Orange October

We've been BeliEVEN this October.  Carter's beloved SF Giants beat the NY Mets and earned a wild card slot and some post season play.  Carter adores the Giants.  He knows the history, the stats, the players, the manager, he really knows and loves the game of baseball.  Bumgarner, Posey, Pence and after the 2016 post season.  .  .  Gilsaspie and Span.  He spread the love throughout the school and even the cook brought in her SF Giants wreath to display during the week of play.  Even Mr. Merrihew, the token primary grade's male teacher who despises the Giants rooted for the Orange and Black in part due to Carter.

We bought some tickets to the third game of the five game series against the Cubs, skipped two days of school, and had a fabulous getaway as a family.  Our entrance into the Bay was marked by a timely venture over the Bay Bridge in which we were greeted by the Blue Angels darting around the city skyline and through the bridge.  For once, traffic was perfect.  Bradley booked a great rate at a place downtown.  We feasted on delicious food, ventured into Union Square for some shopping, swam at the pool, slept in, and enjoyed a slow pace together.  One of the highlights of the weekend was that Miles walked the whole time!  One day Bradley's phone recorded over eight miles so that was quite a feat.

The game itself was nothing short or remarkable.  Every seat was taken and we had four to ourselves in a small corner.  This eliminated the need to bother anyone to get out to use the bathroom or purchase another beverage.  They battled for 13 innings.  That's almost a second game after they close the concessions.  Play after play and the energy just kept getting more intense.  We began to make friends with strangers.  Rally rags were flying and the yelling began to take its toll on our voices.  Finally, we won.  I can't really even begin to describe Carter's reaction, let alone the intense adrenaline rush echoed throughout AT&T park.  It's something that can only be described as once in a lifetime.  We hugged strangers turned friends and one guy even told me he loved us.  As we walked nearly two miles back to the hotel we were powered purely on happiness.  We were BeliEVEN and it worked.  With every true love comes the possibility of heartbreak and sadly the Giants lost the next game and their 2016 season ended.  Carter went to bed that night with large tears of sadness.  Sadness for his team and for his dreams.  True heartbreak and it was heartbreaking to watch.

Aside from BeliEVEN in baseball we also set out to believe in true love by celebrating John and Marcia's 40th wedding anniversary.  We had a life size cutout of the happy couple, recreated their tragic wedding cake, and managed to surprise Marcia with family and close friends.  Raylene and I managed to work together with Jess and Bradley and we pulled off the whole shindig in less than a week. Marcia is the true party planner/decorator and it's no small feat to match up to her skills.

The morning of the party Mason, Shelby, Carter, and Miles worked alongside the four of us, Uncle Jim and Aunt Sherma in order to pick up leaves and spruce the place up.  We of course threw a party for them at their own house because it's the best place we know of to throw a party.  In the midst of cleaning leaves the neighbors, who happen to be Greek Orthodox Nuns, let their small pony out.  Carter and Miles were joking about riding the pony when it turned quicker than a rattlesnake, bit Carter on the chest, threw him to the ground and started stomping on him.  As Miles put it, "That horse was a real little turd mom!".  We don't talk like that at home, I guess he must have picked that up from the Cubs fans at that ballpark.

In sports news, I ran a 30K trail race and placed first in my age group and Carter was the water boy at the last EHS home football game.  Miles has been playing soccer two nights a week and Carter has been on the flag football field two nights as well.

As this Orange October winds down we are BeliEVEN in the fun of Halloween.  Last weekend we decorated a Haunted House with our friends.  Carter is dressing up as Hunter Pence and Miles decided on being a mummy.  I am at this very moment undecided.  I loved the days when I decided on themed costumes for our family, but when you're five and seven I guess you're BeliEVEN in independent choices.  I wake up each day grateful for the life I lead and for the three boys I am blessed to share it with.  That's something I can BeLIEVE in forever.

In a Hurry With No Reason Why

"I rush and rush just to get things done, oh, I rush and rush until life's no fun.  All I really gotta do is live and die, I'm in a hurry and don't know why.  .  ."

Perhaps I've slaughtered the lyrics to this beloved country song, but every time it comes on the radio I tear up.  I constantly feel the rushing.  Hurry to eat, hurry to make it out the door, rush to get to soccer or flag football, rush to get home, dinner, bath, bed, and then all over again.  I DON'T like feeling this way, I don't like recreating the hectic scene from Home Alone where the entire family is sprinting through O'Hare in time to catch the plane.  Does every working parent live this dream?

