Megahn

There is not a lot to say about this. I just thought it was a funny picture. When we went bowling today, Megahn and Brian brought their own bowling balls, and this romper was in her bowling bag. Apparently, she uses it to wipe her ball down.HAHA!
Anyway, I dared her to put it on, and she really has no shame, so she was more than willing.
I love her though. She is a good time! She fits perfectly with my brother, Brian. They are quite a match.

I Don't Wear Shoes For Just Anybody...

THis is how much I love Noah. Happy 10th Birthday!!!!

PS- I bowled a 91, a 37, then we only got another 1/2 game in, and I got 50, but that is only because Val bowled a strike for me.
I don't think I will make the tour any time soon.

All Is Fixed

I called ATT and got the internet fixed. My new password is ******. Really, did you think that I would give that away? Not even to you, my dearies!
So, now I can get email.
I am off to go bowling for Noah's birthday. I need to show off my skills. I think I will try to take pics.
Then, we have to pick up Hunter, cuz he is taking Val to the movies for New Years.
I think Mark will be home tonight....
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Attention

Hey, if you read my blog, then you probably email us too. I don't know what is wrong with our email, but I can't figure it out, and Mark won't be home until like Thursday or Friday, so if you want to email me use michelleyoung43@yahoo.com for now. I am sure Mark will be able to fix our valem address, but it is beyond me.

The (Burger) King is Alive

and stalking my brother.
I can't get my camera on, so I will have to paint you a picture of what we did this morning. Put your imagination caps on.....

First, this summer, I bought Brian a Burger King King mask for Christmas. It is the only thing that really freaks him out, so I thought it was a good idea. He is usually the one who zings someone on Christmas, but this time I got him. I mean, he gave my other brother, Marc, a book, for crying out loud.
Anyway, the King freaks him out. I am not sure why. Maybe, it is because he keeps popping out, or because he doesn't talk. I don't know. It is between him and his therapist. HAHA!
So, on with it. First off, the girls and I went to Burger King and got some food. Just a hamburger and fries. I was not sure what he ate from there. Then, we attached a note to it, written in regal script, saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY_ THE KING> P.S. I'M WATCHING YOU.
Once we secured the note, we called his lovely wife Megahn to make sure he was home, but not like right at the door, or outside.
We drove over, and they live right off of Mt Vernon, so it is not a side street, but like a regular 4 lane street, so I didn't want to have to pull into the driveway in case he heard me or saw me, so I drove around the front and had Val get out and run it up to the door, and ring the bell. Which she did, and we sped away.
Megahn never called, so we called her back, and she said the bell never rang, so we went back, and the bag was still in front of the door, and Val ran back up there, and rang the bell again, and ran, and I know he got it this time, because Megahn texted us that the bell rang, and we pulled up the street behind a tree, and saw his door open.
So far, he probably knows who did it, but is not saying. I haven't heard from him at all today. I will see him tonight, and I am curious if he will say anything, but I have instructed the girls to not give away the fun.
If this works, in a week or so, I am going to start leaving Burger King packages in his car, his desk at work, everywhere he goes.
Just to freak him out.....
My mom told me he requested my name for Christmas next year. I am not too worried. Yet.

You Say It's Your Birthday....

What's a birthday without a little mischief?
Today, it is my birthday. I am 30-cough cough years old.
Today, it is my brother's birthday. I will not tell you how old he is either, because he was born on my 1st birthday, and come on, I know (most) of you could figure that out.
I will post a blog with pictures later chronicaling the greatest birthday prank that I have ever pulled off. Ever! I will not let anyone in on the details, yet, because it is going to be too good, and I want Brian to be on his guard.
Maybe it will be this morning.
Maybe it will be this afternoon.
Maybe it will be this evening.
I don't know.
It will happen today though.
And then, I will let you in on it.

On a side note. We had a good time with Shawn, Amber, the kids, and Dalton last night.Old CHicago could not seat us (their loss), so we took our party of 11 over to Players. Shawn's son Dylan, really wanted to watch some football game, and not only did we get a whole room to ourselves, in the restaurant, they put the game on every TV in that room, so he got to see it, whichever way he turned.
Dalton's girlfriend, Amy couldn't go, she had to work, so the girls were definitely outnumbered, since we have 2 girls, but the Crawley's have 4 boys.
I will have to ask Val when she finally rolls out of bed if she has any pics. I forgot to last night.
There was a lot of talk of politics (boring), but when those 3 get together, there is a lot of laughter too. I am glad we got to see them. We really need to go and stay with them in Oklahoma for a change. And, watch out Dalton, because we are going to take you with us. Don't worry, if I drive, we will be there in 1/2 the time it would take if someone else was. HAHA! No really, it would be safe, but Val should really start getting some Highway Miles, for her license.....hmmmm....maybe....

Oh My God, Speed Bump

I haven't blogged in a while. Sorry! I have no excuse. I promise to do better. I have a load to write about Christmas, but I will do it by gift.
Gram gave Val rollerblades and Emi skates for Christmas. This was the first day that they got to strap them on and take them for a spin. They laughed and had a lot of fun.
Emi was in the street and Val stayed on the sidewalk. At one point, Emi yelled, Oh My God, Speed Bump, but went over it with ease, she is naturally athletic I think. It must be all those dance classes. Graceful.
Val loves her blades. She has never had them before, but she is doing really well on them also. She should have taken dance.
Anyway, they love the gifts. And, yes Gram, Val loves her new shirt. She washes it at night, so she can wear it during the day, she loves it so much. You hit a homerun for sure this time!
Nothing says Christmas likes skulls and crossbones. LOL!
Now, to get ready to go to dinner with Shawn and Amber! Maybe we will have some good stories about that!
Sure we will.

The Big Switch... I Don't Know Why I Always Do It To Myself....

Every single time we are on an extended vacation from school, I get the stupid idea to do this huge project that takes forever!
This time it was Val's idea. Not mine! She wanted the twin bed which is in Emily's room. Val has a Queen size and Mark and I have a full. So, Val wanted the twin, so she talked Emi into letting her have it, but she didn't really want the huge queen size, so I told her she could have our full size, and we would take the queen. We have the smallest bedroom as it is, but we were able to squeeze the mattress in.
Mark is in Greensburg, until the holiday, so he will be quite (pleasantly) surprised, because he loves Val's mattress. It is the most comfy one,but, it took a long time, and we all 3 suffered not very serious injuries from the move.
I wonder what Spring Break will bring.....

Finally FInals

Val has been working really hard this week, studying for finals. Yesterday, she had Old Testament, PE, Algebra 1A and Study Skills.
Today she has Spanish, Physics, and English. THese are her harder classes for sure, so she is a little freaked out about them, but she has studied really hard, so I hope she does well!
Valleri's gifts have always edged more toward the social side of school than the academic, but I do have a funny story. It is not about finals, just about a random PE test the girls had a few weeks ago, maybe a month or so. I lose track of time.
Anyway, Val was studying for a test, off her study guide, and my dear sweet, Karlee Fraizer came up to her and asked to use her study guide. Val said yeah, she could have it, but let her finish first. THen she said, that she WAS trying to get good grades now.
She finally figured it out.
Proud moment.
On a side note, her Study Skill Teacher recommended that she opt out of the 2nd semester class, so her counselor put her in Word Processing. She needs it to graduate anyway, and she is pretty happy about it.

