TACKLE FOOTBALL

I know I’m his mom so I might sound a bit bias, but his personality off the field does not match his personality on the field and that is why we are amazed when it comes to Trenton playing football. Not only is he aggressive he is just an athlete. He really enjoys playing football and even told Kenny he thinks he likes football more than baseball….can you hear Kenny’s heartbreaking?
He is on a good team with talented coaches who have taught Trenton more in one practice than all of last year in flag football, so we really are grateful for getting on the team we are on this year! Hopefully I can get some good action shots but I’m really busy with cheering! I never thought I would be the mom that walks up and down the field with all the dads but I am and I love it!

Kema Boardwalk

We pulled from the hat and picked.....Kema!
What a fun day trip we had driving down to Kema. When we arrived Hudson immediately spotted the roller coaster and had to explain to him at three years of age he was not a big enough boy to ride. We had to bypass the roller coaster and get his attention elsewhere. We walked around the roller coaster to look at the boats and Trenton found “The Beast". We purchased the tickets and a boarded the boat adventure.
Of course Kenny picked the seats that were in the shade and about half the boat was full when the nice lady says, “Just so you know these seats get the wettest!” Kenny and I look in the front of the boat and all seats were taken, we looked to the back of the boat and there was some room for us there. Let me just say….I have the worst luck….Trenton and Kenny did not get one drop on them but Hudson and I got soaked! It was a fun ride although Hudson did not like the wind in his face but finally liked the boat when he coasted into dock. Definitely worth taking kids on for some laughter and fun!
After the boat ride we really just hung out around the boardwalk. Trenton and Kenny played some games and Hudson enjoyed playing in the splash pad! I had fun trying to find the sun to get my skirt dried up….it is still soaked and trying to dry! ;)

where to go

This weekend is the first weekend in a long time we have zilch planned! I was so excited yesterday just thinking about how we have not anything to do and can relax all weekend long. But then I woke up today and thought….lets go somewhere! I have talked to Kenny and we have decided to put Galveston, San Antonio and Splash Town all on paper and into a box for Trenton to pick out where we will go. Now, I am so eager to find out where we are going tomorrow I had to blog about it!! With any luck tomorrow where ever we end up there will be no rain.

stranger danger

Here is an email I received this morning, not sure where Kenny was maybe in the back of the house? I was on my way home from work…..

Hey Linda, Did Hudson give you the invites? He was so cute - he opened the door but said you weren't home, Daddy was but he didn't know where he was. I asked him to give you the envelope and he said okay. Just wanted to make sure you got it. Cheryl

Oh my! Hello! Hudson is my three year old! Can you even imagine opening the door to a three year old that is just figuring out how to talk in full sentences? How do you teach a three year old stranger danger?

Hudson is three!

Hudson turned three this month! I look back at the pictures and cannot believe the time has passed so quickly. I can remember his birth like it was yesterday, rushing to get to the hospital without being able to really tell my mom how much pain I was in because Trenton was in the back seat of the car all the while trying to get Kenny on the phone from the baseball field to get home! I called the Rangers front office and asked if anyone could get Kenny, “Ma’am, Kenny is on the field getting ready for the game.” I said in my nicest voice while having a contraction, “I’m in labor and I need to speak to my husband.” “Oh, yes ma’am, we will go get Kenny right now!”
We get into the hospital and they check me into the room, one centimeter dilated. I thought no way but ok if you say so. God was really on my side, because they had a nurse’s change about five minutes after the first nurse left. About ten minutes later the new nurse came in and said since we had a shift change I need to check you before we can discharge you. Not a problem I thought while the contractions were getting harder to bare. The nurse’s eyes said it all….holly crap! “Linda you are now at 5 centimeters, we are going to have to get your paper work signed for you to stay.” I said, “5 centimeters? I need to get my epidural before 6 centimeters right?” I was thinking, I do not care about any paperwork I need my epidural! Right then, I started feeling Hudson…he had enough, he wanted to come out into the world. I pleaded with the nurse that I needed to push, she explained very calmly that I did not know what I was saying and could I hold still so she could find a blood vessel for the epidural? I again, pleaded with the nurse, “I need to push.” She again said calmly, “no, you don’t, but could you please hold still?” I said to the nurse….not so nice this time… “I am pushing b/c he is coming out!!” she took a peak and in seconds there was a doctor over me telling me I needed to push one more time and the baby would be out.
Yes, I gave birth to Hudson naturally without Kenny being able to make it to the hospital. Hudson came so determined and quickly that after his birth I had to sign the “sign in papers”. And the nurse said to me, “I think that is a record labor for this hospital!” I will have to admit; though I never thought I would consider this, if I had another baby I would give labor without the epidural.
Since the moment Hudson has come into the world he has had his fast pace where are we going next personality and at three years old he is already wanting to be seven like his big brother Trenton. if only we could get him potty trained.

forgetting my password.....

