No News is no News

Well, I am behind on the blog and I think it is because there is really not much going on. I had another long week at work and meanwhile the boys are trying to get better. AJ has most of his energy back and Connor also seems to be on the mend.

The only exciting thing that happened this week involved Chris, wildlife, the brick step up on our porch and the binoculars. I am banned from writing about this event - all I can say is "Oh Deer" let your imaginations run wild!

I am getting spring fever. It was cold again this weekend and cannot wait for it to warm up. I took this picture of my favorite tree last year as it was beginning to bloom its flowers. As soon as I see the white flowers this year I will know that spring is coming! One of the most beautiful things to see in NC is the Cherry Blossoms. Warm weather, green grass, baseball and spring break.....I cannot wait!

Weekend Update

Sorry, no Seth Myers or Amy Pohler here, by the way without Amy Pohler not sure SNL is even worth HULU. We spent the weekend trying to get everyone in the house healthy again. Connor had to spend all weekend inside except the occasional sneak out to see Maggy - caught him this time. He missed baseball tryouts because he was sick. Chris is coaching so I hope he gives the kid a shot and picks him.

Connor also had to do some homework - just because you don't go to school does not mean you do not still have work to do. He is working on a report about Sugar Gliders which are basically flying bat/squirrels with no footwear. The visual of their nasty little toes are enough to make me sick! Apparently they also like to mark their territory and people have them as pets - nice! Forget it Connor, it is never going to happen! There are lots of things that pee around here, none of them fly. I have to draw the line somewhere.

The big boys spent some time playing Foosball, not sure I get that game. They were having a good time playing. I did get a picture of AJ's thrill of victory but as you can see missed Chris' face experiencing the agony of defeat.

Continuing on our weekend of fun and games, AJ is trying to teach me to play Guitar Hero. I was really not interested until I realized they had Band on the Run - had to do it. I earned $29 for AJ and the band. I felt cool until he played a song and earned $290, way to pull in 10% of what a 13 year old kid makes. If only the real world worked like that AJ would be set.

Big week this week, baseball tryouts for AJ. Hopefully the spleen will not let him down. One of the side effects of mono is an enlarged spleen so it is all he can talk about. He has been fantasizing of being out on the field crying out "MY SPLEEENN!" Dream big AJ!

Extreme Un-Makeover

So last Tuesday they took the couch in the family room away because it was supposed to be connected with brackets. When you went to sit in it the sectional was sliding on the hardwood and parting like the red-sea. My OCD was in overdrive trying to keep it perfectly aligned. We were supposed to have it back on Thursday - no go! Now we are hoping for Monday. I did not realize how much time we spent in that room together, oh well - I bet I will get a lot done this weekend since sitting in front of the TV is not an option. I guess the DVR shows will wait.

Before:

After?

TGIF

Well, we have almost made it to the weekend. Chris had to pick up Connor from school yesterday, he had a 101 temp. Luckily, we already had him scheduled for his annual checkup so we got him right into the Dr.

Connor is all about analyzing risk, on the way to the Dr. he asked Chris if he was going to have to get a shot. Chris told him he wasn't sure. Not good enough "what % chance do I have of getting a shot?" Chris told him 10% chance. Uh oh, time for the Chicken Pox booster. Who knew we were boosting for Chicken Pox now? Connor does not like it when we are wrong - I think 50% would have been a safer answer.

For all of you Idol watchers, how did the best friend not get through - you know the one, the best friend to the guy who lost his wife? I would have totally voted for him over the geek in the striped sweater??? Oh well, at least we have a roughneck - that ought to make the Dallas crowd happy.

I Kissed A Girl and I Liked It.....

Well - poor AJ has mono. He says that it is not "just" the kissing disease. I feel bad for him, he has been miserable all week and I guess there is nothing they can do for that. So - I am doing what I can, taking pictures and blogging about his misfortune. I even changed the song for him!

