4funboys

Matt Hammitt - All of Me (Lyrics)

2011-12-23T11:28:00.000-08:00

My How Time Flies

2010-10-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

And my baby is turning 9 tomorrow!

I love him more than ever...

Time flies....

Merry Christmas

2009-12-06T23:25:00.001-08:00

I love this time of the year!I love decorating... and having friends over.
I love cooking for friends and giving gifts to people that I love!
I love all the little treasures I have been given (even the ones I should have thrown away years ago)
I love seeing how long I can keep my flocked tree from burning down my house...
I love listening to my boys read the story of The Three Trees...
I love our "It's a Wonderful Life" tree (even though I don't like the movie)
I love Kyle's tree because it has the oldest ornaments...
I love shopping in the rain for flocked trees...
and I love that my baby still believes in Santa (even if it's "just for his mama")

but most of all...

I love celebrating our Saviors birth because it's a time for me to remember how blessed I am!

Happy 15th Anniversary!!!

2009-11-23T01:22:00.000-08:00

This weekend was our 15th wedding anniversary! We had such a great time together in SO Cal!
The highlight for me was meeting Pioneer Woman and having her sign copies of her cookbook for me! She was gracious enough to sign several copies for me, and even did a special page for each of my boys with their names on some of their favorite recipes! How sweet is she!
While we waited in line for hours, I got to meet some other wonderful ladies. It was fun to share our stories of how we all enjoy Ree's great blog!
Tony was a great sport... as always! Gosh I love this guy!!

Mac Madness

2009-08-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

You know it's been too long since your last post when:

you've forgotten how to do a new post!

It was a busy, wonderful summer!

211 baseball games later (yes... I counted --- I needed to know why my yard and house have gone to pot in the last few months)... but we're finally done with baseball.
No one is more happy than Kyle... he just couldn't fathom another tournament.

He was too busy getting ready for school... in his own way.

LORD HELP ME NOW!

These showed up today...

And mommy is trying to be as excited about these as I was the 7 guitars that have shown up at our house in the last few months.

Really!

I am...

and sometimes, especially when I listen to Kyle practice his electric guitar, I'm thrilled!

This is the night we went to his first GIG during the summer at The Barking Dog...

I sure love this kid...

even if he is 5 inches taller than me (without my heels).

SO, yeah...

haven't had much time for blogging- but I miss it!

Mr York...

2009-07-17T14:19:00.001-07:00

Mr. York and I want mom to come home soon!

Where's The Time Gone?

2009-06-07T09:04:00.001-07:00

A.J. just had his 11th birthday. Since his draft baseball team, his MC team, and his all star team doesn't give him enough time on the baseball field.... he wanted to go see a game with his friend for his big day!

Love this kid.

Don't always "get" this kid... but I love him more than anything in the world!
Nana and grandpa kicked down with some cool gifts... like always!

Enjoyed having a few friends over before the game...

11 best things about AJ:

1. Has a heart for worship

2. Loving and fun to be with

3. Always has a smile on his face

4. Can always count on him to find whatever I've lost... anything from my keys to work materials!

5. loves to help

6. has great manners

7. kind heart

8. my baseball boy

9. works hard

10. good friend, and always something nice to say

11. only son who puts away his dad's and my clothes the right way

AJ,

I'm proud of the person you are becoming. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for you! There is no doubt in my mind that, with your servant's heart... and love of worship, you will continue to bless everyone you come in contact with. I feel especially blessed to be your mommy, because I get to experience that fabulous smile every day! I love you son!

Heavy Heart

2009-04-17T23:56:00.001-07:00

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/666679.html

The article almost makes it sound like this kid was in a gang; but we don't believe he was.

He was a good kid.

For the last 12 years he's helped in our classrooms.

His mom still works with me at the school.

He was just at the wrong place, at the wrong time. (just a side note-- our principal was shot at, at the same location last year, but the bullet didn't kill her. She went 'around' the corner from the school to get gas... that's how close she was to school.)

And now he's dead, and I feel like I can't pick my heart up off the floor!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

2009-04-16T03:08:00.000-07:00

The Modesto Nuts let my kids have batting practice on their field the other day.

(I wonder how Mark McGwire likes that name for his old minor league team... geezzzzzzzzzz)
Colton is convinced it helped him hit his first over the fence home run last week.

And AJ thinks it helped him hit his walk off 3 run RBI last night to win the undefeated team.

And Caden was just happy to be hitting where the PROs practice.

And daddy loved it the most I think...

It's that time of year that we all love.

All 7 teams are in full swing... literally.

So there's not much time for blogging, or cleaning, or home cooked meals.

but... boy, oh boy...

this is one of my favorite seasons so far!

Go DODGERS!

U TUBE FRIIIIIIGHT-

2009-04-01T23:38:00.001-07:00

Tonight I got a really frightening phone call...

We try so hard to protect our kids... to do what's best for them... but sometimes; you just don't see the drop offs. (Or worse, you ignore the twinge thinking you're just being "over-the-top")

I certainly didn't see this one coming... because I've always thought myself to be pretty careful with my boys and the Internet. Our boys are NEVER on the Internet without me or their dad in the room. They learned that from their dad. T doesn't even go on facebook without someone else in the room because in 2 clicks... you can wind up somewhere you didn't mean to be.

Last weekend, we let him spend the night with 2 of his best friends at one of their houses for a birthday sleep over. All 3 boys are 12. All 3 considered "bright," and "good kids".

They decided to open a "joint U Tube" account to post their "home made" videos on. What kid doesn't like to see video clip of himself!

BUT... THEN IT TURNED UGLY.

This afternoon (2 nights after the original silly video was originally made with the 3 of them dancing around to music with pants on their hands), one of the boys edited one of the videos to include an audio clip.

In an attempt to "be funny" he made reference to a bomb, in a box, at school.

Now remember... my son doesn't really go to school with the 2 boys anymore (because we left when his 10 year old brother got cut with a pocket knife by another student who tried to stop him from telling the yard duty that she had the knife. And did I mention that we NEVER even got a phone call about him getting hurt because they "agreed to keep it between the principal and the student who brought the knife.")

Not only does my son not even go to that school anymore, but 2 of the boys didn't even have any knowledge that 1 had edited the video and included the audio clip this afternoon.

Fortunately, the mom of the boy who didn't edit the movie saw it tonight and deleted the account, along with all the videos.

But... lucky me! We get to deal with this mess tomorrow because... EVEN THOUGH HE'S NEVER SEEN IT (IT GOT DELETED BEFORE WE KNEW ABOUT IT)... OTHER kids from the school did see it. And his name... and face... was on it!

GEEEEEEZE.

talk about a LIFE LESSON!

March Madness

2009-03-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Caden absolutely LOVES to plant flowers; and since I've been promising we'd "get to it" for several weeks now, I figured today was the day...
He was SOOOOO excited...

and I am too, because it means I get beautiful pots like these.

But all of a sudden-- we had this beautiful rainbow in the sky:

because it started to POUR, right in the middle of our planting frenzy...

But one of the MANY things I love about my better half...

he doesn't let anything get in the way of "his plans". And a "little rain" didn't slow him down a bit. (I'm hoping it doesn't kill my newly planted flowers either, seeings how the poor things are more like drowning...)

While I ran inside to get in my warm bath that he ran for me because I was FREEZING, he stayed in his shorts... in the rain... cleaning up so we could get ready to go out for the night.

And I have to say... I hope my boys turn out JUST like their daddy, because I sure love him!

and my babies too!

4 Corners

2009-03-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while... I get to enjoy of monumental mommy moment that will forever be impressed on my forgetful heart.

Today I cried --- and I NEVER cry!

let me back up...

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine myself as a homeschooling mama.

For many reasons-- not the least of which is that I'm a public school teacher!

I've questioned our decision to do it this year... more times than I can count. Some days I just feel like they didn't "get enough"... and I should have been more patient... Yada, Yada.

Yesterday the 3 oldest boys had their end of the year testing. And when my "most challenging" son came out of test within about 25 minutes... I cringed. When my "Genius" child came out, half drugged because of his allergies and said, "I had to just guess on a few mom, I can't even breathe. I just wanted to be DONE." I rolled my eyes and thought, "That's just great - Some teacher I've turned out to be!".

BUT the kicker was having to wait an extra 2 hours, wondering "WHAT IN THE world??? A test that was "supposed to take all of an hour, ended up being more than 3 hours, and when the poor guy came out, he said: Mom... IT WAS SOOOO HARD--

I was worried. BIG TIME!

Worried that I hadn't done enough.

That we hadn't made the right choice in home schooling these boys.

But as it turns out...

I cried today...

Not because my "genius" child made "tremendous growth" ... He's always done that.

Not because my "smart" and "challenging" wonderboy increased his percentile scores more than he's ever done before. He's the kid that learns "inspite of," not "because of" how good his teacher is. He's lucky.

I cried today because my baby boy who has struggle EVERY day of his life in school... and has always been YEARS behind in school (which was why this journey even began)... Not only did he improve from being in the bottom 5 percentile in EVERY category on the STAR test for the last 3 years, even after being retained...

BUT because he scored IN THE 90 - 97 Percentile in EVERY subject--- which means he's ABOVE grade level... and in some areas... more than 2 years ahead!!!

SO YEAH...

I cried today for the first time in... FOREVER... because,

maybe, just maybe...

NO HOMEWORK + NO PARENT PROJECTS = ACADEMIC success after all!

Thanks MOM!!!

BECAUSE WITHOUT YOU>>> It wouldn't have been possible!

I love you!

Spring

2009-03-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

I love SPRING...

It means that SUMMER-IS-A-COMING>>

it also means BASEBALL... Baseball... baseball...
And with 7 teams (plus Daddy's Sunday night games= 8)... that's a LOT for me to try and handle.

BUT, I love it... because the boys are sooooo happy to be on a field... any field...

either playing the game, watching the game, or practicing for the game--- they don't care which.

Now---

if only I can get the right kid, to the right field, at the right time, on the right day, in the right uniform (preferably clean....ha)...

It should be great seasons for everyone!!!

AND>>> if I could actually get a little school work in on the side, that would be a good bonus!

(but I have to say... I'm really looking forward to being "in control" over our school schedule and homework etc for the season! What a stress relief for us... not worrying about homework, and getting the little ones in bed after late games... and my personal favorite... NO OPEN HOUSE projects! YIPPEE) --

Swingin' It Single

2009-02-23T19:31:00.000-08:00

This season is going to be so much fun... I can tell already!
I love baseball... for the most part!

The new season has officially started... and Tony already drafted his team last week.

AJ should be a lot of fun to watch this year... and we're pretty excited about his team after seeing their first practice yesterday. GO DODGERS>

Colton is fun to watch no matter what sport he's playing...

The part I'm not looking forward to its trying to juggle all 7 teams...

I HATE missing one minute of my kids games, but it's impossible to be on 4 different fields at the same time. So, we'll do our best... and between the world's best auntie and the best grandparent's in the world... my kids will usually be fortunate to have at least someone there to cheer them on.

but most of all,

I'm not looking forward to being virtually "single" for the next few months-- because if Tony is on one field, I'll be at another... and that's the hardest part!

Are You Kidding Me???

2009-02-19T23:07:00.000-08:00

I remember worrying about my son starting middle school and all the pressures that go along with living through those middle years. But at the moment, I'm thinking I'd be happy with the worries of zits, girls, and lockers.... instead of GED tests and College.

Today I met with yet "another" 6Th grade teacher to discuss options for my oldest son.

WHY? Because I'm not sold on the ideas that his other teachers have given me for him.

They want me to get him hooked up with all these on-line courses, college prep materials etc.

Yeah, let's just SKIP JR. HI ALL TOGETHER... and while we're at it, we can forget high school too. Who needs dances and sports and proms?

Basically, they don't think I'm "pushing" or "challenging" him enough. And guess what, they're right... if you consider success based on production of work.

I'm not sold on that idea that I need to push him any more because I'm not sure he's ready for that. Not just because he's not interested in becoming the next boy genius (and he's not), but because life if more than just acquiring knowledge.

Ironically (because I'm a teacher), academics aren't a big priority around here. It's more about teaching them to love God, know God, love family, and love sports. * not always in that order.

At our consultation today, we were encouraged to have him take the GED test within the next few week, and begin classes at the JC this summer to see how well he'd enjoy taking classes there in the Fall.

He's already passed the high school exit exam as an 11 year old. Yeah, the one they give to 18 year old seniors before they graduate. His lowest score in any sub category was a 94... so I'm thinking the GED wouldn't be too hard for him.

But, WHOOOOO.... ARE YOU KIDDING ME? G.E.D? COLLEGE??

They want me to have my kid skip 7th grade, 8th grade, as well as his Frosh to Senior year of high school... just like that???

Again, ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME???

He just turned 12 for Pete sake ... like, yesterday- literally!!!

