Game One

by teresa

WE WON!!!!

The kids were thrilled and the parents were estatic!

The score was 3 to 0.

Ben scored two goals.

Kristian played defender PERFECTLY. Never letting a single ball past her.

I hurt myself I screamed so loud.

Kai's team also won their first game....2 to 0.

Kai scored the first goal of the game.

I hurt myself again!

Here's my favorite shots of the game.

Go team!

by teresa

Last nights football game was not good. We lost....and to a team we were SUPPOSED to beat! Kai and Ben had a good time though. They shouted with the megaphone...shook their pom pom and pigged out on concession food. Kids can have fun anywhere.


















Nick and Lauren just arrived from the church lock-in. Nick walked in...and dropped like a stone on the couch. I bet he doesn't move till after noon. Lauren said he (and she) had a great time....and NEVER went to sleep. I'm impressed! They played games...ate....and even broke into teams and had a scavenger hunt. I'm sure once Nick wakes....he will be telling us all about it. Poor Lauren...she has cheering practice from 8-noon....then works at Target from 1-9:30pm. Ouch! That's gonna hurt....not having any sleep.

This morning is our first soccer game. I am actually a bit nervous. You feel like the parents will be dissappointed in you if the kids don't win. In reality...the parents are great...and they would be proud no matter what. Wish us luck. Ben plays at 9:00am and Kai plays at 11:00am. You KNOW I am goind to take about a hundred pictures!

Toodles!

Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.

by teresa

I've had a really great birthday. Breakfast and shopping with mom was so nice...we need to do that more often. Mom and Lauren gave me Barnes&Noble gift cards...yippee! Chris gave me a new camera. I was soooo surprised and thrilled! My old one took okay photos...but it didn't have much zoom and didn't take very good action shots. My new baby (Kodak EasyShare...6.1MP...10x zoom) is going to be put to good use. You guys know I am a picture taking momma!
By the way...thanks to Mary, Melissa,and Melanie for the sweet birthday wishes. You guys are such good friends!

I picked Ben up from school and took him to his belt testing this afternoon. He did very well (a little nervous) and recieved his orange belt. He is beyond thrilled with himself. He are some shots from the testing.























We are about to go to the football game and then afterward drop Nick off at church. The youth are having a lock-in tonight. His good friend Nathaniel is going...so Nick said he has to go too. I bet he crashes in a pew by 1:00am. Lauren is none too happy about having her brother at the lock-in...but that's just too bad.

I am looking forward to Sunday. My sister Katy is making me a birthday cake...and we will go over after church and enjoy it. She makes the best cakes ever! Yummy!

Chris and I won't be able to have our birthday dinner date till another weekend...since things around here are so busy right now. But I have made my decision as to where to go. I am taking Melissa's advice and going to P.F. Changs. I have heard all good things about the place...so I am anxious to try it out!

See you guys later. I'm off to enjoy our beautiful (chilly) autumn weather!

They say it's your birthday....it's MY birthday too yah!

by teresa

Well...today IS my birthday.

I'm 36 years young (as my nanny would say)

Do I feel any different now that I'm almost forty? No!

It still seems as if I am in my twenties....just out of school. Still up on all the latest music and fluent in all the latest slang.

But the truth is...I a NOT in my twenties....NOT up on the latest music (if you can call it music)...and I have NO IDEA what the teens are saying half the time!

But that's not a bad thing. I like who I am. I love my husband (who I have been with TWENTY years this weekend). He is the best! We used to talk on the phone at night and imagine being together forever...old and gray surrounded by our children...and our childrens children. And for me....my dream is reality(well not the grandchildren part for another 10 years). How lucky am I? I have three great kids. Beautiful...funny...crazy...smart...wonderful kids. I have my family close by. What a blessing! I get to see my parents...sister...neices and nephew everyday. I get lots of hugs and kisses and I Love You's. I wouldn't trade my life for the world.

I have many, lovely people I call friends.
And most of all I have my God. Every morning when I wake I am aware of you. Your love fills my very being with purpose . I walk with confidence because you are there!

Before I begin my fun-filled birth-day (shopping and breakfast with my mommy)....I leave you with some of my favorite birthday sayings.

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

They say that age is all in your mind. The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body.

I'm back

by teresa

Yesterday my ENTIRE day was spent cleaning my house. I was cleaning when Chris left in the morning...and cleaning when he walked in that evening. I clean all the time...or I guess you would call it "maintaining". I dust, make beds, swiffer, use the bathroom wipes,etc. But rarely do I CLEAN. Move furniture, empty closets and drawers, under beds, scrub walls and floors and crevices on hands and knees. That's what I did yesterday. It felt so good to get it all done.

This morning was a nightmare. I felt terrible when I woke up. Sick to my stomach and achy. I had lots planned to do out of the house today. But the puking and the fact that I couldn't find my keys kept me home all day long. Actually I went back to bed and didn't get up till 1:30pm. I feel fine now. I little light headed...but better.

I'm so glad I am feeling better. Because who wants to be sick for their birthday? I am looking forward to my day out with momma tomorrow. And then the football game tomorrow night...and then Saturday our first soccer game. What a great weekend! And the weather is supposed to be in the 60's. Yippee!

Yesterday I had a little project to get done for Chris. Someone at his work asked him for a baby picture. He assumes they are going to use it for one of those "guess who this is" kind of things. So I asked Chris' mom for some pictures and she gave me an entire box to look through. I had a great time looking through...remembering the past. Remember...Chris and I grew up together. So the family and friends in his families pictures are all familiar to me too. I took some of the favorites (and some from my photo albums) up to Eckerd and had them put on a disc so we could email them to the guy. It was so cool. Once I got the disc..I brought it home and loaded it into my picasa photo program. Then I was able to crop and retouch them. Center them and brighten them. It was so fun. I plan on taking a ton more pictures up there this weekend to get put on disc.
Here are some of my favorites....





Me and Chris at 16! That's some puffy hair there!






















Me (at 12) and my sister Katy (age 2).
I am so working that blazer and plaid skirt!























Me and my Uncle Jim. And my uncle John is holding on to my back so I don't fall off. It's his hand waving from behind.

















This is one of my favorites. It was yellowed...out of focus....and not centered. I was able to enlarge it and really clear it up. It's Chris and his mother Jackie. What a big smile he has....it looks just like my Benny!

Teresa can't come out and play right now...she has chores to do!

by teresa

(insert your own title here)

by teresa

Not much going on today.

At least not until the boys get home.

Once they arrive it will be a hurried evening. First homework, then karate class(Ben has to prepare for Fridays belt test). After karate we will head straight to Chris' parents for his dads birthday party(Happy Birthday George!!) Then I have to take Nick to a doctors appointment at 8:oopm. Isn't that weird to schedule an appt. for 8:00pm? When I scheduled it...and they said 8:00 tuesday...I just assumed it was in the morning. But Nick and I got up early and drove over to the doctors...and his office was closed. Apparently I was mistaken.

Chris called a while ago and invited me to lunch. We went over to Ruby Tuesdays and had the soup and sandwich combo. It wasn't that great. Then we went browsing at Target before he headed back to work.

Last nights soccer practice was fantastic. We scrimmaged another team...and kicked booty. We are all looking forward to Saturdays first game. Especially Ben. He scored a goal in the scrimmage last night...and now he is on cloud nine.

Because of the sudden warm weather this past week...I now have ants in my kitchen again. Pooh! I guess I will go buy more of that liquid bait. I wish it would hurry and get cold enough where I wouldn't have to deal with these pests for the rest of the year.

Lauren just came in from school. She didn't even have to be in the building much today. Her teachers of tomorrow class went to a daycare center today and worked with the kids. Then once she got back to school her yearbook class went to the printers to pick out the cover for the yearbook. She said she had a good time with the kids at the daycare. Apparently she was in charge of the 3 and 4 year olds. She is now laying on the couch with a headache. hee hee

Well I'm going to go sit outside and wait for ben's bus to come.

So long...farewell... auf Wiedersehen...goodbye!

“Mondays are the potholes in the road of life.”

by teresa

Well...it's Monday again.

I just sent Ben off on the bus. He was smiling and waving and signing "I Love You" as they pulled off. He was eager to get to school to see his friend Storm from the birthday party. I got out to the bus stop and and Ben was like...mom, what's on your shirt? I had Tide streaks down the entire shirt and some on the sleeve. What a moron. The other mom at the bus stop must have been wondering what the heck I had done to myself. I must have gone to bed like that...because I didn't do any laundry this morning. I put the last tub in around 2:30am and then climbed into bed....clothes and all.

