2013

I didn't want 2013 to go by without at least one blog post.

Everyone doing fine.  Jessi is a senior and has contracted the dreaded senioritus.  The boys are ruling the jr high in 8th grade and Jenni is in the 6th grade being ruled in the jr high by her brothers. 

Tim and I are doing great! 

Here's to hoping I blog more in 2014!

Day 2

Josh coming down for school.

Jenni in her new hat.

Jessi packing her gym bag for school.

Jake isn't quite a morning person!

Day 1 365 Project

I am hoping I can stick with this for a while.  I am going to try to take a picture of my kids once a day for a year.  This is to expand my photography skills as well as document our lives.

Josh returning from the super bowl party with his friends.

Jenni showering before she goes to bed.

Jake playing x-box again.....

Jessi getting ready to watch "The Voice"

Quiet Sunday

Today it turned back to winter a bit.  Gone are the 60 degree afternoons we had been enjoying.  I enjoyed the day by relaxing.  The only thing on the calendar was Jenni's practice at 3. 

It was a very enjoyable day.

Today was a day of basketball.  We started out the day in Enid watching Jenni's basketball team play.  They won their game and the girls played really really well.

Then we headed to Stillwater for another round of Mexico Joes.  We stopped by a car dealership and I found the most gorgeous mercedes.  Unfortunately it only seats four and I have to have a vehicle that will carry five.

Next it was on to Morrison.  The boys played first and got beat.  Then the girls played horrible and lost too.  Not a good way to end the tournament.

During all of this Jake had his first y game.  His team won and he said they had lots of fun. 

Jon Pralle's birthday was in December.  So we took them out for pizza at the hideaway in Stillwater.

We ended the day in the hot tub and a glass of wine. 

Friday!

Well all kids went back to school today.  I got lots done this morning.  I got some pictures done for the yearbook staff.  I cleaned out my coupon binder and got caught up cutting all my coupons from the last couple of weeks.  It feels so good to get that done!

Then I headed to Morrison for the Boys game.  They won by a bunch and the freshman got to play. 

Shari and I took Landon and Jake to Mexico Joes then headed back for the girls game.  They lost in a game where they should have won.

Break is over, back to school

Well at least half of the kids are going back to school.  The girls are staying home because of their rashes.  Boys said they had a good day.

Tim and I went to the game in Morrison.  The girls played extremely well!  They beat an unbeaten Pawnee team.  The boys played a close game but lost by 6. 

I attempted the craft project like Kati's.  I'm pretty happy with it.  I used boards so it made it a bit heavy but it worked.  The words say Friends for Life.

Day of doctors...

Here is every patients nightmare!  I suspect that Jenni has chicken pox so I call her pediatrician and get an appointment for 9:15 this morning.  Jessi had a few spots on her so I made her go too.  We get to the office and wait 25 minutes past our scheduled time even though we were the only ones in the office.  I respect your time by showing up early.  I expect you to respect my time by being at work on time.  I understand when you are behind because of patients but again we were the only ones there when we got there and when we left. 

They take their weight and height.  When the Dr. finally arrives she barely even examines the girls.  Then and I quote "well I don't know if its chicken pox or not".  It could be staff infection, it could be chicken pox, or it could be a rash.  REALLY!  You told me last night on the phone you couldn't diagnose over the phone apparently you can't diagnose in person either!!!  GEEZ!!!  So I ask you if they can go back to school tomorrow.  You reply and I quote again " I really don't know." Then after much him hawing you tell me to keep them home till Monday.  You prescribe an antibiotic and send us on our way after charging me $70.  Two co pays.  Now I have no problem paying two co pays but you didn't diagnose anything.  You gave me no solid information.

So after conversing with Jessi's coach we decided to head to stillwater to an urgent care there.  Here they actually took their temperature and blood pressure.  He diagnosed it as a viral rash that will go away in a couple of days.  They have to stay home from school until the spots dry up.  It was so nice to get an actual diagnosis and a statement of fact as to when they could go back to school. 

Chicken Pox?

Well today I spent finishing up the bedroom clean a thon!  Making progress.  Even got the closet cleaned out.  Then abour 4:30 Jenni came in and said, "mom what are  all these bumps on me."  Geez I think she has chicken pox.  I called and got an appointment tomorrow morning.  I'm pretty sure it is though.  Great!!!

Other than that nothing overly exciting. 

Day 2, 2012

Well today was a busy day already!  I started cleaning out our room.  I'm tired of my bedroom acting as our laundry room.  We only have a hall where the washer and dryer are so all the dirty clothes end up in my room on the floor.  So I spent the morning sorting and cleaning on my room in between running Jessi back and forth from the gym. 

The afternoon was full of Jessi's basketball game against Dover.  Wow have the mighty fallen.  I know it has been 20 some years since I was in high school but Dover was always a power house.  Either we are really really good or they are really bad.  We won 70 something to 20 something.  Jessi did an amazing job!

