The End of an ERA

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to read. I read all of the Lord of the Rings and was so excited when the movies came out. Since my children were small I have been reading the Harry Potter series. It is hard to believe that I am done. I took Christian and Jonah to a midnight release party. We dressed up and had a lot of fun. Jonah was the first to recieve a copy of the book!!! No kidding! I went home and I began reading immediately. My birthday present this year was that Chris would take care of the kids so I could sit back and read. I read all day Saturday stopping only took cook a meal and for potty breaks etc. Oh yeah, I went to the store to buy some lemonaides to drink. I finished just after midnight on Saturday. I loved the book but I am sad the series is over. I will just have to wait to see the next two movies.

Yesterday, Trevor came and picked up the boys and took them to a movie. Chris and I thought back and that is the first time anyone has ever done that. The kids have been gone one at a time but he and I have never been left alone without children. I envy those people with family close by to help. Chris and I have never really had that. Thankfully, I have friends close by to help with the here and there'. But no one has ever offered to take the kids just for the afternoon. It was awesome!!! We were left at home by ourselves with nothing to do, we went for a bike ride and sopped on the way home for rootbeer floats. It was a really nice afternoon and the kids loved the movie. After they went out for shakes.

Overall, the weekend was fantastic and relaxing. I can't wait to discuss the book with those of you who are done... You won't get any spoilers from me.

What a lovely day.

Yesterday was such a nice day. I took Jonah to acting and then I came home and sat on my rear-end and read. I then picked up Jonah and the kids and I went over to a friend of mines for lunch. I scored 2 bottles of wine, one bottle of champagne, balloons, flowers and a marble cake! Then I came home and sat on my rear and read some more of my book. Chris came home and took me out to Gordys for a prime rib dinner. Love it! Then we went and saw Harry Potter for the second time. You know my husband is a good man if he will see a movie twice that he cares very little for. While we were out Trevor called and offered to take us out to dinner but we had just finished eating. Instead, he came over and ordered pizza and soda for the boys and hung out with them while we were at the movies. The kids thought that was FANTASTIC! My friends daughter was babysitting for the first time and she did a great job. I never would have known they had a pizza party because the boys were tucked nicely in their beds and there was no signs of pizza and soda anywhere....not even in the sink. KUDOS to Danielle Burns!!!!!! What a way to end the night. Well, I must be off.... Jonah is Harry Potter in a play at the village theater today and Christian has more physical therapy! I am going to a Harry Potter release party tonight at midnight. I am so excited. I have agreed to take Jonah with me because Sarah says if I don't he will be in counseling for the rest of his life. She would know, she's a counselor.

I am sorry Diet Coke

I can not believe I forgot Diet Coke, I suppose somewhere I assumed it was like mentioning air, water or blood. Things that are necessary to live. I have been a fool but I hope that all will soon be forgiven. I promise to drink a diet coke everyday just to make it all better. I will make that sacrifice......again I am sorry.

31 Highlights (In no particular order)

31. Target
30. Movies
29. Ice Cream
28. Starbucks (pumpkin spice latte)
27. I am oddly thankful I am a girl
26. I am thankful that I didn't marry several of my ex's
25. Nobody puts Baby in a corner
24. Leg warmers
23. Jet skiing
22. Sno-boarding (Skull Shredder will ride again)
21. Cheesecake factory
20. Hiking Mt. Si
19. Mo's clam chowder....ummmmm
18. Our first House
17. artichokes (they remind me of my Dad)
16. Piano lessons from my Grandma
15. Harry Potter (I don't know that they should make the top 31 but it is what it is)
14. Madonna
13. Jane Austen
12. Oh, my I can't believe I haven't said Margarita's yet.
11. I am happy I had a hard childhood b/c I wouldn't be the Mom I am if I didn't
10. I love the smell of rain
9. Going to New Orleans
8. Mother's Day
7. fresh cut Lilac
6. my pictures of my family
5. Hawaii of course
4. Books
3. I love my "Best friends"
2. My beautiful Children
1. My amazing Husband (wedding day almost 10 years)

I know I have forgotten many things...............Oh well

THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today is the last day of school. It is so hard to believe that we have finally made up all our make up days. YEAH. We survived a flood, windstorm, power outage, two broken legs, house remodeling and three baseball teams. AMAZING. I am looking forward to spend some relaxing time with my boys.



