Wednesday, February 28, 2007
The Skull Shredder
So Claire and I went sno-boarding yesterday........
Lets just say we got off to a rough start, mostly I was scared shootless. But never fear, I am amazing and after several runs I was back to my old self again. Once confident in my skills I felt it the perfect time to break for lunch (I brought girlscout cookies). So Claire and I went and had lunch in the bar and since it was early and we had several hours before driving or kids we decided to have a Margarita..... I also think it is important to note that I gave up Diet Coke for Lent. Anyone who really knows me also realizes they probably don't want to hang with me until after lent. So I have been drinking bottles and bottles of water but I haven't found that thing that quenches my thirst like the diet coke does. So anyhoo, Claire and I have a rather large lunch, a big sandwich, a bag of chips, four girl scout cookies....I however, was still really thirsty and not responsible for operating any vehicle at all for the rest of the day. So yes, it is true, I had a second Margarita. (which oddly enough was quenching my thirst) So Claire and I left the bar laughing our butts off after changing our ring tones and calling ourselves over and over so we could hear the songs we put on our phones....I think you know where I am going with this. So then Claire and I went back to the bunny slope where we are famous for our styling. At this point my cousin Tanya, who I have been playing phone tag with calls. So of course, I take the call. I mention to her while talking on the phone and sno-boarding down the mountain that I indeed had a couple of drinks and now I am a super duper talented sno-boarder.....great!! She mentioned that may not have been a good choice....hmmm...I wonder if she has something there????? So at this point I get off the phone and convince Claire we are ready for a big kid slope. So we sno-board over to the highspeed Quad (may be a clue?) and we get on. As the chair starts moving up, I realize a key point about myself which I forget.....I am afraid of heights....So here I am on a lift I made Claire go on, and now I am having a small panic attack...AWESOME. Claire is doing what any good friend would do in that situation (Laughing hysterically). We made it successfully to the top of the mountain and began to ski down. We go the way we think looks easiest down a mild grade hill when we come to what appears to be a straigt down drop off, after another small panic attack we have no choice but to head down the mountain. Which we did, I went left, I went right, I went front edge, then back edge, I rocked that mountain like nobodys business, Claire was also rocking an rolling on the mountain and when we were done all the people stood up and cheered (ok there weren't any people but had there been they would have cheered). We came, we saw, we kicked that lifts a**. The point is last week, I was broken and defeated never wanting to shred again, but now I know I was born to shred. I was made to shred and I also should get fully loaded before going....... That end my totally irresponsible adventure sno-boarding. For those of you who are now seriously concerned about my mental stability know that I never sno-board without a helmet. Isn't that comforting.... The other point of the story is that in observation of lent I am sacrificing diet coke which I love and is difficult for me. It is a nice reminder for me to pray instead of drinking diet coke and is particularly nice at 1pm, when the kids are at school and I am sitting down to relax instead of diet coke, I am having a nice quiet moment....However, the down side is the one thing I have found to quench that thirst is a margarita....I am not sure that is an appropriate substitute or anywhere near what Jesus had in mind. Pray more, drink more. Just throwing that out there.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Eighteen Days
As for me and Chris we are doing good. We miss our family and are really feeling the pressure of our busy schedule and how it affects the extended family. I have had the flu and Chris came home from work to take care of me. I love him. I went to Olympia yesterday to see my grandmother. Her health is failing and I have been really wanting to see her. It was a crazy day, my mom had all my brothers and their kids over at her house so the boys had a nice time with their cousins. We went to grandmas and spent an little time with her until she got too tired. It was nice, I hadn't seen her since my grandfather passed away a couple months ago. It is nice to see her spirits are up and despite the fact that she has cancer she was doing quite well. I missed seeing my grandpa sitting in his chair beside her. It was bittersweet.
It is snowing here again, I think we will just make a fire and stay in. Jonah has his game and then it is p.j time for us. Yeah!! I love relaxing.......
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Crazy Dreams

