Quote of the Day

Was reading another blog tonight and came across this quote: "When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

- Henry Nouwen"

I am so grateful to have friends like this in my life and it is my prayer that each one of you do too.

Spiderman 3

Friday Family fun night entailed the viewing of this movie. Lots of action. Some great special effects...but we definitely had to "lalala" through one or two places were there was some inappropriate language. It was good for the boys to see a movie where the good prevails over evil. Earlier today we received the Phantom Tollbooth DVD and we watched that as well since Ian had just completed reading the book earlier this morning. He was all over the movie-citing places where the movie left out situations, places and characters. I told him it was good to notice these things and that he should look for the positive aspects of the movie (like the animation). Secretly, however, I was humming to myself that he "liked the book wayyyy better than the movie! That"ll keep him a readin!

Boo came home with an adorable marshmallow snowman that he made in art class this afternoon. According to Boo, the snowman's hat was made from a "coconut". I informed him that while the snowman's hat did come from a tree, it was actually an "acorn" that made up Mr. Frosty's hat! LOL. Note to self: I need to take a pic of the snowman and post it here later.

Tomorrow AM is Ian's first group Suzuki lesson. I'm nervous and excited for him. Hope he doesn't totally work himself up over playing in front of a bunch of strangers. Afternoon is the weigh in of the Pinewood Derby. So, it looks as though Daddy will be busy tomorrow! Hee-hee. Seriously though, we'll both be doing stuff with the boys all weekend.

The Game of Life...

the BEBZ just finished a game of it after we returned from Ethan's open house for his gifted class. This was a game they had started a few evenings ago. Ethan came into me with his carload of peeps and informed me about his "family." He told me, "This is me and this is Tessa, my wife you know...and these pink ones are my girls...and the BLUE ones are my boys!" (All with a huge smirky smile on his face). I asked him if he had any twins, towhich he replied, "Yes! THE GIRLS!" Cracks me up that boy.

Tonight was also Ethan's open house for his gifted class. He was so excited to be there ( a little too much maybe-energy abounded!). Two of his girlfriends from Pre-K were there-so that was nice to know there would be familiar faces there for him...not that he has any trouble with shyness! Unfortunately, he will not be going there the same day as Big Brother, so he won't be riding the bus with him. That makes me a bit nervous. Not so much with dropping him off to ride the bus in the am, but moreso the afternoon. His teacher will ride the bus home with him the first day-so that lessens my worry a bit.

Ian started Suzuki piano lessons last week and is doing well with it. His first group lesson is Sat. Should be interesting as he will need to get up in front of strange new faces and play his piece of music. Hopefully, it won't stress him out to much! He is not one who really likes to be in the limelight. I think it will be really good for him though. Self confidence...getting up in front of people and performing...preparation...practice...that's all good stuff. How could it not be a good thing, right?

Off topic here:
So, Mick and I were discussing this the other day, and we were pondering EXACTLY when in one's stage of parenthood does one stop referring to his/herself in third person when talking in the company of your kids? Is this just something quirky about us or are there other parents out there that do the same thing? Hmmm....

Sad...Sad Day

The Blue-Eyed Boyz and I am mourning the death of Heath Ledger today. Such a sad thing. So much talent. So much more he could've contributed to this world in addition to what he had already contributed. He will be missed. My heart goes out to his daughter, his parents,his friends.Heath Ledger found dead in NYC apartment - Celebrities- msnbc.com

Big Gma' s Ski Trip 07

Here's some pics from our annual Christmas trip with Big Gma to Colorado. Each year has been so much laughter+learning (the big kids too!). Each year we can see how much the kids have grown + improved. This year was skiing+snowboarding. On Christmas Eve there was a torchlight parade complete with Santa, lights and fireworks. Last year was hard to beat (with the blizzard snowfall) but this year had a lot fun on its own. I personally will never forget the look of excitement and glee when my nephew Casey opened his gifts from us...authentic Florida license plates! He was so pumped. He is collecting different states to make "wallpaper" in his room. Just goes to show you one does NOT have to spend a lot of money on gifts. What a great reminder to us all. Definitely something I don't want to forget.Ever. These aren't the only photos (actually they are the ones Big Gma and my sister (Linda) took. Maybe one day soon I'll post some of mine. (I couldn't quit compel myself to take my 20D out on the slopes this year-so my pics were almost exclusively taken indoors.

