge chair over to the magazines and relax.

Go to the food court, buy a drink, and ask if they can put a little umbrella in it.

Drape a blanket around your shoulders and run around saying, "I'm Batman. Come Robin, to the Batcave."

Follow people through the aisles, staying about 5 feet behind them. Do this until they leave the store.

Get 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they aren't looking.

Go into a fitting room, shut the door and wait a while and then yell loudly "There's no toilet paper in here!"

Go to the Service Desk and ask to put a bag of M&M's on lay away.

Hide in a clothing rack and when people browse through, say "PICK ME! PICK ME!"

Hold indoor shopping cart races.

In the auto department, practice your "Madonna look" using different size funnels.

Leave Cheerios in lawn and garden, pillows in the pet section, etc.

Look right into the security camera, use it as a mirror and pick your nose.

Make a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the restrooms.

Make up nonsense products and ask employees if there are any in stock. (i.e.: Shnerples)

Move "Caution: Wet Floor" signs to carpeted areas.

Pay off layaways 50 cents at a time.

Play soccer with a group of friends, using the entire store as your playing field.

Play with the automatic doors.

Play with the calculators so that they all spell "hello" upside down.

Randomly throw things over into neighboring aisles.

"Re-alphabetize" the CD's.

Re-dress the mannequins as you see fit.

Relax in the patio furniture until you get kicked out.

Ride a display bicycle through the store; claim you are taking it for a test drive.

Ride those little electronic cars at the front of the store.

Say things like, "Would you be so kind as to direct me to your Twinkies."

Set all the alarm clocks to go off at ten-minute intervals throughout the day.

Set up a "Valet Parking" sign in front of the store.

Set up a tent in the camping department and tell other shoppers you'll invite them in if they bring pillows from the bed department.

Start playing Calvinball; see how many people you can get to join.

Take bets on the battle from above.

Take off your shoes and tell them you want to return it and when they say you didn't buy it there say, "Hm... I thought the customer was always right!"

Take shopping carts for the express purpose of filling them and stranding them at strategic locations.

Take up an entire aisle in toys by setting up a full-scale battle with G.I. Joe vs. X-men.

Test the brushes and combs in cosmetics.

Test the fishing rods and see what you can catch from other aisles.

TP as much of the store as possible before they stop you.

Try to hold up customers with the toy guns. See how much you can make.

Tune all the radios to polka stations; then turn them off and turn the volume up to full blast.

Walk up to an employee and tell him/her in an official tone, 'Code 3' in Housewares and see what happens.

Walk up to complete strangers and say, "Hi. I haven't seen you in so long." etc. See if they play along.

When 2 or 3 people are walking ahead of you, run between them yelling "Red Rover."

When a clerk asks if they can help you, begin to cry and ask, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"

When an announcement comes over the loud speaker, assume the fetal position and scream "NO! NO! It's those voices again!!!"

When someone steps away from his or her cart to look at something, quickly make off with it without saying a word.

When there are people behind you, walk really slowly, especially in thin aisles.

While handling guns in the hunting department, ask the clerk if he knows where the anti-depressants are.

While walking through the clothing department, ask yourself loud enough for all to hear, "Who buys this crap anyway?!"

One of Those Moments

This photo has nothing to do with it but isn't it funny that Zach wears a helmet when Jacob is learning to drive?

Yesterday Zach was late from school, approximately two hours because they had changed his schedule from fencing to photography because too many students had signed up for it. There is a food chain in any school and new students and freshmen are of course at the bottom of it. So, he was dropped. I of course went in to Super Mom mode and thought to myself "Can I fix it, Yes I can". (I watch way too much Bob the Builder). Instead however Zach said, "It's under control." What did he mean under control? That would mean that I would be there to explain to the school that it was in their best interest to to give it to him. I would of course have a laundry list of sweet little reasons why he NEEDED to be in the class. Did "control" mean he didn't need me or even worse yet, didn't want me to fix this? I did what any mom of a budding teen would do, I stood in shock and horror and waited for him to fix his own problem. I talked to someone who had been there while he was talking to the counselor. She was getting her her sons schedule fixed as well. She was amused because Zach knew that the closer to the front of the line he was the better his chances. Better to be 3rd than 100th. He made a beeline for his office as soon as the bell rang. He waited calmly and then explained to the counselor that a lot of thought had been put into selecting his classes and that while he understood it was full he had already paid the fees since it had been on his original schedule. He explained that it was important to him and that he would expect a quick resolution (thought I bet he didn't use that word). The counselor said that there were so many students in the same situation that he couldn't guarantee it but would let him know in the morning. I of course spent the evening figuring out exactly what magic I would have to work if he didn't get in. Zach said, "mom, you said that I need to take control of my education and that is what I'm doing. If I don't get in I'll handle it". He texted me this morning and he had fencing!!!! My first feeling was of elation, I had raised a well spoken, responsible young man who could fight his own battles AND win them. Then I realized that it was an indication that he was one step closer to full independence so I cried (mostly happy tears).

More Birthday Trauma!

I wanted this picture to be last but Kaitlyn hasn't taught me how to do that yet!!!!!

Age 1


Age 10

My sweet little boy who was born into this world against all odds is turning 14! I don't think I've cried over it like I did with Jacob because everyone always assumes he's 15 or 16 anyway so 14 seems like an okay number in comparison.

From the time he was welcomed into this world he has been smiling. He would laugh at the word cheese and crawl to the edge of the bed and dive not knowing if anyone would be there to catch him.

He has an amazing spirit and oozes personality. He makes friends everywhere he goes (usually girls) and loves to have parties at our house.

Not a day goes by that I don't find myself laughing at his sarcastic comments and humorous musings. As I was driving back from the store getting all the stuff for his candy gram I was struck with the immense love I feel for him. I would clone him if at all possible.

Happy birthday my sweet Zach. I love you!!!

I Love my Job

Zach was hired to break up cement and do some general labor at a neighbors house today. He came home asking for a sledge hammer which made my hair stand on end and me running to see what exactly he was hired to do. He was doing a great job but I could see that it was a lot more work than everyone originally thought and there would be no way he'd be done before the people came home. To make a very long story short, I stayed and joined in on the cement breaking, hauling, weeding, and over all manual labor. After the first time I found my hand stuck between a cement brick and a hammer I started to wonder exactly why I was doing this. It occurred to me that while I was exhausted, dirty and bleeding I was thoroughly enjoying my time with Zach. Working side by side with him is always such a great chance to bond. I love to hear his insights into life and his laugh when he sees me struggle to get dirt out of my hair. I love the way he says "thanks mom, I sure appreciate you helping me." I love how he tells me what a great mom I am and how he bets his friends wishes their moms were there for them as much as I am for him. When we finished I was almost sad because I realized that before long he won't need me to help him in a neighbors yard or to figure out a math problem. He won't come to me any longer when he has questions about friends or choices they're making. He'll be on his own and will be making his own decisions. I guess I can only hope that the hours I spend with him sweating side by side will pay off and that he'll be prepared for life without me.