by teresa

Last nights birthday celebration was fun.

It's so nice for all of us to get together. Especially the out of town cousins (we love you Jamie and Joey!).

I cleaned my house yesterday for 5 hours.

How did my house get dirty enough that I would need to spend 5 hours to get it thoroughly clean?

Well...maybe I did spend a little bit of that 5 hours catching up on my dvr'd episodes of jon&kate plus 8.

I mopped people.

With a bucket and everything.

The only place I didn't get to was my school supply/arts & crafts closet.

I will attack it later after our soccer game.

I will be glad to get away from the final four madness that will be the Green family living room.

Chris is sooooo excited.

We are also babysitting for baby Maya for a few hours tonight while Katy goes out for a birthday dinner.

Happy 27th sissy!

by teresa

Pictures from Chuck E. Cheese last week.

I love the one of Kaden with the "get the heck away from me you freaky rat" face on as Chuck was walking toward our side of the restaurant.

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.

by teresa

We had a mellow evening.
After the past few days of drama and sorrow we needed it.
No meetings, no practices, no stress.
Chris and I met at home after the funeral services and changed in our "I ain't leaving the house in this" clothes.
When the boys came home from school we lounged across the bed and did homework with them then I came down and cooked dinner (chopped steak w/gravy, mashed taters and asparagus). We ate by candlelight(with symphony music blaring in the background thanks to Nick toying with the stereo) , and everyone (including my mom) enjoyed the food. Lauren called from school and heard what we were having,"please please please save some," she asked. I made sure to tuck a plate for her in the back of the fridge, whether or not it was left untouched by the time she got home last night I don't know.
We cleaned up the dishes and headed to the couch to watch Wheel of fortune and Jeopardy.
Our biggest excitement of the night was an improptu game of sock tag (which I won by the way).
You won't believe this but we were in bed by 9:00pm!
I didn't even hear Lauren creep in from her study group.
I woke at 2:00am thinking the alarm was about to go off.
That was awesome. Four more hours of sleep. Don't you love it when that happens?

My uncle and his family are coming in town this afternoon to visit mom and help us celebrate Katy and Lauren's birthdays (Katy tomorrow, Lauren Mon.).
We will head to the Purple Cow for dinner and then to mom's for cake and ice cream.
Sounds like heaven to me.

The hardest two minutes of my day.....

by Teresa

Conversation with a six year old:

6yr old: hi
me: hi sweetie
6yr old: why is everybody crying?
me: because we miss your mommy so much. She was so special and everybody here loves her and your family so much.
6yr old: she's in heaven
my mom: my mommy is in heaven too
6yr old: really?
my mom: yeah, and i am going to see her again someday and you will see your mommy too.
6yr old: okay
my mom: and she will never leave you just cause she's in heaven. She is and angel and watching over you forever.
6yr old: okay
me: is that the card you made your mommy (a crayon drawn card is inside the coffin by Taryn's head from each of the three children. Hers has a picture of her and her mommy . It says "your the best mommy ever"
6yr old: yes, I made it. That's my mommy and that's me (pointing to card). But I made an even better card and I am going to put it on a balloon and send it to heaven for her.
me: she will love that
6yr old: touch her
me: ????
6yr old: touch her
me: *I stroke her cheek* and I physically feel my heart break. Seriously...it actually hurt to beat.
6yr old: isn't she cold? (she reaches over my hand to rub her mommy's hair)
me: yes. That's because she is not in there. That's just her house on earth and it's empty now. The real mommy (her soul) is in heaven with Jesus.
6yr old: yep. And because all her blood is gone.

And that was my cue to hug her ,walk away from the open casket and find a corner to cry in.

“Tears are words the heart can't express”

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

by teresa

Mom is home.

*Phew*

Settled in and feeling so-so.
No driving or cleaning or bending or lifting for a week.

Lucky.

Lots to do today.
MOPS meeting (which I may have to miss because I have loads to do around here and mom needs her laundry done and prescriptions filled).

