Taking the Shot

Here's a taste of our new life. The story will follow... Shortly. I promise. :)

More Winter Fun

Since we are surrounded by beautiful and enormous mounds of snow, I thought today would be the perfect day to post about Batman's ice races. Yes, I said ice races - for the three wheeler (or four wheeler or motorcycle, but since his baby is the three wheeler, that's what he races). Now, since I do my best to never even STEP on ice unless ice skates are on my feet (even then it isn't a pretty picture), the idea of RACING on the ice is a very foreign one to me. To Batman, though, it was something he looked forward to ALL. YEAR. LONG. Literally. As soon as we found out that they were being held on Superbowl Sunday this year (*ahem*, yes, I am playing catch-up, here), we called our friends and rearranged our Superbowl party schedule just a tad so he could still go. The littles and I packed up in the truck with him at some ungodly hour bright and early and away we went!

When we arrived, I was surprised at the number of people there and at the condition and quality of the place that we were at. We were in Podunk Wh---ville! Needless to say, for insurance purposes, we are now members of the Wh---ville Rod and Gun club. Huh. Batman says it would be a perfect place for a summer picnic with friends out by the pond/lake/marsh thing. I hold out that it is a little far from H--- and that we don't have any friends that live there, anyway. As far as using it for the gun club, um.... well.... it isn't like we can't just go out in our own back yard for some target practice. But whatever, I digress. Back to the ice races.

Batman had A BLAST, the kids thought it was terrific, and one of their favorite parts was watching the remote control cars race around the pond. Not kidding. They also loved watching all the vehicles with actual drivers, and the boys made plans to practice up on their motorcycles and enter the races with daddy next year. The Girl, however, held firm. She plans on standing at the edge and watching with mommy. Driving and slipping around in circles on the ice? No, thank you. Watch other idiots adventuresome people do so? Sounds like fun.

The Boy's bike comes home

The Boy L.O.V.E.S. riding. Really, really loves it. He even dreams of racing someday. Mommy will be hiding her eyes supporting him the entire way. Both the Boy and the Girl very gratefully received new dirt bikes two years ago. The Girl is happily keeping hers for one more summer, but the time had come for the Boy to get an upgrade.

So, Mommy and Daddy packed up in the truck and made the trek to PA. Not, mind you, right over the border, PA, but deep into the underbelly of the backwoods, PA. Like, backwoods of Tennessee, underbelly of the backwoods. All of the houses that we saw were either in gated "communities" or had bleached out skulls over the doors. Literally. Upon seeing these... houses.... I realized that we had no cell phone coverage. At. All. It was a tiny bit nerve racking.

We finally made it to the house where we would be purchasing the Boy's new motorcycle, and I was pleasantly surprised and relieved! The owner was not at all like Michael Meyers after all!! *whew* He was, in fact, very kind and refined and definitely knew his motorcycle stuff. As an added bonus, there was not a single skull hanging anywhere on his house. Batman and the homeowner talked motorcycles and racing and motorcycles and racing and more motorcycles for a long time, then we loaded up the Boy's new ride in the back of the truck and headed out. On the way home, I realized we were in the Poconos.

*Note to self: DO. NOT, I repeat DO. NOT! EVER, under any circumstance, hop online and find a "nice cozy get-a-way" with one of those champagne glass hot tubs and heart shaped bed and tell yourself that it would be nice to rent it and go hide away with the hubby. DON'T DO IT.*

Hey, maybe those places really are a nice, romantic get-a-way, but my first impression of the Poconos wasn't fabulous, so I'd really rather just not go back. I'm just sayin'....

Back on the road, we started looking for gas stations with good prices and a snack. Spotting decent prices, we pulled in, filled up, and grabbed a picture or two of the bike so the Boy could enjoy it's journey home. Then, gas in the tank and snacks and coffee in hand, we were underway, headed home!

It was dark when we pulled in, but it didn't stop the Boy from flying out the door, up into the truck bed, and onto his motorcycle. Could you hear his delighted squeals at your house?? In the morning, the bike was brought in to warm up next to the wood stove (no, I am not kidding), where Crumb-Crumb checked it out, ensured that it was a Suzuki, and gave his approval.  It was then taken back out, started up, and the boys gave it a spin. Approval ratings? Quite high. Mommy went out in the cold to watch him climb on, but quickly retreated to the house so I didn't have to watch remembered a few very important things that I had to do to get ready for our guests that would be arriving later that evening.

The bike is now home, the Boy has new boots and a chest protector to keep him safe (just so you know, that was Daddy's idea) and the special oil to mix with his gas has been ordered. All we need now is a warm day.

The Boy's First...