Chris told AJ awhile ago that when he was in 8th grade he had "better things to do than kiss girls", AJ's oh so practical reply was "name one thing that is better than kissing a girl!" Chris did not have a reply but I bet Mono would not have made the list.

Up All Night...Work All Day

AJ is sick, started on Sunday and the poor kid has had a fever and sore throat. He got up in the middle of the night and you know once I am up there is no turning back. A trip to the Dr. is in order for today. I was sick last week so I guess I just assumed he had the same thing I did and I thought he would be able to fight it off. I guess not. Connor is also starting to show the signs of getting sick so off to a good start this week!

See Liz - you still have many years of this sick thing - even at 13 they still get up in the middle of the night.

Deep Thoughts and Digital Pictures

So, a few things I noticed this weekend.

1. AJ is getting SERIOUSLY taller than me! I had Chris take this picture so you could see what I mean. You can also tell that he likes it!

2. When I was downloading the pictures off of the camera I realized Connor might have gotten away with a foul here!

3. I think the South is getting to AJ - who knew he liked Alabama? Well, Sweet Potato Pie and Shut My Mouth!

4. Sledding in NC is not as challenging or rewarding as sledding in CO. I thought you would get a good laugh over this one. By the way, this is the day Connor was mad that they had to go to school, very treacherous conditions right??

5. Waiting until Sunday night to get the million things done you wanted to do is officially called procrastination. Hmmm.... why does AJ wait until the last minute to do his homework??

Even Dogs Can't Live in NC Unless They Can Pass the Rock

Things I am grateful for

This economy has me in a total funk! Chris and I have watched what seems like hours of the stock ticker on Fox Business on how much stock value companies have lost and when I sat down yesterday at 5 am to read the 680 pg Stimulus Plan knowing it was just going to make me mad I decided enough is enough! I have a million things to be happy for, so here we go!

1. Of course my family! The boys are the best blessing I could ask for! I have a husband that will stop at nothing to make me happy and drive me crazy :-) In fact I am writing this with a Venti Caramel Macchiato thanks to him! They make me laugh everyday and I am so lucky!

2. My sisters! Whatever happens in life you are connected forever. Liz and I are the only people I know that can start our day going through the drive-thru at Starbucks for 2 Ventis (you have to plan ahead) and Theresa totally knows me. I was offended at first that she said I was exactly like Kate from Jon and Kate plus 8 but she is so right!

3. My Parents! They taught me to work hard, to be loyal, to support your family no matter what and that a cat or salami can sometimes put your marriage at risk so be on the lookout! Seriously, having parents that love and support you and show you that marriage is not always easy but it is always worth it has been a great inspiration.

4. Being born in this country! When you see the plight of other countries you just realize that every day we wake up with advantages other people do not have just by virtue of the Lord deciding we would be born here. As much as we belly-ache about the economy if you have shoes on your feet and a home that meets basic building codes you're among the richest people in the world!

5. My faith! I am so thankful for the people that have been an example to me in my walk, who have led me in my walk and who are there for me when I struggle.

6. Watching my kids grow up! The baseball games, the basketball games, the football games, the school programs and the night-time prayers are things I sometimes take for granted. My kids are so cool!

7. Seasons! Living in Phoenix for about 12 years made me forget how beautiful the seasons can be and while I sometimes get frustrated at how cold it can get here it is really stunning!

8. Miss Maggy! What a great dog! Super smart, really cute, great protector and like Air Bud she can "dish the rock"

9. My nieces and nephews! Cutest kids ever! I am over the limit on pictures so I cannot add them here :-(

10. Dad trying to stop smoking! We love you Bad Papa!

11. You Tube and Vanilla Joy for showing me how to fold a fitted sheet!

http://www.vanillajoy.com/how-to-fold-a-fitted-sheet.html

Who are we kidding??

I was looking through pictures today and trying to test the posting and found this one. It was one of the 20 shots we took trying to get the perfect family picture for Christmas. We actually should have used it for our card, I think it gives a true picture of the reality of our lives - we have lost control!