He's a baby. He has no business being with kids that much older than him! He's mature in some ways, but life experience counts... and he just doesn't have much of that. He's a VERY young 12 year old in a LOT of ways... and I LOVE that about him. I love that he'll do whatever we ask him to do, he'll go where ever we ask him to go, he'll BE whatever we ask him to be. No questions asked... he just does it! Usually with a happy heart because he trusts use implicitly!

What a treasure that is! What a responsibility that is!

Oh, that I don't let him down.

There are a million questions racing through my mind. What about sports? What about friends his age? What about trying to get him to appreciate this God-given gift (which HE SO DOESN'T see as a gift)?

I wish he'd have come with instructions.

A recipe I could follow.

Directions I could read, understand and abide by.

After the meeting today... I felt like I'm really letting him down as his mother. I HATE THAT FEELING!!!

As I prayerfully consider what's best for him, I don't feel any closer to knowing what that looks like, or sounds like, or feels like. I'm painfully aware that what I'm doing now is probably not enough... but REALLY...

And as much as Jr. high and high school wasn't all of my fondest of memories... I can't imagine just "robbing" him of the experience all together.

My hubby thinks we have to at least consider it because that's the advice we've been given by so many different professionals, and friends who know him.

I...

I just don't know.

THOUGHTS ANYONE???

2009-02-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

My baby turned 12 today....

12!!!

I love this kid-- my miracle baby!

Facebook Debate

2009-02-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

If you haven't tried facebook... it really is A MUST.

I fought it for a while... but now I totally love it because I'm so much better at keeping up with friends this way. It's been great to hook up with friends from the past... and it's even replaced my overcrowded email inbox in a lot of ways (LOVE THAT) because instead of emails... friends just send messages on f.b.

Here's the funny thing-- Tony and I "share" a page (and you wouldn't believe all the grief we get over that). Well, it's MY page... but he's kind of taken over... which is pretty much how we roll on most things around here. After 18 years of that... you start to just go with it.

If nothing else... facebook highlights our differences... and has given us many a laughs over the confusion of who's page people are writing on. Last week his best friend thought Tony posted a message about taking a bath (as if)... and sarcastically said something about joining "me" in the tub. AHHHH.... talk about funny!

Tony loves people... lots, and LOTS of people. Even annoying people... not me.

Tony loves to be in front of a crowd, usually making them laugh... I'll do just about ANYTHING to go unnoticed.

Tony doesn't mind having his picture taken... I do WHATEVER I can not to be in one.

(THUS... our profile pix usually has him, and or the boys instead of me on it. )
Either way... if you get your own page, or you share one with your hubby... it's kinda fun to see what people are up to that you haven't talked to in 20 years.

Happy Birthday To Me...

2009-02-07T14:02:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday... and oh HOW I USED to love birthdays.

Yep... past tense!

We had to cancel our suite in Monterey because of baseball tryouts and 3 basketball games... but I'm over it. Really... because by the time your as old as I am, you really do want to just skip it.

Sorta... mmmmh.

Times...4

2009-01-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

I miss bloggy world.

I miss my clean house. (If there ever was a thing? Probably not, but it makes me feel better to think that if I had time to do better... I would)

I miss my hubby and kids...NOT IN A UNIFORM of one kind or another.

I miss.... the "cool", "calm" me that I imagine myself to be.

But it's that time again...

Between work, school, guitar and piano lessons... and batting lessons -- there really, really is NO time left.

so... I'm calling in a sub some time this week so I can catch up on sleep, and maybe even give myself a chance to read up all the blogs that I miss reading!

AND... He Scores.

2009-01-07T02:02:00.000-08:00

This is THE most wonderful teenage boy we know!

15 years ago, we fell in love with him... and we couldn't love him anymore if he was our own!

(wow, that was a long time ago... and even then, you can see it written all over his sweet little face, that Josh wanted Tony to hold him)

Tony would spend hours, just holding him and praying that he would become the man God created him to become. (He said he was praying, looks like he was just sleeping to me)

Tony has gotten to teach him lots of things, but mostly... Josh has helped us.

Last night was the "Father vs. Son" basketball game at the high school.

Josh asked Uncle Tony to play with him.
My nephew has NEVER, in 15 years years... seen or talked with his dad; even though we all live in the same town. Last night at the game; for just a moment, my heart went out for them both, not just my nephew. For Josh, it's hard to miss something you've never had. But for a quick moment last night, I felt sad for his dad too. He's missing out on knowing such a fine young man! I felt almost guilty that Tony gets to have these special moments with his nephew instead of his dad.

And while my hubby is NOT a basketball player (which is like saying the Grand Canyon is "just" nice), Tony went and played in the father-son game with Josh because he loves him more than anything. And while J probably wasn't too big on Tony's granny shot from the free throw line (seriously) in front of all his buddies...even though HE MADE IT... he was still happy they could play together.

So, while T's not "really" his dad, he loves to act like he is because that is an honor. It is a privilege to be with Josh, and he will continue to shoot for being the man that Josh will count on when he needs him.

And sometimes you shoot and miss.

And sometimes you foul.

And sometimes...

sometimes HE SCORES.

What a game!

I'm hoping by the time our boys ask him to play in stuff like this, he realizes he's supposed to let them WIN!

Of course, since he can hardly walk today, I'm thinking that might actually happen.

Seizures

2009-01-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

Caden hasn't been taken to the hospital in months for any seizures...

But hearing how John Travolta's son died yesterday... it FREAKED me out!

It made me realize AGAIN, just how blessed I am to have 4 healthy boys; and that every moment together is gift. Oh that I would cherish them, and appreciate all that I've been blessed with!

Prayers to the Travolta family! May they find the comfort that only God can give them.

Really?

2009-01-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

Really... it's that time again. Basketball and Baseball seasons are ready to roll, so this week we paid for:

3 day Baseball Camp.....$150

3 Basketball team sign ups.... $280

6 Baseball team sign ups... $785

(yes, I only have 4 boys; but 2 of them play on 2 teams... because SOMEONE doesn't now how to tell DADDY no-- but I'm going to work on that for next season!)

3 Pair of Basketball shoes... $430

4 Pairs of new cleats... $ (only) 225

REALLY... they need new shoes again? I just bought shoes... can't they just share? Nope, their sizes range from 12 men (not bad for an 11 year old... to a mere mens 6 for my 7 year old) .

Ahhhh... let the good times begin! And may my boys rememeber this when they go to put my in an old folks home in 50 years!!!

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T01:45:00.000-08:00

I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions... but I'm a firm believer that if "you aim for nothing, you'll get nothing" so I've decided to blog some goals in hopes that I'll stay focused on reaching them.

Garth Brooks has a song: Live Like You Were Dying... (LOVE that guy!)

I want to live with no regrets.

I want to love more.
I want to listen more.
I want to be more patient with my kids and Tony.
I want to be a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, teacher... and more importantly, the Proverbs 31 Woman I believe I was created to be.

And yes... I want to lose the weight that I've gained this year (What New Year's list is complete without that one??)

As I reflect on this past year, I'm humbled and amazed at how blessed I have been as a wife and mother. In spite of me, for whatever reason, God has chosen to bless my life with more than I deserve. I hope I never take for granted all that I have... and pray that in 2009, I will continue to grow into the woman I need to be... as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and teacher.

May He Be Glorified In Me!
amen

Note To Self...

2008-12-30T23:06:00.000-08:00

Note To Self:

#1 Remember that when you put up 13 trees in your house for Christmas, you'll have to pack up that many afterwards... and you'll have less than a tenth of the energy that you had prior to the holidays actually starting!

#2 The same boys that are letting you sleep in until noon every day (because they're enjoying WAY too many hours of video games than any "good mom" should allow)... those same boys are going to have a REALLY hard time going back to NO video games on school days...

#3 The holiday pounds that you put on this year... will be MUCH harder to get off.

# 4 Christmas really is your favorite holiday...

Happy Birthday Dad

2008-12-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

To the world's best daddy!

I hope you have a very special day today... because you always make sure all of us have fantastic birthdays. We love you lots pops!

Never A Dull Moment...

2008-12-12T21:50:00.001-08:00

Colton... always wins...
No matter what it takes...

The night before last... they were racing to see who was going to get to sleep with me until daddy got home...

Colton hit the night stand by the bed... and yes, he got to stay in bed with me... with an ice-pack.

(Can I just say... I love that my boys still love to cuddle with me... even if it is only at night... and it's really just a ploy not to have to go to bed on time)

2008-12-01T14:27:00.000-08:00

To get ready for Thanksgiving... we gave the boys a new game to keep them busy!

Then we went in the kitchen and made a huge mess...

But it was worth it... talk about a lot of YUMMY food.

Here is the "Real" cook! My mama is T.H.E. BEST

(Notice the difference in my blender and hers... *grin

Look at all these happy... full folks.

Even pop was getting his hands dirty to help...

I loved Kyle's cookies...

The decorations were great too!
This is how some of them get ready for seconds...

and this is how some of us try to keep the pies off of the thighs!

Studs in Training

2008-11-24T21:16:00.000-08:00

During our fabulous anniversary weekend away in Monterey, we had 'lots' of time to talk about "stuff" ... in between 37 phone calls from the boys, and 12 calls from coaches asking us what we're doing with the boys this season.

We talked about important stuff... Like how in the world are we going to get through another baseball season trying juggle all 7 teams???

Tony needs to coach fewer teams.

I need to schedule their hitting and pitching lessons earlier.

AND the boys need to start lifting now!!

SO Daddy got started tonight...

I love how AJ wants to be just like his daddy!

oof! this is harder than it looks dad!

and Kyle loves to show off how strong he already is... at only 11!

Colton, of course, has to do more curls than anyone!

And trust me... he's ALWAYS counting.

(Being the 3rd boy is tough!)

And baby Caden... well... he can do anything his big brothers can do.

UMMM...

Mommy- DO YOU WANT A TURN???

Oh. Well. Um. I'm taking pictures... maybe tomorrow???

or after Thanksgiving when I'm complaining about not being able to fit in my jeans... then maybe I'll take my turn.

Happy Anniversary

2008-11-20T16:24:00.000-08:00

I love you hon!

Thanks for doing all the laundry, most of the housework, all the yard work, and taking care of the cars (I haven't even put gas in a car since I was 18 years old, I may have forgotten how)...

and the thousand other things you do for me that make people ask:

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR HIM??? ** Humph

Most of all, thanks for loving me as much as you do, and for being the daddy that you are!

You're still my "Love of a Lifetime"

I love you.

Weekend Weather

2008-11-16T23:02:00.000-08:00

We had hoped to go on a mini vacation to SO Cal this weekend for some weather like this:
instead of bright blue skies, we got this ominous orange color...The Sylmar fires broke out a few miles away...

3 miles is pretty far away (supposedly)... but the view from the backyard seemed pretty dang close to me.
The kids would peek over the fence every once in a while to check out how close it was. Once they could actually see the fire from the backyard... they became a little more like their mama... and fREAKED OUT.

I can only imagine what the coming days will be like for the people who lost their homes. Once again, another reminder of how much I have to be thankful for!

Can You Imagine

2008-11-12T20:52:00.001-08:00

The year before last, I was blessed with a very bright, sweet, wonderful little girl in my class who has forever left her mark on my heart.

She was every teacher's dream. Motivated, loved learning...

Her "mother" was just dropping her off at school a couple of weeks ago. I remember noticing that she didn't 'look' like she felt too good when I pulled into school behind her.

Long story short... her mom died yesterday.

They only had a little time to embrace the news.

She told me on Friday that her mom "didn't even know who I was last night, so I just pet her hair and try to get her to take a drink. It's already that bad."

But as I hugged her today, I realized just how difficult "forever" is to grasp for a 9 year old... even as bright as this one. I know I certainly can't grasp it.

What can you do?

Except run home as fast as you can ... and ever so thankfully hug your own kids, and wonder why you are so blessed to live the life you have!

Definitions

2008-11-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

This is how we "define" math and social studies in first grade while he's at home with Nana...Nana makes it easy... and fun... and wonderful! That's how it "should be."

But then the other days of the week, this is what the definition of school looks like...

The little yellow word book is what I use in my first grade classroom during Language Arts in my class (since I'm still teaching 3 days a week).

I had to "graduate" to the Webster dictionary to accommodate my 3rd and 4Th grader... but I'm good with that (usually). After all, I'm a "teacher" for Pete sakes; a college grad with a couple of science degrees and 15 years of teaching experience (But my hubby would point out that I've only taught Kinder and first... so as to explain my anxiety about trying to teach geometry and science to a brainy kid).

BUT now that Kyle wanted in on this "home schooling adventure" too... I'm a little more stressed.

His "definition" of a dictionary is this....
(and yes... he actually uses it!)

When he was little... his idea of a great "rainy day game" was looking at "his" book and finding new words to try and trick his daddy with.

(Notice I said daddy... not mommy. He said he only liked to play that game with daddy because he "likes a challenge"...humph! and then I took his blocks away... because he started that when he was about 4!)

So, the real "adventure" of me starting to home school all 4 boys is really just beginning!

