Where did this week go?

I can't believe I have been so busy this week doing hair that I haven't even really been on the computer. Maybe a quick check of my email and I'm off.

Football season officially started this week and both Jake and Josh's team won their games by quite a bit. (JV and varsity) Jake played on Wednesday and Josh played on Thursday due to the upcoming holiday weekend. The game trophy came home with Josh since he's a captain. Next week we are up in Traverse City with both teams so it won't be too bad...just some major bleacher butt from watching back to back football games and riding in a car 3 hours there and another 3 hours back. The things we do for our kids. We must be crazy.

We still haven't decided if we're going to go anywhere this weekend. Pat feels like getting away. Jen and Jordy are at their BF's cottages... so it would just be us and the boys. Wish we had a cottage to run to. Our cottage fund was squandered on parochial school for 5 kids and putting 3 boys in hockey.

I still need to go get school supplies and some new school shoes and pants. Thank goodness for UNIFORMS. All I need to do is make a quick run to Kohl's for a few pairs of khaki Dockers and some dress shoes and I'm golden. (They already have a million school logo polos. )

My last thought for the day is this:

Major surprise on McCain's VP selection today...but let me just say one thing- This country could stand to learn something from a 44 yr. old hockey mom of five. I know I like her already. I wonder if we could become friends- we have so much in common.

Another one leaving the nest

Well, we knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Jennifer decided it's time to try her wings and jump out into the big world waiting out there for her. After graduating from college and starting her own business, paying rent on her studio and paying student loans...she figured she needs to experience life in all its entirety. And she's moving into a duplex with 3 very large, muscular men. (gasp!)

It's so funny that Ryan actually asked her to move in. I mean, really? How many little brothers ask their big sister to become one of their roommates? Jen and Ryan have always been very close. (only 13 1/2 months apart) The other two guys are brothers and they are in law enforcement. Jen is very respected by all of Ryan's buddies not only by the way she carries herself, but because Ryan demands it. I am not worried about this situation.

She went over there last night to assess the situation and came home with a bunch of boxes. I guess it's official. She's leaving the nest.

Jordanne is already rearranging her new bedroom in her mind. She's got designs on the bigger bedroom with the built in artist desk. It's gonna kill Jen to give up that room.

Sitting here thinking over the weekend...Josh turned 18. Jordanne invited Josh and his two friends over for pizza. (who share the same birthday) They left there and went over to Ryan's house and hung out with him and his rugby buddies, playing video games and talking football strategies.

They're good kids. (adults) They are good role models for their 2 younger brothers. All three of my older kids have coached at their local parochial high school and know the importance of mentoring impressionable kids. As much as they exasperate me at times, I've got to admit, I'm pretty blessed. I think it's pretty cool that they enjoy each other's company enough to hang out away from home. It says a lot about how we tried to raise them... (so far, so good)...despite the little bumps in the road along the way. It makes me feel better about Jen moving out. She'll be fine.

Me, on the other hand? *sniff... I'll be okay in a minute.

Happy 18th Birthday, Josh!

looking mighty fine in a tux.
celebrating the bit hit...
... celebrating the big goal.

Hard to believe my 4th child is celebrating his 18th birthday today. That 10 lb baby boy has grown into a 200 lb 6'4" athletic machine. It's been a l.o.n.g. summer dealing with the "girlfriend drama", but I think we finally have him back. He's on top of the world and cannot believe he's entering into his senior year- The last time he'll be playing high school football, hockey, and track. Making decisions where he'll go to college, what field of study he's going to pursue, etc. This is the last chance to make his high school memories the best days of his life.

Happy Birthday, Josh!

Jen's painting

when you click on the painting you can see how a bunch of abstract shapes come together to make a painting. I cannot imagine this concept. I've been trying to get myself out of a post traumatic stress funk. I absolutely have no drive or desire to do anything. I don't even feel like shopping or cooking or doing things I used to love to do. I'm totally drained and tapped out. I recognize it as PTSS considering everything our family has been through with this girlfriend drama...

So I thought today was a good day to share a painting Jennifer did for her boyfriend's apartment. It's a very abstract painting of the Chicago cityscape. He absolutely loved it and now his sister has contracted Jen's services to do the Boston cityscape for their new home.

I cannot imagine having the vision to break a photograph down into values and hues to actually paint it on canvas. She's a pretty amazing artist even though her concentration is photography.

The senior portrait business is going well. It started out slow but she has already done more than she did last year and is still getting contracted for more. It's really funny but the majority of the portraits have been guys.

I'm pretty proud of her accomplishments and admire her guts to just "do it".

Easy come, easy go.

