HOPE'S BIRTHDAY

I feel horrible. Hope turned 16 on September 16th and I didn't post her birth blog until today. What kind of mother am I? Obviously, a forgetful one.

Hope's birthday was quite involved as I've shared in other blogs. Suffice it to say we were the talk of Rogue Valley Medical Center on that Setpember day. They don't get many families where Mom, Dad and baby are all admitted at the same time, same day.

We love our Hope and thankfully, she was the healthiest one of us all. I couldn't go up to Scott's floor without putting her in the neo-natal unit. She looked like Godzilla in with all those teenie tiny's. A nurse from the maternity floor had to wheel me up to Scott's floor because I was not permitted to wander the facility. I felt silly, but rules are rules. Scott was hooked up to his oxygen, I was in the wheelchair, we were holding hands, watching Star Trek reruns. We looked pathetic. Now we laugh, at the time, not so much.

Hope and I got to go home the next day and Scott had to stay for another few days. Hope and I had gone shopping, gone to church, picked up sisters from school . . . all before Scott even got to hold his new baby girl.

She was a beauty and burst into the world with pomp and circumstance and hasn't slowed down yet.

I love you, my sweet Hope Josephine Roderick.

IN THE TREEHOUSE . . .

You would not believe how much fun we have in the Treehouse . . . every time . . . all the time. For instance, today . . .

A little girl came up to me during check out and wanted a hug. I hesitated, only because my throat was troublesome, and explained that to her. She smiled and went to sit by, I mean sit on, her friend. Her friend looked at me and said "Miss Cindy --- just farted (her word not mine) on me. I know because I felt the vibration." Both little girls then burst into laughter

During third hour today some 2nd grade boys were in the back goofing around while I was teaching. Shae was sitting behind them and asked them several times to tighten it up and be still. They kept pushing the envelope until another young man, who was trying to listen, said to them, according to Shae, "You guys are going to burn in hell." You must believe he did not learn that in the Treehouse.

I love the unpredictability of my job.

IT'S A 50'S THING: #11

I woke up this morning exhausted. I slept all night and still am not rested. My throat is scratchy and I have a huge day awaiting me. I am so tired. Whine, whine, whine.

As I get dressed I run from bathroom to bathroom, room to room. In a house full of girls needed items are to be found in all and any room in the Roderick mansion.

I have located the hairspray in the girls bathroom and spray the loose strands that are tossed about my head. I replace the cap and turn to see the shower curtain subtly moving. The flash of terror running through my mind causes a sudden yelp of fear as I know that someone has invaded our humble home.

Nope. Just my arm brushing against the plastic appendage hanging around the bathtub.

Sigh.

ANNA GRACE QUOTE

Anna Grace loved visiting the California cousins. But even more, I think she loved building a lasting relationship with Diesel and Dakota. She so enjoyed talking to them. And playing with them. And feeding them treats. Her conversations with the pups?

"Sit, sit, sit Dakota, Sit Diesel, sit, sit, SIT.

Yep. That's about it.

SHELLY QUOTE

Hope and Shelly were waiting for Anna Grace to finish her ice skating practice and they were carrying on a very serious conversation that went something like this.

Hope: I think I have shin splints from running on the beach yesterday.
Shelly: Yea, me too. My calves are killing me.

Hmm. Shelly are you sure you don't have Roderick blood running through your Randolph veins?

IT'S A 50'S THING: #10

Shae wanted to switch cars with us so she and her friends could drive down to San Diego for the day in one vehicle. We had no problem with that and gave her the keys. I walked out to the car with her chatting away and enjoying a beautiful SoCal morning.

Shae unlocked the car and got in to start her long journey. She looked at me with a face that could only mean horror. She began complaining about the smell in our car. "What happened in here . . . what is that awful smell . . . what died in here? I can not take this car to San Diego. My friends would pass out before we got out of HB." Those were the frantic words escaping her mouth.

"I don't know honey, Dad drove the car to work this morning." Enough said.

I don't know what that man, whom I love, eats, but we should bottle that aroma and contact national security. It could be used as a weapon of mass destruction.

CREATIVE MINDS

My sister, Shelly, and Addison were engulfing on an adventure that neither of them would dare tackle alone. They were going to create a lovely baby shower gift. They both missed the line when the creative gene was handed out. I am not being unkind. I am just stating a fact and they would heartily agree with me. They excel at many other talents, just not creativity. Here are several of the comments I heard escaping their mouths.

"Get a bowl and we'll roll them around that."
"Where are we going to hang all this stuff."
"We are really good at this."
"I hope she likes it."
"Get a camera and take a picture. No one will believe this."
"This is not working."
"I am tired."
"Do we really need this many?"
"Maybe we should glue it?"
"I can't believe people use these."
"Put your finger here and don't move."
"We could sell these."

What were they making? A disposable diaper cake.

Heaven help us.

SHAE AND WHOLE FOODS

A couple of weeks ago, as I got ready to leave for work, Shae came in and asked me to go to the new Whole Foods Store at Bella Terra with her. I was very excited to check it out and Shae had been talking to friends about all these new healthy eating stores that were opening. "Are you sure it is open?" She said she was positive so we hopped in the car and took off for Bella.

We chatted about all the good food and fun we were going to have. We arrived and it looked strange to me. "Are you sure Shae? I don't think it's open."

"Mom, I know what I'm doing. It is open. Now help me find a parking space." Being the loving and trustful mother that I am I believed her whole heartedly and started looking for a space.

As we drove through the lot I kept looking at the store. It was not open. I was sure of it, but I kept my mouth shut as a good mother does when she's setting a trap. As we drove around the back we peeked in an open window. There were not even fixtures inside the place. I glanced at Shae and she just said "I know Mom."

Oh Shae, it's going to be a while before Whole Foods opens, honey.