Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Football

Yesterday was Peter's first football practice. He really liked it, and didn't even get too tired. This week they are working on fundamentals and there is no contact allowed, so I think that makes practice a little easier.
Now that we have nightly committments right in the middle of supper I have decided to try to plan out meals a little more, so that we are not scrounging for food at 8p when we get home from practice. Last night we had a new crock pot meal of Kielbasa sausage and potatoes. The sausage was good, but the potatoes were less that great. Tonight we are going to have sloppy joes and salad with some chips. Sometime this week or next I plan to try another new crock pot meal of ribs. I also want to make a roast pork, because it makes a lot and then we have leftovers so that I don't have to think of a new idea every day.
So I continue to get organized and life will be good.

Monday, July 30, 2007

So much to do, and so little desire to get it done :)!! We went camping this weekend and had a great time. The only downer to the trip was that there was no flush toilets, so that kinda stunk...(yes, pun intended!!!). Yesterday I woke up early and helped issue football equipment. We gave out game uniforms and exchanged equipment that didn't fit from the last equipment issue. It was fun, but a little warm (93 degrees by 10am). Today football practice starts and I think everyone in the house is excited. Our practice time is 5:30-7:30 Monday through Friday. Yes...you read that right....5 days a week. Our first official game is Labor day weekend, but I think we will probably do some scrimmages before then. So for the next few months we will be eating a lot of crock pot meals and leftovers. If anyone has any good crock pot meals I would love to try them.
Then there is all the cleaning and organizing that needs to be done around here. My idea to get the house into shape over the summer failed miserably...I tried once or twice, but just couldn't get all the way through the place before things started falling apart all over again. But I did get to spend a lot of time with my boys doing great things that we all enjoyed. Peter goes back to school Aug. 22, and Liam starts preschool that day too!!! So we have a few more weeks to try to fit in a few more fun activities. Then it will be back to what we love...CHAOS!!! I seem to thrive on chaos and being busy.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

People make plans...God laughs

Is being a mom what defines me? Am I more than "just a stay at home mom"? There are days that I really struggle with these questions. Before I had kids I can't say that I had any clear goals as to what I would do with my life. I went to college and got a degree in psychology because it was interesting to me. But to really DO anything with that degree it would require me to get at least a master's degree. That was not something I was willing to do right after graduation. I just wanted to be done with school. So I started working with individuals with developmental disabilities and learned a lot about how much potential is in every person. I also worked for the state as a services coordinator. That was a job that I really enjoyed. I think that was something I could have seen myself doing for a very long time. But, my husband graduated from college and got a job offer in California. Due to many factors in both our lives right then I said "let's go". I didn't realize what moving so far away from family and life long friends would really mean. I didn't realize that my first year in California would be so lonely. It was very hard to make friends and I felt isolated, so I went out job hunting. I found a job working for the county of San Diego. Three month before accepting this job I found out I was pregnant with Liam. After working for 6 months at the job I knew the job was not for me. Actually that is putting it nicely...I hated the job, but I would not have changed the decision to move.
Now, after having two kids I still am not sure what is in store for my life. I think I may get a job working for the school district once Liam is in school full time. But whatever I do, I will always and forever be a mom. So, after contemplating I don't think I need to have a plan for my life. I once heard a saying that I really liked "People make plans...God laughs".
Thank God that I am a mom with two healthy boys.

