A must read from Today's Christian Woman!

When we first became parents, Proverbs 22:6 sounded simple enough to my husband, Barry, and me: "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." We're currently in the arduous process of trying to "train" our three boys. There's a particular way we're trying to get them to go, and if they decide not to turn from it, well, that would be just swell.
With this in mind, I recently sensed we should undertake a more proactive approach to our children's spiritual growth. It began one day while driving when I heard a radio announcer mention two little words that strike terror in the hearts of Christian parents around the world. No, not "potty training." The two words I heard over the glorious sound of my boys fighting in the back seat: family devotions.
Hmm, I thought. Sure, we do family devotions all the time. Then I felt the Holy Spirit's quiet voice drowning out Steven Curtis Chapman's latest release on our radio.
Holy Spirit: Um, Suzanne?
Me: Um, yeah?
Holy Spirit: Did you say you do family devotions "all the time"?
Me: Um, yeah.
Holy Spirit: Well, I'm not sure if that's entirely accurate.
Me: Well, what about this morning? We studied First Samuel!
Holy Spirit: Putting the kids in front of a Dave and the Giant Pickle video while you mop the kitchen floor doesn't count.
Me: Yeah, but those kids know God made them special and he loves them very much. Plus they know how to talk to tomatoes.
Needless to say, this argument didn't hold much weight. So Barry and I decided it was time for a more consistent routine. I began my quest by locating the children's devotional Bible I'd purchased for my kids last Christmas. I found it under my son's bed next to five dirty socks and an empty Snickers wrapper. I took that as a sign my son had been studying the Bible on his own while enjoying a chocolate snack. And maybe his feet were cold.
Next, we picked out a day and time to have our devotional time together, which turned out to be a task in and of itself.
"Well, it can't be Tuesdays or Fridays because of Little League. And Wednesdays we have youth group. The weekends are too crazy. How about Thursday nights?" Barry suggested.
"Thursdays? What are you, nuts?" I asked. "We might miss Survivor!"
At least we have our priorities in order.
In the end we chose Monday nights, right after dinner.
The following Monday night we convened in the living room, ready to "train" our kids. Seven-year-old Caleb and four-year-old Jonah took a seat on the couch. Unfortunately they took the same seat and immediately began pummeling each other. Barry intervened and sat between the two angels.
I put the baby, Silas, in his Exersaucer with a few quiet toys. He promptly launched the quiet toys across the room and began shouting, "Out! Out! Out!" I felt this might, perhaps, be a bit distracting, so I took him out of the room.
"OK, guys," Barry began, "We're going to look in God's Word together for a little bit tonight and see what God wants to teach us."
"Dad, can I get a drink?" Caleb asked.
"No, Caleb, let's do this first," Barry answered patiently.
"Dad, can I get a drink too?" Jonah asked.
"Yes, Jonah, but after we're done," Barry said. "OK, now we're going to read the story about Jesus in the desert."
Just then Silas tripped over a lamp cord and knocked himself (and the lamp) to the ground. We took a moment to stop the bleeding and remove the hazardous broken glass. Then we resumed our special time of training our children.
"OK, Jesus in the desert … " Barry began again.
"Dad?" Caleb again.
"Yes, Caleb?"
"Can I have soda?"
"Caleb, we'll talk about that later. Now listen to Daddy," I interjected.
Barry cleared his throat and began again, "Jesus went into the desert … "
"What's a desert again?" asked Jonah.
OK, clarification is important. No problem. Barry explained, "It's a place where it's really dry and dusty and there are no trees or grass. So anyway, Jesus went into the desert … "
"Did he sneeze?" Caleb inquired.
"What?" Barry said, his eyes narrowing and a small vein beginning to pulse visibly near his right temple.
"Did Jesus sneeze?"
Barry and I looked at each other. We knew the way we wanted our children to go, and we were pretty sure this wasn't it.
"Caleb, why do you want to know if Jesus sneezed?" I asked.
"Well, cause you said it was dusty. I sneeze when it's dusty." Perfectly logical question, really. A bit off the point maybe, but logical.
"Well," Barry said with a deep sigh, "Jesus was a person just like us, so he probably did sneeze sometimes if it was really dusty."
The boys were silent for a moment, as if picturing the Messiah with a first-century hanky. In the corner, Silas found a penny on the floor and put it in his mouth.
After we retracted the choking hazard, Barry said, "OK, now where were we?"
"Hay fever," I answered.
"Right," Barry continued. "OK, so, maybe sneezing, maybe not, Jesus went into the desert. While he was there … "
"Dad?" Jonah interrupted.
Barry took a slow, deep breath. "Yes, Jonah?"
"If Jesus sneezed," Jonah began with a mischievous grin, "does that mean he had … BOOGERS?!" At this point, both boys burst into peals of hysterical laughter.
"Jesus had BOOGERS! Jesus had BOOGERS!" they shrieked. Silas began jumping up and down screaming, "BOOGER! BOOGER! BOOGER!"
Somewhere in the background, the telephone rang.
Barry quietly laid the Bible on the coffee table and said solemnly, "Let's close in prayer."
The moral of this story?
Family devotions are a time for developing biblical character traits such as love, patience, and perseverance. And if your kids learn something, too, well, that's just a bonus.
Amazingly God uses us to reveal himself despite our missteps. We set out to teach our kids about temptation; he decided to help them understand the incarnation—Jesus in the flesh (and possibly phlegm). Go figure.
Fostering spiritual growth in your children is a full-time job, and sometimes teachable moments can't be scheduled. I guess we might just have to tape Survivor.

