New cycles

Last spring my baby decided that he was to big for his motorcycle. He cleaned it, put an ad in the paper and every day on the way to the bus stop walked (rode) his bike to the bottom of the driveway, chained it up and put a For Sale sign on it. Turns out one of hubby's "friends" decided that he wanted to buy it for his son's birthday. He made a big point of coming over one afternoon, watching the baby wash it and show him how to start in, put gas in it and ow to shift. Hubby was home also and him and I, along with big son, were rolling our eyes at each other behind his back. Finally insult to baby was the big deal it was when the check was handed over.

Baby was so proud to have that check for his motorcycle and couldn't wait to bank it, get interest and be able to buy a new one. Of course the check bounced. And bounced. And bounced. Finally after the third time the check bounced, hubby told his "friend" that he owned Baby more money because of all the fees from the bounced checks. Finally, last week he gave Baby all the money, plus bounce fees, he was owed.

Big Son. We came home from a race on Sunday during last ('07) summer on a Sunday. (We left on Friday). He went to pull his motorcycle out to ride and it wasn't there. Nor was Hubby's motorcycle. Someone stole them while we were away. I called the police, made a police report and filed with the insurance agency. It was all odd becuase the two 4-wheelers weren't stolen. The police really did investigate, especially since 2 seniors at our high school were robbing houses on our street and the surrounding area. We finally got the insurance money for the motorcycles two weeks ago. Thank God Hubby had the sense to insure them. He only did that incase the kids went someplace else to ride and if something happened.

So, over the last two days the boys got new bikes. They were so surprised! Hubby took the insurance money from his bike and bought Baby a 4-wheeler, and Big Son's insurance money got him a new bike. The pictures above are of their new bikes. And I couldn't help getting a picture of Big Boy's new biker boots (size 11!!!). Hubby and I are teasing him saying he needs to where a cut off, black jeans and a cowboy hat with the boots and he's look real cool.

I personally don't like the 4 wheelers and motorcycles. Last time Baby had a 4 wheeler he broke his arm in two places. Big Son takes too many chances on the motorcycle doing jumps and wheelies. Hubby tells me to suck it up, the boys are good at riding, they like it, and it gives them responsibility. I guess I can't complain since Hubby was all set on having Big Son start racing motorcross, but his friend Nick stepped in and got Big Son involved in go-karts. I'd rather have the boys on 4 wheels, strapped in then racing motorcross.

Racing starts again in 2 weeks. There will be alot of posting about go-karts. We have fun at the tracks, and the boys now are looking forward to seeing friends they haven't seen in a few months.

Skiing

This beautiful picture was taken at the summit of Gore Mountain February 16, 2008 while we were skiing. The boys and I had such a great time the two times we went during the vacation. I really don't like skiing to much. It's cold (the above pictures of the boys show how we have to dress), I get frozen and my knees always give me problems for at least two days after I go. But.... the boys love it and I really try to be involved with what interests them. I think that it is important for them to have there parents involved in their activities. Husband is the one who felt it was important for them to learn how to ski, but it seems like I am taking them. I know, I know, I could always sit in the lodge and wait for them to be finished. But then I never would have seen the view. We wouldn't have been able to joke about silly things that happened on the mountain. I wouldn't be able to brag to husband about how good they have gotten. And they wouldn't be able to say that their mom skis with them.

End of Vacation

Tomorrow school starts again. I'm so not looking forward to it. Not because I have to wake at 5:45 and get 2 boys fed, dressed and out the door by 6:50. No, I actually will miss the boys when they go to school. The beginning of the vacation started great. We went upstate, saw the family and skied. Although the older one got a little antsy, we had a great time with the family. Until I got sick. AGAIN. I usually get one cold in the winter and then I'm done. Not this year. We had a VERY long ride home on Tuesday with my scratchy throat and upset stomach. It is no fun driving for 3 hours and feeling like you are going to throw up.

Although I wasn't feeling great, the kids and I had a great time. We had a lot of board game challanges. It is amazing how many times you can play Uno, Life, Risk, Monopoly and by the end of the week figure out how to adjust the rules to make it so one person is yelling and fighting with the other two on how much they cheat and how "teaming up" is unfair (It wasn't always the kids getting frustrated). Big One had friends over on Fri & Sat after the snow and ALL the boys got along great. It's nice that Bid One can have friends over and little one can hang out with them with no arguments and fights.

Winter break went over great and now I'm looking forward to spring break. And summer. I'd rather have the boys home every day. School is a necessaty and I know that I could not home school. I'm just not organized enough. But I do love having them home. Soon, when it gets warmer we will be hiking after school, going to the bike trails, and gardening. Can't wait

Help! Someone Stole My Husband!!!!

Tonight my husband got into a TV block and watched Madeas Family Reunion. Not the funniest or in depth moive. Except for the last half hour. At the reuion one of the elder aunts was explaining to a niece the love she had for her husband. The niece was engaged to a greedy, controling and beating man. They family knew how he was and was waiting for the niece to admit to it. Anyway, the elder aunt described her life with her husband. She described how she would be about to say a thought and her husband would say what she was about to say. She described how her husband and her could sit for hours and not talk but could relate by movements and touch. When they slept at night, they always touched for the connection and feeling of each others skin and breathing. She also stated that at the time it drove her crazy because she felt that her husband wasn't listening to her and just saying things to keep her happy.

