I Am Getting So Old

• My baby turned 11. Photos are somewhere in a camera still. Will post tomorrow. She was an MC in the school talent show this week and is going to a Girl Scout camp out this weekend. I am driving the girls up but not staying overnight. I hope! It's too cold and I'm much too old to do the cold!!
• My other baby has a HIGH SCHOOL Parents Night Program to get him registered for 9th grade. I don't think I'm ready to turn him over to the hard cruel hallways of high school.
• Another cute baby is taking the ACT Prep course and has to spend hours, countless hours, studying and doing homework for it. Taryn goes on the weekends for 3 hour classes. The next test is in April. Right now, BYU is at the top of her list, so all that studying could net wonderful results if she gets in her #1 choice university. That's why we work so hard!
• I went to my oldest baby's last game of indoor soccer....EVER! Well, maybe not ever, ever, but you know what I mean. This team has been together for years, and they are all graduating high school and scattering to the four winds for college. Mike took pictures. Another post of pics to follow. It was fun to see them play and finish their season undefeated. This was on Monday after the big day at the dentist and I was in alot of pain, so I took another darvocet so I could go. I didn't say anything about it, so Indy didn't know I was "on something". She looked at me during halftime and said "What's wrong with you?". It's a lovely thing when your teenager asks you if you're high. Actually it's a really funny thing when you're on something and you're teenager asks you if you're on something. I thought I looked and acted completely normal. Apparently I was slightly "glazed over".
• And then there's my aching back...cutest little boy in Pre-K turned me into a bucking bronco when I was working with another child while sitting on the ground. I have a rule about staying vertical for a reason! If they spot me anywhere near their level, I get levelled! Or ridden! Well, since he was dressed up like Clint Eastwood meets Elton John what could I do but buck him off while he shouted "Ride 'em Cowboy! Yee-haw!!!". Then I gave him a standing up ride (so as not to be mobbed by the other 10 kids in the class) for each word he made so he'd make his 3 words that rhymed with cat and that's when I pulled a muscle in my back. Geez, it's not like I'm 50!
• You know you're old when you enjoy listing your health problems. I do have one more. I was Struck By a Spatula Wielding 2 Yr Old while playing Tag Ms. Chrissie with him and his 2 brothers ages 4 and 5 during his mom's 30 minute after school parent teacher conference. Why couldn't we play without spatulas?! Well, that's a very good question! One, it just wouldn't be as much fun; and Two, the little guy had a spatula in his hand when I peeled him away from the classroom and the fit he was about to throw because he wanted to stay and play. So the game was made up to distract him and boy did it work! They rode trikes and had spatula's and if they tagged me with their spatula I was frozen until another one rode by and tagged me to unfreeze me. Well, you would have thought any injury would have come at the hands of one of the older ones, but no, a freak hit by the cute little guy busted a vein in my finger...weird, huh? It still really hurts and it was 2 days ago. It was good exercise though because let me tell you, after the first few not so gentle hits, I decided to run the entire time!

Dreadful Monday

The day I've been dreading since my dental visit earlier this month has arrived. I wish I was Jason today - at least he got to get knocked out for his dental work! I don't have any new cavities, but I've got some old ones that have to be replaced and two other teeth with fillings apparently have cracks in them so now I get to have them crowned. So, to summarize: 2 crowns and 3 replacement fillings all in one day so I can just get it over with. I did ask if they could just knock me out for it and they laughed. Guess that's a NO. Probably because I'm usually the gal asking if I can get away without any numbing...and have successfully done so more than once. Boy do I hate that numbing!!! I have a secret stash of darvocet from my surgery and I do believe I will call for permission and then put one to good use. I have had migraines and a bladder infection this week and I am at the tippy top of my pain threshold, one more thing will send me over the edge. A totally numb face for half the day will do more than that, lemme tell ya!! Beware those who live with me! This may be your only warning!!! Especially if the dentist says no to the drugs too. Then I will not be the happy camper they all know and love.

Guth Wedding - Florida

Friday morning we left for Tampa Bay, Florida. My dad Fred and Jan were getting married on Valentines Day. We had an early 6:15am departure, so we were up at 4am. Besides the fact that we couldn't be happier for Fred and Jan, the other neat thing about this weekend - it was the first time all of Fred's kids were together at the same time in the same place! My brother Ron and his wife came in from Arizona. My brother Carl flew in from California. My sister Chanda and her husband David arrived from New York. And my sister Crystle and her husband Matt and their daughter Milynn were in from North Carolina. To say the least, we filled up a living room!

Saturday morning was a breakfast at Butterfields with all of families, while Jan and Fred were busy getting ready for the afternoon. Saturday at 4:00pm was the wedding and reception. Sunday was spent at the beach with Ron and Mary Lee followed by a special seafood restaurant dinner. And Monday was spent at the beach and shopping. Below are some select photos from the weekend. There are plenty more, but too many to post all of them.