I'm committing.  I'm committing to slowing it all down, to live in the moment more.  They are so blessed to live where they do, to have the school that they do, to experience the teachers that we have.  I want them to enjoy each moment in the moment and I need to model that more for them.

This weekend I went for a long run and the boys used the entire time to clean out the chicken coop.  Should it have taken as long as a 12 mile run?  Could they have done it quicker.  Yes, they could have, but they enjoyed the time with each other.  They were even complimenting each other on their chicken coop cleaning skills by the time I returned.    (Rest assured their doting father was within earshot of their efforts.)

I'm a worrier.  I worry about everything.  Ever since we've buried a child it's gotten even worse for me. You know what Carter worries about?  Picture day.  Yup.  "I've got a zit in my eyebrow.  Picture day is on Tuesday.  It's the important one, the one that goes in the yearbook, that people see forever."  He also worries about the best dove hunting locations. You know what Miles worries about?  How kids treat each other on the playground, what we packed for snack, or getting his sweatshirt over his head on his own.  I pray their worries are never bigger than these.

When my kids think about me I want them to know that what was most important to me was our family.  They always list our family as what they are most thankful for and what they love the most in our evening prayers.  I hope that's a reflection of what I show to them.

We've been rushing all summer, rushing to finish our backyard pool and it's pretty awesome.  Our plans in the future include more sitting and being by the pool, summer after summer, after summer.

Bradley was able to escape into the mountains on an annual Isbell hunt.  The hunt was grueling, but patience was needed.  No matter the speed of the hike, it was all in the patience of the eye and the mind.  He was tremendously successful.

I harvested and canned tomatoes on the same weekend.  I tried to rush the process and it ended up being an activity I despised until I slowed down and realized that my impatience and quick speed was only causing frustration and not changing the outcome.  So here's to fall.  To unrushed hunting, to school, to cozy dinners around the table, to evenings by the pool.  To slowing down and knowing we don't have to be in a hurry, even if we think that there is a reason why.

Silver Bay - 2016

When I try to describe Silver Bay to people who have no context, I generally pull from the setting of Dirty Dancing.  It's an inclusive resort with no television, AC, and until this year - cellular phone service.  It's a place where generationally there is little change, where groups of people or families unite, where the shared experience is what bonds generations year after year.  Silver Bay isn't luxurious.  The food resembles dorm food at best, the beds are firm, and without A/C sleep is often impossible.  However, Silver Bay has a way of making the heart sad when it's time to say goodbye at the end of the week.  Some activities are the same from year to year.  You can always count on the clout shoot, shuffleboard tournaments, trivia night, dodgeball, square dancing, and ice cream at the store.

Shuffleboard six years apart.  .  .

The experiences change from year to year and the ties become strengthened.  This year was the first year that my kids experienced the same sadness I do when I have to say goodbye to Silver Bay and my extended family.  Carter bonded over baseball with both family members and other guests.  He got up the courage to join an adult softball game.  After an extended session of catch he proved himself and was allowed to play.  He got two hits, no errors, and even fielded a ball to make a play.  It was pretty cool seeing him interact with grown men throughout the rest of the week who all acknowledged him by name when they ran into him.  He also bonded with family members as well.  Not because of team affiliation, but because of a shared love for the game.  Archery was a new found favorite for him and he also aced the climbing wall.  Independence was given in allowing him to walk to archery on his own and swimming out to the raft independently.  I don't think there was a single activity that he didn't participate in.

Miles enjoyed a lot of shuffleboard and sandcastles.  He also took his artistic talents to the craft shop and made many fine pieces.  A cousin even commissioned his work.  He was still too young for many activities, but his youth was to his advantage in the dodgeball games as he was often the last one in.  I was proud of him for attempting the rock wall time and time again.  Each round he made progress.  His little legs logged well over 12,000 steps a day and he only had to be carried a few times.

My morning runs with cousins were outstanding and allowed for many meaningful conversations.  More than anything, I enjoyed watching my boys soak in all that Silver Bay is.  They were the epitome of the resort in the bay.  I was a solo parent for the week because Bradley had to tend to matters at home, but the boys were golden travelers and we enjoyed our exhaustively rejuvenating days together.  You know it's been a good vacation when the worst thing that happens is that is has to end.  (In reality, the worst thing that happened was our return travel schedules, but I'm not going to let that overshadow our trip.)

