I am so proud

This past week my son started a whole new chapter in his life. He has started high school. I am not sure where the past 14 almost 15 years went but my little boy has growing up to be a young man that I am so proud of. Along with his college prep classes, he is taking drafting, architectural drawing, and wants to add wood working to next semester.

He has also started high school football. This past Thursday he took the field for the very first time. The day he got his jersey (#13), he was so excited. I am proud of him for his dedication, he has been practicing since the end of May to get ready for this big day. My eyes were filled with tears as he ran out on the field.

I have never big a huge football fan but I will be there every chance I get to cheer my son on because he is doing something he enjoys.

Out of the mouths of babes...

This morning before church Joshua says to me, "Mom, I want to go to Heaven. Can you take me there?" Before I can say anything he continues, "I miss my Aunt Mandy and it sounds like fun." So, I say with tears streaming down my face, "Buddy, I really want you to go to Heaven someday too, but right now I want you to stay here with me." This afternoon I was telling Bill the story when he walks in and says, "I want to go to Heaven someday but right now I want to stay here for a little while."

All I could think was...PHEW!

My not so big plans

This summer flew by. I can not believe the kids are going back to school in a few days. This year all of the kids will be in school and I have "big" plans! I have made a list of things I want to do during my free time. Will it get done? I guess we will see.

~I want to clean my house...one room a day and enjoy it clean for at least the morning hours until they come home from school
~I want to volunteer at school more...I haven't been able to do much because of having a little one at home
~I want to make some very needed dentist appointments...yuck
~I want to get coffee with my friends and have a conversation that doesn't involve yelling at one of my kids
~I want to go shopping, just simple grocery shopping, so I don't have to call my husband on his way home to pick something up so I can finish dinner
~I want to have breakfast with my husband if his schedule allows
~I want to relax, watch TV, blog, or take a nap if I want to

I know this may be a simple list but I am a simple person. My life is my kids and when I am not with my kids I am lost as strange as that may seem especially to those who know my kids.

I don't know how much of these "little" things I will get done. But I do know one thing I will do...I will miss my kids and all the chaos they bring and will look forward to picking them up from school and bringing them home so life for me can get back to normal, my normal.

What a stinker...

I asked Jacob to clean his room and this is what I found later that day...

I wasn't kidding

...when I told we have cucumbers! The rest of our garden did not do so well at all but the cucumbers came in and are still coming. I have told people come on by and pick them.

This is what the corner o' cucumbers looks like. I planted 2 bags of seeds my husband insisted they weren't coming up so he bought 18 more plants!

They are growing up into the neighbors tree. We have cucumbers that I can't reach. This picture is a close up of the cucumber tree.

So, please, don't buy cucumbers. I have plenty to share!

Homemade "fun"

Today, the boys and I made perogies. It is always an adventure when we decide to pull out the flour and rolling pin!
Jacob is attempting to "seal" the edges so the potatoes and cheese stay in.
Isaiah playing the flour, of course!
Joshua rolling the dough.
Isaiah eating the dough!
Finally, the mess for me to clean up! But I will admit having perogies for dinner was worth it!

Not so smart, am I?

This past weekend we went to the county fair. We were not sure about how the kids would handle the rides. The last time we went to a fair we bought the wristbands for unlimited rides. They cried and cried and wouldn't ride anything...30 dollars wasted! This time we bought 40 dollars in tickets (the wristbands were $12 each) and wouldn't you know they loved the rides...grrrr! (Don't worry I took lots of pictures). After a couple hours of ride fun we decided to go to dinner, fair food costs a fortune, as you know, and nothing is really good for you. I think just by walking through the gate and smelling the food, you gain weight! Anyway, we went to North Canton to Quaker Steak and Lube. I thought the kids would love the cars and motorcyles hanging from the ceiling and they did (more pictures). It was the Hall of Fame kick off weekend and hot air balloons filled the sky (yes, more pictures). Then, on the ride home, you should have seen the clouds. I love to watch clouds. So, I took some pictures of them.

So, I bet you are expecting some good pictures, huh??? Sorry, I accidently erased them all. Oh yeah...I was mad, probably worse than mad!