Christian and Jonah rocked the talent show last week and I have to say they looked adorable. I loved it.

Max is officially a first grader. His last day of school was yesterday and frankly, I am still in shock.

We are planning a small vacation back to the tri-cities over the fourth. YEAH. I know Chris is really looking forward to some down time. He hasn't been to bed later than 7pm since Friday. I would say he is sleepy.

I am going with my friend and 7 boys to the Mariners game tonight. Christian's best buddy is having a birthday. I think it should be a good time. Tomorrow we are doing an end of year family bowl and I am thankful we practiced on Fathers Day because I plan on whooping up on some people. OH YEAH. You know I could become competitive.....or not. Off to take my kids to their last DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Fathers Day

Fathers Day rocked this year! Well, half of it did. Chris got up bright and early to go to work (that sucks!). Then, he came home and we met up with some friends to bowl. The girls and I thought it would be fun to go to a second hand store and buy some bowling shirts for a little team bowling. Don't we all look so freakin' hot! We had such a great time. The kids also had fun even though Jonah looks like he'd rather be sleeping in this photo. It reminds me once again how blessed we are to have such great people around us. After, a few of us went out for dinner! Yummy! Chris and I came home and watched a movie. Overall, it was a nice day. I am so proud of my family and especially my husband. Chris is the best man I have ever known and I am so glad I married him.

Two Down, One to go!

Last night was the end of yet another teams baseball season. Jonah had a tough night and was a little hard on himself for no good reason. He did rebound once trophies and cupcakes were passed out. I also scored with another gift certificate to Gordys and a certificate to STARBUCKS!!!!!! Holler! Piano ended on Wednesday and my morning routine is a little less chaotic. The boys have pajama day at school today but Jonah wants to wear regular clothes because it is raining. He doesn't like pajama day when it raining because when he wears pajamas he doesn't wear a shirt. (I am sure the school appreciates his sacrifice.)

I have a ton of errands to run today. I have been putting off so much of my regular household duties to do baseball and of course I am still tearing apart the boys' room. I did get the popcorn ceiling scraped this week. I just need to demo the walls and drywall. I have to say my motivation for that is lacking. The boys are sharing a small bedroom nicely.....

Fathers Day is Sunday and I have no idea what to do for my main man. I have a couple ideas but I am not sure the weather is going to hold out. Wed. it said rain Sat but not Sunday and yesterday it said rain Sun but not Sat. I just have to say that weather people smoke crack!!
Sat is our tournament, team party and BBQ and Sunday is Father's Day. How do I chose which day I would rather it rain? Mariners are away, the races will be wet, Chris isn't a movie buff, hmmmm, maybe bowling?

Well, wish me luck, I am off to Costco, the drycleaners, the bank, and to find Christopher a gift...ugghhh.

Recital, Tryouts and more Baseball

Sunday was the boys' piano recital. They did a great job and both Christian and Jonah earned awards. Max did not participate as a first year but he will next year. Max asked if he could bring his blanket to the recital because last year he went to sleep and didn't have his blanket with him. This year he wanted to be prepared. Obviously, the recital made a huge impression on him. He did not sleep this year.....we will call that progress.

The boys tried out for the annual talent show at school. I don't know how many times Jonah has tried out but I know of at least three different performances that he is wanting to do. While Jonah is singing and dancing, Christian plans to wow the crowd with his amazing piano abilities. I told Max he needed to wait until he was in the first grade to try out.

Baseball, Baseball and Baseball. Last night was Max's last game. He had two solid hits. I am so proud of him. Because we were coaching he played up a level, skipping tball. I am so pleased how he "hung" with the big kids. The team gave Chris and I a gift certificate for golf and lunch at Gordys. I love Gordys. I really enjoyed Max's team and was a little sad to see it end. Christian has his last regular season tonight and their team starts their tournament Sat. Jonah's last game is on Thursday. I am feeling some freedom coming my way.

