the low down on the family

by teresa

I fell asleep on the couch last night waiting for Nick to come home from church. The youth group "hangs" after service and we encourage Nick anytime he has an interest in cavorting with people his own age. He usually prefers the fifty and older crowd. He came in and said goodnight around 11 or so. I was too tired to get up and move to the bed. Big mistake. My neck and back are killing me this morning.

Nick preached in youth service last night. He has been preparing for a couple of weeks and was very excited (and nervous) yesterday. He banned Chris and I from coming in...but we heard it was great. Maybe I can get him to write about it on the blog.

Lauren's 20th b-day is Tuesday. I think I'll get her a phone. Hers is slowly dying and we were about to extend her plan and get one of the free phones offered. I will talk to Chris and see if we can let her pick out a cool one for her birthday gift. I would love that....no shopping! We can all go out to dinner too...if she happens to come home before 1:00am that night.

The whole family is excited about the final four games this weekend. As far as the brackets go...Ben has us all beat by a mile. After soccer, we will grill some meat and enjoy family time watching the games.

I want a Wii Fit. Anybody have one? Is it as awesome as it looks?

Ben is going camping with some family/soccer friends during spring break. He is super duper excited...and we are happy to get some quality alone time with the Nickster.

Remember the candy jar? The one Ben won at school for guessing the correct number of pieces? Well, Kaden loved coming over to get a lolly everyday. She would barge in the backdoor (totally ignore us sitting there) and head to the kitchen counter. Drag over a stool and grab a lolly...or three, and then head home in a fit of sugar giggles. When the jar ran low I told Chris we HAD to fill it again. Kaden would be so sad to find it empty...and I can't have sad kids around here. And so it is....that the jar has been refilled three times now. Kaden bounded in last night and stole for the kitchen. We heard the stool draaag across the floor and then her squeal to find the new stash. Does life get any better than that? nope.

We have been Wii'd

by teresa

Ben finally pulled the trigger.
He had saved up his Christmas and birthday money to buy a Wii for a couple of years now.
We would take him to buy it....and he would back down every time, not being able to part with his money.
Well, Lauren came home a couple of days ago with news that Bryce (IRHS/ODU buddy) was looking to sell his system, controllers and games. Ben jumped at the chance and he (we) are now the proud owners of a Wii.
They brought it over late last night after Ben went to bed and Lauren and I set it up (created our little Mii family characters) till 1:00am.
It was like Christmas this morning, with Ben bounding down the stairs to see his new toy.
I wonder how long he will be into it before the excitement wears off.
Two weeks....maybe three?

I am excited too. I love to play games with the kids. Also, I like having a new thing to use as collateral to get them to do what I tell them.

what was that noise?

by teresa

Sunday night as we sat watching tv around 9:40ish, we heard a loud boom.
I chalked it up to thunder and kept about my business.
Well, the next day I read that we were not the only one to hear this BOOM.
Apparently, folks from Va. to Maryland heard the mysterious noise and saw and accompanying bright light.
All the newspapers had interviews with people who had seen it, all the broadcasters gave their opinions of what it was. blah blah blah.
One of the articles online we read had comment boxes for readers to write in their explanations.

My favorite comments:

"Someone please tell me if this is the Rapture. I live in Portland, Oregon, so its not like anyone here would actually go missing."

"God’s mad that his warranty on his F150 is worth nothing after today."

"Madonna finally realized she’s fifty?"

"Dang, am I too late....are all the christian gone?"

bad mom

by teresa

I dropped Nick off at school and as he was walking away from the car I noticed a considerable hole in the back of his jeans. I could see his plaid boxers peeking from under the rend. Did I call him back to the car and take him home to change....or did I ignore it and drive off, leaving him to face a day of teasing and ridicule?

I left.

*sorry nick*

actual questions and comments heard in the green house

by teresa


Who licked my lolly?


I dropped it in dog hair.


I'm going to wear my hair net to bed and see if he notices.


I wrote "sexy mama" in icing today.


I need to start knocking before I open the door.


I tried to pretend I was asleep, but she crawled in beside me anyway.


I am the only one in this house who knows where Food Lion is?


You're salty and I'm sweet.


Just the part about the midget on the train is offensive.


I work myself silly so they have nothing to complain about.

When refilling my cup I noticed it had another persons name written on the side. gross.

happy saturday...off to soccer tournament

week one down

by teresa

Easter eggs is still going strong (week one of three down).
We've made over 3,000 little sugar balls.
Can you say hand cramp? Back ache? Delirium?

Yesterday was our marathon day. Working more than fourteen hours straight to get caught up in orders. Phew. I slept gooood last night!

I am actually not tired (a miracle) and excited to get back in the trenches today. I will definitely take the weekend off.

*funniest thing that happened yesterday*
We were ready to pack it up and get home last night. Exhausted and on our tenth diet coke each, we were laughing at the drop of a hat and speaking incoherently. Mary, my partner in crime could not find her keys. We looked high and low to no avail. Retracing her steps didn't work and we were all sooo ready to get out of there. After twenty minutes of this we hear her scream out from around the corner. She had found them. But where?

In her bra.
The dang keys were tucked in her bra (her pants had no pockets) the entire time.
So funny!

Jamestown

by teresa

The fourth grade classes at Ben's school went to Jamestown this week.
Ben had never been before and was very excited.
The museums, old settlements, war reenactments, authentic clothing, muskets. Ben's mind was bursting with these images as the field trip day neared.
I dropped him off early in the morning to meet the buses and he arrived back home late in the after noon.
Later that night, as we lay in bed replaying our days to each other I asked,"so, what was your favorite part of the day?"
"Ummmmm, the BUS."
"But what about the war stuff...and the cannons?", I asked.
"That was ok." "The bus had a BATHROOM!!"
"Did they dress in old clothes and have houses made of mud and sticks?", I asked.
"Yep, they looked kinda weird." "It was alot of walking." "The bus had RECLINERS and a MOVIE!!"
Well, I see that was money well spent.
I hope they don't have a test on any information learned outside of the bus.

girl power!

by teresa

We froze our butts off at Kristian's soccer game last night. I had on a heavy coat and took a blanket to wrap up in and I still had a mild case of frost bite when I climbed into the car. She and Hailey (her stepsister) did really great. Unfortunately they lost (I won't put the score because they got trounced) but they looked pretty doing it. I love the green jerseys!

where is my parka?

by teresa

What is up with this weather?
Ben had to be up at school early this morning for a field trip.
With every fourth grader's parent dropping them off at the same time, they recommended we park near school and walk them over. So I did. The only problem was that I didn't wear a coat. The days have been in the high 50's and above....so it was a complete shock to my body when the 30 degree (before windchill) temp hit my body. brrrr.
I need spring to ....spring.

Today's to do list reads:
Make eggs
Make bon bons
Make beds
Make dinner and
Make ....

you just can't mix alcohol and stupid

by teresa

Ben's game was super exciting...just like we wanted. They won 3 to 2 against our rival CUSC team. It was a little too exciting for some parents, who acted like 2 yr olds during and after the game (not our parents). Yelling for their kids to push ours down, running on the field to scream at our coach and chasing people down in the parking lot. Boy, can you see some interesting things at a childs' sporting event. It was so ridiculous, 911 was almost called and I was about to break out the pepper spray. Good grief! Can't wait to face them again!

I know alot of our readers play sports or have kids in sports....what are some of the crazy things you have seen while attending a game?

another Saturday come and gone

by teresa

Ben's soccer game was not very exciting. They won 12 to 0. At some point you actually feel guilty for cheering and start routing for the other team to do...anything. He has a makeup game this afternoon and I hope it is a more challenging team.

