Which Came First?

Which came first...the chicken or the egg?  That was the conversation that we had last night over dinner.  No one had an answer, but all of the boys agreed that eating brown, farm fresh eggs was not on the short list of things they wanted to try.  I was excited since Mom raved about them.  So this morning, Jeff and I made Sunday breakfast that included our newest "try it" food.  The only thing I noticed is they were a little harder to crack.  As for everyone else, there were no left overs so I assume that means they didn't notice anything either.  It's nice to know that everything we eat doesn't have to come from the grocery store.  One more reason we should have chickens and goats.

Better Late Than Never

Thankfully, I have one of the most patient children on the planet.  I've been promising W that we would go look for new bedroom furniture for almost a year.  After his foot a year growth spurts, the bookcase bed wasn't cutting it anymore.  I'm surprised he didn't just move to the air mattress while he waited for me.  Anyway, Friday we finally took off to Ikea to find the perfect set.  Today, Jeff and W picked out the most comfortable mattress W could find and we started the heavy task of moving out the old furniture and setting up the new room.  Unfortunately, Ikea is a put it together yourself kind of store....so it's a project.  Stay tuned for tomorrow's finished room pictures!

The Joys of Summer

There is nothing like a basket of summer veggies.  With all of the spring rains, our late June harvest was postponed until this week.  We've seen a meager selection of veggies in our CSA basket, but nothing like what we picked up today.  On the way back from picking up W from Nony's, we stopped by the farm to see what our pickings consisted of.  Sweet corn, cabbages, squash, zucchini, peppers of all kinds, cucumbers, red onions...and I'm sure I've missed something.  Nothing like walking out of the barn with a basket of goods that were picked that day.  Tomorrow is grilled sweet corn, Sunday will be roasted eggplant and zucchini and I'm guessing I'll make slaw and cucumber salad before the weekends out.  Ah, the joys of summer!

It's Me Again!

If you remember, a few months back, W was positive that I was the "jinx" of his baseball team.  It was a couple of weeks before I could convince him that wasn't the case.  Unfortunately, I think that Jeff may be starting to believe it.  While we had a wonderful time in Texas, there were a few things that stood out to Jeff.  The lost luggage, the dead rental car, the private party (closing the roof) at Reata, the LONG delay on the flight home - and those are just a couple of examples.  Just like W, Jeff made it through without major incident, but he's definitely starting to understand.  So here's my disclaimer - While I may not be the lucky one in the family, you're guaranteed to at least get a couple of laughs out of it along the way.

Down Time

Down time.  It's a rare occasion that we find ourselves without a plan, without a commitment, without a place to be.  When you're 14, you find you have too much down time.  You'd rather be out and about, hanging with friends and on the go.  When you're 17, you have so many commitments with school, work, friends and dating that you appreciate down time once in a while.  When you become a parent, you start to forget what down time is.  And if you're like me, when you do have a little time, you find other things to do.  Whether it be work, laundry, new projects...well, you get the idea.  So when Jeff thought I might need a little down time and offered to bring me with him to Ft. Worth, I got a little worried.  All I could think of was all of the other things I could be doing with my time.  But maybe Jeff was right.  I got a full nights sleep, finished a book, watched a movie and surfed the internet endlessly.  I've also laughed more in the last 24 hours than I have in the last 24 days.  The moral of the story?  When you think you don't need any down time, it's probably the time you need it most.  And if someone points out that you need it...you probably do.

It's How You Look at It

Is a flower at a funeral as beautiful as a flower in a wedding bouquet?   Aren't traffic jams more frustrating when you're late for work?  Do you notice the beauty of a bee pollinating a flower or are you more worried about being stung?  Is the rainbow worth the storm?

There is an old saying - Life is what you make it.  But it's also how you look at it.  Every situation you encounter gives you the opportunity to look at it from a variety of perspectives.  You can see the down side....or you can search for the upside.  It may be harder to find, but it's always there.  It's a lesson that I have to be reminded of sometimes. 

