Tuesday, December 30, 2008

100 Truths

I stole this somewhere on facebook.

1. last beverage→Orange Soda

2. last phone call → Toni

3. last text message→ Ty

4. last song you listened to→ Gotta Be Somebody by Nickelback

5. last time you cried→ it's been awhile for me...Christmas Eve?

SIX HAVE YOU EVER:

1. dated someone twice→ yes (what a fool I was)

3. kissed someone & regretted it? yes

4. lost someone special?→ yes

5. been depressed?→ yes

6. been drunk and threw up? Yes...

LIST THREE FAVORITE COLOURS:

1. Red

2. Pink

3. navy

THIS MONTH HAVE YOU:

1. Made a new friend → yes

2. Fallen out of love → a little bit more all the time

3. Laughed until you cried → yes

4. Met someone who changed your life→ absolutely

5. Found out who your true friends were → yes..

6. Found out someone was talking about you→yes

7. Have you kissed anyone on your friend's list→ yes

8. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life →lots and lots!

9. How many kids do you want to have→a long time ago i thought i wanted 4, but i have 3

10. Do you have any pets →yes

11. Do you want to change your name→ not really

12. What did you do for your last birthday→nothing exciting

13. what time did you wake up today → 6:36 am with the alarm

14. What were you doing at midnight last night → texting a new friend

15. Name something you CANNOT wait for → yikes! i have nothing right now :(

16. Last time you saw your father→Nov. 1, 2003. Not because i wanted to.

17. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life →I wish i could pick my family

18. What are you listening to right now → itunes- jack johnson

19. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → yes. don't like him. at. all.

23. What's getting on your nerves right now →too many chores to do

24. Most visited webpage → Facebook, 2Peas, and MSN weather

001. Whats your real name → Tracia

002. Niccknames: Tracy, Burnside

003. Relationship Status → divorced

004. Zodiac sign → gemini

005. Male or female → female

006. Elementary → Un-named schools in the Portland area, WL Henry, Mooberry, WL Henry

007. Middle School →Poynter Jr. High

008. Highschool →Glencoe High School

010. Hair colour →dirty blonde

011. Long or short → medium - i can't make up my mind which way to go

015. Are you health freak → not really

016. Height → 5'9

017. Do you have a crush on someone → yes, darn it. a blast from the past.

018: What do you like about yourself? →I am very loyal, and thoughtful and practical and patient

019. Piercings →just my ears

020. Tattoos → one

021. Righty or lefty → right is tight

FIRSTS :

022. First surgery →never

023. First piercing → ears

024. First best friend →Nicole Noyes

026. First sport you joined →softball

027. First pet : dog

028. First vacation→California

029. First concert → ?? Steve Miller band??

030. First crush: Daryl Rise and PETER SHEPHERD

CURRENTLY :

049. Eating →nothing

050. Drinking → nadav

052. I'm about to → serve my children dinner

053. Listening to → itunes - The All american rejects

055. Waiting → for 2009!

YOUR FUTURE :

058. Love? I certainly hope so

059. Want to get married? YES!

060. Careers in mind? still working on my blasted degree--education?!

WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX? :

068. Lips or eyes → lips

069. Hugs or kisses → kisses

070. Shorter or taller → tall is important

071. Older or Younger→ age is a number

072. Romantic or spontaneous → both

073. Nice stomach or nice arms →arms please

074. Sensitive or loud →sensitive

075. Hook-up or relationship → relationship

077. Trouble maker or hesitant → a nice mix is good

HAVE YOU EVER :

078. Kissed a stranger → yes

079. Drank hard liquor →yes

080. Lost glasses/contacts → yes

081. Ran away from home → never

084. Broken someone's heart →i doubt it

085. Been arrested →no, thank goodness

086. Turned someone down → yeah

087. Cried when someone died → yes

088. Liked a guy/girl friend → yep

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

089. Yourself → mostly

090. Miracles → yes

091. Love at first sight → hasn't happened to me NO

092. Heaven → yes

093. Santa Claus →Santa is real. I am Santa.

095. Kiss on the first date → yes

096. Angels → I hope so.

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY :

097. Is there one person you want to be with right now? Yes

098. Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time? yes

099. Do you believe in God? yes

100. Posting this as 100 Truths? yes

Thursday, December 25, 2008

How do you REALLY feel?

