It’s 7:25 am, I’ve just finished going over Maki’s Spanish vocabulary test for his test today, while he ate his cereal. I marvel at his adolescent memory skills. Were we really all like that once upon a time?
Here is the continuation of our individual family updates that I couldn’t finish last night.
Earlier this week, we finally took Vernon’s big computer monitor out of the garage and set it up for Maki in the office. (I set it up for me too, but already he’s getting more use out of it.) I’d promised for some time that we’d get him the student subscription to Creative Cloud, with the idea that if we wants to spend time on the computer on school nights, he has to be learning a valuable skill. Illustrator was his first interest, but he is already picking his way through Photoshop. I have a feeling he will forgo his weekend video game rights to spend more time manipulating images and working on his “logo.’ For me, its exciting to watch the wheels of his mind click in.
In the picture above, Maki is wearing one of his dad’s tee-shirts. There are a few things he has discovered in his dad’s closet (most things are packed away) which quickly become favorites. The thing is…they are starting to fit him. I think Maki gets better use out of them than Vernon would anymore.
Hulk Hogan with a kitten head. Hmmm… time well spent, I’m sure.
Justine is currently celebrating her stint as the Kindergarten Star of the Week.
Every child will have a week as the Star, where they get to head the line each day and share some personal details with their classmates. The parents sign them up in advance, but they don’t need to know that. Here is Justine’s special homework:
“I want to be an actress when I grow up and my favorite song is “Style” but Taylor Swift and I have the bestest brother.”
My Family: “A picture of when my dad comes home from hospital (with imaginary pet snake.)”
How Would I Make the World a Better Place? “Picking up papers from someone who drops them.”
One wish: “That I could catch a butterfly and keep it in my room.”
As for myself, I’m always updating. Yesterday I checked out an audio book at the library by Mesa Verde to keep me company on the commute. It was “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. It had been on my radar for awhile, especially as a movie was made, but come on…its just young adult fiction. I only picked it up for some lighthearted fun, but a few miles into my drive, tears were already streaming. It wasn’t sad yet, it was just so well written from a teenager’s point of view. This is exactly the book I would have loved in High School had it been written then. It didn’t take me long to realize what it was touching in me is the young love cell that never completely goes away. I let myself cry, realizing it was a surprise opportunity to mourn something…ROMANCE. If I’m sobbing in the first chapter of teen fiction, of all things, I know something real is happening. So I embrace it and it passes through.
I think mourning happens a little at a time, not all at once like we think it is supposed to. My friend Sandy, herself a widow, often tells me that grief should be treated like a champagne bottle. If all the bubbles were to come out at once, the glass would explode and make a huge mess. Instead, the air is meant to be released slowly, a little at a time, gently sipped and experienced in moments as long as the champagne lasts.
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Allison,
You are doing well with Justine and Maki. Wish that Vern would really come out of it but it will happen when we least expect it.
We are still praying for him and the family so get thru this like champions. My husband’s Aunt is suffering from liver cancer and she may not have long to live on this earth. She is taking her 3 chemo treatment today and then maybe she will go home and see how it works.
Love,
Becky Jones
My favourite book is Charlotte’s Web too! One of my favourite foods is chocolate. I think Justine and I have a few things in common!! Lovely to see Downton Abbey there too – so very English. 😉 (I may be the only English woman of a “certain age” who doesn’t watch it – sshhhh don’t tell anyone!)
I read your update every morning before I shower and head to work. You are in my thoughts so very often, sorry that I am so rubbish at letting you know that! xxxx
Thank you, Nicky! I appreciate that. I don’t think Downton Abbey is her favorite show, but she does love being allowed to watch period dramas with me from time to time and we just started the new series. They are the only grown-up shows that generally speaking, won’t surprise us with adult themes that seem to pop out from no-where. And the ‘inuendo’ still goes over her head!
are you getting the new Downton?? this is the last one they will be doing (there is 9 episodes ..and a christmas special)..all changing at the big house !!..after 6 series we have reached 1925… always think of you when i watch it ..so pleased you can still get to see it xx
Some good recommendations for me here. I’ll have to look into Creative Cloud. Sounds like a great use of computer time. And It’s good to know The Fault in our Stars is worthwhile. I’m sure I would love it. I love your thoughts on grieving slowly, too. Let yourself experience each moment fully as it comes.
Hi Acacia! Maki wants to be a graphic designer one day…I told him if he was sure about that, then let’s get him on track. I personally feel that skills and work ethic are more important than a college education…which we are hoping he will get as well! Start them as early as they feel sure…right now its just play-learning. Eventually, I want to move him toward apprenticeships (while he is still in high school) With basic computer design skills, I think he’ll gain more confidence in the field…even if it isn’t an ‘official field” yet! 🙂
Some times I find a good cleansing cry is just the thing. I feel so much better after. Praying for you and family.
gorgeous photos of Maki and Justine ..how they have grown .. so pleased Maki is using his dads computer and clothes .. keeps them close together , and that is very special xx
as always Justine is adorable ..love her special homework
thankyou for sharing ..means so much for me to read about your lives
xx love to you all..and big kisses ans hugs to my brother xx
As I just responded to my sister above:
Maki wants to be a graphic designer one day…I told him if he was sure about that, then let’s get him on track. I personally feel that skills and work ethic are more important than a college education…which we are hoping he will get as well! Start them as early as they feel sure…right now its just play-learning. Eventually, I want to move him toward apprenticeships (while he is still in high school) With basic computer design skills, I think he’ll gain more confidence in the field…even if it isn’t an ‘official field” yet! 🙂
As far as the clothes…the question is how long they will fit. I remember Aaron growing so fast in his early teens. I don’t think Maki will get that tall, but he’s already able to wear his dad’s shoes if he wants to.
yes they grow so fast ..aaron is 6ft 2 now and takes a 12(british) shoe..lewis already takes a 5 ..and me ..only a 3!
i`m so pleased Maki wants to be a graphic designer ..i`m sure he is a natural,,i so agree experience is so important .. we are going to go down the apprenticeship route with Aaron..he did pass his computer course at college ..and loved the gaming design side of it!..and ofcause Lewis loves his computer ..so wish Vern could be of help….
All the best to those boys, they are growing up just right! Yes, we miss his computer savvy too. Time to make more technical friends for us all, I guess!