Sent from my iPhone "Just Because I Have Learned How!"
Valerie Houghton:-)

Isn't This the Sweetest Face, Ever?

So... when did this all change? From this little sweet face with the flat little voice to the angular closely shaven face with the "I'm taller than you" deep voice... the soccer ball is still the same... and so is the sweetness. He's a smarty pants prankster, random fact quizzer, math whizzer, perpetual arguer and negotiator. He threatens to go to law school...

He'll be turning 18 soon, leaving for college in the fall, all fired up with his OPINIONS about biofuel, history and politics, while eagerly anticipating his "first opportunity to vote" in November! He is planning on registering as a Republican, just like his dad!

Thank you to our own wonderful long term family therapist (You know who you are!) for helping us get through several periods of parent/child rocky waters, when our little darling could not hear us (the PARENTS, sigh!) and/or when his little sister was driving him nuts... So far, so good...

We will miss you, sweetie... We  love you very much, whether you're off with your friends, away at school or draped all over the house. We'll keep the light on!

We Love Our Teenagers... No Kidding!

So...

Several years ago, we had a visit from a high school friend of mine, whereupon our son asked "Was my mother a hippy?"

My old friend has always had a wicked sense of humor, gave me an evil grin... and said "Oh, Yes..."

What a crock...
I was a preppy before we HAD preppies...

Thanks to my old, dear pal, my son LOVES to periodically remind me, "Mom, you were a hippy!" "And Dad went to UC, Riverside!" WONDERFUL... What can I say?

Our oldest is almost 18, his little sister is almost 16... both taller than me and our son is almost taller than his dad, (at 6'2.")

We (the "parents") just celebrated our thirtieth (30th!) anniversary... and I cannot even begin to describe our celebration/ cards to each other... much less our handmade card, with photos, with handwritten notes, from these two sophisticated Catholic High School students- one a jock + geek, the other a creator + PSAT geek... and they are so close and have such fun together, it is worth everything, every day...

So, if you ever wonder what is going on the last 18 months of your child's high school? I am here to tell you only about our experience ... and we would not have missed a moment of it...

Thank you to our own family's therapist, who met our children when they were small and was, over the last few years, upon numerous occasions,  able to help them through periods when we were "not listening," and help them to refocus on their family's values, our daily shared time, and reassure them about our beliefs and absolute steadfast belief in them...

We knew she would not try to be their "pal," nor throw us under the bus... and we were more than happy to write the check to the person to whom they would be able to listen... when they could not hear us... They can hear us, most of the time...

I wish I was as smart, today, as I was when I was 18... because , at that age, I knew... :-))

We are so grateful to our family therapist and all of our blessings...

Mattie, we will miss you and playing "History Channel Olympics" and/or "Trivial Facts Olympics" and/or "How to Subvert Saying Grace."

Our love, with Emotions... Feelings ... and arm waving Passions!!!

Your Parents

What a Wonderful Year

What a Summer!! The "Teen Crowd" begged us to be able to "Stay Home" this summer!
We had to listen to them, this time ... We knew this was coming... and we have spent our "free" time doing the following "Teen Concierge Activities": Pick up friend/Take to other friend's/take to lunch/pick up other friend/soccer soccer/drop girls off at mall or maybe.../soccer soccer/... we should make a movie?/soccer soccer soccer/ Oops, one of you forgot her purse/ipod/sunglasses/make-up/money/ and "What happened to my phone?/camera?/laptop?/sunscreen?/do you think I should do my nails in "Zebra Stripes" with a light coat of glitter?" (Wow... we used to use "Sun In!")
More soccer soccer soccer/travel/soccer soccer/travel/soccer soccer... and so it goes... TWICE!! Thanking our blessings- and wishing you, yours... What a wonderful year...

Best Pranks on the Planet

Okay.... Now, I would love to have heard the conversation which preceded this resulting bit of folly. I can only imagine the chatter after the big BOOM BOOM sound. Was it a simple "Woops..." or more like "OMG!" or what...EVER?
I nominate this for BPOTP!

You have GOT to be KIDDING...Right?

Wow! What a crazy time: Kidz,Dogz,Catz, Have you had that FEELING lately... it's just a bit too much? Of course, we'd love to drive you teens to the beach... Of course, we LIVE to go to three-day-soccer-tournaments in the central valley in August while we skip our annual family vacation in Tahoe... on the water... on the golf course... on the jet ski...
But then, I remember that we have less than 365 days with both children living at home. Then, I really get shaken when I figure out that in about 1100 days, both children will be launched into College Land.
Wow! Let us pause and inhale the moments and thank our Lord and the Universe-with-its-Infinite-Sense-of-Humor...
Embrace the "Crazy Time"...

