The big 19th birthday for Mitch

Tuckers lovely cursive writing on the chalk board. Commemorating Mitchel's birthday.
A very large 4 layer butterscotch cake.

Many great presents from the family.

The first of them all to turn 19. I must say, I am feeling a little old. No hiding my age now, the guys are not only much taller than me, but they are eeping towards legal drinking age......

Enough about me, Mitch is 19. He is in college, working hard, and spends nights like tonight taking Tuck to the store and coming home with the biggest nerf machine gun ever. He is firing it as we speak.....

It does not get much better than this.

Brandon and his date for Homecoming, Heather. Another senior year well underway.....

I am so very proud...... and lucky.

Tuckers football season is almost at the end. He loves playing ball. He is learning how to play the game and it is hard. If one thing he knows, he knows how hard it is. The dedication it takes to play even though. Even though its hot, or raining, or muddy, or your tired. Even though anything..
Tuckers team and coaches.

Tucker learned from the best. His big brothers, Brandon and Mitch, Mitch who just happens to be a Bossier Parks and Rec coach. Pretty great big brothers.

The big #10

Tucker is the big 10. We celebrated on Sunday so more of us could be home. Tuck had friends swimming and playing celebrating with cheesecake and ice cream cake. His favorites of the day were the goldfish crackers in the box from Oma and Poppa (he cherishes the goldfish) he giggled as he clasped them in his hands and said "all mine". Mitch got him a lego tank and then spent the afternoon building it with him.
Praying to the birthday gods....
He put the bow on his head himself...

Football game #1 Tucks team won.

Tucker as the offensive and defensive lineman. Just like his big brother.

My little birthday boy....

Collecting

Some people collect coins, others garden gnomes, some books.....

This is what I collect..

Jeff, Courtney, Wizz

Melody and Wizz (she is doing well in Physical Therapy)



Lots of my kids...

and then there is Brandon (nickname B) Bossier High School senior football player....

He moved in today.......

Welcome home B......

Saturday Football

Tucker is the second from the left in the photo below.

Saturday mornings are full of little guys and their scrimmages.  Tucks was at 10am. Thank goodness for Mitch. He was able to take Tucker to his game. The coaches (all 5 of them) were late to Tucks practice so Mitch warmed up the team while waiting for them to show. Just a bonus of your big bro playing years of ball.

Tucks team tied. The boys had a great day and were very proud of themselves.

Look what CC has done!

My sister CC has been outfitting all of my college guys with computers for school. Jeff got his for Xmas, Mitch and Shane for graduation. Now it's "Chili Bowls" turn. He is going to start school in the spring. He was so excited he giggled, often... A smile that lit up the room.... He stuffed everything back into the box and left with Coty, left with his computer and a huge grin.

Thanks CC!

Dorms

College dorms remind me of self imposed prison cells. I only have photos of Jeff because Shane stayed home until the last moment. To say they leave alot to be desired is putting it mildly... I did not want to leave the guys but they are great. Not a worry from them it is all a very exciting new adventure.

More Football

My newest member of the family football team. Mitch has been helping him with his stance and showing him the most effective ways to block.

Tuck is going full force, he loves playing ball. It is definitely a great new beginning. Games start Sept 12 for Tuck, I think we will make shirts for the whole family.

A Reminder of how I am never Alone...

I thought with the boys leaving for school it would just be Tuck and I. I thought I got the right house at the wrong time. Bought it after I needed it. Way to late.... How glad I am to see how wrong I was..
Jeff and Shane are off pursuing their academic (HA HAAA) pursuits at ULM. Snapp is off working hard in Kansas City... (miss you always!) Mitch is working on the Physical Therapy Assistant program at BPCC, then off to finish the PT program at LSUS. Cody (Whizz) found a good job he loves and is moving out to a rental house with Stephanie. All of the other kids are at BPCC (Hannah and Steph) while Brandon, Garrett, and Sarah are finishing high school.

Every night since the guys left I have had 6 or so here. Having dinner and talking.. Helping, listening, and being.... I get calls from Jeff to update me on whats going on there. All is well. I am not even close to being alone, or lonely. The house is quieter, but not empty.... Just waiting. Waiting for all of the great times that are now and will come.

It was the right time after all.

Tuckers first football practice

One of the coaches of the Longhorns. The name of Tucks Team. Tuck is in the back.

Tucker had his first football practice yesterday. He said it was easy (it must run in the family) he worked hard and ran hard the whole practice. This from a kid who spent the whole summer eating cheese sandwiches! He is getting into shape quickly and moves on to full pads tuesday. When we got to the field one of the coaches (there are 5 for 24 kids) said "Thank god he's on our team" it helps being very tall and stocky. Perfect for football! All of the kids are 9 but Tuck is the tallest, as usual. Mitch is taking him to practice this am (so he can check out the coaches) and it was really neat to see them go together.... Big and little just going to practice together.........

A New Day

My life for the past 4 years has revolved around one central theme... Football. Now all of the older boys are graduated and moving on to other pursuits, but for Shane (for which I am thrilled!). Now the tide has turned and it is the younger boys who are jumping into that sport.

I thought the times were over, but as usual, I have found they have just begun.

Tucker starts practicing with his team tomorrow. Tuck is playing tackle football with Bossier Parks and Rec. I am off tonite to buy cleats again. I couldn't be happier......

Tucker, Robert, and all of the other guys hanging out in their favorite part of the house, the stairs. Never have I seen kids love steps so much! They slide down them and sit there talking for hours. It is funny what kids find to love........

A Week of First's

Tucker began his first day of school today. He is going to a new school (his other only went up to the 3rd grade)and is riding the bus. He is already being silly and having lots of fun with all of his friends. The year looks like it's going to be lots of fun. He is doing football for the first time as well as scouts so his schedule is slammed with happy events.