Nick just came down. I usually don't get him up till 8:oo....but he had to go to the bathroom...and Lauren was in the shower upstairs. And if he would have walked in to use the bathroom...she would have annihilated him. To say she is modest is an understatement. If you happen to even think about accidently opening a door on her while she is dressing or using the bathroom. Your going to find yourself with busted fingers, nose or toes from the door being karate kicked in your face. So I hooked him up with some cheerios a banana and orange juice.

Okay...I'm back. Lauren came hurrying in and insisted I get off the computer. Apparently she had a paper to type and she forgot to do it this weekend. So I had Nick take a shower (MAN...do 11yr old boys stink) and dress. Then we stopped by the dry cleaners before I dropped him off at school. He likes to go with me so he can go in with the ticket on his own and collect the dry cleaning.

Did any of you guys happen to catch the new show on TLC last night called My Husbands Three Wives? It was infuriating. This guy marries a nice woman 20 years ago. she says....he told me right upfront that he could never be monogamous...and I thought...I love him...so I can try to live with his affairs. But then this guy falls in love with another woman while his wife is out to sea (Navy) and fathers a child with her. So he moves her and the kid into the house with his wife. He marries her "spiritually"...and is stilled married to the first wife. Now it is 18 years later. There are 6 kids between the two wives. The wives are best friends now. He has his own room and they have theres. He chooses who he will be with each night. The first wife works fulltime and the second is a SAHM. The kids call one woman...mom and the other Noni. Now...the show opens and you find out he has met somebody else...and would like to bring her into to family as wife #3. It causes such contention witht he wives and the poor children (who are confused enough with the setup). What I thought was so funny...was that wife #2 is SOOOO mad about this. She says she can't BELIEVE he would do this after all these happy years together. Is she really surprised....he brought HER home and did the same thing to his poor first wife! He even insisted all three ladies go shopping with him to pick out wife #3's wedding ring. ????? What a winner this guy is! I will be tuning in next week to see if the womans combined hormone levels lead them to castrating him in his sleep.

I am off to lay on the couch eating bon bons for the rest of the day.

Ta Ta!

It's one o'clock in the morning and all's well....

by teresa

Up late...can't sleep.

It might have something to do with the FOUR hour nap I took this afternoon!

Chris, the boys and I layed down around 2:00 after lunch. I woke around 6:00 all alone in the bed. Why didn't anyone wake me?

I have got a head start on my usual Monday chores. I tiptoed in everyones bedrooms a couple of hours ago and emptied the hampers. Now everything will be washed when I get up in the morning. I even put some clothes away in the boys room. They don't wake up even if you turn on their lights. So I went in...flipped on the lights and proceded to clean under their beds...put away clothes in the dressers and hang things in the closet.

It is thundering outside right now. I hope the rain brings a cold front through. It was nearly 90 degrees all weekend. I thought the hot weather was over...and I was glad. Let me click over to the weather channel and see what the 7 day forecast looks like....ok, I'm back. It looks like the storm is bringing a cold front. It won't get above 74 degrees for the next few days. Thank goodness. My hair can't take any more of this humidity. I wish I hadn't chopped it off a month ago so I could at least put it in a pony tail.

I am going to make lunches and pick out tomorrows clothes for the boys. I hope you all are having pleasant dreams right now....and not up like me.

Ben's Saturday

Party number one.
Breaking the pinata!















Party number one.
Scrounging on the ground for pinata candy!















Party number one.
Picture with the birthday friend.















Party number two.
Time to bust the pinata!















Party number two.
Scrounging on the ground for candy!

















Party number two.
Picture with birthday friend.










Ben had a great time yesterday. It's always neat for a kid to see his friends outside of school. I had a good time too chatting with the other moms and dads. Next weekend we have two parties and a soccer game to squeeze in again. I love it!
I'm off to church now...have a blessed day!

Here we come a truckin in....

Betcha wonderin where we been...
We're the team that can't be beat...
Cause we're fastest on our feet!
We won our football game last night. Kristian and Ben had a great time. They filled up on Chic-fil-a (they sell them at the games...yummy), soda and cotton candy. One of Lauren's friends from church came and sat with us. He is a sweet kid. His girlfriend was in the opposing teams marching band. But being as he lives in our school district...he routed for us. Ben happens to adore this young man too. When he sees him at church he hangs all over him. And the neat thing about the teen is ...he encourages it. He is not annoyed or rude about the attention Ben gives. That's rare in a teenager. Most 17yr old boys wouldn't want to have anything to do with a pesky 7yr old.
Today we have a pretty busy day. We have already had soccer practice....and then we had to go shopping for the birthday parties Ben will be attending this afternoon. Now I have stopped home to change and redo my hair. It is a very windy day...and I came back from soccer practice looking like Rosanne Rosannadanna.
Chris is at a church meeting...Lauren just came in from cheering and is now turning around and leaving for work...Nick is off with my mom and Ben and I are heading to the park for the first or two birthday parties today. I guess we will all meet up here later around 6:00pm for some dinner.
Hope you and your families are enjoying the beautiful weekend!

Everybodys working for the weekend...

Everybody wants a little romance
Everybody's goin' off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance, oh
You want a piece of my heart
You better start from start
You wanna be in the show
Come on baby lets go....

I'm sorry...I just had an 80's flashback. I had a Loverboy poster in my bedroom. I also had a poster of Michael Jackson...Billy Idol...Duran Duran and Adam Ant. What posters ,if any, did you have in your room as a teen?

Ok...enough of the big hair...blue eyeshadow and two-toned jeans with zippers down the leg....now back to my regularly scheduled post...

We finally got our soccer schedules today. I ran to the community center to pick them up...then came home and made snack schedule for the parents. I need to run out in a few minutes and pick up the jerseys (which I dropped off 2 days ago) with the kids names on them. Our first game is next Saturday (the 30th) at 10:00am. So if your a local fan of the family...come cheer us on!

We also had our MIT meeting today. Isn't it nice to unload all your problems on a sympathetic ear. To hear that your kids aren't the only knuckleheads around and your not the only one feeling pulled in a hundred directions...and those people who seem so perfect and together....struggle with the same things you do. Women helping women.....it's a powerful thing! Do you gals have anything like this? Any prayer group or book club or girlfriends night out?

Tonight we are heading across town for an away football game. It's a great hometown rivalry. We are playing Great Bridge...another school here in Chesapeake. Even back before Chris and I were in school...these two schools have not gotten along. So we will make sure to be loud...and be proud. Kristian will be going with us this evening as a reward for her having a great week at school and at home with her behavior. Nick said he would not like to go since he won't be able to work in the concession stand. So he and his nanny Jackie are having a date night.

Some time after soccer pratice in the morning I must run out and buy two birthday presents. Ben came home this yesterday with two invitations from schoolmates...and he begged to go to both. So...I need to run to Target and pick up alittle something. Next weekend we have two more birthday parties. Nick's friend from church...and MINE! I am still trying to figure out where I want to go to dinner for my birthday. I want to cheat....and cheat BIG!!! Any suggestions? If you could go anywhere...where would it be? And what would you order?

Well I'm off to run some things to the drycleaners before they close. I'll make sure to take pictures at the game tonight of us trouncing Great Bridge!!

Have a great weekend!

Back Home and Worse for the Wear

By Chris

Well, I'm back from DC and the big event. No matter how comfortable the hotel, there is no bed like home! I got less than a rousing welcome from the big trip. I walked in the door, and Teresa said "Oh, it's you." I understand. She was expecting Ben, since I arrived just before his bus.

Anyway, back to the trip. It was wonderful. 10,000+ people. I was there from 6 a.m. - midnight. A long day, but I used to do those from time-to-time without much problem. That night, my body was so tired I couldn't sleep. Weird, I know, but true. I used to be able to pop right back from experiences like this. But this one is killing me. Even after a day at home, I feel like all 10,000 of those people walked on my legs. I look like an old man getting around, compensating for my geriatric aches. My voice is even weird, and I didn't do that much talking. 44 ouces of Diet Coke have not even put a dent in the haze in my head. So, when did it happen, is my question. It didn't seem gradual. It was sudden. Wasn't just last year I could pull a schedule like this, then do it again the next day, if necessary? I used to work, go to school, work again and catch two and three hour naps here and there for weeks on end in college and never so much as get a headache. Where did that dude go? I did not give him permission to vacate the premises, and be replaced by an old guy who can get taken out by one 18-hour day! Oh well. Off to write a report about the event . . . Hope I can keep my tired head up.

Happy Birthday Mary!

by teresa

I just wanted to take a moment and honor my friend Mary. It is her birthday ...and I want all of you to join me in wishing her a great big Happy Birthday! So run on over to her house....and show some love. Seriously...go...now...I'll wait here till you come back.




