POTD: Day 31 ... I made it!!!

I am so excited that I was able to make it thru this challenge!! I have grown my photography skills and learned so much about my camera during this time. I have enjoyed the thrill of competition and now I have 31 great photo's of our life!!

This was a quick shot this morning.. Jackon saying good-bye to River. I love it. It may be my favorite picture so far. Jack won't leave the house with out saying goodbye to river -he doesn't want to hurt his feelings. He also finds & hugs him hello, good night .. whatever. He loves River and I think the feeling is *usually* mutual.

I was excited to find out the other day that there is a site that will allow you to turn your blog into a hard bound book..without much effort.

So I am joining another challenge *less rigid, thankfully* to try to post everyday. With or without a photo, to get down memories, details and thoughts about life. I am also going to continue into February with the picture a day challenge --some people have committed to a whole year, but I am just not there yet... yet.

POTD: Day 30

These are my husbands feet. He has had these slipper boots since he was a teenager. They are down filled and warm. He wears them 2-3 months out of the year. I am somewhat jealous at how comfy they look on him. He got me a similar pair one year -but River ate them. Plus they were more shiny and new than Jon's... which are worn in and comfy. I sometimes slip them on when he isn't home, but since his foot is about 2x as big as mine -they fall right off. But they do feel cozy.

I have really enjoyed taking a picture every day this month. I have one more day to go. I think it is rather fun! I took some pictures of things out of desperation .... the I have to get a picture today --what can it be??? .. but I have ended up with some great shots of our live. Our live isn't real exciting, it's more simple -but I wouldn't change it for anything.

POTD: Day 29 ... Meet my webkinz Grandma

My dad is out of town and my mom was over. We were waiting to go out for Mongolian BBQ and so just hanging out. Jack took advantage of this down time to introduce his grandma to ALL his Webkinz. He brought them out (in the laundry basket he uses to carry them..LOL) and lined them up. He introduced each one, telling their name and how they got that name. Grandma agreed to take Lil Bennie (the one in her hand) home for surgery as he had a hole in him. Then Jackson got out his Plushie Pals magazine and showed her how some of them are rare and how much they would cost if they weren't used. Watching the interaction was great -they were both happy with the time together.

POTD: Day 28 ..More Karate

This is another shot of karate. Jackson is so happy there. He is a mentor. He does his best. It is wonderful to see him outside his "shy" box. Here he is helping another kid get the right moves down... in a nice, friendly way.

POTD: Day 27

I got this shot of Steven today and I wanted to share it. The look on his face is just so him. The focus on what he is doing -watching basketball on t.v. He has a band-aid on his forehead because he got hit in the head with a book last night apparently --this is what he tells me. I wasn't there as I was at Cynthia's for a Tastefully Simple party -yummy stuff!

POTD: Day 26 ..caught up finally!

Ok, this should bring me up to date on my pictures. I never realized how time consuming it would be to take, upload and post one picture every day. I take them fine, but getting them off the camera -to the computer - seems to be a whole 'nother deal.

So this morning I caught Jackson as he was adjusting his ipod. He had brought the dock downstairs so he could listen to the music while playing a video game. His whole personality mellows when he is listening to music. It calms him and energizes him at the same time.. just in a different way.

I love this picture. I took it with my new zoom lens -I was in the kitchen, but he still seems so close!

POTD: Day 25

When I walk thru the house, I am never sure what I will see. Tonight I was greeted by the star wars version of the Amazing Race, set up right outside my bedroom. Jackson has a great time doing imaginative play and sometimes Steven will join in. They have their teams run a race (through the house) just like the show on tv. Listening to them and what they come up with during these games is priceless. Next time I will try to jot some of it down to share.

POTD: Day 24 ..The dark after the storm

This picture was taken at 6 p.m. after the rain stopped. It was pitch black outside, but crystal clear. Such a misnomer. Dark and beautiful at the same time. This picture is taken from our back door --the edge of our yard. You can see the basketball and hoop. The boys spend time out there almost every single day... playing 1 on 1 ... having free throw contests.. just goofing off. I am so glad we put that court in for them, they do get alot of use out of it.

Sad News,....

I did not get to post yesterday or today's pictures yet .. and they will have to wait until tomorrow.