Monday, February 05, 2007
News News and more News
In other weekend news, Jonah was awesome in his basketball game with three hoops, four clean steals, several rebounds and his coach mentioned to me that he has the best team spirit and attitude on the court. Love that kid. Oh yeah and one huge rejection at the hoop. Jonah
However, our biggest news of the Week is that Chris passed his final test for his final license this weekend. He now has two initials after his name. Chris Duvall P.E. S.E. I like to tease him about that. This is huge news not just because of the initials but the test is really hard and time consuming and hard on everyone. The amount of time and studying Chris has to put in is unbelievable on top of being and awesome engineer, coach, dad and husband. It is with great relief to all of us to be past that chapter. I couldn't be more proud of my brilliant husband.
Finally, the countdown to the wheel chair is almost done. Tomorrow morning at 9:40 Christians full length cast will come off. We are hoping he is healed enough for the walking boot and not another cast. Pray that all the milk he drinks will pay off in this interesting time of recovery. Christians teacher mentioned to me that she was done with the wheel chair and I can only say, I know how she feels and neither one of us are Christian so I hope tomorrow will prove to be a positive day for him.
Other than that we were happy the Bears lost the Super Bowl and we are looking forward to the Seahawks going to the Super Bowl next year. We just have to get through baseball season.
Chris will be coaching Christians team, I am coaching Jonah's and Max will get his start in t-ball. I just want to know why God thought it was a good idea to give me Three boys. Oh yeah, he never gives you more than you can handle......I hope he knows what he is doing!!!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Teaching Christa how to blog
Monday, January 22, 2007
January Update
Christian is getting around in that wheel chair pretty well. He only has two weeks left. He is finding things to keep himself busy. He has gone to a couple of friends houses for playdates and he even stayed home alone for a short period of time. I think he can't wait to get moving again.
Chris and I took Jonah and Max skiing after Jonah's basketball game on Saturday. It was nice for the boys to get out. Max likes to tear up the mountain and he tries to do as many jumps as possible. Jonah is all about turning. The competition is fierce between those two but they are also the best of friends. Chris and I were laughing yesterday just listening to those two playing and laughing together. They were cracking eachother up and they were in hysterics. It was hilarious.
I am hoping that the next couple of weeks are incredibly uneventful and very relaxing. I have high hopes as we head into Februaury.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
To good to pass up!!!
My brother posted this picture on his blog www.daredub.blogspot.com and it was too perfect to pass up so I shamelessly stole it for my own. His own family pics are adorable and it is worth checking out my adoorable niece. As for Jonah, I just love him. He is coming into his own and he is such an amazing little boy. He played in his first basketball game this weekend and he was awesome. He had the most rebounds and steals (in my opinion). He was so aggressive and did such a great job. He got "3 hoops." He has spent the weekend practicing a song he wants to sing in the talent show at the end of the year. I think he is adorable and perfect. Christian is watching sports 24/7 because he can't do too much. His birthday was January first and he is a big time 9 year old. I let him have a sleep over with several of his friends. We had a surprise party on New Years Eve and under the circumstances it was just what he needed. He stayed home alone for the first time (for an hour and a half) this weekend during Jonah's game. I had the Mustang and couldn't take him and the wheel chair. I think he was really nervous but in the end he was excited. He was allowed to play video games and anyone who knows me knows that is a rare treat indeed. Max is crazy as per usual. He has been Jonah's partner in crime all weekend. He and Jonah have been watching movies, playing legos, singing and racing on their new scooters. This morning before church Chris told the boys to get on their best favorite shirt, get ready and stand by the door. Like a good boy he did as he was told. When we got to church and took off his coat we noticed he didn't have one favorite shirt on but three. None of which were buttoned properly. It was hilarious but at least he dressed himself. When we got home we realized that his undershirt was unusually big for him. I told him to take it off but before he did I noticed he was wearing one of my shirts. OHHHH MY, the people at church must have thought we were nuts. Chris is working today after working at the pass, stacking wood and watching the seahawks game yesterday. I am so glad the won. We are also excited that the Seahawks face Rex Grossman. If you see or talk to Chris tell him you love Rex Grossman....trust me, its a fun game. Well we are off to another crazy week, wish me luck...
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Christian's broken leg

Wednesday, December 20, 2006
lights out
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Christmas News
The Skip
we were in the hospital on the day of his birth he was entranced by the sports on T.V. and his obsession has only gotten more intense. He is a nut. I don't mind however because he is such a smart boy with so many talents. He is a great at piano, baseball, and chess. He loves learning and is always striving to be the best. At the same time he is often praised for his good manners and kind heart. Our struggles with Christian are few and far between because he tries so hard at all things (except cleaning his room). He and Chris are the best of friends. Chris does not enjoy it when Christian is at a friends house playing especially if a good game is on. That child knows more useless sports information than anyone I know. This year has been a good one for him, he had the opportunity to meet Josh Brown, Seneca Wallace, and Bobby Ingram from the Seahawks. Two of them signed his hat that NEVER leaves his head. Christian recently finished alter boy training and he looks like a little angel when he is up there. The flood was a little difficult for him and has brought on a few nightmares which is unusual for him. It was the first time his structured life was a little haywire so I am not surprised. He is amazingly mature and I know he can handle it. Well everyone pray that the Seahawks go to the Super Bowl so Christians dream can come true. Jonah, Jonah, Jonah

