Things can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry God never blinks!

Confession is good for the soul

Sunday we had some friends over for dinner and they brought their three kids and we grilled and they played and had a great visit. Monday, I get a call from Sean and he says that the boys went on the golf course while they rode their bikes around the neighborhood. We don't normally let them ride freely through the neighborhood, but being that there were five of them we thought it would be okay, but our one rule is stay off the course.

So Sean tells me that two little boys showed up at the grandparents house which is on the other side of the neighborhood and told them they came by themselves to begin with then they confessed that they had three friends with them. Next, they tell them they had ridden through sprinklers, that's why they were wet. Only one was soaked though, so Granny gets him a towel and something to drink and sends them on their way, they come home, nothing is said and on about their business they go.

Until, I get this call telling me about what happened, so we wait, our plan is to wait a day or so and then tell them that a friend told us they saw them out on the golf course playing by the pond.

However, Sean the oldest boy decides it's eating away at him and he sings like a canary. While Daddy is still at work he tells me he climbed over the fence to the swimming pool and stuck his head in and then climbed back over, he did this all on his own and no one else went with him. So being the compassionate mother that I am, I ask him if anyone saw him and he says no, I said are you sure, he says yes. Then he says, Why? So I explain to him that going into that gated pool is trespassing and I hope no one saw him because they could charge him with that. Uh, he got a little upset and wanted to know if he was going to jail. For a fleeting moment I did have to decide whether to say yes or no. I tell him no, they would probably just charge him a fine being that he's only 9 but it could go on your permanent record.

Fast forward to later in the evening and we're about to go on our bike ride and he says all in one breathe, "uh Mom, we stopped by Granny's house and I told her we went through the sprinklers, I didn't want to get busted by her too!" Oh really, do you think you should have done that. Have you learned anything from all this? Yes ma'am.

So in a matter of minutes he's confessed his soul. I'm happy that he has a conscientious and feels comfortable talking to me and then he says, "why is this in my head and I can't get it out?" woohoo, I have another opportunity. "Because that's the Lord putting it on your heart and telling you, you need to let this out."

Still praying that this will stick.

All Summer Long

The boys started back to soccer practice, still going to work with Daddy and still aggravating him daily, they seem to be mustering through. Sean turned 40, had a surprise party for him which turned into quite the ordeal. When you haven't seen 3am in a long time it takes a long time to get over that. We're still recuperating.

We've been surfing some, I even got out and surfed with them, omg is it hard. I knew I was out of shape, but man oh man did that let me know just how out of shape I was. My arms felt as if they would fall off, I think it took me about an hour to get feeling back in them. I truly don't understand how they stayed out there for nearly seven hours paddling and surfing, it's beyond my realm.

Speaking of that day, we went with some friends and stayed on the beach for seven hours, we had a tent and lots of food and drinks and just sat around talking and swimming and hanging out. I love being able to go over to the beach and just hang, during this time of year it's usually pretty busy, but their are places you can go that the crowds don't reach. Even Sean came with us, he really had a good time too, he had his tent and was content.

Evan going to take a break

Waiting for the perfect wave

Sean going in

They really enjoy surfing, Sean more so than Evan, but Evan is learning. It's really not easy but it's really fun, I'm fully intent on surfing more. Maybe that's what I should ask for, for my birthday.

Somehow I can't believe that there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy.

Walt Disney

A new motto for the boys

"Don't put your fingers where you wouldn't put your pecker!" Now why didn't I think of that years ago? While watching/flipping through channels last night with Sean, he stopped at the show Black Gold and they introduced some man and he was talking about the parts he had lost since working on the oil rigs and he just comes out and says this.

I at first just sat there, thinking about what he had just said. Then I came to the conclusion, hey that's so true.

I asked Sean if he thought it would work if we instilled this in the boys for their fast approaching adolescent years? He just laughed.But hey it might work. Crazier things have happened!!

Boys of Summer

Part One
There has been so much going on lately that I haven't had a chance to write much. The boys passed the second and third grades with great grades. They partied with their friends the first week and then they started to work. Work has been going okay, if they could just stop fighting long enough to realize that being at work with Daddy is much better than being at the Boys and Girls Club (even though they go swimming, to the movies, bowling, etc) Maybe they'll get it sometime around August.

