Expectro Partymus....

Translation- Harry Potter birthday party for Matthew. I noticed that I haven't blogged since January- I've been a little busy. I spent most of January planning and preparing for Matthew's 8th birthday party. I think I had more fun with all the party stuff than he did. Here's some pictures....

the Hogwarts seal I made with my wood burning tool

Wax seal on back of envelope of invitation

Invitation "letter to Hogwarts"

Treat bag items

candy for treat bags

Maruaders Map I found online- some girl actually drew it- amazing

Treat bags

Cupcakes by Hearon's Cakes

the birthday boy!!


Matthew shared his party with his best buddy, Lane at Magiquest in Pigeon Forge.  They had a great time!

I'm a wannabe and I know it

I'm a copier, and I copy well. I like to do "crafty" things (have I mentioned my craft storage before?). I like to learn new things.
I want to be a "blogger". Whatever that really means. I would love to have a really cool looking blog page, share awesome ideas and have lots of followers.
I can't come up with an original idea. Maybe I'm just creatively stuck right now. Maybe I don't need an original idea, but something that I can build upon and somehow call it mine. Hmmmm...... will have to think on that one.
In the meantime, I'll continue to follow all these talented bloggers, crafters, etc... and remain a wannabe.

On a side note, I did submit 2 pictures for the 52 weeks/52 photos thing I signed up for. The theme was Independence.

Have a great day!

In the year 2011....

In the year 2000.... if you watched Conan O'Brien back in the day, you might remember this skit he and his sidekick would do every once and a while. Occasionally, those words and the futuristic way they would say it pop into my mind.

In the year 2011.... I've been thinking the past few days about what "new year resolutions" I might make ~ to expand my limited cooking repertoire and promise to cook almost every night (assuming I could get Chef Fleer to give me a few lessons, although I'm pretty sure his 9 year old son can out cook me any day), to better organize my house, or better yet simplify my house, to start running again- with my legs and feet, not around in my car, or to shed those extra pounds I gained over the holidays from the strict Elf diet I put myself on- candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup.

I could make a few of those resolutions, but I'd never keep them.

This past Sunday, our sermon was entitled Happy New Year. I will attempt to paraphrase Kevin's excellent lesson, by saying this- we need to prioritize our lives. I need to prioritize my life. And I need to start by putting the Lord at the #1 spot.

Matthew 6: 19-21 - Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So, I'm going to work on that this year and I'm pretty sure if I can do that, putting God first in my life, everything else will follow. I'll still have to work hard at that list above, but at least I'll know that I have some heavenly help.

My favorite verse from the Bible- Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What will be your #1 priority in the year 2011....

P.S- while it may not be an official "resolution" I have decided to do something that I think will be fun. I'm joining 52 photos in 52 weeks: a journey of discovery with Monika (a local Townsend, TN girl) from iloveitall and her blogger friend from across the big pond, Lisa. Maybe this will be a step in the right direction to learn how my fancy camera works ( I probably need a class too). Check it out!

2010 Christmas Letter

Happy Holidays from our home to yours!

I've been procrastinating again (shocker!). My christmas cards are finished, addressed, stamped and ready to go. In each one I put a card, that read, if you want to read our christmas letter to come to this blog. I thought I'd "go green" with our letter this year. The cards have sat on the kitchen table for days, collecting dust because I didn't want to send them out and there be no letter for the recipients to read. I could lie and say I've been pondering something witty to write, but the truth is I just haven't taken the time to sit down and type. 

"Twenty-Ten" went by in a flash! Here's a quick year in review~

Eddie continues to work hard to provide for our family. His practice has grown over the past 8 years and the hours he puts in and the stack of charts he brings home to dictate are proof. Anyone I happen to meet who is a patient of his tells me how much they think of him and appreciate him. He is a truly caring physician to his patients, but more importantly, he is a loving husband and father. Eddie is a wonderful example to the boys. 

