I'm so excited for Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel to begin.  This was the first of many that I was happy to cozy up to with a cup of hot chocolate and review.  
    Within a minute, I knew it would be fun for the whole family as the kids LOVED the spectacular scenes of the North Pole.
    The story follows a single mom, (Tiffani Thiessen, 'Beverly Hills, 90210') as she uses her reporting skills to crack a case for her new job.  She finds help from her son, (Max Charles, 'Mr. Peabody, Sherman') his school teacher, (Josh Hopkins, 'Cougar Town') and an adorable Santa's elf. (Bailee Madison, 'Trophy Wife, Pete’s Christmas') 

     It's up to them to recapture the love and joy of the holiday spirit to save Christmas for their town...and the rest of the world. 
     “Northpole,” is a Hallmark Channel Original Holiday Movie World Premiere.  The film also stars six-time Golden Globe® and Emmy® nominated actor Robert Wagner (“Hart to Hart”) and Emmy® nominee Jill St. John (“Diamonds Are Forever”) as Santa and Mrs. Claus, with a special musical appearance by “American Idol” champion, Candice Glover.  
     As the first full-length, two-hour original holiday movie that Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Cards, Inc. have created together, “Northpole” is a beautifully told story, allowing children of all ages into the magical sights of Santa's world. 
    You can see it on the Hallmark Channel this Saturday, November 15 at 8:00 ET, 7:00 C. 
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    Growing up in Southeastern Ohio, we weren't far from the "New River" in West Virginia.  I went there with a youth trip once, where we rappelled down cliffs, went spelunking (exploring and crawling through caves) and yes...white water rafting.   
    It was scary, but fun.
    Going back to my hometown in Ohio, the landscape and scenery was beautiful.  Breathtaking in fact.  The hills and trees were something to behold in all seasons.  
    One of my favorite things to do was to canoe down our main river.  On any given summer day, a group of friends would get together and throw our boats into the water to spend countless lazy days of fun and memories.  
    What's my point with all this?  Well, I worried that my kids wouldn't have the same love of nature.  I began to wonder how they'd ever get to experience these sorts of things.  That's when I searched for a way to take them canoeing down a river nearby.  I wanted them to be able to enjoy the gorgeous trees and colors of fall while it lasted.  
     Little did I know...
     Like I said earlier, I've been white water rafting down a big river which was pretty intense.  I never would've believed that I would be more scared in a simple canoe though.   
     It all began rather nicely.  The six of us gathered into two canoes.  Adam had our nine and seven year old boys with him and I had our eleven and five year old little ones with me.  The day was perfect and the river was low.                        

     We were about five minutes into the trip and Adam and I were teaching the kids how to paddle.  He went ahead of us so we could follow and we watched as they maneuvered through a tricky spot with two trees that had fallen into the river.  
     They made it through...we...didn't.
     It all happened so fast.  Our boat went straight into one of the trees.  That was fine, but then the current pushed us along side of the trunk so we became lined side by side with it.  I tried to paddle us forward to get away, but our eleven year old said, "Don't worry, Mom.  I've got it."
     Just as I realized what he was about to do, it was too late.  He tried to push against the tree without realizing that by leaning us to the left, we'd take on water...quickly.
     The canoe began to go down and get pinned under the tree but I figured it would be okay since the river was so low.  What I didn't realize, was that where we were, was actually deep.  
     Christian, Lauren Elizabeth and I all fell into the water and began to scream with how cold it was.  Fighting to gain some hold either from under our feet or against the canoe, I instantly became alarmed at how there was nothing.  I couldn't touch and what was worse, I realized that the current was beginning to push our five year old under the canoe.  If she went down, there was no way for me to see her anymore.  
     I began to fight against the river that was pinning me to the boat.  I yelled at Christian who was in the front to hold on.  I tried with everything to get to our daughter, but it was useless.  Between the current pushing against us, I had to redirect and think quickly.
     The good thing about growing up in nature, is that you learn at a very young age that in almost every case, you're never going to beat it.
      Everything in me screamed to pull with all of my strength to get to my child.  As much as I tried to get so much as a tug at her sweater though, the force wouldn't let me.  Growing up with the river, I had to go against reason.  I had to let go.
      I yelled at Christian and Lauren Elizabeth to grab onto the boat and hold on.  I began to fight with everything in me to lift and push the canoe away from the tree.  The fear that pounded through me gave me the strength to force it out of the water and away from being pinned.  I saw Christian and Lauren grow fearful as they realized I was pushing them away, but they couldn't know it was the only way to make them safe.      
      As soon as the canoe broke free from the hold, it shot around to the other side of the fallen tree where I realized Adam had already pushed the other two boys into the riverbank, then jumped out of their canoe to swim up river to get to us.
      He caught our boat with the kids still hanging on while I pulled myself around the tree and swam down river to meet them.  My adrenalin was rushing so fast and it was hard not to cry. 
     Adam pulled our canoe to shore and dumped the water out while we searched for lost paddles and shoes. 

