Man Mischief

Last Friday at Dawson's school they celebrated books. Each kid was supposed to come dressed as a character from their personal favorite literary masterpiece. I was a little nervous... my mind went straight to Amelia Bedilla, Ballerina Kitty, Fancy Nancy... all the girly books. I told Dawson I could be in charge of helping with his costume (gah! stress!), but he needed to pick what to be... I was at a complete loss. But he didn't hesitate one little bit- he knew immediately he had to be Curious George!

How perfect. That is SO him, I can't believe its never crossed my mind! He is quite the explorer... with all the best intentions...

Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU, Rachel Hunter, for the wardrobe loaner. It could not have been more fitting or perfect... and I know I am biased, but seriously!?!?!? He is the most adorable thing I've ever seen.

And I just have to say, in case I haven't mentioned how thankful I am lately... my kids are in heaven having their daddy around so much more now.

Mom just can't make lizard catchers quite the same as he can...


Ew.

And speaking of 'man'ners... and the utter lack thereof... I couldn't resist sharing this shot of the McDermott men at the dinner table last night... sporting their matching spaghetti sauce smears across their face as they inhaled their dinner.

Oh, Boys.

Can't live without them.

xo

Heres The Latest

So, on Friday, my super handsome husband went to work in uniform:

Isn't he sharp?

The academy lasts until the second week in July, and after he graduates he will be shadowing the other officers to get a feel for each shift for about 6 weeks. Then he will be assigned to his own shift, which will stay the same for a year.

So far, so good for all of us! Weeee!

This is a little out of nowhere, but I just had to mention the sweet nature of my kids. My mom surprised them with a treat of donut holes last week for breakfast (which they were thrilled about since they rarely get them), and instead of eagerly plowing all 5 in one giant gulp... they each kicked some into the pot, and labeled them with love and care to their hard working Dad, so he could have a special snack when he got home.


I just love when they think of sweet little ways to show they care all on their own. xo

Speaking of... this is a new thing:

All of a sudden... they want to sleep together every night. We've tried it a couple times in the past, and unless we are traveling or there is some odd circumstance that makes it a necessary evil, it does NOT work out. They just giggle, and talk, and play... anything but sleep. But recently that's changed, which is not only adorable to see when we go in to tuck them in one last time for the night, but also solves the issue of having to kick them out of our bed throughout the night because of the monsters in the closet, or whatever. Its a win/win.

In other family news, last weekend was quite the family event.

It was my Dad's birthday on Saturday (Happy Birthday, Dad!), and it happened to coincide with the annual Miracle Miles for Kids 10k that is a beach run from Morro Rock to the Cayucos Pier.

When Kari and I did it last year, it was my first organized running event, and it was lots of fun.

This year was WAY different...

...since the entire family got to be included!

Tyson was working last year and didn't get to participate, but this year I managed to trap my whole family into coming along, and I'm SO MAD AT MYSELF for not getting a picture of all of us together. My Dad (is crazy and) agreed to push the kids in the jogger (with a little help from Kyle and Destanie) while my mom, Tyson, KJ and I ran ahead.

The race itself was TOUGH for me. Lets just say big fat bummer there are no bathrooms along the way. And Tyson and I got separated somehow, and my running gal pals started before I did since I lost my timing chip and stood in a line that never moved until after the race started.

Ughhhh. Oh well. It was still a great time and a beautiful day at the beach with the family, and I could not be more proud of my super kids, who at just 4 and 5 years old managed to walk just about the entire way! That jogger ended up being more of a hassle than necessary!

If you ask Dawson about this event, he will tell you he won. He is telling the truth... kind of. He did cross the finish line before his sister. I guess that's the biggest competition you could possibly face in the land of 5 year old boy.

Oh, Dawson. I have no idea where he gets his racy humor from:

We finished off the day exhausted, sunburned, and famished!!! Luckily there was a feast in the birthday boy's honor at my parent's house.

We wouldn't want to go burning all those calories without replacing them properly now, would we?...

So there you have our recent family events. We are keeping plenty busy this month getting used to the demands and new routine of Tyson's job, and planning the summer months ahead.

If anyone has any brilliant ideas for how to face an entire summer with 2 kids who are used to being challenged and entertained most of the day... I could sure use a refresher course.

xo

Survivors

Me: "Come on, Dawson, its time to go to the store..."

Dawson: "No, I dont want to go. I want to stay here and pick wildflowers."

Me: "Ok, have fun being home alone. Watch out for the monsters."

Dawson: "Ok, I will. Bye."

...a few seconds later...

Dawson: "Anabelle! Are you staying here?"

Anabelle: "Nope. Im with Mom."

Dawson: "Stay here with me... its gonna be lots of fun."

Anabelle: "...welll.... I dunno...can you take care of me?"

Dawson: "Yep."

Anabelle: "Can you get me snack?"

Dawson: "Uh-huh... all by myself."

Anabelle: "Can you make us dinner if she doesnt come back for a long time...?"

Dawson: "I can make dinner... as long as you like breakfast for dinner..."

Anabelle: "You can make pancakes?!?!?"

Dawson: "Well, no... I can make cereal... but I just cant pour the milk. But we can still eat cereal for dinner..."

