Three small moments, one proud mommy

It's the little things that matter most. I have always believed that. My faith in that mantra has been reaffirmed this week as three little moments added up to me being a proud mom.

First, Andrew brought home a paper yesterday that brought a smile to my face. He has been struggling this year with his new work load in third grade, especially with English and writing. (Now by struggling, I mean he is getting a B, not an A. We have high standards.) So, he brings home an English assignment with a perfect score. On the top his teacher noted "Proud of you!" with a sticker and smiley face. That affirmation proved to me how much she knows about Andrew in such a short time. Amazing.

Then, this morning I dropped Evan off at preschool, and one of his teachers happily greeted him. "Ev," she says. (I wince a little- She is already calling him Ev. It seems intimate. Yet, I feel relieved; he is cared for!) "Ev, you are always so happy." She continues by talking to me about how Evan always is so optimistic and easy to get along with. I beamed. He beamed. We all beamed. On the way out, I teared up a little. I am so proud of his positive demeanor. He's such a good boy.

Finally, this evening we were all watching The Biggest Loser together, and Brendan was commenting about how the families are taking care of each in the show. He said to me, "If you ever get real fat, I would take of you. I wouldn't leave you alone. I will always help you out." How sweet! (Admittedly, I hope to never be on The Biggest Loser, but I am thrilled he wants to take care of me.)

My boys are "all boy" most of the time. Running, kicking, fighting, yelling. However, every once in awhile, they remind me how special and tender they can truly be. I am one proud and lucky mommy.

The 80's

The 80's. Didn't you just love them? Neon colors. Cyndi Lauper. Mc Hammer Pants. Vanilla Ice hair.

This weekend, I seem to be living in the 80's. Chris found a channel on XM radio that was playing the Top 40 songs from 1989. I wasn't ready for the songs that I was about hear.

Remember Angel Eyes by Jeff Healey? Girl you're looking fine tonight. . .(something something) Angel Eyes my way. I loved that song. I have vivid memories of a junior high dance dancing with my first real boyfriend Scott on the dance floor.

Remember Hanging Tough by New Kids on the Block? Hanging tough. ... hanging tough. . hanging tough. . are you tough enough? Yes, the innovation of those words transcends time! I recently heard the same song on the radio with the resurgence of that band.

Remember Love Shack by ??? Tin roof (pause) rusted. Love shack, baby love shack. I think my cheerleading squad had a dance routine to that song. I even can remember some of the moves.

Remember Simply the Best by Tina Turner? You're simply the best. . Better than all the rest. . .Better than anyone. . I remember the rash of nostalgic commercials that this song spurred. The announcer was talking about the rumor that Tina Turner would not be touring anymore. Hasn't she toured since 1989?

Remember Talk Dirty to Me by Poison? I was at the drive in, in my old man's Ford. .. Behind them bushes, till I'm screaming for more. .. In my basement, lock that cellar door, and baby. .. Talk dirty to me. When I got in the car today from church, I literally hear the words "Talk dirty to me" sound from the speakers. I laugh and then proceed to sing the rest of the song. Hadn't thought about that one in awhile.

Remember Bust A move by Young MC? You want it. .. You got it. . .You want it . .. Baby you got it, just bust a move. Another junior high dance song. I can picture my friend Shelly and her boyfriend/ now husband dancing to this song at a dance. I forgot how much I like that song. I plan to get the CD and download it to the Ipod.

I enjoyed my musical reminiscing this weekend. I felt young, if only for a minute. Now, back to reality: cooking dinner, dishes, laundry, cleaning and grading! Just Bust a Move!

Friday Photo Fiesta: Do you remember?

Do you remember the first time you looked at your newborn baby? Do you remember what they looked like and what you were thinking?

My brother and sister in law were blessed this Wednesday to have their first child, a precious girl named McCamey Rose. When I spoke with Jeff today, I was immediately transported by his words back to a time when my children were first born. Jeff spoke of the beauty of his wife and how wonderful she was doing. Jeff spoke about McCamey's full head of black hear and her sweepingly long eyelashes. When I asked him if "it" had sunk in that he was a dad, he paused, and just said "Yes, this is just so amazing."

Shortly after I hung up, suppressing tears and a sob from overtaking me. I looked at this new picture that her proud daddy had taken and thought about when it was my turn as a new mom.

