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Jacob LOVES the game of football.  He has for many years.  He carries a football around in his arms.  He had begged us to let him play for a long time, but we always felt that it would be best for him to wait until he was in middle school.  In fact, we didn't really even considerate it.  Until last winter.  In an effort to help him be more of who he is and try things that he is passionate about we decided to evaluate the IDEA of letting him play.  A lot of prayer and discussion occurred because of our fears of the football program itself (we had heard crazy, scary stories of overzealous coaches and parents and obscene hours of practice).

All this to say, we prayed and talked about it for many hours (mostly because of the time commitment that would be required by our entire family) and decided to let Jacob play football.  We broke the news to him and he cried.  I've never seen him so happy.

I think he expected that his love for the game and his daily recess ritual of pick-up football would translate into on-field success.  He has learned that his small frame and lack of experience has required extra work and some hard lessons learned.  He discovered that working out in 100-degree temperatures with full pads on in August was not a cake walk.  He has deduced that hitting and getting hit was not all it was cracked up to be.  BUT he has shown a great deal of determination and spirit.  He still loves the game.  He loves being on a team.  He's a good teammate.  He is respectful to his coaches.  He has a lot of heart.  And when he makes mistakes (one day he was put in on offense as a sub and got 2 false-starts in a row – each a 5-yard penalty) he comes back again and fights to do better (in that same game he got a fumble recovery!).  

We have some really great coaches who are good to the kids and who work hard to teach and train.  We love the parents on the team.  Despite the 3-practice a week schedule and scouting reports and water duties and gear to wash and film to review and plays to memorize and sweat and tears and, and, and…we have really enjoyed this experience as a family.  We love sitting in the shade at practice visiting with the other parents while the younger siblings play at the park.  We love cheering our Sooners on during the games (and wearing our Sooners gear, despite being UT fans).  And we love rooting for our Big J (who is the lightest kid on the team weighing in at a whopping 68 lbs).  Our little cornerback is working on being scrappy on defense and ready to get in the game if called upon for offense.  

Football is good (especially when you're undefeated) :). 

 Getting stiff-armed!

He's the luckiest kid around because look at this cheering section!!  And it was beyond hot that day – we were all dripping with sweat.  Jacob's first game – 9/11/10 – attendees: Mom, Dad, Caleb, Samuel, Nana, Papa C, Mimi (even with a bout of shingles!), Aunt Olivia, Uncle Mike, Aunt Anne, and Uncle Mark 
Not pictured but have attended subsequent games: Pops and Auntie Audra 

Yesterday I got a call from the school nurse.  You can imagine that I assumed the worst (i.e. pukies). Nope – Caleb had collided with a friend while playing football and split (literally) his lip open.  Lots of blood, very swollen.  The nurse asked if I would just come look at it to assess the course of action.  I had just put Samuel down for a nap and he was sleeping soundly, so my neighbor ran over so I could go look at the damage.  The cutie was so excited to see me and tell me all about his collision!  His friend, Austin, was excited to tell me too.  He had a tooth gash on the top of his head!  I sent Caleb back to class (at his request) and made an apptmt with his pediatrician for after school.  Thankfully no stitches required (the inside of his mouth is already showing signs of healing this morning but is still very swollen and bruised).

I picked up Jacob from football practice at 7:40 last night to find him limping – a twisted ankle on the last play of the night.  No swelling – but plenty of exaggerated limping.  I can tell it's sore, but not life threatening.

And just when we thought Samuel was through with his bug – he threw up last night at 7:00.  Just in time for my SIL, Anne, to drop by and see me on my hands and knees cleaning up the floor of the bathroom…lovely.  She took it in stride and asked if she could help with anything – I loved her in that moment (although I wouldn't let her get within 25 feet of the site).

So…that's the update.  Makes me giggle.  Our family prayer this morning by Derek was especially sincere. We're a little wounded around here, but as always, we know these are minor in comparison to others who are really being tried and tested.  We'll take the small and minor over the big and major any day.  

