Some may consider this a Christmas Miracle...

...I decided to sit down and update the blog.

I've been a little busy these past few weeks. But now that all the storage units are clean, rental #2 is clean and keys are turned in, Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten, Christmas pageants/recitals/concerts enjoyed, school & work parties over with, Christmas cards mailed (two days before Christmas-ouch), gifts bought, wrapped and mailed and so on and so forth - I want to relax and enjoy the Christmas Season. But the one last thing nagging on my brain is to update the blog. So here we go.

                             ~~Home Sweet Home~~

I can't seem to get a day with sun to take a good picture.
Those days are kind of far and few between here during the winter.

I'm not putting these next pictures in any order.  Some of them are after we got a few things unpacked.  Others are from while we were moving in.  I just wanted to get a few on here for my patient family that has wanted to see where we live now.



Layne's going to love that I posted a pic of him chillen.  Ha! 
These two are glued to a football game and didn't even notice
that I had the camera out.  



This is in the front foyer.

Josie on the computer in the office.

Front door.

The back hall.

Empty office.



Living room window looking out back.



Layne's love...the fire place.  He is his mother's son.  Some nights
our house is 80°.  I like it about 69°.  So.....ya.  Layne plans on building
the mantel soon.  I can't wait to see what he comes up with.  I know
it will be beautiful.

We are happy (most of us) to have our cat back.
She had to live at some friends house for six months because
we couldn't have her at the last rental.

I guess Todd didn't want to be in this picture.





So that is most of the house.  A few things/rooms missing, but you get a good idea.  We feel like we are home again, and that feels good.  We've been very blessed and we now have made some new friends & some not so good friends  during the past year through all of our experiences.  We've learned a lot about ourselves, we've surprised ourselves, and we are worn out but happy. 

We love you all. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!! 

Let's Catch Up

Happy Fall Everyone!  It is WAY past time for a new post.  Life got real crazy these past few weeks with football, show choir, marching band, last details on our house, etc.  So here is a very quick catch up. 

Sadly, I don't seem to have any pics of Justin's birthday.  We took some so I'll have to look harder for them.  But he is now six. 

A little update for him and going to school -

Bribery is good and he was willing to go to school for 15 days without

crying to earn a Double Barrel Nerf Shotgun. 

At the end of the 15 days he decided that he really likes school.  So life got easier after that.

School also started the same week that my dad got so sick.  So when we could see that he was going to get better my stress level went down.  This all happened all around the same time so I'm not sure what really helped him, but the good news is that going to school isn't bad anymore.

 Todd played football this year.  He really seemed to enjoy it.  He really stunk when I picked him up from practice everyday.  gag   The season just got over last week.  They did pretty good this year.  He made a couple interceptions this season.  Those were fun to see.  Next year high school?  YIKES

 My dear Layne.  He has been putting the floors down in our house.  He got done a couple weeks ago, but has yet gotten feeling back in his finger tips.  I guess 1200 sq ft of tile can do that to a guys fingers.  Todd was awesome help too.  I'd dump him off after football and they'd work and work.  It looks beautiful and one of the subcontractors asked Layne if he used lay tile for a living.  That was a nice compliment.

  

Here are the boys on the wood floor Layne put down.

Mitch was sent out to rake leaves. This is what I found. A Santa hat? Really?

At some point this past month Justin needed some money so he set up his table and cash register and was trying to sell all the 'extra' scriptures we have, to us.  I think Josie and I are the only ones that bought some.  Not too bad of a deal.  $1.00 a book.  I'm glad to know that he figured out a way to make money on his own.  He even combed his hair nice and got a button shirt on.  What a guy. 

Sorry mom, this isn't the best picture. I took it on the way to school yesterday morning and it looks like I need to try again. I'll get a new one up soon.

 

We had fun with the camera a couple Sunday's ago.  The last time we did a laying down picture was years ago when the kids were little.  I'll have to find it somehow, somewhere, someday and compare the two.



Here is the kitchen floor.  Now the molding is up and it looks nice and finished.
I can't get this up where I want it.  Sorry.



Today I Ask For ...

Your Vote!

My Brother-In-Law, Jason, is up for a great scholarship. 

To get it he must get lots of votes. 

I know you don't all know Jason, but you'd love him to pieces.

So if you have about a minute, click here to read my sissy's post about the program, and about 30 seconds more to vote,

PLEASE VOTE FOR JASON!

The Best Thing I Heard Today

My Papa's Voice!

