this time of year

some things I love...the pumpkin EVERYTHING, the great weather, & football.
some things I could do without...getting dark earlier and the germs that seem to appear!
sis had it last weekend, hubby during the week and both boys today. good grief :/
at least I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home and take care of everybody, right?! At 3 am on of the boys said "mom, you know you're next, right? who is going to take care of you?" yes buddy, I know...so, we wait to see how long it takes ;)

1 down 3 to go

Well, as of 3:00 today everyone (including me) will have made it through the first month of school. Whew! and WOW, a month, already??? Sis is doing really well this year, only a few tears and now shes a big girl.  She has gotten the best listener award 3 times. Although I hear she is still the "helper" (boss) on most days. Thats ok by her daddy, he says it just means shes a strong leader. They have a date tonight. She says she is taking him to dinner and for dessert, a.k.a. Olive Garden & Cherry Berry :)

Little man is loving school.  He adores his teacher and of course getting to play with his friends every day.  He is still getting up and ready without any trouble.  We are having to remind him the importance of thinking before he speaks.  He has a kind of "brick wall" personality that isn't exactly compassionate & he doesn't understand that everyone isn't like that. We're working on it but overall he's made great strides so far this year.  His first football game was a little surprising.  He was kind of timid of the other team & didn't really want to tackle. Its strange because in practice he takes them out. Maybe tomorrow will be different. He's having fun though, and thats all that matters.

My big guy...he isn't loving school.  In fact we've had the counselor involved and we (I) do LOTS of talking.  He doesn't say much.  He's so unhappy. I hate it for him. His grades are good but other things are changing.  This too shall pass, but it breaks a momma's heart watching it.   He did make the basketball team so that is his bright spot. He says its why he gets up to go to school

Knock on wood, I'm a little scared to admit it, but this semester for me hasn't been near as bad as I thought it would be. I actually have days that I get, dare I say it...bored...when sis is at school.  Don't get me wrong, there is always laundry to be done and something to clean but nothing pressing that HAS to be done right then.  We are enjoying lots of evening walks/bike rides and time at the park.  The boys are busy on opposite nights so it gives us a little more one on two time ;)

Its been almost 2 months since my Papa passed away  &  I think I am surprised at how much more I miss him now.  Its almost like its getting harder the longer it is.  I go to the cemetary often & just sit in my car.  I don't want to get out & go "there" but I need to see where he is.  Sis still asks lots of questions and makes lots of 4 year old comments so we get to smile about it almost everyday. 

Life is busy but good. We are blessed.

Day 7

School got off without a hitch last week for everyone.  And still seems to be going well. The mornings are (fairly) stress free at the moment. Not sure how long that will last but going to enjoy it none the less!
Football is in full swing & he LOVES it!
An unexpected invitation to play fall baseball came up so we are dividing a lot of time between the two.
Sis is in gymnastics again and thinks its wonderful :)
Today is her first full day at school and I am here having a pity party. I know there are a million and one things I could/should be doing but I just don't want to.  Hubby doesn't get it. He thinks I'm crazy and should be celebrating. Instead, I'm pouting. I cannot imagine what next year will be like. Oh. My.

huh?

summer is over. what??? where in the world did it go?? we are making a long weekend into a mini vacation for the kiddos and I took 2 weeks off work (one to spend with them before school starts and one to try and get a routine started)

I finished summer school last week. and got an A. SO excited about that!
we had a visit with my brother, although not the reason I wanted him to come, he was here for 10 days. The kids were really sad when he left. and he was too.
its been 3 weeks since papa passed away. most days are pretty good but some catch me off guard and its a little harder. Sis still asks lots of questions so its an ongoing discussion.  

my papa in TX isn't doing very well. He fell in his garage and my grandma didn't know it. we aren't sure how long he was out there but he is home from the hospital and in his own bed so he's happier.
mom is strugging to balance traveling to see him as often as she can, and taking care of my grandma here, who FLIPS out every time mom leaves.

but, all in all, life is good :)

John 14: 1-3

I found this today and then it was suggested by a sweet friend. That said to me it was meant to be and it was just what I needed to read.  I am very fortunate to be 37 and still have all 4 of my grandparents. I haven't ever experienced a great loss of anyone close to me.    Wed afternoon I was at work when mom called to tell me the time was coming quickly & we needed to get to my Papa's as soon as we could.  I left work early and headed over there. He was sleeping but would wake up if you touched his hand or talked to him.  I sat beside him and held his hand for several hours.  Hubby brought the kiddos and he woke up to love on them for a bit.  It didn't last long & he was asleep again, but enough that he knew they were there & they got to talk to him.  Some sweet friends let the kids spend the night so I could stay with him.  After about midnight he didn't say anything else.  He rested well most of the night but when morning came he was uncomfortable.  His WONDERFUL hospice staff told us what to do to keep him calm and comfortable.  My grandma, mom and I were there when he peacefully passed away.   I was not nearly as prepared as I told myself I was.  Since I had dealt with things like this countless times and he had been sick for so long and felt so bad for the last few days, I thought I was ready.  I was WRONG.  My mind knows hes in a better place.  Hes not suffering anymore.  But I didn't know the kind of physical hurt I would have.   There was lots of laughter through tears while we looked through all the photo albums.  The boys are ok, one better than the other. Sis is struggling and asking lots of 4 year old questions.  I hate it for them.  My grandma is actually dealing better than any of us, I think.  My dad, however, is not.  Its going to be a long road but it will be ok. 

the last one

The last one of the boxes was unpacked and thrown in the dumpster. Its starting to get a little more settled. Still having to think about where some things were put or if I remember seeing others.  Kiddos and puppy dogs seem to be adjusting fine. The dirt is driving me nuts but I'm sure it will be ready and still waiting when I get the chance to clean it up!
School is in full force and keeping me on my toes.  Its a 4:30 am job and a 12 am catch up session to stay on top of things.
Baseball wrapped up with a second place league trophy and a 3rd place in state. Not too bad. 
Football started tonight and I chose to hang out here to write a paper so as not to interfere with weekend/early next week plans.
After a new prop and a fridge on the front porch for a bleaching (story and pics at a later date ;) we enjoyed a super fun weekend at the lake with some new and kinda old but "found again" friends
Summer is good but unfortunately the end is beginning to sneak up.  Just about a month til it all starts again.  Seems like we just got started :(
Lots more to squeeze in before then!!

48 days

The amount of time that has passed since I posted anything here. Doubt anyone is seriously missing it but none the less a quick update...
We finished the house and moved out of the duplex over the weekend. Everyone's room is unboxed and sort of put together. But there are boxes and boxes and boxes of pictures stacked up.  Its making me CRAZY.
School started back today. And yet here I am on blogger. Not a good idea I'm sure but I'm not quite ready to tackle it just yet. 
Little man is playing in the championship baseball game tonight.
Speck was chosen to play for the All Star team so we will be doing a little traveling (about 5 hours one way) this weekend to watch more ball.
We have had 2 weekends at the lake so far and one of them consisted of a minor boat mishap.  Still waiting to hear the damage on that one.
Life is crazy but good. We are blessed. Just ignore me if you notice anything strange as I try figure out how to make it all work :)