Merry Christmas To Me... Sarcasm Style

The Grinch is alive and well in South Wichita! Mark's truck was broken into last night, and the stereo, subwoofer and amp were stolen. The most horrible thing, as I told the police officer who took my report, was his backpack with schoolbooks in it. Mark came home from Greensburg, just so he would not miss class, and left his backpack in the truck. His books are gone....his calculator is gone.... his backpack is gone.... GRINCHY!!!! THey popped out the back panel window, and voila got his stuff. Now, he is gone too... back to Greensburg for the day.
It is horrible for this to ever happen, but this is an EXTREMELY horrible time of year! I consider myself to be a Christmasy person, but there is only so much a person can take before it is too much! Mark has always leaned a little more toward the Ebenezer side of Christmas, but I believe he truly enjoys the season, deep deep down.
Sorry if I am short with you today, I have already been up over an hour, and it is only 5:15 am. I'll let you know next time something good happens to us, to balance out the Grinchiness....
I am going to go drive around the block and see if I see the backpack or books.... we don't really want to replace them if we can help it!

Weekend Update

Mark got home Thursday night, and was absolutely thrilled to stay at home yesterday while we were away at work or school. It happens so seldomly, he likes to tease us about it.
Then, yesterday night, Val and Hunter and Julie and Jack went bowling. Emily did not go because she had to get up early today for a basketball game at St. Jude. Emi scored the first basket of the game, within the first minute. She swished it! They played an excellent first half, but went a little spazzy in the second half, and ended up losing. They will try again on Monday.
Val spent her afternoon at the mall with Hunter, and Kenny and Taylor. Now they are eating soup and watching CRIMINAL MINDS on tv.
Tomorrow is Cookie and Candy Day, at Nanny's house. Maybe I will remember to take some pics.....I keep forgetting!

Part of the Solution

Mark has been working in Greensburg this week, and will be for a while. He will come home on weekends, for the next few weeks, months, years, whatever it takes. This is the slow season for electrical/construction work, so he has to be flexible and take what he can get.
I am sure you remember that Greensburg was hit by a tornado a while back and it devestated the town. Now they are rebuilding and the company Mark works for is one of the electrical contractors that are helping out. So, he is working long days and then has to stay in a hotel in Pratt, because there is not enough lodging in Greensburg. Makes for LOOOOONG days!!!!!
So, you may have heard, that Greensburg is going green. Mark says it is very interesting, the changes they are making to make the town eco-friendly. He sent some pictures, but I can't find them in the file, because Val named them, and I am not sure how to retrieve them. I don't want to wake her up early, because she already has to get up earlier now that there is only one of me, and there are a lot of things that have to be done in the mornings, that was easier when Mark could do half. I have never learned to split myself down the middle, not even after doing this for so many years.
Anyway, back to Mark. Apparently on one of the Discovery Channels, there is a program about Greensburg, and Mark said he would be on it, because they are documenting the rebuilding. I haven't been able to find it yet, and doubt he would be on so soon, since this was his first week out there, but I think when he is on it, that would be exciting, and I will keep you posted....

They were this close....

Emi's team lost tonight. They were so close to winning. They lost in the last 1 minute 30 seconds. Emi scored a basket and made a VERY OBVIOUS foul. They actually gave the girl baskets and she wasn't even shooting when EMi did it. They were just running down court, and EMi slammed in to her.
Yikes.
ANyway, I hope they do better on Saturday. They were SO close.
It was a heartbreaker!
They played like a team though.
They are getting there!

Tiger Basketball

I can't get my pics to load off my camera. I need Mark to check on that for me.
Emily's first game was on Monday night. It is rough, because she plays with the 8th graders, because there were only 2 7th graders that wanted to play this year. You don't really notice it, until you see the opposing team come in, because SMM kids all tend to be small to me, but other schools must grow their kids bigger- must have something to do with the lunches HAHA!
Anyway, it was a rough game, and they lost, but I think with a little more practice and if they are more aggressive on the court, they should be ready to take out HOly Savior this Saturday!
Maybe I will get some pics of the carnage this weekend. When Val's team played Holy Savior last year, all our girls got injured, and the ref actually stopped the game and told all the girls to start playing basketball and stop beating each other up, or everyone would be benched.
Yikes!
Emily likes to mix it up though. So does, Sara and Shanae. We will see I guess!

Who Was That Masked Man?

Mark being silly with the Christmas decorations....

Happy Gobble Gobble Day

To all my friends and family, have a wonderful, peaceful, relaxing day, because the stores open at 4:00 am tomorrow. Look for us. We'll be there!!
Love you all!!!

Tag, I'm It....

So, here's the deal. My friend Dannon tagged me to do a blog about mi amore, Mark. First, I would like to say how flattered I am to be chosen, I have never been tagged before. It is very exciting! At the end of this blog, I will tag 3 of my faithful followers, so stay tuned!
Husband's name- This is so easy! Mark Kevin Young
How long married- Right away, I am going to freak people out, but it is true! On Dec. 6, it will be 17 years!
How long dated- Now stay with me here, but we only dated about 2 months before deciding to get married, and we were married about 7 weeks shy of knowing each other for a full year. I like to think that he knew a good thing when he saw it, and didn't want it to get away. HAHA!
How old is he- Another complicated question! Mark is really and truly 37. But, on his 22nd birthday, my mom mistakenly gave him a 21st birthday card, and has carried this tradition on each year since...
Taller- That would be him. Not by a lot, but enough.
Who can sing best- All him. He used to be in a band. I would never subject you sweet people to the horrors of my singing voice...
Smarter- Mark is in school, at the top of his class, no less, and knows all this historical stuff, and how to fix stuff, but I do have a modicum of common sense, and I am the better speller.
Laundry- I don't think Mark has ever touched the machines in his life. He does remind me to clean out the lint traps though.
Paying bills- That is 100% me. He has no idea what we have, he just hands over his money to me, and I take every cent! HAHAHAHAHA- evil laugh!
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed- If you know me, you know I have horrible sleep patterns. I sleep on the right side, so I can get up whenever I can't sleep without waking the hubby, who sleeps like a rock, by the way.
Mows the lawn- That is me. Mark used to, but when he started working on the road, I would do it, when it had to be done, and now he says I do such a good job.... yadda yadda yadda. Anyway, his allergies, don't do well with the grass clippings either.
Cooks dinner- All me. It is my business after all. Mark used to on Saturday nights when we were at church, but when they changed the mass schedule, I do it now when we get home. He does BBQ though, and makes an awesome pizza...
Who's the first to admit they are wrong- That is all him. I call myself Grudgey. I have anger issues.
Who kissed first- It was instantaneous. After we got over our mutual distaste for each other.
Who wears the pants- Mark wears the pants, I wear capris.

And now, to name the 3 lucky winners.... drumroll please ...... First, my sister in law Danelle, who started me on this blogging business. And for 2 different takes on the subject, my brother in law Tim, who will give a man's perspective, and will at least update his blog info, and my mother in law Nancy, who can fill us all in on my late, great Gary Young. Have fun and Love you!

Family Day

Today our day was full of Christmas movies, wrapping gifts, and playing games. This is Mark and girls playing our Pink Monopoly game. I think it will either go to Mark or EMily. I am already out, and Val was close, but is making a comeback. It may be too little too late though.
Yeah, she is almost done.
I love the movies on ABC Family. They are all Christmas themed now until the holiday. Mark can't stand them, but is a good sport. We also put up our pink tree and our silver tree, and I will take pics of them when I get new camera batteries.
On a side note, Yes Dannon, I received your TAG and will do that blog tomorrow. Stay tuned!!! I want to try to see if I can dig up some old pics to go with it....

