Thanksgiving Day & Drew's First 5k

(a post by my husband, Todd)

First off let me explain that I am guest blogging this entry. There are just certain things in life that hold special meaning for each of us. Today a dream came true for me.

On my birthday two years ago I ran a 10K and Kelly did a 5K walk. The local news interviewed Drew as he cheered for me and his mom. He told the reporter he was there, "Because I want to be like my dad." You see I started exercising so that I could be active in their lives as they grew. Last year he started doing kids triathlons. I have always believed that he could go farther if he wanted but he had always just wanted to do them for fun. A few weeks ago he and I went for a jog to see how far he could go. We planned on going a mile and then walking a bit. Since he had no trouble going a mile I didn't say anything and we just kept running. When we turned around we had gone more than a mile and a half. He pushed himself and ended up running almost 4 miles. I think he did it because I wanted him to.

Today he and I did the Turkey Run at the YMCA. He wanted to sign up for it and we planned on running it together. I don't think I have looked forward to a race as much as this one. We got dressed together this morning and headed out of the house. Once there we mingled with the other racers and found our position at the start. I could tell that he was a little nervous. The energy from the crowd caused us to go a little faster than we had planned. With the cool air and excitement he was breathing a little hard for the first few blocks. We soon settled into a nice even pace and just enjoyed the day. The day was perfect. We talked throughout the race and I truly was just enjoying being with Drew. Once we made the last turn I knew that he was going to run the entire race. I was so proud of him. I knew he could do it and he did as well, but sometimes it is hard not to give in and walk. He finished strong with a sprint at the end. He ended up with a time of 32:00. As he crossed the finish line they were handing out fliers for another run. He asked me if I had a pen. He wanted to sign-up on the spot. Drew has grown so much in these past nine years. I am so proud of him and love it when I see him do something so incredible. When we got home we watched his interview from two years ago. We still have it on our DVR. For some reason we just cannot delete that little moment when as a little boy he looked up with those eyes and said, "Because I want to be like my dad." Knowing that as he grows he still wants to be like me is simply the best feeling on Earth. I was having such a great day that I even wore my "World's Greatest Dad" shirt today.

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I hope you enjoyed my husband's post. He really wanted to be the one to write about Drew's 5k race today. I was so proud of Drew and I could tell it was very meaningful for Todd. Noah had a bit of excitement too. The local news interviewed him and I both about what we are thankful for. He was so excited to see us on the 6:00 news tonight.

Before we met up with my family for brunch, we headed over to my mom and dad's almost finished new house for a big family picture. I won't show it since it's going to be in my parent's xmas cards, but I do have to share this one of the 6 grandkids. Getting all 6 of them to sit still together for any length of time is picture worthy in itself!

I just love this picture of my adorable Dad and my even more adorable niece Ellie.

My nephew and godson Ty made me this beautiful turkey card with his hands and feet. I absolutely love it.
What was written inside completely melted my heart. I love you too Tyler!

Tonight we met up with Todd's side of the family for dinner and the kids had fun with all of their cousins there. On the way home, it was quiet in the van and Aiden says "Mom, what you thankful for?" It was so sweet how he said it. I said "I'm thankful for you, I'm thankful for Drew, I'm thankful for Noah, and I'm thankful for daddy. What are you thankful for??" I'm expecting something sweet and heartfelt and he pipes up. "for the robot that Blake has." I didn't even know Blake had a robot!

This was a perfectly wonderful Thanksgiving from start to finish. THAT is something to be thankful for.

A Day for Thanks

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!


I have so much to be thankful for this year. First and foremost on my list is that my Dad is cancer free! It's not something I talked about on my blog but our family had a couple of scary months. I hope and pray every day that he stays healthy because I can't bear the thought of him going through something like that ever again. And no matter how old you get, a girl always needs her daddy. I am thankful for the family that supported us all along the way and helped out in so many ways in building my mom and dad's new house, especially when my dad was unable to do any work. I am thankful for a husband that shares the same views as me when it comes to our boys, our family, and friends. I'm ever thankful for 3 incredible boys that challenge me in every way, both good and bad. It's always a learning process! I will never take those hugs, kisses and cuddles for granted. I am thankful for amazing girlfriends, both in real life and on the web, that can always make me feel better and always know how to laugh, act crazy and have a good time.

