Still Busy

Jacob and Layne had swimming and then I took Jacob to "God and Country" for Cub Scouts. Jennifer had to work late so I got the kids to bed. They have been pretty good this week, especially considering we are going without electronics (think I mentioned that earlier in the week). I've been playing Xbox with the guys from work this week, so I've neglected some of the chores needed to be done. They'll still be there tomorrow, just like they always are.

So a rather uneventful day, but I'll take it.

JCUMC Preschool Choir Show

Love the Preschool Choirs at our church. The kids have fun and the teachers are the best.

Joshua did very well tonight. He sang and followed directions and had a great time.

He was very excited after about his performance.

It was a nice evening. Had dinner at church with all our family (Grandma and Papa Jack came, too). Jacob and Layne had a great time in Clues Crew. Joshua did awesome in choir.

Lots of things to be Thankful for today.

I have blog duties tonight, not sure what to tell ya about. Jacob went to the eye doctor today, his eyes are doing well, only the right eye changed and very little. The doctor said we could even keep his current lenses and he would be fine.

I can tell you that I am tired. Jennifer had to work late so I had the kids by myself tonight. It went very well, did dinner (skipped baths) and played some board games. We are technology free this week, well the kids are, or this post wouldn't be happening huh. We got to bed time and everyone in their beds, no problems, read to Joshua and fell asleep kneeling on his bed, then Layne came and woke me up to lay down with her. Fell asleep in her bed only to have Joshua come back and get me to lay back down with him. Fell asleep with him until 11 and my back won't let me forget it. Then came downstairs to talk to Jennifer while she was on the computer, and fell asleep some more.

Jennifer did get cut off and pushed into the guard rail coming home from work! Some a-hole in a beemer tried to squeeze around and cut in on the merge onto 400. Jennifer is ok, sounds like the car got a bit scraped up, I'll look at it in the morning, just can't see much at night.

Are these high end car owners promised something when they buy these luxury cars? They must have been told that because they spend more than the average adult on a car, that they have the right of way at all times and can do as they please on the road. I am saying this because I had a similar situation to Jennifer's, and again, it was a BMW... We are all sitting where two lanes merge and I am at the very point where the merge has happened and it is down to one lane, and in the side mirror I see the guy pull out of the line where he has been waiting (like we all have been doing) and drive past five or six cars and then try and get past me. He is of course on the shoulder at this point. Well, I just keep driving and so does he, like I was supposed to just stop and let him in. I lay on the horn, and Jennifer can tell you I never use the horn, NEVER. So he honks back at me like I am really screwing him over and I have done something wrong. In this situation I usually push the issue, but then let the jerk over (I know sad that this happens enough that I'm used to it), but I had this guy and I wasn't letting him in, plus we were coming up to a bridge and that shoulder he was driving on wasn't gonna be there. If he wanted to hit me, so be it. The kids weren't in the car, at that point I didn't care. He relinquished and darted in right behind me, riding my bumper, honking and flashing his brights for about half a mile or so. Usually in that situation you might pump the brakes a bit, make them even madder. I just made sure I had lots of space between me and the line of cars in front of me, just a nice leisurely pace. I was hoping we'd get to a point where he'd be next to me and I could just wave at him, but it never happened. I made a turn and he was left way back in traffic trying to figure out why I didn't know the "Always yield to BMW" rules.

Guess I'm awake now, huh

Stop Hunger Now

What a great day at JCUMC! Everyone in the family was able to help.

We helped package 50,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now as part of the Mission for the church.

It was a great way to spend the day. I can see Jacob and Layne thinking about Christmas as the season of Giving - not just receiving. We had a long talk yesterday while they were putting together their Operation Christmas Child boxes.

Here are some pics from today:










Doesn't everyone look great with hairnets? I didn't get in the pics because I got to be the camera person. I did get interviewed by a local paper - The Hub - he says he sends to all the local papers. I will have to check out the Johns Creek Neighbor this week.

I may be way too busy....

Had 2 interesting conversations with Layne today. We had quite the busy day. The kids had a K-Kids meeting at 7:15 a.m. this morning before school. We were out of the house at 7:01 a.m. Got them dropped off without a problem. Then it took me until 8:47 a.m. to get to work. Grrrrr.....there are days I detest GA 400.

Lorett,a who works with me (and I can barely do my job without her) is out probably through Thanksgiving, as her mother passed away on Tuesday. So - I was trying to keep up and figure out how to do her job also.

I had to be to school by 1:00 p.m. as for some crazy reason I had signed up to do Thursday Papers for Jacob's class.

Then I went to the grocery store after Thursday Papers, as we were out of some essential items (more about that later).

Came home, unloaded the groceries, started a load of laundry, and signed on again to check email / voicemail for work. Worked until 3:30 p.m.

Went to school to pick up Jacob for swim from 4:15 to 5:00 p.m.

Layne was picked up by her GS Leader at 4:00 p.m. for her meeting until 5:30 p.m.

Sat through Jacob's swim lesson (he is doing so awesome and he enjoys it).

Then drove to pick up Layne by 5:30 at the Greenway Park after her hike with her GS Troop.

Went with Jacob and Layne to get Joshua from mom and dad's.

Drove with all 3 kids to church as Jacob had a Boy Scout meeting (they are earning the God and Country) badge. They will meet every Thursday through January 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Left Jacob at church with Matthew.

Layne, Joshua and I went to eat. I needed to be back at the church at 7:00 p.m. for my UMW Board Meeting.

