HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY

Monday Duke will celebrate his birthday! It was a Texas Football year for his birthday....he got 4 season tickets and he and Dale tickets to the TX OU football game! Thank goodness we won and made the drive worth the effort! They drove up Friday night, stayed with Troy and Carolyn...thanks guys for the bed! Went to the fair and then the game and had a little time to hang out before they came home. Funny side story...at game start there were a few late comers around them and Dale had an unobstructed view....5 plays in Duke turned to find Dale..head down and sad b/c he no could not see at all, since those fans arrived....so Duke being super dad held Dale on his shoulders the ENTIRE game. 4 hours of a 60 pound kid on your neck....Dukes shoulders hurt pretty good today but no worse for the wear and made Dales first OU /TX shoot out game one he could see and enjoy. Plus Dale made friends with a few college kids a couple of rows back that were at his lofted eye level and they exchanged high fives all game long! Initially Duke was going to take both boys to the game....but after a discussion it was determined that I could buy off Reid for much less than the cost of tickets. So I took Macy, him and a friend to Inflatable World Saturday evening for dinner and dessert and bouncing...they loved it and as I show up to his house to drop him off decked out in burnt orange....I meet his dad who is wearing an OU visor and had an OU decal on his car and graduated from OU. So in Dallas they had a shoot-out and in San Antonio we had a playdate.

Dale eating fried bacon....yummy???





The Field with the red/orange split
My second oldest longhorn nut

Dale and Reid at the Colorado Game

Dale with one of the cheerleaders

His other gift from me was some OU socks...they say it as a play on words b/c I really do not like my kids saying OU Sucks, but OU socks is totally different in Dads eyes. Yea I know a portion of the cost went to OU but worth it for the novelty. I have to say I absolutly love that Duke and the boys are making such huge memories at the games togeather, hopefully it is a tradion we can continue for years to come.

My time Hog

So here are some pretty shots of what occupies my life most days right now. We had team photos the other day and I took the time to take a few of my own .....not too bad.

Reid Flag

Dale Rookie

Macy Cheer

The Whole Crew

catchup

Dale had to do a Grandparents Project so he selected a scrapbook page....Traveling with Mama Sam and Hanging out with Grandma and Bepaw. They presented it at Grandparents day which Grandma was able to make, Bepaw was needed at a memorial service but made it up to the boys by taking them lunch and eating with them at school.... and they loved that. He and I wrote a poem for Grandpa Butch...his namesake, that he really liked and I guess so did the teacher...he got 100.

Richie McDonald, Paul Overstreet, and Scotty Emerick performing at the TX 4000 benefitThis "concert" was stellar I LOVED it ....very personal....super cool

Kids decked out on the deck watching a movie on the projector

First Day of School 2009, 1st grade and 3rd grade

1st tooth gone....the one next to it came out days later at football practice....with blood and all....Reid loved it.

