dad's night

Tonight finds Benjamin and I home alone-preparing a talk that he and I are going to give Friday. We are alone because Levi's class is having "dad's night" at school. Yesterday they made Mummy Treats (rice krispie treats shaped like a head and wrapped in gauze). So Benjamin and I have played games then we started to look at the power point that I have prepared for Friday. My friend teaches human growth and development and health classes at a near by school and she asked me to show some pictures and go through the Benjamin story. He will be with me when I do the talk so the students can see him and we can do a comparison of him and a "normally" developed 4 year old. Granted he is not at all delayed, but he is significantly smaller and finer featured than most. He also has some preemmie features. The whole way through the slide show he kept saying "awesome" as he saw pictures of his tiny self. I think it will be good for him to show his story. I have always felt that he is no more of a miracle than every child, but he was in medical definitions a fetus for the first 70 days of his life, and we don't get to see that part of life.
Benjamin is calling for a bit of help with his domino cake, got to go!

not much...

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Speaker of the house Levi

At Bush Stadium with the OZ.

President Benjamin...

At the Zoo.

Sleeping in the car coming from hockey game...

At the hockey game.

Pedal tractor pull...

Benjamin's turn at the tractor pull-at least the tractors werer John Deeres.

Levi at the pitching contest or home run derby, not sure...

CHANGE!!!

As you can see I have changed my background. It fits this shitty, crappy, poopie, miserable weather. I am so sick of rain. It rains nearly every day. Dammit it is summer. Today is the first day of summer and it was dark at 1000 AM because of stupid rain clouds. I completely know that it takes rain for stuff to grow, but it also takes sunshine! I have never liked rain, I do like to play in rain, but not every damn day! Now that I have ranted I'm sure it will get hot and humid, which is fine with me!

Levi plays ball tonight the tournament. We are seated 4th out of 10. Not bad considering we only have 9 players, most of the time. He has begun to hit very well, but he still is working on catching. He started hockey again, and still loves it. Soccer starts next month! Football in 3 months. Summer school ends Friday. 2 months until school starts.

Benjamin starts soccer next month also. Hopefully he will start Puppy Pound in the fall (at the high school).

Jacob goes back to school in the fall also-wow he's had the spring semester off and the summer off, it will be an adjustment.

We finally got our furnace in! We will NEVER EVER have the person do any more work on our house. We have been waiting for the furnace since September.

2 months until my birthday!!!! can't wait!

I have lots of pictures to post, maybe after the baseball season. OH! Levi took 3rd in the homerun derby and Jacob took 2nd.

real quick

I just wanted to post, very quickly..Next week I leave on a business trip to Oklahoma City. Today we had our Memorial Day service, we remembered everyone that died the previous 12 months at the Home I work. I amazed me how many names there were. We recognize them every month, but a whole year's worth. Some of them names I recognized, some I did not. Funny the way our minds work.
Levi's team lost their baseball game last night.
We all have poison oak, I of course have it the worst-not to say I got in it the most, but because I have this immune system that thinks it has to so an all out assault on anything it doesn't like on my skin. I have it on my face, neck, arms and legs-no I was not naked when I got in whatever I got in-I was pulling weeds. Seriously this sucks I hope it clears up by Tuesday!

Well how "bout that?

Levi finally played his first game last night, they tied a near by town. Levi was the "catcher". I put that in quotes because he did more chasing than catching. At first the machine was low, so the balls would bounce, throw dirt into his eyes, he would cry, we would squirt his eyes with saline, I would tell him if they did not bounce (and he caught them) it would get better. They played 4 innings-the max and tied. Once they adjusted the machine a bit higher we hit better. Everyone (I think) got a hit! It is fun to watch them playing what actually looks like baseball.
After the game the pager went off for a code, Jacob responded, I helped, a sitter took the kiddos home. All I can say is never do I ever want to be worked that hard for that long. We worked this code (by we I mean Jacob and 5 other people-I was the documenter-which in that scene is what I am best at-my license is not that great for out in the field and in the Paramedic's field) for over 2 hours. Now I have taken care of someone who was down for 6 minutes and 10 minutes-not much left of either of those, took care of someone who was down for 2 minutes and that wasn't too bad, but I can't imagine 120 minutes. Never would that be worth it. By the way it is not as exciting as on t.v.
Oh, mentioning tv, we will be without cable starting Thursday. We don't watch much tv, and really I think that we can live without it. I am the one that watches the most tv and it was my idea and decision to have the cable disconnected. We do not have Internet at home just on our phones. Right now we have no furnace or air conditioning either (those are in the works though, I am not ready to give it all up).
Benjamin and Levi will start soccer in August!
Enjoy summer, hopefully I will get back to posting more frequently...

