birthday goodies

Last Monday was my birthday. Since Monday I was busy with church work all day and then four hours of tutoring until 8 PM we celebrated on Sunday. After church, I chose to eat lunch at Okoboji Grill. We then headed to Best Buy where I picked out my very first laptop! I have been wanting one for awhile. Often times I use the computer with my tutoring students when I'm helping them research something. I have found several websites that would be good for practicing skills, but with my computer in the other room, it's not convenient. With four of us on one desktop, it was getting difficult to wait in line to get on it sometimes. With my church work now (and most of it being done from my own computer) I was needing access to it more often. I want to be able to take it when I sub, so if I have extra time (like I did on Monday!!) I can get church stuff done at the same time! Also, one of the students that I have worked with for 7 years now travels a lot and this way, I can connect with her. Anyway, before she left for her latest trip, her family surprised me with a $500 gift card to Best Buy to go towards a laptop! I was overwhelmed!!! I am thoroughly enjoying the laptop so far, but have lots to learn. Anyway, after I was done tutoring on Monday, the boys gave me their cards. Brennan's was very creative of course. He had gotten these big $100 bills from somewhere and my card came with $1000 to spend. I am planning to spend my 'money' eating lunch at school with him and perhaps some backrubs! But my favorite part of this card was the last line where I can spend "$1000 for dad to do all the work!" Of course, he hadn't informed dad that he would be part of the scenario! Depending on what "work" that entails, I may have to spend my money on that one!

This note was from Bradley. Bradley prefers to do his cards on the computer- he's put together neat text effects, power points, and incorporated pictures. He's usually a boy of few words so I was surprised at the depth of this note!! A couple of things made me giggle. First of all, his signed "Bradley Hydorn" as though I wouldn't know which Bradley it was from. This is totally like my brother Dan- he used to sign every card, even to our mom, from 'Dan Fox.' I also got a kick out of the fact that I "care so much about his sports even though I don't understand them half the time." Bradley, it only seems that way because we are presently in football season, the sport that I am definitely the most ignorant about. I ask many questions and have just as many that I choose not to ask as not to sound like a complete idiot. In my defense, he plays football, basketball, baseball, golf, and runs track, and only football and golf trip me up. I'm pretty knowledgeable about the others, so 3 out of 5 is better than half!

And this one if from my hubby. His nickname is Pudge- I began calling him that when we were dating (not exactly sure why) and he calls me Pookie. Anyway, he made up the poem himself. I was impressed! Since he knew I wanted to get some accessories to go with my laptop, he just gave me cash. Never a bad choice for this chick!

Gary made my birthday cake i.e- took us down to the local ice cream place for malts and cookies to round out the evening. I am thankful for my boys and so blessed for each year that I get to be a part of their lives!

FINALLY SOME PICTURES!

Don't know if I mentioned it, but our computer was out of commission for a few weeks. It had been giving us all sorts of trouble, so our good friend took it home with him, cleaned everything off of it, and restored it to its original state. We had backed everything up on an external hard drive, but it takes awhile to load the stuff back on. We had a loaner computer from him for a few weeks so I didn't have any of my things loaded onto that. Anyway, this last week I have been slowly getting things back to normal. So finally I will get some of my photos on here!
First up, first day of school pictures. I always take them outside in our front yard in front of this tree (at least I have been for the last few years anyway), which is fine until someone walks or drives by and Bradley gets embarrassed. I remind them that I could follow them TO THEIR buildings with my camera like the paparazzi (which I am not above doing, mind you), but if they'd rather me not do that, they best cooperate for two minutes in the front yard and give me a charming smile. Of course, that's usually too good to be true. Brennan was in a snit this particular morning. It happens quite frequently in the mornings, so I honestly can't remember what triggered this mood. In this first picture you can tell he's really having to work at looking pleasant.

Bradley- 8th grade

Brennan- 3rd grade

I'm feeling very lazy today. It rained this morning and was dreary, and that is never good for my ambition level. It is a pretty busy week this week, so I really can't afford to waste any time. I also turn 38 today. That number seems a bit frightening and is drawing dangerouly close to 40. But I have so much to be thankful for, and I will choose to focus on the many blessings I have in my life right now!!! God is good!

another post with no pictures : (

I feel incomplete when I don't include a picture with my posts, however if I wait for that to get done, I won't be posting in awhile!!! So (cross my fingers) next post will have some pictures!

As I mentioned last time, it's been more than busy around here.

The boys started school (first day pictures would be inserted here). Both seem to be adjusting well which I'm always grateful for. We've been trying to do more reading with Brennan. He really doesn't desire to do that on his own, and he is very picky about his books. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has been read so many times by him, it's memorized. I have been trying to find books that will pique his interest, however that has been a challenge. I did find a couple of books by Dan Gutman that seem to be working. Coach Hyatt is a Riot is the one we're reading now. He seems to like the books with farting, burping, and typical boy behavior. I keep trying to steer him towards classics, but that seems to be a no-go. Go figure.

The house has been on the market for about a week and a half. We have a showing scheduled for Friday. I've enjoyed the clutter-free atmosphere, and keeping it clean has been a good thing. The laundry has been kept up with which is a miracle for me! Amazingly, I have not been stressed at all about it selling. Gary and I have beeen praying all along for wisdom and God's timing, and I can feel His perfect peace. It will all happen in His timing and plan.

Brennan played in his first tackle football game on Saturday (game pictures would be inserted here). I think he was a little nervous, but he didn't admit to it. He did well! We were very proud of him! He did not play flag football, so this is his first experience. He played guard and stuck with his man pretty well. He is not aggressive, so this is something he has to work on concerning his sports. Dad has been going to practice with him and helping out. I think he really enjoys doing that with Daddy. His team, the Panthers, lost, but they did well for the first game of the season.

We got back from Pittsburgh last Wed. (insert Pennsylvania pictures here). Dan and Beth showed us a FANTASTIC time. We took in 3 ballgames, got to sit in the GM's suite to watch two of those games, and just had a great time with their family. The boys loved being at the ballfield (I did too!!!), and we will look forward to going back to see more sights and stay longer next time!

I am tired and need to get to bed. I haven't gone to bed before midnight any night this week and it's catching up with me. But I'll leave you with some parting words from the argument I was having with my 13 year old tonight while trying to convince him to bring home his football gear (that he's been sweating, running, and practicing in for the last week) to be washed.

"Mom" (while rolling his eyes and shaking his head in disgust at my suggestion of laundering his practice uniform)
"It's practice. No one cares how you smell--"

So there you have it. Toodles!

lots going on

I'm a bad blogger.
It's been very busy around here.
Getting back into the routine of school.
Football has started for both kids.
I'm back to the fall tutoring schedule.
I've been doing several first-of-the-year home school visits.
I started a new part-time job at my church as a Children's ministry assistant. (I love it! More on that in a later post).
We're leaving tomorrow for a 6 day trip to Pittsburgh to visit my brother's family.
House projects being done at break-neck speed.
I have cleaned every nook and cranny of this house because...

WE PUT OUR HOUSE UP FOR SALE LAST NIGHT.

It's time to find bigger quarters for this family.
We aren't moving out of Carlisle.
We like it here.
We just need more room.
Praying for God's direction and timing during this whole process.

That's why I've been a bad blogger...