Says shes had enough of me

Ive had enough of her too

I might as well go on and set her free

Shes already turned me lose

No fault no blame nobody done no wrong

Thats just the way it sometimes goes

Sometimes two people just dont get along

And its time to hit the road

(chorus:) Goodbye

Farewell

So long

Vaya condios

Goodluck

Wish you well

Take it slow

Easy come girl, easy go

We tried to work it out a hundred times

Ninety-nine it didnt work

I think its best we put it all behind

Before we wind up gettin hurt

No hard feelins darlin no regrets

No tears and no broken hearts

Call it quits callin off all bets

It just wasnt in the cards

(chorus)

So I walked into Josh's room today and the music playing on his computer was this song by George Straight. He was in a good mood. It is finished. He broke up with the girl last night. And he's okay. He will be okay. Jordanne talked to her and told her to move on. She agreed to move on. I can only hope and pray this is the end of the drama.

This is the day that the Lord has made...let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Okay, okay -I don't mean to sound like I'm rejoicing in the fact that he just dumped a girl...but it is the day I have been praying for. I may finally have my son back from a very unhealthy, emotionally abusive relationship.

Today is the first day of the rest of his life. He turns 18 on Sunday. He was off this morning to be interviewed at a press conference for their pre-game hoopla. He walked out of here with his friend Murphy and they were looking pretty *"jacked" and confident. He was wearing his football jersey, his state championship ring, smelling like "Very Sexy for men" from Victoria's secret. *sigh. How on earth did this kid grow up so fast? (and how haven't I killed him before now?)

*jacked means muscle-bound.

disclaimer: I do not usually listen to country music.

100th post!

I wanted this moment to be special...to have that 4th of July fireworks feel. And yet, I'm in a hurry to run out and jump in the pool because it's hotter than heck in here and I need to cool down. I've been busy living life and hanging with my kids. Cooking like a fool, painting, mentoring, and doin' hair. My house is a mess and my mind is equally a mess. I think I need psychotherapy...

Busy day

Busy day yesterday. Ryan and I headed off to Ann Arbor for his doctor appointment at U of M. We left at 8:30 am to arrive to his 10:00 appointment. We waited forever to see the doctor, but- Great news! He has been cleared to his next phase of treatment. He's been so eager to start using the weights to build up the atrophied muscles in his leg. We had such a nice time talking...just mother and son.

He's been so busy working and coaching JV football and was telling me all about what's been going on in his life lately. He just asked a girl out and it sounds like she is crazy about him. We already know the family because Ryan went to school with Ashley's older sister from kindergarten through high school. (Ashley just turned 20) They belong to our church too. He's 22 and this is really his first official "girlfriend"...we couldn't be happier for him. He's a great guy and deserves the best. On the way home, he stopped over at his house to show me the new duplex him and his roommates moved into. They are working hard to make it homey.

Here's the big dilemma: Ryan asked Jennifer to move in with them. They need another roommate and since Jen and Ryan get along so well, he thought it would work out well. How many brothers ask their sister to move in with them? They really do get along great but I don't see Jen tolerating the "boy world" these guys live in very well.

Dustin (Jordy's fiance) wants Jen to move into the house with him to help out with his bills. (Jen and Dustin get along like a brother and sister too.) To be honest with you... I can see her living in Dustin's house because Jordy will be there all the time anyways. Jen is just worried that people will think she's "shacking up" with her sister's fiance. (Since Jordanne won't be living there until after they are married.) Talk about confusing. Jen is 23 and just wants to get out on her own for awhile before she gets married.

Jordanne and I painted at the house last night. She is a color-loving girl...She painted 2 of the living room walls a chartreuse green. The dining room wall is orange as well as the soffets in the kitchen. It really looks great. (I love color too.) She is just having so much fun putting together the house that will be theirs when they are married. She wants it painted before school starts back up in a few weeks. I will post some pics when she emails them to me.

The boys have been coming home exhausted from "Two-a-days". Four hours of football practice for the past week has taken its toll. They will be looking forward to the weekend. Jake and Josh and Josh's friend sat out in the hot tub and soaked their achy muscles last night.

I had to chuckle... last night I ordered 2 large pizzas and a large breadstick. I had also made sloppy joes. I looked over at the table and realized I was feeding 3 football players, two ex-college football players (who are now football coaches), a pom-pon coach and a hockey coach.

You guessed it, not a scrap was left over. Good thing I wasn't hungry.

Mmmmmm, good.

What an absolutely beautiful morning here today. It was a little cool but the sun is shining which is always perfect for my morning walk. Lots of vitamin D in that sunshine and the endorphins are flowing with that dose of exercise. Mary Lou and I decided we were going to go out to the Berry Farm and pick blueberries today after our walk. I could have stayed for hours! The abundant berries, encouraging conversation, sunshine, and laughter combined with all the "feel good hormones" made for a great start to my day.

