"I hope they always...

put "In God We Trust" on all the quarters, pennies and money." (This spoken by my 6.5 year-old during our bedtime rituals). I asked why he hoped for that to which he replied, "Because I like that it says God in it." One of those rare moments as a parent that you feel you are doing something right.  Sigh...

Today

• rain
• school: world civilizations, Olympics (our own version too-paper plate discus throw + marshmallow nose races + more), math review, vocabulary, spelling + more
• dry cleaning drop off
• bill paying
• school planning
• fall soccer signup
• discussion with Ian about Mighty Mites football (pros + cons, etc.) He's suddenly got an urge to play-not sure if that was spurned by the cousins playing ball? Think that may have a lot to do with it. (Mick and I feel like we're encountering uncharted territory here. We want our boys to try and experience new things in life but also realize that our 10 year old isn't exactly the poster boy for the linebacker position nor does he have the personality for it either). We were hoping that there was a flag football league he could participate in, but apparently that no longer exists here locally. Too bad.
• Rice Krispie treats, popcorn and the partial viewing of Batman + Robin
• story time with Ethan (he's reading Magic Tree House series while Ian reads The Hobbit)
• phone calls with Mick who's away on business
• updating i calendar and calling girls to let them know practice was cancelled due to rain
• tried a new calzone-like recipe which the boys actually ate
• laundry
• filing, filing and more filing
• refrigerator repairman here to fix both fridges, upstairs icemaker, downstairs fridge quit cooling (ice cream soft serve only-LOL + my Diet Pepsi's, nearly room temp-sooo not acceptable) all is well and in working order now minus the $389. + service and repair charge. Gotta love the Murphy's in life. Appreciate that I have ice. That I have a cold Diet Pepsi. That I have so many little and big blessings in my life and so many things to be grateful for.

Back to School

First day of first grade for Ethan came and went. Such a frenetic rush of activity + busyness. School supplies, orientations., the packing of lunches + backpacks. Back to schedules. Back to routines. Back to the business of teaching and coaching and sleepless nights. It's not all bad though. I do like some routine and regularity to my life, mixed in with a bit of chaos and spontaneity. LOL.

This week has been the viewing of the Olympics. So exciting to watch Shawn Johnson take the gold in balance beam. So cool that she and Nastia will be traveling home with so many medals. So awesome that they are great friends as well as competitors.

I always love watching the presentation of the medals ceremony with the raising of the American flag. I love watching the emotion swell in the faces of each Olympian. The pride. The joy. The realization of years of hardwork, training and sacrifice coming to fruition. What an amazing ride that must be.

And...AND...how full circle a moment was it for Shawn and her coach who was born in Beijing and set up a gym in West Des Moines, IA only to have Shawn Johnson walk through the doors of his gym 10 years ago, now to take his star Olympian back to Beijing to win not only three silver medals but one gold. He came to America to fulfill his dreams, and Shawn, to fulfill hers..in Beijing. Now that's cool.

08.08.08

What a kewl date. So very symmetrical. Such a nice way to remember the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics. The BEBZ and I have been learning all about the Olympics (both ancient + modern) the past few weeks and we are pumped up to catch the opening ceremonies and watch our chosen favorite Olympians compete. We've been learning about China, fair play, the Olympic motto and creed, the spirit of the Olympics, boycotts and politics. We have located on the world map all of the previous locales of the Olympics. We've learned about inventions that came from China and the history of China; the dynasties and the Great Wall. We'll be tasting different types of tea and give a try at Chinese calligraphy as well. Tonight should be a great event to observe the different cultures and traditions of each country, but especially China. What a great opportunity to learn. Sooo looking forward to taking it all in. (Good thing we have Tivo-for those late late night viewings of certain events.)

The Dude hit my car!!

