Knows when to yell for help-----check

Grey and Holland finished their 2 week session of swim lessons. They've got the certificates and report cards to prove it. Grey's certificate says Preschool on it, and he wanted me to be sure and clarify that his instructor used the wrong certificates for his class. He was in the Youth program. To a 7 year old boy that is a very big clerical error.

As you may recall, I was banned from the actual swimming pool area for Holland's lessons. My presence was a distraction to the point of being a hindrance to Holland's progress. So I was very interested to read Holland's report card. She had lots of checks on the various skills and a blank on one or two others. What I really wanted to share with you were the Instructor's Comments from Holland's report card. "Holland has become more confident and has made it through some lessons without crying."
Well, I'm just pleased as punch to read that. And if you know Holland, you are, too.

Poolside Chats

I remember in college going to the pool. I took a beach towel, baby oil, and a good book. You remember those days, when skin cancer, cellulite, and stretch marks were the problems that afflicted old people, you know, people in their thirties.

I'd spend 3-4 hours, reading, dozing, and faithfully flipping from stomach to back to maintain that nice even tan. I'd discuss inane topics with my fellow sunbather and invariably one of us would ask what time it was, as if we really cared.

Pool trips are a little different now. Skin cancer is my nemesis. Nowadays I apply sunscreen, SPF 50 or more, like I'm basting a turkey. The kids actually cringe when I'm armed with a bottle. No bad sunburns, not on my watch. And cellulite and stretch marks, well let's just not even go there. Then there's the stuff I have to pack; 2 intertubes, 4 towels, (always take a spare everything), floaties, waters, snacks, lunch, coverups/t-shirts, comb, goggles, plastic tea set, dive rings, cell phone (in a ziploc bag), and a watch (because I really do need to know what time it is). It's a good thing reading is not even remotely an option, because there's no room for a book in my bag anyway. And when I go with my friends, we discuss everything from health insurance to potty training, practical life topics, free therapy, I like to call it. And I wouldn't trade any of it.

Can you feel the love?

I am so lovin' my new blog template!!! Can't you just hear the MSU fight song in your heart?

Was it only a year ago?

June 2006
Picture it with me: You're driving home from work. Traffic is typical end-of-the workday- traffic. The sky doesn't look pleasant, though. The rain is coming, but hopefully you'll make it home before the bottom drops out. After all you are only 5 or 6 miles from home. You are talking on the cell phone with a fellow employee. You stop at the red light, second in line. A very loud boom of thunder suprises you, so loud you glance at the car next to you and you and the driver give each other the" wow, that was something" look. Then you notice in your mirror, some guys in a truck a couple of vehicles back start waving their arms at you, telling you to move. Where ya gonna go? You are behind another car at a traffic light and then "WHAM", glass flys in, your rearview mirror falls off as the back of your car is smashed by a tree. The men that had been waving their arms, run up to your car, very pale, to see if you're okay. You are, but you tell the employee on the other end of the phone call, you're gonna have to call him back...........

Bring Back The Menfolk

I admit it; Holland and I are kind of pitiful without our menfolk. Since Mac is out of town, and Grey is at camp, we have been left to our own devices. Tonight, we went to our favorite Mexican resteraunt. Let's just say El Ranchero is to the Davis family like Cheers was to Norm. They know where we like to sit, and our favorite waitress doesn't take our order, she merely confirms that we'll have the usual. And the Mariachi duo, well, I feel like they are kin. They know our 3 favorite songs and the order we like to hear them in, and "the boys", as we fondly refer to them, don't speak a lick of English.

So, thinking we might find some comfort in the familiar surroundings and knowing the smell would follow us home in our clothers and hair, we sat down.....on the same side of the booth....so close to each other that my left arm was rendered useless. From a distance, we looked like Siamese twins. I looked down and we had the same napkin over both our laps, and I took comfort in that fact. The conversation, however, was not so great. There are only so many subjects Holland can cover. At that point I realized that I have not fully appreciated all the 2's Grey consistently got on his report card in Talking. (1- doing great, 2- needs work) He can carry on a great conversation on a variety of topics nonstop. And of course, it goes without saying that Mac always makes for great dinner entertainment. I can truly say they were sorely missed. It was borderline depressing.

Therefore, I have decided that since the thought of going to bed by myself with Holland upstairs by herself does not appeal to either one of us, we will be bunking together tonight. And if I have to dig her foot out of my back 100 times tonight, I'll be grateful that she wants to make sure I'm still beside her. And if she snores like a freight train, I'll turn the fan up for noise, and pop a Tylenol PM, and be glad that she's there to keep me company. Hurry home Grey and Daddy....

Camp

I guess we all got to go to church camp at some point in our lives, but I'm pretty sure I was a lot older than 7. You can guess what I am leading up to. Grey has left for Camp. I hadn't planned on letting him go this summer. I'll just say it: I wasn't ready. However, last week our children's minister came up to me and told me that Grey was the most requested bunkmate, and he wasn't even going. How am I supposed to handle that kind of guilt? So, I asked her if there was still room. She checked and said no; camp was full. Whew! I dodged a bullet there. Then doggone it, she called yesterday and said they had an opening. So, I packed his suitcase and sleeping bag, and I knew there was no turning back. So I loaded him on the bus this morning with mixed emotions, happy because he's excited, but sad because now I have to be Holland's 24hr playmate.( I'm kidding.) I'm a little sad because he's growing up so fast. When I called Mac to tell him (he's been out of town this week.), he was like, "What, I'm not going to see him until Saturday? I need my Grey-time." So we are all a little down. (heavy sigh) I wish I had some pictures to post of him as he set sail for camp, but he wouldn't let me take any. Not even one. Believe me, I tried. However, I am posting an old picture of him. It makes me giggle every time I look at it. Next time, maybe he'll give me 30 seconds to take a picture........

Vacation Bible School: Game Day Central

This pic is from "family night". I just thought the rainbow was pretty.

Grey and Dennis Lee.

My friend and fellow first grade guide, Deborah and her daughter, Emily

"Back"

I know I have been a slacker when it comes to posting lately. Sorry. A day before we left Mississippi, I pulled/strained/looked at in a funny way/did something to my lower back. The 10 hour drive back to Texas only aggravated it even more. And then all last week our church had Vacation Bible School. Though medicated, I was still in pain. For the first few days, I walked like a caveman (thanks, Sheri, for the visual). Personally, I thought I looked extremely constipated. My back just refused to let me walk normally. I spent most of my time, after VBS, at home bonding with anti-inflammatory meds and my heating pad. So, why couldn't I still blog? Sitting at my desk on the computer didn't hurt, but when I got up, I went into to the Cro-Magnon mode full force. But finally, today, after 12 days, I feel the best I have felt. So now I am "back" blogging even though it's from the sofa on my laptop with my heating pad on high.

The One Where We Went To Mississippi

It's here. The music video/slideshow that I like to call, "The One Where We Went To Mississippi". So turn it up and enjoy. (Holland chose the music for this one.)


The One Where We Went To Mississippi




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The Return

7 days and 30 gallons of ice cream later, we are home. In case you didn't know, the kids and I took off for Mississippi, (God's country), to see family. We had a great time! I'm working on the posts documenting our trip. So, hang tight, more is on the way.