New BFF...

Something amazing has happened to me. I think, as you get older, it is harder to make new friends and more important than ever to keep old ones. I made a new friend. A new BFF. She is everything a friend should be. She is kind. She is fun. She is understanding. She likes me. We think a lot alike. We get along really well. She is drop dead gorgeous. My other friends may be jealous. My husband introduced us. He sees her beauty but I am not threatened by that. She is of color. She rocks!! She has a name. Her name is Epson Stylus Photo RX595 Ultra High Definition Photo All-in-One. You can call her genius. Allow me to introduce her...


'Ain't she a beaut?? Keith bought her for me for my birthday and I love her!! Currently she is residing in the boy's room next to the computer. I really have to work on getting that darn thing into my scrapbook room so I can rest easy that she won't get knocked over by a couple of rough-housing little boys. I haven't played with her near enough. I need to learn so much more about her. I am confident she will color my world a bright shade of...well, any color I want her to!! Don't hate her 'cuz she's beautiful. Once you meet her, you'll fall in love. She is truly one of those girls. Okay, don't you just hate her a little bit??

One More Thing...

I found a picture of me on my 17th birthday and was struck for two reasons. The first one I told my mom about today. Apparently at 17, no matter what we think at the time, we do not know everything. The picture was taken in first period, in Mr. Holmes' class, my junior year of high school, in February. I am sitting at my desk, opening a birthday card, looking like a smart a** at the camera, wearing a cheerleading tee and a pair of cheerleading shorts. Knit shorts. Did I mention it was February?? I told my mom I'm sure I must've worn a sweatshirt to school. The second reason is that of all pictures to find, I find one not only of a past birthday, but of my 17th birthday. One that took place exactly half my life ago. Should I play the lottery today? Funny, I remember turning 21 and buying my dad a 6-pack of Bud for Valentine's Day. Why? Because I could. I was going to scan that birthday picture and add it to this post. I forgot. Maybe I'll do it tomorrow. I was going to compare it to a photo taken today, at 34. That was the first time I said it all day. I was going to compare the photo, my life, my views, all of it. Deep, I know. Instead, you just get me today.



It really has been a great day. I got nice e-cards from Kirsten and Linda, a birthday song email from Sara, a surprise birthday greeting from an AO underwriter, a birthday greeting from Scott, an email from Jen, a call from my mother in law in Arizona, a song dedicated to me (out loud) by Alli, sung by her entire preschool class...plus many wishes from my family and coworkers. Wow, I must be loved or something. :)

Happy Birthday To Me...

No, I do not send out an intro to my newly aquired age every year, but I figure what the heck today. I am 30 something for the 4th time and it's all dandy with me. If my birthday had been yesterday, my tune would not be happy and jolly. First, I got stuck in my yard, no, not my driveway-my yard, which made the boys late for school. Keith took them and headed to court so I was without a vehicle. I had a meeting at the school at 9am that I cancelled. I called a tow truck, but Jimmy showed up before the truck did. He wanted me to put the van in reverse and he'd take care of the rest. Well...I couldn't find the keys and was about to crawl out the passenger side door to look in the house-yes, I had the door open to get out because no, I couldn't get out on my side-when my van started moving!! Jimmy was pulling me without the vehicle on!! Oh well.?Anywho...I made it to my meeting, but had to leave early for Kyle's hair appointment.

Hmmm. He threw a fit in the hallway of the school. I was getting really warm. You know that feeling. I picked him up, or should I say I attempted to, but since that didn't work, I hoisted him up under his arms without actually holding onto him since I had his backpack in one hand and my coffee in the other. As I crossed the office window, he flailed and I almost dropped everything. Oh yeah, and the two office ladies and a teacher saw it all happen. One of them knows my parental history. Okay, so I've forgotten to pick the boys up a few random times from school. That is another story. We chatted briefly while I was deciding which one to leave at school. Kyle. No, the coffee. No, not the coffee. In the end, you'll all be happy to know I didn't need to sacrifice either one!