So on a day that I'm missing the boys, I decided to look at it from another perspective.  They're having a great time, learning lots and enjoying new experiences.  What more could I ask for? 

On the Road Again

Today was a travel day for us.  We're in Texas, W's at the Reds game then on his way to Columbus and H is spending his second week at TechCamp with InterAlliance.  In an unusual move, Jeff made plans for the day that included a three hour flight, an hour wait at the airport while they looked for our bag (ok, he didn't plan that!), the final Harry Potter movie and dinner at Reata.  Minus the airport screw up, it was a great day.  I must say, the movie saddened me a little.  It is the end of an era.  Harry Potter came out when H was in first grade and W was just out of diapers.  Time flies - unless you're waiting in the airport security line.

It's About Time

The little black cloud that seems to be following me finally produced some rain today.  Half an inch will go a long way in keeping our little tree alive and kicking until we get home on Thursday.  It should be enough to make me celebrate, however the celebrating will have to wait until the weekend when we are all home together.  I'm thinking it hasn't happened since Blue Ridge a month ago. 

Hi oHIo!

We've made it back - in three days, W and I covered 3 states (Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia).  We both decided that the best part about being gone is always coming home.  Time with family and friends is wonderful, but sleeping in your own bed is priceless.  I guess if you didn't get away from time to time, you'd forget how great it is to be home.

Our Visit

What a great day it was. W and Nannan got a chance to catch up and I got the opportunity to learn from the experts. A dinner at the hibachi grill and and evening catching up with Donna completed the day. And thankfully, a little rain cooled our evening. Tomorrow it'll be time to say our goodbyes and get back to our chaotic life. But a little break for all of us was nice, and well needed. Thanks Nannan for a wonderful visit!

Our Big Getaway

W and I have taken off on our big weekend excursion.  See what happens when you get a group of "professionals" together for an evening!  W's getting a great visit in with Nannan and I'm getting a lot of training.  We're missing everyone at home, but it's good for all of us to expand our horizons a little.  You don't know if you don't try.

Don't Mess with Burt

Too hot for Target.  Too hot to walk the dog.  Too hot to cook dinner.  Too hot to play outside.  Too hot to be at the pool.  Too hot to do much of anything. 

So hot, my Burt's is melting in my pocket.  And tomorrow is going to be even hotter.

Try It, You'll Like It

The world is made up of all kinds of people.  Sometimes you meet people you have lots in common with.  Others you meet won't share a single interest.  Families are the same way.  Not everyone likes everything.  Honestly, if we all did, life would be boring.  But when you surround yourself with people with unique intrestes, you may just find something that you like too.  W introduced us to Nascar and the Eagles, H has expanded my Itunes library (which I thought was already diverse) and Jeff has introduced all of us to all things technical.  When we find something we like, we try to expose the boys to it...just to give them the opportunity to see if they have an interest.

In true teen fashion, some things are just a definate "no" with the boys.  They don't have an interest in scrapbooking with me, they don't like home improvement projects and gardening is lost on both of them.  But we always have TV shows, right?  Cooking, mysteries, history, reality...you name it, we've exposed them to it all - including Buffy The Vampire Slayer.  H was sold on his first episode and W...well, he decided about 3 minutes into the first episode that he wasn't intersted in a teen girl beating up on vampires and zombies.  Ok, so not everyone will like everything.  Seven seasons later, H, Jeff and I were in love with it and W still couldn't be bothered.

So imagine my surprise when W came in today, all excited and ready so show me what he was so thrilled about.  I followed to the bonus room, only to find the intro to the Call to Duty Zombie Map playing for me.  "Look Mom, it's Buffy!  And she's so cool!"  He's been playing her character all day and now would like to watch the series.  Where was he last summer when I begged him to, lol?  So in the interest of family bonding time, we'll start it all again.  And once per show, I vow to remind W to give things a chance - you may just find out that you like them.