Bad Luck

Do you ever feel like bad luck surrounds you? Like you have a little raincloud over your head?
That's my week!
I hate car trouble, and I had it this week.
It's fixed now, but who wants to deal with a "fried starter"?
A 3rd grade girl's mom at school was the woman in the accident earlier in the week when the semi tire and rim flew off and hit the car on the highway. That was the little girl's mom. She is expected to eventually be OK, but it is very emotional for her, and she continues to go to school. She is a little darling!
I ripped the string off my favorite apron. I am going to fix it over vacation though.
Even Mark admitted that we have had a run of bad luck lately. He usually says I am overreacting, but not this time! He said maybe the tide would turn soon. Maybe.
Val has been on high alert this week also. She has 3 tests today. And, since next week is vacation, she won't be seeing Hunter and her other friends EVERY day. Just a few times. It is devastating to her. On Thursday, on the way home, they realized that Hunter had forgotten his cell phone in his mom's car, and Val was just like not believing it. She asked him how they were going to talk that night. I suggested that she call his home phone and actually speak into it, like in the old days, but he got his dad to take him to get it, so that ended well. One silver lining of the week.
I am absolutely going to help Emi tomorrow clean her room out. We do it every Thanksgiving vacation, to get ready for Christmas. I have been threatening to do it for a few weekends now, but this is it. It will get done!
Anyway, sorry I haven't had anything to say this week. I didn't want my bad luck to rub off on you. Share some, if you are having good luck this week!

Holidays With Older Kiddos

This is the first year I have really felt it. It started with Halloween. Val went to a movie party and EMily went Skating. No trick or treating. No costumes- well not really. Emily needed halloween themed clothing and Val did get bunny ears. Not playboy though!Cute ones.
Christmas will be different though too. Tonight, the girls and I are going Christmas shopping. This is the first year that I have let them in on all my secrets. Not what they are getting, but what everyone else is. I am letting them help decide, so God help you! If you think something you receive is a little wonky, just know that Emily may have thought it was the perfect gift for you! I still can't pry Mark out to come and join us though. I think he enjoys seeing what everyone gets the same time they do!
On a side note, it has always been Emily's dream to carry 2 big handfuls of packages through the mall. She will get her wish tonight.
If there are any brave souls who may want to join us on this or a subsequent adventure, we are heading out after a quick dinner. Towne East and Target. Maybe Best Buy.....

One thing that will never change, Santa Claus will always be welcome in our home! With gifts waiting under the tree. I learned that from Gary- no matter how old you are, Santa always visits.....

The Mormon Cricket

Yesterday, before we went to dance class, Val was on the phone with Hunter in her room, and she started screaming bloody murder. Usually, Hunter does not garner this kind of behavior in Val, so Mark went to investigate. There was an UGLY bug in her room. Like, uglier than Tim and Danelle's possum.
I had not seen it. I went in there, and Val was jumping around, Emily was laughing, Mark was trying to find something to kill it with, and I told Emily we had to leave.
As I walked down the hall, Emily told me it was in my hair, the stinker!
Well, that gave me shivers, and I freaked a little, but nothing like Val.

By the time we got home, the situation was taken care of.
Kudos to Mark for getting rid of it, and identifying the creature.
Kudos to Hunter for calming Val down. He has no idea how much maintenance she requires, the poor kid, although I think he is starting to get the idea....

On a side note, unrelated, you should all ask Emily to show you the spin she learned at Jazz class last night. She does a pirrhouette, and spins at the same time, downward, then lands in a pose close to the floor. It is very cool, if she can get her spin fast enough!

And Then We....

On Saturday morning, I took Val to a church downtown for a Food Service Class for the Lord's Diner, but apparently I went to the wrong one, because the doors were locked, so I am taking her this Saturday to the one on 9th Street. She has to do volunteer work as a condition of St Margaret Mary paying for her education.
Then, we got Emily and the 3 of us went to see WEST SIDE STORY. It was a treat! The drama dept. at BC did it, and at first, Val went for the extra credit, and Emily went because she was bored, but they both loved it SO MUCH! Emily especially! I think she had tears in her eyes a few times. Maybe she will get into drama in a few years. I think she is very animated, and she does understand stage presence. We will see!
On Sunday, I took Val, Hunter, Julie and Jack to the mall. I thought they changed their hours to 10:00, they didn't. They wreaked havoc on Target and McDonald's, before it was on to Confirmation Class.
Quiet evening at home last night.
Getting the crutches ready for Val to start roller skating in PE, and Emily to have dance or basketball every evening of the week now. I will be happy when they start playing, and stop practicing!
Not to mention that I think Mark broke his little toe. He did something when he was BBQing this weekend....
Feet kind of skeeve me out, so I don't really like to deal with them much!

She Is Healed!

Val can walk!!!! She got out of bed yesterday, and forgot about her foot, and just started walking. Granted, by about 9 in the morning, she was uncomfortable, and by 4, she was in pain, but if she takes it slower, I think she will do better. I told her she could use the crutch over the weekend, if she was going to be on her feet for long periods of time, but she needs to walk. Dr said, she needs to keep it elevated, and don't stress it for about a week or so.

Next week, in PE, she starts roller skating.

I will keep the crutches handy!!!!

A Day In The Life...

Val still can't put weight on her ankle. She has a negative pain tolerance, but still! She will see the doctor tomorrow. If she still needs crutches, she does, but she is not very fond of them anymore. She has bruises on both hands, and her ribs, back, and sides ache all the time.
Emi is going to play 8th grade level basketball. She and Shanae are the only 7th graders, so it was not fair to make a bunch of 6th graders try to play up with not much age appropriate support. Tarah fractured her leg, Trinh just can't do it, and the St Pat's 7th graders changed their minds.
Mark got a 100% on the algebra test he thought he did not do well on last week. He is top of the class.
I am busy going over Christmas lists, shopping, deciding what to buy..... You know who you are!

Sprain Pain

Last night, Val and Emi were bored, so they decided to play soccer in the front yard, with a volleyball. We have a small hole in the yard, that the kids call the Evil Hole. Val tripped, stepped into the hole, and fell. She was hobbling in, and hurting pretty bad, so we iced the ankle with brussel sprouts, on and off. We had her get up to walk on it, and she almost fell over. Thank goodness for Emily, who caught her. So, we decided to take her to the ER, and see what was up.
That was at 7:00. At 9:00 they finally called her back. There were a LOT of kids there last night. Mark took Val back, and I stayed in the waiting room, answering phone calls and texts.
Around about 10:00 my dad called for an update. Then, he just showed up, and took Emi to his house,so she could get some sleep for school today. We had a lot of very kind offers to come and sit with us, or pick up Emily, and they were all very nice.
So, we left around 11:30. Then, we had to go get the crutches. We decided to go to Walgreens because it is right next door, and buy a set, knowing that Emily is a constant accident waiting to happen, we will see if that pays off.
So, it is after midnight, and we are home now.I slept with Val, in case she needed anything, which she did around 2:00 am, she flipped and kicked the wall on accident. That was not pretty! I stayed up, gave her ibuprofen, put the brussel sprouts back on, talked to her, calmed her down, went back to sleep.
Got up at 5:00.
Tired!
Anyways, she did pretty good at school today.They gave her an elevator key, and she gets to have different kids leave class early, and help her with her books. She had a pretty good day.
Now she just has to start putting weight on it....

Updates

1. Couldn't get my tire fixed. The steel band was showing through, so no spare yet. Hoping not to run over any nails before we can go out and get a replacement.
2.Paul is doing awesome. I consider him to be one of my heroes! His brain is shifting back to place, and he remains alert!!!!
3. Jacob Villapando, another SMM alum from my nephew Tim's class, goes to the Independent School, he was playing football Thursday night, got hit, has a severe concussion, and is in the hospital, because he has lost feeling in his left extremities. Pray for him!!!
4. The girls had a good Halloween. Val and Hunter went to a scary movie party, and Emily was invited to Roller City with Tarah, Shanae, Lorenzo, Nhan, and Ky. They had a lot of fun!
5. Basketball practice starts next week, so instead of 21 WHITE you will be hearing a lot of 21 GOLD, for the foul count. Val's old coach, Tim Rogers, will now be Emi's coach, and everyone knows they have very diffent styles to the game, so he will be surprised, if he is expecting Val's style of play from Emily!!!
6. Mark's doing great in school. He had to go to a class today.
7. Looked up Val's grades yesterday, and she has 5 A's and 2 C's.
8. Emi's dance is hard, but awesome. She is very focused, and I know she will do great!