Nick was out with church friends most of the day. They had a prayer vigil, consumed way too much CiCi's pizza and practiced for an Easter skit they will be performing for the church. Can you think of a better way for a 13yr old boy to spend a Saturday?

Lauren slept, worked and I happened to catch a peek at her around 1:00am. Such is the life a soon to be twenty-something.

I had my book club meeting last night, which you guys know is my favorite night of the month. We discussed the book, laughed (till my face hurt), shared memories, mishaps and miracles. I love those ladies to the moon and back.

I came in from book club to find my husband looking rode hard and put away wet. Apparently in the four hours I was gone the boys teamed up to ...bring him down. I don't know exactly what happened, but before he trudged up to bed I heard him mumble something about a Wendy's chicken sandwich getting thrown across the room....the dog running away....an Ipod brawl and a naked boy sobbing in the kitchen crying out ,"You can't handle things the way mom does!"

*whisper* I can't wait till next month *whisper*

Lists and Brackets

By Chris

I have a mandate to blog this morning. Really. Got the call a little while ago: "write on the blog today," were the boss lady's instructions. She's busy doing the Easter egg project . . . and regular blogging is on her checklist, so here I am. Speaking of checklists, Teresa has left one of hers here on the desk. It's a pretty interesting glimpse into the life of my Superwoman (some are checked off, others not):

• Yoo Hoo (I think it means the chocolate drink, not the joyful outburst)
  
• Black soccer socks
• Bracket
• Prescript refill
• Deposit checks
• Talk to daughter about moving out!

I think I'll take care of the first and last items for her.

And, here's our first Green Family NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge Update. We all did brackets, and we're keeping score. 1 point for first round accuracy, 2 for second, etc. To make it even more interesting, we've added President Obama to our pool, since he's made his picks public. Ben was winning for a good part of the day, but the grown-ups have taken a small lead through day one:

• Mom: 14
• Dad: 14
• Ben: 13
• Lauren: 12
• Nick: 11
• Obama: 11
  

careless

by teresa

Last night I though I would help Ben out and feed his hamster.
I'm such a good mommy to pitch in with his chores.
About thirty minutes later I heard him scream.
"Mom...where's Pooh?"

Apparently this good mommy didn't shut the cage door and the hamster was nowhere to be found.
We all ran upstairs in a panic and the first thing I noticed was Shorty (the dog) standing in the corner looking guilty.
I freaked. Had Shorty made a snack out of Ben's hamster?
Ben was so upset. He loves that rodent like a brother.
We moved beds, pulled out dressers and scoured toy boxes.
After about thirty minutes of complete chaos Chris found him hovered in the corner behind a chest of drawers.
Phew.
I was saved.
I don't think I could have handled the guilt of Pooh's death on my conscience.
Chris made it a point to tease me about it the rest of the night.
I will never live it down.

did you wear your green?

by teresa

As a mom I made the ultimate mistake yesterday.
I sent my child to school....without any green on.
I totally forgot about St. Patrick's Day.
Chris reminded me of the holiday later and I realized what I had done.
Visions of pinching and teasing flashing in my head.
The guilt consumed me.
So I did what any good momma would do.
I went to his school, found him in the library, pulled him behind the biography section...and put a green shirt on him I had smuggled in from home.
Crisis averted.

rain rain go away...

by teresa

We have not had a dry day since Thursday.
I'm sick of frizzy hair and wet shoes!

Hormones...I blame it on the hormones!

by teresa

When did my son turn into a slob?
When he was little he went around closing all the doors and cabinets, straightening the rooms and picking up any toy that happen to be out of the toy box.
He even has a fascination with vacuums (much to his fathers dismay). Wherever we went, he would want to see their vacuum.
An ocd toddler...a chip off the old block.
I had high hopes for this kid.
Even as he grew older his need for order and cleanliness made a mama proud.
Then IT happened.
Puberty.
It came and took my little neat freak and turned him into a ......teenager.
AAAAARRRGGG!!
Gone the days of closed drawers and hospital corner bed sheets.
When he leaves a room now it looks as if one of our east coast hurricanes has blown through, leaving a wake of debris and devastation.
And vacuums....it's like kryptonite to Superman!

I should be used to this already. Our daughter is such a slob, she would put the president of Slobville to shame with her slovenliness.

I have one child left to try and transform into a little stepford son.
Ben...your my last chance!

Happy Birthday Ba-bee!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

news at 11:00

by teresa

Went grocery shopping today.
In the rain.
I hate grocery shopping in the rain.
But when your outta diet coke...ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do.

While strolling the aisles of my neighborhood Food Lion I had an accident.
A boob accident.
I had been twisting and tugging at my bra all day (the dryer had wrung it to pretzel form) and it was starting to pinch the "ladies".
When all of a sudden I felt a stab. It hurt.
The under wire had snapped at the end and pierced me in the rib.
It drew blood. Apparently my brasserie has some serious hardware.
I could not take the pain. Every time I moved it scratched and poked me again. I had a cart full of groceries, so retreat to the car was NOT an option.
So I reached down my shirt and attempted to remove the giant metal U gouging me.
It took a minute to punch it through the end, all the while looking like I was giving myself a breast exam right there in frozen foods.
Yes, there were a couple of people who breezed past me, but no eye contact was made, so I think my chest challenge went unnoticed.
At least that's what I hope.
What if they caught me on the hidden camera and it ends up on the local news tonight.
That sounds just like something that would happen to me.

"CHESAPEAKE PTA MOM ARRESTED FOR LEWD CONDUCT IN GROCERY STORE"

My favorite teachers

by ben

After my inspiring comments on my last post I've decited to write another one. Well today my favorite teacher Mr.Willams subsatutide us and he is my favorite teacher beacause i'm his favorite and he treats me like it too. For example today in class Mr. Willams was passing out airheads [my favorite candy] to the class and my friend Chris said he did'nt want his. Out of all the kids he could have given his to, he imeditley turned to me and gave it to me. When all the kids were whinning and saying it was'nt fair he put another one on my desk. So while all the outher kids got one I got three. whitch also reminds me of another teacher that likes me. My P.E. teacher Mrs. Nettles. A couple of days ago we were just sitting in P.E. doing roll call when out of nowere Mrs. Nettles says to me... you have the cuteist face. Then she took me to her office to show all the other teachers. While all the teachers were ohhing and ahing over me I was thinking, why am I here. ever since that day shes called me cute face.

young or old...it's always snack time around here

by teresa

My sister left my niece Kaden alone watching tv while she blew her hair dry. When she walked back into the room Kaden had gone into the snack cabinet and taken six packs of cheese and crackers. You know the ones with the red sticks that you can use to spread the cheese on yourself? She ate them all. In five minutes. gross.


I was putting some luggage away in the attic in Lauren's room. Sitting inside the space is an empty beef-a-roni can and a spoon. gross.

no phones in school...it's the law

by teresa

I had to go to Nick's school today to pickup his cellphone from the Principal's office.
fun.
He took it out to see what time it was and got busted.
Duh son, there are giant time tracking devices affixed to the walls which show you the time.
It's called a clock.

What is it with my kids and phones lately?

spud

by teresa

I just got up, came downstairs and entered the kitchen.
There was a potato laying in the middle of the floor.
A potato.
What in the world goes on in this house when I go to bed?

Ben speaks

by ben

Last night was an exciting night. I was screaming and yelling at Joe's (my best friend) game. In double overtime they won. Today my throat and my ears hurt. If your wondering why my ear hurts, it's because my mom and Joe's mom were screaming as loud as they could right next to me. Are you wondering why I am putting something on the blog? My mom made me! She said I couldn't go outside to play until I wrote a paragraph. So I asked her, do you think all the other kids have to write something on their family blog? This is crazy.

