It Must Be In The Blood

Chris and I got married in July. I thought, after knowing him for five years, that I knew everything about him. Then, Halloween approached. My engineering-student husband started doodling on his graph paper and hence a tradition was created.

Chris came up with detailed, goofy jack-o-lanterns that boasted ears and noses like none I have seen. Shoot, we didn't have a Christmas tree for the first two years of marriage...but, by golly, we carved those pumpkins!!

Once the boys were born, carving pumpkins became a "father-son" deal. I just take the pictures documenting their creativity. Well, this year, Chris is out-of-town. So last night, the boys became men and carved their own pumpkins. I guess it's in their blood (or they just like to play with knives)!




Connor carved a Bald Eagle and Colby carved a spider. I think their dad will be proud!

Happy Halloween to all!!

Boy Humor

What would you do if you were enjoying the quiet sanctuary of your bathroom and open the door to find this staring at you?


I screamed!

My Voice

There is a boy who plays baseball with Connor who also plays football. His mother told me that she has a "baseball voice" and a "football voice" -- the "baseball voice" being much more subdued and quiet.

When Connor decided to play football for his Junior High this year, I couldn't believe that I would have lots to yell about -- I don't even understand the game!! Plus, my "baseball voice" is far from subdued and quiet; so, I didn't figure I would have a "football voice".

Since I have been out of town, I have missed Connor's first two football games. I was just thrilled when Chris would text me to let me know he made it through each game uninjured!

Well, yesterday I got to see my son play football.

And, 20 minutes into the game, the quarterback from the other team is running down the field with the football and noone else is around EXCEPT my son...So, I start saying quietly, "Come on Connor. Get him." They get closer to one another and I feel my body standing up and my voice getting louder, "Get him, Connor!" And when my boy tackled that quarterback, my arms were raised high in the air and my "football voice" was heard throughout as I screamed, "WAY TO GO CONNOR!!" I looked around and noone else in the stands were standing up or had their hands high in the air but me! I sank back down to my seat and said, "That's my son."...as if they didn't know!

Balloons, Green Chili, and Nieces

Going "home" always brings a flood of good memories and a list of things to do before leaving. I say "home" because Albuquerque will always be my home even though I haven't lived there in over 17 years. Maybe it is because we have moved 9 times and haven't developed the roots at any one place. Whatever the reason, Albuquerque is an awesome city -- beautiful in it's own way and full of uniqueness.

The International Balloon Fiesta happened to be going on while I was there. The Fiesta is one of those events that you take for granted when you live there; but, once you leave, you realize how amazing it is. Mom wasn't feeling well enough to go out to the Park; but, one morning the wind was blowing in the right direction to send some of the over 600 balloons to my parents house! I was like a kid staring out the window oohing and ahhing. Finally, I gave it up and went outside in my pj's with my camera to get a few shots.



Getting a good New Mexico green chili fix is also a must and I did get some good Mexican food and sopapillas! I also got my Dion's salad and slice of green chili/pepperoni pizza a few times! I totally should have took a picture of the Dion's sign since my sister and I helped support it that week we were there!!

My sister brought her four kids with her and they stayed at their other grandparents house. She has two boys, ages 7 and 2 and two girls, ages 4 and 5. Well, the girls have been wanting to come to Aunt DD's house for a "girlie weekend". I decided the next best thing would be to spend a few hours shopping and having lunch together. I picked them up and we proceeded to spend three hours in Target! They tried most every clothing item on that would fit them -- and we bought alot of them as well. They are so full of excitement and are so much fun! I definitely do not know how my sister can keep up with all that energy all the time though! Just the time in the dressing room was chalked full of blogging ideas. I so wished I had a tape recorder so I could remember all the things they said. It was summed up by Jadyn, the four year old, who looked up at me and with big eyes and a serious look said, "DD, I talk too much!"

An Emotional Two-Week Roller Coaster

The past two weeks have both flown by and dragged on and on. I was to have flown to Albuquerque on the 24th of September to help my mom and dad. Unfortunately, mom had a major setback and ended up in the hospital for a total of 19 days. She went home on her scheduled day only to return the next day when a fever and infection had set in. I postponed my trip by a few days so I could maximize my time with her at home. I ended up going on Saturday the 27th and didn't return home until the 8th of October.

