Sometimes we blow it.

Growing up is a hard, messy business; filled with do-overs, amazing triumphs, and regrets over how we wish we would have acted. Friday was such a day for Owen.

Owen, Luke, Lily and Garron (Owens' friend) were all walking home from the bus stop after school on Friday when some older kids who live in our neighborhood started picking on Luke. One of these kids, Justin, reached in and took half of Luke's Valentine's Day candy. Then Shaddy, another older kid, called Luke a gaywod. Justin shoved Luke so that he tripped and fell. Then, Shaddy laughed in Luke's face.

Owen walking behind, witnessing all of this.

Justin pushed Luke again and they both continued ridiculing and taunting Luke. Finally, Garron told them to leave Luke alone and got pushed for his trouble (way to be Garron!). Luke ran home and buried his head in his pillow, sobbing.

Moments later, Owen walked in and saw me with Luke. He tried to pretend that he didn't know what was going on. After I finished comforting Luke, I took Owen aside and told him that this is the most disappointed that I have ever been in him. I teared up a bit and told him that he blew it back there, royally. One of the most important things you can do in your life is to have the courage to stick up for your family, even if you're scared.

Owen was sobbing at this point and pounded his fists against the wall saying, "I'm just so mad at myself! I kept thinking while it was happening, 'if Justin does one more thing, I'll step in,' but I didn't and now I can't take it back. UGH, I'm just SO sorry! I didn't want to get into a fist fight with Justin and I knew that if I said something we would, so I didn't. I know that I should of, but I didn't and now I'm so mad at myself!!" he wailed.

We went and sat down in another room. I told Owen that sometimes we totally blow it when it counts, and today that happened to him. Luke needed his big brother--who is WAY bigger than either of those boys--to stick up for him and show those kids that the Meads stick together. That even if you get the crap kicked outta you--you stand up for your people when they get picked on. (Later, I did just this thing; retrieving the candy and an apology from the offending boys.)

I told Owen that at these moments we show what we're all about. Yes, it's hard sometimes and yes, it's going to be embarrassing or unpopular sometimes, but that's when it matters most. We hugged and the last thing I told him was to use this experience--how badly he felt right then--to make sure that the next time--there will certainly be a next time--to do what's right.

Let's aim to be courageous, not cowardly.

"When I get older and get me a kid, I'm going to name him Kevin."--Owen 8/6/13

Life is a blur. It's going a hundred miles per hour and I want to slow down and just enjoy for a moment but don't because there's so much to do! This blog is nice because it allows me to take a moment, look at pictures and events from our lives and see how much is changing. Hopefully it also means that I slow down a tiny bit when I can...

 

Owen is ten. He started insulin about a year ago and has gradually had to take more and more shots. Towards the end he was taking about six shots per day--that's alot of pokes! This past week he got his first diabetic pump, The Omnipod. So far it's been great, one poke every three days! Had some lower blood sugars and 1am checks but that's just par for the course.

Owen is such a great first child, he's my right hand man. Always there to help and trying to see how he can make things better:

• mom shouting? --clean the kitchen.
• mom rushing around trying to get out the door?--get Jack dressed.
• mom demanding quiet? take all the kids to the furthest room in the house and play.
• mom exasperated about messy house?--organize Luke and Lily and start a cleaning team.
• mom looking frustrated?--give her a hug and tell her something nice.

He is just such a great kid. A friend to everyone, life of the party and doesn't let the trials of his life get him down. Last Monday we were driving to the hospital to start his insulin pump and I was looking at him thinking how fast he's growing up. That just yesterday he was the fat little baby who was afraid to swallow food so he would chew it up and then spit it into a napkin. I was telling him how much I love him and how proud of him I am and I started to cry a bit. As I was talking I saw him wiping away little tears; he's still my little boy. He may have his first crush (Tatum Pile) and have plans for what he's going to name his children (Kevin?-really??) and maybe I have to drop him off at parties and pretend we don't know each other (Oakland party--Halloween 2013) but he's still mine. 

Baby boy Owie

Have I mentioned here that Owen was 12 lbs 4 oz when he was born (two weeks early I add)? Well, he was! I was mighty uncomfortable.

