five possible reasons why i haven't updated the blog in a really long time

1. My laptop died an untimely death on me a month or so ago—by the way, I thought Macs were supposed to live forever and ever!—and I've been experiencing horrible withdrawal symptoms ever since. After all, that laptop and me...we've been attached at the hip for a few years now. I am coping a bit better these days but I sure wish I had the funds to replace it. Especially as the only other computer in the home is already in heavy use by Jack (for job searching) and Matthew (for Lego browsing).

In related news...I've recently made great strides in overcoming my internet addiction.

2. My camera, taking its cue from my laptop, also decided to bite the dust. Well, more technically, it was my zoom lens that broke. I was laying down on the grass (looking up at Matthew to take a picture of him) when my lens just collapsed on itself. Now I can't even twist it to zoom in or out (it's stuck halfway in between) and there's a big metal piece that has come loose inside of it. I'm figuring that's probably not a good thing, right?

In related news...Matthew is suffering from self-esteem issues stemming from the fact that he was so ugly he broke my camera. (Allright, so maybe we kidded him a bit about it.)

3. It's summertime. Which means we're spending more time outdoors than indoors these days. And the kids (& Jack) have been swimming up a storm in the creek. Matthew has advanced beyond the doggy paddle (thank the lord!) and Hoonie is amazing us with his water skills every day. I'm thinking it's possible that he'll be swimming (unaided) by the time summer is through.

In related news...Jack, Matthew and Hoonie all have beautiful golden summer tans. Me? Not so much.  :P

4. We've also been trying to take a few trips here and there when we can. This included some time on the Sonoma coast just recently. When Jack and I were young and in looooove, we would spend many of our weekends out on the Sonoma coast. Jack lived in Santa Rosa for a while (going to graduate school at Sonoma State) and I would come out to visit him from college (in the Napa Valley). Anyhow, Hoonie got to experience the beautiful Pacific for the very first time and, to tell you the truth, couldn't get enough of it...tidepooling, the waves and especially the sand. Plus, Matthew finally got the chance to see some really tall redwoods at Armstrong Grove (and was duly impressed).

In related news...I have recent pictures to share! Mom, you can now pick yourself back up from the floor (she's been waiting forever for these!).

It was pretty foggy when we first got to the beach for low tide but it burned off by mid-morning. The boys loved tidepooling, especially Matthew. We saw starfish, nudibranchs, crabs, chitons, snails, a dead seal (eww!) and a bunch of seaweed! :)

Matthew has been fascinated with tall trees for a while now. He's always wanted to go walking in a redwood forest and finally got a chance to! :) By the way, if Hoonie kinda looks like he has a black eye or two it's only because, well, he kinda has a black eye or two. :P He's actually recovering in these pictures...he used to look a lot worse!

Ah, the beautiful Sonoma coast. I can never get enough of the sand and sea. Too bad we live over three hours away. Hoonie's shorts were once blue but they soon became covered in wet sand. Imagine a wet Hoonie rolling around in the sand and smearing it into his hair (because that's pretty much what happened).

5. And finally, the most likely reason my blog hasn't been updated in over a month is because I am now officially a working mom. I began working last week at the community college located down the road from us. With Jack out of work (since December), things were getting out of hand for us financially. Way out of hand. So I decided to throw my hat into the job searching arena too. And guess what? Before I even knew it, I was filling out paperwork at Human Resources. Thankfully, the transition hasn't been all that bad but I think that's only because Jack is home to watch the boys. Once—if, that is!—he manages to find a full-time teaching position, though, things will change. Hoonie will most likely have to be enrolled in daycare (boohoo!) and we'll probably have to put Matthew in after-school programs. Just the thought of it makes me a bit sad so I'll leave it at that. :(

So, where does this leave the blog? I'm not sure yet. To tell you the truth, I'm pretty tired after getting home from work and when I do, I usually just want to hang out with the kids and build Lego sets or play the Wii with them (I'm getting really good at Mario Kart, by the way!). Then since I feel sorry for Mr. Mom, I try to help him out with all the house stuff if I can too. I'm thinking that I might change the focus of the blog a bit and just share some photos now and then along with some quick captions. Ah decisions, decisions. Right now, I think I'm just going to decide to enjoy my weekend because they're more precious than ever before!

Hope you all have a good one! :)

Comments

[marie]

i am sending good positive thoughts your way and perhaps my lucky charms. missed you!

[anne kim]

hi rita, thanks for updating us on what's been going on. Please post pics with captions if you can, you take the most beautiful pics of your family. Sounds like you're busy, but the kids are in great hands. :) Poor hoonie, did he fall? My evan just broke his arm and in a full arm cast! I thought kids were resilient. If I don't get to talk to you, happy birthday next month. :)

[kristen]

wow..that's a lot to swallow right now! i just love your positive humor about life's bumps in the road! and the pictures...amazing! just wanted to stop by and say hi and thanks for the comment on my new blog. my first celebrity comment. :) good luck with your new teaching gig!

[Barb]

wow, you're a busy gal! congrats on the job!
and oh my, your boys are just as cute as EVER!

[LisaE]

Well, I'm feelin' your pain. I just went back to work full-time as a Speech Pathologist in an elementary school, and in order to get my permanentteaching certificate to work in the schools, I have to take 15 hours of classes at the university - in 4 semesters - on top of working full-time - with 4 kids (17, 15, 14, and 10)- and a husband who travels some, but thankfully, is WONDERFUL about helping out at home. So, I decided that only the MOST important things would occupy my time outside of work. Which is basically my family, and church. I've cut WAAY back on my commitments and learned to say the magic word: "no". It's actually fairly liberating, I think, to be able to say "no" and not feel guilty, because, well,dangit, I just can't do it all!;p Anyway, just wanted you to know I'll be thinking of you and praying for you. It will all work out, and your little guys will do just fine. Hang in there!!

[TracieClaiborne]

Glad to see an update from you! Sorry you had to go to work. I know you're not alone in that. I'll be a lot of SAHM's are now considering employment. I just quit my job because it was giving me a nervous breakdown trying to work full-time from home and homeschool. So now we'll be poorer but I'll be happier. :)

Love your pictures, as always! So sorry to hear about your lens and computer! Wow - that's a tough break!!!