POTD 01.17.08

Boo's KGTN Enrichment Night was Thursday. I took this picture while the kids were taking on the parents in a game of "Hot Feet." All of the kids (and some parents) had flushed faces by the time they were done. In the library, Boo got up in front of class and answered a library question so he could feed the "very hungry woman" ( a doll that you could stuff he face with questions). When he was done he was asked to pick another friend to take a turn. His girlfriend, Tessa didn't raise her hand (and Mick and I smirked knowing that was who he wanted to ask). Ethan kept willing her with his eyes to raise her hand and when she didn't and other little hands were waiving spastically in the air, he ignored them. He finally looked at her and said, "Tessa" anyways. She declined and he reluctantly was left to ask another friend from his class. It was hilarious watch -this benign courtship of kindergartners. And the coy look on Ethan's face-well...it was priceless. Mick and I are still chuckling b/c we realize we may have been the only parents who caught on to Ethan's antics. Except, of course for Tessa's mom.

Premiere of American Idol

tonight...we had our Tivoes set! One for AI and one for Biggest Loser. Love that I can get things done and "Speedview" both-bypassing the lengthy commercials. What a great invention!

Happy for technology that helps me waste less time.

Other news: Boo came home with his report card last week-great report-nearly all strong areas and an extra special mark for art! So pleased to see that he was "a leader both socially and academically." I personally love watching the relationships he has developed with his classmates. He is so kind and helpful to all of them. No wonder they run up to him with glee. (He thinks it's all about his hair LOL-WE know it's all about his HEART).We are still waiting to find out when he will start his gifted program. He is so excited to begin. So awesome to see the love of learning evolving in him. So grateful he has a teacher he loves.

Got to thinking today about our daily life-computers + blogs, wii's, cell phones, PDA's (Mick not me-I stick with the old Franklin Planner), text messaging, call waiting and caller ID (big yea for that one!), ipods and Tivo, digital SLR's, microwaves, surfing the net, PSP's. So many ways our boys' lives are more convenient. So many ways their lives are more complicated too. So many ways they are more enriched. So many ways they are overstimulated. Trying to maintain balance. Trying to lay a foundation of good, healthy habits. Trying to lead by our actions and not solely by our words. Trying to live with intention and purpose. Here's to trying! -Nite!

Today's POTD

Friday's POTD

ok..a few days late-but that's ok. This was taken at a dear friend of mine's. We got together to learn digital sbing together and to work with PSE. We had a great Mexican lunch with tacos and chips and guacamole (homemade-my favorite). Ian played with her girls-and they all got along amazingly well. (Good thing I brought a third nunchuck for the Wii -usually three ends up with someone being left out). So nice to have friends whose kids get along with yours. Gotta love that!

Yesterday

was a full day of errands. Went to local mall to exchange out some Christmas gifts-just different sizes and colors. The mall was PACKED!Bebz got some long-desires "Mood' rings as well as some new shirts and pants on deep discount at Old Navy. We rented some movies for the boys and Mick and I caught the last half of Packer Game (yeah..I know...what was I thinking? I was told by my loving hubby the game was on the 13th-so my bad for not double checking. Luckily i caught the best half-way to go BRETT AND DA PACK!)
Still tidying up the house-paring down and thinning out. We are all doing pretty well on the quest to better health this year. Lots of yogurt, nuts, fresh fruit and veggies as well as weight lifting and viewings of Biggest Loser to motivate us! Hey, if those morbidly obese people can do it-we've got no excuse. i am constantly amazed at the transformations that occur throughout the course of the competition.
Looking forward to seeing some positive changes in our physiques in the near future!;)

