Gotta Love Golf!

Awhile ago Rob and I were talking about hobbies and how we enjoy his hobbies but not mine. Mine are a little harder enjoy with people because I enjoy reading, running, writing and photography. But, I've enjoyed golf for the past 6-7 years. Granted I haven't played in 4 years but I still love it. So, I was surprised when Rob suggested that we play during my break. He's never played and he's usually not open to new adventures. But he tried it...and loved it! The game didn't start out all that good. We were partnered with a 84 year old man and his youngest grandson. They swore they hadn't golfed in forever but when they teed off they proved otherwise. Rob thought I was an experienced golfer but he learned otherwise when we got to the 1st hole. He asked what club to use when teeing off and I quietly told him, "Let's see what everyone else uses.". Then I couldn't get the ball over the minuscule fence directly in front of the tee off area. Rob teed off and the ball landed in between 2 trees. The guys parked their cart behind where Rob was, patiently waiting for him to hit again. Rob joked about hitting the ball off the tree when low and behold he did just that. The guys ducked as Rob's golf ball whizzed by their golf cart. After that Rob hit a long shot....into a ditch. The other part of our foursome politely said that they'd like to play through. Rob and I were both happy to hear this as it gave us the freedom to take our time at each hole. Well, I say "we" but really it was "I". Rob played speed golf. I guess he thinks whoever gets the ball into the hole the fastest wins! He did slow down at about the 5th hole and then learned that you use different irons for different distances. From that point on, he did REALLY well. I did ok but it definitely wasn't my best game. In the end, Rob lost 2 golf balls and I hit 2 trees but we had a blast. Rob now has the "Golf Bug" and can't wait to get back out there. Who knows? He may be getting fitted for a green jacket soon! :)

Does it Get Any Better?

I always enjoy my trips to see my parents and friends but this trip was especially fun. It was full of family time as well as time with friends. For once, I'm going to follow my good friend, Kim's, lead......shut up and let the pictures show you the fun instead. ENJOY as much as I did!

Track Off

I love my teaching schedule! I love teaching a few days a week and, even better, I love teaching year round. Yesterday I tracked off and this is the most excited I've been about tracking off. It's not that I feel that I work hard and need a break. But, rather, I'm excited about all the fun stuff planned this time. Yesterday I started my break by treating myself to a spa treatment at the nicest spa I've ever been to. If I had had the time I would've spent the entire day there because I felt like a princess. Today P and I were supposed to go to see my parents but we postponed the trip a day due to weather (I may regret doing this tomorrow as it hasn't really snowed today). Instead we took a family trip to the local train museum. You would've thought P struck gold! We heard "Choo choo" more times than we could count. Since they are remodeling the museum we got in for free, but weren't able to see all the exhibits. But P was happy with what he saw!
He even got a conductor's hat, a Thomas book, a Percy train, and a Thomas placemat and bowl out of the trip. After we left there we went to RC Willey. I've been wanting a new dishwasher ever since we bought this house. Since we found out we're getting money back from the IRS this year we decided to splurge on a new one. While we were there I wanted to get the flat screen TV that they're always advertising. It was fun to spend a little money on some house stuff. So far the past 24 hours have not disappointed me. The rest of the break should pan out to be just as much fun!

Lesson Learned, Thank You!

Ruby has been back home for 9 days and, for the most part, she's a completely different dog. But, as Rob likes to remind me often, I'm probably a little too soft on her. I put too much trust in her because of the intensive training she got. That theory came back to bite me in the butt this morning. She's supposed to have her shock collar on every time she's out of her crate. But, in the morning, I let her out to do her business and then I bring her back in until I leave for work. It hasn't been a problem for the past week....until today. I let her and Holly out and was standing right there watching them when they both vanished into thin air. My theory is this: a couple nights ago Holly had an accident in the house so we decided that she needs to sleep in the garage now. Last night was her first night in the garage so I think the dogs were in cahoots with an escape this morning. They probably could've pulled it off. I even got in the Yukon, driving around, yelling for them. I called Rob and told him the dogs were gone. I was mad as all get out and kept telling P that the doggies were bad girls. After P finished his breakfast, Rob called for an update. In the middle of talking to him Ruby appeared at the top of the driveway. I dropped the phone and ran to the door to yell for her. She and Holly came back, wagging their tails. But as soon as they stepped into the house they both knew they had screwed up. P even piped in and yelled, "Bad Girls!". I was furious with the dogs but I was even more mad at myself. I was mad that I had put too much trust into Ruby. But, I learned my lesson. She will not leave the garage without both her pinch collar and her shock collar until she matures and earns our trust. Until then I guess she and I will both learn from this experience!

