Punt, Pass, Kick (and a touchdown)

Remember when I said Ryan and Ian placed first in the local Punt, Pass and Kick competition?  Well the 2nd level (which is sectionals) was Saturday morning.  Let me say, for the record, they BOTH did very well!!!  

Ryan placed 2nd in his division.

Ian placed 1st in his.

 Ian's placement was announced first, then Ryan's.  Ian's smug, pain in the rear, little brother, look was captured right after they announced Ryan got 2nd.  

They are slightly competitive, can you tell?  Ian is usually the gopher......the punching bag........ the losing participant.  So, I tolerated a few smug looks and jabs.   

Here are the winners in each division.  If Ian places in the top 5% in Missouri, he will move on to the state finals.  Which means he will compete during the half time of the Chiefs vs. Denver game.  (crossing my fingers)  Then, if he would somehow win that........... we would fly to Hawaii for the National championships.  Ummmm, Ian..... Momma could really use a trip to Hawaii.  No pressure!!!!

 Dad was "an official" helper for the competition.  Pictured beside him is our area YMCA sports coordinator, Mr. Matt.

Ryan is wrestling with his girlfriend's little brother.  His name is Walker.  I call him Talker.  He reminds me of a shorter Ian.  I would love to squeeze his cheeks.   

Ryan's last freshman football game was last night.  THEY WON!!!!  Actually, it was the freshman Hornets 3rd straight shut-out!!!  Whoop-whoop!!!   

 I was excited for three reasons.

1. It was the last football game (that may sound terrible, but really, I've had enough football for a little while).

2. Ryan made an AMAZING touchdown pass in the in zone!!!  Did I say it was AMAZING?  That's not true, it was SUPER-DE-DUPER AMAZING!!!!!!!

3. We finished a football season with no injuries to his right arm.  You know, the pitching arm?  

I am a true blue Hornet.  Always have been, always will be.

The Dog's a Mooch!!

 This is what I get to look at everytime I sit down to eat.  I wish you had the audio of the noises he makes.  It sounds a little like Chewbacca.  

 He wants me to fall into a heap of guilt.......... and I do.

I give him a bite.  Then we start the whole process over again.  

You are one SPOILED DOG!!!!!

Happy Birthday Ricky-Poo!!!

I'm a little late, but I wanted to honor my husband on his birthday.  So, I compiled a top 20 list of things I love about him.

Why I love you............
1.  You make my coffee and bring it to me when I'm getting ready for church on Sunday mornings.

2.  You and Gracie went to see "Secretariat" all by yourselves because you wanted special time with her.

3.  You call me from work at least twice a day.

4.  You send me flowers often.

5.  You make it to all the kids activities.  Even if it means you have to take time off work (and you're their biggest fan)

6.  You rub my feet while we watch tv together.

7.  When we go into a store, you open the door for me.  You have done this for me for so long that I     sometimes don't realize it.  I'm going to purposefully pay more attention.

8.  You encourage me to be a stay-at-home mommy.  I'm so thankful that it is as important to you as it is to me.

9.  You are bashful in public but love having friends and family over.  I think that you would entertain every weekend if we had the time.

10. You are a human calculator.  When you're around, I never have to do math.  (and that's a good thing!)

11. After 17 years, we still have "date nights".  They aren't as often as you and I would like.  Yet they are still important to us.  We always have so much fun when it's the two of us.

12. You love traveling.  When our monkeys are gone, it's our dream to do LOTS of traveling.

13. You are a big kid.  You love playing basketball in the driveway, pulling the kids behind the 4-wheeler in the snow, buying lots of fireworks on the 4th of July, and playing "The Bigs" on PS3.

 14.  You're such a good coach to our children.  If you're not coaching, you're helping.  It makes me really proud that you are so invested in our children.

  15.  You have a big heart.  You are willing to give your time and your talents to others.

16.  You make sure we travel every year as a family.  These vacations have become very important to all of us.  We all have lots of precious memories of the places we have been.  

17.  I love that you are a big goofball!

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18.  I love that sometimes you watch "Top Chef Desserts", "The Real Housewives of New York City", and "American Idol" just for me.  

19.  I love that when we go to bed, you put your foot on my leg.  You've always done that.  

20.  I love that you have given me three beautiful children.  I'm proud of what a good daddy you are.

*bonus*
21.  I love that I had no problem coming up with 20 things that I love about you.

The Monster BASH!!!!

 My oh my!!!!  These games were disastrous!!  With a capital D!!!  But the pitcher is cute!!!

 All the spots were full in our age bracket (which is 15 & under).  So..... we had to play up (16 & under).  Our opponents drove THEMSELVES to the games.   They were giants!!  They hit hard....... and often.

Ryan did pitch well considering.  The first game he mowed through 6 of 6 batters.  Six K's in a row!!!  The last game we were ahead until the last couple innings.  The team we played won the whole enchilada.

It's OK Yankees!

