"Days Go By"......

("Days Go By", Keith Urban)


It's hard to believe that summer vacation iw winding down already, even though it feels like it's just begun. In just 30 days, Bradley will start his final year at the Middle School, and Corey and Collin will begin their 2nd grade adventure. I am hopeful that this year will be the best one yet! Brad will be at the top of the "food chain" and I am also hopeful that he will have a much better experience than he did last year.

I am excited to see how well Corey and Collin do being in the same classroom. Second grade was a memorable year for me, since my teacher was fabulous! I'm even more excited since Corey and Collin will have the very same teacher that I did, Mrs. Lewis! She is one of those teachers that is there because she loves teaching and not because "it's a job". I just know that my boys will love her as much as I do/have. I plan on being a parent volunteer and helping out at the school as much as possible.

I will be setting a few goals for myself, as well. I will try and use my Wii Fit every morning and make better use of my time this year. Normally, people start exercising on January 1st, as a resolution, but I've decided to start when they go back to school and I won't have to "fight" with them for my time to use the Wii. I will be real happy if I can shed a few pounds and will look forward to getting up each morning and seeing results! (fingers crossed! lol)

The biggest thing for me will be to conquer my cigarette addiction. It's a shameful, and not to mention, dangerously unhealthy, habit. Had I known then, that it would be this hard to quit, I would've never even tried it!

Another goal that I've failed at several times, is that I'd like to become a better blogger. So many of my friends have them and I just love to read them. I'd like mine to be caught up. It's fun to go back and read. I almost feel that I should document every moment because time is just whizzing right by. ****I'm heading in the right direction, already, with this...I've been writing before bed each night and I am typing this from my notebook right now! YAY!!

While I am sad to see summer drawing to an end, I am anxious to start a new school year and a new me, in a sense. Summer has always been my favorite season, the season where most memories are made and the most carefree. I will still have summer on my mind and body in the winter.......It's amazing how long I can hold on to a tan and tan lines! Haha!!

"Happy To Be Stuck With You"....

(A song from the '80's by Huey Lewis & the News)

Ten years ago, on this day, I married my best friend. Ten years is a "milestone anniversary", but we've actually been together for 18 years now.

Neither of us is afraid to admit that our marriage has not exactly been a fariytale, and we both agree that nothing could ever come between us, ever. Over the years, we've learned a lot and gained a lot too. Yes, weight included! haha

I still get giddy and watch or listen for Dennis to get home from work. I do miss him while he's gone, but since having cell phones, he's sure to call me every day while on his lunch break. (I think he misses me, too!)

Dennis has the ability to make me laugh as well as cry. He has also learned how to deal with me at times when I couldn't understand myself.

Last year, he did something he doesn't like to openly admit to too many people. He took me to a Kenny Chesney concert, and we had a great time. As much as he dislikes them, he also goes to my family reunions and tries so hard not to show me how much he really doesn't want to be there. He does it for me. It isn't just a one-way street. I've made many sacrafices to make him happy too, but when I think about it, I probably haven't done near as much for him as he has for me. (Got to work on that!)

He's my mechanic, handyman, carpenter, "pool boy", landscaper, grounds keeper, bread winner, plumber, provider, best friend, comedian, teddy bear, partner in crime, love of my life, my better half (hey, Brad! A Keith Urban song there!), my knight in shining armor, etc.. etc. I could go on and on. All that, wrapped up into one big package.

I am so blessed beyond words, even when we have our "bad" days, deep down I still love him. We both agree, and just can't fathom the thought of us ever being apart. Coming from divorced parents, and knowing others that have gone through it, we will both do everything possible to stay together and there is nothing that would even make us want to part. We're in it for the long haul. :)

After 18 years together, 10 years married, and 4 children later, we still are in awe about how we feel about each other. We never imagined it could be this good and hasn't gone stale. There are always new adventures awaiting us and there's really nothing that we can't or haven't conquered on the way. I look forward to more "milestone" anniversaries and growing old with him. I love you with ALL of my heart, Dennis!

I love this pic of the two of us...we really do laugh a lot! :

Dennis STILL carries this pic of us in his wallet. It was taken about a month after we'd met:

No Title Necessary........

