Visit with Grands/Dade City Fla - Sept 4 - Sept 13th 2009

HE SWIMS! YEAH CJ

I could share probably 50 photos with you... but I am trying to limit to the highlights. CJ is swimming.. yeah! I knew Papa Ken would get him swimming. I am so happy for CJ. Every first brings excitement and just the smallest hint of "my boys are growing so fast". But honestly I am so excited for them to enjoy the adventure of life. To be honest too, as they grow I find myself getting "Me" back a little.... I am a mother and I love that and I am also ME.. I find the lady I once knew coming back.. different and changed.. stronger.. kind of awakening from the past 5 years of baby making. I see the girl who loves pretty clothes and all things kind of pretty emerging again...it feels really good to get to know this new person. I have been thinking a lot about this.. and while I want my boys to give themselves to a partner or family... I do not want them to give all of themselves... some of who they are they need to keep, and nurture, and grow and take care of. I believe it is important to keep that relationship with self and God above all. As for our visit to Dade City and to my wonderful parents.. it was DELICIOUS. It was filled with good conversations, warmth, love, super YUM food. My kind of paradise. By the way there are some wonderful little antique shops in Dade City. I could have spent all day browsing but with two little boys I have learned to do my SUPER SHOP.... which is a quick focused walk through a store in about 10 minutes. I focus on the stuff I really love, vintage handbags, pins, jewelry and homey stuff..... Usually I do not buy anything but oh how I love to just look! So overall the trip was magnificent.. albeit a whirlwind.. I am reminded that at my core I am a girl who loves: God, myself, my husband and sons.. with a touch of pretty things thrown in and of course.. all the beautiful people who make up this Poveromo(McNiff)/Drayton(Ruiz) family...

I have written on Facebook about how I love this food. Here it is Cha Chas... Arroz con pollo y frioles( rice and chicken and beans)... I am practicing my Spanish a little these days... Just a little.. it needs a lot of work! But this food QUE BUENO!

Papa Ken( my dad), Grandma Cha Cha( my mom) and my babies
backyard
I love how they have these beautiful climbers!
Lowry Park Zoo - CJs Fave.. he knows every exhibit!




Seriously Up Close. I felt like we were on Safari.






White Bengal Tigers.. CJs fave
Both sides of our family(Drayton's and Povs) are civic minded. My dad is in CERT. Local Rescue Response Volunteer Group... Yeah Dad!

Orchids in backyard

Grandpa spent some time teaching the boys how to swim.

Drayton Home front view....

some prettys my parents bought me... thank you and love them! CJs fave Dade City buddy.. Mara H. such a cutie. They are at the Hugh Embry Library.. Dade City

Flowers are all colors.. a tribute to Art and Creativity

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Call it laziness or creativity and maybe it's a combination of both... but a College Roommate recently reminded me of some of the things I have worn in my life:Kimonos, Crocheted Bras, Biker Jackets... Tee Shirts inside out, several things strung together with Safety Pins etc. Again, I think it's part laziness and part that I often see things and see all the possible ways to wear them. Again not saying I am Arty but it is how art manifest within me. I was recently struck by how important I think it is to allow people to express themselves, be creative and think for themselves, when I saw the video above. Who knows if my boys will be Artists or Politicians or whoever.. For now though, when I asked CJ.. "What color are Flowers?" he laughed and said.. "Mommy, Flowers are all colors." At least today at this very moment he can see all the possibility life offers.... Get out there people and do something that makes your HEART SING with joy...... color outside the lines... wear a Scottish Kilt or big ole Sombrero. Dance people Dance!

Transitions

Transitions - by William Bridges(noted Psychologist and Personal Change Guru)

The internal and psychological process people go through to come to terms with the new situation.

We Povs are in the middle or in the thick of Transition..........

CJ started PreK this week.
Mason started in the 2 Year old Classroom.
And Mommy is in week two of separation from old role/position with Wachovia.

Let me also say... after some thought.. I am not a huge fan of the term "laid off". While I want to be authentic and say..... yes.. I have been laid off... I do not like the reaction it gets from people. People seem to feel bad for the person laid off.. and I do not like the victim space it can put me in. Yes this is a tough time, yes I got laid off. But I am at choice. I hold the cards on what is next. I think Wachovia/Wells is a great company..... I was simply moving toward a direction/ and position that was not best for me OR the company..... so I am creating the next chapter. Am I a little scared ?.. yes.. OK A LOT SCARED(smile). But what you may not know about me is... I have this thing about FEAR... and I feel it and force myself to push it aside and say.. DUDE Your are not going to hold me back! Am I excited? .. VERY.... am I confident in my skills.. as a lifecoach, training consultant.... YOU BETCHA... so you will not see me write a lot more about my Layoff. The intent of this blog is to document my family life. This is a wild time.... filled with good moments.. and hard moments.. but if CJ and Mason read this 20 years from now I want them to know.. WE POVS are STRONG.... we cry... we laugh.. we are honest.. and WE CREATE OUR LIVES.....and OWN OUR POWER!!!!!!!!!! We know at our core that with God guiding us.. we can do anything!!!!!!! Life is good.. real.. wild... FULL and AWESOME!

And please know this is not a Soapbox. I know times are tough. I know people are struggling. We each have a choice in how we react to things. This is how I choose to react. Am I happy every minute of the day? No. Have I cried A LOT.. yes...and I choose to be excited more than sad. I choose to know that I create my life. That is what is right for me. Enough.

The boys are doing great in their transition. Both seem to like the new environments and experiences. As I watch them leave the safety of what they know and venture into this uncharted territory.. they are teaching me. Their actions say to me...
"Mommy if we can do it.. so can you.....!"

Cody Joseph's Baptism - August 15th & 16th

Children are a gift from the Lord, a child is a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

Chris and I went home for literally 24 hrs (or so). We visited my home Ronkonkoma, Long Island. It was a quick visit to celebrate Cody Joseph's acceptance into our church. Chris is his godfather! I adore my little Cody. Welcome to the world my sweet, sweet pea! Thank you very much Auntie Lori, Uncle Will, Cousins Ryan and Ben for coming to Charlotte to keep our little boys company. It was a great visit to my first home. And it is great to be back in my new home... our beloved little Pov Nest!

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My inspiration: Thank You NIENIE

I would like to think when faced with adversity.. I am STRONG..... I keep my chin up and believe in my GOD and his power to lead me through it! I'd like to think that ... but I know there are days when I am weak, when I cry ALOT, when I am really afraid, when I am an ugly person, jealous, VAIN, materialistic. Then I remember that I am human and this is my journey and it is beautiful. My job in life is to be and be IMPERFECT and try my best; And to be smart enough to relish all the beautiful gifts I have: a deep love from my husband,my beautiful boys, and a growing relationship/ever evolving with God. I am also lucky to be able to read and witness people who inspire me like NieNie's most recent post.

NieNie is a Mormon Mother who was burned in a horrible accident last year. Expectations for her ability to survive were very low... but she somehow survived. And now she is Living! She has great days... and as she writes hard days.... and reading and looking at this entry I am reminded that truly everything in life... EVERYTHING.. starts from who you are WITHIN and what you believe about life etc.
I am humbled today.... very humble.

See link: http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com

We had an incredible weekend and celebrated my newphew Cody Joseph's Baptism. Will post pictures soon. It was a fantastic weekend back home on Long Island. Albeit brief