Now I've gotta go find a great recipe to make something wonderfully blueberry. God is good.

a day at the lake

Yesterday we spent the entire day at the lake, visiting Jordy's future in-laws. It has become an annual birthday celebration for her up there. The whole family came up (except for Ryan) and they had a great time fishing and tubing on the lake. sigh. Why can't we have a place like that of our own?

Deb and Rick were very hospitable...feeding us lunch and dinner and beers by the campfire. It was a wonderfully relaxing day...something we really needed.

A Doggy Crisis

It's hard to believe it's been a few days since I last posted. It's not like we've been super busy doing anything but living life with a houseful of people....doing the mundane: cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping.

Josh came back from football camp on Thursday and was dead tired. He slept from 6pm until 10 or 11 the next day. I missed the kid, but not all the gilrlfriend drama....and I decided it isn't worth giving the drama queen a stage to perform on, so I'll spare the details.

I saw this quote on another blog and I've found it inspirational posted on my refrigerator.

"everything will be okay in the end

if it isn't okay,

it isn't the end"

... let's just say it "ain't the end".

To make matters worse, something happened to my dog last night. I don't know if he had a seizure or a stroke or if he has something funky going on... but he freaked us out about 12:30 this morning enough for me to wake up my friend (with 4 dogs) in a total panic asking her what I should do. She gave me the number to the animal hospital emergency room. (gosh, I didn't even knew such a thing existed) See, this is why I called her- she's a pet-pro, and we are mere novices with our little house dog of 4 years.

I swear I was on the line with the sweet animal nurse discussing what was going on with Duke for nearly an hour. He had thrown up several times during the day, suddenly acting weird, walking goofy, being lethargic and stuff. I'm not gonna lie... I was NOT a rock in the crisis- I was a stuttering, neurotic, discombobulated mess. I can just hear that 911 call being played on some Pet "E.R" Reality show already. (ahem... are there HIPPA laws for pets too?)

Pat was telling me to "calm down, for goodness sakes. You're acting like it's one of the kids..." Now before any of you judge me... at that precise moment, it was like he was one of my kids. The only thing is, we didn't have health insurance for him. (which, by the way...I never knew existed.) The pet nurse was explaining that an ER visit costs $85 for the exam and it's extra for tests, x-rays, and bloodwork...and then there's treatment which varies, and it's all due at the time of checkout. YIKES!!! She told me it would most likely be around $200-$400! ARE YOU KIDDING?

Well thankfully while we were discussing what was going on with the dog, he seemed to be coming out of it. Although he was still very lethargic, we determined it might be best for us to just monitor him overnight and get in to see the vet in the morning. (except my vet is closed on Saturdays.)

Good ol' Duke got up to greet me this morning at 7 am and seemed to be walking normal, wagging his tail in a lazy morning kind of way... but even he had enough common sense to go back to sleep since we had been up until 2 am loving him through the sickness.

Phew. That was pretty scary. I never wanted to be one of those pet owners that treated their doggy like a person, taking them for car rides, and getting doggy treats at the drive through window. Last night, in the crisis... I realized I had become that pet owner. (Shut up, Sheila I can hear you laughing at me from here.)...but If you knew my dog, you'd understand why. He thinks he is a person.

Keepin' it real

Sitting here right now, still sweaty from my morning walk...drinking my second cup of coffee for the day...I am humbled to look around in my very lived in house and think, "What's up with all this stuff?" Some days I seriously feel like walking around my house and just start firing stuff into boxes. Then the emotionally attached person in me says, "how can you get rid of that? It means too much to you!" It's this internal struggle that ends up paralyzing me and I find myself grabbing a book and kicking up my feet on the deck instead. After all, it's summer-time and the livin' is easy.

In the back of my head...these projects are piling up...waiting for the beginning of the new school year. I am always eager to start "getting my act together" in the fall. It's a new beginning for me. So I'm putting together this list. (which is work, you know...) And I'm getting ready. It's all in the preparation. And in the meantime...I'll go whip up an ice cold pitcher of sweet tea...and grab a book to write that list on...while I float in the pool.

...just keepin' it real.

a Special day for a Special boy

the Captains...Jake is in the middle.

On Friday I took Jacob to the Secretary of State's office to finally get his driving permit. I even let him drive me home through the lunchtime traffic. I'm not gonna lie...He made me very nervous. I dunno if it's because I'm getting older or if I was just truly slacking in my job by child number five. Regardless, I was a nervous passenger...but we arrived safely at home without a scratch. The next day he wanted to drive again and I made him take the back roads...no busy business district driving until I feel a little more relaxed with him at the wheel.