Disclaimer:  No actual Zombies were used in the creation of this blog.  Any resemblance to a Zombie, either alive or deceased is strictly coincidental.

One Day

"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body." - Elizabeth Stone

As a mom, the easiest word you can say is yes.  Yes, you can have another cookie.  Yes, you can have a friend over.  Yes, we can go wherever you want.  Yes, I have an extra $20 in my wallet.  No is normally the hard one.  No, you can't stay out all night.  No, you can't have the $80 pair of jeans.  No, we aren't driving 9 hours to see a football game in the dead of winter.  No, you can't have desert before dinner.

So when H came home in April and said that he wanted to apply for the InterAlliance camp internship, my first response was YES.  It's a paying job, he'd get great experience, the campers would love him.  It was a win/win for everyone.  Then he mentioned that two of the weeks would be full weeks - meaning he would be gone for 6 days, home for one, gone for 6 more.  And my heart sank a little.  My inside voice shouted no, but YES popped out of my mouth.

So here we are, the first day of the two weeks and H just called to say good night.  This is why God created teenagers.  So that you get used to them being gone before they actually leave for their own life.  Unfortunately, I don't think it's something that you'll ever get used to.  H and W laugh at my sappy, I'm going to miss you speeches.  But one day they'll understand. 

Do it Again!

Lessons I learned from a four year old...

1.  If you're scared, try it anyway. 
2.  If you are tired, stop and rest. 
3.  It's great to win, but sometimes losing is just as much fun.
4.  Some things just aren't worth fighting over.
5.  Always use your imagination.
6.  Tell people what you're thinking.
7.  Holding hands never goes out of style.
8.  It's fun to make someone else laugh.
9.  Don't cry over spilled Orange Crush.
10.  Ice cream with sprinkles can help create world peace.

Thank so much Reese for spending the weekend with us!  The whole family enjoyed it more than you will know.

Summer Days

I had a nice long blog planned, detailing the wonderful time that we all had with Reese today.  It was going to describe our garage sale adventures, the amazing park we visited, the splash pad, the peddle boats, birthday presents and our pizza party dinner.  Unfortunately, after all of the activities, I'm exhausted.  Nothing like a four year old to remind me that I'm not in my 20's anymore :)

So instead of a long story, I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

How I Know I'm Home....

This is the boulder that will mark our home.  While I was in Columbus today visiting and picking up Reese, they delivered our rock.  Eight hundred and eighty pounds - good thing we liked where they put it.  The little tree looks a lot smaller today, but it'll catch up.  It's so good to be home.

Really, 10 Days?

It was time to have the last of the farm animals fixed.  So yesterday, we picked up Zoey from the vet, praying that she handled the hood a little better than Willow.  Willow stood in the corner for hours, refusing to move with it on her head.  Even the vet techs made fun of her.  So when Zoey was sent home not wearing hers, I knew we were in trouble.  We slipped it on, she was none to pleased.  More frightening was the vet's instructions to keep the girls separated for the full 10 days until she has her stitches removed.  I don't care how big your house is....keeping the playmates apart for 10 days is going to be a challenge.  Willow is currently sulking just this side of the hallway gate, pining away for her friend.  It's only day one. 

7.13.11

It's H's birthday!  As a treat, Doug was taking them all out to lunch today to celebrate.  A little break from camp planning and a lot of fun for all of the kids.  In true H fashion, he decided to go all out getting dressed this morning, suspenders and all.  The InterAlliance staff has come to expect it.  You'd think that he actually liked wearing dress shoes. 

Time flies when you're having fun and the last seventeen years have passed in a flash.  It seems like just yesterday the nurses handed the first of two boys that I know will change the world.  Happy Birthday H...I love you to pieces and I'm so proud of the man you've become!

Birthday, Take 1

Do you know what happens when you take three teenagers out for dinner and games at Dave and Busters?  Lots of fun, lots of jokes and lots of food.  It's the night before H's birthday and it was our only time to get in a fun night out.  It's so rare that we're all together anymore that I feel the need to capture every moment that I can.

