Jake's birthday celebration begins

I'm not as computer savvy as I use to be.  Today, I finally figured out how to change the time from Pacific to Central time zone.  Yeah me!  I had someone text me and ask why I was so tired last night?  "Your blog posted at 8:43pm - that's not late."  Ha ha, very funny! 

---

Yesterday afternoon my parents drove over to watch Jake march after the football game and celebrate his birthday.  They didn't get away as soon as they'd hoped.  I didn't realize that when I got a text from Jake saying he had to be back to school at 3:59, instead of 4:30, so I offered to pick him up rather than have him ride the bus home - so he could spend some time with his Grandparents.  Feeling the pressure of time I opted to pick Annie up early from school.  We drove out to pick up Jake, only to wait for almost 10 minutes before we saw him run around the corner.  We left just in time to get stuck in the masses of traffic and buses leaving the school.  Blah!  And I thought elementary and middle school traffic was bad?  It's nothing!  I practiced my deep breathing and we were home before my folks arrived.  I made Jake some food for his always hungry belly.  Dad settled into a spot on the couch as soon as he arrive for his overdue afternoon nap.  Mom rode along with me to drop off Jake.  She was shocked at the size of his school.  

Jack got home from golf and we ate his delicious chili for dinner.  This batch was a little spicy - but so good!  

Here are a few pictures of the rest of our evening... 

 

< Mom and Dad at the game - great seats, a row from the top!

> Jake passing by before half time: Homecoming crowning.

  

 < Annie stopped by to say "hi".

> Dad got disgusted in the 3rd quarter.  Mom pretending she's not in the picture.

 

< Jake's on the move again.

> 2nd overtime... it went into a 3rd overtime before we lost 38-35.

Dad said something about seeing enough football to last him until next year.

During the show - after the game.

Jake's Grandparents were very impressed!

We had originally planned to eat cake when Jake got home.  We got home at 10:23pm.  By 10:30 Jack was too sleepy to stay up and wait for Jake.  At 10:45pm I sent my parents to bed.  They were beyond pooped.  It was WAY past their bedtime.  I had Jake's phone, so I sent a message to the family we carpool with at 11:29pm asking if she'd seen the boys since she was picking them up (they kids bused back to the school, where they help unload the trucks).   Jake finally got home at 11:41pm.  (WAY past MY bedtime!) 

And today, after breakfast, we celebrated Jake's birthday with strawberry shortcake!

  

< A very tired Jake enjoying the musical candle his Grandma brought.

> Make a wish!

 

< Jake carefully cutting the angel food pound cake.  (lol!)

> Dad and Jack enjoyed it, too!

Jake took care of what was left of the strawberries!

YUM!

We made time for a few games of cards before they had to leave.

Mom took Dad out by the high school after they left.  They drove around it and talked about how big it was.  Then they took the scenic route home and enjoyed the beautiful day.

 

Jack worked in the yard today.  

< Look what he dug up.  A HUGE piece of concrete!

> It left an even huger hole that he filled in.

 

Jack mowed.  Jack verticut.  And verticut again.  And mowed, again.

< Here is Cody, our very excited neighbor, verticutting his yard.

(Cody loves his yard and doing yard work!  He'd never verticut before.)

> Jack mowing, the 3rd times charm.

*Ignore the reflection of my phone in the upper left corner.

The kids were supposed to have a lock in tonight.  It got cancelled.  :-(  Bummer!  

xo

It's late...

It's been a long day and I was not expecting the football game would go into triple overtimes.  A great game but it felt like it would never end.  It did with an unfortunate loss for Blue Valley West.

I will post pictures and blog tomorrow.

I promise.

Sweet dreams!

xo

A big day for Jake

This morning Jack and Jake got up very early for a trip to the DMV.  We didn't have a booklet for Jake to study from, so they decided to study a bit and if Jake felt like giving the test a try, he had nothing to lose.  Jack said he could miss 5 questions.  Jake took the test on a computer against the wall, while Jack and the DMV Administrator watched the results live on another monitor.  Jake missed 4 of the first 13.  When it was over he missed 5 and passed!  Jake said there were some tricky questions but he did it!  

Jack had taken Jake's passport to prove his identity.  And was asked for his own Driver's License to prove relationship.  The man looked at Jack's DL, then looked at Jack and said, "did you realize your Driver's License expired on your birthday?"  8-|  With a blank stare, Jack replied, "I had no idea."  Jack hadn't taken a shower or shaved before they left.  He did little more than get dressed and brush his teeth.  Jack got it taken care of but as he told me on the phone, "I look like a homeless person."  I shouldn't have laughed, but I did.

They called me on their way home.  Jake was so funny.  I had no idea what to expect, so I didn't come right out and ask.  He didn't give me any hints.  I can't remember if he finally told me or Jack, but Jake was excited.  Jack was... a little nervous, I think.

He's so proud!

