Our Flight Attendant July 6, 2010

We flew to Houston Friday morning standby – all four of us got there, but there were only three seats available on to Baltimore. The boys and I left hubby to fend for himself (which was the best thing considering he was flying with an expired ticket, it was storming so flights were getting delayed and was a holiday weekend). Once on the plane I discovered there were two seats one in front of the other near the front of the plane and one in the back.

The flight attendant suggested “the little one” would do well in the back. I escorted L. back to sit between two men who – well looked much more urban than us. With a warning to L. not to disturb the others sitting nearby, I joined M. After we took off, I checked on L. and he was sleeping.

Shortly after I saw the flight attendant ushering L. up the aisle so I assumed he had to go to the bathroom. I then heard fl. at. announce L’s name and that he wanted to be a be a flight attendant (which really is not his aspiration, he wants to be a bull rider) and that he would be through the cabin collecting trash. And that was that. With a big grin, L. took my trash and continued on up the row working at his new “job”.

On a side note: Those sitting by L. were indeed a rap group. One suggested he buy one of their songs off itunes. L told them his Mom wouldn’t let him listen to it. When they asked what music he listened to, L said “Christian”. They told him that was good too, to keep listening to it. When we got off the plane in Baltimore and headed to baggage claim, they all waved and called goodbye to L.

My Sons, the Scholars May 20, 2010

M & L both had award assemblies yesterday. They both have had an excellent year. M was recognized for Student Council and completing 5th grade – he’ll also get certificates for A/B honor roll and completing his AR goal each semester. He received a special P. E. award too “for Outstanding Student”. L was recognized for Student Council and received a medal for the Superintendent’s (all As) honor roll. Also got his AR certificate. Managed to get one photo shot of M – he didn’t want to step in the mud where I was having them pose. Levi let me snap a record 4 different shots!

My Wonderful Boys May 11, 2010

Pictures from Mother’s Day

No Bake Cookies April 29, 2010

When I was in college every weekend I came home my Unkie (see post) made me No Bake Cookies to take back. They were my favorite and still rank in the top. I made them for hubby’s office last week. The boys and I took snacks and then put a jar out for donations for Relay for Life. M is walking with his Boy Scout patrol. The office was so generous and M. exceeded his goal by $50!

Over the years I’ve had batches of the cookies turn out good and others turn out not so good. I’ve discovered that the secret is how long you let them cool. This time I almost let them cool too long and they were clumping together. I added a little milk and they were saved! I guess the magic number is 3 minutes and not 5 minutes. Once cooled, the last three ingredients need to be added pretty instantaneously. Come to think of it, now I’m not quite sure I even put vanilla in this batch!

The picture is of what we had left. Recipe follows.

No Bake Cookies
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 c (1stick) butter or margarine

Add these ingredients to a pan on the stovetop, mix together and bring to a boil. Boil 5-7 min. Cool slightly and then add:

1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups oatmeal (don’t use the quick ones, the regular ones give a much better texture)
2 tsp vanilla

Mix. Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper. Cool

Happy Birthday L! April 19, 2010

My baby, L turns nine years old today! I can hardly believe it. I realize you aren’t a baby anymore. You are growing into a very smart, hardworking, and fun young man. I remember though when you were a baby that I would go in your room in the mornings and you would be laying in your crib cooing. I have no idea how long you’d actually been awake. You would look up at me and smile. I loved it and still love it when you smile!

Even 5 years ago you were a hard worker!

You are still very much a morning person. Often this year you set your own alarm to wake up early and read before school. Hmm…I wonder if you will do that when you are a teenager? You also do devotions on your own in the morning now. You have always had a heart for things of God and it is exciting to see you growing with wisdom and stature and favor with God and Man (Luke 2:52)

Your personality is intense and you are very persistent. This year you channeled some of that into getting more interested in working out. We gave you a chin up bar and some hand weights at Christmas and you are very consistent at using those, running, and doing other exercises – you said you wanted to have an “8 pack”! I hope you always stay fit and that you run with your Daddy when you get a little older.

In addition to reading and working out, you love to play your DS and to listen to your MP3 player. You’ve also developed an interest in cowboys and bullriding (since the rodeo last summer). It will be a while before you get the bull riding lessons you’ve asked for! I do love playing games with you and snuggling in your bed reading.

You have done really well in school this year (even tripling your AR goal!). I am very proud of how you have helped other students in your classroom (helping them stay on task and organize their material) and that you’ve gone out of your way to learn how to talk to the boy who speaks with sign language.

God has made you special and He loves you very much. I love you very much too and am glad God made you my son.