This year both of us went on a mission trip to Bagazan, Peru, in the Amazon jungle. It was an amazing experience, which at times I find myself still processing. This trip was Eddie's 3rd mission, and my first. The conditions were rough to say the least, but the awesome christian family that we worked with and the work that was done was well worth the dirt, bugs and heat. It was a humbling, yet wonderful experience. I'm glad we got to share it together. 

I (Shannon) am still working as a teacher assistant at Fort Craig Elementary, where both the boys attend. I love being able to be at school with them each day. While I don't see them much when there, I like just knowing that they are there, if I need them- wink, wink. I taught myself to knit this past year and found that it was good stress therapy. Also, I have totally embraced my role as soccer mom, as the manager of Cameron's team and co-coach of Matthew's. 

Cameron is 10 years old and in the 4th grade. He has grown about 10 feet this year. I can't wait until its warm out again and he can wear shorts. His pants keep getting shorter and shorter, and I'm pretty sure they are not shrinking in the dryer. He loves soccer and plays for the local club team, Blount United. He is quite a player, but I'm biased. Honestly though, he is a team leader. Also, this year, he started guitar lessons. He has a gift for music, which I'm sure came from Eddie's side of the family. Cameron is a super kid and Eddie and I are so proud of him.

Matthew is almost 8 and in 2nd grade. He has finally come out of his shyness shell and into his own. He is quite the personality at times. He played soccer as well, and was a stand out on the field and will be ready for the club team in the fall. Matthew has always lived in his imagination. Currently, he has taken on Harry Potter as his alter ego. If only there were a Quidditch team he could play on. I love that boy's imagination. Not only is it a source of entertainment for us, but motivation for him. His imagination has motivated him to love reading and learning. Like his brother, Matthew is an excellent student. We are proud of him, as well.

If you're ever in East Tennessee, look us up. We always love visitors. 

We are blessed in so many ways and thank God for all we have. 

Have a wonderful holiday season and a very happy 2011!

Holi-Daze

Only 29 days til Christmas... I read that in the paper this morning. With Thanksgiving 2010 now a recent memory, its time to focus on Christmas. Decorations, gifts, holiday spirit, pure and utter craziness for the next 29 days. I can hardly wait. Unfortunately, due to the sudden onset of a bad cold (originally, I had thought I was allergic to Eddie's cousin, Cindy, who has cats. But after the allergy pill didn't help, and a sleepless night with a lot of opened mouth breathing, I'm pretty sure its the real deal, and relieved that I'm not allergic to sweet Cindy.), all that holidaze will have to wait til I can function a little better. This is the first time I've been up today- a little Advil did the trick tonight. I'm taking advantage of the short lived feeling good and got a jump start on Christmas cards. They are ordered. Now for those of you who know me well, just because they are ordered doesn't mean that they will actually get sent out on time. I've been known to send Martin Luther King Day Christmas Cards. But I will try to do better this year ( don't hold your breath).
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know we sure enjoyed ours. Here's a few pictures from yesterday's festivities...

boys being boys while trying to take christmas card photo

fun in the leaves

no more photos please

The Turkey Queen

Hello, My name is....

Our little dog, Chester, is always taking his own adventures throughout the neighbor and I have yet to get him an I.D. badge for his collar. I took care of that tonight. Look what I found while I was ordering something else for a gift/project I'm working on

I found it on www.etsy.com at a shop called BowWowzerZ  http://www.etsy.com/shop/BowWowzerZ?ref=pr_profile

Cute stuff. 

Now I feel much better knowing that should Chester take off, someone will know who to call.

Everything I ever needed to know, I learned on google

Wow! After NUMEROUS attempts and a very, very long time on the computer, I finally did it! I created my very own cool blog button! Its a proud moment. I think its pretty cool. I doubt that anyone will actually "grab my button" and post it on their blog, with only 4 followers, its highly unlikely. But just in case someone does- they'll have an extra cool button on their side bar. To find out how to add a button to your sidebar on your blog, I suggest you Google it. The power of the internet- where you can learn just about everything- good and bad. Now if I could only Google how to get my grocery shopping done without having to step foot in the actual store!

