Benjamin Button

Went and saw it last night and it's a good movie but I had no idea it was almost 3 hours long! It was pretty surreal watching Brad play the old man. It sounded like him but of course didn't look like him. Finally towards the end you could see the Brad that we are all used to.

I could just eat him up!

Cards

We taught the boys how to play the card game, Phase 10, Christmas night and they can't get enough of it! We've played it every night since, except for Sunday. Whew!

The best part of it is Aidan's attitude. He hasn't won yet but his goal is to just get to a higher phase than before! He's such a cool kid.

Back to normal for a few days at least.

Well, Christmas is over but now New Year's is on the way. So this week will be semi-normal until Thursday, when I'll probably be tackling the job of putting away all of the Christmas decorations. (It feels like I just put them all up!)

Watched the movie, "Seven Pounds" and I won't say much about it except that it really touched me. I mean really touched me, touched me so much that I was bawling. Josh tried to talk to me as we where leaving the theater but I couldn't even talk or I would have really fallen apart. I am a crier at movies but seldom do I really lose it. Although I think anyone with a heartbeat would be affected by this movie. If anything - hopefully it makes you think.

Merry Christmas to all!

From our family to yours!

My heart just sank.

I hadn't checked on my friends in blogland until just now. I'm so sad to say that Emilie passed away last night. Life is too short guys. Please keep her husband and her two little boys in your prayers.

Treats are done

and handed out. I like to give an assortment of Christmas goodies out. They go to our next door neighbors, our milk man, our post man, our trash men, and a few family friends. Here's what they look like:

We have rocky road fudge, white chocolate covered pretzels, an assortment of holiday chocolate, rice krispy treats (Yes, I redid them. I could never have handed out the previous bricks.), and milk chocolate covered pretzels.

A little advice...

If you don't have to go to a store right now - DON'T! I went somewhere to just get a few odds and ends yesterday afternoon and it was a complete madhouse. The store, the parking lot, the roads!

Also, when making rice crispy treats make sure to add enough marshmallows or they will turn into crispy bricks! I tried to tell Aidan it was a rice crispy cracker but that didn't even work. Plus, your arm will be so sore after stirring the crispy mix! (Much respect to you Von!)

It's a Monday all right!

My car did not want to start this morning!!! Finally I got it but geez, that was a bit scary. It must have been the cold weather. I'll be crossing my fingers now every time I go to start it. But that's really a small thing in comparison with what other's in this world are dealing with.

I was really saddened to read the current post on Lemmondrops (her blog link is on the right hand side). I can't even imagine everything that her family and her are going through right now. Please keep them in your prayers.

Gingerbread ?????

Tristan was to make a gingerbread house during his Christmas party at school. You can imagine my shock when he came home with this:

I immediately thought that something had happened on the way home and that his poor little house had toppled over. That wasn't it! He decided to make a car instead of a house!

The gingerbread car!

Ready to go!

It's the first day this week that Opal will be able to stay outside. Finally we are expecting sun and to be above freezing. And she's ready for it!

Cute huh?

This is how cold it is:

This is one of our little ponds along the walkway to the employee entrance at work.

Even the waterfall is frozen! (Back behind Mary)

It's cold!! I did see the sun a bit when I went out for lunch. Funny how a little sunshine seems to warm you right up.

Greaaaat Weekend!

Wow, so much to cover - I'll just jump right in!

Tristan had a basketball and indoor soccer game all within 4 hours on Saturday. He was nervous before each one (could you imagine any different? ha!) but had great games that were out of this world! In basketball he scored quite a bit (I couldn't keep track). He made his jump shots and his free throws. He was a bit aggressive though and ended with 4 fouls. One more and he would have been out of the game. In indoor soccer - he's started with a new team; it's 5 girls and 5 boys. Their name is YingYang and the game was fantastic. Tristan had 3 goals, one which was made from the mid-line of the field. Who would have thought the 10 yr olds would play so well in the 12 yr olds bracket?

Bet you are wondering where Aidan was during all of this? He had a birthday party to go to and was very excited about it. I didn't give it a second thought until we walked into the house. I was almost knocked over by the smell of cigarrette smoke. The mother even had one going in the kitchen when we arrived. (to her credit she did put it out when I walked over) Anyway, I honestly had second thoughts about leaving him but he really wanted to be there. She did ask if he could spend the night but that wasn't happening. I told her we had other plans. Unfortunately, I don't think the party lived up to the expectations that Aidan had - he kept trying to explain to Tristan how their house smelled! (Especially when we walked past someone currently smoking!)