I remember the absolute softness of their hair and how it smelled so clean and fresh.

I remember the curled up fists that I loved to stroke and watch them unfurl again around my finger.

I remember the inquisitive eyes looking at the new world they came into trying to find out who owned the voices they had been hearing from so long.

I remember their soft lips that puckered at the sound of my voice, always searching for comfort.

I remember the pudgy arms and legs that seemed as puffy as a marshmallow.

I remember counting each boys' toes over and over because I loved how precious their feet were.

I remember rocking them at night before bed and feeling so blessed that my babies were healthy.

I remember this and so much more.

Do you remember?

Congratulations Jeff and Emily. Welcome, McCamey!

Thanks for visiting on Candid Carrie's special day!

Sugar and Spice

What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, and everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.

I remember chanting this chorus as a little girl, proudly boasting that as a girl, I seemed to be much sweeter than the opposite gender. Eventually, I became enamored with boys as I married one and had three little ones of my own.

Every time I got pregnant, I secretly (and not so secretly) dreamed that I would have a sweet little girl to bring home. That was not in my greater plans. For the record, I do LOVE having boys. I wouldn't know what to do with a girl!

However, our family is so excited and blessed tonight to finally have a little girl as a new member. My brother Jeff and his wife Emily had a baby girl this evening; she is the first granddaughter for my mom and dad, who have six grandsons!

McCamey Rose Compan came into this world around 7 pm, weighing a mere 6 pounds and 11 ounces. She measured 21 inches in length.

Here is a picture captured by my dad of McCamey meeting her mommy.

Rumor has it there is some beautiful black hair under that pink little hat that boasts of her daddy's locks.

I am certain that McCamey is going to live up to the "sugar and spice" motto as the only girl thus far.

I am saddened to know that I have to wait two months to meet this beautiful girl, who by then will have lost all of that newborn"ness." Yet, I hope that she is excited to meet her Auntie Jen soon. Welcome Baby McCamey!

Where did his shoe land?

On Friday evening the teachers from my school and their families gathered at a Back-to-School picnic at a local dairy farm. Kids got to help feed the cows, play in the dirt, take a hay ride, and just feel like a farmer. Adults were able to kick back, relax, have a few drinks and take a breather.

For most of the evening, the kids just played freely away from the adults only stopping by for an occasional snack or quick hello. But, one time I heard Brendan coming before I saw him.

He was sobbing; big tears, streaming down his reddened face. With a closer look, I could see that he was limping. He bellowed, " I lost my shoe!" Unfortunately for B, my initial reaction was a chuckle. He looked so mortified and the situation seemed to be exaggerated.

I simply told him to go and retrieve it. This is when the bombshell was revealed. He told me it was by the cows. At first, I thought that potentially the shoe was located near the cow pen and he was just intimidated, so Chris, a friend of mine, and I all troop to the cow pen with Brendan hobbling behind us.

When we get to the pen, we ask him where the shoe fell. He said "In."

IN?? What?? There must have been 50 cows IN.

Sure enough with a flashlight we could see that the shoe was at the pack of the cow pen, and someone was going to have to take an unpleasant plunge in an effort to retrieve it. Chris won the nomination.

My friend Michelle jumped in as well to help "scare" the cows from attacking Chris, and Chris quickly scurried to the shoe and tossed it out. The scene had me completely doubled over laughing!

In the end Brendan gained his slightly more stinky shoe back. Yuck!

Italian Sausage and Apples

Italian Sausage and Apples. Not quite the ideal menu for a sweet dinner for two. However, it suited my oldest son Andrew and I just fine last night.

Chris had taken both Brendan and Evan golfing with him, and Andrew and I were left at home by ourselves. As dinner approached, it became apparent to me that I was actually going to have a meal alone with Andrew. For a moment, I wished I had thought of something more exciting to have, but my menu is typically set in stone when I grocery shop the preceding Sunday. So, Italian Sausages and apples graced our plates.

I kind of felt anxious like I was on a first date with my own child. We hadn't had a meal alone together since he was an infant, and I was his only source of food at that time! We sat at first idly chatting about the game he had been playing on the computer.