Temporary cure of Craftitis

Several posts ago (more like several years ago), I admitted that I have Craftitis- the inability to finish any craft project that I start.

I was temporarily cured and finished a few projects this fall. Take a look...

My knockoff Ballard Design Laundry Drying Rack (inspired by another blogger, and technically built by our friend, Lee, but I painted and put together)

Used my Cricut to cut out vinyl #s and put them on my jars

New Fall swags for the front door inspired by another blog (but sorry I can't remember which one)

Family Subway Art

Halloween Subway Art

Now, if I could have only finished those Halloween pillows I started that are still sitting on the dining room table. O well- guess I'll pack them up and store them until next year. 

Real Moms of Maryville- Episode 2

With a long list in my head, and the determination to get it all done before picking up the boys for school, I headed out to the parking lot at work yesterday. Little did I know, I would find my old pal Murphy (Law) waiting for me at the car.

I hopped in the car, and started to pull out of my space, and heard the sound of fiberglass crunching to my right. Great! Hopped back out of the car, ran around the front, and about threw up right there on the spot. I had misjudged my turn and destroyed the left front bumper of the car I happened to be parked next to. Oh, and my right rear passenger door (again- more in a minute). 

I put my car back into the parking space, and with my head hung low, turned around and walked right back into the building to find the owner of the pretty silver BMW I had just roughed up. I waited while she was finishing up her class, and then broke the news. Having to tell someone that you ran into their car is not fun. Thankfully, the owner is as sweet as can be, but I don't think I could have apologized enough.

After the police officer came to take the report, I headed home to get a jump start on everything I knew I was going to have to take care of for the accident. I filed the report with the insurance, made a list of items I would need to take care of, and then headed back out to take the car over to the Body shop for an estimate. I called Matthew's teacher to let her know I would probably be a few minutes late picking up the boys, if she could hold onto them for me until I got there. 

I pulled into the parking lot of the Body shop, and through my windshield, I could see two bewildered faces staring back at me.

Time for a flashback.... Let me take you back for a moment to early June 2010 (yes, that's correct, 5 months ago). With a long list in my head, and the determination to get a few items knocked off my list before my parents arrived to watch the boys while Eddie and I travelled to Peru for a mission trip, I pulled into the driveway. Thinking that it would be a good idea to clean and vacuum the car out, I attempted to pull my 6 month old vehicle into our garage. As I was making the slight right turn into the garage, I heard the sound of fiberglass scrapping and crunching on the right side. I had apparently misjudged how much room I had when making my turn. When I got out of the car to check the damage, I truly had expected to see only minor scratches. Not so much. Not only had I scratched and dented the right rear door, but had scratched up the garage door frame, as well. That would be the easy fix. Being that we were getting ready to leave the country and then go on vacation upon our return, I thought it would be best to hold off on telling Eddie what had happened. Or a tleast hide it best I could until we returned. So, I quickly called my dad in North Carolina to ask where I could buy rubbing compound for the car, tried as hard as I could to buff out what I could and then found the outside trim paint and patched up the garage frame. 

I was able to pull it off until we were at the beach and he noticed the indentation in the door. 

Back to present day... I walked into the Body shop and smiled at the puzzled faces looking back at me. I told them I missed them, and that it had been two months since I had seen them and fortunately for them I was there for a visit. Same door, same side, more damage. 

I'm quite certain I heard old Murphy behind me giggling.

I'm sure you can only imagine my dear husband's response when I relayed the events of that afternoon. I'm still unsure of whether or not he is serious, but he mentioned selling the car and getting me a clunker to drive. Upon hearing this, my youngest, Matthew, starts crying, "No, don't sell the car, I like that car...." "Are we really going to have to sell the car?" "Will we get money for it?" I explained that I really didn't know what would happen, we would have to get it fix and then go from there. It was just a car and if we did sell it, yes we would get money. His sobbing quickly stopped and he looked up at me and asked, "Can I have half?".  "Half of what?" I asked. "The money", he said.