Let’s play which password did you use…I finally remembered the password to my BlogSpot today after 3months! So now let’s play catch up…..
During spring break we went to visit Kenny’s family in California, talked & laughed a lot with family, the boys went to a monster truck show, spent a day at Disneyland, all got pink eye and came home exhausted.
Right now we are in baseball for Trenton and swim team practice starts Monday! I have the team mom for baseball and on the swim team board as well as the league rep which means, ordering t-shirts & trophies, emails, phone calls, meetings, more emails, more phone calls and more meetings! I now know why when I was growing up my mother was always there willing to cheer and take me to sporting events and that’s about it!
Hudson is talking so much now. He woke up this morning, well no I should say, with his eyes still closed and picking up his head he said, I go play with Owen. Owen is our next door neighbor with a train table. If he sees their cars home he is so excited and will stop at nothing to get to Owens house. Sad thing is, he doesn’t want to play with Owen; he wants to go upstairs and play at the train table while Owen (4yrsold) plays downstairs with Trenton. Kenny and I have decided we are buying him a train table for his birthday in June.
Summer is just around the corner and I cannot wait for us to be able to spend time at the pool, have cook outs and watch baseball games! Now I just hope I don’t forget my password for three more months!

boys "need" nothing

i was just talking with one of my friends and her son’s birthday is coming up. i asked, what can i get him for his birthday? Her reply was; He needs nothing! I thought about this for awhile, isn’t it great that our boys do not need anything, I replied? Although Trenton and Hudson would beg to differ it really does feel good that our boys “need” nothing.

new house

We have lived in our new house since Thanksgiving and it still feels so unreal to me. Just today I was asked my address and I started to give out my old address,we lived at that house for five years.
Our old house was nice and seemed to be perfect when we had Trenton. I finished traveling around with Kenny and his baseball, we bought the house both thinking this would be the house we raised Trenton and grew old in. Next came Hudson, and it seemed as if having another baby in the house made the house grow smaller. Not sure how that happened but it did. We had our house up on the market for one month before it sold. We were very blessed!
Now, like I said, we have lived in our home since Thanksgiving and I still will lie down and think, is this really my home? I can’t believe it! Thank you Lord! I don’t think it is a bad thing that I am still thanking the Lord for giving us so many blessings and I only hope I continue to thank him!
Now, if we can only get Hudson to sleep in his own bed.

sh*t dog

Today at lunch we were talking about pets, my pets name is shit dog and here’s why:

Not only has he knocked down the trash to eat what is inside, chewed on 6 purses-2-coach, 3 Dooney, and one Kate Spade, he has also chewed up about 12 of my shoes. Not the pair of shoes but one shoe from 12 different pairs. But the most laugh we had today about shit dog is if we leave for any amount of time and forget to put him into the cage when we come home and he is not there to greet us that means he has done something wrong and we have to figure out what is out of place or eaten because if he is good, he is there to greet us with a smile and a wagging tale.
The most amazing trick he has figured out to do which none of my coworkers can believe so I am going to have to get it on film is….
He will pull down the dishwasher door to lick all the plates and bowls. Then he will stand on the dishwasher door to open the drawer and jump up on the drawer to jump on the counter to be able to eat anything and everything we have left on the counter. He will only do this trick when we are not home so at first Kenny and I could not figure out what was going on, why was the dishwasher door down and the drawer open right next to the dishwasher? Then we realized what was going on.

give a day, get a day

Yesterday we decided to take Disney on its offer of "give a day, get a day," and volunteer our time. This was something I had planned to do with Trenton and Kenny but there were no openings that would allow Trenton, 7 years old, to attend with Kenny and me, so Kenny and I volunteered at the Goodwill Store together.
When we arrived at the store we were told all we needed to do was the floor. We asked what does this mean, and she said, “Make sure everything in the store is straight, there is not much to do.” So for three hours Kenny and I, walked around the store and picked up clothes that fell on the floor, toys left on the floor and clothes left in the dressing room we put up. We asked several times if there was any more we could do because we felt we should be doing more and she said, “No you are doing fine.”
I think the program in which Disney has implemented moved our cheese in a good way. When we left we felt as if we should, one-do more for our community, two-it was not that hard or took up too much of our time, and three-do more with our kids so they too will learn we have to help each other in this big world.
So, thank you Disney!

2 years old going on....