The Dog Days of Summer

112 degrees.  That's the temperature that W and I recorded on the way home from the orthodontist today.  To say it's hot is an understatement.  Welcome to Ohio, the state of extremes.  At any given time there is an ice storm, a flood, a drought, a smog warning and heat advisory or a school delay for subzero temps.  As they say, if you don't like the weather in Ohio, wait five minutes because it will change.  Today is the one day I vote for change.

One More First

It's Sunday night and the end of another weekend is upon us.  We've had a great weekend.  Dad's feeling much better and so am I now that I've seen him with my own eyes.  We got in a little antique shopping, grocery shopping, a movie and a fabulous Sunday dinner.  And tomorrow the boys will come home so all will be right in the world again.  Just so I didn't forget, I had to make sure to include a post of my "first" of the weekend.  Lunch was seared ahi tuna with wasabi and a soy ginger sauce.  It was awesome.  The only way I've had tuna before was from a can.  Oh, this was so much better.  I know that W will wrinkle his nose, just like Jeff did.  But it was great and I'm looking forward to eating it again....or maybe I'll find something new to try.

Welcome Home

A last minute decision this morning landed us in Columbus for the afternoon.  A quick lunch with Mom and Dad and a little tech work for Jeff and we headed home.  We've been lucky enough to miss all of the traffic jams for the last few weeks.  You know the ones, one accident or a little construction can turn 71 into a parking lot.  In fact, Jeff and I were commenting on how lucky we were when we saw the first traffic back up on the way home.  Like all things, luck must come to an end.  This was the view from the truck when we reached Wilmington.

Thankfully, we noticed it in just enough time to make a quick u turn and were able to head home via the scenic route.  Only a few extra minutes to the trip, but no sitting in delays for an hour.  Well worth it.  Until 3 miles from home when we ran into this guy.

Nothing like a combine to slow down traffic.  So the last 3 miles took 20 minutes.  We may have been better off staying on 71.  Welcome to Maineville - where nothing runs like a deer.

But even that couldn't ruin my day.  Seeing everyone happy and healthy was definitely worth it.

A Picture of a Picture

A little paper, a few embellishments, some glue and a pair of scissors.  Hours of planning and a few more tools and a page is created.  One day, the boys will have a library of albums that detail their life.  Everyone scrapbooks a little differently.  Some have albums for each child.  Some have albums that highlight an event like a vacation, holiday or party.  I mix it up.  Each album is a hodge podge of memories. I hope the boys will cherish them one day as much as I do.  I hope each page reminds them of how they became who they are. 

I hope I have more time to finish a few more pages.

It's Not a Weed, Right?

If it's a flower, it must be a plant...right?  That's what I've convinced myself so that I don't have to pull as many weeds.  I'm sure that Jeff will disagree with me, but just as positive that H and W will agree.  I love the beds out front and the rustic gravel path.  I'm not so certain that I love the volume of weeds that you can find in both of them at any given time.  At least I got to see the flowers before it gets pulled.

A Cape and Tiara

I'm fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world.

LOL, don't worry, I don't actually believe that.  I just thought a cape and a nice tiara would at least be something to aid me in my flight out of town.  Have you ever had the day that you wish you could be anywhere but where you are?  I'm sure you have.  I'm not the only one that has bad days.  I'm sure we'll look back at days like today and laugh, remembering how tiring they were.  But as they are going on, each day seems to last a week and each weeks seems to last a month.

As we all know (or learn), this too shall pass.  But until it does, I'll spend a minute or two a day dreaming of a white sand beach, umbrella drinks and sea as far as the eye can see.  