We live close to Bradley's family and make a point of visiting with the extended cousins at least once a year.  My extended family meets every three years, and each time I am reminded of what an awesome family I have.  It's pretty amazing to think that it all started because two people fell in love in 1933.  Words can't express how thankful I am for the week I spent at Silver Bay.  This has been the best year to date, but that's what we say every year.

Summer Smiles and Six Packs

It's summer vacation and the Isbells are eating it up.  Runs, hikes, day trip adventures, backyard projects, visits with cousins, play dates with friends, and a week long day camp.  Still to come are swim lessons, day raft trip, a trip to Silver Bay in upstate NY, more hikes, backyard campouts, two waterslide parks, and endless adventures.

Fitness has been a big theme this summer.  Those of you that know me are probably guessing that I've pounded the mantra into the family complete with excel spreadsheets and fitness apps.  You'd be wrong.

In addition to school fitness and the completion of the quarter mile decomposed granite running/walking track which repurposed the back field of Fort Jones Elementary school, my boys have worked on a fitness project of their own.  Their bods.  In fact, my three boys have (independent of me) all committed to a routine of push ups and sit ups every day.  They knock them out together and usually follow up each session by commenting on how big each other's guns are getting.  It's a little frustrating how easily each of their six packs have gained definition in the last few weeks.  I've busted my ass for sixteen years and haven't seen that definition yet.  

In addition to their daily routine, the boys have competed in the local YMCA running series, Carter ran the Mt. Shasta 4th of July Run and placed fourth in his age group, and he joined me for America's Friendliest 5K in which we raced to the top of Mt. Ashland and back.  He was the first finisher under the age of 18.

The boys have also hiked into lakes and enjoyed bike rides while I run.  While the boys were at day camp for a week, I enjoyed four hours to myself each day.  I relieved my child-free days and enjoyed trail runs into mountain lakes and bike rides up local summits.  I did manage to throw my neck out of whack (possibly from taking euphoric running selfies), but it's nothing that the neighbor veterinarian couldn't fix with his laser treatments, inversion chair, and homeopathic antiinflammatory meds.

We enjoyed a visit from the southern CA cousins on Marcia's side earlier this month.  A ride on the jet boats and some family bonding over hiking and BINGO made three days go by very quickly.  It is so rewarding to see the friendships between family members pick up from year to year.

Once the Southern CA cousins left, it was time for the Northern CA cousins to take over the local day camp at Kidder Creek.  Six Isbell boys at a local Christian based camp?  You're darn right I was a little nervous.  After the first day I lost my given name.  I became known as "Smilin' Miles's Mom".  The small statured, quick witted, raspy voiced five year old won over the junior counselors.   Four days into the camp and much praise about him later, I figured that perhaps the Christian based premise had truly indoctrinated our fun-loving boy.

Don't get me wrong, he's a very good boy, but as his mother we do engage in the occasional (every day) power struggle.  I attended the last day performance for parents and listened to the group of campers sing "Deuteronomy 6:5.  .  .  Love the Lord your God with.  .  ."  I was now positive that Miles must have really soaked up the lessons in scripture.  Later that night I heard him singing the same tune, but with the words "Do you wanna be.  .  .  6, 5????".   I'm sure he grasped some of the lessons, but he's still the same Smilin' Miles.  Such a sweet hearted boy with a passion for fun.  Case in point, yesterday evening, after a night of not feeling well, he made sure to ask me how my toe was feeling before he went to bed.  Thank you for your kind heart my little man.

We're about halfway through our summer.  We're building memories, six-packs, a backyard pool, and family bonds.  Let's just hope mom doesn't throw her neck out of whack and dad keeps his back in check.  If not, we can run down to the vet for some laser treatments and can count on sympathy from Smilin' Miles.

BirthmahFatherKwanzaDay

In a legitimate attempt to mimic/pardoy Adam Sandler's attempt to merge Christmas and Hanukkah.  . .  I give you the marriage of Bradley's birthday and Father's Day.  Lately, the boys and I have taken to calling him Clark because we do believe that he's the last true family man.  No offense to my legions of faithful male/father blog followers (all three of you), but my man's got you beat.

Bradley consistently puts everyone else's needs in front of his own.  This spring he's co-coached Carter's Farm League baseball team.  To those of you new to this term, it's basically a graduated version of t-ball.  The ball is harder, kids don't hit off a tee, and after the last batter EVERYONE still runs in.  Carter lives and breathes baseball and Bradley did an outstanding job teaching kids the importance of

picking your nose after the play is made.  All jokes aside, all of the kids made improvements and we were turning double plays by the end of the season.  When he wasn't at Carter's games or holding practice (a bit of an overachiever for farm league) he attended all of Miles's t-ball games.  Most of the time this involved trying to keep ourselves awake while watching Miles socialize.

