Tick..Tock..Tick..Tock..

A packed 4 day weekend lies ahead. A weekend I have been anticipating. I was disappointed that a lot of our family could not attend which up until Monday had me stewing. Then I turned the corner with the attitude that I was going to make it the best weekend of celebration I could for Kennedy and nothing short of love and excitment has brought me to this point. Kennedy will be confirmed on Saturday, sharing her faith that she has placed in Jesus Christ. At rehearsal on Wednesday night, I was already getting choked up. I think Saturday could be an emotional day. This year has hit me like a ton of bricks. I feel like the clock is ticking faster and faster and before I know it she will out of the house.

When she was born I focused on when she would sleep through the night.
Then when will she be pottied trained.

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock....

It will be so much easier when she starts walking.
I can't wait until she starts school.

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock....

When will she be able to stay home alone?

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock.....

Did I enjoy every single moment? Or was I just too anxious anticipating the next? Now I feel like time is running out and the tick, tocks, are getting faster and faster every day.

And Saturday marks yet another milestone in her life...tick, tock, tick, tock.....

So tomorrow I took the day off to prepare. With family and friends descending on us tomorrow night and into Saturday, the day will be spent fetching groceries, meal preparation, changing sheets, house touch ups, and a few extra errands.

My plan is to serve up ALL of Kennedy's favorites. Saturday morning Grandma MoMo's hashbrown casserole is on the menu along with ooey, gooey sticky buns. Milo's mom cooks completely from the mind set of a dash of this and a pinch of that. She nevers goes by a recipe and when I called her for advice I got a lot of, 'some, a lot, and just a little.' I accused her of making the entire thing up as she could not recall exactly what 'egg dish' I was referencing. None the less every attempt I have made thus far has been met with 'This is NOT like Grandma MoMos. And there is no guarantee this one will be either.

Meat, cheese, and cracker tray for snacking before we head out early afternoon for the service. Kennedy will share her faith statement that she wrote this spring as will all of the other girls in her small group. Her small group has been together for 3 years and may of the girls we have known since they were toddlers. After faith statements there will be a service, complete with a candle light ceremony that embarks them on the next journey on their walk of faith. When we return to the house, Pigs in a Blanket, carrots and Ranch dip to tide us over until supper. Then 3 orders of Cheesy Spaghetti (word has it, 3 teenage boys are coming over just for this), Garlic Toast, Toss Salad with French and Ranch (on the side), Snicker Salad, Oreo Desserts, all accompanied with Raspberry Lemonade.

Sunday as family and friends head home, Kennedy and I have a day planned with another mom and a good friend to shop for homecoming dresses.

Plus I hope to get all of my summer decor put away to crack out the browns and orange hues of fall. My favorite season for decorating!

I have insisted that I WILL NOT purchase any new jeans, tops, or shoes until the depths of EVERY corner of their rooms is unveiled. I have managed to make a good dent in Madison's, but Kennedy's is a whole other story. She was teasing me tonight about my 'purging' efforts. I simply stated, nothing new comes in until the old goes out! End of story...tick..tock..tick..tock...

My thought for the week...Enjoy and savor every moment, because the clock nevers stops ticking!

later

jill

In a Funk

It has been a funk of a week. Ever have one of those? My back hurt, the energy was lacking, my eating and exercise habits went astray, extra long hours at work, a computer virus, and I adopted this 'whoa is me attitude'. Needless to say I am looking forward to a day off tomorrow to re energize and regroup. I am determined get a great start to the week, making it productive and energizing.

Fortunately I have a short week, as we prepare for Kennedy's confirmation next weekend. I am taking Friday off to do all of the necessary tasks that need to be done before family and about 10 of Kennedy's friends ascend on us on Saturday. This is just another important step in her life as she continues to mature and grow into a woman. I marvel at her growing wisdom and discernment and cherish the times when we are able to 'hanging out'. We just got back from running some errands and catching up on the weeks events and new friends. Next weekend we are shopping for her homecoming dress. I can't wait.

Once the dust settles on Sunday, with Monday being the holiday, a few extra days to catch up and relax a bit are being highly anticipated.

Madison started dance this week and LOVES her new class. This year we added lyrical and already she was throwing down some new moves. Those new moves caused some soreness as Friday morning. With all the drama she could muster she fell into my bathroom on Friday morning with, 'My muscles hurt sooo bad.'

