Mini-Vacation

Last Thursday Caden, Cody and I loaded up for a 4 day mini-vacation. The first leg of our trip took us to Era for a visit with my grandparents. We celebrated Caden's birthday a day early. Granny made Caden's requested Strawberry Shortcake for his birthday cake. (For weeks Caden's been telling me that instead of our annual Ms. Piggy's custom made birthday cake, he wanted Strawberry Shortcake for his birthday!) We had a wonderful, short visit with Granny and Papa. Thanks Granny and Papa for everything!

Friday morning, we began leg 2 of our trip. Norman, Oklahoma, where everything is crimson red. 2 out of the 3 of us traveling on this trip are not big fans of the crimson red, we favor more of a burnt orange color.

Caden was in awe of the campus. From the moment we got there, he couldn't get over everything OU. There were OU flags everywhere! After arriving Caden asked Cody (in a very sarcastic tone, I might add)... "how you doing, Cody? Are you ok being at OU!?!". It was hilarious (I guess you had to be there to experience the whole conversation, and the looks that were passed between these 2 boys!).

We got Cody checked in and headed over to the dorms to unload his things. I have to tell you that there was a moment while unloading Cody's clothes and sheets that my eyes became teary! I had this flash-forward moment that in 3 years we could be unloading Cody into a dorm room for college. Wow. Deep breath. :)

Caden and I stayed to watch Cody's team's first game of the tournament. They won with ease. It was great to see him play again. I love watching him play golf and basketball. I like basketball more. I can yell and cheer at a basketball game. Not so much in golf. I get dirty looks when I cheer at golf. :)

Caden and I then loaded up and headed to our hotel. I had meticulously planned this trip (I am type A after all). I knew I wanted to stay somewhere between OKC and Norman and I found a perfect Days Inn that had everything that we needed for a great price. Once we arrived, we discovered that it did not have a pool as was described on hotels.com's website. Since I had promised one particular little boy that in just less than an hour of arriving that he would be jumping into a pool, I had to make a decision. This was probably the biggest stressor of the trip. I had planned our entire weekend from this one hotel's location. I had directions all written out from this location to all of the places we were going to go while in OKC. I had a mini-breakdown while on the phone with hotels.com. Caden's looking at me with tears in his eyes, I'm frustrated and mad, I'm realizing that the "good deal" I got online, may not be available at another hotel, and I'm hot. It was well over a 100 degrees that day and it was 3:00 in the afternoon! Long story short, I was able to cancel our reservation, (without any fees!) and the nice hotel manager directed me to a much nicer hotel that he also managed, and he gave me the same rate that I had booked online. In the end, everything worked out well.

We drove back to Norman that night to catch Cody's 7:00 game. They won that game as well. Day 1: 3 games; won 2, lost 1

Day 2 of our OKC trip was Caden's 7th birthday. We drove to the OKC zoo, only to arrive an hour before it opened (Type A me wanted to make sure I knew how to get there!). We spent about 3 hours at the zoo. It was a nice zoo. Lots of animals that Caden's never seen. However, it was miserably hot. By 12:00, Caden was done. I was done. So we loaded up to our next stop, the memorial site. I've wanted to visit this memorial for years. As we arrived, I realized that parking was going to be an issue, it was already into the 90's outside, and something that I hadn't planned on... Caden was asleep. So instead of fighting the traffic, waking Caden up, and then something that I hadn't really thought about... explaining the reason for the memorial to Caden, I decided that viewing the memorial would have to wait until the next OKC trip.

We drove on to the Incredible Pizza Company for Caden's birthday lunch. This place is 10 times better than our local Gattis pizza place. We had a great time playing putt-putt (I won) and video games. Afterwards we drove back to the hotel for some swimming and then drove back to Norman for another late basketball game.

Day 2: 3 games; won 2, lost 1

Day 3 of our trip, loaded up the car, checked out of our hotel room, and back to Norman for an early morning game. The 6 games prior and the few hours of sleep (too much partying in the dorms!) were beginning to take their toll on the boys. We barely slipped by with a win for our first game. Sunday's games were single elimination. You lose a game, your out... head on home. Next game was at 11:00. Cody had just enough time to finish a game, load up, drive to the location, warm-up and then the game was on. Second game was a dirty game. The other team was overly cocky, mean, and just played a rough, dirty game. They were ahead at one point by 15 or more. We slowly got it within 1 with seconds to spare. In the end we won by 1. Dirty never wins. Oh, they may actually win a game every once in a while, but to win dirty is to win without dignity and dignity is one thing we had every game.