This was in Today's Christian Woman magazine. But I had to feature it because IT IS OUR LIFE! I don't know how many times our family has tried to do family devotions, only to storm off mad at each other (when our goal was to bring the family closer to God and closer to each other). All kids on restriction...and Chris and I frustrated at how hard this "parenting with love, joy, peace and patience" thing really is sometimes. But it's just like anything with kids...you talk, teach and they look oblivious. You are so frustrated because you think they haven't paid attention and then you ask a question from what was discussed and (as they make no eye contact with you, and focus instead on a matchbox car they are driving around the carpet) they repeat back verbatim what you had read. They are amazing!

I loved the part of the story with the Veggie Tale references. Veggie Tales was a HUGE part of the boys life (Lauren was too old by the time it came out). But Nick and Ben loved all thing Veggie Tale. And all five of us can belt out the theme song even now. Next time you see Chris...why don't you ask him for a solo....he would love that.

The night before last as Nick and I sat at the table finishing up our devotions he closed with the most eloquent, heartfelt prayer. I am so impressed with that (as I have a hard time with anything in between "Dear God...and "Amen" when praying out loud. I guess we have done something right.

by teresa

A sweet girl at church has asked Ben to be her escort in a local beauty pageant.
How cute. He will get to dress up and get pictures made with her. He is actually thrilled about it. Ben loves to wear a suit and he loves to have all eyes on him. It won't be till April...but you KNOW I will take tons of photos for you guys to see.

I think allergy season has come early. Nick and Ben have been super stuffy and sneezy. I too have woken up with a stuffy head for a couple of days now. Nick is the worst though. And he is so dramatic...you would think he was dying.

We had our first soccer practice tonight. I forgot to bring my camera...although I don't think I could have taken any pictures anyway since my fingers were froze stiff. The temperature dropped so much over the past 24 hours. It was 32 degrees out there. THIR.T.TWO. DEE.GREEES! And we parents sat there for an hour and a half freezing our hiney's off while our kids (hopefully) continued on their soccer skill accumulation ,so they can all get scholarships once out of high school. So one day....11 years from now when Ben receives his many soccer scholarship offers, this night, and the lose of my pinky toe to frost bit , will all be worth it.
Go team!

By Chris

When you're far from home and anxious to get back, you watch the Weather Channel with great interest. I have a late afternoon flight home, and the green blob on the radar is inching my way. The sky is grey out the airport window. It's a race: my departure time vs. the green radar blob. If it gets here first, history tells me it could get ugly.And I want to get home. I do primarily long day trips, but have overnighted this week ... Which makes me real anxious to get home before bedtime. I'd rather be there than anywhere. I ate in Little Italy in Baltimore at an amzing restaurant last night ... But I was still mega bummed to read that I missed the tuna casserole candlelight dinner at home.