Owen pictured above receiving his Arrow of Light award -- the highest achievement in Cub Scouts.

Baby Owie turned 11-years-old on Friday. His Dad and I got him a BMX bike and his grandparents gave him money for a dirt bike.  The whole family went to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner and Owen's friend Garron came along. After, Dad took the kids to Iron Man 3, while I took Jackie home. Luke bought Owen a green Freedom shirt with his own money.

It wasn't a big production but was very nice day. Papa called and sang Happy Birthday! to Owen  and Dad and I made waffles and sausage for birthday breakfast. I brought doughnuts for Owen to share with his class (and I followed the specific instructions "maybe . . . you could just leave them in the office with a note and I can come pick them up." He's getting older).

We sure love this boy. Owen is a great first child; he genuinely wants to do good and make peace (unless your name is Luke--then he wants to tease you incessantly and push all your buttons). But seriously, Owen, we love you so much. You make us proud every day. You're into soccer right now and are pretty good! You're independent and a determined--once you set your mind to something we had better watch out. I love this about you.

*Sigh* You're getting older. You recently told me about a girl that you think is cute (I won't say her name here, *cough* Tatum Pile *cough).  And coincidentally, you've started wearing deodorant -- though you don't need it yet -- and an occasional spritz of cologne. You've also learned how to tie a tie. If I want something done, you are my go-to kid. You work hard and handle things that life throws at you with grace. This year you've started taking insulin regularly. You're our easy-going, happy spirit and we couldn't imagine living our lives without you.

We love you Owen. Happy Birthday!

Owie's village

Last summer while on vacation Owie picked up a shirt he just loved at H & M.

He wore it practically the entire vacation and it was his go to shirt when we got home. Here is Owen on the last day of summer this year with his life's ambition written out next to him ( to be a pie?). His shirt was pretty simple; I AM AWESOME...

I realized a few weeks ago that he had never worn it to school! He comes home and quite often will change into it before going to play with his pals but never to school. It's kind of sad seeing your kids grow up; starting to be aware of social situations and see their confidence dwindle, even just a little bit. Kids around his age start trying to fit in a bit more and not makes waves; above everything--don't make yourself a target.

Oh, middle school...I am SO not ready!

Owen's little group of friends is so fun and that makes me happy. Garron, Dylan, Cole, Eli, Jake, Sam, Tommy--they're such good boys. His little village. I am happy that he has these boys-an island of confidence in the sea of adolescence.

First day of school

For the first day of school I decided to start a tradition. Have the kids pose next to what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Lily, "I want to be a big girl!"  (she's probably thinking duh mom)

Luke, "I want to be a cashier." Later when asked why it was because he thought he'd be rich that way since that's where a lot of money is at.

Owen, "I want to be a pie." Um, no explanation necessary here people.

Put your hands up in the air.

Like you just don't care.

Have I ever mentioned that Jack is undefeated in our house for staring competitions? Well, he is. Months and months ago, maybe in February Luke challenge him and was woefully defeated. Not one to take a beating easily, Luke immediately re-challenged him and lost 39 seconds later. Also not one to learn from past mistake (love you Luke!) he re-challenged his re-challenge. Another lose.

Owen thought he would quickly put an end to Jacks reign (I mean--we can't have anyone else in the family winning things, after all) and lost faster than Luke. I recorded one such match and laugh every time I watched it. During the match, Luke would shout out (while still holding the stare), "JACK!! How are you doing this!!! You're incredible, no one will ever be able to defeat you! Master of Awesomeness, sir Jack."

. . .since that day the boys often refer to Jack as Master of Awesomeness. Boo-ya.

Owen and the girl.

From Coronado beach.

Being the only girl inevitable makes you cool (I'm not biased or anything either, being as I was also an only girl). But, seriously, IT tots does. We may miss out on a lifetime of having a built in best friend who knows you and your story better than anyone and also someone who can give you a little heads up about oh I don't know THAT WHOLE pregnancy and childbirth stuff. Being as we miss out on those gems it's only fair that our consolation prize is that we are cooler.

For instance, just a few moments ago Lily walked into the room and I asked her if she had just used the bathroom. To which she replied, "oh yeah I did. Ha! Just kidding I prank you mom!"