This morning he was anxious to go get his new cellphone. I promised him on Friday that we'd go today. He has only been begging me for a cellphone since the start of his freshman year. I kept telling him he had to wait until he turned 16. Well, he's still only 15 but we were feeling generous.

Actually, it may be hard to believe, but with everything that's been going on around here...I wanted to give him a little positive attention. I know it sounds a little silly, but maybe I've been feeling a bit guilty focusing so much on Jen's business, Ryan's blown out knee, Jordy's wedding and Joshua's girlfriend drama. Jake has just quietly sat there...being such a good kid, not calling attention to himself, patiently waiting for me to take him to get the permit and the phone. Okay, okay, before you siblings start with your big huge WHINE saying that Jacob is soooooo spoiled because he's the "baby"... that he's sooooo special... let me just say one thing: Save it for the therapist's couch.

Yup, I even took him out for Kung Pao chicken and crabcheese today. My "Special boy" had a special day.

Happy Birthday, Jordanne!

My baby girl turned 21 yesterday. It's so hard to believe that she is all grown up, planning her wedding and helping Dustin set up in the house that will be their future home. They spent the entire day moving furniture and organizing cupboards.

We got her the Fiestaware tangerine fruit bowls and matching salt and pepper shakers... as well as a gift card to Macy's to indulge herself in a little "retail therapy". Jordy luuuuvs to spend money...(Poor Dustin.) It's just killing her not to break out her entire set of Fiestaware dishes she has had in her "hope chest". I told her she should wait until they are married to use them. It's only right. Otherwise, it just won't be as exciting eating their first meal together as husband and wife. She only has to wait until July 18, 2009. So far, she is storing them in a cupboard not to be touched. Hmmm...this could be very symbolic.
We celebrated with subs, chips, and ice cream cake. (Her favorite since she was a little kid). This year, the leftover cake actually made it into the freezer...since last year's cake was put into the fridge and it melted all over. (these cakes are NOT cheap)

She got her official "legal" drink after midnight on Friday night at the bar Dustin works at on the weekends. It sounds like everyone wanted to buy her shots of liquor... when she started feeling dizzy, she switched to water. Thank goodness there was a designated driver.

Me, Jen, and Sheila are taking her out to her favorite Mexican restaurant for some half-off pitchers of margaritas. Mmmmm. Do you think we would just sit there and watch her drink it?

From one Mother to another

God really does hear our prayers... He really does want to give us the desires of our hearts. Throughout all this frustrating parent/teenager- boyfriend/girlfriend conflict...we have been praying that God would make things right. I'm not gonna lie...there have been moments that I've wanted to throw in the towel in exasperation...but the love for my son was far too great to give up on him.

One day a few weeks back, I was just laying on my bed, having a tearful, angry moment, ready to blow...and I saw a picture of Mary, the mother of Jesus, leaning against the wall in my bedroom. (I inherited this from a great uncle and haven't found a place to hang it yet.) So Mary was just there, looking at me with compassion, sorrow and understanding...and my heart softened. I just cannot imagine the agony that woman went through over her son. I was instantly humbled. So I had a little chat with her...the mother of our Lord...and asked Her to intercede. To take my breaking heart to her son ... as one mother to another sort of thing.

Growing up Catholic, I've always known about the rosary but never fully understood the need to pray the rosary, do novenas, etc. I humbly admit my ignorance. I have always revered Mary but never desired that kind of prayer in my life. I'm a "take it straight to Jesus" kind of gal...nothing formal, just a good 'ol heart-to-heart. Anyways...I'm not really good at it and probably don't do it right, but I figured it sure as heck can't hurt to try. Again...as one mother to another sort of thing.

Well things are looking up. Pat had a long talk with Josh last night. He's starting to see things more clearly. He really is a good kid, just very confused. Teenage years are so confusing anyways with all the messages the world puts out there. We will continue to pray for wisdom- for us and him... and I will continue to ask Mary (the gentlest Mother of all) to intercede.

I heard this old song on tv last night and found great comfort in the lyrics to this Crosby-Stills-Nash-Young oldie: (how true these words are)

Teach your Children:

You who are on the road

Must have a code that you can live by

And so become yourself

Because the past is just a good bye.

Teach your children well,

Their father's hell did slowly go by,

And feed them on your dreams

The one they picked, the one you'll know by.

Don't you ever ask them why,

if they told you, you would cry,

So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

And you, of tender years,

Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,

And so please help them with your youth,

They seek the truth before they can die.

Teach your parents well,

Their children's hell will slowly go by,

And feed them on your dreams

The one they picked, the one you'll know by.

Don't you ever ask them why,

if they told you, you would cry,

So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.