Sometimes...

I had a wonderful visit with my sister last night.  I had left her a voicemail message with all my news so I just listened and enjoyed hers.  She always has the best stories... she definitely has the knack that I was not given.  I can write stories.  She remembers the details like they were yesterday and can make it seem like you were there - no matter the story.  Sometimes, well most of the time, I wish I had her gift.  I am so thankful for her!  Not sometimes, ALWAYS!

The kids didn't have school today - Professional Development Day for staff.  So, I had to go to training this morning. (Yesterday, I had done some laundry and asked the kids to take their folded pile upstairs when they went to bed.)  This morning I came down and found their piles - right where I had placed them.  :-(  What's a Mom to do?  Wake up her sleeping teenagers, of course.  I told them they could go back to bed.  After they went down and took care of their clothes.  When I got home from my training the piles had been relocated, to their rooms. I asked if the piles could be put away.  Deep sigh.  Sometimes... 

Sometimes I get into conversations with the kids and topics come up out of no where.  Well, today we had one such conversation.  Jake made a comment about a catheter.  There had been a commercial on tv that brought up the subject.  Without being too graphic he thought is was something that "slips on"... like a condom.  I could not hold in my laughter.  I set him straight saying the tube goes in - not on.  Jake's eyes about popped out of his head and he somehow mustered "OH!  Um, gross!"  Annie and I got a good laugh out of it.  

Sometimes things happen that just can't be explained, like the explosions in Boston today.  I have no words.  All I can do is pray.  I can't imagine.  It's always nice to hear about awesome people when things like this happen... "reports of marathon runners that crossed finish line and continued to run to Mass General Hospital to give blood to victims."  Lord, hear our prayers.  My heart goes out to everyone in Boston.

We are starting a new book in Sunday School.  It's called Too Busy NOT to Pray by Bill Hybels.  There is a passage in the first chapter that says "when we work, we work.  But when we pray, God works."  May God work through our prayers and may our ears be open to hear his message.  

xo

It's not running - just super speedy walking

Jake and I started our day with a long walk.

Jake ran most of the 5k - I walked most of it.

Jake and Mrs. Bormann, his 4th grade teacher. 

Muscles for Myotonic was created in memory her daughter, Anna.

If they would have called it a "fun run" it would have cost an additional $3k.

So the "runners" were classified as Super Speedy Walkers.

Jake conveniently stepped back behind the sign just as I snapped this.

Heritage Park

It started off sunny but got windy and chilly before the walk started.

Muscles for Myotonic was created to raise awareness and raise funds for myotonic dystrophy research programs.  It's a congenital disorder that took the life of Mrs. Bormann's six week old Anna - when Jake was in her class. 

So, what do you do on a Saturday after a brisk morning walk?  Take a nap, of course.

Jack and I had plans to meet some old coworkers from Sprint North Supply.  I don't know why I agree to go to these things.  I'm comfortable in small groups but a large group of strangers... ugh, makes me anxious.  I knew 3 people out of 30.  THANKFULLY, we couldn't stay long - Jake had another event.  

Solo / Ensemble Festival

at Olathe South High School 

This was the warm up area - SO LOUD!

Mr. Banks helped Jake get tuned and ready.

Mr. Banks is Jake's instructor for private lessons.

We had some time to kill so Jake asked Jack some music questions.

It wasn't fair because Jack has no clue about music.

The laughter was good medicine - 

no one was particularly nervous but it still helped pass the time.

Mr. Banks and Mr. Longabaugh (Asst. Director @ BVW) met us a few minutes before Jake's assigned time.  His name was called but... his accompanist wasn't there yet.  As it turned out she was playing for 19 other students and spent most of her day running from one to the next.  We waited long enough that even Jack was getting nervous.  Jake said he was calm and cool but I could tell he the longer we waited... finally she showed up and they walked in immediately.  Jack and I could have gone in but I didn't want to add to Jake's nerves.  We stood right outside the door.  The judge didn't give Jake time for the introduction and did it himself, which threw Jake off a bit.  And then they were off.  Jake did a great job.  There were a couple times when I looked at Jack but we stood quietly.  Jake came out looking nervous, his entourage in toe all smiling.  We waited for the score to be posted.  We ran into some friends from other schools and had some good visits.  We saw an additional sheet posted and the last score was the group before Jake.  Ugh!  More waiting.  We listened to several choirs.  We waited some more.  Finally, we saw the director and he said we were brave to wait.  Jake really wanted to be the first one to see his rating.  The director was standing near us and asked the assistant if he'd seen Jake's score.  He had... he got a 1!  There were several cheers for Jake - but Jake was in the gym chatting with friends.  Mr. Longabaugh went to tell Jake and I tried to hide my excitement.  I couldn't do it.  Jake walked out with mixed emotions - excited and disappointed, knowing we had already heard.  It couldn't dampen our excitement and pride.  Now, he will perform again in two weeks at the State Competition in Emporia.  Woo Hoo!  Yeah Jake!!  Unfortunately, that means he won't get to go on his Science Camp-out.  :-(  BUT I'm sure there will be other opportunities to go catch snakes.  !?    