     It took a minute to get everyone together and ready to go again.  It was hard to get back in the water.
     We switched gears and put Christian and Lauren with Adam from then on and the rest of the trip was smooth sailing, minus one cold and unhappy girl.

    Once we dried off, we began to enjoy the trip a little more.  The kids ended up having a good time but it might be awhile until I'm ready to go again.  It's one thing facing huge rapids down a big river by yourself, but it's something completely more terrifying to fight for the safety of your children.  
    Mother Nature can wait awhile.

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     It took awhile to stop crying after work.  I have the best job as a therapist, where I get to be with patients for rehab.  I love this job, except for when days like this occur.
     In our facility there was a man and woman who have lived there for years.  They were the sweetest couple...both in their 80's...and had come to fall in love.  
     It was the cutest thing to see them each day, sitting in the courtyard, eating lunch together or going to crafts.  They were literally inseparable from morning till night.
     Last week, the woman told the man that she knew her time had come.  She said that she could see angels above them and questioned why he couldn't.  
     Sure enough, she was right.  Five days later, he sat by her side as she took her last breath.  We were all heartbroken and began to worry how he would go on without her.
      Later in the day, I went to ask how he was.  He lowered his head and said, "I held her hand and she looked at me.  She looked right at me until she stopped breathing.  She told me a couple days before that she knew she had to go, but it was alright, because the angels were there.  Then she said that she would wait for me and be the first one to greet me when it was my time.  The last thing she told me was to kiss her picture every night before I went to bed...and she would get my kiss in heaven.  Then she would come down and kiss me back while I slept."   
    It hit me hard and reminded me again of how life and death can be a horrible and beautiful thing.  It's hard to be surrounded by it so frequently.

    It gives me a unique perspective though and for that, I'm grateful.  
    The couple got to have a love so strong which was nothing less than amazing to see.  It was as though they had waited their whole lives to find each other.

    He'll smile and say now, that he just has to wait a little longer until they can be together again.

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    "Hey, Mom!  You wanna hear a concert?"  
    These words under any other circumstances, would make a mother's heart proud.  The thought of their child playing a musical instrument would and should bring joy to their soul. 
    That's unless...their child is learning how to play the trumpet.  
     I wrote a little while back about the horrific, ahem, the beautiful sounds that have emanated through the walls of our home (and neighborhood) as our fifth grade son has so eagerly picked up the joy of music from his school band.  It's been nothing short of heaven sent.
     Tonight though, a miracle happened.  Christian put some sheets of paper in front of him and took his proper stance.  As I prepared myself for the bellows of the suffering cow that I've become all too accustomed to hearing, you can imagine my surprise when actual notes filled the air instead.  Not only notes...but dare I say it...music.  
     It was the song, "Jingle Bells".  I knew the song not by asking what it was, which is what I usually have to do, but from simply listening to the sound.  For the love of brass, it was less than painful to hear.
     With my jaw dropped and the turn of a page, the next song that he played was, well, let's face it, it was a train wreck.  But at least he has one song down.
     The school band has a Christmas concert next month and I'm actually reconsidering the supply of earplugs I had looked into ordering.
      Now I'm looking forward to hearing what melodies the band director will create.  If he can get our baby to play that out of what he used to sound like, I'm officially a believer that Christmas dreams really can come true.

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    Our second son, Ethan...has never liked girls.  I mean, at all.  Girls have always been "gross" to him and he's wanted nothing more than to spend time with his buddies and play sports or goof off.
    Then something changed.  A new girl happened to move in from another state.  Out of nowhere, Ethan came home from school all dreamy eyed and walking smack into walls.  He smiled non-stop and began talking about her like she hung the moon.
    When we actually met this little girl, we knew in a heartbeat why he fell so hard.  She is the cutest thing on Earth and the kindest and sweetest girl as well.
    What's even more adorable, is how they barely make eye contact with each other when they're in the same room.  I can't help but giggle when I see him kick his shoes or look a different way.  
    Ethan had his last football game of the year on Saturday and guess who came to visit?  Yep.  Sure enough, it was the best game he's had.  He ran harder and played with all of his might.                                                     
    When the game was over, they smiled at each other and hardly said a word.  It was adorably sweet and a moment I'll never forget.
    In the car on the way home, Ethan was quiet but had a smile from ear to ear.  When we asked how he felt, he simply said, "Good."
    A few seconds later, he continued, "Mom...Dad?  This was the best day of my life."
    That it was, Buddy.  That it was.

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    It was a Monster Bash as Frank and I took the little ones out for Trick or Treating. 

    Dracula, the Wolfman, our little Witch and Mummy (who could've doubled as the Invisible Man, had a frightfully good time.  

    Our Ghoulishly good friends, Julie and Bob had their annual Halloween party where every little ghost and goblin had fun...

            The time had come to Trick or Treat...

