Christmas Sparkles

We have been decorating for Christmas.
Our kitty Visa sleeping on the bench

The happy blue living room.

Our little tiny tree this year, I could say we are being environmentally conscious by doing the whole "living tree" but really I am just not into the big huge stuff this year. Tuck is off to Montana to hang out with CC until the 30th so its just me. Mitch is here but he is at his own place more and more. I am glad for him but it's a little odd just me at the casa.

These are some stars that Tucker and I made the other night. Sticks and sparkley paint and ribbon. I think they turned out wonderfully.

The Arizona house. Pretty amazing with an incredible view.

CC and Hunter, the pup is doing what he does best, lying around. It is a little lonely here in the house now. Mitch and all of the other boys are off on their own so it's Tuck and I and the dog and the cats. Yikes! We are back in our old routine of work and school. Back to the old grind. Again. One slightly productive thing is I did get some DVDs listed on Amazon to cull the movie hoard. Definitely time. We have way too many random movies. It's much better to just Netflix movies, then you don't have to pack them around and dust and organize and rip them out of the dogs mouth when you find him on the steps eating a midnight snack.

More Arizona Pics

Tucker scaring Poppa to death by going up to the top of a sheer rock wall just to see the view!

CC taught Tuck how to knit!

Another one of my cacti that I brought home in a suitcase (triple bagged) and planted in pots. Tuck and I found the rocks hiking in a wash behind the casa.

I think they look very happy!

Thanksgiving

Petroglyphs

The feast of Thanksgiving

The view from the back patio of Oma and Poppas house

Tucker checking out the view from the top of Silly Mountain

Poppa at the end of the trail in the Superstition Mountains

The family at the trail head into the Superstition Mountains to see the petroglyphs

Tucker and I on one of our Silly Mountain Hikes

The cactus I brought back with the wood CC found in the desert

A little late but better than never. Tucker and I spent the Thanksgiving week in Arizona in Gold Canyon with my folks and CC and Hunter (her dog). We spent the week hiking and talking and eating. Tuck got a new nickname Diesel (he moved up the trails and was hard to keep up with!).

It was the first vacation I have gone on in a really long time. Not good. I need more trips out of the South, it's beautiful here, but you forget how great it can be in other places too.

Mitch flies in the door last night carrying a TV and yelling "I have had the worst day of my life!". Now although this might be unusual for Mitch (my sweet, quiet, calm, mild mannered 20 year old) it was still amazingly funny. Then he threatened to kick the dog (he never did, or would for that matter) and stomped around talking in a very loud voice about his day. The $500 cell phone deposit with AT&T, the lazy people who wouldn't help him load the last of Monica's belongings into the truck, he had to climb 40 feet into a culvert full of water and huge spiders were all over him, and on and on. My lovely sister called during his outburst, all I did is answer the phone and say "can I call you back in a few?" to which she said sure and quickly hung up. I have later confirmed she did hear all of the yelling quite clearly.

Now before I get the worst mother of the year award, I must explain. I laugh because this is the first time Mitch is dealing with life, on his own, day to day stress. As all of the rest of us do everyday.

Welcome to the real world son.

We Are #1!

Our weekend was a flurry of colds and football. Tuck eeped out of bed long enough to play in the Championship game, and his team won. He says it's like the Superbowl of youth football "right mom?". I just smile and say you bet! He received a trophy to take home (the team got a huge trophy for first place).

We had the Calvary Youth Football Awards night Sunday. They had a wonderful presentation for the boys where all of the winning teams were recognized. We had 6 teams go to the Championship games and 5 won 1st. A pretty incredible record for a youth sports program. They filled the Gym with huge blow up bouncy inflatables and served ice cream and cotton candy, the boys got the opprotunity to run wild and play with all the teams.

This is a really inadequate photo of Mitch and Monica right before her Homecoming Dance (I took it with my cell the Nikon was not charged oops!) the two of them look great though!

Tuck at the Orthodontist. They have a huge selection of very funny glasses and they have the kids each choose a pair to wear while they are getting their teeth worked on. I love it! Everyone needs a little humor in their life!

Tuck and I are getting ready to run off for a week to Arizona. We are meeting the family in the "winter home" it will be my first visit. We are going to relax, and hang out with everyone, (CC, Oma and Poppa) but for the first time Mitch is being left alone. Over a holiday. Even though he is 20 it still does not seem right. Oh well.

Going to the Championship

Tucks team won again last night 34 to 12. Mitchel and I were there cheering the team on. I am so proud of the boys, they play well together as a team, and just watching the whole team pray together on their knees before and after every game bring tears to more eyes than just mine.

It humbles you to see boys together, giving thanks to God, in front of the whole stadium, with no shame, just joy.

Very humbling, I think I could learn a big lesson from all of them.

So Saturday we are off to play in the "Ship" as the boys call it.

