Lord, Save My Sanity Please

I think I explained in an earlier post that I like to make things as easy on me as possible when teaching and one of the ways to do that is to make sure that all students are listening to the directions.

Another way I do this is to type out all the directions for the older students to follow explaining explicitly what they are to do.

Despite this...I STILL get questions and it boggles my mind!

Example...
4th grade this morning
When they came in, these were the directions by their computers

Typing Master
Lesson 5.7
Lesson 5.8
Lesson 6.1

2 Minute Typing test Tale of Peter Rabbit
View and print results
Find your old test...put your new test on top of the old one...staple together
Compare Net words per minute for candy
Put in the 4th grade box
Free time

Most of that you probably didn't understand but they do...because we have been doing this all year so they know the Typing Master drill by now.

Listed below are the questions I got asked today:

- Are we supposed to do Lesson 6.1?
- Do we put the new test on the top or the bottom?
- Are we supposed to look at the net speed or the gross speed
- What should we do when we are finished
- Where should I put this? (finished test)

Not to mention I found someones test in the 4th grade box not stapled and one test that didn't make it into the box at all!

Hospital Visit

A Sunday visit to the hospital.

Jon's girlfriend has been hospitalized with severe kidney issues.  She remains un-diagnosed but is well enough to be released today. 

One More Reason

Next year we will be in Florida. And this is not even the worst.  Tomorrow we get to look forward to -40 to -50.

Oshkosh, WI, US

Now -9°F Windchill: -30°F Fair

Wind: 14 mph W Humidity: 52% Visibility: 0.1 mi Pressure: 30.12 in rising Sunrise: 7:16 am Sunset: 4:56 pm

I mean  who seriously prefers this kind of winter

to this kind of winter

Tournament Day

I knew it was going to be great day when I found out I could sleep in. Because Zack's team was ranked the #1 seed in the tournament which earned them a first round bye.

The first game wasn't until 11:20 - and it was never even a close game.  

Zack played the entire first quarter and a portion of the third quarter.  He had 8 points.  Coach mostly played those who usually don't get much playing time.  

Boys had their eye on the 1st place trophy after the win

The win meant they didn't play again until the championship game at 7:30.  And it was no surprise who they ended up playing.

They played amazing in the first half (Zack's team is home)

Unfortunately, some great 3 point shooting in the second half meant that the lead was cut to two by the middle of the 4th quarter.

This is the point when I had to excuse myself and use the bathroom.  My coping skill when things get too nerve wracking for me.  

By the time I returned things were looking much better and unfortunately I missed a clutch basket by Zack.

Final score:

Win by 9

Great win. Zack had 11 points and 9 rebounds, a block, two steals, and several assists.  This was by far his best game this year.

First place trophy, some incredible boys, and two amazing coaches

Some goofiness to remind everyone they are still in Middle School

I won't tell you whose idea the goofiness was.  Okay...his name starts with a Z and ends with a k

The girls also played in the tourney and took third place

he Sure Knows How to Get His Point Across

Last night he wanted to snuggle on the couch while I was cleaning the kitchen.

First he walks over to the stairs and looks downstairs:

 Then he looks toward me as if saying, "let's go mama...I need some attention."

Can you say spoiled? 

The Big One Five

I am in complete denial.  No way possible that my baby is fifteen today.   

I cannot even describe in words all that he has meant to me - and to our whole family.  He was sent by God during a very precarious time in my life...his arrival was a figurative slap in the face for me to wake up and enjoy the blessings in my life. 

Not that I didn't enjoy my other two blessings (sons) but certain other people in my life I think I took for granted/pushed away.

Zack...words that come to mind when I think of you are
- love
- big heart
- kind
- funny
- determined
- and, at the moment, always hungry!

We went to his favorite restaurant for dinner...Buffalo Wild Wings.

And now, the big goofball cannot wait for this day to be over because he has a basketball tournament tomorrow.  He lives to play!

Tramadol Update (Last One)

It has been just over four months since I began the Tramadol.  This will be the last update because I  just had the best month I have had in a long time!

Every single day except for one I have been 100% pain free.  My dosage is 50mg. up to four times a day for a total of four per day.  Right now I am only taking 3 a day so I still have room there for an increase if I need to.  

I am not taking anything else except the Tramadol right now.  

So, let's consider this matter ended and done.  And praise God.  To Him be the glory for helping me find a way to treat this horrible disease.

Their Bond is Different

I have a sister.  She and I are very close now and I love her with all my heart and miss her.  

BUT...we weren't always this way.  I think she can admit now that she bullied me as a child, always had to have her own way, and basically intimidated me into submission.  I was a pretty content and compliant child but, every now and then, even I reached my limit and my attempt to stand up for myself usually resulted in kicking, scratching, hair-pulling cat fights.  Laughing at that image?  Me too.

Anyway, whenever I thought about having a family of my own, I always thought I'd have two girls.  And, of course, they'd be best friends and do everything together, and never ever ever fight. Delusional I know.  

So you can imagine my surprise when I  had not one boy but two boys!  And sixteen months apart!  They hardly ever fought with each other (until they got into their teens) but even when they do fight it is nothing like my sister and I used to fight.  They pretty much say what's on their mind and go their separate ways.

But it's their bond with their little brother that amazes me.  They love him fiercely - and always have.  They would do anything for him...protect him...comfort him...and step outside their comfort zone for him.  


Zack still remembers when CJ was his "father" in the father-son basketball game.  Knowing CJ like I do and knowing his personality, I'm pretty sure he did not want to do that.  But...he would do anything for his little brother.