Actual questions and comments heard in the Green house this week

by teresa


Why is Keagan's tooth on our counter?

Shoney's is nothing but big hairy cheese.

I need a cone of silence.

I don't have myface.

Doesn't mom look cute in her picnic blanket pajamas?

They're better than the tangerines. They're waaay better than the upside down polar bears!

Where's my Imodium?!

The firetruck talked to me.

I just want to have an hour or two where I don't do anything.

You sure like your dwarfs.

You have clownaphobia.

If I was born then, I would have pulled the hoods off their heads to show everyone who the meanies were.

I don't want to pooper scoop the yard. Fine....grab a book! Okay, okay...geesh...I'll do scoop the poop.

If they find my dna on that it will not look good.

Where did all this crazy come from?

We have a privacy fence, we have a privacy fence!!!

Did you take your pill today?

"She's not sharing!" "I wanted the pink crayon!" "That was my seat!" "When is snack time?" "Pray for my boo boo."

by teresa

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says...Oh no....she's awake!!!

Taught a class full of super hyper 3 and 4 year olds this morning. Jonah and the whale. You gotta keep it interesting to hold their attention for more than two seconds. I got big laughs when I said the whale throw Jonah up....and that as gross as that sounds, it's better than being pooped out. Because what preschooler doesn't like to talk about poop? right?
The weather was so beautiful that we took them outside to play instead of using our classroom centers. It really makes a difference in their behavior when they get a little running around time. Praise the Lord for blue skies and warm breezes.

9 to zip!

by teresa

Ben had his first spring season game today. The weather was perfect and the boys were on point. They won 9 to 0, with Ben scoring the first goal of the season. Way to go Monarchs!

Ben had a blue mohawk when the game began and by the end (with sweat and water poured over him) he had blue streaks running down his face. never again.

click here for game slideshow

yum

by teresa

George sent me a link a few weeks back. It is hysterical and a bit disgusting. Click over and enjoy. When you get to the bottom of the page please click next to see more and more of these gastro-challenging creations. I wish they would show the people eating them. I bet my daughter would eat half of them. It's called Why your fat!

the comings and goings of the green's

by teresa

*I got a new hairdryer after busting my old one (dropped it on the floor and smoke started pouring out). It was the first time I ever spent more than 9.99 on one. Who knew, but it really makes a difference paying a bit more. I tried it out on Nick's hair this morning. His thick mane was dry in less than a minute. He got a kick out of the "power", grabbed it from me, stuck it under his shirt and blew his clothes out like the michellin man. *boys*

* We went to Kristian's soccer practice last night and I froze a toe off. Not really, but it sure felt like it. Loafers and 20 degrees don't go together. Out of 17 kids on the team, 11 are girls. wow....that should be fun. Also, Chris volunteered to help coach. *Of course*

* Lauren, Chris and I sat down last night and did the Campbell's labels and Box tops for Ben's school. Well, actually, Lauren and I did it and Chris sat in the same room teasing me for always spending so much time on volunteer work. But that didn't stop him from recruiting me to come to his office to volunteer once a week. I told him I would do it if he took me out to lunch when I came. Also, he has to call me "secretary". We will do anything to keep it exciting around here.

* Lauren has spring break next week. Let's take bets about what time she will rise each day. 2:00pm? maybe 3:00pm?

* This weekend is the CAA tournament (which ODU plays in) in Richmond. Chris has not missed this tournament in over twenty years. Nothing interrupts this annual pilgrimage with his college buddies. Not rain, snow, birth (Ben's) or illness. Lauren and her ODU crew are now joining in this tradition. They have scraped together and gotten a hotel room (one room) and are heading down tonight to settle in for four days of nonstop basketball. Which means me and the boys have the whole house to ourselves for the weekend. PAAAAAAARTEEEE!

* Ben's spring soccer season starts on Saturday. Wow. We had one whole weekend free of soccer. AAAArrrrggggg!

*Nick's band festival is tomorrow night. He is excited and has been practicing alot. We have been run out of every room in the house by his incessant tooting *ba dump bump*

we finally got some snow

by teresa

A little white stuff blew in yesterday morning. Not enough for a snowman, but enough to delay schools by two hours. The kids had some time to slosh around the yard, make a couple of snowballs and ruin a pair of khakis. I did get three pictures of the fun before I darted back in the house to escape the frigid air.

Kaden on her first ever snow day.

Maya, peeking from the back door on her first ever snow day.

Kristian and Ben having a little fun before school. Notice they have no gloves, no hats or water proof shoes and their soaked through to their underthings. They are definitely not up on the correct snow fun attire, seeing as it is only an every five years kinda happening around these parts.

my hubby bought me a green icee....it was a good day

by teresa

Yesterday we took the boys to see the Harlem Globetrotters show. It was part of Ben's birthday present. Nick had been a couple of times over the years, but it was Ben's first time. They loved it. Clapping, cheering, hysterical laughing. They even got one of those red, white and blue basketballs and stayed after to get the team to sign it. It was definitely money well spent.

Actual questions and comments heard in the Green house this week

by teresa

I was born to be smart.

You can't add alcohol to crazy.

Was it the coach with no teeth or the one that was married?

I think he snuck the girl scout cookies to work so he didn't have to share.

Just give me a Whopper and I'll turn myself in!

Who put the pencil sharpener in the fruit bowl?

You gotta have meat!

What was that sound? It was the cabbage talking to you.

Sitting in your underwear watching sports center is not what I asked you to do!

If he throws a pinecone at your head again, tell me.

How did we eat 1,952 pieces of candy in a week?

That boy is strange.

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"

by teresa

What a pretty day out today.

Sunny (64 degrees) and breezy.

An open all your windows kinda afternoon.

I took a few minutes and left my laundry dungeon to go outside and watch Maya and Kaden play in the backyard.

They chased the dogs, rode trikes and picked dandelions.

Lauren (the hermit) even ventured outside with us before heading to school.

If Nick didn't have basketball practice tonight, I would have him grill us up some dinner.

I am really looking forward to spring.

I want this t-shirt

It's fun to stay at the Y M C A

by teresa

Nick has been going to the Y five days a week for three weeks now.
We are so slack when it comes to going as a family (we are never all free at the same time during the week) so he asked me a few weeks ago to drop him off. He did so well on his own, he has asked to be dropped off everyday after school. He plays basketball mostly, but also lifts weights and runs on the treadmill. What I love is that he does his homework in the teen hangout room. Lauren offered to drop him off at a different Y on her way to ODU last week. He said, "NO....I need to go to MY Y...all my people are there." ooookay. His people huh? Chris and I have joked to each other that he is probably bugging the reception area folks to let him swipe the id cards as members enter. Or offering to mop the floors or run the senior pool exercise class.
Have mercy...I don't even want to know.

Maya

by teresa

Our niece Maya is 18 months old now and so sweet (unlike her siblings..hee hee). She's pretty quiet, but says T-sa (Teresa), Kiss (Chris), Bee (Ben),Ick (Nick), In (Lauren) when prompted.

but I don't wanna go to bed!

by teresa

It was a very busy weekend.
Ben's team had their last two games of the indoor soccer season.
They won both, bringing them to the end of an undefeated season and making them the TISL champions.
Go Monarchs!

Nick had his next to last basketball game, which they won.
They have an undefeated season also.
Go Cavaliers!