A Time for Life and a Time for Death

What a tragic mass murder at Virginia Tech...My heartfelt prayers go out to the families and friends and the community there in that beautiful lttle town. There are no words to comfort the survivors of this vicious and senseless slaughter of lives and souls and innocence.
People ask "How can this happen?" or "Why us?"
There is no rational understanding; no spiritual justification.
I refuse to remember the name of the monster who did these acts.
When I was an undergraduate nursing student at The University of Texas at Austin ("GO HORNS!") I walked by the Tower of Texas several times, every day. We were free to go up to the top and I remember studying for a Chemistry Final with an old pal while up at the top. There was no net, no bars, and no shooters. But, all of us, back in 1973-1977, remembered a man named Whitman who had used that beautiful site to shoot students, back in 1966.
Although I knew about that event, including the year, the name and the number of victims, I never felt a residual horror of that violent day.
I pray that same peacefulness triumphs in Virginia, as well.

Stop Racism Today

Holiday Hugs

Have Some Holiday Hugs!

Let's Dance!

Let's Dance! Promote holiday happiness and release your inner dancing kitty...

Cheery Christmas Prep

Happy December, 2006...

Such a beautiful moon, as we prepare for the winter holidays! Finding the perfect recipes, choosing the perfect gifts and planning the perfect occasions? You bet! A teenager asked me today,"Isn't it boring to have Christmas with babies?" "Weren't we boring, then?"

I cracked up, saying "No! It is SUCH a blast! Everything is new and exciting!" Babies' eyes are wide with wonder and excitement. They love the stories, the lights, the wrapping paper and the familiar gatherings of people who love them well.

A little boy I know, used to call Christmas trees, "Pretty Pretties!" And let's not forget all of the other little things... I hope we all will rediscover our wonder during this holiday. Peace on Earth and Joy to you...

Tip Off for Teens

Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!

So... every adult we know has said "What WERE you thinkin'?" for getting a used 2002 Audi TT for our 16 year old son ... Gotta tell you that both his dad and I drove sports cars when we were 16, with manual transmissions and mine was a ragtop (Datsun 2000), while his was not... I got zero tickets and no wrecks...

Why have we done this?
This teen is very responsible, gets excellent grades, excels at challenging sports, does a lot of community service without fussing at all, is generally kind to his sister and to us (meet the parents) and is cautious (although he times his jokes for when I am drinking my milk, I swear).

Do the work, earn the treats. Any questions?

My-Oh-My... What a Surprise!

Did you hear the story about the healthy 52 year old guy who had a heart attack without any chest pain? No... It is not Chuck Norris, although our teens LOVE that one!

And, you can only guess what saved him! Thank you to the alert and fabulous firefighters at Fire Station #6 in San Jose, California and the wonderfully gifted cath lab and ICU staffs at O'Connor Hospital.

So... Here are lessons (from Friday, the 13th of October) :)

*Real Men CAN have heart attacks on tennis courts without pain and/or shortness of breath (even if they can run like bunnies and play as a 4.0!)

*Real Men CAN ask for HELP at the firehouse nearby (versus going home to "rest," where they often die!)

*Real Men CAN head for the firehouse "because I thought if there was a REAL problem, I didn't want to hear you say: 'So, Sweetie! What the hell were you thinkin'?'"

Great idea. This expression is one of shock and awe (with wild-eyed gratitude!)

Mouse On My Tummy - Cute Kitty Love

Mouse On My Tummy - Cute Kitty Picture

Sooo, What a Crazy "Trip It's Been!"

Just so you know,
I've been out of the office and almost out of....
I've had a recent reminder about how fragile life can be... not MY life, but the life of one of the VERY DEAREST to me. So, I thought I'd send you a laugh and a hug, at the same time. And I hope everyone remembers Jonee Mitchell singing: "... laughing and crying; it's the same relief!..."

My Cubicle - Yahoo! Video: Can Anyone Relate?!!

MSy Cubicle - Yahoo! Video: ""

Just My Favorite Animal!

You are Such a Thoughtful Listener...

"You Are Such a Thoughtful Listener..."

"Can't you just read it in their face,

from the kindness in their eyes,

even though in every case,

they wish they could only BE more wise..."

We always take our work very seriously, but we cannot afford to take ourselves too seriously. I just love his sweet expression, don't you? Are we speaking with kind words? Listening with kind ears?

Now, THAT little guy knows how to REEELLLAAAAXXXX!

So, Who Needs Family Therapy?

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