Star Struck

Last year Cooper started down the road of musicality.  He started taking violin and joined Young People's Choir.  He also took the brave step of trying out for the school play and loved it.

This year he added piano to the mix and tried out for a full fledged Young Actor's Guild play, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  Keep in mind he had to sing a solo during tryouts and had to read lines.  He was cast as Walter, a school boy.  He had a few lines and sang in the school scene and thoroughly enjoyed himself.  I loved the play and watching Cooper, but the process was a bit much.

Practices were long and intense and the very young directory was quite rigid.  In the end, it was a great experience for Cooper.  I'm so proud of him for trying something new and following through with it.  Although he won't be trying out for the next Screen Actors play (too much Sunday involvement), we'll be keeping our eyes out for more performance possibilities.  

Man Child in the Making

I'm too young.  I shouldn't be at that stage where I reminisce about his sweet newborn disposition or full blown temper outbursts.  I shouldn't be hoping he'll make the right decisions while never knowing what he's thinking.  I shouldn't have random emotional fallouts because I miss his face and his easily expressed laugh.  I shouldn't be wondering if he is eating and doing his laundry and getting enough sleep. I shouldn't be thinking of all the worldly influences and dangerous situations that destroy the invincibily so fully embraced by teen adults. 

Yet I am experiencing all of this.  Hunter left.  Just like that.  He moved back to Boise and is currently looking for employment and hoping to take some classes next semester.  He's meeting new people and learning what it's like to be responsible for almost all parts of one's life.  I'm sure he is bringing joy to those around him.  I'm glad for them.  I'm sad for me.  I'm hopeful for him.  I love him.  I miss him.   

Germ Junction

Sick season full power throttled through our family. It hit me hard with all sorts of nasty symptoms and, almost 2 weeks later, I'm still dealing with the cough and cold portion. Kurt embraced the bug next and ended up missing a little work over it. Cooper has a few symptoms but seems to pull through...until today.

He has been up for about 20 minutes when he approached me with a fever, rolling tummy, and runny nose. So he stayed home and, after working the majority of the day, I returned to medicate and take care of him. Maybe I decided to blog a bit as well.

I hope the beginning of this school year is not foreshadowing for the year to come, but nothing makes you appreciate your health like a large dose of the flu.

Tweet Tweet

Sometimes it takes me a couple of tries to fully embrace something new. For example, I created a Facebook profile a couple of years ago and within a week shut it down because it seemed so overwhelming. About 8 months later, I was ready to open myself to the Facebook experience again and give it a month before making a drastic decisions. Now, I love Facebook (minus the games, virtual gifts, and people who are constantly trying to get you to buy things). I even embrace the inappropriate (not to be confused with profane and vulgar) status updates...so entertaining.

About 8 months ago I created a Twitter homepage. About a week later, I pretended it no longer existed. I didn't get it (still don't completely). What was all the hubbub (real word) about anyway? Today, in the laziness of a hot and windy summer afternoon, I decided to revisit Twitter. My favorite poster is the channel 3 news here in Great Falls. I love feeling like I know what is going on in my community. It might get old eventually, but for now it's so intriguing. I like that I can have some tweets come to my phone and some I can just read when I go to my Twitter home page. I love that I could care less that I only have 1 follower because I'm too busy following lots of other people, businesses, and services groups. The jury is out for a month, but so far...so good. Remember when I said Tweet? Kind of makes me giggle with a nerdy nose crunch!

Motel reviews

The first night we were on our trip we stayed at a Super 8 motel near Sandpoint, Idaho. It lived up to your average Super 8. There was no pool, but there was a hot tub. The room was small but great for us with 2 queen beds and a small t.v. The bathroom was nothing fancy, but served it's purpose. They did have a continental breakfast with the always popular self serve waffle machine. I didn't take any pics, but if you have stayed in a Super 8, that is pretty much what ours looked like.

The other 2 hotels booked for this trip were reserved by bidding on Priceline (I'm a risk taker like that). The way that works is your pick the location and the star rating (the highest I could go was 3 stars...so I did). You enter the price you are willing to pay, give your credit/debit card info, and bravely click the "book my room now" button. Priceline picks the hotel...you heard me right.

