The Joys of Summer

Well, the school year is finally over for me. Leann's last day was last Friday but since Tulsa missed a full week during the ice storm we had to come back this week. My class was definetely ready to be in middle school:) Summer won't actually start for me until July. I'm volunteering at a literacy program next week and then I have national board assessing.
I took a job in Sapulpa for next year. Since I've been at Park since dinosaurs roamed the earth it will be a shock to me this August. I will be teaching a multi-handicapped class of 3/4/5th graders. I'll have 7 or fewer and 3 para-teachers. The program is new so I will get to help set it up. I'm really excited about it.
Mom and Daddy are doing well. Wyatt is still celebrating getting out of high school. He's been home only a few times since last Friday. Ethan is driving and NEVER home now. He's playing baseball and visiting with friends a lot.
I took Mom and Daddy to decorate Corey's grave last Friday. I can't believe it has been 3 and a half years since he died. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times it seems like forever since I've heard him laugh and rubbed his burred off hair. He would stop by the house after a hair cut and let me rub. I really miss him.
On a happier note, It is the last day of school and I'm NOT staying late to straighten my room. That's what Friday nights are for, right?
We are still praying for a job for Clint. He's applying and networking as much as he can.

There can be only one.........

That's right people, after tomorrow night when Zack graduates, there will be only Ethan left in high school. Wyatt graduated Monday night. I did really well until they announced the names of the students that had joined the armed forces. Of the 7 students, 4 are good buddies of Wyatt. Zack Bertelli joined Air Force Reserves and Kyle, Scott & Ray joined the Marines. Well, this brought on the tears. I got it together for the rest of the ceremony, but had a major headache by the end of it that was making me nauseous. Clint and I watched our Monday evening TV shows when we got home. One of the characters died on House and I'm a blubbering mess. Clint was wise enough to realize that it wasn't about the show, but that I had finally hit the wall. So I just went to bed and slept it off.
Tuesday, Ethan went to get his license. Driver's license. Yes, he can be ALONE when he drives. I'm now really poor because even though his dad bought him a truck, he lives with me so he has to be on my policy. Same with Wyatt. So I pay for 2 teenage boys to drive. Donations are always welcome:)

6 square feet of cookie..........

Well, we had the big family hooha at Jan's yesterday. It was so nice to have the family together. We were all there except Lindsay's crew. Jan and Paul have finished the landscaping around their pool in the backyard. It is awesome. Phil cooked the burgers (as usual). Leann brought strawberry shortcake. Yum. Clint and I took a cookie from Mrs. Field's. It was 24" X 36". We had them decorate it into 3 sections, one for the birthdays, one for graduations, and Leann and Phil's 25th anniversary. We had a lot left over so there goes what weight I've lost.
Zoey had STRONG opinions about the pool. (It was funny since I don't have to live with her) I made the mistake of putting my feet in the water which got her VERY interested. At one point, she fell in. Fortunately, Uncle Zack and Pops (Paul) were close by. Zack jumped in to get her and Paul grabbed her about the same time. It made her mad more than it scared her. She's fearless when it comes to the water. I think they are going to enroll her at Miller swim school.
Graduations are this week. Wyatt (and Ashlee) graduate tonight and Zack's is on Thursday. That leaves Ethan as the only one still in high school. Bring on the kleenex, I'm going to need it. I can't believe how fast time has gone. The other day, I was watching old home videos. The girls were about 3, Corey was 5 and Cole and Arin were toddlers. Zack and my boys weren't even twinkles in our eyes yet. It was taken in June, 1987 at Pequetta and Royal's house for Mom's birthday. I laughed as much at our hairstyles as I did at the kids playing. Did we really think that looked good? At least I was thin back then.
More later after graduations............

"Do you know where....."