I've got so much going through my head today that I figured I'd come here and just see what happens. It may be a bit sporatic and unorganized, but if you know me, this is nothing new for me. My fingers are extremely "antsy" so I'm letting them loose!!

First off, I am thinking of my dear friend, Anissa today. Today is surgery day and she is having an Acoustic Neuroma removed. She's been in my thoughts and prayers daily, and if you are reading this and wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate prayers for her. Thanks!

Ok.

I was hoping to come up with something amazingly funny and really "out there" because today is "April Fool's Day". Nothing. Sorry. Everyday has an "April Fool" in it somewhere. It could be that one (or more) "duh" moment(s) or just events in a day that just seem so far off that I wonder if I'll just wake up from such a silly dream. One thing, though, that I am most grateful for is my sense of humor. I LOVE to laugh and make people laugh. Smiling is contagious and everyone should catch it!!

I think it was last week, maybe the week before, I'm not sure? Anyway, I was doing laundry. Surprise, surprise! lol If it's piled up enough, which it usually is, I try to separate the darks according to who they belong to. I had enough of Brad's to make a full load......I threw it in the washer along with the Downy Ball. Through the magic of this blog, I don't have to tell you all of the other things I did while it washed......Tah dah!......I was switching it over to the dryer when what to my wondering eyes did I find at the bottom of the washtub?......Money, nope...(Brad is tight with his money and doesn't carry it in his pockets. He'll never make me rich!) ......a pencil or pen with goopy ink?.....Nope.......I don't like to torture, so I'll just tell you. I found a ziploc bag! Oooohhh and it looked like there was something in it, but what? It had a little bit of a yellowish tinged liquid and some seeds or something in it. Upon closer inspection.....I discovered that it was the remains of pickles! Bread and Butter pickles, to be exact. Definately one of my strangest finds. I had to laugh and have to admit, I was a bit puzzled about that one! LOL

Later that day, when Brad came home from school, I asked him about the baggie. He confirmed that, yes, he did in fact have pickles in a baggie, in his pocket. Hmmm? Well, you know how it is, being a teen and going to school, study hall, hunger, etc. I don't remember when, but he said that the baggie did leak and he smelled like pickles for the rest of the school day. Thanks for letting me know, Brad, and I guess anyone could understand why I don't check pockets very often. Just imagine how I could've freaked out reaching into that! LOL

If you knew my Brad, you'd certainly understand. He has so many of my traits that I feel sorry for him, yet he's him and I love that about him too!

You'd think it would end there? No. Not in the Moyer house, and not with Brad living in it. He just totally cracks me up! We had another incident just days later with an even bigger Ziploc bag!

***Aunt Karen, I hope that you someday get to read this. You always tell me that I should write a book about how my life is. LOL I can just hear you chuckling at this and now wanting to encourage me to make a sitcom for tv! It's just too funny!**

Ok, where was I? Oh yes, the "bigger" ziploc. I was in the laundry room, of all places, this time folding some towels. Brad came to me from the dining room, carrying something to me. It resembled a large ziploc, but I was not at all sure of it's contents. It was filled with something of such a color that I don't think there's even a name for, and other familiar colors. It looked gushy and smooshy, disgusting, I guess you could say? He then asked me what he should do with it. Huh? I had to ask...."What is it Brad?"....to which he responded, "I wanted take something to school to eat with my lunch, but I forgot about it and it was in my book bag".....Ok.....I then asked, "What exactly did you take, Brad?".......he didn't remember, it was that long ago. He was already opening the bag trying to figure it out. Noooooooo!!!!!! "Don't open it Brad!!!" Too late. Oh My!!! It smelled pretty bad. I told him to quickly get it zipped shut and toss it in the trash! He did not act quickly and I could tell by the look on his face, there was more......He then asked me if he should dig the bowl and fork out of the bag? Eeeuuuwww!!! No, Brad, No. Just let it go.

I thought of two possibilities that day. #1.....That's probably where my "lost" silverware has gone, and #2.....That's where all of the ziploc's are going. Oh Brad!

