by teresa

Errands today.
Many, many errands.
That's not good when you have to fill up your tank at $3.35 per gallon!

What's the most you paid for gas where you live?

by teresa

We had awful weather yesterday.
Tornado warnings, heavy rain.
We were all on lock down for hours.
Our area was spared, just branches down, power outages, hail damage.
But 15 miles away was trounced.
Category 4 tornados.
Nothing left of homes but concrete slab foundations.
120 homes and businesses...flattened.
So far (thank God) no one has been reported dead, but 200 are injured.
I think what helped is that it happened around 4:00pm , before most people were home from work.
Send prayers their way to help ease the suffering and sadness.
I read an amazing story not to long ago about a family going through this situation and how it was a blessing in the end.
Click here to read.
God is so good.

Happiness is ....cupcakes

by teresa

I slept so good last night.

Except I woke up to use the bathroom three times.

When did I turn 80?

Nick's all-city concert was great.

About 100 selectees (top band students) from all the schools in the area.

Finally a concert I could sit through without having to zone off to my happy place to keep from going coo coo listening to a gaggle of tone deaf band geeks playing fre're jacque in 3 different keys.

He....and maybe a few of the other children were included......received a standing ovation after his performance.

Ben and Kristian's soccer game was fun.

Early (8:30am field time) but fun.

Kristian almost scored a goal. It was so tense.

Ben and 3 others did knock the ball in the net a few times.

Boy...is it fun to win.

If you notice I didn't blog about the games last weekend because we got trounced!

Losing does NOT get blog time!

I'm off to church now.

Pray for me....I'm teaching Kaden's class again.

The perfect spring evening....

* no worries of cleaning (the hampers are empty and the house is spotless)
* dinner has been eaten, enjoyed and cleaned up
* yard is cut, beautiful new rose bushes planted and watered
* two pretty robins are pecking for worms in the newly tilled garden
* kids are scattered across the yard. One kicking soccer ball, one digging in the garden with beach shovel and bucket, one shooting hoops
* dogs chasing each other playfully...back and forth, back and forth, back and forth
* sounds of giggles and squeals, barking and bouncing, kisses and crickets
* slight breeze, no clouds...bright moon

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.

leaf blower fun

Actual questions and comments in the Green house this week

by teresa

I'd run from a lion or a bear....but I ain't runnin' from no donkey!

I was in there cussin' chuck.

Do you even know what photogenic means?
Yep, that I'm prettier than anyone else.

He fits right in with anyone who would attend the science fair.

Did the dog talk to you this week?

I was in a cave learning how to destroy the scarecrow ghost brothers.

I kicked a suburban and broke my toe.

Tell me the truth...you watched Desperate Housewives without me...didn't you?

Fire up the grill!
At 8:00pm?
I need a burger...and I need it now!

Take that stray dog back to wherever you found it!

The only way they will eat veggies is if they are battered and fried.

Your belly button smells like butt.

Stop limping around here like a wimp and get over it.

If I nominated you for what not to wear...would you be mad?

Where is our daughter?
I don't know.....somewhere with my checkcard!

When did I become a dogsitter?

By Chris

I'm on the back end of my trip South, sitting in the Charleston, SC airport. To get home, I'll need to fly past home to Philadelphia to connect. There is a more direct option, stopping in on-the-way Charlotte . . . but that is more expensive to do. Go figure. The Charleston airport is pretty small and shares space with a military base, I guess, because there are huge bombers out the window and fighter jets are wizzing by, real close to the ground, right by the gates. It's like getting a free air show. With small airports comes small planes. And, with small planes come very young pilots, I've discovered. I prefer big, sturdy planes with experienced-looking pilots. I'm not sure why. I'm sure the young ones are well trained too. But, some of them look like their 16 or something. One of the departing flights is looking for some volunteers to take a later flight. Not for the normal oversold reason, though. The agent announcement goes "This flight is overweight and can't leave until we get six passengers to volunteer to take a later flight." Huh?