PTA meeting this afternoon (joy)

Soccer practice and pictures after dinner.

Viewing in the evening.
I am not looking forward to that. I will break out my death suit (the one I bought for Daddy's funeral) for the funeral tomorrow. I have worn it 3 times since I bought it. All for funerals in the past 6 months. My Dad's, Mrs. Dixon(long time family and church friend), Aunt Julie and now Taryn. I really hate that suit.

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."

by teresa

Blogging from the hospital.

A glimpse into five minutes of my day:

I'm in the kitchen getting ready to nuke some stouffers for dinner.
Ben is watching something on disney...Nick has just left the kitchen(with a roast beef sandwich he was dying for since he didn't eat lunch today) and was headed to the office to do homework.
I hear my cellphone ringing.
Nick comes running in the kitchen with it for me (how sweet).
It's our neighbor Gerri.
She is calling from the hospital to tell me they just took my mom back for surgery.
As I am carefully listening and gathering all pertinent information I hear screams.
It sounds like the,"SHHHHOOOOORRRTTTYYY!!!!!"
I am still listening to Geri but trying to figure out what is going on when I hear this,"WAAAAA! STOP KICKING THE DOOOOGGGG!"
As I am hanging up, putting the stouffers back in the freezer and looking for my shoes I head around the corner to find :
Son # 1 crying
Son # 2 crying
Dog # 1 with tail between legs scooting past me to retreat upstairs
Bits of roast beef and chips (which I didn't know Nick had) crushed all over the carpet.

We have all heard the old adage about not taking food from a dog without expecting payback.
Well in my house the dog learned that you do NOT take food from a 12yrd old boy without payback.

While Nick brought me the phone....Shorty helped himself to the big, juicy roast beef sandwich Nick had so carefully made.
Nick found him and pounced.
Trying like mad to push the dog off with his foot only to be accosted by his younger brother (and apparent PETA spokesperson) for (in Ben's words) beating up the dog.
Ben took to kicking and hitting his brother (which is apparently okay as long as you leave the dog unharmed).
Nick and him were in a slap fight when I came around the corner (with Shorty underfoot still taking a crack at the last bits of sandwich that were being stomped into my rug).

Thanks mom for having an operation just so I could have an excuse for getting out of the house.

by teresa

Mom's doing good.
Still not home but doing really good.

We are all reeling from some devastating news we received yesterday.
A very close family and church friend had unexpected loss.
Her daughter in law. A young (late 20's) wife and mother of three precious little ones (7 and under) passed away.
Pray for comfort for her family and all those who knew her.

I just can't get it out of my head.
You never know when you will be leaving this Earth.
Young, old.

Get right with God, tell your family you love them, let your light(Jesus) shine to everyone and in everything you do.

by teresa

What a rough weekend this has been.

Friday night I spent the evening with Ben and Kaden at the the place of evil (chuckecheese).
You guys know I NEVER go there. But, the pageant Ben is an escort in had a party for the kids participating...and I sucked it up and took him. And then on the way I had a moment of weakness and asked Kaden(my crazy 2yr old niece) to come with us.
It was so packed inside.
Hundreds of children let off their leash at once.
While the parents sat back and ignored the craziness going on with a cold beer (did you know they serve beer at chuckecheese?) and a piece of cardboard pizza. Numb to the screaming, pushing, running and jumping that is a good time for kids at C.E.C.
Since I don't drink or eat cardboard pizza I was fully aware and tuned in to all the debauchery.
I was a little scared.
Two hours later I dragged the over sugared and over stimulated kids back to the car to go home.
One of them kicked my seat the whole way home.
The other threw a sucker in my hair.
I said nothing.
I was verging on narcoleptic.