day by day

Well school started and both boys seem to be doing wonderful. Reid I was worried about a little because he had no friends in his class and not really any faces he knew either. To top it off ALL his friends were in Dales old 1st grade teachers class, so he was a little upset but has seemed to pop back and has made some new friends. Dale had a few faces he knew but again no real friends but has recess with a few close buddies so that is working out well too. He had to test for the GT (Gifted and talented )class and was really scared, and his GT teacher caught me in the hall the other day and told me about it, so hopefully he performed well and will get it again b/c he really enjoys that and the friends he has in there. Should find out in 2-3 weeks. Macy in her words has "a thousand" girls in her class and has actually has about 8 and is loving it, and most of them have been together since birth so they are very close. I start actually doing my job of computers this week, and as room copy chick for the kids teachers and newsletter nut for both schools. Football is also in full swing and Reid is actually playing this year, and gets the game so much better. Dale is on a team with 8-9 yr olds and actually lots of them are turning 10 now so he is fighting for his spot. He was playing lots initially but a few players were on vacation then and came back and he lost his starting spot and was crushed. I have to admit I was a little ticked too, b/c I see him busting his butt, giving his all, coming home filthy and wiped out and watched as he was told he had the spot and was called out to take it and the coach told him to go back and pulled out another kid.... also to add insult the kid that took his spot initially starts on offense and he felt it unfair that he gets that to start both ways when there are other kids....hard point to grasp as a kid, and he just loves the game so much and wants to play it, but we are pushing through and hoping it will work out. Cheer leading is going well and the girls are alot of fun and are really talented, occasionally the pre teen drama is annoying but none the less a experience. Duke got his birthday gift early ....season UT tickets and he and Dale went to the opener, and LOVED it. There are arguments for who goes to what game and I will probably loose and not make any but if the boys have fun then it is totally worth it, I love that it is another thing the boys can do together and know it will create memories. Sadly now that they will experience the joys of season tickets they will want them every season! Duke is doing well, I think beginning to feel the stress of the job. He is now the man in charge and does not have many folks to rely on for help so he is running around all day. He has had several interviews and is hoping for a few offers so cross your fingers for that. But all in all we are plugging along and wishing for cooler weather and smooth sailing....heres hopin'. Pics to come I had the camera charged and ready and did not take one picture on Saturday....sad but we did go see my sweet little nephew Sammy and he is so stinking cute and fun, the kids loved playing with him wish the visits were closer and longer but such is life.

i give up.... a venting

I am glad it is the end of summer...I for one am about at my wits end ...ha ha thats funny "about" that notion passed a few weeks ago, I am currently about to self medicate. We have been very busy and kids have been up late, I am certain their clocks are out of whack, so we have been putting them to bed early this past week to prep for school ....something they LOVE. But seriously, I think this goes past out of whack internal clocks, I am loosing it here. Here is an example Taking my boys to the store is like taking 2 circus cats, Macy is pretty good since she always goes with me and is used to it I guess. Don't get me wrong they can be helpful in getting items but they can't keep their hands off each other...it is a constant wrestling match. My code phrase is go to separate countries to try and get them away from each other and it is like they hate the wrestling but love it or have a compulsion to do it b/c it always goes back there. Same at home which I detest the noise but if they are both happy then fine but in a store be a human, walk, speak....none of this involves hitting, grabbing, sucker punches. Also clearly I have been to lax in my punishments b/c today when I took away all the boys "screens" ALL I heard for the remainder of the store is Dale whining of how can he earn it back, what can he do to make it better, crying and fuming....and I am doing my very best to get across to him that by not accepting the consequence he is making it worse. Why after 8 years can he not get it I am perplexed. And Reid well that little helper I am so torn with....he loves to help truly loves it, but it is not always helpful...example at the store checking out....he is ringing up items like it is a race, replacing them to the conveyor belt, the machine is all bells and whistles that the items are not in the bagging area, we need assistance, I am pleading PLEASE WAIT Reid....his reply is I just wanted to help...but (sigh......).
Why is it that punishing Dale is a piece of cake....screens and he is broken, Macy take toys, or colors....DONE...but Reid is hard he is not really into games, or toys and time out is ok but short lived....outside time is a good one but when it is 100+ we are not going outside when it not essential....he is kinda untouchable...which irks me. I like to have a solid go to item.