Here's a pic of the ignorant dude (not the hunky dude on the motorcycle pictured directly above-he was just an onlooker who happened to be cute ccording to the girls)that decided smoking a cigarette was more important than driving a massive piece of metal. Gratefully, he avoided a straight on collision and swerved right (not left-where there was plenty-o green grass and no people or vehicles) to hit back right ofthe bumper and quarterpanel. I had my niece, my sister, my niece's friend and the BEBZ in the car with me. Oh, and did I mention we were at a dead stop at a red light less than two hundred yards from the entrance to my niece's hotel? Grrr...

pictures from the road...

...trip to watch my niece Andrea compete in National Softball tourney. It was so awesome to get to watch her play. She had several talent scouts from various universities contacting her. Sooo exciting!! Can't wait to see what the future holds for her. She's still interested in becoming an optometrist or a vet. Whatever she chooses, I hope it is her true passion. People that can make a living doing what they love are so very blessed indeed. More pics to follow...

Tar-jhay, Panera +pool

So, after some sleeping in and the viewing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, we went out for lunch at Panera and then to Target for a few essentials: Crocs for the boys and swim goggles and toys from the dollar section. Back to the hotel for pool play while Andrea had her opening ceremony for the softball tourney. Now all the kiddos (teens included) are watching Edward Scissorhands on the telly. I've been keeping busy proofing pics from Cancun and catching up on my blogging (as if you hadn't noticed-LOL)

RoadTrip

spent yesterday visiting with Aunt Norma and Uncle Dick-always sooooo good to see them! It had been over 2 years. 2 years 2 long IMO. We met at local mom-n-pop restaurant near their house and had taco salads. Afterwards, we went to their house and the boys got a tour of their yard on AN's "mule" -complete with a run by their "lagoon." We caught up on things-their recent trip to Chile and how the rest of the maily was doing. Saw pics of the latest addition to the family: Baby Adyson. Boys were interested in the baby barnswallow and it's nest as well as the cuckoo clock. Actually, that's what they remembered about their last visit-"Oh yeah. Aunt Norma and Uncle Dick have that cuckoo clock, right?"
So we watched not so patiently for the cuckoo to make his appearance at 2 and 3 o'clock. Then we ate some of AN's homemade peach pie with Schwan's vanilla ice cream! Heaven! The boys said the vanilla ice cream was the best ever!
Travelling on I managed to miss a turnoff and ended up about 20 min. north and 30 minutes west of our end destination. Grrr. Drove through miles of cornfields with a major sinus HA (as the corn was in full tassel). Finally met up with sister Karen and "Cousin Andrea" at the hotel. So good to see them. More than 1.5 years since our last visit together. Anxious to watch Andrea play softball. Such talent. More 2 follow.

two days late in posting

about the early celebration of our 13th wedding anniversary

• dinner at IJ's for a mexican chicken salad with a Blue Moon and orange slice to wash it all down oh and a shared order of fries
• trip to HL for a BIA (Mick was referring to a Bind it OFF-not really sure why he would want to refer to it as that-LOL)
• LONESTAR CONCERT-awesome! so good!
• McAllister's tea
• sharing of a funnel cake with Holly + Mark (how fitting that they met up with us on our anniversary celebration-after all-Mick and I met b/c of them! :) Oh my stars-Mick and I both thought it probably had been at least 20 years since the last one we consumed. Yumola!
• home to consume a few more beverages and watch some tennis while Mick played some BF2
• oh...and Mick got his iPhone delivered today-so we played with it the whole way to and from the fairgrounds--how much fun is it? Next person in the family to get one...moi!

Thank you Randy Pausch...

Thank you Randy, for leaving your indelible mark on this world, for leaving a legacy for your kids for leaving a legacy for the world. Randy was definitely a giver. Are you?

"There are two types of people in this world — givers and takers.”

You know, I think there is a lot of truth in that statement! My life experiences repeatedly verify the accuracy of that statement.

I bet you’ve seen it in your life too… Some people ADD to your life with their mere presence — they fill you up, give you more energy, inspire you. While other people SUBTRACT from your life — they wear you out, drain your energy, deplete your reserves.

