Golf, teachers and fat.

Great quotes from Florida:

Wes was happy to have the window seat on our flight down and I sat between him and Connor. As we were approaching Fort Myers for landing we were checking out the Gulf of Mexico. Wes was showing me the "big pond" as I corrected him and told him it was the Gulf. He proceeded to tell me that no one could hit a golf ball across that course.

While visiting the beach in Cape Coral we were enjoying a walk along the pier. As we were returning I spotted a school of fairly large fish. I pointed this out to the boys and told Wes..."see the school of fish?" He wanted to know which one was the teacher.

While also at the beach there were several older women wearing two piece bathing suits they had no business wearing. My favorite was a woman in her late 50's who seemed to think that she was all that and a bag of chips. Chris even commented as she was walking around with her bikini top undone, I sure hope that doesn't come down! Unfortunatley she walked by us while we were sitting on the pier. Connor took one look at her, points at her and says "What's that?" She fortunately had a small purse in her hand and I told him it was a purse. She stopped to show herself off and said "boys sure start looking at the ladies much younger these days!" I wanted to gag, she was so nasty. Obviously even Connor thought that she was weird. He didn't look at anyone else at the beach as ask, "What's that?" I wanted to tell him that she was a fat old lady dressed inappropriately and "that" was wrinkled fat!

Anyway...those were just a few tidbits I wanted to remember before I forgot. I'll post more of our trip when we return. The boys were so good coming down on our flight and have been good here as well. So far we are having a great vacation.

So busy

We have been so busy around here. I see it has been weeks since I've made a post, shame on me. I've finally nearly over a sinus infection and the boys are healthy again. We had a nice Valentine's Day, Purdue beat IU and Chris and I went to see Delirium by Cir De Sole (or however you spell it).

We are packed and ready to head to Florida tomorrow. Every single one of us can not wait for a week of sun, relaxing and vacation time. Wes can't wait to show Daddy his new moves in the pool and I just want some sun. Till we return. Adios!

Stupid Germs

Yuck. I am now sick with the stupid germs that have been in our house. My throat was sore yesterday but last night and today it is raw. My head is killing me, I can't breathe and my ears hurt. Such fun. Thank you very much Wes! Why is it that when our children get sick we can hardly keep them parked but when I'm sick all I want to do is lay around? Unfortunately, the lay around option doesn't work well for the boys. Wish me luck today!

Yeah Dad!

The best news of the day and the best news for a while is that my Dad had his annual angiogram to check his fixed AVM and the results were very positive. They showed no change, which is exactly what we wanted! That is such great news and I think my mom is finally starting to breathe again. I know I was holding my breath today until I got the news. Yeah for Dad and thanks to the great doctors at Henry Ford Hospital!

In other news...it's cold. Yeah, we know, we know. But I had forgotten what true cold felt like. It's been a while since I remember feeling what 0 degrees felt like. And, thank you very much, I'd rather not feel it again for a while. But, it's still cold and will remain that way for a while. Therefore, the count down to Florida is on. 15 days until we go to Florida!

Wes has a cold, Connor is fighting off the cold and I am coming down with the cold. Wes missed school yesterday but was very much up to going today. I figure that if he can run around the house and terrorize his little brother than he is up to going to school.

That's about it for now. Still no new bowling team mate. Tami and I are liking it just being us and we are trying to see how long we can get away with that! Purdue won their b-ball game last night. We might go to a hockey game tomorrow night...and that's about it!

400 Series

I bolwed a 423 series today, really. I was on fire today! Everyone watching me kept asking what I was doing different...I finally decided I was putting a little more strength into my last two step and the ball was hitting the lane faster. Whatever it was...I'll take a 423 series. Now I get a cool pin!!! Maybe not worth the stiffness in my left knee, but...Yeah me!

Snow Day!

We have a snow day today. It snowed most of yesterday afternoon and then started up again sometime early in the morning. The schools were all closed around here and Wes didn't have school today. Although, if they would have asked me, I would have said go. We only got maybe 4 inches of snow. Where I come from that wouldn't even have been thought about as a snow day.

So, Wes was very bummed because it was supposed to be Daddy Day at school. Chris and Wes were very excited about spending the afternoon together at school. I finally heard that it will be rescheduled in a couple of weeks. Wes was so sad he cried because they couldn't do that today. That's okay, tomorrow night they are headed down to Purdue to a b-ball game. Ohio State no less. I hope Wes doesn't learn any new words!