And! When she plays dress up she almost always has some sort of weaponry adoring her princess dress. A light saber, sword, hand cuffs, a plastic machete. . .you know, for safety. My kind of girl; she will look beautiful while delicately hacking her victims to a slow and painful death.

We are carefully preparing her for the dating scene. Delicately placing jewels in her arsenal like, "boys have a special private place where you can incapacitate them with one direct hit."

To which she replies, "what's incarp ac it gate?"

These photos have nothing to do with each other.

O and J

Double digits.

We continued the tradition of the crown against this birthday boys wishes. :(  He wore it for the photo and then immediately took it off and tried to hide it.

 For his tenth birthday we invited over his six best buddies and Luke's best buddy Pierce. We had a swim party at our house, Chad picked up two gigantic pizzas from Costco (which was completely eaten!), blew out candles on a bundt cake and then went to the bowling alley.

 Guess who won? This girl, much to the dismay of seven boys.

Owen had permagrin ear to ear the whole night. We celebrated him and the wonderful boy he is. He is quick to smile, has a kind and tender nature, is determined, genuinely wants to serve and choose the right. He's a great big brother who LOVES to laugh and tease... He loves chess, soccer, basketball and spending every free moment with friends. HE LOVES PEOPLE, people. We're loving seeing him grow and develop into such a sweet boy.

I will make them hate this.

In July we go away as part of a 'mother not losing her mind due to oppressive heat'. We've just returned to a weeks forecast of monsoon storms. . . .somebody's righteous living is finally paying off.

Together with Aunt VV, Ruffy and Chika (the dogs) we took this crew for a family friendly two hour hike. Two qualities I love about Aunt VV: is she is up for anything, and she has a ridiculous level of confidence in those she loves.

We decided to tackled Adams Canyon hike to the waterfall on a Wednesday afternoon. The hike started out rough; there were about a forty minutes of switchbacks under the full sun at a pretty steep incline. We.were.not.deterred.

We tried to make it enjoyable. Stopping and cooling our feet in a stream under some shade.  While eating some apples VV noticed a ton of bees surrounding us. Hastily we got our shoes back on and continued our journey up up up. Minutes turned into hours and our water supply was dwindling.

Three hours in we were out of water. Upon seeing other hikers returning we'd ask "how much farther to the waterfall?" Some were more encouraging than others, all offered praise for doing such a challenging hike with a baby and three little ones. We were spent. Totally exhausted and everyone was getting desperate for water. Looking down at the clock we gave ourselves fifteen more minutes to reach our goal, even if we didn't make it we'd have to turn back.

We raced off with new vigor, determined to not give up. We covered quite a bit of ground and I was so impressed with Owen, Luke and Lily. They dug deep and we pushed on. Twenty minutes we reached a point where it was so steep that we were basically crawling up the mountain, with Jack on my back I knew it was time to stop.

I hated quitting. I sat down on the trail with Luke and Lily, Vicky and Owen scouted out a few minutes up the mountain to see if we were closing in on our goal. I sat there hoping we were. They returned with the news that we were another thirty minutes away and it only got steeper and less of a trail and more gigantic boulders.

Quittin time.

As we walked down the trail I knew it was the right call. We had given it everything but come up short.  Which, in life is okay. Win some, you lose some. Four hours and fifteen minutes and we never saw the waterfall.

On the way down we chatted about when we finally got some water how we were going to drink it, what size glass we would use, whether we'd wait and get cold filtered water or guzzle it from the hose next to the front door.

It was a trying, difficult experience but I was such a proud mama of how tough my little ones were; mentally and physically. They pushed themselves, and that was better to see than any waterfall.

This made me smile

Chess is pretty much a daily thing around here. Both boys are playing. Chad is still.playing.all.the.time.
















They go every Wednesday night to chess club and Lily is still desperate to go with. Chad sets up games and tactics for them to work through. Last Saturday they went to another tournament. Guess who got a trophy this time?!! Mr. Luke. Came in fourth place and he felt about ten feet tall. Chad and I were so happy that his efforts were rewarded. Happy day!

The money hunt, 2012