This week we just tried to figure out logistics... Like why it's not going to work for them to call me while I'm at work 47 times to ask if they can have a "recess" yet.

We'll see...

The one good thing... not having a school payment for the first time in 8 years will be pretty awesome! Whatever will we do??? (I'm thinking we may need to save it for the counseling services we may require if this doesn't go as well as we hope!! Hahhhh)

Seasons of Life

2008-11-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

I am so glad Halloween is over, and we can move on to being "Thankful"... right?

It's a season for us to be Thankful ... and I am!

But once in a while... well,

DID anyone see all those cute fairies and princesses last night???

My boys... at the ripe "old" ages of 7 to 11 are 'too cool' to dress up anymore, much less humor me and dress up for any photos.

I liked it when they were little and I could make them dress up and take pictures.

Not that I don't LOVE my boys... and love the crazy, busy, LOUD life we live! I do!

But sometimes, I appreciate the season of life... after it's passed, much more than I did in the midst of it.

SO... as I look back at my cute photos of past Halloween's... where they were SO cute... I'm going to remember that this season...

the one I'm in right now... This is the season of my life when:

I'm able to sleep in. ( YAHHHHHOo)
I'm able to enjoy THEM putting away clothes (theirs and mine!); and get their own FOOD (usually without spilling it everywhere)
I'm able to enjoy them taking care of me, and each other.
I'm enjoying them wanting to snuggle and cuddle still (without wanting "something" from me)
I'm loving that they are becoming the "knights" albeit not in costumes... that their daddy is trying to teach them to be. (GOSH I LOVE THAT MAN!)

and a thousand other things that I couldn't have said... back in the season of our lives when they still would dress like I wanted them to, and wear their hair like I wanted them to... and smell like I wanted them to....
and go to school where I wanted them too...

But... that's another post.

PS!!!
Thanks a million for all your encouraging words and thoughts on our home schooling dilemma!

home schooling... REALLY?

2008-10-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

I distinctly remember thinking that "hell would freeze over before I'd ever home school any of my own kids"...

but apparently I'll be buying the next round for the entire populous in Hades... and soon!

We started homeschooling AJ in September for the first time... and since he loves it so much, within 2 months he convinced his 2 younger brothers to drop out of school and stay home with him. They all love it... and it's amazing how much they can accomplish!

As of this afternoon, the 3 of them have convinced my oldest son to get home schooled too!

BUT... wait!

I agreed to home school my 4th grader because it's the best thing for him.

I agreed to home school my 3rd grader and 1st grader because that's easy and the school they were at wasn't nearly academic enough. They REALLY wanted to get home schooled, and AJ enjoys having his brothers around to play with (most of the time); so we're doing it.

But, I'm REALLY hesitant to teach my middle-school son at home!

He's the "perfect" child... the "perfect" student... the "perfect" built-in tutor...

but the truth is... he's already smarter than I am in all the core subjects; and I'm not really sure I can do a good enough job...FOR HIM.

I don't know how we can tell him no though.

He's crushed because he thinks that I'm "trying to convince him to stay in school."

I just want what's best for each of them; and I wish that I knew exactly what that meant for each of them---

because by the time I finish paying their food bill for the next few years, and 4 sets of braces, and insurance for them to drive etc... I really don't think they'll be much left over for any counseling that may be need because I screwed up their education!

ha

Tagged

2008-10-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

I got tagged ...so here's 7 Random things about me...

http://alexiselana.blogspot.com/

1. My boys LOVE to clean
(and they get T.H.A.T. from their daddy!)

2. My mom was and IS ... the best mom in the world.
She'd let me stay home from school when I was a kid so that we could go shopping for the day.
Now, Kyle stays home from school once in a while to hang out and shop with Nana.
This was what he brought home last time...

#3...
My boys are Wanna BE Rockers...

#4. Daddy puts little boys on the roof
(when I'm not home) to pose for pictures.

#5 I love to redecorate my boy's rooms...
(but now that they're picking their own colors)

#6
The thing I'm most thankful for this month
is that my boy hasn't had a trip to the hospital in a long time!!!

I went to The Master's College and got my degree in 3 years because dad wanted me to get married AFTER I graduated. In celebration of "saving" my dad all that money in tuition... we went on vacation... where I learned that camels are the worst smelling bumpy rides in the desert. Soon after, the wedding plans began...

In hind sight, dad would have saved A LOT more money by paying the tuition... instead of wedding! ha...

But, that's a post for next month!

Baby, Oh Baby

2008-10-21T04:50:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is 7 today...

because just yesterday,
he started this adventure of being the "baby brother"...
and it hasn't always been so easy...

From the very beginning, Caden was patient with his "not so big" brothers...

and was such a "happy little pumpkin" !!!

Always ready to go, go, go...

and has never had a hard time keeping up with the big guys...

His happy heart has been such a blessing to our family!

Always ready to learn something new...

and always up for another ball game...

Yeah, my baby is getting big...

But he's always gonna be MY BABY!

Monday Madness

2008-10-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

I've had almost a year to plan for my baby's big day tomorrow... he'll be 7.

But... between going to LA again last week to see this...

and trying to do a little "much needed" cleaning with the boys to surprise daddy...

and cooking all the new recipes on Pioneer Woman's blog
(which are NOT conducive to me trying to lose weight...
but are great opportunities for me to try and teach fractions to the boys)

WELL...

I just realized that my poor baby doesn't have a party planned for his birthday...

and as forgiving as his daddy was when that happened to him a couple of months ago...

my baby...

my baby is mama's boy!

Which means ...

Birthdays = gifts and fun and friends and ...

So...

school is a "NO GO" for our homeschoolers today (again)...

because mama has to go take care of the important things in life...

AHHHH...

my baby's really going to be 7 already???

IDEAS ANYONE???

Fall Fun

2008-10-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Weekend

2008-10-12T21:53:00.000-07:00

Our friends haven't had a weekend away without their 3 kids in almost 2 years. That's just not good... for anybody. So this weekend, we got to have their 3 kids while they went on a mini vacation! Since we always have an extra boy or 2 around, that's not too unusual for us... but 2 of our 3 guests wore PINK... so it was extra fun for me!!!

They were almost too excited to go to sleep Friday night because they we're going to their first

football game on Saturday.

Colton got to carry the ball 3 times in the first half, and scored all 3 touch downs to show off for his friends. He said he'd score a touch down for each of them, and he did!

Don't his brother's all look impressed...

I was just excited that the wind was blowing hard .... after all... I haven't had too much practice getting a little girls hair looking "just so" like their mama does.

We met thier parents at the pumpkin patch on Sunday afternoon...

Then we took the boys for some batting practice...

Then I had to rush home and cook dinner so they could watch the Dodgers win!

After a wonderfully busy weekend, I'm ready to start my week so I can get some rest...

oh wait...

Now that I'm home schooling 3 of the boys instead of just 1... starting tomorrow...

I'll have to revisit that whole "rest" concept again... maybe sometime this summer.

but... oh how I love the weekends...

Daddy needs to do some laundry...

2008-10-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

Weekend Work Force!

2008-09-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

Back in the day, loading 4 car seats every time we ventured out was a lot of work.

Getting 4 boys dressed and fed by 7:30 every morning to go to work was even more work... (just ask my husband)

BUT guess what ...

Do you know how much work my strong boys can do in a weekend???

A LOT!!!

Just ask Nana and Papa.

They're in the final stages of a BIG, HUGE, ENORMOUS remodel.

Nana's new kitchen is "almost finished"...

The cabinets just got put in this week, as well as several of the WOLF appliances that we can't wait to try out. With all the bells and whistles that are so cool... like pop-up vents and pull out warming draws... a several work stations.
But wait... who's the stud in the window?

That would be the "father" of the up and coming weekend work force!

After loading up some heavy concrete for the new driveway... they replanted some grass out front.

E
Colton has a never ending supply of enegy, and we love to put it to good use.

Of course, we took a few water breaks.

and puppy breaks...

and breaks to pose for mom... again...

Since she wasn't "part of the work force"... as she was just taking pictures... *grin

The boys were all really hot and dirty and smelly...Some of them more than others... because some of them DO more work than others...

And so I'm thinking...

If I can keep these boys well fed... in Nana's grand kitchen...

and can keep up with all these stinky clothes... (The likes of which I almost passed out from on the way home, even with the windows DOWN)

I'll have it made when it comes time to remodel my own house...

assuming I'm not broke from investing in deodorant stock... which is what I plan on doing first thing tomorrow morning!

And He Scores... again!

2008-09-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day of football. Colton got 3 touchdowns and a couple of interceptions. He loves the game, almost as much as daddy and his brothers love cheering him on!

Wonder no more...

2008-09-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

If any one's been wondering why I haven't had a chance to post...

Reason #1... (not really... but look CLOSER.... then laugh, and you get the idea!)
CAN YOU GUESS WHICH BOY IN THE FRONT ROW IS IN MY CLASS???

# 2 We've beeen working on http://aj ...

# 3 It's football season...

and being the home team takes practice...lots... and lots of practice!

Most importantly... my baby has been gone this week... and I MISS HIM almost more than I can bare.

So... of course... I decided in at the last moment to redo his room (again) for him, before he comes home -- TOMORROW!

He better love it... or his daddy is going to shoot me!

Let's Make a Plan...

2008-09-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

I knew this would happen once school started...

My house would start to look like this...
(This DRIVES me crazy... more than anything else... I HATE it when my house is a mess)

*Maybe I should just be happy that I have a camera that can capture the dust so well???

or NOT!!

And then there's my sad roses...
I knew my beautiful roses would start to look like this once I started school... because I just don't have time to get to take care of them like I do when I'm not teaching, and homeschooling, and enjoying football and baseball 6 nights a week.

And this is how my scrapping is going...
which is to say... it isn't. And that little "gift" I've been working on for a friend... it's just killing me not to get if finished and sent!!

What I need is a plan... to get it all done.

But then I just recently discovered Facebook... AHHHHHHHHHHH...

and hooked up with my long-lost roommates from college... and one of my bridesmaids that moved across the country.

Tony told me to use my air miles to go for a visit!!! (Gosh I love him-- maybe I should get him a birthday gift after all???)

AND now I'm thinking I don't care so much about the yard and the "unfinished projects"... because I'm ALL about "planning" AJ's next field trip.

YEP... I'm thinking that's a great plan!! A trip to DC...

We'll see... but in the meantime... the plan is to clean the house; because I can't "plan" with a dirty house!

Family Fun

2008-09-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

On the off chance that my parents ever leave town, my sister usually takes care of driving out to their house to take care of all the things that need to be done. Yesterday, she was too busy to go, so as a LAST resort, they had AJ and I drive out there to take care of the dogs.

My parents still live WAY out in the boon-docks where I grew up; and while some people view things as "being much smaller" than they used to be ... I happen to think everything seems MUCH bigger than when I was a kid (and unfortunately it's not because I am any smaller).

Look how huge those sunflowers are...
Don't let the cute face fool you; she's a hummmmdinger... as is her brother "Mr. York."

AND then, there's Ethel and Lucy... the outside 'puppies.' And they really are still puppies! Unlike the "little" ferocious dogs... they are very sweet and...

BIG!!!

AJ just HAD to go give them a bone, or 2 or 5....
They seem much bigger than the ROTs that I grew up with.

ummm... excuse me girls...

"Are you happy to see us, because we brought you a snack?"

NOOOOOOOO.... not him!!!
He's not the snack...

His HAT is not the snack!!!
"MOM.... Stop taking pictures and HELP ME!"
(Note to self: we really need to work on his tone !!)

Anyway...I did help him... finally.

I frantically called them, from the other side of the fence! (I'm no dummy) That's 300+ pounds of puppy. They'd never bite anyone... but they get excited to see him and try to lick him to death.

As I'm attempting to "save" my poor son; they ran out of the yard! So then I had to chase them around to try and "drag" them back into the yard.... for over an hour! URGGGGGGGGG.

They FINALLY got thirsty enough to let me drag them back into the yard (because there was NO WAY I could get them to do anything on my own), I drove straight to see my sister at work . I reminded her that our "sisters" all like her and her kids more than me... so she needs to make sure she's available (in the unlikely event that our parents ever trust us again with their precious pets) from now on.

And being the good aunt she is... she gave him some scrap booking supplies from http://ohforthememories.com/ to make sure he went home to do some actual school WORK.

so he did...
right after he called daddy to tell him about all the scratches on his back...
while I sat down to try to put my heart back in my chest!

Legacy of Love

2008-09-07T23:26:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why I can't wrap my brain around the fact that my mom and dad got married 40 years ago TODAY... Look how sweet they are, and they were just BABIES!!!

They're still so young... which makes them GREAT grandparents!!!
and very much in love... (which makes them a great example of how it can be!)

My parents gave us the world...

I know I'm one of the fortunate few that was blessed to have my mom and dad for parents! Not just because they gave me unbelieveable opportunites ... like going to TMC and hearing Johnny Mac every week; so I could meet Tony (I mean, so I could get a degree and support myself)...