I like snow days but I sure don't like cleaning snow off the drive. I waited till this afternoon when it had completely stopped snowing and then went at it with the snowblower. That machine is fun but a lot of work. It is in the single digits here and with the wind the temperature feels like -15. So, I layered to beat all complete with the hat with ears, scarf, fleece and coat, snow pants and my old winter barn boots. I was certainly scary looking. And, in hindsight, I over dressed. That was hard work and when I got back inside I was sweating like a horse. Man, nothing beats having wind wiped snow blown in your face will you sweat buckets at the same time. Good times, good times! At least it is done and Chris can get back up the drive tonight when he comes home. I was afraid the little Honda wouldn't make it.

If it wasn't so bitterly cold I would have bundled up the boys and let them play, but it is just brutal out there. I'm sure looking forward to Florida in just a few weeks! That will be my warm sunny thought of the day!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Seven years ago today Chris and I were married. We had a beautiful day that we will never forget. It has been a wonderful 7 years with my husband and it seems like we just got married. Time just seems to go by so fast these days. Where does it go? I just reserved a spot in March to sign Wes up for Kindergarten. That really put the scare into me. It seems we are all getting older, fast.

So, we celebrated this weekend by going out to dinner on Saturday night. We had a late dinner and came home to enjoy a quiet house. It has been so cold here and it was snowing, so I didn't really want to go anywhere else. G & G wanted to have the boys over to spend the night Saturday, so it just worked out good for all of us. We also went and saw Night at the Museum on Sunday. It was so funny. I laughed my butt off during it. Cute movie!

Wes is at school right now, he has swim later and then Chris will be home. So, that's about the rest of our day. It's snowing really hard right now, so I hope I don't have to drive on shitty roads later!

Where has the time gone. I see a week ago I was complaining about rain and today we have snow on the ground, finally. Snow came here over the weekend and should stick around for a while. It makes me feel like it really is winter. I hope we get some more!

Our family spent the weekend in Michigan visiting my parents. It seems that everyone had a good time. I worry that Chris is always bored just sitting around with my family, but he is a great sport about it. Even when I insist on pancakes for brunch so I can have my dad's specialty, bacon!!!! Good stuff. Chris isn't a fan of pancakes!

It looks like we (Tami and I) will be loosing our third bowling team mate. She is having a very difficult separation from her fiancee and is in the process of moving her children and herself. It is just an awful thing for her kids and for her to have to go through. Tami and I are doing everything we can to help her pack, find a place to live and get some money out of this "guy" she was supposed to marry! It makes me so happy to be in a happy marriage, with an honest and loving husband.

The boys are getting into our winter routine. Swim lessons once a week, preschool 4 days a week and playdates thrown in there. They are really excited about our trip to FL at the end of February and so am I.

That's about all I have. I've cleaned up some great messes this week involving jellybeans, Girl Scout cookies, pee in the Gator and so on and so forth. None of which were all part of the same mess. Aaawwwwwwwwww, life is good!

Monday, Monday!

Where does the time go? We had a nice weekend, although it seems it has been raining around here for weeks on end. Where is our snow? I'm ready for snow, not rain. But, I guess rain is better than ice, which many in the Midwest are dealing with today.

Everyone is good around here. Wes doesn't have school today because it is MLK day. Most schools are closed around here to observe the holiday. Of course the two of them are into everything today and bored out of their minds. I dearly miss school when Wes is bored!

We are finally booked on our cruise for this May. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm thrilled beyond words to be able to take a real vacation with my husband, alone! It has been a long time since we have had more than just 48 hours together on a trip. I'm nervous about leaving our boys for that long but I know that they will be very well taken care of and spoiled with G & G while we are gone. Spoiled rotten to be sure. Wes will be fine, he won't hardly miss us but Connor will definitely worry me. But, I'm stoked about beautiful open seas, lovely Caribbean ports and all that while I'm with my cute hubby! That is my happy Monday thought!

It should be a quiet week, knock on wood!

Football

Wes has finished up his indoor football season. Their team played for the "championship" and lost. He was cute about it but happy because they got little football helmet "trophies". He had to play 2 games and was really tired. Several times Chris and I had to actually tell him to stand up while play was going on. That is the football stance you see here. Oh, so embarrassing!




I took a couple of pictures, but the light was really not so good inside and they are rather dark. Oh well. At least we have proof!



We have managed to keep busy this first week back to school of 2007. I took the boys over to the Y today to play and swim. Or, at least Wes swims. Connor doesn't really want to have anything to do with the pool. So the two of us just sit and watch Wes play in the shallow end of the pool.

