Garrett's BIG Day!

I know you've been WAITING!


Garrett received and opened his mission call last night.

It's official!
He is going to ROMANIA!

He will go into the Missionary Training Center to learn Romanian on May 18th.

To say that we are all excited doesn't quite do it justice.
I woke up this morning and turned to Brian and said, "Is Garrett still going to Romania?"

Right now, I know the Romania is the home to Dracula.  It's the country right next to Ukraine - where the OTHER Bonehead, Garrett's best friend is on his mission, didn't Nadia Comenche come from there, it's Eastern Europe, near the Black Sea and the church really started missionary work there in 1990.

That's all I know, but by the end of the day, I bet I will be connected with other moms who have sons serving missions there.  I will have the map memorized. I will know there population, the GNP, what their main industries are and what they eat. ;)

Garrett is over the moon excited.
We know he is ready to go and he will be a great missionary!
Thank you for all your love, support, and friendship during this exciting time!

Gina

Some Things Never Change!

Last night was Garrett's Seminary Graduation.

They had a wonderful program and our stake had about 40 graduates.

For those who are unfamiliar with seminary,
it is an early morning (6am) scripture study class held every day before school.

In order to graduate, students must have 80% attendance or better for all 4 years, read the book of scripture that is being studied each year, and have an interview with their bishop.
It really is quite an accomplishment!
Do you know how hard it is to get up EVERY morning at 5:15ish?
So..........CONGRATS to GARRETT!

But just in case you thought that everyone was growing up and all mature,
listen in on this conversation -

Parker and Garrett were in the kitchen giggling and laughing uncontrollably over stupid, idiotic stuff.
I am immediately suspicious when ANYbody is having too much fun.
I'm pretty sure I heard the word "fart."

So I yelled from my room, "Guys. Cut it out!"
Garrett: "What?  What are we doing?"
Me: "I don't know but quit laughing.  No more 'pee pee, poo poo.'"
Parker busts out laughing even harder.
Me: "Parker, seriously.  Cut it out.  it's not funny."
Garrett: " Pee Pee, Poo Poo is ALWAYS funny!  I don't care WHO you are."

Boys!

Senior Night at Lacrosse

At the last home lacrosse game,
the seniors are recognized on the field during half time.

Usually they are escorted by their parents on the field,
while the announcer reads what the senior wrote.
It's information about their lacrosse career, where they are going to college and a short tribute to their parents.

The playes are wearing their home jersey and they usually give their away jersey to their mom to wear.
Hopefully it's washed!

Since Brian and I were trekking across Wyoming,
Garrett invited his younger brother, Parker and
his 14 month old cousin Mr. Chunkers to be his escorts.
Usually the escort walks the senior across the field - not vice versa.

Here is what the announcer read -
Tonight, Garrett’s favorite people are out of town. He is being escorted by his younger brother Parker and his cousin Mr. Chunkers.

He has played lacrosse since 4th grade. He played middie until sophomore year and then switched to LSM and defense.

Garrett will attend Brigham Young University in Provo starting in June and then Brigham Young University in Idaho this fall.

Off the field, Garrett likes to snowboard, play the violin, play COD, see the world, take long walks on the beach, and eat wings.

Garrett would like to thank his parents by saying, “Thank you for supporting me in doing the things I love and helping me become the person I am today.”

A GOOD time was had by all.

My brother was only able to take 73 pictures AND video the whole thing. ;)

The GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY!

What?  It's Tuesday?  Noooooooooooooo!!!!!
I need more time!
I'll stall!
Go on over to The Unmom and see Keely!

Come up with you own random and link up!
Everybody's doing it!


THE GOOD -
* Parker and Garrett are roaming around Orlando this week.

They aren't really roaming.
They're limited to the Disney properties.
Everyday is filled with lacrosse practice, lacrosse games and time at the parks.
However, yesterday's time was so limited, they only got in 2 rides on the Rock N' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios before they had to catch the shuttle back to their rooms.
The coach "locks"/tapes all the doors to the boys rooms each night around 11.
If he gets up in the morning and the tape is busted off your door - you're busted!
I love it!


* The boys are excited that it's going to be 72 degrees in Orlando today.
I'm excited because it's going to be 78 degrees right here in good ole Denver.
That's a far cry from last week's snow day!!!!


* My studly little brother had an extremely successful "Match Day" last week.

Match Day is when medical students find out IF/WHERE they "matched" to do their residency.
He matched at his first choice.
He is thrilled to spend the next three years in an ER residency in Chicago.

* Yesterday, in a list of things that I said I may or may not do this week, I wrote that I "may" eat nutriously.  I didn't have cookies for breakfast today.  I had pizza.  You decide.

THE BAD -

* I'm feeling a little down.