The boys and I ate our fancy dinner (tuna casserole) by candlelight last night. Nick even put on symphony music in the background. It was tre' magnifique!

Questions and comments from the past week at the Green house

by teresa

If you eat that big bomb, there will be a big bomb coming out later.

What did you get the boys, dorkin donuts?

It's called Misery not Nutcracker.

As you get older do you have to name your penis?

That's a nutty jumping jack.

The sign on the 7-11 door said," take off your hood and mask before entering."

If I worked there and somebody walked in with a mask I'd run even if they took it off when entering!

Can you bring me up some ice cold water?

I'm going to be in the guiness book of records some day.

Yep, for the worst breathe.

Well, you'll be in it for the biggest butt.

You must have dork eggs inside you.

Same Kind of Different As Me

by teresa

I should be tired.
I was at church (basketball) from 10-6:30 yesterday.
Then I came home and read the book club book till almost 1:00am.
I couldn't stop reading until I had finished it.
Wow.
This book will change your life.
Seriously.
I can not recommend it more.
I feel as though I have new eyes and a new heart.
I will see things differently (and look at things I never would have looked at) and I will love differently (and love things I never would have bothered loving).
No...it's not a touchy feely self help.
It's a wonderful story.
A true story.
A life changing story.
I can't go into more detail because many of the book club participants read our blog.
I just woke up bursting....and needed to shout it from the rooftops (or the blog) to read this book.

The title of my post is the title of the book.

It is so cold and rainy today. I wish I could stay in and read.

by teresa

I made the yummiest soup for dinner last night.
Easy and yummy.
3 baking potatos (nuked for 15 minutes)
After they cool chop them up and put in pot (with skins on)
Add 2 cans cheddar cheese soup
2 cups chicken broth (or however much you need to make it soupy)
6 pieces of cooked bacon crumbled (I used the precooked kind)
Stir, heat and eat
We also put a bit of sour cream on top of each bowl.
It's called baked potato soup.

Friday...yipee.
Two days of no homework.
No homework=no attitudes.

By Chris

Looks like another successful flying day. Plane's at the gate. The a.m. flight was even early. Rain is falling though ... Which always has the potential to set off a delay.

Funny things heard today:
"How often are your weekly calls?"

"Is Nair a liquid"

"Stand in line and don't stop" (really ... Stand without stopping? That's Atlanta pushy security)

by teresa

I think I sweat off more pounds on the rides to and from the YMCA than anything I do in the gym.
My grandfather has to have the heat blasting in the car....and I swear it singes my eyelashes off.
As soon as he gets out of the car I switch over to the a/c full blast and lift up my shirt to get the cold air's relief into my lady parts.
Okay...so I don't really lift my shirt. But I've thought about it a couple of times. Just to keep the sweat from pooling in the front of my Target sports bra (which has about as much support as a bandaid...and gives me a major uni-boob).
I need to buy one of those cars with the dual zone climate control so we can both be comfortable.
This morning we enjoyed our car ride listening to oldtime radio. There was an old NBC radio show on . The featured guests were " The jitter buggers". They were talking so silly ...saying stuff like, "That music is on the cob(meany corny)." "I'm hep to that alligator!"
Grandaddy was chuckling when I asked him teasingly if he ever talked that crazy?
"Of course I did." "I was a real hep cat back then", he said.

Then we enjoyed Benny Goodman playing Danny Boy with his orchestra. And I amazed The Daddy by knowing all the words.
I guess I'm a real hep cat too.

