I just celebrated what was technically my 12th Mother's Day - counting the one when Chas was in utero.
Aside from just generally being thankful that I am a Mother to my children each and every year, this was by far, the best Mother's Day I've had. It wasn't anything overly special, it was just that Joe put a great deal of effort into making sure I had a good day.
Sunday morning, I had to teach at church all morning, so I packed up all 3 kids and went to church while Joe ran to the other house to get the lawn mower loaded and spent all morning while I was at church mowing my yard.
I was so thankful.
Keeping up with two yards has been very challenging; and the yard was looking terrible. I feel horrible when my old yard looks bad because the neighbors were already upset that I'm moving, let alone leaving the yard in disarray.
So, I was beyond thankful when I got back to the "old house" and saw how absolutely beautiful the yard was.
We had been test driving a bigger car that weekend, so after we got back from church he returned the car to the dealership in Indianapolis while I cleaned up the 'new' house before we hosted a family gathering that evening for Mother's Day.
Joe went to the store and got Filet steaks for the 3 moms and chicken for the guys. It was so nice. Our moms brought other food and it was very nice to get together and enjoy dinner with eachother. My Grandpa was able to come too - which is always a treat.
...but I sure missed my Grandma this year.
We took flowers to the cemetery earlier in the day and stood there and cried. At times, it still doesn't seem real that she's not here. I know time will help the memories make up for the loss that I feel, but the holidays are so, so hard.
I was able to keep the tears hidden for much of the rest of the day and by night, was ready for bed.
I am so thankful for a guy that reminds my kids that it's Mother's Day and they should treat me well, all day (and every day).
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Directions
My grandpa was a semi-truck driver for his entire life. Even after he retired, he drove a little delivery truck around for a small company "just to keep busy."
My mom was determined to raise me with the same directional wisdom that her father had passed down to her, often taking me on drives in the country, telling me to watch the country road signs and guess where we'd end up. We spent a lot of time "cruising", as she would call it, around different areas, traveling via Atlas and CB radio to out of state destinations and teaching me everything she knew about the roads. She never wanted me to end up stranded and lost. Ever.
With the exception of getting 'pseudo-lost' in a few suburban neighborhoods that all look alike, I've never really gotten lost anywhere that it "counts". I've never been scared of how I was going to get home from a certain location nor anxious about driving anywhere. I just typically get in the car...
..and go.
But this weekend, proved to be not only amusing, but also humbling and slightly embarrassing.
It was like any other Friday night without kids, Joe and I were hanging out, when at about 11:00 pm, I decided that I was hungry for "Stinney's Pizza". I'd had it a couple of times before and remembered that it was a bit different than "the norm" and knew of a few people that absolutely love it.
So, I looked up the number via Google search and called.
I still haven't decided if my life changed for the better or worse after that initial call, but it provided many "omg-i'm about to pee my pants-kind of laughs".
....
"Stinney's Pizza... this is Stinney"
-Are you guys still open?
"Well, it depends on how much money you're going to spend."
-Well, I just want like, a small or medium pizza.
"Ok, well I can open back up and make it for ya!"
(While I should've taken it as some sort of divine intervention... the phone lost signal and I had to call back. After 2 attempts at calling back and having a conversation about this pizza, I made Joe go get the home phone so I could call from a land line.)
This time a young girl answered.
"Hello"
- I just called about the pizza and I was wondering how much a small sausage pizza is.
(Hearing "stinney" in the background...) "A small is $13.95"
-ok, how many pieces are in a small?
(Again, hearing the slurred speech of "Stinney" in the background) - "well, how many pieces do you want? I can make 2 pieces, 10 pieces, I'll cut it however you want it!"
-Alright, I'll take a medium sausage pizza.
"Ok, we'll have that ready in about 20 minutes"
.....
Perfect! We jump in the truck and head to Markleville. The beautiful Metropolis of Markle-tucky as some would call it.
Once we arrive on the "stip" in Markleville, I realize... I have no idea where Stinney's Pizza is.
So, we "drive around" Markleville for about 20 seconds, get to just past Vail's parents house and realize that it's probably not "This far out" in the country.
What am I to do, but call "Stinney" back and ask him where the pizza place is located.
i'm pretty sure they were dying laughing at this point, because it's about 11:25 and we're LOST in MARKLEVILLE.
They tell me it's on Cottage avenue, in a little while garagte. So we drive around looking for Cottage Ave. I'll spare you the details, but let me just tell you that we finally found the "white garage" on Cottage Ave and Joe was a bit scared to walk in.
