365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day #273

December 3rd, 2012

SC or BUST

Northern Minnesota has been good to us. This time has been beyond rich and quite the learning experience for all of us. Looking back I am glad I was such a crazy "dedicated" and slightly "obsessed" blogger about our days here. I will forever flip back through the pictures and re-read the stories with such fondness. We tried to compile a list last night at dinner of the MN adventures and our favorite places we have gone the last 5 months. Written quickly in sloppy blue crayon writing. I couldn' t keep up, had a hard time jotting down fast enough as we all shouted out happily. 

I tossed and turned most of the night, not exactly sure why. Maybe a bit nervous about re-entering my old real life and leaving this sorta cushy limbo land. I starred at the ceiling for a while, wishing the rented coffee maker was the timer kind. So instead of kicking the covers off, I laid there, very still in my peaceful bubble, just me and my thoughts. Talking myself out of getting up numerous times. Once I got up, I knew that would be the end. The end of our time here. And I have to admit. 

Minnesota, you grew on me.

 Minnesota you will be missed.

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day #272

Open to Close Skiing

December 1st, 2012 

 

We are all newbies to skiing except for Baby Daddy.

He was our tour guide Ken for the day, showing us the in's and out's of hitting the slopes.

The energy around the mini winter wonderland town is intoxicating. Experienced snow people hurrying to their slope de jour, buzzing with excitement, like 8am on Memorial Day at the beach. I am a self proclaimed expert on how to spend a successful day under the hot sand and enjoyable time in the surf. Lugging necessary items, squaring off the perfect spot of sand and even shaking off ones towel properly, yea...I could be an instructor for sure. Here though, opening day of ski season, I'm a big fat fish out of water.   

A tiny bit nervous about the lesson BD has prepared and organized for me. I'm figuring to be a spaz on ski's, spending more time on my rear end then up right. Plus, the people watching is pulling this nosey soccer mom in, one snow boarding at a time. It hurt my internal busy bodyness to put my camera away and suit up. I tell myself I will have plenty of time later, while sitting in the warm chalet, popping Tylenol and sipping an extra hot mocha.

The kids picked up pretty quickly, falling a minimal of times for first timers. The J-hook lift proved to more difficult to learn than turning and gliding down the beginner hill.

High Lights From The Day

Trying to walk in ski boots was similar and just as comical to me 

waltzing and strutting in 4 inch highs.  

 Delaney and Drexel enjoying this day for

 7 straight non-stop hours of first day skiing.

First and only time getting off the chair lift panicking big time, grabbing onto my petite instructor who managed to stay upright as I tangled Delaney up in my skis. To my surprise nobody laughed, they tell me this is normal. My old back and worn out knees tell me I should have already taken that pain reliever.

Beginner slope is closed, the view down instantly creates a fear of heights I never knew I had. Looking down the mountain as crazy people wizz by me at the speed of light I silently cry for my mommy. Delaney encourages me by going first. I am super proud of her as I struggle to get up for the 5th time. I'm glad she can't see me give up and crawl down the non busy side with my rented skis dragging behind me.   

During her lesson Delilah somehow does a 360 and stays up right.

 Or as she called it a "freak 60"

Reaching the bottom and un-hooking for the last time.

I will get back on the horse at some point. For now, inside looking out at the action is fine with me. 

My dreams of earlier come true. BD has reserved just the right table. Comfort pizza, an empty chair and a huge one sided mirrored window awaits me. Let the people watching being!

Fun quality hours spent with Delilah, potty breaks, Jet Pack Joyride competitions, tickle fights, spelling review through texting and a crazy iPhone video marathon til the battery runs dry. Dr. Spock would certainly be impressed. 

My favorite memory of the day, watching BD take a few quick trips down the hill with two of his babies. Unspoken medical issues prevent activities like this one from happening on a regular basis. Today it brought tears to my eyes, fogging up sunglasses. He probably wouldn't even like me writing about it. I will ask for forgiveness later. Right now as I type it makes me warm and fuzzy from head to toe. I am so thankful for this early Christmas miracle.  



365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 271

Being Still

November 28th, 2012

Any mother will tell you, every pregnancy has it's challenges and it's highs and lows. Each time your body goes through such a huge transition you realize the process is as unique as the child growing inside your womb. These forty weeks aren't exactly a cake walk. Medical problems can make it feel as if the gestation period has been extended way beyond your control. How long are elephants pregnant? Well, I can't complain, I was pretty lucky and had no major problems. Unless you count being a big, fat pig but I don't think there is an actual code for that in my patient file. Other than the weight column. Hey, don't judge, they wouldn't let me remove my shoes or take the package of cosmic brownies out of my pocket. 
    

The best part of the gig was definitely the movement inside my growing belly. From the first simple kick all the way to the last days of the Billy Banks, TaeBo round house kicks. Bedtime was the best  time to watch the action. When the household was completely still and quiet with no distractions. I'd stay awake well past Baby Daddy so I didn't miss a thing, poking and pushing around, I hated when the show stopped. Night after night I would look forward to this special time. Just me and my baby. It was a good routine, other kids asleep, all necessary work completed for the day. Time would fly as I  became mesmerized, starring down at what appeared to be eight arms and legs trying to bust out of my skin like an alien movie. Stillness in a hectic busy scheduled life is so peaceful, comforting and welcomed. If you are still enough, amazing things happen.      