Anabelle: "OK!!! Mom! Im stayin with Daws."

So its settled, then.

My kids don't need me anymore.

As long as I leave the cereal on the counter where they can reach it.

Im Running A Marathon.

There.

I said it.

I haven't blogged about it yet.

I've told 'my people,' and talked about it probably a lot to the inner circle. Sorry if you're tired of hearing about it... I'm not growing new human life, or discovering the cure for cancer in my awe inspiring career, so I don't have much else to talk about.

There's been this little voice of doubt in my head since I committed. Maybe its bigger than little. Maybe its more of a screaming voice.

I didn't know if I could do it.

But I know it now.

I can do this.

I have a posse. Or they have me. We have each other.

They are crazy, and inspiring, and way more motivated than I would ever be alone. I've heard the expression 'iron sharpens iron...' but in my case, it feels more like they are the iron and I am the play dough.

Who would have ever thought play dough could be sharpened?

Not me.

But I am becoming the sharpest play dough I've ever seen. Ha.

26 miles is a lot of miles. Oh, and then there's that little ".2" on the end, just to make sure you're real good and dead.

So far, the furthest I've run is 16 miles. Thats ten short of what I need to be able to do in just six little weeks. But I can feel my body changing. I can feel it getting easier. I can feel my dreams getting bigger, and the finish line, or a whole new start line, is getting closer.

I'm not the fastest, or the strongest, or anything motivational like that. I'm not interested in those things for now, really. I don't know that I ever will be.

But I can honestly say that right now, I am at my personal best.

Its a psychological thing, I think. It makes me feel like a more organized, capable, intelligent person. It makes me feel like anything is possible if I want it to be, and that maybe the best is yet to come. I have now proven to my biggest critic- myself- that I can get up early 3 or 4 mornings a week, in the rain, in the dark... sometimes in the rainy dark... and do whatever is required for me to be able to put an X on my training schedule for the day. And not come home till its done. Its a sense of daily accomplishment that gives a whole new meaning to my life.

It hasn't been easy. Between the three of us, there have been sprains, swelling, blistering, chaffing, bleeding, tears. There are lots of mornings when we don't feel like doing it. But these girls are committed. And they've drug me into it... and made me believe it.

So I'm running a marathon. With my girls, and my little brother on his 21st birthday.

And now I know I can do it. So I'm not afraid to blog it.

And if anyone feels compelled to vacation in lovely San Diego on or around June 6th... feel free to meet us (Oh, and about 40 thousand other people) for a party at the finish line.

xo

Indeed.

(Just for you, Elissa Parrish!) ;)

Happy Easter, everyone.

Hope you all enjoyed a relaxing Sunday.


I've been in my sweats since noon. And took a 2 hour nap. And ate.

Heaven.

Sorry Tyson didn't make it into the family Easter pic during the frantic dash to get to church on time, 2010 edition.

You'll just have to take my word for it: he was hot.

xo

A Good Friday

Today is Good Friday- and I just can't help but think its a personal divine nod to our family.


Today was Tyson's last official day at his job at Prince cable.



Our family journey has been a rocky, steep, uphill climb the last 2 years or so. We've had some rough storms, some false starts, and gone thru some all around tough stuff. My kids have missed their dad tremendously as he worked long hours, 6 days a week. We've been struggling so much to stay connected with the most important of our family, who was gone from us so often, and so underpaid and unappreciated.



I realize a lot of young families go thru this. I know a lot of them personally. But I appreciate it and relate to it on a personal level now. Its not that life is impossible or utterly unbearable without Tyson around on a regular or consistent basis- but it does feel like a giant hole. Like we are just existing, and not really thriving. Its bread and water.



I've thought often this past year of the thousands of young families across our country who are serving overseas, and of the toll that takes on family life. It breaks my heart, and it keeps my own whining in perspective (sometimes). What courage and strength those men and their wives at home must have to move forward. And I understand on a new level why at times- they cant.



That is such a scary thought to me. The way distance and time apart can leach into relationships and tear people apart. The way life just sucks you in, and we go about fulfilling our obligations and responsibilities apart from those we love.



This blog is getting depressing, and heavy.



That was not my intent.



I imagine that must be how the disciples felt all those years ago, at the foot of the cross of their defeated "Savior," feeling like they'd lost their way and invested in a future that no longer existed. Probably feeling a little foolish, and wanting their money back? I don't know. All I'm saying is... doubt happens. Even to the most devout disciples.


And then.

Oh, and then.

After the darkness, and the grief, despair, tears, and the burial- the unimaginable.



Life was restored. And not only restored, but completely healed, and better than ever before.

Renewed strength. Battle scars, to bear the proof of the fight that was fought, and won. All the trials made sense. All their life's work and the struggle was validated.



I guess on this Good Friday, I am reminded that because of the price that was paid. Because of the fight that was fought, and the hope that we have. Because the unimaginable can happen under the most ordinary circumstances...



The McDermott's are headed for hope and for new life together. A life with shorter hours, and benefits.




We are starting over again. Maybe not for the last time. Maybe more battles- possibly harder ones than now lie ahead in the years to come.


But as of Monday, I feel redemption for the quality our family life.


And I am just so thankful for this Good Friday.


I ate a fillet of fish to celebrate.



xo