And now that I am just venting I have no idea what happens at 4:40 in Dale when it is time to get dressed for Football, Reid is dressed, shoes tied, water done by 4:45 all on his own....Dale is fussing and whining that he is itchy and why did I not do anything to help him...(no mention of itching the other 23 hours of the day) BUT NOW well it is all my fault and lets not start on the shoes ...we have to put them on like 3 times each b/c they are not right and make his feet spicy( explain that), I have tried not helping him but he will make me late. Its my fault that he has to pee in the middle of practice and can't get his pants off and on fast enough, b/c the slide is too tight or the tied part is tangled.....on and on for a solid 45 mins....you would think I feed this but I promise you I am walking away or not engaging...they he asks why don't you answer...by this point I have transformed into MT. Mamma and am gonna loose it. Yet once at practice he is this other kid....no complaints giving his all and after he is happy as a lark. Is the time before simply insecurities he is feeling??? I dunno but I give up trying to understand. I assume it is b/c he is the most like me why we clash so much... Final example....I took away his screens....screens.... so a person would deduce that if it has a screen then it is off limits....ok so a neighbor come to the door and asks to play
...dale says I can't I was bad at the store ...
neighbor leaves...
I ask later if the neighbor just wanted to play wii
....no just play, but I said I couldn't
.....oh is that what your punishment was
...what do you mean Mom
.... I gave you your punishment and if that is how you interpreted it then so be it.
...What do you mean
....Dale what did I say at the store
...that I lost my screens
.....ok
...but last time you did not let me go outside when I lost them
...no dale it was 9:30 and dark that is why I said no, they were unrelated
....thats not fair, I just lost another privilege so do I earn one back
...no

I guess I should look for more of the humor in it all....but when you are experiencing it numerous times the humor is lost.....

Loss of innocence

On the train ride to NYC Dale and I sat together and he asked me randomly if the Easter bunny was real... I said it is as real as you want it to be....he said really Mom I wanna know is it you and dad.... I said what do you think....he said I think it is...and I said you are right. Then he sat and said what about Santa....I said again...it is as real as you want it to be...reply I KNEW IT! Then I threatened him with in an inch of his life to NOT tell Reid and Macy. Explaining that I told him b/c I felt he was big enough to handle the information the right way and play along. Then seeming kinda sad I explained why I said as real as you want it... that I do believe in the Christmas spirit and that is what Santa represents...giving, and joy in the season. So sort of a right of passage out of the little kid years on to big ones....

NYC

Central park

Swimming

A Breezy Statue of Liberty

Mars 2112

Kids Street Drawing

Top of the Rock

Toys R Us Ferris Wheel

Wall Street Bull

At Shrek

Top of the Rock

Twin Tower Memorial fountain

Ice Cream after Shrek

(cue music) If I can make it here...... I'll make it....

UH probably not. Was it fun...YES but I just do not think that I could live that lifestyle. I love my pantry that is the size of an entire NYC kitchen that holds cases of water, soda, Gatorade, and soooo much more. I love that I have 2 full size fridges in my house, and a whole room devoted to my kids toys. The NYC lifestyle is just SOOO different, none the less to see a glimpse of it was fun.

Here was our trip we flew into Newark, grabbed a train to NYC and a cab to the hotel. Next day we did the Twin Towers tour and Statue of Liberty. It is such a change having gone one year before the attack of 9-11 and returning now. There are security screenings everywhere, which is a good thing for safety but also very sad that the innocence is gone and is replaced by sniffing machines and finger print lockers so NO keys enter buildings. The Statue was neat and the kids took a park ranger test and learned quite a lot about the history of the statue. Funny part was they had to take an oath to get the badge... began I "state your name" and all three in unison said" I state your name"....and Dale then said oh wait "I Dale" The kids saw their first homeless man sleeping on a bench and he had a NASTY toenail sticking out from his blanket and Macy said....He really needs some clippers to clean his toes they are YUCKY! and she was right looked like years of funk on those feet. Dinner at forest gumps on Broadway and called it a night at our Marriott Marquis hotel room that overlooked Times Square...really cool.