I wish you a happy day!

I wish for you, a happy day
For lots of love, to come your way
May your heart be filled with cheer
That will last, thorugh the coming year
Best wishes from my heart,sent your way
Hoping that much joy, be yours today
This special prayer for you, I will say
"God bless you on your very special day."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Seventy-six trombones led the big parade....

by teresa

Yesterday was exhausting.

Too many commitments...too little time.

I seriously could hardly get out of the car at church last night after soccer practice. I was fine running around during practice. But once I had sat in the car for the 15 minute drive to church...my legs were like stone.

I even got the boys from class and left church early because I needed to be in my jammies and in my bed!

Once home we went straight upstairs....I even let them put off showers till the morning.

I went over Ben's verses with him for 10 minutes (for his belt test next friday)...then read with Nick (him reading, me listening) for 2 chapters of his new book. I then crawled into my bed with the sleeping Ben (he has slept with me in Chris' absence) and opened my book and could only read for about 15 minutes before my eyes were too heavy. So I cut off the light and was GONE!

Well...at midnight the phone rang. I was all confused and panicked...wondering what dooming phone call this was going to be. A death...and accident...a heavy breather? Once I picked it up...there was only a dial tone. ???? I looked at the caller ID to see if it was one of Lauren's friends...but I didn't recognize the number. I called the number back and a recording said that this was not a registered number. Huh? Yes it is...it just called me. I went to Lauren's room and asked her if someone had called her...but she was just as confused as me. So now it was midnight....and I was UP! I could not get back to sleep till around 4. I ended up reading the rest of my book...and watching some tv in bed...until I felt tired again. When the alarm went off at 6:00am...I was confused as to what the day was. For some reason I thought it was Saturday and we need to get ready for soccer practice. It took me a minute to get back into reality.

Once awake I turned on the weather channel to see what I should put on Ben. I was pleased to see that the high today is expected to be around 65. It's getting here people...fall is finally creepy near. Ben even had to wear a jacket to the bus stop. I bet the football game temperatures tomorrow night are going to be sweatshirt worthy. YES!

I am happy to announce that Nick is going to be able to read any of the Virginia Young Readers books he wants...no matter the AR level and take tests on them. I am very pleased. Also...if there is a book I would like him to read (that is not on this list) that is above his level....we can ask for his teacher approval for that particular book. I feel like it is a small victory. It also depends on how accurate his answers are. You see his grade is not just how many tests he takes...but his comprehension of the material he read. That's why they try to have the kids stay within the level the computer assessed them at. The kids will have a better chance to get a good grade. But I know my kid better than that computer! It seems most parents don't question this usually. Most parents at his school probably don't even know what their kids score is...or care. So they were a little surprised and a little happy that I cared about it enough to question it. I'm glad I spoke up.

The librarian set me up with a faculty account yesterday so I could check out any books I liked. She also asked if I could pick some books that I loved...that are overlooked by students and do a presentation to the 6th grade classes to promote reading. Tell the story of the book...show them how exciting reading can be. Oh I am so going to kick butt doing that. I don't know how I will narrow down my favorites...but I look forward to writing up my synopsis and really putting on a good show. She also said she has some money left for more new books, and would like me to come in next week and choose ones I think we MUST have. Goody goody goody! I love this woman. I want to have this womans job. I must go back to school and be a librarian. I will change my name to Marian...and I will stroll around my library telling people to shush and then break into song in the middle of the aisles! Sorry... I had a "Music Man" flashback there.

I must now take Nick to school. I'll see ya when I see ya.

If you sprinkle while you tinkle...please be neat and wipe the seat...

by teresa

I just SAT in pee!

Not my own pee....not that I would enjoy that more...but BOY pee!

BOYS!!! GRRRRR!!!!!

Why can't they EVER get it INSIDE the toilet ONLY?????

And why are my boys so LAZY that they can't even take the time to lift the seat??

They just pee with it down...which means it gets all over the seat...and just sits there waiting for my butt to plop down on it.

EWWWWWW!!

just let the kid read...

by teresa

I am sitting here outside karate class. Bored! I went inside for a minute…but the place smelled so bad of stinky feet that I had to retreat to the car. I brought my laptop to play around on while the boys class was going on…but the dojos wireless server is down. So I am typing it on Word and then pasting it on blogger later. Just so I won’t go crazy sitting here doing nothing. I would curl up on the mat and take a nap …but I think I might get in the way. The fellas have been enrolled at this school for a year and 9 months…and I still haven’t made any dojo friends yet. Isn’t that sad. Don’t get me wrong…everybody is friendly and we chat a little and say hello. But most of the kids here are home schooled…and lots of the parents are very vocal about their opinions of public schools. It’s not nicey people. Whatever! Can’t we all just get along? I think home schooling is great…just not for me. Kapeesh?

I had a really good time at Nick’s school today. He even came in the library for a while and was very pleased that I was working in there. Which shows further that the child is a total geek. And I love it! I was asked to come back tomorrow and help get ready for the parents open house on Thursday. I even got to run the show solo for a little bit today while the librarian ran some errands around school. She thinks I am a total wonder because I am so quick on the computer. You can tell she hasn’t had much experience with technology…while I on the other hand spend way too much time on the computer each day. For some reason I am like speedy Gonzales when it comes to data entry. Seriously…I’m like some kind of freak. A lot of good that does me making pb&j’s and doing laundry everyday. But at least it’s there if I ever decide to go back into the workplace.

Tonight I cooked dinner at like 3:30. I wanted Nick to be able to eat as soon as he got home from school (at 4:00) because karate started at 5:00. We did get a little homework in too before we left. So once we get home I will get Ben into bed and read with him….and then once Nick is done with his homework I will do the same for him. Oh yeah…I almost forgot to tell you this. Nick’s school has accelerated reading program (I know I have mentioned this before). Every book has an assigned reading level. Like HPGOF is like a 7.3 reading level. Well at the beginning of the school year the kids take a test (10 questions) that will identify what levels they should read from. Nick’s results came in low. Like it says he should read between 3.2 and 5.9. I was like ????? Well…he has already read 2 books and was going to take the AR tests on them….but his teacher told him they were above his reading level. So they wouldn’t count. Are you (excuse my French) fa-reek-ing kidding me?????? I can see that they wouldn’t allow a child to read BELOW their reading level. But not letting children reach above their reading level….doesn’t that seem ridiculous? I REFUSE to accept this! Seriously! You guys know how important reading is to me and my family. And the books I have in our home library are the best…top recommend…award winning…bestseller list books out. I do this because (it’s simple)….the better and more exciting the book selection…the more the kid will want to read them. The school even promoted a new list called “Virginias young readers” list. It is supposedly the “must reads” for middle schoolers and above. We have all but one of these books at home already. And guess what…….only like 2 of them are in Nick’s reading level. So how can they exclude children like that? These are the best books around….but you and you can’t read them. Or you can read them but not be allowed to take a test on it. And by the way…they are graded by how many points they get each nine weeks. It’s an English grade people….and they won’t let the kids excel beyond their limit! Nick loves to read…he has read 600 page books on his own…he had the most AR points of any one in his 5th grade class….and I will not allow him to be dragged down to reading baby books! Well…I think I need to get off of that subject. It’s getting me all riled up. Pray that I will choose the right words to express my side to his teacher. I will make sure to let you know how his teacher responds to my opinion.

I am going to head inside now….they had the door propped open so hopefully the funky smell has faded.
TTFN…

duty calls...

by teresa

I only have a minute to sit and chat with you this morning.