Tonight we are headed to a hockey game and then tomorrow Chris and his dad are headed to a Purdue b-ball game. I'm afraid the old days of loosing tough games is returning. Oh well...what can we do about it! Not much!

Have a good weekend.

What is this?

What is this, I'm asking myself? The house is clean, the laundry is done, there is nothing to paint, Wes is at school, Connor is napping, I'm alone and I have nothing to do. I'm not really sure what this is? I'm also not sure if I like it. Having nothing to do has never been a good thing for me. I like to stay busy. So, I'm here rather than being bored. This just seems so strange.

We have our regular old routine back this week. Yeah! Wes missed school and I missed having Wes in school. We have swim lessons again and other scheduled events. Plus, this is Wes' last week of indoor football. He is sad about that. We are glad that he liked it, but boy does he have a long, long, long way to go on the football field. If they win their game on Wednesday they will play a second playoff game. Dear God! Just don't give the ball to Wes, please coach!

Have a great Monday.

TGIF

Wow, what a week. To top it off it is raining and nasty outside. It compliments the dreary feeling of having all the Christmas stuff put away and the first week back to work for Chris. Wes has been home from school all week and doesn't return until Monday. Both him and I are ready for that return! He misses school and I miss our schedule. Not that we haven't gotten to do some fun stuff while he was off...but it is time for school to return.

After much debate, and I'm not kidding here, we have our airline tickets booked for our family trip to Florida. Kudos to AirTran for offering affordable fares for this family of 4. I was beginning to question if our budget (or what there is of one) was going to allow the trip, but it's ago. I'm already looking forward to our day trip to Sanabal, walks to the park, swimming in the pool and being lazy...and seeing my Grandma!

Well, I need to wrangle up the ponies downstairs. It sounds like whatever game they are playing is getting out of hand. Have a great weekend. Chris and Wes are headed to a Purdue b-ball game Saturday and I get an evening out with Heather. Yeah, girl time.

Holiday Highlights

Today seems to mark the true end of the holiday season for me. I finally have all the decorations put back into their boxes and the tree is ready to "leave the building". It will taken to the park with all the other sad trees thrown out! That always makes me sad!

Moving on! I've also finally managed to look at all my pictures taken over the festivities. I've picked a few jems to share with you all...mostly because the boys are cute...the rest of us just look like idiots!








We are looking forward to some trips in 2007. Carnival and Marriott need to get their acts together and produce some mysterious "codes" necessary to book our cruise. We are waiting for that emaculate conception to occure and then mommy and daddy will be off on a 7 day cruise in May. I have mixed emotions about that. Chris and I will have a fantastic time but I'm so nervous about leaving our boys for that long. Hopefully G & G are up to them!

I am also researching the cheapest way for our 4 family members to get our "travel on" for the annual Fort Myers, Florida trip to see my Grandma. We drove last year and it was painful, but cheap. This year we would have to rent a vehicle due to the excessive miles racking up on the Buick. Therefor, cheap direct flights out of Indy are looking pretty good. By the time we add up the rental and gas the flights have an advantage. Have I ever mentioned I hate driving long distances....I'm hopefully for AirTran!

So, that's about it. I took the boys swimming at the Y today with our little friend Sage. They had lots of fun while Connor looked on. He wanted nothing to do with the swimsuit or pool, but by the time we left he would sit on the edge with me and get a little wet. Silly boy. Guess swim lessons are a distant goal for him.

Gotta go finish dinner! Till next time.

Happy New Year

We are all ready for New Year's Eve. As has become our tradition, the boys will be dropped off shortly at G & G's house to spend the night. They always stay home on New Year's Eve and we now take full advantage of that. We are meeting up with friends later at a local dive that has great food, great people watching and serve yourself at the bar! Chris thought that was the greatest thing last year when the taps were turned around and you could just go up and pour your own.

I hope that everyone out there has a safe and happy New Year's Eve. While we were blessed in 2006 with healthy boys, healthy families and good times at home, I am ready for 2007! To our dear friends the James/Gubi families we hope that the new year brings healing and peace. While their holidays have been so unlike our own we want them to know how much Paige touched our lives and continues to touch mine daily. It is entirely possible their families will never really understand how much impact Paige had on so many of us.

Happy New Year to all and to all a good night!
(I will eventually be posting pictures from the holidays - I promise)

Bolier Up!

Tonight is Purdue's final football game of the 2006 year. They have their bowl game tonight against Maryland. Bowl games always make me nervous because Purdue doen't play as well after extended time off. So, we have our fingers crossed around here. We had our home "tailgate" party and the boys are getting ready for bed. So, it's nearly game time!

Go Boilers!