Not to mention all the great memories that I have of Hume lake, pink oatmeal for V-day, golfing in Hawaii, or eating "gross" speghetti in Italy (ungrateful brat that I was)...

or one of my personal favorites... riding a camel in Israel.

How many people get to ride camels to Bethlehem... (Don't mind that I'm scared spitless and this Yahoo is playing "tonsil hocky" with the camel. )

Yeah... my mom and dad ROCK!

But the greatest legacy that my parents are leaving... is not only their love for each other... but their love for their grand kids too!

They really are the best grandparent's in the world... even though they spent today out of town... away from their grandkids... on grandparents day!

Happy 40th anniversary mom and dad! I couldn't be more proud of you than I am... and we love you more than words can express!!!

ps... we're holding your grandparent's day gift hostage until you remember to "call us when you get there" like you're supposed to!!!

Chippendale

2008-09-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

Today was our principal's last day because she got a new job for the Pentagon. I'm hoping our CA distinguished school award gets me some kind of promotion too... but I won't hold my breath.

anyway... back to Chippendale. The new "substitute" principal is a retired administrator from a large district that my husband does a lot of fiber optic work for.

So while I'm walking through the staff room this afternoon, with all the other teachers sitting around eating their lunches... thinking of the zillion things I need to do... he stops me to "chat".

"How's your husband?" he asks.

*grin*
He's great, I replied.

He says (and I kid you NOT)... with everyone listening of course:

You know, your husband's got that "Chippendale" look. I don't know if he works out or not, but whenever he comes to one of our sites, the office all of sudden fills up with women. I can't tell you how many times I've had to warn women that sexual harrassment goes both ways.

Did you know that women think he's really handsome??

um... what? hughhhh?

Yeah, well...

So I'm thinking... does he really expect me to give an answer... or is this one of those... let's see what she says, trick question deals.

My teaching partner and a few other women chime in about how wonderful he is, how he does all my paperwork for me, and all the house work, and brings my class treats, and he's the best daddy in the world because he does everything for the boys...

and of course...

They're right...

and I know I'm the luckiest woman in the world... because EVERYONE reminds every day of my life... apparently I don't appear to "appreciate how good I've got it" (could be the little things I over look... like his birthdays... hmm. I'll have to work on that)

But as far as the whole chippendale thing... when we started dating and he was 4% body fat... and people went on and on about this and that... it didn't mean a thing to me then... and it doesn't really mean too much to me know either.

But that bubble bath that he just ran for me at midnight, that I'm gonna enjoy while he's doing the laundry and cleaning the kitchen so I'm not embarrassed when my mom comes to work with AJ in the morning... now THAT stuff... that's stuff that... well- that's the good stuff. It's the fact that he loves me in spite of me...

and yeah... he can dance too.

but really... I don't need people to tell me how women think he's good looking and would "love to borrow him for the night"... because it's just ANNOYING.

Survival of the Fittest

2008-08-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

Colton and Caden started school last week... ( doncha love my pix from the new camera.. I DO!)And we're so excited for how well they're both doing... Then Kyle started Jr. High yesterday... (this is him making fun of mommy) nice hugh?

and as long as he's with his buddy, he's loving life...
Then there's AJ and Mommy...
doing the "home schooling" thing.

AJ is LOVING life, maybe because he's getting away with murder!!!

This is "scrapping 101" ... as in - our new "writing curriculum" for the year So, I had him go pick out some scrapping supplies...

And then of course, here is his DARLING tutor... who took him "bowling" for PE today. Followed by starbucks and a trip to the library to do some "stuff."
And today was my first day of school with my students... SO I am EXHAUSTED!!!

But... I lOVE, LOVE, LOVE my class, so that's ok!

Except that today is also...

TONY's Birthday!!

yeah... we'll have to get to celebrating that this weekend... when we have a chance to come up for air because it's a 3 DAY WEEKEND!!!

Yahoooooooooo

By then, I'm hoping I'll be able to do more than just text my hubby a "happy b-day," don't be late for football," "no I don't want anything from the drive thru for dinner" message on his phone.

wow... that even sounds worse than it felt when we we're living it out today; but there are times when I'm thankful for the fact that he's not the "sensitive" type; because let me just say, if this was how my birthday went... there'd be trouble in paradise... followed by an ever-so-large shoe shopping spree (hmmm, maybe not a bad thing???)

But... life is good! Crazy.... but good!

Finally Dancin' With the Angels

2008-08-24T00:12:00.000-07:00

We got the first call last night that my "great" uncle was in the hospital because he'd just had a massive heart attack. I HATE late phone calls... it's never good news after midnight.

I personally think he was "already dancin' with the angels" when I arrived last night, but he continued on throughout the day with the help of life support; until just a few minutes ago. His body finally decided he'd had enough, and that he wanted to join the party in heaven.

GOOD FOR HIM!!!

It's hard not to be sad. My heart just feels heavy, and I'm tired of crying (maybe something to do with no sleep in 48 hours)... but I know he's finally in Heaven with Aunt Lucy(His first wife of 40+years), in a much better place.

He was a "great" uncle... for many reasons; but the thing I loved the most about him was his love for family; especially towards my mom. They had a very special relationship... and I pray that I'll be fortunate enough to maintain that kind of bond with my own sister's kids when we're that far along in our life's journey.

My uncle was a wonderful husband and father...

He loved to have a good time with all the kids...and his brilliant smile will be what I remember.
Since he was a fireman "back-in-the-day," he appointed himself the job of lighting all the fireworks for the fourth of July every year.

I'm truely going to miss him, especially in this hat!!

Friends: Life is short... live with no regrets!

Is Saran Wrap a Home Schoolin' Expenditure?

2008-08-19T23:49:00.000-07:00

It's always funny to hear people's reaction after they ask me the infamous question:

Where will all your boys go to school this year?

Maybe it's because I'm a public school teacher...
Maybe it's because I'm nuts...

but when I tell people that Kyle is staying at his private school for Jr. High, and that the younger 2 will go to the new charter school, and that I'm going to home school AJ for fourth grade this year...

you'd think I've just walked outside naked, wrapped in saran wrap, sucking my thumb.

Because that's the response I get...

Well...

I may wind up wrapped in saran wrap sucking my thumb under some desk somewhere (I'm hoping to spare you all the naked part)... by the time it's all said and done---

but I know it's only temporary...

and I know this is what's best for each of my boys individually...

So even though I wish they we're a little more "convenient" in terms of their collective needs... I'll just have to stay on my knees this year and pray that the boys have enough patience with me as we take this ride...

either way... it's gonna be an adventure!

And I really am excited about this year getting started (Provided it's colored saran wrap I end up in of course).

Beach Bums...

2008-08-18T23:53:00.000-07:00

Back from bummin' it at the beach...

and even though we officially missed the "first football game of the season"...
it didn't feel like we missed much --because we just played our own game.

They played, while I tried to figure out the camera and stop wishing that we lived down there instead of up here!!!

Colton is such a Ham...

We had great seats at the Dodger game... even though they lost in extra innings.

AHHH... now it's back to school, and work, and doctor's appointments!!! urggghh

Added Addictions

2008-08-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

I have issues.
Surprising, I know... but I'm addicted to lots of things.

* spending time with my boys
* shoes
* music
* books
*scrap booking
*shopping...

and that's only some of the things I'm addicted to.

This summer I've added blogging and Facebook to my 'ever growing list of addictions'.

Today I've discovered another one...

a really huge one...

My FAVORITE one of the moment... is my new Nikon D60!!

I'm in L.O.V.E.

I mean, really in love, with this new toy!!!

AND THAT...

is why I needed to watch 3 videos this afternoon (just to figure out how to turn it on)...
instead of getting my son ready for his baseball game (so he showed up to catch without his catcher's gear, with the wrong team shirt on--- but he's lucky I even got him there-- because that's really daddy's job since I'm supposed to be across town at football practice.)

and why my house may be falling down around me in the next few days....

and why my kids may not eat healthy food for the next several days...

and why I am in HOG HEAVEN...

and "ANOTHER REASON" why my husband is THE GREATEST!!!!

I finally got my camera... just in time to take some great photos when we go down to Newport beach tomorrow...

just in time for the Dodger game in LA we'll be at on Saturday.

just in time to take some fun football pictures this season.

SO...

as soon as I figure out how to use this wonderful new thing... I'll be back to blogging... with some cool pictures I hope!

NOTE TO SELF:
I also need to nail down the details of our poor children's schooling for next year... preferrable before the first day of school on Monday...
so I might need to take some time to do that soon (since Tony can't be bothered with "stuff like that"... it's all about priorities Baby.

I also might want to consider working in my classroom sometime between now and ... say, tomorrow! Since I'm running out of opportunities to do my classroom before school starts next week. ahhh

I told you all I needed a longer summer break....

I Need A Longer Summer Break

2008-08-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I look, and everywhere I go - I'm being reminded that my summer vacation is ever so quickly coming to an end, and that school is starting... soon! Too stinkin' soon I tell ya!

I've been in denial for too long.

I've been avoiding the sale aisles for supplies, reading blogs rather than checking my work email, and generally trying not to think about all that needs to be done for me to get my classroom ready for school to start in a few days.

I'm just not ready for summer to end! My boys aren't ready either.

This summer has been great because I've felt like this year I was actually able to "vacation" during our summer break too. I've been able to enjoy time with them during the day, and still spend time doing things I enjoy at night. The boys have different friends sleep over all the time, and they go night swimming or play games all night... just having a good 'ole time. But reality is fast approaching.

That means less scrapping --
and no more staying up late since we can't sleep in --
less cooking (because I just won't have time to do recipes that require the bread to rise 3 times, or onions to soak in buttermilk for a couple of hours...)

It will mean less blogging too!

YIKES... My thoughts are that we had "better really enjoy this last week of vacation and live it up." Right??

But daddy thinks we need "to spend this week getting back into a school routine." You know, get them to bed early every night, wake them up early every morning so they can be ready to go by 8am.

He thinks this helps them "get ready to start school" so they're not too grouchy.

I think it just makes them grouchy... and ME GROUCHY... a week before we need to be grouchy!

But, since it's not "me" getting them up and ready at the crack of dawn (because I'll still be sleeping and enjoying my last week of vacation) ... I'll be ever-so sympathetic to my poor boys if their daddy does this to them.

I'll try to be understanding, and patient, and not get upset with all their whining... but I have a feeling... it's going to be a long week for me. I can tell already... because daddy is in there giving them a lecture right now about how important it is to "get back into school mode."

He's trying to explain...

ummm-

Yep, I've got to go save my poor hubby! "His" boys... are now being referred to as "your mother's boys"... that's usually not good.

ERRR...

My long week is starting early.

Good Enough To Cry Over

2008-08-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

Ever since I discovered Pioneer Woman and her Recipes... I've been cooking up a storm. I've already tried almost everything on her blog because my boys have LOVED her recipes (and I love the pictures) BUT... onions are not my thing.
I don't eat them, on ANYthing.... ever, ever, ever because I can't stand the smell of them, so I'm certainly not going to cry all over myself to cut them up for onion rings.

But, when she posted her recipe for them on her blog the other day; I knew it was going to be trouble because everyone in my house loves them!

Sure enough, Tony's been wanting onion rings... and he usually get what he wants... obviously!!!

Last week, I finally told him to buy the buttermilk and onions...(I'm thinking it was in a very sweet, loving tone too--- but I can't be sure)

He did.

Then I continued to put him off for so long, the milk went bad! Yeah for me!!!

NOPE...

I came home to this the other day...
So...before Colton's football practice and AJ's 2 baseball games tonight... I finally made them their onion rings.

And look at poor AJ's pitiful face...

They ate them faster than I could toss them in the oil....

But daddy saved him one... Let me share one thing Ree doesn't tell you on her blog about these little treasures though... They MAKE YOUR WHOLE HOUSE STINK To HIGH HEAVEN... FOR HOURS!!! No joke.

Tony continues to think they're worth crying over, but now I'm crying too!

Good thing tonight was a double header and I was gone for 5 hours or I think I'd be staying at a hotel tonight... really, it's THAT bad. (but apparently I'm the only one who thinks so because they want me to make more tomorrow!)

hmmm, we'll have to see about that.

ps... Now, Pioneer's Black Heel Saga...THAT, is good enough to cry over, so go start reading if you're the romantic type http://thepioneerwoman.com/category/black_heelstractor_wheels!

Weekend Wonders

2008-08-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

I love the weekends... especially the ones that I get to spend scrap booking down at Mom's store with my sister... while daddy and the boys get ready for another team party.

Ahhh... I love my life... even when it's chaotic and busy and I "don't do it all right."

Anyway... while I was off playing at Oh For The Memories, the world's best daddy was making personalized gift bags for his All Stars...

This was not only a talented group of boys... but they were also just a great group of boys!

AJ... is SUCH a mini TONY... and sometimes; I just love that about him!!!