Both of the venues I bid on with Priceline were accepted, one in Pasco Washington and one in Spokane Washington for the way back. Both ended up costing about the same as the Super 8. Last night we were booked at the Red Lion in Pasco. When we arrived at the hotel, we were surprised at the enormous size of it. The lobby was grand, very upscale. Looked like we won with Priceline...at 1st. Priceline also decides the beds and we were set for a room with king, but the clerk saw there were 2 of us and graciously gave us 2 Queens. Great service for sure.

After walking aimlessly for awhile, we bumped into our room. The 1st problem was getting in the room. It looks like they took refurbished electronic door openers and glued them to the door. Needless to say, it takes about 7 attempts before I can get into our room...every single time. Once in the room, it looks fabulous. It was spacious and decorated nicely. Then I realized we were in an adjoining room. That made me a little uncomfortable. Who wants a door between you and the unknown serial killer next door? Not me.

Then I noticed the sliding glass door which took up one whole wall that led to the ... Parking lot. The best part, the door wasn't locked and anyone could have been in the room. Time to check every nook and cranney for the local crazy guy. The entertainment center with fridge and microwave was great. The bathroom area is beautiful....almost. There are chunks out of the door (even in our main room door) and the worst part...a little mold in the corners of the shower. SICK!

So, I like the room, but I didn't feel safe and the mold threw me over the edge. Plus, there's no continental breakfast (what's with cheap hotels having them and pricey hotels making you pay?). Make your own decision as to whether you would stay here...I already have.

Road Trip

It has been far too long. Almost a year when I think about it. The last time I jumped in the car and headed off to roam the countryside was last August and I think that' s a shame, but it was a crazy year and surviving was number 1 on my agenda. Now, I'm making up for lost time. Currently I'm in the town of Sandpoint Idaho which is encased by waterways and mountains.

Cooper will be singing for the Great Falls Young Peoples Choir tomorrow. Unfortunately, I thought it was today and signed up to play and sing at Silverwood...a huge amusement park. Then, after committing, I found out that day is tomorrow...Sunday. I'm going to do the best we can in the situation we are in to remember the importance of the day and enjoy our time together. Guilt will be a part of the equation though.

I can't help but absorb the majesty of God's creations while in this divine venue. Did I mention my brother and his family have arrived to add to the population of Great Falls, MT? In 2011, they will add one more. Wendy is here as well. Just to make it homey.

Guilt

I feel guilty when I don't get in any blog posts for awhile. It's not because I have a huge fan following or because some magazine is calling to ask if I'll guest write for them. It's because my blog is my journal. I know it's public and any ole' who can read it, but for me it's a way to document my life. I think I'll just remember that I blog a lot better than I journal and continue to try and be more consistent.

Too much has happened to try and play catch up in one post, like a big black birthday party and a green and gold graduation. Plus, I like to have photos with my posts, so this time I'll just talk about these photos.

Right before Father's Day, I had a grand game night. Remember my fabulous free party gig I have going with myhouseparty.com? They came through again, providing me with 3 games and tons of treats. So, I invited a bunch of people I think know how to have a good time and we put our IQ's to the test. Luckily, if you couldn't answer a question correctly, you could bid on answers and purchase Trivial Pursuit pie pieces. This is the strategy that keep the ladies in the lead pretty much the whole game, until the end. Enough said about that. For your benefit, you might see a little Violet enjoying the night as well.

Then came Father's Day and this was one of the best because I was able to be with my husband and my Dad on Father's Day. I'm not necessarily promoting the move-back-in-with-your-parents strategy to make this happen though. My dad is an incredible person. Although he isn't perfect, he is witty, smart, driven, hard working, and service oriented. He's a super grandpa too! My husband is also service oriented, compassionate, playful, hard working, and kind. I've noticed the older he gets, the better father has has become.

Since it's been so long, here' s a few random updates:

• As a teacher, I'm supposed to have summer off, but I gladly have gone in almost every day to stay on top of a few things. It's nice to go in when I want and leave when I want, but also get tasks taken care of.
• I was a college teacher for a day and it was great!
• I got a sunburn and I'm irritated at myself for it.
• Coop & I are going to Silverwood and Randy's this week
• Kevin is moving here...he is bringing his family too!
• Heidi is pregnant.
• Mike is dealing with a crazy woman and I want to toilet paper her house...I'm mature like that.
• Hunter volunteered for day camp this week while working full time night shifts. I see a headache in his future.
• Calie came to visit and I didn't take a single pic...ugh!
• I hate long lists of bulleted items. The end.
  

