Swim meet

This is my very handsome youngest son as I mentioned before he is very smart and he is also a terrific swimmer. ------------------------This is the Mighty Guilford Vikings!-----------------------
After the national anthem the meet starts loud and stays loud until the diving events. During the diving it is totally silent.

Step up

All done in a matter of minutes or if they are really good seconds but not to worry there are many many events at a meet.
I am so happy that my son is in a team sport. I believe the more he is involved in
school the more it helps him become a happier and more well rounded person. He hated his freshman year until he started swimming. I think it helped break him out of his shell.

RED FRIDAYS -----

I had no idea this was going on until I went last April to watch my son graduate from boot camp. We arrived on a Thursday and had a family day, then Friday was his actual graduation. When my husband & I arrived on Friday most of the parents were wearing red. It was quite a site to see. I was discussing this with Dawn(my sons Aunt that attended also) and a lot of the shirts said "Military Families Wear Red on Fridays." Believe me as soon as the ceremony was over I went and purchased two of those red shirts. I now wear red every Friday.

This is the info I found on the net...
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever; certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?"is...We need your support and your prayers.

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.

Where did I go wrong?

My middle son has been making some bad decisions. How did we not teach him right from wrong? We love him and only want the best for him. Why are my kids so anxious to move out? Is life at our house so bad? I feel like such a failure as a mom. My oldest moved out at 18. Things were not good at our house back then. I worried myself sick over the path he was taking. He is now a United States Marine and we are so proud of the man he has become. I still worry about the being a Marine part because he is deploying soon. My youngest is showing great promise. He has always been very smart. All my boys are very smart, my youngest has just always applied himself. He has been an overachiever since kindergarten. He is considering finishing high school and getting his Associates degree at the same time. Am I being a better mom to him or will he be running for the door a year from now?

I have a tremendous amount of self doubt now. Does that come with being a mom? I also feel this is affecting my marriage. If I am failing as a mother am I also failing as a wife? Stress makes your mind do funny things. My husband's birthday was Tuesday. His sister had called to talk and he was venting to her because he feels so frustrated too. In my mind he was airing our dirty laundry and giving people proof of what a failure I am. I know in my heart that is not what he was doing but I started a fight with him last night anyway. I was mad at my kid but was taking it out on my husband. I am so sorry Jamie!

La Torta Teca (I think)

After school last night I was taking my husband to Diamond Dave's but it was closed down so I took him to this restaurant (Old Ponderosa) on Sandyhollow Road for his birthday dinner. It was great! The place don't look like much from the outside but the inside is bright and very clean. They make wonderful Margaritas but I only had 1 because I had to drive. We are going to have to go back so I can have more and Jamie can drive home. If you like Mexican food this is a good place to go the food was terrific. Our waiter also gave us impeccable service. The price are really reasonable. We spent $60 for 4 meals and Jamie had a couple Captain and cokes and that included a 20% tip. I am so glad we found this place because our favorite restaurants have closed down.(Tumbleweeds & Diamond Dave's)

I need a new computer!

After work last night I went home to do some homework. My youngest was already home doing the same. The price he has to pay for going on vacation for 10 days. Major makeup work! My Statistics class homework is online in MyMathLab.com which is run by Internet Explorer. Well my old piece of crap computer will not keep IE running. I got totally disgusted and just played some online Euchre and watched House. I didn't even go buy my new walking shoes that I wanted to buy to get me motivated to start walking again. I am going to get my fat butt up and going again. I am also going to have to buy a new computer besides the new carpet with my tax refund.

Rockford Airport

I must say that having to pick up the boys from an airport is usually a chore. Driving into Chicago, fighting traffic, trying to find a place to park, is a pain in the butt. I didn't even mention the return trip. The trip usually takes between 3-6 hours. I hate Midway by the way but Rockford airport is wonderful. No long drive. No long lines. Parking is free and available and best of all once the boys get off the plane they are home! I hope the next time my oldest comes home he can fly into Rockford it is so much easier. The only downfall is they don't have daily flights so scheduling is not the best. From now on I will be using the Rockford airport for all my travels.

Friday and Saturday

Friday night after work I did the norm. I went to the grocery store and to Wal-mart. Dad and I watched a movie "Wanted" with Angie Jo-Lips. I liked it but of course dad fell asleep and said it was boring. Saturday dad woke up really early so after picking up the house he went and picked up Uncle Mark to play Nascar video game I played online Euchre. Uncle Tom called and said they were having a get together at Phillips for his and Amanda'a birthday. Barb & Beth made all kinds of food. So we went over to visit, eat, hold Brook, and play Wii. Amanda started felling sick again after eating I think she might be having gallbladder attacks. Her dad came and picked her up and went to the hospital. I got Brook to sleep and then was watching Kung Foo Panda with Caden but you know how hard it is to watch movies with a little kid. He is so loud & hyper but adorable. I'm goin to call there in a little bit to see how Amanda is. I haven't got to talk to your brothers in two days. They had their own room and have been hitting the parks for the last couple days. Brett's cell phone is in grandma's room. I'm so glad you got to call home last night and talk for a couple of minutes. Talk to you in a week. Love & Miss U!