While Tony gave out bags and told each player how wonderful they were... a few of the brothers went to the other side of the yard to shoot hoops and bounce on the trampoline.

(They've apparently heard enough times how great their brothers are, so they didn't feel the need to stick around once the cake was gone. hmmm)
And then... they go right back to beating the life out of each other in the pool with those dumb pool sticks! Whoever thought of those things... either didn't have boys, or... wanted to see just how many times someone could be whacked before... RETALIATION.

How many kids does it take to push Tony in the pool??

Getting thrown around was fun...
But then Andrew wanted a TURN too !!

"Throw me, higher, HIGHER!"

I said "HIGHER"
Notice the 8 foot slide and fence, and him HIGHER than both of them... that would be Tony throwing him... a "little higher" before I finally say... "OK, I got it on film this time."

Yep... It was a great weekend! Now I've got to go make an ice pack for Tony's shoulder because he can hardly lift his arm. (But thanks for the photo's babe... 2p.m. to 11 p.m. we can end the party now).
ps... Now I NEED to get to bed because I have to get up early. I have to go see the surgeon again tomorrow for another lump. It's only in my wrist, but it's a little bit different because this one is getting big really fast... and it hurts like a HUM-DINGER.

Balancing on Stilts... Going backwards

2008-07-31T16:45:00.000-07:00

I'm one of "those" moms that actually thinks it's a big deal to have "family time." Usually that means having our meals together as much as possible; but when you have kids that are into sports... that gets a little tricky. Last year, when Tony was an assistant coach for the 2 older boy's football teams, it was really hard. So hard in fact, he decided not to coach this year because, although Caden and I went to most of the practices; there were some nights we'd just hang out together and watch the clock until they'd come home.

This year, only Colton is playing football. Since he is changing schools, and wanted to be with his friend that he played baseball with, he's playing on a team that is ALL the way across town. So for the next few months, 6 days a week, we'll be driving him to his practice or his game.

Here's my hang up.

AJ will be finished with All Stars this weekend; but he's already been playing summer ball for the last few weeks. Since I'm with Colton at his football practice, I've been missing his baseball games... and I JUST HATE THAT!

Not only am I missing AJ's baseball games, I'm not with Tony and the other boys at night (the other 2 boys usually go with their dad to the games too). Tonight was supposed to be the first night we'd all go to the football practice together, but Tony just called (all excited) to say that AJ has a practice tonight for a travel ball team.

AJ has been really excited about some other teams that he's thinking he wants to play for too. And I'm happy for him, really I am. I just... I just... I just want to SEE ALL his GAMES too, and BE WITH HIM AND HIS DAD... instead of being across town at football practice.

The whole point of Tony not coaching, wasn't so that we could be on different fields, in different cities 5 nights a week... it was so that we'd actually be together... even if that meant we were together at some sport event.

HMMM...

So... yeah... I feel like I'm trying to balance it all... but right now I'm feeling like I'm going backwards instead of forwards.

Bad Hair Day ... Part 2

2008-07-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

Eight Ways To Say "Happy B-Day"

2008-07-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Colton-
I didn't know it was possible, but I love you more every moment of every day!
Enjoy your new upgraded cell phone... and YES ... you still only get 8 text messages a day, and 8 hours of being on the Internet a month... I don't care that your dad got it upgraded for your birthday, or what the "plan says you can have for 'free'"... I have the stretch marks on my tummy that say I still get the final say on your b-day gifts... Enjoy your 8 new video games... and NO... you still can't play them on "No video Game" days, even though they're birthday gifts from Nana and Aunt Mikie.

Enjoy the new pool toys... and new football cleats... and room decorations...
Enjoy your 8 friends and cousins who came to wish you happy birthday today. Enjoy your B-day ice cream that Daddy got special just for you (since you still enjoy being "difficult" and won't eat cake) ... I'm glad you enjoyed starting football conditioning on your birthday... and YES, you'll still have to do ALL the drills, even when you tell them it's your special day.
But Colton...

Most of All... my prayer is that you'll remember these 8 things...

You have been God's special gift to your father and I.

We love you with our whole hearts, as imperfect as we are.

He has a special plan for your life.

Do everything with your whole heart, mind and soul.

Dream Big

Love Big.

Enjoy the moment, Anticipate the future, Learn from the Past

Hug mommy lots... it's the best part of my day!!!

Thursday Thrills...

2008-07-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

Last night I was playing around on my blog and completely messed it up... and I need a little help here... *Note to self... you're not so good with computers... find someone else to help you with your blog!!!* **thoughts anyone??

ANYWAY.....

After basketball camp,

and our trip to the library,

and lunch with daddy,

and bowling with the kids,

and my nap/rest/cuddle time with ... I think it's Colton's turn...

Then we'll all go swimming and clean up before dad comes home...

But after I go to supper club with our best buds who are returning from Africa tonight,

and football physicals for the boys...

I'm hoping to get a minute to work on my blog...

so please leave a comment if I can add you to my list of favorite blog reads...

because I just deleted most of them from my bookmarks!

NICE hugh???

errrhh

Wordless Wednesday...

2008-07-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Learning to love what they need

2008-07-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

There are 5 love languages...

I'm convinced that TMac's love language is Physical Touch... despite what the book says;

(All the boys are "touchy" too, just like their daddy... which is really hard on mama since I'm NOT)

Anyway, here's the Mac family's love language:

Tony's is Acts of service and Giving (Reason 765,079,843 I finally agreed to marry him - Who wouldn't want to be served and spoiled?? )

Kyle's is Words of Affirmation

AJ's is Quality Time

Colton's is Gift Giving, with a touch of Word Affirmation

Caden's is Physical TTTTTTTTTouch

Me --I'm.... MOODY -- so Tony would say I'm a little of all 4. It depends on my mood... so yeah, I guess SS would be right about the high maintenance thing...whatever!

But I'd say I'm really all ABOUT GIFT GIVING !!! I love to get them and I love to give them.

I love, love, love to give them actually.

So when I saw this... http://www.sfrontato.blogspot.com/... it made my day!!!

(This is one of THE BEST blogs I've read... it will make you laugh and cry...)

And after I did this with my son who likes his QTime with mom... (and I love it too)

I got inspired again to work on these to give to Tony's all star team...
And I needed to be inspired to start up again, because after doing ELLA's cute PINK book... this just didn't seem quite so fun to me.
And then I worked... and I mean REALLY worked at giving some nice Words of Affirmations for my 2 little ones...

who BLESS their hearts... made their own lunch...

ummm... those RITZ crackers are smothered in peanut butter, American cheese, cream cheese and turkey...

ALL together...

But since I'm working on giving these boys words of AFFIRMATION...
I bit my tongue and didn't say YUCKKKKKK...

I said... YUMMY (and thanks for sharing 1 but I'm on a diet--lucky me, so you go ahead and eat the rest... but save 1 for daddy so he can enjoy one too. * I'm good like that.)

so...
If you haven't read the book on Love Languages... especially the one to discover what your kids' are... you should. It's helped me love my boys... all of them... like they need to be loved... rather than what comes easy to me. What a difference it makes.

ps.. Thanks for the inspiration today J!!!

Never, ever say "Never"

2008-07-21T01:25:00.000-07:00

I just got my job-share teaching contract for next year in the mail.... which means....

Not only will I continue to teach first graders 3 days a week like I've been doing, which is what I absolutely LOVE ; it also means that in a few short weeks, summer vacation is over and school begins for my own boys.

Since we decided at the end of last year that the boys wouldn't be returning to the private school that they were at, we really need to nail down what the plan is going to be for next year. It's a much harder decision for me than Tony because I just "NEVER" thought they would ever go anywhere else. BVG was not only just their school, it's also where we go to church. The church that I've gone to for the last 30 years! I just "NEVER" dreamed that my kindergartner wouldn't graduate at 18 as a Senior with most of the same kids he graduated from Kindergarten with at 5, just like I did. I wanted that for them... and I'm sad that it's not going t be like that for them.

But... God has a sense of humor... a way of bringing you to a place where you never thought you'd be... just to show you how very little control you really have.

My 4 boys are so different... in so many ways... not the least of which is apparent with their needs for school. So, in our effort to do what is best for them individually...

Kyle wants to stay at BVG another year... so for now, we've agreed. (ahh, my baby... in Jr. HIGH... urggggg)

And although all three of our boys actually got into the new charter school that we've be praying they'd get into... we've decided that only our first and third grader will go.

But my fourth grader... daddy's little all-star... my little wonder boy... He "gets" to be home schooled.

cough, gasp... ^(*^(%*()_...

WHAT???

I 'always' said that "I would NEVER" do that... but; here I am ... eating that phrase; yet again.

I'm notorious for having to eat those words... (You'd think I'd learn, and stop using it!)

I said I would "NEVER" marry Tony.
I said I would "NEVER" live in Mo Town.
I said I would "NEVER" home-school!!!!
The year Kyle started school, AJ was in pre-school across town, and the 2 little ones were at 2 other places and I DISTINCTLY remember swearing (usually with lots of tears) that I would NEVER, ever agree to anything that committed me to going 4 different directions in the morning before work.

The list of things I said I'd NEVER do could go on forever--

But, here I am... and I'm praying that I'm doing what's best for each of them; because the truth of the matter is:

The older the boys get, the more I realize that life isn't about convenience or ease. For me or for them. The decisions we make for our kids shouldn't be about what 'we' want for them, but by what we know will be best for them... even if that means I have to do things I said I'd NEVER do.

AND... I hope that when my kids are deciding what old folks to put their father and I in when we're not-so-old, but very senile... I hope they NEVER forget how much I love them!!!

Knights in Training... Examples please!

2008-07-18T12:23:00.001-07:00

The best way to teach is by example... so here's my knight in shining armor getting the gourmet potatoes ready for dinner...

(nice arms... eh???) Yeah... Now I think so too... but I never really noticed that until Ree pointed out Marboro Man's ... isn't that sad???) Not my thing... but I love him because he is the most helpful, loving man around... with the biggest "servant's heart"... a true gift when you have 4 BOYS!!!

And here's my Knight in training... making dessert before his big game last night... (where he was the only one to "CRUSH" the ball.... yep, daddy's boy for sure!)

He's so proud... he loves crushing the oreos... and making A HOLY MESS!!

But I figured I had to be a little forgiving after all the shopping they let me do while they were at VBS the day before...

Like all my purses and shoes??? ME TOO... and they were "pretty good sports" posing too. (SORTA)

Black, red, neutral and green... got em all covered in one day- not bad.

ummm... back to this...

like all that butter??? Ree would be proud...

AND here's my 2 all stars... who I'm SOOO proud of!!!

BUT... here's my secret for not ever eating what my kids make... (besides dieting... again, still)

I spent the last decade saying... you need to share with your brothers--

but I didn't mean this:

or this:

or this:

opps ( you get the idea)...

"NOT" when you're cooking SON... that's GROSS!! (but they apparently don't mind-because it's ALL gone) I didn't get any tri-tip, or potatoes, or dessert, or corn, or broccoli (YUCK)... but I did eat the bread... which is why I need to be on a diet anyway.

ahhh...

Have a great weekend Y'all!

Dirty Carnival

2008-07-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

My boys have always loved a good mud fight... so I knew this would be a great picture for the Dirty Boy Carnival...

What I didn't know ...

Was that I'd have to look through all of these:

and all of these...

just to find some "dirty pictures" of my boys.

I'm quite certain my boys were dirty all the time when they were little... so I was totally dumbfounded that I couldn't find more "proof" of that in their baby scrapbooks...

I'm not kidding... you'd think I never let them get dirty! (Tony didn't, but I did... I know I did... apparently I just didn't take enough pictures of it... because they aren't there!)

Each boy has a white album for their first year... and they all have a different color from age 1 to 5, and I "tried" to keep each year to one album until they reached school.

Now they have school albums, vacation albums, and sports albums...

AHHH... that would be if I ever get all these pages...

and these pages...
and these pages...

into their respective albums...

sometime before their 18th birthday... at which time... 'unlike' what my father told me...

"I'll give them a road map and a sack lunch"...

I'm going to give them the map, the lunch, and --- 37 scrap booking albums.

ummmh...

What do you think about that plan???

Thanks to this blog: http://boysrulemylife.blogspot.com/ for the great trip down memory lane... it really was fun to get all these books out and look through them together!!!

VBS

2008-07-15T21:19:00.000-07:00

This week was Vacation Bible School at the church for the boys.

Another monumental moment for me (more for me than for them) because ALL 4 went... without me... the entire time... for the first time... ever.

It was... It is... so sad... in a "weird and lame" kind of way!

I thought I'd have a good 3 hours to scrap, or shop, or blog... (NO... the thought of doing the laundry, or catching up on the housework, or any other # of things I really should have been doing... ever crossed my mind -b.c. well, who wants to do that???)