Next we headed home for the OSU BCS Fiesta bowl game!  What a game!  It was tied with 3 seconds left and their kicker missed his field goal to win the game.  Overtime it went.  Stanford had the ball first.  Kicker misses again.  We march down the field and make our field goal to win the game.  So exciting!

Tim and I finished my movie transfer project.  Now all those movies that took up so much space fit in two zipper pouch cases.  It is awesome. 

1st day of 2012!

What a great way to start the year.  We met the new year with friends at our house and the birthday boys had friends over.  It was good to be surrounded by good friends.

Jake and Josh's birthdays were pretty low key.  We didn't even have a family party.  I will have to plan something for them later this month. 

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and I started a small project.  We have several hundred movies that have been stored away out in the barn.  It has been frustrating because you could never get one to watch.  We had discussed putting them in the zipper disc holders several years ago but Tim didn't like the idea of throwing away the cases.  But after a year of not having access to them I decided to go for it.  We had four boxes full of movies.  I have filled one 280 disc folder and will probably fill half of another.  I have three bags of trash full of the cases.  Hopefully we will use the movies now. 

Last Day of 2011!

Wow hard to believe this year is over! 

It wasn't a bad year...but nothing to spectacular happened either.  It was just a regular year.  So here is to next year being no worse than this year but maybe a little more exciting.

Here is the sunrise on the last day of the year!

Day 10 - Substitute Teaching

Today I am thankful for substitute teaching.  When we moved out here I started subbing to get to know the kids.  I want to know who my kids friends are.  I have continued subbing and get to sub in the jr hi today.  It is a great opportunity to keep the pulse of the school.  To see what actually goes on.  The opportunity to get to know the kids better is priceless. 

Day 9 - Laurie Garis & Coupons

Today I am thankful for my friend Laurie Garis and her love of coupons that she has passed on to me.  Laurie showed me how to start couponing and it has made a huge difference in our cupboards at home.  I would spend about $200 for groceries a week and the cupboards would be bare within three days.  The kids would snack on ramen noodles everyday.  Since I started couponing we have had plenty of food in the pantry.  I spend about the same amount but get twice the amount of groceries.  It has made a huge difference in our budget.  I love that there is food for the kids at all times.  Real food not just ramen noodles.  Now they can eat them if they want, not because its all we have!!!

Day 8 - My mother

Today I am thankful for my mother!  She was not always there for me as a child but she has more than made up for it with my kids.  She is at almost every event they participate in.  She has put her life on hold to take care of her mother, my grandmother, in her old age.  I know grandma wouldn't still be with us if not for my mom.  She takes my kids to the broadway musicals which gives them a view into a world bigger than Enid/Garber, Oklahoma.  She is always there to support any direction I decide to go.  For this and so much more (the fact she gave birth to me) I am so thankful for my mother!

Day 7 - Our Home

Ok this one is pretty hard for me to write.  I really miss my home in Gray Ridge and probably always will.  However, I am thankful for our home out on the farm.  A house is just a house until you fill it with a family and that makes it a home.  It is an awesome two story farm house with plenty of land and barns.  The kids love having the room and walking to the pond to fish.  No it isn't a modern home with the huge bathrooms and closets but it does have indoor plumbing and it keeps us cool in the summer, warm in the winter, dry in the rain, and protected from the wind and snow.  I am thankful to have a home where my family can share our lives together.

Day 6 - Jennifer

Today I am thankful for my last born.  What can I say about Jenni?  She is the most delightful child I have ever been around.  Don't get me wrong she has her moments!!!!  She loves her friends and being in the middle of everything. (Just like her mom!)  She is smart, athletic, beautiful, and kind.  She drives her brothers and sister crazy (which is kind of funny).  She can talk me into just about anything.  Her daddy is wrapped around her finger more than me.  She has a way of connecting with all people young and old.  She is a precious gift!

Day 5 - Joshua

Today I am thankful for my wonderful son Joshua.  Josh is the family clown.  He always has a cute remark to make or a joke to tell.  He is content to hang out by himself and just as comfortable with his friends.  He is a gentlemen of all gentlemen.  I have had several people tell me how he holds doors open.  He loves football and tolerates basketball for me (Love him for that).  His teachers have told me how advanced his critical thinking is and sometimes he stumps me with his thoghts.  So thankful God blessed me with him!

Day 4 - Jacob

Today I am thankful for my wonderful son Jacob.  He is almost to outgrow me and I have looked forward to that since he was born.  He is very athletic and an extrememly kind soul.  He makes me proud everyday.  We have struggled together on his school work.  I know it can't be fun for him to have to study for hours but he stays at it till it sinks in.  For that alone I admire him.  So many that find school hard just blow it off.  Jake stays focused and puts all his effort into it.

Day 3 - Jessica

Today I am thankful for my beautiful first born Jessica.  She has brought much joy to my life.  Even now in those horrid teenage years, she is still a precious gift to me.  We tease around about not liking each other but I hope she knows I'm kidding.   I am so blessed because I completely trust her.  She has a level head on her shoulders and is always thinking of others.