Happy Birthday Tyler

Okay, when did I become old enough to have a 14 yr. old?
I mean, it was only a couple years ago that he was born, started kindergarten, had his first communion, and played T-ball.
I wonder if I'll ever feel ready for such huge milestones like being a full blown teenager now....after all, 13 is just the warm-up....and starting high school. Doubtful. Heck, my mom was telling me she didn't think she was old enough for stuff when I went through it too....all the way up to getting married and having Tyler. I'm thinkin' I'll hear the same thing next year too when I (her oldest child) turn 40.
We spent the day at the lake swimming and fishing. It was a nice day and great to finally have some warm weather around here.

Tyler's graduation

Thursday night, Tyler graduated from 8th grade.  I know it's only 8th grade, but it was especially nice because he has been at the same school and with the same kids since they were all in kindergarten.  I felt like I was watching all my own kids since I've seen them all grow up since age 5.
The evening started with mass and then the actual grad ceremony. 
As I was sitting there listening to the mass I felt so fortunate that we're ending Tyler's time at his school this way.  It made me think about all the times our faith has been reinforced during his 9 years there....going all the way back to when he was in kindergarten.  Jason was serving in Iraq during a really scary time and I was pregnant with Tony.  I got a call from his teacher asking if they could make cards for the Marines there and I could send them.   A few days later Tyler brought home a large envelope full of papers that the kids had done.  As I went through them, many said the same things.....as though the teacher had put some ideas on the board of what they could say on their card.  Things like,  "Thank you" and  "God bless America" and "Jesus Loves You" were written on most.  I remember crying at all the pictures of soldiers, flags, and crosses.  I sent them off and Jay handed them out to his unit in Iraq. 
Another time was about 5 years ago when a 6th grade boy was hit by a car while riding his bike home from school and killed.  It was obviously devastating for the whole community and I remember being very grateful that the kids were going to be able to go to school and pray for him and his family.  They were offered counseling and it could be faith based, the entire school went to the funeral mass during their school day. 
There was the time the band teacher was done with a concert and started talking about the light in all of these kids and that this light was Jesus Christ.  How it shined in all of them. 
Or when we were going to China to get Olivia and I got emails from many of the kids' teachers telling me they were praying for us...and the same for the day of her surgery. 
There's the daily intentions the kids can say in morning prayer, the daily rosary, the weekly mass, Religion class, the Christmas programs and Easter break.  I'm grateful for it all.
It's not easy paying for the tuition for their school.  Having 5 kids there this year was a struggle.  But when I sit there looking at all these kids that Tyler has spent these years with....and I watch 2 of his closest friends get the Christian Leadership award.....I know that it's been worth every penny and I wouldn't change a thing.  I love that school so much and I can't wait to be sitting there 5 more times being grateful for the years spent. 

Camping

If you add up
Two vehicles,
One little girl lovin' her first time in the camper,
A Dozen fish caught,
Five boys who went through
Twenty-five pairs of wet socks,
Eight meals cooked outside,
Twelve prizes from relay races,
Ten prizes from candy bar bingo,
One LOUD thunderstorm,
And Zero leaks in the camper,
It equals
ONE FUN WEEKEND!

Tanner's Zoo Trip

I'm so behind on my blog and really wanted to get in a post about Tanner's field trip I went on last Friday.
It was the day we left to go camping so the timing was a bit hard since there's always tons to do, but I have gone to all the boys' kindergarten zoo trip and I wasn't going to miss his.
We had a really good time. It was a little chilly, but otherwise nice outside.
Tanner just kept hugging me all day and telling me how much he loved me and that he was so happy he had me all to himself.
Made me happy and kinda sad all at the same time cuz I know how important it is to have that one on one with the kids.....and also how hard it can be to do when you have 6.
It's worth making the effort though and I'm going to try and do that more often.

Tyler's awards Day

Yesterday, the 8th graders had an awards ceremony during school in the church where they recognize kids in all aspects of school. 
I was very proud of Tyler for receiving 2 awards.  One for excellence in Math.
And another given to kids who show an interest in reading and love of books with higher reading levels and various topics on a regular basis. 
He (and, frankly, I) was a little surprised he wasn't recognized for his leadership in Band.  That is probably the one I would have bet money on before hand.  I asked him if he was disappointed about that one and he said he was.  He knows he does a really good job and has been section leader for 3 of his 4 years of playing....but he said, rather matter of fact, "it's probably cuz I never practice."  
Um, yeah.  Sometimes there's a downside to something coming easy to you. 
All in all, I was very proud of him and all his accomplishments.  He's a really good kid. 
Oh, and one thing that made me almost as proud as if he had won it himself.......The boy that won the award for being an example of Christianity in his school was his best friend.   I'm so happy about that because it means he is choosing good friends.  This boy, along with his other best friend (these three are tight), are all going to the same High School this fall too so that makes me very happy.  I really pray that he continues to choose wisely the company he will keep during the next 4 years.
Congratulation Tyler!  You are a great kid and, better yet, a wonderful son.

Never judge a book by it's cover

Tonight, Jay and I made a trip to Costco for our upcoming camping trip.
Afterwards we headed to Applebees where we had a gift card to spend on some half-off appetizers. 
About 10 minutes after we sat down, a large group of about 15 teenagers walked in and were quickly seated at the table right next to our booth. 
As I saw them ALL pass by, one by one, I looked at Jay and said, "oh brother".  
Ya know, like "great, now we have a table full of loud, obnoxious teens next to us."
That really sounds terrible now as I write it.....it didn't feel that way at the time.  Hmm.....
We continued on with our order and conversation.....pretty much forgetting about the teens next to us, as they were just pretty quiet and having some normal conversations between them all.
We saw them all order and about 15 minutes later receive their food. 
One by one, they waited until all were served before anyone started in. 
"That's polite of them."  I thought  "waiting like that for everyone to get their food before they eat their own"
As soon as the last plate was placed on the table....
and the server walked away....
all 15 heads bowed down....
and all 30 hands folded at the table.....
and they prayed. 

That moment gave me immense hope for our future
and the potential for my kids to find good friends like these teens obviously had.......

.....and it taught me a very valueable lesson.

Trying again...and again...and again....

In the spirit of the upcoming summer season, I've decided it's time, once again, to get serious about getting healthy.
I just finished watching the Biggest Loser Finale and was crying through most of it. Just seeing the difference in these contestants and the way their smiles have changed from when they started losing weight....
....made me want to be there
In a big way.
So, at the risk of failing...yet again...and doing in front of anyone reading this...again....I'm re-starting my diet blog.
I never got rid of it...just gave it a break for a while.
Okay, so it was a year.
Sheesh...I just think if I had stuck with it....where I could be right now.
But....I digress.
It's gotta be better to start over again...and again...and again...well you get the picture...than to never try again.
I know this is a cop-out, but I am starting after we get home from camping this Memorial weekend.
Not because I want to be able to eat everything possible....
Okay, maybe that is why.
But really I am hoping to use some quiet time in those few days to make some serious menu plans and snack idea lists.
I plan to make it a family affair.
I know Tyler wants to change some things before heading off to High School this fall....
And I know Jay could use some changes himself.
We all could.
Below is the button that will bring you to my healthy eating blog. I'll restart it on Tues. but you can check up on what I started last year.
I just did and I was surprised at how well I really was doing for those couple weeks.
I am determined to do better this year and stick with it.

P.S. I am eating a Hostess Ho Ho while I write this. Is that bad?