Way back in September (I know, terrible updating), The Boy had what he said was "thebestnightof(my)lifeEVER!!!!!!" What did he get to do? He went to his very first rock concert with mommy and Uncle D. And he LOVED IT. That is what he said, anyway. I really couldn't tell how he would feel between the squealing, screaming and jumping all around the house when I told him that I was taking him to see his absolute favorite band LIVE. It is entirely possible that he did not sleep at all the night before.



He loved the music, was awestruck to see (and MEET) Kutless in person (mommy and Uncle D reminded him that they are people too and put their pants on just like we do in the morning), and tuckered himself out with all the jumping, dancing, screaming, singing, and... worshiping! I have to admit, while is was neat to meet them, my favorite part was watching my son get absolutely lost in worship to his heavenly Father. He didn't care who was looking. At that point, he didn't even seem to care that he was fifteen feet away from Kutless themselves. It was him and God. Witnessing that was definitely my highlight. Coming in second, though, was the absolute joy on his face while he got a chance to meet the guys face to face and actually chat with a couple of them for a couple minutes. Daddy's question to The Boy when we got home? "Did you tell them you play the drums, too?" He giggled (yes, boys do giggle) and told daddy that he was so nervous meeting them that he didn't even remember that daddy was teaching him to play.

The Hazards of Dirt Bike Riding

The Boy and The Girl went out to ride their dirt bikes the other day in the gravel pit located behind and up the hill from our house. Shortly after they left, I heard the sound of ONE motorcycle returning, and then The Boy burst in the door.

"MOM! MOM! PLEASE! I NEED YOUR CAMERA!" he shouted.

"Uh, Bud, where's your sister?"

"MOM! Seriously, please! I need it right away! I'll only have it for a minute!"

"Bud, your sister...."

"Mom! There'safoxnexttohisdeninthegravelpitandhe'sjustsittingtherelookingatusandIwanttotakeapictureofitpleasemayIuseyourcamerareallyreallyquickplease!"

Yes, it all came out that fast. "Boy! Where. Is. Your. Sister."

"She's still riding around in the gravel pit, keeping an eye on the fox! And, MOM! I got really really really close to it, close enough to touch, and it didn't run away!!"

Fantastic. Just what a protective mother wants to hear. I haven't been so "countryfied" that the thought of wild animals near my children does not send my heart into freaked-out spasms. Despite the heart palpitations , I took a deep breath and handed the camera to my dear son, with strict instructions to NOT WRECK while in possession of mommy's beloved camera. With a quick "I promise" and a blur of not-so-little feet, he was off, motor racing to get back to the fox before it no longer felt like being an object of intense scrutiny from "little" people.

Several tense minutes later, the sound of two motorcycles made it's way to my ears, and I breathed a sigh of relief. They could not drive their motorcycles down the hill very well if they were maimed. Right? The Boy came rushing in to show me the pictures, and as he looked at them with me, he commented, "well, that stinks! I was a whole lot closer to him than the picture shows!"

Thanks, Bud, I appreciate that piece of information. Have you ever heard of "TMI"? Trust me, this qualifies.

The Birthday Boy

Hard to believe that on this day eleven years ago, I was sitting in a hospital bed calmly talking to our friends. On this day, eleven years ago, I had been in said hospital bed for two weeks, trying to keep a very tiny body inside. Eleven years ago, sitting in that bed, talking to those friends, I had no idea what that little tiny body would be like today. I had no idea how full the joys would be because of him. Our life would not be as full, or as loud, without Bud. So, favorite son of mine, happy birthday. We love you and cherish you and would never in a million years, ever trade you for a turtle. No matter what anyone says.

Have you ever seen a grown man cry?

I've heard it said that every XBox 360 owner's greatest fear is to hear the words "Halo" and "canceled" in the same sentence. But the thing that will give them the worst nightmare of their life is to see this:



The Ring of Death.

What does the Ring of Death mean? It means that a grown 35 year old man and an almost eleven year old boy whine and cry. Literally. It means that this grown man and this sweet boy will be without their beloved XBox for at least two weeks while the XBox makes it way to Texas to undergo repairs. Both the man and the boy wondered what they would do for those two weeks. The mommy suggested that the man and the boy go outside to play.

The Score

Twas the first day of hunting season, and all through the woods,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a deer... (too much rain).

The guns were all loaded and licenses displayed
In hopes of bagging the ultimate prize.

The hunters were all nestled snug in their blinds,
While visions of wall mounts and tenderloin danced in their heads
And momma in her fuzzy slippers and Batman in his camo
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap
When momma looked up at the clock and gasped
"Get out there and try again! We've six tags to fill!!"
Batman sprang from the couch and out the door he ran,
In to the truck he went, and away like a flash.
And to momma's wondering ears should ring,

The cell phone and Batman's voice on the other end,
"Honey, I'll be just a while,
Two deer I have killed,
I'll be home when I'm through."