Last night I was so beat. I put my pajamas on and looked for a quiet corner to read (which relaxes me like nothing else).
There was no quiet corner downstairs, so I snuck up to the boys room and layed in Nick's bed to read. The boys have the coolest headboard lights, making reading in bed so nice. Ben was already tucked in and sleeping, he didn't even notice me in there. Around 9:30pm Nick came up to kick me out. I was at such a good part and I was so comfy under his new flannel comforter. I begged him for a few more minutes. "Please Nick...just give me a few more minutes." "Don't ya want to stay up late?" "What kind of a teenager are you?" He took pity on me and said he would go downstairs to watch the end of the game...but then he was coming up and I would have to get in my own bed. I snuggled in further and read fervently for the next thirty minutes. He came up at 10:00pm and gently tapped me on the foot. "mom, your going to have to go in your bed now....you can finish your book tomorrow." I reluctantly climbed out of his bed and made my way to my own. To my dark bedroom that doesn't have a cool headboard light. Sometimes it's no fun to be the parent.

By the way....Nick will make a great Dad someday.

Things heard at bookclub last night

by teresa

*Look mom...it's magic!
*I would put on that Obama shirt and lay right in the middle of the bed
*Even after the tests came back positive the courts sent her back to her father
*All our systems are broken
*What good is getting under your desk going to do when a bomb hits your school?
*During the blackout he called my dad to see if the rapture came, when he answered the phone he knew he hadn't been left behind
*That poor boy is traumatized for life
*I had to disinfect the entire room!
*All the girls in her weight lifting class took pictures of it on their cellphones
*Just wait till they see it uncovered
*Maybe it was a cup?
*He grabbed them and gave them a twist
*I have never seen her so violent
*It's exhausting trying to keep the bad in the world from touching your child's' life
*I bet you were glad it was boobs
*My name is NOT Lin"duh"
*I thought it was a tree house?
*Hearing about your kids each month makes me feel better about mine
*I feel like I've been to Golden Corral
*I stopped snooping once she turned 18
*Do they think we're idiots?
*She'd take me back...but then Scott would have to come with me
*My mother has cancer.
*I had to forgive him for my life to go where it was supposed to go
*He went from a kid to a hero
*She wasn't afraid of being alone on the dark streets...to her it was much safer than being at home
*I call him puddin'
*Tonight was like "old home" days
*George Washington was white white
*You gotta use the giant log of Velveeta
*They cut all my perm out!
*By His grace we are set free
*Where two or more are gathered together in My name, there I am.
*Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

mistake: buying 10 yr old boys YooHoo and Orange Cream Soda and then trying to put them to bed

by teresa

After Ben's birthday dinner tonight (Chinese...of course) his friends came over for a sleepover. Nick was wise and spent the night at his grandparents. Chris was also wise and snuck upstairs "to change"....and I didn't see him again for two hours. He was holed up in our room watching basketball on our tiny boudoir television set. What a smart guy. These boys (four 10yr olds) are loud, hungry crazies. One child drank four YooHoo's (he snuck 'em) and is now literally bouncing off the walls. They got out piles off books, the litebrite, walkie talkies, recorders, stuffed animals and Nerf guns. They played war, tag, wii , scooters, horse and made forts with all the couch cushions and Ben's bedding. *sigh* I am trying to get them to bed (we made pallets on the living room floor) so they will be rested for tomorrows games.
Do I sound like I'm complaining? Cause I'm not (I'm just a little tired). Ben is thrilled and having a ball....and these boys are super, special, respectful, diehard friends who enjoy being with each other more than anything in the world. Happy Birthday Ben. Now go to sleep!!!!!

don't pick up that phone!

by teresa

When I was at Ben's school yesterday his teacher pulled me aside.
She said Ben's phone went off in class.
He got that thing from Katy for Christmas is 2007.
He loved it at first (he would call me, Chris and Kristian) but when the novelty wore off he let it expire.
We found it last week, charged it, reactivated it and now he is excited to have it again.
He talked me into letting him take it to school (zipped in his book bag) so he could call me when him and Kristian were walking home.
Well it rang in class.
Tracphone sent him some user text message.
His teacher said he looked teary as he walked to her desk.
She talked to him about the schools no phone rules.
She said,"as long as I don't know you have it...we will have no problems."
Then she lectured the class about not bringing phones to school...and how the ringing disrupts the class and they take your attention away from your work.
She said a few minutes later they heard ring ring ring.
Everyone looked at Ben...but he had practically dismantled the thing for fear it would somehow make noise again.
Then she realized....it was her phone ringing.
She laughed and said they all teased her...repeating back her words...NO PHONES IN SCHOOL!
"It has never rang during school...ever", she said. "I was so embarrassed!"
She will never live that down.

Happy Birthday Ben!

by teresa

I picked this song today (Cover The Earth) because it is one of Ben's favorites.

As a matter of fact, Chris and I listened in on him belting it out in the shower last week.

Today is his 10th birthday and I can NOT believe it.

The baby of the family.

The last.

That's just a tad sad for me.

What can I say about Ben?

He is confident, friendly, blessed(the kid just has the touch), beautiful and loving (to everyone but Nick...but I know one day that will change).

Today I am surprising him at school with lunch and cupcakes for his class.

Because his birthday falls in the middle of a school week, we are having his party Friday night, with all the family and some soccer buddies.

If you know Ben, leave a comment with a memory you have of him.

It can be funny, touching or both!

The park in February

by teresa

This morning I took Ben and his friend to the park for a couple of hours. It was about 35 degrees and breezy outside...but we braved the trip anyway. When we pulled up the usually crowded parking lot was empty. Like, ghost town empty. All the other parents in Chesapeake were smart enough to stay indoors where it was warm. The boys were excited to have all of Fun Forest to themselves. We have been home for an hour and my butt still hasn't thawed. Did I mention it had snowed in the early morning and all the benches were iced over?

The things we do for our kids!

Happy Valentine's Day

by teresa

Yesterday Ben came home with a giant jar of candy.

At first I thought some little girl had taken a shine to him and given him this gift for Valentine's Day. But then he told me he won it. The librarian had a contest this week to guess how many pieces of candy were in the jar and you get it as a prize. Ben guessed 1,952. They announced the winner yesterday and there were 1,952 pieces of candy.

Amazing!

Anybody need lottery numbers picked?

(just kidding)

Valentines Wishes

By Chris

It's a cheap trick to plop down a Valentine Day message on the blog the day before, but I'm doing it. We don't make a big deal out of such days, and I couldn't think of any real gift for my love, aside from spending a good portion of the day away from her watching basketball. I thought about getting one of those Vermont Teddy Bears that they guilt you about all week on the radio. Today, they're all like: "It can still arrive tomorrow . . . " So, I checked it out. They ain't cheap. And I am. So, no Teddy Bear. Sorry dear. You'll appreciate it when you run the budget report. So here's some thoughts for my baby. Some are stolen quotes . . .

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. Love you , weirdo.

Today is our 22nd Valentines Day and 7,710 days since our first date. By my calculation, well over 7,600of them have been GREAT!!! Which makes me agree with the thought: "Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end."

The wedding was small and witnessed by few, but the marriage of Chris and Teresa has proven to be leg-en-dary.

Love you. Happy Valentine's Day!!

this is unbelievable

I don't even know what to say about this. click here.
He looks Ben's age.

go outside and play

by teresa

The weather has been so nice this week.
The kids have spent every hour from homework till bedtime playing with friends in our backyard. There were eight kids out there at one point. A few of which I didn't even know. I guess our house is the place to be for all the 10yr olds in the neighborhood.

When I was young we would play in the empty lot across the street (which is now where our dear neighbors Chuck and Geri's house is). Kickball, softball,football. We would have so much fun.

