It is finished

by teresa

We've had a nice post thanksgiving weekend.

A little shopping, but mostly hanging around the house watching college football and decorating the tree. We are now officially done decorating. I know this...because Ben declared it last night when he layed the last string of white lights he could find on the tiny bushes lining the side of our yard.

It is finished.

He and I also had fun putting up the tree in the living room. I did the lights and then he did most of the ornaments (I moved a few here and there after he left the room). We drove over to Hallmark to pick up one new one when we were done. I had seen it in a mailer....a snowman, clad in an apron, standing over a grill with burgers. He is smiling and his apron says...grillin' and chillin'. I thought this would be a perfect addition to add in honor of Nick, the family grill master.

Today after church we are tackling the garage. it is usually organized and clean...but since getting out all the decoration boxes and empting their contents anywhere and everywhere, you can't even get out a bike or ball. So that will be our afternoon project. That and watching a ton of good football. Oh yeah...and I also promised to watch Moonlight and Mistletoe with Ben today. We dvr'd it on the Hallmark channel last night. It looks pretty cute.

Thanksgiving 2008

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

by teresa

What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Be blessed!
Give Thanks!

I'm raising another Clark Griswald

by teresa

Last year I made the mistake of telling Ben ...yes.
His question was,"can I be in charge of the outside lights next year?"
I like simple white lights on the bushes and I even broke down and bought two of those lite deer and a tree last year for the front yard.
We let the boys do whatever they want in the backyard.
Last year it looked like Christmas at the trailer park out back...and we all loved it.
Well this year Ben has taken it upon himself to make our house seen from space.
Every extra strand, plastic whos-it and whats-it, reindeer, santa face, blinking star and even a 4 foot tall santa.
It is killing me. I like order...simplicity....classic.
But I am trying to be a good parent and follow through with my promise.

We'll see how long I can last.

Funny story:
When Ben first got out the santa from the attic he put it in his room. He cleared off his dresser and had that sucker sitting up top, looking out his bedroom window. It was actually kinda cute from outside. Later that night when I put him to bed it was another story. In the dark, that big 'ol santa scared the ba-jeezus out of me. With the lights out it looked like a 8 foot tall monster lurking in the corner. I screamed, we all laughed and then Chris and I had an idea. Put it in Lauren's room, so when she creeps in at 2am it will give her a fright. hee hee We could hardly contain ourselves. We placed it just inside her door...and for extra effect we placed a sheet over it. EEEEEK! It looked so creepy. She came in long after us old people went to bed. But the next morning she told me it scared her to death. Then it scared her again when she got up in the night to go to the bathroom. I love messing with my kids heads.

Things I googled this week

by teresa

Okay...I'm gonna start a weekly list. My google list. Every now and then I look back at things I've googled and laugh at the hodge podge of info my mind searches for each week. Sometimes it's for homework with the kids, sometimes it's just things that pop into my head while reading or watching tv and sometimes I can't even remember why I was looking it up. All I know is if I want to know....I google! I thought you might like a look inside my mind. Enjoy.


what is schnitzel
Norfolk zoo
Magnet singer website
wvec school closings
snow quotes
dry cracked hands
get off my grass
Each seperate dying ember wrought it's ghost upon the floor
newberry award winners
thesaurus
Erma Bombeck
Virginia sex offender list
london broil recipes
nfl store
addicting games
club penguin
ebay
Earth
home depot
Ikea
Vampires
Jonas Brothers
pandoras box
To kill a mockingbird
spanish translation
urban dictionary
webkinz
Johnny Cash songs
guinness book
itouch
racism
merle norman
history of christianity

Bug or windshield

By Chris

I told some of the kids from the soccer team : "In life and sports . . . sometimes you're the windshield and sometimes you're the bug." Being the windshield is more fun. But, you learn a lot more about people . . . and yourself . . . when you \ they are the bug. And, when you've been the bug, you become a better windshield, if you know what I mean. So, I guess the point was, make good use of your bug experiences. You think anyone got it?