I had asked you to keep Matt and Annie (friends of Matt and Sarah's) in your prayers.  Matt was arrested in Denver on Thursday.  Matt is currently in a mental health ward - heavily sedated.  It is a very sad situation.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.  I would also ask that you pray for Sarah and Matt.  They are having a very hard time coming to the terms with the whole situation.  

xo

Better

Jake had to be at school at 6:00 a.m.  Concert Band had a festival at another area high school and since it's late arrival day they started early so that all involved could be back to their home schools before their second class.  He said it went well but came home exhausted.  He had homework but I told him to take a 45 minute nap and a quick shower before he got started.  He complained that it wasn't enough time but I didn't want him to sleep the day away and be up all night.  He had a meeting tonight from 6:30-8:30 about a science camp-out at the end of the month.  I think he said there are 75 students (for all 5 BV high schools) signed up to go to Southeast Kansas.  Tonight, they learned how to identify poisonous snakes and plants.  He is so excited!

Annie had an ortho appointment in the middle of the day.  She grabbed some lunch and then wanted to go home and brush her teeth.  Did you know fries, chicken and watermelon toothpaste taste weird together?  Ha ha!  Good to know.  She got a new wire and light blue bands.  I asked her to take a picture of herself but she didn't feel like it.  Then she proceeded to look at herself in the mirror until I pulled up in front of her school.  (I held in my giggles.)  Tonight, she went with her group to a play at the high school.  It was called The Dining Room and they all got to sit on the stage - in the round.  She said it was AWESOME and kinda sad!   

Jack's finger is doing much better.  I am thankful that he was able to get up and take Jake to school so early and also drive Annie's carpool.  He doesn't usually do early morning stuff - but I truly appreciated that he did today!  I couldn't have done it.  

I started feeling better this afternoon.  I had a long list of to-do's for youth group.  Meal planning.  Organizing a fundraiser.  I sent out close to 40 emails.  I still need to find youth volunteers for the Legacy BBQ but I didn't want it to get overlooked so I will send it in a few days.  It's written and draft saved, so it will be quick.  

A friend of Sarah and Matt's is in trouble.  I would ask that you keep Matt (and his wife, Annie) in your prayers.  I don't know exactly what's going on but hope and pray it's a something that can be worked out.  

xo    

Ugh!

The allergies/sickness turned out to be sickness.  My throat pain woke me up in the night and it felt like it was on fire.  I woke up this morning with my voice a few octaves lower, a bad cough and my throat still on fire.  I drank some cold water, took some pain reliever and hoped for the best.  I got ready and went to school.  I was there exactly 15 minutes.  Ugh!  I slept most of the day away.

Jack has been fighting a painful finger.  He had a hang nail and I was convinced there was still a bit of nail in there.  Today he went to the health center on campus. After a couple shots of novocaine and 10 minutes it wasn't numb enough so they had to give one more right next to the spot.  YOWCH!  It was quite infected.  They cleaned it out and wrapped it up.  Jack was late to a meeting so took a shortcut through the rain, down a little hill.  Unfortunately momentum wasn't on his side and his pretty white bandages were covered in mud - as was his backside.  (I laughed as he told me of his adventure.)  He was late to his meeting because he went back to get his finger re-wrapped. 

Ouch!

He's now taking horse pill sized antibiotics for the next 10 days.

Tomorrow is a new day.

xo

I scream... You scream

We all scream for ice cream!

at Ben and Jerry's!

Mmmm!

Jake and I stopped by after an appointment.

Jake had a great ortho appointment.  No more rubber bands!  Yeah!  

Jack's 2nd interview went really well.  I waited an hour and 15 minutes before sending a text to see how it went. Jack was still talking to the group and everyone got to hear the BOING sound of the text notification.  Hmm.  He's got to start turning off his phone when he's in the middle of a meeting.  Tee hee!  It was a group interview by his peers and they called him this afternoon with more questions.  They didn't say when the decision would be made but Jack is guessing he'll hear by Friday.  