Trammell's missionary companion in Cambodia had gallbladder surgery IN CAMBODIA!

Was that crazy?

But he was still in pain and having medical problems.

He went to Thailand and had surgery IN BANGKOK!

He still had medical issues and was diagnosed with a tropical disease.

They did an MRI and saw a spot on his liver which they would not be able to diagnose without more surgery.

They decided it would be best if he went home to get the medical treatment.
He arrived home in the United States late last night.
I feel so badly for him.
He wanted to stay but he was just too sick.
I'm feeling really sad for him and for his family and for the missionaries in Cambodia.


THE UGLY -
* I'm off to see this -

which some people might think is ugly but I think is way cool!  I can't wait!

Have a great Tuesday!
Oh and.........if you know me and were proud of my skipping the cookies for breakfast, I'll admit, I had the pizza because we're probably stopping on the way to the museum for donuts.  I was just trying to strike a balance!

I'm a Survivor

Hallelujah!  I survived the week! Who would have thought that it would be such an accomplishment?
So, let me empty my mind before I continue on to the weekend.
You can unload too!
Check out Mrs. 4444 over at Half Past Kissin' Time and link up!  You know you want to!

* I've been substituting for early morning seminary this week.

It's bible study for high schoolers at 6 am.

So I have had to get up at 5 am and put on a dress and then go and entertain 20 sophomores for 50 minutes before normal people even get ot of bed.

It's wrong.

Yeah - I taught every day for 5 years.

I loved it, but I was pretty sure that I was going to die of exhaustion every single day.

Now, I'm positive that I'm going to die.

* Line of the week:

Someone and I went to the urologist to determine why someone is in so much pain.

We then met Brian and other brother for dinner.

It was at one of those places where you order and pay and go sit down and wait for them to call your number.

Our number was called.

The boys started "discussing" who should have to go pick up the order.

I immediately stepped in and said, "Get up 'someone'.  Go get the food.  'Brother' just came from lacrosse practice."

Someone reluctantly limped up to get the food.

When he came back, he set the trays down and said -

"I can't believe you sent the cripple with the Bojangles."

Where does he get this stuff?

* I'm an auto mechanic.

Evidentally, when I pulled out of the garage the other day, I left 1/2 quart of oil on the garage floor.

Hmmmm.....

So I've been paying attention when I pull out of a parking space.

I'm looking for a little puddle.

There's been nothing the last two days.

This morning, when I left the church, I noticed some liquid under the car.

Being an expert at this stuff, I got out and looked at it.

Then I dipped my finger in it and smelled it.

Then I rubbed my fingers together.

I thought about tasting it.

Yep - oil.

I went to the mechanic.

It's coolant.

Let me get technical -

The thng that holds the measurer for the transmission fluid was installed incorrectly and has rubbed a hole in the tube or pipe or whatever that helps the coolant travel around.  That's what's leaking.

Going to the dealership today.

* Parker had his first lacrosse game this week.
He scored 3 goals and had 3 assists.
Yea Parker!

* Someone knows and loves me.  I've only mentioned cupcakes in every post since I started blogging.  I've also mentioned how COLD I always am.

What could be better than this:

Are you jealous?  Mmmmm Hmmmm....re-usable Cupcake Hand Warmers.

We have two lacrosse games tomorrow.  I'm going to try these babies out!

It's the best of both worlds.........kind of.

Unfortunately, I can't eat them after the games.

Well - I'm done.

I'm going to go do something exciting - like load the dishwasher or start the laundry.

Have great weekend!

* Oh yeah, I almost forgot!  I hate "springing ahead."  I NEED that hour of sleep more than I need more daylight. 

And the Oscar For Editing Goes to the Ultrasound Technician

Best day of the week!  It's RaNDoM THouGHT TueSDaY and what could be more RaNDoM than my mind?

Go on over to Keely's - The Unmom and see some of the other randomizers!

* Did you watch the Academy Awards?
I didn't.
I read a book while it was on in the background.
I looked up to see the dresses occasionally.
That's all I care about.
I saw exactly 0 of the nominated films.
I don't get out much!


*Our whole family was dressed and out of the house by 5:45 today.  Garrett and Parker were attending the Early Morning Seminary (scripture study) class.  And Brian and I were teaching - different classes but all of us were there.  We'd all like to roll out the nap mats now!!!! 

* Last night was our first of about 30 lacrosse games this season.
To celebrate, I went out and bought 3 new pairs of long underwear.
Don't laugh.
You stand outside in the less than 40 degree weather being pelted by wind, sleet, hail and snow while taking stats for 2 1/2 hours.  I dare you!