The Pure and Simple Lifestyle Choice

At St Margaret Mary, the 8th grade class takes a course called Teen Power. It is basically a sex ed class. Teaches them the basics. They have instructors come in from a different school and parish, to make it less awkward for the kids. Last year, the 7th graders took a class called the Pure and Simple Lifestyle. This is an abstinence awareness class. It is taught by high school kids from Kapaun. Anyways, Emi's class took the course this year and at the end of the course they were all rewarded with t shirts enblazoned with the Top 10 reasons to wait to have sex printed on the back. It is a very interesting t shirt to say the least.
Emmers enjoyed the class. It taught her to respect and be respected. Not all of the schools in the diocese offer this program, so it seems we are "ahead of the curve". I read the handouts, becuase parents had to give permission, and it is a solid program. I hope they can expand out to more schools, even if Kapaun is responsible for it...haha!

A Pretty Good Day...

It was a pretty good day yesterday. I got up on time, which is always nice. Got Val to school after one stop at Wal Mart for a long sleeve plain white tshirt that she needed to wear under her PE uniform, because they will go outside even if it is cold. Which, it still is, in 2nd hour.
Got to school. Messed up my brownies. I don't think I added enough cocoa. They were very light, but I used all I had, so I stirred some chocolate chips into them, and everyone raved about my "new creation".
Then, I went to see Paul. His 3 1/2 hour surgery on a 2 inch brain tumor, turned into a 7 hour surgery on a softball sized tumor, but he came out like a champ. His brain has started to shift back into place. He could open one eye and nod, he looked right at me, and squeezed my hand. What a blessing!!!!! God is good!!!
Val is going to a Halloween party tonight with Hunter. Yes, they are still together, it has been 6 weeks now, talk about long term!
Emi has a cold. She was invited to go roller skating tonight, but we will see how she feels.
Other than that, I have been getting up on time. Life is good again...

For Paul....

I just spoke to my friend Paul. He is a sophomre at BCCHS and has a brain tumor. He is going to have surgery tomorrow. Prayers are needed. ST. PEREGRINE, PRAY FOR HIM!
Prayer has worked before, and I know it will work now!
He and Val have always been close friends. Paul is the guy who started calling her Val Vito. He is also the sweetheart that gave us a bunch of Val's school books for this year. I have a lot of good memories of Paul, and I told him that they weren't over yet. Please pray for him!

What Else Can Go Wrong??????

The Suckiest Week. I have invented the word, and it goes with this week great!

Yesterday, Val and I got stopped on the way to school by a flat tire. My dad came and rescued us, and it all turned out well enough, but it got our day off to a horrible start! Val only had 2 minutes to get to her first class, and I was 6 minutes late to work. Not a huge deal, but I like to be early everwhere, everytime, so it really threw off my day!
Today, my alarm goes off, and I snooze. I figured I had plenty of time. I thought it was 5;45, and it was actually 6:45.Mark and EMily usually leave at 6:15, and Val and I leave at 10 till 7 every morning, so that messed me up too!!!!
Get to school, and the worst news of all hits me in the heart. One of our former students, who I am VERY close to has an Operable brain tumor. Still, a brain tumor, but they are confident that they can fix it. It is so depressing. I think I am going to pick up my kids. Hug them. Kiss them. Curl up and watch a movie with them.
I don't know if I even want to go to sleep tonight. I dread what is coming tomorrow.... it feels like Friday the 13th!
Enough Bitching! I am done.

Val's Night Out...

I got quite the eye-opener last night, as I was the Designated Driver of 8 teenagers going out to Haunted Houses.
Val and I left at 4:30 yesterday and made our very familiar trip out to the west side of town, where we picked up Hunter, then we got his friend Ronado, he lives basically in Northwest High School's "backyard", we drove to the outskirts of Maize to get their friend Dale, across from the Botanical Gardens, where their friend Kenny lives, who also brought along one of those heads that you put wigs on, then I went to another familiar house, and got Julie Nguyen, picked up Jack, then went to the east side to get their friend Brad.
The head, courtesy of Dale, kept getting stuck out the window at red lights, and would try to strike up conversations with people in the cars around them.
After everyone was set, we went to Udall. It is a long drive with that many kids! At one point, I convinced myself we were lost, and went back to a gas station, but the kids went in to get directions, and have a "gas station adventure", found out I just had not driven far enough, and we found it.
Val almost chickened out, but Hunter talked her into going, and they were gone about 45 minutes or so, then were back to me.
Next up, we drove to the Twin Lake Terror. Val, Brad, and Julie went there last week, but were happy to go back, because Val knows some of the kids working. I guess a guy in their class was working and ended up taking his mask off and talking to the kids for a while. How Scary!
Starvation hit about that time, so I took them to McDonald's, then they started begging not to go home. We ended up going to Wal Mart, where they may or may not have been asked to leave, depending on the story you listen to, I just waited in the car. Dale was again thrilled because he thinks he may have seen 3 prostitutes, he always wondered what they would look like. I told him not to tell his mother.
By this time, it was after midnight, so I started with Brad and drove the kids home. They were all so sad to leave, but I made it clear there would be no boy/girl sleepovers, and since there was nothing left, it was just time. I think Val and I got home by about 2, but it was well worth it, to make the kids so happy tonight!
Ronado asked me how I could stand to listen to the kids for so long, and I told him I have learned to filter out what they are saying,although some of it was just ridiculously funny! After all, I am a lunch lady.....I hear all, I know all....

Oh, and by the way,

I got the dance song wrong. Emily's class is dancing to AIN'T NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. It is very fast, and she is going to be doing some incredibly aggressive dance steps, I know she is up to it, she just needs to get it down a few times, and she will be fine. Anyway, you can type the song in on youtube, and there are even some options to watch different dance squads do routines to it.
Just thought you may like to know....

I Never Meant...

...to ignore you this week. It has been crazy busy! On Monday, Emi and Val were out of school and Emi had dance class, then on Tuesday, and Wednesday, life just got away from me, and last night, Mark had a sport meeting after working overtime, I had Val's parent teacher conferences, and that left Gram Cracker saving us by taking Emily to dance class.
What else, what else? My mom has been out all week because she had to go to the ER on Sunday night, with a bladder infection, kidney infection, and kidney stones. I asked her why she just didn't believe Val when she told her they were no fun, but I guess she had to see for herself. I think she is on the mend.
Tomorrow, I am taking 1 final vanload of kids (like 8) to the Forest of Fear in Udall. On Halloween, Val and Hunter are going to a small party one of her friends is having, from her Homecoming Pictures. Emily may do something with her friend Tarah, but I don't know yet. They are not good about making plans ahead of schedule.
I promise I will try to be more faithful to you this week!

Emi & Trinh-ee

Emily and Trinh. BFF. Last night, Trinh called Emily during dinner, wanting to go hang out at the mall. We were not going to the BC game (which they won 54-7) against West (BC U KNOW), because most of Val's friends were going to Field of Screams, which she was too scared to go to, so we were going to spend a quiet evening at home watching movies, then Trinh called.
Emily never asks to go anywhere. Her friends don't really go hang out places, so when she asked, it seemed reasonable to me,so Val and I walked around for a few hours while they terrorized the mall.
These were pictures they took in the photo hut thing outside JC Penney's. Didn't they turn out cute????? I think Emily is starting to get her dad's "syndrome", taking crazy looking pictures.

Will Fun Night Really Be Fun????