Baby Girl Smith

She's here. She's beautiful. My sister is a bonified soldier. She worked hard today.

Being an Auntie is pure joy. I can love them, spoil them, tease them, kiss them, and, when they are tired and fussy and stinky, let their mother take over.

I can't wait to know what her name is. Welcome to the family little one.

For the Birds

We've got birds. In the eaves. And I love it. My parents have eaves that have holes equally spaced apart. They used to extend the entire length of the house, but as my Dad begins a front exterior makeover, he has torn down some of the eaves.

This has forced the birds who were building their own little homes in the eaves to the eaves directly in front of the door and big picture window.

As a non-animal type of person, it's strange I enjoy birds so much. Right after my grandfather passed away, I was on a walk in my Meridian neighborhood, grieving and missing him. A small bird appeared on the sidewalk a few feet in front of me and started to sing. As I walked a long, the bird flitted from bush to bush along side me, communicating in it's lullaby ways. For some reason, the encounter lifted my spirits and calmed my emotions. Since then, I love taking moments to watch and listen to birds (in their natural habitat...not inside the house).

Friday, I opened the front door to head to work when immediately a patch of straw fell in front of me. I looked up to see a large beak poke through the hole in the eaves. I stopped, fascinated. Good thing, too, because within a few seconds, a large, sleek black bird (my mom thinks it's a woodpecker) swooped out of the hole and swooshed to the field across the street. I'll admit I screamed, and it was no lovely bird like melody, but I wasn't scared, just surprised. I stopped to watch for a little before scurrying off to work. Soon, the birds will be displaced as my dad works closer to their nests, but until then I'll enjoy.

Also, they keep leaving little white gifts all over the sidewalk for my parents. Thoughtful. I do avoid walking directly under the holes.

Best. Mom. Ever

I realized as I looked back on my lack of posts that I forgot one very special occasion between the last 2 posts. Cooper turned 11. His grandparents were visiting and we had a lovely celebration despite the cake drama.

Have I mentioned how much I love this kid? He's not your rough and tumble kind of boy. He's your funny, dramatic, entertaining type of boy. He cares about others and has a zest for life. He likes to ask questions...lots of them and I usually don't have the answers.

He's a cuddler. He can entertain himself for days and if you are lucky enough to spy on him, you'll be entertained too. His smile is contagious and he smiles a lot.

I'm certainly blessed to have this child. It was tough getting him into this family, but he was worth it!

Every Moment in Life is a Gift

Today started off wrong. I woke up with a resistant-to-swallowing sore throat and other flu like symptoms. Little did I know that something far worse would make an appearance in my day and leave me with a heart full of gratitude.

I had left for a quiet moment in Barnes & Noble and then to stop and say hi to the nieces before I head out of town on Tuesday. After an entertaining hour, I decided it was time to head home. When I noticed the car wash at the local gas station didn’t have a line, I knew I had to fill up and wash my mud layered car. I slowly pulled into the car wash, put it in park, and closed my eyes when my phone started to ring with the familiar 007 tune attached to calls from Kurt and only Kurt.

I answered the phone but knew immediately something was wrong from the tone of Kurt’s voice. He said Cooper had asked if he and a friend could go to our neighbor across the way to visit their barn and see the animals. Kurt & the other boy’s father agreed. Kurt went back to work rotating his tires in the driveway. A short time later, Kurt saw a fire truck and police car, sirens wailing, cross the Sun River bridge. After they were out of his view, he thought nothing of it.

About 10 minutes later, he heard a man’s voice and turned to see a police officer. The police officer asked Kurt if he had a young son to which Kurt replied yes. The police officer then went on to say that a car spotted two boys out on the ice of the Sun River and had called the police, but the boys were missing and the police couldn’t find them.

Background: Our across the way neighbors live on the Sun River.

Kurt, incredibly upset, went to the others boys house next door to talk to his dad when he spotted Cooper and the friend playing in the backyard. The police talked to Cooper who had indeed been playing on the ice of the river.

Today we are so grateful that our child is safe and that he was caught doing this the 1st time in dramatic fashion (the only way Coop does things). I can tell you Cooper will never do that again. Sometimes you take your loved ones for granted. Today, besides the many conversations we have had with Cooper, I have also hugged and loved on him over and over again. Do the same with yours.

