July - December, 2009 (in a nutshell)

WOW! I haven't written a post since July, 2009! I stink at keeping people informed. Needless to say, we've been busy. I will most likely miss something. Let's see:

July: I was working as an Extended Learning Para until mid-July. We sold Fireworks for the 4th year. The boys are almost ready to do it on their own. Maybe we'll have a stand outside of Stockton next year.

August: My mom, Elaine, went to Africa for 3 weeks. I was picked up for 3 weeks as a janitor at the Stockton school to help catch up after the new windows were installed. On top of that I was in charge of doing chores at Mom's house. Also in August was fair week. The boys enjoyed it once again. We entered a lot of artwork, a couple photos and of course we rustled up some of Memere's chickens and pigeons. Lots of ribbons! School started: Jake started 5th grade & Brett, ugh! started High School!

September: Jake turned 11! We had a airsoft gun war out at Plainville Lake with his "twin" (a friend that shares the same birthday. 20+ boys with airsoft guns, pretty exciting. It was so popular several others have done the same thing. Brett finished driving school and got his Farm Permit! He's legal to drive to and from school~Watch out!

October: We painted all our buildings! Jake was in Rec football. He loves it! He scored a couple touchdowns and really got into it this year. His team won the Championship but that was the only game we missed because it was...

Cruise time! We went on a family vacation. Elaine, Shiela, Bill, Maddy, David, Troy, Kevin, Amanda, Ken, Judy, Chris, Kala, Brett & Jake! It was so much fun. We flew to Miami, which sounds like more fun than it was ~ a little nerve racking when your thinking you might miss your cruise! Then out of Miami we boarded Carnival Destiny to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. In Jamaica we took a bus tour thru Fern Gully, hills, etc. then to a beach. Chris and I relaxed on the beach while all the others went snorkeling. In Grand Cayman we found a tour guy that took us out on a boat to Sting Ray City. We swam with, fed and held sting rays! Then we all snorkeled again! It was fabulous! On the ship we gambled, ate, relaxed, whirl pooled, putt-putted, ate some more, and enjoyed our family. After the cruise we went to Islamorada Key, FL to Sue & Charlie's place (life-long friends of our family). They have the most wonderful second home in the Keys. We snorkeled off their peer, kayaked, relaxed and visited friends.

November: Back to the real world. School, work, etc. We redid Brett's bedroom - it is Plainville Cardinal red, black and white! Brett started high school basketball. Jake started Rec basketball. Margaret, Bill & Mark came to visit for Thanksgiving! We loved having them and spending time with them~too, few and far between. They got to catch a basketball game of Jake's. They also got to see Brett's team scrimage against eachother over the Thanksgiving weekend. Mamaw & I (& Traci & Mom & Brett & Nicole & Joni & Amy) went to Bingo several times~but had no luck.

December: Brett turned 15! He got to suit up and play (42 sec) in the Varsity game against Natoma on his birthday. He was so happy! But we're still trying to decide whose head got bigger that night Chris or Brett. We are very proud of the effort he has put forth. Jake's basketball team was ranked #1 going into their final tournament but...they finished 2nd! They were so fun to watch. The teamwork is amazing.

Here we are...Christmas is here, it's snowing, tomorrow we go to Mass, Elaine, Kathryn, Neal & Pepere will come over for food and gifts, then we wait for SANTA to come, Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Camp ~ Lakeview Christian Camp

Brett enjoyed two camp sessions this year. He first went to High School Camp in the cabins at Lakeview Christian Camp at Webster (formerly known as, PECUSA). He was there from Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon. He did a lot of bible studying and made a lot of new friends for Facebook and texting. He was the only boy from Plainville to go. The last day they made a fort to sleep in that night. His "families" fort was so cozy that he slept through the "raid" in the middle of the night. The weather was hot and then one day of cold and he didn't have a jacket.

Then Jake went to Intermediate Camp, 5th and 6th graders. Again, from Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon. Brett's week didn't seem long because we were busy going to Jake's ballgames, etc. But...Jake's week seemed to drag by. Jake wasn't around buggin' me ;-) He played capture the flag with a twist. Each player had a balloon on their back, you captured enemies by popping their balloons. "Biting the balloons gives you rabies!" lol I believe this is what one of the counselors told them so they would stop biting eachother's balloons. Jake won points for his "Company" by memorizing the books of the New Testiment.