Capitalizing on his eldest son's love of baseball and his youngest son's love of anything else his brother loves, Bradley took us all to a baseball game for his birthday.  Was walking around the crowded streets of San Francisco and paying the high cost of a hotel room really what he wanted to do for his birthday?  Not really.  Was the overly priced and improperly labeled Brazilian streakhouse/buffet really what he wanted to eat?  Absolutely not.  Did he really want to forgo that second beer at 21st Amendment Brewery in order to make sure our boys were FIRST in line for entrance into the park in order to have a shot at autographs what he really wanted to do?  Definitely not.  But he does it.  Time after time after time.

I have a really stressful job and two young kids.  I also try to keep my fitness up and like to be able to eat off of my floors.  It all works because I have the most supportive husband in the world.  On top of the school year ending we also hosted a retirement party for a beloved teacher and had over 70 people at our home.  Not to toot our own horns, but our home look fucking fantastic.  It was all due to my main man.  He worked at 6am on the projects, stayed out with his headlamp, and used all of his extra cash to pay someone to stand around for 100+ hours on a hot water pressure washer.  That's a whole other blog.  .  .  All in between coaching and working at his own stressful and demanding job.

To top it all off, he's supported me in training for a marathon over the last two months.  This has involved finding me in the dark with a dead cell phone.  He loaded the boys up in the truck when he couldn't reach me and traced all of the Valley roads until he found me.  He then supported me when I told him I was invited to run a marathon in Skagway, Alaska with two friends.  He's never even been to Alaska.  He's the manliest man I know.  HE DESERVES to go.  I went, I ran, I won, I set a course record, and he rocked it as a single parent.  He took the boys fishing, did three loads of laundry, mowed the lawns, AANNNDDD cleaned the floors.  When I got home at midnight he was waiting for me with a big smile and hug.

Guess what?  I'm leaving AGAIN this weekend to run a 212 mile relay with 11 of my friends.  I won't be back until mid-day on Father's Day.  What is he worried about?  Nothing.  I make an effort to make sure that there are enough meals prepared for all three of my boys when I'm gone, but that's about it.  He's already planned a mining adventure and which movie they'll rent.

Some people search their entire lives trying to meet someone who support them and loves them unconditionally.  Someone who holds them accountable and someone who loves them at their worst.  I must be the luckiest girl in the world because I met this person in preschool.  I fell in love with him in Jr. High and I married him nearly 11 years ago.  I pray that I never take him for granted.  On top of his love for me, he's an incredible father and his children adore him.  They told me what they wanted me to write in his Father's Day card and it was amazing.  "Thank you for always playing baseball and loving us dad!"

To all of you amazing Fathers out there!  Happy BirthmaFatherKwanzaDay!

Sheep Rides, 5Ks, and Kindergarten Shots

We're still getting used to May.  The sunlight during bedtime, late baseball nights, strangely cold mornings, and hot afternoons.  Everyone keeps asking if I'm excited that the "school year is winding down".  The end of a school year never winds down.  In fact, the opposite is true.  The year seems to spin feverishly out of control.  Assemblies, field trips, late nights, dinners, weddings, graduations, and day to day normalcy.

The first weekend of May found us at the rodeo and both boys wanted to bust a Mutton.  It wasn't our best showing, but the boys popped up from the dirt with a smile on their face.  In fact, the worst disappointment from the day came when we all realized that the snow-cone booth was closed.  .  .  For good.  It was an afternoon spent on top of hay bales, wearing cowboy hats, and eating cotton candy.


High points for the boys arrived in the form of vaccinations and 5Ks.  Miles was able to get his Kindergarten shots and put his hand on the wall at Dr. Johnson's office.  It's amazing the rush of a bit of tempera paint gives to the ego of a five year old.

Carter decided to go with me to a local run this year.  I've done this run since before the boys were born and I've even raced while pushing them in the stroller.  This year, Carter did the 5K while I cranked out the half.  The little speed demon finished in under 30 minutes and was able to run with cousin Clint.  I was extremely proud of his determination to start, run, and finish the race.  It's very fulfilling to see your child get so much out of the same sport you enjoy.

Let's hope that once summer vacation hits, time doesn't spin as feverishly fast as Carter's legs can run.

