OSU

Meeting with some of my fellow OSU grads is a special treat for me. They are the women that I connected with that first year in Poling Hall, continued our friendship through the way too cramped (but some serious fun) in the apartment and then finishing our years at the blue house. Oh, that blue house brings back so many memories...these friends are entwined in these memories so deeply that I really can't think of one without the other.
Audrey...it all started with a hole in the wall and a clock, moving on to lampshades, the Super-ette, "relaxing" and frothy daiquiri...I luv ya man!
Heather...my roomie who put up with me as I put up with her (even though we didn't want to be roomies at first we ended as roomies) I can't think of the blue house without thinking of you, Duna-Tuna, planting flowers and dear Nana.
Cara...I am your biggest fan, your groupie and remember sunny days, taking walks, Izzy's overload, sitting on the porch and hours of talking and listening.
Beth..."what do you mean her last name isn't Peka?" and our connection in those early years was dear Aud, how far we have come! CJ and Miles have a friendship built to last.

What is really cool, neat, fabulous and fun is that Cara started dating her now husband the same time I started dating mine, Audrey married a fellow OSU alum and I went on a "date" with Beth and her current husband. Heather started this crazy tradition and group with a fun-filled weekend at the beach...thanks Heather.

Since those glorious days at OSU we have moved onto husbands and kids...making our way and creating our families. So ladies, thanks again for such a fabulous night of laughter, laughter with tears, belly laughs and laughing some more! Now we have our babies, toddlers and young children. We have so many memories to remember from the past 19 years! I love ya ladies!

"Cries of Laughter"

CJ was making Zac laugh REALLY HARD! It was almost like he was crying but those are just really, really hard laughs. CJ is screaming, "cries of laughter"...over and over and over and over!
Love my boys!

Friday the 13th (one day late)

I am watching Happy Feet with my boys:
we pass Zac around, watch him roll around, CJ is wrapped up in a blanket on the couch...we are relaxed and just hanging out! It is a well deserved day of rest...rewind about two weeks and let me explain.

Good friends Kari and Bethany were hanging out one night...someone mentioned my brother Troy's 40th birthday that was approaching. Turns out his 40th would be on Friday the 13th! Too good to pass up without a party and I really enjoy throwing a party and why we are at it, why not make it a surprise party? At this point I started planning and threw caution to the wind (what schedules? what family of mine? what full time job?) and got going on planning. Friends were contacted via email, Facebook and Kari did a great job with obtaining numbers with Troy's phone and computer when he was out of the house! Ha...don't underestimate the power of a sneaky sister!
And of course, this all would not have been possible without Carlos and my Mom (even though she had to go to DC at the last minute)! We did not let CJ in on the news until Friday b/c he was home sick with Carlos and had to be in on some errands and phone calls. He kept his word and didn't tell the secret. Way to go CJ. After dinner at my house Carlos drove Troy to his house and I took all the kids in my car to Troy's house. Needless to say when I told Taylor and Cole in the car...WOW! They were sooooooo excited. It was a fun time. Troy was very surprised and we all had a great time. We danced. We sang. We laughed. We all stayed up way too late. Fun times. Did we even sing him Happy Birthday? Oops!

So, after some much needed naps by all of us we are relaxing and enjoying some down time that does not include planning for a party, correcting papers, planning for class, helping my sick son and all the other wife/mom things that are on my list of things to do!

Happy 40th Birthday Troy!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Peace and Love to You All!

What my itunes say about me...

Strictly speaking, it's what your itunes say about you.
Here's how it works:
1. Open your library
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button

What's my mood like right now?
It's Raining on Prom Night, Cindy Bullens (Grease Soundtrack)

How's tomorrow going to be for me?
Something in the Air, Tom Petty

What kind of person am I?
Imagine, John Lennon Now, that is just freaky!

Am I loved?
Can't Smile Without You, Barry Manilow I do love my friends and family!

How can I achieve my highest potential?
The Way You Love Me, Faith Hill Again, that is just crazy!

What should I do with my life?
Shake Your Foundations, AC/DC HA!

Is everything really going to be alright in the end?
They Can't Take Away from Me, Ella Fitzgerald

What is my best quality?
Superstar, Murray Head (Jesus Christ Superstar Soundtrack) I totally laughed out loud on this one!