My list could go on and on, but I touched on my most important ones. I've always been a 'glass half empty' type of person and have to really struggle not to let myself fall into my 'dark place' as I call it. Sometimes I really have to work to feel happy, even when I know I have no reason not to be. I know I have so much to be grateful for. But even in our darkest days, there is always a little light out there somewhere to be grateful for. We need to cling to those the things that make us happy, both big and small, and enjoy the journey!

A Post To Myself

I missed my boys on the American Music Awards last night so I had to find their performance on youtube and put it on here for my viewing pleasure.

I know, I know I'm LAME-O!!

Weekend

This past weekend always kicks off the holiday season for me. It's the Holiday Gift Show put on by the Quincy Service League. It has been Todd and I's tradition as long as I've known him to go to it, to eat and shop. It's a blast and it really puts you in the holiday spirit. This year was extra special because Drew and Noah asked if they could go. I enjoyed sharing all the holiday excitement with them and the good food too. I think they enjoyed it although I think they would have been happy with a little less time spent shopping! Aiden got to spend that time at Matt and Beth's playing with his cousins (thanks guys!!) It was all he talked about all week and he had so much fun. He thought he was big stuff getting to go by himself. Sunday then I worked at the gift show. The store where I work always has a booth there and I love working the gift show. It's so fun to see people dressed in their Christmas clothing and the cute little kids dressed up to see Santa. I honestly don't even feel like I'm working...and this year was great because Chris said it was our best gift show yet, as far as how much we sold. YAY.

One of the other highlights of the weekend is going to see the movie Twilight. Holy crapola, that was worth the wait. The books are to die for, no pun intended and the movie was every bit as hot! I have to see it again and I can't wait for a sequel.

Gotta get my buns in the shower, Monday is my work day and I'm beat. Poor Aiden was up all and down all night with congestion and a cough, at least one kiddo always seems to get sick each holiday. Luckily he doesn't act like he feels too bad but he sounds bad.

Happy Monday!

This and That From the Past Week

We had a computer breakdown this week. I freaked...just a bit!! It was the computer that houses 5 years worth of pictures, my itunes, digital scrapbooking stuff, mary kay files, etc. So I had some cute pictures to post but couldn't access them. Thank goodness for the laptop so at least I had internet access. I may have had to be committed if I had lost that! All is good with the computer again, but I'm finally gonna get off my butt and back up all of my files on my flash drive that has been sitting on my desk for months!

Here's a picture of my little bell ringer from last Friday. He enjoyed doing it even though it was cold and 2 hours is a long time for a little guy to stand and ring a bell. I was proud of him.

Saturday the new scouts had a pinewood derby race. Noah and Todd made his to look like a monster truck and it was still amazingly fast. He took 1st and 2nd in all the races he was in. I think he got 3rd overall. Here is a picture with him and his friend Mathias. I need a picture of his car though. We only have one of it with all of the others so it's hard to see. Aren't they sweet??

This isn't the best picture of them, but can't you tell Aiden has Daddy's eyes??? And beautiful eyes at that!!!
Ok, this has been one of the thorns in my side this week. Grayson has always loved the turtle tank but until we put some goldfish in it also, he hasn't been too bad with it. The tank sits on the headboard of Noah's bed. He has been splashing around having a hey day this week. Poor Noah's bed was soaked the other day and that was the last straw. Todd went and bought a screen to put on top of the tank. You can tell it really made a difference, right?? And there's one hole in the top that is open to allow the cord to the filter to go through and so you can drop food into it. Guess who likes to put his furry little paw in there and make a mess?? Arrgh, he's as bad as the boys sometimes. Good thing he is so cute and cuddly!!!

Drew started indoor soccer this past weekend. I can't wait to get some pictures there. For some reason, his team plays so much better at indoor than outdoor. They kicked butt last week and it was so exciting. I have a blast watching him play. He has some fancy foot work and is by far one of their best players. (I promise I'm not saying that because I'm his mom!) The cool things is, he is equally good at offense as he is at defense. I'm such a proud mamma watching him.

Looking foward to our busy weekend and busy holiday week ahead. More on that to come!