Intermittent

The next couple of months will be spotty at best. Homework has overtaken any free time I once had. Two classes is a lot to juggle with my job, but it's going to be worth it. Here's a brief photo catch up:

Cooper designed a fancy non-vehicle pinewood derby car. He took 3rd in his age group and I think it was the first time he really enjoyed a pinewood derby. Could the winning have anything to do with it?

Hunter had a wonderful eagle court of honor. He, his dad, and his Grandpa Lott, among others, spoke. I liked Hunter's make up. It was classy and sassy.

Cooper learned a valuable lesson. Don't suction cups to your face for lengthy periods of time or you will be left with a visible consequence. Personally, I got a kick out of his hickey moustache. It was mysterious and debonair.

I cut my hair off. Maybe not all of it. Cooper told me he would have to get used to it. Kurt told me he liked my hair long. Luckily, my coworkers, sister, grandma, and mother-in-law took a shine to it.

We'll talk later.

The friend hunt

As you all have realized from previous posts, moving back to Great Falls has been a roller coaster transition. When we found out we would be moving, one of the things I was most distressed over was finding friends. I'm the type of person who needs a small group (6-10) of friends. You know, the group of gals you can call at the last minute and say, "Hey, do you want to come play games?" or "I need to go on a walk, want to join me?". It took me a couple of years in Meridian to find an amazing group of friends. For the 1st two years there, I wandered around like a lost sheep, hoping I could entice someone to induct me into their friend circle.


You see, finding friends in your 30's is more difficult than finding friends in your 20's and I'm beginning to think it gets more difficult as your age. By the 30's, women have already found their circle of friends though their children, job, church group, hubbies, etc. It's hard to break into those circles. On top of that, I'll admit, I'm fairly picky. I like having lots of friendly acquaintances, but real girlfriends usually have to meet some criteria. Here are a few girlfriend attributes I try to follow and my deep, down, forever girlfriends follow as well:

• Don't have to talk to each other every minute of every day, but are ready to step it up when one of the gals is in need
• Can go for a week or 2 (or months/years for long distance girlfriends) and you pick up right where you left off
• Punctual. I feel a little jilted when a friend feels their time is more important than mine. It's demeaning.
  
• They are there if they say they are coming. It really bothers me when someone says they are coming and then they just don't show. Now, there are emergency exceptions, but those should be rare.
  
• Realizes you are faulty, and doesn't care.
• Avoids drama (honestly, I swear there are people who thrive on it)
• Doesn't take themselves too seriously
  

So, I'm on the hunt again. It's just as difficult as it was in Meridian. I'd love to have a group to play volleyball/walleyball with monthly. How about the group that gets together to celebrate our birthdays? I miss that for sure. I'm not giving up. Girlfriends are worth it. They keep me sane. Do you think putting out a want ad would sound too desperate? Probably.

Socks, how I love thee.

Every Christmas season for the past 5 years or so, I've hosted a fun & crazy sock exchange. I long for socks the way most women collect shoes. This year was a bit more of a challenge due to the moving and the communal living and the new life and all, so I wasn't sure what to do. My sister was hosting book club for December, including a sock exchange and, much to my delight, an ugly sweater contest. Contest? Did someone mention contest? I'm in!

Coop & I went to Goodwill to find a couple sweaters which would meet my ugly standards. I profusely apologize in advance if you were once the proud owner of either sweater, but really you owe yourself a reward for letting go. Luckily, prior to the sweater hunt, I told Coop not to say anything about the true intent of our trip as to avoid offense. When I went to checkout, the cashier gushed over the fuchsia sweater, asking me where I found it in the store. Cooper kept a straight face the entire time. The cowboy sweater was my favorite. I love the short, square form with just the right indentation at each side. I didn't win, but I was one of the kind-of-hosts, so I asked for no votes. The opportunity to wear my find was reward in and of itself.

Socks are another story. I know socks and I was out for toesies that night. You're jealous...I know, but I was meant for these socks. I did end up hosting a small sock party just a couple days before Christmas. It was a small group but we enjoyed a relaxing evening of food, conversation, and threads for our tootsies. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera.

Hi, ho silver...Away!