I don't even remember what kind of awesome outfit I was wearing, but I will go ahead and tell you that he was wearing "Fern Shirt" and plaid shorts. It's not a pretty sight. In fact, "Fern Shirt" deserves its own blog entry.
But for now, understand, that we looked like people that would...
...get lost in Markleville.
As we were leaving with our pizza, laughing with the obviously intoxicated and infamous "stinney", he hands Joe a beer to drink. I told JOe he was NOT taking the beer in the truck, as there are open container laws and I am SURE not getting arrested in Markleville.
"STinney authoritatively told us that he is the "ex-mayor" of Markleville and taking the open beer in the truck was not a problem.
We drove away laughing, and quickly looking for a trash can to ditch the can of beer before we were thrown in the slammer without tasting the pizza that we were longing for.
We ended up really liking the pizza, and will definitely be back - and this time we'll know how to get there.
My mom was determined to raise me with the same directional wisdom that her father had passed down to her, often taking me on drives in the country, telling me to watch the country road signs and guess where we'd end up. We spent a lot of time "cruising", as she would call it, around different areas, traveling via Atlas and CB radio to out of state destinations and teaching me everything she knew about the roads. She never wanted me to end up stranded and lost. Ever.
With the exception of getting 'pseudo-lost' in a few suburban neighborhoods that all look alike, I've never really gotten lost anywhere that it "counts". I've never been scared of how I was going to get home from a certain location nor anxious about driving anywhere. I just typically get in the car...
..and go.
But this weekend, proved to be not only amusing, but also humbling and slightly embarrassing.
It was like any other Friday night without kids, Joe and I were hanging out, when at about 11:00 pm, I decided that I was hungry for "Stinney's Pizza". I'd had it a couple of times before and remembered that it was a bit different than "the norm" and knew of a few people that absolutely love it.
So, I looked up the number via Google search and called.
I still haven't decided if my life changed for the better or worse after that initial call, but it provided many "omg-i'm about to pee my pants-kind of laughs".
....
"Stinney's Pizza... this is Stinney"
-Are you guys still open?
"Well, it depends on how much money you're going to spend."
-Well, I just want like, a small or medium pizza.
"Ok, well I can open back up and make it for ya!"
(While I should've taken it as some sort of divine intervention... the phone lost signal and I had to call back. After 2 attempts at calling back and having a conversation about this pizza, I made Joe go get the home phone so I could call from a land line.)
This time a young girl answered.
"Hello"
- I just called about the pizza and I was wondering how much a small sausage pizza is.
(Hearing "stinney" in the background...) "A small is $13.95"
-ok, how many pieces are in a small?
(Again, hearing the slurred speech of "Stinney" in the background) - "well, how many pieces do you want? I can make 2 pieces, 10 pieces, I'll cut it however you want it!"
-Alright, I'll take a medium sausage pizza.
"Ok, we'll have that ready in about 20 minutes"
.....
Perfect! We jump in the truck and head to Markleville. The beautiful Metropolis of Markle-tucky as some would call it.
Once we arrive on the "stip" in Markleville, I realize... I have no idea where Stinney's Pizza is.
So, we "drive around" Markleville for about 20 seconds, get to just past Vail's parents house and realize that it's probably not "This far out" in the country.
What am I to do, but call "Stinney" back and ask him where the pizza place is located.
i'm pretty sure they were dying laughing at this point, because it's about 11:25 and we're LOST in MARKLEVILLE.
They tell me it's on Cottage avenue, in a little while garagte. So we drive around looking for Cottage Ave. I'll spare you the details, but let me just tell you that we finally found the "white garage" on Cottage Ave and Joe was a bit scared to walk in.
I don't even remember what kind of awesome outfit I was wearing, but I will go ahead and tell you that he was wearing "Fern Shirt" and plaid shorts. It's not a pretty sight. In fact, "Fern Shirt" deserves its own blog entry.
But for now, understand, that we looked like people that would...
...get lost in Markleville.
As we were leaving with our pizza, laughing with the obviously intoxicated and infamous "stinney", he hands Joe a beer to drink. I told JOe he was NOT taking the beer in the truck, as there are open container laws and I am SURE not getting arrested in Markleville.
"STinney authoritatively told us that he is the "ex-mayor" of Markleville and taking the open beer in the truck was not a problem.
We drove away laughing, and quickly looking for a trash can to ditch the can of beer before we were thrown in the slammer without tasting the pizza that we were longing for.