Kennedy had her marching band debut Friday night and I was able to catch some great photos. She LOVES marching band and has enjoyed expanding her circle of friends. On Saturday she had her first cross country meet and unfortunately I was only able to hear about it in retro do to having to work. Luckily that will be the ONLY meet I have to miss this season. So after a night of football and marching band, the sound of the alarm was not a welcome tune on Saturday morning at 6:00 AM. Nor was the thought of having to run 2 1/2 miles. Tears flowed and accusations of 'you made me do this' flew, but by the time the race was complete she was witnessed to have said, 'That wasn't so bad. May be I should listen to my dad more often.' She finished in the top 1/2 of the pack and ran a 19:37 race time.

I had text ed her that morning saying "It is 20% physical training and 80% what you tell yourself." Hmmmm...may be I should have taken some of my own advice last week?

As I reflect back on the week the life lessons I took away, other than 'orange chicken' sits in my belly like a block of cement. Heed my own advice. What I say and how I react to situations, determines my attitude and how I feel about myself. And lastly...Family is IMPORTANT.

This week my Friday afternoon was extended in order for me to have the privilege of assisting a women secure a burial location for her husband of 40+ years whom she had just lost to pancreatic cancer. While we were in the cemetery looking at potential locations, the woman received a phone call. It was apparent that it was someone who did not know her husband had passed. With every ounce of courage she could muster she shared the news. The day was beautiful, the warm sun shining but in the midst of all of the beauty was a deep ravine of sadness. She finished the call with tears streaming down her face. She looked at me and said, 'that is only the second time I have said the word 'died'. I just don't know how I am going to get through this.' My heart broke for her at that moment and I thought about my family and close friends and how in a blink of a moment it can be gone. One word, one diagnosis, one wrong turn, and your life can be turned upside down. We gingerly walked back to the car, allowing her the time she needed to just be. My week long 'funk' didn't seem so bad.

We let so many things in our lives prevent us from spending time with those who mean the most to us. We let 'weekly funks', bad habits, over commitments, and life get in the way of growing relationships. What she would not have given to have just one more breathe, one more minute to say 'I love you', one more moment.

Cherish those around you. Make a phone call. Send an email. Spend some time. You never know when in the blink of an eye it can all change. I am officially proclaming my 'funk' gone!

love ya...

jill

TBD

I just finished folding load 6 of 7 for this week's laundry and am happy to say that after number 7 is put away, my weekend chores are done leaving the remainder of the day TBD. We all survived the first three days of school. Adjustments to the new schedules seemed to flow effortlessly.

On the work front, Milo is moving and changing roles. While nothing has been officially announced more should be evolving in the weeks to come. He is making some significant changes as he is excellent working with and leading others, so I would only anticipated improvements and progress in the weeks and months to come. TBD...

It took me a few days to get back in the groove at work after being gone for 10 days. But last week proved that I am 'back in the saddle' and sales are rolling in. I have a HUGE goal for the month of August running to beat my best month YTD and given that I was gone for the first 8 days of the month, should I be successful in meeting it, who knows what the remaining 4 months of the year will produce. I laughed to myself the other day thinking about my bucket list with one of the things to be a million dollar sales director with Mary Kay. Funny how paths change as I am currently on pace to do a million dollar in sales as a Family Service Counselor, in the funeral home business? I guess sales are sales any way you look at it. Being the rookie and having started the year with zero leads, working with 3 sales people who have been established for 10+ years and who two just last year broke the million dollar mark, I will be very happy with my accomplishments. TBD....

Consistency has also paid off in the workout department as I have been training for a 5K, keeping better tabs on my food intake resulting in the lost of 12 pounds in the last 6 weeks. September 4th I start a 10 week 'extreme body shaping program', an intense kickboxing and resistance bands training coupled with a nutrition program. The most extreme transformation takes home $1,000 at the end of the session. hmm..seems like a challenge to me! And my o! my what I could do with a $1,000 at the mall! TBD....

Kennedy is quickly realizing the impact of moving to high school with a tighter, fuller schedule. I am so proud of her as she is participating in marching band (2 hour practice before school) and cross country (2 hour practice after school). I can't wait for the first FB game this coming Friday and cross country meet on Saturday. She has been working very hard and I am sure the fruits of her labor will be rewarded. We are gearing up for confirmation in a few weeks as well as homecoming dress shopping. My! O! My! the next four years will be gone in a blink of an eye. That has already been decided!

