Sunday, January 31, 2010
Basketball Time!
Both boys are playing basketball with Upwards again this year! Trenton is happy because he isn't the shortest one on the team this year! I am not sure but I don't think that basketball is going to be either of their sport of choice. It is a place holder until baseball starts anyway!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Welcome Baby Cooper!
I thought I was just going to Santa Fe early for the weather. Little did I know, that Cooper had other ideas. I was scheduled to be in Santa Fe for a meeting on Friday, Janaury 29. Normally, I would have traveled to Albuquerque on Thursday to spend the night with Mom before the meeting.
My boss came into my office on Wednesday and asked about my travel plans because of the weather. Ten minutes later, Mom called and said Dad thought that I should come up early because of the weather. Okay, I will listen.
Turns out that Mona's doctor decided that she was in labor, the baby's heart rate might indicate distress, etc, etc and checked her in to the hospital.
I helped Mom get Dylan into bed - not that he needs much help - he is a big boy! Then I went UNM to see if I could help. I hope I was supportive for both Mona and Jimmy as Mona labored to bring Cooper into the world. He was born at 12:10am on January 29 weighing in at 6 pounds 15 ounces! Seeing as how my boys outweighed him by 2 and 3 pounds respectively, he is tiny. But he is beautiful. Mona didn't have to push for very long and his head is nicely shaped and his face is perfect!
We think he is the cutest baby since Trenton!
Sorry Sorry Sorry
I didn't realize that I hadn't posted anything here lately - we haven't fallen off the face of the earth, things just got in the way.
October and November are always busy with the kids because of school, holidays, and birthdays.
December (although Christmas is great with the kids), was very hard this year. After a painful battle with ALS, Nana passed away on December 11, 2009. We knew the end was near and I am thankful that her passing was peaceful and that her family was there. We took the kids to see her the weekend before. Although she didn't acknowledge Brad or I, I KNOW that she still recognized the boys.
The holidays were subdued and I wasn't very ambitious this holiday season. I inherited Nana's sewing room and it was bittersweet to both pack and unpack that room. I have a lot of memories of Nana and various handicrafts. My cousin Nikki and I are the only ones who cared to learn to quilt. I sent Nikki a big box of things to get her started (I hope) with the promise to send on anything that I forgot! There are still tubs of fabric. kits, and patterns in the garage that I don't have room for right now (but I will!). There are also half a dozen quilts that need to be completed.
I also take some comfort in my memories of Nana and the boys. She loved her great-grandsons and enjoyed spending time with them. They would hold Nana's hand when we went somewhere with her so she wouldn't get lost. Nana always had ice cream and candy and toys for the boys when they came to her house or she came here. They knew that a fantastic bath waited for them at Nana's house (she had a huge garden sized jet tub).
The boys have always believed that Papa is in heaven watching out for their pets that have died. Now, Nana is up there as well and the boys firmly believe that she is in heaven with Papa and their pets.
Mom and the family decided to wait to hold her service until after Christmas so that Christmas wouldn't be spoiled for the littlest family members. We held her service on January 16 in Midland and most of the family was present. It was very enjoyable spending time with my family now that we are all older. The small kids had a whole game/exercise room to themselves and the grownups sat around the kitchen eating, drinking, and talking.
October and November are always busy with the kids because of school, holidays, and birthdays.
December (although Christmas is great with the kids), was very hard this year. After a painful battle with ALS, Nana passed away on December 11, 2009. We knew the end was near and I am thankful that her passing was peaceful and that her family was there. We took the kids to see her the weekend before. Although she didn't acknowledge Brad or I, I KNOW that she still recognized the boys.
The holidays were subdued and I wasn't very ambitious this holiday season. I inherited Nana's sewing room and it was bittersweet to both pack and unpack that room. I have a lot of memories of Nana and various handicrafts. My cousin Nikki and I are the only ones who cared to learn to quilt. I sent Nikki a big box of things to get her started (I hope) with the promise to send on anything that I forgot! There are still tubs of fabric. kits, and patterns in the garage that I don't have room for right now (but I will!). There are also half a dozen quilts that need to be completed.