Game 3. Played well and won. On to the championship game in the Loyd Noble Center. We had thought that Cody's team would be able to play on the main floor of the LNC, but the varsity teams were playing there. So, second best was the men's practice gym in the LNC. This gym had all of the OU banners hanging around the gym. It was a great moment. We lost game 4. In the end, the umph was gone. These boys were tired, worn out, had just played 3 games earlier in the day. We just didn't have enough to pull out a win. They lost by 15. Our team placed 2nd in the weekend tournament. It is something to be very proud of.

We drove back to the dorm and loaded up 3 days worth of sweaty jerseys, shorts, socks, and 3 days worth of wet, damp towels. Also... a pair of basketball shoes that had seen 10 games in 3 days. It was a nice ride home. :)

Whew... just reliving the weekend has made me tired all over again! We had a wonderful trip. We logged over 950 miles from start to finish. I am greatly thankful for the time that the boys and I had. I am thankful that my parents raised me to be independent and that I have a husband who lets me be independent. I am proud of myself for not getting lost, for my ability to read a map, and a sense of direction (well, at least I know Never Eat Sour Watermelons... N-E-S-W... I used that saying a lot last weekend!). Most of all I am thankful for the safe trip. We arrived home at 10:30. Mike had Caden's birthday gift ready for him to open... new golf clubs... then we headed on to bed. It was a great weekend. A great mini-vacation. Now I just need to get caught up on the laundry! :)

~jen

Photojournalism by Caden

I have to get creative in order to keep Caden entertained while at Cody's golf tournaments. Last Tuesday, I gave him control of my camera for a little while. Here's the view from Caden's eyes. :)

~jen

Clear, blue sky.

The essentials for clear, blue skies. Bug spray, sunscreen, and fruit punch!

Checking out the ball Caden found.

Making his putt.

The ball.

The golfer look.

More clear blue sky.

The underside of the golf cart roof.

Legs.

The End of Me

I guess I should re-word the title of this post to... The End of the Current Me. Many of you know that I have struggled with my weight since... well... the birth of Cody. There's been ups and downs, but over the past several years, it's been a steady increase. I've tried and failed many diet and exercise attempts... joined and quit weight loss programs.

Two weeks ago, I joined what will hopefully be my last weight loss class through my employer. So far I've lost 5 pounds. I haven't had a sip of any carbonated beverage (regular or diet) in 20 days. I can eat what I want, I've only changed when and how I eat. The good news is it's working. My clothes are fitting more loosely and the scale is now on a downward decline.

So why this post? Well, it's more for me. More for a reminder of where I've been, where I am at, and where I want to be. Where I am at now is unhappy, unhealthy, embarrassed, tired, and worn out. Where I want to be is healthy, happy, self-confident, active, and a better example for my family, friends, co-workers, and even my patients. While I understand (and totally accept) that I may never be that size 8 that I was my senior year, I sure don't want to be where I am at now anymore. Hopefully there is a happy median between the two.

I have a wish list that I've created for myself. These are things I want to do with Mike and the kids, things I want to do for myself. Here's a small sampling of some of those things...
~take the boys snow skiing
~learn to play golf
~go inner-tubing on the lake just one more time
~participate in a 5K run/walk race
~bike ride through the canyon
~fit comfortably in a ride at Six Flags
~shop at Coldwater Creek (and not have to order a "women's" size from the catalog)

I'm adding a weight loss tracker to the side of my blog. Again, this is more for me. I will update it every Friday.

So, here's to a new me. A better me. A happier and healthier me. :)
~jen

First Week of Tournaments

First tee shot of the summer golf tournaments

Like Father Like Son

Here's Caden keeping himself entertained with the wonders of nature!

I love when my camera captures these actions shots. Caden thought this one looked like a little volcano erupting! I love the next one, can you see the ball in the air? Those are my favorite shots!

Here's one of a bad shot. There were only a few of these!

A great photo-op moment of Caden watching the fish in the pond.

Focusing hard.

Can you believe this is my baby? All 6'1" (and still growing) 160# (he is finally back to his pre-surgery weight) of him is awesome!

Cody had a first great (and not so great) week of the summer golf tournament series. He played Monday-Thursday and received his first medal of the summer with a 3rd place finish in Perryton. He's off to a great start. There will be more pictures to come! :)
~jen

It's Summertime

And around here that means one thing... golf tournaments. We are hitting the courses fast and furious this summer. Cody has 4 tournaments this week alone. He will play in a total of 18 tournaments. Whew. I'm tired just thinking about the week ahead of me. And I don't have to do much other than sit in a golf cart for 5 hours each day!
Updates, golf scores, and pictures to come over the next few days!
~jen

Best Day Ever

Today was (in Caden's words) one of the best days ever. This morning we attended Caden's kindergarten graduation. Yes, there were tears, but that's ok. Watching your children grow brings tears of joy, pride, and even a little sadness.