Today we got sad news. My cousin Sean and his wife Robin lost their daughter today. Allie was just about 6 years old. She was a fighter and beat the odds more than once. You can read her story of Group B Streptococcus at www.allisonhugs.org.

I never got to met Allison, as they live on the other side of the country in North Carolina. But with pictures and updates by email, I felt a connection to her. There wasn't a day that she didn't cross my mind, or her name wasn't mentioned in my prayers. Now I can pray for my family as they mourn her loss.

Allie had a sparkle in her eye and in pictures always looked like she had something to say. I can only say I wish I had been able to meet her.

When I got the news today from my dad, I was surprised by the intensity of emotion if evoked. I felt for a moment like nothing makes sense and questioned why this would happen. I think whenever confronted with the illness or death of a child, life seems to be extremely unfair. I cried and let the pain I was feeling out. I couldn't help but think how my pain in this situation pales in comparison to that of her parents, her sister, her grandparents. My heart aches for them during this time. I looked at the boys and tried to imagine a day without them, which of course sent me back to tears. I finally realized instead of questioning why God took Allison home today, I need to be grateful to have been touched by her. How wonderous it is that she had almost 6 years here on earth, when it seemed she wouldn't. What a blessing she was to her family. She taught me things from the other side of the country. She touched lives and will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

I was comforted tonight by a message I received in an email from a good friend (who was there with me today while I cried and questioned):
As you go on from here, I remind you to make the very most of your every day. Do not focus on the troubles of yesterday or what lies ahead in the future, but make the most of today. Grab your spouse, your children, or others who are important to you and give them a big hug and let them know just how much they mean to you!!

So my family and friends ... I want you to all know how much you mean to me! I am grateful for everyone of you. I am grateful for the opportunity to ramble here on my blog, knowing some of you may see it. I know I can't personally connect with everyone on a daily basis ... but since starting posting every day I feel more in touch and I hope you do to. If you are a person of faith, and you can, please take a moment to thank God for sending Allie to us and ask him to care for her now that she is away from those who loved her the most.

POTD: Day 23

I know I am a day behind, but I took pictures today with my other camera -which is out in the car and it is pouring rain outside..so today will have to be posted with tomorrow. Sorry about that!

This is the picture of the Curves I go to. I joined Curves on my birthday 5 years ago. I have been very hit or miss with going... I'll go gung ho, 4-5 days a week for a month, then not go for 3 months. This year I am planning to be different. Since the 1st of January I have logged 18 visits to Curves.

It is my intention this year to make me a priority. I always get side tracked with things I need to do with or for someone else. I am working hard at taking this 45 minutes for me, as close to everyday as I can. It isn't easy -I am still easily swayed... but everyday it gets a bit harder to not go, my body wants to go and I have been able to do it. I plan to do it. As many days a week as I can.

POTD: Day 22...Webkinz

Wow, I can't believe I have actually taken a picture everyday for the last 3 weeks! And most days I have been able to update them to the blog... I am so excited about that!! Plus you all are reading it, that makes me happy too!

Today I caught this photo of Jackson before school. He had a few minutes and wanted to check on his Webkinz. At last count he has like 20 of these, with more that he wants to get. I dutifully wrote down his desires today (as his birthday is only 99 days away) so that if I see the little suckers I will remember which it was he said he "had to have" and "really wanted."

I really like the Webkinz site. It is great that he has to earn money to buy his pets food. He has to walk them, play with them and feed them. He can get a "job" and then get paid. He likes the games, which are educational too. If he is going to play on the computer, I don't mind that this is how he does it.

Plus, he still plays with the stuffed animals too. They get to watch movies, participate in their own version of the Amazing Race, go swimming, all kinds of things. Each webkinz has it's own personality and likes/dislikes -which Jack reminds me of when I mix them up.

Aunt Cyn came over a few weeks ago and put up shelves in Jack's room for the webkinz. And he does put them back on the shelf because "that is where they sleep."

POTD:Day21

Steven made lunch for he & Jack today. Tyson Anytizer Chicken Fries. They thought they were good. I overheard the conversation, it went like this:
Steven: Mom can I have these Chicken Fries
Me (from the other room):sure
Jack: that sounds good. what's that. I want those.
Steven: ok, I'll make you some too.

