Happy 13th Birthday Abby

Happy 13th Birthday Abby!!  She brings so much joy and happiness to our life.

• She was born with a very serious look on her face and she still gives us that look today.
• She loves sports -- all of them!!  She practices and plays hard and always gives it her all.
• She loves family.  She enjoys being around her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
• She loves living on the farm, and she enjoys visiting the city.
• She is considerate of others and often thinks of others feelings before her own.
• She has a sensitive side that she allows us to see sometimes.
• She is excited about her future.  She talks about college, life, and having us come visit her in her house.
• She enjoys goofing around with her Dad and shares his wacky sense of humor.
• She misses her Mom when she is gone.
• She loves her animals...she is often seen carrying and petting the cats and playing in the snow with the dogs.
• She does well in school and has fun joking around with her teachers.
• She reads a lot and shares books with me.
• She listens to music and sings loudly with the radio in the car.

 We love you and can't wait to see what this year brings for you!!

WOW!! Time Flies

      I was reading Rebecca's blog this morning and noticed that my last post was about 1 1/2 years ago!!  I have no excuse....but I do have some explanations!  My work has become busier...changing curriculum, Common Core, new superintendent, new committees, Reading Workshop, and now a new principal in the coming school year.  Needless to say, work keeps me hopping!!  Trevor started High School this year, and it has been a huge adjustment in the amount of homework and studying!!  It is good for him, but it is certainly a challenge.  He also joined FFA this year, and it is a new and exciting experience for all of us!  Abby is in 7th grade, her third year of basketball and starting her third year of travel softball.  Needless to say, we are on the road a lot and I have not figured out how to blog and scrapbook in my car...yet!!  I think this is something that I need to figure out the answer to and sell it to all of the other moms that I pass on the road in their cars.  Last, but certainly not least, we have technology issues at our house at times.  Our internet is not the fastest, and we are now using more "bandwidth" since all of us have smartphones.  Therefore, that explains, but not excuses, my lack of blogging. 
   2014 promises to be an exciting year for our family.  This year we have 3 big birthdays in our house -- I am the only one not celebrating a "big" birthday.  So stayed tune for the first of the big 3 coming soon!!

1st Junior High Meltdown!!

It was bound to happen.  I just didn't realize that it would happen so soon!!  On Monday, 8/27, Abby told me that she had 3 math problems that she needed help with when we got home from Trevor's game.  When we got home, she opened her binder and realized that she forgot her math homework at school.  The tears began!!  In fact, she soon became hysterical.  I remained perfectly calm (I deal with this type of problem all day in school!!) and suggested several ideas to her -- none of them sounded good to Abby.  Jim offered to drive her into town to her friend's house so that she could write down the problems and work them out with me at home.  Disaster averted!!  Jim to the rescue!!  One of the best moments for me during the event was when Trevor looked at me and said, "Is she seriously crying over homework?!?!"  Yes, Trevor, she is.  In fact, she may cry over many things in the years to come.  Also, I know this is shocking to you, but some people do get very emotional over their homework!!

Good times!!!

Summer 2012 Recap

  Whew!  It has been the busiest summer of my life...and a totally different summer for me.  The past 39 summers of my life have been spent playing in my yard, swimming, going to school, working, teaching summer school, watching my children, and swimming some more.  This summer was softball and baseball!!  Truthfully, I believe I attended about 90 games this summer.  Abby's travel softball team was busy in Pontiac, Kankakee, East Peoria, Decatur, and Indiana.  Trevor's baseball team was busy in Kankakee, Momence, and Limestone.  I certainly did learn a lot about baseball/softball.  There were a few days here and there where we didn't have any games and we could relax and have a little fun.  We did manage to get both of my sisters and their kids down to visit the farm.  The kids and I managed to visit my nephew Michael in Kentucky.  Trevor attended two weeks of summer camp.  Abby and I squeezed in a short visit to Glenview and I did manage to have a craft day with my sisters.  The highlight of the summer, for me, was when my newest niece was born!  We just welcomed Penelope into the world and I got to spend an amazing two and a half days in Chicago helping my parents take care of O and Alex.  There is nothing better than a summer day in Chicago with the sun shining!  I got to do some shopping, eat at Water Tower Place, visit Penelope and Bec in the hospital, get a manicure and pedicure, and eat some cupcakes.  It was a wonderful end to the summer.
  Yes, I do say end to the summer.  To me, when I start getting into my classroom, the summer is officially over.  Tomorrow will be my first work day in my classroom -- it's about time I started because I am back to work on the 20th!!  I am excited about this year.  Last year was a really difficult year and I did survive.  Therefore, I know that this year will be better!!  This is also a big year for me.  First of all, I am starting my 19th year of teaching!!  I can't believe it.  Some days it feels like just yesterday that I graduated from college.  Also, my oldest son will be entering 8th grade.  My first year of teaching was teaching a class of 8th grade English.  I can't believe that I am now old enough to have an 8th grader.  I am excited for him.  He has done so well in Junior High and I think this will be a great year for him!!  Additionally, Abby will be starting Junior High this year!  She is so excited....lockers, changing classes, lots of teachers, more sports, band, chorus, and maybe even Student Council.  I have said that this year, personally, will be a challenge.  I will teach 6th graders all day and then come home to my 8th and 6th grader.  What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!!  Lastly, I turn 40 at the end of the month.  Strangely enough, I am really looking forward to it.  I felt like my 20s were my starting point -- graduating from college, getting a job, getting married, and having 2 kids.  My 30s were a learning point -- making mistakes and learning from them.  I am hoping for my fabulous 40s -- age and wisdom will finally come into play!!
  So here's to a great end of summer for everyone and the beginning of a new fall!!