We continued on discussing the latest activities of his school. He was updating me about how to play a favorite playground game, Four Squares. Andrew vividly described and pantomimed the various moves he practiced to be an effective winner of the game. He hinted that only boys played the game, so I inquired what all the girls were doing. He said they either sit down or wait to be chased by boys. So, like a good mom should, I asked him if she chased any girls. He looked at me quizzically and said, "Why would I?" Oh, he is his father's child!

The dinner progressed and the food diminished. I sat at one moment and just watched him. I felt my emotion surge over me as I just wanted to cry at the big guy he has become. Only eight short years have passed since he was a little baby, but he is so independent and grown up already.

Abruptly, Andrew stood up, put his cup on his plate, and took it to the kitchen. He was oblivious to his mom's emotions. I asked him simply, "All done?"

He, in turn, simply replies, "Yep."

My basic menu provided a remarkable moment. Hopefully, I don't have to wait another eight years for another meal alone.

Friday Photo Fiesta: Feel the Rain on your skin

"Don't get dirty." "Don't climb too high; you may fall down and get hurt." "Someone's gonna poke his eye out. Stop."

Although well-intentioned with our protective warnings, sometimes we moms can be a bit of a "downer" on our own children. We desperately want to protect our children and raise them to be responsible, but sometimes we forget to let them be what they need to be: kids.

Earlier this week, I was outside playing with my youngest son Evan and it began to rain. Immediately, I cautioned him, "Ev, we better go inside it is raining." He responded by telling me that the rain felt good on his skin. I giggled at myself and realized that there was no harm in letting him revel a little in the rain. Worst case: he may get wet! These pictures are the result of his revelry and my delight.

Shouldn't we all feel the rain on our skin sometime? We may just find out that it actually feels good!

Thanks for joining me for Candid Carrie's Friday Photo Fiesta!

Confession

I have a confession to make.

I have become exactly what I used to promise myself not to be. When Chris and I were first married, we would walk/run together on a path around Wauwatosa. Every day we would see these people on our path, loading their kids in and out of their big minivans. Sometimes the people looked frazzled; sometimes delighted. I would smugly look at them and think "Never. Never will I become that."

What was I so fearful of becoming? A minivan soccer mom.

Yet almost ten years later, I am minivan soccer mom to the extreme! I recently paid off my first minivan and am working to save for the second. However, I don't think the vehicle alone qualifies a woman for this title; it entails more.

The children also contribute. Check that one of off the qualification list as well. I had three of those; to further exacerbate my situation I didn't have just one child, but THREE boys! Ok, I knew I was steadily creeping closer to minivan mom land.

The ultimate qualifier is of course the frazzled and delighted looks as you exit your van unloading the kids for yet another athletic event. In this case--soccer. Moms are frazzled as they attempt to herd their children out of the minivan in a way so that no other frazzled mom could accidentally run into them in the maze that we call a parking lot. Moms are frazzled as they are toting their blue fold out chairs for the family, while balancing water bottles for everyone. Also, the moms are still steaming on having to organize a snack for the other children at the end of the game.

Ok, so I qualify.

The most important caveat to being a minivan mom, however, is the delighted looks that I could not understand when I was 22 years old, newly married, newly employed, and running around in my still young-- not marred by children- body. Moms, including myself, are delighted with the pride of watching their children do well.

Moms are proud about every missed goal kick, proudly cheering, "Good try!" because you know the kids need the affirmation. Moms revel in every ball steal the child makes, and even wince when your child gets the ball stolen from them. Moms love watching the faces of their children when they do something great. Where do the kids look first when they do well? Yes, mom and dad. Yes, mom. The minivan soccer mom.

I am now a proud member of the club. And I am not embarrassed to admit it.

Warmth

Yesterday, it was 78 in Madison and muggy HOT! Today, it was cloudy, rainy, and a high of 65. The air had a feeling of fall weather with a distinct crisp breeze blowing and misty rain falling all day..

I could only focus on one thought: comfort.

There is just something about the first few days of cool temps that make me want to bake. Yes-bake! As soon as the clouds roll in and the breeze blows, my mouth begins to salivate for the warmth and comfort of my favorite tools: the stove and baked goods.

I resisted temptation today until about 1:30, then my need to bake overtook all common sense. I scurried to the grocery store and came home and was baking cookies instantly. Before long, the scent of melting chocolate and sweet cookie dough permeated the house. The kids began to gather. Andrew was the first with a quick quip, "Ooh- I always know when you are baking chocolate chips."