I dropped Kaden off (fueled up and ready to party...can you say endless mountain dew refills?) which I'm sure Katy appreciated.
Then came home and put Ben to bed.
I put on my sweats, straightened the covers and leaned over to set the alarm for our early morning soccer game on Sat.
Then the phone rang.
A phone ringing at 11:00 is usually not good.
It was mom and she was sick.
Real sick.
So I threw my C.E.C. smelling clothes back on(they almost smelled as bad as Mexican restaurant clothes) and headed next door.
I drove her to the ER and spent most of the night (next morning) there with her.
She was admitted yesterday and is still there today.
Gallstones. Infected gallbladder.
Much pain and nausea.
Poor mom.
We are waiting for a catscan today that will show if one of the ducts is clogged with a stone so the Dr. can make a next step.
Pray for her full and painless recovery.
And pray for me to find the time to take care of my family (wash those funky clothes and the rest of the full hampers) and be with mom as much as I can.

by teresa

We had the most exciting soccer game last night.

Ben scored 4 goals.

One being a penalty kick (photo below) when the other team touched the ball in front of their goal.

He looked totally calm, but told us later he was very nervous in his tummy.

I asked him if he would have rather us got someone else to kick the shot and he adamantly said "NO!"

"I was nervous...but I knew I could do it."

I was not wanting him to kick it.

Put another kid in...please!

I felt it was too much pressure and I didn't want him to be disappointed in himself if he missed.

But the team mom doesn't get to make the decisions (unless your needing to know what snack to bring or where the party is).

Dad (coach) called the shots.

I should have had faith.

We (I) should let our kids know we believe in them, and encourage them to try new things. Cheer them on if they make it, and pick them up if they fail. Life involves having the courage to take risks despite the fear of failure.

I'll remember that next time.

Weekend photos

Dogs and Kids

By Chris

Dog Update: The shoe has been found. And, apparently, I owe KiKi the dog an apology. Sure, it's confirmed she moves my shoes around. But, I doubt she put it in Nick's camping gear. Where it was found. It was the big event of the morning. Both boys stormed into my shower to show it to me. I guess I'll have to get her a bone or something for the false accusation.

Nick found the shoe because I am making him clean up the garage and yard. I ordered Ben to do the same to the upstairs of the house. They were bugging each other and me real bad before this. Teresa is off . . . somewhere . . . she told me where but I'm fuzzy on the details. And, two bored brothers are a recipe for disaster. They will worry each other and any adult around to death. But, it's amazing how they can disappear and get along when you start throwing out chore lists. "Dad I'm bored . .. He it me . . . Stop putting your stinky socks on me . . . Let's go to Target . . . Shutup, your breathe stinks . . . Go clean the garage . . . silence....

Basketball!!

By Chris

Now this is something you really can't beat. Take off work and watch basketball noon-midnight on tv for four days. Then, on the next day, drive a couple of hours to watch basketball in one of the best arenas in the country with the family. I'm talking an arena where there's laser light shows, HD jumbotron scoreboards and real fire rises from the court during team intros. Get back in time to attend two more games until well past midnight the following day, one of which your team wins at the buzzer in overtime with 8,000 people freaking out. Sweet.

by teresa

Blogging from the road.
The whole family packed up and headed to Charlottesville for the ODU /UVA game.
Dining out, hotel stay, the whole shebang.
And for what?
A loss.
A big 'ol loss.
Booooooo!

Tonight's sleeping arrangements should be interesting.
Chris being finance savvy (cheap) hooked us up with a free room in a really nice hotel from some points he had accumulated while traveling.
One free room.
For four of us.
Two beds.
I call the one by the window!
The three boys can flip for the other/the floor or the bathtub.

Questions and comments heard in the Green home this week

by teresa

Stop putting boogers on the wall in the bathroom!

I wanted a buttercream egg...not a peanutbutter.

Stop irritating everybody!

Let the dog out...he's gonna throw up!

He's not throwing up...but his butt does look funny.

Nobody touch my drink!

Who drank my drink?

You guys suck!

You're so patronizing.

Did the firemen like their eggs?

I am so awesome.

Stop leaving your socks in the backyard.

You put too much salt on the ham.

How is cinnabon apple streudal pie good for us?