As darkness fell, Batman pulled in the drive,
Smiling proudly as he showed off his fresh kill.
He and the boy set out to work,
A place to hang the deer had to be built.
When the pounding and sawing came to an end,
Batman stuck his head in the door and announced,
"Momma, I need your help here.
The little one there, I hung him up with ease,
But the bigger one here,
She's too big for just me."
So momma and the boy each grabbed a front leg
While Batman grabbed the hindquarters and started to climb the ladder.
One second he was up, with the deer almost hung,
Then next second he was down on the ground.
Such awful sounds came from him.
A great big scream and a laugh.
Momma knew what a laugh meant with pain,
So she tried to bully him in to the doctor right then.
Batman would hear nothing of the sort,
Instead, went to bed and did not sleep for the pain.
The next evening Batman's foot looked bad,
Like a football with Vienna sausages stuck on one end.
Momma finally won then,
To the hospital they did go to get it checked out.
Doc R. wanted to know, why the wait?
Thanks, Batman, for trying to tough it out,
But you are broken for sure,
And need help now!
A soft cast for the night,
Then to the orthopedic in the morning.
He will have to give you an ok before you can work, you know.
Doc H. was so helpful, and patched him up tight,
With a new blue cast, he can work alright.


One week later and it back to Doc H.
For the first cast was breaking,
A red one this time, please.
Here's hoping Batman gets better soon,
And that Bambi's daddy won't be out to get him, too.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night!

Batman: 2
Bambi's mommy: 2 (one point per "permanent" cast)

"Awesome!!

My first black eye!!"

Yeah, that's how I looked at it too.... or not. My reaction was closer to: Oh. My. Gosh. WHAT. HAPPENED?! B was down at the neighbor/cousin's house playing "500" (no clue) and he got kneed in the eye by the resident girl teen/horse trainer of the family. Yikes. It already looks worse. This is what it looked like when he walked in the door:

























Yeah. We'll see how it looks tomorrow.

Updates All Around (Week 12)

Questions have been posed about my last class/test.... I am THRILLED to no end to be done, and I feel pretty confident about the state exam. I am, however, having a difficult time remaining patient while the state processes all the exams and submits our results. I think I can I think I can... wait.

Bud's birthday party was good despite the cold temperatures and rain. All the boys had a great time playing army in the woods for the weekend, complete with VERY IMPORTANT MISSIONS. Seriously. Unfortunately, the camera was without batteries. Not smart. You'll have to take my word for it: he was adorable and the boys were nearly invisible all dressed in camo. Uncle D, you'd be so proud. Oh yeah, and daddy and daddy's best friend stayed in the woods with the boys, and froze, and didn't sleep... So they called me to get me up to come up and start breakfast.... at FIVE. In the MORNING. *sigh* I'm still trying to recoup.

Ah yes... now on to the weight issue. Yes, this week, it IS an issue..... When all was said and done, I lost NOTHING. Which, I know... I said J said "stop" and that I would not actively pursue weight loss.... So, I didn't... I didn't count one single point.... And during the first two days, I lost an additional one and a half pounds... then Bud's birthday rolled around... and a weekend long campout/picnic/cookout..... So I went up two pounds, then back down the half to where I started last Wednesday to begin with. *sigh* Back to counting points. I'm afraid if I don't, those twenty pounds I just so happily shed will easily sneak back on.... Can't have that. I think I can, I think I can.... stay on track.

The Hazards of Winter

Remember the best friend? Well, he and his family are of the super-sweet type, so Saturday morning they called us and said "we are coming over to help you do more wood." Period. That's one of the things I love about these guys (besides those little boys of theirs)... That take charge, jump in and help attitude.

So everyone gets here and the boys go out to the woods and find a few good trees willing to give their lives for my warmth. They cut them down. And cut them into little pieces. Then place them in the truck. We will get to HOW they are placed in the truck later. An hour or so after they leave, the boys return and begin stacking wood on the porch.... Easy access for the little boy of the house and less mud to wade through. Hopefully this will last us the *rest* of the winter.




















The hubby poked his head in the door and asked me to come with him... He had something to show me. This brings us to HOW the log was PLACED in the truck. I've seen the offending log. It was little and dead. Lucky strike, I think....



















It was one of the pieces somewhere up on the top....




















After almost hyperventilating, then informing the best friend that he was NOT paying for the new window because there was no way on God's green earth he would be able to convince me that HE was the thrower of the log, I returned to the house and searched out our insurance information. Sure enough, we were pretty smart years ago.... Full glass coverage. (He learned his lesson the first time he had to replace his back window... that time it was a grab bar on the back of a four wheeler.) So, appointments were made and this morning we picked up the truck from the auto glass place at the bottom of our hill and have since admired our shiny new slider window.




