This is Hank, our 11 week old Springer Spaniel, telling us how he REALLY feels about Christmas!.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

SCATTERGORIES

(I got this in an email from a friend. Though it would be a good thing to fill space here!)

Rules: IT'S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!

USE THE 1ST LETTER OF YOUR NAME TO ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. THEY HAVE TO BE REAL PLACES, NAMES,THINGS.NOTHING MADE UP! YOU CAN'T USE YOUR NAME FOR THE BOY/GIRL NAME QUESTION.

1. What is your name: Tracy

2. A 4 Letter Word: true

3. A Boys Name: Travis

4. A Girls Name: Tiffany

5. An Occupation: Teacher

6. A Color: Turquoise

7. Something you wear: Tie

8. A Beverage: Tequila

9. A Food: Teriyaki chicken

10. Something found in the bathroom: towels

11. A place: Tennessee

12. A Reason for being late: tired

13. Something you shout: Tough!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas Thankfulness

My family is so blessed.

While my home is a bit shabby, we have a place to call home.

While my bank account isn't overflowing, our needs are always met.

While my job isn't always enjoyable, I am employed.

While my kids keep me busy and and create chaos wherever they go, I have three healthy, wonderful children that I adore.

I have a nice running vehicle with heated leather seats.

We have plenty of clothes to wear (and they're all piled up in the laundry room waiting for me).

We have food on the table

We have family and friends who love us and help us in so many ways.

Most of all we have love....

ETA: I stole the format of this post from another blog I read somewhere, I just can't remember where to give proper credit.

Friday, December 19, 2008

The best Christmas album EVER

This is THE best Christmas ever. Merry Christmas by Johnny Mathis What's your favorite?

Monday, December 15, 2008

I'm almost there!

I did some fast and furious internet shopping yesterday and the day before and am happy to report that I am almost done!

Although, I am seriously considering taking back a few things so that I can get the three kids a much better Santa gift. (Guitar Hero World tour for the wii!! I think I want it the most!)

After talking with ex-Mother in law this afternoon, I think they will be sufficiently spoiled. And because I always love a picture--This is from last Friday morning (Dec. 12)

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Christmas...

Something you want,

something you need,

something to wear,

something to read...

This is the little Christmas rhyme that is supposed to help keep the focus of the holiday OFF the presents.

It is supposed to simplify my shopping.

It is supposed to give me guidelines so I don't feel like I have to go completely overboard and pile the Christmas tree with commercialism.

Why do I feel guilty if I stick to the list?

Why do I feel like my kids will be disappointed on Christmas morning if I do not overwhelm them with everything their heart desires?

I swear parenting is hard! And it is not even the daily visible things that are the hardest, it is the internal struggles that you go through everyday in the process of trying to raise creatures that are lovely and worthwhile.

Or maybe I just overthink it...?

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

from my phone!

This is so cool-- I am blogging from work!

Monday, December 01, 2008

Trickle Down

Jacob got a new cell phone today. Actually I got the new cell phone and he got my old one. This is not the first time my little family has done the cell phone merry-go-round. He got a Motorola Rokr. I loved this phone. It was so easy to use and had a ton of great features. Hayley got my last cell phone. It was a Motorola Razr. I also loved this phone. (the only reason Jacob didn't get this phone the last time we did upgrades was because he said red razr's are kind of girly. He, thus, was stuck with an even older phone for awhile.) Anyway, I got the new phone. I got a blackberry Pearl. I don't think I like it. After having Motorola phones for the past few years, I have gotten used to the way they work. This is a whole new interface to get used to. I think I will enjoy the SmartPhone capabilities once I finally figure them out, but in the meantime, I am struggling with even finding how to send a text message. I did already figure out that this phone can sync many email addresses and my Facebook account! I bet I can even BLOG from my phone!!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