Madison has been great about helping out at home with Kennedy's long hours away. Her schedule will adjust this week as she adds confirmation and dance on Wednesday and Thursday nights. She is becoming a beautiful dancer and this year will add an additional class. Lyrical, Tap, Ballet and Jazz and we were fortunate to get all four back to back classes on Thursday night reducing the amount of time we transport and the amount of time she is away from home. She is also continuing her violin, participating in the orchestra as well as joined the choir this year. I am bracing myself for next year, when she will also add organized school sports to her agenda. How will it all play out? TBD...

Last night we sent Kennedy off to her first high school dance, the Toga dance. Where I learned that Toga now means dress like as your friends, not parade around in a sheet. Thank goodness for the evolution of the Toga. She and 9 other friends dressed 80's style and the parents joined forces for group photos before negotiations were made on what vans would serve as drop off and pick up. I am still marveling at the fact that I do indeed have a freshman in high school. We were a drop off van and enjoyed all of the giggling that took place in the back seats with anticipation of the night ahead. With Madison sleeping over at a friends house, Mr. Milo and I took advantage of the rest of the evening hanging out at the nearest local establishment to sing a little karaoke before we dropped in bed at midnight. Kennedy checked in when she arrived at her girlfriend's house at 11:00. I asked how the dance was and all I got... "It was dumb." hmmm...I can't wait to hear more when she gets home today. Was it dumb, cause I don't like to dance in public places? Or was it dumb, just because it was new and I am a freshman, dumb? TBD....

So with the remaining 12 hours of my day, TBD I just made another pot of coffee, plugged in my new black cherry candle to enjoy and am contemplating catching up on some new releases from the video store while I stitch the afternoon away or holing up in the woman cave to plod along with my never ending scrapbook project. What to do, what to do? Well I guess that is TBD....

Firsts and a Love Affair Reborn

The first day of school was met with a butterflies and a bit of nerves as last night we were scrambling to locate temporary lunch cards, bus tickets, and school schedules, not to mention coordinating of the first day of school 'outfits'. I remember the anticipation of heading off to a new year with sharpened pencils and a new backpack. Of course the transition to middle school and high school was nothing compared to how the girls transition. My biggest transition was simply moving to the second floor for middle school and then down another hallway for high school all the while knowing everyone in the building. Transitioning to middle school now means consolidating with another elementary meaning now you only know 1/2 of the kids, moving to an entirely different building, bus schedules, locker combinations, and moving room to room for classes. Transitioning to high school means again doubling the size of your class, navigating the halls filled with sophomore, juniors, and seniors, a MUCH larger building, and more responsibility. In fact when we attended freshman orientation we learned that the high school feeds 1800 people a day. So this day was truly a land mark in our house.

We recapped the day tonight over Almond Chicken Stir Fry. Madison had her first 'bus ride' as she has never ridden the bus to school before. At 3:15 I got a text messaging saying, 'I made it!' She reported that she made it to all of her classes, lunch, and remembered her locker combination. Kennedy's only mishap was not once, but twice couldn't find her locker. But all in all a successful first day.

Tonight negotiations are currently underway for borrowing this top and those pants. There is much importance placed on the outfit for the day. In fact, it usually gets tried on and modeled for approval.

Once I verified that all successfully made it to their designated landing spots for the day. I was off after work for my rekindled love affair. For the past month about every other day, I have been hitting the track. It is something I did years ago, as most days ended on the black oval where all of the stresses and frustrations of the day were left somewhere between the lanes of 1 through 8. So I have been diligently working at perfecting my 9 - 10 minute mile time. With tunes blaring in my ears, for an hour most nights I am able to leave the days stresses and frustrations as well as a few lost pounds somewhere between the lane 1 through 8.

Hold On Tight

My o! My I guess you could say I have taken a break from attending to my blog. Lots happening in the Japenga household. Just got back from a FABULOUS vacation. Check out the slideshow below. If you click on the box in the lower right hand corner it will bring it full screen. It is LONG, but enjoy!

School starts on Wednesday. I have a 6th grader and a freshman! I simply can not believe it. I think I am more nervous for high school than she is. Kennedy is doing GREAT. Started 6 hour/day band camp practices followed by 2 hour cross country practices daily for the last week, not to mention an extra cross country practice on Saturday. Needless to say, she was whipped by Friday night and still had to attend a 5 hour freshman orientation. My only comment was...'welcome to high school'.