Flashback.... circa 1986. I'm 12, and for my birthday, I wanted a dog. I got a dog, a basset hound. The cute little puppy grows up, slobbers all the time, and stinks. 6 months or more pass, and it is decided that we need to try to get rid of the dog. I sob, and sob, and sob. The day comes when the new owner comes to pick up the dog. I was heart broken. Then I asked my dad how much did he sell her for and did he get cash?

Present day... Matthew didn't fall far from the tree.

Well, today was a new day! Everyone has calmed down (I think). The car is going in the shop tomorrow to get fixed. The insurance will take care of the repairs and I think I'll actually get a little rest tonight. 

O, and Murphy, I'm pretty sure I saw him hitching a ride with the truck that backed into the little blue car today while getting lunch at Sonic. (Accidents happen)

Real Moms of Maryville- Episode 1

I had posted this on my tumblr blog several weeks ago when it happened. I'm reposting it here for your reading enjoyment, and also, because Episode 2 happened today and will be posted soon.

If I'm not mistaken, the definition of the term "Soccer Mom", is a middle class, suburban mom, who drives an SUV, and hauls her children here, there and everywhere. That's me to a "t". Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way, and feel guilty if I have to rely on someone else to get the boys where they need to be or picked up. But, the reality is, I can't be in two places at once, and shouldn't even try, because Murphy's law is sure to rear its head, if I do.
Well, that's what happened yesterday...
In the attempt to pick up and drop off some paper work "real quick fast" on the way to pick the boys up from school, I ran into one of those Murphy's law situations.
Of course, I left the house with plenty of time to do all that I needed to get done and decided that Chester, our little dog, could come along for the ride. Chester likes the car. He likes to hang out in the Jeep in the driveway, or roam freely in the Buick if I'm cleaning it out. He likes to take a car ride every now and then. His stomach does not.
With that in mind, I prepared myself for the inevitable, making sure I brought along a towel, just in case. So as I'm driving through a unnamed near by neighborhood, I hear that familiar urping sound coming from the small animal in the seat next to me. I quickly start to reach for the towel to put underneath Chester's mouth, so that any and all stomach contents can be corralled and will not end up near the paper work on its way to being dropped off or the $600 camera sitting stupidly out on the car seat next to him. As I do this, my eyes divert briefly off the road in front of me and my car slightly diverts off the road as well. Into someone's pile of leaf and tree branch for pick up. Stunned and relieved it wasn't someone's mailbox, I look in the rear view mirror to make sure no one is behind me (really to make sure no one saw me) and I carefully back out of the yard and continue on my way. By now Chester is finished and I barely caught any of the vomit in the above mentioned towel.
I thought to myself- well, this must be the icing on the cake to the weekend of stress from you know where. Murphy (law) didn't agree.
I reached my drop off destination with plenty of time to spare.
I hopped out of the car, ran to the porch, deposited what I had brought, picked up what I had come to get and turned around to get back in the car. There was Chester, as cute as could be, looking at me through the window, paws on the door armrest, near the lock/unlock button. He had locked the doors.
Lovely! Car's running, radio on, oh and look at that- my cell phone is right there on the middle console. I start to panic just a little.
I'm not sure what I was thinking about at that moment, but all intelligent thinking flew out my brain. I actually tried to motion the dog to step back up on the armrest, hoping that he would step on the button again. Chester just looked at me like the crazy woman I am.
With no one home at the house I was at, neither one of the closest neighbors home either, I started walking to a friend's parent's house, who I knew lived in the neighborhood and might possibly be home. Then I started running, because when I looked at the time, I had twenty minutes to get to school to pick up the boys. Half way to the Sullivan's house, I kept hoping someone from Fort Craig would drive by, so I could tell them to tell the boys' teachers what had happened and that I would be late.
A quarter mile later, I reached the Sullivan's house, and rang the door bell. Luckily, Miss Connie was home, and let me use her phone to call school first, and then OnStar. They were able to unlock my door. I hitched a ride back to my running car and my nervous dog, got in and drove across town to get the boys- thankfully with out any more run ins with the law- Murphy's.
If some day you're listening to the radio and hear one of those OnStar commercials, listen real well. It might be the one about the lady who's dog locked her out of her running car and had to walk a mile (not really) to use a phone because it was in the car with the dog.