My son informed me....as I was dropping him off at school(literally as he was shutting the door to the car)...that his librian asked him to ask me if I could come in today and help her. I was like...Nick...why didn't you tell me yesterday? So I could have gotten up earlier and taken a shower? I usually don't shower until after they leave for school...so I was in no shape (or smell) to hop over to the library.
So I decided I would go around 10:00...so I could come home, shower and do a couple of things(sit on my butt and read my blogs) before I leave. Last time I was there....I got so caught up working....that I lost track of time and FORGOT BEN!!!!!!! I looked up and realized it was past time for his bus to be home. I'm such a bad mommy! Thank goodness Lauren had come home straight from school...so she went to the door when she hear the bus pull up. Then that knucklehead had Ben call me on my cell and pretend he was home alone and crying to make me feel bad. She ain't right! Today I will make sure to watch the clock!
Well...let me go. I gotta hit the I-10 by 10! (one of my favorite lines from Johnson Family Vacation)

Oh behave!

by teresa

Last Monday, after a week of back to school chaos (attitudes about homework,fighting going to bed earlier,fighting getting up earlier,etc) I decided to create a behavior/expectation chart for the kids. It looks like a calendar week...with blank bubbles to the left to fill in with things the kids need to work on. Then at the bottom it says....if I get ___ points this week...I get to do___. I figured it would be met with ridicule and disbelief. You know how kids are...."that's stupid"...I don't have to do this"..."why do I have to do this junk everyday"!! They dillydallied at the beginning of the week...missing points...not believing I would follow though and hold back their rewards(Lauren had picked going out with friends, Nick had picked going over his nanny Jackie's and Ben had picked playing with Kai). Chris and I got aggravated about missed chores at the beginning of last week...but I kept saying..."I know it will pay off by next week"! The point of the chart was to keep us from having to bug them about every little thing. It left it all on them...not us. No nagging...no fighting about messy rooms and attitudes. Just blank spaces...no points...boring weekends just waiting for them. On Saturday morning the boys were still shy 3 points...so they got up early and cleaned out the garage and mowed the yard...read and then even did extra homework I printed off the internet. They had got the message...it was at the last minute...but they pulled it through in the end. But Lauren didn't take me seriously at all. She didn't even get half her points. But once the weekend rolled around...and her butt was sitting here with me every minute...I think she got the picture. It's not like I have anything unreasonable on the chart. Actually...it's just the things they are EXPECTED to do to be a part of this house. They were just getting slack and needed a little push to help get them back on track. Like Lauren's has stuff like....kept room clean, kept car clean,did homework,was nice (openly)to brother,read for 30 minutes. Nick's says...homework,read 30 minutes,nice to brother,mowed yard,took shower,etc. Ben's has stuff like...got up in good mood,did homework with no attitude, read 30 minutes, listened at soccer practice(he has acted up terrible with us coaching this time),went to bed without getting up,etc.
Well...as of tonight....the kids each have at least 3 points each (the boys have 4 each). I think it's working...I think it's working...I think it's working! Sssshhhhhh...don't let them hear us discussing it, rejoicing in my brilliance or they'll misbehave just to spite me...just to make me look like I don't know what I'm doing.

DC Day 3

By Chris

Got out of the hotel and around the city today, so these pictures will be slightly more interesting than hotel room stuff (though maybe not to Teresa . . . who is into the room pics). The pictures relate to the event that brings me here (www.celebrationonthehill.org). Before the pics, some radom thoughts. I could get used to working at a desk with a flat screen tv to watch. But, the satellite system is not functioning properly, so a bunch of channels are malfunctioning, including ESPN, which may get in the way of Monday Night Football with the Steelers!

The pics:

Event stage area being constructed (looking out from the steps of the Capitol, over the reflecting pool, down the National Mall with Washington Monument in the distance)

View from the stge area looking towards the Capitol. Event organizers in orange shirts (yes, I am orange-clad for the week too. You will not see a photo of me in it though!

A picture of the Wall of Hope memorial under construction, made up of 5,000 banners from communities all over the country. A beam of light will be lit Tuesday and Wednesday nights to rise from the 4-block long display, the largest such structure constructed on the site.

Finally, nothing to do with Celebration on the Hill . . . but a few of us ducked into one of the museums right on the Mall to grab lunch (you can't beat the mall . . . all these museums with free entry). Here's a pic of a Tomahawk missile we have heard so much about lately.

and these are the days of our lives....

by teresa

I'm sleepy.

I got to bed late last night.

I don't know WHY I do that when Chris is out of town.

I lay down fairly early....and start to read. Then I roll over...and it's after midnight!

Also keeping me up late was Lauren. Around 11:30pm she remembered that she was supposed to bring a cake for a teacher today. It's one of the things her club Alpha does as a service for the staff. Remember last time? Anyway...she remembered around 11:30. She was like...maaaauuuummm! I forgot about the cake and I have to be at school early tomorrow for a Operation Smile meeting. Is Farm Fresh open before 7:00? I told her I didn't know about Farm Fresh...but I knew Walmart was open 24 hours. She was like...I don't want to get up earlier...so I'll just go now! And she did. Midnight...Walmart...getting a cake. So I got up...came downstairs...and waited for her to come home.

Not much planned today. Put a couple things in the mail...laundry...and maybe give the dog a bath. Also...Katy and I will be going it alone at soccer practice tonight in Chris' absence. We only have two more weeks till games begin...so we will make sure to give them a good workout.

Nick has been doing very well with his new eating plan. Not much whining or cheating. I think the Dr. really got through to him. He has been riding his bike and even walked to Chris' parents twice this weekend. I told him when the weather got a little nicer (cooler/no rain) we would walk to his school in the mornings together a couple times a week. Continue to keep him in your prayers.

DC Day 2

By Chris

Don't know if I'll have time to update everyday . . . but while I do . . .

I know Teresa is very interested in this hotel room thing, because she requested more photos on our phone call last night . . . of the room. I think she might be hinting that she'd like a hotel escape soon. She could be here now, if she wanted, actually. Tonight's room highlight: The nifty drawer next to the desk where I am typing this. I'd like to have just such a drawer at my desk at home. It is stocked with cashews, Kit-Kats, Snickers, various kinds of nuts, pretzels, peanut butter candy and Milky Way. It also has a built in "safeplace" lock box to keep valuables (it has a digital number input system, which you can pick a combination). I'm putting the computer and camera in there. At home, I'd put all those goodies in there! There's also a fridge to my right. There is no price list, but I can assure you that if I choose to eat that kit-kat and a soda it'll cost me more than taking my whole family out to dinner!

And, after tonight, I'm not sure what I else I can show you honey? Maybe the bathroom and bathrobe? Some have said it's nice to leave and have the room all made up and clean again when you come back, but I pretty much get that at home everyday (which I DO APPRECIATE!!!).

Have a Blessed Day!

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee;
The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
-Numbers 6:24-26-

Keys and DC

By Chris

Teresa forgot the best detail of her library trip. Sitting in my office, just getting the day started, a strange number comes in on my cell phone. Typically, I don't answer a phone when I don't know who is calling (and sometimes, I don't answer when I do know who it is!). For some reason, I picked it up. I was pretty surprised to hear Teresa on the other end, explaining that she was locked out of her car at a gas station. On the other side of town. Off I went. When I arrived, her car was parked at a pump and she was using one of the window towels to detail the outside of her car. Always cleaning, I guess. The strange number? She had to borrow some dude's cell phone; hers was locked in the car.

I'm in DC now. On a Saturday. It's weird. I'm watching football in a hotel room. On a Saturday. I do my fair share of traveling, but rarely . . . like almost never . . . on the weekend. It will be especially weird tomorrow . . . Sunday . . . to go to meetings and stuff. Anyway, I do have a wide screen, flat panel tv in the room, so that's cool to watch games on. There's plenty on, but ESPN is not working. The picture is incredible on this thing. After having it for a week, I am going to want to upgrade my bedroom tv. I mean, you can see the people on the sidelines, in the background of the football game and make out their facial expressions! Anyway, Teresa wanted me to put up some pictures of my room, for some reason, this time. Here's my dinner, TV, and hallway view, honey.

Friday Night Lights

by teresa

I forgot to update everyone about the football game last night. Unfortunately...we lost 14 to 7. We were all very dissapointed. Well, Chris and I were...but the boys(Ben and Kai) were happy as long as they had a drink in one hand and food in the other! We also got them pom poms to wave around. Nick spends the entire game helping in the consession stand. He takes food back on forth from the main consession stand to the visitor one in a shopping cart(to his older sisters horror). He just went up last week and volunteered his services. It's mostly band parents who help in there and they jumped at the chance to have their very own gopher. He was tickled pink. You guys know how he likes to help out. Here's some pics from last nights game.

Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make its colors appear.

by teresa

Today it is gloomy and rainy.

We had to cancel our soccer practice because of the weather...bummer

I went to the grocery store for a few things...but that's about all that I have on the agenda today.

I cleaned the house yesterday...but I do have one tub of clothes to wash from last night.

I guess I can work on my book list some more...but I just don't feel like even being on the computer (no offense).

Chris left for DC awhile ago....please pray for his safe travel around the city this week. We will miss him.

Right now Nick is finishing up some homework that I gave him. They gave none over the weekend from school...so I printed some worksheets to complete. He is very lazy about homework...so he definitely needs to not have a break from it.

Well I'm off to enjoy the kids....