Which for some reason reminds me of this song. I don't know the name of it or who sings it, but I love it. This is for Teresa, because she's the one who makes even my bug days great:

"You know life has its little ups and downs.
Just like ponies on a merry-go-round.
No one grabs a brass ring everytime.
But she don't mind. My baby don't mind.
She wears a gold ring on her finger, and I'm so glad it's mine!"

To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else in the world.

by teresa

To bring our cold, blustery day to a proper end Nick made a fire in the backyard. A wonderful fire to warm our bodies, hearts and mallows. It was a nice way to end a long, less than perfect day. Not all days are perfect you know. You win some...you lose some. It's how you come out of it and what you take with you for the next go around that matters. We wrapped up our day everyone together, laughing, telling what we are thankful for and roasting wieners and smores.

brrrrrrrr

by teresa

I have full out lost my mind.
I am heading out to Ben's soccer game.
It is 26 degrees.
What in the world were we thinking when we signed up to be in a tournament in November?
Last November it was in the high 70's most days. We even had thanksgiving dinner outside on the patio!
We have 4 games this weekend.
Send me your warm thoughts.
I don't know if I'll thaw enough to blog again until at least Tuesday.

“Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything it covers”

by teresa

It is snowing outside right now.
EEeeeeeEEeeeee!
What is it about snow that turns you into a 10yr old all over again.
I was even excited about the prospect of a snow day....then I snapped out of it and realized that meant the kids would be home with me all day. On cleaning day no less.
So I bundled them up and dropped them off...hopefully there is school today or they will get pretty cold standing out in front of the building.
Just kidding.

I made the yummiest muffins last night. Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins. I got the recipe from bread & honey . They were so good...I am totally addicted to that website. I have been a baking maniac since I found it. Last night, as I was closing down the computer and heading to bed, I noticed my sister was online. I IM'ed her to see why she was up so late (almost midnight) and the first thing she asked was if I had anymore muffins left. So we met on the back porch and enjoyed a midnight snack. It's so cool having your family so close.

I'm off to clean the house, shower and head to Ben's school to take care of a bully that has been picking on Kristian. I will not return until I have made him cry. (you guys know I am kidding, right?)

People who snore always fall asleep first.

by teresa

We were watching a show last night that was discussing "my side of the bed" and how we can be so inflexible when it comes to our bedtime idiosyncrasies.
I laughed at the character and his little quirks and then I realized....it was me.
I too have silly "must haves" to get settled for the big eight each night.

1. Most important....a fan. On high...even in the middle of the winter. Gotta have the noise and feel the breeze somewhere on me or I feel suffocated. My tolerant hubby says it sounds like a helicopter hovering over the bed.

2. The right side of the bed is mine. Closest to the wall and furthest from the door (and intruders and kids who wake you to get them a drink).

3. I prefer laying on my right side, but I don't like facing anyone (unless I'm drop dead tired, then I don't care). So most of the time that means I have to flip and lay at Chris' feet. I know, I know...weird.

4. I must have my own blanket. Tucked and swathed around me....with only one foot sticking out. Gotta have that foot out...no socks. Never socks to bed!

What are some of your "must haves" to get comfortable in bed?

Blue Lights

By Chris

Well . . . It finally happened. Pulled over by the police . . . with a ticket issued. I have always been able to get out of the few "infractions" I have been caught at behind the wheel. And, Teresa always predicted my day would come. Because, I've been known to make record time. I did get a "photo" ticket, but I always said that didn't count. No moving violation on your record with those , and there's nobody to talk out of anything. But, I still think I did pretty well. It was a sheriff hiding in the dark on Rte 58 that got me. I was hurrying home from Raleigh . . . a trip full of speed trappin' cops. I don't know any police people in that area to drop a name (which has worked for me before close to home), so I just went real nice and respectful (that's worked for me too). He took my license and said "I'm gonna give you little break," and headed back to his car, I assumed to just run my license and make sure I wasn't an ax murderer or something. I thought "a little break" meant no ticket. He came back with one. But, instead of it being for going 72 in a 60, it was for "failure to obey a highway sign." Cha-ching! Much cheaper fine, and probably better on the record too. Heck, maybe its not even a moving violation. His reasoning: "the sign said 60, and you didn't obey it. " Wink;)) Thank you officer!!!!

