Experiencing a New Normal

I grew up watching Rocky. You remember the movies (there were only six how could you not have seen at least one) the underdog fighter Rocky Balboa takes on heavyweight champions and extreme contenders and wins! Well we have been on a Rocky marathon at our house. We just finished Rocky 5. The only one left to watch is Rocky Balboa. The boys have really taken a liking to the movies to the point they have their own boxing matches (not sure how I feel about this yet). Of course they are pretending and not really hitting each other. However, I do like their creativity in how they train and the things they come up with for boxing gloves! Check out the following picture: Yes those are koozies for boxing gloves. Actually according to Charlie it's the tape they put on their hands before the gloves go on. I believe in this picture Charlie is Rocky. Anthony is Apollo and Will is Micky - Rocky's trainer. It has been fun to rewatch those movies and see them in a different light - ...

Yesterday I helped out our neighbor at a couple of tax sales so the boys hung out with Jon for the day. They helped him wash and put away equipment!  I only got to see how dirty their clothes were (and the little bit they didn't get washed off in the shower). Sounds like they all had a great day. And from the pictures below you will see that Jon worked them hard! It was good for them too!

Yep!   You read that correctly!  It all started with a text message from my dear friend Kelly.  The following conversation took place:  Kelly: I saw a guy I think you'd find attractive.  I've actually seen him twice this week.  First time he was loading corn.  Second time was this morning down the road from us.  He was in a JD tractor.  Want me to get his number for you? Me: Sure! Kelly: Maybe when it rains I can set you up on a blind date. Me: How about a double date?  Not sure if I want to go by myself! Now before you all get worried that my friend is setting me up with another man - she was talking about Jon!  We decided it would be fun to put a little spark in our marriages (to spice it up a bit) and pretend we were going out on a blind double date!  (I know there are times with both of our husbands professions - it seems like it really could have been a blind date!)...

Saturday, May 31 we headed to Washington, Iowa for the Southeast Jr. Angus Show.  We thought it would be good practice for both Anthony and Buddy (and maybe even for Mom)!  I had been stressing about it all week - wondering if we were ready or not.  I officially found out what my Dad went through for years when us girls showed.  I had ordered the supplies we would need and started getting everything ready to go Friday night.  I think I only got a few hours of sleep - only because my mind wouldn't shut off.  I kept trying to think about everything we would need and then add it to the list of things to pack in the morning.  I finally just decided to get up since I wasn't sleeping anyway - that was 5am!  I do believe that part of my nerves was because my Dad wasn't going to be there.  I've never done this without him and wasn't sure if I could! We got all packed up - Anthony told me later that we packed and brought everything but the bedding a...

I'm not sure if I will even be able to put into words what happened on the night of May 28th.  It was the night we were revealing TJ's memorial plaque and the time capsule.  The fourth grade class along with their families, teachers and our families were invited to the school auditorium to a special ceremony.  One of the mom's on the committee shared a few thoughts and read from the book "Oh The Places You Will Go" by Dr. Seuss.  Jon and I were able to actually present the memorial plaque to the Principal of the High School and to share a few of our own thoughts.  Then they revealed the actual time capsule encasement - it was stunning!  And then it was time for the video.  Most of TJ's classmates were able to share memories they had of him, teachers shared things, and different classes did various things on the video - from reading a book to dancing to spelling out TJ with their bodies.  There were even pictures of TJ that captured who he really w...