Then...Brett went to Boondockers Camp for the third year. This camp they pitch tents and roughed it a little. They had to cook 2 of the meals the rest of the meals were brought out to them. They both love the food the camp provides. This camp was from Sunday to Wednesday, which as a blessing because this was the week we began firework sales. (That'll be another post.) This time a lot of Plainville kids went ~ they were having a blast before the bus pulled away from the church in Plainville. The weather was hot but no storms this year. Last year one night it rained 6 inches.

Summer Begins...

Summer began with two boys in baseball but this was much to Brett's dismay. After the first game he decided he was right and just plain didn't want to play this year. His K-18 team has enough players without him so he didn't leave them in a pinch. Jake, on the other hand, is enjoying it once again. (...when he remembers to go.)

I have been working at Mom's in the early mornings, 6:30ish until 8:30. Then I get cleaned up and head into Stockton to be an aide for extended summer learning from 9 to 11 M-Th. It is a wonderful learning program for the kids, teachers and aides. I get home and the boys are just rolling out of bed! THIS is where Jake has had a problem remembering to go to practice. It's not that he doesn't remember, he is not awake! But we have fixed this and he now has a good working alarm clock (thanks to HomeDepotSupply) across the room! It's working so far, he's at practice right now! Chris, as usual, has been working. He has also been training a new officer from California.

Jake has had 2 nights of games and 2 nights of rain outs. So they have played the same team 2 times and both games have been close in the end. Last night's game he got walked each time at bat and scored every time. He is a very good base stealer - since he is as fast as lightening! (He got that mostly from his father - although I remember being fast in the day.)

Happy Father's Day to all Dads!

Memorial Weekend 2009

A relatively normal amount of people where coming to an ordinary Memorial Day Weekend Bellerive Bash... then the trash talk started! Hosea was organizing a volleyball tournament and challenged everyone! The competitiveness in the Bellerives kicked in and it snowballed from there. David couldn't take the thought of a sand volleyball tournament without him (I think he's addicted and it doesn't matter how many times he hurts himself playing). Shiela couldn't take the thought of David being here and her and Maddy not! So they all got tickets. Shawna thought it would be fun to keep it a secret but I blew it. It was still a surprise to some who never got wind of them coming. It turned out to be a large crowd of Bellerives, 44ish! We were sorry Lana & Tom couldn't make it but they were in our prayers and we sure are thankful for the supplies they sent. We had a couple extras this year too, my good friend Traci and her family (Ryan, Chase, Chandler, Carter, Jarret & Amanda) camped out with us and also had fun taking on the Bellerives in the volleyball tournament. The volleyball tournament was a blast! Thank you, Hosea!

The theme of the weekend was "Bash the Trash"! The younger kids (10 and under) put together a show. It was fabulous! There was introductions, a flag was brought in, the National Anthem was sung, and the main event was Jesus Take the Wheel sung by three beautiful girls and the beat was kept by the rest of the kids on instruments they made from recycled/used trash = Bash The Trash! After the main event they all took a bow and then the funny stuff began. There was a "gun show", some were looking for their "beach ball" and hunny, I shrunk the kid again!

The weather could not have been better! Fish were caught all weekend! A few sunburns. Only one injury (almost minor). The only thing missing were are husbands :( Chris was working all weekend; Bill, my brother-in-law, was in VA; and Vane, my dad, has been in Heaven for two years.

All in all...a good time was had by all!

8th Grade Graduation ~~ End of Year 2008-2009!

I was told I'm slacking on the blog. Well, we've been crazy busy! Brett Graduated from 8th Grade on May 18, 2009! He is now a Freshman at Plainville High School! I can't believe Chris is that old! It was a nice ceremony and we were all pleasantly surprised with Brett receiving the Kansas State High School Activities Association Citizenship Award, which is an award given to two 8th graders (one boy and one girl) each year "for excellence as an exemplary young citizen, who has demonstrated a marked respect for country; assumed responsibility for improving school and community; and has shown reverence for life." We are very proud! We received report cards in the mail since then and both boys earned all A's and one B! Actually they both got all A's and B's the whole year! Who would have thought Chris would have kids so smart? Let alone me? Guess they got their smarts from their grandparents...it must skip a generation...I feel sorry for their kids. LOL!

More: Track, Soccer, Track, Soccer, Track...

