tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13295635800233543802024-02-26T02:02:59.572-05:00A Fly on Our (Chicken Coop) WallChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comBlogger802125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-23665455598262266002017-07-30T22:51:00.000-04:002017-07-30T22:51:30.212-04:00When I Said I'd Check In, I Didn't Think It Would Be Six Months Later"TURKEN!" was all I could get out before we hit the gigantic rock and the canoe started tipping.<div>
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Tiiiiipping....tiiiiiiiiipping...aaaaand into the water we go!</div>
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Turken's head popped right up. </div>
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Bags and clothing and paddles started floating down the river.</div>
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Cuckoo was nowhere to be found. </div>
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He must be under the canoe...</div>
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Oh God, please let him be in the air pocket...</div>
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With superhuman mom strength, I flipped that water-filled canoe back over all by myself.</div>
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There was Cuckoo. On his back. Arms and legs pushing on the wooden slats across the canoe to keep him in. A bit of a shocked smile on his face.</div>
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And then I heard from Turken...</div>
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"I GOT THE BEER!"</div>
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And all the worry and tension floated away with my bag and my paddle. I laughed and laughed and laughed while the kids scrambled to grab our belongings and Bryan came over to get us out of our predicament.</div>
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A couple of hours before, we (Bryan and the little boys in the canoe, the big kids and I in our own kayaks) had come across a couple who had unfortunately gotten stuck on a rock. Their canoe was sinking fast and their belongings were floating away. Bryan stopped to help them while I got the big kids paddling around collecting their shoes and paddles.</div>
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Once they were back on track, we continued our way down river.</div>
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A while later we stopped on the bank for a snack and water break. I asked Bryan if he wanted to switch, since we all know that kayaking is way more fun than canoeing. The little boys said it was a bit boring to be the kid in the middle of the canoe who didn't get to paddle. I replied, "Well, when I take over the canoe, I'm sure things will be more exciting." </div>
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It was a joke.</div>
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Kinda.</div>
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I was a bit worried.</div>
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The river had some really shallow bits and some mini rapids every once in a while.</div>
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Steering a canoe isn't actually a specialty of mine.</div>
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But seriously, hundreds of people canoe down this river every week. And many of them do it while drinking copious amounts of beer. Surely I could handle it!</div>
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We resumed our trip down river, and only a few minutes in we saw a nice water bottle bobbing in the water. I managed to steer the canoe over, and Turken snagged it. We assumed it belonged to the couple we saved, so we kept it in our canoe in case we saw them later.</div>
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A mere 5 minutes later, Giant rowed up next to me.</div>
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He was holding a can.</div>
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A can of beer.</div>
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With a smirk, he said, "When we land, the first drink is on me."</div>
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Apparently the couple was drinking something harder than just the water we had retrieved.</div>
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Seeing as how he's only 14, I took the beer and stuck it in the canoe so he wouldn't get caught and I wouldn't get arrested.</div>
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So when my spotter, Turken, failed to spot the gigantic rock coming out to grab us, and we rolled right over, the first thing he saw that needed saved was not his missing brother. It was not his shirt he had taken off earlier. It was not the seat cushion we had brought to keep his tush from getting sore. </div>
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Nope. </div>
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He thought it was most important to swim over and SAVE THE BEER!</div>
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Oy.</div>
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Once it was emptied, Bryan went back to paddling the canoe, while I took the kayak to the finish. </div>
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As we went, I asked the teens if they saw the tip happen.</div>
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Buttercup still couldn't laugh about it. She had seen that Cuckoo was missing for a nanosecond and was scared to death.</div>
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Giant and Star, not so much.</div>
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They, too, had each hit the rock, but in a kayak, recovering is pretty easy. They just Matrixed around it and went on their way.</div>
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They each thought to themselves, "Oh, Mom is gonna hit that."</div>
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Both of them turned to watch me hit the rock.</div>
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Neither one of them yelled, "Hey Mom, there's a GIGANTIC ROCK HIDING THERE WAITING TO TAKE YOU OUT!!"</div>
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Nope.</div>
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It's way funnier to watch Mom hit the rock.</div>
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So, in case you were wondering what we at the coop have been up to, now you know.</div>
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It's pretty much the same as always.</div>
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Except everything is different, too.</div>
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At the end of January, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.</div>
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Because of the heart stents and massive radiation to beat the cervical cancer she had 7 years ago, treatment was tricky. </div>
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I was back and forth between Kentucky and Indiana helping to take care of her after chemo treatments. I was calling every day, making sure she was eating and drinking and taking medication. So much of my mental capacity was taken up by worry for my mom.</div>
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And then.</div>
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One early morning in May, she was awoken by an angel in the form of a man banging on her front door in the middle of a storm. </div>
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Her house had been hit by lightning, and her entire roof was engulfed in flames.</div>
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She was sicker than sick and was without a house.</div>
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But then!</div>
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A few weeks later she was given a clean bill of cancer health. Chemo worked! </div>
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But without a home and not being recovered enough to live on her own (insurance would pay for her to live in a suite-type hotel), she came to live with us.</div>
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For a month and a half, we got to have her.</div>
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It was awesome.</div>
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She just left last week. </div>
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We miss her something awful.</div>
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But it's tempered by the knowledge that she's still alive and we can talk to her anytime we want and we'll visit with her often.</div>
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And through it all, we still had sports and school and doctor appointments and prom and subbing and tons of other normal, everyday things that take up time.</div>
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AND Pheonix graduated from high school!!</div>
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In a mere 16 days he will be moving into his dorm in Cincinnati.</div>
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This momma is having a hard time with that fact.</div>
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While the rest of us were canoeing and kayaking, he was in Detroit with friends.</div>
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He got back at 4:30 today, then was heading out to go to Mass with one of the friends with whom he had spent the weekend.</div>
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He came to kiss me goodbye, and I asked if he was coming home right after.</div>
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He said, "That's the plan for now," and turned to walk away.</div>
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I yelled after him, "I just need to know that you love us more than you love his family!!"</div>
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Poor guy. </div>
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I'm losing my mind.</div>
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16 days.</div>
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Oy.</div>
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The coop just won't be the same without him.</div>
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And with that, I will end for today.</div>
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I need to go hug my boy a few more hundred times.</div>
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Have a lovely day!</div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-68437034504182068752017-01-01T13:25:00.000-05:002017-01-01T13:25:49.958-05:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!Novemeber 6.<br />
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The date of the last post I wrote.</div>
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The last day of the last time I was in Indiana for 7 days straight.</div>
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There is no way to catch you up fully, so we'll just do it in photos!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF1GhMHcAVMa98oc4XU0tjzjIH-J78zK-3pSV8bW5t2Kp9y6JJLWkQK2CpVf5wsg0VJhv91_dSPLbQxWsFbuWJ56_2J1h8QN8Bm3IWgcY44dlZO6jiSqEBnF-v0sAKlon-nHISlqjLAwQ/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF1GhMHcAVMa98oc4XU0tjzjIH-J78zK-3pSV8bW5t2Kp9y6JJLWkQK2CpVf5wsg0VJhv91_dSPLbQxWsFbuWJ56_2J1h8QN8Bm3IWgcY44dlZO6jiSqEBnF-v0sAKlon-nHISlqjLAwQ/s400/IMG_0109.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day before the stitches came out.</td></tr>
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Since the concussion and the stitches, we haven't had to go back to the ER. Sure, he had 2 incident reports sent home from school in a matter of days, both for hitting his head quite hard, but no more trips to the hospital.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHtW7Xq_rNRkarWM2-er31YwEaj7RkUxHJoPv_DV7me80a7TvImsIO9FvanHAN1yaJJnwR49mQ7tZw4UKXTQ8GhL5bM0gdOkxSGcL47CkgECq4M-CZtShmBbDjAC2B_-oEFN_t58L26nP/s1600/IMG_0353.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHtW7Xq_rNRkarWM2-er31YwEaj7RkUxHJoPv_DV7me80a7TvImsIO9FvanHAN1yaJJnwR49mQ7tZw4UKXTQ8GhL5bM0gdOkxSGcL47CkgECq4M-CZtShmBbDjAC2B_-oEFN_t58L26nP/s400/IMG_0353.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our hotel room.</td></tr>
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After the month and a half we had had, a trip to paradise was much appreciated. Bryan and I took off for a few days in St. Martin. He had booked it back in August, not knowing October would be so brutal. It took us a day and a half to relax, but once we did, it was bliss.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjSoDv2k7RBm7R9A30z3cyDb4srJ_UIHEzExrmjub8ejKKcaCUg4cnUoGSZsxDiHsC1-c6v8TOx6VlQPwCxXQkqmGJksR34jjL1mRKaaWhB0Vj6ezUVTtG2m3l1H22UVsVee63ycjaUEQ/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjSoDv2k7RBm7R9A30z3cyDb4srJ_UIHEzExrmjub8ejKKcaCUg4cnUoGSZsxDiHsC1-c6v8TOx6VlQPwCxXQkqmGJksR34jjL1mRKaaWhB0Vj6ezUVTtG2m3l1H22UVsVee63ycjaUEQ/s400/IMG_0229.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We won!</td></tr>
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We made an nontraditional exit from Ohio the morning after Thanksgiving in order to make it back to Indy for our kids' high school's state football game in Lucas Oil stadium. We know most of the kids who were major players, and we didn't want to miss it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFr8T3LbYtRHcUevDOgUeGcnY6e5fHOJAthpDEj5yYFYVNtY1NtgcCpbGlqS_4IU_q5zUZFEP5L2LwHO7vOlCLntomDsTqE958iXQYwJvHBa9cIOMDLWq5RNKl4gyfUVaoj9Q7IUdO7RZ/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFr8T3LbYtRHcUevDOgUeGcnY6e5fHOJAthpDEj5yYFYVNtY1NtgcCpbGlqS_4IU_q5zUZFEP5L2LwHO7vOlCLntomDsTqE958iXQYwJvHBa9cIOMDLWq5RNKl4gyfUVaoj9Q7IUdO7RZ/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That tree looks a whole lot bigger in our living room.</td></tr>
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Christmas preparations were in full swing. The shopping, the volunteering, the decorating...all wonderful, fun, time suckers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSR5DL-roPkQEQQOWPzJ1E3ydEsnuFecKTa6hnflKD69rh5rwOuQD7og79dVt6OYRDTCZ9BA5SxpxflpC-diFQcn8NiQMj42ClhOI42ctnsNSSfn65UmmaJCoQ7JP_8croCQyWxxg-ECA/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSR5DL-roPkQEQQOWPzJ1E3ydEsnuFecKTa6hnflKD69rh5rwOuQD7og79dVt6OYRDTCZ9BA5SxpxflpC-diFQcn8NiQMj42ClhOI42ctnsNSSfn65UmmaJCoQ7JP_8croCQyWxxg-ECA/s400/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have another driver in the house!</td></tr>
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I couldn't be happier that her driving lessons are finally over. Just in time for Star to start his classes in 2 weeks.<br />
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At least I'll have another way for him to get there now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vgXqGzqYEI9FBH3Tg7SGb0H64DzPo0Wzjh6QMEYo0aEh88XENkwKE-cWKCg8cwU0JMVRoeXCtCs6sTscgNI1p4dI14kW1hj8GqLEXASPF0Zz4oiWD046zUyKGRckLiK1BiHCYbtZlIun/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vgXqGzqYEI9FBH3Tg7SGb0H64DzPo0Wzjh6QMEYo0aEh88XENkwKE-cWKCg8cwU0JMVRoeXCtCs6sTscgNI1p4dI14kW1hj8GqLEXASPF0Zz4oiWD046zUyKGRckLiK1BiHCYbtZlIun/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does he look tough or what?</td></tr>
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At the school's football banquet, our Turken was giving the Mental Attitude Award. According to the head coach, "For being one of the smallest kids on the team, Turken played as if he was one of the biggest kids on the field. Every practice and game, Turken gave us 100% effort and was the only kid on the team that didn't complain once." The assistant coach added, "When you get stung in the ear and keep playing, you are guaranteed the mental attitude award." It seems all these years of wrestling teenagers is paying off. :)<br />
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Two days after football was over, 3rd grade basketball started. Gym space on the south side of Indy is rare (our only two public facilities were purchased by Sky Zone and Zip City), so coaches off all court sports are getting creative. Turken's coaches tracked down an OLD facility downtown. The boys have to walk past the door to a bar (right next to where Turken is in the photo. (Folks in the place were singing karaoke one night.)) and climb rickety old stairs in order to reach the original court space. Many of the 3rd graders' grandpas played basketball on this very court when they were in grade school. I love, love, love this building.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The annual new Disney pjs from Grandma photo.</td></tr>
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As always, Christmas was celebrated in Ohio.<br />
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Not pictured, because I didn't take a single photo, are the days spent in Ohio for Thanksgiving, the long but short trip to Memphis, TN, for Giant's soccer tournament, the three-day weekend spent in Columbus, OH, for Phoenix's volleyball tournament, and the day in Lousiville, KY (and the harrowing drive back that night in a terrible storm which covered the roads with ice!) to celebrate Christmas with my siblings, nieces, nephews, and parents.<br />
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We've also hosted a Halloween party for 50 or so teens, a Christmas gathering for Buttercup's friends, a New Years shindig for Phoenix and his friends, and random kids here, there, and everywhere.<br />
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Basically, life has exploded in myriad marvelous ways.<br />
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My dad now introduces me as "Crissy, She Used to be a Blogger".<br />
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It doesn't seem that 2017 is going to calm down any, seeing as how a high school graduation will be added to the mix of our usual spring madness. Lots of big plans for the coming summer as well.<br />
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Because of this, I have made the sad decision to not be a TToT cohost anymore. I just can't give the hop the attention it deserves. As much as I've loved being a part of the group, getting to know everyone and sharing our many ups each week, you all should have someone who can commit to it. To hopping around and actually writing and reading.<br />
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I'll join in when I can.<br />
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I'll keep up as much as possible.<br />
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Keep counting those thankfuls!<br />
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My prayers are with all of you as we start the new year!<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-87937986786758467232016-11-06T21:42:00.004-05:002016-11-06T21:42:45.405-05:00A Ten Minute BreatherMy gut was right.<br />
It is not the time of life for me to get a job.<br />
Tuesday, Oct. 18, my friend and principal of our elementary school called. The woman who was the long term maternity sub in 4th grade wasn't coming back. She needed someone the next day and for three and a half weeks after that. Seeing as how I had turned her down to take the maternity leave in the first place, she asked me just to take Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. She'd have someone else do Tuesdays and Thursdays.<br />
I agreed. I can do anything for three and a half weeks.<br />
And then things kept happening.<br />
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The afternoon after my first day of work, Cuckoo hit his head and got one nasty concussion. Memory loss and vomiting made things quite scary.<br />
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A week and a half later, exactly 3 hours after he was cleared for normal activity, he was dancing on one of the big boys' beds and fell off. He managed to slice his leg on the bed frame. Neither Bryan nor I were home, big kids rose to the occasion, and Cuckoo ended up with 21 stitches in his shin. He gets those out on Thursday.<br />
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Parties and appointments and 6 driving classes and Giant's soccer practices starting and Phoenix's volleyball practices starting and Turken's football team winning game after game in the playoffs and Buttercup's speech team competition (that I judged! (not her speech. Other participants.)) and illness my body was fighting with the little bit of energy I had left about did me in.<br />
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And then...<br />
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Tragedy.<br />
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The son of my former boss at the preschool where all of my kids attended and I taught passed away unexpectedly.<br />
