Monday in mourning...

I got a phone call yesterday... my dear friend Judy has passed away. She was 46.

We have been close friends for the past ten years, ever since we were both hired at the school at the same time. She is one of those friends that no matter how long you go between talking, as soon as you see eachother it is like you were never apart. She was with me through my dark depression years, and helped to get me through some very rough times. She was also going through some difficult things back then. I can remember sitting in her office on more than one occasion and both of us just crying. We shared so much.

I am having a hard time figuring out how to deal with it. I have never lost a close friend before. The last time I saw her was a couple of months ago after the sudden accidental death of her brother. She just kept saying how surreal it was. I feel the same today.

She has one daughter. They were extremely close.

I can't find peace with it. I am anxious for the funeral so I can see her face. I know that sounds a little morbid, but I don't think it will become real to me until that moment. I can't start to process it until then. Right now I am just kind of numb.

I always look forward to the start of school because I go straight to see her every year. I think of all the kids out there who also depended on her and it feels so terribly unfair. All I can be is thankful that it was so sudden and that she did not suffer.

None of us are guaranteed our next heartbeat. There is only One who knows the number of our days. It is so, so, so important that we be ready when our time comes and that we make certain those we love are ready also. Although we had both talked about our faith years ago, I can't be certain she was ready. I have hope in my heart that she was... If I could only talk to her one more time....

She loved Fleetwood Mac... and this song was one of her favorites. I can see her singing it in my mind.

Tuesday Then and Now

I have decided to dedicate the next several Tuesday to "then and now" pictures.

The following pics are of Ethan and Kayla. They have been friends since practically before birth. Ethan is exactly one month and one day older. Missy and I shared our pregnancies, the ups and downs of first time motherhood, and are now sharing the task of raising our first teenagers. (we tease them that they will end up married...so maybe one day we will plan our first wedding together...) So far, I think we have done well. They are both pretty great.

Who the Heck are you??!!


Play date...


Future date???

Thinking Thursday...

Thinking Thursday again already...wow!

I think I am glad to see the sun today...

I think I am on a Peter Frampton kick right now...

I think I actually have all my work done for the week!...

I think I am looking forward to relaxing and watching Austin's game tonight...

I think we will try again to have Ethan's pool party Sunday and hope the weather cooperates this time...

I think my mom is the greatest and worries about me way to much... I'm ok mom...

I think this morning when Jaden and Ava ran out the door holding hands it was the cutest thing ever...

I think I am missing my brothers a lot...

I think I am eating way to much junk food lately... don't want to reverse the effects of my slim in 6 now do I!...

I think just one more ice cream sandwich won't hurt me too much?!...they're calling my name...

Till tomorrow...

Kevin Bacon is WHAT!!!???

FIFTY!!! Yesterday, Kevin Bacon turned 50... I am at a loss.

Anyone reading this who was a teen in the 80's has to feel my pain. I have seen Footloose at least fifty times and now the star is fifty years old? What is happening to my life. I am a huge Kevin Bacon fan... have seen all his movies, although they all pale in comparison to Footloose. It is a classic. Don't we all know the final dance sequence by heart..."Everybody cut, everbody cut..." you know you are doing it in your head... :)

The 80's were the best.. past, present and future included. We had the best music, the best movies, the best hair (admit it!), perhaps not the best clothes but 3 out of 4 ain't bad. 80's music plays daily on most stations, today's teens are into it, 80's movie marathons regularly play on TV. (Say Anything was on for 24 hours straight a few weeks ago... sweet!) There is no denying it... the 80's ruled... both then and now.

The brat pack is however, shhhh...aging. Molly Ringwald has a new show on ABC Family where she plays the MOM of teens. I prefer to remember her as Samantha in Sixteen Candles, giving her underwear to a geek and falling all over Jake Ryan (which ironically is the name of Miley's love interest on Hannah Montana... hmmm) Some have aged well, like say... Rob Lowe...or Demi Moore (you go girl!) Others, not so much... Anthony Michael Hall (a tad over weight) Emilio (looking a tad bit older than he should) and Judd Nelson (OUCH!)

Anyway... Happy 50th Birthday to Kevin Bacon. I wonder what Ren McCormack would be doing at 50... If Corey Haim and Corey Feldman can make a Lost Boys sequel after twenty years (they are...seriously), I think Footloose 2 could be a blockbuster!

School Supplies????

Ok...so I made the dreaded Wal-mart trip today. This time with five kids instead of four (+Brandon) It wasn't too terrible...until I saw they had all of their school supplies out.

The summer goes by fast enough... why is it that the walmart people feel the need to rush it even more. Last time I checked we still have five weeks of summer left. I am not ready to think about back to school and I KNOW my kids aren't either.

Crazy thing is... there were tons of moms pouring over these supplies and filling their carts like school started tomorrow. There was a display of five cent notebooks and these women were all over eachother trying to get to them. What the heck is up with that?!.... I admit five cents is a deal, but I am not willing to compromise my back to school boycott to save a few pennies.

My opinion...these are moms of little brats. Moms who have no control over their kids and who are praying for school to start so they can pawn their little heathens off on the teachers.

Moral of my story... Walmart makes me irritated.

Thinking Thursday...

I think it has been a long time since I posted a Thinking Thursday...

I think I should go back to bed... Ava was up all night thanks to yesterdays shots.

I think this years Catfish Festival could be in trouble as far as weather is concerned...

I think this would be an excellent day to sleep in...

I think with the exception of a couple of last minute things... all catfish orders are finished!

I think Ethan was glad this is the last day of band camp...

I think this is the kind of gloomy day I could just stay in bed...

I think this summer is flying by at lightening speed...

I think Abby is feeling better after her little stay in the hospital with an appendicitis scare...

I think I need to call Evan today and see if he is coming down to be in the 5K...(although it would be a cakewalk compared to his recent triathalons)

I think I am really really tired...

I think my husband is pretty awesome...

I think it is already almost 11:00 and I have not gotten one single thing accomplished...

I think I am really looking forward to spending some time with Christy tonight at the Queen crownings...

I think this is a four cup of coffee morning...

Did I mention I think I should go back to bed....

Tuesday night t-ball

Last night was Jaden's last t-ball game. Those little ones are so so cute. So funny when someone hits the ball to first, and 6 kids run to first to get it... hit the ball to third... 6 kids run to third. Reminds me of a bunch of little lab rats scrambling for a piece of cheese. They had a ball.

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