This one has been a doozy let me tell ya.  A day of diarrhea, two full days of constant vomiting, and another day of diarrhea (today) – that makes this the fourth day of him not keeping anything down. (Sidenote: Is diarrhea just the worst word in the English language or what?  Not just because of what it symbolizes, but because the combo of letters is just sordid.  I'm just sayin.)  He's lost 3 pounds, looks white as a sheet and has hardly spoken a word.  He's currently sipping on power-aid and had dry toast for lunch,  We're hoping for the best since he hasn't thrown up since last night.  But he isn't keeping things in him either.  Yucky, yucky stuff.

Last night Jacob got lots of awards at Pack Meeting and "crossed over" into Boy Scouts, which neither Derek or I wanted to miss, so we brought Sam and he laid on the couch in the foyer…pathetic!

Clorox is my new best friend.  The good news – every piece of laundry in the house is clean because I've been frantic and my floors are mopped.  (Also – drum roll, please – the Iphone is working after spending 24 hours in a bag of rice – what a relief!)

My "party" last night for the neighborhood book club went well – I really like this group of 9 ladies – great moms, lots of laughs and good discussion.

I took Sam on a walk today in the stroller and felt like a nurse getting her patient out of the hospital for some fresh air.  I tried to get him to walk under some trees but he didn't have the energy and wanted to get back in the stroller…this really is sad.

Now we're praying and hoping that he gets better today and that none of the rest of us get it (please!).

 

Well…it's been one of those hum-dinger days that looks pretty negative on paper but somehow I'm still smiling.

1.  A major virus appropriately (or not) called the "Trojan" (as in the horse?) took over my computer this weekend.  Apparently I brought it upon myself when I innocently installed an "anti spyware" software because it told me I was infected.  The spyware is the virus.  Lesson learned.

2.  Samuel is a sickie-sickerson.  Last night some sweet friends invited us over for dinner.  We obliged. Right as we were sitting down to a lovely dinner prepared by our hosts, Samuel threw up all over their back door (he was outside).  But then he smiled and laughed.  They asked us to stay.  We did (bad parents or bad guests, you be the judge…).  After an hour of enjoying their company (and the dinner) Samuel threw up again.  That was our cue to say goodbye.  Poor guy threw up several times in the car on the way home. And has spent the past 24 hours vomiting.  He can't keep anything down.  

3.  In my effort to clean and sanitize everything in the house, I've picked up everything that is out of place and thrown it in the washer…including a pair of Derek's shorts…his Iphone was in the pocket.  His brand new Iphone.  It's now sitting in a bowl of rice (in hopes of it drying out).

4.  With pack meeting tomorrow night, I got busy and sewed on Scout patches today.  I am not an expert seamstress, so it takes me much longer than it should.  Each patch is a different shape and color and it makes me want to pull my hair out one by one.  

5.  I was cleaning off a pair of scissors tonight and sliced my finger on the blade.

I better just end this now and go to bed!  But here's the good news…

I had my windows open all day today – fall has come and it lifts my spirits.  We started planting some things around the pool this weekend and I'm amazed at how fun it is to look out and see beauty in my backyard. Jacob is enjoying football and we are too – I'm wanting to post on our football experience and will…as soon as sickie is better.  Tomorrow night I host my neighborhood book club here – loved the book we read…A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.  Now I'm reading a book about Emma Smith (the wife of Joseph Smith)…I love her and am anticipating the opportunity to teach a class about her for seminary next week. General Conference is coming up – one of my favorite weekends of the year. And tomorrow is a new day – free of scout patches – and hopefully free of vomit.  I'm just sayin'.

I've been lazy in the blog department.

Jacob turned 11.  E-LEV-EN!  He loves to talk about when he was a baby and hear stories from us.  It was a fun b'day.  I'll blog about it later.

Caleb loves art class.  Right now they're doing a knitting/weaving project and he is on pins and needles to go to art every week.  He LOVES this project.  So much so that the art teacher and her assistant have nicknamed him the "weaving machine".  Cute, huh?!

On Jacob's b'day I was out running errands listening to one of my favorite radio stations – it's a local County one that you can only hear in our immediate area (KLAK).  **Something you may not know about me – I call into radio stations often when there is a contest – when I was in middle school I called in and won a piece of the Berlin Wall.  My parents never took me to pick it up…true story!**  They were giving away "Glee" CD's because the premiere was this week.  I watched the show a couple of times when it first started and LOVED the music so much – I think a lot of people do.  But the content turned vulgar for me so I gave it up.  But I still download some of the music sometimes.  Anyway – you had to identify this 3-second clip of a song.  I called in – got through the first time – and heard the dj's voice on the other end! And I got a little "shout out" on the radio.  What was the song?  "Physical" by Olivia Newton John.  I could identify that song with a 1-second clip!  In 1985 we drove to Colorado to see my grandparents and listened to that tape over and over again – all singing to ONJ.  My mom got her first speeding ticket during that trip – perhaps ONJ was a little too loud!