It is so cold here right now. Probably the coldest I've ever known it to be, so cold that when you walk outside the hairs in your nose freeze! This morning it was -3 and about 10 am it was 1! Doesn't look like it will get much warmer until Thursday so guess we will be snuggling quite a bit!

What else? Oh yeah - my Cowboys won and I won our football picks this week!

OCD

Okay, for those of you that know me pretty well you know I have a bit of OCD. There are a few things that I'm pretty obsessive about but Tristan has taken the cake. He can not stand to have a loose tooth in his mouth! It drives him bonkers and he wants it out not soon but NOW!

Last night I thought he had gone to bed to only find him in the bathroom mirror pushing/pulling on this tooth with tears streaming down his face. It was 10:00! He just looked at me and said, "this tooth is coming out." I gave him until I was done washing my face and told him that after that he was going to bed. Of course he didn't get it out. I checked it and it really isn't ready to come out yet. He had his gums so swollen from the pushing/pulling that I gave him a pain reliever to help with that.

This morning I checked on it again and it's tightened back up a bit. I talked with him and explained that he needed to leave it be so that we don't have any damage/infection problems with it but I could just see the pain in his eyes. Wow, this might become a big issue.

On top of all of that I made him wear a pair of pants to school today that he felt were too short. (They are brand new and were picked out and tried on by him. They just didn't hit the floor just right in the back so they are deemed "unwearable.") I could have just screamed!

Wow!

Look what Josh got for me after his week long business/family trip. I was completely shocked but very happy! Aren't they gorgeous?

Snow day today!

School was cancelled today due to the storm we had last night. It really wasn't unbearable but it was pretty cold. Needless to say, I took the day off also. Are you surprised? It doesn't seem like I have much willpower to pass these up nowadays. I find myself praying for them almost as much as the boys do.

I was shoveling the driveway an hour ago and someone from the news station drove up and got out with his camera. He asked to film me shoveling. I really didn't want to but what the hell. Hopefully he didn't get any head shots since I hadn't even washed my face yet! As he left he told me that it was the best footage he had gotten all day. How sad!

Aidan's music program

Before the big show. Looking pretty sharp!

See Aidan in the front row on the end? He did great with the songs and all the movements.

Who would have known this was the same little boy that cried through his music program two years ago?

He actually enjoyed himself which was a complete surprise to us all. (Unlike Tristan who lip sings the entire program and never smiles.)

Look at his ending pose!

The boys (and girl) after the big night.

I can't believe he's almost as tall as me.

Proud mama I am!

Has this happened before?

Anyone else notice that Obama is surrounding himself by the people who were originally running for presidency against him? I'm not sure if this is normal or not, I honestly haven't paid much attention to the other cabinets before. I like it though!

Of course you have Mr. Biden as VP. Josh and I really liked him during the early debates.

Then there's Hillary. You know that I supported her from the very beginning so I'm ecstatic that she may be our Secretary of State.

Now Bill Richardson as Commerce Secretary. He was another one in the early debates that we liked to listen to. Wow, can you tell we are Democrats?

Just imagine - if John Edwards wouldn't have messed up so badly he might have a job also. What a disappointment he's become.

Photo Tag - Late response!

Jen tagged me a long time ago; please forgive me Jen! I still don't feel like myself after entertaining for Thanksgiving and trying to get back into the swing of things now.

The rules say: Players look into their photo files, choose the sixth folder and then the sixth photo in that folder. Post that picture, and tell the story behind it.

The sixth folder is Tristan's 7th Birthday pictures. Aidan is five in this picture and he had just learned to wink! The box is from a birthday gift and we all know that sometimes the box is the best part!

Shopping!!!

I will admit that I was a little worried about driving at 3:45 in the morning on straight ice but with Josh's 4-wheel drive and God's grace we didn't have a problem! Lots of other people had problems but thankfully not us.

We were in line at Kohl's for the 4 am opening. Got all that we wanted and then made our way to JCPenney's. Finished there in time to make the 6 am opening at Target. The lines to get in the actual doors were long and it was a bit crazy being among the 2000 people there but we got what was on our lists and had time to sit down for a quiet breakfast by 7, just the two of us.

I had a great time with Shell. Having a partner is definitely the way to go. Someone to hold your spot in line and to help carry the heavy load when there aren't any carts or bags left. (Just don't bring the bag with you to the car, huh Shell? Just kidding!)

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

We've been a bit busy entertaining but I did want to post a little of our thankfulness for this year.

It's a tradition for us to go around and list what we are thankful for. This year the list consisted of:

Shea - my family, my friends, church, our home, my job, and Opal.