A pictoral update

It's been a long time. A lot has happened in our lives since the last time I updated. I promise to do better. This was Halloween. Ruby was a bat. Jacob was a shadow (minus the face paint here) and Hayley was a pumpkin. Interesting thing about Hayley's costume, last year it was Ruby's. Jacob's football season ended and we are now on to basketball. Ruby played soccer with the cutest bunch of Kindergartners ever. I made that adorable banner, it was the talk of the league. Everyone wants one now! Hayley played a LOT of soccer too. More on this later... Jacob is demonstrating why he is the best big brother EVER here. He plays with his baby sister. He is 13 almost 14 and actually plays with her. I LOVE this kid. This is Ruby at one of Hayley's soccer games in the rain. Ruby's 6th birthday was on Nov. 12. She had her 3 best friends over for a sleepover. Two boys and a girl. I will be sorry for the day that Ruby and her friends Jimmy and Alaric realize that she is a girl and they are boys. Remember THIS POST ? Well, we got one. His name is Hank and he was the second pup born to Molly. He is so adorable and already a beloved member of the family. Hayley's classic soccer team WON the Fred Meyer President's Cup. This was a big deal because no classic girls team from Roseburg has ever made it into the finals much less WON the thing. This is Hayley and her BFF Kali. They have played socccer together since they were 5. It is so exciting to see them play at this much more competitive level. We spent Thanksgiving at the coast. It was peaceful, relaxing and absolutely perfect. My kids are great and so much fun to be around. This is Toni. MY BFF. We have been friends for almost 20 years. She was the girlfriend to my ex-husband's best friend. Funny how we both ditched them , but our friendship has remained and fluorished.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Hayley and her Future Husband

This is Hayley and Ashton, her future husband.

Hayley doesn't know she will marry Ashton, and Ashton doesn't know he will marry Hayley. Ashton is one of Jacob's best friends.

This picture was taken during our Labor Day camping trip. Ashton's mom and I totally set it up so that we could display it at their wedding.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Baseball Game

Three nuns were attending a baseball game...

Three men were sitting directly behind them...

Because their habits were partially blocking the view, the men decided to badger the nuns hoping that they'd get annoyed enough to move to another area...

In a very loud voice, the first guy said, "I think I am going to move to Utah. There are only 100 nuns living there.".

Then the second guy spoke up and said, "I want to go to Montana, there are only 50 nuns living there."

The third guy said, "I want to go to Idaho. There are ony 25 nuns living there".

One of the nuns turned around, looked at the men, and in a very swet and calm voice said,

"Why don't you go to hell. There aren't ANY nuns there!!"

Monday, October 13, 2008

What Color are You?

I did this "What color are you thing" after I saw it on Kandi's blog.
You Are a Green Crayon
Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors. While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around. Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease. You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows! Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.
I am NOT green. I like green, but my favorite color is red.

I went to Las Vegas with 2 friends from here, J and S and one of S's friends from Portland.

The whole intention of the trip was to get away from home, cut loose and have fun. We certainly accomplished that goal.

Because we live in small town Oregon there is no way that I could ever get totally drunk and silly and still be able to maintain my professionalism and reputation. And for S, it is worse. Her husband is a principal.

Going out of town is great for that reason alone. Just being able to check inhibitions and have a shot or 3 of tequila was fabulous.

The hangover? Not so fabulous.

I Left Las Vegas

Las Vegas was very fun. I am broke and tired.

This is the view from the room at The Paris. The fountains at the Bellagio are something else. Love them at night.

These guys are everywhere passing calling cards. If a person were so inclined, they could pretty much get whatever kind of hooker their heart desired for a price. There were even women hawking these cards.

We went to the dueling piano bar at the Paris on Friday night. What a great time.

I paid $8 for a freaking Bud Light or 3.

That was a lot cheaper than the tequila shots we were having with them at $13 a pop.

Saturday was a much slower day. Much of the day was spent reviving and recuperating. Room service was lovely. Later that afternoon we shopped (more). The shopping in Vegas is phenomenal. Especially for me because i just don't have that many shopping options here in Douglas county, Oregon! It is really too bad we opted to just carry bags on the plane and not check luggage. Because i had no room to get things back, my shopping was VERY limited.

I did manage to get more than a few things. My suitcase was a little sausage on the trip home!

Does anyone else take pictures of things when they are out shopping? I saw this Christmas decoration, but it was very $$$ and much too big to haul home. I know I can make it for less, so I took a picture to jog my memory.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Puppies

This is Molly. The first time mom of 10 puppies. She is living my nightmare. Can you imagine feeding 10!!! (I think that we will be getting one of the pups. Molly belongs to Jacob's best friend and Jacob actually got to help deliver the babies last night!!)

Monday, September 22, 2008

I bought a pair of shoes. But only because my feet needed relief. The blisters were BAD. The new shoes helped.