Special Time

I love my time with P but some times are more special than others. On days I don't work, I like our early mornings together. We eat breakfast and he talks to me in his sleepy voice. Then I make a cup of coffee and we have our cuddle time while we watch the "Today Show" or a few minutes of Thomas. Another favorite time with him is when I pick him up from daycare. He starts talking the minute I walk into his class and proceeds to talk my ear off all the way home. Sometimes I turn on his praise CD and he dances and talks while I sing. Sometimes we play games on the way home. But, my hands-down favorite time with him is right before bed. We have a night time routine down that is special to me. After he gives his Daddy a night-night kiss he brushes his teeth. Then we go to his room and he picks a few books. He sits on my lap and snuggles with me while I read to him. I love the books he chooses (for the most part), seeing his favorites for the week, how he points out favorite parts of the books, the dogs laying by me. Once I've read a few books I hold him in my arms and say his bedtime prayers. He lays his little head on my shoulder when I say "Amen" and ends my day with a wonderful hug. It's a very special time for me every night and I'm so thankful to make those memories with my special lil man!

Hang Ups and Bang Ups

"Sometimes Hang Ups and Bang Ups will happen to you...." (From my favorite Dr. Seuss book). That lines describes P's day today. It started early this morning when I was in the bathroom getting ready. He rediscovered the DVD player....and found his Thomas videos. When I noticed it had become quiet I came to check on things. P had all 4 Thomas DVDs stuffed in the DVD player. Luckily I was able to get them out before too much damage was done. From there we left to go to Scheels for a brief play date. All was going well until P decided he didn't want to go up the stairs on the play structure. He tried to get down and in the process took a face plant on the thinly carpeted cement. Although he tried to be tough, he came away with a nice raspberry on his forehead. We went to gymnastics, where he had fun but wasn't as adventurous as usual. He was so tired on the way home that he started falling asleep in the car. But once we got home and he went down for his nap he only slept an hour. I tried to get him back to sleep when he woke up but I don't have the magic touch that his daddy does when it comes to that. Instead P decided to share his cheese crackers with Ruby, spreading them all over the kitchen floor. Luckily, Ruby is working on being trained to stay out of the kitchen so she only went in there for a minute before she saw me and left the area immediately. On top of being tired and having a sore head he is currently upset that I won't let him wear his train PJs. I told him he could wear them to bed but that's not good enough. So he is having a hard day all the way around, full of Hang Ups and Bang Ups. But, as seems to be my motto this week, "Tomorrow's a new day!" so hopefully it will be a better one for him.

Laughter to Frustration

You can tell Ruby's back home. Yesterday I was in the bathroom, getting ready. I heard dog feet on the tile and then P laughing hysterically. I came out to find that P had opened the pantry then opened the dog food tub and was proceeding to throw dog food in the air, watching both dogs chase and fight for it. This morning I was in the kitchen, emptying the dishwasher. I worried when I heard P laughing because I knew he was in the other room with both dogs. I had good reason to worry! When I walked in the room he had a handful of dirt and Ruby was covered in dirt. He was taking dirt from my potted plant and throwing it all over Ruby. Thankfully I got a new vacuum today so I was able to clean up the mess.
If only the entire day had been like that I would've been ok with it. But, it wasn't. Rob got word tonight that his court hearing is postponed....again! Even though he read me the email from his attorney I still don't understand why. The courts were in Rob's favor at the beginning but it seems like things have shifted. Now it seems like everything is against him with this whole ordeal. He is handling it MUCH better than me. I am just trying to keep my mouth shut because voicing my opinion on the whole thing won't solve the problem anyway.
But life is full of curve balls. Sometimes I'll handle them better and other times Rob will handle them better. That's why we're a team! Tomorrow is a new day and we'll see what new antics P is up to tomorrow when it comes to Ruby.