Where was your hangout growing up?

let your light shine

by teresa

I'm on the way to Target to pick up socks for Ben, minding my own business, when I see her.
She is laying face first on the ground between two cars.
What?
Is that an person...on the ground?
I U-turned back toward Bed Bath& Beyond to take another look.
Yep, white haired lady on the concrete.
I pull in a space and head to her side.
She is moaning, bruised and disoriented.
Apparently her cane got caught on something and she tumbled over it.
I picked up her purse and scattered coupons and chatted with her (to see how well her mind was). At first all I could get out of her was...waterpick...waterpick.
By this time we had attracted some attention and another lady came to help me.
The two of us got her to her feet and slowly but surely made our way to the bench in front of the store. She was in obvious pain (head/shoulder/hip) so I went in and had the manager call 911. Once she sat she told me her name was Irene (she couldn't remember her last name).
I asked if she lived in Chesapeake...yes(weakly)
Was she married...yes(weakly)
Did she go to church...YES! Great Bridge Baptist Church!
Then she asked if I went to church....and I told her yes. "That's good", she said.
I then asked her if she wanted me to pray for her. "Oh yes", she replied.
So I took her hand, closed my eyes and prayed a prayer of healing over Irene. I don't remember all I said...the words were flowing and just felt right. She was responding with hand squeezes and amens. When I opened my eyes there were a few people around (including the store manager). The other lady that was helping us had grabbed Irene's other hand and joined us. She then looked at me and said..."I'm catholic".
Ooookeedokie.
Irene asked me to call her church so they could let her husband know what had happened to her. "Tom can't drive, but he will be worried." So I did.
We sat on the bench together and waited for paramedics. The store manager asked if he could do anything for her while we waited. "WATERPICK....I came here for a waterpick!" The sweet man ran in and brought out every waterpick they sold(arms loaded)....she pointed out the one she had a coupon for and he set it aside for her. This made her very, very happy.
When the firetruck and ambulance pulled up I told them what I knew. Before leaving and heading off to Target for those socks the store manager, catholic lady (hee hee) and I shook hands and wished each other a blessed week.
Isn't it exciting to stumble into one of God's little detours for you life.

stick 'em up!

by teresa

The most ridiculous thing happened yesterday.
Kai's principal called home and told Katy to come pick him up.
Apparently he had done something very bad and had to be removed from class.
Curse...no.
Hit...no.
Be disrespectful....no.
Moon the teacher...no.
He and two other boys were running around on the playground making "finger guns" at each other. Playing cops and robbers.
"This is threatening and they had to be made an example of", the principal said.
Katy asked if he had been told to stop? Nope. No one told them to stop, they just snatched them from playtime and sent them to the office.
Poor Kai was so confused and holding back the tears as he and Katy left the school.
He definitely learned his lesson (whatever that was) and will not make "finger guns" at school again.
If they told the teacher they were playing Army would they have still gotten in trouble?
Or if they were playing deer hunter would the punishment have been the same?
I am so confused at the schools handing of this innocent show of imagination.
So...no air guns allowed.
What about air grenades?
Or air arrows?
Or heaven forbid...the air guitar?

What is your take on this?

Actual questions and comments heard in the Green house this week

by teresa

Uncontrollable oily poop? Sounds great.
You're being mean to me.
That's my udder daddy Scott.
You can't prairie-dog that.
Don't touch my cake!
Did you pick out my vegetables? That was so sweet.
How come I always get in trouble for farting...but he never does?
The whale just exploded?
Forget that it exploded. What was it doing in the street?
I thought JKF was shot twice.
Quiz me. I bet I can answer anything about The Great Depression.
You know you're a redneck when you spend Saturday night at the Shell station/nightclub.
You feel real old when your daughter gets a drivers license renewal form in the mail.
Your boobs are on your lap.
My lap is on my knees.
He has frodo feet.
I watched her get my text on tv. That was so cool.
I swear I have never shaved my toes!

shorts or parka?

by teresa

Game day again.
For all but Ben, who has a week off from indoor (he does have practice though).
The temp. is predicted to climb towards the low 60's. I can't believe it. This week we have felt the teens...and felt them hard. brrrr
Now for two days it will be in the 60's?
Lord, please keep my family well in this crazy climate.

I'm baaaaack!

by teresa

The fever has broken.
I'm feeling alot better.
Chest congestion and sporadic coughing fits I can live with...I'm just glad to be rid of the fever and ache. What a horrible week it has been.
To make matters worse, Chris has been on this amaranthine delirium with me.
With both of us off our feet (literally) the kids have taken charge of the house.
And with Lauren as the responsible adult, there was a plethora of McDonald's, oodles of noodles and moon pies being had by all.
I wouldn't be surprised if they slipped a little something in our sherbet, just to keep from having to eat a carrot or green bean for a few more days.
So what will I do on my first day off life support (lifetime channel & sprite)?
Clean.
Like I said, the kids have run amok.
I must claim my house and rededicate it....in the name of Lysol, Swiffer and the Tidy bowl man!

what happens when you have no food, no sleep, no shower and a fever for 54 hours

by teresa

Your kids worry about you so much...they get along. I may get sick more often.

You talk to the dog....and he talks back.

You put Drano in the spotbot to clean up the dogs accident on the rug.

You spray hairspray on you sons hair instead of water to comb out his morning bed head. He now has bed head for the next twelve hours.

Your house is messy...and you don't care.

Your fridge is empty...and you don't care. If I can't eat...nobody eats! They can always go next door to nanny's.

You drift off and are 20 minutes late picking your son up at after school in the 20 degree weather....poor Nicky was frozen.

You just look at a book and it makes your eyeballs hurt.

You're on the floor in the bathroom so long and so often you memorize the wallpaper pattern behind the toilet.

Your daughter says she is going out to eat with friends and you hand her your check card...without her even asking...if she will promise to bring you back a 7-11 coffee. (which after two sips comes rushing back out to greet the world)

*cough* *cough*

by teresa

Fever, achy, throat issues.
It finally got me.

the boys loves his cars

by teresa

Ben just ran in the door.

He was beyond exited about something...and busting to tell.

Mom, there is a new kid in class.

"He has the coolest name EVER!"

"IT'S A CAR MOM....HIS NAME IS A CAR!!!"

Ford?

Dodge?

He wouldn't tell me.

"It starts with an A mom."

"A really nice car, that you wouldn't ever know."

Well excuse me. Just because I don't have a nice car...doesn't mean I wouldn't know a nice car!

After a number of hints I finally got it.

Aston Martin.

Nothing will ever impress my son more.

"Why didn't you think of that when you had me mom?"

I wish I could flash forward 15 years and see what Ben is naming his kids.

I may have grandchildren named Corvette, Bentley and Porsche Green.

Game day

by teresa

Four great games yesterday.

Two wins...two loses.

Nick was 'da man in his game.

Loved it!

Every time he would score Katy and I would do little sideline dance singing "go Nicky, go Nicky, go Nicky".

I asked after the game if that embarrassed him.

He said, "It was great!"

Maybe next week we'll make posters.

Today we are really looking forward to the Superbowl.

Church is hosting a big bash with lots of food and friends and football fun.

After this mornings service me and the boys are making Steelers posters and cooking for tonight.