Which reminds me of one time when I was at this same airport I booked the one direct flight home they had each day. I was surprised to discover that I was on a VERY SMALL plane. I'm talking no PA system, no flight attendants small. It didn't even have an airline logo on it. Just a little white plane. There were no overhead compartments ... all your stuff had to go underneath. The pilot made the announcements before takeoff, without a mic. Every seat was window and aisle. And, this "direct" flight stopped in Raleigh to get gas. True story. My colleagues were laughing at me when they saw the plane outside the gate.

Does this outfit make my butt look big?

by teresa

Fun day yesterday.

Those of us in charge of Easter Egg production at church this year, surprised the "older" lady volunteers with manicures and lunch.

They were shocked and a little apprehensive about getting their nails done.

None of them had ever had a manicure before.

I can't say much, as I had never done it before either.

We had a blast!

I figured they would go for clear, or light pink polish (which are quiet, little old lady colors).

But I forgot we were not dealing with quiet little old ladies.

They chose vamp red and fuschia.

And the salon chatter wasn't about tea cozies and knitting.

I made them hush when their discussion on waxing and dyeing (where? you don't want to know) was getting a bit too loud for my liking.

They all voted to go for pedicures soon.

Count me in!

by teresa

It's Monday...again.
I know I may laugh (and cry) at this comment in two months, but, I wish school was out.
There. I said it.
I don't think I have ever said that before. I must be maturing (or going a bit deaf to the constant sibling bickering).

Speaking of deaf, my lesson yesterday was about Jesus healing the deaf/mute man.
I showed them (2yr old, 3yr old and two 4yr olds) how to sign for A (apple), B (banana) and C (cookies). It was pretty funny. If they wanted the snack they had to do the corresponding sign. Kaden just kept doing the C, for cookie. Only she would growl at me and do her hand like a claw. I would shake my head (as she had already had like 10 cookies) and sign for apple and banana. She stomped her foot at me, growled and threw up her claw hand.
That kid does not handle disappointment well.
She crawled under the table in a pout. She stole another child's cookies. She hid a little girls toy doggie (which took us 10 minutes to find when it was time to go). She cut the head off another child's paper Jesus. And last but not least, she had me in a full run after her when she snatched the toy from an object lesson we were doing. Is there anything more aggravating than having to chase your child (or niece) in front of other people?
Next week, I am keeping her knee deep in oreos and red koolaid.
I hope she wears a white dress. mwah ha ha ha.....

by teresa

Ben had a great time at the Little Miss Chesapeake pageant last night.
His nervousness didn't show at all and he was full of smiles and joy.
His precious "date" was so beautiful and smiley too.
What and adorable pair.
Lindsey didn't win...but she was certainly the cutest, sweetest and most poised to us.
My favorite part of the pageant was when they took the girls off stage to change into play wear and they interviewed the escorts. The emcee would ask them what their name is and then a random question like,"what is your favorite food?" or "what would you want to be when you grow up?" You could see Ben's anticipation growing as they were coming to him. She asked him his name and who his date was. Then she asked,"what is your favorite thing about Lindsey?"
He said,"I love her hair."
What a sweetie.
Here are some of the pictures from the evening:
Oh....and Ben won an award(trophy).
Most photogenic!

by teresa

Last night was the Little Miss Chesapeake rehearsal.

Tonight is the event.

Picked up Ben's tux and boy does he look sharp.

I'll make sure to take pictures.

He is being such a good sport about everything.

A gig he thought was just walking his friend across a stage in his church clothes, has turned into walking his friend across a stage in a tux, while dancing to Celebrate by Kool and the Gang.

Too funny!

He did so good last night and once there felt very comfortable in the surroundings.

He asked once we were in the auditorium (of a local middle school) ,"Is this the place where it will be tomorrow night?"

"Yes", I said.

"Oh, this is ...little".

I guess he was expecting Madison Square Garden or something.

He also asked when we were leaving..."When Lyndsay wins, do I have to go up there too?"

"You think she will win?" I asked.

He said,"I'm pretty sure."

Quotes of the Week

By Chris

Teresa says she's too busy to remember anything we said this week, and told me to take a stab at quotes of the week. I can't remember much either. The better Teresa version will return next week.

You're stuck on stupid (I know it's a re-run, but it's still good).

I picked up a stick and it was made of gold. I held it up and said, I'M STICKIN' RICH

The dog came downstairs, but I told her I didn't need anything

And an ostrich in a pear tree

Ben plays a lot better now that you're not the main coach

Christopher's mom called. She said it's o.k. we got him wet.