(I am so grateful that the list of givers in my life is quite long!)

So, the challenge today is simple:

1) Examine yourself: Into which category do you fall?

2) Take action: Today, be a giver, not a taker.

To motivate you in this giving challenge, here are some quotes:

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. (Winston Churchill)

You have the power to make someone’s day. (Dan Zadra)

It is satisfying knowing that for a brief point in time you made a difference. (Irene Natividad)

It is when we forget ourselves that we do things that are most likely to be remembered. (Parker Sweetwater)

Your heart has brought great joy to many. Those hearts can never forget you. (Flavia Weeden)

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. (J. M. Barrie)

Things you do for other people are usually some of the best things you do. (Michael Nolan)

People who deal with life generously and large-heartedly go on multiplying relationships to the end. (Arthur C. Benson)

No man can get rich himself unless he enriches others. (Earl Nightingale)

For this I bless you most. You give much and know not that you give at all. (Kahlil Gibran)

And in closing…

May happiness touch your life today as warmly as you have touched the lives of others. (Rebecca Forsythe)

I read this on another scrapper's blog (Carrie Colbert Batt) today and thought it was spot on.

Nickel and Diming it

Spent the morning with the boys at tennis-playing some games like "Keep it Alive" and a new one I call "Nickel and Diming" it. The little dudes seemed to enjoy it and liked trying to get the bonus shot worth fifteen points(which had to land behind the service line and within the singles lines and baseline.

• Just returned from piano lessons and washing the van. 
  
• Gearing up for a road trip to watch my niece (Andrea) play in a national softball tourney. So excited to see her and my sis (it's been a year and a half already!) Going to visit other family along the way. Excited about that. Also hope to get some scrapping in. Finish the Cancun album I've been working on.
• laundry, bills, Quicken, filing, mopping and sweeping also on the agenda topped off with tennis tonight! (woohoo-always worth a day of the drudgework to end on a high note!)
• and tomorrow-well tomorrow is Lonestar! Yippee!

Meeting 2 Living Legacies...a night 2 remember

Look who I got to meet last night... BILLIE JEAN KING!!! She was so nice. She approached me and asked me my name. (I about fell to the ground-I was just trying to stay on the fringe of all of the excitement and get a picture of her with Ian and his group of friends). It was all such a blur...I only remember about half of what I said to her b/c in the midst of our conversation I hear my name being called out.

(I'm thinking, "Mick, don't you know better than to interrupt us? I AM SPEAKING WITH THE LEGENDARY BILLIE JEAN KING!!")

Well, (so sorry Mick to think it was you) the voice actually came from a tennis playing friend of mine who saw that Billie (I can refer to her as that now that we're tight and on a first name basis-LOL) was speaking to me and offered to get my pic with her.

Thanks so much Mark! And the blur to the photo is perfect-it reflects exactly how that moment was for me! You da best!!

I had printed out some old photos of Billie at home and brought them to the match for the BEBZ to get her autograph. On the way to the car, we reminded the boys to hold on tightly to their memorabilia. Of course, Boo, being the happy-g0-lucky dude that he is, skipped his way along and managed to lose his signed photo of BJK. When we had nearly reached the car, he realized his lack of carefulness and began to wail out across the great expanse of the makeshift parking lot, "I LOST MY BILLIE PICTURE! I LOST MY BILLLLLL_EEEEEE_PICTURE!!"

So, I promptly told Mick to get the boys into the van and I would backtrack our steps to the tennis complex. On the way there, I frantically queried a few straggling fans and asked them if they had seen the lost item. The second person I asked (a plump older man with a gorgeous white beard) said,

"Is that it over there?"

"Oh...yes, why I believe IT IS!" I said with glee. I explained to him what had happened (as if he didn't hear the blood curdling wails of Boo from far off at a distance) and he said he completely understood how upsetting that would be while beginning to pull something from his wallet. (I'm thinking at this point--what IS he doing?) He proceeded to pull out a business card-and on the front of it was a picture of THE SANTA CLAUS--HIM!!!!! ) I was so excited to run back to the van and to tell Boo that not only was his Billie Jean King pic recouped but that Santa was the one who had found it!