It was an Early Release day for Annie and she went with the Community Service Club to Wayside Waifs Animal Shelter.  They got a tour of the new facility, learned about the organization, service dogs.  She saw the most beautiful cat she'd ever seen.  Ever!  It was gray and white and gorgeous. 

We went out to dinner with friends.  Jack had given them some advice on a craigslist sale - they sold their HUGE swing set.  Jack told them they needed to almost double their asking price.  It was sold within 24 hours.  They took us to dinner as a thank you.

We spent a few minutes waiting in the car before our friends arrived at dinner.  What better opportunity to take a few pictures.

Cute!

 Then tried to get a family picture...

And I was asking too much.

Jake didn't actually lick Annie but...

I have a bad cough.  I'm not sure if it's allergies or sickness.  We have LOTS of runny noses in our classroom.  :-(  I took some cough medicine I had gotten from the doctor several weeks ago and it has me in a fog.  I'm looking forward to a restful night.  The rain is just starting... which will add to my good sleep.  I am so lucky that everyone in our family sleeps extra well during storms.  We love it!

xo

25!

The count down in on...

Annie has 25 days until she leaves for her big weekend in Chicago with friends and her first REAL concert experience.

I have 25 days left of school with students.

I started using the kitchen calendar again.  The next two months are busy!

Jake had his Pre-Regional Festival Solo Recital performance this afternoon.  Jake didn't think parents were allowed.  Jack picked him up and was surprised to see parents going in and out. :-(  Bummer!  Jake said it went very well and the guest judges said he needs to do exactly what he made them do... put their pencil down, sit back and enjoy the music.  His directors and lesson teacher were there as well and stood up and clapped.  There were only a few minor tips to make his Saturday performance even better.  :-)    He's excited and confident.

Jack got a new toy in the mail today.  A new knife sharpener.  He wasted no time getting to work on our dull knives.  And even "trained" me in the art - since I will be expected to keep the knives sharp during the prep work of next months Legacy BBQ.  

Serious business.

It's hard to see but he sheared himself a bit.

Smooth as a baby's bottom right in the middle of his forearm.

It was as sharp as any Guinsoo knife as advertised back in the day.

Ha! ha!

Jack and I attended the monthly Band Booster Meeting tonight.  It was packed with lots of information and dates.  Did I say the calendar was filling up?  Well band just added a couple more things each week until school is out.  It's crazy!  As the meeting was winding down the director was making a point and just as he finished Jack's phone made a text notification sound... BOING!  It was loud.  And the timing was perfect.  Everyone in the room laughed.  (Jake had a similar situation earlier in the year during band - much worse of course - like father, like son.)  :-)

xo

sunshine and rain

A few days ago I left the front door open 

and Suzy snoozed in the sunshine all afternoon.

We made our first trip of the season to the dog park yesterday.  We were expecting to see lots of mud - but saw none.  It's so hard to believe just a two weeks ago it was buried under 8 inches of snow.  Suzy loved it but after just one lap she was ready to go.  I love the walk but admit she makes me a bit apprehensive when her old sassy girl comes out and gets snippy with other dogs.  She stops and the hair on her back stands up on her back and she bolts to oncoming K9.  She is so protective.

Caution!  

Suzy waiting patiently for us to catch up..

We went to Grand Avenue Temple this morning.  

After worship we served lunch at Lazarus Table.  It's always a humbling experience.    

The kids were talking to Elizabeth (the youth pastor) about a movie that is coming out soon.  I can't remember the name of it but the premise is one day a year crime is legal.  Annie... she'd eat brownies.  You know, the funny kind.  !?  NOT AT ALL what we expected her to say.   Jake would rob a bank, then change his mind and said he'd burn something down.  He's such a pyromaniac.  He added he thought it meant you had to break a commandment.  We all laughed when Jack said he'd turn right on red at 87th and 69 Highway (where he'd gotten a ticket a few weeks ago.)  I don't know what I'd do, probably just stay home and stay safe!

We returned home and Annie went to a friend's house.  Jack went to the driving range.  I did laundry.  Jake watched tv - then we both took naps.  

We had our first spring thunderstorm this evening.  It started to rain as Jack was taking dinner off the grill.  It was complete with lightning and thunder.  Ahh!  I loved it!  

A picture of severe thunderstorm moving through downtown.

Crazy purple sky.

And finally, a cute picture. 

Goofballs!

(I hope it makes you smile!)

Annie has been camera shy.  I'm hoping to get a picture of her soon.  ;-)

xo