Well, Well

LEVI IS SEVEN!!!! Levi's birthday was last month, I have been busy. He was so excited. He had a sleep over (we had it at the local Super 8-good tip for parents--no clean up!). Some of the kiddos told us it was "the best birthday party ever". It was fun, we were all very tired. The "7" year olds gave up at 11:45ish and gave up sleeping at 5:30ish. Certainly was a fun time, too bad the camera did not make it. I made a simple checker board cake with a smooth frost job, nothing too challenging!
Levi is done with hockey. Unfortunately his travel team did not travel, there were only 2 that were ready to travel and you really need 3 to skate and a goalie. Levi did play in local league and was asked to play in a near by town's league, but we declined (seriously something every night he was 6). Levi's league team won every game except one-they tied. He was very proud, since his team beat some of the player that have always beat his team!
Levi is now in Machine Pitch Baseball. First game is Thursday. Of course he wants to be a catcher. I finally told him he just likes all the equipment. (although he is a really good goalie and goalies tend to be catchers and visa versa) He really needs to get better at catching before he can be a good catcher. I am amazed at how he keeps his head in it-WOW he does not flinch. So maybe when he catches better he will be another catcher in a line of catchers (he doesn't throw that great either, he is 7).
Levi may play soccer this summer then FOOTBALL in the fall. I would be ok with him skipping either of these sports.
Benjamin, is 3 and thinks he should be in everything that Levi is in, however since the city moved soccer to summer he cannot play-you have to be 4. T-ball you have to be 5. Fall hockey you have to be 4, hopefully some seasons it's 5. Benjamin has his heart set on playing hockey in the fall. He is really pretty good on his skates, although they are TOO big for him-but they are the smallest hockey skates you can get reasonably. He skates fine, they are just too heavy for him to pick up and push off to get any speed up. He'll do fine, I'm sure. Benjamin wants to go to school in the fall-he doesn't beat the cut off, so another year of daycare.
Benjamin cannot wait for his birthday, he has his guest list prepared, his cake ideas communicated to me, because I get to make the John Deere dozer with the blue scoop. I will have to scalped it, because he wants it to stand up. At least it is a challenge!
Jacob got Lasik, it really is amazing. He is so happy with it!
Jacob's team WON the barrel fight at the FFAM convention a few weeks ago. They had a mini Fire Fighter Challenge Jacob's team participated in all events did very well in some events, not so hot in others. My favorite event is the bucket brigade. There is nothing like watching firemen in their bunker pants passing buckets, the speed and strength they have, WOW.
I just keep keeping everything together. Work is very busy, I have so much research and that I am doing trying to teach people how to take care of these Veterans most with dementia. The changes in our bodies and brains as we get older, amazing.
I do more than work of course, but most of it is all enjoyment of my family, watching everyone grow!
OH, Benjamin got Levi Squeak for his birthday-another hamster, this time a "big" one, we can catch and hold!
who knows maybe I'll post pictures someday.

wow

Well today is the first day of spring and it is snowing.
I found out yesterday someone very dear to me died (yes, people die they don't pass away in my life). I really am amazed how sudden it felt even though I had not seen him in years (like 5). He was my neighbor as a child I remember so many things about him. Then I am jolted back, and as I sit I think about my memories and how some seem so distant, but some so close. I have been doing a lot of education about dementia lately, and I sit and think about what I'll be like if I get dementia. What memories will I re-enact, what memories will drive me to act. What memories will I crave.
Life does not last long enough. In the end who are close? Your spouse? You, God, the Pet? Who else do you need? When you don't remember you have kids do they really provide comfort? Seriously I'm a parent and so often my "job" is to protect them, comfort them, is it their job to provide comfort to me? I have always believed that it is my job to make me happy, no one elses, is that true of comfort also?
Well, I think I am way to analytical today for the first snowy day of spring.