POTD

So..today was productive. Homeschooling took a turn in the field trip direction with a quick visit to a Suzuki Piano Academy. Looks like E Buddy will be the next pupil. He'll begin next week with his homeschooling buddy. Lunch took us to Subway and afterschool details included a quick visit to the library to help momma shelve books,watching a bit of Batman and a few rounds of Shrek on the computer,dinner as a fam and then workouts and reading. Ian is reading the Phantom Tollbooth for language arts. He is really enjoying it as am I. Kind of like the boys' version of Alice in Wonderland in some ways. Oh, and Ethan is blossoming into quite the little reader too. He is now able to read at Grade Two level, possibly further. (NTS: Need to check with teacher and the librarian to find out his most recent tested reading level).
Bedtime routine took a turn for the unscheduled with an impromptu gymnastic display of cartwheels by the BEBZ in their bedroom. I reluctantly ok'd it AS LONG AS no one ran into the bunk beds (and since they had already done one or two before I entered their room!!). Let's just say it took them ahile to wind down tonight...sigh.

POTD...Look carefully!

Mick and the Boo Bear having a little one-on-one time. Nothing like a caramel rice cake and a good book to wrap up the bedtime routine. All is well in our house again...as long as we see no new creepycrawly critters popping up here and there. I have to say, Boo's handled the whole "Cootie" thing relatively well. Two other kids were sent home with notes today saying they had an "infestation." (Another one of those words that sounds as gross and disgusting as it is!) I still, to date, have not found another critter on him except that one, sole, louse! And I must say, I hope he stays a lonely louse!

Seriously...

Ethan was sitting on my lap this evening-putting together a few online puzzles-I was combing my hands through his beautiful blonde locks and decided he was sitting still well enough forme to tidy up his haircut a bit. As I was doing so, I thought I saw a little fuzzball in his hair. When I went to remove it-it seemed to move! What I found looked to be a little louse! And you know what? IT WAS!!!! EEEEEEEEEEkS! I can't believe my baby has a louse! Mick and I have done the completely traversed every square inch of his scalp-and as best we can tell-it was the only one-no nits to be found (yet!). Let's just say we are now feeling itchy and have the creepy crawlies and feel like we need to shower say..oh.... twenty times!!! Ugh.....life...sometimes it is just downright disgusting.
Peaceful sleeping tonight everyone-don't let the bed bugs bite! Ok, sorry-but I didn't want to be the only insomniac tonight! (I know, I'm Evil. As in Dr. Evil! LOL)Goodness knows after getting no sleep last night due to all of the tornado warnings I could use a good night's rest!

Can you say no sleep?

wow...what a night! Virtually nonstop tornado warning sirens. There were 63 Tornado Warnings registered last night alone! Mick and I actually heard one when we opened up the basement door to our deck. It was just off to the SE by the adjacent community to us. Scary! It sounded like this huge sucking noise and a bit like a train (like many report). Thankfully our only affected property was our basketball hoop that toppled over and our dining room window leaked as well as storm cellar. No major water though (note to self: definitely need to get those fixed!)
I'll try and post more later as Ian and I need to get back to schooling.

A Few more from today...

POTD

So today was a continuation of this past week with the decluttering of our lives. Mick got the outside lights down and the tree put away and I worked on the media closet with the boys. Getting rid of some old VHS tapes-some to donate, some to give to a friend at the lake and some to take to the cabin. Also, continuing to clean up sb area and organize pictures. Ethan helped me make a pan of lasagna yesterday (our little resident chef)and we baked it for dinner tonight. Really working hard to continue to have several sit down meals a week. We do pretty well unless there is an evening extracurricular event going on-like tomorrow night-Cub Scouts and tennis. Good thing there will be yummy leftover lasagna!

An Additional Resolution

...ok..here it is...I've been watching several episodes of the Dog Whisperer (Cesar Millan) and I'm convinced that I can get our to beloved canines to become balanced behaviorally-well before the end of the year. I need to! Lily is still protective of me when I come outside to pickup packages the UPS man drops off. She's fine with Mr. FedEx Guy-he gives them both treats each visit. But the last UPS Guy was not our usual and she was raising her shackles and barking at him. Must have scared him b/c even after I said "sorry" he didn't respond to me at all. I made the mistake of going out into the yard which seemed to have escalated her anxiety about him. Need to remember to stay calm as the alpha leader. Rudy is improving on his bouncing-now he knows he will not be fed until he stops. They are both doing really well with ignoring Hugsley when he tries to taunt them.