We then we went to Rockefeller center, and shopped all the great big stores FAO, Toys R US, rode the Ferris wheel, Disney store, Nintendo World. Snacked at Magnolia Bakery, and did what turned out to be a favorite....vendor hot dogs....fast, cheap and yummy. We saw SHREK on Broadway and I was very impressed...it was great with lots of adult humor, Ate at a revolving restaurant. We also tackled Central park and the boats and fountains that was ok but ended at a play park in the park with water jets and play sets and that was a huge hit. We ate at Mars 2112...this cool restaurant that takes you to mars to eat complete with aliens. Finally we walked canal st. and saw all the street sales...bought a hello kitty necklace for macy, ate at a hole in the wall burger king on the edge of china town that charged for the restroom if you did not have a receipt. We also rode the subways to and fro and the kids thought that was cool but different...and the taxis were a hit too what kid wouldn't love a crazy cabbie. Dale decided he wanted Wii Sports Resort that was releasing the next morning so he and Duke went and stood in line to get it and saw a movie being filmed, and a few famous folks on the streets...all in all a great time.

The Human Body

The inner dialogue of the human body must be very interesting. This past week my body has been less regular than one would hope so there were chats between myself nurse and myself patient. I assume they went like this
day 2
nurse : so any progress
patient: no but I am upping my water ...it'll work out

day 3:
Nurse: anything???
Patient: NO but I am hopeful

Day 4:
Nurse: you know there are products...
Patient: fine whatever...my pants are tight

Day 5 Drug scene:
looking at the pills that tout gentle relief, all sealed in their shiny silver sheet, with no box b/c I threw that part away some time ago...I debated. One pill? or Two? I do not remember...well more is better right so two. Toss them back with water and forget the entire event really. I assume there were bells and whistles and lights flashing in my belly when they arrived and yells of "open up the red line" "the red line are you crazy that could blow the whole system!" "Marty, the code says... "Lets not get hasty Jim, lets stick a pin in this topic and I address this after lunch."" ohh lunch nice...what are you hungry for...i was thinking Chinese., and it is only noon we have some time yet...." Clearly easily distracted workers which is why we are in this situation... truly good help is hard to find....

Night time action sequence:
fast forward until 2:30 am...and why is this. I could take those pills at 8 am and still it would not be effective until 2:30 am...or I could take it at 2:00 am and it would I bet be effective in 30 mins I assume. Always seems to be a middle of the night appt. probably on a shift change. Ok so I wake up all crampy and feeling like my insides are being stretched out in a line from here to china and is now a walkway for the masses....gentle my a*#...not pun intended. So to the potty I go and over the next 3 hours off and on I successfully engage the lazy colon monitors and force their work and hopefully washed them away as well.

Wrap Up
Next morning no worse for the wear, I am interviewing healthy vivacious colon monitors in my body to run what the lazy ones did not. We will see how that goes over the next weeks probationary period.

Yea I know this is a weird blog topic but I promise you this was my thoughts during the episode the other night...maybe it was the little promising pills that effected my brain activity but none the less my thoughts and feelings. I am afraid to ask...since I process these nutty thoughts am I weird...stupid question to ask when you have already answered it for yourself???


But also wierd how the body can and does deal with medication... My kids were sick with a bug and had fevers and I gave them tylonel and 30 mins later they are bouncing off the walls and seem fine....I know better and am proved it 4 hours later when they crash...but that is crazy how well some of this stuff works....I digress

