Sink or Swim

When we took this photo, we had no idea how much we truly were living on the edge. 

We were on vacation.  When nothing bad can happen. Right?

We were so naive.

When we decided to leave the pool, we removed the kids' life jackets. As he has so often done, Max declared that he didn't need swimming lessons or a life jacket because he already knew how to swim.

Then he jumped in.

We've all heard the saying "sink or swim." I figured he'd get a little scared and then realize that some skills need to be learned. Maybe, I thought, this would be a good lesson.

We all watched him. He was only a couple of feet from me. He seemed fine. Maybe Max had been right all along and he truly could swim.  He has a build similar to Olympian Michael Phelps --long body, big feet, broad shoulders.  Maybe he would show us all. Good for him.

His eyes were wide and he had a dazed smile on his face--like maybe he was surprised.  He moved his arms and legs like he was trying to move toward the stairs and climb them. He opened his mouth as if to speak and then closed it.

That's when Garrett jumped in and pulled him into his arms.

Thank God.   Thank God Garrett was there.  Reality punched me in the gut.  We'd all been watching him struggle right in front of me, but I thought he was okay. Thank God Garrett was there.

Not long after we returned a friend posted this article on Facebook, and I lost it.  Full blown tears. If I'd been unnerved at the pool, I was terrified when I read the article. We are so, so lucky.

Read this article.  Drowning doesn't look like it does on television.  Know the signs.

Max splashed through his first official swim lesson today.  He wasn't scared, and he didn't have false bravado either. When the instructor asked for a volunteer, I heard his little voice ring out. "I can try."

And he did.

The Magic of Independence

The instant I placed a tiara on Alexandra's head, Max was awestruck. "Ooooh. She needs a magic wand. She's a magical princess!"

He was a police man. In a construction hat. While I hunted for a wand, his plans for capturing trolls flowed quickly. He declared he would identify the bad trolls so Alexandra could capture them with her magic.

When we arrived at our playdate, she proved she had other plans.

She acquired a cool car...

 

...that she borrowed from her cute sidekick...

 

 ...and then she donned a mask.

Apparently, she was a super magical princess.

I like that she didn't let us define her. May she always be so brave.

Keeping it real: Even a super magical princess has to hydrate

The Getaway

On Mother's Day, I received flowers and an envelope. I nervously slid my finger under the flap because I expected to see flight and hotel information for the SCBWI LA conference.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not oblivious to the generosity! Garrett had pressured me to attend since I told him it was supposed to be a great conference--even better than the NY one I attended a few years ago.

When I told him I needed to finish some details on my book before it was ready to pitch, he insisted...until I compared  it to him going to the Tour de France and being almost ready to compete.

After that, I suspected he might buy me a bike.

Instead, the envelope held confirmation information for two nights at a hotel. 

Last weekend, I lost myself in the final polishing touches of my book. Meals were delivered to my door.  Garrett had even booked a massage.

Room keys for my computer and me.

Best. Gift. Ever.

At 8:52 PM on Saturday night, I celebrated the completion of Society of Legions with Hershey's kisses and a small bottle of wine.

What's your idea of a self-indulgent fantasy weekend getaway just for you?

Taking Flight

A family friend was watching our children recently when she witnessed a baby bird dangling from the nest on our patio. A wire was wrapped around the baby bird's leg and wing.  Wearing gloves, Beth carefully freed the robin.  When she replaced it in its nest, however, the little birds inside knocked it out again.  Beth caught it mid-air and returned it carefully to the nest.  Mommy bird rushed up immediately and fed him. 

Garrett saw all of the birds learning to fly the next day.  Now, they're gone.

Another robin couple considered the children's fort a suitable place to build a nest. But something happened.  They haven't hatched.  They never will.

Those baby birds will never take risks, take flight, or leave the nest.

These two little eggs are good reminders for me during graduation season.  Max informed anyone who would listen that he was not going to stay for a local church's Mother's Day Out, half-day, three-day-a-week preschool program next year. Although he loves his teachers, he declared he was going down the street to the five-day-a-week, full-day preschool.  His little sister wants to attend the Mother's Day Out program.

Celebrating after Max's closing program. Alexandra is trying to get away to play in the bird-bath fountain.

I must not be sad.

They're ready.  It doesn't matter if I am.  My job is to welcome them to the nest when they return and hope a helping hand will rescue them if they need it.

My friend Dee Dee Chumley is giving away a necklace this month. Deadline is June 17, 2013. Check it out and remember our robins. You'll understand why I love her giveaway so much.

OWFI's Agent Panel's Quotable Quotes

The first weekend of May is the annual writers' reunion/conference for Oklahoma Writers Federation.

My writing group's party room. Yes, we have wine with our name on it.

Here are a few helpful quotes from the agent panel:

On Query letters

"Be short, sweet, professional." --Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

"Please include a phone number." --Paul S. Levine  of Paul S. Levine Literary Agency

"A 2000 word query letter is not going to excite anyone."--Paul Lucas of Janklowa & Nesbit

On Pitches

"The best pitch is the one that makes you want to read more of the book.  The worst one is the one that makes you wonder why they're writing a book." --Jim McCarthy

"Best pitches are the ones that make me want to sign that person.  The worst are when I think I can't wait to talk about this at work on Monday."--Jim McCarthy

On Self Publishing

"I'm very open to self-published authors.  I'm more enticed if you've sold a butt load of copies."--Jim McCarthy

On Social Media

"Own it if you're going to do it.  Delete it if you're not." --Paul Lucas

Other tidbits

"Looking for projects I think are fun."--Paul Lucas

"New Adult is very happening." --Sara D'Emic of Talcott Notch Literary Services

"Don't be an asshole.  It's not worth it." --Jim McCarthy

Happy writing, ya'll!

Does anyone else have a quotable quote from a writing conference? Please post in the comments.

Oklahoma Love

 During a still Monday morning, I looked at a weather map indicating storm chances. I said, "Oh my. Oklahoma is the center of a bull's eye.  

But I was thinking, "Dear God, help us."

Here are a few links addressing ways you can help with the recent tornadoes that ripped up Oklahoma and broke our hearts.

Child psychologist Lisa Marotta wrote how to soothe your child's fear after the storm. 

Be sure to check out Metro Family's ways to help victims of the May 20 tornado.

Oklahoma Women Bloggers posted a list of different ways to help, too.

Please comment below if you know of other ways to help.

What do you love?

 Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.
-H.G. Wells

Garrett left this morning to ride in the Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York.  

He's going to have a blast. He's a mellow man, so I'm doing the Snoopy happy dance on his behalf.

Cycling is his passion.

One of the best things about having a passion is getting to share it. 

We start 'em early around here.

It's contagious.

The perfect potty training bribe: bike with no pedals.

Although, he trains practically every day, Garrett participates in only a few organized rides each year.

Tornadoes hopped all around us when we arrived at the 2012 Red Bud Classic, but the weather didn't dampen our spirits.

I have a feeling we'll be cheering for more than one member of the family before too long.

When Max received his first real bike this spring, I'm not sure which of my guys was more excited.

What is your passion? Have you shared it with anyone?