Does carrot cake count as my veggies for the day?

You need a happy pill.

Both you guys smell like you jumped in a hiney pool.

Did you know?

HE IS RISEN!



Happy Easter y'all!

By Chris

Breakfast at friends'. Soccer. Easter Eggstravaganza. Watch Basketball. Long day.

Today was Ben's first soccer game and the first time in years I was not coaching the affair. Our longtime assistant coaches took over this year. I'm helping. Feels funny. It's been fun to watch the new coaches step up and do their thing. In honor of our years together, they kept our team name and have kept us mega-involved. Like the elder sage or something. Teresa says: "you know, you're the oldest coach out there." My gosh . . . how did that happen. The other coaches and parents are all "Hey Mr. Green . . ." I'm NOT OLD!!! Cousin Kai's playing baseball, as you read, so no coaching the little kids either. So I'm just ... helping. We played to a 0-0 tie. Playoff spots are on the line this year, so the scores are impotant.

In a rare twist, college daughter spent nearly the whole day with us. She was in charge of face painting at the eggstravaganza. Some of the kids from the pre-school where she works were there. You could tell they were elated to see her and that she really connects with them. She's got a real gift for relating to kids, and its neat to see it coming out. She then watched basketball with me for a couple of hours before bolting for her social scene. I wonder if she was thinking "I'll sit here with the old man a while. Seems to make him happy."

Speaking of basketball, I've watched about 30 hours of it since Thursday. Took off to do it too. March Madness!! In a shocking and delightful twist, Teresa has agreed to go with me, the boys and college roommate and family on a basketball watching, hotel-staying trip this Monday. I wonder if she was thinking "Seems to make the old man happy . . . "

by teresa

I went to Kai's baseball practice yesterday to see how he is doing.
My nephew is the first of all our kids to play baseball.
Soccer and basketball have been the sport of choice until now.
He was so cute in his little ball pants and jersey. That hat (that's a bit too big) tilted to the side and his tongue hanging out (eyes closed) while he swings with all his might at the ball (coach pitch).
Loved it!
It was freezing...but I sat (and cheered) him on.
If you ask Kai what his favorite part is he would tell you.....the cup/jockstrap.
The boy is elated about his new found "manly" apparel.
He puts it on and instantly turns into a caveman.
Stomping and grunting around the house.
"look at my huge pee pee!"
"punch me in my huge pee pee!"
"I am invincible!"
Then he hits himself between the legs and roars with laughter at this feat.
Men?

He finally came(refer to post below).
Apparently he had been calling me all morning trying to stop by.
The phone in my room was off the hook.
My bad.

It was bad news.
I am holy.
And not the good kind of holy (although I strive to be...can't you tell?).
The bad kind of holy.
I have a hole in the tub of my washer.
A big hole that pours water all over my carpet.
A big hole caused by something slipping threw the holes and grinding against the rubber liner until it punctured it.
I blame Nick.
Why?
Cause it couldn't be my fault...that's why.
And Nick is the one who stuffs his pockets with the most garbage each day.
GRRRRRR!
They are going to have to take it to the shop, take it apart and replace the tub thingy.
This may take days.
rAzzLe frAzzLe!
That's the way us sweet (holy) christian girls express our displeasure without having to be a dirty mouth swearer.

by teresa

Just sitting here.
Sitting and waiting.
Waiting for the washer repair guy to come.
I hate to sit and wait.
I have a list a mile long to get done today.
But I am chained to the house like a dog.
You know if I run down the street for a minute to pick up milk...that's when he will come.
Then I will have to wait another week for a new appointment.
And I don't think mom's washer can handle the Green family laundry for 7 more days.

Daily Dog Update

By Chris

Still no sign of my shoe. It's o.k. Good excuse to go tennis shoe shopping (which I actually like).

Just looked out the back door, and KiKi has a TENNIS RACKET in her mouth walking around the yard. Perhaps she's piece-by-piece setting up a second hand athletics store??