As soon as I removed the cookies, I put bread in to bake. Now don't think I was kneading bread or anything, it was just a box of Quick bread that I only had to add a can of soda to. Nonetheless, the chocolate smell was usurped by the even more soothing smell of baking bread. The smell diffused throughout the house, leaving me feeling so content and warm.

I hardly noticed the gloom of the outdoors anymore. To add to my comfort theme, I put on my favorite pair of fleece pants. I think I went a little overboard with this as I quickly became hot, yet I refused to change them.

To make the day complete, I kept the oven revved and made a pasta dish with noodles and meatballs for dinner. My house was a cornucopia of scents that made me instantly feel what I desired: warmth.

Tuesday's forecast: 75 and sunny. I guess I will let my oven rest again for awhile.

Moments that made me smile

My blog frequency continues to diminish as I find myself immersed in school. Yet, the family events and happenings has only increased. I felt today an appropriate time to merely list some of the moments from the past week or so that made me smile.

*Andrew and Brendan had a soccer game Tuesday. Brendan made me smile as I watched him tenaciously attack the ball, ultimately scoring a beautiful goal! Andrew made me smile as I watched him play goalie. He blocked many goals and has a beautiful goal kick working for him.

* Evan says the funniest statements. Now that he rides in the car with me alone as I take him to preschool, I have accumulated a wealth of funny Evan-statements.

1. I was driving home and Evan thought I was going the wrong way. After I explained that it was, in fact, the correct way. He retorted, "Whatever floats your boat, mom!"

2. That same day I overheard Evan playing a game with Brendan, telling B that he was the superhero, John McCain. (He listens to the political commercials all the time.)

3. Yesterday, Evan explained that he saw some duckies out of the water. He said "it makes my heart sad." I asked him to explain, and he said that ducks need water, so he felt sad for them.

* I was able to go into work early one morning this week as Chris took the boys to school. That alone was enough to put a smile on my face. In addition, as I walked to my car that morning at 6:30 am, I witnessed the most beautiful red orange sunrise blocked by billowing clouds. But the effect was stunning.

*I had students make me laugh out loud. The honeymoon period at school is over. The kids are beginning to show personality. This is where my job gets fun. I always look forward to learning more about their true personalities.

*My friend Corina and I are enjoying being the talk of the school's Fantasy Football league. We were the "newbies" this year, and we won last week. What's more? We are benching out best playing this week. Gotta love it!

Most importantly, what made me smile this week? As a family, we may be busy, but we are healthy and happy. That is worth a million smiles.

Friday Photo Fiesta: Two Front Teeth

I hear the song echo in my head like a bad Menudo song that just won't quit. All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. . My two front teeth. . .see my two front teeth.

My son Brendan has adopted that song as his mantra as of this week.

Unfortunately for my personal delight, Brendan doesn't completely don the gapped teeth look because his tooth growth pattern is unusual. When he lost his two bottom front teeth, he was already sporting two "backups" in the second row of his mouth. Yes, you heard it! Like a shark, he had two rows of teeth. Eventually, his teeth moved forward.

Losing his top teeth was not quite as hilarious. One he lost on our vacation. The tooth fairy had to travel long and far to find him in our one-man tent at Custer State Park. This week, he lost the other front tooth.

Isn't he adorable?

Thanks for playing with Carrie's Photo Fiesta today. Click here to go back to her page.

A Bummer of a Way to Start the Day

Andrew and I got in a fight this morning.

My schedule is one this year where I need to leave home by 7:20 in order to get Evan to preschool and get myself to work just a little late. (I haven't seen on time with kids!) I knew going in to the year that many components need to work just right for me to leave at 7:20 on a daily basis.

Today, only one week after school started, things fell apart. Admittedly, I made some mistakes to assist with the undoing.

Mistake One: Andrew woke up this morning at 6:30 and wanted to check his Fantasy Football team first before doing anything else. Silly me, I let him. 20 minutes later I had to kick him off.

Mistake Two: I allowed Andrew to then eat breakfast before getting dressed. Andrew is the entire reason I instituted a "get-dressed-before-you-eat" policy. He is notoriously slow and working at his own pace.

Mistake Three: At 7:10 when Andrew was still not dressed, I lost my patience.

