Ready Positions!

Gammy's Ode

We spent the first night in our new home on April 10th.  (More on that later...)  I received this letter as an email from Gammy shortly after. I think it stands to reason that Wyatt made just as much of an impression on her, as she did on him.  Thankfully, we didn't move very far.

To Future Wyatt,

When you look back on your youth, you might not even remember that you lived with me and Pa for your first five years. I could tell you about all the lessons and values I attempted to instill in you along with your momma but instead let me tell you some of the lessons you taught me.

 1.  Love +++ There is no limit to love. You proved that to us all, at times we were busting with it and just when we thought 'That's it I can’t possibly love this child anymore' you would come out with yet another antic that would stretch the boundary a little further.

2. Anger +++ It’s impossible to be angry, sad, or mad when you have someone snuggled up in your lap.

3.  Family +++  At dinnertime you would look around the table and remember who was missing and were happiest when all the chairs were filled. Family means everything!

4. Creativity  +++ Legos are amazing. You taught me everything I know and helped me to become as obsessed as you are. We spent many happy and creative hours building, rebuilding and then modifying. 

5. Bravery +++ You taught me not to be afraid of General Grievous from Star Wars (I have to admit I am still a little intimidated trying to fight him with a light saber on the Wii.) You encourage me to try my best and it warms my heart when you say to me “Try to be brave Gammy!” I will try Wyatt and I feel I will always be bravest when you are with me.

6. Books +++  No matter if its past your bedtime,  there is always time to read a book. And when the light goes out we can still tell stories. Remember the one where your birthday party was in a spaceship and your presents were floating around because of the anti-gravity and you had to put on your gravity boots and jump around to catch your presents. Unforgettable moments that I was lucky enough to share with you.

I could go on but I think you know now how much these five years have meant to me. Thank you Kate and Wyatt for letting me share so closely in this amazing journey. I know this is not an ending just a new chapter and we will have many more happy moments ahead. You two have been a great joy and blessing to me and continue to be everyday. I love and adore you both.

With heartfelt love from your Gammy of the past.

Sista's

62 Months

Big Guy,

I have to admit, I have been a little absent this month.  Not really absent, I spend everyday with you.  But absent more then I usually am.  I have been plunking you in front of your wii so I could paint the house.  Or spending my Sunday after work at the house, while you played with Gammy and Pa.  Plus I have been going out a lot, knowing that once the move happens my social life is going to get more complicated.  Also understanding that you will need me more when it is just the two of us.  Its been stressful.  I've felt guiltily about leaving you so much in Gammy's capable hands whether its to do work on our home or its it grab a beer to decompress from working on our home.  But I really think it is going to be worth it in the end.

Birds of a feather...

We had an open offer to join my friend, Thomas, at his house in Vermont to go skiing.  We finally took advantage of it.  We left at 9pm planning on driving through the night with you sleeping.  Of course, we decided to go in a mild snowstorm.  Awesome for skiing. Not so much for the roads.  By 2am, into back roads VT, Jen and I were white knuckled as our car was skidding out all over the place.  Eventually, about 10 miles from his house, our car decided it wasn't going to make it anymore.  Lacking 4 wheel drive we got stuck on a hill.  I offered to leave it, jump in Thomas's Jeep and illegally make the rest of the drive with you on my lap.  Thomas and Seth decided to tie a rope from his car to mine, in a snowstorm, at 3 in the morning, and tow/drive the rest of the way.  As soon as this was going on, you woke up and demanded to know "What is going on?  Is this a dream?" And you stayed at rapt attention until I got you out of the car and into the house still not entirely convinced it was real life. 

I signed you up for ski school so you could learn with professionals and I could get some slope time in as well.  You were really excited and marched right off without a second glance behind you.  I think Jen was more nervous then either of us.  It was the most perfect day for learning, with all the snow the night before it was beautiful powder, sunny, and warm for skiing.  I was surprised at how good I was after not being on skis for 7 years.  But I was even more impressed with you on skis.  I went to pick you up early from ski school and watched you for a while.  You had made friends.  You got on the magic carpet like you had been doing it for years.  You went down the little training slope by yourself.  I was so proud of you for jumping right in.

Thomas, Seth, Jen and I waited for you to finish your lesson and asked if you would like to try a chair lift.  Thomas used to be a ski instructor on Mt. Snow for years so even though I was a little hesitant, you seemed confident and with Thomas' help at least we would get down!  You loved the lift but were a little intimidated by the bunny hill.  Thomas ended up skiing backwards in front of you, I stayed by your side, while Seth and Jen shouted encouragements and took pictures.  We made it down.  It took a long time but we did it.  And then we all called it a day and went to the bar!

The next day I took you by myself.  We missed the opening for the lesson because of a lazy morning.  The only thing they had left was a snowboarding lesson, which I thought was awesome but you didn't want to.  I didn't want to push it because you did so well the day before.  So, we hit the bunny slope.  You were definitely more tentative with just me.  You wanted to hold my hand the entire time but I knew you didn't need too. We had a blast anyway.  You were one of the best skiing partners I could have had.  It really was an amazing trip.  I can't wait take advantage of Thomas' house next season a lot more.

At bedtime, we have reinstated talking about our highs and lows.  You have also added "left and right" which are the funniest part of our day and the overall feeling of the day.  I think it is a testament to what kind of kid you are that every night you start off with your high being "right now and the whole day."  Then I make you think about it and give me a real answer.  I can't even remember the last time that you had a low.  You always have several funny parts.  Including lots of things that I don't remember like "when you said "monsteroni and peas instead of macaroni and cheese.  That was funny."  Your feelings are always happy or excited or content.  Clearly, I am instilling my sense of perpetual optimism from a very young age.

I love you everyday, 

Momma

Snow Bunnies