Samuel and I went to storytime at the library yesterday and are headed to a farm with a playgroup today.  I love these preschool years.

Remember when we were concerned about Samuel "finding his voice" – well…he found it.  And it's loud. 🙂 And we love to hear him talk.  He continues speech therapy twice a week, but he is meeting all his goals.

That's all I can think of for now – and the house is starting to wake up.

Today I got the big boys to school and got ready in a hurry!

Today I took Samuel to speech class where he and I had a bit of a power struggle moment when he refused to put his flip flops back on and come to the door of the class.  When his teacher came out I told her what was going on and she said "Oh, I understand – we'll wait" – I loved her in that moment!  And we did wait.  And he finally came running with a smile on his face (but in his own time).

Today I went to the Dallas temple with a friend while another friend watched our kids.  Every three weeks we'll switch off and trade watching kids.  I was so happy to go to that peaceful place on a weekday morning and learn.

Today I came home and fed Samuel (and myself) and put him to bed.

Then I did some genealogy work on the computer (I LOVE new.familysearch.org) while listening to an interview with Julie Beck, the President of our Church's women's organization.

I helped the boys with homework and chores.

I have another power struggle with Samuel who refuses to clean up his bowling toy which is in the middle of the walkway.  I patiently count.  I threaten time out.  I finally decide to start taking beloved things away – I start with his favorite blankie.  That doesn't do it.  I move to his favorite "doggie" toy.  Tears and tantrums ensue but bowling pins are still aschew.  I give him some time to ponder on it.  Doesn't work.  I slowly walk upstairs to retrieve his other favorite blankie from his bed, he's devastated to see it and starts cleaning up. I use my best "love and logic" empathy voice when he asks for his blankie back…"what a bummer".  That's no fun. 😦

At 4:45 we headed to piano practice where we visited with Dana and Lexi for 20 minutes.

We left Jacob there for his lesson and headed to Caleb's flag football practice – but we weren't staying to practice, just try on game pants (glad we did – the Mediums fell off of him when he ran!).

At 5:45 we headed back to piano to drop off Caleb for his turn with Ms.Mae.

At 6:05 I headed home to drop off Samuel with Derek who jumped in the car to head back to piano to pick up the boys (if you missed it that's three trips to piano in one afternoon!). But wait!  I realize that the football pants that Caleb tried on are still in the car and need to be returned to the coach.  Derek runs there first and then to piano.

I head to a 5th grade Camp meeting – I get excited for Jacob (and Derek who will chaperone) as it sounds like heaven for him – 3 days in the great outdoors, mud, critters, ziplines, horses and canoeing – HEAVEN!

Visit with some friends who have a cute little gift for me of raspberry cake truffles – oh boy are they good!

Head home to find Derek on a work conference call – Samuel in his high chair watching a movie – and the big boys in a sort of "time out" upstairs.  Help get everyone to bed.

Work some more on my genealogy stuff (I can't get the program to print!).  Visit with Derek.  Watch Project Runway on DVR (are you seeing a pattern with me? I really like to end the day with a tv show to unwind).  

Read. Bed.

A great day!

Today I went to the gym and ran/walked 2.5 miles.  I'm going to attempt a half-marathon in January.  I have a long ways to go.

I then went to the church for a RS meeting.  I taught a class about the importance of making your marriage a priority (i.e. date nights) and my partner-in-crime (Anne) did a handout with lots of great date night ideas. Derek laughed at me when I told him what I was teaching – I told him you don't have to be perfect at something to be convicted about it.  :)
I taught my portion then went and watched kids in the nursery – 22 kids to be exact.  And they were great, believe it or not!  But I kept counting them to make sure they were all there.

Then Samuel and I joined some friends for an impromptu lunch date to Pei Wei…fun!

Then we exchanged something at the sports store.