I had to pick Jake up a little early from school.  He had an orthodontist appointment today.  He now has rubber bands.  And a chocolate toothbrush for his birthday.  I asked if he needs to wear them 24/7.  He said, no but as much as possible.  As it turns out one of his brackets came lose after band tonight, so he's not wearing them at all until we can get it fixed.  :-(

After the orthodontist I drove over to a large, empty parking lot at Church of the Resurrection.  We spent the next 30 minutes driving around.  He did pretty well.  We did venture out of the parking lot several times.  He practiced parking.  He tried to back into a spot.  He would often get out and check his work - sometimes laugh, sometimes nod and smile.  A couple times he rolled through a stop sign.  I would point and we passed the sign and ask "what was that?"  I got brave and asked him to go over to the north side of the building.  It's a commercial area, we encountered a few other vehicles.  He did great the first time, so we went around again.  Jake was approaching a stop sign, then needed to turn right onto a one-way street.  He was driving fairly slow... I could see two cars were on the one-way street.  The stop sign was getting closer - and closer - and he wasn't slowing.  I said, "slow down... slow down"  and almost put a hole in the floor board as I screamed "STOP!"  We were fine.  He did, in fact, stop in time but waited until the last possible moment.  It was the ONLY time I got nervous.   

He's a serious driver!

At some point during our adventure Jake decided he needed some background music.  We were stopped at the time, so I didn't object.  What do you think he chose?  Wrong.  He pulled out a cassette tape from the car door - Psalty's Funtastic Praise Party!  We listened to This Little Light of Mine, Into My Heart and several others.  It was so weird.  I had received that tape as a gift for helping with the children at COR when Jake was 4 or 5 years old.  He still loves that tape and so do I!  It made my heart smile. 

Jake asked if I was emotional about him driving.  I said, "no, just excited."  I didn't really think too much about the music until after he was gone to band practice.  Wow, how time flies!  Ok, now I am a little emotional.  :-)  But my heart is full and I'm smiling.  These are happy tears.

I got a letter in the mail from my Dad today.  Its been a while since he's written to the family (all four kids/spouses).  He reflected on turning 85.  He noted they are NOT ready to sell their house and move - anywhere!  And he said, "God has been unusually kind to us." and ended with "Count your many blessings, name them one by one AND it will surprise you what the Lord has done!"  What a wonderful reminder, that I will pass along to you!  

xo

Some days

From Finding Nemo

Squirt: Good afternoon. We're gonna have a great jump today. Okay, first crank a hard cutback as you hit the wall. There's a screaming bottom curve, so watch out. Remember: rip it, roll it, and punch it. 

Marlin: It's like he's trying to speak to me, I know it. 

[to Squirt] 

Marlin: Look, you're really cute, but I can't understand what you're saying. Say the first thing again.   

(Hmmm.)

I wish I had read this before I left the house this morning.

Sometimes trying to decipher what a 3 year old is communicating is near insanity!  Don't be afraid to ask another 3 year old for help.  They often speak the same language.  If all else fails, nod and say, "oh really!?"  It usually works.   

Sometimes trying to decipher a teenagers fragmented sentences is also close to insanity.  However, with teenagers it requires much more patience trying to fill in the blanks and some amount of mind reading.  Whatever you do, don't ask too many questions, they can become frustrated or angry without warning and your chances of bringing them back are almost zero.  Under no circumstances nod to a teenager, unless you know exactly what you have just agreed to!

Some days I'm good at both.  Some days I'm good at neither.  

Today, I felt a lot like Marlin.  I was left wide eyed and scratching my head more than a few times.

(Hmmff!)  

From Finding Nemo

Dory: Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do? 
Marlin: No I don't wanna know. 
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim. 
Marlin: Dory, no singing. 
Dory: [continuing] Ha, ha, ha, ha, ho. I love to swim. When you want to swim you want to swim. 
Marlin: Now I'm stuck with that song... Now it's in my head. 
Dory: Sorry. 

Fear not, I was not a Ms. Grumpy Gills.  When I wasn't swimming in circles I enjoyed a chat with Sarah.  And I went down to Harrisonville and had fun hunting through "stuff" with Sue and Lauren.  One of the places we went was similar to "The Barn" in Castle Rock.  I bought a window.  It was too good of a deal to pass up and Pinterest has so many cute ideas.  I have been looking for a spice rack that Annie could turn into a nail polish display.  I found something that will be awesome, after a bit of paint and tweaking.  

Here are the before pictures:

 

I went to the high school for a quick meeting.  I have to say the band parents have great ideas.  One thing they do is provide the band members with treats before each big performance.  We taped bags of treats to each locker - 126 in all.  I signed up to help before their last performance at the end of October; along with another Mom.  We are going to make something - cookies or brownies.  At least that was our thoughts tonight.  

 I got home in time to watch Parenthood.  It's one of my favorite shows.  I won't discuss it and risk spoiling it for anyone but I will say I was left in tears.  

Sleep tight!

xo 

DJ & Melissa's wedding!

We arrived in Smith Center, Kansas on Friday night around 5:00PM looking a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies.  We were loaded down with three smokers, a huge cooler filled with 70+ pounds of trimmed meat, as well as other food items, luggage, backpacks, Suzy's portable kennel and effects.  We dropped Suzy off at her home away from home before unpacking the truck at the B&B.  Wasting no time, we were off again.  Annie practiced with Patrick and Dan several times - then again during the wedding rehearsal.  