Berry Quiet

By Chris

I've been in my office quite a while and it has been sooo quiet. And I just realized why. I left my Blackberry in my car. Which made me realize how much I use that thing. My whole life is in there. Most of my calls come through it. E-mails - they're there. Calendar - there too. Web browsing - yep, mostly done there. What did we do without these gadgets?

by teresa

I had the day off from the YMCA today (grandaddy had a dr. appt.) so I spent the past 6 hours completing the Upward basketball slideshow. The black and white version for the beginning of the awards night. Later I will begin the color slideshow they will show at the end of the banquet. I am so spent from being hunched over the computer all morning. I know I said this last year...but I am NEVER volunteering to do this again.

Yesterday I took some cute pictures of Kaden and Maya. Here are some of my favorites.

By Chris

Atlanta travel was all smooth sailing (or, uh, flying) today. Waiting for my return flight now ... Should be home before the kids' heads hit the pillows. I usually do the 3:45 a.m. shower- and- leave thing real quiet .. But Teresa gave me a funny look this morning. Oops. Maybe she didn't wake "all" the way up?? The plane at my gate has propellers (sp??). That's a surprise?!?!? It's been a while since I've been on one of those. Better take two Dramamine this time;))

Oh yeah ... One of the funny things at the ATL airport is a display case showing some of the things you can't take through security. I think I heard these are real, confiscated things. The funniest one is the gas chain saw and gas can. Ha!!

by teresa

When asked what he wanted for his birthday dinner Ben said,"stuffed crust chicken pizza!"

So that is what he got.

Everyone came over and we devoured every bit of pizza hut goodness.

Plus cookies, cake, chips and hotwings.

The tummy is not so happy this morning.

Here's a few shots from the party.

**************************************************

I like the shot of him with Kaden beside him ready to pounce on the cake.

I don't know who's hand that is over her head...but I'm sure they were getting ready for her imminent plunge.

She had already had a handful of icing before we were able to get in there.

And some little "mouse" had taken little bites from several cookies on the platter.

That girl really knows how to party.

Hangin' With The Boys

By Chris

School's out. Work's out. So, dad and the boys are hangin' out. I'm writing this from Sam's Club, where we thought it would be a good idea to get new tires on the car and hang out. We've been here more than 1.5 hours. It could be another 1.5 hours, according to the tire man. We're sitting in the food area now talking nonsense and drinking icees. So far, we've sat in every indoor and outdoor chair. We took in a few minutes of "Remember the Titans" in one of the sample entertainment "rooms" they have set up on the floor. We touched most of the computers and plugged an Ipod into a stereo system, thanks to Carl the friendly associate. We bought a birthday cake and got writing put on it. Ran into an old neighbor and chatted. Sampled some lasagna and some yogurt. Compared the nutritional value of Gatorade vs. G2 (G2 has half the calories and half the sugar). We've had a brain freeze contest (who can drink icee the longest and fastest without giving in to brain freeze.). We went to the restroom and checked our blood pressure. We debated whether a work van or pickup truck is better if you had a job like painter or carpenter ("Trucks are more mighter than vans," asserted Ben. "No, work vans are more mightier than trucks, retorts Nick ... "Spell evaporation! I can make evaporation by breathing on my Icee ... Watch." "You've never seen your real self, only yourself in a mirror .. I've seen your real self and it's ugly" ..."I see dad's real self and he looks grumpy" "That lady put a whole pound of relish on her hot dog" ... "There's a trampolene hanging over our head ... I hope it falls on your head" ..

Uggggghhhh

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of 'you' to the world.”

by teresa (I picked this song today because it is Ben's favorite.)

Today is Ben's 9th birthday.

It's presidents day....so all schools are closed.

But he says they closed them just to honor him.

Questions and comments from the Green

by teresa

Shut your big jabba-jaws up this minute!

I'm never speaking again for the rest of my life.

Promise?

Do I look like Andy Griffith?

Your being very punky.

This wreath smells like a sneeze.

Stop calling them jewels.

Mom's been stealing all the hamburgers today.

Watch how my butt jiggles.

Don't hit your brother!

I only hit him because he put a booger on me.

I thought he was going to kill him...so I smacked him with the remote control.

Nick fell on the dog and made him cry.

Let's just get a hotel room and not come home for a week.

Who ate all the good stuff outta my russell stover box and only left the coconut?