Until her husband died. Then she realized that she was married to her soul mate, her friend and her lover. At this point, my husband made a deep sighing noice and I looked over. HE had tears in his eyes. Of course, I loved hearing a love for ones husband described so lovingly. Husband grabed my shoulder and said he never heard what he felt for me described so exactly. Except he said at night while we are sleeping, he likes to feel my heartbeat because it seems to match his.

WHAT?? This is my husband. He has NEVER expressed his love for me the way he did tonight (even if it was it someone elses words). Of course I know he loves me. I would never doubt it. But for him to react to the description in this movie the way he did means he actually does at times think about not only me but us. And the us part is more important than the me part.

Not only that, but he id taking me out to dinner tomorrow night for Valentine's Day. We have not done that in about 10 years. What is going on? Usually I make a sinner for us after the kids eat. No, he wants to go out alone. Hopefully a bomb doesn't drop because Hubby never expresses himself the way he did tonight. Should I be warned for tomorrow night? No, I'm going to cherish my husbands words tonight and love our time alone tomorrow night.

Snow Day

Today, for some reason the boys have a snow day. It did snow about 3 inches last night and turn to freezing rain. However, in all honestly by 9:00 the roads were fine. I know since I had to go out and get breakfast. The kitchen is being painted so everything is covered in plastic. Does anyone understand how difficult it is to be home with a teenager and a "tween" and not be able to use the kitchen at all? Not that they eat alot, becuase they really don't snack during the day. But for meals? Lunch will be deli. Again.



So so far there haven't been any agruments, but that is only becuase they are play PS3 online with their friends. They called friends to play a certain game, and they can all go on line with the PS3 and play against each other. Some of the friends have headsets so they can talk while playing. It's pretty funny to hear them talk and my big one get frustrated not being able to respond since he does not have a headset. The little one answers his friends when they talk, but he doesn't have a headset so they can't hear him. Funny.

Bomb Threats?!?!?!

About 2 weeks ago, our high school had a bomb threat. A note was left in the bathroom of the school and was found by an employee. The high school followed emergency procedures, and then was sent home early. In an emergency evacuation for the high school, they are sent to the middle school (both schools are on the same campus). Thankfully it was a prank. Also thankfully, the student was caught and will hopefully be charged the maximum and convicted. Not only did he put other high schoolers at risk, but also both of my sons in the middle school. What if there really was a bomb? Would my children been injured in the confusion and flying debris? As it was, bomb sniffing dogs, the bomb squad, state and county police were all brought in and when my middle schoolers were finally dismissed from school, they saw it all.



Now in lite of this, on 2/13 the middle school students will not be attending classes, but instead spend the day with new securtity procedures and counseling. Don't get me wrong, I want my kids to be safe but what is wrong with these kids that they feel the need to threaten and hurt each other with such destruction? I mean, if you are so unhappy with your home life, your parents, etc. take it out on them and not on innocent children who you don't even know.



Of course I have my own theories on the problems kids in this area have. Maybe they are wrong, but from the comments my big one's friends say to me, I really don't think I'm far off. So many of the kids are not made responsible for their actions. Why? If you do something that is morally wrong, or outside/against/disobeying what your parents and family stand for, there needs to be a price to pay. Parents have to teach their children the difference from right and wrong, have open discussions to voice opinions, and guide kids to make morally responsible choices. If your child doesn't, they need to face the consequences of their actions.



I know that I may not be the best mother in some people's view. However, my kids both come to either me or my husband and talk. There are more nights with the four of us talking in the kitchen instead of watching TV or playing video games than not. But I also realize that there are some issues that they won't feel comfortable talk with us about. That is why we are constantly telling the boys if they have a problem, or feel that they can't talk to us, they have aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and our friends that they can talk to instead. I know for a fact that my oldest has gone to a friend and talk to him and asked for advise. This friend told us that big one talked to him and he did his best to give the advice that we would approve of. That makes me happy that big one trusted us with our advice and also our friend. I just wish more kids had the support system that my kids have.

Baby's Birthday

February 8th was my baby's birthday. I can not believe that he is 12, and turning into a little man. I don't think I will ever forget the birth of either child, but the baby was so easy. It was like a preview of his personality. He is kind, easy going, caring, and of course adorable.

For his birthday this year we went to Long Island to watch a motorcross show. We actually saw the show on Saturday, but left Friday after school and went down so that we could get out of the mess in my house. It was different, but he seemed to have a good time. It took forever to drag him out of the pool Friday night. And of course he loved the motorcross show.

Friday night during dinner my husband and I told his birth story. We do this each year for each child and they seem to like it. We also look through their baby photo album. The baby seemed happy that I remembered to bring it with us to the hotel.