GO STEELERS!

dude...get some tissue and go to the bathroom...please!!!

by teresa

We went out to dinner last night at Olive Garden.
Not too long after we had been served our meal we realized we were seated near a "snorter".
You know the type.....every five seconds or so they snort (nasty phlegm clearing snort).
We figured it must be a disorder or something because he couldn't stop. the entire hour we were seated he must have snorted 1,000 times.
We could not stop laughing. Every time we would get started on a conversation...he would snort...and we would crack up.
It was so hard to get through the meal without gagging (it was really disgusting).
We couldn't get out of there fast enough.

why you should check your childs homework every night

by teresa
(this was so funny I had to post it)

Dear Mrs. Jones,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn’t show me dancing around a pole. It’s supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith

what to do when your locked out of the house

by teresa

On Sunday mornings my father-in-law (George) leaves for church before his wife (Jackie). He goes early to help set up and get things in order for the service. Jackie takes her time getting ready and does some straightening of the house before she joins him. Two weeks ago, after George had left, she went out to the garage to get something....and accidentally shut the door. It was locked and her keys, cellphone and clothes were in the house. No, she was not naked....just in her pajamas. To make matters worse, it was about 20 degrees outside. brrrrrr. George would not be back for hours. Our house is two blocks away, but it was too cold to make that trek and in pajamas no less. What to do, what to do?
Clean.
I think she figured she better keep moving or risk being a nanny Popsicle.
So that's what she did.
She cleaned and organized every square inch of their garage and attic space.
When George returned home and opened the side door to the garage he found her sitting there, basking in the glory of a job well done.

He says he's going to lock her out of the house at least once every six months or so.

who is that lady?

by teresa

Earlier this week Katy and the kids had a visitor.
A car pulled up and dropped off a woman who walked up to the door hurriedly.
Katy went to the door (all smiles) but with confusion.
"Who is this lady", she thought.
Thinking it was just one of mom's friends from work coming over to visit, she let her in.
Just as the woman was walking in the door mom was pulling up from work.
"Who is that woman", she thought?
Thinking it was one of Katy's friends from (wherever Katy would have friends from), she smiled and went in the house to meet her.
Once inside, the three of them just looked silently at each other. The woman looked a bit worried just as mom and Katy were mouthing to each other *w h o i s t h i s p e r s o n i n o u r l i v i n g r o o m ?*
Once they realized neither of them knew her they spoke up.
"Hello...what is your name"?
My name is Jane Doe....and I'm here for the party."
huh?
This poor woman was given a ride by someone with the wrong address (one street off) to a birthday party.
She figured she had the right place since Katy led her in so happily.
They called the phone number the woman had down and found the correct address.
My mother then drove her over to the party....fast friends I guess.

“Strangers are friends you have yet to meet”

up at 2:30am?

by teresa

Why?

uhhhh....3 and a half hour nap could be the reason.

We were up before 5am yesterday, so when we got home I crashed.

hard.

I went to bed in the early afternoon...and woke to darkness.

Now I am up long after the rest of the family (except Lauren who just joined me for a late night episode of tlc's intervention)...hungry and wanting to vacuum the boys room (stupid hamster shavings).

I don't think that would go over very well....so I think I'll step away from the hoover upright and just grab a book and wait out the sandman.

I sure wish I had some of that cake left...the one from the dessert auction.

two boys in the same car for 100 miles arguing about touching and looking and poking at each other

by teresa

We had a great day in Richmond at the PTA general assembly day.

We left a bit before 6:00am and the boys were surprisingly chipper.

While there, we met the Governor (Tim Kaine) and listened to a bunch of opinions on a bunch of topics. Changing school calendars, clean air act, where to make budget cuts in k-12, crosswalk laws, cigarette tax raise, etc.

Some we agreed with...some not.

Those state PTA chicks can be intense.

It was a great experience...especially for the kids.

We walked all over the place and took tons of pictures.

The boys love all the historic buildings, statues and houses. We promised them a trip to Washington DC soon (Ben has never been).

After the sessions we looked up this place I had seen on Food networks: Dinners,drive-ins and Dives. It's called Dot's back inn.

Have mercy people.

That was some good vittles!

we the people...

by teresa

We had a dessert auction after our church potluck yesterday.
Money is being raised for the Upward basketball program, and everyone donated a homemade pie or cake or brownies.
It raised over $1200.00
Goodness, we are serious about our food.
I won a chocolate fudge cake with homemade choc. icing.
It was amazing!
Nick took my picture with it. I will post later.
Right now we are all up early and about to head to Richmond for the day (schools out for a teacher workday).
It is pta day at the general assembly and we are going to represent Nick's school.
I'll take lots of pictures.

sick

by teresa

Only one full game played today (out of four).
Kai was too sick to go to his (throwing up all night). Kristian got hurt in her game(she's fine, just a bruised knee) and sat the second half. Nick played a full game (and won his third in a row) and Ben played one half of his soccer match and then ran to the sidelines and puked in a garbage can.
Fun memories.
Chris just called on his way home from watching ODU play. He says he is not feeling well. Great. We just keep passing the love around.

where is my brain?

by teresa

Shorty was given a bath about a week ago. Ben took his collar off so it wouldn't get all wet. He also took the tags off the collar (a task I still don't understand). It all sat on the counter for a couple of days...and then the collar vanished. I looked everywhere. Every cabinet, drawer, closet, trashcan, bookbag and under the kids beds. Nowhere to be found. I wanted to attach the tags to something before they got lost too. So this morning, when I ran out to get more childrens' ibuprofen (Ben's sick) I bought a new collar. I came home and put his tags on the new red accessory and then went to put it around his neck. It wouldn't fit. Why? Because his COLLAR was already on him. I had looked everywhere...but on the dog's neck!

“Sometimes I'm confused by what I think is really obvious. But what I think is really obvious obviously isn't obvious...”

if momma ain't happy...nobody's happy

by teresa

This is a true story.
The story of a frog named Binyah Binyah.
This was a much wanted pet, a loved frog...but not by all.
The one called "mom" did not like her children's new friend (which was bought by the aunt).
Frogs are gross, she thought. I am not touching that icky thing!
But she did as all mom's do, she grinned and beared it.
She pretended to care for the amphibian, all the while waiting (with much anticipation) for it's demise.
How long do frogs live, she wondered?
The kid's goldfish hardly made it home before kicking the bucket.
Maybe she would luck out and Binyah would expire before the kids got too attached and they could get a cute puppy.
But alas, no luck for mom.
Frogs can live anywhere from 7-20 years.
And this one was hanging in there for a long, long, long time.
Years passed and the mom's feelings never changed for the creature. She was never outright mean to the animal...but she did accidentally forget to change the water for months on end. Only to find that darn thing happily swimming around in it's filth.
When would it end?

Picture it.
Dad is home alone and wanting to boil some water. For what...I don't know. Oodles of noodle, tea, mac-n-cheese? It doesn't matter.
He's boiling water, walks out of the kitchen to do something.....and forgets.
The water begins to churn, boil, overflow and melt the pot to mom's brand new stove.
Dad finally returns to kitchen to find pot melted to stove and freaks.
He picks pot up and tosses into trash can...which then catches on fire from the hot metal touching the plastic receptacle.
Don't worry, everything turned out alright. Dad cleaned up his mess and mom got a new stove out of it.
What does this have to do with the frog you ask?
Well, Binyah's bowl happened to be placed on the counter that day.
Close enough to the days calamity to be BOILED TO DEATH by the heat.
Coincidence?
Or some brilliant plan of the mom's to finally be rid of her warted adversary?

You decide.