I really think I'm losing it.......

 A pair of "honkers" have taken temporary residence on our pond.  I wish there were some way to know if these are the same geese that come every year.  Wouldn't that be awesome if they were!!!

GOOSE #1: "Hey, wanna stop at the Smith pond again?"  "Honk-honk!!!"
GOOSE #2: "Sounds good, but remember they have a large dog?"  "A large slobbery dog!"
GOOSE #1:  "Yeah, I remember, but he is dumb as a box of rocks!"  "Honk-honk."
GOOSE #2:  "Besides, he doesn't move very fast!"
GOOSE # 1:  "Honk-honk!"

I know what you're thinking.  You're thinking that I could be a playwright, huh?  It would be called, "THE HONKERS"

I haven't seen Goose 1 or Goose 2 since they flew off in this picture.  Guess the strange lady with the camera scared them off.  I have something funny to share though......... they were flying in the wrong direction.  South is a 180 degree turn.  Hehe.  Guess they aren't the smartest geese in the flock.  Maybe that's why they stop on our pond every year!

I thought I would share some of the things occupying my porch at the moment.  Pumpkins, gourds, straw bales, bees, caterpillars, and mums. 

A little disgusting, yet strangely appealing.  Figure that one out?

It was my deep intention to write a story about Mr. Caterpillar.  It's not going to happen though.  At least not now.  I can't get over this terrible feeling that he isn't going to morph into a butterfly before Winter.  That sorta makes a sick feeling in my belly.  So forgive me if I'm not feeling particularly creative about his life.  These questions are running through my mind.

What is he searching for on my mum?
Is he aware that a frost is coming and he is going to be frozen like a Popsicle?
Or is he thinking that there is all the time in the world to morph?
Does he like oak leaves or maple leaves?
How many legs does he have?

Can you tell I'm tormented by this????  Really..... I need to get a life!!!!

Please morph little caterpillar.  So I can write a story about you!!!!!

By the way.  I've always said caterpillars like this.............catepillars.  I've left out the r.  It seems really weird to say it with an r. 

Did you know that I sang "Jingle Bells" wrong until I was in my 20's?  Apparently a one-horse slope-n-sleigh does not exist.  However a one-horse open sleigh does.  Did you know that I pronounced toilet...........tow-let until I married Rick?  Bet ya didn't. 

Are you worried?  Yah, me too!!!

Homecoming 2010

Ryan, you sure are growing up.  

That's what I think when I see these pictures.  

I remember when you were a little tyke.  When you loved dinosaurs and knew everyone of them by name.  I remember having to stop 50 ft. from a stop light.  Then go VERY slowly.  Or stop, then ease forward 1 ft., then stop again.  All this, because you cried when the car stopped for longer than 5 seconds.  Since you were my first child (and I am a worry wart) I thought that I was a terrible mother if you ever cried.  This may explain some things about you now.  Just saying!!

You have know Maggie since you were in Pre-school.  (it's true, I have proof.  Wink ;)  It's sweet seeing you guys together.  

It was an Italian theme.  All the moms pitched in to help (and thank goodness they did).

We served......

Toasted Ravioli and Mozzerrela Sticks for the starter

Salad and Garlic Bread 

Meat Lasagne and Cordon Blu Pasta 

Cheesy Potatoes 

Then a wonderful chocolate dish and Texas Sheet Cake for dessert

Pinning on the corsages was quite a feat.    More people attempted than I have photographs for.

Dawn Dupy, Rick and I all tried.  Nope?  We were beginning to wonder if it was going to happen.  Then alas, Nancy, saved the day!!!!  She's handy that way!!!  I'm sure that Ryan felt like a pin cushion.

Then for the next hour, we tortured them with photos.  Photos, photos and more photos!!!!!!  By the time we were done, they were seeing spots.  They had permanant red-eye.  They were rolling their eyes and whispering mean things about us to each other.  

Sorry the lighting is terrible.  It was dark.  

This is the whole gang.  

Ladies..........

and Gentleman.

My Prancer!

I thought you would enjoy photos from Gracie's soccer game last night.   They won their first game last Saturday (she called it a VICTORY!  Then wanted to call everyone she knew and tell them about "the VICTORY"!).  This one............. was a tie!!!!  She has one game left and I'm so thankful that she still likes playing.  

 This is a CLASSIC Gracie pose.  She is a prancer!!!  Usually, she twists her ponytail during games.  This time, she was trying to keep her bangs out of her face.  Notice, she is touching them in almost every photo.  He he!!!

Pet Day for Gus

Last Friday was Pet Day.  Gracie had talked about it for TWO WHOLE days.  She was excited!!  (and I was excited that she was easy to get out of bed that morning!)  Gus was excited that he got to go "bye-bye"!
So basically, everyone was excited!!!

