Special Mason and Mom Moments

Happy Monday!

It was quite the week and weekend here at Partak Central. I struggled all last week with a cold that, thank goodness seems to be on its way out. It may have been less of a struggle if it weren't such a busy school week. I had two tests, one of which covered 29 minerals, their origin, their hardness, how to identify them and what not to use to identify them (color), where their color comes from and some practical uses for said minerals. Let's just say I didn't get an A, but I also didn't fail. I don't know what the grade will come in at, but I'll know soon.

Mason and I had some fun this weekend making a couple of videos and it is blowing my mind how comfortable he is becoming. Not only is the recording getting easier, but he is doing whole takes in one shot, and my favorite development? He is producing the shots himself. He will direct me as to how he wants it to start, where I should shoot from and how he sees the edits happening. I knew this would happen, but I saw it a bit further down the road. After we did our videos, we were doing our own things and he came in my room and announced that he loves me more than anyone in the whole world. I smiled and said, "Thank you Mason, I love you, too. But you know what, I think you love dad more than you love me." He protested and asked why I thought that. I told him science says so. Science says that the same-sex parent has the most influence on a child. He thought for a minute and said, "Well, I can't argue with science but I want you to know how much I love you. Mom, I love you because you want to help make my dreams come true." WOW! Yes I do, Mr. Mason. Our conversation went on a few more minutes where he allowed me to see how intellectual and deep his heart really is. He even went on to acknowledge our plans to move back east and he said, "So it's not only my dreams, you want to make dads dreams come true, too. Mom, that's cool, we're all going to make our dreams come true." It was a special, special conversation and I thank all of you for allowing me to document it here. I don't ever want this memory to fade. But fade it will as we go back to stepping on each others toes, and bumping heads when he wants to do something and I say no. I'll be back to MOM (Mean Old Mom), in no time...smiling all the way because I know what is really in his sweet heart.

Today both of my boys are home not feeling up to par and I am off to school. This semester is flying by and before I know it, I will get to graduate and hang a piece of paper on my wall. Hopefully two, my diploma and my honors certificate. I hope you all have a great day and I want to leave you with a piece by Ralph Marston, a motivating mentor of mine...I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. This piece speaks to me beyond measure, "When You Don't Know You Can't"

When you don't know you can't

To achieve great and valuable things, you don't even have to know that you can.

You just have to avoid knowing that you cannot.

If you're sure you can't, you won't.

When you focus on all the reasons why it won't work, it won't work.

Instead, just get busy.

Work your way through each challenge, one by one.

Don't place judgments on your abilities before you even... make the effort.

Put your considerable skills to use and achieve what you choose to achieve.

The only things impossible for you are the things you consider to be impossible.

Focus your time, energy and awareness on what you can do, and let go of thoughts about what you cannot do.

Feel the powerful pull of your dreams, your longings and your desires. Work to make them happen, for when you don't know you can't, you will.

Ralph Marston - The Daily Motivator

 

Used with permission from Ralph Marston, www.thedailymotivator.com

Pizza My Heart!

Happy President's Day!

I'm not missing my Monday Motivator this holiday Monday, no, I'm up early as I am tuned in to win tickets to Disneyland. I'm not sure if we can make time to go, but having tickets sure makes the planning easier. In any case, it's nice being up before Dave and Mason and it's especially nice that they both get to sleep in today. I have been acutely aware this weekend how good my life is, it's as if our family is in sync in a way we rarely are. There is not much really to say about it other than I am aware and incredibly appreciative for all my gifts.
 

Saturday was really fun, Dave and I were up early and off to the farmers market, one of my favorite Saturday things to do. I brought Dave home and picked Mason up and he and I went to see the Auburn Symphony. What fun! They do a kids program that includes lots of learning about the construction of music, what to listen for, talking, and singing. Little ones stayed engaged and Maestro Jaffe was animated and likely gained a whole new generation of symphony fans. Saturday evening Dave and I had plans for a date night, celebrating Valentines Day with dinner and live music in Roseville. We made arrangements for Mason to sleep over with our friends. It turns out, they had a house full of kids, all girls! Mason had planned to make dinner for the family and when he got started with his homemade pizzas, it came as no surprise this creative cook made heart shaped pizzas for the ladies! Cris snapped this photo and texted me while we were out and it just made my night. She went on to share that when dinner was ready, Mason let everyone know they could "Kiss the Cook!" If you want to see some more of my funny kid, take a look at Mason's tutorial for making banana cream pie - seriously, you will laugh! http://youtu.be/jIsyx76rpOY
 

Sunday was way more low key with Dave getting his run in and doing homework and there is more of the same for today. Mason and I did learn about making chicken cutlets and made a sun dried tomato, basil and mozzarella stuffed chicken breast for dinner. We will be making that one again for sure! Finally, all of you know I am a real estate agent and have focused much of my energy on helping distressed homeowners with the loan mod process. Well, this week, I finally closed a short sale I have had in the works for more than two years! Yes, I learned so much and I am moving forward to do more real estate. Keep me in mind if you know someone who has questions, or is ready to buy or sell. Now I have two tests tomorrow to study for and a couple of papers to write. Have a great holiday weekend and be sure to pop back and let me know if Mason made you laugh! If nothing else, it will leave you craving a banana cream pie!

Embrace Monday!

For all the grief Monday gets, it's the only day of the week that gives you a full ride to succeed for that week. Think about it, we spend the whole day Monday complaining that the weekend is too short and we have so much to do. Tuesday rolls around and we're already thinking, well, this week is well under way so let's look ahead. Wednesday comes and we all know what that means, "Hump Day!" We're over the hump and it's almost Friday. Thursday rolls around and we are wrapping up our work week because we all know we don't get any work done on Friday; we are mentally checked out planning our weekend. Okay, this is a bit of a generalization but the fact remains, Monday is the start of every new week and I propose we embrace it and make great things happen.
 

I've had a great year being able to avoid even the slightest sign of a cold...until now. It seems none of us are immune but I will keep up my vitamins, minerals, lots of hand-washing, and do my best not to miss school. As far as I know, as long as I am not running a fever, I am okay to be out and about. With that said, I am off to school and then to the real estate office before picking Mason up and doing dinner with him, I think he's cooking! Have a great week! Kathy

Super Bowl Party!

What a weekend! The Super Bowl was yesterday and boy, what a game! I'm disappointed that my San Francisco 49ers did not bring home the trophy, but hey, that's the way the cookie crumbles some days. Not only was it a big day for football, it was also a big day for Mason - he did a small catering job for the Super Bowl party we went to. Actually, I think we were invited to stay and watch the game after Mason agreed to do 3 kinds of wings, a large vegetable tray, with homemade ranch dip and dressing. He did a great job from taking the order, to shopping for the groceries, prepping what he could ahead of time, and staying on task the day of the event. I'm not sure he could have stayed with the job if it would have required serving and keeping the food replenished, but hey, he's nine! He really liked getting paid, but commented that doing live cooking demos is more fun.

We are back to school, we both have lots of homework, and Mason is working on a signature cookie recipe for a local Celebrity Chef Challenge fundraiser coming up in March. I can't even imagine how many cookies we are going to bake and taste before they are what he is imagining. Until then, have a great week!