Tonight is Fun Night at St Margaret Mary. It is a school fundraiser. Each classroom has games and prizes in it, and the kids buy tickets and get to play, mess around, eat junk food, etc. etc.
It does not start until 5:30, but being the suckers that we are, we are going to get ready to go pretty quick.
I am in charge of the kitchen, tonight, and when I am done cleaning up, Val and I and her friend Jessica, are picking up Hunter, Dale, and Ronado, and going to the Twin Lakes Terror, another haunted house.
When Mark, Emily and Trinh are done cleaning up the booths, they are going to the Haunted Island at Watson Park.
That is their payback for spending the whole day at school, setting up.
Val and Jessica are going to work at the Fish Pond, and Mark is working the Duck Pond.Emily is walking around with Tarah and Trinh. They are going to wear slippers and cat or bunny ears. She is taking the camera, so if she remembers to take some pics I will post them tomorrow. I need to get some more pics up, but I never seem to have pictures to go with my stories anymore....

The Dance

Last night, I took Emi to dance class, and they started their routine. This year, they are dancing to a song by Ne-Yo, it is called "Closer".
I think it will be a difficult routine. Not only, are they "juniors" now, they are going to do this dance with the senior class they meet with on Monday, also, so each week, they will practice on Monday with everyone, and they will practice/learn more of it on Thursdays, when it is just the junior group.
They have learned the first 16 seconds of it so far. I know it doesn't seem like much, since they have over 3 minutes to get through, but, they will get there. They usually will know it all by about March, and then practice over and over and over and over again to work out the kinks.
Next month they will get to pick out a costume. The Senior Jazz group gets first pick of costumes, so that is a good reason to dance with them, they will get something really good!
Raeann thinks she will have to move the recital to May 9, which would be excellent, because Emily's last track meet is the weekend before that, and that is usually when she has it. Last year, she had to leave right after she jumped hurdles, and didn't get to compete in her other races, and we missed Val's relay but did get to see her final mile race.
Something else funny about the song. Emi has a friend in class, and his name is Nhan. He was singing this song over and over again last week, and Emily told me last night that she told him he should sing it in the talent show this winter. Well, then I told her that he could sing, Emi could dance and their friend Jesus could play the song on his drum kit. I think it would be so cute, but Emi was not amused. I think I will try talking Nhan and Jesus into it, then they could work on Emily.

Vacay!

Emily and I are on a 5 day vacation! Val is also off school on Monday, so she will have 3 days off. 3, not 5, as Emily has said more than once today. Mark doesn't get any days off. In fact, he has been away from home more than he has been here this week, with meetings, work, school and overtime.
So, I woke up this morning, and I thought of Gary's Vacation Song. I never actually heard him sing it, but, I have heard Mark sing and reference it many times. He has been on my mind a lot this week, since Monday would have been his birthday. I did go visit him on my way to pick Val up from school. Took him a little rubber duckie with a note on it, since it was so rainy outside. Val told me when she went to the car that day, that she spent some time in the chapel at school, she didn't know why she wanted to go there, but she just knew she needed to. When I told her I had been to Resthaven, she said, she must have needed to get some close time with her Papa. Sweet.
Back to vacation. Emily and I dropped Val off at school, then went to Walmart, and now we are home waiting to pick Val up. All of a sudden, I have time on my hands. I don't know what to do with myself. Good thing it's dance class tonight!

Shifting My Focus...

Andra's kidney has recovered so greatly, that now, I am asking everyone to pray to St. Bernadine of Siena, who is the patron saint of lung and respiratory problems. She is still in the hospital, with the blood clot in her lower right lung, and it is very uncomfortable for her.We all did such a great job last time, I think we should keep it up. The power of prayer!
Keep your chin up baby!!!!!Love you.

Updates

1. Andra has taken a turn for the better. Her kidney is functioning, she is responding to medication, and God willing, will get to see her sweet Alyssa hopefully today, when she is moved to a regular room. Shout outs to all that answered my Prayer Requests, she, Seth, and Alyssa have the sweetest family, and deserve the very best in life!!
2. Tim did wonderfully in his Lasik surgery. Nancy told me yesterday he could see. She had to take him, because Shelbie came down with a high fever, and Danelle couldn't leave her, but he was back home yesterday afternoon resting comfortably. Will have to think of a snarky comment for him the first time I see him, with no glasses....
3. BC U KNOW!!!! We won.
4. Tonight, after Church, I am taking a vanload of high school kids to Haunted Houses. I don't think Val will ever sleep again after tonight, but we will see....I will let you know and take some pics too. I have not been in a pic mood lately...Anyway, Emi and Mark are going to a haunted house next weekend.

Happy Anniversary To You

Happy Anniversary Tim and Danelle. 16 years! Sweet 16!!!!
I hope they are still as "sweet" on each other as they were when they first were married. I know they are!!!!

It is funny that Tim chose today to have his Lasik surgery. 16 years later, he can finally see clearly what he has gotten himself into.

I kid!!! I love you Danelle!!!!!!!!! You know I had to say something!

You guys are the best!
Here's to 16 more (at least).....

Carroll VS Kapaun

This is the week. Yesterday, I took Val and Hunter to the freshman BC VS KMC game, it was at Kapaun (yes Julie, that means you were the home team), and it was a little disappointing, as our freshman team lost, by over 20 points.
The high note, was I got to see Julie, Jack, Jennifer, Emilie Leivian-who I hadn't seen since Val was in Kindergarten, Kelly, who I will watch play at BC on Monday, in the JV game, Kim and Maria, who I have not seen in at least 4 years.

Tonight, it will be the other way around I predict. We are taking a vanload to see BC stomp KMC at WSU. I know it will happen. Did you see the Wichita Eagle article yesterday about Blake Bell, our QB?
And don't forget about Jake, my Cousin, and the Gang Green defensive line.
And Cody Mills, Nick Johansen, and all the JV guys on the sidelines, that I have fed through the years. I know my lunches had to have something to do with their skills now. HAHA!!!

On a football side note, Val is playing Flag Football in PE. Her team name is the Bulldozers. They have not won a game yet. She is a center. I don't know what that is.

Surgery

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to meet the sweetest little snuggle bunny baby, I have seen in a long time, Alyssa. Her mommy, Andra, took her over to Nancy's while she was doing Val's nails for her dance.
Andra has since, entered the hospital with a massive kidney infection, a blood clot in her lung, and I believe an absess in her uterus. She is having surgery today. ST.
BENEDICT PRAY FOR HER!!

My brother in law Tim is having surgery also, but his is Lasik. He has been looking forward to this a long time. ST CLARE OF ASSISI PRAY FOR HIM!!

I am thinking that today I will be a little on edge, I am planning to go to school a touch early so I can spend some time in the chapel. I hope all goes well. I love both of these people tremendously, and hope for safe recoveries.

Volleyball Tournament Game 2

Well, they lost. They are out of the tournament. Emily had a great game, of course, I always say that, I know.
She had 2 back sets over the net, dinked it,and didn't miss a serve all night.

It is sad it is over, but now we can move on to basketball.....

Volleyball Tournament Game 1

Well, they lost to Holy Cross, but at least they did it in style!!!!
It wasn't their best game. They were playing Holy Cross, which is like one of the best teams in the league, but they tried hard, and they play tonight at 5:30 against St Francis this time. If they lose, they are out of the tournament, if they win, they go on to play next week.
Victoria was funniest. She got hit in the throat with the ball, and yelled OH MY GOD, then grabbed herself around the throat with both hands, and yelled, I SAID GOSH.
She is so funny!!! You had to be there, I guess....

I Promised More

Some more random pix. Val got to see her Kapaun friends before the dance, so they took a picture together. The girl in the pic with Vinh and DJ is Nicole, DJ's date. Vinh's date met him later.
I especially like the pic of Mark and Hunter. He really does like him. They were just goofing!