Ahh, it does a heart good to overhear things like that. They do like each other. They really do.

Are you Priveleged?

A friend sent this to me and asked me to post/answer it. I will be updating yesterday and today's pictures in a bit (waiting on the camera download).

What Privileges Do You Have?” is being used for a research exercise by students Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. If you choose to participate, please include this statement so that when they run search engines later, they will be able to locate your entry.

Instructions: bold any statements that are true for you.

1. Father went to college

2. Father finished college

3. Mother went to college

4. Mother finished college

5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor.

6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.

7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.

8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.

9. Were read childrenâ¿¢s books by a parent.

10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18

11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18

12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively?????


13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18

14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs

15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs

16. Went to a private high school

17. Went to summer camp

18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18

19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels

20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18

21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them

22. There was original art in your house when you were a child [kidâ¿¢s work is original!]

23. You and your family lived in a single-family house

24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home

25. You had your own room as a child

26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18

27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course

28. Had your own TV in your room in high school

29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college

30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16

31. Went on a cruise with your family

32. Went on more than one cruise with your family

33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up

34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family

POTD: Day 20 .... Grocery Game

I play the Grocery Game (www.grocerygame.com) where you stockpile groceries at the rock bottom prices to avoid paying
full price. I use coupons and store specials to do this. Today was a great grocery day! I got everything in the picture:
9 Quaker Instant Oatmeal
10 Life Cereal
11 Fiber One Bars (if you haven't tried these -you should they are DELISH! and have 5 grams of fiber per bar!! Jon & I eat them for breakfast with our coffee.)
8 Wishbone salad dressings (we use for marinade)
2 Wishbone Salad Spritzers

Total shelf price.... $147.89
my out of pocket cost ...$14.75

It was enough to make me want to cry (of course I am still emotional from not feeling well) and I am sure I will go back tomorrow as there are other things on sale I didn't get today. I had to go thru the check-out line 2x to use the instant savings, but it was worth it I think. We are saving so much money using this system!

Another cool thing is that 3 people I have told about the grocery game have signed up --giving me 12 free weeks! I am so excited about that. I really save so much more than my membership fee ($15 every 10 weeks) that it is totally worth it -but the idea of getting it for free makes me quite giddy.

Edited to add update:

Well I was never great at math and on further review of the receipts I have new totals!!!
Total shelf price.... $157.89
my out of pocket cost ...$6.82

This is because I took out some other items I bought that we needed, but weren't on sale (milk, bread, fruits) and when calculating I made a few errors! Bringing my total for the pictured items down, down, down~!!!!!!

POTD: Day 19 ... Free Throw Contest

Today Steven was feeling better! I am still a bit tired, but boy do kids bounce back quick. I took him to meet my parents at church this morning for the Knights of Colombus Free Throw contest. There were only 3 kids there this year -so Steven won his age group without much worry. He made his 3 practice shots, then 6 of 15 for the contest. He was sure he missed because they had him stand by the closer line and he is used to shooting from the regulation line. Regardless, he gets to move on to the district competition. He said he will start practicing every day to get ready. The girl that shot also got 6/15 and the other boy 14/15 --quite impressive.

Steven opted to not come home with me -he went with Papa so he could see Logan's basketball game. He told me they lost, and that Logan didn't get the ball much. He enjoyed hanging out with Papa for the morning, it gave him a nice break from being home.

Jackson was off to a friends birthday party at Sunsplash. They played arcade games, ate pizza and then played Laser Tag. Jack really enjoyed the laser tag and he shot everybody.

Well we are catching back up from the sickies.. the house is picked up, the laundry's getting done and just in time for my family's favorite day -Football Sunday!

POTD: Day 18...Family Movie Night

Well, it is almost 8:30 p.m. and I forgot to take a picture today. With everyone sick (except Jackson) it was not at the top of my mind. Steven had a hard time tonight missing his basketball game. He said he felt better and wanted to go. He had been home from school for 2 days and laying down/sleeping most of that time -we felt it best not to push it. So we stayed home. His team lost by 5, but we hear it was a good game overall.