I'm Thankful For:

1. My computer is saved!

2. The weekend is here and I'm looking forward to going to the Holiday Gift Show tomorrow!

3. After really cracking down with Aiden, he's actually been good most of yesterday and today so far!

4. Mint Chocolate Truffle coffee creamer.....need I say more??

5. Evening spent in my craft room last night and I have some cute things to show for it!

The Santa Debate

In a very serious voice, Drew asked me if I believe in Santa. Uh oh, here comes 'the talk'. I've been expecting it.

"Of course I do" I replied. "Why do you ask?" (I always love opening a can of worms)

"Lots of reasons" Drew said. "Like how can one guy go to every house in the world in one night??"

"Well he just gives gifts to good boys and girls" I said.

Drew reminded me that he gives coal to the bad ones. My quick thinking Drew.

We went back and forth for awhile when he gave me the clincher. What do I say to this??

"How come all of the gifts we get say 'Made in China'?" Drew asks. (it took all I had not to laugh at this)

"Ummm, maybe Santa has a workshop there too??" Drew then gives me "the look" and says "Mom!" "Maybe he buys some of the gifts because his elves can't make them all??" I say. Not sure if he bought that. I've got nothing.

I'm left wondering what conclusions he's drawn now.

Sometimes Ya Gotta Tell A White Lie

This is one of those stories that's funny but it's not.

On Wednesday, Drew had done something mean to Noah, I don't even know what it was. Well, Aiden was mad about that so he tackled Drew to the floor and clawed at his cheeks. Poor Drew had awful scratches on his face and it really stung. Needless to say Aiden was in time out for a verrrry long time and had a good talking to. I jokingly said that when people ask him about his face the next day that it will be embarrassing to say that his 3 year old brother beat him up. (I was also feeling guilty because I had meant to trim Aiden's nails that morning and didn't get around to it. They are trimmed now though!)

Last night at supper, Todd asked Drew if anyone commented on his face and he said yes. I asked him what he told them. Drew got a big ole grin on his face and said "I told them my cat did it!"
(For the record, our cat does NOT have any claws.....but I guess Drew's friends don't know that!)


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Today I'm thankful for:
1. Today is Payday!
2. A busy fun filled weekend ahead.
3. David Cook's CD comes out on Tuesday.
4. The movie Twilight comes out next week!
5.Aiden told me...."You the best mom I ever seen!"

A Time to Give

The giving season is upon us and we have been trying to think of ways to give. Last Christmas Noah really wanted to ring the bells for the Salvation Army. By the time we called and asked about it, it was close to Christmas and they didn't need any more volunteers. This week Todd called right away and got Noah scheduled to do it. He is so excited and I'm sure that afterwards, he will want to do it again. For those of you in town, Noah is ringing the bell and collecting money for the Salvation Army on Friday night from 5-7 at KMart. If you're out and about, stop by and drop some change in the bucket......he'll love it!

After Drew's class visited Quanada (a shelter for abused women and children) when he was in kindergarten and donated toys there, he has wanted to continue that. For a few years, he has worked at his Great Uncle David's tree stand and used his money to buy games to donate. This year we're thinking of donating food for the food pantry. After hearing how all the food pantries are short and knowing how many families are in need of something so basic as food, I think that will be our project for this Christmas.

They both seem like such little things but if everybody gave just a little of their time and/or money, it would make such a huge difference. This Christmas let's try to not to focus as much on the shopping and presents but to focus on the real meaning of the season.

What can you do to give this year???







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When making our your Christmas cards this year, send an extra one or two to our wounded soldiers who have done so much for us.

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

It Just Keeps Getting Better.........

Ok, call me crazy, (CRAZY) but I did it again...........Erica and I went to see our Boston boys in concert again on Monday night. One time was NOT enough, the bug was back. We managed to get awesome seats, HOLY SCHMOLY! (thank you unknown Mike from Craigslist....I'm so grateful your girlfriend had to travel for work). We were on the floor, 25 rows back from the stage but also very close to the rotating stage in the back. Add to that the fact that were were 5 people from the aisle that they walk down!!!!!!! to get back up to stage and we were happy Block fans!!! I convinced Todd that we need to invest in a new camera after this concert as it acted possessed and crazy and royally ticked me off. It's only 5 years old but it's like 20 years in the digital world right??
Anyway I did get some decent pics and awesome video so I'm a happy girl.

These aren't in any special order, I just didn't feel like messing with that.

The girl on the piano is their choreographer and she dances in the concert. She's got some moves!

JOOOOORRRDAAAAAN!