2 Beauties, 5 Crazies, and 1 Lucky, Lucky Guy

Here is a sampling of pics. I will do more tomorrow, but my computer is SO SLOW tonight!!!!
You all know my Val and my Emi. Most of you can pick out Hunter. Spencer would be the other guy. Kaitlyn is his date. She has on the solid black dress. Jessica is the cutie in the black and white.
When we and Kaitlyn's mom Alice, picked the kids up from Applebee's, we had time to kill, so we took them to Blockbuster to walk around (weird!). Alice and I went to Hobby Lobby to get super glue to fix K's purse. I ended up gluing my finger to my hand, but all is well now.
Anyway, the kids were messing around, and they all piled in our car, then, we dropped them off, and took Emi to Braum's because she has been such a good sport through all this drama.

We also met Hunter's dad. He is a super nice guy!
More pics tomorrow. I promise!

Busy, Busy

Since Mark has become Athletic Director at school, he wants to go see all of "his" athletes in action, but it is also the time of the season that all the sports are starting to wrap up, so that basically leaves today to do it all.
9:00 am- St Peter Schulte for football. 2 of Emi's classmates play for the Eagles.
11:00 and 2:00 is 6th grade volleyball at St Anne's
12:30 is a cross country meet at Cessna.
That will leave him open to go to as much as he can next week, but if he can at least see the kids once, that is better than nothing, and Emi has her tournament starting on Monday at 7 at St Peter, cost is $2 per adult, students are free, if you want to come out and see her AWESOME skills.

Val and I are bailing out after football, because she has a hair appt. for her "big date" tonight, the Homecoming Dance-BC beat East by the way, hee hee Sharon!

After hair, Gram has offered to do Val's nails, then we are going west, to meet up with Hunter, and they are meeting friends for dinner, before the dance. They were going to go to church also, but they did not think they had enough time, in case the restaurant is busy, which it probably will be.

I will post some pics of her this afternoon.

Homecoming Week Day 5

Ultimate pride. Green and Gold forever. It goes by a couple different names. Today, the kids are challenged to wear as much green and gold as possible, no face paint allowed. I don't want Val to wear hair color either,what if it didn't come out tomorrow????? Yikes!!!!
Tonight is the Homecoming Game vs East Aces. I knew I should have gotten Val an East Shirt for last Tuesday, instead of Kapaun, I just did not think of calling Sharon in enough time.
After school, there is a Tailgate Party by Outback Steakhouse, then the game. My cousins are coming in from Wellington, to watch Jake play, so, we should have a really good time. Emi gets to take Lauren with her, and Val is going with all her friends.

Homecoming Week Day 4

Freshman Beanies.
It is a long standing BC tradition, for the freshmen class to wear beanies, to show that they are the Baby Eagles, in the Bishop Carroll family.
The Seniors and some Juniors go around and sign the caps and the freshmen wear them all day, and tomorrow too.
We are getting ready to leave and take Val to the Powderpuff Football game and Bonfire, then all that is left is the game and dance....Week is almost over!

Homecoming Week Day 3

Today was All School Mass Day. The kids wore their dress uniforms, which is their everyday uniform, with a sweater for the girls and a sweater and tie for the guys.
Each parish priest went to the Mass, and then talked to the kids from their parish about stewardship and things they can do, to make their parish better.
In 7th hour, each student was given candy from the Parent Club.

Homecoming Week Day 2

Would You Still Be My Friend, If I Dressed Like.....
Otherwise known as Wacky/Tacky Day. The kids were challenged to find the ugliest clothes they could. Val was able to borrow 4 t shirts from some friends, so that she and her friends could dress like they went to Kapaun. The ugliest thing they could find! Actually, quite a few kids will probably wear Kapaun shirts. I think the hair and dork socks complete her outfit nicely.

Homecoming Week Day 1

Today was Pajama Day at Bishop Carroll. They have things planned for everyday this week, leading up to the Homecoming Game on Friday night, against East.
Val said there were a lot of kids who wore their pj's to school. I tried to get her to wear her glasses, and no make up, but there was no way, she was going to go that natural. She really doesn't get up looking like this. There is some maintenance required.
Tomorrow is Would You Still Be My Friend, Even If I Wore This day. She has something quite special planned. Tim, for one, will get a big kick out of it, I am sure. Stay tuned, for a complete update.

The Thrill Of Victory....

...And, the agony of defeat today. They finally won! The Tigers won against St Mary's Derby, but lost to St Anne's. It was a very close game though. Emi had a great run. She had the most serves over of anyone on the court. She had saves and played awesome! She is the team's rock!!!!! I am so proud of her, and all of them!!!!!!!

So close!!!!!

Volleyball.
We almost got there.
We went to tie break in both games tonight, and lost the 2nd game to Blessed Sacrament by just 2 points.
Heartbreak!!!!
They really played well. Like a team. Of course, Emi was most entertaining. She slides and glides, and at one point hit the floor with her face! We weren't sure for a minute, but she was A-OK and went on to finish the games.
I hope they can pull it together on Saturday!

It's A Small World....

..SO, Emily and I were at her Jazz class on Monday. You know, her teacher is moving to Hawaii, in October, so they are having to find someone to take over the class.
I was sitting there for the better part of the hour watching this new teacher, thinking she looked familiar, but not really believing it, because Raeann pretty much hires exclusively from Derby High students, since that is mostly who goes to her studio.
Emi was wearing her Bishop Carroll basketball shirt, and first, she was in the group that goes and practices leaps, with her teacher that is moving, since her class has SO many kids in it, like 20, they split into groups for some training.
Anyways, she came back in, to do her spins, and her teacher was like, HEY,DO YOU GO TO BC? and Emi told her her sister did, and she said she did too, just graduated.
Well, so then,I think I must have seen her at sport events last year, but, after Emi and I left, we pieced it together. She is sisters with our old PE teacher, Jessica.
She left last year, when she had a baby, but while she was at SMM, she had her sister come and teach some dance lessons, and now she has winded up at the same studio, and as Emi's teacher too.
Maybe I will see Jessica at football to tell her. If not, we are going to tell her teacher on Monday. She can't go tonight because of volleyball.
I just think it is interesting, how so many times, paths cross, and you see or meet people that you have connections like that through...

I Know If You Keep Up With My Blog...

...then you must know me very well, so this should come as no surprise.
Val got a different homecoming dress. It didn't start out that way. She got a lovely dress this summer, that was on clearance, and it is beautiful, so I bought it. Knowing that she would someday wear it. I still believe she will. Sometime. Just not the week after next.
We went to the mall for the finishing touches of her homecoming outfit. We went to Dillard's, and there it was. The most gorgeous dress Val had ever seen. Her eyes lit up when she saw it. I told her to try it on, for fun. She looked like a princess. So, she got it. I know, I know, but a young lady can never have too many party dresses. I am going to wait to put a pic of it here, until the dance. She also got all her accessories, after many calls to her friend Kaitlyn to compare what she was getting at Town West, while we were at Town East. I think she has it covered. Her grandma is going to do her nails that day for her, and I am taking her for a hair appt.
Not to be outdone, Emi got to go to Aeropostale, her fave store, and pick out a sweater and a couple of tank tops. She is adorable, and I will take her pic when she wears her new clothes.
Other highlights of the weekend, include:
BC beat South on Friday. Jake got hurt, but his dad, Andy said he would be ok.
You know, how you want to say one thing, but say something else? It happens to me a lot. Here is the latest example. Lauren and Emi wanted to play in the field next to the bleachers with Shanae, so I told them to come to the bleachers when the bell rang. I meant to say when the buzzer went off, but it just didn't come out that way.
Mark just shook his head, as Carol laughed, and laughed.
Emily learned the cutest dance combination in dance class last week. Ask her when you see her. Maybe she will give you a little of it. She is a little sad, because her teacher is moving to Hawaii next month. She'll get a new one though.
Family bbq was small but fun. Willy and Carla are so sweet to have us out each year! Allysa's pix are so adorable! I can't wait for the invite to go and visit, so we can see her, and cuddle her, and kiss her and hug her.
We watched MADE OF HONOR yesterday and MARTIAN CHILD. Both were very good. I liked MARTIAN CHILD more, but I also really like John Cusack. I am going to watch FINDING AMANDA today.
I need to get the girl's breakfast ready, so they can start homework now.