If I hear one more "your momma" joke I'm gonna slap someone!

Picture of books on the coffee table right now. Can you guess what book belongs to who?

by teresa

Busy day yesterday.
Mom and I worked the concession stand at Upward from 8:30am-6:30pm.

My feet were swollen and my giddy-up was gone.

I also took over 200 pictures of the games to add to the movies I'm making for the banquet the 29th.
I can't wait till this season is over so I can have a break.

Today is church...and lunch at mom's. I don't think mom realizes we are coming over to eat...but she never should have mentioned she was making meatloaf. And wherever and whenever there is a loaf of meat being baked....the Green family will be there.

After we eat ourselves into a meaty high, Chris and I are sneaking out to buy Ben's birthday gift. His birthday is tomorrow and I sure hope the store still has what he wants or we are in trouble. I just haven't had the time to shop before today.

Have a blessed Sunday!

"Amnesia used to be my favorite word, but then I forgot it.”

by teresa

Ben just ran to the bus upset. And for once it wasn't because he was too tired. He forgot to put on his "lucky" necklace before he came down for school. He got it for Valentine's day. It kinda looks like a dog tag. It has a basketball person on one side...and "with God all things are possible" on the other. He loved it and vowed to never leave the house without it. I will take it up to him on the way to grandaddy's this morning.

We have all been pretty forgetful around here lately.

My mom was frantically looking for her cell phone the other day. She had reached down to the holder and found it empty. She paniced. "Where could it be?" "I can't find it?" "I've looked everywere!" She was asking all these question to her friend Barbara....whom she was ON THE PHONE WITH AT THE TIME.

Then there's me. The other day I was talking to the boys. "I have been driving for almost 12 years." I said. That would make me 27yrs old. I am way beyond that. Then yesterday on the blog I said Chris and I have been together for 12 years(I already fixed it). What the heck? Lauren is almost 19...so I'm pretty sure I knew him longer than 12 years. Chris says I keep saying these things because I can't face the fact that I'm almost 40. I say it's because I suck at math.

Yesterday Chris was running around the house looking for his keys. "Who has my keys?" "Where could my keys be?" "Did you touch my keys?" "I need to go!!" My mom had walked in before she left for work. She saw him frantically looking. She said,"Your car is on and warming up in the driveway." He had gone out there to warm it up and forgot.

Lastly, Katy. Last week she lost one of the kids she babysits for. She noticed him missing from the pack and freaked. She ran outside (to make sure he hadn't escaped to the yard). She ran up and down the stairs. Crying and screaming and yelling his name. This room, that room. He was nowhere to be found. She looked at Kristian, who was giggling on the couch. "Help me look", she screamed. Kristian said, " mom....your holding him." Too funny! She had him up on her hip the whole time.

Three sweet old sisters live in a house together.
One Night the first sister draws a bath. She puts one foot in and pauses. She yells down the stairs, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?"
The second sister yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses. Then, she yells, "Was I going up The stairs or down?"
The third sister is sitting at the kitchen table having tea, listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get That forgetful."
She knocks on wood for good measure.
She then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

A hundred hearts would be too few, to carry all my love for you.

by teresa

The day of love.

What do I love?

Pretty much everything except onions, wool sweaters, ciggarette smoke and cellulite.

Tonight I am going out for a lovely evening at my favorite eatery (Imperial Palace) with the person in this world who has loved me the longest.

Mom.

We are going to live it up. Soup, eggrolls, an entree (or two) and dessert. All on Chris...of course.

Where is Chris going to be you ask?

Chris is going to the ODU game(and taking the boys). Does this upset me? Of course not. I have known since day one of our relationship (22 yrs. ago) where I stand when it comes to ODU basketball. And that would be 2nd place. He will make it up to me...believe you me. He will make it up big time.

“Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours”

by teresa

I found a pack of gum in the dryer with all our jeans.
It had been washed and dried but stayed sealed in...protecting the pants from ruin.
Thank you Jesus!