Graphics provided by MySpaceGraphicsandAnimations.net

"You can never be too thin, too rich, or have too many books."

by teresa

Let me just say that I am super happy with all the treasures I found at the book sale today.
I was lucky enough to find four books that were signed by the authors.
Poetry...classics...childrens books and some excellent fiction selection. I believe it was forty books in all. I saw much, much more I would have liked...but I could no longer feel my fingers from the weight of the bags I was carrying. One bag was so stuffed it actually split the seam a little. oops!
Once I got home...and was sorting through all the new additions to my collection, I decided to start a spreadsheet with my book inventory....so we will all know exactly what we have.
I have begun four spreadsheets....Adult, Poetry,Childrens and Young Adult. This will help tremendously when the kids come in with required reading for school...and we can just peek at the list and see if I have it. And 9 times out of 10 I do have it. Is this the most anal retentive thing you have ever heard of or what? So far I have all the books in the office done....tomorrow I will tackle the living room bookcases and the boys room and hall shelves.
I can't wait till my birthday later this month. I have a LONG list of books on my Barnes and Noble list. I have told my family (for years) all I want is a Barnes and Noble gift card! The day after my birthday I usually go to B&N and spend a couple of hours choosing carefully what I want. The sales clerks look at me like I'm crazy when I pay with like 5 different giftcards. :0)

I'm off to get ready for the football game. Wish us luck!
Go Braves!!!

TGIF

by teresa

I am glad it's Friday.

For three reasons.

One....all the PTA stuff is over for awhile. At least the night time PTA commitments. I was out of the house three nights this week. I missed two karate classes and one soccer practice. I don't like that at all. Chris is so used to me having dinner ready,even when I am absent.....that he called me last night in the middle of the open house. I had just walked into Ben's classroom to chat with the teacher. I answered and he said...Teresa....did you make dinner? I was like....aren't you home? He said...yeah...I've been home for awhile now. I said...Well...do you see any dinner there? He said...no. I said....Then...NO...I did not make any dinner. So he and Nick had to fend for themselves. Poor babies.

Two...tonight is the high school football game. We are up against a very strong opponent (which always make for some intense action). Also...I get a kick out of seeing Lauren out there on the track cheering on the team.

Three(and most important)...today is the library book sale. I anticipate this ALL YEAR LONG...and it's finally here. I have my big library bags ready....my long polo shirt on (the one that comes past my hips so when I stoop down searching the boxes....I spare everyone from the experience of seeing my granny panties peaking out the top of my low rider jeans. I'm going for comfort today...not style!

Well...I'm off to get Nick's breakfast made (special K) and get him off to school.

You folks have a great day!
********************************
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. ~Cicero

Let's go sit in our thinking chairs....

by teresa

**warning... if you don't have children 10 and under...you will have no idea what I am talking about in this post**

I went over my sisters today.
I sat with the kids (she babysits in here home) and played and watched tv.
I miss my kids being young enough to watch Dora and Blues Clues. Those shows were great.
Especially Blues Clues! I had a major crush on Steve from that show. Seriously! He was so cute and good with kids (and cartoon dogs) and he seemed to embrace being a nerd. I thought that made him cool! Nick and Ben both loved that show and watched it EVERY SINGLE DAY without fail. One time a favorite show of Chris and I (Yes, Dear) had Steve on it. The dad was sitting and watching Blues Clues over and over and over (having vowed to never let his son be babysat by the tv) with his son and ended up falling asleep and having a dream he was in the show and dressed like Steve. It was too funny because it was my life. Then at the end of the episode the wife gets into bed to go to sleep and rolls over to kiss her husband goodnight....and MY Steve was laying there in his place. Tee Hee This cracked me up. Joining my two worlds together. My "mommy world"...where I changed diapers, watched cartoons (educational :), wore sweats everyday, held meaningful conversations with 3 year olds and got a shower about 2 times a week. And my "wife world"...where I tried to do all the things in my mommy world and still clean the house, cook dinners and try to look good enough to kiss every now and then.
But alas, all good and perfect things must come to an end. Steve went to college (at least that's how the writers spun it) and his cousin Joe came to live with Blue. Blues Clues lost it's edge...it's specialness...it's zing when Steve left the show. Don't get me wrong...Joe was nice...he was cute (if your into that big,black,bushy eyebrow look)....he had a neat striped shirt (blue...not green like Steve's)....and he did funny dances too. But I had faithfully watched Steve....I did the thinking chair song and dance with Steve....I loved Steve. And Joe.... well...H E...W A S...N O... S T E V E!!!!!!!

After writing this I googled the actor Steve Burns...and found this website. I am so sad. He looks like a crackhead now...and he is trying to make an alternative rock music cd. Have mercy! Hello....Steve.....why mess with success? Shave that mess...put on a funky, bright green shirt and some khakis...and call up your old friends mailbox, Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, Blue and side table drawer. And get back to Nick Jr. and give Go Diego Go a run for his money dude!

More on the Doc

By Chris

Teresa beat me to the punch on the Doctor's visit report. But, there was more diary - worthy info to chronicle for the sake of history.

Nick can get anxious about stuff . . . and there is no stopping the freaking out when a full out panic sets in, so I was very nervous about my assignment for the evening. I knew there would be needles, awkward conversation and peeing in a cup (all potential danger areas for Nick). I had planned to check him in, get a word with the doctor about what I wanted to happen (you have to do that to get what you want in our health care system, I've learned) and then let him go back by himself, not wanting him to get some look from me that would set him off. So when they called him in, I sat down in the waiting area. Nurse and Nick came back to retrieve me. Nice try, but I was in it for the duration. As we waited, I could tell he was thinking things out. He was very chatty. He was talking to me, but was actually phsyching himself up. "I'll just look this way when they stick it to me. Can I hold your hand? No I don't need to. --nervous laughing---. What's in that red box. Oh, old needles. Oh my. . . ." I just listened. He's learned coping strategies for his anxiety, and I've learned thay my telling him there is nothing to worry about is not one of them (that's a hard lesson learned for parents, I think. But it makes sense. Telling someone who's worrying that there is nothing to worry about really doesn't make sense, does it? In their mind, they have obviously gotten past the point of deciding if there is anything to worry about. Better to give some real advice or just shut up and listen)!

Fortunately, our doctor is great. Just how great I didn't realize until yesterday. She had a resident in training with her yesterday who was young and, well, . . . pleasant looking. Nick started small talk with her right away, and I could tell he wanted to impress (sorry mom . . . but this stuff motivates middle school boys;) The Doc kept all kinds of converstion going about karate, Royal Rangers and camping (Nick's scouting-type ministry), brothers, school, his trumpet. She expertly weaved in questions about lifestyle, feelings, etc. until she had total credibility with the kid, all the while poking here and listening there. By the time she got around to the tough conversations and awkard exam elements (he had to have some private areas checked out, if you know what I mean . . .I still don't do well with that!) . . . Nick trusted her so much that it was incredibly productive. She even showed us his chart going way back, showed us how he is tall for his age and predicted he would get to be at least 6 feet tall based on the trend over time for him. This also opened the door for her to explain how the little weight side of the same diagram was trending, and how she knew of a way to get them right in synch. He offered up some opinions about fast food and stuff (trying to tell on Teresa) and said that he has nannies who give him lots of soda! (I am not sure where that came from, except that he must have sensed she enjoyed busting grown-ups). It was a perfect approach for a kid who likes everything in order. She knew this about him and appealed to that. It was visual, reasoned and effective. By the time the shot and peeing in the cup came, he was completely comfortable and his mind was so busy with the small talk, chart reading and reasoning that he didn't have time to worry. It was amazing! She spent like 40 minutes with us. So confident was he, that after he filled his cup he came out and joked with the nurse in front of the rest of the staff: "Here . . . you want my pee?!? giggle giggle" Before we left, she quizzed him on his homework (and mom's HA!), told him she would be talking to him again in six weeks, and patted him on the head.

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it!

by teresa

I don't have much time to chat today. I am due up at Nick's school in a few minutes to be the library asst. for the day. His librarian called yesterday and asked if I would mind helping her out ....that's pretty funny huh? She wondered if I would want to help in the LIBRARY??? She will realize soon enough that I am a library FAREEK!! I will be talking this poor woman to death about my vast knowledge of children literature...hee hee. She better watch out...or I'll take HER job!