Holy crap, there's Donnie in the red hat. Wait, I can almost touch him. Crap, I fell off of my chair.

Jordan and Joe! Oh my God!!!! I love you!!

(yes, we were insane, it was just all wrong) The girl next to Erica took off her boots and climbed over and touched them all. I was too busy taking pictures and trying to maintain my balance on a folding chair. After they went by, Erica fell and got her legs stuck in the back of her chair. It was too funny. I fell and was caught twice, once by the girl in front of me and once by the girl in back of me. Thanks girls, us Block fans stick together!

There they are!

Sigh, need I say words?

They just ooze sexiness, and those voices...... I was a puddle of goo.

Goodbye my Boston boys. Please come around again. You have a ton of crazy for you fans that will come!!

You gotta watch this video, it's worth it. Look how close we got! (you'll need to turn off my music on the side to hear the video. The sound isn't great but the song is awesome and you have to hear Erica's whoo-hoo's!)

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**Heartwarmer**

Aiden climbed into my lap this morning and was giving me an awesome cuddly hug. The best part was when he said "Mom, I just want to stay here forever." He may be an onry fart some days, but things like that more than make up for it!

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Go check Dianna's blog, she has Part 2 of our Chicago trip up and she has some awesome pictures. We still talk about that weekend. I agree with Dianna, it goes in my Top 10 list of most awesome fun times! I need my girls......they keep me sane and I don't know what I'd do without them. My family is my first priority, but my girlfriends are a very close second. I love you guys!

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My bloggy bud Amy is having giveaways this week on her blog. (I won a Unity stamp on Monday ---YAY!!) Go check it out and give her some bloggy love. She is so talented, beautiful and is a hoot, love her!

My Thankfuls From Yesterday (it's too early for todays)

1. I got to sleep in after getting to bed at 3:45am the night before (we drove home after the concert) I'm too old for those late nights.

2. Todd was off work for Veteran's Day but the two older boys still had school so it was nice. :)

3. I made amazing homemade chicken noodle soup for supper.

4. Drew asked me to cuddle him at bedtime. He was scared of having the same nightmare he had the night before. I gladly took him up on his offer.

5. Talked to my cousin Jessi on the phone about the concert. She went last night and said it was the best concert ever. She emailed me this morning and said they even got seat upgrades and a wave from Jordan. So jealous girl.

If you made it all the way to the end of my post, Happy Wednesday!!

Gratitude Journal

I've been wanting to start a gratitude journal for awhile now and what better time than the Thanksgiving season?? I got the idea from Amy and her blog. She closes her blog entries with a list of things that she is thankful for that day. I love reading her lists and it makes me stop and think about my day and what I'm thankful for. It's amazing that even on the crummy days, if you stop and think about it, there is still plenty to be thankful for. So that's why I'm starting my own gratitude journal to jot down what I'm thankful for every night before bed. I'm also hoping to make a thankfulness book for Thanksgiving. I think it would be a neat tradition to start to have the whole family write in it every Thanksgiving and each year we can look back on Thanksgivings past.

So here's my list of what I'm thankful for today. Amy, I hope you don't mind me borrowing your idea!!

1. Mint Chocolate Hot Chocolate...mmmm
2. After Drew slammed me in Disney Scene It, I came back and beat him in darts!! :)
3. We spent the day decluttering, cleaning and organizing the 3 boys' rooms and they look awesome! (and we got rid of a ton of stuff)
4. Time with my new watercolor pencils, water brush and stamps.
5. I didn't have to cook lunch or supper today.