Gus was REALLY excited when he saw the other dogs there.  Although he appears tough, Gus is a love bug.  He didn't bark.......... he didn't growl........... he didn't bite.  He just wanted to love them.  (Ahem..... love them a little too much. Wink-wink....... know what I mean? Ahem.)  Little embarrasing on my part. You know, since we are gathered with 24 third graders.
Anyway, moving on............

Ryan's football team is having a difficult season.  I feel bummed for them.

The temperatures are finally feeling "Fall-like".  79% of me likes it.  The other 21% misses Summer.  

I'm sure these are the last rose photos until late Spring.  That is, unless I go buy store roses.  That is unlikely though.  So, you might as well soak this up.

I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the coral colored rose.  So, I'm going to call it Coral.  All the other roses are Peace.

So......................

PEACE OUT!  ✌

Just Like That

It seems like this Christmas morning was yesterday.  We told the boys that they couldn't open their presents until their sister woke up.  So, five seconds later.......... They were running to her room, dragging her out of bed.  She came downstairs to see what Santa had left her, while yawning and trying to wake up.  (I've always loved when the kids were young and they first woke up.  Those were the best snuggle times.  Not this morning though!!!!!)

We still lived in town, we had a BLUE couch and a burgundy recliner (and I thought that it went together nicely).  We had three young children and I was a different type of busy than I am now.  I was potty training, wiping runny noses, cleaning up toy messes and barely having time to brush my hair.

I had no idea how different my busyness would become.  Driving kids to practices, running forgotten homework and lanyards to school, cooking dinners before Homecoming dances and sitting on more metal bleachers than I care to know.

I look at this picture and I see things that most wouldn't.............
I see Ryan's puppy in the upper left corner.  He wanted a stuffed dog that looked just like his Aunt Pam and Uncle Mike's dog, Taken.  Ian also wanted a stuffed dog.  He was less particular about it though.  So we bought him the one behind Gracie.  I think it was a rottweiler?  I see Incredible Hulk bath soap.  A transformer that Ryan, HAD TO HAVE (then never played with).

Then lastly, I see a little girl.  My princess.  With or without the tiara and heels.  I think of how she has always been so special to me.  My little side-kick.  All those pink bows reeled me in like a fish.

When Rick and I first were married, we jumped into "responsible mode" with both feet.  He was working as a last year medical student.  I went straight to work to help pay school loans.  I barely made over minimum wage.  We lived in a two bedroom apartment and pork steak was a fancy meal for us.  It didn't really matter though, because I was a terrible cook anyway.  If I had made a filet minion it would have still tasted like pork steak.

Rick was accepted into residency at Truman east.  Then.... bam-bam, Ryan and Ian entered our world.  I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, it just happened so quickly.  I didn't savor it like I should have.  I didn't pause and think about how fortunate I was.  So 3 years went by before Rick and I decided to have another monkey.  3 years made all the difference.  I enjoyed it.  I savored it.  I paused and thought about how fortunate I was.  I'm not going to lie and say I enjoyed the pregnancy.  I could have been carrying Jesus himself, and still disliked it.  Rick will attest to that.  He was usually on the butt end of my belly aching and such.  However, I understood the privilege and responsibility of motherhood.  Maybe I was an older and more mature, I don't know.  Somehow though, it just clicked.

Then voila, my baby girl was born.  Rosy plump cheeks and perfect skin.  Enough hair to put clips into.  Clear blue eyes that melted my heart every time I looked at them.  A closet full of ruffled pink and soft pastels.

She had a birthday September 14th.  9 years old!!!  Just like that, she's growing up.  And all this to say, she made a HUGE spiritual decision this evening.  She said the sinner's prayer and asked Jesus into her heart.

I thought that she melted my heart when she was born.......... That's nothing compared to how I am feeling now.
I'm gushing with pride..................
I'm overwhelmed with all the blessings I've been given..................
All three of my children have asked Jesus in their heart, and that comforts me.  I feel like I'm taking in a monstrous "Holy Spirit" breath right now.  Then, exhaling all the worry......all the times I've made mistakes as a mother..... All the fears....... All the recent sadness.  Ahhhhhh, it sure feels good.

I thought you would also like to know that Gracie made this decision on her Aunt Pam's birthday.  Which is SUPER special to all of us!!!!!!!!

I love you Gracie and I'm proud as a peacock!!!!!

Not Watermelons!!!!!

We have a burn hole on our property.  Last year I had the boys dump all the pumpkins, gourds, etc. in it. All without much thought.  They had to go somewhere.

So Ryan and Ian came back from the burn hole last weekend and said there were 70 or 80 watermelons growing in it.  

WHAT!!! 

Rick asked him how big they were.  He said, "About the size of a baseball".  

Rick took them back down there to check it out.  

Well........ they weren't watermelons.

They were gourds.  Pretty, little, sweet gourds.

He wasn't exaggerating about the quantity though.  They filled a 5 gallon bucket of them.  

Farm life is ALWAYS full of surprises!!!!!