Life Lesson

I learned today that it's highly unlikely that I will ever be agoraphobic or a morbidly obese couch potato. This sitting at home all day is for the birds! There are a few days out of the year that I think, "Ah, it'd be nice to take P to daycare and just lay in bed all day, vegging in front of the TV or reading." However, days like today, make me realize that that's a crazy ambition that doesn't work for this gal.
We woke up to snow and are ending the day with the same. I didn't leave the house at all. I didn't go to church, didn't get my new vacuum (My hubby has a personal vendetta against vacuum cleaners and breaks them every time he vacuums....which, luckily, isn't too often) and didn't go to a baby shower this evening. I sat at home all day. Actually, I took Ruby for a couple short walks to get some fresh air and to train her. I also took P "horse hunting" because he was going stir crazy as well. After all, he is his mama's son!
Days like today make me go crazy! I get agitated and NEED fresh air. I'm thankful that I'm an active person and enjoy living life. Watching the snow fall all day long is something that I enjoy....if it's by choice and I can still leave the house. Tomorrow's a new day and I've already promised P that we'll get out of the house at some point to be around other people, see the world and get fresh air.

bugling

well, we finally did it. we have booked an elk hunt for september in colorado. ive been wanting to go do this with my dad since i was about 15. this next september, me, my dad, brother, greg allen, kennie prince, and another fellow will be joining us. i know there are memories that will be made this fall that i will remember for the rest of my life. theres something magical about the aspens and cottonwoods turning colors, the fall breeze, and hearing a bull's bugle echoing off the canyon walls. best part is, ill be sitting there with my dad when he hears it for the first time. i cant wait to get in that wallow with dad and start calling and hear that lovesick bull answer the call of the wild, or in this case, rob. this is already a succesful hunt cause ill be there with family and friends chasing elk through the high country of the colorado rockies. if we kill a bull, it will just be a bonus. of course, we're all going hoping to bag a bull, but its the experience that makes the hunt succesful. i know time flies but im counting down the days. im looking forward to picking dad up in salt lake and knowing he and i are headed to elk country together. 183 more days

Mellow Day

As I blogged this morning, Rob chose to work today. He gets frustrated when I say this, but on days like this, I feel like a single mom. He chooses to work on his day off, works long hours then comes home and is too tired to have family time. Some days it bothers me, other days it doesn't. Today was a day it didn't bother me, despite the fact that P and I didn't do much. P appears to have an upset tummy and I'm still not 100% so it was nice to not do much. I decided to run down the hill to get some things for a baby shower I'm going to tomorrow. In the process I bought P a new Thomas book and bath toy, much to his delight. When we got back I was looking forward to him going down for a nap. Not because he was being difficult but because I wanted some down time. Unfortunately he didn't take a long nap (Why is it that he only takes 3 hour naps at daycare?). I only had time to take Ruby out to train her and show her off to the neighbor kids. They were not fans of hers 3 months ago but were so impressed today that the little girl didn't believe it was the same dog. The boy said that our money was well spent because Ruby is a completely different dog. Little did they know she was being so good because she had the shock collar on (No, she really is MUCH improved!). When P woke up I decided to do laundry. Let me digress to say that last night P kept taking his Thomas PJs out of his clothes hamper and wanting to wear them even though they were dirty. So, when he was distracted, I put them in my hamper. He knows me too well and is too smart for his own good because he knew exactly what I did. So when I did laundry today he went to my clothes hamper to find his PJs. He wasn't happy when I put them in the washing machine. In fact he leaned against the washing machine for most of the cycle, wailing "CHOO-CHOO!". To add insult to injury I then put them in the dryer for, what I'm sure, felt like a life time. As soon as they were dry enough he excitedly carried them to me so I could put them on him. We spent the rest of the day cuddling, watching Thomas movies and reading books. I also dealt with jealousy issues between our 4 legged girls and our 2 legged boy. Holly doesn't want Ruby close to P, despite the fact that she wanted nothing to do with him the past 3 months. So she stands between the two, growling if Ruby gets too close. Then when P climbs into my lap, Ruby tries to push her nose between us so she can get petted. At one point all 4 of us were in front of the fireplace. I had both dogs' heads on my lap as well as P sitting on it. And you know what? I loved it! Especially when the girls would do something that got P into belly laughs. Such as when she sneezed really loud! P laughed and laughed, trying to sneeze as loud as her. So, even though we didn't do anything super exciting, it was a nice relaxing day.