We ended up really liking the pizza, and will definitely be back - and this time we'll know how to get there.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Coaching
As you may know, my dear daughter asked me repeatedly until I said yes to coach her softball team. I obliged, because there was another coach that would be helping me and I figured between the other coach, Joe and myself, we could inspire a team of little girls to hit a softball, right?
Admittedly, I was a bit nervous. I knew I could handle the business aspect (ordering shirts, cute socks, coordinating practices, etc) - but it was the skill I was a bit nervous about. Thankfully, none of us really "knew what we were doing" so to speak, so the pressure hasn't been so bad. ...and I'm actually enjoying it! Not sure that I'm enjoying it enough to coach for the next 10 years of her life, however.. it hasn't been too bad.
Last night at practice, I was determined to learn how to pitch. It can't be that hard, right?
Wrong.
It was nerve wracking, and i'm not sure who was more excited when the girls hit the ball I pitched; me or them! I was excited that I pitched a ball good enough for them to hit and they were excited to hit the ball.
Admittedly, there were a couple of balls that were hit low.
Low as in... "Is this softball or golf?"
But hey - they hit it, right :)
Either way, I just love little kids. Whether it's leading a girl scout troop, or...
...coaching a softball game...
I love being involved with my kids activities and hopefully being a faint part of some little girls memories some day.
I am equally as thankful that Joe is willing to help me coach my girl's team. It's fun to do that together and it makes me feel good that he loves me enough to help with my kids.
Although when he showed up at practice last night wearing a black mullet wig and his Cross Country T-Shirt from 1995... I was questioning his sanity.
But at least Mullet Man showed up to help, right!?
Admittedly, I was a bit nervous. I knew I could handle the business aspect (ordering shirts, cute socks, coordinating practices, etc) - but it was the skill I was a bit nervous about. Thankfully, none of us really "knew what we were doing" so to speak, so the pressure hasn't been so bad. ...and I'm actually enjoying it! Not sure that I'm enjoying it enough to coach for the next 10 years of her life, however.. it hasn't been too bad.
Last night at practice, I was determined to learn how to pitch. It can't be that hard, right?
Wrong.
It was nerve wracking, and i'm not sure who was more excited when the girls hit the ball I pitched; me or them! I was excited that I pitched a ball good enough for them to hit and they were excited to hit the ball.
Admittedly, there were a couple of balls that were hit low.
Low as in... "Is this softball or golf?"
But hey - they hit it, right :)
Either way, I just love little kids. Whether it's leading a girl scout troop, or...
...coaching a softball game...
I love being involved with my kids activities and hopefully being a faint part of some little girls memories some day.
I am equally as thankful that Joe is willing to help me coach my girl's team. It's fun to do that together and it makes me feel good that he loves me enough to help with my kids.
Although when he showed up at practice last night wearing a black mullet wig and his Cross Country T-Shirt from 1995... I was questioning his sanity.
But at least Mullet Man showed up to help, right!?
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Girlfriends
There is no doubt about it... I have some of the best girlfriends ever.
This isn't anything necessarily 'new', but I was looking at some pictures posted yesterday of all of us "80's Ladies" on facebook and it just reminded me how thankful I am for these ladies.
Here is a list of the top ___ reasons why I love being an 80's Lady:
1.) With a name like "80's Ladies" who wouldn't want to be one?
2.) No matter where we are in our lives, there is no judgement, no negative talks about eachother, just pure friendship. And I appreciate that.
3.) We are so resourceful; with each person in a different segment of the world (both professionally and personally), I could reach out to virtually any of them for any kind of help I need.
4.) We know where we stand. We don't need to get on facebook every other day and proclaim how much we love eachother. We just know.
5.) Creating a "stupid" picture every time we are together is both disturbing and amusing. I used to think being in your "30's" was old. Now I realize, it's a matter of perspective. At times, I'm mature... but get a group of 80's Ladies together and start posing for pictures... it quickly goes downhill.
I love getting together with the ladies when our schedules work out, eating some yummy food, laughing about things that probably aren't very funny and making new memories.
How many people in this world can say that they still have good relationships with their girlfriends from high school?
This isn't anything necessarily 'new', but I was looking at some pictures posted yesterday of all of us "80's Ladies" on facebook and it just reminded me how thankful I am for these ladies.
Here is a list of the top ___ reasons why I love being an 80's Lady:
1.) With a name like "80's Ladies" who wouldn't want to be one?