"War does not determine who is right - only who is left."

snow day fun!

by teresa

We had such a fun..."grass day" yesterday.
The schools called our house at 5:40am to inform us of closings in anticipation of "the big one".
We were all staring out the windows all day.
It never came. Not even rain.
Could there be anything more disappointing to a kid? Or a severe weather junkie husband?
The one good thing was that the kids got to watch the inauguration with me.
They loved it (I couldn't even change the channel to check the forecast).
Everyone looked gorgeous, speakers were inspiring, Aretha belted it like only Aretha can and the quartet brought tears to my eyes. Our new president spoke well and excited me for the road ahead. I was in awe at the number of people there (all night waiting) in the bitter cold. They were all so happy, over joyed, united in one love/heart/mind. That's exciting, isn't it? Whenever people (different in social, economic,religions) come together in harmony....wonderful things will happen.

yes? no? maybe so?

by teresa

The anticipation of a snow day tomorrow has turned our entire family into giggly dorks.
Chris being the dorkiest of all.
The weather channel on....all day long.
I have had radar reports yelled to me every hour on the hour.
I really hope it happens....snow I mean.
The kids (ages 9-37) will be so happy.

you know you have an awesome bookclub when you get home at midnight!

by teresa

I just woke up from a two hour nap. I really, really needed that. Yesterday was nonstop with activities from 9:30am-midnight. It was book club night and we were having such a great time talking, painting and eating that I didn't get home till around midnight. When I walked in the door I realized Lauren had friends over and Chris was hanging out with them. I restraightened the house and sat with a book (Lovely Bones) until they left. We went up at 2:00am. Who do I think I am... some twenty year old college kid? I was feeling it this morning when we woke for church.

Right now we are all about to snuggle on the couch and enjoy a good football game. My team, The Steelers, are playing and I really hope big Ben (Roethlisberger) takes care of business!

Pictures of yesterday's games: Kai's team won, Kristian's team (Chris coached) lost by two, Nick's team won 50-15 and Ben's team had a victory of 9-1 (with Ben heading the ball in the goal). What a day!

I would look like Humpty Dumpty in long underwear

by teresa

It's midnight...and I'm still up (stupid laundry).
And I am freezing.
It's not surprising since my Google weather page is telling me it's 23 degrees right now.
I have my thermostat on 60.
Do you think I should turn the heat to at least 65 before I go up to bed?
I guess I better hike it up a bit....or Ben's hamster is going to go into hibernation.

Note to self: go to Walmart tomorrow and buy five pairs of thermals. I'm sick of all the whining. "Mom, I can't feel my toes." "Mom, I can see my breath." Mom, the carpet makes a crinkle noise when I walk to the bathroom."

what's going on around here?

by teresa

Ben signed up for beginning Spanish classes. Every wed. after school for six weeks. He is so excited. I think his goal is to be able to understand what our waiter at Rancho Grande is saying about us behind our back.

Nick is thinking about playing football. When I say "thinking" I mean he didn't poo poo us when we suggested it tonight. Usually we get a NO WAY...or FORGET IT! He loves playing basketball (and he's good), but have you looked at the boy. He looks like he could take someone out!

Lauren's best friend (and constant college break companion) Jasmine went back to school (Hampton University) on Sunday, so we have been seeing alot of her this week. I like that. She has eaten dinner with us and even stayed up and watched tv with me. Her and dad also snuck out the other night and had a little dinner date. She did the sweetest thing yesterday. She brought me home a vanilla latte from 7-11. It really hit the spot and put a smile on my face. Now, if I could just get her to clean her bathroom and wash a tub of clothes once in a while I would be one happy momma! Maybe by the time she's 30?

Hoop Heaven

By Chris

Had to add to Teresa's basketball post. We did, indeed, go to a college basketball game last night that kept us out until well past 11 p.m. And, it was worth it. Something happens to my boys at a basketball game that doesn't happen anywhere else. They fight and bicker pretty steady anywhere else. But, not at the Ted (the affectionate name for our team's homecourt) during a game. They are totally into the game and experience. They know every players' names and strengths. They cheer together, talk about the players together, and dance and act crazy to try to get the jumbo-tron cameras to focus on them. Last night, they left me for the entire second half to sit in some open seats by the court together. Side-by-side. Smiling and giggling for a good hour. They scored two cameos on the jumbo-tron screens. It is an entirely masculine, manly man experience (we go with my former college roommates to every game), and they dig that we used to be just like the crazy students in the student section. Of course, we tell them we were even crazier . . . that those dudes have nothing on the people from our day. On the way home, they both promised me that when I get old, they'll come get me with their sons to go to games. No matter what! When we got home, I tucked them in. They were chatting in the dark about how one of their favorite new guys on the team scored 11 points as they drifted off to dreamland. And, that's at least as important as a good night's rest on a school night, right?

what does ESPN stand for?

by teresa

Last night the boys had an exciting game to go to.
ODU (which is exciting alone) on ESPNU.
It was a 9:00pm game (the games usually begin at 7:00).
Which meant a late (rowdy) night.
To be out this late on a school night is not usually encouraged (by mom). But, apparently it is a very big deal to be on tv and have the late game.
So turnout was to be big and the boys were preparing all afternoon (after homework was done of course). There was poster board, markers and scissors flying....and even talk of face paint.
When they walked out the door there was a blue wig, megaphone, blue/silver beads, monarch hats, ODU sweatshirts, a cape and fuzzy scarf worn. I won't tell you who wore what. All I know is I am so mad at myself for not taking a picture.

Oh, by the way, they won.

don't touch that dial!

by teresa

I listen to three radio stations in my car.

NPR: when I am shuttling a kid to and fro. Why? Because they hate it. Hahahahaha. And what better pleasure is there than blaring Mozart as your teenager is getting out of the car in front of school? I know....I'm twisted.

Gospel: when we are all in the car going somewhere together. Why? Because when the Green family is within touching distance from each other...God needs to be there too. We have had some not-so-nice car hitting/slapping/screaming/pinching experiences. But when someone's on the box singing about Gods grace...the assaults are kept to a minimum.

The Wave (favorites from yesterday and today): when I am alone. Why? It's got a little bit of everything. Donna Summer, Rascal Flatts, Elton John. I can't get into top 40 anymore. It is all just way too raunchy.

What do you like to listen to?

A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer

by teresa

3yr old: Mom, where's my picture I colored at church?

Mom: Ummm (stalling because she threw it away and is digging out of trashcan) I will get it for you.

3yr old: (Looking intensely at slightly crumpled drawing brought by mom) Mommy, did you throw this in the trash?

Mom: No....I will not throw it in the trash can. I love it honey.

3yr old: No mommy....did you throw it in the trashcan?

This back and forth game went on a few more minutes with said mommy trying to bemuse clever toddler (the 3yr old never cracked got confused or wavered with her interrogation) ending in my sister coming clean and begging Kaden for forgiveness.

That kid is so smart.

Chris said he would have told her, "yes...I threw it away...it was ugly."

He's such a meanie.

Kai's 8th birthday bowling party!

by teresa

Stretch??!!??

by teresa

I'll let Chris write about the game he coached today.
It was a hoot!

A win...a loss...and a tie

by teresa

I'm beat.

We left the house at 9:30am and returned at 8:45pm.

Seven hours of basketball, an indoor soccer match and a big (heavy) italian dinner with the family.

I am ready for Monday. Weekends are too busy!

Here's a collage I made of the kids games today.

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

by teresa

Brrrrr. It is cold and I love it!

We have a jam packed weekend of activities.

Starting with movie night at Ben's school tonight (after a chilly soccer practice).

Between the cousins and my kids we have four games to watch tomorrow.

Chris is coaching Kristian's team (all girls) and I am very excited to see them in action.

Then on Sunday after church is Kai's 8th birthday party.

Pizza and bowling....the kids will have a blast.

Since I won't have time tomorrow, I am posting Kai's birthday blog today.

What can I say about my nephew Kai?

He is a living cartoon character and his life is a video game (which is not surprising since he lives for video games).

Bouncing, spinning and racing around (and always with his own crazy sound effects).

The kid is just a flat out N U T.

The other night Chris was over talking with Katy.

They heard siren noises, turkey gobble sounds and whoooot whoooot whooot coming loudly from the back of the house. It went on for like ten minutes and kept getting louder and louder. They could tell it was Kai...but what game was he playing? They yelled out, "Kai, what are you playing?" He yells back,"I'm going to the bathroom!"