Sean Being Recognized for Honor Roll all year long!

Part Two
They also went to the State Games and played soccer, they had an awesome time. The first game on Saturday though was tough, the team they played was an All-Star team that was well coached and boy did they have their game together. Our boys who are not used to losing had no idea what they had just encountered. That game ended 9-1, I tell you it was bad. Their second game on Saturday in blazing sun, we found our Hurricanes, they played soccer and although it was another tough team this game ended in a tie. That's okay, we got one point which didn't count us out of the tournament. Sunday morning game came and the Hurricanes definitely showed up, they beat this team 6-1. So this put us tied for second place, this also put us tied in all the tie breaker categories. So basically they decided to flip a coin to decide who plays for Gold and who plays for Bronze. We won the coin toss and got to play for Gold which guaranteed us Silver.

They had to play the All-Star team again and this time they played awesome, the did not win, but those boys didn't think we had the same team, in fact some of the parents thought that we had brought in two boys, one being Sean(the biggest child on our team) and the other, a little black boy. Neither of which would be easy to sneak in. Oh well, they took home the silver medals and were darn proud of it.

Evan and Coach getting his Silver Medal

Sean getting his Silver Medal

The Lewis Boys getting ready to play

Part Three
After we get home I guess from all the stress or being in the heat or something cosmic, I get strep throat and suffer through that for a week. Finally the antibiotics are working and I'm starting to feel better.
Part Four
We also bought the boys their birthday presents early. They are officially boys of summer, they each got surfboards and are loving their new boards and catching some waves.

Waiting for that perfect wave, this day was not the day for perfect waves, but they had to try out their new boards.

Got up the first time, just need better waves...

Summer has officially started

The boys got out of school on Friday @ noon and immediately without passing Go went straight to the beach and stayed until 8 that night. Saturday they got up and headed straight for the pool and then again on Sunday, I'm not sure how they are still going, because I was so tired last night that I could have slept for three days.

Sean (little) started his new job today. He's working with daddy being the whatever guy and Evan gets to ride around and be supervisor with his papaw. I'm sure that with it being 100 degrees outside, Sean is wishing he was still 7. He has been so excited about working and telling all his friends how much money he's going to make and what he's going to do with it. I wonder just how long it's going to last?

I just can't say it......

In just few shorts weeks, actually it's more like days now, I will have a 4th grader and a 3rd grader. Oh my, I'm feeling alittle, not sad, but not happy. I recently took a bunch of pictures of them and made this little video along with this song that really puts into perspective how I'm feeling. Because I just can't put it into words. The song is by John Mayer (one of my favorites) called Stop this Train.

Do As I Tell you, Not as I say!

My little guy is a sailor. He can cuss with the best of them. I guess it's because he doesn't miss a beat and if anyone within 100 miles of him says something they shouldn't he can hear it. Of course his Daddy and I never say anything we shouldn't so he could not have possibly gotten this from us. Anyway, when he was about 2 maybe 3 years old he was following his daddy around like they do and there was some pants in the floor, well Daddy tripped on them and probably said something like fudging pants since he doesn't EVER say anything bad. Well then comes Evan and he trips on them and says "Fucking Pants" and keeps going like its an everyday word he's just spoken.

Fast Forward to present day, I asked Evan to close the garage door because they were the last in and I was cooking for them so they could do something. So he finally comes around the corner, goes to shut the door and I heard him start to say something, so I rounded the corner and stood behind him and he yells out, Yells out, "who left the fucking ass garage door open, That's right Bitches!" Shuts the door and turns around to find me standing there with my hands on my hips, shrugs and says, "what?" just as innocent as could be. I in my most stern voice say, "go to your room!"

I could barely contain myself, I knew it wasn't funny, but I just couldn't stop laughing. I mean he was serious.

I collected myself and called him back into the kitchen and explained to him that what he had said was not acceptable and I would not have it. Then I put hot sauce in his mouth. After he got over that he says, "why did you laugh then?"

Did I mention he doesn't miss a beat.

I'm happy to report he hasn't cussed since that day. That I've heard.

He really is a sweet child. Just don't trip him or leave the garage door open. LOL

I'm really not wishy washy!!

