way to go Cats!!!!

We had another great game tonight. Lucas' team played Beaverton Beavers JV Orange. We won 20-6. The boys did a great job and made some awesome plays. One of our guys even ran about 75 yards to score a touchdown, but there ended up being a flag on the play so it didn't count. Refs made some questionable calls tonight that were not in our favor. But in the end - it was an exciting game to watch.

Lucas took cupcakes for the team and they gobbled them up - orange frosting and all... Didn't know who we were playing when I bought the cupcakes. I just know, Lucas likes the color orange and they were better than the yellow ones with little sunshines on them... Now we are home warming up with the fire that Jake has built in the fireplace and going to watch a movie. Been a nice evening...

Til next time...
Laura

wow - is he really 13 already???

What a goofy bunch of guys?

Tonight we went to dinner at Applebee's for Lucas' 13th birthday. Wow - I can't believe how fast time is going by. Any suggestions on how we can slow it down? He has been a teenager in training the past year, I have been saying... But overall, he is a good kid and I can't believe that before I know it, he will be off to college.... Well, think I better slow down and get through Middle School and this prospect of dating!!!! Still waiting to see if that grade has come up in Spanish yet....
Lucas has wanted an electric guitar for the past year. He was constantly checking the inventory available online and for the past few weeks has asked me at least 20 times a day - "Did Dad order my guitar yet?" Tom ordered it and we had it shipped to my work so we could hide it better. He was surprised and very excited. Now to learn how to play it - may have some lessons in his future.
Jake took this picture of us at dinner. He has an eye for photography that makes me laugh.

Here is another photo that he took of Tom at dinner.
Kind of looks like bigfoot or something.... lol

Anyway, was a nice evening. Lucas' football team was going to have a pizza party tonight but it had to be rescheduled. So we did our family dinner tonight. Tomorrow we will take cupcakes for the team after the game. This birthday "day" soon becomes a day, a week, a month....

I made some calls today to schedule follow up appointments and such from Lucas' surgery. He is doing really well and so wants to be done with the crutches. He doesn't feel like he needs them anymore. The surgeon said he would feel this way. So gave him a call to see if we need to keep him on them for the full month. Yep - we do. So he has the go ahead to use just one around the house and steal the few steps to the restroom and such without, but when out of the house, he still needs to use both. So two more weeks....

Talked to my dad yesterday. He is doing pretty well. Still in pain from the fall and was scheduled to see the chiropractor that day. He just needs to take it easy - and stay off those ladders for awhile.

Well, have a good evening all - what is left of it. Enjoy the weekend.

Oh here is a couple more photos from the out of town girls visit from last weekend. Shanna from California stayed an extra night so Shauna and I hung out with her for a chunk of Monday before we put her on the MAX to head to the airport....

Shauna and Shanna - who spells it correctly???? Shanna on the MAX - Will she make it to the airport? Should we worry about her - or the people on the train with her????

I received many text messages from her trip through Portland... Always an experience. But her first time ride was successful - even though there are no restrooms on the MAX....

Ok, really - now signing off....
Til next time.
Laura

fall is here....

I really think this is my favorite time of year. I love the chilly mornings, leaves changing, getting out the sweaters and going to football games. I took this picture from a field of sunflowers while driving down to Sherwood Monday morning. Went to pick up my left overs from the garage sale. Did pretty good - over hundred dollars - so of course, bought a ton of adhesives right away.

But I think my Dad took Fall in a whole new meaning. He was on an 8 foot scaffolding Tuesday working on an addition on their rental house. The board flipped out beneath him and he fell directly on his head. Over 20 stitches to the huge gash on his head, an overnight stay in the hospital and pretty stiff and hurting. Think he will be ok - but what will he do when Spring comes along????

Anyway, better get to my day. Just wanted to stop in and say good morning.
Til next time...
Laura

so who's birthday is it???

This weekend has been filled with new memories and many many many laughs and just good times. We had some gals come to visit from all parts of the country. Shauna introduced me to an online group many years ago and it is always tons of fun to see them in person. Almost two years ago, when I helped to put on an event in Shauna's honor, many of these same gals came to visit and attend the event. The night before we went to Chevy's and Shanna from California told the waitress that it was Shauna's birthday - so the sombrero and dessert came out. This weekend, she told them again. But we changed it up a bit to make it a photo opp...

Is it Shauna from Beaverton????

Is it Michelle from Arizona????
Is it mine???
Is it Heidi from Arizona????

Is it Angie from Indy????
Is it Ali from Utah???
Is it Paris from Beaverton???? Or is it Shanna from California????

Made for some great laughs, good pictures and the amazing part was the dessert was not spilled all over the table or someone!

Saturday, I missed the fun with the girls. They went to see some sites but I was working at the HOTP Girlfriend's Getaway event. We had a good turn out. I taught two classes and helped the rest of the day with the others.

Then I went and caught up with my family and watched the last half of Lucas' football team. They played against Tigard and won 14-8. It was a great game. It was hard to watch Lucas on the sidelines again, but so very cool at the end. He stood at the front of the lined up team and they all went through and gave him a high five. Then he turned around and high fived all of Tigard's team. He definitely is learning a lot this season about supporting the team and sportsmanship.