Ron, Carl, Mike, Fred, Chanda, Crystle

Ron, Carl, Mike, Fred, Jan, Chanda, Crystle

Mary Lee, Ron, Carl, Chrissie, Mike, Fred, Jan, David, Chanda, Crystle, Matt

Waiting for the wedding to begin...

Thought this was a cool pic...

The wedding ceremony...

My family chatting with Ron and Carl

Presenting Fred and Jan Guth...

The first dance...

Chanda and David...

Cutting the cake...

Matt and Milynn dancing...

Front row: Mary Lee, Ron, Matt, Crystle, Jan, Fred, Chanda, David, Chrissie, Mike, Carl
Back row: Indy, Taryn, Mariah, Gib

Sunday at Anna Maria Island beach with Ron...

Mike and Ron walking the beach...

The Coombs family...

I thought this was a great shot of Chrissie...

The Rod and Reel restaurant we ate at Sunday night...

Gib playing football at the beach on Monday...

Monday was a much sunnier day...

The girls just had to get a pedicure on Tuesday before we returned home...

Surviving

We are excited for this season's Survivor! We almost know one of the contestants! The brother of one of Indy's favorite teachers is on the show. Benjamin Wade. He does real good too. Insider knowledge.

We have to survive a very early morning flight tomorrow to FL. There's talk of people sleeping in their travelling clothes and rolling out of bed and staggering to the car (after they brush their teeth because ewww, not sitting next to puppy breath on the plane). Mike was starting to push for even earlier, then relented and said we had to be in the car at 4:30 am, knowing it might really be 4:45 before we're out the driveway. I was going to say by 4:45 and hope to be on the road at 5:00. The plane takes off at 6:15 am. But the good news is we'll be there when it's still breakfast time on the East coast! I guess that's the price we have to pay to spend a few days in sunshine and enjoy Fred & Jan's wedding. We are really looking forward to it.

I don't know if I'll be able to blog. I don't know if we're even taking the laptop. I haven't even packed yet. And Survivor! starts in 40 minutes! I guess I better get packing. If we get everyone's bags in the car tonight we'll just have carry on's and sleepwalkers with minty fresh breath and flashlights to find the car tomorrow. Somehow, we'll survive!

Be Mine

Here's Mariah's Valentine box creation. It is one of those priceless moments in life because you realize this will probably be the last one she makes. Remember the days when you filled out a valentine for each kid in your class and made a box for all of your valentines to go in? 5th grade is the last year the kids get to do that and Mariah made a beautiful box to mark the occasion.

But you're never too old to be a kid, as I proved when I bought Mike some 3D valentines with Shamu on them. We met while working at Sea World, so I just had to get them. He is still finding them in the nifty hiding places I stashed them in. And I also bought some very cool 3D valentines that turn caterpillars into butterflies, teddy bears into ducks, etc., for preschool kids. And candy bracelets. Yup, you are never too old to be a kid! I didn't get to make a box though.

Over It

Wow there is a huge difference between walking 3 to 5 miles a day at preschool, followed by a fairly regular M & F walk of between 3 to 5 miles and going 6 miles with Gib and some Scouts and dads on a little hike (Mike wasn't feeling well and the 6:45 am start time was a serious deterrent!) Up and over a hill, and another one, and another one, I lost count how many - and I'm talking the kind where you can't talk because you're concentrating on sucking in enough oxygen to breathe your last breath - and in slippery mud 2-3" deep in many places. Oh, and let's not forget the rocky spots covered by just enough water to send you ice skating! Downhill. My calves have yet to stop aching whenever I stretch my legs. I thought for sure a 5 mile walk today would work it all out. Nope, it all still hurts. Maybe more. And, get this, Gib and I have agreed to....DO IT AGAIN! He needs to get in hiking shape for Philmont this summer and I just need to get in shape. We have better plans this Saturday, but we'll be back on the trail...yippee. Oh yeah, one more thing, lest you think "aww, what a nice mother-son activity!" I never saw Gib after we got out of the truck! I did however carry all his water and his snack in my backpack. He and his friends ran the whole hike. Kids - what a bunch of freaks.

Today Mariah has her first Talent Show rehearsal. She was chosen to be an MC. I am kind of glad they took her for that spot instead of singing. Not that she couldn't have done it, but to be honest, we live in an area where alot of kids are already years into singing lessons and I just didn't see us getting the song performance ready on time. Mariah was okay with being chosen for either spot, so it's all good. A parent has to be at this first meeting, which I did last year, and it was endlessly long and boring, so this year I know to sit at the back and be ready to slip out when I can't stand it any longer. We do have an appt to keep so it's good to have an excuse.

I have been asked to stop and pick up 3D animal valentines for Mariah. If I leave now, I can check the corner store and maybe I'll find them on the first try. Wouldn't that be nice?!

A Note From the Hairdresser

Taryn came home yesterday from getting her hair cut with this note for me:

Dear Chrissie,

This note shall serve as a warning. You are hereby notified to never come near any member of your family again w/scissors or I will come to your house and throw all of your scissors away.

Love your friend Lori


C'mon, the bang trim wasn't that bad!!!!