* On the bright side,
I bought myself some of these

Last season, I borrowed a pair of Garrett's gloves.  He didn't appreciate me constantly wiping my runny nose on them. I decided to get my own pair.  My gloves have to be 1) Warm, 2) Not too thick because I have to be able to write all the stats, 3) Not chafe my nose, and 4) WASHABLE.

 So I got my own pair, but mine our furry.  They are warm and cozy and soft on my nose. ;)

* I have to turn some pictures in for a Senior program. I am supposed to turn in a baby/toddler picture, three pics of him participating in sports or something he likes when he was younger and a senior picture.  the photographer will insert recent lacrosse action shots.  Here is Garrett -

Going through the pictures made me sooooo nostalgic.

* Today is "someone's" appointment with the urologist.

I went and picked up this:

Really?  Did you think I was going to show you the contents of the envelope?
I was thinking that maybe we should gather the family around the TV for some quality time viewing the scrotal ultrasound.  But then, I decided not.   So no Oscar for the ultrasound technician because the judges didn't want to view this particular piece of art.

* Could someone out there please find me a CHEAP ticket - make that 3 cheap tickets - to Cambodia.  Please?????  I will love you forever.  I almost want this more than cupcakes.

Happy RaNDoM TueSDaY!

The Fun NEVER Ends

Last night, the boys were home for 15 1/2 seconds between lacrosse practice and youth group.  While they were shoveling dinner into their mouths, I told them about all of the GREAT ideas my blogging friends had for Pengy (see yesterday's post if you don't know who/what Pengy is).

Me: "Someone suggested that maybe we could put Pengy out in the garden.  You know - like a garden gnome."
Garrett: What?  No way!  He never deserves to be in the dirt surrounded by flowers."
Parker: "Yeah, Garrett, whoever suggested that probably just said that so that they can come by and steal it!  Don't fall for it."
Garrett: "Seriously!  That thing belongs in the Louvre."

To his credit, he DID pronounce Louvre correctly.

After dinner, they had still had 5 seconds left before they had to leave for the next event.  Why would they spend any free time getting homework done when they can do this -

What?  You don't know what they are doing?  Here's snippets of their conversation:

"Dude, watch me catch this Mike and Ike. I'm pro."

"The rule is, you have to throw it up and have it hit the ceiling and then catch it in your mouth.

"Okay, back up.  Back up.  I'll throw it OVER the balcony and into the family room.  Go in there and catch it."

"Dude you stink!  Now, you throw it UP to me and I'll catch it."

"Now turn on the fan.  Throw it over the fan and I'll still catch it."

That is when I intervened and kicked them out of the house.

I am SOOOO proud.  My kids are so talented.

MICHELANGELO & RODIN HAVE NOTHING ON THIS GUY!

Garrett came upstairs from the basement heaving sighs of disgust.

He poked his head into my office and exclaimed,
"I'm getting really sick of.................
THIS not being on display."

And from behind his back he pulls out

Pengy

Why do I feel like I am dealing with a first grader?

Although I continue to return Pengy to a perfect display place....... in the basement,

he continues to show up on my desk, on a table in the front hall, on the buffet in the family room and in the middle of the kitchen counter.

Evidently, we have not given Pengy/Garrett enough artistic praise.

Sugar cookies, Oil Changes and Snow Shoveling

Tuesday?  It's Tuesday?
It feel like it's some kind of crazy day.
I have about 5 and a half minutes to get all my thoughts out and then move on to the craziness of my life.
You'll be jealous of all the fun things I have planned for the day -
the mechanic,
an oil change,
visiting some ladies from church,
a meeting with the principal
The fun goes on and on!

Here's some fun -

Go on over to Keely's The Unmom and link up.  You can play along!

* My hands hurt.
My hands hurt because I have been wringing gallons of water out of towels.
My washing machine is not "spinning."
Last week, it would spin about every 3rd load.
I experimented with putting fewer clothes in, more clothes in, different detergent.
This week, it doesn't want to spin at all.
Oh.......and we might not be able to get it fixed because it's a commercial washer and not just any Joe Washing Machine Repairguy can fix it.  Even the Maytag Repair Man probably can't fix it.
We'll see.


* I jut sent a birthday box to Cambodia for Trammell.
Last year, I sent him a cake mix and frosting, party hats, candles etc.
Then I saw THIS on Facebook -

Another mother posted about HER son celebrating HIS birthday about a month after Trammell's.  Then, I looked at the picture more closely.  Is that MY chocolate cake?  Are those MY Cars decorations? Are those MY Cars hats?  In my next email to Trammell, I asked him if he had given HIS birthday box to Elder Anderson.  He replied, "I'm not going to lie......"  He did!  He hates any hoopla.  He hid the box under his bed and then brought it out a month later for this other missionary.

