My Ian Michael,

I love you because............

I can count on you to do what I ask.  You are very responsible.

You are strong as an ox.

You love dogs.

You are bashful.  Really, really bashful!

Your laugh is infectious!  It's impossible to not laugh along with you.

Once you start laughing, it's really hard for you to stop.

You do not pick up snakes, lizards, baby mice or spiders.  As a matter of fact, the further you are from them, the better.  

You are smart as a whip!!!  You read at LEAST one novel a week.  

You thank Dad or I for something at least once every day.  You almost never forget to thank us!  That does not go un-noticed sweetheart.  I cannot tell you how much that means to me.

You tower over all your classmates (and your mother).

You not only LOOK like your Dad, your mannerisms mirror him also.  It is sometimes frightening how much of a clone you are to him.

I love you and I'm so, so proud of you.

The above photos were taken at Ian's very first track meet.  He placed 2nd over all in 7th grade boys shot.  Congrats EEE!

Cursing Coaches

 Ian was invited to play for a team based out of Belton, MO.  

 I'm not sure what I expected.  I guess I figured football is football.  Wouldn't be much different from we were used to in Chillicothe.  WRONG!!!!

 These teams had mascots!!!!!!!!!

And security!!!!!!!!  Not only did they HAVE security...... they needed security.

These teams had psycho fans.  Cursing coaches and players!!!  And no one thought that it was strange but me.  My first red flag was when Ian was told to take the field on defense.  The coach calmly approached my baby.  Grabbed his jersey with two fists!!!!  Shook him!!!!  Then screamed, "Get P-ed off out there, get really P-ed off!"  Zoink.  That probably wasn't the best move on the coaches part because it stunned Ian.  He stood there with his arms dangling, mouth hanging wide open, and eyes as big as saucers.  

I was on "momma alert".  Any sudden moves on the coaches part and I was going over that fence.  

You see, most of Chillicothe's coaches are involved in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).  They are calm and say, "Good job" when things go well.  When they don't, they say, "Darn-it!"  

All F-bombs,  S-bombs, and S.O.B-bombs, are not said.

When I asked Ian what he thought of the experience, he said, "Momma, they cussed a lot!" 

I said, "The coaches........... or the players?"

He said, "BOTH"!!!!

I said, "I'm sorry buddy, I noticed!"

He said, "Yah, but they prayed before the games and I liked that!"

So, what do ya do?

Their team ended up winning the whole sha-bang!  They played teams from 3 different states.  No one scored on them until the last game.  

I'm proud of my boy.  

I'm proud of the person he is.

I'm proud that he doesn't cuss.

I'm proud that he is glad they prayed.

I'm proud that he played tough (even if he was in shock)

 I'm proud that he was the tallest on the team, yet the gentlest.

 Besides....he got some nice hardware out of the deal.

Dawn's COLOR CHALLENGE

I've decided to participate in Dawn McVey's 21st Color Challenge. This is my first ever!!! I'm thriving....... remember? The idea is to include all the colors in the above photo. Wasn't too hard for me. LOVE THOSE COLORS!!!!! I'm glad she threw the yellow in there. I would have never thought to do that. Hence, the name...... challenge!!!

So, here she is......

My middle child has been doing some creating of his own.

Ian wants to be a chef...........

but I think he would make a wonderful engineer.

He fiddles tirelessly over little plastic pieces. Connects them magically.

It miraculously begins to transform into..........

something I recognize.

Then we watch the gears turn 'round & 'round.......

until we both are sick to our stomach.

I just had a genius thought. He could combine his gift of cooking and building. Ever seen Ace of Cakes....... enough said!!!!!