In addition to my nerves about having a freshman and a 6th grader, I feel like I am getting on a wild ride roller coaster. Just finished filling out the calendar for the first 1/2 of the school year. And before you know it I will be typing that I have a freshman in college!

Hence the reason for welcoming today another gray hair, the onset of gravity and crows feet, and those darn aching knees.

Happy Birthday to ME!

a blink

a blink and then it is gone. that is exactly how my life feels at the moment. monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday, gone...

we are hitting our stride being the busiest season of our year with track meets, dance performances, swim team fast approaching, and end of the year school events. my days fly by in a blink and then they are gone.

a track meet this week, brought a beautiful afternoon in the sunshine, no wind and a PERFECT 70 degree day. kennedy had a personal best in her open 400 at 65 seconds. as we walked out to the van to grab some water, she started asking just how fast i thought she could go this year. with eagerness and hope, 'do you really think i could get down to the low 60s?' with increased confidence and one more year of growth under her belt, we are seeing a young lady blossom into a confident competitor. and a blessing this year to be injury free.

with minutes to spare we raced from one event to the next. madison's last elementary vocal concert. we were entertained as we enjoyed songs from all different countries and even one about becoming a teenager. can i believe they are really that old? the answer being, no!

swimming, biking, and running every day, preparing for our triathlon debute June 26th. milo tends to ride about 1/2 mile in front of me and with some miscommunication and a few sharp turns, one turned left and the other turned right one night, but luckily we ended back where we started.

surgery is on the horizon for mr. milo. a little too much heavy weight lifting has caused an inguinal hernia. after brushing off the dust of my nursing back ground, confirmed with some internet searching, the final diagnosis came the following day when dr. janda, walked in the room and said, 'so you think you have a hernia? lets take a look?' with a shock and awe, he responded, 'whoa! there fella, that is most definitely a hernia.' i made sure that was all he was referring to, given the thing is the size of an extra large egg! stay tuned. we hope it doesn't interfere with the triathalon in june.

kate gosselin got the boot....thank you!

so it only took me 3 months to sell $100,000 of business. i thought it fun to challenge myself to see if i could then sell $100,000 in ONE month. now that i am starting to hit my stride and figure this whole thing out. so with $48,000 placed, only $52,000 left. i knocked off $10,000 more today and anticipate for sure another $12,000 off by the end of the day Monday. leaving me to drum up, hmmm...$30,000 by the end of next week. well with 11 appointments on the books, it might just happen. stay tuned! i am focused like a laser beam!

working tomorrow, being it is my weekend on. monday and tuesday are filled with selling appointments and some more swimming, biking, and running. wednesday i am off to supervise an all day carpet cleaning venture from top to bottom, plus a much needed haircut and color. thursday brings more selling appointments, a track meet in iowa city, and a welcome back party for the housecleaner. friday a sprint to the finish, $100,000! plus a bit more swimming, biking, and running. saturday...well may be a day to celebrate! cause afterall, in a blink...it is gone!

bye!

Opening Day.

Linn Mar Track Meet. First meet of the season. Nothing like a beautiful spring afternoon, a sleeveless shirt, sunglasses, and a track meet. Makes me feel like dancing!




Kennedy did a great job. Long Jump 14.2, 1st in the 4X800 (anchor leg), 1st in the sprint medley (400m at 67 sec), and 1st in the 4X400 (anchor leg, 68 sec)





We capped of the evening with a trip to Dairy Queen to celebrate opening day. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I can't wait for a 'sleep in day'.

night.

Sweater Slipper Mania!

Can you guess who is who?

A Week In Review

A twisted shot, ham and cheese cal zones, a secret crush, Coach Mo, the short straw, exhaustion, school conferences, a secret mission, no school, and a football game.

THAT sums up the week at the Japenga household.

So how does all that work together, you ask?

On Monday, Kennedy had her yearly sports physical, which of course ONLY MOM could take a young lady to her physical. In route, she asked if she would be getting any 'shots'. We laughed hard when she reminded me when she was 5, her and I were at the doctors office to receive her 'shots'. Right before the nurse gave her the second one, Kennedy 'twisted' her leg and up until just a few years ago, she seriously thought that she had been given a 'twisted shot'. O! how we tried to explain to her that the nurse did not give her a twisted shot. But rather because she twisted before receiving the shot was the real reason she felt she received a 'twisted shot'.

