Good hair is hard to come by.

In no particular order. . .a hair journey through the years:

• fifteen tiny knots on the head trend
• Katie Holmes hair of 2007- dumpy version
• Cowlick dead center of hair with curls and hot pink hair accessory
• Some of these I cannot comprehend
• Tried for years to be blonde
• Nati-curl 
• Plastic hair cap under straw hat, sexy!

Now that you are armed with A LOT of blackmail I'll end it with some good ole fashion Sunday hair otherwise known as the pinnacle.

Possibly the worst apology in history.

A few weeks ago Luke received the greatest worst apology ever.

Owen, Luke and one of Owen's friends were all out swimming in the pool. *Screech* Mothers know many screeches, which family members they arise from, and what offenses cause them. This screech was from illegal use of force.

It's dangerous to use excessive force against Luke. You hurt me?! As Luke sees it, he's authorized to inflict serious harm on you if you violate section you lay a hand on me and you'll regret it, subchapter 2. Hate to do it but thems the rules and we don't make up the rules.

Owen and his friend, SmEli (names have been changed to protect the guilty), come racing to the door shouting that Luke had attacked them. (Rookie mistake. The guilty usually are the ones yelling the loudest.) I begrudgingly referee the proceedings. Sometimes I mediate, usually I don't, but here I had a sneaking suspicion that poor Luke was simply following section 29.2-18 of the above referenced law.

Owen and SmEli made the same argument: I was doing nothing and then Luke just attacked SmEli.

I gave them my best Gary Coleman-look--what you talkin about Willis?--to best solicit the truth when SmEli's conscience attacked . . .  but only a little.

SmEli: Luke had the noodle and I wanted the noodle so I asked him to give me the noodle and he said no, so I strangled him.

I laughed at this and said, HA! You took on the wrong kid! I looked at his back all scratched up from Luke and told him, Luke isn't exactly the turn the other cheek kind of kid; now apologize.

SmEli: Luke, if I strangled you, and if that bothered you, then I'm sorry.

Classic.

People are crazy, and good all at the same time.

Months ago Jack was hospitalized for an incision infection -- curse you stupid surgery repair and repeated infections! We are all better now, but we've learned to leave WELL ENOUGH ALONE. So, Jack was sitting in his crib in the hospital playing with his Jack-in-the-box. He had just learned to wind it to make it jump. He was doing his thing while I was speaking to his nurse. He looked over at us and asked for some milk and to read a book using his adorable baby sign language.

His well-intentioned nurse was absolutely dazzled with Jackie and turned to me and said--these are her words exactly--"he is the smartest little retard I have ever seen." She's from India, so there was a language barrier.

I had so many options, I could:

 1. Cry like a baby;

 2. Give her the stink eye;

 3. Raise my fists to the sky in agony; or

4. Smile and laugh a little at the insanity of it all? Yes, yes he is.

For the most part, people are good and aren't trying to be INCREDIBLY insulting. Granted, there are jerks out there and I will read the RIOT Act to any one who messes with my babies! But, usually, people are kind and considerate.  Occasionally, some are misguided but overall most are good. Everyone screws up on big and small things. But I try to look at their intentions. A fool takes offense when none is intended. Even if people are misguided, generally they are trying to be good and kind. If so, cut 'em some slack. Maybe smile and nod or kindly educate them, but then, let it go. Lighten up. After all the only thing we can control is how we allow things to affect us.

Happy Memorial Day!

For Memorial Day we did our patriotic duty to have as much fun as possible. We also impulsively purchased a US flag at Costco the weekend prior so that we could finally be legit. Ten years of home ownership and the Mead's finally broke down and bought a flag. God bless America!

Against all reason and logic we thought it would be a good day to introduce Chad into my world of paddle boarding. One billion drunk, and somewhat slow, people looking for a good time? Yeah, lets go where they are. Chad used my board and I borrowed a friends, being 6 feet 5 inches tall is not without its own set of challenges. When you stand that much higher than the water it proves to be quite the challenge to actually doing the standing portion of the stand up paddle boarding.