I just got tired of looking at the other layout. It bugged me to see the pictures as transparencies.

Ramblings....

This is the dreaded week of school for most north carolina students. This is the week of that test EOG's! Why do they have to take a test that they won't get the grades back on until they are in their next year of school? They will know whether or not they passed their math by Friday of this week and then next week they will take it again if they fail that portion. We've been going over with Sean for the past two week practice tests that gave as homework, the next day they were graded and sent back home to do the next section. Now everyone says this NCLB is all for the test, well they do this for homework but then they don't go over it in class, why? That doesn't seem like they are teaching to the test, sounds like they are not teaching at all. No test review the whole time I was in school we always had a test review. Ugh, I'm not going there.



Sean got attacked by fire ants last thrusday. He was playing golf in the front yard, just chipping balls and his ball went into a little hole and when he dug in to get his ball out, he was bitten 57 times on one hand. I felt so bad for him, Thankfully we did not have to use his Epi pen and the benedryl worked fine. He was very good about it, very calm even when I pulled the epi pen out to have it at my disposal. His arm still looks bad, but they are healing pretty good. Just very itchy. The worst!





Three more weeks of school, I can't believe it. They have so many pool parties and field days and field trips to the cape that they are done with studying. I guess I need to get on the ball and figure out what they will be doing this summer. Hopefully working with Daddy quite a bit. If it were up to them they'd be at my dad's house half the summer and at my mom's house the other half. And soccer camp with whatever is left.

Influences, the good, the bad and the FAT!

My husband is a bad influence on me. When he works out of town, I have the clothes washed/dryed and put up, the kids stuff taken care of early, everyone gets to bed at a reasonable hour and we get up when we are suppose to.

He comes back and I can't get caught up on the laundry, nobody ever goes to bed before 9:30, I can't get out of the bed in the mornings and in the evenings I'd rather do nothing.

Sometimes we do the laundry together. But I don't seem to want to get up and put it away afterwards so my children will sometimes wear it from the coffee table, ya know because it would be too hard for them to gather their own clothes and put them away. For some reason they will only put them away when I take it to their bedrooms and drop it off, all good laundry services have a drop off service.

But when he's home, and I love him being home, don't get me wrong, we had rather just hang out than do our chores. I'd rather lay in bed in the morning with him than get out and start my day. I'd rather do anything than laundry, dishes, homework.

We also eat more when we are together, it's a vicious cycle, but not one I'm willing to break.

Oh well, I guess we'll just be fat and lazy together. We are teaching our children well!

See these two cute faces....

I can't wait too see them when they see this....

Just got our tickets and they will be so excited to get to see Beckham play.

I told them this morning that the tickets go on sale today. Sean is going to save his money so that he can buy himself the whole new season uniform for DC United and Evan can't decide it he wants to wear his Beckham jersey or his DC jersey. Neither can decide who they want to cheer for either. I told them they should just enjoy the game. But they insist they have to cheer for one club or the other.

Maybe I should wait until June 28th to tell them we got the tickets. Other wise I may just be pure T momicked to death before.

Beach Photo Shoot

So I take the boys out one evening to take some pictures, why do they have to act like they've never been to the beach before in their lives. All they wanted to do was play. Must be a boy thing. I kept saying, boys act like you live here, jeez!

Sean's having to hold the ball down with his foot to keep from playing with it. Evan had just saved it from the waves.


Pure Mischief

Pure Sweetness. LOL

Waiting to go, I love this picture of them. Like the first time they ever saw the ocean.

We don't need a spring suit!

On Saturday I met four of my friends over at the beach and we had a total of 10 kids with us, then we picked up two more that were already over there so all 12 kids were running around, digging, playing and yes and Swimming. That water was a good 55 to 60 degrees. Too darn cold for me to get in. Of course I don't normally go in until the end of July first of August. They totally didn't care, they came out shriving like crazies, but as soon as they were dry, back in they went. Sean had wanted to wear his spring suit, but I told him no because we weren't going to actually swim today. But I was overruled when we got there and they went in with their regular baggies on. BRRRR!!!

It was so nice to go sit out before all the tourist arrive. Of course with 12 kids surrounding you, you really don't have to worry about anyone getting close to you.