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She didn't want us all to go to the funeral. She wanted us to keep the school open.<br />
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So on Tuesday and Thursday I was teaching preschool.<br />
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It's been a rough few weeks.<br />
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This one won't be any better.<br />
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But I wanted you to know that I didn't just disappear by choice.<br />
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Life got real around here.<br />
<br />
I'll be done teaching 4th grade later this week.<br />
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I'm actually torn.<br />
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It has been wonderful being in an elementary classroom again.<br />
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I have enjoyed every minute.<br />
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I would love to stay.<br />
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Alas, now is not the time.<br />
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These last few weeks have proven what I already knew.<br />
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It just isn't the time.<br />
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My priority must be my family.<br />
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I can't be a great teacher and a great mom at the same time.<br />
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I want to be the greatest mom I can be.<br />
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I can be a great teacher another time.<br />
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Or not.<br />
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We'll see where life takes us.<br />
<br />
One thing that has been beaten into me is the truth that we never, ever know what the next day, the next hour, the next minute will bring.<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-67770348840172928092016-10-14T21:50:00.001-04:002016-10-14T21:50:24.609-04:00We'll Just Ignore the Fact I Haven't Written in a Month TToT This fall break week has been filled with unexpected fun. (Not quite like <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-secret-revealed-ttot-week-122.html" target="_blank">the unexpected fun of last year's fall break</a>).<br />
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The week started with Grandparents' Day at the high school. My mom and dad both came, which was a treat in itself. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_J3e7GIt8R0zgocjma_4SkpF899zDaNpgptZsK08Of7EtGNoNeiJJHg0ZMAJCv3oTwSp0HuGnjxxwHevPcbKi3Hfk2AjaX4NuDiizpWEluahjCkjdFi1wuiFEB5m9qnH_FTVkA4IhEYq/s1600/photo+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_J3e7GIt8R0zgocjma_4SkpF899zDaNpgptZsK08Of7EtGNoNeiJJHg0ZMAJCv3oTwSp0HuGnjxxwHevPcbKi3Hfk2AjaX4NuDiizpWEluahjCkjdFi1wuiFEB5m9qnH_FTVkA4IhEYq/s640/photo+17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad hadn't been up when the kids left for school, thus he didn't know what their uniforms looked like. He dressed like them purely by accident.</td></tr>
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They both stayed through the weekend, which meant they could watch all of the boys' play soccer and football and still have plenty of time to just hang out and play games with us.</div>
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The high school soccer season has come to an end. That last game was an exciting one, but it ended in lots of tears by lots of people. The soccer team is one tight group, and there were 9 seniors on the team this year. No one wanted it to end.</div>
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Cuckoo's first season of playing a sport has come to an end, too. It was fun to watch, but not quite as emotional. </div>
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Turken's season isn't over yet, but we'll throw some photos of his last game in here, too. (He's the one in maroon.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MaP5c9BAfpfYF1aZ2la325PxtsBk-N4xieDc3tnZg_0xX-l5FjA8B5inDXOtvrc6NnR_hRYJ25PZxBvndcF2XryJSiy59EWmWPH6zhCS4YK_WBP6U1ddxKjqVt13HuiordAA6c7LoHVX/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MaP5c9BAfpfYF1aZ2la325PxtsBk-N4xieDc3tnZg_0xX-l5FjA8B5inDXOtvrc6NnR_hRYJ25PZxBvndcF2XryJSiy59EWmWPH6zhCS4YK_WBP6U1ddxKjqVt13HuiordAA6c7LoHVX/s400/1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't look like it, but Turken managed to bring that kid down, too.</td></tr>
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My parents went to their separate homes on Sunday, and on Monday, the kids and I headed for my mom's house. We were going to visit the University of Kentucky on Tuesday, and her house was a good place to stay the night. On the way, we stopped at a state park we've driven by hunderds of times. (Falls of the Ohio, right on the Kentucky/Indiana border along the Ohio river. The name is deceiving, seeing as how the falls are no longer there. Ruined by a man-made damn.) Now we wonder why we hadn't done it before.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGa8AGNy-aJKOh8-LIWBtrAFA9pID09HXeLDJdPLfnzgSBI41bH2HKPbglUsrNlSPn-Tpm92NQjBu3b8Qr4A_jlOyu2PhlQt_MWKJje5H39ynIEzDh3FfisT0Us470xocDAQCC7J1s16p/s1600/photo+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGa8AGNy-aJKOh8-LIWBtrAFA9pID09HXeLDJdPLfnzgSBI41bH2HKPbglUsrNlSPn-Tpm92NQjBu3b8Qr4A_jlOyu2PhlQt_MWKJje5H39ynIEzDh3FfisT0Us470xocDAQCC7J1s16p/s640/photo+12.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rock bed and cliffs are <i>covered </i>with fossils. You can't walk 2 steps without seeing another one. The boys are pointing to some on the rocks below.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big brother showing little brothers how to skip rocks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went around a bend and found about a hundred cairns people had built. Of course our kids had to add their own.</td></tr>
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After the park, I called my brother to see if they were busy that night. They weren't, so we ended up spending a lovely few hours sharing a meal, taking a gander at the changes to their farm, and laughing our heads off. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turken taking a ride on my niece's pony.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, their kids were not on fall break, so the night ended early.</div>
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Long story short, that night I discovered that my other brother's kids DID have fall break this week, so we made some plans. After the college tour, we met at a nearby park (Raven Run Nature Sanctuary) for lunch and a hike.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother lets his kids live on the edge, too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole group - 10 kids, 4 adults (Did I mention that Bryan wasn't on this trip with us?)</td></tr>
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We then checked into a hotel for a swim and a sleep to prepare for the major hiking of the next day.</div>
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Daniel Boone National Forest/Red River Gorge/Natural Bridge State Park is one gigantic place with lots of cool features.</div>
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We started by hiking to the Natural Bridge and back down. Basically, we tempted fate and death all day long, starting with a run-in with a copperhead. No one was bitten, but the youngest nephew got within a foot of it before we realized there was even a snake on the path. The first three photos were taken in "Devil's Gulch".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FJMgDG8i2nu2ZQifGCp4a4A5jZWsuQscNf_T9LXx0jvsxAfdq-kyZXUSjOJHeMVMkLv9CXbzlcQUtp2dix7UtLzDoZ3GPWRhveeZfWWWNEIvgu6nx_8fAGGWMt2Mv8PNOCu6gAGVvpPy/s1600/photo+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FJMgDG8i2nu2ZQifGCp4a4A5jZWsuQscNf_T9LXx0jvsxAfdq-kyZXUSjOJHeMVMkLv9CXbzlcQUtp2dix7UtLzDoZ3GPWRhveeZfWWWNEIvgu6nx_8fAGGWMt2Mv8PNOCu6gAGVvpPy/s400/photo+6.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother likes to encourage cliff exploration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL3PFxSKEWagQC-x_1bgRVgLgCAy10dJCALSp23NOosbwYvIPC6BE6Dd6f6YchIzO9HwJP40Wr52VJQM3GpzJX61763r9d7OEjUiWPXwoshN_Bc53BEb9iaFdLLIFiOyIfO5xzf7omScq/s1600/photo+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL3PFxSKEWagQC-x_1bgRVgLgCAy10dJCALSp23NOosbwYvIPC6BE6Dd6f6YchIzO9HwJP40Wr52VJQM3GpzJX61763r9d7OEjUiWPXwoshN_Bc53BEb9iaFdLLIFiOyIfO5xzf7omScq/s400/photo+7.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phoenix peeking over the edge.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ-crrOqSezV6P02Db0r0t8G4pSMYf2vA8R3E3QLI6Vg1Ll29DS6g8Usw3FJAae90pnBLEhjc2ih9qR-O1edZ6ePdiczF8tIxJc0deu83yMngJfx3M2kB2EX0YsU7mqDwaOf5BZdQFYiC/s1600/photo+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ-crrOqSezV6P02Db0r0t8G4pSMYf2vA8R3E3QLI6Vg1Ll29DS6g8Usw3FJAae90pnBLEhjc2ih9qR-O1edZ6ePdiczF8tIxJc0deu83yMngJfx3M2kB2EX0YsU7mqDwaOf5BZdQFYiC/s400/photo+8.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttercup wasn't deterred by the elevation either.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtZVsymhm4ip9l3v66a8pVhdnBGYGFaN4YTmI8Nb0D_hGy6iDxlRXZtiFq3igwk6Y-LAUTBtONIFSBuSr5JI6B3dMBHKphAZU8W20k2DM-PFPNkYnJ2bB0-HSuRPirFfV1AxG69xokW0m/s1600/photo+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtZVsymhm4ip9l3v66a8pVhdnBGYGFaN4YTmI8Nb0D_hGy6iDxlRXZtiFq3igwk6Y-LAUTBtONIFSBuSr5JI6B3dMBHKphAZU8W20k2DM-PFPNkYnJ2bB0-HSuRPirFfV1AxG69xokW0m/s640/photo+11.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As long-time readers know, we must always take a "Help me! I'm falling!" photo. This was taken on top of the natural bridge. We eventually made it around to that point in the background.</td></tr>
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After lunch, we took a one-hour drive to the other side of the forest.</div>
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Halfway there, we go to go through this:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_c1yXuv6N01QACMTFf4NOmVS17UHz94ZnAV0RdERaF7QZ87VGKq5GqpfRgtUKPaa_8i0UGfuOMjdf3YhIyQVH2o87EqEpA7DyB3d8DFH2nziQE2Nd4AK_K8Q-UEzix6HcJIbeibx2pEo/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_c1yXuv6N01QACMTFf4NOmVS17UHz94ZnAV0RdERaF7QZ87VGKq5GqpfRgtUKPaa_8i0UGfuOMjdf3YhIyQVH2o87EqEpA7DyB3d8DFH2nziQE2Nd4AK_K8Q-UEzix6HcJIbeibx2pEo/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a single lane tunnel through the rock. That's my mom's vehicle going in before us.</td></tr>
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<div>
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When I thought we'd never get to our next hiking spot, we turned off of pavement and onto gravel/dirt.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvVYT_lzntbH1dwSsRnVStt0f0R7c2sFKMp6BOaLykyZi-LQqWORLUanv32o1U82Qq3fH37O0mHDNTGjbpyQwHr-PCoOiCbbzm3jVbNHvsnwh9FtUGx3utYnar1Sexqk_fTF4cf_nSRxY/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvVYT_lzntbH1dwSsRnVStt0f0R7c2sFKMp6BOaLykyZi-LQqWORLUanv32o1U82Qq3fH37O0mHDNTGjbpyQwHr-PCoOiCbbzm3jVbNHvsnwh9FtUGx3utYnar1Sexqk_fTF4cf_nSRxY/s400/photo+4.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That dust is from my mom's vehicle still driving ahead of us.</td></tr>
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Three miles later, we made it to the trailhead.</div>
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Another awesome hike with a smaller natural bridge, a waterfall, and rocks aplenty.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOpDbURUboIWUgB_jQ16Ewv9C2Ijx3ap6Dd2YJs9fqPfJp8voEreWBii7HAZh0QOADcKdSy6luSP4-FSgi_h-2LZsqGVbesMAIInsFATwLhh9y-sVT0_NC-7EKZeeaoXjgC4WLy88-E3j/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOpDbURUboIWUgB_jQ16Ewv9C2Ijx3ap6Dd2YJs9fqPfJp8voEreWBii7HAZh0QOADcKdSy6luSP4-FSgi_h-2LZsqGVbesMAIInsFATwLhh9y-sVT0_NC-7EKZeeaoXjgC4WLy88-E3j/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana and the grandkids.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4s5otCTlH4/WAGHXqJGUhI/AAAAAAAAJYE/4BBbbzDuRMMGw3RpIjq-1CoXxjOngvCTACLcB/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4s5otCTlH4/WAGHXqJGUhI/AAAAAAAAJYE/4BBbbzDuRMMGw3RpIjq-1CoXxjOngvCTACLcB/s640/photo%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbbUIUTdvGCvGcgtP5U-vPmPkyLrnvqIR-DVySYL4F_t01lCgDrTRndC18N2i9Fer4K0bjw2kUPSAhjiElhUUYdFttVGy14A3kZaO31iYXB2KlFTFRpiwxgpWNHU2bfZ_op5MqENl89q2/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbbUIUTdvGCvGcgtP5U-vPmPkyLrnvqIR-DVySYL4F_t01lCgDrTRndC18N2i9Fer4K0bjw2kUPSAhjiElhUUYdFttVGy14A3kZaO31iYXB2KlFTFRpiwxgpWNHU2bfZ_op5MqENl89q2/s400/photo+5.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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The park is way, WAY better than my horrible, old-phone photos can depict.</div>
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The kids all hated to part ways, but responsibilities beckoned back at home.</div>
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We're home now. Being responsible, doing yard work, playing cards, and simply relaxing. Not much relaxing, though. We're throwing a major Halloween party in a couple of weeks, which includes a "haunted" barn and a maze through the back field. Lots to do! Lots to do!</div>
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I look forward to catching up with you all this weekend. I've missed you. </div>
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Tell me the good things that happened in your week.</div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-25081520508219807312016-09-11T21:23:00.000-04:002016-09-11T21:23:00.865-04:00Sorry. This One's Mostly About My Kids. The Grandparents Might Enjoy It. TToT Time!And with the close of today, another birthday season is behind us. In less than three weeks, three of our boys have birthdays. Cuckoo turned 7, Phoenix turned 18, and today Giant turned 14. We've eaten so much cake. So much ice cream. They've blown out so many imaginary candles (because not once did I remember to buy them). They've opened gifts and had friends over and had a day off of doing chores. All a birthday should be at our house.<br />
<br />
I am thankful for the good health of my children, that they made it to these ages and these milestones, and they've done it so marvelously.<br />
<br />
(That's three!)<br />
<br />
4. Star and many of his classmates were Confirmed this week. (For you non-Catholics, Confirmation is the third and final Sacrament of Initiation into the Catholic Church. The first two Sacraments are made when they are young, with their parents and Godparents making the promises. Confirmation is the one the teens themselves choose to do, to make the promises and proclaim their beliefs, after a year of lessons and prayer and discussion. It's a super big deal.) It was a teary affair, for sure.<br />
<br />
5. Even though we have 5 kids playing sports, it is the easiest sports schedule we've had since our oldest started playing. Three kids on the same team is a large part of that. :) Our weekends actually have free time for us to hang out and do yard work!<br />
<br />
6. The high school soccer teams are playing well. They won their games on Saturday pretty handily. Now, if only we could get ONE Saturday game that doesn't include pouring down rain. They've had three Saturday games, and all three have had storms and/or torrential downpours. (In order to turn this into a thankful...at least the rain wasn't a cold rain. It's been plenty warm.)<br />
<br />
7. Cuckoo is having a great time playing his first ever season on a real team. In his soccer game this weekend, he scored twice, then made some awesome blocks when playing goalkeeper. He has decided he wants to be a keeper, thus ensuring I will die from a heart attack. My heart can barely take it with Star being a keeper. It will be way worse in 8 years when Cuckoo is in high school. (Thankfully, though, Cuckoo changes his mind faster than he changes socks, so there is still a chance I won't have to suffer through watching another of my boys flinging himself in front of a charging player intent on kicking the ball my baby is trying to catch.)<br />
<br />
8. Turken had his first football game this weekend. Seeing as how in a list of kids on his team, smallest to biggest, he is the penultimate, the coaches weren't expecting a lot out of him in the way of blocking or tackling. Little did they know, he has been trying to take out three teenagers his entire life. While the force he can produce won't budge a 15 year old, it will stop a third grader in his tracks. In this one game, he single-handedly tackled 5 boys, all behind the line of scrimmage.<br />
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9. This is the first time in 8 years that Buttercup isn't playing soccer. She was expecting to miss it, especially when the games started. Thankfully, she isn't missing it one itty bitty bit. She's getting to do all the things she couldn't do when she was practicing every day of the week. She is a tutor for and organization called <a href="https://www.schoolonwheels.org/" target="_blank">School on Wheels</a>, which provides help for kids who are homeless. She is on the speech team, and she is a co-leader of the Mock Trial group. She is also teaching ERE (Sunday school) to 2nd and 3rd graders at our parish. It's amazing how much time a person has when she's not playing a high school sport! :)<br />
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10. Ok, enough bragging about my kids. When did this blog turn into a brag sheet? I'll talk about someone else's kid for this one. (I love the kids my kids have befriended.) Star and Giant had some friends over, and they were playing a version of flashlight tag in the yard where, in order to tag someone, the person who is "It" had to throw a ball and hit someone else with it. (Mind you, it was pitch-black dark outside when they were playing, and these friends aren't exactly familiar with the terrain.) There was a chase, and the kid being chased slipped and fell on the wet grass. The boy who was It ran up to him and asked, "Are you hurt?" It was only after the boy lying on the grass muttered "no" that he threw the ball and tagged him. Such thoughtful boys. ;)<br />
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Wow! I did it! For the first time in weeks I got a thankful post done!<br />
<br />
Tell me. What happy things have happened in your life while I've been gone?<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-38146193528977169112016-09-07T11:25:00.001-04:002016-09-07T11:25:31.918-04:00A Little Random Catch UpMy dad is on vacation, so I have a bit of reprieve from his "You haven't blogged" texts, but I'm going to get the jump on it and give a quick update to the goings on around here.<br />
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For the first time in 22 years of marriage, Bryan took a day off of work to simply be at home. After that one day, we've come to the conclusion that we'll ease into retirement. That conclusion was easily reached when, three hours into the day, as I was cleaning bathrooms, he showed up in every one as I was cleaning it. While scrubbing the sink in the final bathroom, sensing his presence, I turned to look at him, and he exclaimed, "I'm not following you! I'm putting this away!" Perhaps we'll approach retirement in half-lifes. He'll take another day off in, say...11 years. Then one more in 5 1/2 years.<br />
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For the last four weeks, I've been listening to Cuckoo ask, "When are we going to have my birthday party?" I finally scheduled it for last Friday, when the elementary school had a weird extra day off. Let's talk about the difference in parties for the big kids when they were young versus parties for the little kids now.<br />
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Big kids...Cute, handmade invites for a themed party, full of planned activities. Phoenix had a bike parade party, where each guest brought his bike. I supplied items for them to decorate their bikes, as well as horns and personalized license plates. Star had a Nemo party, where we had a fun obstacle course of all the things Nemo's dad and Dory had to go through to find Nemo. Buttercup had a princess party, where the kids AND THE MOMS dressed up. <br />
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Cuckoo...No theme. No planned activities. Just 5 kids here to play.<br />
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Big kids cakes... I once made individual cakes in the shapes of the faces of Elmo and Cookie Monster. I didn't know which cakes each kid would want, so I made one of each for each and every person. It took me hours and hours to make them.<br />
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Cuckoo's cake... I spent five minutes putting green icing on a 9x13 cake, then sticking some cars, a fuseball, and paper goals onto it to give the impression of the video game Rocket League. We had no candles, so we sang and he pretended to blow candles out.<br />