Our life is dull

I didn't realize how dull my life is until I started this blog. Last night I got off work and went to school. Class ran a little long so I didn't get home until 6:15pm. Dad had Shells & Cheese ready for dinner. I ate, did the dishes, and completed some homework. Dad took a shower and went to Uncle Mark's house because I was watching two episodes of CSI. Grisom left so I don't know how much longer this show will last. The younger two boys went to Epcot today. I didn't get to talk to them but dad texted Tilda. I hope you get some time off this weekend to have some fun and maybe get to call home. I am getting very lonely and bored with no kids around. Love & Miss U!

Movie night

Well went home last night after work and had frozen pizza(Papa Jamie Pizza). The two younger boys were at Magic Kingdom. Gener loves the feeling he gets going there. I guess he gets that from me and my dad. He says the other parks don't feel the same. I agree! It really is the happiest place on earth for young, not so young, and old. After I did a couple pages of homework and tried to figure out that $150 calculator we watched "My Bestfriend's Girl" with Kate Hudson & Dane Cook. I love him, he is so funny. Dad of course loves Kate Hudson. It kinda reminded me of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" but still funny and pretty good. We watched the unrated version lots of bad words and some nakedness but funny! Good date movie. Love & Miss U!

Heartbroken

Dad & I were going to watch a movie last night but he was preoccupied. So I finished a book I was reading and he went down the basement to play video games. He called the boys and I thought awww he misses them. My husband never likes to talk on the phone. A while later he comes up and tells me this information that takes my breath away. We have done everything we can think of to teach our kids right from wrong. Do kids go brain dead in the teenage years. Why do they lie? Why do they try to be so sneaky and deceitful? I hope my son is not the guy that no matter what he does can't dig himself out of the hole that he has gotten himself into. I never want to have to visit my kid in prison! I realize that I will never hear the whole truth. If I feel this bad inside, how bad must he feel? My mom says that kids from the age of 13-25 lose their brains and hate their parents. Not to worry their brains & love will come back. What would make a person aspire to be white trash?

Quiet evening

I started a new book by James Patterson "You've been Warned" last night and got about half way through it. The main character reminds me of Sarah (dad's cousin). I could have finished it last night but had to read a chapter in my Statistics textbook. I also had to watch House, it comes on on monday nights now. Gener and Tilda called they had a fun day at Blizzard Beach. On the big slide Tilda reached 64mph and Gener got 61mph. Grandma said she saw way too much old man crack today LOL. Dad spent his night cooking up some chicken legs that he ended up throwing away said they were nasty. He played some Nascar and messed around on the computer pranking Jay. Our life is very dull without you boys around. Love & Miss U!

Superbowl bound

Well your dad's team pulled it off they get to play in the big game against the Cardinals. We had the normal bunch over. Uncle Tom, Uncle Mark, Joe, Phillip, Stephen, and Jay. Of course they ended up in the basement playing 3 ball. I fell off the eating healthy kick and ate way too much. My gut fells terrible today so back to the salads. I had to take Jay and Uncle Mark home since you are not home to play taxi. So guess what, now I get to plan a Superbowl party. I'll take some pictures and post for you. Gener called home to congratulate dad so he must have been watching the game too. I hope my youngest 2 boys are having fun on vacation. I hope my oldest is getting to have a little fun out in the field also while still training to be safe. Love & Miss U!

Boring

Just stayed at home yesterday. We did make a trip to Wal-mart but way too many people. Had to pick up stuff for the game today. I did manage to get outside for a couple of minutes and helped dad bring in some fire wood. It felt pretty good after being stuck in the house for two days because of the -20 below weather. Roo your brothers were at Hollywood Studios yesterday and are going to Typhoon Lagoon today. I know you are back in the field today but I will talk to you as soon as you get baack. Love & Miss U!

Party!

We were invited to Gary & Kathy's (Action Towing) annual party last night and we were also invited to go bowling with Phillip & Amanda. It is Amanda's birthday. We went to Kathy's because we only get to see them a couple times a year and we see Phil all the time. I behaved, sort of, I know that when I get around CiCi I can get very drunk. We sat around drinking & talking for awhile then started playing Euchre even dad played as Jeff's partner until he got mad and quit. We had a great time of course we didn't get home til 2am and only then because dad was falling asleep in the chair (like usual) LOL. You know how I love to play cards. I hope you boys had as much fun as me tonight. We are having people over for the Steelers game tomorrow. Dad & I are bored without you boys so we are turning into social butterflies. Love & Miss U!

Larry the Cable Guy

My husband and I went to see Larry the Cable Guy last night at the Metrocentre. My sister gave us tickets for Christmas. I had to drop off my two youngest sons at her house. They are heading to Florida to see my folks for 10 days. Anyway the show was sold out completely not an empty seat in the whole place. He had an opening act, the guy was pretty good. I can't remember his name but he lasted for about 15-20 minutes. Larry came out and he has lost 50 pounds. It was the coldest night on record and of course he had a few jokes about the weather. He was so funny but he talked about so many things that I can't remember but a couple good ones. He joked around for about 1.5 hours and had everyone in stitches. He puts on a really great show. If you ever get the chance to go see him do it!