New & Improved

I think I've done it!! Hooray for me! I've change the look of my blog, and added pages that have nothing on them yet. 

And I really don't think that this will effect anyone but me, mostly because no one reads this but me- for now.

Top Ten Lessons From 2008

Finally, my cards are signed, pictures printed, cards in envelopes, almost ready to hit the mailbox... Christmas/New Years/MLK/possibly Valentines cards. Late might as well be my middle name. I consider "on time" when I get there (taken from a coaster in my car)... I wish I could use a Jedi Mind Trick on those cards- that they would just automatically seal themselves and find the nearest post office- that would be so nice.

Usually, I type out a family letter, but this year, I thought I would just post it on our blog and on my facebook page. So, here it goes.

Top Ten Lessons Learned by the Kuhls in 2008

#10: When building a house, you decide on every last and littlest detail. But the one you will worry about the most, is not the color of brick you choose, but how the color of grout you picked will make that brick look.

#9: Four-wheeler accidents cause broken bones

#8: Newly repaired four-wheelers left in garages the night before garage doors are to be installed, will be stolen

#7: Go-carts apparently are the perfect replacement for stolen four-wheelers

#6: Providing medical care and teaching the Gospel to those in need, is worth withstanding the heat of Honduras

#5: Having mixed emotions about sending your youngest child to Kindergarten is very normal, especially when it takes him 3 weeks to have a tear-less morning at the classroom door.

#4: That making the annual pilgrimmage to Pinehurst has become less about playing a good round of golf, and more about spending time with your best buddy.

#3: The definition of crazy: coaching two soccer teams, moving into a new home, and starting a new job all in the same month.

#2: The best way to spend your 10th anniversary- 2 soccer practices, burgers with friends at Five Guys, a Rebels football win, and spending the very first night in your brand new home.

And the #1 Lesson learned by the Kuhls in 2008:

That we must always remember, all that we have- our shelter, our possessions, our family and friends- are blessings from God.

May God bless each of you in 2009!

Addicted to Facebook

If you've spent anytime on Facebook, I guarantee if you're not now, you, too, will be addicted. If you were to ask Eddie, he'd tell you I spend entirely way too much time on there. Its fun- especially to "reconnect" with people from your past. I'm going to have to gradually ween myself away before work and school resume in a week. Wish me luck.

The Pumpkin Elf

Have you ever seen an elf? I've never actually seen one, but according to the boys they do exist! And ironically, it seems there is one for just about every holiday or special occasion. Whether an elf, fairy or even a leprechaun, these tiny creatures are magical. Its magical what they can accomplish, even if their presence is only perceived.

In our house, we are visited by a number of elves, fairies and a leprechaun or two. At Halloween, the pumpkin elf comes to play tricks and leave treats, during the christmas season, Snowflake and Jingle appear shortly after Thanksgiving to watch the boys and each night "return" to the North Pole to give the Santa, the Jolly ol' elf, a daily report. Then of course, the tooth fairy (we've never figured out her real name) comes the night a tooth is lost. Recently, we've noticed that she has been leaving dollars from Tooth Fairy Land (instead of a president's picture on the bill, its her picture?!, thankfully it is easily converted into U.S. money and the currency exchange rate is equal to that of ours. O and sometimes she'll leave a little fairy dust behind. On St. Patricks Day- we know that a leprechaun has been to visit if we find green pee in the toilet. I guess their parents never taught them how to flush.