Friday, September 19, 2008

I'm so excited...

As I am headed up to Portland this weekend, I can't help but get excited at the prospect of

SHOPPING!

Good shopping.

Douglas County, Oregon is not known for being a shopping mecca in any way.

I get overwhelmed imagining the places to spend my money!

And then usually buy nothing.

Why is it that when I do have the time and opportunity to let loose, I just can't bring myself to buy?

You know, you always find a ton of things you want when you are broke, but when I am trying, I usually end up frustrated. (wow, i am writing in both first and third person in the same sentence--yikes!)

Anyway, my point is (yes, i do have one) I am going shopping. I am going to try to buy something, but am almost positive I will end up with next to nothing.

Weekend Plans

I am headed off to Portland later on this afternoon. On Saturday I will be attending a Survivor's Luncheon with one of my dearest friends and 8 more of her friends and we will celebrate the fact that she has been a breast cancer survivor for 11 years! Typically we also participate in the actual race, but this year on Sunday our daughters will be playing soccer in Milwaukee, so the race is out. The energy at Waterfront park during the race is just incredible AND the event itself is so happy and uplifting. Anyone who has ever participated in a Race for the Cure event will tell you that it's such a celebration of life.I think everyone knows family or friends who have had this very common cancer and we all want a cure to be found, so it is great to be able to support an organization that has been so effective in funding research and moving treatment options forward.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Tangle

What if I just left? Seriously the things I have to do just to arrange a weekend away. One kid I will pick up at her soccer game in Portland. One kid will stay here with friends and play soccer and one kid is headed to the Duck's game. If any of the convoluted arrangements fall apart, the whole house of cards comes down. I almost had to put a spreadsheet together just to keep track of who goes where! The big kicker of the deal is... It's not even my weekend, the kids are with their Dad this weekend and I still have to make all of the arrangements in order to have confidence that everything and everybody is being covered!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Me from A to Z

A. Attached or single? Single, sadly.

B. Best friend? A few really good ones and one very best.

C. Cake or pie? Cake

D. Day of choice? Thursdays are golden. Something about the end of the week, with the anticipation of the weekend.

E. Essential item? My cellphone

F. Favorite color? red

G. Gummy bears or worms? gummy bears I guess. i really prefer Jelly bellies.

H. Hometown? Hillsboro, Oregon

I. Indulgence? books, lip gloss, nestle quik

J. January or July? definitely October

K. Kids? Three of them. I wanted four, he wanted two. Three is perfect!

L. Life isn’t complete without? Moments of silence

M. Marriage date? December, 1993 (Divorce was March 2005)

N. Number of brothers & sisters? 1 brother, but I am about to disown him because he is a schmuck.

O. Oranges or apples? I'm picky. Green apples only - fresh from the tree or a Granny Smith version. Never mushy sweet ones like Red or Yellow Delicious.

