Starvin' Marvin

Stephen got the bright idea to take all of Remi's clothes off and let him eat spaghetti. Hunter we have had to practically force feed. It seems like we actually did for a while until he learned he could throw anything we put in his mouth up. Needless to say food hasn't been Hunter's big thing. Remi on the other hand can't get enough. He acts like he is starving to death half the time. It was histerical! Stephen made the comment while trying to clean all the sauce off of Remi, that he was like the tuperware bowl that never should've been microwaved, the spaghetti stains will never come off.

Our Favorite Guy

Okay so this one goes out to a special guy living in Independence, Missouri. He not just any guy. This pink tie wearing fellow is Stephen's youngest brother Spencer. What a hottie! He is hilarious. I met Spenny when he was about thirteen years old, maybe fourteen at best. He was cute even then. I remember girls calling him all the time! It was the funniest thing I had ever seen. My little brother Tony was usually trying to work the scene, but not Spencer. He didn't care one little bit. He would sit and watch t.v. mumbling, "uh, uh," ever once in a while to keep his part of the conversation up. Heeelarious. He grew up and no longer mumbles, I think. He is now quite a guy and some kind of leader. Girls are still crazy about him. My kids love him. Well Remi has never met him, but Hunter is totally in love with him. Spencer had a friend in high school named Ryan. They were funny. Hunter heard them listening to that Top Loader song, "Dancin' in the Moonlight," once. Now everytime he hears it he tells me, "Mom, this is Spencer's song." He will be moving home in January of next year. We are sooooo excited. What a great guy!

The Light

May your heart be full,

your mind strong,
your roots secure.
May you always seek the road ahead with courage & cheer.
May you continue to look to the light.

I stole this quote off of Mi'Chelle's scrap book page. I loved it so much. Children are always looking to the light.

For Sale

Today I decided to play a little joke on our friend Chris. he he he. I went to the store looking for a For Sale sign to put on his cute little camry. The sign was too small, so I found glass chalk. Inspirational! he he he. When we went to buy the sign, we saw him. Hunter had to start yelling his name, "Oh good," I think. He is at a register, he he he, he doesn't suspect a thing. He smiles and waves. Sucker! I am, at this point starting to feel a little guilty about the whole thing. Good thing Stephen was there to gourd me on. I could have done it in the morning before he went to lunch, but I decided to wait until after he had lunch. Pranks go over better on a full stomach and his car would be sitting in the parking lot longer. Of course he always parks in the last stall. Perfect! I wrote his work number on both of the side windows. Hilarious! While I was decorating, as it were, two people stopped to ask me about the car. On my way home, my conscience started to get to me again. I stopped at my house long enough to get my camera. I called Stephen on my way out to see if anyone had called. Well I guess $500 is a pretty good offer so, yeah people were calling. I decided that he had enough and went to clean up the mess so he would never even know. Of course, he came walking out in the middle of me washing his window. Sometimes, I kill myself. Hopefully, he is not too mad and understands how boring and monotonous my life can be. Sometimes a mom has to do what a mom has to do. Gotta luv ya Chris.

Remi is my best friend.

Something occured to me last night as I was trying to get Remi to stop screaming. Hunter is a bigger help than hinderance. Remi was hysterical, Hunter walked into the Room and started talking to him. He immediately calmed down and started to smile. Any time Hunter is even in the room, Remi watches him like he is the most amazing thing ever. Remi has pretty short patience when Hunter is bugging him. But, for the most part, he loves his brother. The same is true for Hunter. He realizes that this little baby has really put a crimp in his only me and my parents, the whole world revolves around moi, lifestyle. He doesn't care. Every morning when he wakes up, he needs to know that Remi is okay. He told me the other day. "Mom, Remi is my best friend."