Mitch is starting college at LSUS and went and got his long desired tattoo. I couldn't say a word... It is very cool and very large, we never do anything halfway at this house. He is very proud of his new ink.

Another rainy day...

MITCH POSING FOR THE CAMERA AS ALWAYS
HANNAH AND STEPHANIE DRESSED UP FOR GIRLS NIGHT OUT

BRANDON EATING QUICHE BEFORE GOING OUT TO DINNER (HE LOVES MY FOOD)

SHANE, BRANDON, STEPHANIE, HANNAH, GARRET DRESSED UP FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT OUT

It's pouring outside. The sun porch has flooded for the 80th time, I really need gutters and a french drain....

The kids are all home, and so is Melody. She is making slow and steady progress, its just going to take some time.

We all had a great visit with Mack's mom this weekend. The visit was way too short, but we hope to have her back again soon.

A roller coaster lately, I hope it slows down sometime soon, just a little bit.

Melody

Melody, who is always a big part of our family here at the house, was in a car accident Friday night. She was hurt and is expected to make a full recovery but has many broken bones including, pelvis (both sides) back, tailbone, hand and wrist. Our lives are now full of trips to the hospital as well as everything else. I am just so thankful she will recover, although it will take a long time..... Luckily we have lots of that....

CRAB (KID) COUNT

UPDATE:

The guys are leaving me left and right. I knew they had to grow up but why so quickly? Here is the current household college and job update as well as where they are, or soon will be.

The college acceptance and gainful employment update:

Jeff; ULM; Working for Oma & Poppa /Location: Washington State & Monroe LA

Mitch; LSUS/ Bossier parks and rec/ Location Shreveport LA

Shane; ULM/O/Location: Monroe LA

Courtney; LSUS IN SPRING 2010/O

G-Wizz (or Cody with a d, not to be confused with Coty hence the Wizz); BPCC/Shogun & Valero. Location moving to his own apartment August 1 Bossier City LA

Snapp; O/Working for a roofing company/ Location Kansas City MO

Hannah BPCC/O

Brandon; Bossier High School Senior/ Bossier parks and rec lifegaurd

Garret; Bossier High school junior/O

Coty: Bossier High School Senior/Bossier Parks and Rec Referee

We are almost there. All are getting on with life and I am so happy for them all.

They are all moving on, I am proud but sad. I miss them all... Already.

CHICKENS AND CHOPS

In this house we cook. All of the time. Tonight's menu was tacos and Spanish rice and almond scones and white cake with cream cheese frosting. It will all be gone by morning. I love the lack of leftovers, I love to bake so it is wonderful to have so many willing Guinea pigs to eat all of my food. A little while back Shane and Wizz cooked for us. I have never had such great food. Southern style fried pork chops with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. I was spoiled rotten that night, and Mack agreed with me. The boys can cook for us any night!

STEPHANIE PAUL SHANE AND COURTNEY, HANGING OUT IN THE KITCHEN WHILE COOKING
JEFF JACKIE PAUL AND WIZZ WAITING FOR THE FOOD AS USUAL

THE FAMOUS PORK CHOP SOUTHERN STYLE

SHANE AND WIZZ THE CHEFS FOR THE EVENING

Due to the excessive amount of kids and the food they require I made an executive decision. We go through 5 dozen eggs a week, at least. The guys wanted a dog, so I got them chickens. I figured if we were going to get a pet might as well be something that we could use, and might provide a benefit to the family.
So we are hoping the egg production will begin soon. They are really fun and are getting huge. We have one confirmed rooster that will be sacrificed as soon as he starts making noise, I think he knows it because we have not heard a squack or crow out of "Tropic Thunder".
THE CHICKENS SO BIG AND GETTING READY TO LAY EGGS AND MAKE SOME NOISE

Swimming

It is so very hot here. We are spending almost every spare moment in the pool. With busy jobs and trying to get all of the boys into college, all of the time is gone. No big vacations this year for us. The house is filled with kids playing and laughing and listening to music. Mack is out of town constantly for work (in Baton Rouge) and this leaves me with the big guys. Last night we re-arranged the den (it was looking very shmultzy, and dorm like).

I brought back 8 roses from my last trip to Texas that need to find homes in the yard. One found a permanent residence last night. We also weeded and spread out some mulch and steer manure. The yard is inching along toward completion. So very slowly, but we are at least making baby steps. The boys are a great help.

Mitch helped me carry and spread out the bags of mulch, while Shane, Coty, Wizz, and Mitch all helped move things around in the den. I was the one pointing and saying "I think that 500 pound TV might look a little better on the other side of the room behind the 1000 pound couch. If you could just move the 2 so I can see" They just smile and haul things around for me. No grumbling, they just 'do'. They keep things simple and in perspective for me. They make me smile.

Tucker being silly
Capp (Garrett)

Jeff as he always is

4th of July

Tuck with a pinwheel in his hair. He ran around the house catching the wind in his hair

Coty Wizz Shane and Tuck

Tucker lighting his fireworks while avoiding the wreckage of watermelon carcasses

Mitch and Monica with Roman Candles

The day was so much fun. We grilled, and swam (it's still in the 100's)and then blew up watermelons, cantaloupes, a stuffed rabbit, and the back of Coty's pants. He was dared to sit on a watermelon. So of course he did. We had a great time. Mack was the one who thought of blowing things up. Great parental advise and support from both of us. I may have been photo documenting Coty's watermelon explosion.

Tucker got to have all of his favorite fireworks. This included a variety of tanks and chicken laying eggs. The boys had Roman candle wars running down the street. They laughed and played and ran. It was brilliant.

We had a great day together. As always