Monday, July 23, 2007

HOME SWEET HOME


I made it back in one piece from my Nebraska trip. It was overall a good trip and I really enjoyed spending time with my parents, and niece and nephew (and sister and brother in law too). My only regret is that I didn't have enough time to schedule visits with many friends while I was back. I only got to see one friend for a few hours. Seems like there is never enough time to visit everyone.
I particularly feel bad about missing a visit with Melanie. :( It seems that I am a bit of a bonehead and that before I left I must have been more stressed than I realized. I had posted a few days before I left and when I checked my comments I noticed one from Melanie and so I replied to her post. Well...my dear husband pointed out to me YESTERDAY that it was probably unlikely that Melanie would check back and read comments on a post that she already commented on. DUH!!!!! Anyway, I didn't have Melanie's phone number and thus I didn't contact her. After reading her blog though it sounds like it might have been difficult to get together so I guess I will give myself a bit of a break on the guilt.
We flew into NE on Saturday evening and drove to my parent's house. We went to church with my parent's on Sunday and then out to eat at RUNZA. (Incidentally, those of you that live in Nebraska take Runza for granted....) My sister and family came to Lincoln for a visit on Sunday afternoon and we had a good visit. Monday we relaxed at mom and dad's and then took a trip to Chuck E Cheese to let the kids play. My aunt Claire came through Lincoln on her way back to Wisconsin and spent the night so I got to catch up with her, which was really nice. Tuesday we headed to Omaha to go to the outlet mall in Gretna and then to an indoor play place that had a three story climb and tunnel system. Peter had the most fun of all the kids there. Emma (my niece) was a little scared of the tunnels, and Nicholas (my nephew) and Liam would only go up as high as the first level. We had supper at my sister's house and then headed back to Lincoln for the evening. Wednesday my sister and family came back to Lincoln and we went to see Ratatouille. (It was an okay movie...not the worst, but not the season's best either). That night my sister's family also spent the night with my parents so that we could get up early on Thursday to go to the University for a tour of Memorial Stadium. I must note that I lived in Nebraska for 30 years and never even knew that it was possible to take a tour of this wonderful football mecca. The tour was about an hour long and was really fun for all. Friday morning we woke up and the kids played while mom and I washed up laundry so that I wouldn't have to take dirty clothes home (Thanks mom!!!!), then I packed our suitcases and we headed to Omaha for the evening. We went to the Pizza Machine and spent a little over 3 hours playing and eating. We won over 2010 tickets and I think the adults actually had a little bit of fun :). Friday night we stayed with my sister so that we could be a little closer to the airport because Saturday morning we woke up at 5a (3am California time) and headed for the airport for our flight back to San Diego. Upon our arrival home Ben picked us up at the airport and we went home and dropped off our bags and headed out to a touch football game and pizza party. Then we came home and Liam, Peter and I took a nap for a little bit and then we headed out to Santee Lakes for an evening at the lake celebrating one of Ben's coworker's retirement. We headed home from the party about 9pm and went right to bed.
Yesterday Ben and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. We went to the horse races at Del Mar. The racetrack has a kids' area in the infield where they have pony rides, magic show, jumpers, and many other activities for the kids to enjoy. The boys enjoy it so much that they said they can't wait to go play there again.
I really enjoyed the last week even though it was busy. This week looks like it should be a fairly quiet, uneventful week and I think that will be good so that we can "catch our breathes" before this weekend's campout and football practice starting next Monday.
I love being a "busy mom".

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Time flies

Wow, this week is just speeding by. I feel like it should be moving slower, but tomorrow is already Thursday. On Monday, Peter started his week at cub scout camp from 2-8p everyday through Friday. Tuesday morning he had a playdate with a friend that ended up lasting until the camp, then he went to camp and I picked him up early to go to a football workout. Today we started off the day relaxing a little and I got some laundry done so that I can start packing for my Nebraska trip, and then we went out to find Peter a new pair of shoes.) I thought the shoe trip would be a pretty easy, quick endeavour, but it turned into a 2+hour trip when we couldn't find any shoes that either fit or that he liked. I wanted to get him good shoes because his last pair lasted all of 2 months before he got holes all the way through them to the point of the top of the shoe being separated from the bottom.) But anyway, we got home in enough time for me to pack Ben and Peter's supper for camp (Ben is helping out at the camp) and then Ben took Peter to camp for the day. Tomorrow Peter, Liam and I are going to see a movie with our "summer movie pass" which lets us see previously run movies really cheap...we are going to see Night at the Museum. Then we'll run home and I'll feed the boys a quick lunch and haul Peter to camp and pick him up early for another football workout. Then Friday he will go to camp again and they have a little skit they put on in the evening, so Liam and I will meet Ben and Peter at camp. Then we'll get up Saturday morning and finish any packing that needs to be done and just relax for a while until we need to leave for the airport. Then 3 hours on the plane and we will be in good ole Nebraska for a week of R and R before heading home and back to the busyness that is our lives.
I am thankful that we are busy because it helps keep my mind off how much I miss my family and friends in Nebraska.
I may not be posting again until after vacation...we'll see how the next couple days go...if not I'll just say hi when I get home.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Hike

We went to the coast to hike today. It was 95 degrees at our house and it was in the low 80s on the coast with a nice ocean breeze. Our hike was 2.5 miles and only took us about 2 hours to do. It was not too steep and there were many flat places, so we were able to move at a pretty good speed. From the top of the sandstone cliff that we hiked we could see the ocean perfectly. It was really an awesome view. The hike took us past an elementary school, and a few VERY nice houses that had terrific ocean views, and then on to a scenic overlook. Then we had to back track our way down the hill. Going down was super easy and took no time at all.
Now we are home and I had a small nap and am ready to play "mousetrap" with Liam, Ben and Peter. Liam loves the game, but since I don't like it as much he doesn't get to play too often. For the rest of the evening we will be just sitting back and relaxing enjoying each others' company.