I just realized I have not taken Ben to pick out valentines for his class party on Thursday. I can not forget to do this tomorrow! Remind me please. I saw some cute ones in the lifeway flyer in the paper this past weekend. They even came with candy (I think). I hope they still have them. I bet Ben gets at least 10 High School Musical valentines from kids in his class. They are all ga-ga for it.

Chris ran up the street to 7-11 tonight and surprised me with a Slurpi-chino. I don't know if that's spelled right...but it was awesome. It tasted like a frappachino from starbucks (kinda). But way less pricey. He also brought me a twinkie. That man knows the way to my heart. With creme filling.
Except we don't call them twinkies in this house. We call them tinky-whinkys. Ben referred to them as that when he was a toddler....and the name just stuck. Other dorky toddler words we still use everyday (eventhough our kids are waaay past toddler age...and even when it's just me and Chris with no kids around) are:

Be nicey....instead of....stop picking on your brother or I'll throw my shoe at you!

Naka...instead of ....thank you. Katy used to say naka as a toddler and we just keep it going all these years later.

Peeps...instead of ...go to the bathroom. As in,"did you go peeps in the potty?"

Bottles...instead of boobies. Mom breastfed Katy and this reference just stuck.

Shoot the bunny (or bunny)...instead of....fart.

What are some of the funny words you use with your kids?

Plane Irritating

By Chris

Well, it's 7:00 and I was on a 6 am flight. Obviously something's wrong, since I'm sitting back at the gate. When we got on the plane, there was a real strong burning smell. But, we taxied out anyway. Then, we turned around. Apparently. Some part of the plane was overheating. And, since we taxied out anyway, there was apparently some inclination to just just go with it. I'm glad we didn't. Cars breakdown when they overheat, and you pull over. But a plane. Yikes. Now, I'm observing the freakout by the passengers. It doesn't work, I want to tell them. Yelling at airline gate agents is something I see often ... But , its fruitless. I'm not sure what they think the poor man and woman can do (there's nothing they can do ... This flight will be cancelled. The next one will only have a few seats. The math does not work. I do feel bad for the lady beside me, who was taking her 4 month old to meet grandma for the fitst time. The connection for her will likely be missed. I think I may just skip the trip, but I'll wait to see if my mile status gets me one of the few seats on the next one ...then I'll give it to her.

Hold on . . . Progress. Maybe. Back on a plane. ?????????????????????????????????

by teresa

It's so quiet in the house right now.

All are asleep but me .

Even Shorty is curled up under the desk at my feet.

I am very tired...but I also enjoy the solitude.

So here I sit...drawing it out a little longer...before I succumb to my drowsiness and climb in beside the hubby.

I'll try to slide in undetected so he won't be awakened.

His flight to Atlanta leaves so early and he needs every minute of sleep he can get to plow through another long workday.

He was up in DC today...and back by dinner.

That's a good man right there.

Tomorrow the same except in the opposite direction on the map.

I think he actually enjoyed his drive to Washington today because he had his new "lady friend" with him in the car.

Her name is Mandy.

She has a lovely voice...and doesn't monopolize the conversation.

She's a good listener...and only adds her two cents when Chris asks for it.

She is the voice of his new toy.

**********************************************

She's alright...but can she cook tatertot casserole?

I think not!

I was gonna say something about how he'd always choose me over her because he loves my tt's (tatertots) but I thought you might turn that into something dirty.

Questions and quotes from this past week in the Green house

by teresa

You are brave sitting by my butt after I ate tatertot casserole.

Your making me think too hard.

I got my first thong at the church book club.....and it's guaranteed not to slip outta the crack.

Are you telling me you don't care what I look like?

I am NOT answering that trick question!

I ain't hoed a row since I don't know when.

Mooooooom...I'm soooooo bored....I think I'm going to die from nothing to do!

Why don't you clean your room?

I think I'll go next door and see what nanny's doing. bye.

Kai has $24 in the "bank of dad".

But your not his dad?

It's in the back of my car.

The first back...or the second back?

How can you have more than one back?

Can I paint myself blue?

Your coat is bright enough to land planes.

Where are all our blankets?

Uh Oh...I washed them and forgot to put them in the dryer.