What a weekend

This weekend was an unusual one. Saturday Jacob and I went to a funeral-of someone neither of us knew. Jacob was asked to do the Bell Ceremony for this fallen firefighter (in a nearby town). I have never been to a fireman's funeral before. I've been to a military funeral, but it's a bit different knowing what the family's life must be like. This was a volunteer firefighter, so I am well aware of their life and their family's. Jacob and I took a fire truck to the services (weird to ride in, by the way) as we drove I thought about a lot of things-one being how LOUD the truck was, the other was more spiritual...no one really knows what it is like to be a fire family. No matter how much people try to understand, but it is just not something you can explain. Knowing that the pager can go off anytime, and he can be gone for an unknown amount of time, and when he returns he may be drained. My kiddos know the tones of the fire department and the ambulance department. They know that daddy may say he'll be back soon, but he may not be back before bed (even if he leaves at 9 AM). They know that if mommy is working any number of people may be picking them up and taking them. They do not know that daddy could get hurt on any call at any time-I am very aware of that. I know exactly what to say when I put them to bed and daddy is on a call. We know that when daddy is at work that he may not be available to answer the phone. We know that part of our family must be those connected to the three emergency services that we are connected--no one else really knows what days are like when "duty calls". I just kept thinking, the family of fire fighters' family members understand always being on call. It's a bit like opera (as Richard Gere says in Pretty Woman) those who love opera will always love opera, others may appreciate opera, but they will never love it-- the same is true of fire fighter families-people may know what happens, but they really do not understand the go with the flow attitude and commitment to the service fire fighter's families have. After 20 minutes we finally arrived. We sat with the fire department all dressed in their funeral stuff-white gloves, black ties...the fire engine that the casket would ride on was complete with the black and purple flags, as with the other engines from that department. He had no wife, no kids, just a lot of friends, sisters, nieces, and nephews...so much for my insight for the wife...
Levi played hockey! He stopped 15 out of 25 the first game--his team lost 0-10--his team took 2 shots on the opposing team and they played a total of 2 minutes in front of the opposing goalie. Second game Levi stopped 25 of 36 (one of which his own teammate shot on him) again they lost 0-10 and they did not shoot at all on the opposing goalie, and played only 5 minutes on the other side of the center line. He was ok with the losses, but still they need to score.
Baseball meeting was Sunday teams are set! yeah!!!!

comfy

Well, I am working a bit late tonight and have just a few minutes left....Much has been happening and I will post some movies of Levi playing hockey one of these days, I also have a little clip of Jas playing Just Dance on her Wii (on second thought...). I have several updates:
We spent a wonderful weekend with Jas and her family-although not all were healthy, we still managed to have a great time. Our kids are just perfectly aged, Benjamin and Albi had a great time. It's really the first time that Benjamin has someone exactly his age to play with (except at daycare) so it was really fun to hear them talk, laugh, and play.
Levi has had a hockey game and is really doing well. He REALLY hates to be scored on, so he doesn't goalie every game, but man does he get a workout. His team is not really good at scoring. The last game Levi blocked 38 of 48 shots. The other goalie blocked 10 of 14. A little lopsided, huh? He just keeps plugging away. We are careful not to push too hard. Soon t-ball will start...
Gosh it just seems that we are much busier than that. Honestly, my mind has finally turned to mush, I must go home and to bed-I've been here all day...