So for movie night we seem to be on a "oldies" kick as the kids say. We are watching movies from the late 90's.. tonight's was from 1996... I remember seeing it while pregnant with Steven at the UA theater on Greenback (that isn't there anymore, a Sam's Club stands in it's place). Tonight we watched Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. The boys liked it, although they had to question some of the more subtle points -like why is that guy there if he died earlier? So maybe we will rent the 2nd one this weeked too --since the kids don't have school Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

POTD: Day 17.... still sick

Well, Jon & I are both still sick and now Steven is down with it too. Here is the picture of the day -about all I could do. Here is my cup of Constant Comment tea -my favorite. I love that I was able to get a glimpse of the steam rising from the cup in the shot. We are all trying to stay down and warm. Steven is sleeping peacefully and hopefully he'll feel better when he wakes. Jackson was ok, he went to school with a bit of a runny nose (he has had that for a week already) and grouchy that everyone else was staying home, but he said he felt fine.

POTD: Day 16

Well, the blog must go on.... and since Jon & I are sick, my picture today is of the chicken noodle soup.
Not much else to say here, Steven is at baseball, Jackson is hanging with us in the living room in front of the fire.

Steven came home today all excited about a trip offered for his school. To Washington DC, colonial Williamsburg, Gettysburg, Busch Gardens, a baseball game, lots of fun stuff. Price tag....$1,800.00. I agreed I would go to the meeting to hear about it (hopefully there are some fundraisers or he may be out of luck) and I just realized the meeting is tonight! There is no way I can go... so I have sent off an email to the person in charge of the trip with my questions... hopefully I'll like their answers.

Anyway, that's the way of the day here.... see you all tomorrow.

What they are learning at school!

I almost wish I hadn't already posted yet today! At dinner Jack said Steven was teaching him how to dance. Steven is learning at school in P.E. and we were discussing how he has to dance with random girls in class. Jack then piped up that when he and Steven dance he does the girl part (because he has longer hair). They asked if I wanted to see and of course I said yes. I snapped these pictures quick -to not loose the moment. They were so serious while they were dancing. They did a great job! Now if only they had somewhere they needed to dance....

POTD: Day 15

For some reason blogger isn't posting my entries. The last 2 are visable in my list of entries, but they aren't showing up on the blog. I hope this is fixed soon -I sent an email off to blogger to see if they can figure it out for me. Today was a much better morning for Jackson. After a good nights sleep -this is how he looked at 8:12 a.m. this morning, a whole 18 minutes before he had to be at school. Of course he left just like this, no jacket and it is only 37 degree's outside. I gave him a jacket when we got to school and he did put it on (thankfully!)

POTD: Day 14 ... mornings

Jackson is just like me. Mornings are not his friend. Today he woke up with his shoulder hurting and didn't want to get moving. So he took a tylenol and stayed in bed for a bit. He went to school a tad late, but in a much better mood. He asked for his favorite oatmeal for breakfast, then said he wasn't hungry (right before I snapped the picture...) Since there was no flash, he didn't even realize I took the picture until he saw it on the computer. He was so focused in his sadness. It about broke my heart to see him so unhappy, but he snapped out of it, went to school and had a great day! He got a award for reading 2,000 minutes so far this school year and he is just 1 point away from meeting his reading goal for the trimester (with 5 weeks left to go)..

POTD: Day 13

This is my van. I love it. I go everywhere in it. It just hit 80,000 and that scared me. I like the space, the ease of flipping down the back seat and the fact that the middle row comes out. I don't like that I have to park in the drive way since the mustang is in the garage.
This picture was taken in manual f1.8 with no flash.

POTD: Day 12.. Family Movie Night

Tonight we are all together at home. It has been a somewhat busy week with Karate and Basketball both starting again. We are glad to be home together. We are watching the wedding singer. Jackson says Adam Sandler is his favorite actor, which amuses me as he is my favorite actor as well. I have to go watch now.. I will post their reviews after we watch.

It is kind of fun going back thru movies we enjoy with them... a new perspective on an old favorite.

POTD... Day 11 .. Season starts!

Steven (#15) started basketball again. He is on a team at the local basketball arena. His best friend Josh is also on the team (#11 in the pictures) and they enjoy playing together.
Their first game was last night .... after only 1 practice and they won 33-19. They had a good time playing and did well.

Steven scored 6 points and got lots of rebounds.

It's great to watch him play and have fun... even if he is all red faced and sweaty at the end!