Monday night I arrived home from work to find Mr. Milo making ham and cheese cal zones for supper. I laughed hard when I found him with the tape measure, measuring out the exact 12X14 dough measurements so that our cal zones were 'just right'. AND they were JUST RIGHT!

Tuesday morning and evening brought thumbs up for school conferences times 2.

Then some sisterly advice was shared on 'what exactly does it mean when a guy flirts with you?', Madison was determined to find out if Zach, her desk mate was just an enamored with her as she was with him. Kennedy shared her advice on flirting to be 'any time a guy punched, kicked, or kidded around with you.' All in the playful text of course. That was a positive since Zach often times would kick Madison under the desk. So with her plan in place, ie..girlfriends set to ask his friends if there was any reciprocation of feelings, we all waited with anticipation for supper time on Tuesday. Thankfully, it was reported via Zach, through Mic and Jeff, then via Paxton and Meg and back to Madison that 'well may be he kind of liked her.' Whew...no hearts broken!

Only my heart on Tuesday night, when Coach Mo felt the need to fall on the sword for his teammate Tracy, who by all my accounts VERY much needs a ticket home!

Wednesday morning, I drew the short straw of course for crabby kids. Wednesday is my drop off at school day and of course, it seems that they save ALL the crying, complaining, and drama JUST for me! So Kennedy in all her tiredness, caught a few more zzzs, not only Wednesday but also on Thursday. We are hoping extra tiredness doesn't turn 'nothing' into 'something'. Those extra zzzs, however did bring a STRICT ban on sleep-overs for this 4 day weekend.

It seems that we will not have 'Mr. Calzone' around for the weekend, as he is headed out for his annual Green Bay Packer football game weekend with the guys.

I have a 'secret mission' on deck for this weekend or in other words..I must make hay, while the sun shines. No school Friday or Monday for 'fall break'. Me and the girls are laying low, outside of some household projects that need to be accomplished, ie. the 'this weekend to do list' that is currently staring me in the face.

5 days and counting until Galena and am hoping that the weather man is dead WRONG on his 10 day forecast. I would hate for a little rain and cold to spoil my 'birthday surprises'.

more later....

1st Day of School!

Their school bags are packed with fresh new crayons and colored pencils. New tennis shoes adorn their feet. The beauticians and dentists have been visted. Activity tickets purchased. Class registrations complete. It IS the first day of SCHOOL!

This year it hit me on the way home from registration. Next YEAR I will have a freshman and a middle schooler. WOW! Time does fly. So this year I am relishing my 8th grader and my 5th grader.

First day of school...so everyone was up and at em, without 50 reminders. Give em a week and I will be back to playing my tape recorder...get up, get dressed, the bus is coming, did you brush your teeth, comb your hair, get up, get dressed, the bus is coming, did you brush your teeth, comb your hair, get up..get dressed....?

One day EVERY school year I enjoy the independence and efficiency that comes with the excitement of the first day of school. I LOVE the start of summer, but I also LOVE the start of the school year. With that comes routine, family suppers, early to bed and early to rise, dance, cross country, orchestra and concert band, basketball, track, confirmation, and may be swim team. It also means fall/winter are knocking on summer's door. I am itching to change out my decor, plant my mums and pull out my sweat shirts.

Happy First Day of School!

Happy Birthday to ME!

It is 4:00 AM and I am driving down Interstate 90 in route to Iowa. My ipod is keeping me awake to the tune of all my favorites. The hot, highly caffeinated coffee is my life line to alertness while my family is fast asleep. Just 4 short hours ago I turned 40 as the clock struck midnight. It seems that every speed limit sign with a minimum speed of 40 mph flashes 40-40-40 as I whiz by in the wee hours of the morning. Happy Birthday to me.

In order to do this entry justice, however I must back up to 4:00 AM 24 hours earlier. I am awaken to the sound of 'The Mo' (Milo's mom) as she happily comes into our room singing, 'rise and shine'. She is off to work and we are off on what we planned to be a 2 day venture from Idaho back to Iowa for the conclusion of our family's summer vacation.