And I tried to do some of that... but mostly I just looked at the clock... anxiously awaiting when I could go pick them up because I really miss them ... A LOT... so tomorrow ... the third and last day of VBS--

I'm going to drop them off right at 10:00 am (instead of 10:15ish and leaving around 10:30)...
and I'm not going to pick them up at 12:40 (since it's not really over until 1:00 pm)...

and I'm going to ...

go buy some cute shoes - since I'm sure I need some. HA

Too much Pioneer Woman!!!

2008-07-13T04:48:00.000-07:00

The boys woke up to Pioneer Woman's yummy Sleeping in Omelet this morning... and they were very happy campers!!!

Then Kyle walked by the computer and read that if you don't make this http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/ cake your life will be devoid of purpose .... so we "had" to do that too.

Did he do good or what...

And these lovely treats are strawberry and apricot breakfast bars.... also thanks to Ree.

(Nice arms TMAC... if you're into that sort of thing... like Ree is... but I'm not... but at least I noticed, so that's good!)

See these happy, toothless boys... very happy indeed... because after they finish this last bowl, mommy promised they could have some blue berries and home-made yogurt! YUMMY!

and because we're working on fractions... kyle quadrupled the recipe...

And let me just say, that's A LOT of brown sugar!!!

So I figured we'd invite a few folks to help eat it all... because we don't do left-overs (but I'm working on that).

So, my parents brough over my great uncle to enjoy all of Kyle's hard work in the kitchen... and daddy took a break from doing yard work... And we had some more friends stop by for dinner... and they enjoyed... all of it too!

ummm.... what are you doing SS, and why???

And HE thinks I'M High maintenance??? Go figure!!!

His mother... whom I LOVE dearly... ruined this great guy for his poor wife. But contrary to what everyone thought... that wasn't me... lucky for him... b.c. I DO. NOT. CUT. THE. CORN. OFF. "CORN-ON-THE COB." (Can you imagine???)

Anyway... I'm off to finish making cinnamon rolls for AJ's all-star team... cuz I know it's going to help us win today... especially since I stayed up all night making them.

AND... no SS... I will not, absolutely NOT ruin my boys...

(I hope... but if I start... feel free to help me out)

AND yes, I still think you are more high maintenance than I am... but it's close...

I'll give you that much!

By The Books

2008-07-11T11:42:00.001-07:00

I confess that I never read any "mommy books" or "how to books" that weren't a college requirement for my teaching credential.

*breathe, girls breathe*

I didn't take any kind of "birthing" classes either. NOT. A. SINGLE. ONE!!!

gasp.

Not because I didn't care, not because I didn't have the time... I just decided that I didn't want to know all the things that "could go, might go" wrong. Having listened to the doctors for the first 33 weeks of my first pregnancy, never thinking Kyle would be born... nor believing that his brothers would be possible... I could imagine enough trouble without the books including any other possible scenarios.

It worked for me... but I'm not about to tell another mom to do it "like that."

I was reading a mother's blog today on needing to ween her baby... and I thought I'd share my story of how I did it... because it worked SO WELL.

The boys are all about 14 months apart in age and I nursed all of them for about a year. Weening the first three was more matter of being in the third trimester of the next pregnancy than anything I did or didn't do. But then Caden had his first birthday and I remember thinking, "This is my last baby, and every "last" for him... will really be "the last for us."

I remember telling Tony about my mental check list: binkies... diapers... strollers... car seats.

He asked, "what about nursing?"

ummm... yeah, there's that too. ** What's HE thinking??**

Flash forward a few weeks...

We got invited by our friends to go to Hawaii for a week... with no kids.

Tony made all the arrangements, including having my sister agree to weening the baby while we were gone...

YEP... I kid you not.

I left all 4 babies... with my amazing sister... who spoiled the bajeebers out of them (with her 7 - year old twins as her helpers) for an entire week. I only agreed to it because Tony REALLY wanted/needed the time, and I figured it was finally time. Caden has always been a pretty easy kid... and didn't give her too much trouble (so she said... probably because I was having major guilt issues).

So... that's how my baby got weened... sorta

(Until, we got home... and I thought I was going to POP... and so he had a little smackeral of some, some. And darn Tony's hide... he just had to go and tell my sister... who was not too happy with me "after she'd gone and done all that work weening him for me.")

Family... I tell ya.

Another Sleepless night...

2008-07-07T17:08:00.000-07:00

The night before the 4th of July... I didn't sleep because I was making these...

The next night I couldn't sleep, so I made some of these ...

Then I remembered that my friend's niece was going for a visit to see her new baby girl!

I was so excited to go and buy some cute girlie shoes to send with her! It was my chance to buy some"girlie" things... which I love to do (but rarely get the chance)! And wouldn't you know it... because I was looking, I couldn't really find anything I liked. I hate that!

Since I love shoes, I always bought my niece shoes in our "favorite yellow boxes." I tried to find some cute shoes to send, but this is all I found (and they're way too big, but I had to get something).

Doncha love the box??? Me too... or I definitely wouldn't have bought them.

Since the whole "shoe shopping" for a girl was such a let down, I thought of something else!

Besides shoes, I love to scrapbook. What's great for me is that my mom owns a huge store and I so I have quite a collection of BOY materials. What I don't have... is girlie stuff.

So... I went on down to see my sister at the store... and got all the stuff to make this:

I love it! It's turning out SO cute, and I'm loving all the little pull outs, and bows ...

It's not done... and I'm supposed to be dropping it off soon!

I'm a totally zombie from no sleep... but I work best under pressure and this was a SUPER fun project.

This totally got me in the mood to scrap... so as soon as I catch up on the last 3 days of sleep that I've missed... I'm going to bust out all my stuff and get on it!

Reason 46834 I Married Him

2008-07-05T00:13:00.000-07:00

We usually do holidays at our house because it's easy. We generally love doing it because it usually means that we are able to get things done around the house that we have been putting off. But for the Fourth of July this year, with baseball and everything else going on... we didn't think we could get everything together in time, so we decided to keep it low key... aka- not invite anyone. But, at the last minute- we (hmmm, Tony) changed his... I mean, "our" minds and decided... let's just do it!

For me, that means cooking and decorating, which I love to do.... but for Tony, it means cleaning and yard work, and getting to be with people... which he loves (the people part anyway).

I started cooking yesterday... and thanks to Ree ... my dad got his Jalapeno poppers, mom got her apricot dessert, everyone got the flag dessert, and a select few got blue berries with her yummy homemade yogurt that she shared on her blog the other day... LOVE that woman!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/bacon-wrapped_j/

And thanks to Jen at http://jennwa.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-02-28T20%3A33%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=7

The boys got to make they're favorite meat wraps... and a delicious dip that they devoured.

So it went like this... Tony decided we're doing the 4Th at our house Thursday morning before work. I go to Costco to get all the food, and I'm home and cooking by about 11a.m. I continue to cook until Tony gets home at 11:00 p.m., by which point I'm beginning to remember all the reasons we "weren't up for hosting a party." (My house is a mess, and it's not decorated for Pete sake!)

All six of us load up and head to Walmart to get the decorations I insist we need. (And I'm walking around a very crowded store thinking, "what's wrong with these people? Why aren't they home in bed, and what in the world are they doing out so late with their kids? Don't they know it's almost midnight? jeez! ... And then of course, I remind myself that my own 4 boys are racing their carts with their dad in the next aisle.)

Anyhow, somewhere along the way between getting the plates and getting some flags, I get the bright idea that we need pillows that are "4th of Julyish" too. How hard can that be???

I'll just buy a new sewing machine (I've never sewn a stitch in my life), and get some material. After all, how hard can it be to sew a square! I'll just whip some out when we get home, because it's very important to decorate! Right mom?

So, at 3 a.m. my hubby and I are doing just that! He was so great... we watched the instruction video and he finally got it all working for me (because I couldn't even thread the darn thing. I knew I was in trouble when it came with a instruction DVD. My own personal take is that it should have at least come out of the box ready to work for goodness sake. Oh well no.) By 4:30a.m. we had it basically done, all 7 pillows, but not quite. My mother, who puts Martha to shame, came to the house today a few hours before the guests arrived to "get it all finished before everyone showed up." Dad ate, I mean... cooked the poppers and got most of the food ready. My sister came early too... and she brought in the troops... The best kids on the planet = Josh + Cassandra. Josh keeps the boys out of the way and busy playing ... and Cassandra is a miracle worker who pretty much cleaned up and put out whatever we needed.

By the time everyone got here, we were pretty much ready. What a fun day! I love serving people and seeing people enjoying themselves. But most of all... most of all I'm thankful for a hubby that's still willing to do all-nighters with me (like we did back when we were dating)... and put up with me and my "great ideas." And I'm sure thankful for my great parents and sister who still know how to pull together and "getter done." Good times, good times!

so...

Happy 4th of July everyone!

ps- I'll be sleeping in tomorrow for sure!

Hit and Run

2008-07-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

As a follow up to my first ticket last week... I was lucky enough to get in my first accident tonight. It was actually a Hit and Run... and as my hubby says, "The hits just keep on coming."

AJ and I were on our way to get Kyle in the "borrowed" car that we're using until the Excursion gets outs out of the shop. (Since we have to get it smogged because of my ticket from a few days ago...) NICE.

As I'm waiting at a light, some YAhoo hits me from the side as she pulls out to get in the turning lane. It's obvious she's not stopping, so I pull over to that lane to follow her. I know... DUMB, STUPID... but in my defense- it was a borrowed car! AJ is the only one in the car with me (Definitely daddy's boy because he's yelling... chase her mom, we can take her- go, GO!)

In one of my finer "stellar mommy moments," I do just that! I proceeded to speed after her (since I'm quite sure there's no cops around when you need them). I honked at her so she'd pull over...because that's what you do when you hit someone with the car...right? You pull over, you exchange insurance info etc... Apparently she didn't get that memo...

But, she eventually did pull over, along with the gang banger dude she was with.

WOOPSIE...

I stuttered something profound like, "You can't just hit somebody and take off like that lady, that's just... wrong! Ummm don't you think, I asked (ever so humbly- I might add?)"

Brilliant, yep... that's me!!!

So... she tells me she's late for work and she doesn't have time to give me any +&^)#&)_# insurance info... and drives off.

Once again, I display my infinite wisdom and continue to follow her... half-heartedly at best because by now I'm thinking... "and what pray tell am I going to do if I actually catch up with them???" hmmm.

There was no license plates on the car (which should have been my first big clue that this might not be a car I should try to follow to try. Since they probably don't have insurance to begin with, and it was probably a stolen car, and they were definitely not the "let's handle this situation calmly" type people.... I should have just "let it go." BUT, that is SOOOO... not my nature!

I'll say this though... I'm very thankful that we weren't hurt, and the car can be fixed (The guy from the dealership was SO cool about the whole thing). As my overly-protective, overly-smothering hubby lectured me on all the reasons why I shouldn't be listening to my 10 year old in crisis situations, and as my adrenaline goes back to normal levels...

I really am thankful, and realize yet again... I'm so fortunate!

Nevertheless... I'd rather go back to my perfect driving record since I've just ruined the tremendous bragging rights I've enjoyed over my husband for the last 18 years... (HOLY MOLY... that's a LONG time)

College Days

2008-07-01T00:26:00.000-07:00

Here's where best friends from College spend New Years Eve every year...

And here's what my hubby and Tracie do NOT need to do to make them any louder and goofy...

and here's what I look like with my favorite people in the world after too much sun because I've watching the Mercedes Golf Touney at the Plantation House...

Tony and I went to The Masters College in Southern California. He got a scholarship to play baseball there, and I chose to go there because when I was in Jr. High, I started going to camp at Hume Lake and fell in love with a speaker from TMC named "Dewey" (of course, I only got to have him as my professor my freshman year - but it was awesome while it lasted!).

We both had an incredible time in college... ahhh, the memories we have! Hardly a day goes by without some fun reference or comment to a memory that stems back from that time of our lives together. I had no worries, no bills, no obligations... oh for those days when life was so simple!

The best part of those college days... are the life-long friendships that started! Since Tony and I are VERY, VERY different... we don't always enjoy hanging out with friends as couples now. Sometimes I'll have friend that I want to go out with, and Tony can't stand the husband... or visa versa. That obviously put a damper on the whole concept of a double date.

But... we have friends from college that are just PERFECT. Tony and Jason played ball together, and Jason and I had classes together. Jason and I are VERY much alike, so we enjoy the same things. We have a lot in common, especially the fact that we love our Sanguine spouses. I love Tracie because she is a female version of my husband... everything I'm not. Loud, fun, outgoing... makes me laugh and takes care of everything. She really is one of the nicest people I've ever been blessed to know - just like Tony!

Those are the kinds of friendships you treasure, because you know they're rare. We were in each others weddings, we spend New Year's together in Hawaii, and hang out whenever we get the chance because ... you talk about good times!

They came up this weekend... we laughed, and laughed! The guys golfed a couple of times while me and Tracie hung out by the pool with all our kids. We reminisced about all the dumb (fun) things we did back then, and chatted about being moms, and work etc. I never thought about my house, or what needed to be done, or what other things we should have been doing.