Tristan - my family, shelter, food, and Opal.

Aidan - my teacher and bathrooms. This was followed up by a potty joke of course.

Josh - at first it was just a cupcake but later he was thankful for his family, his health, his family's health, his job, and milk to go with the cupcake.

Shell and family made it here just in time to see the snow. It was awesome to spend Thanksgiving Day with part of our family. We did get up early and do our "Black Friday Shopping" but I'll post about that tomorrow. Getting up at 2:40 am and not being a napper has taken it's toll.

Time to make the pies!

To get a jump start on all of the cooking for the big day I'll go ahead and make the sweet potato pies tonight. Yep, pies not pie! I normally make them in two's and will probably do 4 of them tonight. One for us, one for Cat, one for my neighbor who lives alone, and who knows who will get the fourth.

There's a snowstorm coming for Thanksgiving. This could make Shell's flight in interesting and our crazy early morning shopping a mess. I don't know much about it right now but I'll update more as it gets closer.

Basketball!

I have pictures to share! Tristan's team won this weekend's game 42-2! Tristan had 14 points - guess all that practice with Dad paid off.

Tristan going after the ball. (He's in black and red.)

Tristan is #7 - my favorite number. #9 is his best friend Joel.

Joel and Tristan on a run in front of everyone else.

See his defensive stance?

Being surrounded by the opposing team.

From sweet to weird.

Did anyone else know that Weird Al was still doing his thing? I didn't, until Tristan was watching his videos on You-tube. He says, "Mom, you've got to see this!" I take one look and it's the video for "I'm Fat" and he can't believe that I've seen it before. Geez, we watched that when I was a teenager. Tristan and Aidan not only know the words but also some of the dance moves.

Next thing you know, he's telling Josh to add some of his songs to his mp3 player. Not just the old songs but he has new ones out also. A favorite of Tristan's is "Whatever you Like" which is also about food.

As Josh would say, "What a Nerd!" Ha!

Something sweet~

Have I told you how much I'm enjoying the mornings with the boys before school? I'm so happy that I've cut my hours to be with them.

One of the best things is that when I drop them off at school we say our goodbyes as they leave the car and then on the walk down to the building Tristan always turns around once more to wave goodbye. I never leave until I get that last wave and he always does it!

It's the little things, ya know?

Catching up!

I feel like I'm moving in slow motion while the world around me is in high-gear. It must be my cold that I'm trying to get over! Time is moving too fast and I have a lot of things to do before Thanksgiving next week. That's in 9 days guys!

Tristan started basketball on Saturday and that was a lot of fun. I didn't think that I would get such a kick out of it. Their team won their first game and they looked pretty good. Tristan isn't that great of a basketball player; he didn't score any points and gave the ball up a bit, but he is very athletic, plays defense well, and is able to get some steals.

The weather here is unbelievable! We will have record highs today (70's) and it'll be warmer here than in Miami! Now that soccer is over the snow/cold weather can come at any time. I'm waiting for it! (Maybe that's why I don't feel ready for Thanksgiving?)

It's been confirmed that the boys are going to play in a soccer tournament in Vegas during Spring Break. Can you believe it? We are going back to Vegas! I'm excited a bit, it'll be a nice break and needed by that time. Josh and I are working through the holidays this year. First time in I don't know how long.

I got Nuggets tickets for us in January this weekend. We try to go to one game a year, it's expensive but we only do it once so that's how it gets rationalized. These tickets are unbelievable - we will be sitting right behind the Nuggets bench! Can't wait, hope they don't cuss too much. Ha!

Well, that's about it for now. At least it's enough for me.

Aidan's crush

Aidan has always been quite fond of the girls (he'll be the first to tell you how many girlfriends he has) but this is his first serious crush. I think it's cute actually. Guess who it is?


Yep, it's Beyonce! He's liked her for quite a while but just recently he asked me to get some pictures of her for his room. She was also on Oprah and when I was watching it this morning he never left the couch. He watched the entire interview! That is so unlike him. Cute huh? He's got great taste.

T

Since I don't have the elaborate display of pictures from Tristan's soccer season, I did want to put up the few of him that was included on Aidan's disc. He's a great brother who normally watches all of Aidan's games. (Aidan will always find something else to do besides supporting his brother during a game.)

Still got the headache...

but the mood is a bit better. I don't feel like I'm going to cry anymore so that's a good thing. I do have a sore throat today though, that's a bummer. (Thanks Aidan!)