Well, a whole conversation ensued about how Santa was "dressed in disguise" at the match. I told the boys that was because he didn't want to "1-up" Billie Jean King on her night and he wanted to enjoy the match as we did-without an onslaught of kids deluging him with the every want and wish. (Even Santa needs some R&R, right?) It definitely was a night to remember...NOT one living legend--but TWO!!

Today...

• Batman and Robin on the tube


• intense reading by Ian- Finished HP#4 and onto Rick Riordan's new book. The kid read for over 4 hours today!!!


• nursing sunburns-loaded the boys up with SPF before leaving cabin and then inadvertently left lotion in the van at the campground (we could'nt put in at usual spot-yellowjackets!)


• Club Penguin


• the creation of "Princess Peppermint's" Webkinz bed by the BooBear-and yes, she did feel the pea beneath her (LOL) picture of said creation to follow--took most of morning to make the bed


• uploading pics from laptop and ordering, organizing backed up pics that are on cd's (still mourning over the loss of July and August 2007-especially 1st day of KGTN pics-although I really thought I had backed these up onto cd's...huge sigh....)


• photoshopping pics from Cancun trip, adding text and postprocessing


• laundry, laundry, laundry.


• Mick mowed the yard


• planning for the schoolyear with Michelle


• Olympics 08 studies


• writing up to do list for the week


• gearing up to see faraway family next week


• scolding the puppers for chasing the Hugster


• listening to Mick play BF2 with his online buddies and watching his quirky + hilarious + spastic minute movements of his mouth as he tries to annihilate virtual enemies with his various forms of weapons and ammunition. Trust me on this one...it's hilarious.


• Organizing school stuff and straightening up scrapbook area. Ongoing....


• fighting a bout with seasonal allergies--aaaaahhhh...Aaaah....CHOO!

this week

• usta mixed doubles, we won our match
• Olympics 08 study
• VBS art
• baseball for Ian (1st time at pitching)
• Bakugan for the boys (latest thing)
• Borders trip, Tolkien series, pirateology for Boo (complete with a ship to assemble-that was fun)
• Mick to Omaha on business
• scrapping Cancun
• laundry
• bills
• grocery
• oil down $5 a barrel-woohoo a drop of a gigantic 10 cents at the pump, currently $3.79
• planning curriculum for the school year
• puppy dogs needing attention
• The Tennis Channel: Destination Tennis

Looky who I get to listen to...

Display Event Details Page
Can't believe Mick and I will get to listen to their masterful artistry and beautiful lyrics so up close and personal. Can't wait. What a fun way to celebrate our "lucky No.13" anniversary! Woohoo!!

Why we love the lake...

more to follow...

The face of 71

Now there's a guy who looks years younger than his bio age, huh? :) These pics were taken last week at a family get together at AR + UG's. BBQ and h20 fun in the sun made for a brilliant time for all ages. Thanks AR + UG! You rock!

Cancun#2

Cancun on my mind

More to follow...

Scary-see below

Ok...check out the "Scary!" post a few posts below. How could I NOT post this drama?

All About Stashes

So, recently I have begun having secret stashes of things I love to indulge in...(b/c I have growing boys with growing appetites-LOL). My usual stash is dark chocolate covered raisins, Cherry Nibs, and salt and vinegar Cape Cod potato chips.

Well, the other day Ian came down the stairs with a CF Diet soda in his hand and Ethan, ogling it with great wantonness, said,

"Hey, where'd you get that?"

To which Ian, replied, "From my Secret Stash." Ethan grumbled, scrunched up his nose with disapproval, and walked on.

Later in the evening, Mick came up to me chuckling to himself.

I asked,"What's so funny?"

He whispered in my ear,

"Ethan wants his own 'Secret Stash'.