Parent Teacher Conferences

We had Drew and Noah's parent teacher conferences yesterday afternoon. I could go on and on with all the wonderful things their teachers said like Noah is reading above level and is so helpful in class, Drew is a good friend to everyone and has high test scores, blah blah blah. I won't bore you with how wonderful my boys are and what great students they are. Let's get to the juicy stuff, the stuff that I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around. The stuff involving my 9 year old and his girlfriend. Yep, you heard it right, his girlfriend. Most of the boys in Drew's class have a crush on Charlie and have had since she came to their school. We like to tease Drew about it. Little did I know that Charlie also likes my sweet Drew and they are considered boyfriend and girlfriend. (Ok, I can't help feeling a little smug that she picked my boy out of all those boys even if this is just all wrong for a 9 year old) Apparently the only problem Drew's teacher has had this year with Drew occurred when she unknowingly sat Charlie and Drew together at a table. I guess they were way too chummy, passing love notes, etc and Mrs Barner had to separate them. She told them that 4th grade is way too young for all this lovey stuff (AMEN SISTER!) and to save it for later. I think about Drew and Charlie skating together on the moonlight skate at the skating party and it's not so cute anymore. I'm freaked out here. Yes, I remember being in 4th grade, I had a crush on Michael Bliven. I had my first so-called "boyfriend" in the 5th grade. (he's gay now) But this is my sweet baby, my Drewdlebugs. He can't have a crush yet, can he??? We are going to talk with him about it today. I'm curious what he has to say about it although I'm guessing he won't say much. I'm not ready for this growing up stuff.

Drew's Soccer Picture

Just got Drew's soccer pictures back. It turned out really good. Both boys had great school pictures this year and they both had great soccer pictures too. Why will they smile for other people and I get the fake plastic one, like they are humoring me?? :)

We had an amazing weekend. The weather was absolutely gorgeous...not November weather, that's for sure. Saturday I got to sit in the awesome sunshine and watch Drew and Noah play soccer. That night we met friends at Cassano's for pizza and then headed to Matt and Beth's for awhile to hang out. Sunday, I took Aiden on a bike ride and we went to the park. Then after lunch, I took Drew,Noah, and my goddaughter Ella to see High School Musical 3. It was very cheesy but a cute movie. The older boys had a busy weekend too with Halloween parties at friends' houses and Drew spent the night with a couple of buddies. What an awesome way to spend the weekend. Looks like only a couple more nice days of fall weather and then some colder stuff is on the way. We are going to be outside as much as possible today!

Also, my BFF Dianna wrote about our Chicago trip on her blog too. It's cute...check it out.

http://learningtotaketime.blogspot.com/2008/10/girls-weekend-part-1-dont-judge-me-ok.html

Vote

I'm all for voting......for no more daylight savings time. It screws up my kids internal clocks for days..........................

Halloween

Another year of Halloween over. This was definitely a fun one with the boys and I even got some good pictures out of it! The fun started on Wednesday. Aiden got to dress up in his costume for school and they had a little party at the end. Me and the boys got to come for that and it was cute. Here's a picture of him before school. Wednesday night was Family Fun Night at Drew and Noah's school so the boys got to dress up for that and we played games and had snacks. It was a great turn out and we had a lot of fun. I didn't get many good pictures from that though.
This year Noah wanted to grow his own pumpkins so he and Grandpa Ken planted some down by their lake. They got a late start so they didnt' have time to turn orange but they still turned out great. The vines climbed their way all the way up the steep hill towards the street. Here are the ones that the boys picked the other day. Isn't that neat how they grew them with the boys' names on them? ;)
Todd found an awesome website where you can print the template out of anything you want to carve on a pumpkin. You can even convert photographs. For bosses day he carved a pumpkin of the principal at his school and gave it to him--it was a hit. The boys picked out what they wanted for Todd to do this year.

Drew picked Indiana Jones

Aiden picked the lion from Madagascar.

Noah picked Pikachu.

In like a lamb, out like a lion. At Grandma Paulette and Grandpa John's House.

Drew normally hates getting his picture taken but was loving it this year because he didn't have to smile. Even Batman could get away with it if he wanted. That cute little lion gave me some smiles though!
All The Grandkids.

At Uncle Joe and Aunt Cindy's House

When we got home from hitting relatives houses, we took the boys around the neighborhood trick or treating. We don't always get to do that because it's usually getting late when we get home and they have school the next morning but with it falling on a friday, we had time to do it and there were TONS of kids in our neigborhood, it was awesome. Aiden was so funny this year. He'd run as fast as he could up to the house so he could ring the doorbell first and then he'd come running down the driveway towards us yelling. "Mom, I got licorice!" "Mom, I got a TOOTSIE ROLL!" You would have thought people were giving him buckets of gold, as excited as he was. It was hilarious and Todd and I just strolled along enjoying watching our kids' excitement. Yep, a good Halloween indeed with beautiful weather!!

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Here's some Halloween creepiness for you. I read in the paper this morning that a 20 year old boy died on Halloween in Todd and I's first house. That really disturbed me. I don't know what he died of though but I'm curious.