We finished the evening by going to dinner at Applebee's. Good conversation with the boys and just hanging out together.


Sunday, I went back over to the hotel and caught up with the girls for breakfast. Just a laid back day. We took Ali and Angie out to the airport and sadly sent them off. Then it was back to the hotel to regroup and make a plan and let Shanna pack up her stuff to change rooms. Off to lunch we went - wow, seems like all we did was eat! We had a great lunch at Gustav's where Shauna joined us. The conversations took so many turns that I can't even get into those, but the laughter was the best. Good thing we were in the back of the restaurant....

Then we just visited more again back at the hotel for a couple hours. I had to head home and Michelle and Heidi soon after went to the airport. It was so great to see all of them and just have some fun. I look forward to the next girls weekend! I hope to catch up with Heidi and Michelle when I visit Arizona in January. Always good to have a plan - right???

But now it is Monday again.... They just seem to come around too quickly. My day started off with Tom saying we need to talk.... Never a good thing... Apparently Lucas is very smitten with a girl in his Spanish class and wants to ask her to a movie..... Uh, ok, that explains the grade in Spanish.... :) I found a progress report in his pocket when I was doing laundry. Wondered why he only gave me three last week.... Saved the one with the bad grade. Anyway, what do we do? How old are boys supposed to be before they ask a girl to the movies???? Is there a manual for teenage boys? I am so confused and so not ready for this.... We decided that when the grade comes up - we will talk about it again. But for now - focus is school and keeping the grades up. The kid isn't even 13 yet. Ok, ok, so he turns on friday.... But to mom - he is still 12!!!!!

Well, I am off now... Need to go to the local scrap store and pick up my left over garage sale items. I hope there isn't much and I can continue to downsize on my "stash". Gees - what happened to the time when all my scrap stuff fit into a shoulder bag. Oh - it developed into a rubbermaid bin, then several, then a room, then a converted garage to a full wall of cabinets!! Anyway, I hope the sale was a success for the store. Then I will meet up with Shanna - have another meal together :) - and then take her to the MAX so she can head to the airport.

Have a good monday.
Til next time.
Laura

thumbs up thursday....

yeah, I know, but it is Friday... But got home and had a message from the school. Usually not a good thing - but this time it was. Jake's homeroom teacher (also his language arts teacher) left a message saying that she was choosing Jake for the Thumbs Up Thursday this week. Here I was so nervous about him in Middle School and he is doing great. Guess we just need to let them grow up and see that it all works out.

well, will be short for now. will try to check in later tonight or sometime tomorrow.
Have a good weekend...
Laura

can it be true???

Tomorrow is Monday and I can't wait??? Been a crazy week and weekend and I am looking forward to the normalcy of getting back to work.

To catch up on Lucas - thursday night was rough for him. He had a hard time sleeping but has been doing pretty good since. He hasn't had to take any pain pills other than Aleve during the day and taking the stiffer stuff at night.

Saturday, Jake and I met up with Shauna for a brief minute. We are taking our extra scrap supplies to a garage sale at a local store so was taking her the leftovers from our garage sale. Was great to see her even if it was just a short minute since our playdate for coffee was put off for friday.

Then we headed towards the music instrument rental place. But seemed like the traffic was just stopped. I called the store and they said the roads were closed for a local parade. Decided we would just try later then. Went home and worked for awhile. Tom and Jake went to the Nature Park to walk. When they got back, we tried the store again.

Oh boy - what was I thinking. A little tip - if your kids are taking band - go for the smaller instruments. They aren't as loud. Or take up so much space. We now have a trombone and a saxophone in this house! We don't have that big of house... These boys haven't played these before. Jake's trombone is about as big as he is! I have quickly learned that I have a new appreciation for doors and headphones.... Lucas found three notes today that were repeated for 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday afternoon, I took Lucas' to his football game. He was feeling up to it so we went for the second half. They played Sunset (arch rival) and won 12-0. Glad he could be down there for part of it anyway.

Today has been a little yard work early this am before it got too hot, some household chores, some work and just hanging at home. My parents and my brother stopped by for a bit on their way home from the beach. Made them lunch and they were on their way. Tom and Jake spent the day at the range so it was pretty quiet around here - aside from the sax... I wonder if my neighbors can hear that? I haven't heard many dogs howling yet so maybe it is muffled.

I needed some things from the store so Jake went with me. We hit Sonic for a cherry lime aide before wandering the grocery store. I just hate going to the store. Still didn't come home with any plans for dinners this week. Just need someone to do that chore for me and I would be a happy person...

Anyway, better get the boys to bed. Army Wives will be on soon. I am so glad to see they are back with new shows.

Have a good rest of the night and a good week.
Til next time.
Laura

what happened today....

Just a short little note as we are pretty wiped and heading to bed around here....

Lucas ended up having surgery this afternoon. They put a screw in his hip to prevent the growth plate from slipping anymore. He will remain on the crutches for another month and his foot should start to turn back in gradually over time. He is pretty tired but doing ok as far as pain and getting his appetite back. So thanks everyone for the happy thoughts and support. It is so greatly appreciated. I am hoping that this guy can start to get back to himself. End result is no football for this season. He will be helping the coaches from the sidelines.

So off to bed for me...
Thanks!
Laura