I also wanted to thank eveyone for their prayers yesterday regarding Nick's doctors appt. Chris took him...and said he did very well with his shot and examinations. The diabetes check came back negative! Thank you God! But...they did have me take him EARLY this morning for some lab work(it took them 4 sticks to get blood from the poor kid...and he never cried once...that's the power of prayer!) to check for other things including his cholesteral levels. Chris said the boy was giving me up left and right at the doctors...telling her I give him fast food all the time. That made me a little angry since I DON"T give him fast food all the time! I had him sit and think about the last time I took him for fast food....and it had been like 3 weeks. But even that is bad. So no more fast food for Nick. DO YOU HERE THAT NANNIES AND GRANDADDIES???? No more junk...sweets and things high in salt and fat! She also talked to him about portion control and sneaking food. Which he does alot. So it is crackdown time at the Green's. We are all on a new eating and exercise plan. He has to return to the doctor in a month to recheck his weight and such....wish us all luck!

Somebody sneak me a krispy kreme

by teresa

Heya fellas!

Not much going on here today.
Just the usual tedious chores.
I did run to the dry cleaners and by Target earlier for some Tide and swiffer carpet flick refills.

Now I'm just sitting here...starving!
Did I mention that I started yet another diet on Friday?
I went to put on my cute jeans from last year and they fit like poo poo!
It made me very, very angry at myself.
The hubby is doing the diet with me...which make it a little easier.
We are doing our Atkins thing again. I know I know! Not very healthy.....but I want results like yesterday...so Atkins it is. At least for 2 weeks...then we will faze in a few good carbs. So far I have lost 3.5 pounds of the gazillion I would like to lose. But I guess that's better than nutin huh?
So for lunch I had a piece of grilled chicken with bacon and swiss cheese. It was really tasty...but some taters on the side would have been heavenly!

Tonight I have a PTA meeting to go over assignments for our schools open houses this week. We have to have 2 open house nights (K & 1st grade...then 2nd & 3rd) because our school has ike parking for 20 cars.....seriously! So I will be gone for PTA mess three nights this week. I am even missing Nick's dr.appt. this evening. It's his 6th grade checkup...and he has to get shots. So keep him in your prayers because he is freaked about needles. Chris made some comment about how funny it is that a SAHM is now so busy with her volunteering that her working husband has to take a child to the dr.

I can't wait until next week when all of the regular shows start coming back on with new episodes. It's been some slim pickins when trying to sit down and find something good to watch for the past couple of weeks. What are you exciting about watching this fall?

Well...I think I'm goin to go in my closet and pull some cooler clothes out of storage. It has been in the upper 60's here the past couple of day...and I need my sweatshirts. I actually wore tennis shoes yesterday AND SOCKS!!!! I have worn socks and tennis shoes in at least 4 months. My next trip to Target I want to get some of these cooky halloween socks I saw. They have candy corns or pumpkins on them. Too cute! And soon I will break out my all time favorite shoes. Chris hates them...but they are my FAVORITE! I wear them with everything...jeans, khakis....well jeans and khakis is about all I wear. Maybe this year I will get the matching poodle skirt!

see ya later daddyo...

Back Up Trick

By Chris

This is the second time this has happened to me. Stopping at Burger King to get a very large Diet Coke this morning (this has become a morning requirment for me. No coffee. Just Diet Coke), I pulled up to the window to pay and pick up, and the lady says: "Will you back up behind the yellow poll and pull back up please?" I looked at her like she was crazy. She repeated the request. So, I backed up about five feet, then pulled back up (this is the second time I have had to do this at this location). It must look very bizaare to anyone watching. This time, I had to know. "Why did you have me do that?" I asked. "It makes our service time look better because it resets our timer," she replied.
So, they actually made me work harder and wait longer to make it seem like you were giving good customer service. I had to laugh, because I could soo see Lauren figuring something like this out.

Remembering ....

by teresa

On September 11, 2001 I was driving over to enjoy a nice morning with my sister. Lauren was in the 7th grade and Nick had just started first grade (full day school) the week before...I had just started to appreciate my lazing mornings spent with Ben(2yrs old). I got to her house just as the first plane hit. She was by the tv...and asked if I had heard about a plane crash. I had not yet. Not yet. I was still happy and carefree. My kids were at school and I was free to enjoy my day...maybe head over to the park. I felt safe. And I felt my children were safe. I do live by the largest US navy instillation in the world (Norfolk, Va.) which my father worked (civil service) at for my entire childhood. My whole life I have been surrounded by military men (in my family, church, schools, neighbors). Oceana Air Force base is but minutes from our house. It's nothing to see jets darting across the highway as you go about your day. It's reassuring. It's powerful! But as my sister and I sat there...watching the news...watching the next few minutes of horror unfolding I felt anything but safe...anything but powerful. I immediatley called my childrens school to make sure everything was ok. Nothing had happened here in Va. But I needed to KNOW my kids were safe. I felt like a mother duck...needing to bring all her children under her wings...sensing impending danger...a storm. I stayed a few more minutes and then rushed home. To my safe haven. Where I cried and watched with DEEP SORROW AND A HEAVY HEART all the people jumping from rooftops and the screaming and the fires and the caos. I couldn't even form complete thoughts...just call out Gods name. It was the worst thing I have ever seen in my 36yrs. For days I felt violated and petrified. Everytime I heard a plane I felt like it was coming down on my house. Of course like most of you...this fear passed after a few weeks. Life went on...and we were ok. We got used to the jets passing over our neighborhoods. It was calming (the loud, roaring blasts) to hear. Kinda like your big brother protecting you from the bullies around the block. Now, five years later...I can honestly say that I go for long periods of time without it even crossing my mind. I guess that's bad...and good. I feel safe...protected...healed...proud to be an American.

My prayer today is...That God would bring peace to places that have none. I understand that in his perfect plan, he has granted power to nations to rule and bring order, but I just ask for the bloodshed to be stopped. Whether someone is American, Israeli, Lebanese, Iraqi, or part of al qaida, I pray that God would change their hearts as ONLY he can...not war, not laws, not democracy, but you Lord! We are ALL God's children after all....we are ALL precious in his sight.
Amen

A day of rest

by teresa
I'm just taking a break before I wake the children for church.

I tried to sleep in just a few extra minutes...but my bladder won't let me.
Don't you hat that?

I plan on doing nothing today after church.
No cleaning...no emails...no blogging...nutin!
The upcoming week is going to be SO busy...that I'm not going to get a chance to breath again until around Friday.

And I am looking forward to Friday so much. It's our cities annual libray book sale weekend.
They set up a huge meeting room with about a hundred tables. And then the tables are stacked high with books. and under each table are boxes filled with more books. It's glorious! And they are like a quarter each!!!! No matter what shape they are in. I like to find old, vintage childrens books. I have many that have inscriptions in them. Like..."To my darling neice Judy, on her 10th birthday....1911." It's like discovering treasure. I usually bring a box or sturdy sshopping bag to drag around all my finds. It takes hours to sift through every pile...but I love it. And...on Sunday, if you come to the final day and help them clear things out....you get whatever you want for FREE! Have mercy!

Have a blessed Sunday!

winning makes me HAPPY!

by teresa

We had an early morning today. Soccer practice at 9:00am. It was a great practice...the kids were on fire and that makes me very excited. The last 15 minutes of practice we scrimmaged another team. Katy and I turn into screaming maniacs when we coach. We actually ran into each other a couple of times running up and down the sidelines. A few times I actually looked down and realized I was about 15 feet in bounds...oops! I am usually a very calm, conservative, preppy little PTA mom. But you get me out on the field and I turn into some overzealous lunatic. And don't get me wrong...I'm not shouting insults or ridiculing the kids for errors. Quite the opposite actually. I am screaming out GOOD JOB...HUSTLE BABY, HUSTLE...DON'T BACK DOWN...YOUR AWESOME....GO TO THE GOAL...GO TO THE GOAL...GO TO THE GOAL! My throat is still feeling a little sore right now. But I think that is left over from the Indian River football game last night. It was amazing! Our team beat the defending state champs 31-28. A team who hasn't lost a game in like 3 years! Lauren and all the cheerleaders and all us fans were going crazy. It was also perfect football weather (finally). Actually a bit chilly....thank you God.
Today I plan on doing a little cleaning and watching some college football with the hubby.
Hope you guys are having an exciting Saturday.
Talk to ya later!

Ouch...I was tagged

by teresa
Mary tagged me.
Bold (or change the color) of all of the following TV shows which you’ve seen 3 or more episodes of in your lifetime. Bold and Italicize a show if you’re positive you’ve seen every episode of it. If you want, add up to 3 additional shows (keep the list in alphabetical order).