It's Like Christmas Came Early

I lost my voice. Like, completely. I have even made it worse, because I have tried to talk all day. Now, all I can do is whisper.
Val and Emily love it. They say it is great. Do you feel sorry for me yet?
Mark likes it too. I think people think I talk too much. I don't know. I probably do. It was awfully quiet at school today.
I hope they enjoy it while it lasts, because I will have a lot to say, when I am able to again!
Tarah Todd, thought it was a shame I lost my voice though. She said my laugh gives her energy.
And Brian Nguyen, he is a 4th grader, asked me what we were serving at lunch, I whispered Weiner Wraps. He asked me why I was keeping it on the down-low. I told him I lost my voice, then asked if he felt sorry for me. He said Not Really.
SAD!!!!

Happy Birthday Tim!!!

Today, my oldest nephew is 17! I can't find my picture I was saving of him to put with this blog, but maybe Mark can later. He is the one who cleaned out all my files last weekend.
Tim is 17. Do I feel old? No. I remember sitting at the hospital waiting for him to be born. He was a c-section baby. So cute!
He used to love Lion King. Now he is into drawing, computer games, he has an architect class, and his teacher thinks he is good enough to get into a summer internship job, he can recommend him for.
I remember when I was on bed rest, waiting for Val. I would spend my days at my mom's cause Mark worked in Wichita, so I would come to town with him. Tim used to bring my Chee-tos and a Pepper Dr. He got his words mixed up. Well, he drank most and ate most of the snack, but he was only 2. He would also crawl into the bed with me and watch WINGS. The best show ever.
He was at SMM from pre'k to 8th grade year. I think he was the 1st 3rd generation graduate of the school. Now he is at Derby High. He really likes it there. He has made a lot of friends, and is doing pretty well at school too. It just seems I never see him now though.
He'll always be Timon to me though. That is what I called him when he was small. Like the animal on the Lion King.
Maybe I'll get him a bag of Cheetos today!
Love you Tim!!

Fat Factory

OK, you all know of Mark Vasquez, I think, but in case you don't, I will give you a little about him.
Mark is Shanae's dad, who is in Emi's class, and also was the person who got Val really interested in running. He was her distance coach in track, and her cross country coach, and also was in charge of the Pavement Pounders this summer.

Now, the story,
Val has been losing weight. Like a lot, for her.
Her jean shorts just won't stay up anymore without a belt, and I have talked to Carol and Mark V. about it. Carol said it was maybe because of everything being new, and racing around all the time, but Mark has a different theory.
He said it is lunch.
He believes we are running a fat factory at school. We don't really. We are responsible to report to the state, a certain amount of all the food groups, calories, but school lunch is heavy on carbs.
I guess that is the reason.
I just wanted to remember Fat Factory.
I think it is funny. I think Mark is funny, and he's a good guy too!
Maybe I should try to find Val some suspenders. That's a fashion statement!!!!

Val Got Inked

This is what a real tattoo should look like. OK, Tim? I will get you one!

Homecoming

She got the dress.
She got the shoes.
She got the guy.
This is Hunter. Val's boyfriend. Really! He asked her to go out with him over the weekend, and last night invited her to Homecoming Dance.
We had already bought the dress and ordered the shoes, before the invitation, because it is a perfect dress for her. We couldn't pass it up.
I have been told by no less than 6 girls that he is hot. I think he is a nice kid. We spent a lot of yesterday together.
Val was dreading Chuck E Cheese for Connor's birthday, because she wouldn't have anyone to hang with, and was joking around about it, and he offered to go. This is when they liked each other but were not saying yet. You know, Friday.
So, I made arrangements on Saturday to pick him up,and take him with us. I met his mom, she seems sweet. We chit chatted on the way to the pizza place. It was just Val, Emi and I because Mark had to work yesterday.
He was a good sport, never been there before, but they had fun hanging out. He is from St Francis Parish.
Next, we had cake and presents, then I took them to the mall, because Val wanted him to meet Julie Nguyen, who was shopping for a dress for Kapaun's Homecoming, which she is going to with Jack, from the 8th grade boys basketball team last year.
Anyway, then I took him home, we went home to get ready for the game. I took Val, Emi, and Lauren to pick Hunter up again ( or gather him, as it were-get it? Hunter,Gatherer??? ) and Mark rode with his friend Sam and his son Cole.
I guess he was nervous to meet Mark, but you know Mark is a softie at heart, and didn't torture him too much, so they scooted off, and sometime during the game, he asked her to Homecoming, which is October 4, and the same day she has a hair appointment with Sarah for a cut, so that was really good planning!!!!
So, that is my story, and I am sticking to it.

Where A Kid Can Be A Kid

Connor is 5 today!
We are going to celebrate at Chuck E Cheese. I would say restaurant, but really, is it?
Connor loves Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Wall-E, sprinkle tookies (cookies, but he cannot pronounce starting with c's), cartoons, and pirates.Each day that I see him, he runs to get one of those packages of fruit gummy snacks, and we share it, but he usually takes the good flavors. Sometimes, he takes all of them.
Typical 5 year old. His best friend is his brother Noah, and Emily is 2nd place. He also loves Val. He likes to wrestle with Mark.
We got him an Indiana Jones whip for his birthday. Made of plastic and cloth. It's harmless, but does make noise, so Joe and Suzy may not think it is, after a few weeks, or days!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CON-MAN, AUNT MIMI LOVES YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Bubble Boy

This is Greg. He is in 8th grade. The middle school kids (6-8) take turns serving lunch at school. This is 8th grade week, and Greg's turn. For years now, he has been "amazing" us with his skills at blowing bubbles with the handsoap in the kitchen. He is really pretty good at it too.
He can also turn his eyelids inside out. But, that was too gross to take a picture of, so I just decided to keep it clean. Get it, soap. Soap is clean.....HAHAHAHA!!!!

Car Stuff

You know I hate car stuff. I will pump gas, but that is just about where my knowledge of maintenance begins and ends, so I don't like it when something goes wrong.
We need new tires. At least 2 of them, the front ones. There is the front passenger tire, that I have to air up all the time, because it has a slow leak.
Today, I am going to Shamrock Tires on my break, and they are going to change them for us. Mark called yesterday, and set it up,so I just have to go at 1:30, and they said last night, it should take 30 minutes.
I hope it does. It makes me nervous though! My friend Kristi Hallacy, had her tire changed at Wal Mart 2 weeks ago, and when they put the car on the lift, they forgot to engage the emergency brake, and the car fell off.
How does a car fall off?
They fixed it, but still.....

September

Everyone I know says December is busy. Or May. I think it is because of the holidays, or sports or ending school, but I think September is very busy.
First of all, school is in full swing, which means the sports teams (spectator and participated) are in game time, homework every night, we have 3 birthdays to celebrate each year, family bbq's, volunteering at parish,and on and on.
I don't know if September is busier than December or May. It could be that I don't think May is as busy, because I am looking at 12 weeks of vacation time, and in December everyone knows how much I love Christmas shopping, so I guess the hustle and bustle of that time of year, doesn't make everything feel as urgent as it does, as everything is starting over again this month.
One thing that starts over though, are my paychecks, which I get next week, and haven't gotten since May, so I am pretty happy about that!
And, it's not like I don't like September, it's just that every single day, we have something to do, somewhere.

CHRISTMAS UPDATE: I bought something last night for Christmas for the tallest person in Mark's family. That is my hint....

VOLLEYBALL UPDATE: Still no win. Emily got the most serves over the net of anyone else on her team though. She made some spectacular dives, and really saved some of the points. They did a good job. If you ever want to be entertained, more than seeing a serious game played, then this is the team for you! Love them though!!!!

