Redneck, Texas USA

Well, we really don't live in Redneck, TX, but any out-of-towner may have thought so this past Saturday night. My husband lives for the annual Demolition Derby where he spends endless hours for months on end fixing up an old hunk of junk into what you see to the left. For those of you who have never been...this is where perfectly grown men take these old cars (all decorated of course) and crash them into each other in a small arena full of testosterone until the last car moving/running wins. Sadly, they have a round for just women too. Nope, sorry, not for me!

This annual event seems to bring out all types of people, half of which don't have teeth. While it is fun to watch these grown men crash into each other "just for fun", I also completely enjoy drinking beer with my friends and doing a little people watching. It's always good for a night full of laughs. Certainly not the type of crowd you would find any other time of the year, anywhere else for that matter. But the kids love it, so count me in.

I am proud to say that Tommy won 2nd place in the final event. This is the 7th year he has participated and last year was the first time he placed (3rd). So if you see the patten developing here you can guess that he has his eye on 1st place next year. Of course, I am not complaining about the $600 prize money that he quickly handed over to me. And first place is a much bigger prize!!

Struggles of Teenage Girls!

This past weekend, the Mustang JV volleyball team placed 3rd in a local tournament. Now that probably doesn't sound like headline news, but for these girls....it is! This team has played together for 4 years now and I have to say it has been a long road with many tears shed along the way.

During the 7th and 8th grade seasons, we couldn't buy a win. In 9th grade, they were able to pull it together enough to win a few games but could never pull it out enough to win the match. This year however, our team is currently 4-2. They are finally playing and communicating as a team. Our 3+ year loosing streak is finally over. I am so proud of them and how far they really have come. It has been endless hours of conditioning, practice, and numerous summer camps.

Don't get me wrong....they are still 15 year old girls. They argue enough to make one think they are all related. They all have their good and bad days....which happen to not be at the same time. And there is still so much unnecessary bickering going on, but again...they are still 15 year old girls who's lives revolve around drama!

Keep up the hard work girls.....it's your year to kick some BUTT!

The Chaos Has Begun...

It's September already, which means that I am swamped and pulling my hair out. No, literally...it's really falling out thanks to these wonderful drugs I am on, but we won't discuss that.

The kids have all started school. Josh just completed his first week of college classes. He is loving life in Lubbock and has stayed out of trouble so far...thank god! I have been very good and only called him a few times. I am sure it is safe to say that he enjoys being out from underneath my wing.

Samuel and Carter are really enjoying Kindergarten and their new teachers. They are in a brand new school this year and besides the rattle snake found on the playground yesterday, all is good! Samuel just started flag football and really loves it! Which is a great means of negotiation when he decides to misbehave.

Amanda is already overloaded with homework from all her AP classes. However, I am so proud to report that she has gone up 4 spots in her class rank since last year. She has finally made it into the top 10% (28/286) of her class. She has worked real hard to get there. She is also playing on the JV volleyball team this year which we currently have a record of 2-2. Her goal was to make varsity, however she seems to be content on JV with a lot of playing time.

I am slowly healing after my year of medical hell! My back seems to be healing nicely according to my doctor. Physical therapy is going good and my legs and muscles are definitely getting stronger. I am anxious to finally be free of antibiotics after this month...and my body can get back to normal. Will also help my super low iron levels, which explains above hair loss!

Samuel had ear surgery last week....apparently the boy put some sort of foreign object in his ear. It looked to be berry from a tree or maybe an unpopped popcorn kernel. Either way it was big enough to completely block his eardrum, which ended up being good news because his eardrum has began to regenerate itself. He could possibly have "normal" hearing in that ear without the need for more surgery....wish that was the case on the other side too...but no such luck!

I am definitely looking forward to less chaotic months ahead.