This afternoon Caden and I went and saw Up. This is a wonderful movie that I highly recommend. Be warned, there may be a few tears. I had to fight them back a couple of times! I don't think I've ever cried during a cartoon! This is a great movie to go see. Of course, what Pixar/Disney movie isn't great!

Caden said on his way out of the movie theater, "this is the best day ever... it's the last day of school, I get to go to first grade next year, I get to go swimming tomorrow, I get to stay up as late as I want now, I got to go see a movie, and it's summer!" I have to agree. One of the best days ever.

~jen

Reflections...

This is the last week I will ever be a mom to a kindergartner. The "lasts" continue and they don't get any easier. I've said it over and over... I can't believe how quickly time passes. It passes too fast. In 3 months, I will be a mom to a first grader and to a sophomore. First grade and sophomore.

I never thought I would survive last August... that first day of school. Somehow, I survived. What a year we've all survived.

May the next school year bring as much joy, excitement, smiles, laughter, excellence, education, friendships, triumphs, challenges, and everything in between as this year has.

~jen

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Mom! I hope you have a wonderful day today. I wish we were there to celebrate with you. We are thinking of you always.
With love,
Jennifer

Cadenism

A conversation this morning while getting Caden dressed...

Caden: "Mom, do you know how to pop your foot fingers?"
Me: "Foot fingers? You mean your toes?"
Caden: "Yep... toes. Cause I can pop them!"

Foot fingers... that's funny. :)
~jen

On Our Own

Mike left this afternoon for Dallas for a 2-day training session (this reassures me that his job is still somewhat secure). That leaves the boys and I on our own until Friday night. And of course I work both days. Sigh. I wish we had had some advance notice of his training because, honestly, I would have packed up and gone with him. I don't know what I would have done during the time that he is in meetings, but just to get away would have been so nice.

Today's been one of those days that I am ready to mark 'done'. I've not been feeling well for the past couple of days so I went to the doctor this morning. Nothing is seriously wrong, just stressed and sick. I got an antibiotic. Hopefully it will kick what I've got. This afternoon I had an interview for a school nurse position within our school district. I don't think the interview went well. I was nervous, I wasn't feeling well (I probably should have rescheduled it, but didn't want to go through that hassle as the end of school year is drawing near), and I just felt like I didn't present myself well. I don't know. I think on some level I am just preparing myself in case I don't get it. Instead of being excited and hopeful that I may get it and then going through a huge letdown if I don't seems worse than preparing myself now that it may not happen. Does that make sense? It's times like these I wish my parents were here because I could sure use a hug right now, even a shoulder to cry on. (Mom, Dad... not trying to make you feel guilty for being 2 states away... just missing you this evening).

I'd better go. I've got to finish some laundry before going to bed. I have to get up super early in the morning. Trying to get 2 boys to school and me to work all before 8 in the morning will be interesting.
~jen

Before I was a Mom

Before I was a Mom -I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.


Before I was a Mom -I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.


Before I was a Mom -I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.


Before I was a Mom -I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.


Before I was a Mom -I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.


Before I was a Mom -I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.


Before I was a Mom -I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
~Author Unknown





How I love being a mom to these 2 beautiful boys. They are my pride and joy. They are apart of me. They always will be. And as much as they suck the life out of me at times, they bring it back with their smiles, laughter, and love.




Happy Mother's Day to each of you who is a mom to somebody.

~jen

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, Granny, Grandma, and Marcia! Thank you for being such wonderful women. Thank you for the support and guidance. Thank you for everything that you do for me and my family.
I love you all.
~jen

Playing with the Boys

Tuesday evening the boys talked me into going with them to the golf course. It wasn't quite my idea of a relaxing evening. All I really wanted to do is go get something to eat and then go home. But, whining and begging prevailed and I joined them for an evening out on the course. I have to say it was a beautiful evening and I was amazed at how much I actually missed watching them play! It had been a long time since I had seen Cody play. It made me sad to think about how much Cody has missed out on this spring. He didn't have the best game of his life that night, but I think he had a good time nonetheless. :)

The wonder of nature...

3 days ago, Caden and I made a discovery. I've been noticing a bird flying in and out of our front porch area. After seeing a bird rustling around in my front door flower decoration, we discovered this:

~jen