"If you ever fall off the Sears Tower, just go real limp, because maybe you'll look like a dummy and people will try to catch you because, hey, free dummy."

– Jack Handey

I pulled up one of my acoustic playlists this morning to listen to... I guess because I feel "mellow" what with my kids back in school. I am really not quite sure what to do with myself now that they are not here all day long.
I miss them.
Alot.
Thing 1 started Jr. High, and I have found myself watching the clock, seeing in my minds eye her going from class to class... praying that she is surviving. Not the school work, because that will be cake for her, but surviving the social pressure that is now thrust upon her. Ugh. I remember Jr. High school... I went to this Jr. High school. Some of the same teachers are still there. Poor kid. Thankfully she didn't get any of the ones that I hated.
Anyway. I watch the clock now. Hoping that her locker doesn't jam. That she doesn't drop her stuff. That no one steps on her. I don't know why I am so uneasy about this whole experience, but I am. I want her to be happy, and not afraid of school. I want her to be confident and successful! I am not stressed about Thing 2... Just Thing 1.
I had to go into the school today to pay for her lunch... we were leaving as the bell rang to change classes. Thing 3 wanted to wait and see Thing 1. She would NOT leave... and not wanting a scene, we waited and just watched. It was stressful for me, watching all those kids coming and going, clearly seeing the stress and on some faces sheer panic... one boy dropped all his stuff walking down the stairs, and his calculator went flying everywhere! He looked like he wanted to just disappear into the wall... he was mortified! Poor boy! I gasped. Probably too loudly. Kids kept walking by, laughing at him, until a really nice looking older boy stopped and helped him pick everything up. The boy who was picking up his stuff, looked up at this obviously upper-classman, horrified, waiting for the name calling to begin... This older boy just smiled and handed him all his stuff and went on his way.
Why can't all kids be nice like that?
Jr. High School.
Social pressure.
Yikes!
Anyway.
We waited.
Thing 1 finally came bouncing down the stairs with a boy walking her to class. He lives by us, and they have several classes together. He hollered out "Hey Sister Motherboard! I'm going to pre-algebra with Thing 1!" They happily waved at us and hurried on their way! Thing 3 looked at me, clearly happy and sighed rather loudly. "Whew! It's so great that Thing 1 is happy and the tears have dried!"
(yes. tears. she had a rough start this morning and broke into tears, which Jefe will be quick to point out makes me jump too quickly to try and solve their problems. They all know all they have to do is turn on the tears and I jump into action.)

Yes, baby. Whew. She is happy.
Anyway. Here is my mellow random 10 friday. what are you playing?

1. Redemption Song - Bob Marley
2. Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
3. Closer To Fine - Indigo Girls
4. Comfortable - John Mayer
5. Kill - Jimmy Eat World
6. Message In A Bottle (Live) - John Mayer
7. The First Cut Is The Deepest (Acoustic Version) - Sheryl Crow
8. Sleeping To Dream - Jason Mraz
9. She Will Be Loved ( Acoustic) - Maroon 5
10. Tiny Dancer (Live) - Ben Folds

Bonus: Over My Head (Cable Car) Live - The Fray

If you're robbing a bank, and your pants suddenly fall down, I think it's OK to laugh, and to let the hostages laugh too, because come on, life is funny.
– Jack Handey

It's Random 10 Friday again... heard anything good lately?

1. What Would You Say - Dave Matthews Band
2. To Make Her Love Me - Rascal Flatts
3. Don't Know Why - Norah Jones
4. Where The Streets Have No Name - U2
5. Everywhere I Go - The Call
6. Let Me Down Easy - Chris Isaak
7. Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
8. Waiting For The World To Change - John Mayer
9. Hanging By A Moment - Lifehouse
10. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (live) - Coldplay

Bonus: Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

I was going through the photos, and found this photo of Thing 2 when he had hives...
Aren't they just horrid?? Poor little guy! Jefe was getting him to pose and say "I want more brains here..." Ick! Just thought I would share, so that you could see that I wasn't exaggerating how awful they were... pretty darn bad, if you ask me!

Earlier this week I was talking with a neighbor about our kids. She was commenting on the fact that her son was really into skateboarding, and she didn't like it because of the kinds of kids that sport attracts. When I asked her what she meant, she said: "Well. You know. Long hair, drugs... you know... Kids who don't really amount to anything."
I was surprised.
But, not really.
Thing 2 likes skateboarding and I started worrying that maybe I should be more worried. Then I said to her: "Yeah. I know what you mean. Thing 2 has been dying to play football and I'm just really not sure I want him to. I mean everyone that I ever knew in high school that played football was just a giant meat head!" She looked at me and said 'Uh. My husband played football!"
Oh.
Well.
I guess everyone except him then...

Open mouth, insert foot.

High school musical premiers tonight! Thing 1 is having a premier party and she is soo excited! I told her if we were going to have a party here, then she needed to pitch in and help out with the cleaning of the house! Well. She did. And she was running around the house, all stressed like yelling at everyone to help out! Then when I went to the store to get food for the party, she called all crying because Thing 2 had just tracked dirt all over the kitchen floor that she had just moped. I started to laugh because I can't even begin to count how many times a day I feel like that! It was sweet justice to say the least!!
Anyway. We are anxiously awaiting the premier... We have a banner on our front porch that says "Go Wildcats!" I am sure then neighbors are scratching their heads thinking "Wildcats??" I thought our mascot was ________ (insert mascot here). "
Thing 1 is excited. Which makes me excited.
And my house is SUPER clean and I didn't have to do it all my self!!
Maybe we'll have to have another party next week!!

"Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, where the heck is the ceiling?" - Unknown

1. Sattelite - Dave Matthews Band
2. When The Stars Go Blue - Tim McGraw
3. Restless - Alison Kraus
4. Ants Marching (Live) - Dave Matthews Band
5. Ellsworth - Rascal Flatts
6. River Flows in You - Yiruma
7. Silence Is Easy - Starsailor
8. Somebody's Crying - Chris Isaak
9. See Me Through (Live) - Rascal Flatts
10. I've Got To See You Again - Norah Jones

Bonus: Sleeping To Dream (Live at the Eagles Ballroom) - Jason Mraz *This version of this song is my VERY favorite song!! Enjoy!*

"If God dwells inside us, like some people say, I sure hope he likes enchiladas, because that's what he's getting."
– Jack Handey

"The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face." - Jack Handy

Random 10 Friday... I LOVE Random 10 Friday. It's just a good excuse to listen to tunes!
Hope you have an awesome Random 10 Friday!

1. Flying - Chris Isaak (i am soo digging this guy!)
2. When You Say Nothing At All - Alison Krauss
3. These Days - Rascal Flatts
4. I Will Survivie - Gloria Gaynor
5. Two Hearts - Ryan Adams
6. I've Got To See You Again - Norah Jones
7. Daughters (Live in Concert) - John Mayer Trio
8. Break Away - Rascal Flatts
9. When The Stars Go Blue - Tim McGraw
10. Wanted Dead or Alive - Chris Daughtry

Bonus: All I Want Is You - U2

Thing 1 turned 12 today.
TWELVE.
Where on earth did all that time go? I feel like I am in a whirlwind. Seriously.
It seems like just yesterday we were holding hands, skipping off to Kindergarten, and Me crying all the way home. She has turned into a lovely... No. Beautiful young lady.
She is smart, and really has her head on solid. She went and met with our Bishop recently to get her advancement into the Young Womens youth group our church has. He pulled me aside a couple of days later and said "Your daughter is amazing! She has her act TOGETHER! It was wonderful to talk with her, because she really understands what it is all about!" He kept going on and on about what a remarkable girl she is. I smiled and said "I know. We have been truly blessed with this amazing child!"
And we have.
She is amazing! She gets more dramatic as the days go by and I seriously find myself shaking my head wondering if I am going to survive her drama... But she also gets more fun to talk with. She has opinions, and she isn't afraid of using them.
She knows BIG words, and shes not afraid of them.
She understands what makes a good friend, and she's not afraid to be one.
She knows who God is, and isn't embarrassed to have a relationship with Him.
She impresses me... She is miles and miles ahead of where I was when I was her age. The sky is the limit for her, and I hope she sees and understands her potential. It is limitless.
When she wants to be, she is soo kind and sweet with Thing 3. Thing 3 insisted on getting her Jewelry and a new Barbie for her birthday present. The Barbie she said was so that Thing 1 would have one to play Barbie's with her. How thoughtful! :P
Thing 1 turned 12 today. It makes me sad to think of it, actually. I only have 6 more years with her in my home... under my roof.... seeing her on a daily basis. In 6 more years she will be off to college.
SIX YEARS PEOPLE!
That thought makes my heart hurt. This child has been such a blessing in my life. She is the ultimate glue that keeps our family together and on track. She is our conscience. She wants us to be good. And not just good, but REALLY good. She corrects me when I screw up. And it really bugs me, 'cause I know she's right.
Twelve. I still can't believe it. She is starting to get her own agenda. Her own ideas. Her own beliefs. She is starting to stand on her own 2 feet. Granted, sometimes its a bit wobbly, but she is doing it. I am excited for her to stand alone, but also sad. Soon, all too soon, she wont need Jefe and I as much anymore... if at all really.
Sigh.
Twelve.
She has been reading all summer long. She's probably read 7-8 books. And not just books, but BIG books--- 600+ pages each. In 7th grade this year, she has to read 800 pages a term. I think that in the course of this summer, she has read enough for the entire year. I told her she needs to keep track of what it is she has read, what it was about and then she can pull from those books when her homework is out of control. Notice that I said WHEN and not IF. I know it will happen, and reading to her is more important than anything else... So I am trying to prevent a total disaster.
Happy birthday Thing 1. I am so grateful that you came to our house to live. You have been a huge blessing, and are so fun watch. You are growing and changing into a beautiful young lady.
I love you,
Mom

"Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think." - Chinese Proverb

Olly - olly in come free... what are you listening to?

1. Where the Streets Have No Names - U2
2. Somebody's Crying - Chris Isaak
3. Strawberry Wine - Ryan Adams
4. Only The Lonely - Chris Isaak
5. Every Little Bit Hurts - Alicia Keys
6 Pieces - Rascal Flatts
7. Englishman In New York - Sting
8. Love Me - Yiruma
9. Don't Know Why - Norah Jones
10. Someday We'll Know - New Radicals

Bonus: Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Il - Sufjan Stevens