Shhh. I'm kissing butt

She was poopin' under a trampoline

If some pills help crazy people be normal, if I take them will they make me crazy?

I sleep in my boxers, so I already have my pajamas on

by teresa

Okay. Parent vs. kid game.

We do it every season and it is a lot of fun.

The kids think it is cool that mom and dad are running about and the parents get a little taste of what the kids do each game.

We take it easy on them and try not to kick the ball so hard that it breaks some kids nose. We tippy toe around and kick the ball from side to side like a game of cat and mouse.

Well this year Ben and Kristian moved up to another league.

The midget league. I know...midget league....why that name?

Anyway....different league ....bigger field.

Waaaaay bigger field.

Also...bigger kids.

Waaaaay bigger kids.

Kids with skills.

Ladies and gentlemen....these kids whipped our wore out, middle aged, under exercised, over fed booties!

And we tried. We actually tried with all our might.

We kicked that ball without any care of breaking a nose or blackening an eye. We played dirty, grabbing kids out of our way. I think there might have even been some tripping. But still....we lost 2 to 1. And I was in the goal for one of those shots. Darn it! I did save a few though....and I have the huge bruise on my belly (yes, I got a ball shot right in the gut and it still hurts 2 days later) and my knee to prove it.

I knew we were in trouble when, on the opening kickoff, my sister went to trounce the ball and ended up with her face in the dirt. The opening kick off. On the ground. Head over heels. It was so funny I think I peed my pants a little bit.

It was the longest, hardest hour I have experienced since labor.

And our co-coach (who is fit, young and full of energy) has announced that we will do it again next week.

He must be crazy.

It was Wednesday night and I still moan when I bend down to tie my shoes.

Chris will be out of town....lucky.

by teresa

Parents vs. kids soccer game last night.

E V E R Y M US C L E I N M Y B O D Y A C H E S .......

I'll write more about it later when I finish wrapping my wrenched ankle.

Go Nick

By Chris

It's been a good couple of weeks for Nick (aka Tricky Nicky, the Nickmeister, Nickelodeon, Middle Duck). He's an all-city trumpet player now. He gets to miss a half day of school next week to practice with representatives from the rest of the middle schools in Chesapeake under a special guest conductor, practice half a day Saturday then put on a special concert in the afternoon. We're very proud of him. And, it was report card week. We challenged him at the beginning of the school year to take honors classes this year, and insisted on such with the school. They were a little smirky at the school (and I understand why), with comments like "when he does poorly , you can't take him out . . ." Well, he was honor roll for the second straight grading period. Especially impressive was his A in history. The teacher is demanding and she doesn't seem to just give out good grades. She's the city's Teacher of the Year, in fact. He's done this through some really rough times too. There have been some late nights of homework, but he has hung in there and really has found his groove. So, three cheers for Nicky!!!!

Dogs and Stuff

By Chris

It's been a while since we've recorded a dog update. Kiki (mom-in-law's dog) and Shorty have really gotten used to sharing the yard. And, while Kiki has given up moving shoes around the yard, she continues to be an escape artist. So far, she has outsmarted us humans in a battle to control a three foot section of my back porch, out of which she continues to escape. We have tried reinforced plastic chicken wire (which kept Shorty in for years), various improvised barracades of furniture, planters and misc. stuff, tennis rackets and several alignments of plexiglass. She's conquered them all. She is able to move furniture, push over planters full of soil, chew threw chicken wire and . . . most amazingly to me . . . break plexiglass with her teeth. Until today, Shorty has never followed her out during her escapes. But, Lauren calls today: "Kiki and Shorty are out. I caught Shorty. I can't catch Kiki." Talking to Teresa on her cell on her way home, she spots Kiki. I here this: "Hold on. Kiki, here Kiki (sweetly). KIKI!@! (madly). Stupid DOG!!" No catching her now. Teresa was sure she had figured out a way to keep her in this time. "She can't get out now," she proclaimed just last night. Somebody put her on a long leash in the yard . . . Problem is, she barks non-stop on the that thing. Back to the drawing board.

When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.”

