Thursday, February 28, 2008

Our Fun Fun Winter is melting away. . .

The snow is melting and the sun is warming the earth - only light jackets needed lately. However, we sure had fun in the snow while it was here. The pile next to our driveway became larger and larger as the season went on, shoveling and shoveling and shoveling. So Hana and I went outside and she assisted me in making a fun snow fort (she patted the snow down inside the fort - she was an awesome helper).
We brought the kids little chairs out to sit in it and play for a little while. Conrad was sleeping when we made it, so he was very surprised when he came outside. The roof is made from some extra window screens we had lying around. (Note Conrad's pink hand-me-down snow pants from Hana - who actually got them as a hand-me-down from Sara - good times :))

It was a very good winter this year. Beautiful, fresh snow every week, and sometimes every other day. Tuff to drive in all the time, but way better than the previous years with no snow for a weeks and a smoggy inversion settling in the valley. We had many blue skies this winter, awesome. And now - I love the warm sun and the bright beginnings of spring.

Misunderstandings . . .

Life is full of them. I, for one have realized that I learn more and more about myself with every misunderstanding. I thank God each moment of each day for learning experiences!

I also wanted to say that if there have been any misunderstandings in any of my blogs - I would like to whole-heartedly clarify that I never had any intensions of offending anyone or tarnishing any individuality of any person. I love you all and appreciate that I can share part of my life with you through this blog. Thank you for also sharing a bit of yourselves with me through the comments you add. I love it and appreciate it.


TYF

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Never mind . . .

. . . about my mom getting married.

Sorry I didn't post this sooner - for those who keep commenting on the previous post.- oops.

She broke it off . . . as of Monday, Feb. 25th. I am not sure what more to say about it. I guess I wanted to make this post so that anyone reading the previous post would not be mislead and think she is still engaged. Details about it can really only be shared by my mom herself.

- if any family members or friends are wondering what happened with it - you are welcome to call my mom :) she is totally comfortable with sharing (I asked her about posting this before I did it). Although if some don't feel totally comfortable calling or asking her, I am willing to give you some simple details about it - please call me though - I don't know if I really want to blog about it - ya know :)


love y'all . . . Thank you so much for all the support and reassurance from all those who commented on the previous post . . . and thanks for all the love and support everyone has shown and continue to show in my mom and family members lives.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Is the rumor true . . .?

A few people have called me, asking if the rumor is true - and yes it is. My mom is getting married - to a nice man named Jeff Shmuts (I think that is how his last name is spelled - pronounced "Smoots"). Last I heard they were thinking of May 10th - this year of course - so tentatively mark your calendars. I am not sure if it will be a small or large wedding - but it sounds like it will be in someone's backyard.

(Beware - if you don't want to know how I really feel about all this - please don't keep reading :))

Initial reactions:

- surprised (but not)
- excited and very happy (for my mom - we all knew she would not or could not be "alone" for too long - she is still young - and now we know she's still got it goin' on.)
- nervous or questioning (for how it would affect my younger siblings)
- anticipation (to get to know him and his family)
- curiousity (Hmmm . . . what will this be like?)

-Wow - 3 Jeff's in the family (Mom's brother, my brother, and now her husband) - (we teased that Becky and Cami are only aloud to marry a Brad or a Michael now- since I married a Scott. :))

A few Initial questions (I have asked - and addressed with mom):

- Have you (mom) even told Dad's family you are dating? (they are all informed now :))


-How soon are they planning on getting married?

- How does his (Jeff) family feel about it? (that is a continual question)

- Who is this guy? (I have only met him once)

- How will this affect us all? (his family, our family, etc)

- Where is Jeff and his family at with the fact that we don't practice their religion? (This is always a big question for most people - and the fact of the matter is, that it matters to people (like myself). Spirituality is important to many people in religious settings and non-religious settings.)

Current thoughts, questions, and feelings: ( have shared all these with my mom)
Wow! I am not sure how much I should share of these things - I may keep it simple for now.

- How much of my mom will we be losing to this new family? (some may be shocked that I and others in my family have this question - but it is a real feeling and thought - perhaps the same question comes up for his kids about Jeff.)

- Why do they have to rush things so quickly? (there are a lot of people involved here)

- When I comment to friends or family that I feel Mom and Jeff are moving a little too fast, a couple people have said "Well, you and Scott were only engaged a couple months" or they give other examples of other people and when they first got married (at age 20 or so) I feel like that is a very unrelated, and perhaps dumb response to my concern. And I have two responses for it:
-- 1- It was our or those people's 1st marriage in their early 20's (we only had us to worry about.)
-- 2 - They have 13 children, spouses, and grandchildren to blend into the family along with their marriage, with life long history's of relationships and traditions (small and big) with each other and with our parents, alive and deceased. (it won't hurt anyone to wait for a few to several more months to help everyone perhaps get to know each other, make it a little more smooth - I am excited to blend traditions and relationships, but lets make it a happy experience, all around.)