Last night I found out tragic news. My BFF's sister had a baby girl born on Nov. 30. the baby began running a high fever last week and was taken to the hospital. She passed away on Fri. Her name was Grace. The family, of course is devastated. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this test of faith and be sure to tell those you love how much they mean to you. Hug on those kids a little bit longer and the grandkids a little bit tighter. Don't let the moment pass!

I've been downloading and backing up pics today. Above are a few of my POTD's to get me up to date. First one is the PlayMobilthe boys set up for CHRISTMAS. Love how they have the angel dangling from aobve! The second is a huge thank you package from our next door neighbors! WoW. They definitely should not have done that but it is much appreciated.

The last pic is the BEBZ wii playing. Every day it's a new olympic event to take on. I do like that it is interactive and provides them some form of exercise in the winter months. I am worried that they'll get tendon"Wii"tis though (just a little corny humor).

I always love it...

when I get the chance to give my camera to someone else to take a picture. It is so interesting to see how they visualize things...see what they try to capture from behind the lens...see if they see what I see when I'm looking out, viewing my world. And for me it's not about the blurry picture, or the fact that many who use my camera have no idea how to use a fixed lens, or how to take pictures in manual mode. It's about the fact that someone cares enough to make sure that I get out from behind the lens and show that I was a part of it all. That I participate in this thing called life. That I am not just an observer. That I exist. Thank you Mark! You are simply the best!

Picture of the Day (POTD) Day#2

Getting ready for an upcoming Big Family Vacation in June! Need to get the boys passports. So today I attempted to get some shots for the actual passports. We'll see if they meet the specifications on size and such with the Passport Dept. The boys weren't particularly up for the impromptu photosesion (Ian protested the gelling of his hair proclaiming I made him getit geled so often. Yeah. Right. (ONE time over the whole holiday. Ewww. Mean mommy!)So Mick and I tried to tell them how they would have the passports for five years and by then --Ian MAYcare what the picture looks like! It did seem to change his attitude a tad.LOL)

Happy New Year 2008!

Wow...2008.It just seems like yesterday we were celebrating the new millenium...

I started out this year by renewing my (oops!) expired licensed plates...a very friendly and kind officer pulled me over on New Year's Eve on my way home from my doctor's appointment and imformed me that my plates were expired (I had completely no idea nor no idea why I was being pulled over either!). Thankfully, he was a kind and oh so gracious officer and let me go on my way with the kind reminder to get my plates renewed ASAP. So, as of today, I am now current for two years. (Check that off the to do list.)

As I was writing in my 08 planner (putting in birthdays and such) I happened across the quote at the top of the calendar. It said,

" A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other."-unknown

I thought that kind of rang true. Nonetheless, here are my thoughts and/or resolutions for 2008:

• drink more water and less Diet Pepsi


• build more muscle and own less fat (LOL)


• have more patience and less blowups


• more balance and less stress


• more forgiveness and less criticism


• more positivity and less negativity


• more prayer and less sinfulness


• more reading and less TV


• more fiscal responsibility and less waste


• more charity, tithing and volunteering and less frivolous spending


• more simplicity and less complexity


• more family and friends and less telelmarketers and junk mail


• more gratitude and less greed


• more peace and less chaos

Well, those are a few of my thoughts on the new year. How 'bout you? What are your resolutions or goals for 2008? In looking back over my goals for 07 it has been kind of neat to look back and see how far I've come and also where there is still room for improvement.

Another goal I have is to document more of my everyday life, or my "Daily something" as Ali E. calls it. So, I plan to do my best to take at least one picture a day and at least document my daily life in a photorecord-even if I may not be able to blog daily or journal daily. I think it will be neat to look back and see what I thought was important enough or significant enough to document on each of the days of 2008. Sound fun? Give it a try! So, here's Day 1 of 2008- a pic of my beautiful cousin and her handsome hubby (We brought in the new year with them!)