2.) No matter where we are in our lives, there is no judgement, no negative talks about eachother, just pure friendship. And I appreciate that.
3.) We are so resourceful; with each person in a different segment of the world (both professionally and personally), I could reach out to virtually any of them for any kind of help I need.
4.) We know where we stand. We don't need to get on facebook every other day and proclaim how much we love eachother. We just know.
5.) Creating a "stupid" picture every time we are together is both disturbing and amusing. I used to think being in your "30's" was old. Now I realize, it's a matter of perspective. At times, I'm mature... but get a group of 80's Ladies together and start posing for pictures... it quickly goes downhill.
I love getting together with the ladies when our schedules work out, eating some yummy food, laughing about things that probably aren't very funny and making new memories.
How many people in this world can say that they still have good relationships with their girlfriends from high school?
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Finish What You Start
Seasoned Parent [noun, perhaps a proper noun (?): having been through many years of parenting trials and tribulations causing, at times, hair pulling and graying effects.]
Before I became a more "seasoned" parent, I used to think that a child's achievements and behavior were a clear indication of a parent's due diligence.
When Chas was a baby, although he didn't walk until his very first birthday, I was just sure he was going to be the smartest kid in the world. He was very interactive, knew a lot at an early age, held full conversations, etc etc. He went to Kindergarten at the top of the class, did a great job at everything he tried - excelled in sports, earned awards at school for his academic achievements, spouted off random facts about anything, asked for his "dream" vacation to our Nation's Capital, etc. He was my first child, and i'm pretty sure he was almost perfect.
Bek however, walked at 9 months old, fully potty trained by the time she was 2, had to attend speech therapy because she wouldn't talk; only grunt... and within 6 months, talked so much I couldn't get her to stop! Now she whines like it's her job, is scared of her own shadow and can't do much without me by her side. She does well in school, enjoys hanging out with friends and is overall, pretty normal.
But then they started growing up and developing their personalities. Bekah is a people-pleaser. And that scares me to DEATH. Always trying to make people happy.
Chaston is a leader. Knows everything, has a comment for everything, tries to be funny and always finishes what he starts.
Well, except for picking up after himself. Although, in his defense, he never 'tries' to pick up after himself, so he never really starts the process either. HA.
Last week, he certainly finished what he started and it almost lead me to start calling around to see if they offer adoption for pre-teens, because he might need a different set of parents. (JK, i love him).
I got a call from the school that started with, "Hi, this is Mr. So-and-So and I want to start off by saying that Chas is ok".
My first thought was... "I can tell by the tone of this conversation that he may be "ok" right now.. but after school... I"m gonna kill him!"
The assistant principal went on to tell me that Chas was involved in a fight in school and suspension was involved.
&^*#$&*@(!&#*@(&$*@(
MY KID!?
Suspended?!!?
What will people think?
What the HELL was he thinking?
I'm going to beat him!
What have I done wrong!?
After I took a few deep breaths and calmed down, he told me the story. Which didn't make it any better, but did make me at least feel like he wasn't walking around bullying people.
So, apparently this other student called Chas a name. So, in a normal almost 12 year old boy fashion, he went ahead and called the kid a name back.
So it was over.
Then, they all started to play football at recess and the same kid tripped Chas.
So, Chas had it at that point, he got up and ran over and pushed the kid down. Apparently there wasn't any punching, but a teacher had to break the two boys up and they went to the office.
Chas received 1 day of in-school suspension and the other kid got 2 days for starting the fight, both times.
But seriously.
My son is lucky that I had time to cool down between the phone call and him coming home. And because I"m not exactly a parenting pro, I wasn't quite sure how to handle it. I decided I was not going to lay into him screaming like a fool.
He knew he messed up.
He was getting punished at school.
...and solving his violent act with my own violence probably woudln't set a very good example.
So, we handled it the best we could at home; Joe and I tried talking to him about self-control and being the bigger person. Not always having to get people back and make them "pay". I also touched on the long-term affects of quick-thinking decisions that cause bodily harm... it can take you down a road you don't want to go.
...and i might have mentioned that if he's in prison for battery, i"m not putting money on his commissary.
Probably a little harsh, but seriously.
SO, the next morning, I dropped him off at school and told him (cheerily) to have a GREAT day!!!!!
...sitting in the office next to the kid that he got in trouble with.
Ugh.
Parenting is tough.
Our kids start out as these perfect little babies. Then they grow into independent toddlers. Then cute elementary school kiddos with a slight attitude and innocence that is beyond charming.