I also take some comfort in my memories of Nana and the boys. She loved her great-grandsons and enjoyed spending time with them. They would hold Nana's hand when we went somewhere with her so she wouldn't get lost. Nana always had ice cream and candy and toys for the boys when they came to her house or she came here. They knew that a fantastic bath waited for them at Nana's house (she had a huge garden sized jet tub).
The boys have always believed that Papa is in heaven watching out for their pets that have died. Now, Nana is up there as well and the boys firmly believe that she is in heaven with Papa and their pets.
Mom and the family decided to wait to hold her service until after Christmas so that Christmas wouldn't be spoiled for the littlest family members. We held her service on January 16 in Midland and most of the family was present. It was very enjoyable spending time with my family now that we are all older. The small kids had a whole game/exercise room to themselves and the grownups sat around the kitchen eating, drinking, and talking.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Go Texans!
Here is Wesley on the sidelines cheering for his teammates! That is Clay on the field, Coy and Houston are standing with Wesley.
Wesley has been playing center this week. He got some one on one coaching with Coach Houghtling earlier and is doing much better.
Wesley is blocking here. He told me he didn't want to catch the ball because then defense would be done and he wouldn't play anymore!
Trenton scored a touchdown at the very end of the game. Here he is on his run!
Here is Trenton crossing the goal line! David tried to take him out, but didn't get his flags in time! The boys ran the "Flea Flicker" earlier in the game but this was a handoff to Trent that scored this touchdown!
Wesley has been playing center this week. He got some one on one coaching with Coach Houghtling earlier and is doing much better.
Wesley is blocking here. He told me he didn't want to catch the ball because then defense would be done and he wouldn't play anymore!
Trenton scored a touchdown at the very end of the game. Here he is on his run!
Here is Trenton crossing the goal line! David tried to take him out, but didn't get his flags in time! The boys ran the "Flea Flicker" earlier in the game but this was a handoff to Trent that scored this touchdown!
Soccer Saturday 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Midland Paper
On September 24, I did a presentation for the Permian Basin Chapter of the Natural Gas Producers Society. I got a write up in the Midland paper:
http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/10/04/business/oil/top_stories/epa_regulations.txt
Check it out!
http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/10/04/business/oil/top_stories/epa_regulations.txt
Check it out!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Facebook Rant
I don't often do just written posts - this is afterall, where I try to keep the family up-to-date on the kids, but I just have to rant for a bit about Facebook.
See, I don't have a Facebook account. Why am I only person without a Facebook account? Several reasons:
1) I can't access Facebook from work. I should be working, not on Facebook, correct? But still! I spend more awake time at work than I do at home. And I am allowed a couple of breaks a day but that is company policy. I read in the paper that a Mebourne Univeristy study said that people are more productive when they aren't denied access to stuff like that. Maybe because once the novelty wears off, it isn't such a big deal. Or they feel guilty and work harder to make up the time?
2) The time I have at home is already booked. We have practices three days a week. Then there is homework, reading, piano, piano practice, etc, etc. If there wasn't something with the kids, then there is laundry, dinner, dishes, more laundry, etc. And I am trying REALLY hard to put in 30 minutes a night on the ellipical.
3) I have to have 8 hours of sleep a night. Perferably more. If not, I get headaches and I don't feel good. I don't have time to not feel good!
When all of that is added up, there is very little time for Facebook. We have two computers and a laptop. Brad spends a lot of time on Facebook. I try to think nice thoughts and that he isn't putting off any important activities because of it, but I have a hard time with those charitable thoughts. Why? Because there is a DEAD FISH FLOATING IN THE FISH TANK!! He hasn't had the time to get to it but he has time to play Mafia Wars?!?!?!?!??!?!?
Wesley has a Facebook account. Brad set it up so that they could play chess with each other but of course it has grown from there. Brad had to lie about Wesley's age in order to get the account so it appears as if Wes is Jimmy's age. Brad didn't even notice. We only allow Wes to be friends with family members. He really enjoys chatting with them but we worried that he was bugging them so Brad found a child safe chat room called Kidz World. Wes just joined so I don't have an opinion about that yet. So, Wesley is on the boy's computer.
Trenton loves a website called FunBrain. He can set up the laptop and get there on his own. He is only allowed on that website and sits at the island in the kitchen where we can moderate his usage.