I've started using our "lonely treadmill" in the mornings and I think that's the time of the day I might be successful with exercising. Evenings are no good, I can come up with a thousand reasons to not get on it and then I get too tired. In the mornings, I get up a little earlier and do it before my shower. It's not bad but then again I'm only two days in so far. We'll have to see how long it lasts.

Thanks again readers for being so thoughtful and caring! I love ya!

Blah!

The weather outside today actually matches the way that I've been feeling for the past few days. It's gray, gloomy, and raining now. We need the rain so I'm not upset with that but I thought it was ironic.

I'm a bit emotional but have kept control of it for the most part. I'm holding in the tears but have found that I could cry at the drop of a hat if I allowed myself to. Not exactly sure why, I know some of the reasons but I keep arguing with myself about it all. I shouldn't let some of these feelings get to me like this, I should be happy!

Part of me is mad that I'm not happier! Work hasn't helped the issue today. I have a lot of time that my mind can wander and I'm by myself, that's not good when you are feeling like this. Don't worry, I'm okay, just a bit sad. Wanted to share it and I'm hoping it'll be gone in a few days.

Anyway, this weekend was weird for me. No soccer! First time in 10 weeks and man, I missed it. I did get the sheets on the beds washed and changed. Started working on the basement for Shelly's visit in a few weeks. Had great intentions to make some phone calls but couldn't get myself out of the funk to do it. But I was productive so that's good news.

Now I have a headache, wow - does it end?

Quiz answered by Tristan

1. What is something mom always says to you? "It's time for bed."

2. What makes mom happy? When you are a nice, respectful person.

3. What makes mom sad? When people are rude and don't listen.

4. How does your mom make you laugh? She laughs.

5. What was your mom like as a child? A farmer.

6. How old is your mom? 33

7. How tall is your mom? 5'1

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Watch "The View."

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Watches TV and does chores.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? The person who watches the most "View" shows.

11. What is your mom really good at? Cooking breakfast and dinner.

12. What is your mom not very good at? Sports.

13. What does your mom do for her job? Birth certificate center.

14. What is your mom's favorite food? Salad.

15. What makes you proud of your mom? Because she does everything in the house.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Wanda from Fairly Odd Parents.

17. What do you and your mom do together? We watch "The First 48", "Amazing Race", "Criminal Minds".

18. How are you and your mom the same? We laugh alot and we're both smart.

19. How are you and your mom different? She's a girl and I'm a boy. I play video games and she doesn't. I play sports and she doesn't.

20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because she puts a lot of effort in whatever she does for me.

****************************************************************************

I obviously watch way too much tv.

I'm a happy girl!

So, so happy! I will admit that I was nervous until around 8 p.m. or so but after that I just sat there amazed at how well he was doing and the states that he was winning. I mean - who would have ever thought that Colorado would have gone Democratic? It's been Republican since I've moved here it seems. Not only did we have the majority for the presidential choice but also our senate, awesome!

I slept very well, so well that I actually overslept this morning. Woke up with a headache today. Feels like a hangover but I didn't drink, so it must be emotional or hormonal. Not sure yet!

Wow, I can't believe it. I'm so happy the boys were able to watch it also before they went to bed. Yesterday was an amazing day - I'll never forget it!

Get out and vote!

I don't care who you vote for but it's important to get out there and do it! This is a historic day one way or another. Either we will have our first black president or our first woman vice-president!

I will admit that I'm nervous about tonight's results. There's a really important amendment that I don't want to pass here and of course the presidential side of it all. I've had dreams about this for the past two nights so I'm hoping to get some rest tonight! (And not cry myself to sleep, ha!)

End of Aidan's fall soccer season!

Aidan's team ended their season with 6 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss. Unbelievable! They played in the highest level available for their age group also! Here's a recap of his season (thanks to another mom from the team who took all of the pictures).

Look at me on the side during these two pictures! I laughed so hard!

This last one is one of my favorites! Yay Aidan, I'm so proud of you!

(I feel bad because I don't have pictures like this for Tristan but couldn't keep these to myself.)

Happy Halloween!

Okay, I was stressed before the clock hit 9 am! Lots to do and cram into one day! Parties at school, costumes to put together (one could wear it all day, the other - only during his party), Aidan had basketball this morning, and trick-or-treating at night. Not to mention a day of work!

Aidan's pumpkin he carved with Dad!

Blade, the Vampire Slayer.

Can you believe someone in his class stole his sunglasses during his lunch break today?

Believe it or not, Steve Urkel from Family Matters.

How about them apples?

Tristan's pumpkin carved with moi!