Chris is golfing on the ridge. One of my friends has a house on the fourteenth hole so we are going to go harass Chris. This is going to be a fun day.

Technilogical Malfunction

I dislike computers. My computer has been acting up for days. It is driving me crazy, I can barely even check my email. Baseball is coming to an end. Our we only have two games left for each team. Christian's team has a tournament that starts next week and then we are done. My house is coming along nicely. I still have to start on the boys' bedroom and I will, just after my trim is done. I had a field trip yesterday, today Christian starts physical therapy, and I am not feeling well. Needless to say, my productivity is down. I just can't shake this cold. I am of the belief if I just laze about today I will feel better tomorrow. My main goals for the day have shrunk down to just doing some laundry. The rest will come later. Christian and Jonah have their piano recital on Sunday. That should be nice. My plan is just to ride out the weekend and attack their bedroom hard next week.......we'll see. Other than that things are pretty normal. All is well in the Duvall house......
Oh some sweet mormon missionary girls stopped by. I can't imagine going door to door sharing my faith. That takes such courage because you never know who is going to open the door and what they are going to say. I feel bad because they have good hearts and most people hide from them or are down right rude.

Anyway, with that thought I best be off. I need to get some rest in before I take Christian out to his PT appt.

Disconnected

Well, I have been without technology for several days. No home phone and no computer. I had to unplug to redo my floors. After a long hard back breaking weekend we are finished with the floors. YEAH. Chris has to put base boards up and we have to install new interior doors but other than that we are ready to move back in. Currently our bed room is in the carport, the living room is on the patio and the boys bedroom is scattered about. Their bed is in the lawn because I am refinishing it, dressers on the pation, mattresses in Max room......you get the picture. Today or tomorrow I will be starting on the boys room. I am taking down the wood paneling finally and hanging drywall. I am so excited about this b/c it will be the last room in the house to be remodeled. YEAH. I finally feel like we are coming to an end to our remodel projects which were started exactly two years ago on Memorial Day.

In other news (I sound like a tv reporter), Christian pitched in a baseball game last night. It was the last inning but he walked up to that pitching mound (full length cast and all) and pitched an inning. It was really cool of the other team to let him pitch b/c techinically he is supposed to bat too. He threw an 11 pitch inning. 3 up and 3 down. AMAZING. He was so happy. I on the other hand was extremely emotional. Maybe it is the lack of sleep from the weekend, but I started to cry. I don't usually do that but I think I wasn't sure I was ready for him to go out there and the other team let him play, it was all really overwhelming but he did a great job and I am sooooooo Proud of him. After the game he came up and gave me a big hug and said "do you still not want me to pitch?" I of course cried again.....blubbering idiot.

Well, off to work. I have several big days ahead of me if I want to get my house pulled back together. I am still working out how I want the boys room painted. I have a couple of ideas but if anyone has anything brilliant please share. Final decision won't be made for at least a week.

Jenifer if you are reading this you better start blogging. (Not you Jennifer!)

The Week in Review

It has been a crazy week. I had said for a long time I wanted the finale to be Jordin and Blake. When the finale came I have to admit I was a little dissappointed because the final song was written for the "Jordin's" of the world and it left little for Blake to work with. After the finale, I wanted Jordan to win so poor Blake didn't have to sing that Miss America song ever again!!!!!

Jack Bauer was also good. I was disappointed Ricky became blind. I liked him on the show. I hear they are taking the show less globaly next year and it will be a bit more personal. I think I will like that better. Chris and I started watching House this season and the finale also looks to be great. Lost was a bit odd but I can hang now that I know it is the beginning to the the end.

So with all my fav's in wrap up, I went to sleep. After our game last night I climbed in bed with Max and fell asleep. I think it was 8:15pm. Max likes to sleep with us and since we have had a no kid rule in our bed since Christian was born it rarely happens. He is so cute when he sleeps and he still lets me hug him like a teddy bear.

