i don't text

I may be the last person on planet earth that does not text. Okay, that is most certainly an exageration. I FEEL like I am the ONLY person that does not text. Wrong again. My hubby and I are the only people I know that do not text. Our cell phone is just that -- a phone for talking.

I just upgraded my phone. All I wanted was the sturdiest phone I could find with no bells or whistles. I ended up with a military issued phone that can withstand falls and moisture. Perfect! A 3 pound flip phone!!

Technology is not a sore spot for me. I like technology. I love the internet and the instant knowledge I have right at my fingertips. E-mail makes me smile as does facebook.

The good thing is I can set boundaries for myself with my computer. Computer On. Computer Off. I seem to have the need to instantly respond to anything in my inbox. I will not put it off until tomorrow I promise. I inherited a great appreciation for detail and explanations too. Thanks Mom. I have already passed this great trait on to at least one son. "How was your breakfast?" I asked ONE of un-named son's. "Well, I got up this morning a little earlier than usual. I was very hungry. I thought I would have oatmeal, but you were not up yet. I decided to have Chex. You know the ones made of corn and rice? I had the corn ones. I didn't have milk. I used a green bowl. There are 3.5 left." You get the drift.

Now, imagine me having the capability to text. I would text. Too much. Too often. An indicator telling me I had a text would be as intense as a fire alarm in a high rise. I would be driven to immediately respond with way too much detail.

How does this factor in to 30minutesontheboysturf? For me, another communication tool is another temptation of distraction. I want to be as attentive to my kids as I am to my inbox. They do not have an On and Off switch. Nor does my "mother" switch. I am mommy 24/7 and they are the treasures God has given me.

One day I am sure I will move into this century and your text to me will not be blocked! Pease don't tempt me with the latest and greatest text/media plans! I might not withstand the pressure.

For now, I am content to live in the dark ages just a little longer.

Surprise on the Boys Turf

Today, October 1, is Oldest's 8th Birthday. I could never have imagined that 8 years could fly by so quickly! I am so thankful that God chose to bless me with such a precious gift. In many ways, we are so much alike and yet, we are soooo different.

Oldest NEEDS the Birthday hoopla, the surprises, the streamers....and MORE STREAMERS. He puts on the best celebrations for any reason worth celebrating. To him EVERDAY is reason to put on a party. Just a few months ago, he threw me a surprise Retirement Party so I would never have to work again. Last weekend, after being gone a mere 55 hours, the streamers were hung for my homecoming.

When it comes to MY birthday,I prefer NO surprises and a simple intimate gathering. It probably comes down to my desire to be prepared. How can I be prepared for something I don't know about. I need a heads-up.

Middleson and Oldest have NO idea that tomorrow will be an 8th Birthday Tailgate in honor of Oldest's special birthday and an Ohio Buckeye Football Game. What a great combination! They will both be surprised tomorrow morning. All of my secrets are in place and ready to go! I can hardly wait.

Tonight Oldest has requested that we go out for dinner. He has changed his mind so many times this week that I am uncertain where we will end up. It will be fun nonetheless.

Happy Birthday to my firstborn son who is such an example to me of living life to the fullest!

Time to hang some more streamers....

55 hours in the Mile-High City of Denver

I have absolutely nothing to report for 30minutesontheboysturf time. But, I know for sure that my husband/substitute teacher/boys' daddy could do a play by play of their weekend together!

I, on the other hand, have MUCH to report from my FIRST true break from my kids in 8 years! I learned something new this weekend. Denver is known as the mile-high city. My sister and I re-united in Denver for some sister (no husbands, no kids, no stress) time. Our hotel was adjacent to the mile-high stadium smack in the middle of downtown Denver.

The strange thing about this high-class hotel and its perfect location, was my pillow. Well, it was the pillow provided for me by the hotel. I like to refer to it as my mile-high pillow. I am exagerrating, but only a little bit. It was SOOOOO high and SOOOO hard. The first night I tried to use a small corner of the pillow. When that still proved too high, I slept on the mattress with no pillow. I was not afraid of falling off the bed, but I was afraid of falling off that frightful pillow. The second night I rolled up a towel and used that. Note to self: Also travel with my own pillow! My neck/shoulders are still reminding me.

Despite my pillow, the trip was fantastic. 55 hours of laughing, being silly, Starbucks, sitting still, attending the Women of Faith conference, eating out, shopping, conversing deeply, and lingering. It was 55 hours void of diaper changes, dishes, laundry, cleaning, and up/down mealtimes. The break from doing what I do for those I love was sooooooo refreshing.

Arriving home, exhausted but refreshed, held its own sweetness along with a hint of disappointment that the trip was over. Oldest and Middleson streamered the house and posted homemade "Welcome Home" signs. Daddy's worn expression said it all, "I am soooo glad you are home" Babyboy had a look of pure delight when the van door opened and I hopped in. It was like something was missing and he finally put his chubby little finger on it. I held daddy's hand with one hand and Babyboy's with the other, all the way home.