...and then...
puberty begins.
They start to smell.
They know more than you.
They make immature decisions and you can only get through their heads on a good day.
And they smell.... even more than the first time I told you.
I fell in love with that boy almost 12 years ago. And, if I weren't his mother, loving him would be difficult, but somehow through the messes that he leaves in his path, the smart mouth, the friggen in-school suspension, the weird actions and large furry head of hair.... I still love that boy. Those brown eyes and cute grin still melts my heart...
... on a good day.
Before I became a more "seasoned" parent, I used to think that a child's achievements and behavior were a clear indication of a parent's due diligence.
When Chas was a baby, although he didn't walk until his very first birthday, I was just sure he was going to be the smartest kid in the world. He was very interactive, knew a lot at an early age, held full conversations, etc etc. He went to Kindergarten at the top of the class, did a great job at everything he tried - excelled in sports, earned awards at school for his academic achievements, spouted off random facts about anything, asked for his "dream" vacation to our Nation's Capital, etc. He was my first child, and i'm pretty sure he was almost perfect.
Bek however, walked at 9 months old, fully potty trained by the time she was 2, had to attend speech therapy because she wouldn't talk; only grunt... and within 6 months, talked so much I couldn't get her to stop! Now she whines like it's her job, is scared of her own shadow and can't do much without me by her side. She does well in school, enjoys hanging out with friends and is overall, pretty normal.
But then they started growing up and developing their personalities. Bekah is a people-pleaser. And that scares me to DEATH. Always trying to make people happy.
Chaston is a leader. Knows everything, has a comment for everything, tries to be funny and always finishes what he starts.
Well, except for picking up after himself. Although, in his defense, he never 'tries' to pick up after himself, so he never really starts the process either. HA.
Last week, he certainly finished what he started and it almost lead me to start calling around to see if they offer adoption for pre-teens, because he might need a different set of parents. (JK, i love him).
I got a call from the school that started with, "Hi, this is Mr. So-and-So and I want to start off by saying that Chas is ok".
My first thought was... "I can tell by the tone of this conversation that he may be "ok" right now.. but after school... I"m gonna kill him!"
The assistant principal went on to tell me that Chas was involved in a fight in school and suspension was involved.
&^*#$&*@(!&#*@(&$*@(
MY KID!?
Suspended?!!?
What will people think?
What the HELL was he thinking?
I'm going to beat him!
What have I done wrong!?
After I took a few deep breaths and calmed down, he told me the story. Which didn't make it any better, but did make me at least feel like he wasn't walking around bullying people.
So, apparently this other student called Chas a name. So, in a normal almost 12 year old boy fashion, he went ahead and called the kid a name back.
So it was over.
Then, they all started to play football at recess and the same kid tripped Chas.
So, Chas had it at that point, he got up and ran over and pushed the kid down. Apparently there wasn't any punching, but a teacher had to break the two boys up and they went to the office.
Chas received 1 day of in-school suspension and the other kid got 2 days for starting the fight, both times.
But seriously.
My son is lucky that I had time to cool down between the phone call and him coming home. And because I"m not exactly a parenting pro, I wasn't quite sure how to handle it. I decided I was not going to lay into him screaming like a fool.
He knew he messed up.
He was getting punished at school.
...and solving his violent act with my own violence probably woudln't set a very good example.
So, we handled it the best we could at home; Joe and I tried talking to him about self-control and being the bigger person. Not always having to get people back and make them "pay". I also touched on the long-term affects of quick-thinking decisions that cause bodily harm... it can take you down a road you don't want to go.
...and i might have mentioned that if he's in prison for battery, i"m not putting money on his commissary.
Probably a little harsh, but seriously.
SO, the next morning, I dropped him off at school and told him (cheerily) to have a GREAT day!!!!!
...sitting in the office next to the kid that he got in trouble with.
Ugh.
Parenting is tough.
Our kids start out as these perfect little babies. Then they grow into independent toddlers. Then cute elementary school kiddos with a slight attitude and innocence that is beyond charming.
...and then...
puberty begins.
They start to smell.
They know more than you.
They make immature decisions and you can only get through their heads on a good day.
And they smell.... even more than the first time I told you.
I fell in love with that boy almost 12 years ago. And, if I weren't his mother, loving him would be difficult, but somehow through the messes that he leaves in his path, the smart mouth, the friggen in-school suspension, the weird actions and large furry head of hair.... I still love that boy. Those brown eyes and cute grin still melts my heart...
... on a good day.
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