Sorry...we could share the shawl from the couch?

Stop looking at my pee pee.

Stop running around with your pee pee showing!

Do you think we should remind Lauren her inspection was due last month?

Nah. She wants to be independent. Just let the cop tell her.

Did you rinse off the plates before you put them in the dishwasher?

No...I did better than that. I let the dog lick them clean.

Mom...can I start washing my own clothes?

*silence as mom passes out from shock*

by teresa



Wow!

What a night.

Book club was great.

We read "The Ultimate Gift" ...and if you haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet...do.

It is uplifting, heartwarming, attitude changing and character building.

After discussing the book we watched the movie.

It was really good.

Defintely one to watch with your family.



I have so much fun at these meetings that I can hardly wait a month for the next one.

And reading is just a small part of it. You guys know...I read all the time. I love it. But reading something (or recommending a book) with others takes it to another level.

The night took a strange turn when someone mentioned diarrhea

by teresa


A peek into our quality family time last night.
Kids home from school.
Homework completed and checked.
Trumpet moans and growls as son #1 does nightly practice.
The boys finish and head out to play some basketball.
They are anxious for dad to come home from work to show him how much they have improved their shots and dunks.
Mom cooking in the kitchen (the tatertot casserole was awesome) and scanning through her new Racheal Ray magazine.
Dad home (kids rush him like Dino on the Flintstones).
Daughter comes in from work, changes clothes and heads out to study with friend.
All enjoy dinner and then break off for about an hour to do their own things.
Mom runs to the recreation center to sign kids up for soccer.
Dad changes clothes, cuts on college basketball and scans the paper.
Son #1 sits to watch American Gladiators he recorded last night.
Son #2 sits at computer to design and print new cover for his school binder.
They all gather back together upstairs later to take showers, get in pajamas and practice multiplication flashcards for test tomorrow.
Piled in one bed.
Laughing, loving.
Then someone mentions diarrhea.
And the next hour consists of stupid poop jokes.
Gross ones, lame ones, hilarious ones and down right uncalled for ones.

My favorite?
I'm glad you asked.


When you're on the seat for hours
and it doesn't smell like flowers:
Diarrhea, diarrhea.


So much for our Norman Rockwell family evening.

by teresa

I am about to head to the Y with Grandaddy.
You would think I would be a size zero by now.
What the heck?

I am so in the mood for comfort food.....I think I will make the Duggar's tatertot casserole. Please tell me you have watched this families show on
TLC (Kids by the Dozen). They have 17 children. Yep...17! Can you even fathom that? I know I can't. Next time it's on, you should check it out.

It was 80 degrees here yesterday. 80 degrees in the winter. No snow...but we have shorts and flip flop weather.

I can't beleive it...but the church easter egg production begins in 3 weeks. I had such a good time volunteering last year. This year myself and two other ladies are heading it up. It will be a lot more work...but worth it. The torch has been passed. The ladies stepping down from the helm have been in charge SINCE I WAS BORN. I agree that they need a break.

Also...soccer sign ups are this week. Spring soccer? I feel like it was just Christmas last week. Watch it finally start to get cold when soccer begins.

Way Back Round 2

By Chris

This is a fun topic. Since I couldn't comment (???) ... a new post!

First. Nice boots baby. Ha! And, under no circumstances are pictures from the 70s or 80s of me to end up displayed. I clearly overachieved dating Teresa in high school! Teresa has been scanning in old pictures to our computer library of pictures. She made me a disc to look at this morning. Coffee and memories went real well together. Here's some cool stuff it made me remember:

- Teresa had a white VW Rabbit in High School with the license plate "krzy 4 c" "C" was me, and that is way too much head swelling for a high school kid. Of course, during break-ups, it was a nice territory marker!

- I got the license plate, but she got the free lunches. Yep, she would sit at the lunch table and await my arrival with her chicken sandwich and fries. I also remember Italian Delight, Putt-Putt and movies. All paid for by me. To date back then you had to have a job and money. Today's boys try to get by on the cheap, I've noticed.