Before going to Albuquerque, my mother-in-law went into the hospital as well. She has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She is still in the hospital after being there for two weeks.

Needless to say, my time in Albquerque was a bit draining; but also very rewarding. I was able to see my mom at what she perceived as her weakest but I perceived as her strongest. I am proud to have been there to help her when she needed my help. My sister came and she, my mom, my dad and I actually enjoyed being just the four of us. I believe we will be thankful for those weeks forever.

My sister-in-law and I would meet for lunch and talk about this "new stage" of our lives. Our parents are getting older and as much as we want to rewind time, we can't. We have to be strong and relish every moment we have with them and each other. Life is full of the unknown.

I can't imagine living life without my husband and without God. How do single people and non-Christians make it in this world?

Chris took over the household while I was gone and did a fabulous job! When I got home, the house was clean, laundry done, groceries bought and dinner was already cooked! He definitely knows my love language!!!

I am thankful for all God has given me and even for the difficult times He allows. I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's. He has given me a snapshot of why I need to slow down and enjoy each day and each person in my life!

Addiction

The computer scares me.

I hear all the bad stuff that could happen -- identity theft, crazies in chatrooms, child predators --. I even make Chris open up a fishy-looking e-mail so that if it is a virus, I won't be the one to set it off. The attitude I have is that if I don't press the button, I will be safe!

I also know, just by joining the blogging world, that time slips away quickly! Luckily, once I catch up with everyone's newest post, I can walk away until the next day.

So, in the past when I have gotten invitations to join a friend's FaceBook page, I have quickly deleted them. I don't want everyone to know my stuff! HOWEVER, last week I received an invitation from a friend from high school. She is planning our 20th High School reunion. (Honestly? How can it be 20 years?) This was a way for her to find as many people as possible in an easy way. So I decided, "What the heck. I'll do it to let people know where I am; but, I WON'T post anything personal!" Well...I am hooked, addicted, loving fb!! I have come into contact with so many people that I haven't heard from in at least 17-20 years! To see their families, what they have become, where they live is so fun! There is even one guy that works 2 miles from my house!! I haven't seen him since my wedding 17 years ago in Albuquerque! Now I find out he has been 2 miles from my house -- talk about a small world!

The downside is that fb will eat up your day! You can chat away or look up people and the next thing you know it has been hours since you left the computer and it is way past dinnertime and you haven't started cooking yet(not that I have done that or anything!)

After being on fb for awhile, I feel safe enough to post albums and chat up a storm! I sure hope I don't regret pushing that 'Join' button.

My Faithful Teachers

My mom has been battling cancer for the past two years. The start of her story is posted in my post titled "Reasons To Be Thankful" in 2007. We then found out this July that the cancer had returned. This second time around the treatment has been much more aggressive. She had two rounds of three-days-a-week chemotherapy. She then entered the hospital last Thursday and received six days of radical chemotherapy to kill her bone marrow. On Wednesday, she had a stem cell transplant. She will remain in the hospital until Monday unless infection sets in.

God has blessed her beyond measure. She has the most amazing attitude toward it all and believes that God is using this as a ministry. Her church presented her with a beeper to take into the hospital with her. Any time someone prays for her, they call a phone number and it makes the beeper go off. She says the beeper starts going off about 4:30 am and doesn't stop until after midnight! She says just that beeper has brought many questions from nurses and other patients alike. Mom enjoys telling them all about her faith and how that faith has sustained her through "her adventure".

She is going to have a long road ahead of her to get back to normal. I have no doubt that she will do it and do it with class! She says that she has gotten up every morning while in the hospital and gets showered, clothed and make-up on! Other patients think she is headed home. She is not one to pad around in her pj's. I think this is why she is doing so well.

My mom and dad have been rocks through this. They have taught me lots in my 37 years; but, most importantly they have taught me how important it is to trust God in everything.