Being the stud Mr. Mead is he did some slight modifications to the sport and we were our way. Chad enjoyed the general beauty the river provides; even if it was littered with the dregs of society (and their aluminum cans).

Three hours later and we're still in love!

The kids and I went to a Memorial Day party where my friends nudged me to cut Jack's hair for the first time. Jack was sporting the world's tiniest Donald Trump comb over. His hair was short and long and wavy--all at the same time. Jack was quite sad to see it go.

He would only be happy if I agreed to be covered by his precious hair too.

Here's the result! Jack spent the entire party hanging with mom and her friends, looking on at big brothers and sister swimming, and emptying Shelly's purse (over and over again). Good times! USA! USA! USA!

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!

Not to be forgotten:

 We've been busy over here growing up; here are some photos that show what we've been up these past few weeks.

Chess is still a large part of our lives, Chad is still playing and improving and the boys are going strong. They go to chess club every Wednesday night with Chad but they seem to really enjoy playing with their friends who don't play. . .

Owie started wearing a real tie. It's been a few weeks of this and he is able to do it all on his own. Sniff.

This photo just slays me, it was with his DSI therapist Erica. She got him to stand without holding onto anything by starting with him leaning backwards along the wall while she blew bubbles to keep him distracted. His smile. . .no words.

The first plunge of the year, second Saturday of April; Owen, Luke, Garron and Roger. They were happy little Popsicles!

Oh my. Jackie's first bike ride. I kept turning around to make sure he wasn't scared and was smiling away then every time I even slowed down a little he frantically signed MORE!

Lily pad back in her seat, she was pretty jealous that Jack is now riding in her seat.

Chad and I went to the Phoenix concert at the Marquee in Phoenix! Awesome show!!

Just before Jack went in for his infected incision repair, passing time in THE BIG RED CAR.

Jackie just loves books. I catch him in his room daily thumbing through books. His very very favorite book is Brown Bear. 

Dear babies, do you know how much we think about you?

I can distinctly remember when Owen was born thinking, "whoa, I can't believe my parents loved me this much!" When he was born, I felt an all encompassing love and concern for another person that was completely unique.

 

Chad and I are both talkers. We talk on walks, by the pool, laying in bed (but not sharing blankets--Chaddy has his special bunky) and quite often we talk about our babies. Chad is the only other person on the planet that cares for them as much as I do.  I love that. We share our frustrations about them, laugh at the ridiculous things they do, plan how to get them to do one thing or another. We worry and hope, but are excited for all of their futures. Blood, sweat and tears baby.

You don't appreciate or even know how much your parents freaking love you when you're being raised. We love you so much that an hour rarely passes where one of us isn't actively doing something to build up you and your future. And worry, oh baby . . . fughedaboutet! Someone should give you a heads up about how much you'll worry. Can you worry about another human being ten-hours-per-day, on average? Yes. Perfect, welcome to parenthood. Worries:

•  Will you ever be potty trained?
•  Will you ever eat by your mouth and stop tube feeding?
•  What is that red mark on your cheek--is it cancer?
•  How can I get you to stop teasing your brother (OWEN!);
•  Will you have good friends?
•  Will you have any friends?
•  Who will care for you when daddy and I are gone?
•  What after-school program is best for you?
•  Should I request a certain teacher for you?
•  How can I teach you to be more forgiving?
•  Will you know how to work hard?
•  Will you ever be able to read?
•  Can you read on grade level?
•  Can you read above grade level?
•  Will you read porn?

I could go on forever.
So you see dear babies, you are always at the forefront of both of our minds. We just love you desperately and want the best for you. We see so many of your strengths and weaknesses and want to do absolutely everything within our power (unless we need to let you struggle on your own to figure out hard things--see?!? IT'S COMPLICATED) to help you become the very best babies you can be.

Ei ya yai. Know this my babies, you have two people who couldn't be more in your corner if they tried. Baby--we own that corner.

Always remember--mama loves you. (Dad couldn't be reached for comment on this at the time of publication.)