I should have know from the start, the day was going to be plagued with disaster as a 1/2 hour pack up and load turned into a 90 minute ordeal of continually stepping in dog poop, washing flip flops, and deodorizing the van in the dark of the early morning hour.

By 5:30 AM and dog poop free, we waved our good byes and set off for our destination, Murdo, SD. The girls warned me not to go to sleep. They were certain their father would get lost in route to the interstate. Guaranteed, 90 minutes later and an extra 45 minutes on a windy mountain road, Milo (aka Macho Man) did indeed miss his turn short of 100 yards, leaving us laden with car sickness and an extra 45 minutes in the van

Water, upright positions, peppermint gum, and a straight road restored our nauseated stomachs and we settled in for the long haul ahead.

One stomach however did not get settled and 2 hours into our day, Riley (the dog) is inflicted with a BAD case of car sickness followed up with a pile of puke in the back corner of the van. Eewws and gross were the screams that came from the back and we quickly pull over to clean up what was to be the first of three 'puke stops'. The first was not too bad. The second takes out Madison's pillow and a few other blankets, but the THIRD? Was the worst!

Now 6 hours into the trip, Riley comes up for a 'front seat' visit. Within seconds, she projectile vomits all over Milo, the seat, down the seat belt, including the buckle and places where no hand can go! The LAST of it ends up in our soft sided cooler. If I didn't think the current odor mixture of puke and lavender scented Fe breeze wasn't bad enough, this final episode just pushed it over the top!

Now sitting on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, Montana I quickly discover new ways to use the remaining 50 count 4 gallon trash bags, 6 hand wipes, and 10 Windex pads left to clean up this 'puke stop'. The cooler is beyond redeemable only the pop cans and Gatorade we manage to pull from the depths of the puke, bagging them up to be disinfected at a later date.

The van floor becomes littered with bag upon bag of packaged puke covered items.

An emergency 411 call to our veterinarian is made with prescription of 75 mg of Benadryl every 3 hours. I question should that be for ME or for Riley. I seriously wonder how will I survive the remaining 15 hours.

The smell, a mixture of stomach juices and lavendar FeBreeze. You actually could get use to it after being in such confined quarters hour after hour. The problem came when you had to exit and reenter, prompting the entire readjustment period to begin again.

The girls were put on STRICT puke patrol and we were determined to teach Riley the importance of the 'trash can'. I did manage to 'trick' her into 25 mg of Benadryl via chicken nugget. Other attempts were simply refused with a turn of the head. If anything were to happen to Riley, I of course would be the one accused of over-dosing her as I clamped down on her mouth refusing to let go, until she swallowed the contents. I was the mad woman, with greasy hair, screaming, 'swallow dog, swallow!'

At 2:00 PM I did a mathematical count up and I realize that the 10:00 PM arrival time to the Super 8 in Murdo, SD was now going to be closer to 12:30 AM without any more puke or potty stops. I question the sanity of spending $85 for a mere 5 hours of sleep, packing and unpacking, but most importantly shutting up the odor filled van for any extended period of time and then having to reeenter.

I suggest to 'the driver', 'May be we should just drive it straight through and start taking turns with the driving.' My suggestion is taken under consideration but the thought of ME driving is adamantly denied.

A few hours later we take a poll and it is decide that in the best interest of all the parties involved it would be best to just 'beat it down the road'. The hotel reservation is canceled AND once again my request to drive is denied. So with every failed attempt my response is to break out in song, 'Macho, Macho..man...I've got to be a Macho Man.' It is either that or he simply wanted to wear the badge of honor that read, 'I drove for 26 hours straight'.

At 11:00 PM and near Wall, SD delirium sets in. Kennedy is singing a made up song about wanting to take drugs. Madison is crying because Riley tried eating her foot as a midnight snack. And the invasion of 'space' becomes a HOT topic. I have since resigned to Macho Man and simply pray that he will soon remove his ego in exchange for a few hours of rest. In the mean time I catch a few zzzs.

At 1:30 AM I am awaken with a tap on the shoulder and a man filled with defeat. 'I just can't do it any more I need to lay down, just for a few minutes. Are you sure you can drive?' Of course I think, 'HELLO...you have been driving for 18 hours?' I snap awake after only a few short and frequently interrupted hours of sleep, ask to pull over in order to find my 'tunes', and a large cup of coffee. Kennedy pipes up from the back, 'Nite, nite...Macho Man.'