Rough Day

The day started out bad. 5:15 AM: Yuck, too early to work out and then go walking. I'll work out after walking and sleep 30 more minutes. 5:45 AM: I hate life and my friends that I walk with. They are torturing me on purpose and are probably enjoying it too. 6:05 AM: It is freakin' cold and I am hoping that today will be a no show, I can go home and get back in bed...mmm nice warm bed. 6:06 AM: "Lydia!" Damn, Kim is up and ready to walk too. I think she is a maniac. 6:20 AM: We are turning the corner to head up to 4th east. I really like Kim. She always has so many insightful things to tell me about life and grown up stuff. What a good day this will be. I will go home, lift weights, shower and be ready for the kids when they wake up. Yes! What a way to start my day. 6:45 AM: Remi is up with Stephen. Little snot. I think Stephen probably woke him up on purpose, just to drain my day. 7:30 AM: Remi is still up and now so is his partner in crime. Hunter wants pancakes again. Not my favorite anymore. 8:00 AM: The day is starting to look up for me. Remi went to sleep. Finally I can get something done around my pigsty. 8:30 AM: Don't get too excited he's awake again. I am starting to really really dislike this day. No sleeping at all, why won't someone teach this boy about sleeping for extended periods of time. Am I being punished for that one time in college? 12:00 PM: Stephen finally decides to come home for a few minutes to help me out. Not likely, he is just here to eat. He does however feed the baby. Brownie points for him. Nice break. 12:45 PM: Please don't leave me, please, please, please. He tells me that he has to. We need money to pay the bills or some crap like that. He is also in on the conspiracy. 1:15 PM Redemption is near. Remi is asleep again. 1:30 PM: Still asleep this might really work. Maybe I can do some of my things for work. Probably not, he will be up again soon. 2:15 PM: Sleeping, what a good little boy. Maybe he really does love me. 2:30 PM: Not likely. Why? I ask myself. What is your deal? I ask him. I am hoping that he is teething, otherwise I am selling him on the black market. Anyway, it has been a rough day!

Back in '82, I could throw a pig skin 1/4 of a mile.

Remember when everything was perfect? When, if the coach would have put you in during the 4th quarter you would have been state champs no doubt? Well, my husband and his buddies are trying to relive the glory days. Hilarious! All of the big talk and spouting off to one another finally came to a head as they played football last week. Not just any game of football, but touch football, didn't want anyone getting too hurt. Stephen, Chris, Lupe, Brandon, Roger, and some guy that was along for the ride. Now, I have spent a considerable amount of time listening to Stephen and Brandon tell me how wonderful they both are. Chris every once in a while has to put in a plug just to remind himself that he is not that old. I don't know Roger all that well so I never hear anything from him. Mostly just Brandon. He talks the big talk. Lupe, however never says a word. I have always just assumed maybe he never played ball or was into athletics. He is pretty quiet, or at least I think he is, one would never know with Stephen and Brandon spouting off like a couple of girls in gym class. Anyway, I noticed that he never brags about himself or his past. Well, last Thursday evening he showed, not told why. He was quick, swift and on the ball. He turned the after burners on. It was amazing. Here this quiet soft spoken guy was kicking the crap out of the big mouths. Sure every one else got in their shots too, but not like this. It was amazing. I dont' even think he was sore the next day. I didn't think Stephen or Brandon would walk for a week. I sat on the sidelines taking pictures like a good wife. Brandon of course got some good poses in.

Stephen was just happy to be there and apart of the game.

Chris surpised everyone by leaving them in his dust.

All in all it was a pretty good game, and I think that everyone had a good time. Everyone went home feeling good.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We were the quintessence of athletic atrocity.

-Mike Newlin

At last my moment has come.

Okay, so I'm not one of those moms that spends all day enjoying every moment with her kids. Usually at some point during the day I try to tear all of my hair out and want to run and hide. Remi is a little time consuming. Little being defined as: if he is awake. He has been getting up earlier and earlier every morning. I tried explaining to him the rules of the house. Rule #1 being do not wake up before 9:00 AM if you are under 23 years of age. Hunter has always been so good at following this rule. He would even give me an extra hour sometimes. Well not his brother. I get home from walking around 7:00 AM . My goal is to be showered and dressed before the boys get up. Well usually that is completely hopeless, but not yesterday. I took a picture of the clock to prove his actual wakeup time.

It was a wonderful morning and to makes things better, he has started watching t.v. Now, I know that kids watch way too much television blah blah blah. It is wonderful!! He sat without needing immediate attention for at least 30 minutes. I even walked in and out of the room several times. I was so amazed.

This is him giving me the glossy stare that he was also giving the beautiful girl on t.v. I know you are dying to know who has made my life so good. Well I won't keep you waiting a second longer.

Ddddddora, Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer.

Isn't t.v. nice?

Little Miss Attitude

I want you to meet little miss attitude. She is my niece McKenzie Ann. What a hottie! My mom and I always say that if Kenzie had been born first, we would have thought there was something wrong with the boys. She is so quick at everything. But, still controls every situation to her own advantage. I have been trying to get a cute picture of her forever now. She usually turns her head and will not look at me, or just scowl with all the contempt in the world. Stephen finally got her to smile on the 4th of July. However, she would only give up a framed, "I'll humor you Uncle Stephen because you throw me in the air and make me laugh" smile. Also, after every picture she had to see the image to give her approval before taking another. Oh what would the world be like without our wonderful little miss attitude?