I'm here, I'm here...

...I'm just buried under toys, boxes, wrapping paper, laundry and all the other misc. junk piled up around our house. I'm trying to dig my way out and I should be making more headway than I actually am. The organizing bug always hits me this time of the year with all the incoming toys. I can't stand it!

So, be back shortly.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

We got back in town last night and Santa made it to our house! The boys have been having a fun morning plalying with all their new goodies. Especially seeing they were loaded up with more gifts from our Christmas in MI. Good grief.

I have lots to update on, including little Paige's funeral services, but now is not the time. We are enjoying our day at home together and are visiting Chris' aunts home tonight. Then tomorrow we are off to G & G's house for the final Christmas. Thank God!

So, to all of you out there. Enjoy every minute that you have with your family today. And, if you are away from family and one of our proud military personal, Merry Christmas to you! Thank you for all you do!

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Wednesday

Wednesday? Is it really Wednesday. I guess it is, all day, as Chris would say! Anyway, we are getting things organized around here in preparation for traveling and Christmas.

The boys will be spending tomorrow afternoon with G & G while we travel to Paige's visitation. We will come back home that evening and the boys will stay with us. I have my fingers and toes crossed for Friday. We needed to leave for Flint and rather than returning to FW when we were half way to Michigan, we decided to take the boys with us to the funeral tomorrow. G & G also have some plans made that we don't want to ask them to change. Connor will be clueless about what is going on but I'm worried about Wes. I believe they can both sit through the service but I don't want to freak Wes out. I want to be honest with him about what is happening without scaring him. He didn't know Paige, so he won't really "get it" but we will do everything we can to keep him away from the event. Even if it means only one of us stays for the service. As much as I want to be there, I also don't want to scare Wes. Unfortunately, this is the best arraignments we can make given the circumstances.

So with that said, I can not wait to get the next two days behind us. Moving on.

Wes has football tonight and G & G are coming to watch. It should be funny because he will be excited to have more of an audience. I have bowling in the morning, Wes has school and then we are leaving. So, I need to go and get packing started and things together. Don't you just love the holidays?

Catch you here on soon!

Our holidays

We are preparing for several busy days. The getting things packed is the easy part. I am really, truly dreading how agonizing attending Paige's funeral is going to be. I am going to be an emotional wreck and I'm sure it will carry over into the holidays. This is the nightmare every parent dreads and our friends have to live it every day for the rest of their lives. We feel so much pain for them and realize there isn't much we can do to help.

Chris and I are heading back and forth to Elkhart on Thursday and Friday for Paige's funeral services. Hopefully we can work out overnight babysitting with G & G for Thursday night since we must leave very early Friday morning for the 10:00 funeral. We were supposed to be heading to Flint for Christmas on Thursday night, but it looks like we will be driving up there Friday afternoon instead. So far my mom is handling the change in plans okay!

Thankfully I have all my shopping done, gifts wrapped and I'm getting caught up on house stuff. I haven't done any baking, but it just isn't that important to me. I'd rather not be more stressed just to say that I made some cookies, which none of us really need and the grandma's have plenty of!

We will be in Flint Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday. We like to be at our house Christmas Eve so that we can let the boys sleep in their own beds, have Santa visit our house and then open gifts Christmas morning. I like having this set up for them! We have Christmas mostly to ourselves and then a trip in the evening over to visit Chris' Aunt and family. Then the day after Christmas we head over to Chris' parents to spend the day and do Christmas with them. When it is all said and done the boys will have essentially had 5 holidays with all their different family. CRAZY! It makes for tired boys, cranky parents and one greedy gift hungry 5 year old. Connor is fine with it all but Wes just goes overboard. And, to be honest, what 5 year old wouldn't when all those cool Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and Us (mom and dad) want to give them gifts. Talk about spoiled!

As always, I appreciate how fortunate our family is to be blessed with healthy children, a safe home and a loving family. Oh, and Uncle Stu is headed back to Arizona today, so safe travel wishes for him. It was great having him home and the boys loved every minute of crazy Uncle Stu play time.

Fly High Angel Paige

Our hearts are so saddened this morning to hear of the passing of our little friend Paige. We had hoped that she would be able to stay with her family through Christmas, however that wasn't meant to be. She is no longer in pain and as her mommy said in an update, she can now see, run, jump and play! Thankfully she is no longer suffering, but we can hardly imagine the heartache Eric, Rhonda and her big brother Grant are experiencing today. All of the James/Gubi family will be in our thoughts today. Please think of them or pray for them and little Angel Paige. Fly high little Princess Paige.