The Coons

Duke is a home builder and 3 weeks ago he was prepping to take a home buyer on their final walk of the home to find any small issues and address them. He noticed some debris but just cleaned it up before the walk and decided to address it after the walk. Walk went wonderful, buyers excited and happy. That afternoon he investigated the debris and found the cause....an animal in the attic. So he gets traps and sets them in the attic....for 1.5 weeks he gets nothing and is spending tons of time on the Internet researching raccoons, rats, possums to ID the culprit. Finally it is determined it is a raccoon. So last Saturday on our way home from Kerrville we check the trap and SUCCESS a raccoon....so we load the raccoon in the car( my moms borrowed car) and drive 2 miles away to undeveloped green space. Duke who was in flip flops deems his boots will be better protection and puts them on with his shorts...a fine fashion statement....and opens the trap...nada...shakes trap...nada, closes trap and looks for a stick to poke the coon to get it moving. Then decides he can't open the trap and poke so I am to poke....I am in flip flops but when I mention this he says ...your fine...I'll kick it or something if it comes near you. Thankfully brutality is not necessary and it runs away....ahhh deep sigh from Duke as the owners are to close on Tuesday. So he all but skips to the house the next day b/c he won.....NOT.... the coon came back and was NOT happy she scratched the front and back doors all up, tore off the weather stripping at the doors, tore up the bottom of the garage, and got on the roof and tore off shingles trying to get in....so he realizes this might not be over and goes to check the attic and while standing on the attic access ladder and turning to reach for the light a foot from his face is another raccoon! He screams and jumps off the ladder since the raccoon is now hissing at him and in the back saw a 3rd raccoon. So resets all traps again and for 3 days nothing, and has been given authorization to shoot them...which is not the first choice but an option at least. So during these 3 days the buyers cannot close, their interest rate lock has to be extended all their belongings are in a semi and he is picking up the tab on all of this as consolation to the buyers and has also cut 2 ft holes in every room to survey damage done, and in effort to locate the babies....and decides to re-catch mama to use her as bait. The had devoured the entire ac / duct system......NICE so he then made himself a snare, and is crawling all over the attic in welding gloves ...the mighty coon hunter. Thursday morning he catches mama again by re-opening her initial access point the dryer vent but this time it led to a trap. Excited by the progress he ran up and caught a baby....so then puts baby with mama and they are so happy they purred. Then he puts mama and baby in the attic surrounded by traps and Saturday morning had success and caught the other baby...which was great b/c we were beginning to think it was dead. So he brought them home for the kids to see and they were cute but dang they can do some damage. He then took them to our land and released them so there is nothing to damage but space to run.But mama tried to get in the last round and bit Dukes glove...did not hurt him at all but shook the glove pretty good...... Good luck coons and good riddance

A busy weekend in pictures

This is was the weekend 2 weeks ago in pictures

Junior Rattlers/ Reagan Rattler Cheer Clinic ...so fun Macy LOVED the cheerleaders here she is in the "mush pot"

Macy actually cheering ...she is the little one in the middle black bowMy freinds daughter (in pig tails) and cheer buddyAllison and Avery stuntin' in up with their buddyMacy coloring with her Cheer Buddy

that occupied us from 7:30-12:30 then at 2:00 we went to the end of season picnic/ pool party
Dale getting his HUGE trophy

Macy getting her HUGE trophy

Macy with her favorite coach...coach Gary...he is making faces at her

This took us to 5:00 and then we ran home showered and hauled to the river walk for dinner on a boat cruise

Scott and Tanya
Jess, Macy and DaleMacy and Lil SammyGrandma and Bepaw
Jess's high school friend and fianceAnother of Macy and Sammy...my kids LOVE himMe and Duke The whole gang It was a great day....just a really long one.

Cars

In the past month we have been car selling and buying fools....this truck Dukes is the only one that we previously had and still own....the lion in the back is not a permanent fixture we loanded it to our kids daycare since they are doing an African Safari Summer theme...so what better than and African Lion to hunt.

The new .....well new to me Tahoe...07 z71...very pretty and smooth and even has a remote starter so I can cool it down or warm it up and never actually go outside...niceIt has a brushed aluminum or somthing in place of the wood grain...YIPPIE...wood grain has never been a favorite of mine.... I think looks out of place...but totally personal and its been in past cars but not in this one!

Also this one had the seats I think are soo cool.... quad seating but the two toned colors...Duke says it is wierd but I think it is sharp. And look at all those airducts ...my kiddos are gonna be cold....when it is 100+ I wanna here I am cold....not hot. ( the H2 did not have any rear above your head air ducts = HOT on occasion)So that is my new mommy mobile and I think I am gonna love it....plenty of room to seperate any kids that want or need their space, plenty to entertain them and keep um' cool. And the BEST part is it is paid off today...no payments !!!!!

Finally here is the new toy for Duke that he swapped the other jeep for plus some cash that went to my new truck. So everyone is happy and paid for.