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And you know what? The kids and Cuckoo had just as much fun as the big kids did at their fancy parties.<br />
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I bought myself a chainsaw. I'm officially the coolest person you know.<br />
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Between the trimming of the driveway trees Star has been doing all summer and the fun I've been having whacking of tree limbs left and right with my chain saw, we've made one gigantic burn pile. It was right next to the even more gigantic burn pile that's built up over the last 5 years. Over the long weekend, we began attacking it. We had a fire going for two days straight. Not only did we get all the recent trimmings burned, we burned so much old stuff we found and burned three Christmas trees from holidays past.<br />
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It was quite the walk down memory lane.<br />
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And yesterday, the poison ivy started popping up on my legs and arms.<br />
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Because for the life of me, I cannot figure out what that crap looks like.<br />
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And lastly, I'm starting to panic about this year's Christmas card. It's September, and I don't have a clue what to write about this year. It's been a pretty boring 2016. (for our family. It's all relative.) For 12 years people have been looking forward to our Christmas cards. There may big one big disappointing nothing from us this year.<br />
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So, I'm off to do more things. That's what I do these days. So many things.<br />
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I haven't read a single blog post in over a week. I haven't checked Instagram for about 2 weeks. I haven't even been on Facebook for more than a cursory look once or twice a day. We're in a phase of SO MUCH TO DO!! I miss you all, but this is how it is for now.<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-15625215520992886692016-08-24T22:39:00.003-04:002016-08-24T22:39:41.552-04:00I Didn't Just Have Fun. I Learned Some Things, Too! or Dyanne and I Take St. CharlesAs you may or may not know, I went on a little jaunt to visit my friend, <a href="https://iwantbacksies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dyanne</a>, in a little town near St. Louis a week and a half ago. (It is the only city between Joplin and Indy, and good for us, it's almost exactly halfway.) We had a roaring good time, and if you want to read the details of what we did, you're going to have to read Dyanne's post about it. I'm only going to reveal the things I learned while on the trip.<br />
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1. <b><i>I am absolutely the WORST selfie-taker on the planet.</i></b><br />
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When Dyanne was about to leave her house, she took a cute photo of herself buckled into her car and sent it to me. When I was leaving my house 20 minutes later, I did the same.<br />
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Minus the cute.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTzi3pvjm3w9avx1HsNhFL8jrc8AtfVqj3E5dyrlZ4Yg0NRQ4v32gJqh-byFTYUA_DeGxEIdlPogQYgQAkCAnQZ16HmCFovJkfTKftSUf7LLb4v615c08NWogMmbmdJobDkN0aZJDKyYQ/s1600/photo+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTzi3pvjm3w9avx1HsNhFL8jrc8AtfVqj3E5dyrlZ4Yg0NRQ4v32gJqh-byFTYUA_DeGxEIdlPogQYgQAkCAnQZ16HmCFovJkfTKftSUf7LLb4v615c08NWogMmbmdJobDkN0aZJDKyYQ/s320/photo+6.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
I even counted to three before I took it.<br />
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Still blinked.<br />
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A pity the selfie-taking couldn't end there...<br />
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Dyanne is a pro at selfies and takes bunches of them. Unfortunately, she kept including me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoAwX65MIOb7N9PPqUFhjvo4HcNcpqyWFRtEr2d_cAnlEO_wZynhaUUp6jJYQHXTpQtVNKfIoNSlCIMIXj6HZwAPdFmWQ9WZBnmI7AwGKl5_KNJdsMN81X-s_aLLrurWTs-cr9Vfb4hfR/s1600/IMG_1948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoAwX65MIOb7N9PPqUFhjvo4HcNcpqyWFRtEr2d_cAnlEO_wZynhaUUp6jJYQHXTpQtVNKfIoNSlCIMIXj6HZwAPdFmWQ9WZBnmI7AwGKl5_KNJdsMN81X-s_aLLrurWTs-cr9Vfb4hfR/s320/IMG_1948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While she poses, confident in her gorgeous selfie ability, I sit there resembling Long Duk Dong after his first teenage drinking party. For the love of all, I could be tried and convicted of public intoxication by that photo alone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN1V45mXC674ury_umiZiy3TPdbrmamjfvh0fxGGK_3EK7gm780KzQyPUhQgA5Z7XTS6XxxKttorWGf5tXIJrTQiRmmBzFdnOENdkC0LC_C6ScQRFALaLy6RlO0wekZuCQqK2am08Gvpu/s1600/IMG_2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN1V45mXC674ury_umiZiy3TPdbrmamjfvh0fxGGK_3EK7gm780KzQyPUhQgA5Z7XTS6XxxKttorWGf5tXIJrTQiRmmBzFdnOENdkC0LC_C6ScQRFALaLy6RlO0wekZuCQqK2am08Gvpu/s320/IMG_2016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seriously, not once the entire weekend did I look AT the camera.<br />
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Only one solution for such selfie ineptness...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugtiagZZO553r3fd_ZfedpSHFcg-sXilMMiXBxmv-vTgSCtYyRtU4wXduAYNcoXWTEOajO-roo97wgOPYLSHMXHE0Ptq5UIZlJ6l8TZceVdr9Lw2zoMpBxftibLYv8ma_3XmAZ57RF5e8/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugtiagZZO553r3fd_ZfedpSHFcg-sXilMMiXBxmv-vTgSCtYyRtU4wXduAYNcoXWTEOajO-roo97wgOPYLSHMXHE0Ptq5UIZlJ6l8TZceVdr9Lw2zoMpBxftibLYv8ma_3XmAZ57RF5e8/s320/IMG_1934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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No, not strangle the selfie-taker! Wear sunglasses!<br />
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2. <b><i>There are many, many creepy places around the northwest side of St. Louis, made creepier by the fact we were always the sole visitors to the locations. </i></b><br />
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Everywhere we went, my first thought was "How pretty!" but that thought was quickly followed by "This would be a great setting for a horror movie!"<br />
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We were constantly on the lookout for dead bodies.<br />
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For example...<br />
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It started out as a lovely walk on a curving path through native Illinois plant life. It ended on the top of a hill overlooking the dam and lock on the Mississippi River.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlbDtryIA9v9zEpvfkMHrOlussgYOjcpcHuP18jsbTJzCzWjmITsw0-cA3ZuVpFQdEYhdKMrKWs6m4hnRPaDvGigEcZyNdfVjHvcxtJi4dLZE6oKvN5rolEhSqfDFg2wfZy9uybqjB_Bv/s1600/photo8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlbDtryIA9v9zEpvfkMHrOlussgYOjcpcHuP18jsbTJzCzWjmITsw0-cA3ZuVpFQdEYhdKMrKWs6m4hnRPaDvGigEcZyNdfVjHvcxtJi4dLZE6oKvN5rolEhSqfDFg2wfZy9uybqjB_Bv/s640/photo8b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But when I took that photo, this was behind me...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SvWIkyJqcwkTZ3rkXO4vaAicYHqP2XRxLHfW1xGZErpEjx4bm4Zcjnz0xxI4ygjARe-qZPBh98cTY9dkmGY1iwVEMftbcNTxob6Xlc68Xprg9ZSgqdnvXtS5upSsOxSY8RAxlVyc8gDQ/s1600/photo9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SvWIkyJqcwkTZ3rkXO4vaAicYHqP2XRxLHfW1xGZErpEjx4bm4Zcjnz0xxI4ygjARe-qZPBh98cTY9dkmGY1iwVEMftbcNTxob6Xlc68Xprg9ZSgqdnvXtS5upSsOxSY8RAxlVyc8gDQ/s640/photo9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pretty sure there were mole people living underneath our feet.<br />
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How about another example...<br />
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The signs led us to believe we'd be seeing some turtles and other wildlife if we just took the short little walk down the path.<br />
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But then the path looked like this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7N_gSIjIxiuc4KbsZSSajGNVyuLt2yMiYnkaHCdnaE9UY39-HQo5z5sSrkU-3LQhx7LNBW2VFS9txSokgZLXduQXF3MCWUz8W5dQnP0oi8un0HcJ-CnjWSg9HB_PSHyvK2AsyP6arnNyj/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7N_gSIjIxiuc4KbsZSSajGNVyuLt2yMiYnkaHCdnaE9UY39-HQo5z5sSrkU-3LQhx7LNBW2VFS9txSokgZLXduQXF3MCWUz8W5dQnP0oi8un0HcJ-CnjWSg9HB_PSHyvK2AsyP6arnNyj/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and the view looked like this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGpCo96nHNyy0vd_LPMtaWjEQctdtlay9UIcczawhz-60csJG4N3CauW1qyXLQrfWwlpvVwCPug325bCSy6MknrY9s4IEgkrxY0bgqXFtxJoQ4YwTHfuAs-xf9xvkq1EitI4nVGkdpthv/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGpCo96nHNyy0vd_LPMtaWjEQctdtlay9UIcczawhz-60csJG4N3CauW1qyXLQrfWwlpvVwCPug325bCSy6MknrY9s4IEgkrxY0bgqXFtxJoQ4YwTHfuAs-xf9xvkq1EitI4nVGkdpthv/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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All around, as far as we could see. No water. No turtles. Just this vine covering EVERYTHING. And it was silent. Not even bird sounds.<br />
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Creepy to the nth degree.<br />
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I was afraid if we stood there much longer, the vines would overtake us and we'd be trapped forever.<br />
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But! That wasn't as creepy as the nuclear waste dump.<br />
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OK, we probably could have expected this one to be creepy, but seriously, when you see that on the list of things to do in or around St. Charles, MO, how can you not go take a look??<br />
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Once again, they tried to make it look pretty...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WP84MfDNCJVefqnQkmu6NJsVKqk2r5B_2kBWDvo-FNHmayzzwRAsncLzo_6Pr3AZz3r58YSLQt9AAzt3nRrgWfRnyZMxo4UuNGakgXhWFO30hzfN7gnRRI38aZwr6IYH0_rAVK-c78lU/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WP84MfDNCJVefqnQkmu6NJsVKqk2r5B_2kBWDvo-FNHmayzzwRAsncLzo_6Pr3AZz3r58YSLQt9AAzt3nRrgWfRnyZMxo4UuNGakgXhWFO30hzfN7gnRRI38aZwr6IYH0_rAVK-c78lU/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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but that is one GIGANTIC pile of rocks behind the flower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DmgriOvmrOXpZveFru4yUlC3zrESc1UFEURFpOsFXT_OdYuAItpvsF6dhnKdDk1YNKFwWQ7mAg8EhgsT4U31HFpgNZI8CJTR9CBwMl7p0QUMYzBm_zUpurSjROhI98Wo9Pw3-mgP7NVo/s1600/photo+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DmgriOvmrOXpZveFru4yUlC3zrESc1UFEURFpOsFXT_OdYuAItpvsF6dhnKdDk1YNKFwWQ7mAg8EhgsT4U31HFpgNZI8CJTR9CBwMl7p0QUMYzBm_zUpurSjROhI98Wo9Pw3-mgP7NVo/s400/photo+7.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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The museum at the bottom of the hill claims that there is less radiation on the top of the hill than there is in our own backyards, but I don't know if I buy it.<br />
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Majorly creepy.<br />
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But still not as creepy as this last one...<br />
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We struck up a conversation with the park ranger lady at the museum and she said, "If you like to visit odd things, you need to go down the road and have a look at the bunkers!"<br />
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Yup. That nuclear waste dump used to be the site of the world's largest explosive plant, and they needed safe places to store all of that TNT. Hidden bunkers. Dozens of them scattered around a nature preserve.<br />
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Of course we had to go see them for ourselves!<br />
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We found lots of them. One was actually open, so we parked the car on the side of the road and had a look-see.<br />
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Well, I had a look-see. Scaredy cat Dyanne stayed back and took a photo (<a href="https://iwantbacksies.blogspot.com/2016/08/travels-with-dyanne-christine-told.html" target="_blank">which she put on her post</a>).<br />
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Unfortunately, when I stuck my head in, there were noises coming from the inside. I wasn't about to stick around long enough to find out what was making them. So, no photo of the inside.<br />
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3. <b><i>When given the chance, I will eat my weight in desserts</i></b>.<br />
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And by given the chance, I mean any time without my kids. I hate being a bad example when they're standing right there watching me.<br />
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But I outdid myself this time.<br />
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Gigantic ice cream cones after our Saturday creepy adventures? Sure!<br />
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Use Dyanne's casino winnings ($12!) to have pie at almost midnight? Count me in!<br />
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After lunch dessert? Of course! We're kind of full, shall we split one? Heck NO!<br />
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Really, if you were there, no way you could have resisted. They had creme brulee cheesecake for Pete's sake!<br />
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No exaggeration, I gained 5 pounds in those two days.<br />
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It's all the fault of the restaurantuers. If you ever go to St. Louis, have we got some recommendations for you!<br />
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4. <b><i>Surprisingly, I really do know people everywhere I go.</i></b><br />
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The kids claim that it's true, mostly because every time we leave the house I run into someone I know, and I usually stop and chat for a while and the kids hate that.<br />
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I just chalk it up to me knowing a lot of people and the south side of Indy being a relatively small place.<br />
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But then...<br />
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After pie at the casino, as we were standing up to leave, I heard, "CHRISTINE!" I instinctively turned around and there, walking towards us, was a woman from our old neighborhood. She has a son the same age as Buttercup, and back in the day, we hung out all the time. I hadn't seen her in years.<br />
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So of course I had to stop and chat.<br />
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Dyanne took it way better than my kids do.<br />
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To those of you waiting patiently for a new post *cough* <a href="http://1morningglory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kris</a>'s mom *cough* or not so impatiently (Dad, you can stop texting me the number of days since my last post now!), I'm sorry it took so long.<br />
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See you on the weekend!<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-57346483506335263842016-08-12T09:22:00.002-04:002016-08-12T09:22:41.203-04:00My Kids Have It, but Clearly It Didn't Come From MeOne of the million or so papers I had to sign or fill out at the beginning of the year was an inventory of sorts the 3rd grade teacher sent home. While I wasn't looking forward to filling out a 2 page paper, I was thankful it did not require a check, as so many of the beginning of the year papers do.<br />
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Question 4 or 5 asked for me to give the teacher three words to describe Turken. Not a fan of those questions, but for this marvelous teacher I would do it.<br />
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1. Funny. (The boy is hilarious.)<br />
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2. Kind (He wouldn't intentionally hurt a fly, either physically or mentally, let alone a kid in his class. His brother, Cuckoo is a different matter, but we're working on it.)<br />
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3. Intelli... That doesn't look right.<br />
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3. Intelle...Well, that doesn't either.<br />
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How in the world is it spelled?!!<br />
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Friends, I had to look up the word in the dictionary.<br />
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In case you're wondering, it is spelled I-N-T-E-L-L-I-G-E-N-T.<br />
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No irony here.<br />
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And that's how things are going around the coop.<br />
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In case you were wondering.<br />
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So, I'm taking a break.<br />
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Leaving Bryan and the kids to fend for themselves.<br />
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I'm meeting up with a friend for the weekend.<br />
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I'll tell you all about it on Sunday in my TToT post.<br />
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I'm sure there will be a photo or two.<br />
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You just might recognize both me and the friend I'm meeting.<br />
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Try not to vaporize in this oppressive heat and humidity while I'm gone. Oh the insanity of this humidity!<br />
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Have a lovely weekend!<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-23606878245014385382016-08-07T22:25:00.002-04:002016-08-07T22:25:55.296-04:00It's a Sports-Lover's Favorite Time of the Year! TToT Time!The Olympics have begun!!<br />
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Oh how we enjoy watching these stellar athletes competing for those gold, silver, and bronze medals.<br />
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This week, I'm thankful for...<br />
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1. Swimmers<br />
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2. Divers<br />
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3. Water polo players<br />
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4. Soccer players<br />
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5. Gymnasts<br />
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6. Technology that allows us to watch races being raced in another hemisphere.<br />
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7. My family's interest in sports. One of us have played or raced in just about every sport in the Olympics, and those we haven't, we know enough about to know what's going on. Except for rugby. That one makes no sense to any of us.<br />
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8. In other news, I'm also thankful for opportunities to get together and visit with friends. There were several this week.<br />
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9. The soccer boys had the annual Red vs. Blue games, where our school's teams play each other (JV plays the JV2 team, then after a short break plays the varsity team). It is the only time in their lives that Giant and Star played against Phoenix. Everyone, players and spectators alike, thoroughly enjoyed the day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j31xRQoji0REgQBiNFZVFcriTloHcZkMOcfq8Y3U3CL6M_kgk2bbQ5L07il9dPlfBMOIqXDwJRgB8h3D_jcfwEzKlfVpv91yZAc2K8-Pm6D_K_ulwKpwkqWmMfzWIBOLf3s8KL_4AvBV/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j31xRQoji0REgQBiNFZVFcriTloHcZkMOcfq8Y3U3CL6M_kgk2bbQ5L07il9dPlfBMOIqXDwJRgB8h3D_jcfwEzKlfVpv91yZAc2K8-Pm6D_K_ulwKpwkqWmMfzWIBOLf3s8KL_4AvBV/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant getting to the ball before a varsity player.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzq9auU6ZGyWI4pJxUrRp-4iM-rB73sWBFiyEjnCtDEv70I6UjoSD05DfNALxJolQeCkYLRIFjxO1YpZa891wfk8VCfriDwtA8lAyxgUe3ge3HHjC8TCTIMWggqMcdnui4StIN55uoLEY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzq9auU6ZGyWI4pJxUrRp-4iM-rB73sWBFiyEjnCtDEv70I6UjoSD05DfNALxJolQeCkYLRIFjxO1YpZa891wfk8VCfriDwtA8lAyxgUe3ge3HHjC8TCTIMWggqMcdnui4StIN55uoLEY/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phoenix taking a kick.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjncPLhgWhQ1CMFN1NAWvwbwMp32P4utDB5wrBK5BYtf3flP0Rx_v_72tKYPY83haMiss87PYu21oJ8sQM4ITTQ1pk6OGP2gxOixeeOrez3P8sqrdCooQkDDKI_dDmUovMX-x66pIYiCo6/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjncPLhgWhQ1CMFN1NAWvwbwMp32P4utDB5wrBK5BYtf3flP0Rx_v_72tKYPY83haMiss87PYu21oJ8sQM4ITTQ1pk6OGP2gxOixeeOrez3P8sqrdCooQkDDKI_dDmUovMX-x66pIYiCo6/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why being a goalkeeper's mother is nerve wracking. Star slid in front of that player in order to keep him from scoring. See the ball?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSlFAJ4D3XAUvyrQiMqiJcuDTDL_6ReRRqnJd_TwixrvFYuQE2f_T7PHz-s2u8jXVBGx3_zYJf9ZUA_f6ALN9L5t5ZlDoDWYDmb8pB5dnAgqYab-aOFo-zQXE5T0IU0kRrl5EA9wU-2wL/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSlFAJ4D3XAUvyrQiMqiJcuDTDL_6ReRRqnJd_TwixrvFYuQE2f_T7PHz-s2u8jXVBGx3_zYJf9ZUA_f6ALN9L5t5ZlDoDWYDmb8pB5dnAgqYab-aOFo-zQXE5T0IU0kRrl5EA9wU-2wL/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily the varsity player was able to jump over Star. That doesn't always happen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