It is not appropriate to give your grandmother a nipple twister!

by teresa

My husband thought it would be funny to teach his nephew about nipple twisters.
It was during the summer months, when Kai was running around in a bathing suit 24/7.
Chris would grab his moobs (man/boobs) and give 'em a twist.
Kai would squeal and laugh and try to pounce on Chris and return the favor.
This went on all summer (much to the dismay of the women folk who don't get this humor).
It was all in good fun....until yesterday.
When Kai snuck up behind my mother.....wrapped his arms around her chest....and .....well...you know.
Apparently nanny is not to keen on this gesture of affection from her grandson.
She screamed, slapped at him and sent him to his room.
Kai, confused and a little taken aback by her not so happy response, went running to his room crying.
When Chris gets home from Raleigh tonight I think he owes poor Kai a friendly talking to, so this kind of thing will never happen again (especially when he starts dating!).

Has anyone seen a toad....a boy named Neville's lost one?

by teresa

Can I just tell you how in love I am with the show jon & kate plus 8?
Their vow renewal is on tonight and I am sooo excited.
I know...I'm lame.

I had a prayer meeting today....at school.
ooooooh.
Prayer? In school?
I know, I'm such a rebel.
I met with another mother on the PTA board (about PTA business) and then one thing led to another and there we were....in the PTA office having prayer time together.
Ben told me he walked by the room and peeked in the window and saw me.
He was like,"hey mom....me and my class saw you praying today?"
"Who you are will be reflected in the words and actions of your children."

So tonight at soccer practice one of the parents had to be taken to the ER. He was playing around and fell...dislocated his shoulder. It looked like it hurt alot. Poor guy. Keep him in your prayers that surgery won't be needed.

Ben started The Sorcerer's Stone today after school. He is wanting to rack up big AR points....and a Harry Potter book is just the thing to do it. They are worth triple + what most of the other books in the library are. He jumped in the car heading for soccer giggling about tossing gnomes and flying cars.

Actual questions and comments heard in the Green house this week

by teresa

Can I have a baby brother?

Mom, please don't come to my school for lunch.

I got into a fight at school today.

Can I have a hamster?

You spelled spelling wrong on your notebook.

Mom, will you come to my school for lunch?

Let's go to the beach!

It's 50 degrees!

That's okay...I won't get my head wet.

Wow....I hadn't noticed how much of your hair is gray.

Wow...I hadn't notice how much of your hair is gone.

I like it when you wear your tight shirt.

Have you seen our daughter this week?

Is chicken a meat?

by teresa

This morning when we came down at 7:00am, Ben was already up, on the computer doing his First in Math again. He is relentless with this stuff. He is now #7 in his school....#1 in his grade.

Too busy to sit and blog today.
Out of town family in visiting, soccer party to set up for tonight.
I finally finished the slide show yesterday and printed some real cool dvd covers.
I know all the parents will love it. I mean, who doesn't love seeing pictures of their kids right?
For the potluck party tonight I am making bubble pizza casserole (biscuits cut up, ground beef and pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni on top. Doesn't that sound yummy? Ben picked it out of one of my cookbooks.

I also teach at church tomorrow so I need to find some time today to sit down and go over the lesson again.

Funny thing....as I was unpacking groceries one of the biscuit tubes exploded. Scared the dickens out of me! It hit the ceiling and biscuits burst out all over the counter.

Another funny thing....at dinner last night my mom asked if chicken was meat. hahahaha
Chris was like, "um, no, it's a fruit."

I need some caffeine

by teresa


We had a yummy anniversary dinner last night.

Imperial palace (in the private, curtained booth).

Their egg rolls are the best on the planet!

We also went to Barnes & Noble and we each made our Christmas list of books.

I picked up Dewey:The Small town Library Cat who Touched the World.

It looks like a good read (and I'm not even a cat person).



So today is all about making our soccer slide show.

The party is on Saturday and I haven't even begun.

I need to go through about 1,000 pictures to create it.

I am just not motivated. I think I'll go make some coffee to perk me up.

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

C-onstantly makes me laugh.