Thursday, April 30th was the Stockton JH Track meet. I skipped out of classes when I could and got to see Brett do the high jump. He is getting better every time. Then I was out of school for his running events. One of the boys that was in the 800m Relay pulled/injured his back and Brett got put in in his place. They then proceeded in setting a new Plainville Junior High record for the 800 or 4x200m Relay (1:51.76)! I was talking with another mother and I saw an 8th grade boy line up to start the race and I said, "hold on, I better pay attention". We watched and then who does the boy hand off to but Brett! I didn't know they were putting him in ~ he didn't have time to find me to let me know. Glad I was paying half way attention.

Saturday, May 2nd Jake had his second soccer game. Plainville only has 2 teams for his age group so they play against the same team each week. They lost 1 to 3. Chris and Memere both were there to cheer him on. He wasn't as aggressive as normal. He spent the night before at a friend's house and was a little tired plus they play at noon so he was hungry. Excuses, excuses.

Tuesday, May 5th was the Plainville Junior High home track meet. Chris helped with high jump. Brett jumped. He ran in the 4x200 m Relay again. They continued their record setting and this time beat THEIR own record they set the last meet! (1:51.08) Brett had to run off to keep his spot on this relay and he ran off for the 800 Medley also. He won both run offs so is still in! Jake saw him run and said, "Brett, I thought you were someone else, I never knew you were that fast!"

Thursday, May 7th was the Little Cardinal Track Meet. This is for 1st-6th graders. They can participate in only 2 events. Jake picked the 50m and the 100m. He was winning the 50m until the very last step. Picture on FB. In the 100m he got 3rd! He is a very fast runner. Video on FB.

Friday, May 8th track meet in Ellis. Memere and I got there in time to see all the running events. So, of course we missed Brett jumping his personal best at a meet (4'6"). He's jumped higher at practice. Like I said before, he gets better each time. He again ran the 4x200m Relay and the 800 Medley. Ellis has a very fast relay team so Plainville got 2nd in the 4x200m Relay. But... they got 1st in the 800 Medley by a long shot!

Saturday, May 9th was Jake's 3rd soccer game. His team won this time 1 to 0. He played goalie the whole 2nd half. Yes, goalie, and he was good at it! He blocked 2 shots made by the other teams' two best players, no joke!

Sunday, May 10th ~ Church, pictures by the lilacs, relax, update FB with pictures and videos, update blog, etc. Happy Mother's Day! I am proud to be the mother of these two amazing boys! I love them! Oh yeah, Jake cooked me lunch because Father Galen told him to!

Track, Soccer, etc.

Brett has had several track meets now. He continues to try hard at high jump but hasn't figured out the mind over matter aspect of it. He can jump higher when he doesn't know the height.?. On the other hand, he has been the first leg of the 800 Medley Team and they haven't been beat yet! He is loving it. I'm looking forward to the next couple meets since I'll be able to go. Chris will even be helping at the Plainville meet next week.

Jake has started soccer. His MAYB (basketball) team fizzled. The tournaments that were reasonably close to attend didn't have any 4th grade entries so they were all cancelled. Jake was disappointed. He really likes basketball. (I don't think he will ever give in to being vertically challenged.) Anyways, we signed him up for soccer instead. He always needs some sort of practice during the week or he fidgets around and drives me crazy. Not to mention, there would be discipline problems at school. When he's in a sport - all is well. Luckily, he's always in a sport!

Also...
The other night Jake went to bed. A little while later he came up and said, "I lost a tooth!" After it stopped bleeding he went back to bed. A little while later he came up again and said, "Mom, look, I lost another tooth!" Wow! Two teeth in one night, I didn't even know they were loose. The next night he announced he has another loose tooth. Pretty soon he wont be able to eat steak! Then what will the steak lover do?

Easter Weekend

I know I'm consistently running a week or more behind - tis life. Me and the boys were off school Friday. I had a list of things to get accomplished since this would be the only thing resembling a Spring Break for me.

We decided to start with painting Jake's room (2 walls, red). Brett thought this was a great idea and went 4 wheelin' at the lake with Bradey. The flowered wall paper was taken down a long time ago but under it was sheet rock with a covering to look like panelling. Hindsight we should have primed first to cover the panelled look. After about two coats of red paint, Brett called...he and Bradey ran out of gas. I guess the paint needed to dry. So, I went to get gas and water and took it out to them. They did finally find the reserve but they didn't want to go all the way home and make me mad. They were smart, and got themselves to a more accessible spot.