Hey There

Figures.....I want to write when we don't have a computer but now that we've had one for a couple days I don't get on it to blog. Maybe it's because I've been sick. Maybe it's because I've worked the past 2 days. Maybe it's because, for once, I don't have anything to say. Ruby woke me up earlier than I'd like so now I'm just laying here, enjoying the fresh snow on the ground. Rob chose to work today so that leaves me and P to find something fun to do. Maybe I'll take him to the Children's Museum since we've never been. Or maybe we'll just run errands and lay low. As you can tell I'm pretty indecisive at this point. Ill let ya know what I decide once I make a decision. Well, the lil man is up so I better get our day started. Have a good one yourself............

Dogs and Boys

First thing's first! I played around with the computer today and got it charged enough to use it for awhile tonight. It's so nice not having to use our phones to check the Internet world. Yay that I get to blog tonight!
The past two days I've taken P to gymnastics despite the fact that I'm sick. Yesterday I felt better but my patience were at a bare minimum when it came to him at the class. He started out in a combined class and then moved to the younger toddler class. He doesn't like to play with kids his own age and he made that obvious yesterday. He hit and pushed kids left and right. Then I was trying to help him into the foam pit and I got a little overzealous in tossing him. He landed on his head, which I think scarred him (He didn't want to go in the foam pit today and it was his favorite thing his first class). It didn't hurt him but he wasn't a fan of either that or me banging his head on the beam when I picked him up to console him. Either way, yesterday was not the best gymnastics day. Today he did do better and I'd like to think it was because of the talk I had with him on the way. He tried to push the big kids in his class but when they pushed back he stopped. All except one boy that was kind of a homely looking kid. Once I told P that he was hurting the boy, he stopped for the most part. P seems to be improving already in jumping and the balance beam. I think he'll thrive once he gets the hitting and pushing under control!
Speaking of improvements, we got Ruby back from Doggy Boot Camp today! She was a little amped up when she first got here but she settled down immediately and has done well. P thinks it's his job to aid in the training so he frequently tells her to "go" and "stay". He also likes to entice her with his toys, knowing that she's not allowed to have them. Holly is even doing well with adjusting to Ruby. I think it's because Ruby is more refined and not the "Marley Dog" that she was when she left. We'll see how she does with the running off the property but as of now, knock on wood, we have a completely different dog!

Power of the Train

My apologies in advance. Our computer died and I'm using my phone to blog. I love that we get internet on our phones at the house but it's frustrating because I make a lot of spelling mistakes with my new phone. I can't proofread so you get what you get. Anyway, I'm going through all this trouble of blogging because our son's new obessesion is funny to me and I had to share. At Christmas time I took him on the local Santa train and he loved it! Ever since then he's been into trains. As you know I'm not in TV for me or p, but sometimes I give in. P isn't much into cartoons but whenever I found Thomas the Train he'd watch it. He's been getting sick lately and when he does my parents send him a small get well package. The first time it was a Thomas video and you would've thought they gave him a pony. He was so excited that he quickly taught himself how to get to-and use-the DVD player. Every morning the first thing he wants to do is watch his choo-choo movie. I let him watch about 10 mind and he thinks it's the greatest ever. Well, this week he got another ear infection. Today when we got the mail there was a package from grandma and BobBob. I opened it and much to P's delight there was a new set of Thomas PJs. He started laughing and clapping his hands. He wanted to hold them all the way home. When we got to the house he wanted to put them on, despite the fact that it was mid afternoon. The clencher for me was bath time. He loves his baths! But tonight, after a few minutes of being UN the tub, he was done cause he wanted to wear his train PJs again. Today I think his train obsession is cute. Tomorrow when he refuses to get out of his PJs it may be a different story
:)