H-as big, strong hands that make me feel safe and loved when pulling me tight for a hug.

R-emembers the words to most rap songs from the 80's.

I-s never too busy to play with his kids (or nieces and nephews) whenever the mood strikes them.

S-tarts everyday with prayer.

I am a lucky woman. God took two young, immature, foolish teenagers and together (with Him) we are older (much), wiser, closer and more in love than that night 22 years ago when you asked your cousin to ask me if I liked you.
Thank you Jesus for my Chris.
My best friend.
My parenting tag-team partner.
My love.

add your own caption...

Do you remember the scene in the movie arachnophobia with the guy on the toilet?

by teresa

Don't you just hate it when you see a big spider crawling into the bathroom, run to get a shoe to kill it and when you get back it has disappeared?
Ewwwww!
I have looked in every nook and cranny.....where is that little creeper?
My bladder is about to burst and I am NOT sitting on that toilet until I find him.

Yeah, I know. We have an upstairs bathroom, but I'm just too lazy to run upstairs. Plus, all the toilet paper is in the cabinet downstairs.

Help?!

Actual questions and comments heard in the Green house this week

by teresa

Did you poop on my pillow?
No.
Yes you did!!
NO I DIDN'T DUMMY!
I pooped on the blanket.

I knew as soon as the guy turned into a dog you would love it. The only thing that would make it better for you is if a dragon rounded the corner.

Did that burp feel good?
I wish I could burp like that.

All the kids are gone...do you want to go to bed early?
Sure, I washed the poop blankets.
Wow, you sure kill the sexy.

You voted for Obama, didn't you?

My nose is cold, can we turn on the heat?
NO!

I have a hot faucet butt.

Mom's been crying at everything lately, she needs to stop watching sportscenter.

Nothing like the stomach flu for four days to kick start a new diet.

Ick Away! ... Weekend Ahead

By Chris

The Ick tried to move in on me early this morning. I woke up feeling a little "iffy" ... if you know what i mean. I was sooo careful, too, I thought. I even sprayed Teresa with Lysol when she was sleeping (sorry, baby). Alas, I seem to have willed it away. I got up and carried on like I didn't feel bad. I'm not going to be so bold as to eat, but Ginger Ale and Diet Cokes produced some very helpful burping a couple of hours ago, which seems to have made me feel better. For now. Good thing too, because there's ODU basketball to watch tonight . . . and missing that is really not an option for me. We'll do it without Nick, because he's gone camping with grandpa George. He loves ODU basketball too, but it doesn't come close to competing with camping with George. He was giddy all night and morning after getting word that the trip was on. Did you ever have some people or some place you really, really loved to go or be around as a kid? A place you really fit in and always had fun at. A place and person \ people you would long for? Well, that's Nick and his Nanny Jackie and George. He would move over there if we let him.

The Ick is in the Air

By Chris

Teresa has the stomach "ick." Starting at 7 p.m. yesterday . . . and still going. I got to hear the evidence of it all night. I can live with a cough, sniffles, congestion, headache ... just about anything but stomach ick. I had a minor case earlier in the week, but this seems like something different. So I've been on a Lysol-spraying mission and got the heck out of there quick after getting the kids to school.

Plane Bloggin

By Chris

I'm on a plane bloggin'. Nothing to say. Just think its neat that such a thing can be done. I've got the whole exit row to myself for a reasonable 10 dollar fee. That was a first. It came up as an option at th kiosk

randon thoughts of the day

by teresa

Isn't there some kind of law that all stores must have a public bathroom?
I was in a riteaid last night and they didn't have one.
I thought this was weird.

Enough with the election news already. Obama won. The media doesn't know what to do with themselves when they're not trashing somebody. McCain did this, McCain said that, Palin didn't have a chance. Two days after the election and it's still on every channel.

I guess it's truly fall now. I got my first static shock of the season yesterday. Now I will spend the next four months having fun zapping the kids and the dog. hee hee

Ben's soccer team is trying to raise money to go towards tournament costs. Some parents want to have a carwash. A carwash in November? Can you imagine how cold that would be? I'd rather just pay the money.