10. The high school kids had a great start to the school year. They all have friends in their classes and they all are happy with the teachers they got. I am enjoying watching them all enjoying their teen years.<br />
<br />
So, what good things are you grateful for this week? Have you been watching the Olympics? What's your favorite event?<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.co.uk/">A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall</a>, <a href="http://amycakeandthedude.blogspot.co.uk/">Amycake and the Dude</a>, <a href="http://summat2thinkon.wordpress.com/">Considerings</a>, <a href="http://findingninee.com/">Finding Ninee</a>, <a href="http://gettingliteral.com/">Getting Literal</a>, <a href="http://iwantbacksies.blogspot.co.uk%20/">I Want Backsies</a>, <a href="http://www.themeaningofme.com/"> The Meaning of Me</a>, <a href="http://thankfulme.net/">Thankful Me</a>, <a href="https://unchartedblogdotorg.wordpress.com/">Uncharted</a>, <a href="http://wakefielddoctrine.com/">The Wakefield Doctrine</a></div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-85481608397142310292016-07-30T16:37:00.002-04:002016-07-30T16:37:25.656-04:00School Stuff, Do With My Life Stuff, and Funny Kid Stuff. TToT Time!When I taught 5th grade, I wouldn't let my students use the word "stuff" in their writing.<br />
<br />
Even now it bothers me to see that I typed that.<br />
<br />
But I'm leaving it.<br />
<br />
Probly ain't gonna bother no one.<br />
<br />
:)<br />
<br />
It's the last weekend before school starts. Can't say I'm happy about that fact. Although, I'm happier than the folks whose kids have started school already. One of the big, nearby public school systems started on July 26. Just the sound of a July start date doesn't sit right.<br />
<br />
But, there's no point in whining or I-wishing. We'll get to the thankfuls...<br />
<br />
1. Kids' imaginations are awesome. Completely out of the blue from the backseat, Turken asked, "Mom, who is your best friend?" I answered his question, and after a pause continued...<br />
<br />
Me: Why did you ask?<br />
Him: I don't know. It just came out of my mouth.<br />
Me: What was going on in your head before you asked? What led up to it?<br />
Him: Nothing. I think there is a hole in the bottom of my brain. Sometimes things just fall out into my mouth and then it just comes out.<br />
<br />
2. Two of my boys went outside their comfort zone and tried something new. I was pleased as punch that they did, and even happier when they had a great time.<br />
<br />
3. Phoenix, Bryan, and I had our meeting with Phoenix's counselor to begin the college application process. Good heavens, is it ever a process. An action plan is in place, and he'll be hitting the ground running on Monday.<br />
<br />
4. I'm getting closer to figuring out what I want to do with myself when the kids are in school. I mentioned to a friend that I was really missing the classroom. I do love working in a school. Two days later I was offered a full-time job (for which I did not apply) to teach first grade. Cuckoo's class to be exact. I turned it down, but I will be putting my name on the sub list.<br />
<br />
5. Also, I can't remember if I told you, but I found a volunteer opportunity that I think fits perfectly with me and my life at the moment. In mid-August I'll be training to be a <a href="http://safe-families.org/involvement/family-friend/" target="_blank">Family Friend</a> with Safe Families. It is basically an organisation which helps families who are in danger of having their children put in foster care.<br />
<br />
6. I'm thankful for friends who know me well and let me know about opportunities I may be interested in, even if I do turn them down. ;)<br />
<br />
7. I just got back from dropping Giant off at freshman orientation. Some tears were shed. Thankfully, not from sadness but joy. I always cry at drop off, but it was extra emotional this year, since Phoenix, as a senior, was there to greet him when he got out of the car. I am so glad we were able to have all these kids so close together.<br />
<br />
8. I am glad the National Conventions are over. Perhaps we can take a break from political memes for a while. Are ya with me?<br />
<br />
9. Libraries are the bomb dot com. We've been using ours frequently lately. While there are now more books lying all over my house, I don't mind. It means lots of reading is getting done.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjA8y4kscdyxdM6xnA-8hKYjVoNHlfkqMiv-U6J1jnx9SlCDHXMXqijKIdMiW00Am7FHOvJfjS3UrRydw3TLISwz2yb_bg3f52uicXNQAuBMb3X1Odo1HOMdg4qSvmkVxTAFMVjMrdOu3/s1600/read.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjA8y4kscdyxdM6xnA-8hKYjVoNHlfkqMiv-U6J1jnx9SlCDHXMXqijKIdMiW00Am7FHOvJfjS3UrRydw3TLISwz2yb_bg3f52uicXNQAuBMb3X1Odo1HOMdg4qSvmkVxTAFMVjMrdOu3/s400/read.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little yoga while he reads, I guess. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
10. I could not be happier with the fact that Cuckoo can read. He is the kind of kid who must have attention at all times and will do anything to get it when he doesn't have anything to keep him occupied. It was always worst in the car. Now, car rides are a breeze. He brings a book, and we don't hear a peep out of him for a good 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
So, what happy things do you have to report this week?<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />
<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-61998529913946838102016-07-27T15:18:00.000-04:002016-07-27T15:18:08.437-04:00Wednesday's Hodgepodge Two posts in one week?!?!<br />
<br />
Yup. Over-achieving blogger comin' atcha.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
1. <b><i>On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Well, summer break is only one week away from being over, so regardless of what I rate it, there's not much chance of changing it. Thankfully, it has been an ok summer. Super fast and quite odd, with all the summer work the teenagers had to do. We managed to have some fun and get some much needed work done around the property. Unfortunately, we've only been to the pool once. That is a big fail. I'll give the summer a 6.<br />
<br />
2. <b><i>July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who calls you Aunt</i></b>.<br />
<br />
We lived in the town where my dad, my grandma, and my great-grandma were all born and raised. My dad's siblings all moved away, but we saw them pretty frequently when they came back to visit Grandma. While I always enjoyed my aunts and uncles, I was actually closest to my great-aunt, Donna. (I even <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2014/10/10-moments-i-will-never-forget.html" target="_blank">wrote a post about her</a> a few days before she passed away.)<br />
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I have lots of nieces and nephews. My goal is to be the favorite aunt they have. While visiting them anytime is a treat, I especially love it when they come stay with us for a few (or more!) days.<br />
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3.<b><i> What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Can't say that I'm a fan of anything dipped in chocolate. I used to eat peanut M&Ms every day, but I don't know if that counts. I do like ice cream with chocolate sauce on it. As for things dipped in cheese, tortilla chips. The cheese can be in a nacho form, with spinach and artichokes, or any other cheese dip form, as long as I can dip a tortilla chip in it.<br />
<br />
<b><i>4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain. </i></b><br />
<br />
I don't know how, but I'm still astonished every time I read comments on FB. The level of hatred and lack of empathy and actual thorough thought is mind-boggling.<br />
<br />
That, or, if I actually get this done, I'll have posted two days in a row. Pretty astonishing after the dry spell I've been in.<br />
<br />
5. <b><i>Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?</i></b><br />
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Each night, Sunday through Thursday, I iron Bryan's clothes for the next day, so I'm gonna have to go with ironing board. I would like to try paddle boarding someday, though.<br />
<br />
6. <b><i>What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?</i></b><br />
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I think I'm going to have to go with the story of Martha and Mary. While serving people is good and noble and expected, it is also necessary to stop the busyness to enjoy and appreciate the people in our lives, including some time with Jesus.<br />
<br />
7. <b><i>If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?</i></b><br />
<br />
This is a tough one. While I love to travel, and I do have an appreciation for cities, I much prefer small towns and off-the-beaten track traveling. (Long-time readers know that, thanks to <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2014/04/what-do-you-get-when-you-load-six-kids_5.html" target="_blank">posts like this one</a>.) Now that I think about it, I've gone to most of the cities this side of the Mississippi and many on the Mississippi and a few out west. The only east coast city I haven't seen and would like to someday is Boston. From there, I'd go west, hitting...maybe...Denver...a city in Texas, maybe Dallas or Austin...San Francisco...LA.<br />
<br />
8. <b><i>Insert your own random thought here.</i></b><br />
<br />
Based on this morning's debacle, this family needs to get it's collective butt off the proverbial couch and get in gear. At 9:51 this morning I was talking with Bryan about a get-together to which we were invited and happened to look at today's box on the calendar. Lo and behold, something was written in it! Phoenix was scheduled to get his senior yearbook photo taken at 10:15 at a location 20 minutes from our house. The boy had just woken up and was two bites into a bowl of cereal.<br />
<br />
We have enjoyed that "nowhere to be" attitude of summer, but that lackadaisical state of mind is, sadly, coming to an end.<br />
<br />
Good news, though. He was only 10 minutes late to his appointment and the person ahead of him was just finishing. No one was put out by his tardiness.<br />
<br />
Any of the questions or answers jump out at you? You're welcome to join in the linkup if you're so inclined. Just head over to <a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2016/07/a-bi-coastal-hodgepodge.html#" target="_blank">Joyce's blog</a>.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-4867031718172390312016-07-26T23:33:00.002-04:002016-07-26T23:33:16.027-04:00On Footwear, College, Recipes, and Other Off the Cuff Thoughts<div>
Have I ever told you I am anti-flip-flop. I cannot stand those shoes. Not just because anything between my toes drives me nuts, but they just aren't good for people's feet. I never bought them for my kids. Have you ever seen preschoolers trying to run around a playground in them? It pains me to watch their poor little toes balled up in a death grip around that tiny piece of plastic in order to keep their shoes on their feet. And if it's not the gripping the toe thing, it's the shuffling of the feet. Either way, the person wearing the things is not walking in the proper way a person should walk. And it doesn't have arch support. The only thing they could be good for is taking a shower in a public place or going to the bathroom at a public pool. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Betty Crocker rules. It is one of two cookbooks that I own and use consistently. Recently, it has been the Blueberry Streusel Muffin recipe. Delicious. Lucky for you, it's also <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/streusel-topped-blueberry-muffins/3612c8ff-f910-46c8-9d5b-27ae7c0255b2" target="_blank">on the all-knowing internet</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Does anyone have a good, easy, quick way to make streusel? That whole mix until it's crumbly bit throws me for a loop. I've used my fingers in the past, but sometimes my hands just warm the butter and it turns into a blob instead of crumble. Lately I've been using the backs of two forks to kind of squeeze and press and get it to crumbly. It works, but it takes forever. Any ideas?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Speaking of recipes I love, I'll share two more. Both I found online when I simply googled what I wanted and found recipes with normal ingredients and instructions I could follow without difficulty. These were my first attempts. We enjoyed them, so I didn't look farther for other recipes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/26317/chicken-pot-pie-ix/" target="_blank">Chicken Pot Pie</a> minus the peas, of course.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I just had a helping of <a href="http://www.cooks.com/recipe/97cd0qv/black-raspberry-cobbler.html" target="_blank">Black Raspberry Cobbler</a>. My word, that stuff is good, especially when topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. And it could not be easier to make.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We're getting close to crunch time for college planning. Phoenix, Bryan, and I have a meeting with his counselor on Friday. Seeing as how Phoenix is basically putting all of his eggs in one tiny basket and planning to apply to one college, this should be a looooong meeting. Perhaps I should remind Phoenix about that time Turken collected eggs, then put the basket down to feed the dogs, only to find, when he turned around, the dogs licking their lips after eating every single egg...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While we will have 4 kids heading off to college, one each year for the next four years, it seems we'll have a break after that. Turken is currently researching jobs that don't require a college degree. His research began when he saw a sign outside Kentucky Fried Chicken which read, "Now Hiring. Pay starts up to $13/hour". "Mom," he asked, "does a person need to go to college to work there?" Can't wait to see how his counselor handles this in 10 years.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I type, the dogs are howling outside the door, as they do every. single. time. a train goes by. The tracks are on the other side of a giant cornfield, and a train passes at least 5 times each day. It isn't loud enough to bother us, but apparently it bothers the dogs. As soon as the train gets within half a mile, they start howling. For 11 years, at least 5 times each and every day. I have no idea why.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lastly, my new-to-me minivan has that bluetooth function in it. I can't seem to understand that it is not necessary to yell in order for the person to whom I'm speaking to hear me. I try not to yell, but with each sentence I get louder and louder.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just so happens, my mom also got a new car. One day recently I called her from my car. The conversation went like this:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My mom: HELLO?</div>
<div>
Me: HI MOM!</div>
<div>
Mom: HI THERE!</div>
<div>
Me: I'M CALLING YOU FROM MY VAN!</div>
<div>
Mom: I'M TALKING TO YOU THROUGH MY CAR! I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE!</div>
<div>
Me: AWESOME! NOW WE CAN UNNECESSARILY YELL AT EACH OTHER FOR OUR ENTIRE CONVERSATION!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And we laughed and laughed until we went right back to yelling at each other.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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'Cause that's how we roll.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Literally. :)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Have a lovely day!</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-1608450187996134112016-07-24T00:02:00.002-04:002016-07-24T00:02:54.805-04:00Ten Things of Michigan ThankfulI'm thinking most of this TToT post will focus on this week's Fun Friday that became Fun Friday AND Saturday.<br />
<br />
1. I am thankful for Bryan's ability and willingness to take the odd day off of work to go on a short road trip with us. The man is super busy at work, with deadlines galore looming, but he always, always puts his family first. (When he was a new lawyer, for the first 2 years of employment, every single evaluation dinged him for never being in the office after 5:30 on weekdays or at all on weekends. He refused to change his schedule, and they finally backed off when they saw that he was still getting his work done, and done well, in his own time frame.)<br />
<br />
2. I am thankful to live in a place with lots of things to do within a few hours drive. This time we took advantage of the nearness of Lake Michigan. We've vacationed there 4 times over the years <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2015/07/get-out-slide-projector-cause-we-were.html" target="_blank">(Here's a post about one of our trips.)</a>, but for some reason we've never gone on a quick overnight trip before. The closest beaches are less than 4 hours away from our house!<br />
<br />
3. We are always grateful for fun dunes to jump and run and hike on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuJmBLSJykqEO0JKjSgH2qwhgu1DAXr7TZPjfcCEd4KJPyfOge4YNUDqlklLJB2Is0frPHrmuq18JiaecWRFzZpttNqOcsSA8E5-xnPdo7MhyOfQaS-AZP8h79Xs7aIV01l9HtviLRp6E/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuJmBLSJykqEO0JKjSgH2qwhgu1DAXr7TZPjfcCEd4KJPyfOge4YNUDqlklLJB2Is0frPHrmuq18JiaecWRFzZpttNqOcsSA8E5-xnPdo7MhyOfQaS-AZP8h79Xs7aIV01l9HtviLRp6E/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys were trying and trying to get the timing of their jumps straight in order to all be in the air at the same time. This is as close as they got.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8W1PlyNiHGifKTbjHbWslaVOCmtrPHxAL8CM7MpeeqRtHkrJ3zZtuIOUWhf8BFnFPgtSA5SmE86R27dW3kEFyqNXpS3MVqMSCpPT-H3CziFTozAyvmTDs7hhb8eATr0MNjs9sEsjFPY5/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8W1PlyNiHGifKTbjHbWslaVOCmtrPHxAL8CM7MpeeqRtHkrJ3zZtuIOUWhf8BFnFPgtSA5SmE86R27dW3kEFyqNXpS3MVqMSCpPT-H3CziFTozAyvmTDs7hhb8eATr0MNjs9sEsjFPY5/s640/photo+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmntHAZf3MhB5dQgQzGiuzM9oRSfih4ukmCB3gLfINOxYETnpaXaZPJxqraF6yndH-eS5jSsFRP2Xv9ORlkujIH8bIAZQvMB6XT9DtVAaQqu22S4B3ZuN71ATLiRqbTOPwjZ5gnBMlLzp/s1600/photo+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmntHAZf3MhB5dQgQzGiuzM9oRSfih4ukmCB3gLfINOxYETnpaXaZPJxqraF6yndH-eS5jSsFRP2Xv9ORlkujIH8bIAZQvMB6XT9DtVAaQqu22S4B3ZuN71ATLiRqbTOPwjZ5gnBMlLzp/s640/photo+6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five kids racing down a dune. I had to follow them down, collecting shoes and hats as I went. </td></tr>
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4. We're all grateful for beautiful blue skies for the entirety of our 25 hours in Michigan.<br />
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5. And in 95+ degree weather, we are extra grateful for the cool, cool waters of Lake Michigan.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg687dcofxwilNMRLd-0jBUY4T7fPTd0JslfQTrc7hvuBA5HeRJLechXrX01eHAQTm0GMyiT5s271lCM64-tP815hZvnVarAE2YnnST6EFpqky5Cz5uxeODKoi7-2Qx9s8gGr6TzZExzwe-/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg687dcofxwilNMRLd-0jBUY4T7fPTd0JslfQTrc7hvuBA5HeRJLechXrX01eHAQTm0GMyiT5s271lCM64-tP815hZvnVarAE2YnnST6EFpqky5Cz5uxeODKoi7-2Qx9s8gGr6TzZExzwe-/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For fear of sand, I didn't take my phone to the beach. I ran to the van right before we gathered our belongings to head back to Indiana to get my phone and snap one photo of everyone in the water.</td></tr>
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6. We are grateful for the internet, where we found some tips about beaches in St. Joseph. Namely, to skip the ragingly popular Silver Beach and instead go to Tiscornia Park. We could see the Silver Lake beach from where we were, and it was PACKED with people. We couldn't even see the sand through the beach umbrellas. On our side of the river, there were people, but there was plenty of room for romping games of keep away and water football.<br />