One of Those Days

Ever have one of those days that'll go down in the books because it was fun from beginning to end? That's how today was for me. P woke up early so after he ate breakfast he watched his "choo-choo" video while I leisurely got ready for work. It was "Hat Day" so I didn't even have to worry about doing my hair, always a plus. The school day was a lot of fun! During a presentation, the kids made paper from scratch, which was fun to watch. Then this afternoon we made Silly Putty from scratch. As a kid I loved playing with the stuff but I never knew how easy it was to make. The kids enjoyed the experiment and enjoyed the fact that they got to take it home even more! I was caught up on work, report cards and lesson plans so I was able to leave a couple minutes earlier than planned, which means I got to get to P a few minutes early. On the way home we went "horse hunting". We only found a few horses but I cherish those moments together. When we got home, Rob was already here and the TV was on. It was too nice of an evening to be inside, especially since P and I had been cooped up all day. So he and I went and played in mud puddles. P was covered from head to toe in mud...and I DIDN'T have the camera. He thoroughly enjoyed being "all boy" and running through the puddles, throwing rocks in the muddles and sloshing through the puddles. Now we're settled in for the evening. P will be going to bed in a few minutes and I'll be starting a new book. Oh, how I loved today!

3 Blessings

Looking back on my blogs, it seems like all I've done the past couple days is complain. Yes, I use this website to vent. And yes, I use it to stand on my soapbox. But, I also use it to tell of the good in our lives. So that's what I'll do in this blog. I'm always blessed but this week has been especially good! On Monday I got 2 materialistic blessings. I had received a little money for taking a district class awhile back. Since I'm a bookworm and have no place else to store all my books I decided to use the money to buy me a Kindle. I still have a few hard copy books that I want to read before ordering anything on my Kindle but I'm very excited that I can have over 3000 books in one small machine! The other blessing was that P won a photo contest!! I was getting discouraged with photo contests because he has been close to winning a few times but never quite the winner (although he is in our book). However, I entered a pic I had taken of him in MS just for fun. The photographer said that only 2 entries were submitted. So, by default, we won almost $500 worth of free photos and a 2 hr photo session!! I'm stoked that he'll be able to get his 2 year pics taken for FREE! Speaking of P, he'll be the blessing I end with. He's worth more than all the riches in the world so he's the biggest blessing I can imagine. The poor guy has yet another ear infection yet you can't tell. He wakes up happy. He goes to bed happy. He just goes about his day like it's no big deal. I know from experience that ear infections are not fun as an adult so I can't imagine how he must feel. But, even his daycare teacher commented today that she wouldn't have known he was sick if I hadn't mentioned anything. He is the best kiddo in the world and we are blessed beyond belief that he's ours!!

Mr. Sandman

If you have the misfortune of dealing with insomnia then you'll be able to relate to my story. My insomnia kicked in about 2 years ago. It started when I was pregnant and couldn't get comfortable at night. I thought, "Once P is born I'll be able to sleep". Ah, what misguided optimism! Once he was born I was awake several times a night, nursing him or trying to get him to go back to sleep. I thought, "Once he starts sleeping through the night I'll be able to as well." Wrong again! He started sleeping through the night at 5-6 months but I laid awake, worrying about P's health or finances. Now, over a year later, P is healthy (for the most part) and our finances are more secure. Yet, I usually get one decent night's sleep a week. This week our dumb LWBC book has been interrupting my sleep. I have no problem falling asleep because I'm absolutely exhausted by the time my head hits the pillow each night. But staying asleep is a whole new ballgame. This week I've been reading my Book Club book before going to sleep and then I dream about Chinese people doing weird things, just like in the book. Last night I finished the book and read a magazine in hopes that'd help. I can't remember weird dreams but then again I don't think I was asleep long enough to dream. I'm not a cuddler once I'm ready to sleep. However, Rob kept ending up on my side of the bed last night. Then I couldn't get comfortable... too hot, too cold, etc. I'd like to say I used that time to solve the world's problems but I was too tired to even worry (a rarity for me!). So, now I've been awake for quite some time and I have to officially get my day started. It's a work day for me, which is not good considering I'm going to have yet another "zombie day". But, my students have gotten used to it and help me the best they can. I just wish I got used to it......or I wish that I actually slept more than one night a week. Oh Mr. Sandman.....