MR.MAX
Max brought the candy cane ornament home from school for me. He was so proud of himself. He is such a loving kid. He was very excited about playing on the Grand Piano in his lesson today. He is also excited about being a shepard in the upcoming pageant. Max is such a sweet child. Chris and I often comment on just how happy he always is. I love it. He and I spend every morning together and it is just nice to have quality time with my little boy. He is however a starbucks addict and everyone knows him by name even the customers.....Pathetic. (Don't tell Chris). But don't let his sweet disposition fool you he has a hidden dark side and will wrap you around his little finger to get what he wants. Chris is rarely able discipline him because he's got his daddy right where he wants him. He is also a quick learner. We went to the library the other day and he asked me if he could get a kindergarten book, he did and he came home and read the whole thing aloud. I had no idea he could read. Sneaky little bug. He still loves maps, music and trucks and aspires to be a fireman. It is convenient that most cops and firemen hang out at the starbucks. I can't believe my little baby is turning into a little man. He still climbs in bed with me for a good cuddle from time to time so he's not all grown up yet.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Thanksgiving Weekend
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Jonah and The Priests

Jonah recently participated in his First Reconcilliation. Before he went to Church, I could not get him to actively participate in cleaning his room. After asking him several times to hurry, I decided to change tactics and apply some of that good 'ol Catholic guilt. I said "Jonah, if you don't listen to me and clean your room you will have to talk with the priest about that sin." To which he replied without an ounce of hesitation, "Don't worry mom, I already planned this one." It is good to know he was getting in as many sins as possible because he was pretty pleased with himself after being "absolved." Stating that they "forget what I tell them as soon as I say it" as if that was the coolest thing he ever heard of. Jonah is all about "the confession."
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Flood part three....(read in order)

This is a view of our street from Mrs. Tubbs yard. At this point the water had already started to leave. FUN STUFF.
I got in the house about 10am, I was so happy to be home. The house smells a little musty and the yard is messed up with debris. I spent the morning cleaning up with My AWESOME friend Kim. If you see her tell her she rocks. Trevor, surprised me by pulling up shortly after to help. He checked out the furnace and got the heat going. He also changed out my themostat which was older than me. Everything is slowly going back in order. Thanks to everyone who called, sent messages. I really appreciated the support.
Flood part two
The flood part one
e first thing I have to say is I am amazed at how quickly the water rose. We new the flood was coming but had not heard anything specifically about our neighborhood. Others had been notified to evacuate but we had not. I walked the neighborhood at 9pm and all was well. Ihad a feeling we would get water but not this much. At 10pm there was a lot of vehicle comotion outside so I went out to look. I then realized the wate was already quickly approaching and we needed to move Chris's car. Within an hour we had tried to get the cars moved to dry ground. We came back, called a friend and decided to leave. 11pm. We got everyone loaded and tried to head out. No luck, the only option was to try our luck through the water. The suburban stalled about half way through, with Claire and McKenna in the car behind us. We pulled the kids out through the windows and walked them to a truck waiting on the other side. We then waded back into waste high water and pushed the Suburban through. AGGHH. Chris went back for Claire who was stuck with McKenna on the other side. They tried other routes with no luck. The water was coming from both ways out. I called a tow truck and my friend picked up the boys and took them back to her house and put them to sleep. She then came back and waited with me for the tow truck. I got the car towed out and then we went back to try to pick up Chris and Claire. About one o'clock in the morning we got the Sheriff to go in and get them. They put Chris, Claire and Mc Kenna in our canoe and then drove them the rest of the way out. When Chris left the water was knocking on the door!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Halloween
Halloween was a lot of fun. Max was a robot which turned out awesome. I loved it. Jonah was Harry Potter which is shocking I know. Christian finally got to be something scary.....A vampire. The boys looked adorable. We went to some friends house and trick or treated the local neighborhood. I had a lot of fun and as always think my kids were the cutest.
It was a crazy day, I had to grocery shop for class party supplies, make 50 sugar cookies, take Jonah to acting, dinner, and then Halloween but it was a great time.
Today I am recovering, I didn't sleep to well last night because of all the wind. Yikes! I will work today, then off to piano lessons and boyscouts. Fun Fun DAY. Now you know why it is hard for me to keep up the blog. I got the kids school pics back and I will be posting them soon. I swear. Happy Halloween, now I just have to get ready for Thanksgiving!