It almost made me cry (again? really?).  He sounded so great.  He said he wasn't in much pain.  Only has three more tubes hanging out of his body.  Funny as ever.  He has the greatest sense of humor.

This has been a long & emotional week and a half.  But I've learned a lot.

*Miracles happen.

*Fasting & Prayer bring blessings.

*Many people love my family.

*A lot of things really don't matter.

*Some thing really do matter.

*Don't miss a chance to tell your dad you love him.

(If you wish you knew what happened, my sister Geri posted about the ordeal here.)

This is pretty much what it's like...

...getting Justin to school in the mornings.

I Hate School

These are the lovely words I get to hear out of my soon to be six year old sons mouth.

I've never had a child hate school.

Especially five days into it.

But as I type these words I realize that I say that a lot about Justin.

"None of my other kids ever....."

"I don't know how to ..... with this kid."

"The other kids didn't......"

"Everyone did .... except for Judd."

"Who's kid is this?!"

(FYI-Layne confessed tonight that he had the same problem when he first went to school.)

Today the school nurse called me and said that Justin wasn't feeling good and couldn't stop crying.

Last night when I was putting him to be bed he told me that he cried a little at school.  I asked why and he just said, "Cause I was missing you".

So today when they called me I was going to tell him that he was going to have to stay at school, but he was crying so hard I couldn't even talk to him.  I couldn't imagine leaving him there for them to deal with.  So off I went. 

When we got in the car he asked if we could go to Taco Bell for lunch.

hummmm

Then he started singing the Months of the Year song.

hummmm

He pulled out his papers and showed me the paper he colored.

hummmm

I ask:

Justin, why did you tell me you were sick?

Judd:

I hate school.  I'm never going again.

I say:

Yes you are and why do you hate it?

Judd:

Quiet for a minute...because Mrs. Johns is mean.

I say:

No she isn't.  I know her and she is nice.

Judd:

Well, I just hate school and can you home school me?

**Sigh**

Even as we were going to bed tonight I realized we still have a problem.  Layne was having a discussion with him about how he needed to be a big boy and not call to come home from school and I got done telling him that I can't come get him tomorrow because I have a doctors apt (I get to have my first mammogram...now that could be an experience worthy of a post) and I wont be able to go get him.  He said that was okay because he wasn't going anyway.

**Grrrrr**

This child has always been determined and strong willed.  He has also always been a mamma's boy and a homebody.  But this isn't something he can win.  He's going to have to get used to going to school.  I've arranged things so that I'll be there a couple days a week for a couple hours to help out.  That way he would know that I wasn't too far away.  I'm guessing in about six years I'll wish I still had this problem with my Juddy-Bear.

Wish him luck.

Wish us all luck.

School is Back in Session

And that makes me cry a little bit.

It doesn't always.  Just when I send a new little Kindergartner on their way.  And today it was my baby.  I haven't been home alone all day, everyday in over 15 years and I've got plans. 

But for today, I'm just sad.

Justin's first day of school. 

The other kids started a couple days ago.

I'll get more pics of them.

Justin was excited because his best friend, Micah, is in the same class.  We didn't expect that to happen since there are six kindergarten classes.  Justin also has the same teacher Mitch had as his kindergarten teacher,

Molly Johns.  (She may have had a hand in that.) We like Mrs. Johns. 

He told me this morning that since today was his first day EVER he wanted to pick what we had for dinner.  I said okay, what do you want?

Meatloaf!

No problem.

Well, I'd better get over my boo-hoo moment and get on with my day.

Laundromat, here I come!.....all alone, with no one to help me......

This isn't going so well.  It will get better.

Is she getting old, or am I? **sigh**

(Photo(s) by Geri, the bestest photo taker lady in the West! and my baby sis.

  Check out her site.)

Our Josie turned the big

this past Saturday.

She is now counting down for February 1st, the day she can get her drivers permit.

This was a fun night at mutual.  We had two exchange students in our branch this past school year, and we played some fun games at their good-bye party. 

The rules:  1)Get a partner 2)One of you put on a shower cap 3)The other partner covers the shower cap with shaving cream

4)Everyone lines up, shaving cream heads on one side, non caps on the other side, with about 5' between the two lines 5)The non-shower cap partner has a bowl of Cheetos and on the count of three they start to throw the Cheetos into the "hair" of their partner 6)At the end of the time limit (1 minute) you count to see how many Cheetos got stuck in your partner's 'hair'.  7)Who has the most wins

warning:  easiest clean up is to play this outside.

Two of my favorite people.  Jo & her dad. 