The day little one was born I was so tired. I had no energy to do anything. My mom had been watching big one for me in the morning so I could rest and get some things done around the house. We had just moved in a month earlier and unpacking was going slow. I picked up big one at lunch and brough him home for a nap. Still I was so tired and took another nap.

My husband had called to tell me that he was going to be home late that night. The person he was working with that day had just found out that his wife was pregnant and was shocked that husband would stay working when I was due any day. Baby was actually due on the 10th, my uncle's birthday.

That night I cooked big one chicken nuggets and let him eat in the living room. He was so excited, because he never did that. The only reason I let him was I was tired again and thought that while he was eating, I could lie on the couch and rest. Didn't happen. As I was moving the coffee table closer for him to eat, I got a huge cramp. Was this labor? I had no idea. But I was pretty sure it was. I waited to see what happened and about 15 minutes later, another. At about 6:00 I called my mom and told her what was happening and she said she'd pick up big one so that if I went to the hospital in the night, I wouldn't have to wake him. Then I called Bryan and told him I was in labor, but not to come home yet because it would probably be awhile before I had to go to the hospital.

As my mom was getting ready to leave my house, husband came tearing up the driveway with his friend. The friend was freaking out and drove husband home. I insisted that I had hours to go and did not want to call the doctor yet. I was actually in a lot of pain and the contractions were only about 8 minutes apart. Husband took a shower and when he got out and came to talk to me he was surprised at the amount of pain I was in so he called to doctor who heard me and how close the contractions were and wanted us to come in. Half way to the hospital I started to freak out. I wanted meds and I wanted them now!! Every time we hit a bump, it hurt so bad I thought I was having the baby in the car. When we got to the hospital, the admitting dept. didn't want me in the room and sent me right up to the delivery floor.

The doctor was waiting for me and ordered an epidural for me since I was petrified that I would not have any during delivery. I was already close to being 10 cm, so the doctor was going to get a cup of coffee and come back and check on me. She never got that coffee because by the time she got to the cafeteria, she was being called up to delivery baby. I pushed for approximately 25 minutes and my perfect baby was in my arms.

While the doctor was stiching me up, she suddenly left the room. When she came back she asked if I had an AIDS test when I became pregnant. Of course I didn't. She was very angry and insisted that I had one right then. Thankfully my husband asked the right questions. It turns out that she pricked her finger, sewed me, and then pricked her finger again. My husband insisted on seeing her test results.

There are so many things about that night that I will not forget. My husband never leaving my side and the look of worry and then happiness on his face. Him holding his son for the first time. Me holding my son. Afterwards, when I was in my room, laying in bed with my husband and the baby inbetween us and both of us crying with happiness.

Happy birthday baby.

Yesterday my kitchen floor was ripped up. No stove, dishwasher, or fridge in the kitchen. I was so looking forward to doing this so I could get my frustrations out. But no, I might have gotten hurt! HA HA HA. For some reason NOBODY has an issue of me possibly getting hurt when a 150 pound go-kart needs to be picked up. Oh well, I decided to grosss everyone out (and make some money on the side) by betting the three workers and my two kids $10 each that I could walk across all the broke up tile in the kitchen barefoot and without cutting myself or giving up. Thank you, I am $50 richer.

I was given the task of learning how to prepare a hardwood floor for staining. NOT FUN. Of course, when I was asked if I wanted to help, I said "sure". I thought I would be aloud to use a machine. But no. I basically only cleaned. This task is WORSE than the daily cleaning of a house. I was on my hands and knees, vacuming the bedroom floor very slowly so all the dust would come up from between the floor boards. Then I was given a cloth to once again go over the entire floor so any dust not picked up by the vacum would stick to this cloth. Halfway through the floor, my thoughtful husband threw me a pair of rubber gloves to wear because the cloth is so sticky, it also sticks to your hands. Then the stain was applied by my husband, with me crawling on the floor in front of him to make sure I picked up all the dust. The best part is my bedroom is DONE (except for the bathroom)!!! My furniture is back and I'm no longer sleeping in the living room.

1st Post. My sister promised me this was not difficult and after reading her blog I decided to give it a try. Hopefully I'll be able to keep it up. For those of you who read my sisters', you probably will not get the same writing and stories. She has a huge advantage with the little mice. Especially that middle one. She's always good for a good line or story. Gotta love that middle mouse.

Right know we are in the middle of a pretty big renovation. It didn't start out that way. It was only going to be a master bath redo. Then, a hallway bath redo and bedroom closet organization was added. That changed into also a new hall to the master bedroom and re tiling the kitchen floor. The last thing that was added was painting and refinishing the hardwood floors. Needless to say we are living in a disaster zone, probably leaving the house each day with an inch of dust on us. Right now, my bed has been in the living room for 4 days, my cloths are downstairs, and the living room and kitchen furniture is divided between downstairs and the garage. I was also just told that the boys won't be able to sleep in their rooms tonight since the kitchen floor will be off limits to walking on.

The pictures below show how we are living for the next couple of days ( and for the past 4 days). Can't complain though. I have been wanting the master bath done for 5 years.





Well, my sister was right. This wasn't bad. Keep you posted on the progess of the renovation.
bye!