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7. We are grateful for local, interesting places to eat. We avoid chain restaurants, especially when we're on a road trip. There are way too many new places to try, and it's a rare day that the local place doesn't taste way better than a chain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLc10NNKM5IAu2HpFjZKNFxL1hTiCCKVIFJ3SfUwfcRM-_ZuqZiR5K6LYrvShd2Gq6SJU1O2cCjhO90246SCsXXVLLdIRoz9VoaoLNoxYEDWv49fnQS6EvyBF-8WtzPITo6OrQdFrWCKjg/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLc10NNKM5IAu2HpFjZKNFxL1hTiCCKVIFJ3SfUwfcRM-_ZuqZiR5K6LYrvShd2Gq6SJU1O2cCjhO90246SCsXXVLLdIRoz9VoaoLNoxYEDWv49fnQS6EvyBF-8WtzPITo6OrQdFrWCKjg/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This awesome ice cream stop is directly across the street from the entrance to Warren State Park, home of the dunes you saw above. We are blaming the sunburn on the crappy, cheap sunscreen Bryan bought. It was applied, but it didn't work very well.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vO4uidgCpc7PRAQCvTKHOdNSvbHR1G7qtJe-2UVO4iQo1quTXGa6-LryOVW-DBx4MK1451naT4ADW93ITKAHa-rxtKPOD31bUS9Wf_1Is_lspZ7hyS5clRR1nRGptj2YWMKii32lKs0S/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vO4uidgCpc7PRAQCvTKHOdNSvbHR1G7qtJe-2UVO4iQo1quTXGa6-LryOVW-DBx4MK1451naT4ADW93ITKAHa-rxtKPOD31bUS9Wf_1Is_lspZ7hyS5clRR1nRGptj2YWMKii32lKs0S/s400/photo+4.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you ever find yourself in Lafayette, IN, this is a must stop. It's an 87 year old diner, where everything is made fresh, and half of it right in front of the customers. There are no tables. Everyone sits at the long counter that snakes its way around the entire inside of the building. The name of the place, <a href="https://www.triplexxxfamilyrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Triple XXX</a>, comes from the name of the root beer they sell. Seriously, it was one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. AND, the prices are more than reasonable.<br />
I asked for volunteers to take a photo in front of the place. While Giant did volunteer, we have to be content with his perpetual 13-year old resting "whatever" face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also ate at a restaurant in St. Joseph called <a href="http://www.ohmydarling.com/" target="_blank">Clementine's</a>, where we got to eat some fresh lake perch. So, so yummy. (No photo taken.)<br />
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8. I'm thankful that our van is still running well, even after 201,000 miles, so we can take these road trips without fear of breaking down along the way. Sure, it is now completely filled with sand and <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2016/07/thankful-time.html" target="_blank">has been said to smell like toots inside</a>, but it gets us where we want to go.<br />
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9. I'm thankful we were able to get a mini-vacation in before school starts. This coming week will be busy as we get everyone ready for school and squeeze in all the last minute summer fun we can get. Having two days to just have fun (and not cook!) was the perfect way to end our break.<br />
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10. I'm thankful I do still have another week to get the big kids ready for school. We haven't even started buying school supplies, and three of them need some pants! (Thankfully, only one needs shoes.)<br />
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How is your summer break going? What happy things were in your week?<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-9870111569634323552016-07-20T23:32:00.002-04:002016-07-20T23:32:47.600-04:00Wednesday's Hodgepodge, Because I'm a Blogger! A Blogger Who Actually Writes Something Dagnabbit!Joining <a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/" target="_blank">Joyce</a> for some hodgepodge question and answers.<br />
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<a border="0" href="http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab305/SincerelyShannon-designs/Blog%20Buttons/Hodgepodgebutton.jpg" /></a><br />
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<i><b>1. Pokemon Go...your thoughts? Are you playing? Do you even know what it is?</b></i><br />
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I know what it is, but I do not play. No one in our family does because <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2015/06/i-will-not-buy-smartphones-for-my-kids.html" target="_blank">our kids don't have smartphones</a>. They would love to, though. Lots of their friends play, and there's always talk about it at soccer practice. It makes no difference to me if people like to do it, as long as they are respectful of the places they go to find the things.<br />
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<i><b>2. What was something you collected as a child? Do you still have that collection? If you're a parent, what's something your own children collected? Have you ever camped out, stood in a crazy long queue, or paid a ridiculous sum for a "collectible"?</b></i><br />
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I collected nothing as a kid. I still collect nothing except a few shells from a few beaches. I am not a fan of collections. There was a time when I was in my late teens when my mom and I were out shopping together. I must have pointed something out that had a cow somewhere on it. My mom apparently thought it meant I had an undying love for all things cow and bought me a variety of things for every holiday, including a pair of overalls with a cow on the bib. Proving yet again that my family <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-tale-of-different-sort-of-ugly.html" target="_blank">deliberately found attire to make me look ridiculous.</a><br />
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A couple of my kids have collections. Phoenix has a coin collection. Giant collects bottle caps. There is a giant communal baseball card collection started by Bryan when he was a kid. Because <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2012/05/fodder-for-blog.html" target="_blank">Bryan is a pro at collecting things</a>.<br />
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<i><b>3. "Collect moments, not things"...tell us about a moment you've added to your collection this summer.</b></i><br />
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Ah, there are so many. For sure the white water rafting on the 4th of July and the biking downtown and the many hikes in state parks. But there are also the small moments, like cuddling with Cuckoo in the morning and playing endless games of Hand and Foot (a card game) and watching movies on rainy days and playing in the yard and just general chaos and noise that make every single day normal and wonderful all at the same time.<br />
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(Can you tell I'm getting nostalgic and sad about my Phoenix starting his senior year?)<br />
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4. <i><b>What's something collecting dust in your home right now? Any plans to do something about it?</b></i><br />
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Bags. Lots of bags by the front door. Weeks and weeks ago we cleaned out closets and dressers and put all of the outgrown clothing into bags. Those bags are now waiting to be transported to Kentucky, where my nieces and nephew will dig through the bags and claim the items they like. I'm trying to find a day before school starts to spend a day or two with the fam. Crossing my fingers that it will happen.<br />
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<i><b>5. A favorite song relating to time?</b></i><br />
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I can't say that I have a favorite, but I've always liked this one. Perhaps because it takes me back to high school...<br />
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<b><i>6. What's been your most frightening or your most interesting encounter with wildlife?</i></b><br />
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You mean besides <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2010/10/dreaded-bat.html" target="_blank">the bats</a> and <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2015/07/it-seems-having-blog-means-i-have-to.html" target="_blank">the mice</a> and <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2010/11/plague-of-our-own.html" target="_blank">The Great Spider Infestation of 2005</a>?<br />
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<i><b>7. On July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong set his foot down on the moon. If you could travel to the moon would you go? Why or why not?</b></i><br />
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Maybe when I'm 80, after I've lived a full life and am willing to try all sorts of dangerous and stupid things. I'll go to the moon after I bungie jump off a bridge and jump out of an airplane. Except that the entire space program seems like a giant waste of money and resources to me. I don't really see the point.<br />
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<i><b>8. Insert your own random thought here.</b></i><br />
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School is starting two weeks from today. The only reason I'm looking forward to it is because it means the end of summer work for the high school kids. As Buttercup said today, "Normally, I'm at least a little bit excited to go back. You know that feeling on the first day of school when you realize you kinda forgot how to write because you haven't done it all summer? I'm not going to have that. I've done more than enough writing over the last two months."<br />
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That makes me sad.<br />
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I know they are growing up and are not little kids anymore and it's a part of life and blah blah blah, but seriously. They only have a short SHORT amount of time before they go out into the real working world and never get the summer off again and wow, this Phoenix-is-a-senior-and-all-the-big-kids-are-in-high-school-and-in-4-years-we'll-be-down-to-two-kids-at-home-thing is really getting to me!<br />
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If you've like to join in with the hodgepodge, you have plenty of time. The link is open for several more days!<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-59939318032850255942016-07-16T10:26:00.001-04:002016-07-23T23:31:43.400-04:00Thankful Time! 1. First and foremost, the poison ivy and mysterious rash are both GONE!! All that's left is for the skin to heal from the major trauma it endured.<br />
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2. As the end of summer break nears (Sadly, the high school kids head back to school on Aug. 3.), I'm trying to take a few hours of one-on-one time with each kid. This week, Cuckoo went to volunteer with me at St. Elizabeth's (The boy loves to work. He tags along with me all day, helping me pull weeds, trim trees, clean bathrooms, do laundry. And he's old enough to actually be helpful!), then we went out to lunch.<br />
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3. I also had some time with Giant. He had an orthodontist appointment, so afterwards we went shopping for school pants and a few new shirts, then out to lunch at the place of his choice.<br />
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4. I love summer break for all sorts of reasons, but one of my favorites is the morning time with Cuckoo. He is always the first one up (by far!), and he'll always come downstairs and cuddle on my lap for a while. That just doesn't happen during the school year. We talk, we laugh, we sit quietly. This week, he made the comment, "I want to grow to 48 inches and then stop growing." Can you guess why?<br />
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At 48 inches, he will be big enough to ride most of the big roller coasters at King's Island and all the coasters at Disney, but he'll still be small enough for people to carry.<br />
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5. Funny things happen all the time around here, but this week a non-family member got to be part of the craziness. Buttercup's best friend has been spending a lot of time with us this summer. She went to Ohio for 4th of July, but she also spends plenty of days with us thanks to the driving laws in Indiana. She has her license, but she isn't yet old enough to have passengers in the car with her. She can drive to our house, but she can't take Buttercup anywhere. So, she stays. One day this week, she left her window down while it was parked in our driveway, not knowing that our cat loves to sit on, under, or in our vehicles. When it was time to leave, as she was putting the keys in the ignition, the cat jumped from the backseat and landed right next to her on the front seat and scared the poor girl half to death. She screamed and screamed as Buttercup laughed and laughed and came inside to tell us so we could laugh and laugh. Eventually, when her heart got back to it's normal speed, she was laughing, too. :)<br />
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6. My dad's sister is closer in age to me than to my dad. She has two boys, and the younger of the two is only 10 days younger than Phoenix. They live in Michigan, so we only see them a couple times of year at family gatherings in Ohio. My cousin is a very good baseball player, and his team this year has been playing in tournaments in different cities every single weekend this summer. They didn't get to go to the 4th of July party this year, and we were very sad about it. BUT, this week his team is playing on the north side of Indy, so we went up to watch him play on Thursday. (He's a pitcher, so he doesn't play every game.) It was so nice to see him play and catch up with my aunt in the stands. To make it better, it was a great game, with my cousin's team coming from behind in the last inning to tie the game, sending it into extra innings, where they pulled ahead and won!<br />
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7. Friday fun day this week included hiking at a new-to-us state park on the west side of the state. Normal walks through the woods are no longer enough for my kids, so we are always on the hunt for the "rugged" or "very rugged" trails, preferably with hiking through water. Shades State Park had one, and it was a fun 1.25 mile jaunt.<br />
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Unfortunately, the trail didn't take us that long to hike, and they don't have another rugged trail. Fortunately, this state park is only 12 miles from our favorite state park, Turkey Run, so we jumped in the van and headed there for another hike on their very rugged trail.<br />
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8. Funniest quote from the day came after the hiking. We had brought extra shoes and dry clothes and changed into them when we got back to the van. We stopped for dinner on the way home, and when we got to the van Cuckoo said of the van, "it smells like cinnamon on the outside, and toots on the inside!" One major negative of a big van is the lack of trunk space/ability to keep stinky hiking clothes separate from the rest of the van.<br />
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9. Long story short, 'cause this is already a long post and I need to get this wrapped up, had an appointment to get furnace regular, routine service, the furnace heard me reschedule the appointment and stopped working within hours, called the company back and was able to get back on the schedule for original time. Furnace is fixed and the fix was free as the furnace was still under warranty.<br />
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10. I get to laugh throughout every day. Thanks to my kids, Bryan, and friends, I do a whole lot of laughing.<br />
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I'm off to watch my boys play soccer. Expect lots of photos, seeing as how this may be the only time all three of my teen boys will play on the same team together.<br />
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Tell me the good stuff, Readers! What has made you laugh this week?<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
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<a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.co.uk/">A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall</a>, <a href="http://amycakeandthedude.blogspot.co.uk/">Amycake and the Dude</a>, <a href="http://summat2thinkon.wordpress.com/">Considerings</a>, <a href="http://findingninee.com/">Finding Ninee</a>, <a href="http://gettingliteral.com/">Getting Literal</a>, <a href="http://iwantbacksies.blogspot.co.uk%20/">I Want Backsies</a>, <a href="http://www.themeaningofme.com/"> The Meaning of Me</a>, <a href="http://thankfulme.net/">Thankful Me</a>, <a href="https://unchartedblogdotorg.wordpress.com/">Uncharted</a>, <a href="http://wakefielddoctrine.com/">The Wakefield Doctrine</a></div>
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-80677443781078254242016-07-10T22:31:00.002-04:002016-07-10T22:31:17.352-04:00Poison Ivy Won't Stop Me! TToT time!First, I am thankful for modern medicine yet again. Last weekend, I gladly received a gigantic injection in my rear end in order to make the torture of the worst case of poison ivy I've ever had come to a quicker end. Seriously, it was disgusting. Just ask anyone at my dad's 4th of July party. They got to see me in all my oozy, weepy, painful glory. But, in just a couple of days, I was feeling much better and the oozy, weepy bit was all but gone.<br />
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This weekend, though, I have a rash and horrible itch from head to toe from an unknown origin. I'm wondering if the steroids they gave me have run their course, and things that weren't completely eradicated are now able to rear their ugly heads. If it goes on much longer, I'll be heading back to a doctor.<br />
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BUT, before and through the entire itchy, oozy episode, some good things happened in our little world.<br />
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The little boys and Buttercup and I got to spend a long, relaxing, fun day in Cincinnati with one of our most favorite families in the world.<br />
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Despite my poison ivy, we had loads of fun at my dad's 4th of July party. While it was a small crowd this year, there was a crowd, so my dad was happy.<br />
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We stayed a few extra days in Ohio, so I was able to spend Sunday with <a href="http://whatifgodsaysno.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Donna</a> and <a href="http://www.blossomingjoy.com/" target="_blank">Melody</a> and their families.<br />
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On Monday, Bryan, the kids, my mother-in-law, and I headed to Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, for a day of white water rafting. It was cold and rainy the entire day, but we all had a fabulous time.<br />
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Because of age requirements, we had to split up. I took the big kids on the middle-sized rapids (unfortunately, everyone had to be 16 in order to go on the part of the river with the biggest rapids.) and Bryan and his mom went with the little boys on the smallest rapids.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudyduCjlw9FXfeS2pw80PcCCEdrtg8kxi43zTV5Dn7NC6yHugP6Kf11wwfGCEAIzUIjjtybT2OBEExRAmsn5ehhYEafnEwSnHvuNGKsWjIxgs10Pp7Lq7eoz7-JIOfG1PDiyOGkyhhRUQ/s1600/Lower+-+P08+-+2853212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudyduCjlw9FXfeS2pw80PcCCEdrtg8kxi43zTV5Dn7NC6yHugP6Kf11wwfGCEAIzUIjjtybT2OBEExRAmsn5ehhYEafnEwSnHvuNGKsWjIxgs10Pp7Lq7eoz7-JIOfG1PDiyOGkyhhRUQ/s640/Lower+-+P08+-+2853212.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you noticed, there is one extra big kid. Buttercup's friend came to Ohio with us this year.</td></tr>