I need to find a copy of Mary Poppins. I don't know why, it has just been on my mind to watch. I love that movie. I love any movie Julie Andrews was ever in (except Victor/Victoria which was bizarre). I think I'll put her music on the blog for the next few days.

I just did a spellcheck on this post. It flagged riteaid in my first paragraph and wanted to put retard in it's place. I jut thought that was funny enough to post.

Nothing like celebrating election day with a singing tree, multicolored lighted archway and a peanuts nativity in your front yard.

by teresa


One the way to soccer practice last night we passed a house with Christmas lights up.
What in the world? I need to go have a talk with these people!
Like I don't have enough to do. Now my kids will see this and be bugging me to drag out all our decorations.

ditto

by teresa

I read this and it was SO my heart I had to link to it.
Thank you Jo-Lynne for having the courage to post it.
Click here.

WE VOTED!

Five restriction threats, four ultimatums of with holding lunch, three "I'm gonna get you when we get home" mom looks, two times I pretended not to know them and one hour and a half later.
I took Ben and his two friends to vote with me this morning. They whined and whined about the long lines and drizzling rain. At one point Keagan yells out,"If Obama wins I want to move to another country!"
I wanted to curl up and die right there.
I told him we need to keep our opinions to ourselves as I felt hundreds of glaring eyes piercing through me.
But once we entered the building and stepped up to begin the process, they were in awe. I had the people explain why they were taking my ID and how my information gets on the "atm"card. Then we walked over to the machine and we talked through the whole thing. Ben put in the card (and Joe asked if money came out of the machine). Joe selected my president, Keagan my senator and Ben my congressman. They all three together pushed CAST BALLOT.
When they were given "I voted" stickers, all whines and complaints were forgotten and replaced with, "that was cool"...""can we go again later with Lauren?"...and "thank you for taking us".

Champions

By Chris

Looonnnnnggggg soccer weekend. We had our first weekend tournament. Four games in two days to decide the champions of the Tidewater Advanced Soccer League . . .which Ben's team competes in. They won. Gold medals for everyone. I was really proud of Ben. He's used to being the star of his team . . . but this new "select" team is made up of all-stars. He has really embraced this. He gladly accepts his time on the bench. Contributes when he needs to. Gets goals when he needs to. And , defers to his teammates when they are hot. Today in the championship game he made a really big play that drew a penalty on the opposing team's goal keeper. This gave us a penalty kick for a crucial goal. Instead of taking the shot himself, he "gave" it to his teamate, who had the "hot foot" the last two games, because he wanted his team to win more than the chance get a goal for himself. He also turned down re-entering the game at one point when he was resting because the kids on the field were doing really well and he didn't want to interrupt that.

Interested in the details? Check out the team blog here: monarchmania.blogspot.com

Pictures of our weekend

by teresa

Busy, busy weekend.

Harvest party at church last night.

Ben went as Gomer Pyle and Nick kicked butt (literally our butts were doing some kickin' all night long) in the chili cook off.

Football game (Kristian cheering) and two soccer games across town today.

All three games were wins.

Final day of the soccer tournament tomorrow bright and early.

8:00am game, then off to church then return for championship game at 3:00pm.

Thank the Lord we are getting an extra hour of sleep tonight!

Trunk R Treat . . Smell My Feet

By Chris

Teresa's slacking again. So, an update. There's soccer tournament games today at 1 and 3:30 at Hodges Manor Elementary.

Went to the big ol' harvest party last night. It was packed. Everyone had fun. Nick entered his chili into the contest, and people gobbled up the whole pot pretty quick. It is actually really, really good. It was popular, but he didn't win a prize. Bummer. Ben put together a costume at the last minute, deciding he did not want to be a soccer player after all. He was a marine, Gomer Pile, and won second place and a Target gift card. Which is so Ben. It was his second "win" of the day. He reported that he is officially the most flexible kid in his class, according to the PE teacher. Whatever that means??? Nick said, with a laugh, "I should have let him help me with the chili!" I think Nick was the happiest person at the whole party though. . . friends of ours even pointed it out. Those who know the details will praise God with us for that . . . because this day a year ago was ... really, really, really bad.

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name