L’s (almost) last 8 year old picture (the serious one)

L’s first 9 year old picture

Happy Birthday M! April 9, 2010

My smart, athletic, fun to be around son turned 11 yesterday. M, even though this has been a year of transition for you, you still shine! One of your teachers once said that she would walk a mile to see one of your smiles and it is so true! Your smiles are contagious and you are an encouragement to everyone around.

M’s last 10 year old picture

M’s 1st 11 year old picture

The people in the office at school are always commenting on how polite and what a good conversationalist you are. It’s true, adults can talk to you and you are intelligent in your words and are interested in what they have to say. If you initiate conversation it is most usually about sports. You’re always telling me sports facts and who is being traded to what team. I love hearing it.

You have grown in your leadership this year. You’ve always been a great leader on the football field and this year you were able to put that into practice on the basketball court. Even though you were young on the team and a lot of people were taller than you, you still helped others and were strong. You’ve also been a leader at school by being in Student Council and by helping children with special needs. At church, you’ve led by doing the sound system and taking the lead in our family to raise money for the crisis pregnancy center and The American Cancer Society. You had wanted to quit Scouts, but you persevered and received your Arrow of Light and now you have a leadership position in your patrol as quartermaster. Wow!

Right now, you spend most of your time playing video games, reading, looking at football cards, watching Sports Center (or checking NFL.com) and Scouting. I’m looking forward to seeing how you continue developing your interests.

Regardless of what you do, you are special just for being you. God has given you a great spirit of compassion. You are helpful, care for others (especially younger children and those less fortunate than you) and are loving. You still want Mom and Dad to tuck you in and kiss you good night. I hope you never outgrow that. I’ll do it as long as you want and perhaps even longer.

I love you! You are a wonderful son!

Arrow of Light March 15, 2010

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Too Big or Too Small? December 23, 2009

At dinner M & L had wondered why I had gone to Target (and why I had gotten something hot to drink without bringing them something). I told them I went to exchange my sweater because it was too small. L quickly responded, “Or your body was too big”. Of course everyone laughed at this (and hubby was still laughing two hours letter). That was way too quick thinking for an 8 yr. old! Ok, to my defense, I wear an “M” and the sweater was an “XS”. It doesn’t matter how big the sweater looks, I still don’t do “XS”!

Sometimes “M”s look better on me than other times. I’m planning on joining a local gym in Jan. (along with the rest of town who is turning over a new leaf or trying to get fit after the holidays). I don’t know why I don’t make more time for working out and do better about drinking more water because I feel so much better when I do.

I’m not ready to jump on the “Weight Loss Wednesday” bandwaggon in bloggyworld, but some new habits would be nice.

You Can Have Peace This Christmas! December 22, 2009

I’m a little late posting this, but maybe it can still help someone else out there. Shelly Lenzmeier was the special speaker at IMOM (IMOMS of NE OK) a couple of Thursdays ago and these are my notes published with her permission

To the acronym PEACE.

Plan Time For Yourself. Don’t skp date night, your special cup of tea, long shower, etc.
Express Your Needs. (and feelings). Have a couple safe friends to talk things through. Stuffed anger and resentment weakens the immune system.
Ask for Help. We’d rather be martyrs than ask for help or delegate. Maybe it’s because we’re too controlling? Don’t be addicted to praise and try to up the anty each year. (If something is wonderful one year, you don’t have to make it bigger and better the next to be more wonderful).
Cut Out What You Don’t Really Enjoy. Ax what you dread and do what you love. Sounds simple! Focus on your family values and use your time to reflect the true meaning of Christmas. Don’t feel guilty about saying no.
Enjoy the “Living” That Happens Each Day Between the Events. Look forward to playing with your kids. Use humor.

When I first copied these notes, I wasn’t feeling very peaceful! I’ve put some in to practice. For “C” I decided we didn’t really have to make gingerbread houses. Even though it was something I would have enjoyed, I was really stressing over gathering the supplies and fitting it in with everything else. I asked the boys what was most meaningful to them and what they remembered most at Christmas, and gingerbread wasn’t on the list! Holly wreath cookies were so I’m still going to make time for that. For “A” I am going to take hubby’s advice and let M & L wrap their cousin’s gifts. I said “But I want to do it!” Hubby encouraged me to delegate so I am going to give a quick gift wrapping lesson and be okay that there aren’t perfect creases on the gifts.

A side note: L asked “How much?” Meaning how much would he get paid to wrap (A BIG ZERO!) I told him I would only charge him $5 for the gift wrapping lesson and he asked if he could have it for free.