Of course, Andrew is not without blame in this matter as well. Our morning continued when finally dressed Andrew at 7:19-- yes, ONE minute before I am ready to leave-- decides to do his homework that is not due until Thursday. I see him standing there with no shoes, no coat, no lunch packed, using a yellow pencil to answer the questions. I not-so-calmly explained that the teacher won't be able to read yellow, and that I am walking out the door now. It was time to leave.

He gets ready quickly and starts walking to school. Evan and I do our normal drive-by before we continue on our way, and Andrew was sobbing, tears just streaming down his cheeks.

I brake the car. My heart plummets.

I ask him why he is crying. His response: "Because if we have an argument, we usually work it out. We don't have time to work it out now."

I felt my own tears now brimming, threatening to spill. I end up getting out of the car and embracing Andrew on the side of the road. I invite him in the car for us to talk it out together. I drive him further up to road to catch up with Brendan who had been on time and walking by himself. By the end, his sad eyes looked at me with resolution. We were better.

All the way to work, I stewed on this. I despise starting morning with so much anxiety. My heart is heavy even now, but I had hoped that blogging would have a cathartic effect.

What did I learn from today? I learned a few positive notions. 1. Andrew wants to have a positive relationship with me. He was most troubled that we had argued and left things poorly.
2. He wants to talk to me. How blessed am I to have a child who wants to communicate?

At the end of the day today, all I am looking for is a hug from one special little guy.

Another First

With back to school, the "firsts" just keep piling up! This weekend, Evan played in his first organized sport: Soccer! We were fortunate to find a league for 4 year olds, so he is playing for the next few Saturdays.

He handled the league like a pro. While his mom and dad were busily catching up with other parents we knew there, Evan guided himself into the group and was right at home.

For so long he has had to follow Andrew and Brendan and watch their every move. (He even watched their Flag Football debut tonight!) Yet, Saturday was all about him. He savored the moment.

With Evan starting sports, Chris and I realize how chaotic our world is becoming. Before we know it, we won't be watching the boys as a family because we will have to run to different events. For now, our fall schedule is not terrible:

Monday, Andrew and Brendan have Flag Football.

Tuesday, Andrew and Brendan have Soccer.

Saturday, Evan has Soccer.

We are thrilled that still leaves us with a few free evenings! Now, I am off to collapse asleep. This week has taken its toll on my energy!

It All Makes Sense Now

I am always busy. Now, I know people always claim to be busy all the time, but I promise, I really am.

I have always found ways to be involved with every committee and activity I could. With school back in session, I begin busily grading essays at a frenetic pace. With only one week down, I have 125 multi-paragraph essays in my current possession to grade! Besides the demands of grading and lesson planning, I also volunteer as co-president as my kids PTO, teach Sunday school at the local church, and play chauffeur for the boys' every activity at home. Phew!

Sometimes I wonder where I learned this crazy pace for life.

Then, I thought about my mom.

Memories of my mom from childhood reveal that she never sat down. My siblings and I used to joke about it. Mom was always busy around the house doing anything she could while we all casually reclined. (We helped sometimes.)

Mom retired last year from being a teacher, so I thought it would be easier to reach her at home. I called her last week and spoke with dad. He informed me that mom wasn't yet home from her long-term subbing that she is currently doing for a kindergarten teacher because she was at a church committee meeting. It was 8 pm! I told him to have her call me, and he replied that she may be busy packing because the next evening after she subs, she would be going on a trip to New York City for her part-time tour guide job she has also taken.

Yes, it all made sense to me then. But, where did mom get this?

Then, I thought about my grandma.

My Grandma Dilley is mom's mom. She is a dear 85-year old woman who makes me smile just thinking of her! She has always been extremely active with church as the organist and working two jobs until only about ten years ago when she quit one of them.

Gram had surgery on Friday to open up a couple of her arteries that were clogged. I've been told that she asked the doctor if she could play the organ on SUNDAY in church! Sunday?? She may still be in the hospital? Then, she told him that if she couldn't do that, she did plan to go to work on Tuesday. The doctor kindly informed her that she may be tired, but she insisted. They compromised that if she felt Ok, maybe she could work a half day.

It all makes sense now.

Friday Photo Fiesta: Tranquility

Welcome Candid Carrie visitors for a special Friday posting.