Justice is Blind

Six weeks of testimony.  Over 300 pieces of evidence.  A trial that cost the state of Florida almost 1/2 a million dollars to try.  Eleven hours of deliberation by twelve jurors sworn to uphold the law.  One small child dead and a defense team trying to fight for the life of her mother.  It's a case that has captivated a nation...and certainly everyone in our house.  So when the news announced the verdict was in, I was cautiously optimistic and fairly certain of the outcome.  First degree murder would be a stretch, but certainly twelve people could reasonably conclude that if you don't report your daughter missing for 31 days, have a car that smells of decomposition, have blamed everyone else and made false reports to the police who are trying to find her....you must be involved and/or responsible for her death in some way.  Apparently not.  I sit here tonight, saddened not by our judicial system, but by the people who are taking an oath as jurors.  As it was pointed out earlier today by a fellow blogger, people expect a smoking gun, concrete proof.  And with all our medical and technological advances, if you don't have one, it must not have happened.  Common sense has become a lot less common.  Fortunately, a not guilty verdict doesn't equal innocent.  She will have to live her life, knowing the truth and waiting for true judgment.  It's easy to get wrapped up in the trial.  The instant celebrity of those involved and the theatrical performances of both the prosecution and defense.  But at the end of the day, when all of the jurors return to their lives, people lose interest, families will begin to rebuild their lives.....a beautiful little girl is still gone far to early.

Independence Day

I've spent a lot of time today thinking about what I would post.  It seems only appropriate to thank those that are serving our country to make sure that we remain the land of the free.  I admit, I was less than thrilled with Austin's decision to ship off to boot camp and make the military his career.  Last month, that all changed for me.  There aren't enough words to say how proud I am of him.  The Army has changed his life, therefore, it's changed all of ours.  He's now a grown man with a goal - and the courage and dedication to pursue it.  If he's ready to be all he can be, how can I not support his decision.  Thanks to him and the thousands of others that stand beside him, we will remain the home of the brave.

Happy Independence Day!

Progress

Holiday weekends don't make good weekends for relaxing.  Jeff and I always figure we just have one extra day to get something done.  Of course, this only applies to holidays that don't include the boys.  Anyway, we found ourselves with the first long weekend that didn't have rain in the forecast, so yard work won out.  Not that I did a lot (unless laundry and the house counts) but Jeff decided to take on a few projects outside that were long overdue.  The bushes are trimmed, the path is started (weed barrier, yeah!) and the new address marker island is complete.  Our little tree will sit alone until we pick up the rock with our address on it.  But digging, dirt, mulch and planting are complete!  Hopefully now that our address is visible at the road, more people will visit. 

Half Way Done!

Today is the 183rd day of blogging...I'm officially half way through the year!  What better way to celebrate that a three day weekend!  Ok, so it just worked out that way, but I'll take it.  Hopefully the second half of the year will be as interesting as the first half. 

Anyway, a three day weekend without the boys being home isn't as exciting as you would think.  It involves yard work, laundry, grocery shopping and keeping up with our zoo full of animals.  We're only one day into it and Zoey is limping, Willow is laying in the boys hallway and Fancy....well, she's just hiding.

How Big is Your Footprint?

We rarely recycle a can.  We've gotten better about newspapers, magazines and shipping boxes.  I guess progress can be slow going, but we're getting better and that's what matters...right?  One thing that we've gotten very good at is recycling books and movies, thanks to Swap.com. 

 

Here are my statistics:

number of rated trades:  103 (total trades: 110)

average time to accept/reject trades:  8 hours 8 minutes

concurrent trade limit:  you are allowed unlimited concurrent trades! 

money saved using swap.com:  $681   

decreased carbon footprint by:  525 pounds    

 

Since we've finished the basement, movies have become a hot commodity in this house.  We've watched more in the last year than I think I have in my lifetime.  H should just move his bed down there.  And everyone knows how attached we are to books.  I've got at least 40 or more sitting on a shelf, waiting to be cracked open...most of them received from a swap.  I'll never get tired of shopping for new books or movies, but we're trying to make a small difference. 

 

Now if we could just give up water bottles, we'd be all set.