This morning the boys woke up wondering if the pumpkin elf had come to visit while they slept. While Matthew was brushing his teeth, he swore he saw something!!! When they came downstairs, they found clues that he had been there (orange napkins in the pantry) and that he had helped himself to Matthew's brownie, because there were crumbs by the couch and the refrigerator (because of course Matthew certainly did not eat his brownie the day before while sitting on the couch - something not permitted or while walking around the kitchen). When we returned from school today, the boys promptly ran into the house to see whether or not he stopped by while we were out- he had not. I've reassured them however that there were still a few days before Halloween and he usually shows up when least expected.

Halloween by far is my favorite holiday! But I seem to be lacking enthusiam this year and need a little pumpkin elf magic myself.

I know its a little strange and slightly crazy to think that all these magical beings play tricks on us and come bearing gifts. But its fun! More fun for me than the boys at times, I think. I have a good friend who once said that she remembers her childhood being magical. So do I! I hope that one day, the boys will look back on their childhood and remember the magic.

Murphy's Oil Soap

Wow... a whole month has gone by (I feel like Kristen). Its been a little CRAZY around here! We are officially moved into the house. Actually, the first night we stayed in the house was our 10th anniversary (more on that later). Everything we need is in its place, the rest still in boxes hidden away in the basement or bonus room. I'll continue to work on unpacking next week. I'm hoping that when Ed and Lana return from their trip, they'll be rested and ready to help.

O.K., let's play catch up! Eddie and I celebrated our 10th anniversary on September 5th. This is how we spent it- soccer practice for both boys, enjoyed the best hamburgers in town at Five Guys with friends, watched Maryville's football team bring home another victory and then slept in our brand new house. We had said to each other we would not give each other gifts. I'm usually the one who doesn't abide, but this year Eddie surprised me with a beautiful handmade wooden box. Is wood the traditional gift for the 10th anniversary-I'll have to look that up. If it is then I will be so impressed, but I do know that he had some help from the girls at work.

It was very strange actually staying in the house.At first, it didn't really feel like it was ours. Then, we all seemed to be turned around and lost. Rooms that looked somewhat familar all of a sudden had new unfamilar names, i.e. I told Cameron that he could find himself a snack in the pantry, he asked me what a pantry was. My reply- its the room with all the shelves and food, in the old house it was the food closet. The boys will call out for me and I think I'm being loud enough to hear and they'll still call out because they can't find me. I'm not trying to be boastful about the size of the house, its just funny. Needless to say, sans furniture, rugs and curtains, the house echoes. If I'm not home and I call Eddie or he calls me, I can always tell whether or not he's at home, because when he talks it sounds hollow. We've been here 4 weeks now and its beginning to feel more like home.

In addition to moving into the house, I started a new job. I am now employed by the Maryville City Schools. I took a position as a TA for Nancy Caroline Connell at Fort Craig. Its awesome. I worked 2 weeks before we started Fall Break. I love it. Nancy Caroline is wonderful to work with and I'm so happy to be at school with the boys. Its so wonderful to be able to peep in on them during the day, see them in the hall or on the playground, eat lunch with them.

I'm sure that way more has happened over the last month, but I can't remember them. The boys (and me) are on fall break until the 14th. They went camping with Ed and Lana at Pirateland in Mrytle Beach, then went to New Bern to visit with my parents until Saturday. I'll drive to Greensboro and meet them. I think I was depressed the first few days they were gone. I stayed in bed all day last Friday to nurse a migraine, then didn't really feel like getting out of it again til Monday. When I'd talk to them I would cry. Early case of empty nest syndrome? I've used this time to unpack, clean up and go to appointments ( dentist and eye- I'm still having a horrible time with my eyes). Unpacking and cleaning up brings me to the title of this blog. Rho- I plan on adding a photo just to make you happy : )! It seems to be the case that certain items multiple like rabbits in our house. Namely, sprinkles, icing, office and school supplies and Murphy's Oil Soap. As we were moving in to this house and out of the rental, I purchased a large bottle of the above named household cleaning product. Little did I know or realize, I already had 2 open bottles of the liquid. And just last night, as I was sifting through a few boxes, I found another open, barely used bottle of ... Murphy's Oil Soap. I'm hoping that after I "google" it, I'll find all these wonderful ways to use it. I'm convinced that all these collections of oddities goes hand in hand with my craftitis disease.