Undefeated.

Football Update

Tuckers team has won the first round on their playoffs. They play again this evening at Calvary at 6:15. They have 2 more games left to decide the winner of their division. Tonight and if they are successful, again on Saturday.

The nights are cold here, it feels great to be able to have cold air coming in through the windows instead of through the A/C. (until recently the nights were in the 80s for our low, now all of a sudden they are in the 40s) As a result of the "cooling off" Tuck and I both have colds. We are burning through chap stick at light speed (cracked lips) and have bought out cold remedies. Other than that all is well. We can't wait to see Oma and Poppa and CC soon.

Only 14 days and Tuck and I are off for a week in Arizona. I can't wait!

Wasn't Shelly Pretty?

I really miss it.... It was lots of fun camping. Hmmmmm...

Updates

I wish I had never sold Shelly..... Who really needs a 1975 Volkswagen Westfalia?

I do...

Note to self, start a Volkswagen account, buy a new Shelly.

Shelly 2..

Anyway, Tucks football team is going into the playoffs in first place. Undefeated. He is turning into a surprisingly good lineman. He moves faster than I would ever have thought he could. (All those cheese sandwiches)

We also have confirmation from the MD that he is allergic to peanuts... and wheat. What the heck? Gluten free bread tastes a little like sourdough, kind of (not really but that's what I keep telling Tuck!)...

Other than that we are settling into a new home, townhouse life. It's pretty, I love the neighborhood, quiet, peaceful and above all else not a maintenance nightmare.

When I take a look at Eric and Trish's blogs (raising their own pigs and such) I do get a little nostalgic.

Since I am now in the whole metro, no maintenance, urban lifestyle, it makes me wonder. How many different lives can one person live?

By the way Tuck went out to Halloween as a rancher from Montana, Cowboy hat, collared shirt, Aeropastale cut off light tan shorts and leather flip flops, with a Yellowstone wolves cloth bag to put his treats in. I had no idea ranchers wore flip flops.

Undefeated

Tucks football team is in first place.

They are the only team in the league that has not lost a game yet. Their coach keeps telling the boys not to focus on winning. He tells them to each do their job, to the best of their abilities, and winning will take care of itself.

Oh, and to pray every night for someone other than themselves.

Not a bad plan, it seems to be working.

Fall

Fall is here in Louisiana now. It got down to 44 degrees last night. I froze!

Today it will only be in the high 70s.

I am going out today to buy TJs winter school uniforms (coat & sweatshirts with the school logos) he is so cold in class he told me he shivers.

It may sound a little nuts.

When you are used to the low temp at night being in the 70s the high being around there makes you feel like you just entered a freezer.

Did I mention I also have the sniffles?

A Beautiful Day

Its Sunday...

Today was filled with church (fabulous as always) and the Circus.

Tuck went with me and loves his Sunday School class. The teachers are wonderful. Last week they had cupcakes for his birthday. They sent him a card that arrived at the house before his birthday. They are great, caring people, and Tuck has fun in their class. He always comes with me into the big service afterwards. They have a great kids program, but he loves to be with me.

We have a band and music that is set up like a concert, light show, big screens and all. The pastor is incredible, and the whole experience is one that we love. One that you would have to come and see to believe.

After church Tuck and I went and had coffee. We picked up Starbucks and went down to the Red River. We went down and sat on the dock by the boat launch by the river. We talked. Talked about everything, and watched boats speed past.

After our talk, I took him to the Circus. His football coach invited the whole team and 10 of them showed up. He had a very happy day.

Tuck is so very happy. He loves it that my life is all about him. For once he is the center, not on the outside of my world. I cherish every moment that I had with all of the big boys, but I love these days too. They are quieter, with time to breathe.

Tonight we are preparing ourselves for the week. Laundry and house cleaning. I feel very peaceful though, I am in my room, looking out at the pool, just thinking.

I have always known that if you want life to be different then you need to do different things. You need to create the life that you want. I am going to re create my life, again, starting now.

I have rented out the house. It is a rent to own, and they are going to begin the repairs immediately. The house needs big things (like 2 bathrooms redone) and although I keep saying I will get to it, I just don't have the time right now. I am leaving toward the end of October. I am selling almost everything and moving into a much smaller rental town house with my boys. I am very excited to have a fresh start.

I am so grateful for the happy memories that I have had here, but the house is just too much for me. Way to much for just me to maintain financially as well as physically. I am going to stay in a rental for 6 months and then re-evaluate. I will probably buy a smaller (less than the 3000+ square feet we now have) town house in beautiful gated community that Tuck and I have found in Shreveport. It is pretty and quiet there. Everything in the community is very well done. They have pools and tennis courts and quiet tree lined streets. They do the yard work and pool maintenance. I am very ready for a break from the constant work that yards and pools require.