He fell asleep on the way home.  I did not, but wanted to.

Boys came home and I made them snuggle with me and tell me about their days.  Then I dozed off on the couch while they got a snack.

Homework, piano, chores, dinner prep.

Jacob to football.

Home to feed little boys and Derek.

Derek leaves for Young Men's.

Back to football practice…carpool kids home.

Get gas…way too low.  Talk about bullying in the car.  Jacob wants to play a prank on a prissy girl in his class…I tell him about some pranks that were played on me when I was young and he changes his mind.

Kids to bed.

Blog.

Watch finale of America's Got Talent.

Read a conference talk.  Derek and I are doing a "Conference Challenge" where we are trying to read all of the talks from our last General Conference (of the Church) before the next one.  We gave ourselves a month and we need to read one a day.  I'm one behind.  I should read two tonight.

Until tomorrow…

When we built the pool we allowed for a small space of grass on the left of the pool for Maggie.  Over time we realized that it was going to be VERY inconvenient to mow that small patch of grass, and rather pointless considering we have large sideyard for her to use.  The sideyard is fenced with a 4-foot wrought iron fence.  But the backyard is fenced with a large wooden fence.  The only problem would be how to allow her to get to the sideyard without having the large gate always open exposing the pool and backyard to the view of the street.  Derek is ever the handiman when it comes to "problems".  We decided to try to get a putting green built on the area next to the pool…as you can imagine, the expense was a little steep.  Derek decided he could just build it himself (despite my skepticism).  He contacted a company that sells the materials to landscape companies and sweet talked them into selling them to him.  They too were a little skeptical.  But over the space of 3+ days he was able to level, gravel, measure, cut, line, level again, nail in and BUILD a beautiful 4- hole putting green in our backyard.  I was SO impressed.  And the boys are in heaven. 

 

And to answer our problem of getting Maggie to the sideyard he cut a hole in the fence with a door that raises and latches and locks as needed.  It's brilliant and she loves bounding in and out of her "hole" to come in and out of the yard.

I really appreciate what an amazing "engineer" and handiman Derek is.  I am convinced that there is NOTHING he can't do – seriously!

 
This has since been stained so it blends in with the fence perfectly.

Today I took Samuel to speech class.

We had a lovely visit with Grandma Kake (and Samuel bragged about it to his brothers).

We went to the gym and I did Zumba while he colored Cookie Monster and played.

We went to Kroger for groceries.

I had brown rice Cali rolls for lunch and he had peanut butter and honey.

He took a nap.

I jumped in the pool and laid on my float.  This if the first time I've thought to do that during the day with everyone gone.  Up until now the pool was a family arena.  Today it became my personal resort get-away (for 20 minutes at least).

I took a 30 minute nap.

The boys did homework.

We went to flag football practice with Caleb and watched some really dark clouds roll our way.

Practice was finished early because the dark clouds produced lightning.

And now…Derek took the boys to Scouts and my new bike to the shop.  And I am researching things to do in New York in November and enjoying a really quiet house.  

Pretty soon it will erupt again with the sounds of boys, dinner, piano practice and showers.  But that's good too.

And I don't have a single photo to prove any of it.

We were raised to be Texas Rangers baseball fans!  We would go to the old stadium and sit out on the bleacher seats with our cooler of Capri Suns and x-large bag of Starbursts.  Then in high school, my girlfriend Kate's dad had season tickets and she and I would ride in her red Jeep (with the top off, of course) and head to games all the time. 

The Rangers have not been on my "fun to watch" list for the last several years.  Losing is not interesting, I'm sorry to say.

But this season has been fun!  And we've had two great chances to be out at the ballpark.  We took the kids on July 27th to see Cliff Lee pitch.  It was such a fun game – and it went into extra innings.  We stayed and were so glad we did because we won with a homerun in the 10th.  

And this past Friday night, my Dad and Christy took us all to the Rangers vs Yankees game.  It was a slow, long game – the longest of the season (time-wise).  It went into 13 innings and the Rangers won at 12:20 am.  We sadly did not stay that long – we left at the top of the 11th (11:30 pm) because we needed to get Caleb's friend, Luke, home and go pick up Jacob (who had football practice and went to dinner with Nana).  What a season!  Very fun to watch – Go Rangers!