If I had a dime for each time one of the boys (or Clint) asked me "Do you know where my____is?" I'd be rich enough to run away. Wyatt called me Friday and asked me to look in the car for his wallet. Not there. Clint calls Sunday (during my NAP) and asked if his wallet was in the bedroom. No. Fortunately, Wyatt's buddy Bertelli found his wallet when it dropped out of his pocket. Wyatt was trying to get comfy enough in class to take a nap (hey, he's a senior with only a week left) and I found Clint's wallet under the desk. I guess guys aren't like us girls. I actually check to make sure I have my purse before I leave the house. It does help that my keys are in my purse. But seriously, have a routine! And, if they don't have something, what makes them think I do? Oh, ya, probably because I usually know where it is or I can find it. One time, Ethan actually called me while I was in Dallas and asked me if I knew where is ball glove was. I'll admit, this was 5 years ago, but things really haven't changed. At least I know I'd be missed, even it if is for my mom radar..........
Seriously now, we had a great mother's day. Ashlee started it off on Saturday by bringing me flowers. It's a pink bouquet that is gorgeous. Then, the boys were with friends, Clint was at work and Mom & Daddy were at the casino so I had Saturday evening to myself so I went shopping. I got mom a photo album she wanted but didn't really find anything else that screamed 'buy me for your mommy' so I'll have to make it up with chocolate. Clint took me to lunch on Sunday. We went to Hideaway pizza. Not to busy, I guess most people took their moms to a little more classy place. Still, someone waited on me & cleaned up my mess so I was very happy. Oh wait, Clint does the cooking AND cleans the kitchen so it makes me wonder who really had a gift yesterday..............
The boys promised to go to church with me for Mother's Day. We are starting a series about why 18-29 year olds don't like church. During the preview questions and stats Wade gave yesterday, I could relate to EVERY one of them. I love going to a church that stresses knowing Jesus over everything else.
I got an email that asks people to pray for the next election and our nation. Every evening at 8:00 (central) you are suppose to stop and pray for America and our leaders. I'm going to be one of the ones praying. Winston Churchill asked England to do this during WWII. Worked for them:)
12 days and counting until Tulsa is out. Ethan has until next Friday. I'm not sure when Wyatt is finished. This Friday I think. This spring has gone really fast. Time usually drags between spring break and the end of the school year but not this year. Summer time is almost here. Get out your shades because I'm very white........

Ethan Baby is 16!!!

Can you believe that the youngest grandbaby is 16????? Ethan's birthday was Wednesday. He went to Kenzie's (yes, mom has been replaced by someone MUCH cuter and more interesting) and then they came back to the house to hang out. She baked him a cake. He needs to keep her 'cause she can bake. The cake was yummy. Sawyer, Jordan and Dylan came over and decorated his room. He has streamers and balloons everywhere. I think he had a pretty good day. (Except for that algebra test.........)
Wyatt is in the final countdown to graduation. He's ready. His 'vette sold (thank you Uncle Phil) so he can get the engine replaced in his truck. Wednesday night he called from Scott's house to see if I was watching the weather. Well, I couldn't watch the weather because the satellite was out. Did this register in my brain that maybe I should check it out? Of course not. While I was talking to Wyatt, Victoria called to see if we were taking cover. I got the dogs (medicated Lance first) and went in my room. Ethan and Kenzie got Bud and went in the den and waited out the torential rains and winds. Nothing touched down. Mom called from the casino. They weren't moving to any shelters (priorities, right?) so I guess the reports of just ugly clouds were right. When it was all over, Lance is stoned and half under my bed, Nadia is annoyed at the commotion b/c it interupted her nap but Bud is thrilled at getting to come inside and eat all of the leftover food in the dog's bowls. Ethan put him out on the deck instead of in his kennal and Bud rolled in the charcoal. This morning he looked like a chimney sweep. Guess Wyatt will be giving him a bath.

Go Pokes!

Well, Victoria is officially a grown up now. She graduated from OSU on Saturday. Mom, Dad, me, Ethan, Wyatt & Ashlee, Beth, Jan and Whitney & Zoey were all there. Fortunately, we were there before they STOPPED LETTING PEOPLE INTO GALLAGHER/IBA. The fire dept. turned away about 2000 people b/c it was standing room only inside. We finally found a chair for Mom and Daddy to share. The boys (Cole too) sat 1 row from the top. I joined them and thought I was going to die before I got all the way to the top. Same for Beth. Anyway, Leann & Phil planned a reception for her so we got to visit afterwards. We are so proud of her!!!!! She is the first one of the grandbabies to graduate college. Leann kept it together, but Jan & Whitney cried. Zoey loves her Tula. (that's what shew calls Torie) Phil made this fabulous punch and they had fruits, cheese, veggies and a really big cake. EVerything was yummy and I stole some of the punch. Actually, Phil said I could take some home. I'm thinking a little Asti would be great with it:)
Well, 17 more days of school for Tulsa Public. I think we go longer than EVERYONE else.

I'm dizzy and I need to lie down!

I know the title sounds like this would be a funny story but it isn't. Sick humor is how I deal, so deal with it. Anyway, Thursday about 1:00, Mom calls me at school and says that she is VERY dizzy and can I come home and drive her to the doctor? She saw her doc and her heart is FINE. She has a sinus infection and that is what caused the dizziness. But, she found out she missed her pacemaker check in MARCH so we also went to her cardiologist office for a reading. She thought she had an appointment on Monday, so the nurse called to check. No appointment scheduled. Mom pulls out her reminder card and it says May 5th. of last year. We go over to Oklahoma Heart and her pacemaker is fine. She's on medicine and was feeling better by yesterday evening. Personally, I think it was the chocolate I bought her at the store but that's just my opinion.
Victoria's graduation from OSU is Saturday. We are all going to watch and yell as loudly as we can. Unless it is a formal ceremony, then we'll clap politely and yell later:) She's the first grandchild to graduate college. Arin has 2(?) more years at OU unless he changes his major again. Wyatt & Zach are enrolled at TCC for the fall semester. We are a smart bunch, huh?