Boy, this is longer than I anticipated. Apparently I have a few issues I need to deal with. We headed to N.M. for Kyle's h/c. What a treat. He screamed. The whole way. We ran into a road block, literally, and had to turn around. No close crossroads. 'Had to back track BIG time. You all know how I feel about back trackin'. Oh, BTW, literally refers to the road block. It does not refer to running into the road block. I drove 70 once we got to the highway (stupid, but no accident) and made it to Clippers 10 minutes late.

What was this all about anyway? Are you asking yourself the same question? Oh yeah. This is why I am sooo glad my birthday is today. I am doing a little dance in my chair to"Celebration" by Kool and the Gang instead of "Metal Health" by Quiet Riot...Bang Your Head!

Sons...

I forgot to mention that, for anyone who may not know, Pat and Jen are having a girl!! Jen is sooo excited. I think Pat is too, but I also think he may be a little scared. Andrew will be 9 in April, so it has been a long time since babies were part of his everyday life. That and the fact that pink will now rule his world...watch out!! Andrew is also very excited. Caleb is a little bummed because he was hoping to have a little brother at his dad's house to play with him, since Andrew rarely does. His tune will change once that beautiful little girl comes into his life. He is such a good big brother, and I know he won't think twice about giving little sis all the love in the world.


It makes me a tinsy bit sad that I am not the one to give my boys a sister. I always thought I'd have a girl because I am so girly and it just made perfect sense. I think it is also because my mom cursed me with the words, "I hope you have a daughter who acts just like you!" God was looking out for me, and quite possibly my daughter, by giving me three sons. There is nothing like being a mom to boys. These young men are so impressionable and I do my best (well...) every day to set a good example for them. I love teaching them things that I, as a girl, think they should know. I'm not talking about manners or macho-ness, but the other important things, like how to treat girls...always respecting them, not using "bathroom" talk around them, always telling them they are pretty, always letting them go first, (we have a long way to go on this one) as well as things like dressing nice to impress the ladies and good hygiene. I know that last one sounds a little funny, but please understand. Andrew likes to look good. Caleb does not.



Me:(as I'm doing Caleb's hair) I think you are the only 10 year old who's mother is still doing his hair. Maybe you should start doing it yourself. ( Idefinitely cringe at that thought)

Caleb: I just won't do it.

Me: What do you mean you just won't do it?

Caleb: I don't care what it looks like.

Me: Did you happen to look in the mirror as you said that???



This is Caleb on a regular basis. I told him he'd only ever get a second date with a girl if he doesn't take her to dinner on the first date!! Apparently I am still working on this one too!!

Vuhtbah Dies...

"But Vahve and Du Wice" are two of Kyle's favorite vuhtbah dies. Others include Ready Boosh, Bay Sandows, McNav, Tom Bayday, and E-i Manny. Football consumes as much of his life as it does Keith's and Caleb's lives. We were cheering for the Pats last night because a) it wouldv'e been cool for them to go all the way undefeated, and b) because we asked Kyle who he'd rather have win, Tom Brady or Eli Manning, and he matter-of-factly shouted, "Tom Bayday!!" I tell ya, what a lousy night...the Pats lost, Caleb gave up giving predictions (he has predicted every Giants win as losses), we didn't win one single pool, (the legal kind) and Keith and I bet each other to see who gained the most weight from last night's festivities...I guess I was wrong about not winning any pools...one of will win the last one! :(

FYI...in case you don't get the toddler lingo, I am referring to Brett Favre, Jerry Rice, Reggie Bush, Barry Sanders, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, and football guys. :)

(Deer) Husband

We were heading to school this morning and had to stop at Howmet to drop some things off in Pat's truck. As we left Howmet and turned onto Mears, we pulled out behind the Zwemer's vehicle. We were chuggin' along when something caught my eye. Jen applied her brakes, as did I, because a deer was attempting to cross Mears by the old KK's car wash.

Me: Oh look, there is a deer.

Andrew: No, mom, it is a doe.

Me: I realize it is a doe, but she is still classified as a deer.

Andrew: She ran away.

Me: She ran down the hill into the gulley. I sure hope she didn't fall and get hurt.

Andrew: Yeah, because then her husband will be very sad.