Thanksgiving

Ryan asked me what I was grateful for this Thanksgiving. A million things zipped through my mind; my home, my job, 5 days off, beautiful weather, wonderful extended family, good friends....

But in the end, it all comes down to Ryan and these three hooligans.  And as Cade said in family prayer the other day, "Thank you for our family and how tight we are."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

When It's Over

Football had to end sometime.  Unfortunately it ended with a 26-24 loss to Valley Christain.  Cade and his teammates gave it everything they had, but it just didn't work out this time.  Ryan always says that "the sun will come up in the morning," but Lauren countered that "what if it rains."  Well, the sky is bright and clear, but it's still a little dreary around here.

I only had my cell phone to take a picture, but I wanted to capture the look of a "warrior". These past few games, Cade has played like a man possessed.  He's been banged up and bruised, but not broken.  I can't tell you how many times I was near tears, both with pride and with sorrow.  He and his friends never gave up, never got down and always came fighting back.  After the pain subsides, they will be able to draw from those lessons of loyalty, preparation, determination and perseverance.  And in the end, that's what makes champions.

3rd Grade Vocabulary

Lately I've been moaning about the sheer amount of time it takes to have two kids in high school.  (Feel free to laugh at me if you've already experienced this).  I had forgotten what it was like to have a freshman.  I feel like most of my spare time is spent running Syd around to practices, games, activities, etc.  When Cade was a freshman, Ryan coached his football and baseball team, so he was in charge of that "running around" experience.  No such luck with Syd.  It's on me.  Cade helps a little.   He gets her to school, as well as to and from lunch.  But after that, he's got his own job and practices. I haven't even begun to mention the additional games and trips that have been added to our schedule. Anyway, that's the background story....

This week one of Lauren's vocabulary words is "attend".  Each night, she recites the definition to me in preparation for her test on Friday.  Each night she makes one small mistake...

"Attend:  to be pleasant at an activity or event".

Whooohoooo!  That just cracks me up.  Monday through Wednesday I thought, "You need to work on being pleasant at those events Lauren".  But tonight I realized it's probably me who needs the reminder.  So today I'm vowing to be "pleasant" about all of the activities and events I attend.

*Disclaimer:  I really and truly do enjoy watching my kids in all the things that they do.  But WOW!  I really had forgotten what it is like to have a high school age kid who can't drive yet.

Never Say Never

I may not have said it out loud, but after McFly died, I thought we'd hold off on getting another dog. You know, let the grass and the flowers grow back, that sort of thing. 

It wasn't two weeks later that I started moping about, thinking, "I sure wish I had a dog to love on".  It seems that Ryan was having the same thought because last weekend we loaded up in the car, drove to Phoenix and came home with seven pounds of Bulldog lovin'. 

I've never owned a bulldog before, as my family always leaned towards Labs.  Let me say it, I am in love.  This little dog is the sweetest, funnest, easiest dog I've ever owned.  I know, I know, we've only owned her a week, but every day we love her a little more.  Seriously, we all spend at least an hour each night laughing and playing with her.  Even Ryan is infatuated with her.  We've named her "Tank".  Not exactly a feminine name, but surely a step up from "McFly".  The girls and I have deemed her "Tankini" so that she can at least feel a little girly.

Yeah, I'm not really seeing the girly look either. 

But the love...is flowing all over.....

Missing in Action

I feel like I've given up blogging.  Even the little voice in my head has stopped the running commentary of  "things to blog about". 

I've just been so sick lately.  I hate to say the words "swine flu", because I really try not to whine or exaggerate.  (I had to laugh typing that, because yes, I do whine and I do exaggerate). But I have never been wiped out by the flu like this one. In fact, after fifteen years of working I've never had to call in sick.  Until this past week.  Whatever it is, I'm having a rough time thinking, let alone cleaning, cooking, working etc.  Unfortunately, blogging is on the bottom of my list at this point.

But, today is the first day in a long time that I've gotten up without some sort of ailment.  I'm thinking maybe I should just get back in bed to preserve the feeling.  But then again maybe I've turned the corner.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Homecoming 2009

Cade's senior year of high school.  A year of celebrations, but also a year of "last times".  His last Homecoming parade, last bonfire, last Homecoming football game, last dance.... 

 He spent these "last days" in a walking cast, watching from the sidelines.

What memories!

The Sky is Bluer, the Sun is Brighter

Now brace yourselves, because this is  a pitiful, over-the-top comment....

I can't even begin to describe the weight that was lifted yesterday when we finished the Primary Program.  I know that I make things bigger than they really are, but I must have out done myself with anxiety over it.  I'm not kidding when I tell you that I looked at the sky after church and the sky was bluer and the sun was brighter.

When will I ever learn to just let it be?  To let go?  To enjoy the journey?  Time after time it all turns out. 

By the way, the program, the kids and the music were great.  It wasn't going to be any other way.  And I knew that when we began.  My heart knows it.  I've just got to get my head to follow.