For the next 7 hours I mouth the words to my all my favorite tunes, rock out like Bon Jovi, down 40 oz of coffee, chew my peppermint gum, and realize I just turned 40! Happy Birthday to me!

It was later discovered that the cause of Riley's sickness was her late night indulgence in the remaining 1/2 sheet of birthday cake, vanilla with butter cream icing and cream filling. I guess it was her way of saying 'Happy Birthday'.

I pull into the driveway look back and check to see that Madison still has all of her appendages. Macho Man and druggie girl are curled up and still fast asleep. I move my filmy, greasy body out of the puke van and upstairs to my hot shower.

I curl up in my silky PJs, down comforter, and sleep until 2:00. I wonder down stairs to find a desk full of mail, orders to be filled, bags to be unpacked. The girls are off to catch up with friends. Macho Man did get the van cleaned out, however is off on a motorcycle ride. Happy Birthday to me!

40 days ago my sister gave me one of the most meaningful birthday gifts to date, 40 sealed envelopes, one to be open each day leading up to August 15th. The envelopes contained reasons my she admired, loved, and respected me. I couldn't wait each morning to open my envelope and enjoy my first cup of coffee.

Growing up Julie, always had a very sensitive stomach. We shared a room and a bed until I graduated from high school and many nights I would awake to the sounds, feel, and smell of her upset stomach. This morning before I cozied under the covers, I opened the last of my 40 envelopes.

It read....'The #1 reason why I love, respect, and admire you...because I don't know anyone who I could puke on over and over and they would still love me.' I died laughing and thought how appropriate.

From Macho Man and the girls, there were no parties or presents (except for the 8 week old Shitz Tu puppy they are trying to convince me should be my be-lated birthday gift next week). Birthdays are just not a big thing for Macho Man, so after 20 some years I have simply come to anticipate such. After an early morning birthday wish, the day continued as normal with mom/wife reentering reality. Groceries needing to be restocked, the house cleaned, bills paid, laundry, and school schedules logged for the start of school on Wednesday. Other than a disruption of sleep, the day rolls on like all others. But some how I think THIS milestone birthday will go down as probably one of the most memorable to date!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Jill

Sisterly Love

There really IS such a thing! Fleeting moments caught on film at the LAST swim meet of the year. 68 degrees, cloudy, and cold. Felt more like we should be at a football game.

Weekend highlights included Madison knocking 5 seconds off her IM time, 3 seconds off her butterfly. Kennedy being DQd in the freestyle for failure to touch the wall upon turning/sinking.

Will Kennedy be participating EVER again on swim team? When interviewing the next potential, Janet Evans...the answer was 'NO!'

Other weekend activities...lounging on the deck for hours on end. A visit from PaPa and Grandma, a couple bottles of wine, a trip to Target for new school back packs, BBQue ribs, corn muffins, seven layer salad, and Delicious cookies. 8:30 church to hear Kennedy play her 'original composition'. 10:45 AM movie, 'My Sisters Keeper'. Bring your tissue. I don't think I have EVER gone to a movie at 10:45 AM. The afternoon brings fetching some groceries, house straightening, and tonight...VBS! Crocodile Dock. I can't WAIT!

Lazy, Crazy Summer Days

Summer is officially in full swing at our house! After last week's crazy dance marathon, school year activities are officially complete. We kicked off the week with a homemade STRAWBERRY PIE and who can have a summer without a gallon of SUN TEA chilled at ALL times in the FRIDGE? Weeks are filled with trips to the local 'farmers daughters market' to purchase that weeks home grown veggies and fruit.

School activities have been replaced by summer FUN. Swim team, violin lessons, playing with friends, sleep-overs, cousin camp, vacation bible school, hanging at the pool, sleeping IN, naps, golfing, and VACATION! And of course don't forget, MOM's daily CHORE list! Summer = mom's off the hook for much of her household duties!

Unfortunately Kennedy's track and field participation has been sidelined for the summer due to an injured hip flexor. With that, we had 4 weekends open up for relaxing and family fun, one being this weekend.

Thursday morning was our first swim meet of the summer. An early morning wake up call, aka. 5:00 AM to be at the pool by 6:30. Who in the world decided to have swim meets at 7:00 AM? Ms. Kennedy has been gritting her teeth with every early morning wake-up call, usually followed with, 'Tell me, why I signed up for this?' She knows that in this household, one must finish what they start.