Meanwhile, Chris was sleeping. He's on the night shift (10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.) He had no idea we had been painting. When he left for work we painted another coat. (but I remembered my Facebook status said we were painting) So he'd probably know by morning. Jake slept on the couch. In the morning (or maybe early afternoon) on Saturday we painted one last coat. It was the last coat because the gallon ran out. It probably could have used another. We hung some mini baseball pennants around the top and are still working on getting other stuff hung, etc. I will post a picture soon. (Remember, I'm a week or two behind.)

We went to church Saturday night so we wouldn't have to rush around Easter morning. It was a very long and interesting service. We arrived to a pitch black church and were handed unlit candles. The priest walked in with the Easter Candle and stopped right at our row. He lit the altar servers candles and then lit Brett's candle. The whole church was lit up in a matter of seconds. A mer hour and 45 minutes later we were home.

The Easter Bunny left a little hunt for the boys to find their baskets. They had to follow clues. Afterward we all headed to Downs. Norma & Floyd hosted a small crowd of Bellerives: Pepere, Elaine, Hosea, Hope, Brian, Dagan, Darsha, John, Amy, Haven, Eliza, and us for dinner. (Ha, ha, that's lunch to normal people!)

We stopped in to visit Memere Bellerive on our way out of Downs but she was in the front row of an Easter sermon at the home. She looked very interested in the speaker. We relaxed the rest of the day!

Monday we were all off, we went to Mom's to help clean out the chicken coop. She's expecting a shipment of chicks soon so needed to get it cleaned and warmed before they arrive (that's going to be a whole other entry, just wait for it...). The boys and Chris successfully hunted for turkey.

Tuesday the boys went back to school while I finished by list ~ I got the bills paid and laundry done. It was a great break!

Papaw Memory Book

View Project at Shutterfly

Brett's First Track Meet!!

Brett has joined the Plainville Junior High Track Team this year! We are so proud of him. He has gone to every practice, not complained a bit, and really seems to be enjoying it. He had his first meet yesterday. I took off work early, picked up Jake and we headed to Wakeeney (an hour away). Chris was training a new officer and couldn't go. We got there just in time to see Brett do the High Jump. He did really well and placed 6th. He also ran in the 75m. He was part of the 800 Meter Relay which took 2nd Place and the Medley Relay which also took 2nd Place! Way to go Cards! Way to run, son!

It was awesome watching him run. I almost didn't recognize him out there!

State Wrestling 2009

OK, I guess I better write about last weekend before I forget the details.


I left school early Thursday to take Jake to the doctor. He stayed home from school due to a fever. We figured we better get him well enough to wrestle. In a mad rush, took him to the doctor, picked up medicine, I washed 4 loads of clothes, picked Brett up from track practice, took Jake to wrestling practice, cancelled my plans to go to Hays for Pound Plunge, looked up the weather on the computer, watched the TV for the weather update, packed and headed out at 7:30 pm to Beat The Storm! They were calling for 6-12 inches by morning. The original plan was to leave in the morning. John & Amy were very nice and let us in at midnight. We would have gotten there sooner but I was running at the mouth telling Mom stories and she was such a good listener that neither one of us saw the East Lawrence exit until it was too late. So we had to drive to Bonner Springs and back (just a mer 44 mile detour to nowhere). It was also raining so that had to add to why we didn't see the exit, right?

The next morning we sent the Bellerive's off to school and work, relaxed and then went shopping in Lawrence. Next, we headed to Topeka. We toured the Kansas Capitol Building. We saw the State Senate and the House of Reps meeting rooms. We also toured the Capital Dome. Mom and Brett wimped out and only made it up five flights. Jake and I went the whole 296 steps all the way to the top! & out the door!!! No joke! Then...we had to come down those same 296 steps! I thought I was in good shape, I made it, but, my legs were shaking for 2 hours after; so badly that we were all laughing about it. We went on the tours with two other wrestling families from Garden City. Mom treated us to a delicious lunch at Lone Star Steakhouse!

Weigh in at the Expocenter went fairly smooth. While Jake waited in the line for it to start I bought our tickets to get in the next day. At 4 pm the doors opened...I walked in with Jake so he wouldn't get pushed down and then trampled. At our District table we saw a man from Garden City. He said, "Hey, we just saw you at the Capitol!" His son asked, "Did you go all the way up? and outside?!" Guess he was too excited or nervous to remember me with them. I showed him my shaking legs. A half hour later Jake was skin checked and weighed in at 55 lbs. after a steak and potato lunch and he'd be wrestling at 58 lbs.