It's just started raining here now. I just looked at the time, and it reminds me that I've got to get my shower. Before you know it, it will be time to pick the boys up from school and I don't like having to rush to get ready, so I'll be showered and ready early. I did enough cleaning for today, so I can shower without worrying about getting dirty again.

At 5pm the boys and I are going to GIANT with the rest of the Tiger Den. We will get a tour of the bakery. I've been told that it's actually lots of fun. We shall see.

I hope to be back later and will update on that, or maybe I'll have an "April Fool" to share?

He can breathe.....

Finally, after quite a few years of having a "mouth breather", Bradley had his adenoids removed today. We were to be at the hospital by 8:45am this morning and our timing was real good. We found a great parking spot and even better yet, as we were walking into the hospital we met up with Aunt Karen (dad's sister). She was going the same way we were, to the Short Procedure Unit (that's where she works. She schedules surgeries.).

Ted, if you are reading this, YES, Brad did wear his red "hoodie". LOL When we got to the SPU, Brad was given a room and instructed to put on a gown. He answered questions for the nurses and was excited about getting an IV put in. My son is strange. LOL I love him, regardless, but I do have to say that he is not like his mom when it comes to IV's and blood draws. (I always turn my head away and can't watch it being done!)

Dr. Wakstein came in and talked to us for a bit and it was soon time to head to the OR. I walked beside Brad's bed into the room where they prep you for the OR. We answered some questions for the anesthesiologist and Brad was starting to feel sleepy. He dozed off for a minute or two and woke up. Dr. Wakstein asked Brad if he knew what was going to be happening in a few short minutes, to which Brad replied, "an adenoidectomy" (the dr. and nurses found it amusing that he used that term lol). Dr. Wakstein then joked and told Brad that he thought he was giving him breast implants. Brad, half-asleep, gave a smile. Dr. W is a character! LOL He's very professional but has a sense of humor too!

It was time for me to go. Dr. W walked me to a little room that I could wait in until the surgery was done. Adenoid surgery was usually a 20 minute procedure. Not too bad. It felt much longer than that as I waited, and as hard as it was, I tried not to worry. (I worry all the time, especially about my boys!) Finally, Dr. W came to me and told me that everything went well. Brad was very swollen and the obstruction was quite large. He also has a bit of a sinus infection. Brad was still in recovery and I'd be able to go back to his room in the SPU soon.

I sat in that room for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, Dr. W came and got me and told me a nurse was supposed to come and get me. They didn't know where I was. Dr. W and I chatted for a bit on the way back to Brad's room.

When I went into Brad's room, I was expecting to see a very groggy boy, but he wasn't. He looked good and was anxious to show me that he could breathe through his nose. He was in no pain. (Thank you, God.) Trevor was scheduled to work today, so he stopped up to see his brother before his shift started (so sweet!). Since Brad was doing so good, I asked Trevor to go with me over to Aunt Karen's office so I could have my pic taken with her. He snapped a pic, talked to Aunt Karen, walked me back over to Brad, and then went to work.

We had to wait for a while before they would release Brad. Brad and I chatted and giggled, stuff we normally do. lol He was ready to go home, but we couldn't leave because it was hospital policy. It was getting closer and closer to time to pick Corey and Collin up from school and I was starting to panic. My cell phone battery went dead because I was updating Dennis through texts. I couldn't call the school to have the boys ride the bus home, and I couldn't be sure that I'd be home in time to get them. I asked the nurse how long we'd be there and explained to her about the boys. She told me I should just go get them and Brad would be soon ready after my return. She said he was in good hands, and I didn't doubt that one bit. All of the nurses were so nice!

I raced out to the school, got the boys and went back to the hospital. Brad was getting dressed and no long after we were on our way. I couldn't wait to get home.

It's almost 9pm now, and Brad finally hung up the phone. He talked to his friend, Blake, from the time he got home until just a few minutes ago. He is in no pain and is feeling good. I, on the other hand, am worn out. lol I wish I could've came home and stayed here, but tonight Corey and Collin had scouts.

Now, I am home, will stay home and don't plan on leaving until tomorrow afternoon when I get the boys from school again. Whew!