That's about right. He can make even that exciting.

Happy Birthday our sweet boy (who is the spitting image of my father).

this is hilarious

by teresa

Growing up in a pentecostal church I have seen some dancing. But if our praise team broke out a routine like this on Sunday morning I would have a hard time keeping a straight face. I mean, come on....the moonwalk? hee hee

Click here

Actual questions and comments heard in the Green house this week

by teresa

He broke off my hamsters foot.

Mom, why did you write "I love you" in my school planner? It was very embarassing.

I will be the boss of the entire school.

He even sleeps in that dang hat.

I got shotgun!!!!!!!!!!

He's just happy in his dorky little world.

I'm mad that you brought out the blow dryer.

Our niece is an evil genius.

The game is on Saturday...better pick him up some baby powder.

Your life is made for an ibook.

I am too blessed to be stressed.

I only have to wash my hair twice a week.

You are in there twenty minutes with the water running each morning....15 of the minutes you are going to the bathroom, 2 minutes under the water, 3 minutes drying off. You have got to work on your showering routine.

Don't lie...your toothbrush is dry!

I did it with my finger.

I got my husband an iron for Christmas.

She has got to gee-ohh.

He was shorter than I pictured.

Can you pick that up...if I bend over any longer I will pass out.

Quite a Night at the Greens

By Chris

What a night. I'm not sure where to start, but this night was quite a trip. So, Lauren brought home a boy, whose a friend, with whom she has been hanging out with for quite a while. Met him at school. We've been hearing about him . . . but, officially, he's a friend. Whatever. He was totally acceptable. Quite polite and a little shy. I'm sure the Green house experience freaked him out a little, though. First, I had to warn him to hold tight out in the cold until I could get the howling dogs secluded. Then, the boys got home. Ha! After polite greetings, mom, dad, Nick, and Ben went upstairs to let them watch a movie in the den. It wasn't long before shrieking and screaming started. What did you do? ...... Mom! Dad!!! Ahhh, bahhh,, ahhhh...Nick cut off my hamster's toe!!!!! He's GUSHING blood!!!!!!! Boom, boom, bumble, run, yell mom-dad-two-boys-full-blown-four-way-freak-out-fight. And, our house is not that big. From the sound of it Lauren's friend probably thought: 1. Someone was mutilating animals. and, 2. I killed both boys, because I yelled pretty loud, forgetting about the company. The first yelling was at Nick . . . "What did you do !?!?!?, give me that Hamster you're holding now!!!." Then, realizing the stupid thing only had some miniscule scrape on his little freaky human-like hand, I turned my ire at Ben . . . "Nobody cut anybody's toe off!! This IS NOT gushing blood. It's a DROP!!! Don't freak me out like that unless something really bad ACTUALLY happens!!!!" Or something like that. Ben then responds "WAHHHH, AHHH" Then, more for Nick, who screamed back at me in reaction to my initial screaming . . . "And, I don't care if you didn't actually do anything. You don't scream at me or say freakin' to me. I'm the dad and I can scream. You can't." And, Lauren's boy \ friend left pretty soon after all that. He didn't call us down to say bye.

Not my proudest parenting moment. I mean, did I actually scream at someone for screaming? Duh! Nick and I laughed about it all later when I made Ben go to sleep and let him sneak down and watch a late basketball game with me.

“Housework, if you do it right, will kill you.” Erma Bombeck

by teresa

Everyone is just about back to normal (or as close to normal as a Green gets) around here.
Still a throat gurggle here and a nose blow there....but I can live with that.
School went great (according to both boys) and they even felt good enough to have an outing with dad last night. Go ODU!
I was thrilled with some relaxing alone time. Yes, I'm alone during the day....but that's different alone time. From the time I drop Nick off to the time Ben walks in the door I am scrambling. Load this, wash that, organize this, fold that, run here, drop off that, find that smell and file that.
Being a SAHM is like being a homeowner. The repairs and upkeep are never ending. But seeing the fruit of your labor (with a house and kids) is worth all the sweat you put into them.
Anyway...back to the subject. "After hours" alone time. Things are on tv that I would actually watch (unlike daytime tv which is unbearable). Shawshank Redemption was on....I can not NOT watch that movie when it is on. When he escapes and crawls through the sewer and slides out arms stretched in the rain I want to squeal every time. I turned on the tv (cut it down to a whisper...just enough to here Morgan Freeman says " I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged" and then I pulled out my book. The new Nicholas sparks book...The Lucky One. I had four hours. Wow. I finished the book (it was good) and the movie (the 20th time I've seen it) and headed to bed. After showering and getting in my jammies I tucked myself in with another book (The Christmas Box) and waited for my boys to come home.
Refreshed and renewed.
It's a good life.

no calls from school yet....

by teresa

They both woke up feeling better-ish and went to school.
Ben did take a squirt of chloraseptic...just in case.
He also requested hot apple cider for breakfast.
Because as he said,"dad says it is good for my glands."

Two hours down and still no call from the school nurse.
*phew*

a mother's prayer

by teresa

Dear Father God,

By Your grace I come to You with all that I am and all that I ever hope to be.
I pray for healing over my children (head to toe). Touch them, warm them, comfort them.
In Your presence may all sickness and disease melt away and all become healing memories.
In Jesus precious name...AMEN.

Now go to school!

Enter at your own risk

by teresa

Everyone in this house is sick.

Coughs, headaches, swollen things...and don't even get me started on mucus (the colors you wouldn't believe).

Bleck.

We have the entire cough/cold/allergy/flu/fever section from Walgreen's on our kitchen counter.

NyQuil is my friend.

“Only in America - do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front of the store”

I'm nesting

by teresa

I had a dream.
A dream where dirt, clutter and stench were no more.
Things were organized and labeled in Rubbermaid, the useless was taken to the dump, and the once filthy and uninhabitable was made clean and perfect. Cozy even.
Today I awoke and made this dream a reality.
I cleaned my teenagers room.
Not just clean.
Beyond clean.
I emptied it!
I put all saveable and nostalgic paraphernalia in marked containers(ready and waiting in the attic for our little bird to fly the coup) and the rest (bags upon glorious bags) went to our local trash yard via my dad's old pickup.
Only the clothes that fit, books that need to be read, and school supplies for the upcoming semester are in there now.
What does my daughter think of this?
Well, she doesn't know.
Her and her friends went to Atlanta to catch some college and NBA basketball games for the weekend.
I figure, what does she care?
She uses that space from about midnight to 8:00am (and even less during college breaks).

I wonder if she would notice if I moved her brother's bed in there?
The boys have been begging for their own rooms. hmmmmm.

Blackeyed peas anyone?

by teresa

Happy New Year to you all.
For the first time in all my adult life I almost went to bed before midnight last night.
Almost.
I was tired and Ben spent the night out. He's usually the only one who stays up with me.
Chris took pity on me and waited out the ball drop (and our neighborhood fireworks display) on the couch with me.
Around 9:00pm we all got into jammies, cause you just can't veg. on the couch in jeans and a sweater. I put on my new pink jammies with the polar bears I got half price after Christmas. Nick said I looked like the kid on a Christmas story in his bunny outfit.
We proceeded to watch snippets of Dick Clark , The Bucket List movie and some episodes of the Honeymooners.
I made a frozen pizza and cake.
I know....we know how to party hard don't we?
At midnight Ben called to say Happy New Year and I went on the porch to say the same to mom (who was on her porch next door). I banged on a pot. Twice. I know....party on dude.
Today I will finish erasing Christmas trees, candles, snow globes and ornament glitter from our home. It needs to over, not in mind, but in sight.
I promise to put up some pics. soon.