P. Phobias? having the phone or electricity disconnected. running out of toilet paper.

Q. Quotes? "fake it 'til you make it"

R. Reasons to smile? kids belly laughs, kindergarten soccer, cool mornings

S. Season of choice? Autumn!

T. Tag seven peeps! no way!

U. Unknown fact about me? I am still friends with every guy I ever dated (I think I must be the schmuck!)

V. Vegetable? Asparagus and cauliflower

W. Worst habits? nagging my kids

X. X-ray or ultrasound? I've had both.

Y. Your favorite food? popcorn

Z. Zodiac sign? I am a textbook Gemini.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Things that SUCK

It's been a crappy week. Maybe if I dump my head, I will feel better.
  • The new Facebook sucks. I will continue to use the old one until I no longer have that option. And then i will probably HAVE to use the new one, but I won't ever like it.
  • Laundry really sucks. Just when you feel like you are on top of it, a teen or pre-teen brings a fresh pile that just has to be washed right now!
  • Being divorced sucks.
  • Being trapped in Douglas county, Oregon sucks. Not that i would ever really move my children. but according to the terms of my divorce, I am bound by a 90-mile radius of my ex. That doesn't leave me many options if I even wanted to have them.
  • My ex in-laws suck. Their baby boy is a lying, cheating, lazy jerk, yet I must carry on as if he is the greatest thing since grape gum because of their "status" here.
  • The price of home heating oil sucks. There is no way that I will be able to afford to fill up my oil tank for this winter.
  • My kids football coach sucks. If you say practice is from 4 to 6 pm, then practice should be over at 6 or close to it. Last night it was 7:40. Yeah, most families lives revolve around their Middle School son's football schedule. Thanks, we were happy to drive 15 miles just to stand around and wait, hungry for almost 2 more hours.
  • People who can't follow directions suck. She is prescribed pain pills every 8 hours for a reason. To withhold because you don't think it is good to take that many is cruelty.
  • Doing dishes sucks. I have never had a dishwasher in my life and i am sick of doing dishes.
  • Standardized testing sucks. I am researching the opt-out option for my kids. I hate the amount of energy the school district spends on all aspects of testing.
  • Parents who give up on their kids suck. I teach in alternative education and most of the time i think that the kids I have would be successful in the regular classroom if their parents would just grab a clue and get involved.
  • Dating sucks. Or should I say the lack of dates sucks. The fact that I am nowhere to really meet anyone sucks. Or the fact that anyone i do meet knows my ex and likes him sucks.
  • Having to worry about every dime I spend sucks.
  • Seeing the signs of aging sucks. I am not old, I do not feel old. Grey hair means old. Sucks.
  • Stupid over-excited, over-bearing room mothers in kindergarten suck. Lady, some of us do have jobs.
  • Being played sucks. I am aware of it, I even point it out to him when he is doing it. I am still not immune to it. I hate feeling 18 and out of control.
  • My bank sucks. Why do they post the highest transactions first, then putting the rest of the balance into overdraft mode. Yes, i have savings and overdraft protection both attached, but I really think this is the banking industry's way of tacking on any and all fees they can. Also, why did my deposit not get posted first? I think a phone call is in order on this one.
  • The insurance industry sucks.
  • Paying more for less sucks. Smaller packaging, same price--wonder if the consumer will notice? I notice!
  • Guilt sucks. I feel guilty about the big things and the small things. Like when a store that i have never gone into goes out of business, even if it is a store that has nothing that I would buy in it. i still feel guilty.
I am sure that I have more, but this is enough negativity for now! I do feel a bit better just getting it all out! Anyone have anything they care to add?

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

How fast are YOU?

32 words

Speed test

I got a "D" in typing in high school.

Enough said.

Monday, September 08, 2008

My brother and I would like to announce...

That it's on like Donkey Kong.

Have you seen this commercial?

Seriously one of the best on TV these days.

It is a follow-up to this commercial.

Every time it comes on we just crack up. We love that commercial.

It's about the only one I don't fast forward through.

And my brother and I would like to anounce "oooh, we're scared".

Here is another commercial the Mannings did to promote reading to kids that is very cute

also.

Back to School!

The first day of school!
We are beginning the 2nd week of school here and beginning to establish some helpful routines. This past weekend was spent cleaning a little and reorganizing a little to hopefully make our busy lives run a little smoother. I woke up this morning energized and ready to face another week!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Stop the World......

Things are hectic and busy. I forgot how this time of year totally kicks me in the pants.

I think that by the end of the weekend I will not have myself organized and by this time next week I will be in my groove.

Until then, chaos reigns.

Friday, August 29, 2008

My Camping Badge

I'm going to earn another Mommy Merit Badge!

We are going camping this weekend.

I am not ready.

I have not gathered a thing. Shopped for food. Or planned anything.

If the kids weren't so dang excited, I would bag the whole trip and stay home to get some things done before school starts on Tuesday.

I have no business even sitting here, typing this post.

Chaos reigns about my house.

The only redeeming feature about going camping this weekend is that I will be able to hopefully just "BE" and relax. There will be no jobs to worry about, no floors to vacuum, no dishes to wash, no laundry to do, no sports practices to rush to, no clocks to watch, no schedule to maintain. When I finally get to town and to the grocery store in a few hours, I plan on picking up at least 2 books and a stack of magazines, including the sleazy gossip rags. By the time we get back I will be unbelievably relaxed and mentally ready to face the impending school year.

But that relaxation will last only until we pull back into the driveway on Monday and the insane schedule that is our life starts once again and harsh reality slaps me in the face.

Two of the three kids have practices on Monday!