We are wrapping up baseball season with a four day break over Memorial Day. No baseball until Tuesday! I am glad. I am getting tired. After the break each team only has four or five games left so we are down to our final 15. Yeah. Each team is working hard and doing well. The kids are sweet so that helps keep me going.

As for the Duvalls we have a big weekend of work planned for us. We rented floor sanders and are planning on redoing the living room and finally doing the boys room and our room. I figure we may as well dry wall the boys room too and just get it done. Then I can honestly say we have done every room in the house. CRAZY. I have learned a lot and cried a lot so I am glad to also be coming to then end of the remodel. (that is until Chris goes up and out.....we'll see)! All we would have left is for Larry D to come help us with the baseboards, trim etc. I love it. I am starting to feel like it is a home again instead of a construction zone, well I start demo again in about oh.......55min. But whatever.

On a personal note I am so glad Blogger implemented auto save. I can't tell you how many times I have typed out a blog and bam, it deletes, I throw my hands up and walk away. I would say b/c of auto save I am successfully blogging more often. Thanks Blogger People.

Christian is insane (his Dad isn't much better)

So, Christian broke his leg for the second time just four short weeks ago. The Dr. said that as of today Christian was allowed to walk on the cast. Item number one on Christians agenda...Pitching. I am not kidding. Please note the cast on the right foot that goes all the way up his leg. Yes, I said all the way up his leg. The most insane part about this is A). He can throw a strike most everytime and B). His Dad let him. I personally wanted to sell tickets to passerby's. I think if we took this kid on the road he could make us some money!!!! Also, the nice thing about these Photos is it show correct pitching form (well as correct as you can get with a broken leg). I have now sat my child down and told him he is not allowed to use his leg for the rest of the night. I wonder if that is what the DR. meant when he encouraged us to have him walk on it after 4 weeks. He gets his cast off in two weeks and goes into a boot. He will begin physical therapy shortly there after. I must go American Idol is on. I LOVE BLAKE!!!!!

The Sock Hop

Friday night was the schools sock hop. We took the kids and several of their friends. They had a great time playing, drinking rootbeer floats and dancing! One of my friends took his picture of Jonah which really says it all. Jonah is hilarious. I love it.

Sleeping In

It is 8:25 am. Christian and Jonah are still sound asleep, but who could blame them. Yesterday, Sarah took the boys to school b/c Max slept until 9:45. We have been so busy lately and the kids are consistently missing their bed times. Add in the beautiful sun shining in their bedrooms bright and early and you end up with a lot of missed sleep. This morning it is cool, damp and cloudy out. We have no where to be until the early afternoon so I am letting the boys just chill and sleep as long as they need.
On Thursday Chris took the boys to the Mariners game. They had a great time. Last night was the school sock hop and the kids rocked the dance floor in their usual fashion. Christian stayed in his wheel chair and made chair dancing a new fad. He has such great friends that stayed and pushed him around. They dressed in crazy wigs it was fun. Jonah was John Lennon last night and a dancing genius. Max hung with Annie and Connor, they looked like a gang.
Chris is golfing in the "Crying Shame" golf tournament (church sponsored). I am just hanging around drinking coffee, thrilled that we don't have to be to the ball fields until 1pm!!!! YEAH! Jonah has a game at two. Max and Christian have games at 4pm and we are doing a potluck with Christians team which should be fun. Hopefully, everyone will be rested and ready to go for a fun filled afternoon.

A Christian Duvall Original

MY MOM

The important thing about my mom is she drinks diet coke.
My mom is crazy sometimes.
My mom takes me places.
My mom lets me do sports.
My mom helps me when I break my leg.
My mom pays so I can go to piano.
My mom pays so I can go to school.
My mom loves me very much.
But the most important thing about my mom is she drinks diet coke.

Christian Duvall
2007

(I don't pay for him to go to school but I won't tell him that. Well, I guess taxes....)