Conversation 1) While we were sitting at dinner at LaCazuela (I know you are surprised we went to get cheese dip) Layne very nicely asked me if there might be a store around here that might sell some stuff you use to wash clothes. Yes - we ran out of laundry detergent - and we have not been able to get clothes done for a couple days. I told her that I had picked some up earlier and had already put a load of clothes in to wash. She threw her hands up in the air and yelled "yeah we can wash our clothes!". The table behind us literally laughed out loud.

Conversation 2) When we left the restaurant to go to the church Layne noticed all of the flags that Johns Creek had put out for Veteran's Day. She asked me why they were there. I told her because today is Veteran's Day. There was a slight pause, and then she says "Oh, we have a day to honor those people who take care of our pets. That's nice." I was actually proud of myself for not laughing out loud. I talked to her about Daddy Toot and she did eventually "get it".

I think I need to spend more time with the kids, huh? I keep thinking things might slow down at some point. But I am thinking probably not. Just have to keep taking advantage of the care conversations.

Here is Layne with her Girl Scout Troop from September 2010 when we went to Camp Misty Mountain.

Stories from the Boys

The night before last I was reading an Alphabet Book with Joshua. As we were going page by page he would try and say a word for each letter. We got to "G" and Joshua said "like Ganote". When we got to "J" he said "like for Joshua". I agreed and said "Yes, your name is Joshua Ganote". I asked him if he knew what his middle name was - and without hesitation he said "Boo". I did laugh. I am not sure he believed me when I told him his middle name is really Edwin.

We got the 1st semester papers home from Jacob with his participation in TAG. He is doing really well. The only thing he needs to improve upon is speaking more in class and sharing his ideas more during discussion. One of the papers he brought home was a little story on what he would be like and be able to do when he was 25 years old. It said some typical things, like he would be living in New York City, he would be able to drive, and he would be able to "burp the ABC's". To which his teacher circled and wrote "Inappropriate". Yes - Matthew and I laughed when we read about the lofty goals of our oldest son.

Soccer Fall 2010

All in all a good last day. We had a few bumps but so far we have survived. We had to pick up Layne's soccer cake at 11:00 a.m., Layne's game at 11:45 a.m. at Johns Creek Baptist, Joshua's game at 1:00 p.m. at JCUMC, Layne part at 1:00 p.m. at JCUMC, and Joshua's party at 2:00 p.m. at JCUMC. Oh - and I kept reminding myself not to forget to pick up Jacob when all the soccer excitement was over.

Got up by 8:00 a.m. Layne and Joshua and I got to sleep in a little. We are usually up no later than 6:30 a.m. during the week. Jacob lucked out. His best friend Connor had a birthday sleepover last night and his mom was so awesome to let Jacob stay until all of the soccer activities were over with today.

Layne wanted a BIG breakfast. They had cheese eggs, sausage, biscuits, apples, and waffles. (Oh, my - LOL). They both ate well and I figured they were at least going to be working hard later today.

Joshua wouldn't get in to uniform before we left the house. Starting getting particularly whiny about his daddy not being here and wanting to know when dad would get here for the game. I went on ahead and called Grandma to see if she would pick up the cake at Publix for Layne's party on their way. I figured I could use the extra time with Joshua :)

Layne started getting anxious about being late for her game. So we left without Joshua changing.

Got to the Baptist Church where Layne was having her game and made Joshua change in the car before going to watch her game. He got really clingy and wouldn't let go of my neck wanting his Daddy.

We finally got him to go to Grandma's car - crying all the way holding my hand - with the promise of a McDonald's Happy Meal before his game. Had to physically put him in his car seat. Yuck - I hate that!

Layne had the best game ever! She had an awesome goal save as Goalie. Totally landed on that ball and prevented a goal. She even got congratulations after the game from the other team's coach.

Coach Steve changed it up a bit today for their last game and had the girls rotate defense and offense. Took a lot of pictures as I hardly ever get pictures of Layne running.

Coach Steve said about Layne that "he really admired her tenacity, that at this stage the girls need to play the position that they are best at" he said that Layne was his best Goalie and that "she might not be happy about being Goalie all the time, and may put her head down and stomp a little on the way out there, but she does it and always gives it her best!". He absolutely got that right.

Layne spent a little bit last night writing a thank you card to both of her coaches. Coach Steve is not sure he will be back in the Spring to coach as his daughter Evie "wants to take a break". Layne asked him in the card to "please come up with a way to have Evie play again". It will be hard on her to have another Coach. He has been great for her!

Mom / Grandma got Joshua duty. He also had a fantastic game. All his coaches said that he played most of the game, did not have any problem getting in the game, and made some unintentional, but strategic blocks for the win :) I guess he really wanted his trophy. We all told him if he didn't play today he wouldn't get his trophy. I think I even pointed out that "even Jacob has a soccer trophy".

I am kind of glad it is over and the stress of playing / not playing with Joshua is over. We plan on him playing next Fall - but not this Spring. He is just so much younger that I really feel he needs that other year.

Here are some pictures of Layne:

Way to intimidate!!!!


Layne excited about a goal for her team:




Here is Coach Steve and his daughter Evie (the one to convince to play again):



Here is Layne with her Coach getting her Trophy (I apologize for the Auburn attire):


Layne's Team Mom - Miss Chana getting her flowers from Evie:

And the Extreme Soccer pull-apart cake from Publix:




And on to Joshua - here he is enjoying his cupcake at his party:



And getting oh-so-coveted soccer trophy - that has a spinning soccer ball that lights up!:




It was really cold and windy here. Definitely time to get out the winter clothes. I haven't been this cold in a long time. Our downstairs furnace went out at some point today - so it was really cold this evening. Good thing I have a dad who lives near by and would come over and light the pilot light. I can't stand gas - makes me so nervous - I want nothing to do with it. Guess I need to move someplace even warmer, huh?

Time for bed - we have an even busier schedule tomorrow.