Only a Day

It's only been a day since the last time I blogged? It seems like a lifetime ago! Writing is my therapy. When I'm overwhelmed or have a heavy heart writing helps. Our computer is on its last leg and I almost had a panic attack thinking about not being able to blog. (Yes, I'm aware I have issues!). That being said, let me start my blog for today.......

Isaiah 41:10. That's a verse that has been on my heart the past several days. It's the verse my brother (in law) texted me when P was in the hospital, so sick. It's a verse I've referred to often, one that I've shared with others. Lately it seems to be my power verse. One of my good friends just found out her dad has Alzheimer's. Although the family saw it coming, having it confirmed by a MRI is a whole different story. I shared the verse with her. As I mentioned in a previous blog, a college friend found out that her daughter has cancer. I shared the verse with her. On a smaller, but not less important scale, P has been struggling with yet another ear infection. His pediatrician said 3 in 3 months was enough to raise red flags. One more and our lil man will be getting tubes. Not that I'm worried about tubes but I'm nervous about his lil body going through yet another medical procedure! I used that verse for me. Rob and I are both dealing with uncertainty in our jobs. He's bidding for a management position. I'm hoping just to keep my perfect job next year. Once again I used that verse for me. God is good and no matter what our concerns are, He's there and His Will will be done. Until then, that verse gives me strength as it did almost 2 years ago.

*** If you do not see any blogs from either of us for awhile, you know our computer died and went to computer heaven. :) Until then.....I'll keep my thoughts bottled up so I can share them with you on a new computer one of these days in the near future!

Life is Good!

I love the weekends for many reasons. But, this weekend was especially fun! Rob and I got to revert back to life before kids. We spent the entire Saturday together, without a child for all but 2 hours of it. We went to the Elk Foundation convention and then out to some BLM property to shoot Rob's guns. I'm not a gun person by any means but I did enjoy shooting them to see how they felt and "worked". I may need to use one of them some day and it was nice to get comfortable with them. After some shooting fun we went for a drive up to Tahoe so I could take some pictures. It was a beautiful day for a drive! From there we went to the Chukar Banquet with some of our friends. There was ok food (not the best) and an awesome raffle. Unfortunately we didn't win anything but it was fun to watch others around us win. We got home way past our bedtimes so we were exhausted yesterday. But yesterday, as relaxing as it was, was just as good. We went to church with my parents then grabbed pizza to enjoy while we watched the NASCAR race. We were all so tired that everyone, except Rob, took a long nap. When I woke up Rob and I got to take advantage of having my parents in town by going to the movies. It doesn't happen often so we enjoyed our times at the movies! We ended the night by having a nice ham dinner with my parents and then watched the season premiere of one of our favorite shows. My mom gave me a wonderful footrub that helped me sleep like a baby. All in all, it was a perfect weekend from beginning to end!!

Friday Night

As much of a busy body as I am, it's nice to just sit and relax tonight. Rob teases me when I say my work week has been stressful given it's usually only 2 days. This week was stressful on a different level than usual. I found out some info in regards to my job security and found out that report cards are due next week despite the fact that my partner and I aren't close to being ready. But, I'm determined to leave that all behind me at work because we have a fun weekend in store. My parents are coming to town in the morning to take care of P while Rob and I get to spend the day together, going to RMEF convention, the movies and MAYBE the shooting range. Then tomorrow night we are going to a banquet with some friends that we don't get to see often. Right now, though, I'm enjoying the smell of homemade peach cobbler in the oven and the sounds of P talking our ears off. It's the little things in life that I appreciate tonight.

