When I was five, my mom tricked me into playing soccer by telling me my best friend Zoë was going to play, and then her mom, Lela, told Zoë I was going to play. We were the only two girls on our team in those days. Apparently I would stand on…
It’s Christmas Eve morning and here I am creating a project plan. Don’t judge. One of the things I’m really good at is recognizing what other people are good at. And bringing lots of people together to make something happen. So this morning James’ little brother, Uncle Brett, who has always…
I’ll never forget my first commute to my new job in San Luis Obispo, almost seven years ago. I drove down this beautiful mountain, past fields and vineyards, and the most contented cows. The sky was crystal clear. I passed the octagon barn and pulled into the parking lot just twelve minutes…
On Tuesday night, December 20th, we lost our heart, our soul, our James. There is more to say, just not today. So yesterday I gave the boys the choice to attend their last day of school before the winter break, or to call-in a “mental health” day. Jacob chose to…
After a night of hourly wake-ups, we had a leisurely Late-Start Monday morning. Over breakfast Nate’s assessing yesterday’s tournament competition. He says, “You know when I made that one free kick from outside the box?” “Yeah, it was a nice one.” “The ref came up to me afterward and was…
Well, we crushed the Paso Robles Grape Crush. This year’s All Stars team, SLO United, may just give last year’s Legends a run for their money. Nate wasn’t so sure this team could live up to it— but after winning the final against Templeton 12-1, he might have changed his…
Today James went on a short field trip down to Avila Beach with his friend Andre, while I spent the morning in Paso at Nate’s first All Stars Tournament. James was wiped-out by the time I came home— I never did hear how it went, but I’m told it was…
It’s Friday and everyone’s happier on Fridays. It’s a thing. The boys headed off to school. I had a short break to run some errands. James took a walk around the grass outside with Nonna and Aunt Laurie. And this afternoon, we had a video call with Dr. Uslander. My longtime…
Sleep has been quite elusive ’round these parts for weeks under a generous definition of slumber, and months/years under an even more expansive definition. Thus, the mental to-do lists have really ramped up their late night visits. On Monday evening, I vaguely register some sort of message to confirm that Nate…
The last ten days are a blur of hospital hallways, parking garages, texts, and rainstorms. We are so deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and love from friends and family far and wide. I know I’m falling down on my texting gig. I’ve been in a night school crash course…