Monday, August 25, 2008

This One

RUBY
  • Asked her 13 year old brother today if he was gonna get married when it is snowing outside. Cuz she is.
  • Is getting 2 new frogs for her aquarium tomorrow. Their names are Lily and Tad.
  • Is SO excited about school. Only 8 more sleeps!
  • Her voice has changed a bit because she has so many teeth missing right now. Three (!) in the front and one more loose on the bottom!
  • Is starting to sound out words and figure out what signs say.
  • STILL won't wear underwear.
  • This is going to be a problem in about 8 days when school starts.
  • Can already dribble a soccer ball better than her brother.
  • Named her butt cheeks, Fluffy and Puffy. Her tummy is Muffy.
  • Wants to work at Sonic before she has kids and as a teacher after she has kids.
  • Wants to have 3 kids and drive a truck.
  • Her favorite colors are blue, and white and red.
  • Her best friend is Jimmy. He LOVES Ruby and she loves him too. Only she loves him like a brother. Poor Jimmy.
  • She has several boyfriends, most of which are her brother's age.
  • Her brother's friends (her boyfriends) usually tell Jacob to tell her to put some clothes on when they are over. We have a problem keeping clothes on this kid.
  • The new rule at the swimming hole is that swimsuits must be worn at all times. No skinny dipping Ruby!
  • Never had or needed a spanking, point your finger at her and she cowers.
  • Her favorite song is Rascal Flatts "Me and My Gang" She likes the "It's a brother and a sister kind of thing" part. (Cuz she has a brother and a sister)
  • She likes the music in the car so loud that she can't hear herself, or anyone else, sing. And she likes to listen to Sugarland's "Stay" over and over and over. She sings it at the top of her lungs.
  • Is my baby and is growing so fast that she really isn't a baby anymore.

My favorite movie of all time

Red Dawn is my all-time favorite movie. I have no idea when I FIRST saw it, but I know I have seen it MANY times since then.

Somehow while watching this movie I identified with many of the characters and it helped make the Cold War more of a reality to me (albeit in a chilling way). For me, that movie helped me grow up and realize that the World was bigger than just our country. I knew it was a fantasy movie but it also got mes thinking, “What if that happened? Could/would I do that?”

It is also a movie about teenagers, the Wolverines, not being able to rely on adults. And even though this movie does not have the greatest acting or script I somehow can't resist watching it and crying through it, whenever it is on. I also own a DVD copy for melancholy times.

This scene when the Dad says, "Boys! Avenge kills me.

And when Daryl is shot for his traitorous ways also gets me.

In fact I cry all the way to the end when Matt and Jed are on the swings dying.

Although most of the Wolverines are killed, a voice-over appears at the end of the movie by Erica, one of the two survivors, showing a World War III memorial. The American flag flying above it implies the United States had - eventually - won the war.

The exact quote framing "Partisan Rock" is:

"I never saw the brothers again. In time, this war, like every other war, ended. But I never forgot, and I come to this place often, when no one else does."

"In the early days of World War 3, guerrillas, mostly children, placed the names of their lost upon this rock. They fought here alone; and gave up their lives, so that this nation shall not perish from the earth."

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Vegas, baby!

Did you know that you can fly to Vegas from Redmond, Oregon for only $59 one way?

And Redmond is only about 200 miles from here, closer than Portland.

That is only $170 round trip with all the taxes and fees added.

Yep, the trip is booked for October 9-12 with three friends!

I am so excited. I have not been to Las Vegas for three years. I can't wait.

The atmosphere is fun, the food is great, and the shopping is so fabulous!!!

Top 5 Sports Movies

We are a sports loving family.

There is not a week out of the year when one or another of the kids are not participating in some sport of some kind.

Jacob plays basketball, baseball an football and also competes in track for his middle school. He also goes to golf camp every summer and hikes and hunts.

Hayley plays basketball, softball and soccer. She also plays volleyball whenever she can, goes to golf camp in the summer and hunts.

Ruby is just getting started. She will be playing her first season of soccer this fall and I highly anticipate that she will be soon following in her older siblings footsteps of playing a sport throughout the year.

All of the kids swim.

Me, I walk, run/shuffle a bit, throw and catch softballs and baseballs, shag basketballs and play horse, suck at golf, and hike. I have no time to really join a league or play anything competitively for myself--Who would drive my kids to their events?

We watch a lot of sports movies. They can be so inspirational.