tis the season

"may all your spring mornings be greeted by the great monarch of the woods, sounding his presense, over his domain". this is a quote by a fellow hunter about that magical time of year we all know and love as turkey season. also commonly known as thunder chickens, the wild turkey missed becoming our national symbol of freedom by 13 votes. i have to say im kinda glad because when i think of fearless and powerful, the turkey isnt exactly what comes to mind. nevertheless, its a sport in which i love and ive always looked forward to march because i know ill once again be chasing ol tom through the swamps and fields of the deep south. so, if its turkey season, its also time for the bass to be spawning. i remember fishing behind #7 with dad and wearing the green trout out! grandpa and i fished a tournament together years ago. we didnt catch a thing. but i wouldnt trade that day for nothing in this world. theres just something about this time of year that brings back so many memories. although winter/fall is my favorite time of year, i cherish the days in the great outdoors in the spring. everything is born again and becomes green. the dogwoods and magnolias are in bloom and they fill the air with an aroma that is unmistakable. i had been turkey hunting everyday and i had heard turkeys gobble every single morning without fail. i talked dad into going the next morning. we got there well before daylight and got ready for the thunder chickens to begin their morning ritual of gobbling. well, 5 miles later we still hadnt heard a single bird. dad looked at me and said, " junior, i think the only turkeys out here are me and you". we both got a good laugh out of that and continued on. after we got in the truck, dad said next time you want to do this, we will go to wingfield and run around the track for a while. needless to say, he wasnt waking me up the next morning to go again. these are all of the things that come back to visit my thoughts this time of year. so, as this blog started, i will end it the same way. may all your spring mornings be greeted by the great monarch of the woods, sounding his presense, over his domain.

Control Freak

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I'm a control freak. And you know what? I'm ok with that because I know things will get done on time. Work is stressful right now because I gave up control. AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Morning in a Nutshell

I woke up exhausted! Not because it was a bad night of sleep but because I was so busy in my sleep. I inadvertently switched pillows when I was changing the sheets yesterday so I got stuck with Rob's, which is what I believe led to my weird dreams. The basic gist of the dream was that Dale Earnhardt Jr was trying to figure out who he wanted to give a rose to (like "The Bachelor") so I had to drive his car in the race. There was a lot more to it but that's another blog for another time.
All that being said, this morning started out rough. I don't know if it was because I was tired or because I caught a glimpse of what I used to be like (according to my parents) in my son....a strong willed child. P was insistent on wearing the same shirt he wore yesterday even though it was dirty. I refused to let him wear it and he threw a fit. Then he was doing things he knew he wasn't allowed to, all the while looking at me as if to say, "What are you going to do about it?" So I dreaded the fact that today we were going to preview a gymnastics class.
He started out at the gym the same way he was at home.....getting into EVERYTHING (including the drinking fountain where he splashed water everywhere!). But once the coach came out he did a great job. He's the 2nd to youngest in the class but listened and followed directions better than I thought he'd do. The coach is an older, patient woman who leads a very structured class. So I was pleasantly surprised that P waited his turn- for the most part- and followed directions- for the most part. He enjoyed jumping on the trampoline, swinging from the rings and climbing the rock wall. But I think his favorite was when he ran down this long lane and jumped into the foam pit! At the end the coach said she could see him doing well in the class because he caught on so quick. A friend that was there with her daughter (who had a very hard time with the structure) was signing P's praises about how well he did and how smart he is. That made me a proud mama!
When we left I was craving Chinese food (a rarity) so I went up the street to get some Panda Express. On the way back home I zoned and completely missed our exit, despite all the signs for it. (Don't ask me if these 2 things mean I'm pregnant because I do not know). By the time I took the next exit and got around the construction, I had the start of a migraine and was playing "Beat the Clock" to get P home for his nap. Luckily we made it home before he fell asleep so now I have some time to run on the treadmill, do schoolwork and relax myself. Hopefully this afternoon will be a little more relaxing!