Contentedly, I ponder my time way. It was so good -- perfect. And, after a day of getting back into the swing of things, I am refreshed and ready to spend many more minutes on my boys' turf minus the mile-high pillow.

Are you ready for some football?

I confess. Football season is a love/hate thing for me.  I simply do not understand why it begins earlier and earlier every year.  Pre-Season.  Season.  Post Season.  College.  NFL.  Super Bowl.  Weeknights. Weekends.  Afternoon.  Evening. 

I dread the hours and hours the tv is on.  However, I have begun to love the football madness.  OSU Buckeye games are the absolute perfect time to shop.  Columbus becomes a ghost town.  I can stroll any store in my scarlet and gray and have my pick....along with the other few non-fans that have discovered the same secret. 

I have also enjoyed watching the bonding between the boys and their daddy's football fondness.  It starts with the all-out attire, leads to the football food (wings, chips, and "junk" food), and continues with hours and hours of screaming, jumping, and high-fiving.

On Sunday night, the boys' daddy and I were reading a parenting book while Babyboy played at our feet and Oldest and Middleson played outside. Suddenly daddy asked, "Why are we inside reading a parenting book instead of playing with the kids?" Good question daddio. It was then that I received the invitation to play football. Yep, at thirty-something I finally slightly understood how the game is played. The 30minutesontheboysturf turned into an hour of football fun. Even the neighbors joined us.

I confess. It was fun. Football is exciting. However,I think turftime will be the extent of my football fascination. Target, dressed in its Scarlet, still calls my name on game day.

So, yes, I am ready for some football.

W-E-E-K-E-N-D

What does that spell?  WEEKEND!!!  It was a good week and I couldn't be more grateful.  The boys gave 100% in school this week and that makes for a proud teacher and mommy.  This week held several appointments which made for some FULL days.  For some reason, we also grocery shopped four times (YES FOUR) at 4 different stores!! Aahhh. I honestly thought I had enough food for the week when we did a stock-up trip on Monday.  Tuesday was a handful of things that I forgot to get. Wednesday was milk.  And, today was Friday-only sales I couldn't resist. 

This week,I, mommy on the boys turf, got my priorities in order and let the boys dictate the turf time once again instead of inviting them to my side.  We are all better as a result of a few short 30minutesontheboysturf.  

Tonight will be a nokidsonourturf date night at home.  The movie is ready.  Supper is prepped.  My mouth is watering thinking about the homemade hot fudge and peanut butter sauce for our ice cream.  Lord willing, Oldest, Middleson, and Babyboy will hurry off to dreamland and let their daddy and I spend some time together. 

Happy Weekend!

Cuffs, Corn, and Cars!

Today's 30minutesontheboysturf time was filled with "C's".
Oldest wanted to construct (hand)cuffs.  I cannot fathom why handcuffs would be worthy of any time or mental energy, but I am not a boy who dreams of being a spy, catching bad guys, and being a hero.  That desire has never crossed my mind before today when Oldest invited me on his turf to make them. We put our heads together and crafted a set of cuffs no one would want to be caught in. I did take pictures, but opted not to post them. I hope it is the only time I see my son in handcuffs!

Babyboy cheerfully nibbled on (pop)corn while we handcuffed away.  Most of the time he had one hand in the bowl and the other hand was fast at work cramming popcorn into his mouth. 

To no ones surprise, Middleson got out the bin of cars for yet another round of car zooming, racing, and trading.  Thankfully I was not handcuffed and could easily join in.  Unfortunately, our ever-so-clever handcuffs weren't as sturdy as we thought.  Oldest was easily able to join in the fun too!

It feels just right to be back on the boys turf for a little TLC and CCC!

Back in the Saddle again.....

Oh my.  Since I posted a week ago, I have been much less diligent about spending 30minutesontheboysturf.

We have made some good memories and enjoyed our days together. But, for some reason, I went on vacation from the BOYS turf and had them come to my MOMMY turf.  Now I really don't think there is anything wrong with that. But, I clearly saw the benefit in heading to their side and doing what they wanted.
They have missed it too and even mentioned it. I made excuses like, "Oh, remember I took you to the park?"  "We rode bikes this morning!"  Yet, I knew what they were really wanting.  Me.  Just me without my constant distractions.

This afternoon we all headed to the basement.  Middleson got that spark in his eye and asked, "Mommy, what do you want to do together?"  My idea was to do some cleaning and sorting while they played.  His idea was better and much more important. 

So, I am back in the saddle again.  That's a song isn't it?  I am singing it now with a renewed sense of energy.  A "new" convert to this experiment e-mailed me today.  Her excitement to join her kids in play prompted me to "practice what I preach" and keep going. 

Please don't let me go another week without blogging.  Unfortunately, no blog = nothing to blog about = no 30minutesontheboysturf and way to much time on my turf!