Pontiac Tournament

The banner

We played 4 games today.  The first game lasted 2 hours -- tied game, extra innings, and pouring rain.  We lost by 1 point.  We then won the next 3 games and got second place!!  Here are some pictures from the last game of the day...when it wasn't raining!!

Madi, Rebecca, & Abby having a good laugh in the outfield.

Conferring with Coach Julie

Deep in thought in the dugout

2nd place in the Pontiac Tournament

Getting ready to steal a base

Hello April!!

  I think I am going to turn into a word blogger and not a picture blogger!!  If I could learn how to start doing more stuff in my car AS I am driving....then maybe more would get done!! 
  Anyway, hello Spring.  The weather has been pretty darn beautiful and we are enjoying it.  I trimmed the yard (after my kids mowed it!!) for 2 hours on Saturday.  I used some muscles I haven't used in a while but I will adjust.  Trevor is enjoying burning old firewood and digging in his hole.  Someday, I am convinced, he will reach China or discover a new resource that this world can use!!  The kids and Jim spend a lot of time playing baseball/softball in the yard.  The new pitching machine arrives tomorrow and then I can get in on the action too!!  My arm is nowhere as strong as Jim's so the pitching machine will help me....I can definitely load balls!!
  On Tuesday, Abby has her first softball game since her accident.  She is pretty darn excited.  We are excited and nervous too!!She has been back to full practice since mid-March but she hasn't slid into base yet.  She is nervous and I am REALLY nervous.  On Saturday at practice, her coach said, "Hey.  Let's give it a try."  With those words, Abby DOVE into first base, head first!!  She said it was awesome!!  She is going to have to practice that a little more (since she was a little short on reaching the base with her hand) but I am sure she will get the hang of it.  She never ceases to amaze me.
  Trevor has started his baseball season too.  He practices about 3 days a week and his first game is on Saturday, April 28th.  One day when I picked him up after practicing for about 2 - 2.5 hours, he said to me, "Mom, can we just be quiet and not talk."  I have NEVER heard him not talk!!  I guess some things can truly wear him out!!
  Well, I will continue to try new things and learn how to post pictures from my car!!  If not, tune in for more ramblings by Laura!!

Cast #2

Today we took Abby back to the doctor for her 3rd visit and 2nd cast.  They removed the blue & orange mid-thigh cast and put on a new knee-to-toe cast.  The doctor is pleased with her progress.  He thought he might see a little more bone growth but the healing is going well.  She will have this new cast on for 1 more month and then she might get a walking cast next.  She picked a lime green cast with glow-in-the-dark stripes!!

They used a "vacuum" to remove the cast.

The machine sucks away most of the fiberglass dust from the cast.

This is the padding under the cast.

This is the "tights" under the padding.

Our first glimpse at her leg since October 31st.

Pulling the cast away from the leg.

Her knee.  Her knee is a little stiff since she hasn't moved it in a month!!

The leg doesn't look too bad.  We were a little worried when we saw the ankle but it looked better when the doctor moved it.

She made us keep the cast!

Putting the cast on.

Thanksgiving

  While I didn't take a single picture (I even brought my camera!), I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family.  Here are some of the highlights of the day:

• Playing football in the front yard
• Being greeted by Bec's filming us for our happy moments (To be featured later on her blog!)
• Andy's cheerful mood despite not feeling well
• Seeing Uncle Mark and Janet
• WONDERFUL food prepared by my mom with help from my dad
• TERRIFIC dessert made by O (Magic Bars)
• Pecan pie brought by Jim
• Abby's clarinet concert
• Sully's play-by-play of the football games
• O and Charlie's game of flashlight seeking
• Trevor providing scary noises for O and Charlie
• The after dinner walk with the 2 tricycles, 1 wheelchair, 1 unhappy Alex, and 3 sisters trying to have a normal conversation!!
• Great wine, good appetizers, and tomato soup
• Matt's technology advice for me (I bought 2 versions of Angry Birds today!!)
• Everyone pitching in and buying raffle tickets from Abby
• Abby's fashion show of how to wear a dress with a cast

Overall, it is always a treat to be with family and enjoy a great meal!!  I am truly blessed with everything that I have and I am hoping for another wonderful year ahead!!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!!