I am feeling sentimental with nearing the completion of the kids' and mine (I teach high school) first week back to school. I decided that today's photos would be inspired from the concept of new beginnings. I also wanted to remember our vacation that was nearly a month ago already by looking at those pictures as well.

What I came up with was a series of sunrises that my family and I were blessed to witness. Sunrises serve as an excellent reminder that a new day is a new beginning.

This first picture was a sunrise at the Badlands. We arrived at 4:30 am and were able to watch the sun peek over the ridges and illuminate the florid hills. Amazing!

Not to be outdone, Yellowstone graces this next photo. Again, we arrived there to witness a beautiful sunrise. My husband captured this beautiful photo as we began driving through the park.
The Grand Tetons were magnificent in the morning sun. I was captivated by how the clouds would gather today atop the mountains in the morning. I am sure there is a scientific reason for it; I just thought it was pretty!
Finally, the ultimate sign of a new beginning is a rainbow. Chris captured this photo at Yellowstone.

Thanks for joining me for a sentimental look at new beginnings this week! Head back to Candid Carrie's here.

A Day of Firsts

Yesterday was brimming with "firsts" in our household. All the boys and I started school. Year to year, I look forward to hearing the first words that the boys choose to tell me about their day. I find those initial reactions and intense desire to share those words endearing and telling. I'll never forget Andrew after his first day of kindergarten looking at me excitedly saying, "This was, like, the best day of my whole life!"

This year they also had exciting words to say.

Evan: "Mom, there are so many new books there. I don't know the names. They are all great!" These are the first words he chose to talk to me about. He babbled all the way home about eating tacos for lunch and getting burned on the HOT slide at recess. He later stated that his favorite parts of the day were nap time and the tacos! (I think the playdoh residue on his clothes indicates that he also enjoyed that activity!) Brendan: "Mom, Ms. Bohlman is awesome!" These were B's chosen words. He was thrilled with his new teacher and regaled us with stories at dinner of her Nascar pitstop theme in her room. (It is actually a discipline system- smart lady!) He loved recess. He loved gym. He loved it all.
Andrew: "Mom, How much is my Scholastic book budget?" Yes, those were his first words to me. He got the Scholastic book order and was working an angle to get a few new books. Later, he discussed how much he liked Mrs. Sonsolla and was thrilled that he will be on the same flag football team as her son this year. He laughed about his "easy" Geography homework. I think he is going to like 3rd grade.

Mom -- Me!: I also had many firsts yesterday. I had my first class of my sixth year of teaching. I had three writing classes yesterday, and they are big classes, so I experienced my first moment of panic about how I am ever going to get the grading done. I had my first smile from a student who was excited to have me again as a teacher. (I love that!) I had my first belly laugh in the classroom. As a teacher, I laugh and smile profusely. I missed that over the summer. I had my first great, exhausting, exhilarating, draining day.

Welcome Back to another year of awesome firsts.

Last Blast

Tomorrow we celebrate the first day of school in our house, which is a major occasion especially since I teach and celebrate right along with the boys. Yet "with every beginning comes and end." I noticed that this week we also commemorated many "last"s.

When I was younger and attended school, I nostalgically remember having a Last Blast at Conneaut Lake Park where we would go ride amusement park rides all day. Generally, the night would conclude with a late night ride on the Ferris Wheel. I loved that.

I don't have that sort of finale for the boys. However, we did have some great "lasts" in the final few days before summer.

*We had the last day at the pool today. We swam both yesterday and today as the temps soared near 90. Gotta love the pool!

*We had a last (and first of the summer) visit to the Children's museum and the zoo, which I had been promising all summer.

* We had our last round of bowling as I referenced in yesterday's post.

* We had our last evening with no mention of homework!

Even though these "lasts" were great, there were a few more maybe less noticeable.

* I had my last night of restful sleep. Now marks my "busy season" of grading and mental to-do lists.
* I kissed my boys good night for the last time as 1st and 2nd graders. Andrew looked at me tonight and said, "I am going to the big playground tomorrow." Yep kiddo! You are growing up too fast for me, too!
* My last child starts preschool tomorrow. Really? How is that possible?

With all of these awesome lasts, I am sure that tomorrow will bring some incredible "firsts" that I can post. Stay tuned. . .