This way I can focus on work, and Tuck, and take way more time out to travel. I have missed all of the traveling I used to do.

This has already begun, Tuck and I are running off to Arizona to visit for Thanksgiving. A week in the sun in Gold Canyon, we are going to be hiking in the Superstition Mountains, having good coffee in quaint shops, and doing a little shopping for the holidays. I can't wait.

I love beginning new adventures, because you never know where they are going to lead you.

Tucks Football

It was so hot today, i was sitting in the stands wishing and hoping to have a cool breeze. No such luck. There was a breeze, sometimes, but it was warm. Yuck. I went for more bottled water at halftime, and put it on the back of my neck. It didnt help.
We won 21 to 0

Tucker played 1st string offense and defense, right gaurd and left tackle.
Iron man position, just like his big brother. He was on the field for the whole game. He has some work to do on defense, but I am as always, so proud!

Tucker & Mitch

Tucker and I in Mitchels car on the way to the game

The winning team after the game.

This is the boys third win, last week the other team had to forfeit (not enough players showed up) so they are definitely in the playoffs.

Tuck loves football, he loves his school, he even loves that we go to church every Sunday. Our church is pretty spectacular, full band and all. Not like any of the other churches that I have ever went to.

Tucker playing defense for the first time for the Cavaliers.

Tucker was so hot right after he got off of the field.

TJ's 11th Birthday

Happy Birthday to the big 11 year old!

His white on white ice cream cake
Monica, Mitch, Snapp & RJ were here for the big event. Snapp surprised me and Mitch by showing up Saturday morning at 5ish am. He stayed for the week, he just left but I miss him already.


I was so very glad to have some of the big guys back home for a visit!
I have missed them sooooo much! Snapp filled the den with his strobe light and smoke machine (green smoke) Tucker was thrilled with the party atmosphere.

Tuck and his friends eating BBQ, followed by cake and a pinata full of candy & cheese its (Tucks favorite)

Tucker and his friends swam in the pool and played so hard. We grilled and had a wonderful evening. The adults visited in the back yard by the pool (with the Tiki torches lighted) the night was peaceful and happy.

Labor Day

We had a fun and restfull weekend at the house. Our days consisted of friends, BBQ's, and laughter. Our lovely neighbors William and Jenny hosted a day long swim party (they have a pool too) and BBQ. It was wonderful as usual. They played Cajun music on the radio and had food everywhere. I am really getting to like Cajun music, its fun and upbeat and is just perfect for parties.

Today we are back to our normal routine, school, work, and football practice.

I am so content today, the house is clean, the pool is clear blue, and I just feel as if all is well in the world.

I get to spend my afternoon with Tuck at football practice, a perfect end to a wonderful day.

Sunday

I am up running around and getting ready for church. Tuck is still asleep while Mitch is off to work already, he left at 3 am (joys of working in the oilfields. I went outside and our puppy immediately showed me what he was up to (snarfing through the outside garbage), he is so cute though you just can't stay mad at him.

Dozer by the pool

We have peppers in the garden, banana and bell peppers!

After church it is a outside work day. Laying pavers and weeding the tomato plants while avoiding fire ant infestations. I got into a pile of them yesterday, it was horrible! They look like black sugar ants but sting when they bite, and once one bites you they all come running to take a nibble. Needless to say I jumped into the pool, you still have to brush them off of you though. They hang on with their nasty little pinchers.

On a happier note Tuck has had the neighbor kids over here since friday, he has had a great time playing with his friends. They have all been out riding bikes, playing computer games and swimming. They demolished an entire pan of brownies that Chloe (my neighbors daughter about 11 years old) baked last night. The house is a wreck but we will get it under control today.

Montana

Tuck loves his school, he is making wonderful friends, doing well in everything, and he won't stop talking about Montana. He wants to live there. With his Auntie CC (and me too) and why can't we just go? Before he is 12 (he will be 11 in 3 weeks) He spent 5 weeks with my sis up there and loved every minute of it. But with views like this I can't really blame him.

All of the following photos are snatched from CC's Blog (go there for more Montana photos)
Tuck in the Boiling River

Tuck hiking to the Boiling River

Tuck and CC at the Grand Canyon

I guess he just doesn't realize when you have a home, and responsibilities, and commitments, and a job, and 2 cats and a dog you can't just up and go.

I am truly no fun anymore. I hate getting old.

The New School

Tucks football team had their first scrimmage this Saturday, they did very well. I was so proud of him!

Praying after the scrimmage, as they do after every practice.

Tuck reminds me so much of his big brother, Mitch. Same stance...

Tucks new school is not only academically excellent and just a happy place to be, but it is also very pretty. I love all of the palm trees, they line the street out in front of the school. The school is too big to put in one photo or even a few. This is only one side of the building.

The front entrance of the school, a fountain Oma would love!