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Bryan headed back to Indiana, but the kids and I stayed in Ohio an extra day. We spent the morning and early afternoon at one of my favorite places in Canton, McKinley Monument and the surrounding park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoBS_HUZqfTBm5B7xY-bfwQdg4rj5wXKRr01r-4d0POwJ0dYFZFhCz_rb1bawt196RAcelYRTB-B8LHdcNQKq7ttqWVPeG61TnlRPf-EEBipgwQHcOrtJeZ4-AgORjDSsbx9qkWsolIIW/s1600/garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoBS_HUZqfTBm5B7xY-bfwQdg4rj5wXKRr01r-4d0POwJ0dYFZFhCz_rb1bawt196RAcelYRTB-B8LHdcNQKq7ttqWVPeG61TnlRPf-EEBipgwQHcOrtJeZ4-AgORjDSsbx9qkWsolIIW/s640/garden.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Garden Center. There's all sorts of things to keep kids occupied, including a touch garden, a taste garden, a tree house, trails through the woods, a maze, and music. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLsGaa0e8bzJDGDzpISBRJwxd0-oBqBU70wkPZUXai8TQbpCWx5TaMF3fX-MKhos5IV3gxvpg-974D3z_-x2FpILrp_TnaIS9n00yJuNj_zh_KIw1NH1CWBYcFbEdp9JvPL79mxbK0eLv/s1600/monument.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLsGaa0e8bzJDGDzpISBRJwxd0-oBqBU70wkPZUXai8TQbpCWx5TaMF3fX-MKhos5IV3gxvpg-974D3z_-x2FpILrp_TnaIS9n00yJuNj_zh_KIw1NH1CWBYcFbEdp9JvPL79mxbK0eLv/s640/monument.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you know President McKinley was from Canton, Ohio? This is the monument where he and his wife are buried. It's also a popular place for the locals to work out. (The person in the orange shirt was one of about 15 people working out that day.) Those 108 steps (I counted when I was a kid.) are rough! It's way more fun to slide down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJKk_n7I_ceQEelytTaXtKmfEUYiVrpr5Nnt-iyl7QwubFIX9fwe_OQoz7Wdzacsdt1l_w1iZAW-M5iZp79jvIg5zEICaXkCy_P3NwEX3lXr640ok-kgdOFvJOJ7OkIDsqnSjEZx4l36F/s1600/park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJKk_n7I_ceQEelytTaXtKmfEUYiVrpr5Nnt-iyl7QwubFIX9fwe_OQoz7Wdzacsdt1l_w1iZAW-M5iZp79jvIg5zEICaXkCy_P3NwEX3lXr640ok-kgdOFvJOJ7OkIDsqnSjEZx4l36F/s640/park.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are lots of pretty, old stonework and water areas in the park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Other good things...<br />
<br />
We bought a minivan. With the number of drivers we have in the house and the schedules we keep, we rarely need the big van to transport the family all at the same time. But, we do need it to go on road trips to visit family in Ohio and Kentucky, and to take vacations. While we were in Ohio, the big van flipped 200,000 miles. We want it to last as long as possible, so we got the minivan for every day driving.<br />
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AP and SAT scores have come in, and I couldn't be more proud of Buttercup and Phoenix. They done good.<br />
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Green beans are coming in fast and furious. I'll be able to do some canning this week.<br />
<br />
It was the high school's moratorium week (aka no practices allowed), so we were able to have everyone home to eat dinner together every night.<br />
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Seeing as how it's 10:00 on Sunday night, I'm wrapping this post up. Time to take some more Benadryl.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.co.uk/">A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall</a>, <a href="http://amycakeandthedude.blogspot.co.uk/">Amycake and the Dude</a>, <a href="http://summat2thinkon.wordpress.com/">Considerings</a>, <a href="http://findingninee.com/">Finding Ninee</a>, <a href="http://gettingliteral.com/">Getting Literal</a>, <a href="http://iwantbacksies.blogspot.co.uk%20/">I Want Backsies</a>, <a href="http://www.themeaningofme.com/"> The Meaning of Me</a>, <a href="http://thankfulme.net/">Thankful Me</a>, <a href="https://unchartedblogdotorg.wordpress.com/">Uncharted</a>, <a href="http://wakefielddoctrine.com/">The Wakefield Doctrine</a></div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-61850685079344209282016-06-30T05:00:00.000-04:002016-06-30T05:00:20.126-04:00BASEBALL! - June's Photo Blogging ChallengeFor most of the last 9 years, our family's sports life has been dominated by soccer. So much soccer. In the last couple of years, though, our kids have been branching out. This month has been unusually consumed by baseball. Very fortunate for this blogger, seeing as how <a href="http://hoohaablog.com/" target="_blank">P.J.'s theme</a> for this month's challenge is "Baseball".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xcdvSJOi14ny6cTJGDUWOEkrF5HnN3LA42RF-CIPzscbf4D__iSVKoY23qb27PEK0o4rhNCpVTN5opk5Ih3p9Lsl3YgD547PdEsk9y4A8be2i0g4tCvevIvOJO2bAdDxkjBRYsjnmtWx/s1600/photochallenge2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xcdvSJOi14ny6cTJGDUWOEkrF5HnN3LA42RF-CIPzscbf4D__iSVKoY23qb27PEK0o4rhNCpVTN5opk5Ih3p9Lsl3YgD547PdEsk9y4A8be2i0g4tCvevIvOJO2bAdDxkjBRYsjnmtWx/s400/photochallenge2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pretty sure I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again. I am so glad we live so close to the capital of Indiana. We have the opportunity to do so many things we otherwise would not get to do. For example, this month we were able to go cheer on our high school's baseball team as they fought their way to a state win. The game was held in our city's minor league stadium and drew a crowd bigger than most minor league games. Our unranked home team was playing against the #1 ranked team. It took extra innings, but in the end our team, full of talented teens with whom my kids attend school, WON!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIi9ymZ935zrElnVGKCZ6Ttr7z4SfbhMSuqKqshOHUAaNQdB4a5E2od7Fzsb9qoSzygX6bzn9kQDbOd8YngNuizXaoQoBRAQdQ4Fu7llpTREfe8dVMAtGqZT0MxxVGO2baOjFNvphsvSW/s1600/challenge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIi9ymZ935zrElnVGKCZ6Ttr7z4SfbhMSuqKqshOHUAaNQdB4a5E2od7Fzsb9qoSzygX6bzn9kQDbOd8YngNuizXaoQoBRAQdQ4Fu7llpTREfe8dVMAtGqZT0MxxVGO2baOjFNvphsvSW/s640/challenge2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I mentioned in at least one previous post, Turken is our only child playing baseball. His team has done very well this season (#! in the league) and was playing for the championship. This, of course meant a longer season than normal, which meant lots of extra practice time for him and lots of extra time to kill for Cuckoo and me. We played some 1v1 baseball. It's not nearly as fun as it sounds, especially when you play with a tennis ball because we didn't have a baseball in the car. (Tennis balls hit by a 6 year old go <i>faaaaaaar</i>.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmm73lwemmerftamOLNjreNkouZ-iOimBlbx9Ze_JY8KTaWMSUgj167_8yEN1a1wiYOatHtl0NMNpc8TEjBbQHRdHLdVaoUHYLsr5Y1cE6lATD480864IKnlqB909RDSdIITQ0pJtOl0I/s1600/challenge3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmm73lwemmerftamOLNjreNkouZ-iOimBlbx9Ze_JY8KTaWMSUgj167_8yEN1a1wiYOatHtl0NMNpc8TEjBbQHRdHLdVaoUHYLsr5Y1cE6lATD480864IKnlqB909RDSdIITQ0pJtOl0I/s640/challenge3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When playing defense, my boy takes "down and ready" seriously.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvK4rQDS3OKgbr15LUMPi6FCCehiuVXmrFlCid3jC8sIrLb44wOrVdZEAQmlqSzF0vpaDtpDpID3duV-TA-OUzCoiC2_xoDr4rbOYKnATDc-_xlOVVn2wqudqH3ZFQJc6ubHh_yHaf2pU/s1600/challenge4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvK4rQDS3OKgbr15LUMPi6FCCehiuVXmrFlCid3jC8sIrLb44wOrVdZEAQmlqSzF0vpaDtpDpID3duV-TA-OUzCoiC2_xoDr4rbOYKnATDc-_xlOVVn2wqudqH3ZFQJc6ubHh_yHaf2pU/s640/challenge4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Never underestimate the power of the fans. For the final championship game, the teens skipped soccer practice to cheer their brother's team on. They even made signs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28PYoag37nO2ul8NVNSx1ru63SEfsYr7fUAddOykOsSnrzdVwCK5TnU3dIW-1h1G9VtBW6HLDGAg9z3_xgXhta7ex20kb9gKWmRue5yll4mbaXdILUUG9CvZSC_Jkc9Zi647tfRby8-QP/s1600/challenge5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28PYoag37nO2ul8NVNSx1ru63SEfsYr7fUAddOykOsSnrzdVwCK5TnU3dIW-1h1G9VtBW6HLDGAg9z3_xgXhta7ex20kb9gKWmRue5yll4mbaXdILUUG9CvZSC_Jkc9Zi647tfRby8-QP/s640/challenge5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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But most of the credit has to go to the coaches. The success of a team full of 8 year olds is dependent on the ability of the coaches to teach, encourage, and inspire their athletes. We had the best ones in the league, and their number of wins reflects it.<br />
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Throughout this month, my kids were surprised many times with my knowledge and understanding of the game of baseball. I really blew their minds when the pitcher in the high school game balked, and I could explain to them what it means.<br />
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Thanks to my dad, I spent many nights at baseball games throughout my childhood. Between watching my brothers play, taking the hour-long drive to Cleveland to watch our hopelessly terrible Indians play, or using his season tickets for the newly opened minor league field in our home town, I got a good education on the ins and outs of baseball. I don't mind at all that I finally have a kid who loves the game.<br />
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How about you? Has your month been taken up by any baseball? Do you even go to baseball games throughout the summer? What's your favorite baseball food? (Mine is Cracker Jacks. Love that stuff.)<br />
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If you have a hankerin' to join us in the challenge this month or in future months, head over to <a href="http://hoohaablog.com/" target="_blank">P.J.'s blog</a>. Next month's theme will be announced on July 1.<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-65779170063197976442016-06-28T23:01:00.003-04:002016-06-28T23:01:51.513-04:00More Random, And It Only Took Me a Week and Three Hours to WriteSo, we have pet vultures now. A whole volt of them.<br />
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Or a committee.<br />
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Or a venue.<br />
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So many words to describe a group of vultures.<br />
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There's even a separate word to call them when they are eating. A wake.<br />
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And when they are flying? Yup, another word. A kettle.<br />
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These are things you know when you have pet vultures.<br />
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What you don't know is why there is a need to be so specific when talking about a group of some of the ugliest birds on the planet.<br />
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It reminds me of trying to teach 4 year olds the words for a single goose or a flock of geese.<br />
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The days and weeks that I had to say things like, "See that one bird in the grass? There's only one, so we call it a goose. See all of those birds in the parking lot? Since there's more than one, we call them geese."<br />
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And the days and weeks that I had to hear things like, "So if it's in the grass, it's a goose, and if it's in the parking lot it's a geese."<br />
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It's enough to make a mother consider leaving her child to be raised by said geese.<br />
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Back to the pet vultures.<br />
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There are three.<br />
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We're just calling them the vultures.<br />
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They've been living in our barn for at least 3 weeks now. Every time we go outside, we hear them making a ruckus on the metal roof or see them come swooping out of the barn loft window.<br />
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We were a bit startled at first, but honestly, I'm glad they're here. My days of cleaning up nasty dead animals are over!<br />
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Of course, our little zootopia we've got going here doesn't leave many dead animals for either of us to dispose of.<br />
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To illustrate, I'll describe my time in the garden the other day.<br />
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As I sat in the dirt, plants all around, the cat comes looking for attention. He rubs up against my back and legs, but my hands are covered in mud. I couldn't pet him. He wasn't happy that I was ignoring his pleas, so he nipped me. I tossed him to the next row and continued to pull weeds. In protest, he plopped himself down directly on top of 2 green bean plants.<br />
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As he sat glaring at me, the chickens came a calling. Their favorite garden pastime is scratching in the grass clippings between the rows, flinging grass all over the new baby plants, thus killing them before they have a chance to give us their yummy veggieness. Seven chickens wander all around me and the grumpy feline.<br />
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Next up, the dogs. Roy is content to simply rest in the shade of an apple tree a few yards away. Hershey, on the other hand, must be righthereinmyface, with not a care that he is stomping all over my fragile carrot stalks. He didn't even give the cat or chickens a second glance, and the animals didn't even have the decency to scatter in fear.<br />
<br />
After I got the dog and cat off the plants (there really is no way to make chickens do anything without causing way more damage) and back into the grass, I sat myself down to continue with my chore.<br />
<br />
Birds were singing. The breeze was blowing through the trees. The sun was shining.<br />
<br />
When seemingly out of nowhere, not one, not two, but three rabbits came speeding through the garden. I'm guessing they are the same rabbits that chewed the green beans plants down to nubbins. They went careening into the orchard, chased each other among the trees, and came back for another round bout the garden, paying no attention to the dogs, the cat, or me.<br />
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Not only weren't they petrified, they weren't even nervous. The were frolicking for Pete's sake!<br />
<br />
So, zootopia continues.<br />
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At this rate, I won't be the least bit surprised if, when I'm out picking raspberries along the perimeter of our property, a coyote or two sidles up next to me looking for a scratch behind the ears.<br />
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Mighty unfortunate for the vultures.<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-34292090713235091882016-06-26T08:02:00.002-04:002016-06-26T08:02:22.339-04:00Ten Things of Thankful week 158I have poison ivy on my jaw and shoulder that itches like the...like the...it itches so bad I can't even think of an appropriate simile. And there is a fly that keeps buzzing around me and landing on me, including on my actual eye. Yet I will sit here and shoo the fly and not itch and be thankful for all the good things for which I am grateful this week!<br />
<br />
I'm a trooper like that.<br />
<br />
1. With Phoenix home and baseball over, my days are so much more wide open. I can stay home and cook dinners and people can actually sit down and eat them together.<br />
<br />
2. Seeing my boys walk up to the house when they arrive home from soccer practice each night puts a smile on my face every time. Nothing like 2 hours of seriously hard workouts to bring brothers together. I love sitting with them, despite the sweaty stench, when they get home, just listening to them laugh as they tell stories of what happened at practice.<br />
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3. The one thing I sometimes regret about moving to the farm is that our kids don't have the opportunity to ride their bikes to friends' houses or even have people over all that often. But, as Bryan and I talked about yesterday, if we had lived in a neighborhood surrounded by their friends, I doubt our kids would be as good of friends with each other. So, I'm thankful that we had the chance to move out to the middle of nowhere.<br />
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4. Bryan and I were able to get together with some of our best friends for dinner on Friday night. In the busyness of life, we rarely take the time to do such things, so it was extra fun to do so.<br />
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5. Let's give it up for Willis Carrier, the inventor of air conditioning. With the passing of each 90+ degree day, I love him more.<br />
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6. We're getting some produce from our garden and around the property. We've been eating plenty of lettuce and green beans and black raspberry cobbler lately.<br />
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7. I went to a funeral this week for one of the kindest people I've ever met. I didn't know her well, but I've known her for over a decade. She is the kind of person who makes you feel special just for having the chance to have met her. I kept looking around the church at all these people that I know, wondering how they knew her. It was quite a diverse group of folks. I've been to lots of funerals, but this one hit me harder than most. Partly because she was the kind of person the world needs right about now, but also because she was only 7 years older than me. Yes, sadly she is gone, but looking around that church, you knew how many lives she touched, how much kindness and joy she spread around, and how all of those people have learned from her and will continue to spread kindness because of her. <br />
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8. I have been at a loss for summer shoes. I want sandals, but I don't want a pair that has a piece of plastic between my toes and a skinny piece of what seems to be wood as the only barrier between the ground and my foot. I refuse to buy shoes that aren't comfortable the moment I put them on my feet. I had pretty much given up on having any sandals ever, until that dinner with friends on Friday night, in which one of the ladies was wearing a kind of shoe I'd never seen before.<br />
<br />
People, I have found my shoe nirvana.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sanuk.com/womens-sandals/yoga-sling-2/SWS10001.html" target="_blank">Yoga slings</a> are the best things to be invented since the air conditioner. The soles are made out of yoga mats for crying out loud! I bought the one and only pair I could find in my size yesterday, but I'm considering buying them in every color online now that I know my size. Seriously. They are Fab. U. Lous.<br />
<br />
9. On Friday I took the kids downtown and we rented bikes, individual bikes for the older boys, and a <a href="http://www.wheelfunrentals.com/Locations/Indianapolis-4" target="_blank">surrey</a> for Buttercup and me to pedal the little boys around. In case you've never been here, Indy has a beautiful area downtown called White River Park. It is where the baseball stadium and several museums and the NCAA headquarters are, but it also has a canal walk that leads to the White River, where there are more walking and biking areas. As the boys say, "It was lit." (For you of the older generation who may not know, that is a good thing.)<br />
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10. Saturday was our 22nd wedding anniversary. I don't even know how that is possible, but it's true. The kids were gracious enough to not care that we abandoned them for the afternoon and evening, as we went to test drive minivans and buy some shoes and spend two hours having a leisurely dinner at a new restaurant in a nearby town. It was a lovely evening with my groom.<br />
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So, how has your week been? Let me in on the good stuff!<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />
<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-45977278110079803302016-06-19T16:02:00.000-04:002016-06-19T16:02:03.170-04:00We're All Back Home Together Again!, TToT I don't even know the number anymoreThis will be the most thankful week ever!<br />
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Two weeks ago, Phoenix and 70 other juniors and seniors left for a 2 week summer field studies out west. They've been rock climbing and white water rafting and hiking up mountains covered in 2 feet of snow and hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and biking almost 40 miles around Durango and heading out to the backcountry for three days to sleep under the stars.<br />
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Last Sunday, Bryan and Buttercup left for a week-long mission trip in West Virginia. They have been building a fire escape, framing a wall, putting siding on a house, hanging out with the locals, and getting to know folks from other parts of the country also there to work.<br />
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I have been at home with the other four boys, getting them to soccer games and practices and tryouts and baseball games and practices and get-togethers with friends and the library to print things when our home printer died and all the other things that need doing around here.<br />
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I am so, so, sosososososososososo thankful to have everyone home (Well, Phoenix isn't here yet, but he will be tomorrow. They are currently in Topeka.) safe, sound, and able to drive people to all of their things.<br />
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I am thankful for modern technology and social media. I was able to keep tabs on everyone through photos posted on instagram and facebook.<br />