24
3rd Rock from the Sun
7th Heaven
Adam-12
Aeon Flux
A.L.F
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alias
Allo Allo
American Idol/Pop Idol/Canadian Idol/Australian Idol
America’s Next Top Model/Germany’s Next Top Model
Angel
Arrested Development
Babylon 5
Babylon 5: Crusade
BattlestarGalactica (the old one)
Battlestar Galactica (the new one)
Baywatch
Beavis & Butthead
The Ben Stiller Show
Beverly Hills 90210
Bewitched
Bonanza
Bones
Bosom Buddies
Boston Legal
Boy Meets World
Brady Bunch
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Bug Juice
Chappelle’s Show
Charlie’s Angels
Charmed
Cheers
China Beach
Columbo
Commander in Chief
Coupling
Cowboy Bebop
Crossing Jordan
CSICSI: Miami
CSI: NY
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dallas
Dancing with the Stars
Danny Phantom
Dark Angel
Dark Skies
Davinci’s Inquest
Dawson’s Creek
Dead Like Me
Deadliest Catch
Deadwood
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Designing Women
Desperate Housewives
Dharma & Greg
Different Strokes
Doctor Who (new Who)
Doctor Who (series 1-26)
Dragnet
Due South
Dungeons and Dragons (old cartoon)
Dynasty
Earth 2
Emergency!
Entourage
ER
Everwood
Everybody Loves Raymond
Facts of Life
Falcon Crest
Family Guy
Family Ties
Fantasy Island
Farscape
Fawlty Towers
Felicity
Firefly
Flamingo Road
Frasier
Friends
Full House
Futurama
Get Smart
Gilligan’s Island
Gilmore Girls
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Green Wing
Grey’s Anatomy
Growing Pains
Gunsmoke
Happy Days
Head of the Class
Highlander
Hill Street Blues
Hogan’s Heroes
Home Improvement
Homicide: Life on the Street
House
House Hunters
I Dream of Jeannie
I Love Lucy
Invader Zim
Invasion
Iron Chef (Japan)
Iron Chef (USA)-
Ironsides
JAG
Jackass
Jeopardy
Joey
John Doe
Kath and Kim
Knight Rider
Knots Landing
La Femme Nikita
LA Law
Laugh-In
Laverne and Shirley
Law & Order
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: SVU
Little House on the Prairie
Lizzie McGuire
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lost
Lost in Spac
Love, American Style
M*A*S*H
MacGyver
Magnum P.I.
Malcolm in the Middle
Married…With Children
Melrose Place
Miami Vice
Mind of Mencia
Mission Impossible
Monk
Moonlighting
Mork & Mindy
Murphy Brown
My Family
My Favorite Martian
My Life as a Dog
My Mother the Car
My So-Called Life
My Three Sons
My Two Dads
Mysterious Cities of Gold
NCIS
News Radio
Night Court
Nip/Tuck
Northern Exposure
Numbers
One Tree Hill
Oz
Parker Lewis Can’t Lose
Perfect Strangers
Perry Mason-used to watch with my Grandma
Picket Fences
Pirates of Darkwater
Pokemon
Power Rangers
Prison Break
Profiler
Project Runway
Psyche
Quantum Leap
Queer As Folk (US)
Queer as Folk (British)
Queer Eye For The Straight Guy
ReGenesis
Remington Steele
Rescue Me
Road Rules
ROME
Roseanne
Roswell
Samurai Jack
Saved by the Bell
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
Scrubs
Seinfeld
Sex and the City
Six Feet Under
Slings and Arrows
Smallville
Small Wonder
So Weird
South Park
Spaced
Spongebob Squarepants
Sports Night
Square Pegs
St. Elsewhere
Star Trek
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Enterprise
Stargate Atlantis
Stargate SG-1
Supernatural
Surface
Survivor
Taxi
Teen Titans
Teletubbies
That Girl
That 70’s Show
That’s So Raven
The 4400
The Addams Family
The Andy Griffith Show
The A-Team
The Avengers
The Beverly Hillbillies
The Bionic Woman
The Colbert Report
The Cosby Show
The Daily Show
The Days And Nights Of Molly Dodd
The Dead Zone
The Dick Van Dyke Show
The Flintstones
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Golden Girls
The Jetsons
The L Word
The Love Boat
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Mighty Boosh
The Monkees
The Munsters
The Mythbusters
The O.C.
The Office (UK)
The Office (US)
The Pretender
The Prisoner
The Real World
The Shield
The Simpsons
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Sopranos
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
The Twilight Zone
The Waltons
The West Wing
The Wonder Years
The X-Files
Third Watch
thirtysomething
Three’s Company
Top Gear
Twin Peaks
Twitch City
Upstairs, Downstairs
Veronica Mars
Wings
What Not To Wear (US)
What Not To Wear (UK)
Whose Line is it Anyway? (US)
Whose Line is it Anyway? (UK)
Witchblade
Will and Grace
Wonderfalls
Wonder Woman
Xena: Warrior Princess
Young Hercules

Mary also sent this to me...
Grab the book closest to you.Open to page 123.Scroll down to the 5th sentence.Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog - name of the book and the author.Then tag 3 people.

Together they worked the crossword puzzle, with Harriet perched on the arm of Libby's chintz-upolstered chair. The china clock ticked blandly on the mantel, the same cordial, comforting old tick Harriet had heard all her life;and the blue bedroom was like Heaven with it's friendly smells of cats and cedarwood and dusty cloth, of vetivert root and Limes de Buras powder and some kind of purple bath salts that Libby had used for as long as Harriet could remember.

The Little Friend by Donna Tartt

I tag Lesley, Melanie and Dcrmom

Ive got the JOY JOY JOY JOY down in my heart...where?

Down in my heart...where?
Down in my heart!
And I'm so happy...so very happy!
I've got the love of Jesus in my heart!

Come on you guys...don't you remember this song from Sunday school? I loved that one and the B-I-B-L-E...yes that's the book for me!
I love it when I hear my kids singing these songs like I did as a child.

Anyway...today has been wonderful. Blue skies and sunshine. The kids all got off to school great his morning...athough the boys were both a tad sleepy from being out at church last night past their bedtimes. Chris took Nick to school for me because I had my MIT meeting this morning. Now that school is back in session we will be resuming our weekly thursday meeting time. We had such an empowering meeting. We usually take about 30-45 minutes...but today we were there from 8:30-10:50! We closed out the meeting in an hour...then sat around discussing kids and husbands (in a good way honey:) and family and thinking of new prayer requests and comparing our pasts. Us SAHM's are so sheltered from the world, (at least I feel that way sometimes) and our lives are all about the kids, the house, our husband...that when we get away from the home and sit with other mom's...it's hard to pry us apart. I look so forward to my weekly meetings.
Last night was our first soccer practice. It looks like a very promising season for the Strikers. Almost all of the kids showed real talent immediatley. Yeah!! It was hot and muggy though(a long hour)...and I look forward to the games where it will be nice and chilly here in a few weeks. Here's Chris in the end of practice huddle....and then Katy poking her head in (she's never seen a camera she didn't like!)












After the moms in touch meeting I headed over to Office Max to pick up some binders for Lauren...and then some candy for Nick's homeroom teacher. Since I had expressed interest in helping her with any needs she might have...she asked if I could pick up some candy for her class rewards. So I did...remember...I AM the biggest suck up on the planet. I decided to take it up there on my way home so I could have a chance to see the secretary. I don't think I blogged about it...but when I went up to Nick's school with my MIT goodies before school began...the secretary in the annex of the middle school (where the 6th graders are) was very rude to me. She wouldn't even let me put my goodies out for the teachers. I had to trot over to the main building and leave them there. They were MORE than happy to have them over there. But I just couldn't get over the attitude this woman gave me. And you guys KNOW how I am. I can NOT have someone not like me! So from that moment on...OPERATION "HEAPING COALS" HAS BEGUN! You know the verse...Romans12:20...Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him! If f he is thirsty, give him a drink! For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head! In other words...I'm gonna kill this lady with kindness! I took the candy in to the office to put in his teachers cubby. Mrs. Grumpybutt saw me walk in and turned the other way in her chair. Another woman got up to help me. But I did not let this deter me. After I had done what I needed with the candy I called to the lady. I asked her name. I asked her job title. I asked if there was ANYTHING I could do for her. Anything at all...at any time. She smiled...did you hear that people...smiled at me! I told her I was at her disposal. If she ever got bogged down with something I could help her with...I was but a phone call away. She took my name and number and promised to give me a call. I of course left her a pass it on card on her desk...one that said....BEE of good cheer (with a little bumble on it) too cute. We will see what becomes of that.

*blessings*

I know...more pictures. Sorry!

Lauren Essay

By Chris

Teresa mentioned that a teacher assigned an essay on Lauren for Teresa and , uh, me, I guess. Thought it would be perfect blog fodder. Honey, you can lift it . . . or compare it to yours.