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Meet Our New Superintendent

Connor! Boy is he bitter this morning. If you remember from yesterday, school was canceled and we had not one flake of snow. At about 5 pm last night the snow started coming down and the boys were way excited. All night Connor was saying "there is no way we are going to school tomorrow!"

Well, by 5:30 am they were both up to check out the situation - school is on a 2 hour delay - WHAT??? But it snowed, look at it Mom! Look outside! For the last 2 hours Connor has tried to negotiate any which way that he could stay home. He has looked at the school calendar, identified the most appropriate make up day, lectured me on the dangers of a bus in hazardous conditions (by the way, his bus is a Tahoe!), on and on and on. Forty-five times I have reminded him that he is not the superintendent and it is just not his call - he will not hear it.

I vividly remember on April 14, 1999 when the Dr. announced "it's a boy!" I was sure I had dodged the ultimate bullet. Mom always said "I hope you have one just like you one day!" I was clear - victory was mine! Two kids, both BOYS!! I realized there would be no scratching, no arguing about clothes, no she borrowed this and I have not even worn it yet, no curling iron/make up wars, I was Golden.

I did not factor in that I could end up with one with the same personality! Way to go Bobo, your wish came true!

Things I Could Have Someone Else Do

So....Liz got me thinking about having someone else do my blog since I am too busy. She has a point, it has been so long since I blogged that I forgot my password! Anyway, it got me thinking about all the things in life that would become simple with just a little extra help.

10. Brushing and Bathing Maggy - she went to the groomer and got a bath last week and it changed my life. Sounds crazy but a dog that smells good is the best! Even though they used the blow dryer and she looks like Manfred on Ice Age (I'm not fat, I'm just poofy) she smells great!

9. Watching The Bachelor....now there is 2 hours I will never get back in life. I always swear I will not watch and something pulls me in! Someone please just jump to the end and report the engagement is off so I can get on with my life.

8. Dinner & cleaning up after dinner....enough said.

7. Exercise, can someone go find the booty I left in High School and bring it back to me?

6. My obsessive compulsive tendencies, can someone else worry about if the floors need to be cleaned and if I phrased my last blog correctly, if the towels in the linen closet are folded "right" how about using a q-tip to clean out the washing machine - can anyone else carry this burden!

5. Reminding AJ ten thousand times to brush his teeth, wash his face, finish his homework, bring me the things in the backpack to sign..... on and on and on...... what happens at 13 to turn your brain to mush??

4. Dusting...I know you can technically pay someone to do this, see #6 - I would have to clean first so I would not be embarrassed to have someone clean - someone stop the madness!

3. Keeping up with family and friends, if only my intentions could help me keep up on this. I guess this plays into Liz's request!

2. AJs project about an important chemist....this will become my project at 9 pm on Thursday Feb 5th if history holds true...due Feb 6th!

1. Grocery Shopping - add putting away groceries to the wish and you have changed my life!


Ok - these are silly but I am telling you I do not know how people get it all done. I am just trying to not miss the great stuff while this stuff gets in the way. I cannot believe how big the boys are getting and how fast it is passing by! BTW - shout out to Connor for basketball this week - INTENSITY

Not How I Grew Up

Guilford, Rockingham schools closed
Tuesday, February 3
( updated 5:53 am)

Guilford and Rockingham County school systems are closed today due to the snow.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and Randolph County schools are also on a two-hour delay Tuesday.

Since it has taken 10 minutes to upload the picture we will go old school - check out http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/03/article/guilford_rockingham_schools_closed for the picture of the day!

I looked outside and there was ZERO snow on the ground. I think in Colorado you had at least 6 inches and then waited by the radio hoping against all hope that you would be able to stay home unless......Dad was home too! Then you were hoping for school. Sorry Dad - much love!!

So, speaking of Dad, I have not blogged for awhile and part of that was knowing I could not blog until I could change the settings for Papa to comment, I think I got it figured out so fire away Papa!