- I mentioned the occassional break-ups. Usually I caused them because of my "friends" who happened to be girls. But, it would drive me crazy when she would find a "friend" who was a boy. Especially this one dude. I might be in jail today if my future mother-in-law didn't intervene in my direct attempt to break them up on night ;)). But, I think that got me big points with my super macho future father-in-law though (awe man, I miss him ;((

Way back Wednesday

by teresa

Way back in the day...

Pink velvet dresses with a HUGE ruffle collar was totally in style.

So were wings in your hair and brown, zippered, furlined boots.

Click to make it bigger so you can enjoy all the hip, 70's outfits our parents forced us to wear on picture day. I am really loving the boy in the Charlie's Angels t-shirt. He is a sweet guy...and his child and Ben go to the same school. I wonder how he would feel knowing I put this photo on the internet. Sorry Shannon.

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Way back in the day...

Blue eyeliner and powder pink eyeshadow was in.

So was bronze tinted mousse and four inch high bangs.

And...dude....what is up with my eyebrows. There is a huge space between them. I think I shaved in between trying to get them perfect. Mom...couldn't you have given me a plucking tutorial or something?

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Man...I was workin' it!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2008 when...

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

9. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

Questions and quotes from the Green family this week

by teresa


Which are christians...democrats or republicans?

My shoes keep eating my socks.

Well...my butt keeps eating my underwear.

Can you just try to act like humans please?

Where's Ben?

I don't know...I haven't seen him in a couple of hours.

Should we go look?

Nah. I'm too comfy here on the couch.

AAARRGGG! I can't figure out my 3rd graders math homework!!!

My arm chub makes a clapping sound when I blow my hair dry.

Has anybody remembered to feed the fish this month?

Yep. I gave him some cheerios yesterday.

I can't believe that stupid fish is still alive!

I want to be treated like an adult!

Can I borrow your check card to fill up my gas tank and get some dinner?

Wanna play?

Nah. I'm too comfy sitting here on the couch.

by teresa

Went to the Y tonight.

Rode a bike beside a man who apparently hasn't showered in a couple of weeks....and had refried beans for dinner.

It was a loooooong 10 miles!

brotherly love...

At least for the moment.

by teresa


We had a great time last night at the school movie night.
Ben and Kristian went (Kai slept over his mee maw's house).
It was a big pajama party at the school to end the readathon.
All the popcorn you could eat...and they watched one of those Air Buddies movies.


After we got home I was feeling very generous...so I invited Kaden (the two year old terror) to spend the night at our house. This was her first time spending the night. When Chris called and I informed him she was sleeping over he was like, "You're kidding...right?" When I reassured him that I wasn't kidding he was like, "How did they happen?" He actually sounded a little scared.


But the night turned out to be perfect. We all (Nick, Chris, Lauren, Kaden and me...Ben was swapped out for Kaden) snuggled and noshed on the couch till late at night watching Noggin. Little Bear, Franklin and Miss Spider....just like when my kids were little. Little Bear was Nick and Ben's favorite! Lauren was partial to anything Disney. Then I took her upstairs and we read in our bed for a few minutes until Chris came up and then we sandwiched her in and she went to sleep pretty quickly. But only after a few minutes of hopping on Chris' belly like a rodeo horse....and a few minutes of me having to rub her back. She woke only twice...and only for a minute to ask me to find the tag on her blankie (which she rubs on her face for comfort).

It was nice having her over...and it went so well that I'm sure Chris will welcome it anytime I need another baby fix.

My hubby censors me on the blog now (due to all my previous references of booty) so this post is rated G

by teresa

With the reading frenzy over, Chris and I were able to have some "us" time.

Arranged for babysitting and headed out to a fancy smancy restaurant for dinner. It was nice to do my hair(I actually used a bit of hairspray for the first time in years), put on makeup(Nick was like,"what is that on your eyes"?) and dress up pretty for a change.

Once home the kids went straight to bed and we enjoyed nesting on the couch together and watching a little tv before bed.

For the past two weeks Chris has had to go it alone while Ben and I were trying to boost those minutes read.

But that's over now baby!