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In addition, Phoenix has even text me and checked in several times over the two weeks. When he left, I didn't tell him he had to, but I'm glad he did. I get all choked up thinking about how much fun he's having while doing so many new and exciting things.<br />
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Back here at home, I'm thankful for awesome families with whom we've spent many hours on the sidelines of soccer games. We've had our fair share of horrible experiences with parents I was embarrassed to be associated with over the 8 years we've been involved with club soccer, but the last couple of years have been great fun. Things are changing drastically with the end of this season (Buttercup has decided not to play soccer anymore, and rules have changed as far as age grouping goes, so Giant's team had to be split up.), and we're going to miss the camaraderie.<br />
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<i>And I'm back. That was all written on Saturday afternoon. It is now Sunday afternoon, and I have 45 minutes to finish this before I leave to pick Phoenix up at the high school.</i><br />
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I am thankful for fabulous coaches, specifically, today, for Turken's baseball coaches. This season, his team is ranked #1. It isn't because the coaches gathered up all of the best players during the draft. The team has kids who have a very difficult time running from base to base. About 2 weeks into the season, all the coaches in the age group were told that a little girl wanted to join a team. No one wanted to take her. Our head coach said, "If it was my daughter, I'd be heartbroken if no one would want to take her. She can join our team." (This is the only girl in the league. I have no idea why she's playing baseball here instead of softball.) This sweet girl couldn't hit or catch a ball when she came to the first practice. Through the season, the coaches have practiced and encouraged and done a beautiful job with these kids. Now, every kid can hit and catch and participate fully in the game. Tomorrow they play in the semi-final championship game. Give up a cheer for them if you think about it!<br />
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Friday night, three of the boys and I headed downtown to our minor league baseball field to watch our high school boys play in the state championship game. (I love living so close to the capital. There are so many opportunities to see and do things we otherwise wouldn't get to do.) Going into the post-season, they weren't even ranked. In this final game, they were playing the #1 ranked team. In extra innings, we won!! I got all teary watching these boys, some of whom we've known for over a decade, play such a great game and take home the trophy.<br />
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Star is 15!! Based on behavior from most of his life, I never thought I'd see the day, but he is becoming such a responsible, thoughtful, helpful, outgoing young man. This summer isn't exactly a fun one for him. Most days his schedule includes 2 hours of trimming trees, 2 hours of school work, and 2 hours of soccer practice. On top of that, he empties the dishwasher without being told and takes the little boys out to work with him in the yard. He did a great job being the "man of the house" while Bryan and Phoenix were gone, and even did the unenviable job of locking the chickens up each night. (It is creepy out there in the pitch black dark!) He's busted out of his very quiet bubble that he lived in all through elementary and middle school and is making friends left and right, having a blast in high school. It's been wonderful to watch the transformation, and I'm looking forward to what will be coming in the next few years.<br />
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On this Father's Day, I'm so grateful for my dad. While there have been plenty of rough patches through the years of divorce and remarriage and all that came with it, I always knew he loved me. Completely. I knew what it was like to be loved, and as a result I could recognize true love when Bryan came along.<br />
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Lastly, I am thankful for my awesome husband. I can't even begin to list all the reasons why. You long-time readers already know. :)<br />
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Aaaaaaand, time's up. Time to go pick up my (6'2", not a chance I'll be able to pick him up even if I tried) baby!<br />
<br />
Your turn. What good things have happened in your life this week?<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-24294499365579414452016-06-15T15:51:00.000-04:002016-06-15T15:51:09.117-04:00The Best Laid Plans of the Father Are Rarely Good for the MotherI'm going with my friend's (<a href="https://unchartedblogdotorg.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ivy</a>) approach to blogging and just unloading my brain instead of coming up with those well-thought out hilarious posts of mine you are so used to. The way this blog is going, it may be the only way any writing ever gets done again.<br />
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While I was in DC, Bryan came up with a plan to get work done around the house and began the execution of it without hashing it out with me first. In case you're wondering, this behavior on his part never, ever works out well for me.<br />
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He told the kids he'd pay them $7.50 per hour to do certain big chores around the house. Things like scraping and painting outbuildings, trimming trees, and weeding the garden. (The kids agreed that mowing was an easy job that didn't deserve full pay, so mowing only earns a kid half pay.) The kids choose which chore they want to do and when they want to do it.<br />
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The execution of said plan...<br />
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Giant decided to tackle the scraping and painting of the milk house. While Bryan was at work, I got to stop what I was doing (basically being vomited on by our printer's ink cartridge, leaving me covered in black ink) to help Giant pour paint from the super heavy 5 gallon bucket into the paint pan. I'm estimating a pint splatted on the grass before we got the paint pouring in the right direction. I got to help him set up the ladder on the side of the milk house, which happens to be a hill and quite a precarious place for a 13 year old to stand on a ladder to paint. Even worse when the paint pan is set upon the ladder and tilts, thus spilling the paint. Oh, and I forgot to mention there was a nice clip of a wind blowing across the farm. When the paint began to spill, the wind caught it and sent it flying in what would have been a beautiful arc of paint drops if it weren't for the fact the paint was arcing mostly onto me. After the cursing and screaming, I realized that while it was a huge mess, the white did compliment the black ink quite well.<br />
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Star decided to tackle the trimming of the trees along the driveway, which, if you'll recall, is a quarter mile long. He was doing a great job, working hard and earning every penny of his $7.50 per hour. Until he got a splinter of wood in his eye because he was never told to wear protective eye wear. He thought he had gotten it out, but three hours later, his eye was all red and discomfort turned to all-out pain. I had to stop what I was doing to get a call into our eye doctor, who just happened to be out of town, then call to get an appointment that day in an eye clinic 30 minutes away. The poor guy has scratches all over his eyeball, so I now get to stop what I'm doing to put a drop of antibiotics in his eye 4 times a day.<br />
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Buttercup decided to mow the grass one day. She managed to get 1/5 of it done, including the west side of the driveway. Not the right side. And then she got busy doing school summer work and packing and leaving for a week-long mission trip. With Bryan. On a week that Phoenix was also out of town on his 2-week summer field studies. Thus leaving me with only one driver, ME, in the house and lots of practices and games and tryouts and appointments. It wasn't until 5 days later that I could finally get out to mow the other 4/5 of the yard. The unmowed section was quite tall, and I was so happy to finally get it done. When starting the mower, it usually takes a couple of tries before the mower really gets going, but this time, on the second turn of the key, it went pop and turned off, never to make a noise again. Zip. Zilch. Nada. I opened it up to see what I could see, but news flash, I am not mechanically inclined. I have absolutely no idea how to get that blasted thing working again. I trudged back in the house to call the service guy. He was able to pick it up that very day! Yeah! Oh, but we're about 10-12 days out before you'll get it back again. That was yesterday. For two weeks, I'll be watching my grass (and to be real, weeds. Our yard is half weeds) grow taller and taller and taller. Quite lopsided, seeing as how 4/5 of the yard have a good headstart on the rest.<br />
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BUT! in the midst of all of this nonsense, I managed to learn a new skill. Ya'll, I made me some jelly with those annoying little mulberries we have all over the property. It only took me 2 hours to pick the fruit, 20 minutes to find a jam recipe I could handle, and another 3 hours to heat, squash, mill, curse, conclude jelly instead of jam was a much better idea, strain, yell (GUYS! I NEED MORE BERRIES!! THE PECTIN BOX SAYS I NEED 4 AND A HALF CUPS OF BERRY JUICE, BUT I ONLY HAVE 3 AND A HALF!! PICK! PICK! PIIIIIIIICK!!!!) heat, squash, mill, and strain again, then boil with sugar and pectin, ladle into jars, and sterilize using the water bath method to get 7 tiny jars of yummy mulberry jelly.<br />
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Next time, I'm thinking I can cut the time down to only four hours.<br />
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Well, that's all the time I have to unload today. There's a nice, hot, humid afternoon calling my hair to come out and play.<br />
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I hope to be back soon to update you on other non-exciting times in our lives.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-64914259849931460272016-06-04T00:51:00.000-04:002016-06-04T00:51:00.625-04:00Hopefully the Overabundance of Photos Will Make Up for My Absence, TToT 155Hi!!!<br />
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*Picture me waving to you*</div>
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Here I am!</div>
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And here's what I've been up to these past couple of weeks...</div>
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1. Giant graduated from 8th grade! It's a big deal when the school is K-8. It's an even bigger deal when it is the 4th Coop kid to graduate in 4 years. We now have FOUR high schoolers! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, this is the one we consider the keeper. Get the frames ready.</td></tr>
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2. Hanging out with the newly graduated! The 8th graders get out of school a week before the rest of the school (and their high school siblings), so that left all sorts of kids languishing at home by themselves. Giant and I went around picking them up so they could all have a fun day together.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxJAl4ssq3iJT-N_CSPtazeJnAo4H_yLs-lC41Em6Rx6F7KRhcFcG9rtMLfCdk_IxOAxTkKZl1kK2hQ0ygx-TAX2aT7k0LMKCOtNaBEUWZKftFINjIhxJ82fY6tys7Lr8BQL5o8YL2HCV/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxJAl4ssq3iJT-N_CSPtazeJnAo4H_yLs-lC41Em6Rx6F7KRhcFcG9rtMLfCdk_IxOAxTkKZl1kK2hQ0ygx-TAX2aT7k0LMKCOtNaBEUWZKftFINjIhxJ82fY6tys7Lr8BQL5o8YL2HCV/s400/IMG_0209.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a new-to-us miniature golf place. $4 to play all day, even if you leave for lunch and come back later, which we did.</td></tr>
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3. Sports! Club soccer (Giant and Buttercup) and baseball (Turken) are in their final weeks, with championship games on the near horizon. The weather has been cooperating for the most part (Baseball on Thursday was perfection!), but we'll see how tomorrow goes. I hear there's to be lots of rain and some storms moving in. High school soccer practices started this week. It makes me all teary to see my three oldest boys walking up to the house, soccer bags slung over their shoulders, sweat dried on their brows, after practicing together. I'm really looking forward to the coming season!</div>
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4. Last day of school! Talk about a complete turn-around. The first day of school brought all sorts of emotions and tears as a phase of my life ended. As we all knew would happen, I got used to having the quiet days to myself. I got to enjoy doing errands and lunches and basically whatever I wanted whenever I wanted without worrying about how a child would handle it. And now they were coming back. To be with me all day every day. I'm happy to say, so far, it's been as awesome as always. Summer break is the best.</div>
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5. Taking a trip to Washington, DC! Remember <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-secret-revealed-ttot-week-122.html" target="_blank">when we surprised the kids with a trip to Disney, but Phoenix and I were delayed and had to change our flights?</a> Well, we each had an airline credit that expired if we didn't travel by June 1. Bryan was getting on me to schedule something, but I was dragging my feet for a variety of reasons. In the end, I told him I didn't care where we went, just make sure the new flight costs the same as our credit. Ended up, DC was the destination. Phoenix and I spent a quick 3 days packing in as much DC as we could.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was not my first trip to DC. I was shocked to see how much security has been beefed up. No going up to the gates of the White House lawn anymore!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8aMqYTMg8mRXCA-W8pObKWa45qke4mkdOgxVxT6Rqcuu9YQddebbpmtIszYlq94_hipmXgmNqKnDELndVO8GYa2sKWH0LU6oRd1fc-tIDrs1ZarvIO2gmpF6U_OpSaaBEn5wMQTAqKjF/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8aMqYTMg8mRXCA-W8pObKWa45qke4mkdOgxVxT6Rqcuu9YQddebbpmtIszYlq94_hipmXgmNqKnDELndVO8GYa2sKWH0LU6oRd1fc-tIDrs1ZarvIO2gmpF6U_OpSaaBEn5wMQTAqKjF/s400/IMG_0238.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck. In the water flowing into the WWII memorial with the Lincoln Memorial in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP1xD4hsNeKx7frB1sSTCLnpi80LJl2JZ47pbaK5AyrK-TcOrozD7ghJyrBmNH5kNChL8oLPAAOS28cIv8IpMqyu6mUwJQbcAO22w_SDU54UETA7JA2o4DjVTbGUDNEyNcFYQqDXq7ckk/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP1xD4hsNeKx7frB1sSTCLnpi80LJl2JZ47pbaK5AyrK-TcOrozD7ghJyrBmNH5kNChL8oLPAAOS28cIv8IpMqyu6mUwJQbcAO22w_SDU54UETA7JA2o4DjVTbGUDNEyNcFYQqDXq7ckk/s400/IMG_0268.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WWII Memorial at night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg052_1ja-nj4vx4zJodFkAqzuRDfQuD9ridi8Wn61ftqcoHY8G8oXgY6tRxPxW6TjmDDnQhFB6ns7gpotYfJ-y_6zzm-bVCCUwmQ3fPbatMHgi0Jacwz9KFXLp1-vrXxYQk5US_TSvcd4Z/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg052_1ja-nj4vx4zJodFkAqzuRDfQuD9ridi8Wn61ftqcoHY8G8oXgY6tRxPxW6TjmDDnQhFB6ns7gpotYfJ-y_6zzm-bVCCUwmQ3fPbatMHgi0Jacwz9KFXLp1-vrXxYQk5US_TSvcd4Z/s400/IMG_0295.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to Mass at the oldest Catholic church in DC.</td></tr>
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6. While we were in DC, we were able to meet up with <a href="http://www.findingninee.com/" target="_blank">Kristi and Tucker!</a> (Sadly, <a href="http://amycakeandthedude.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah was off visiting family in another state and couldn't join us.)</a> It was a quick visit (WAY too quick), but it was wonderful. We watched motorcycles (I'll explain in the next thankful.), ate ice cream, and cooled our feet in a fountain. </div>
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As I've said before, I never guessed that blogging would lead to making friends all over the world, yet that's exactly what has happened. I've met quite a few in person, and I'm happy to say this is yet another one who didn't end up as a male ax murderer but was the funny, interesting, kind lady I expected her to be.</div>
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7. We remembered those who didn't make it back from the Vietnam War. One thing about being in DC over Memorial Day...there are a LOT of people. We waited in long lines to get into every single museum. Even the ones that weren't free. It was worth it, though, just to be there for the goings-on. Friday night, we walked around the National Mall. While standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, we saw hundreds and hundreds of motorcycles parked on the street and in the grass nearby. More and more were joining them. We walked down to see what was going on. Came to find out, each year, Vietnam Vets ride in for a candlelight vigil and a "parade". The couple we spoke with said that the last time they attended (2 years ago) 800,000 bikes were there. </div>
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My dad fought in Vietnam. He fought alongside of people whose names are on the Memorial Wall. We stayed for the highly emotional candlelight vigil on Friday night. We made sure to be standing along Constitution Ave. for the ride on Sunday. (The "parade" lasted 5 hours or so. We didn't stay for the whole thing, but we stood, watched, and waved at different points during the afternoon, including a bit with Kristi.)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the vigil, people lined up by the memorial wall.</td></tr>
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8. Enjoying simply soaking in the beauty of flowers. Flowers that are actually growing around my house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV3wh2Fy15-09BUsvrFD4Zem9K7pB73dE2TGopJNgJ3XC0XCW2nNE8bapDwq8WmnPecUOq8llF-HGhm-k22zXnCy4IdZh3n4SAW9YktzDIXb6Hh_azMEAW1s4JQlf3fM4tcP9d4WGLMy0/s1600/spring+flowers+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV3wh2Fy15-09BUsvrFD4Zem9K7pB73dE2TGopJNgJ3XC0XCW2nNE8bapDwq8WmnPecUOq8llF-HGhm-k22zXnCy4IdZh3n4SAW9YktzDIXb6Hh_azMEAW1s4JQlf3fM4tcP9d4WGLMy0/s640/spring+flowers+024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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9. Beginning a summer of Fun Fridays! High school soccer is Monday-Thursday from 6-8 each day. Add in travel and such, that's a good 4 hours the boys are gone. And those practices are tough. So much running and conditioning besides playing soccer. Going to a state park to hike before practice is just a bad, bad idea. So, we instituted Fun Fridays. Today we went to one of my favorite parks. (I wrote one of my favorite posts after our last trip there. It kind of lays out <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2012/03/freedom-within-boundaries.html" target="_blank">my parenting philosophy</a>. You may want to click back to it just to compare photos. Kids grow so daggum fast!)</div>
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The weather was perfect, and we had a great time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqil4n27nJ-mR_Mb9EpwvsHvLYrjV3z64HS8T1OrgOa0So3i1XaPZPzyDnXtuOwKDnf1VTnF7oCKCmqgYcB6I7ev-AlwmT075AmaKfDRpmF6vqpY94w_D5z4aK3tDBzxNwGh_RkAzxjt6Z/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqil4n27nJ-mR_Mb9EpwvsHvLYrjV3z64HS8T1OrgOa0So3i1XaPZPzyDnXtuOwKDnf1VTnF7oCKCmqgYcB6I7ev-AlwmT075AmaKfDRpmF6vqpY94w_D5z4aK3tDBzxNwGh_RkAzxjt6Z/s640/IMG_0353.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have an almost identical photo of this scene in the other post. Back then Turken was too young to do such death-defying exploration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUkXGXJkdXdKUII_alreDjatHaK1zwhCOjUakH-XGqVgYoDOTmRq0UgbaOdjEQMJn9vFYH21EDLHbMarKnOmn4vax-gvmHmARkM4QXbcRdf7G7tqpzPuYK5dY_nQ4ny02DFeTLw9ssO-4/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUkXGXJkdXdKUII_alreDjatHaK1zwhCOjUakH-XGqVgYoDOTmRq0UgbaOdjEQMJn9vFYH21EDLHbMarKnOmn4vax-gvmHmARkM4QXbcRdf7G7tqpzPuYK5dY_nQ4ny02DFeTLw9ssO-4/s400/IMG_0371.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No fear of heights in these boys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU3p3cIZ9JY71eMJ7oi5LoI-VaKxsJx7pCHhy61ZwRlDoTfh8vny4dvbUOYM8loylBN3R3qk3UFq9PuAWaYm99FquebkBmz5ZyZPKXOFdDp-yfk6CM9oNLFWKQpihs8q4qSL8xFaX3k7R/s1600/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU3p3cIZ9JY71eMJ7oi5LoI-VaKxsJx7pCHhy61ZwRlDoTfh8vny4dvbUOYM8loylBN3R3qk3UFq9PuAWaYm99FquebkBmz5ZyZPKXOFdDp-yfk6CM9oNLFWKQpihs8q4qSL8xFaX3k7R/s400/IMG_0393.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A giant tree had recencly (very recently) fallen down over the creek we were following. Couldn't go around it, had to go over it. And hang out in it. And climb it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnukkZ_wXOFQoxdtGYXx_wWd6JCCB3H4k863mfBObjWCvULxoiyVe4NhaFY29zyEna_4T209Oxkh3OPQge_8ptpiTdnH6t-ajmGoB3ygM0TKL4BnuNUPMewMmQh7QPX0v6K4tDvmA97Ny/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnukkZ_wXOFQoxdtGYXx_wWd6JCCB3H4k863mfBObjWCvULxoiyVe4NhaFY29zyEna_4T209Oxkh3OPQge_8ptpiTdnH6t-ajmGoB3ygM0TKL4BnuNUPMewMmQh7QPX0v6K4tDvmA97Ny/s400/IMG_0399.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the day was done, they were all soaked through. At one point they broke out into a roaring game of tag in which you tagged the person by kicking water onto him.</td></tr>