How does my social life look?
Just To Be Close To You, Lionel Richie

What's the meaning of life?
Circle of Life, Elton John Crazy!

What do people think of me?
Can you Fell the Love Tonight, Elton John

How crazy am I?
You Could Be Mine, Guns n' Roses Scary!

Where will I be a year from now?
Love will Keep Us Alive, The Eagles In this economic situation...glad to have some love!

What is my fondest wish?
Two Steps Behind, Def Leppard

How did my best friend and I meet?
Whenever I Call you Friend, Kenny Loggins

What will I dream about tonight?
New York Minute, The Eagles

What should I be working on right now?
Motownphilly, Boyz II Men

What's my mom up to currently?
American Girl, Tom Petty I am not even kidding...my mom is in DC right now!

What did I do last weekend?
Every Time We Say Goodbye, Ella Fitzgerald

Describe me.
Still, Commodores

What does my iPod say about me?
Between the Devil and The Deep Blue Sea, Ella Fitzgerald

Gracie + Zac = BFF

Here Zac is pulling Gracie in for a hug-kiss-love. She didn't mind at first...then she started screaming and let him know how much she didn't like it!

Zac was just hanging out and watching Gracie roll around. (She is VERY good) Then Gracie kind-of "attacked" in a very loving way. At one point there was some "kissing". CJ even looked away!

I know I have posted something similar to this before...it might be a reoccurring post over the years due to the fact that Gracie's mom and I are friends AND Zac and Gracie are so close in age, hang out and seem to genuinely like each other. Today was no exception.
Today, the 32st of January the sun was shining and it was fairly warm and clear...the perfect opportunity for a walk. I texted Amy to come over with her BOB stroller (we have matching ones) and child for a walk downtown. (One of our favorite things to do from our maternity leave this Fall) Once they arrived we hurried off for some errands, purchases and taking in the lovely downtown McMinnville. My mom ended up meeting us and we then had a quick cocktail and appetizer at the always yummy Kame Restaurant. After a very, very cold and very, very quick walk home we let the kids play a bit on the floor. This is what they did. Too cute and too much fun. They really do like each other. :)

Chess for Success

CJ went to a private school to play in a chess tournament. This was his first year playing in any type of chess competition. He has been going to chess club for the past three years though. He was sooo, sooo nervous about today. He went to a school he had never been to and did something he had never done before. Carlos said he had a great attitude and after his nerves calmed down a bit he really got into playing. (I got frequent updates via texts) We are so proud of our CJ! Sometimes I can't believe how old he is and how much he has really grown up these past few years.

24+24=72...or something like that.

So, you are wondering...does she teach math? Why, yes I do, but read on at your own risk to figure out this math problem.

I work at the same school that CJ attends. So whenever there is a problem with him I get a call from the office and get to be Mom fairly rapidly. I like being close. In fact so does CJ. When I was on maternity leave for the first 2 months of school, he told me it was weird and that he didn't like that I wasn't in the building. Ahhhh, shucks! I love my little guy.

So, Monday I got a call that CJ was in the office "not feeling well". I went down there and he was in the health room, head in a garbage can and had just got done throwing up...right in front of the office. He was pale and not looking good. Long story short we got him cleaned up and home. Once home he slept 3 hours then up for a few then back to sleep for a good 10 more. We had everything worked out, schedules arranged and re-arranged for someone to stay at home with him on Tuesday. Tuesday morning he pops out of bed with a "I feel great. I want to go to school." Side note: he has not been tardy or missed a day this year. His doing. So, he went to school and all has been fine.

Tuesday. Normal day. No problems.

Wednesday, 1:30 (I am teaching) I think to myself, uhhh...I don't feel well. Yikes! I got to go to the bathroom NOW. Needless to say I was home in the comfort of my own "facilities" by 1:50. Lots of the same issues as my son. Not fun. I can't remember the last time I actually threw up because of being sick. I barely made it through the rest of the night. My brother and sister were total champs and came to the rescue. Thank you! Needless to say I did not "pop" out of bed this morning ready for work. Must have something to do with my age? Yikes!

So, my blog title? Two 24 hour flu over the course of 72 hours....or something like that. Hang on let me get a calculator. Or not. Must make time for another nap today. (Thanks Sarri for subbing and willing to take on 24 children on PJ day! You are a great friend. I TOTALLY owe you!)