"Craftitis"

I have a syndrome, uncommonly known as "craftitis". Definition- the swelling of one's craft supply. It can be fairly serious. Symptoms included but are not limited to the over abundance of craft supplies. There is no known cure at the present. Therapy may be helpful with some patients, as well as, the act of organizing one's supplies and distributing them to needy preschools, church classrooms and the like.
My, oh, my, what a large craft supply. With the event of moving looming on the horizon, I have spent the last two evenings, literally, cleaning up and out my craft supplies. I have rubbermaids full and labeled (Allison would be proud) of various forms of crafting. Sewing, fabric, scrapbooking, glue and other adhesives, jewelry findings, ribbon, cardstock and colored paper. You name it, I probably have it. I found 4 paper hole punches, several pairs of scissors, floral tape galore. I have realized I have a problem. So many ideas, little time and enough crafting junk to last the rest of my life. Somebody stop me! I have shed a tear or two, while getting it all put together. I feel wasteful.
I'm determined to move into this house in some form of orderly fashion. Last year when we packed boxes, some were packed with care, others not so much. Boxes were scattered between storage space in the rental and the storage unit. I felt very discombobulated. Finding certain items was not easy. So when Eddie emptied the storage unit this past weekend (thanks to Alan for all his help), I was hoping and thought I had asked for certain boxes, such as decorations, all be placed in one specific location. That did not happen. I had a melt down. I cried. I needed a release. Its not so much that the boxes didn't get put in the right place, or that boxes that belonged together upstairs in the bonus room, where placed way down in the basement, as it was that I was/am exhausted. I feel like I've spent an enormous amount of time painting, caulking, talking about the house, running errands for the house, dealing with the bank and their deficiencies, making phone calls, pricing supplies, making decisions. I am so thankful that Lana has been able to help with the cleaning up, window cleaning and the like. She has spent many hours vacuuming and windexing. I spent an hour on Saturday trying to figure out how to put the grills in the front door windows. I was apparently doing it all wrong- for an hour. When I finally had a light bulb moment, it took me 5 seconds- literally. I think my brain is just fried. So if I seem a little out of sorts, its because I am. If I seem a little distant, a little spacey, don't hold it against me. If I don't call as often, or return a call as quickly as usual, its not because I don't want to. I'm ready for normalacy. I'm ready for our lives back.

Don't touch my (hair) do!

Sometimes kids surprise you, don't they. This morning started off to a rough start. Today was picture day at school. And if anyone reading this knows, Matthew, while fairly photogenic, is not a big fan of having his picture made, unless I'm behind the camera. So, needless to say, when told this morning that he would be having his picture made, he was not happy. I tried to calm his "fear" by telling him that, he would just have to sit there and have one picture taken. I asked Cameron to tell him that was all he would have to do. Cameron said "well... actually you have to sit there and they have to position you on the stool, and they make sure your shirt is o.k. and they comb your hair..." then the tears came. " I don't want anyone to comb my hair...." And again, if you know Matthew, he doesn't like to be touched by people he doesn't know (remember the hug tag game in gym from a few weeks ago), and he is particular about his hair. As a toddler, he loved to have his Nan brush his hair at church and now he proudly brushes his hair every night after his shower, but for a stranger to do it, is torture. I told him I would write his teacher a note and explain to her that he was nervous and that to let the photographers know that I could care less how he looked in the picture, but that I did expect him to be big and have his picture made. In the end, that seemed to help him over this hurdle. Off to school the boys went. My day went on. Packing boxes, dealing with unprofessional, lying loan officers, etc... just another typical day, right? I picked the boys up and the first thing his teacher said to me, was that he did great at pictures, he sat so well and let them comb his hair! Surprise! Cameron is just so easy going. He could care less. Last night he had a soccer skills clinic and he did very well. And since I don't have enough on my plate, I volunteered to coach Cameron's soccer team as well (I'm also co-coaching Matthew's). Cameron was really excited and for that reason alone, I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm sure I'll have some help too.