As usual, Josie couldn't keep a straight face in the straight face picture.

We LOVE you Josie. 

just an update

The front steps & walk were poured today.  Pretty soon the rock & columns will be done and then I think other than staining the front door, the exterior will be done...oh, and the garage doors put in. 

So close....for the outside anyway.

The back.  Nothing too exciting.  Layne is so excited to be able to start the deck though.  Not being in the middle of this build is driving him nuts.  Lets get the man in his tool belt already!

They ought to get the dirt moved around and the final grading done next week.  Then we can get some lawn planted. 

Ummm-has anyone seen a missing plumber?  We lost ours or he got lost.  Not sure.

Beware: This post may bug you.

I have decided that I need to get a few things off my chest that are bugging me lately.  I'm not sure this is the appropriate place, and if these types of things ever need mentioned at all, but today.....

*When people don't put a LONG I in the word Ensign.  It means a flag or banner.  When it is pronounced 'Enzeen' you are talking about a U.S. Navy officer of the lowest rank.

*When I'm sweating so much that my pants are stuck to my legs and with each step I can feel them slipping farther and farther down my body. (I wasn't anything to look at while I was at Day Camp with the Cub Scouts this week...the hottest & most humid week of the year so far.)


*I guess at this point I could mention that humidity bugs me too.

*When people pluralize a word that is already plural.  Like men or women.  I call it double pluralizing.  Is there really a word mens or womens?  I can deal with it if there is an apostrophe (') S, and it is used in the right situation.  But I'm guessing that isn't very often.

*Speaking of things that bug me...bugs.  They bug me.  Centipedes that live in my 'summer cottage' in particular.

*Taking a hour to figure out something on Blogger that I can't remember for the life of me.

*When my kid (okay, Todd) wont stop spraying me with a water gun.

*Whiny people, like myself.

So here's is your chance.  If there is something (or how ever many) that is driving you nuts, post it in my comments and perhaps it will help you feel better.  I think for some strange reason, this has made me feel a little bit better tonight.  I may have to add more when they cross my mind. 
I'll gear myself up to post about things that make me happy.  Seems like I've really become a big butt these days.

And Then We Were Done

For the past three months we have gone to a baseball game every night of the week (except for Sunday).  This past weekend we wrapped up Justin & Todd's seasons.  This made for a lot of running from town to town to get them where they needed to be, but they had some great games and it was fun.

Mitch set the mood a couple weeks ago on a great season and tournament showing, and Justin & Todd's teams followed suit.

Todd's team came in 5th! 

Good Job Zanesfield #2

Not bad at all for a first year Pony League Team.

Todd plays a mean Short and had a great batting year. 

He's at a level that they are playing for real now, and it is a lot of fun to watch.  They get to wear steel cleats this year.  I like hearing them hit the pavement.  Click, click, click....

Todd running into home.  His coach, Dave, is in the background cheering him on.  That, or yelling for him to slide or something.

Up to bat.

Eight of the eleven players on his team this year.

Our guy is #4 at the fence.

Justin's team is the 2010

Logan County T-Ball Champions!

Good Job Wenger's Produce

Justin has waited & waited for his chance to be on a baseball team.  This year was his year and he loved every minute of it.

His team had an undefeated season and played their little hearts out at the tournaments.

Sadly, he had to miss the actual championship game because it was played on the Sabbath.  And to add to his pain, he ended up being really sick that day too. 

Perfect form!  He's got awesome Big Brother Coaches.

Ever since his coach dropped off his trophy Monday morning he hasn't put it down.  I'm not kidding.  He has it with him at all times.  I hope it doesn't get broken.  He just loves it.  He keeps saying that he is sad that he didn't get a picture with his trophy and his team, but we have a team party on Friday so we'll try to get one then.

Walking up to the plate.

You can see in his eyes, here with his trophy, that he is still not 100% feeling better.

2010 was a great ball season for the

Coleman boys!  Can't wait for next year.

One Down, Two To Go

Mitch just finished up a great baseball season!

He and his team had a great year, only loosing once during the regular season.

Last night was a close game and Mitch made the winning hit.

Tonight they came in third in the county tournament. 

Mitch made some great hits to the outfield, with the high-light being a triple.

(His coach kept him at third, but all of us sitting there thought he really could have made it home for a home run. booo hissss  j/k...kinda)

Anyway, we finished up a couple games earlier than we would have liked, but third place is fun too, and the trophy looks great on his dresser.

Hooray for Mitch!  You had a great season!