The New Do!!

We went to get Abby's hair washed and cut.  It is nice to go to the beauty shop to get it washed in the bowl because it is much easier than doing it at home while trying to balance the cast and not get it wet!!  She also had 3 inches cut off because it will be easier to wash while she is in the cast.  I absolutely love it!!

Abby's Broken Leg

Abby was climbing the pine trees in front of our house on Friday and on the way down, a branch broke and she thinks she fell 10-15 feet.  Luckily, she had her cell phone in her pocket and called us for help.  We took her to the ER on Friday (about 4 p.m.) and as soon as they took the first x-ray, we knew it was broken.  She has a spiral fracture in her lower left leg.  The doctor says it will heal up great and in the future, you won't even be able to tell where she broke it.

Abby's famous quote, "Now I know I can't fly!"  (I didn't realize that was a question in her mind!!)

This is Abby's leg in the splint.  They don't put a cast on right away in case the leg swells.

This is the wrapping under the cast.

This is Jim consoling Abby.  It was pretty painful when they took off the splint and were putting the cast on.

This is the base layer of the cast.

This is the nurse putting on the orange stripes.

This is Abby's "Bears" cast.  Her softball coach referred to it as "Softball blue and orange colors!!"

The Scene of the Accident

This is the area where Abby had her accident and broke her leg. 

This is the area in the pine trees where she landed.  Abby calls it her clubhouse.

This is inside the pine trees looking up.  It is definitely a long fall down.

We're FALLing behind!!

WOW!!  When I saw that my last blog post was on July 22nd, I began thinking that you might think we have FALLen off the face of this earth!!  Have no fear...we are still here!!  Here are some highlights since July....

Went up to the Michigan Dunes for a quick trip to the lake and running up the dunes
Saw Sarah and Andy's new house

Abby tried out (and made!) a traveling softball team

Abby went to Girl Scout Camp

Trevor played Junior High Baseball for the 1st time

Trevor really IMPROVED at baseball

Both kids started school....Abby in 5th grade & Trevor in 7th grade
Had a great birthday celebration with my sisters...lunch in Chicago and manicures & pedicures
Yes, I did turn a year older!
Missed my 25 year reunion from grade school (we were gone over Labor Day)

Went to the southern Indiana caves over Labor Day & explored college campuses (my FAV thing to do!)

Abby started playing the clarinet

Abby started playing basketball (WOW!! She is AMAZING!!)

Trevor completed a cell project in Science

Both kids got all As and Bs on Progress Reports

Abby won 1st place in a softball tournament

Jim has started harvesting...corn is taking a hit and beans are looking average

The new barn is completed....Jim can drive the combine in without taking off the hopper (that is a big deal!!)

Trevor had his first band concert of the year

We visited Aunt Kitty & Uncle Bill from Arizona

Trevor has taken over mowing the lawn

&

I don't have a single moment to blog these moments!!

  I have a long weekend coming up....I will really try to blog some pictures.  If not, I will try to post blog updates.  If I could only install a computer and a bed in my van.......

Mr. Sully visits the Farm

  Sully came to the farm to visit us for a few days.  We did get some fishing in, but, unfortunately, he didn't catch any fish.  When it is 90 degrees at 9 a.m. in the morning, fish don't usually bite!!  We played a lot of Wii, played basketball in Abby's room, went swimming at CAPS, and ate a treat at Dairy Queen.

Even Maggie comes to the creek with us.  (Not a lot of water in the creek right now!)

Dropping Trev off at Band Camp

Today we dropped Trev off at Illinois State University for their Junior High Band Camp.  He plays percussion and is very excited about becoming better.  He stays on the 3rd floor of Whitten with his roommate Jeffery (that he doesn't know!).  He just wandered off and did his thing!!  It was harder for me and Jim to drop him off!!

Trev sitting in the dorm room

Trevor standing in front of Cook Hall (the castle) -- the music building on campus.

Abby (like her mom!) is excited to be walking around campus!

This is the dorm Trev stayed in -- Hamilton/Whitten.  Whitten is on the right.  Actually, Jim lived on Whitten 2 for 1 year also!!

Sibling love!!

Miss O on the Farm -- Day 2

Today was O's full day on the farm.  Despite the rainy weather, we did have a good time.  Here is a recap of the day...

The 3 of them singing and doing the hand motions to the Little Einsteins.

Craft Time

Making smoothies using the Vita Mix!!

They were yummy!

Abby & O watching the 12 Dancing Princesses

Playing beauty shop -- Aunt Laura & Uncle Jim tried to get appointments but O was full!!

Eating ice cream at Dairy Queen

O played for a long time while Abby was at baseball practice.