Ben's favorite shirt....

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

Last nights soccer game was great. I tried to tape it, but I'm pretty sure I was screaming (I try so hard no to do that) and jumping around the whole time. So that footage will be taped over. We won 5 to 0. Ouch. After we (or should I say Ben) scored the first 3 points we took our front line and moved them to defense and our defense to the front. The refs. even felt bad and didn't call 2 of our goals. Their goalie, rolling around with the ball, inside the net....but the ref said,"uummmm, no goal." Whatever. Even the other coach looked confused. Ben scored 4 of the goals (6 if the other 2 were counted). He was very excited...but not cocky. Although when we got in the car he had figured out the math of the season (we've scored 10 points in our first 5 games....and 8 of them were MINE). We had to listen to this the entire way home.

By Chris

No energy or desire for details . . . but I am not circling for an early morning landing in Atlanta as planned. This is strange because . . . I almost NEVER get stuck leaving home. I very often get stuck coming home. It's quite possible the whole trip will be canceled now. Which would mean I would have gotten up at 3:30 a.m. and driven a good 65 miles to end up 7 miles away from home in my office.

In a strange twist, the delayed time was mostly spent in my car this time. Which meant I got to listen to the weird version of talk radio that comes on in the late night \ early morning. One station offers never-ending stories of conspiracy theories and discussion on strange things like shape shifters, ghosts, aliens, ufo's etc. The people talking sound perfectly rational in all ways (they are usually articulate, have impressive titles, etc.) . . . except in what they are actually saying sometimes. Of course, this attracts some pretty interesting callers. Surprisingly, people who stay up all night and get no sleep are pretty likely to see and hear very strange things;))

Great quote heard this morning: "He's stuck on stupid" You all close to me will definitely be hearing that one.

by teresa

The Green family got our first taste of baseball Saturday afternoon....and we LOOOOOVED it!

Nephew Kai opted out of soccer this season to try baseball. All of our kids have always played soccer or basketball. Lauren did play softball for a few years...but tossed it all aside once the cheering bug bit. So when Katy signed Kai up for baseball we were like... "huh?" "Baseball?" "Why would he want to play that(besides the fact he gets to wear the cool cup)?"

On Saturday we found out why. It was super fun. The kids are all adorable in the little uniforms and they try so hard you can't help but cheer them on. Kai scored the first run of the game and I thought we would all bust a vocal chord screaming his praises. His last up to bat he had a nice hit but kept running on to second and got tagged out. Everyone was yelling SLIDE SLIDE SLIDE. Poor thing just walked right into the tag. The walk back to the dugout was slow and pitiful. I have never seen him react like that in sports. Playing goalie a ball would whiz past him and he was like..."oh well, no bid deal". A missed shot in basketball was just laughed off. But not baseball, he is really giving it his all. I think I will take him in the backyard and teach him to slide. Scratch that...I think Chris should take him in the backyard and teach him how to slide. Scratch that...I think we should rent a video that will teach the boy how to slide. Next game is tomorrow night...I can't wait!

Oh...and another reason to love baseball is.....they have the best concession stands. Grilled burgers and dogs...bbq and ice cream. The menu alone made Nick want to sign up next season. In soccer you get a bottled water and an orange slice. no fair.

Now that's what I'm talking about....

CHILD LABOR!

Was it my imagination or did the American Idol cast sing SHOUT TO THE LORD the other night? Awesome!!!

by teresa

I can't believe it is Friday already.
I will give the house a good cleaning and try to have all hampers empty by the time I have to pick up the kids for bible club. If I am feeling extra ambitious I may even clean the backyard a bit. But don't hold your breath on that one. I haven't done yard work (except for planting) since my son grew big enough to push the mower.

Last night we finally had a rain free soccer game. It has been ark weather around here for weeks. no fun.
The game was so intense (0 to 0) until the last minute of the fourth quarter when Ben scored a goal. It was awesome....and poor Dad missed it. He was on his way home from Atlanta, but got a play by play from an excited Ben once he got home.
We play again tomorrow and I am determined to take some good pictures of Ben and Kristian (who had two shots on goal that were sooo close). I take so many pictures of everyone elses kids (for the end of the season slide show) and I never get any good ones of my own family.