We just sat back and enjoyed being friends... and I remembered all the reasons that I loved those college days... because just for the few days they were here with us...

I had no worries, no bills, and no obligations... it was all about hanging out with friends!

The only way it could have been better, was if we were in Hawaii... but that's another 6 months away.

Top 10 for Summer

2008-06-25T00:24:00.001-07:00

Favorite Summer Fun...

Late Family Fun Nights... Night Swimming...

Working in the yard with the boys...

Attempting to teach the boys to cook.

Making Memories...

Swimming with family and friends...

Taking the Boys to hear John MacArthur on our way to Newport Beach or LA.

What great memories he represents for Tony and I!!!

(hmmmm... not so much for Caden apparently - stinker!)

Going to ball games...

Having friends over to make Smores!!!

Poolside Service on vacation.

Taking the boys bowling

Playin' at the park.

.... and so many more!!!
I love, LOVE summer time!

Trading Places

2008-06-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning Tony woke me up because one of my favorite people in the world was on the phone and wanted to talk to me. It was an early morning call, and anyone who loves me or knows me, knows not to call me early... unless it's important (except my dad of course, who calls me regardless of the time - just because he can).

Unfortunately, the news was not good. She'd just found out her husband has cancer, and they were going in that afternoon for some more tests so she wanted me to pray for them. Now the word cancer means different things to different people... and in her case, having just lost a brother in a long, painful battle to cancer -- you can imagine what it means for her.

A few hours later, literally, we prayed with some friends that were leaving to have surgery for their baby whose skull isn't developing right. If you've ever had a sick child, you know it's the most helpless, heartwrenching feeling in the world. A place that no family wants to be.

As I cried to my dad about my friend's husband having cancer, he reminded me that another friend was being induced this morning at 7:00 am. The doctor's are anticipating her to deliver the baby around 1:00 p.m., and the baby isn't expected to live more than just a few minutes. Can you even begin to imagine the emotional struggle of these last 9 months for them...

So dad's point was this... as bad as life circumstances can be - with our kids, or job, or family... there is always someone who would desperately wish to trade places.

So as I went through the day, with a heavy heart for all three of these families... my own frustrations with the kids, my house, the bills, getting a TICKET for the first time in my life... and life in general-- seemed easier to put into perspective.

I wouldn't want to trade places... but I sure am more appreciative today than I was before.

me, me, meme

2008-06-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

Instead of doing all the things I should have been doing today... I was checking out some new blogs. I love reading about how other people "do life"-- and I especially enjoy the ones with cool photos of the kids... it makes me remember my own boys... not so long ago.

I ran across this meme several times, and thought I'd do it too.
Here's my freshly painted red bathroom: (thanks for the inspiration to paint kristen!)

And look... it's even got cleaner in the toilet...imagine that!

And here's my favorite room...

even though there's stuff all over the table...
I really love sitting around the dining room table with the boys, either to eat or do projects with them.

I mentioned that it took me forever to do this... and I still didn't get the pictures in the right order...

But, here's the awful color I painted the bathroom a few weeks ago when I first decided that it wouldn't be too much work to paint it.

Here's a wall in my closet:

Here's one of my favorite shoes... (thanks to McMommy... I already had a picture)

This is what my boys were doing when I originally started fiddling on the computer (they've long since gone to bed, seeings how... it took me so long to actually finish the meme.

Are they cute or what!
Watching ESPN is one of their favorite things to do.

Here's my laundry ... (not bad- Tony is really good about never having more than 1 or 2 loads to do) Yep, he's been doing the laundry since we were in college... reason # 3457 that I finally decided to marry him. I need to remember that more often!

Here's my "self portrait" ... of me scrapping in Cabo (because... I was trying to keep my picture "family friendly" and I'm ready for bed - I had to search for a picture of myself that had already been taken.

Note to self... Holy cow... with 7500 pictures on your computer... don't you think you should have one or two of yourself that you wouldn't mind posting? The boys might want to actually have pictures of their mom later on. ya, ya...

ah... vacation...

Moving on... here's my fridge. (which was supposed to be first, but oh well. (See that "very worn" paper... that would be the key to our parenting: straight from "Shepherding a Child's heart"... amazing book moms!)

Here's the sink... Can you can see the AJAX inside it? Don't forget to take note of the hot guy loading the dishwasher who will be scrubbing that sink!

(because... I'm busy taking pictures for the blog of course)

And here's the last picture...

Just so you can see again what color the bathroom was a few weeks ago... before I decided "it wouldn't be too much work to paint the bathroom again". (What was I thinking???)

I'm so glad I kept Mr. Chicken's kinder class photo from his night at the Mac house... just so you all could appreciate my pretty blue bathroom walls....

http://4funboys.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html

Summer Fun

2008-06-21T00:53:00.001-07:00

I love summer! I love being with the boys and trying to fit a zillion things into the day, almost as much as I love... planning on doing less tomorrow! That thought of rest, sooths the soul.

Today was a ... see "how many things I can cram in" day. And I love the feeling of checking things off of my 'to do' list.

Prime bathroom
Turn in Violin downtown
Take boys to the library
upgrade the boys cell phones (thanks Nana...)
paint bathroom... again
buy software for computer
take boys bowling
last day of basketball camp
Walmart... (urgggh)
Pick up sitter
Dinner party with friends (supposed to be at my house... but I cheated and we met at a restaurant...tacky, I know. But, my house smells like paint and I had too many things to do!)
Swim with the boys
Cut in paint for bathroom ceilings
read blogs...

Tomorrow... tomorrow is NOT going to be like today -- because, quite frankly... as good as it feels to finally "get things done"...

Resting sounds a WHOLE lot better!

So boy... I love you, but don't wake me up before noon! I promise to be ready for baseball and birthday parties... and whatever else, where ever else... you need ... AFTER I recover from all that fun today.

Go Royals

2008-06-17T22:31:00.001-07:00

royals 2008 010_edited.jpg
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

I'm so proud of my ALL Stars... both of you!

Happy Father's Day Daddy

2008-06-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Daddy's Day Dad!

I love you... and so do all these boys + 1 princess...

You're the world's best Dad... and grandpa!

See this pix of Rufus and you... brought back so many good memories...

We sure had it good! How'd we get so blessed to get you for a dad???

I love that you're a father that we've ALWAYS been able to look up to and admire as you continue to be a wise, and godly man (in spite of us, sometimes... *grin*)

I don't know how we got to be so blessed to have you as our father... but I'm sure thankful that you are!

I love you dad... and I'll never get tired of Cinderella!

LUV,

Cardo

This Is What "Bored" Looks Like on Summer Vacation...

2008-06-11T16:23:00.001-07:00

Dodger Day

2008-06-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

This is what it cost to get enough gas to go 1/2 way to see a Dodger game from home...

This is how happy AJ is to help spend that much to get to a Dodger game...
This is how happy mommy is that her 10 year old baby is happy at the Dodger game...

This is how happy the 6 boys are to be watching Dodgers warm up for batting practice several hours before the game starts... (because a 3 hour game is apparently not long enough, and we had room to bring a friend, so why not take another boy to make the trip even more loud... I meant "more fun" (honest)

and this is one happy birthday boy because he had a fantastic catch in the outfield...

and here's one happy daddy eating $12 Dodger dogs...

and your over-joyed 89 year-old great-grandma Faith on our return trip home.

Overall... I'd say that it was a great birthday weekend son...

AND I LOVE YOU TONS... but

PS... I'm not coming out of my room for the next 48 hours because I need to recover from being in the car that long, with that many loud boys, with ALL that energy... but feel free to ask me and your daddy to do it again in 10 years -- we might be up for it again by then!

Happy Birthday AJ... on graduation day!

2008-06-05T23:38:00.000-07:00

There are sometimes that I think I try to fit too much in a day... but there is just no other way! Today was the last day of school... THANK GOD! And it was also AJ's 10th b-day! And Caden's kindergarten graduation. And the last scheduled baseball game of the season for Colton and Caden. And Josh and Cassandra's 8th grade graduation... but... we fit it all in! Yes! Today was a memory making day at it's finest! How blessed am I!!!

Nana and grandpa kicked down the cool b-day gift for AJ that he wanted!

And... here's the kinder graduate... with his great toofless smile! Gosh, I love this baby!

And then... there was the twin's graduation... my niece and nephew graduated from 8th grade!

There couldn't be 2 better children on the planet! I am so proud to say they're mine. They are what every parent hopes and dreams that their kids will become. They are smart and beautiful... with hearts of gold! I pray my own 4 boys learn well from them... the important things in life. Good job sis... you single-handedly are doing an AMAZING job! Today was evidence of that! I'm proud of all three of you!

Josh spoke at the graduation ceremony... and we were all in tears!

Never to be out-done by his twin... Cassandra followed her brother with an amazing performance of her own. I've never seen this done at a graduation before... it's fantastic! And I was ever so happy to finally learn how to use my camera (quite by accident) to record this just in time to share on my blog!

Cassandra is the cutie on the right!

How can you ask for a better day than that?

Scrap Day...

2008-06-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a chance to work on my scrapbooks in a VERY long time... but today was my lucky day! After 3 hours of playing around with it at a friends house... I got exactly "0" - zip - zilch # of pages completed... but it was so fun! And we talked about all the worries of where to send our kids to school, and the all star team, and ... about how great Pioneer Woman's recipes are!

I'll eventually catch up with the boys' books... or not... but it was still a fun day!

And before anyone asks what the boys were doing... they were watching baseball with daddy, of course! And I figured I didn't need to see any game that one of my boys' wasn't actually playing in, because I've already been to 9 games this week, and sat through 5 practices!

So, maybe this summer I'll do a little more scrappin' ... and a little less yappin (or not).

ALL STARS

2008-05-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

Today TMAC got chosen to be the all-star coach for our #2 son's league! That's only a big deal because you have to apply, and then get voted in by all the families and other coaches, and the board of directors who eat, sleep, and drink baseball - literally (most of whom think they should be the one to get the position). AJ is happy that his dad got picked because he loves him to be his coach, but Tony is REALLY excited because he was worried he might not get it since we don't have the best record!

Me... While I'm very proud of him, and I understand it's great to be validated.... I'm sorta thinking... But I thought the season was almost over???

Blooming... good days!

2008-05-27T20:48:00.001-07:00

P5250295.JPG
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

I love my blooms after a few rain drops... and if you look VERY closely... you can see BAD MAMA'S fabulous advice about keeping the snails away. Yes, siree... those would be white egg shells that I crumbled up after making Pioneer Womans fantastic omelets for Memorial Day Breakfast!

The boys wiped out the entire dish before I could try it, so I'm assuming it was good. They topped it off by eating Cinnamon Buns from a recipe I got from Crazy Mom with 4 boys!

For lunch... we had Martha Stewarts Mac and Cheese. Let me just say -- that cost a pretty penny to make! Holy cow. My hubby also told me that Pioneer Woman's Mac and Cheese thing was better... so if you like hot, try it.

For dessert I made some chocolate thing in my crock pot from Ramblings of a Crazy woman (which I loved because it was really easy), and I also made some peanut butter butterscotch treats from Wendy's recipes too.

I was on a roll... and now you should see the mess "THEY" had to clean up! woooohhh. Apparently it was worth it... because my boys are loving this bloggin' thing mommy does!

NOW... I just need to figure out how to fit in a bathing suit for the summer... and still read all the cool blogs with recipes.

Cleaning...

2008-05-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

We're doing a little spring cleaning... and were sent this:
https://emp.ucsd.edu/swf/screenclean.swf

VERY helpful!

rainy days

2008-05-24T23:57:00.000-07:00

I LOVE, love, love California because I'm not much for rain; but we've been doing baseball 7 days a week for 9 weeks now without a break! However, today... our games and practices all got rained out!!!!!! I decided today (just for today though- tomorrow I'll be praying for sun so I can lay out by the pool)... today I've officially decided that I love rainy days!

I stayed in bed until 1:30; at which point I moved from my bed to my bubble bath!

AHHHHHHH...

Yep... I'm thinking rainy days are "all that!"

Beaut-eee-ful

2008-05-19T01:20:00.001-07:00

P1060085
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

Here was our last sunset in Hawaii a few months ago... that I ever so enjoyed!

Today I was thinking about how much I need to remember the beautiful things God uses to remind us how little we are in control of things.

But... I like control, I like order, I like having my own way.

And then I like to laugh because instead... God gave me 4 boys.

It really is a beautiful thing... soemtimes though, I just wish it wasn't so LOUD.

To School, or Not to THAT School???