Never Grow Up!

The baby of the family turned five years old this week.  Miles John Isbell has brought so much fun and adventure into our family.  Carter is very serious and by the book.  Miles is always thinking outside the lines and shows much compassion towards others.  

Every year I ask the kids if they want a party or a "trip".  Last year we went to San Francisco for Miles's birthday.  This year, he wanted a Peter Pan birthday.  That one came out of nowhere.  I thought for sure it was a first.  After a quick glance through Pinterest.  .  .  Nope.  Totally, a typical party.  Not one to completely stick to the norm, I partnered with another mom whose son's birthday falls on the same weekend and we committed to throwing a joint birthday party.  I predict that it will be the new fad.  Two birthdays on one afternoon.  Two moms working together.  One party on two budgets.  Between texting and Pinterest we hit a homerun.  The kids were all invited to "Neverland".  My mother in law made Peter Pan hats, I amazoned some Pixie wings, and a party was born.  

Every kid from Eileen's, grandparents, and some other family friends all joined together for an afternoon in Neverland.  Kids made pixie dust, visited Smee's Tattoo Parlor, walked the Plank, bounced around in Lost Boys' Camp, hit the pinata at Skull Rock, and enjoyed some hot dogs.  The two birthday boys had the afternoon of their lives, and the party was wrapped up at 1pm sharp because we had to jet to the 2nd performance of Carter's Talent Show.  

On Miles's actual birthday he requested a corndog for dinner from Dotty's.  We randomly met up with a few families at dinner and had a great evening.  His birthday interview reflects his birthday requests:

What is your name?  Miles John Isbell

What is your favorite color?  Green and Blue

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A policeman, a miner, and a fireman, I mean and a knight.

Who is your best friend? Savi.  My brother and Mary (dog) too.

What is your favorite food?  Basghetti and Mac and Cheese (exactly the same as last year.  .  . ) without salad.  

What is your favorite thing to do?  Sleep when I'm tired.  Play baseball and play my iPad.

Who is your favorite animal?  A lion.

What is one thing you don't like?  Salad or lettuce.  

What can you do now that you are five years old?  Hoping he can ride in his booster seat.  I'm excited to go to Kindergarten and Carter told me that Mr. Merrihew is very funny.

What was your favorite part of your birthday? My pinata.

Where do you like to go to eat?  Dotty's and eat a corndog there.

Last but not least, I'd like to leave you with a video from Carter's talent show production.  He got a guitar from Christmas and first started playing in January.  Thanks to his Papa, dad, buddies Wyatt and Finn, and some tips from Youtube sensation Marty Schwartz, he rocked it!

Snow and Sun

There's something about the start of a spring that finds you switching from ski boots to bikinis.  Or, in the case of Carter snowboard boots to board shorts, and in the case of Miles.  .  . ski boots to a "speedo".  The month of March found us on Mountain Ashland every Friday with our school.  The bonus is that you get to ride with your buddies.  The downside is that mom doesn't get to have a beer with lunch.  My mom joined us for each day up there and we had a blast.

I remember the first time that I felt really "independent".  I drove a pickup truck on my 16th birthday all by myself.  New, open, alone.  I LOVED it!  I think Carter got a similar taste on the mountain.  He and his first grade buddies independently loaded and unloaded the lifts.  By the last day, he took run after run and basically just checked in with me.  The only reason Miles couldn't follow suit is because he's a wee bit short to ride independently.

From the snow to the sand we went.  Luckily, the Easter bunny brought the boys some spiffy new shades, sunblock, and rashguards. Easter was spent with the Isbells and my mom came down.  The boys even got up early and went to sunrise service with me.

The day after Easter we jetted off to Cabo San Lucas for six days in the waves.  The kids learned a lot of important Espanol.  Gracias, Por Favor, Cervesa, Mas Cervesa, Si, and Taco.  That one came quick. We spent time together as a family in the waves, on the beach, in the pool, and at every meal.  It was so blissful to just .  .  .  BE.  Uncle Robert and Russell, along with their worker Luis joined us for a few meals, long drives, a nice afternoon in Todos Santos, and a beautiful cacti filled sunset.

Upon arriving in the US, as much as we wanted to embrace the spirit of our Mexican vacation, it seems we jumped right into the business of life.  T-ball, Farm League, school, and work.  The mountain snow is melting and the rivers are rising.  At least, both boys have shades, rashguards, and maybe a speedo or two.