For Indy: Mercer Essay

Indy chose to submit a sample of a descriptive essay from her Creative Writing class with her application to Mercer:

Over the horizon, colors of yellow, orange, blue and purple blend together forming an abstract painting as the pink tinted sun shies away from the moon arising in the east. I sit upon the rocks further away from the shoreline, my body awake but my mind far away. The wind softly blows through my hair, silently caressing my face and cooling the evening after a long summer day. Inhaling the salty smell of the beach releases memories long forgotten and tucked away under the dust of time, replaying them so realistically I forget they are not tangible and reach out to embrace them once again.

Silence creeps in as a shadow of the night while families gather their beach toys, roll up their towels, and drive away. Isolation has never been something I tolerate well, but tonight it is relaxing. After everyone has returned to homes with locked doors and comfy pillows, I slip off my white sandals and walk to water's edge. I press down firmly with my feet and dig my toes into wet grains of sand. Ocean water trickles along my ankles and sends goose bumps crawling over my skin. I walk further along the shore, leaving footprints behind me which are quickly whisked away by the next incoming wave. Shells of all sizes and colors decorate the large expanse of sand. Selfishly, I admire them as I walk on by, not considering their journey ashore. I turn back, still emerged in memories and quiet reflection. Out of habit, I count each step. When I near the rock I sat on before, I wade deeper into the ocean until my knees can no longer be seen. I stare ahead at the darkening sky, watching the last sliver of the bright sunset fade.

As I stand there, the waves remind me of a person, perhaps a person like me. They crash and beat against the sand with a fury uncontained and brutal, only to die down and brush along the shore in apology. Slowly shrinking back into the depths of a sea that carries away pain and misery, the furor has transformed into a sound so peaceful as to lull a child to sleep. At this realization, I raise my fisted hands high in the air, tilt my head back and scream into the distance so powerfully as to make the Earth tremble beneath me. My intense rage escapes with a fading yell and I let my arms rest against my side. A deep breath of peace fills my lungs as my heart yearns to be released from the intensity of hurt feelings and the overwhelming anger of betrayal and lost opportunities. Exhausted, I make my way back toward the rock. I lie down on the soft, welcoming sand and drift off into a calming sleep. In my hand rests a beautiful shell. It is a gift of survival.

For Indy: FULL RIDE!!!

No details yet, but Indy just got a call from her admissions counselor at Mercer University and they are offering her a full ride Presidential Scholarship!!!! Indy won the scholarship competition!!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!?!?!

Yahoo!!!!!

Indy asked how many students the scholarship was offered to and the admissions counselor didn't know exactly but she said it was very rare and very prestigious. I'm thinking a couple students a year. At $35,000 a year they can't give it away like candy. We are so excited for Indy and so stinkin' proud of her! Mike and I are taking her out to Carraba's for a celebratory dinner.

Busy Monday

Today is a very busy Monday for me. I don't have time to do the post that I'd like to do, which would be to put up some of the photos that Taryn, Mariah and Gib took while playing outside yesterday. Suffice it to say they had a great time while Mike and I thought they were "just taking pictures"! Well, they did that...they just did it while fighting with sticks, climbing trees, and jumping on the trampoline that is so dangerous until the net is fixed that I don't even want to think about it! If you go to T's facebook you'll see some of her favorite photos.

I am taking a little break from cleaning the kitchen, sweeping, and defeathering the dining room thanks to Pixie - it's amazing how many downy feathers a cat can pull out in under 5 minutes before Mom realizes what's going on and removes it. I am now amazingly tuned in to batting noises and when Pixie sneezed after I heard a little thump, I knew something was up! She was sneezing feathers! OK, that was a little funny. Then. Now? I've swept 3x and there's probably still a 1/4" feather in the dining room somewhere. Seriously, we're going to have to do something about Pixie and this kitty door fixation she has about bringing her kills inside. Last night it was a very alive, very fast mouse. Indy was not at all amused. I saw Chino going around the ottoman like crazy and I'm like "aaahhh! not another mouse Pixie!". Just then the little rodent made a dash for the dining room...what a mistake, there's nothing to hide under. Pixie nabbed it. Mike and I were ho-hum, "I'll get a cup" and "I'll go get the trash can" and Indy was "that sucker was fast!" and "ooh! ooh! I don't want to see it get killed!" and then "hey! I drink out of that cup...well, I USED to!!" Daughter: Welcome to my world. Honestly, the cats never did this before at our other house when we had the exact same kitty door, so I'm hoping it will stop soon when the newness wears off.

Well, it's back to the Busy Monday Grind. On today's schedule is Mariah's Mountain of Laundry to be folded, grocery shopping, off to get my hair done, then I have a dentist appt, vacuuming awaits, and then when Taryn & Gib get home we leave for the Ortho. Since Mariah fell down the last few stairs last night, in her dash for 3D glasses for the Superbowl commercials, it probably would be a good idea to try to fit in a Chiropractor appt for her this evening too. She's OK, don't worry...if the stick fighting, tree climbing, and trampoline jumping next to a ravine without a net didn't get her, what's a measly few stairs?!