Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Teenage boys and their stuff!





After spending 2 hours cleaning the bathroom the teenage boys use, I devised a plan to keep it looking "guest ready"! 

Do you think they will have a CLUE?

Brad's Summer project

Brad has been working very hard all summer to finish the tiling of this front porch on our rental property!  The concrete was cracked and worn and needed repair badly.


The BEST birthday present to me was him completing this beautiful addition to the home. Hopefully, now the rain will stay outside where it is needed most and not in the basement where it is such a nuisance.

Happy Birthday to ME

Brandon texted me yesterday from work and asked what time did I wake up! "Strange," I thought, but responded nonetheless. 

At 6:15 AM this morning, awaking to the sweet smell of bacon and eggs reminded me of the question and made me giggle! Especially since I confiscated Brandon's electronic devices the day before for a day of "Time Out" (they needed a rest!) 
(You really don't want to be around a TEENAGE BOY 
when he is DISCONNECTED for an entire day---cranky, cranky, cranky)



.........redemption is sweet!............. (literally)

Oh yeah--it's my birthday!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

A FISH out of Water!

For the past several summers, Hunter, Carson, (and now 5-year-old Jessie) have participated on a community swim team. Although the 7 AM practices take several weeks to get used to, we are now on a healthy schedule of early to bed and early to arise!

(I can't say the same for the teenagers.)


Tenacity and courage drive Jessie to swim beyond her abilities. At first glance of her in the water, one would panic and believe she would drown as it is only her small head that is bobbing above the water.
Yet, she is determined to make it the 25 yards to the FINISH LINE--even if she 
DOG PADDLES
the entire way!








At 7 AM, Carson struggles with his warm-ups. His sit-up, push-up and stretching look more like an ad for hypermobility syndrome--

---condition that features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for a particular joint-

Brad's joints have always impressed circus professionals (and often zoo personnel near the Monkey enclosure) and Carson now takes after his father.


Several friends join Carson and Jessie on the swim team. Everything is better when you have friends!
Marianna Ward and Jessica model their cool goggles!



Friday, June 25, 2010

Contrasting images

While driving Hunter to Wrestling Camp last week, I encountered this VERY brief weather pattern. By the time I zipped into a parking lot near the photo op, the images were nearly extinct from view.



Strange rainstorms have plagued our area for weeks making for a wet start to summer and sending many HAPPY homeowners to Home Depot for Wet Vacs, hoses, towels, dehumidifiers, mold sprays, and spot cleaners to deal with the water in their basements.


Amid a torrential rain, Brad actually was on a ladder digging out debri from a clogged gutter!  Amazingly, this fixed ONE of the water problems in the basement.

We have been dry for several days, however, the heat index remains in the TRIPLE digits!  
If only we could package and ship some of the extra water ruining our basements to the 

DESERT SOUTHWEST!



Problem Solved!


Wrestling Camp is one of the MOST strenuous workouts for any athlete! 
Hunter enjoys the sport!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Yet another SCOUTING adventure!

Attending this 2-day camp for 11-year-old Scouts from our church was part of my volunteer work for our church. It was a fabulous experience for the boys despite the 106 degree HEAT INDEX. The 15 "tweens" in our group not only completed a 5 mile hike, they passed the BSA Swim Requirement test, learned archery, First Aid and many more useful skills. Brad, Hunter, Carson and I all went to support our Patrol along with 110 other scouts from the surrounding region!



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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Kindergarten readiness

Today, Jessica received her last series of shots required to enter the public school system. Now she will be protected from all the harmful side effects that may result from deadly bacteria entering her system unknowingly. I just hope she is protected from the emotional scars sure to be inflicted in the classroom from the "girls"

She was thrilled to pick out her outfit for her doctor's visit and wanted to model for the camera. She is such a CHICK!

She is my last child to get the kindergarten well-checkup. Surprisingly, I did not shed a tear. Unlike yesterday when our family went to see the movie Toy Story 3---the college-bound boy not only left behind his unused toys, but his family as well. That storyline hit too close to home!