          ...and go through spooky haunted houses.

   We went home and passed other monsters to wave good night.

   For wickedly sweet dreams to come tonight.  Happy Halloween!!!
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    It's time.  The planning of the Halloween costumes is upon us.  We've had fun over the years... 

...and we're excited for this year to arrive.  We're doing an old school theme this time around and I can't wait to post pictures once we're dressed. 

     We hope that you and yours have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN with plenty of treats and not a trick to be found.

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    This Saturday will be the last football game of the year for our three boys.  They began the season back in August and have gone through hours of training and development.

    There's something to be said about experiencing this.  It's hard sometimes to literally and figuratively sit on the sidelines and watch your child in any sport.

    You find yourself looking to the coaches as well, through the good, the bad and sometimes...the ugly.

    This year was different than last.  The boys played for another league a year ago, with very different coaches.  Two of our boys had a great experience with that league, but our oldest did not.  He had a head coach that cared more about winning than about the good of the kids.  There was an assistant coach that all but counteracted the head coach's demeanor and he tried to take our son under his wing.  It didn't matter.  The head coach was crude and often mean spirited, having a negative impact on our son.  So much so, that when we told the boys we were signing up with a different league this year, he begged us not to make him play.

    He stuck it out though.  What he didn't realize, was that this year would turn out to be different.  This year the head of the program was more interested in the heart of the players, rather than the execution of the plays.  His goal was to shape young men as opposed to winning at all costs.  He taught the boys that people in their lives will tell them that they deserve to win but that is a lie.  It takes work, dedication and commitment to become winners.  This isn't always necessarily demonstrated on the scoreboard, but rather through character and discipline. 

    The boys have listened and grown from him.  Our two younger boys have loved every minute of it and thankfully, our oldest son began to change this season too.  In no time, he began to worry less about going to practices and games and began talking more about the plays, his friends and the cool coaches.  His expression turned from a look of doubt and fear, to focus and happiness.     

    The head of the program and our boys' team coaches may never know what they've done with our boys...especially with our oldest...but we do.

     They've help build their confidence and have given them wonderful childhood memories of the days of Fall.  What a difference a positive influence and genuine compassion can make to a child...as well as for those of us...who sit on the sideline.

     So thank you coaches, for caring about our boys.  It means more than you'll ever know. 

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To the Receptionist at the Hair Salon,
     You don't know me.  You don't know that my life is just about as crazy as it can be, but then again whose isn't?
     When I work like mad to get to my appointment on time though, you're not exactly the person I should have been met with.
     Let me explain.
     You see, when you calmly say to me as I dash in, "Um, yes.  I tried to call you.  You're appointment is cancelled because our stylist is out sick today."
     I instantly have a flashback of the day trying to get to you.  
     What I WANT to say is, "We've been running around the state of North Carolina for our boys' football games and haven't been home since seven something in the morning.  I'm sorry I missed your call (to our house) but I haven't been home yet.
     Instead, I ask, "Is there anyone else who can see me?"
     To which you reply, "No.  We're busy.  You can reschedule for this week though."
     What I WANT to say is, "I can't.  I have four kids, work full time, have to get the kids to practice on the weeknights and can't physically make it to get my hair cut.  In all honesty, it's been a year since I've actually HAD my haircut.  Seriously, a year."
     What I say is, "I can't make it this week.  Maybe on the weekend."
     This is where you respond, "We have an opening tomorrow at 3:30." (Sunday)
     Thinking as fast as I can, I try to rearrange our schedule in my head and blurt out, "Okay."  (wait a minute...if she's sick)  "Who would it be with?"
     You say, "It's with 'so 'n so', at another salon of ours.  She's a master stylist."
     What I hear is, "It's going to cost you even more money to drive twenty minutes FURTHER away from the thirty you've already driven to get here, screwing up another whole day for the time you don't have." 
     This is where I waited for the whole...'customer service' thing to happen.  I don't know why, but I naively thought you'd make things a little better by saying, "You'll be charged the same as you would have today though," or "Don't worry, we'll give you a discount for your inconvenience."
    I know it's a simple thing.  A haircut is not that big of a deal in the scheme of things involving life, but maybe it was because of everything else.  The running around all day, the being hungry from skipping dinner to make it to my appointment on time.  Maybe it was the simple fact that I was truly looking forward to sitting down for one hour with nothing to worry about and no responsibilities with kids, work, cooking, cleaning...just...nothing.
     That's when you looked at me with your indifference and said, "Like I told you, I tried to call.  I don't know what else to say."
     Okay, I'm out.                    

   Ahhhh, the State Fair.  It's hard to pass up the opportunity to eat horribly good food, ride rides and play games only to spend twenty dollars on a prize that's worth two.
   Nevertheless, it called our names yet again.  Our stomachs hurt from the sugar and grease, but the day was worth it...and we'll eagerly wait until next year when we'll get to do it all over again. 

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