Jon has gone to all of Zack's basketball games this year.  Not such a big sacrifice unless you know how much of a homebody Jon is.  Trust me, he does not enjoy leaving the house.  

Zack, in turn, adores his big brothers and wants them around all the time. Sobbing uncontrollably at times when he has to say good-bye to them. 

I love witnessing their bond.

It's Real

I'm jobless.

 On Friday I put my Letter of Intent into the mailbox of my principal stating that I would not be returning next year.

I held onto it a whole five days after I signed it.  I'm not sure why...the decision had been made a while ago. I still see no signs from God that he wants me to stay here - not even one.  Most people know already.  But there was just something about the finality of the Letter of Intent that made it all seem too real. 

But now it's done. No turning back - only moving forward.  

It's real

Golden Ticket

For the past two years Zack has been part of our Middle School's drama department play.

Two years ago he wasn't taking Drama for a class but they were short handed so he stepped in and played a cop.  Ollie was also in that play.

Last year he played the lead male role of Matthew in Anne of Green Gables - and did a great job too.

This year's play was Charlie and the Chocolate factory and he was Charlie's grandpa Joe.  He didn't have a whole lot of lines to memorize (like last year) but he was on stage for every scene  of the play except the first.

"grandpa Joe" talking to Charlie

Grandpa Joe and Charlie in front of the chocolate factory

The five golden ticket winners and their families. I guess they must have had too many girls and not enough parts because a couple of the kids ad both parents there and the mothers had no lines.

Augustus Gloop drinking from the chocolate river

The best picture of I could get of the Oompa Loompas

kids are slowly disappearing

only Charlie is left

Everyone did fantastic overall.  

Any Soft Place Will Do

Usually when we get home from a trip/vacation, I need to unpack immediately.  I have a primal need to be organized and I cannot relax until everything is done.

However, last week after we arrived home from our horrible driving day, I could not muster up the energy to unpack our one overnight bag, which I left on the kitchen floor.

The next morning:

A Thing of the Past

Soon...and I will never care if I ever see snow again

Tuesday Night:

Night Time Snuggles

I think he'd stay like this forever if I let him.

I took my hand away to show that I am not holding him down or making him stay in any way.  He just...does.

Did I Mention I Love This Guy?

Monday after Zack's game, I encouraged him to talk to his coach.  No good will ever come from whining and complaining about a situation and not taking steps to improve it.

The conversation between them lasted only a few minutes but I could tell Zack was fighting back some tears.

Fast forward to yesterday...I get an e-mail from his coach asking if he could meet with us after school to talk.  

Apparently, he felt so bad for Zack that he could not fall asleep until 2:00 in the morning.  He loves Zack, he depends on Zack, he counts on Zack...and when Zack hurts he is hurting as well.

The meeting lasted 45 minutes.  We had snow yesterday and he was busy - getting text messages constantly about snow plowing jobs he had. But he sat there and listened to Zack's concerns and validated his feelings.  I can't go into everything that was said but, needless to say, he sees the same concerns and has been working on ways to fix them.

It Wasn't Supposed To Be Like This

Basketball this year is just not any fun.  Zack is not enjoying it - and I have to agree with him...I am not enjoying watching the games either. 

They had a game last night and it was so frustrating that I could not even watch the second half.  

They had lost so many games over the past two years that when three new students joined the team this year, each talented basketball players, everyone was very excited and were looking forward to a more successful (winning) season.

Instead, they have lost just as many games as last year (they are 3-3) and the team has become a three man show - yep...the three new ones.

There is no teamwork - just three individuals out on the court to showcase their talents. Dribble---shoot.  Dribble---shoot.  No passing....ever.  

And this is the theme...every game it seems.  Zack is so unhappy.  I am not a fan of quitting and have urged him to talk to his coach and give it a couple more games.  But, truly, I cannot blame him.  

This is not what I wanted for him during his last season.

Name Change

I have been considering changing the name of this site for a long time - you know - considering our house is no longer as full of people as it used to be.  

I considered also keeping the title "Living With a Full House" thinking that people aren't the only thing that can fill a house...love can also.

Except, if you remember this post, you will understand that that doesn't necessarily apply either.

So, the other day when I was making the blog banner, the name just came to me ----Life with Boys.  Perfect. I mean, even my dog is a boy.  

I can't change my URL address but I can change the blog title.

First Aid

Yesterday, as we arrived home after Zack's tournament, Ollie met us in the garage.  This is not all that unusual.  Sometimes hubby will let him out so he can greet us.

This time, however, it looked to me as if 
Ollie was limping...eventually he just stood there holding his paw up.

He has definitely hurt it somehow and will not walk on it.  It is so sad and pathetic.

I called his vet who advised me to give him ibuprofen for pain and swelling and if he's not better by tomorrow, we will take him for x-rays.

Poor baby just lies in his bed.  Usually he follows me everywhere.  

On Second Thought

I decided to brave the road conditions this morning and take Zack to his tournament.  

He didn't play a whole lot...may I just take a moment and rant?

+what is the deal with practices over Christmas break?  Every year we have gone to Florida, missed all practices scheduled during a time that should be devoted to family, and then he pays the price by sitting on the bench once we get back.  This year I even made a point of telling his coach that we would be gone - like out of state - and he wasn't just missing practice because he didn't feel like going.  It didn't matter. He still paid the price by being benched.+

Anyway, during the time he did get to play he had 8 points (including a game winner) and several rebounds.

Game two had gone into overtime and with 18 seconds left, Zack made a clutch basket.  The other team lost the ball on the inbound pass so his basket ended up being the game winner.