Friday, July 6, 2007

Writing a book

I have been thinking for a few years about trying to write a book. I really feel good when I'm able to write and if I wrote a book I would be able to give myself a good excuse to write. Just the other day Peter said "mom, why don't you write a book?". We had just been talking about miscelleanous stuff and he just said it out of the blue. Then yesterday I was reading the paper and saw an article about a writer's conference in September. It is supposed to be for all levels of writers. So now I've got this idea in my head that maybe I should try to write a book...now I just need to settle on an idea of something to write about.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

4th of July fun

Yesterday was a good day. We went to the park as a family and rode the train and looked at the exhibits, and watched an old west gunfight. Then in the afternoon the boys went to a movie and I went to the gym to work out. We had an awesome supper with bratwurst, baked beans, potato salad, and chips. Then we headed to the high school for the big fireworks display. The city had set up a few food vendors and the city's mobile rec unit was out and putting on games for the kids to do while waiting for it to get dark. Ben took care of the boys and I sat down and read a book. It was a very relaxing evening. The fireworks were beautiful, and the finale was really cool. It only took us about a half hour to get home, so we were all happy with the day.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

4th of July

I grew up celebrating the 4th of July in the country. We always had tons of firecrackers to "play" with during the day, and in the evening my dad would put on a spectacular show for us with the "big stuff". We lived in a "circle", which in today's terms I guess would be called a cul-de-sac. Anyway, all the neighbors always seemed to try to outdo each others fireworks display. It always seemed like the fireworks went on for hours when I was a kid and I loved every minute of it. Part of our "tradition" was getting together with friends of the family and having tons of food and getting stuffed to an uncomfortable degree. The chips and dip would be put out early in the afternoon and later there would be hot dogs and burgers grilled and potato salad and baked beans....mmmm makes me hungry just thinking about it. Last year I was able to celebrate with my parents and the friends from growing up. It was still as much fun as ever. Although now my brother in law has taken over as the fireworks master. He does a pretty darn good job.
This year I am going to be staying in California and it will be much different. We are not allowed to have fireworks of our own around here. There will be a large fireworks display at the high school which should be fun...I've heard it's a fabulous display. In the late morning, early afternoon we will be going to Old Poway Park for an "Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration". Not really sure what they will be doing, but they have a neat train that Liam loves to ride. Although it will be different I am hoping to have a great day. The 4th is probably my favorite holiday. Happy 4th of July to all!!!!

Monday, July 2, 2007

8 things

Ok, I was tagged so here goes:
I am supposed to post the rules, so here goes...
1. Each player lists 8 facts or habits about themselves
2.The rules of the game are listed before the eight
3. At the end of the post the person tags eight people, then going to comment on their blog letting them know they've been tagged.

I of course don't yet have eight people to tag...the only one I could have tagged is the one who tagged me and I don't think tag back are allowed...sooooo here are my 8 facts.

1. I hate to be late when going anywhere.
2. I love to read.
3. Pizza is my favorite food.
4. I was a "band geek" in high school and loved every minute of it!!!!
5. I drive a Nissan Xterra...solar yellow in color!!!
6. I have never been to a foreign country...this doesn't count Mexico because I've only been a few steps over the border.
7. I actually enjoy going to the gym a few times a week...makes me feel like I'm doing something for myself.
8. I enjoyed growing up in Nebraska.

So here would be the part where I would tag someone, but since there is noone to tag I will just post.
Hope you enjoy!!!!

daily ho hum

Yesterday was filled with doing chores that have been long left undone. So today we get to go play at Legoland. I am really looking forward to going there because there is so much for the kids to do. I think we will probably even spend some time in the "pirate shores" playing in the water. It is supposed to be near ninety today so a little water should feel good. My favorite ride at Legoland is the dragon coaster. Liam likes fairy tale brook and the fire trucks. Peter likes the dragon coaster. Not really sure what is Ben's favorite....he seems to like them all. If you've never been to Legoland it is definitely a place to check out. Amazing the things you can build with Legos. And it's also nice because there isn't usually too big of a crowd.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Shark!!!!

Yesterday we all went to the beach and had an experience that none of us had ever had before. We took a walk down the beach headed for a place called flat rock, on the way we saw a man ocean fishing. Just as we walked past we noticed that he had caught something. We stopped to see what he would reel in and when he started reeling in I could see that he had something large. It turned out that he had caught a leopard shark that was about 4 1/2 feet long. We got to see it up close and it was a really neat. The guy took a couple of pictures with the shark and then unhooked it and let it go back in the ocean.
We stayed at the ocean all afternoon and had a bbq on the beach and watched the sunset over the ocean. Overall, it was a really nice day.