So if Brad is "working" (and work does have priority - he often has one or two reports that must be done that night) and I am moderating the boys - when do I have time to get on Facebook?
Don't get me wrong - it is not as if I don't get computer time in my own house. I post here don't I? But you will notice how frequent my updates are! I also check my email daily although sometimes I can do that from work if I set it up correctly. I also do the paperwork for the business on a weekly basis (try to anyway).
When I do paperwork for the business, I can't take any side trips and still concentrate and get it all done correctly. It is too easy to make a mistake. I have to start it, focus on it, and get it done.
I understand and appreciate the concept of convenience that Facebook offers. But part of me thinks it is hypocritical as well - if my "friends" didn't have or take the time to find me before Facebook, why is it such a big deal now? I like email, letters, cards. I sort of think that a Facebook "Happy Birthday" doesn't count as much as a "Happy Birthday" delivered any other way. It doesn't take much thought or effort to go the Facebook route after all. Sometimes "it is the thought that counts" isn't true. A fake or insulting thought is often worse than no thought.
So, I don't have the time for Facebook. Yea for those that do - that doesn't make me a Facebook snob. It just makes me a mom with priorities.
See, I don't have a Facebook account. Why am I only person without a Facebook account? Several reasons:
1) I can't access Facebook from work. I should be working, not on Facebook, correct? But still! I spend more awake time at work than I do at home. And I am allowed a couple of breaks a day but that is company policy. I read in the paper that a Mebourne Univeristy study said that people are more productive when they aren't denied access to stuff like that. Maybe because once the novelty wears off, it isn't such a big deal. Or they feel guilty and work harder to make up the time?
2) The time I have at home is already booked. We have practices three days a week. Then there is homework, reading, piano, piano practice, etc, etc. If there wasn't something with the kids, then there is laundry, dinner, dishes, more laundry, etc. And I am trying REALLY hard to put in 30 minutes a night on the ellipical.
3) I have to have 8 hours of sleep a night. Perferably more. If not, I get headaches and I don't feel good. I don't have time to not feel good!
When all of that is added up, there is very little time for Facebook. We have two computers and a laptop. Brad spends a lot of time on Facebook. I try to think nice thoughts and that he isn't putting off any important activities because of it, but I have a hard time with those charitable thoughts. Why? Because there is a DEAD FISH FLOATING IN THE FISH TANK!! He hasn't had the time to get to it but he has time to play Mafia Wars?!?!?!?!??!?!?
Wesley has a Facebook account. Brad set it up so that they could play chess with each other but of course it has grown from there. Brad had to lie about Wesley's age in order to get the account so it appears as if Wes is Jimmy's age. Brad didn't even notice. We only allow Wes to be friends with family members. He really enjoys chatting with them but we worried that he was bugging them so Brad found a child safe chat room called Kidz World. Wes just joined so I don't have an opinion about that yet. So, Wesley is on the boy's computer.
Trenton loves a website called FunBrain. He can set up the laptop and get there on his own. He is only allowed on that website and sits at the island in the kitchen where we can moderate his usage.
So if Brad is "working" (and work does have priority - he often has one or two reports that must be done that night) and I am moderating the boys - when do I have time to get on Facebook?
Don't get me wrong - it is not as if I don't get computer time in my own house. I post here don't I? But you will notice how frequent my updates are! I also check my email daily although sometimes I can do that from work if I set it up correctly. I also do the paperwork for the business on a weekly basis (try to anyway).
When I do paperwork for the business, I can't take any side trips and still concentrate and get it all done correctly. It is too easy to make a mistake. I have to start it, focus on it, and get it done.
I understand and appreciate the concept of convenience that Facebook offers. But part of me thinks it is hypocritical as well - if my "friends" didn't have or take the time to find me before Facebook, why is it such a big deal now? I like email, letters, cards. I sort of think that a Facebook "Happy Birthday" doesn't count as much as a "Happy Birthday" delivered any other way. It doesn't take much thought or effort to go the Facebook route after all. Sometimes "it is the thought that counts" isn't true. A fake or insulting thought is often worse than no thought.
So, I don't have the time for Facebook. Yea for those that do - that doesn't make me a Facebook snob. It just makes me a mom with priorities.
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