Madison started violin lessons this week. Every Tuesday and Thursday we trek on over to Linn Mar HS for an hour lesson. The report of the first two lesson's this week....BORING! 'I already knew EVERYTHING, mom'. We are not at the New York symphony level quite yet, so I am anticipating that things will PICK up.

Hmmmm lets see on Kennedy's social calendar, she has already attended 3 'school is done parties', with 2 more on the calendar, a birthday party, and a bamitzvah this weekend. Those are usually piggy backed with 'Can I have a sleep-over?'

Cousin Camp! Macin, age 5 has HER reservation for next week. We pick up her on Monday for a fun filled few days! We can't WAIT! Cousin Carter is booked for July and cousins, Jordan and Olivia in August!

Vacation Bible School...probably MY highlight of EVERY summer is slated for the last week of July. I need to get signed up to volunteer as a CREW leader! Kennedy is also a volunteer and Madison will participate. CROCODILE DOCK is our theme this year.

Pool time has been NONE up to this point. Chilly 60 and low 70 degree days along with rain and wind have prevented us from ANY lounging, book reading, chlorine filled hours. I am still using my winter foundation, something is wrong with that picture.

Sleeping IN. With the thunder clouds rolling through and rain rap, tap, tapping on my window this morning = NO SWIM TEAM practice and a few extra zzzzzss for US! Naps..last week Kennedy managed to pull a 5 hour one and seems to be catching a few extra zzzzzss most every day.

Milo is off for a few days with his ANNUAL guys out golfing in the Amana Colonies. Beer, LOTS of golfing, grilling out and no nonsense guy talk. Well, I am 'guessing' that what happens?

Vacation in August = road trip to Idaho to visit grandpa Gary and Mo-Mo! Summer vacations in our home consist of a three year rotation. Year 1 = Idaho Trip. Year 2 = Surprise Vacation (Milo & I plan a weeks vacation and the girls ONLY know day to day where we are going). Year 3 = Northern MN vacation, chilling in a cabin, fishing, and boating.

So that brings me to MOM'S summer chore LIST! I love it! Dishes, wash, house cleaning, food preparation. Each day the girls have a list of things that need to be accomplished before ANY friend time is allowed. I LOVE summer!

Whew...August 19th and the start of school will be here before we know it and if you can believe it, I will be ready to welcome it with OPEN arms.

So I best get some work done. Yes after ALL that I still have to work every week. Thank goodness for flexibility! I have about 2 hours of phone time in PJs to accomplishh and a bit of office work before tackling 'my' household chores for the day. We are hoping the clouds roll through and pool time is in our forecast for the afternoon.

Happy, LAZY, crazy days of SUMMER!

Music & Arts

With the end of the school year fast approaching comes extra evening activities, a band concert, an art show, girls chorus, and a surprise DUET! The art show is one of my FAVORITE events all school year. When the art pieces come home, I adorn them in my woman cave so the creativity that inspired them will in turn inspire me!

Third from the end. My favorite piece was the theme to Star Wars. My have they improved in just 3 short years.

Proudly displaying her masterpieces.










Of course a mom can NEVER have too many 'trinket bowls'.

AND finally enjoy a DUET, performed by M & M aka..Madison and Madison!

Well, I best send off and hit the shower. I have a color clinic to prep for in a few hours. Wash to do, groceries to fetch, flowers to plant, and scrapbooking to attend to. Madison is off at a sleep-over and has a babysitting job this afternoon. Kennedy hitched a ride with some CR track club friends to go to the meet that we 'thought was last weekend'. Milo had a previous obligation with his 'best friend' BOB (aka. motorcycle friend), that apparently lasts 'all day'. So we are all flying in different directions today only to reconnect later tonight.

toodles

A Photo Essay

This Week in My LIFE

2 WET track meets

66 second 400m

A 2:40 800m

A Race Car Debut


An Authors Tea


A NEW DO

A computer crash

a LOT of Geese POOP!

AND a surprise LOVE note

Guess the week wasn't all THAT bad!

P.S. Would someone PLEASE tell Mr. Milo that for my upcoming 40th birthday (August 15th), Mothers Day, or Christmas...ALL I REALLY want is a puppy (he knows what kind) and a MEGA zoom Nikon Camera! Tell him NOW so he can start saving his pennies!