Saturday, August 30, 2008

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Hello Everyone!! Just hanging out at home tonight. Went to the 105th Harley Birthday Celebration up in Milwaukee last night. That was fun.... It was just Ray, Marco, Ryan, and me.. but we had a good time. I got a new Harley Hoody.. :)

The picture that I put up in my profile is a pic of Benjamin and my friend Geoff's son, Matthew!! They are cuties!! It was an adorable picture moment!! Thanks for all your support on Benjamin's great accomplishments in karate .. he's loving it!!

My brother and his wife go in next Thursday for their next ultrasound and doctors appointment!! I can't wait to hear how well they are doing!! Andrea is half way there! Benjamin is so excited that the baby is due in early January.. He thinks it is cool that the baby will be born just about 10 years after him (I think it is neat too!)...

WEll, I'm beat.. so I think I"m going to head to bed!! I hope you all have a good Labor Day (or if you are in Finland, a good Monday.. ).. :)

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

BENJAMIN BREAKS HIS FIRST BOARD







Benjamin had his 'last' karate class of this session and he did an amazing thing!! He broke his first board!!! Benjamin is so excited. A week ago he told me he didn't want to continue with karate.. now that he did this.. he says, "Can I PLEEEEEEASE take the next class :)!! I said, "Of Course!!" He is so proud of himself!! :)

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Hmph

I'm struggling with members of my family and I just really and truly don't understand. My parents taught me since I was young that no matter if your blood or not.. you are family. Your friends are family.... that everyone you care about is family. My Grandfather is not my biological grandfather, but he is the only grandfather I've ever known and I couldn't imagine having a better one. Does that mean because he is not blood that I should not consider him family? Sometimes I get the feeling that some people believe and work that way. I have been teaching my boys that yes, they are step-brothers and they are not blood, but we are a family and they are brothers, full, half, step.. whatever.. we are family. Benjamin even considers his half-brother's brother as his brother!! :) I just hope that they take that part with them as they get older. I know I may not be making a lot of sense to people right now, but maybe some of you know the situation and do understand. So, I just wanted to say thanks to all those who truly have loved and cared about Benjamin, Caden, Ryan and I our whole lives whether you are a step, half, or a non-blood-related family or friend. I really truly think of all of you as family and a very close family at that....

I haven't blogged in a while and well, that's because not much has gone on and Ryan finally came home:).. It's been nice to have him home but he is again leaving to go live downtown Chicago for 3 weeks for the IMTS show down there. I will probably see him somewhere in between those 3 weeks, but maybe not?? It truly depends on how busy he is. Ryan and I are doing great and we actually purchased a Harley Davidson recently. He is learning to ride at a school this weekend. He is excited about getting his license next week and being able to ride on his own, get good at it, and then take me for a ride on it too :).... It's something we both wanted and are looking forward to using together....

Benjamin is doing great. Cade and Ben do not start school until September 2 so he is still enjoying his summer. He has been at Kids Club this summer and has made a new best friend. He has been enjoying a karate class although he says he does not want to continue it in the fall. He wants to play basketball ;) .... He will be in fourth grade!! ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! He's getting older!! He is excited because he will be in middle school in two years. I try to teach him to not want to grow up so fast... but he really wants to see what middle school is like!!

Caden is also doing really well. Caden took swimming lessons this summer and made it through Level 4!! He is a great swimmer and loves the water. Cade is going into Third Grade and has the same teacher Benjamin had the last two years.. so that is nice for me.. His teacher is also an old friend of Ryan's mom's.. so we know her pretty well. Cade said he wished he got the other teacher.. but you can't have your choice all the time!! :)

I'm doing well.. I started the regular school year on Wednesday.. I actually get to teach a classroom of 9th graders this year. This means I will actually get to teach!! :) I am excited because the kids are pretty decent and most of them enjoy school for now!! :) (They are still young).. I have been itching to get on our motorcycle which I hope to do soon, but I really want Ryan to be comfortable with it before I get on there. He is practicing though. I have been working out a lot lately and trying to keep myself in better shape. I have joined my sister's workout club online and that keeps me kicking!! :) I also am enjoying road riding on my bike. I haven't done any mountain biking since my tree incident in May. I just have not been motivated for that since then. I will still do it.. I just need to work up the nerve again......