My family's top 5 sports movies (in no particular order):
  • Remember the Titans
  • The Sandlot
  • Friday Night Lights
  • Blades of Glory
  • Bend it like Beckham

Kind of all over the place, but then so are we!

What are your family's top 5 sports movies?

Monday, August 18, 2008

Time flies

This picture was taken in August of 2005. This picture was taken in August of 2008.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

It's Been Awhile...

(That's a great song! I love Staind!)

Here is a bit of what has been going on—

  • Ruby lost another tooth and the tooth fairy came the SAME night that she put the tooth under her pillow! Jacob and Hayley's tooth fairy was really the pits and always took at least an extra day, sometimes 2! (Hey, it took 3 kids to finally get it together, what can I say...)

I love this picture. She is very into hairstyles lately, but never wants to brush it!

  • I had a Stampin’ Up Club workshop at my house. It was not my month to hostess, but my house is more conducive to entertaining, so I got to be the hostess. The best thing about having a party at your house is that it gets cleaned. Really cleaned. Company cleaned. Not just family cleaned.

  • Hayley’s Classic soccer team had a qualifying tournament in Canby. We stayed in Newberg at the Shilo Inn and went to the Drive In movies to see Wall-E (I do not recommend Wall-E, it is very slow and much too long.)

This is Hayley and Max, the stockiest Border Collie I have ever seen. He goes through seasonal depression in the summertime when we are so busy and spend too much time away from home.

  • The soccer team placed 4th in their bracket and went on to round 2 of the qualifying tournament this weekend in Keizer. They lost both games, but Hayley finally played like she can.

  • Jacob went on a 50-mile hike of the Pacific Crest trail from Timberline to Cascade Locks. All went well until the last night when he was eaten alive by mosquitoes.

This is one of the pictures I took the day before he left just in case I had to make LOST posters, or he didn’t make it out alive. Yes, I am morbid. My kids tolerate me.

  • Football has started. I hate football. I hate the fact that he looks like he is getting beat up and that he likes to hit people, and is pretty good at it too. I cannot stand to watch Jacob play even one minute of football. He says football is his favorite sport because he just plays and doesn’t have to really think.

  • I finally got my “Welcome Back” letter from the school district and will start on Aug. 28th. There was some worry that the start of school would be delayed due to un-completed renovations and the fire in July.

I know I am biased, but they really are beautiful!

  • The girls decorated an onion to enter in the County Fair. The theme was, “It’s Magical!” their onion was a wizard. Pretty cute.

  • I spent oodles of money on nothing at the fair.

  • I helped a friend who owns a start-up catering company by serving salads at a company picnic. Not only did I get paid very well for my time, I also got to bring home leftovers to my perpetually starving son.

  • Seriously, I really didn't believe people when they talked about their teenage boys eating them out of house and home, but OMG. My kid can really EAT. A LOT. ALL THE TIME

  • I've purchased two pairs of soccer cleats, one pair of foot ball cleats, two sets of shin guards, 6 pairs of soccer socks, two soccer balls, and one football mouth guard. I have a lot more I need to buy, but I am TIRED OF SHOPPING! Can you believe it? I want to stay home.

  • My beloved Honda Odyssey ( I do have 3 kids... someday I'll get to drive something cute!) rolled over 100,000 miles. I was too sidetracked to take a picture like I wanted, but plan on getting one at 111,111 miles.

And this is a portrait of me taken while driving down the North Umpqua Hwy. I am concentrating on being a safe, responsible driver, not on taking a great picture!

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Exciting News!

At 5 years, 8 months, and 3 weeks, Ruby officially lost her first tooth tonight!

I say officially because she did have one of her top front teeth pulled a few months ago because it was injured in a bleacher accident. Her freshly lost tooth is a bottom tooth.

Here is the photo proof:

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

I got nuthin'

Blah, blah, blah...

BORING

This is my life right now.

I can't WAIT until school starts again and I get to go back to work!

Ruby is having a movie marathon day and so far we have watched: Finding Nemo, Enchanted, Veggie Tales, and Cinderella 3. I am cutting her off when this one is over.

Hayley is at soccer practice. This is her first year of Classic Soccer and their first tournament is this weekend in Canby.

Jacob is on Day 2 of his 50-mile hike of the Pacific Crest Trail from Timberline to Cascade Locks.

Once again, the kids have much better lives than I do. My major source of excitement the past few days has been.....ummmmm.......I can't think of anything!