Guess what I sent this year?  Yep - a cake mix, frosting, Spiderman hats, blowers etc.  Maybe he'll celebrate this year.....but I doubt it.

* In the "Did I really just say that?" category -

I went to a church program to speak to the teenage girls.

One of my friends/their leaders approached me: "Would you like to eat some dinner?"
Me: "Oh no thank you."
Friend: "Are you sure?  There is plenty."
Me: "Thanks, but I just ate seven sugar cookies.  There were only seven left and I didn't want someone else to eat the last one, so I ate all of them."

What???  What is WRONG with me?

* In the "Did YOU just say that?" category -

Yesterday, I was in a sugar induced coma after eating five sugar cookies (new batch).

I decided I needed to move around and get some fresh air.

It was sunny and warm (40 degrees), so I decided to go out and shovel the driveway.

I was shovelling away when the front door opened and Garrett popped his head out.

Garrett: "Mom, what are you doing?"
Me: "Oh I just thought I would shovel a little bit."
Garrett: "Mom, you really don't have to do that....."

My heart melts...awww.....what a sweet heart!

Garrett: "I'll send Parker out."

Wait!  What????  YOU will send your little brother out.

I started laughing so hard, I couldn't shovel anymore.

*I TOLD you that once lacrosse season started, it would finally snow!
First day of practice was yesterday.
The fields are covered in snow.
What does that mean?
Practice inside the school EVERY day from 7 to 9 pm.
The kids ate D1 at 5 pm and then came home for a second dinner at 9.  And then Parker made a noodle bowl at 10.  I guess I better get to the grocery store and stock up!

We have four games Saturday.  It's supposed to snow again on Thursday.  I am now taking bets on whether a) it's cancelled b) the snow melts and they play OR c) it snows and they make the kids shovel the field and then play.

I'm going to be late for my 9 o' clock appointment.  I'm out!

When's National DONUT Day?

It's TUESDAY!
It's RaNDoM THouGHT TueSDaY

 with Keely at The Unmom.
Get on over there and join up!

But first!
* It's National Bagel Day.

What?  If there's a National Bagel Day, there's got to be the the even better DONUT DAY and the most important National CUPCAKE DAY!
And who decides it's National Anything day?
Brueggers Bagel's declared February 9th National Bagel Day (of course they did.)
I'm researching................
Thank heavens.......the world is not completely off its axis.

National Donut Day is the first Friday in June.  Mark your calendars!

Wait.......what the????
National Cupcake Day was January 5th? or February 1st?  February 5th?  or last October 18th???
HOW DID I MISS THESE DAYS?????
What kind of friends are YOU that you didn't even TELL ME?
Much less bring CUPCAKES over????
December 15th was National Lemon Cupcake Day?

* Today is trash day.
Don't you hate it when you get the BRILLIANT idea (because the pickles just fell out) to clean your refrigerator the day AFTER trash day.
Well, I'm way ahead of the game.
I'm going to clean the refrigerator out today BEFORE the trash man comes (if I finish blogging in time - because I've got my priorities)

* Today is the BIG day.  The BIG BIG day!
Tonight is "Grandview's Got Talent" at the high school.
And while that is arguable, Garrett is performing tonight!
Get ready!!!  You won't want to miss it.
We'll see if we can find someone who can video it AND upload it.
But I'll let you in on the performance.
So remember that white blazer I showed you last week?

He's wearing that......with white pants, white shoes (with gold dragons), a white hat, white sunglasses and a "tribal" (his words, not mine) necklace.
Oh.......you didn't hear me say anything about a shirt?
There's no shirt.
He and a friend are playing the violin and viola.
They start out with a recognizable boring song and then break into a medley of 8 hip hop songs.
I think the "no shirt" and sunglasses kind of give THAT away.

* At the dress rehearsal, Garrett was on one side of the stage and a random girl (that means I don't know her) was on the other.
She called out, "Garrett what do you have on?"
He posed to show her his jacket.
She asked, "No, under your jacket.  What's on under your jacket?"
He parted his white seersucker jacket like the Red Sea.....to reveal....nothing.
She says warily, "You have a brown T-shirt on?"
THAT'S how dark his skin is. (for a white boy)

* Why do I keep getting email titled, "You Wheelchair Kit is Ready"?

* I emailed my friends yesterday and told them,
If I EVER see you in these -

I will DISOWN you!  And I WILL!
Pajama Jeans!!!!!!!
Have you seen the commercial?
This is worse than Armageddon!  These are WORSE than the pink velour sweats with "JUICY" on the a**.
What's the world coming to?


I better go get that refrigerator cleaned out!
Happy Tuesday!
Never mind the refrigerator - the love of my life just called and he has a Chocolate Twist and a Maple Cake waiting for me at his office.  Gotta run!
Like I said, I HAVE my priorities!