I hope everyone else is doing well and I will try to do better about posting more often.. I have just been enjoying my summer!!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

The Aunt Chronicles

My brother and his wife finally went to the Doctor today!! They found out that she is 13 weeks and 3 days along!! They had a little scare at first with the heartbeat, but after the ultrasound.. the baby moved around .. and apparently likes to move A LOT..maybe that's what is causing Andrea's nausea??!! The baby is Healthy and Happy!! I tried to post the ultrasound here.. but it did not go so well...I will see what I can do!! There is no official due date yet, but if you count up to 40 weeks... that is the end of December or the beginning of January!! I can't wait!!

Went to Eau Claire this weekend with Ryan to a bike race. He was home for a short weekend, and returned to MN for this week. I think I have seen him a total of about 6 days over the last 6 weeks... wow.. impressive!! He just told me as well, that he will be home next week, but then has to go to KY for a few days after that!!! At some point, he will get to be at home, and stay home.. for a while anyway :).....

Benjamin and Cade are doing wonderful. They both love riding their bikes! They rode around the block today by themselves.. They were very excited!! :) Cade has been in swimming lessons and doing a wonderful job, and Benjamin has been in karate. Benjamin loves karate and he likes to show me all his 'new moves'.... I don't know if he'll continue with it because it was really just a 'filler' for the summer since he couldn't do anything else.. but we'll see.. I guess we never know!


Work for me has been extremely stress free, but almost to the point where it is boring. I am not complaining, but when you only have 2-3 kids show up every day it gets extremely frustrating to complete lesson plans and things like that. ... oh well.. I am definitely going to eat it up after this year!!!!

Anyway.. I hope everyone had a good 4th.. and I'll try to keep this updated more often!!!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Lazy

I have been VERY lazy about my blog lately. Just not in the mood to write, I guess. I don't have many exciting things to say..

Had a 'get together' at my house on Friday night. A couple of co-workers came and my closest friends. I got to meet one of my best friend's boyfriend's son. He is so cute! :) I'm just happy that Alissa is happy with her new man and his son!! It's good to see her smile again.

Benjamin had a friend spend the night Friday (it was suppossed to be Benjamin's dad's weekend, but he bailed again). They were great.. considering I had friends over and they didn't go to bed until midnight!! Benjamin had a few moments on Saturday at a pool party he attended, but eventually I think he recognized himself that he had had enough and was ready to go home. He was just too tired. He actually slept in the car on the way home and he doesn't ever take 'naps'.

It was Bug's birthday party today.. that was a lot of fun. She got a big jumpy thingy the kids could jump in, so the kids LOVED THAT!! Caden was hysterical.. He dressed up in a Hawian outfit and gave everyone a BIG laugh as he danced to the music outside!! If I get some pics of that I will post them!! :)

I'm missing Ryan and Cade right now. Ryan is in Japan and Cade has been at his mom's most of the week so I was happy to get Cade today and see him for a bit. . I had to take him back to his mom's, but that is okay because he needs to spend time with her too (That is if she is actually home). ... Ryan has been checking in every day.. he told me he got lost the other day because whatever city he was trying to get to is spelled only two letters different than the other and they took the wrong train or something like that! He comes home Thursday.. I can't wait to see him, but then he has to leave after the weekend to go back to Minnesota!!

I think that's it for now.. work is pretty good.. it's summer.. so it's more relaxed and I'm just enjoying my time!! :)

Guess that's it for now!!!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

I'm Alive

Just letting everyone know that I am alive.. I haven't written much lately.. last week was a busy week.. I'll try to keep up this week.. shouldn't be too bad... Ryan leaves for Japan on Tuesday, early morning.. :(

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

So far, So good.....

Well, we finished Cade's room yesterday.. that was easy.. (whenever I say that I think of that stupid little button from the Staples commercial!!) It looks really nice and Cade actually probably feels like he has a room now :) I will post some pics when I get the camera back (It is out traveling with Ryan right now)

Today, I cleaned the carpets, put the rest of Cade's room back together, met some friends out, and went in the Hot Tub. Benjamin had visitation with his Dad tonight, so I had most of the day to myself. His Dad actually showed up for once, which is good because I don't know if he could take another let down.

I pulled a muscle in my leg. .and I don't know how I did it.. it must have been while painting yesterday.. I always wonder why it hurts so bad when you pull a muscle. ....I want someone to grab my ankle and just pull so I can stretch it out!!! :)

Hmmmmmmmmmm....I guess that's about it.. I have no interesting stories to tell and nothing wonderful to say and I don't want to bore you.... I have 5 days until Summer School Starts, and I am actually somewhat excited... Summer was fun last year and I hope it will be a good change of pace.. this year of teaching was TOUGH!!