Happy Mothers Day to me

I had a fabulous Mother's Day weekend that was busy, busy, busy and a whole lot of fun. Friday I wasn't feeling well so Chris brought home take out....Love it. He picked me a up jammies and a movie and gave them to me on Friday so I could just chill. Saturday was non stop baseball again and after the game we had a our friends kids over so they could go out. We made brownies and watched movies which was really nice. Sunday Chris made me breakfast and then we went out to the Horse races with our friends. They had so much for the kids to do: face painting, tatoos, pony rides, Bouncer etc. etc. It was all free!!!! I sat out watching the horse races and drinking margarita's. YEAH. It was a long day but a lot of fun. They boys fell asleep on the way home they were so tired and frankly so were we. The boys had all made me sweet gifts. I had such a nice weekend. Chris stayed home "sick" yesterday and we went golfing at Mt. Si. It was 85+ degrees yesterday. We had a nice afternoon together just hanging out. I had never really golfed before. It was a lot of fun. After we had more baseball. We have a game and a practice tonight but will have Thurs and Fri off which is unusual. It will be a nice break before all day Sat. games. It was nice to have some time with Chris b/c we have been non stop for so long that we haven't really hung out in a long time. I think our last date was in January. Hopefully we thing will get easier by mid june. Love it. Christian is healing well and is schedule to have his cast off June 5th. YEAH!!!

Jonah and Alex.

Jonah and Shaye

Jonah's First Communion

Here is Jonah and his good buddy Andy at their First Communion. It was a big day for Jonah. He was very excited and had a lot of fun. We went straight from First Communion to baseball pictures and games. After that our friends invited us over for dinner which was really nice. Jonah got a chance to celebrate some more with his friend Jamie and Christian played with his buddy Casey. Chris and I just kicked back and relaxed with our friends while the kids had a good old time. Over all it was a really nice weekend. Jonah is getting to be such a big kid. Thanks to everyone who sent cards and gifts. It meant a lot to us and Jonah was very excited with everything. I don't have a camera so I had to rely on friends for the pics. I will post a few when I get them. Thanks Dan for this wonderful shot.

Lucky US!

Lucky for us the ER doc gave us bad info. Christians leg is broken in the same spot. That changes everything. The ER doc told us it was in a different spot and that potentially posed some problems for Christian. However, we got good news yesterday. Christian broke the leg in the same spot which just happens some times. Unfortunately for him he was one of the unlucky ones who re-breaks. We are happy to be in a cast and on the mend with no real issues to deal with. Like all mom's I was paniced by the what if's and I am very relieved that everything is ok. Christian is back at school today with a new BLACK cast. Chris drew a Blue Jay on it which is the name of his team. The kids at school were happy to see him and Christian was glad to be back. He is so blessed to have such great friends.

Jonah is celebrating his First Communion this weekend. He is so excited. He is doing such a good job in school and is becoming a great little ball player. I am so proud of my Jonah.

Max is doing well also and playing ball. He wants to be a dirt bike rider and we are trying to make that happen for him.

Another Bad Break

Yesterday while Christian was at school he was running and he slipped. When he fell he heard that ever distinctable sound of a crack. His friends went for help immediately. I was called and so was the ambulance. Sure enough he broke his leg. The ambulanced us to Childrens in Seattle where they x-ray'd, splinted and gave him pain meds. He will go for his cast in the next couple of days. His spirits are good. Friends have brought us dinner, ice cream and chocolate. His team got him balloons and a card and they gave Chris and I mini tequila and malibu rum. I am so appreciative of all my friends who have helped me out over the past 6 months. I started writing a list of all the people who need Thank you's and I am just amazed. I don't know how I will be able to thank them all, and since I am the worlds worst Thank you card writer (30 years running) I am now at an extreme disadvantage. I told Christian yesterday two things: #1 God never gives us more than we can hanle and #2 I know it sucks that he broke his leg again but I told him how blessed he was to have such great friends. He had calls all afternoon and parents were calling with their concern. It is such a comfort to me that I have great friends but it is even more comforting that he has great friends who support him. God really new what he was doing planting us here in Snoqualmie.