However, with all the fun on Saturday, Sean got sick on Monday, but actually I think he just played hooky. He did have a stuffy nose, but he really didn't act too sick.

I don't think he'll do it again anytime soon because when he got home, he had no TV, no video games and no going outside. He resorted to drawing and decided it was totally cool, later we all sat around and read all evening.

So far no one else has gotten sick from the escapades and hopefully they won't. But this weekend they have a pool party to go to. But the pool is heated so shouldn't be so bad. They all have EOG's coming up in a week.

My break comes to an end...

Well, not completely.. I'll still have my weekends for now, but the boys will start practice again on Monday. After winning their division championship, they were invited to the State Cup to compete for the state title in Greensboro.

Since we aren't playing baseball we go home and sometimes get bored so last night we went up to the ballfield to watch some friends play. While we were there we saw one of their soccer coaches and he says, that they have also been invited to play a tournament at the end of July in.... Wait for it..... Bermuda!!! I could totally do Bermuda this summer, even Sean thought that was pretty cool. However, it's not doable so that's just a pipedream. Oh well, if they place in the top three at the state cup, they can move on to the next step and it's in Tallahassee, FL. I'm just not feeling Florida as much as I'm feeling Bermuda.

So Sean visited the Elementary school yesterday, I can't believe he's moving into the big school now, of course it's only 4-5th grades, but it seems like such an independent step. He said it was pretty neat especially since they can get ice cream everyday at lunch if they want. But the work load looked like a lot. He said they have stacks and stacks of work to do everyday. His Daddy welcomed him to the real world.

One thing he did last night that was totally awesome was he just walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me and gave me the biggest hug. AND he told me he loves me. I didn't even ask for it. Be still my beating heart!

Dear Grandparents....

We want to go to Duke and we both want some type of medical degree, actually one of us is interested in being a veterinarian, bet you can't guess which one? Anyway, mom and dad said we may need some extra help, so we're writing to ask that your save your pennies for us. We've enclosed a picture or two so it may help you to think of us and our ambition.

Love,

Sean and Evan

As you can see, I'm ready to go now!

It's hard to say no to us, we understand, but you've got a few years to go!


PS. Belle wants to go to Obedience school, but Mama says no.

Self Esteem Mad Lib Style

I saw this and thought it was so funny. I think maybe we should do this sometimes to help us get through a day. Copy, paste and try it!!

Face it, (insert your name), you are about the greatest thing since (favorite food). No one else can (verb) like you can. Your best friend says you are the (adjective)-est person in the world. Sure, you once (embarassing thing you did), but you also (honorable thing you did). S0, (favorite endearment), today is the day you’re going to stop beating up on yourself for being (negative adjective) and start loving yourself for being (positive adjective), (positive adjective), and (positive adjective. ANd if people give you a (adjective) time, just tell’em they can take their (noun) and (verb) it up their (body part)!

Okay so here's mine....

Face it, Marnie, you are about the greatest thing since Pasta. No one else can play like you can. Your best friend says you are the Awesome-est person in the world(I really like HIMYM). Sure, you once fell on your butt while standing still, but you also brought two children into the world. S0, cupcake, today is the day you’re going to stop beating up on yourself for being cynical and start loving yourself for being nice, loving, and honest. ANd if people give you a wicked time, just tell’em they can take their desk and hold it up their butt!

My Favorite Commercial-Love this!!

Hurricanes Win the Gold

I've been carting the boys to soccer practice for 10 months straight now. This past weekend, it all ended for at least, oh maybe a week or two. But the boys played awesome. April 12th started the tournament off and the boys placed fourth out of 23 teams in their league, so this means they will play four games to get the Gold. They won saturday, which meant they play sunday, they won Sunday, which meant they play the next saturday, they won Saturday, which meant they play the next day. True to form our boys will play good all season and then just quit in the semi-final games. Not this year though, they took it all the way. They played their little hearts out and it all paid off for them.

Sean and his coach

Evan and the coach

And the whole team. Number 1 out of 23!!!

All in all the whole Seashore League did awesome, in all age groups, they took home the Gold!!!

I thought I was going to have the summer off, but turns out, we'll be doing some tournaments starting in about three weeks, so I've taken the week off, not sure if they rest of the team did or not, but we needed a break.