 

< The flower girls (and Annie) got a pep talk from the groom.

> Marlene's lap was full of love (grandkids).

I love this picture Sarah took of Jake.

 

< Waiting and visiting and photo bombed by Isaac.

> The rehearsal...

The rehearsal dinner followed.  Marlene did a great job with the decorations and food.  I wish I had taken pictures of more than just a few of the decorations.  It was lovely!

 

< The blessing tree.

> The thumbprint tree.

The love birds Annie made at the bridal shower...

hers made table decorations.

Dessert included entertainment - a photo slide show created by Patrick.  Many (including me) shed a tear or two or three.

Friday night... 

We made time to play cards.

 

And a pajama porch chat.  

No pic of Jake or I.

The Ingleboro Mansion B&B had many treasures from the past.

This old wheelchair was a little creepy in a dark sitting room,

but not as creepy as the doll (that was taller than Addy).

I can't believe I never took a picture of her 

- especially when she showed up in our bathroom!

Jack got up at 2AM Saturday morning to light the smokers.  The meat was on at 3:15AM and he watched it until 4:30AM, when he went back to bed.  (Sorry, no pictures.)

Saturday morning I tagged along with Marlene and the grandparents to tackle Marlene's to do list.  Unfortunately, the list slipped under the freezer never to be seen again.  8-|  Marlene quickly started a new list but several things were forgotten.  We did our best.  We accomplished so much!  I was thankful to be able to help when and where I could.  

Sarah, Jake and Annie took the little kids to the park.  I drove by it at some point, it looked like lots of fun! 

Annie and Addy at the park.

It had a huge Dutch windmill.

(Thanks for the picture, Sarah!)

Addy called Jack, Uncle Bubby.  You might remember there was confusion when we were in Colorado with Jack, the man and Jack, the dog.  Jack, the dog's name is actually Bubby Jack.  I laughed so hard and encouraged her more than I should.  It was too cute.  I guess now we are Uncle Bubby and Aunt Mimi!  :-)  I LOVE IT!

It was fun to watch Addy get ready.

  

ready... set... so pretty!

Then it was time for the pictures with the bride.

 

< What a beautiful group!

> Marlene and her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

and a quick shot of the bride on her way to the church.

Time slipped away all too quickly and it was time to get to the church.  I waited with Jack while he finished cutting up the burnt ends.  While he got ready I went ahead, took the kids and came back for him.  

Before the wedding, Addy warmed up the piano for Dan,

while Jake was her protective body guard.

(Another photo from Sarah, thank you!)

I think Jack and I were the last to arrive, the Grandmother's had already been seated.

Annie was a little nervous

but her voice was warmed up 

and she was ready.

The ring bearers and flower girls did a great job.

 

< The ring bearers got a high five from the groom.

> The flower girls looked adorable!

The music was beautiful!  

Annie, Patrick & Dan

did a great job!

I laughed, I cried.  I shared the box of Kleenex.

It was a beautiful service!

Mr. and Mrs. DJ O'Neal

(courtesy of Julie Kuhlmann Photography)

As soon as the service was over Jack went back to get the meat ready.  The wedding party took pictures around town, so there was plenty of time to get everything in place.  I had put potatoes in the oven and when we arrived at the reception hall we were greeted by a room full of smoke.  Thankfully, Matt jumped into action and got it under control.  Jake flew out the door to warn his Aunt.  Bless her heart, Marlene burst into a fit of laughter.  It was under control in no time.  And I suppose a little smoke never hurts when you're eating delicious BBQ!  

Here are a few of my favorite guys at the wedding / reception...

 

< Jake looking handsome.

> Jack not looking at all sleep deprived.

 

< Isaac enjoying cake.

> Sam enjoying punch.

The reception was fun.  Jack did an outstanding job on the brisket and burnt ends.  There were only 12 small pieces of burnt ends left in the pan at the end of the night.  He received many raving reviews.  :-)  

Jake had fun with the sand and mirrors on the table.

 

We stayed at the Ingleboro Mansion Bed and Breakfast.  It was a first for Jack, the kids and I.  We thought it was lovely and would do it again.  

 

We gave it 4 thumbs up!

Smith Center is a cute little town.  We joked that everything you were looking for was within three blocks.  That wasn't really the case, but it was fun to say.  Suzy enjoyed her visit to Smith Center, too.  She spent her time at a kennel... but really was just a guest dog in a very nice family's home.  :-)

We did a little sight seeing on our way home.  

 

< Statue of Liberty replica - Gaylord, KS

> Worlds Largest Ball of Twine - Cawker City, KS

As we were looking at the twine I got a mysterious text saying "step away from the giant ball of twine... :-)"  I have to tell you, it was creepy.  But it didn't take long to realize that DJ's best friend, Hal, had driven past.  And we all got a good laugh out of it. 

 

< Beautiful field of sunflowers

> Rest Area art.

Chilly and partly cloudy all day.

Note:  Smith Center is only 15 minutes from the geographical center of the 48 states.  Had we known we would have made time for that stop, too!

What a wonderful weekend!  

xo