Vacations over

It is true my vacation is over. It always amazes me how time flys when you are on vacation. You work so hard getting ready to go. Making sure each child is going to be taken care of by someone. Taking care of pets, food, schedules, ect. Then it is off to vacation. This vacation was even more stressful as my purse was stolen, right out of my garage I might add, the Tuesday before I left. I luckily had my passport handy so the airport wasn't an issue. I am still wondering if I should have called the Police and reported it. Anyway, once I took care of the necessities, canceling credit cards, ect. The rest was a breeze. April left on Wed. By the way we went to Arizona to visit Wendy. Heidi and I flew out Friday morning. The flight was uneventful, except it was Heidi's first flight. She did ok for the most part, only a few hysterics as we were taking off.

Once in Arizona it was all about us. We pampered ourselves totally by haveing a terrific Pedicure, heated stones and all. Later we all received a massage, curtesy of Wendy's massage place. That was the best. Talk about starting a vacation out right. The next day we took it easy, just layed around for the morning, oh ya Wendy colored my grays, then it was off to a ball game. Unfortunately the Angels got beat really bad. Not a good game. But the sun felt good and the food was ok. On Sunday we took out the boat. I will say that was the highlight of the weekend. I really need to get one of those. We found an area to float and just layed in the sun, reading and visiting. It was great. The best kind of vacation is one you can spend laying in the sun and reading to your hearts content.

Thank you Wendy and Jay for putting up with us. I only wish I could return the favor. Maybe someday.

week in review

what a week it has been. If you have read Aprils blog you know we bought a car. Although it is not my dream car, that would be a silver, convertible bmw, I can't remember the make. I pulled in behind one at a McDonalds. But I regress, anyway, we ended up getting an older Toyota Corolla. I spent more than it was worth but still within my budget, and after spending three months looking I am greatful just to have found one. Corbin is driving now and can you say car sick. It has been a few years since I have been a permanent passenger. With all of the jerking, speed up and brake, I tend to spend afternoons with a headache and nausea. The car we bought has a manual transmisison and Corbin is not liking the clutch and gas buisiness. I keep telling him it will come, and he is improving.

After the car, it was off to Sprint to get new phones. I was tired of dropping calls and not getting service, I dropped my phone a few weeks ago and broke the antennae. The new phone is great and has all kinds of bells and whistles, now I just need to figure out how to use them.

Kortney's baskeball season is over. Her team finished about even. She played her heart out and I think she had fun. We need to work on the difference between offense and defense, but other than that she did great. Corbin was the referee which means he is done as well. Which is a good thing because he is starting track. Between that and conditioning for football he will be one busy kid.

Trevor turned 13 this week. Unfortunately his grades prevented him from being able to celebrate with his friends. Sometimes it sucks being the parent. We did celebrate by going out to dinner at Tepanyaki's and having family over for cake and ice cream. I now have two teenagers. I am amazed to watch my boys grow up. I don't know if it is because their dad died and they had to grow up or they are just amazing boys, but what a great help they are to me. Corbin is a wonderful young man, and I see him changing daily. He is really trying to limit his teasing and verbal trashing of his siblings and when it comes to discipline he is really trying to lower the volume of his voice. I know it seems unusual that he would be required to discipline, but being the oldest he spends alot of time babysitting for me. It really is fun to watch them grow up. By the way, a little bragging is necessary, Corbin is currently ranked 48 in his class of 750. Way to go Corbin.

Enough for now, I will try to update more often so they aren't so long.

car shopping

What a weekend it was. My friend Marianne and I both need a car. She wants a van and I want a small get around town car. We spent the weekend trying to find her a van. It was a learning experience for both of us. Neither one of us has bought a car ourselves. There were dads and husbands to help. We didn't do as much research as we probably should have, it would have been a little less painful.

We started out with salesman Jonathon. A young Korean with a wife but no kids. As we test drove one van I think we scared him. Marianne told him we had nine kids between us and I made the comment that this van wasn't quite big enough. It was hilareous. I enjoyed being the tough one, keeping her on track. It can be overwhelming and we found it was easier having someone there to help relieve some of the pressure.

Unfortunately, we were unable to work a deal so we will be out again next weekend. Hopefully with better luck.

By the way, if a car only has 4hp does that mean it is a gutless wonder? Can it make it up a hill?

S.A.D.

It's Valentines Day and I have decided that there is no other "holiday" that slams it in your face that you are single quite like Valentine's Day. So my friend, who is single, has given this day a new name. It is S.A.D. "single Appreciation Day!!" I thought that was hilarious. I haven't really felt too bad today. I think because I have been crazy busy today. Between parties at school, church meetings, and the crazy after school time I haven't really thought much about what today signifies.

Denton always did this day pretty good. When we were to poor to go out, he would help with dinner. There was always flowers, or some kind of gift. It was usually a good day for me. There were times that I would make it a special day for him. You know the usual give and take. I tried to make it special for the kids, we went to dinner, Tepanyaki's, the older kids liked it and the younger ones at least behaved, goodie bags on their pillows, and a hug or an I Love You. Pretty good day you might say.

Hope the rest of you had a good day, and in case no one said it "I LOVE YOU" Have a happy day!!!!

Why is it that when it rains it pours? Over the last week it seems that everything is going wrong. First, I replaced three toilets. I was tired of plunging. Unfortunately I am still plunging two. Help!!! I really need to get more fiber into my kids and teach the appropriate amount of toilet paper. Ok gross, I know. Next came the Central vac unit. It has no sucction. Now do I bring in a repair man or do I spend $ trying to unplug it myself. Ahhh the delemas. Today I had an appointment to the Dentist. I dread going to the dentist and since there is no insurance at the moment, I have not been in a few years. I was really worried after reading families blogs and their horror stories. I was quite pleased that it was only a small cavity. Of course it was next to an old filling and so the old filling was removed and a new one put in. After the dentist came the vet. office. Shots and exam for the new puppy, who is very cute I might add. Anyway long story short, the money put away for the new car has now been spent on other things. Why does that always happen?

I know I just wrote the commercial blog earlier today, but after my sister Wendy sent me the website for the commercials, we sat and watched them. I really didn't see much of the game I have decided. Some of the commercials were pretty funny and I will have to say the Doritos was quite hilarious.

commercials

The Super Bowl has come and gone and I have to say it was quite dissappointing this year. The commercials, which are usually funny, just weren't this year. I personally felt there were too many with people who needed a little more clothing and was it just me or were they more violent as well. I did see one that made us laugh, I believe it had to do with a rat, hampster and guinny pig? I am not sure. See they just were not memorable. Somebody needs to let the ad agencies know. Not me, I will just be dissappointed.