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10. Playing games and eating together and getting major manual labor done around the house and cooking with Cuckoo and and and and...so many ands.</div>
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How have you been? What have you been up to while I've been gone?</div>
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Tell me what you're thankful for!</div>
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And then...</div>
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Have a lovely day!</div>
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*I apologize now for any and all spelling and grammatical errors. I stayed up 2 hours past my bedtime to get this sucker done, and I just don't have the energy to reread before I publish.*<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-8119853023770505872016-05-21T16:51:00.000-04:002016-05-21T16:52:57.415-04:00Did You Know Our Kids Play Sports and Do Other Stuff? TToT Week 153As I drove to the volleyball game this morning, I was pondering my thankful post. I came up with a great intro to it, too.<br />
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Unfortunately, that was 6 hours ago. My brain is only capable of holding onto information for 3 Mississippis.<br />
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You get no great intro.<br />
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Maybe next time.<br />
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So, the thankfuls...<br />
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If you recall, last week I asked you to cheer Phoenix and his volleyball team on to victory in the state competition. Friday night, they played beautifully and won in only three sets. (Each match is best out of 5.) This morning they played the number one team in the state. It went to 5 games, and they ended up losing by 2 points. I feel awful for those boys. Seven seniors have been on the verge of winning the kit and kaboodle four years in a row. Each year they have lost in 5 sets, and by only 2-4 points in the fifth set. This was going to be their year. Ugh.<br />
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I am thankful that Phoenix had the opportunity to play with such helpful, generous, fun ballplayers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwa0EnlTnL4EYc7ZCUXdE5oUYkGANvK3TflpJsuMV_a65mnn-GrYIVgawqRyHbEARTUfTJgH4gmHLiWn8eTJzPG-OLVvTe5C70LN_ZS9kHNOp9FbEYQVtxnXxxMK81PnGJ345Ja1v6mrl/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwa0EnlTnL4EYc7ZCUXdE5oUYkGANvK3TflpJsuMV_a65mnn-GrYIVgawqRyHbEARTUfTJgH4gmHLiWn8eTJzPG-OLVvTe5C70LN_ZS9kHNOp9FbEYQVtxnXxxMK81PnGJ345Ja1v6mrl/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pregame introductions. My boy is #10.</td></tr>
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I am thankful that my kids go to a school with such great fans. There were 2 matches going on at the same time in the same gym, (so four teams playing at a time) and our fans took up half the stadium. So many non-volleyball-playing students and parents came out to root the boys on. It was nice to see. (I know the gym looks empty in that photo above, but from where this is taken, all the way down the left sideline and a full section to the right of me, the stands are full of fans from our school.)<br />
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With this, volleyball season is over. While I do like watching them play, I am glad that I no longer have to drive to the high school to pick up Buttercup and Star after school anymore. Phoenix won't be going to practice and will be able to bring them home again.<br />
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Giant finished his career at the elementary/middle school. The last day was Friday. He and the rest of his class are ready to head out to the high school. It will come quick for Giant, seeing as how high school soccer practices start May 30!<br />
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The rest of the Coop kids will be done with school on Thursday. The teens only have finals left, so half days for them, and the two little boys will be having nothing but fun for most of the last few days.<br />
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The sun is currently shining. Sure, there are nasty looking clouds surrounding the bit of blue, but this is more sun than we've seen in a long time.<br />
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Turken is having a great time playing baseball. All the kids are improving by leaps and bounds thanks to 3 fabulous coaches. Out of the blue, Turken asked if he could pitch an inning (At this age, the first two of the six innings are kid-pitch.) and his coaches let him give it a try. His form leaves much to be desired, but he did so well, they let him pitch in two different games.<br />
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I am thankful for the sweet little boy (Cuckoo) who loves to pick "flowers" for all females who happen to be in our house at any given time.<br />
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I am thankful for the planners of downtown Indy. There are so, so many fun things to do. Last night most of the family went to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game. After school but before the game we had time to just hand out at White River State Park (also downtown).<br />
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I love that my kids can enjoy themselves in just about any situation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_dgoINuGGhoCTE8a96GmZeQMMDXUIW48ugiXd5EtlCr8T-fJf3cIgWrLmPE_nXRYVCv8hvLtCE7nuHh13xrfFWM-mqgNxf25c8bs_VHCHkkt8IfnsGHg7tCYPue5TmvJJuea7GNKRVSG/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_dgoINuGGhoCTE8a96GmZeQMMDXUIW48ugiXd5EtlCr8T-fJf3cIgWrLmPE_nXRYVCv8hvLtCE7nuHh13xrfFWM-mqgNxf25c8bs_VHCHkkt8IfnsGHg7tCYPue5TmvJJuea7GNKRVSG/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a small area in the park that has all of these limestone benches laid out in concentric circle formation. They spent half an hour jumping from stone to stone, and then a rousing game of Camouflage. </td></tr>
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Alrighty. That's it for today. Let me know what you've been up to this week. Do tell, for what are you grateful?<br />
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Have a lovely day!<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-78940636884328586702016-05-15T21:15:00.001-04:002016-05-15T21:15:21.966-04:00We Have May Flowers, Despite the April Showers Overrunnething Their Month, TToT 1518:11.<br />
<br />
Plenty of time to get a thankful post in...<br />
<br />
First and foremost, I am most grateful for my lovely husband. He's awesome in general, but last weekend the man went all out. Since Mother's Day happened to be the day after Turken's First Communion, we had a crowd. Besides me, there were three other mothers here to celebrate and pamper. Bryan got the kids up early to set the table, including vases of flowers at each place setting. They made waffles with hot cinnamon apples and whipped cream, giant cinnamon rolls, eight different fruits, freshly squeezed orange juice, and skillets made to order, with hash browns, eggs, and all the veggies. I have never been more impressed, and the mothers (and my dad, who stood in for my stepmom) were thrilled to be treated to such a feast.<br />
<br />
Star finished his first year of track with a great finish. He had so much fun throughout the season, meeting new kids and trying a new sport for him.<br />
<br />
Phoenix's volleyball team is going strong. They just won Regionals quite handily, sending them to state quarter finals on Friday. For the last three years, the 7 seniors on the team have made it to state finals but have been unable to win. Always close, always going to all 5 games, twice losing by less than 5 points. THIS has got to be their year. Do us a favor and cheer them on Friday night at 8:00 from wherever you are.<br />
<br />
The weather has basically been miserable for the last many days. I am so glad Phoenix plays a sport that takes place in a gym. Bryan got to be the one sitting in the cold for most of the soccer and baseball games this week.<br />
<br />
Speaking of baseball, Turken is loving the sport again. Back in November, he told me he didn't want to play baseball again. He was still riding the high of soccer season and couldn't remember how much he liked baseball. I didn't listen to him and signed him up anyway. The other day he told me, "It's weird how when I'm playing soccer, it's my favorite sport, but when it's baseball season, <i>that's</i> my favorite." Phew.<br />
<br />
The animals have seemed to come to an agreement. Kinda like Zootopia right in our own backyard. The chickens are all over the property, but as long as they stay more than 10 yards away from the house, the dogs don't bother them. The cat is basically allowed anywhere he wants if the dogs are lying down, seeing as how they don't find it worth the effort to chase him anymore. If the dogs are already standing up, they might put on a half-hearted show of chasing him for a few feet, but there's really no fear of them catching or hurting him. It's quite pleasant around here these days.<br />
<br />
The rain stopped long enough for the ground to absorb most of the water. Everything but the driveway has been mowed. The driveway is still quite squishy and must continue to grow unchecked.<br />
<br />
The spiderwort my friend <a href="http://whatifgodsaysno.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Donna</a> gave me last summer is blooming beautifully! The spindly little plant I put in the ground back in July now looks like this...<br />
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I have also found a way to ensure that the dogs don't dig up flowers in the front of the house anymore. I don't know why I haven't thought of this before.</div>
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Flower pots!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQe6MWYjonwBzAvq87irGfLtfLpAfVuJ5RXXtaERkRBBsBCTtbRjNthnQX3Yhj9xKXtPFmEiKsseVtSl8fT-bxxuaI4wZ_wlzES5ubW3sxwjdvnlOyaGVF-aM9LNIG69TNjE1cPUPmg9e/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQe6MWYjonwBzAvq87irGfLtfLpAfVuJ5RXXtaERkRBBsBCTtbRjNthnQX3Yhj9xKXtPFmEiKsseVtSl8fT-bxxuaI4wZ_wlzES5ubW3sxwjdvnlOyaGVF-aM9LNIG69TNjE1cPUPmg9e/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglV_0gkpwAkz8zgd9Sj6KxCJtLvGDqrB8SccMaMW7E5quVTiPLTBX6PFurvPo-k7Mvj5CXNjDdpGOPkM4zAuEIr0Gdy_yNswdjBsF56NzyN6ugHOw6HEWhhoMkxvddqhm94Yh-AOncrX-G/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglV_0gkpwAkz8zgd9Sj6KxCJtLvGDqrB8SccMaMW7E5quVTiPLTBX6PFurvPo-k7Mvj5CXNjDdpGOPkM4zAuEIr0Gdy_yNswdjBsF56NzyN6ugHOw6HEWhhoMkxvddqhm94Yh-AOncrX-G/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Even better when the flower pot is in a cute flower pot holder I found for $15.</div>
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Turken was home from school on Friday because he was up for much of the previous night coughing up a lung or two. I am very happy to say the cough is gone and he is back to normal. </div>
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It's 9:11. </div>
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My hour is up.</div>
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Gotta get this sucker posted and added to the link up. Feel free to join me!</div>
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Have a lovely day!</div>
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<a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.co.uk/">A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall</a>, <a href="http://amycakeandthedude.blogspot.co.uk/">Amycake and the Dude</a>, <a href="http://summat2thinkon.wordpress.com/">Considerings</a>, <a href="http://findingninee.com/">Finding Ninee</a>, <a href="http://gettingliteral.com/">Getting Literal</a>, <a href="http://iwantbacksies.blogspot.co.uk%20/">I Want Backsies</a>, <a href="http://www.themeaningofme.com/"> The Meaning of Me</a>, <a href="http://thankfulme.net/">Thankful Me</a>, <a href="https://unchartedblogdotorg.wordpress.com/">Uncharted</a>, <a href="http://wakefielddoctrine.com/">The Wakefield Doctrine</a></div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-60085320715346872692016-05-09T10:43:00.001-04:002016-05-09T10:43:14.231-04:00Well, I Didn't Set Out to Get Contemplative, or What We've Been Up to in 5,000 Words or LessRemember back in August when ALL of my kids started school and I was at a loss as to what to do with all of my alone time?<br />
<br />
(If you don't, read <a href="http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-answer-in-selfies-to-million-dollar.html" target="_blank">this</a>. Ranks up there as one of my favorite posts I ever wrote. I still laugh just thinking about it.)<br />
<br />
Well, I think I've come up with an answer.<br />
<br />
I want to be a hermit.<br />
<br />
In all my years of motherhood, I never had more than an hour or so at home by myself, and that hour or so was only on an occasional Mother's Day when Bryan took the kids out to find something for me.<br />
<br />
Who knew being at home in a quiet house could be so nice??<br />
<br />
I am actually hunting out reasons and ways to stay home as much as possible during the day.<br />
<br />
You need thousands of Coke rewards (made up of 16 characters each, written on the tops of seriously hard to read bottle lids) entered into the website? I'M ON IT!<br />
<br />
You need food for this, that, and every organization/family/group? I'LL MAKE TWO TIMES MORE THAN YOU NEED!!<br />
<br />
You need someone to wash and iron all of the linens for church? SIGN ME UP!!<br />
<br />
I could not be more shocked about this turn of events.<br />
<br />
I like people. I like being around people. I like doing things with and for people.<br />
<br />
And yet.<br />
<br />
I'm actively searching out ways to help without coming face-to-face with a single person.<br />
<br />
Mind-boggling.<br />
<br />
But there you have it.<br />
<br />
Also, I'm coming up with extra work for myself as far as taking care of the family goes.<br />
<br />
For example, I made the executive decision to no longer buy packaged junk food. I have always limited the intake of junk food by my kids, but I've never banned it. I always had some candy or Little Debbies or some such thing in the cupboard for them to have after dinner. Well, during Lent we gave up those things, and after Lent, I just kept it going. Instead, we only eat desserts that are made in this house. In my mind, I think of it as healthier. Less preservatives, more love and all that jazz.<br />
<br />
This means that I have to actually make the desserts, and a lot of them, seeing as how we in the coop have needy sweet teeth.<br />
<br />
For weeks now, I have actually been planning dinners a week at a time (never, ever been done before!) AND the dessert to go with each meal.<br />
<br />
You know what else has happened for the first time ever in our married lives?<br />
<br />
We have a legit bit of landscaping. And flowers. In pots. On the porch. Never, ever have I "decorated" the porch like grown adult people do.<br />
<br />
I don't wear pearls while I do all of this cooking and flowering, but you can still call me June.<br />
<br />
And then, from 2:00 on, my butt is in the driver's seat of the van or on a bleacher watching one of my kids hit a ball, kick a ball, spike a ball, or run a race.<br />
<br />
I am feeling the pressure of my kids getting older. I physically hurt from the knowledge that Phoenix will be turning 18 in September. It's weighing on me that all of that talk about <i>one day</i> all four of the big kids will be in high school at the same time is no longer sometime in the distant future. In less than 2 weeks, that day will be here. Every year for the next 4 years, one of my kids will move off to college. In the blink of an eye, I will have only two kids left at home.<br />
<br />
So, whenever a teen wants to go somewhere, do something, or chat about something, I'm all in. I am encouraging it as much as I possibly can. I want these last years of getting to see these beautiful people every single day to be spent the best way possible.<br />
<br />
And of course, there's always the little ones who want to cuddle and be read to and be watched while they do some normal but amazing feat of daring. I'm not about to say no to that either.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrU4hb6XfzOi557oWDaRgSP8K65_dZgx3otWiUoC4z1l0BEYDi50yZakWl7vd5Qtas1F1V34ysgQt-MZum6r4rCWb9JWcEn1V_DnxuC8W7niii71z-qa8-doawq932eML66BHITOkcuLi/s1600/climbing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrU4hb6XfzOi557oWDaRgSP8K65_dZgx3otWiUoC4z1l0BEYDi50yZakWl7vd5Qtas1F1V34ysgQt-MZum6r4rCWb9JWcEn1V_DnxuC8W7niii71z-qa8-doawq932eML66BHITOkcuLi/s400/climbing.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had 30 minutes to kill between practices. Thankfully it was during one of the few bright spots of good weather we had last week. </td></tr>
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This time of year, there's always some special occasion going on, too. I'm doing my best to let the worry about the logistics go in order to simply enjoy them for the special events that they are.<br />
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaSZXaLAqQ5QcfZ2YmeDje-QYa6Ql9qaDiQBiraGwJjLofwgYGFFG833p4hyXh0Q_iGEffR5AsO3JERFzi1BWNsnnA1tEo8SNR_w7z8p4iMpPdBtdAQSKjM6NBZv0tNesHWWf1BBP-rgE/s1600/crowning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaSZXaLAqQ5QcfZ2YmeDje-QYa6Ql9qaDiQBiraGwJjLofwgYGFFG833p4hyXh0Q_iGEffR5AsO3JERFzi1BWNsnnA1tEo8SNR_w7z8p4iMpPdBtdAQSKjM6NBZv0tNesHWWf1BBP-rgE/s400/crowning.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May Crowning is a big day for the 8th graders and their parents.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgtNzkjR8MmCdupPkaj0Lg_KEn3xzvkrtFmz2XdCGlnsXi3HMV_D6Hbo83UdPW8-H5izGHAC0-Ag6YfJEFvUbhyuJFXqmLcoy1WRvR5LRNYiW3v9qRh-__WMBY9nZjJd2Nc6Luy3KwFDh/s1600/first+communion+061b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgtNzkjR8MmCdupPkaj0Lg_KEn3xzvkrtFmz2XdCGlnsXi3HMV_D6Hbo83UdPW8-H5izGHAC0-Ag6YfJEFvUbhyuJFXqmLcoy1WRvR5LRNYiW3v9qRh-__WMBY9nZjJd2Nc6Luy3KwFDh/s400/first+communion+061b.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not as big as my sweet 8 year old's First Holy Communion, though, which also happened this week. </td></tr>
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And then there's the mundane, must-get-dones. Like follow-up root canal appointments and the dreaded cleaning of the bathrooms.<br />
<br />
And there will always be the expected but unexpected dilemmas. Like a teen unfamiliar with the sucky, sinking nature of mud trying to drive a Dixie Chopper through it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxhdGUNVyOzyVHVSzg1mAXBJvBARj1ltJ-p6qsvMykpL7j-FAFNon6SsGK-9r3in3JqHsVHJcMggpFCCb6Mt5eDWpXmiolcFkBczNiqhJn-dBNJadaQdGL77QCvaS8D-mLgTfWwf-7Gme/s1600/clingingmud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxhdGUNVyOzyVHVSzg1mAXBJvBARj1ltJ-p6qsvMykpL7j-FAFNon6SsGK-9r3in3JqHsVHJcMggpFCCb6Mt5eDWpXmiolcFkBczNiqhJn-dBNJadaQdGL77QCvaS8D-mLgTfWwf-7Gme/s400/clingingmud.JPG" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It took the two of us 45 minutes, as the sun was setting, to get this sucker unstuck, and in the end I didn't go backward, but forward into the trap of thorny, low branches trying to take my head clean off my neck.</td></tr>
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In short, I'm busy.<br />
<br />
Such a cliche. Such a stupid word to describe all that is going on. And so completely normal for just about everyone.<br />
<br />
I miss my friends I've made in this blogging world. I miss reading posts they've written. I miss joking and having fun with them.<br />
<br />
And yet.<br />
<br />
Here I am, not writing and reading most days.<br />
<br />
Here I am, trying unsuccessfully to live the life of a hermit.<br />
<br />
Well, a hermit with a husband, 6 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 14 chickens.<br />
<br />
Hermitish.<br />
<br />
What's been keeping you busy?<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day!<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.com12