John and Amy served a wonderful Lenten dinner of fresh shrimp spring rolls and of course, pizza for the kids. Later Friday night KU played. They had friends come to party and watch the game. They took all our money and kept us up AND KU lost! The Nerve! HA! HA! Giggle, giggle. Just kidding, we had a lot of fun playing call poker. Jake actually went to sleep before the game was over so all was good.

We still had weather issues...even though nothing had happened yet...It was threatening to snow 6 inches over night. I got up early to see...nothing...the ground wasn't even wet. Guess we didn't hurry because we got on our way a little late. So, guess what? It started to rain and sleet on us so we had to slow down. We arrived at 5 minutes until 8 am. Luckily we've been to State before and know the routine (that wrestlers go in a different way than us). I threw Jake my phone, told him what section to find us, and sent him to look for the team. Brett and I made it to the seats in to to watch the Parade of Athletes. Jake came out with the Plainville Wrestling Club. He said it was hard finding them...but he did and that's the important part.

Jake got pinned in 32 seconds in his first match. His second match was much more exciting. It lasted the full 3 minutes. It was tied after the first minute. Then tied after the second minute. Then the other boy ended up ahead. So, we left the wrestling madness. We headed straight to meet John, Amy & girls at church so we could relax and visit Sunday morning before going home. We saw three cars in the ditches on our drive from Topeka Saturday evening.

We are very proud of Jake! All in all, we had a great weekend. Thank you John, Amy & girls for everything! Thank you Memere for everything too! Thank you also to everyone that wished Jake luck!

Plainville Air Soft Headquarters

Our house has officially become Plainville's Air Soft Headquarters. Well, I just officially deemed it so. Recently, when the boys are looking for something to do, and the weather cooperates, they call friends up. They all come over to our house with their air soft guns. Today there were at least eight boys here. And the war was on! I'm not sure how much shooting goes on...they spend a lot of time arguing about all the rules. I don't know why they have to have so many rules. But they seem to enjoy arguing about them. I try not to get involved in any of the rule making and I definately stay clear of the war when it's going on. They used to complain to me about how so'n'so shot me. I just ask, "What did you think was going to happen? You all have loaded guns...?" They don't complain to me anymore. I do get reports on some of the bruises after the fact though. I just laugh. I am very happy that they all are staying out of trouble and having fun at the same time. Of course there's Knock-Out when they need a break. Then when it gets dark...flash light tag begins...

Wrestling Update

Well, well, well... Jake will be going to the:

2009 KANSAS STATE WRESTLING

FOLKSTYLE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT!

Jake Davis 10 & Under, 58#

• Sub-District (March 14th in Phillipsburg) - he is the only one in his weight & age so automatically moves on.
• District (March 21st in Garden City) - he is going to be one of three in his weight & age so will automatically advance to...
• State (March 28th & 29th in Topeka) - That will be a different story. I will fill you in later.

Wrestling in Hays

Friday night I set my alarm for 5:50 am. Jake had to weigh-in by 7:30 so this would be plenty of time. We needed to leave the house by 6:45. I woke up at 6:35! I didn't turn the alarm on! SH**! is the first thing out of my mouth, what a way to start the day. We actually made it to Hays by 7:25 after stopping for coffee and money, and weigh-in wasn't even close to being over, ugh, if I knew, I could have slowed down a bit.

Jake's first match he was pinned in the 2nd period. He had a 5 man round robin - that means 4 matches wrestling each person in the weight class once. The second match wasn't better, he was pinned in the 1st. The third match, he was pinned in the very last second of the first period. And his fourth and final match he was pinned in the first 15 seconds! It was a long, hard day. Jake handles it well. Tries hard. No tears. No fits. Just matter-of-fact. Chris and I are very proud. None of these wrestlers are in our District, so he wont see them again until/unless he makes it to State.

On that note, Jake is trying for State. This weekend is Sub-District in Phillipsburg. We don't think there will be more than 3 in his weight at Sub-District. The top 4 go on to District in Garden City and then top 4 from there go on to State in Topeka the next weekend. (John & Amy, will you have us March 27-28 weekend, maybe?)

On a different note, Brett is going out for Jr. High Track this year! He has a meeting after school today about it. I'm very excited.

Starting Out!?!?!

I can't believe I've even thought about starting a blog...I don't have time for this...it's all I can do to keep up with Facebook (which I love). And my boys, they aren't the cute little babies that are fun to talk about (or read about) on blogs. But, I guess...I'll see how it goes...wish me luck!