There should be a song

"It's snowing, it's drifting, the school is cancelled..." Really my kid will be going to school this year until July. As much as he loves these snow days, he will not love missing spring break and not getting out of school until summer is over. We had our 14th snow this winter. Mind you this year we usually do not have big snows and we usually have some sort of ice storm-which we have not had as of yet. Any how, it snowed again yesterday--10-12 inches. So I think that someone somewhere needs to come up with an "it's raining, it's pouring" song for snow. I will be working on this also.
Boys and I have been sledding and we have had some snowball fights-to which Benjamin always wants to be on my team...go figure.
We are in hockey and Levi is goalie. I have had a lot of compliments about how good he is and how natural he plays. Then he comes out and want to forward. It doesn't matter to me, but he always goes back to wanting to goalie.
Jacob is another year older, which means I am 6 months older.

1/2 a year in pictures!

I guess I will be starting recent and going backwards...My 3 boys-Benjamin, R, and Levi enjoying a Snow Ice Cream Root Beer Float... Sadie, my dear and only girl, enjoying the snow. She is now 9 1/2 and getting gray and slow.
My two snow boys playing in the snow after Christmas...
Yes, a Christmas hug that turned into a take-down--Really are there any other kinds of hugs?!
Scopin' out the Santa gift--Handy Manny workbench--a bit over looked for the John Deere tractor ordament for the tree...
Oh Yeah the Nerf Blaster!
Decorating Christmas cookies-Levi was an expert "blinger"--he added the "bling"(sugar) to all the cookies I frosted...
Yeah, not sure if Benjamin even decorated anything he did not eat. Poor Levi worked so hard and got 2 cookies, Benjamin snuck countless...
The only picture of both in front of the tree-I was done, and they were not "sit there and smile" ready...
Levi looking very handsome on the way to his Christmas program.
Levi and I walked to scare out deer while Jacob and Benjamin waited to shoot the deer, I thought this was a nice place to take a picture..
My men in orange--it hurts your eyes after a while.
Out of snacks and unable to pick on his brother Levi is a bit glum.
Oh yeah, any good day hunting starts with a snack...in the back of the truck...
Master Yoda and Captian Rex-seriously they refered to each other and themselves that way all through Halloween-as a matter of fact I thought it was cute, until they did not respond to their names when I called them-no longer cute, no longer fun, no longer funny, but I did not stop them they had a great time.
Benjamin was not so crazy about the pumpkin guts--even though he was ok with them last year.
Levi, however dug right in!
My favorite picture of Benjamin and Sadie.

The barn where my Dad grew up.
Soccer.

Benjamin freezing at soccer.

My toothless boy-just one gone, it was not long and the other was gone. In Mexico!
At the cenote, not sure if you can see how clear the water is. You my have to click to make it larger.
Playa del Carmen's fire station-what can I say we are fire people.
The beach at our resort.

Hope you all enjoyed my looooonnnnnggggg post!

Seriously?!

Well the weather has been fun lately. Since December 9th (when we got 12 inches of snow that melted the next week) I have wanted snow, and we have gotten it! WOW and now it is really cold. Niether really bother me, what irritates me is all those people who bitch about the weather--seriously if you don't want to go through another winter- move there are places in this contry that do not get snow and cold. Also these people that bet the farm that the weather man is going to be 100% right--seriously get a clue. I have lived in the mid-west long enough to know that no one knows how much snow we will get. I work in healthcare-you have to come to work. My facility will go and get our employees-amazing how many don't answer the phone when we offer. I drive 45 miles to get to work-I've missed one day because I was too scared to drive in and one day because there was a tree across my driveway and on my truck that I could not move. Everyone acts like we live in the south-seriously we don't. They've cancelled school so much that I believe that Levi will be going to school through Easter Break, and until July! I do understand that I live in a rural area and there are families that live in the country and can't get in, so it doesn't get me too bad, but poor Levi thinks they don't have to make up these days. He was really disappointed when I told him he may be going to school on nice days this spring and summer since they are missing these cold and crappy days.
Well, I will post later something on Benjamin, right now I am just out of updates...