2008-05-17T00:41:00.000-07:00

Last night was open house for the boys, and I usually love to go; but last night I only went by sheer force of will because I'm just so tired. But we went, and I was disappointed in having made the effort because most of the work on display for the night was more "parent displays" than work "my boys had done." I've mentioned before my 'love' of parent projects, and am admittedly biased against them. But last night was ridiculous! You should have seen some of the work that some of these parents did! WOW, it was amazing, incredible... over the top in the extreme (And 'we' would definitely not be in that group). Let's see, there was the science fair projects "we did"- and the Whale diorama "we did" - and the Farmers community "we did"... etc-- some of the stuff displayed was truly amazing... but let's face it-- I can assure you that 99% of what we saw at open house was NOT done by 8,9 and 10 year olds! Weather displays with little pullys that drop dry ice in containers to show fog... ummm- it was REALLY cool, but... when the kids aren't even allowed to touch the stuff, pretty good indication that he wasn't allowed to participate in completing most of the project.

Either way, Tony and I oohed, and ahhhed at all the appropriate times... and patted them on the backs and told them all how proud we are of how hard they've worked this year... and then Kyle, in all his infinite wisdom- says : "Mom, that was just like a show the teachers have to put on. It's more like a competition for the parents to see who did the most work and spent the most money on all the projects they made us do throughout the year.

(Yep.... entirely too smart for his own good - that one!)

We helped a little on these projects, but I've told all the boys..."I've already had the opportunity to learn all this stuff, and I love you too much to rob you of the opportunity to experience this fantastic educational experience... so it's up to you to earn the grade you want because we're not doing it for you! (Which is code for "I already passed 3,4,5 grade - now it's your turn because I didn't much care for it the first time I had to do it- and I'm certainly not going to do it again. You're on your own kid")

Anyway... I will say this for Open House - what it REALLY means is:

School is almost done and Summer Vacation will be here in 12 day!!!!!!!!! YEAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Toof-less

2008-05-15T23:42:00.001-07:00

P5150330
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

After weeks, and weeks... and then a few more annoying weeks... of wiggling and tugging... it FINALLY came out!

And fortunately for Caden, "Nana's toof - fairy" was around for the grand event... and being the baby of the "grand babies"... that very "lucky toof" got him $36!

SO... I'm considering how good I'd look without a few teeth myself! (OK, it was a fleeting thought because I'm a little to vain for that)

But sheesh... I could get some cute flip flops for $36!

I don't remember that same tooth fairy giving me big bucks like that when I lost my toofies! But is he cute or what!

Mother's Day

2008-05-12T17:20:00.001-07:00

AJ shared his cooties with Caden and his beloved mother... so we spent the day in bed. But we're better today, so it's all good. I got some much needed rest, and the boys got to just "hang out with dad."

Only 17 teaching days left for this year, so I'll be rushing around like a maniac getting the yards ready for 7 team parties, and 6 class parties! OY! But, it's so much fun to see the kids all crazy and excited. It's also a BIG motivation to get a few of those things on the "to-do" lists actually get crossed off. The hard part will be in deciding which projects to tackle first, and which ones I'll be ok with not getting done... because the reality is... there's NO way we'll have time to do it all.

The most important party we'll be hosting is the the twins 8th grade graduation party. I want it to be really nice for them because they are the best niece and nephew we could have!

Go Royals

2008-05-09T22:43:00.001-07:00

royals 2008.jpg
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

Yesterday we had to pick up AJ and bring him home from school because he got sick. Not long after that, I got a voicemail saying not to "be alarmed when I saw Colton after school with a black eye because he'd had an accident at recess." Then, about 15 minutes before school was let out, "Einstein" decided to practice his swing in class and apparently misjudged how much room he needed, because he stabbed himself with his pencil and needed to go get stiches in his hand. (Not to worry, his hand was still numb so he was able to go straight to the field and play in his baseball game.)

Yep... today it's funny- yesterday... not so much.

AJ stayed home from school today (which, unlike his brothers, he NEVER does) in hopes that he'd be well enough to play in "the big game" tonight. He loves the game, but more importantly, he didn't want to let his team down! They were going into tonight's game with the same record as the other team (who is fairly good, but we'd already won them earlier in the season.)

We "were" in 1st place, and without AJ and his catcher, we didn't have much of a chance of winning tonight. BUT, AJ dragged himself to the field (against my better judgement), just in time to throw-up before the game. I took him home, and within about 45 minutes we drove back to the field because we were only down by 1 run. He was convinced that he felt good enough to "end the game for his team."

AJ ran to the field and struck out their clean-up batter, but coach daddy pulled him right away... he was just too sick. I was happy that daddy did that (even with some mad fans in the stands), and even more proud of my son because it really was all about "doing it for the team."

I love winning, I love seeing my boys do well... but more importantly- I love to see those moments when my son's character shines! He's talented yet humble, uplifting and encouraging, and tonight... he showed everyone that he knows what dedication is.

We ended up losing, but I was so proud of my son because he learned tonight that even if you lose, he still felt pretty good about doing his best! And his daddy... oh was he proud of his son!

Mother's Day Gift

2008-05-08T16:11:00.001-07:00

ATT00002%204[1].jpg
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

I might want one of these!

Party shoes

2008-05-05T23:44:00.001-07:00

P5050239
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

After a mere 647 different pictures of various shoe shots... my hubby and I decided that this is THE one! (How sweet is he for humoring me)

These shoes are THE BOMB (as my boys would day)!

When my husband and I go to The Grand Wailea in Hawaii for New Year's Eve... I get all giddy because that means I get to go to one of my favorite shoe stores! Tony bought these shoes for me (and I felt guilty for at least a nano-second because they were very expensive) and after I got after him for spending way too much $, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed the bajeebers out of him because they are absolutely gorgeousssssss... and I love, love them... I mean, I love HIM for never, ever telling me no when it comes to shoes. Any wonder why I married him?

My camera doesn't do the shoes justice, so you'll have to just take my word for it.

Is that Red?

2008-05-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

Yes... That would be red... and No, I obviously haven't had time to fix it yet. But, since I had a few consecutive hours without baseball today... and I was thinking about this:

http://themcmommychronicles.blogspot.com/2008/05/calling-all-party-people.html

So I thought I'd go in my closet and check out red party shoes... because there are a lot of different shades of red!
and since we're here in my closet (which used to be my oldest son's bedroom a few months ago)... here's some more shoes that I love.

and in the other corner of the room we have some more red ones too... and room for jeans.

Now... my boys and I debated today about the notion that one can have too many jeans. I tried to explain that girls have their slim jeans, their fat jeans, and their "I want to get back into these jeans"... to which my boys replied... Mom- they look all the same to us! Hmph-

My boys are well versed in the fact that girls can never, ever, ever ... have too many shoes! I'm thinking their wives will love me for that.

Now look closely... Do you see it? Do you see that poor empty space there in the middle? Begging to be filled... and loved... like the others?

AHHHHHHH I was so excited because I'm committed to not buying any more shoes until I have room for them. That means I'd have to throw some away- and I just can't bring myself to part with any of them. Thinking I was finally all done, and trying to decide if I wanted to get some heels or sandals, I went down stairs and discovered several shoes that needed to be put away. DARN... I guess I won't be getting a new pair of shoes tomorrow after all!

But... I think I know which pair of party shoes I'm choosing for McMommy tomorrow!

gas hogs

2008-05-02T01:39:00.000-07:00

Because I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off... I haven't had much time for blogging and I've missed it! I haven't had nearly enough laughs from Jen... or enough advice from the boy mommy bloggers - but oh have I had fun watching the boys play ball! Only 19 more days of teaching at school too- so I'm looking forward to doing all the things I haven't had time to do! Yippee. (like getting my hair done! - yep, still waiting on that!)

We've been too busy going from one game to the next... and loving every minute of it - until we have to go to the gas station to pay over $4 per gallon! Is that ridiculous or what!!! Since I have to fill up the Excursion every week at the tune of $130, and Tony has to fill up the Tahoe at least 2 or 3 times a week at $105 a pop - we've been trying to be really good about not doing any more driving than we absolutely have to.

Too bad we both have cars that only get about 10 miles to the gallon. However, we didn't have too many choices in vehicles that would accommodate 4 car seats - and now we have to consider the fact that we usually have at least a couple of extra kids with us whenever we go anywhere, so there's no chance of down sizing cars to try and get better gas mileage. All we can do is hope that gas doesn't go up to $5 a gallon. urggggg, can you imagine?

so much for that tax refund we're all supposed to get- they might as well give it to a gas station and save us the trouble of handing over the money!

Bad Hair Day

2008-04-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

You know how there's those people who say, "What do you think about my hair?" when they already KNOW it looks great, but they just want a compliment?

OK... That's not me. Granted, I didn't know just HOW bad it was until tonight... thanks sis! My hair is so thick I can usually twist it, roll it, or clip it so that you can't really tell if something is a little off. But, it appears that would not be true with a bad color job.

I've been super busy lately, so I haven't had and extra 5 hours to get my highlights redone. Since I have really long thick hair, that's about how long I'll have to spend to put high lights in my hair - but it's not unusual to be at the salon for more than 6 hours. No problem, I'll just color it for now, and in a few weeks when all the baseball games are over, I'll go spend the day at the spa. Right? Apparently NOT!

The first attempt to color my hair was bad... but my attempt to fix it was REALLY bad I guess!

It went from "too much blond" with dark roots, to "too much brown" to "WHAT THE HECK MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO RED?" And my personal favorite from son #3 "Does Nana know you did that yet?"

Red? It's not really red... it's more of a burnt, ugly orange color. I kid you not! And no, I don't have pictures- but I should take one and post it with a "note to self- coloring your own hair isn't worth the time or money you save!"

After my lovely sister's comments tonight- I'm considering calling in a substitute for tomorrow and spending the day at the salon because honestly... this gives new meaning to having a "bad hair day."

The only good thing... I have matching baseball hats for all my boys' teams so I've been getting lots of use out of them.

Sick and Tired... of being sick and Tired!

2008-04-21T21:54:00.001-07:00

I didn't get tied up and locked in the closet by the boys... that would be heaven compared to being this sick! I have pneumonia and it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest.

That, my friends.... is what happens when you try to do toooooo many things. When your husband coaches too many teams, and when you forget how to say... "No, I really can't this time."

BUT... there's nothing like seeing your boys win the game for their teams... several times this week!

And... I love how my boys take such good care of me when I don't feel good... They are going to be THE BEST HUBBY's some day... a very, very long time from now-- Just like their daddy!

ahhhhhhhhhhh

2008-04-12T22:30:00.001-07:00

I just got a new student in my class and her name is : (Honest to God, I checked the CUM to make sure that was in fact on her birth certificate -- because surely parents can't be that.... Cruel? stupid? or ...? )!!!

Juanna Margarita ______

AND that,pretty much sums up my week!

Does that just say it all?

It's All About Choices People

2008-04-08T20:22:00.001-07:00

I got this email today:

Life if basically about choices:

Should I get a dog:

Or should I have children:

My response was:

No, these aren't the Mac boys!

And yes, I know they would have made a much bigger mess!

But, I'd still like a dog - thank you very much.

Every Mother's Worst Nightmare

2008-04-04T22:58:00.001-07:00

P2130031
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

A few weeks ago I took the boys to see this stud...

He is one of my best friends from high school... and I love him dearly- most of the time. He gave us a good scare... and I'm glad he's OK so that the next time I see him; after I hug him, I'm going to hit him for adding ten good years on my already aging face!

2 days ago Tony showed up at my school with lunch... and news that my favorite motorcycle stud was in an accident. My parents were already on the way to the hospital to see him, and that's all he knew.

Tony might as well have hit me... Here's what his bike looks like now... http://www.mantecabulletin.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=57002&SectionID=28&SubSectionID=58

My heart hurt... not just for him - but for his mom and dad (the best parents - besides my own of course- you could wish for), and of course... his wife! Can you even imagine?

They both had officers come to their doors... with news to go to the hospital because he'd been hit by a car going 60 mph. That's all they knew... They didn't know how bad it was, or wasn't.

Thank God... he is OK... not a broken bone in his body. This guy has the luck you would NOT believe! God is good, and faithful, and kind... and I appreciate the gentle reminders in life that we're not guaranteed tomorrow... so you better live each day as if it's your last.

PS... I so love you SS... but if you ever scare us like that again... I might have to run you over myself!

I'm How Old Again?

2008-04-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

The other day my dad asked me, "How old are you again?"

I told him was already 34, and he ... very quickly, reminded me of the year I had apparently forgotten. He reminded me I was half way to 70... thanks pop.

35??? Oh yeah, "you're right," I answered!

He laughed - I didn't.

But then... Tony bought me the greatest gift last night and I felt so much better (His gifts do that for me!). It was a Celine Dion DVD of her last 5 year contract in Vegas. I love her music... but the significance behind the gift is why my hubby is THE BEST.

For my 30th b-day (yes...5 years ago, not 4), he bought us opening night tickets for her show in Vegas. It was AAAAmazing! The DVD doesn't even begin to capture the wonder of her live show. Celine's entire family was there, including all her sibling from Canada. It was one of the best weekends we've ever had... for a lot of reasons.

As we sat in our room and watched the video together, he leans over for another kiss and asks, "yeah, we were good together 5 years ago... but we're so much better now."

Well, if you're gonna put it like that... I guess being half way to 70 isn't so bad.