If I had to pick one word for this jacked up Minnesota time it would be STILL. Real life, extra distractions and responsibilities were taken away with the temporary move. I have to admit, in the beginning I thought it was some sort of awful torture. Now, 5 months later I consider it quite a blessing. We have been still. Day after day. Still, still, still with an extra side of still. Remember though, amazing things happen when you allow stillness to happen. Enjoying each other like never before. Back in South Carolina our old schedule was chocked full of everything but stillness. Silly ole me thought I spent every waking hour with the kids. Nah, I was wrong. In these past few months of learning we truly have, 24/7/365.
We have been stuck with one another, in a good way.     

   

Only one unfortunate side affect to being still and not changing your eating habits. 20 pounds of stillness have found it's way on my parka covered back. Not really my back, more like my back side but that's ok, I wouldn't trade the experience for my old pant size I started with. Body parts are growing, the kids have changed and matured right before my eyes.   

My little kicker in utero all those years ago has made the biggest transformation of them all. Deodorant has been purchased and applied. She sometimes looks at pictures here and occasional even reads what her goofy mom writes so I will let others simply read between the lines. It has been a pleasure soaking up special time with you Delaney. You have grown way more than the vertical half an inch that reads on the tape measure. 

I am more than proud to be your mommy.   

When we baked together in the tiny kitchen...we were still.

While making up never before seen Zumba moves...we were still.

Teaching you to upload and create a blog post...we were still.

 Giggling in your cozy bed late at night ...we were still.

Stealing your picture angles...we were still.

During girl manicures...we were still.

Best haircut ever by a ten year old...we were still.

Riding down a mountain roller coaster..we were still.

Hit in the head by your snowball...we were still.

Jumping off the baby cliffs...we were still.

Walking our bikes up MN hills...we were still.

I Love Lucy marathon mornings...we were still.

Being scared to death of weird noises...we were still.

Enjoying the 100th PB & chocolate chip sandwich...we were still.

Struggling through decimal conversions...we were still.

Being with you, doing anything...we were still.

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day #270

Underwear Shark Boy

November, 27th, 2012

 

Been a lot of warm, sandy, beach talk around our kitchen table these days. Delilah even put sunscreen on her face after a bath for her  daily MN make over. Man it smelled so good, I couldn't resist a little SPF Coppertone slather on my dry soccer mom cheeks, just for funzies. A weekend at our favorite spot of the Myrtle Beach shore will be in order this December. A light brownish, not white Christmas is on my list this year. First in line will be shark boy, he even wore his bestest fossilized tooth around his bare neck at school today. 

No shirt, no shoes, no pants....no problem.

We home school.

 

Science was interrupted frequently to talk about animals of the sea and last Thanksgivings beach vacation. Digging for sharks teeth for an entire week with extended family at an Ocean front place.

Shark Boy in his happy place, day after sunny day. Desperate for a chance to find the big one, Drex asked to utilize the last few minutes of the trip. Bags were already neatly packed away, goodbyes were being said to relatives when Shark Boy, in his sweetest little voice begged to search, one last time. My quick answered happy nod accompanied with a toothy smile proved to be a rookie mom mistake.

 

 

My high pitched, gym teacher whistle didn't even get his attention when it was time to go. Hard to tear him away from good ole fashion fossil finding. I begin the long walk down the wooden path, stopping periodically to call shark boys name, in a somewhat irritated fashion. Wasn't really in the mood to expend unnecessary energy. Just steps away from my feet hitting the sand, my attitude softens. Eyes as big as the southern sun I laugh out loud. 

What on earth bud? Why are you in your underwear?

 

My clothes got wet while washing off some cool shells.

 I didn't think it was a big deal.

 They look like a bathing suit right?

 

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day #269

Early Morning Tea Parties

November 26th, 2012

Whoppers and leftover movie theatre popcorn

Thank you Delilah, breakfast was yummy today. 

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 268

November 25th, 2012

MMM

Morning Minnesota Manna

In this strange time away from the daily grind of real life I have become a bit spoiled. 5 months with barely no commitments or mandatory places to be sharpied on my calendar will do that to a person. Top on my list of Minnesota luxuries I am dreading giving up in a week, MMM. Morning Minnesota Manna. OK, I just made that title up, I've never actually called in that in my head or even out loud. I like the sound of it though, TRIPLE M TIME...hhmmm that's even better. Joking aside, that is exactly what it is. Before the kids wake up, my alone time for prayer and jumping in the Word head first with no distractions. This morning a sleepy, confused,  five year found me before my coffee was done brewing and I could arrange my favorite MMM spot on the futon. Doing my best to give her a look as if I was happy to see her I told the disoriented child to cuddle up at my feet and try to go back to sleep. After half a cup of coffee, some tossing and turning and a few selfish prayers for my quiet time not to be ruined, she eventually drifted off. I know it doesn't sound very motherly but please understand I crave this MMM time like I crave a white on white corner piece of birthday cake from Freeman's Bakery. Oh yes, it must be a corner piece, I'm a little particular about that, more icing coverage ya know. Anyway, unlike the cake I need this bread and special part of my morning to ensure the rest of the day runs smoothly. 

At home I have no warm cozy fireplace, I won't have the peaceful hum of the snow maker machines or look out the window to a snow covered winter wonderland. 

This little Minnesota ice princess will get over that. Plus, it doesn't really matter where you are when you get your daily manna. 

God will 100 percent of the time meet you there.

How awesome is that!

 If I'm really lucky,

 He will also brings the other 3 corners of the cake.

 Thank you Lord for my daily bread this morning.