Yesterday morning, I bent down to pick up my shoes, and hit my head on the seat of the chair, Emily was sitting on at the computer. It still hurts!! Dumb, huh????

Rain

I love the rain. I know that most people dread the weather we are having right now, but I think it is absolutely fantastic!!!!
You can go outside and not have to squint, to see, because the sun is too bright. I like sunshine too, but my favorite days are overcast. I heard we have at least 5 days of this weather coming to us, in a row. My friend Carol is depressed about this fact, but I love it, and she got a lot of sunny hot weather, the last few months, so I think it is fair,and not so bad, to have overcast and rainy.
Val is wanting to go to the BC freshman game today. It starts at 4:15 so I am going to call her after school, and see if she would rather not stay (yeah right), since it is so damp outside. She has had a touch of a cold, but is pretty well clear of it.
The thing is, we have to be all the way out to that side of town this evening because Emi has volleyball. Of course if she wants to come home, I will pick her up, but I doubt she will.
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, I love the rain.
I feel a little scattered today.

Here's To Shelbie!!!!!

Shelbie, you are my favorite soccer lovin',Emily best friendin', honey and peanut butter sandwich eatin', Club Penguin playin',choir singin', math understanin', cutest, most charming, hilarious, creative,loving, caring, number one niece. Seriously! You are and will always be my very favorite niece!!!!
I love you!
Auntie Cheese-ilicious

Living Life

I know I have not posted in a few days, but there has not been a lot going on. We are falling into the school pattern. Just living life.
Mark has homework every night, it seems. He is working hard, and it is paying off. He is top of his class in the ranking. Val is fully into being a high school student. When she is not doing homework she is staying after with her friends, going to the freshman and jv level games, because they play in the evenings. She is going to one tomorrow before volleyball.
Emi has been practicing volleyball or playing games, every day. She is trying to take it easy on her arm though. She has pulled a tendon and is wearing a brace. Getting ready for another game tomorrow.
Me? Still cooking, driving, helping with homework, and cheering them on.

If Mark can get away from being line judge, he is going to video some volleyball. I will post it, if he can.

Mark posted the video....

...before I could write about the games.
The girls played great. They were up against St Mary's Newton and Holy Savior. They lost both matches, but did win one game against Holy Savior, and only lost the tie breaker by 2 points. The smallest margin possible in volleyball.
Emily is playing on an 11 person 8th grade level team. There are 4 total from her class that are "playing up", so they basically skipped the whole 7th grade season.
The diocese requested that all 8th grade level players serve overhand, which our team is doing, but some of the girls are not as comfortable doing this as others, which is where our game lacks. With time,though, that will come. The other teams we played allowed their girls to serve whichever way the wanted, so their serves were more consistent. Although, Allison, from our team, had a run of 7 in a row, and Emily had 3 runs, 2 of them of 4 and 1 of them of 3 in a row. She only did not make her first serve of the day over, and she was the only player on the team to play the entire 5 games they played. She never subbed out.
Now, so you don't think our coaches are mean, because they are not, they did ask the girls after their first match if they wanted to serve underhand, and all of them agreed they wanted to serve overhand. So, it was basically their choice, when they saw other teams doing it underhand, but the Tigers, decided to keep trying overhand. So, any parents reading this, it was the kids decision for the 2nd game.
They have 4 games this week. Monday, Thursday, and 2 on Saturday.

Get Your Game On

Future Eagle

Yesterday Was A Blur!

Do you ever have a day, where it is so packed that you can't even remember what you did?
I got up yesterday at 4:45 to help Mark study for his first tests. He got a 96% and 100% by the way. He also got his Journeyman Reports back, so all of that averaged together gave him a 99%, and the highest in the class.
Then I made lunches for him and Val. Got Emily up. Got Valleri up.
Took Val to school. Got Tarah. Took Emi and Tarah to school. Went to work. Went right to the grocery store. Took the groceries home. Put them away, checked the email, got in the car to pick up Val and deliver brownies to Karlee Fraizer.
Val and her friend Adrian wanted to go to the freshman football game. It is 3:30 and the game is at 5.
Went to volleball, to turn in some uniforms, went and picked up Adrian- do you really think I would tell them no- had to take Val home to get her ID card. Took them to the game. Froze.
At 6:45 the game was over, and Jessi was there, frozen with no ride. What am I to do?
I offered her a ride. Took her home, took Adrian home, went to the store for soup, because by that time, Mark was sick, Val was frozen, and Emily just loves soup. Got all of them their favorites.
Got home, noone wanted soup. Helped Emily with homework, Mark was consious for about 6 minutes, talked to him, fell asleep on the couch. I don't stay where sick people are!
Woke up now, and recorded it to read on a day that I am bored, and thinking there is never anything to do.
Have a great day!

The Verizon Glide

For her 8th grade promotion, Valleri wanted her phone upgraded. Unfortunately, her plan was not eligible until yesterday.
My mom and dad took her yesterday, and let her pick out a new phone and this is what she chose.
Apparently, she was already texting on it before they left the Verizon store.
She is very happy with it, and is going to take it to school tomorrow, to take some pix before and after of her friends, but has to leave it turned off inside her locker during school hours.
Anyway, it is a pretty cool phone. It has a touch pad screen, and a keyboard, because texting is way cooler than talking.

Food Fight

It is very important to play with your food!

On Saturday night, after church, we got home, and usually Mark has made dinner, but he was still rolling out the pizza dough, so we started helping him. I said, that I needed some flour, so he got it out for me, and threw it on my face. I returned the favor, and then, Emily got into it with us.
Flour was everywhere. Val was hiding, because she was wearing a new BCCHS t shirt that she got on Friday, and didn't want it to get dirty.
We will get her next time!

Coming Soon To A Curb Near You...

The famous Bishop Carroll trash bags!
They are bright yellow, and Val is selling them starting tomorrow......

Each class is competing in the sale, so she wants to sell a bunch.

They will dress up your trash cart too. Think of the neighbor envy.

Little Miss Smarty-Pants

Val got her 1st week and a half grades, and she has done very well.

Old Testament- not entered
PE-100%
Study Skills-100%
English-111%
Algebra 1A-98%
Spanish 1-87%
Physics-89%

Baby's 1st Breathalyzer

You know, when you start a family, and buy the memory books, and fill out every single line, with pictures, and mementos, and write about her first hair cut, solid food, every single detail.
This Friday night is Val's 1st breathalyzer. She gets to go to her 1st high school dance. It is a back to school dance, in the school commons area, after a scrimmage, and she and her friends are super excited!
Well, we went on bcchs.org, like we do each day, to see what is going on at school, and we got the rules of the dance. Like dress code and stuff and it said that a breathalyzer would be there before students would be admitted they would have to submit to the test.
Baby is growing up.... just don't put her in the corner. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHEEHEEHEEHEE!!!!

Kentucky Fried Connor

Poor Connor! He has the chicken pox. He started to show the spots on Friday. A couple of weeks ago he had the vaccine, but, he is one of the rare cases that actually came down with the pox.
First, I tried to tell him he was turning into a chicken, and he needed to start saying BAWK, BAWK.
That put him out a bit.
Then, he told me I sounded funny, so I told him he looked funny, and he said that wasn't twooo.(true).
But, seriously, it is too bad. Emi had the vaccine last November, I hope she doesn't get them!!!! I doubt she will.
I hope I don't get them more! I had a very light case as a child. Like, 11 total spots.
Hope he feels up to snuff soon. He starts school a week from Wednesday!!!! Mrs. Simons class.

On Strike

The girls were hungry. It was lunchtime. They wanted McDonald's. We said gross. So, they did what made Mark proud, and went on strike.
Emily made a picket sign,and attached it to a stick and they walked around the driveway. Mostly laughing.
It was cute.
Management caved to their demands.
Crises averted.
They will report to school tomorrow.