Lauren Green is a completely unique character on God's earth. She can be, at once, goofy, a knucklehead, smart, witty (with a bite), caring, mean, lazy and energetic. Her friends confirm that she will add life to any party, and longs to create a party out of any gathering. If year book signings are any indication of character, I can confirm she is crazy, in a good way. Nearly every person who has signed her books over the years says so. As an example, on the last day of school one year, she packed up a strobe light and music. She and a few friends went early to school, which she does every day for social reasons, and visited teachers' rooms. They entered with no explanation, turned off the lights, turned on the strobe, played music, danced and moved on to the next lucky educator. Some danced with them. Others looked at them like they were crazy. I thought it was hilarious, and a perfect example of the essence of her.

We're particularly proud of the diversity of her friends, which we are certain will make her a success in life, no matter where she ventures. She unites people. A fact that is confirmed by her teachers and coaches. She has a natural disregard for appearances, and a gift for liking people based on character. Her friends are all colors, all economic backgrounds and varying levels of traditional popularity. Her 16th birthday party packed our house with this neat mixture of kids from all walks of life with Lauren orchestrating it so everyone had a blast. She also gets really irritated when she encounters people who don't have her respect for diversity. She'll dismiss a friend who puts clique above character, and she'll run to an outcast in her own understated ways.

When it comes to her brothers, she can have a mean streak. I guess that's true in all sibling relationships. When Nick was smaller, we were sure she would injure him one day. But, she has shown that she will circle the wagons if someone else is mean to them. Especially for Nick, whom she personally gets along with least. She heard about a teenager who was mean to Nick at camp, and she was ready to hunt him down and set him straight. Once, at a football game, they were throwing out promotional footballs when an overzealous teenage boy pushed Ben down to get the prize ball. Lauren leapt into action and let the kid have it. Ben got the ball. Now that she is a cheerleader throwing out the little giveaway balls, she always makes sure her brothers get them.

Finally, she is lazy. Her church group once had to pick an animal that they identified with. Most others had the typical things. Lions, dogs . . . whatever. Sitting in the sanctuary, we learned via a slideshow made by the youth pastor that she identified with the Sloth. How embarrassing. Then she explained, and it made sense. She was actually very thoughtful about her choice. She had read up on the sloth. Apparently, it is very smart and deliberate about how it extends its energy. No need wasting time running around, when you can rest and be effective in the little energy you do exert, is the sloth's mantra, she explained. That's her. She'll get it done . . . with as much, or little effort, as necessary. And not early or late. Just in time. With no worries.

That's Lauren. We're pretty sure she's gonna be alright, too.

A good snapshot stops a moment from running away

by teresa

I cornered Lauren before she left for school this morning so I could take her first (second) day of school photo.
She is so beautiful...I can't belive how old she is (and looks). A senior....where did my baby go? Okay...I need to stop that sappy mess right now! Here are my favorite photos of the morning...

True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.

by teresa

Today was bliss.

Even cleaning the house was more pleasant because I could do it uninterrupted and it stayed clean all day!

I was able to catch up on all the laundry and even washed the boys bed clothes. Tomorrow I will do Lauren's and ours.

I dusted and vacuumed the downstairs...tomorrow I will tackle the upstairs.

I went to JCPenneys and looked around. I have had a giftcard for months...but couldn't ever find anything I liked. But today I found some cute shirts..and they were on sale so I got three(with $2.29 left on the card). Yeah me!

I also rode over to Starbucks and got a vanilla latte. I sat inside and sipped my java and enjoyed my long awaited moments of solitude. I brought my book...and I read and sipped and read and sipped. ahhhhh

Once home from my errands I cleaned the little pond in the backyard and refilled it. Then watered all my plants. Only to have it pour down rain like in Noah's days a few minutes later. Oh well.

I am happy to report that all my kids had great first days at school. The boys both came in chatting about friends and lunch and homework and recess and the crazy bus rides home. They are both eager to return tomorrow. Halleluiah!! Lauren, of course had a good day. She gets home early this year because of no last bell. So she came home, cleaned her room, took a nap and then went to work. I put on some chicken and then took the boys to karate class. Once home they took a shower...then we enjoyed dinner. After dinner Chris led a devotional with us and then I put the boys to bed. I only had to read for about 5 minutes before Ben was snoring.

Now I will sit up for a while filling out the umpteen forms the schools sent home for me to fill out. One teacher even sent home an assignment for me to write an essay describing Lauren. Have mercy!

I trust your children all had an exciting day of learning...and they are now sleeping peacefully.

I pray the same for you....sleep well!

Off With You Too

By Chris

Long ago, I planned to take today off. Marked it on my calendar and everything. Two conference calls made it onto the agenda too, but I could handle those from home . . . while I'm off . . . even delegate one of them out, I thought. I could watch the kids set off in the morning. Spend some kidless time with Teresa. Watch them come home. Sounded lovely. Well . . . I'm in my office now. Teresa insisted. Seems back to school bliss would not be so happy with me hanging around. I realize, and accept, that at some level I am just the oldest kid when it comes to Teresa. She may have a point. I make more messes than I clean up. I do bore easily and require entertainment. Turns out, her excitement about summer ending was getting the kids out for a while AND me. Simultaneously. A hat trick plus one, I guess. And, for some reason, my body was still telling itself that today was an off day . . . because I'm still sleepy at the lunch hour. I've tried to call Teresa, but the caller id is obviously working and she ain't biting. I could just show up at home, but that would probably not be good. Oh wel . . . she's probably out and about somewhere, in an undisclosed location. I'm betting she went to see Kai off to afternoon kindergarten, even though she said she wasn't.

First day of school 2006

by teresa

It's here!

The day has finally come!

Hip Hip Hoorah! Hip Hip Hoorah! Hip Hip Hoorah!

Ben is the first child I had to wake up this morning. Eventhough he was snoring by 8:15...waking him at 6:30am was like a slap in the face to him. He cried for about 10 minutes (all the while I was getting him dressed). The cinnamon toast crunch he found watiting at the breakfast table quieted him down. I assured him that if he cooperated in getting ready...he would have about 10 minutes left to lay on the couch and watch Breakfast with Bear. He smiled (remembering his old friend Bear from preschool days...and finished getting ready. He is catching up with his old friend now...on the couch...giggling and awake.

I must go for a minute to wait for the bus by our mailbox....

I'm back. He did great...smiles and hugs and the whole shebang! I of course took a picture (or 50) of him in his first day of school outfit...and in front of the family tree. Here's some of my favorites...

Hey Beth...remember thet brand new gymbore bookbags we got from the yard sale? Well Ben is using his. He likes how is slings over his shoulder...very cool.

I'm glad Ben has Mr. Lomax again as his bus driver. He is a very sweet spirited man...and Ben loves him. Hopefully he will not have any difficulty dropping him off in the afternoon...remember last year?

Well..I'm off to wake the sleeping giant (The Nickman)...

Nick got up in a great mood. He said he slept great. Last night after I had gotten Ben to sleep (in our bed...then we move him when we go to bed) I went into Nick's room. He had showered and gotten into his jammies early(around 7:00) and he had the tv on (lights off). I told him now that he was in middle school...he could have a later bedtime. Instead of 8ish...he could stay up till 9:00. He doesn't have to be up now till 8:00am...so I figure he can be up later. He declined my later bedtime...and asked me if I would cut off the tv and put the radio on NPR. That boy is a hoot! Decline a later bedtime? Only Nicky! Ben on the other hand had a MAJOR meltdown last night when he realized Nick had the tv on after 8:00pm. I told him about his brothers new bedtime rules....and lets just say he disagreed strongly with my decision. Nick got ready...came down and took about 3 bites of his special K (his favorite cereal) and plopped on the couch with mom and I until it was ready to drop him off at school. Lauren will be taking him from now on...but this morning she (and all the Varsity squad) had to be there very early (in her cheering garb) to greet the new freshman on the bus ramps and guide them to their classes. While I was fixing Nick's hair (major case of bedhead going on) she slipped off to school. I am very upset with her. I didn't get to take her picture....and I have ALWAYS taken her picture on the first day of school! I will snap it when she gets home. I drove Nick to school and he actually laid down in the car as we drove by one of his friends bus stops. I am now officially uncool to him until he is around 30 years old. But I still have my Benny! He still thinks I'm cool.

Here's some picutes of Nicky.

Now I will finish up my morning chores. I've already made all the beds, washed a tub of clothes, unloaded the dishwasher and loaded it with the breakfast dishes. Now I will put away some clothes and dust and vacuum. Then...who knows what I'll do.

Have a great day.....I KNOW I will!

In case I didn't say it before....

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!! WHOOT WHOOT WHOOT!!!