J wanted a slider in the truck... I'm beginning to wonder if careful aim was taken to achieve this goal....... Nah, he wouldn't do that.....

More Boy Toys

Everyone needs a best friend. Better yet, everyone needs a best friend to act silly and ride little bikes with. Looks like these two are having fun....

Big Boys Need Toys Too

Well, the kiddos have their toys up and running... Granted, the WNY late March weather is keeping those toys tucked away most days, but hey, they are running!

Not to be outdone by his kids in the cool looking toys department, J decided it was time to spruce up his toy. What do you think?









































































































Were new back fenders for the three wheeler really all that necessary??

You Want to be a WHAT?

"Look mom! Did you see what I put in the flag holder by the door?? Now we can be like rednecks!"

Great, son, that's JUST what I want to do with my life. My great aspiration is to be a toothless redneck. Oh, I forgot to tell the rest of you? Shoot, I forgot to mention that!! Sorry!

Just to clear it all up, no, I do NOT want to be a redneck. Neither do my children. Nor does my husband, even though at times he acts like one.

Happy Birthday, Baby.

We've been through a lot of birthday's together..... Ok, eleven to be exact.... It seems like a lot. But it seems like it has only been a few years, too..... I want you to know that I am proud of you and I love you even more than I did the day I married you. So, I'm pretty sure that means I love YOU more. Take that. You are a terrific husband and daddy and I am honored to be your wife. Thank you for all you do for us. Don't ever stop having fun. Just because you are 34 now doesn't mean you can't play still. At least I hope it doesn't.... If it does I'll have to slow down in five or so years....

Values

Wrapping Paper: $3.50

Scotch Tape: $1.88

Onyx Ninetendo DS Lite: $129.98

Rendering The Boy Speechless For a Full Minute: Priceless

The Great White Hunter...

...has been out playing today.



















Wait, no, wrong picture. That was a paint ball thing......


Today he woke up bright dark and early to meet up with a couple friends to obtain the perfect poor innocent creature to slaughter tasty meal kill deer to take down in a sportsmanlike fashion. He found one! He found a seven point and took it down brutally murdered rendered it lifeless "with a head shot on a dead run."*

Good job, honey. What's for dinner???

*direct quote from the GWH himself.

The Man From Outer Space

This should be fun, right? .... Mom... Why are you laughing?? WHAT are they going to do to me???
























Holding still is harder than I thought!
























Mom, you and me... We are going to have a talk OUTSIDE when this is done!!
























WHAT is Grandma doing to me?!?! And why does she get a helper?!?!
























Are we done yet??
























Check out the (tied for) first place winner!! Grandma rocks!!


















Oh yeah, whatever happened to his prize?? I so wanted that mug!! It would have made coffee in the morning that much better.

Working Man

I am so proud of this boy. He looks forward to the weekends when he can head off with his Daddy and help on a roof. Fear not, he is safe. The roof is very close to flat. I'd give you pitch numbers, but I don't have a clue what they are and I am a little shady on what they mean.... Anyway, here is The Boy...

...getting the gun ready...



















...lining up the shingles...



















...and taking the shot...



















What a GREAT worker!!

Breaking in the brand new tires

It was a cold and rainy evening. We bundled up and piled into the truck to make the 45 minute trip to E-City to have dinner with our friends. One tenth of a mile down the road, J realized that he had left the CD he wanted our friends to here, so we turned around. Keep in mind, it had been raining all day and we live on a dirt road that in normal rainy conditions washes out. Also keep this information towards the front of your mind: A ditch for a new water line had just been dug, the line lay and the ditch recovered about two weeks prior. So, taking a moment and using a little common sense, what do YOU suppose that recently dug out area looked like (and more importantly, felt like??) Well, as we were driving up our road towards our house, J noticed that there was quite a section washed out and - perhaps - he could "pack it down" so it wouldn't be as washed out. HA HA HA HA HA. So we are cruising up our road at around 20 mph and SUDDENLY are at a dead stop. The truck was at an angle perhaps comparable to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.... or worse. I found myself looking at the grass if I looked out my window and at the top of a VERY tall pine tree if I looked out J's window.

Cousins were called to point and laugh bring up their tractor and tow us out. Even the tractor needed some help.Eventually I had to stop taking pictures so I could be a pusher.

He left a crater in the road

and decided that we were rather dirty

so we made a quick stop at the carwash before resuming our journey to our dinner date. *sigh*















And people ask me if I ever get board being "stuck" up on this hill away from "civilization."

No, not really. In ten years I haven't had the chance.......