- I also find it funny when I share any frustrations with people who have never experienced a divorce, or remarriage, or blending families, etc. - they totally shut down, or try to change the subject to a conversation with a more happy topic. Why does it always have to be bunnies and flowers with everyone? (okay - not everyone, I guess just some people)

- I am so glad I have my brother Brad to talk to!!! (we keep it real ;) - thanks bro.)

(I better end on a lighter note - for the bunnies and flowers kind of people - sure love ya!)

- I still am very excited for my mom and I am looking forward to meeting Jeff's kids. I think we are a fun family and it sounds like they are too. So, I know it will work out in it own time - and who knows maybe we eventually won't be able to live without each other.



TYF!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Catching up - Part 2. . . Oct/Nov '07

Fun masks the kids designed and colored!! Superhero power!
Here are my cuties at Halloween! Hana's recycled Bear costume for Conrad - he loved growling like a Bear! Of course Hana as Princess Snow White - she insisted that we cut her hair short like that so she looked more like Snow White (I was cool with that!) We had a blast trick o treating with them. Hana loved it and Conrad (Mr. Independent) carried and dragged his bucket of candy from house to house and refused to let anyone help him with it or even carry him. It was hilarious!
Two Superheros and their favorite blankets as super-capes, harnessing their Superhero Powers! Total concentration! :)

Monday, February 11, 2008

Catching up - Part 1. . .


On Dec. 16th 2007 Hana turned 5!
She had an "Under the Sea" Party the day before. She also wanted fish for her birthday - so she was so thrilled when she got them. She got 2 fish. She named them Rose and Goldie. They are still alive - which is amazing - and they are kind of fun to have! I can't believe I have a five-year-old! Wow - time flies! She sure is fun to have in our family. She is my little teacher - full of wisdom and spunk!

We also had Breakfast with Santa the day before her birthday as well. Conrad got to be Rudolph on Santa's lap as he and the kids sang the song "Rudolph ..." It was hilarious- as seen in the picture below. He sat so still while that flashing red nose was on his face. :) The kids got balloon shapes and their face painted - of course time to tell their Christmas wishes to Santa - and a delicious breakfast. We were there with Scott's family. It sure was fun!!!





Friday, February 8, 2008

It is what it is . . . and to me it is amazing!

2/3/06 Two years gone . . . a life time full of memories!
I love you! I miss you!

Thank you, Dad, for all you taught me, showed me, and helped open my eyes to. I am who I am today partial because of you. The combined harmony you and mom brought to our family and your combined teachings and love created our Glauser Masterpiece.




. . . and now . . . The first chapter of our New Family book is now being written with excitement, wonder, joy and pure love!!! (Thank you, Dad, for some assistance with it) I cannot find words to express, but my heart is full with the knowing that this new book will also be a Masterpiece. A new combined harmony is now being created! It is beautiful. I welcome it with open arms. What an amazing gift and adventure. Thank you Jeff S. :) , for bringing this new love to Mom. Thank you for being willing to share your heart and your family with ours. I am so excited and look forward to it all!!!

T.y., F!!!

Monday, February 4, 2008

Our 6th Anniversary! Wow!



Saturday, February 2nd, was our 6 year wedding Anniversary! I can't believe it has been 6 years. It sure has been a mind blowing experience. I love my life! It really ROCKS!

Scott and I decided to take the kids to Classic Fun Center that day. Hana and Conrad both got scooters for Christmas and they have been practicing up and down our 10 ft long hall way for the last month. So both kids had a blast having a whole skating rink to ride on. (At CFC they let kids ride their scooter or skate, cool huh!) Scott and I had a blast watching them. Hana got faster and faster. Conrad had a couple wipe outs before he got the hang of it. Imagine Hana in her own little world going around the rink and Conrad trying to keep up with her - if he lost sight of her he would stop right in the middle while kids were wizzing by him, then if he saw her he would try to drag his scooter over to her, he then would give up and leave his scooter in the middle of the rink and run after her. It was hilarious. About an hour into in I rented some skates and skated with the kids. It was great!! I made the mistake of pushing Conrad around while he just stood on his scooter - this of course led to him not wanting to do it on his own after that. Oh well - it was fun!

Don't get the wrong idea - Scott and I did have quite a bit of time later with out the kids. Scott's fabulous parents took the kids overnight and we picked them up the next day and stayed at their house to watch the Super Bowl.

Saturday evening Scott and I went to Starbucks and had some delicious drinks and wonderful, uninterrupted adult conversation. Then off to dinner at Tepanyaki restaurant!! IT WAS FABULOUS! The next day(yesterday) we went grocery shopping (without kids - nice) and had another cup 'o joe together. It was great.