Great Green Gobs of....

Dr. Oz's energy drink! I'm trying it. On a friend's recommendation. Its green and thick. We'll see if it does the trick. I need energy- there are porch pillars to caulk and paint, vanities to paint, rooms to clean.... O and maybe I should start packing. Hopefully, we will have a certificate of occupation by the end of next week and can start moving things in. Can't hardly believe its almost over. Note to Rho- i had thought about taking a picture of it, just for you.

Who's Phillip Fulmer?

I'll get to the title of this blog entry in a minute. But first, I'll update whoever may be reading this on what's been going on. School, work, painting, caulking, building, theft.... we've been busy, busy, busy! School- I had really intended on titleing this entry " Matthew's first tear-free morning", but I didn't have a picture to go with it. Friday, of last week, Matthew had his first tear-free drop off at school. It only took 3 weeks, but it did happen. Monday and today went just as well. The boys seem to be doing well and enjoying school. Cameron doesn't say much, but he was really proud of some art that he did on Friday. They were looking at pictures by MC Escher and drew pictures of hands. I went on Monday to the art room to take a look. He did a great job. He's a very good artist in my opinion. Work- Eddie is working hard. Apparently, he has decided that his goal is to see 600 patients in the month of August. His nurse showed me the tally sheet, she keeps at her desk. Bless them. Painting, caulking, building- I've become quite the little construction worker. Over the past several days, I've caulked nail holes and stairs, sanded stairs, and painted them, as well as, shelves for closets. Today, I caulked the back porch pillars and will paint them tomorrow. I'm also getting ready to distress the stairs that I painted. Theft- Cameron's four wheeler was stolen from the new house garage. The day before the garage doors went on. Of course. We had taken it over there so the boys could ride while we worked Sat. and Sunday. Could bring it home because Eddie let one of his partners borrow the trailer to try out his four wheeler (we're selling that). Monday, I had figured one of the workers moved it when they were putting the garage doors in. Tuesday morning, the boys asked me if I knew where it was, that it wasn't at the house. After several phone calls, a hike around the property and neighborhood, it was no where to be found. So I filed a police report and had hoped it would be covered on our renters insurance. It is not, because it is a motorized vehicle. Goodbye another $1500. It makes me want to puke. The kicker is that whoever took it, had to roll it down the driveway and heave it in to whatever they hauled it away in, because the key is on Eddie's keychain.

OK- the title of this post. On Saturday, we all got to go watch a UT football scrimmage at Neyland Stadium. From the new sky boxes! and we also got to "meet" Phillip Fulmer and have him sign something. The boys kept asking "who's Phillip Fulmer?" they just thought it was cool to sit up that high and eat cookies and watch football. Anyhow... the picture is from that day. We went with one of Eddie's partners, his son and two of our mutual friends' boys.

The plane has landed!

He's home, He's home!!! and he's tired. Eddie crawled into bed this morning about 5:30. The boys woke up right before 7:00 and came bounding down the stairs. I heard Cameron say "Matthew, Daddy's home!", when they saw his bags by the door. It was sweet the way he said it- like Santa had been here. They were so excited. And when Eddie opened his "sack", you would have thought it was Christmas morning with all the souveniers he brought home. Matthew was especially excited about the Honduran money Eddie brought back. He told me that daddy had given him a 100 dollar bill and now he could go buy a new lego ship. I told him he could buy it in Honduras. Then he ran to ask Eddie if they had legos in Honduras. We haven't had time to get all the details about the trip. I did get an email update yesterday before they returned and it had said that they had a great trip with about 20 baptisms, many bible studies set up and had seen 1400 people at the clinic. I found the camera in the bottom of Eddie's bag and went to upload pictures- there were none. I doubt he had time to take any pictures. Hopefully, someone will be able to share some with us. We are just happy that he has arrived home safe and sound. And we're looking forward to just spending time with him today!