Tomorrow is also my favorite day of the month. Book club! The book this month didn't really do anything for me (it was a how to appreciate yourself the the nth degree self helpy book). It had some sweet ways of looking at things....but nothing about God in your life. If you do that thing you do with fortune cookies, (you read your fortune cookie and whatever it says you add: IN BED) except you read it and add WITH GOD to the end then it isn't so off.
I did read some other books that were recommended at the last book club meeting. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult was great. And I am almost done with The Penny by Joyce Meyer which is ok. I also read A Million Little Pieces by James Frey (intense and sooooo not good for the church book club) and Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer Holm.

Example of fortune cookie messages:

Your ability to juggle many tasks will take you far......IN BED

He who laughs last is laughing at you.....IN BED

You find beauty in ordinary things, do not lose this ability....IN BED

Make two grins grow where there was only a grouch before....IN BED

Something you lost will soon turn up....IN BED

Your heart is pure, and your mind clear, and your soul devout....IN BED

See...it works for any cookie message.

By Chris

My office in Atlanta is now downtown instead of out in the burbs, which makes a free evening much better. Lots of restaurants and stuff to walk around and look at. Tonight, I saw Tyler Perry as they were filming something . . . I suppose a movie scene, television segment or something. He's really tall. It was funny. They stopped our group on the sidewalk and asked us to wait while they filmed. Every few seconds they would let someone walk by. We never got to do it. Guess we were not camera-worthy :))

I'm on the 34th floor tonight. I looked DOWN out of the window at a helicopter. pretty cool.

I wasn't originally on the 34th floor. When I went to my first assigned room . . . . there was someone else in it. Awkward. I walked in, heard a tv and saw a hat and shorts on the floor... I turned around and bolted. The hotel was very, very sorry. When I returned from dinner and walking the streets, I had three diet cokes and two waters on ice on my coffee table. A makeup gesture, I suppose. Appartently, they thought the ordeal made me very thirsty. I would have preferred the carrot cake on the room service menu.

Actual questions and comments heard in the Green house this week

by teresa


Can I have a sprite since Ben peed in my Mountain Dew?

You are freaking pissing me off! (said by a kid to a parent....and you will be glad to know said kid is still alive. For now.)

Finally, your boobs are up where they're supposed to be.

Why are you so mean to me?

Who broke my deodorant into pieces and stuffed it down the drain?

I love you. Now say it to me! The Pastor said your supposed to say it ALOT!

When did I get mom hair?

I was having nitro bunnies all night long.

I'm hungry mother....I really am.

You JUST ate a huge breakfast. Why don't you grab a banana?

That was a whole TWO hours ago. I need more than a banana!

Harry Potter is stupid. And so are dragons and talking dogs.

Where is dad going today? I don't remember....all I know is I get the bed all to myself tonight.

I don't like being 2nd place... it just doesn't feel right.

Whenever he plays hard to get...she just pounces on him and sniffs his butt.

Would you please get the booger off your shirt?

How old are you Kaden? Twooooooooooooo MUCH!

Amen.

by teresa

I got so busy yesterday I forgot to wish Lauren a happy birthday.

Ooops.

She had classes from 10am-10pm. So we had to fit in a birthday dinner during her evening break.

I can't believe she's 19.

Man am I old!

Today I am going to be at Nick's school working the book fair.

The buy one get one free book fair.

Woah. I just got a little dizzy from the excitement.

by teresa


Photos from the past two days:

No pictures of soccer. I forgot my camera at home (I know...can you believe it). It was raining the whole game anyway, so I wouldn't have wanted to pull it out and get it wet. We lost 2 to 1. Bummer!


Babysitting Maya Saturday night was great. I believe she is the best baby I have ever seen. happy, quiet and easily entertained. As you can see from one of the photos....she is watching the final four game with the rest of the family on the couch.


Saturday afternoon nap was interesting. I layed down by myself and woke up with my sister in the bed next to me. I never even felt her crawl in. Apparently Kristian and Ben snuck up and took our picture.


Kaden being silly after church. I like the picture where she is holding up two fingers to show us how old she is.


Kristian posing for the camera. This was really weird as she is usually very camera shy. I snapped away and she modeled freely.