I came around the corner to find Hudson in the refrigerator!
He is two years old will be three in June and acts as if he is older than Trenton. If he wants something from the kitchen he will walk right in and get it. If he desires something out of his reach he will insist we come that instant to help him. When he laughs he laughs loud, when he does something wrong he blames the dog, if he gets a boo-boo he blames the dog, if something breaks he blames the dog. If we give him a kiss each and every time he will wipe it off his face. When he sleeps he sleeps spread eagle because he wants all the bed to himself. He is an adult in his 2 year old body and completely a daddy’s boy.
Trenton on the other hand, is seven and going on, well seven. Trenton still yearns to be held, hugged and kissed. He prefers to sleep with Kenny and I rather than his own bed. If he needs a drink, snack or blanket he wants us to give it to him. he laughs to himself, when he does something wrong he will not tell us but show us on his face that he is disappointed in himself, if he gets a boo-boo he wants us to leave him alone until he feels better. He wants me to squeeze him to death (this is a huge hug I give him) every night before he goes to bed and beams when I do it. He is a 7 year old in a 7 year old body and completely a momma’s boy.
It is comical how both boys are the precise opposite and raised by the same parents with the same rules and parenting skills.

youth baseball

We are starting spring baseball and I am thrilled because that means that the cold days are leaving us and spring days are coming. Trenton and Kenny spend a lot of time bonding on the field, while Hudson and I bond trying to do anything that will keep Hudson from getting on the field.
I don’t remember my parents being so aggressive when I was young as the parents I see today. Trenton is in the first year that his age group will have to try out in front of all the coaches in the league. Lucky for Trenton, Kenny will be coaching, and he was really trying out for the experience. But as I sat there watching the other parents while their son was on the field trying out I thought, do I need my boys to accomplish something on that field that no other child does so they will stand out? Am I that disappointed if he drops the ball at first base? Am I that excited when he hits a ball to the outfield? Am I just as competitive as the other parents with my 7 year old son? I hope not.
I learned from my parents was always do your best because doing your best is all that matters. And I hope that is how I am!

train park

Saturday while Trenton and Kenny were at baseball try outs; I took Hudson and my nephew Augie to the "train park." This is a new park that has the play area designed as a train and Hudson has named it the “train park.” As soon as we got out of the car the two boys ran towards the park screaming “train, train!” Augie had never been to this park before and seemed quite impressed. There is a wheel that makes you believe you are steering the train on the right track and Augie was wholehearted stuck on the wheel. Finally Augie saw Hudson slide down on of the slides and Augie realized there was more to do then drive the train. The boys ran, jumped, slid down the 10 different slides and abundantly enjoyed themselves for over an hour.
The moment I will treasure most was when Hudson was drinking his drink and without saying a word reached down to Augie and shared his drink. Now some of you might think this is not a great accomplishment but for a two year old, ok for my two year old, to share without being told was something for me to smile about.

trenton

The past few months Trenton has transformed into the little boy I previously knew to be frightened of the dark; to the big boy that finds it irresistible to scare his baby brother. If there is a disguise Trenton has it on. If there is a wall to hide behind and jump out from Trenton will be there. If there is a dark closet to sit and remain until Hudson opens the door Trenton will be there. I am not sure which I adore more, Trenton playing with his brother or Hudson’s laugh once he has gotten over the fear and realizing it is only Trenton.
I dread this chapter will not last long and pray each day I can remember these moments once I am older.

If I were...

If I were a month, I would be November.
If I were a day of the week, I would be Friday.
If I were a time of the day, I would be 4:00pm.
If I were a planet, I would be Venus.
If I were a sea animal, I would be a sea horse.
If I were a direction, I would be west.
If I were a piece of furniture, I would be kitchen table.
If I were a liquid, I would be margarita.
If I were a gemstone, I would be a ruby.
If I were a tree, I would be a oak tree.
If I were a tool, I would be a battery.
If I were a flower, I would be a lily.
If I were a kind of weather, I would be warm sunshine.
If I were a musical instrument, I would be a violin.
If I were a color, I would be red.
If I were an emotion, I would be outgoing.
If I were a fruit, I would be a strawberry.
If I were a sound, I would be a bird chirping.
If I were an element, I would be helium.
If I were a car, I would be a range rover.
If I were a food, I would be rice.
If I were a place, I would be a home.
If I were a material, I would be leather.
If I were a taste, I would be salty.
If I was a scent, I would be a new home.
If I were an object, I would be an open door.
If I were a body part, I would be a leg.
If I were a facial expression, I would be a laugh.
If I were a song, I would be a quick jazz.
If I were a pair of shoes, I would be ugg boots.
What would you be?
I stole this from Glamorous Newlywed.

Our two year old, Hudson, has a little bit of an obsession with Thomas the Train. I do remember Trenton going through a phase with Thomas for about 3 minutes; Hudson on the other hand, has been through the phase for about 6 months.
In the beginning he had fun with the one Thomas the train and took it everywhere with him. This didn’t seem destructive and the train kept Hudson occupied. At that time we bought another train from the Thomas the train set, still no major difference just one more train for Hudson to carry and for us to keep an eye on. Christmas came and we decided to buy a few more trains and a Thomas the train back pack so he could have a place for all his trains. Hudson now wears his back pack every day. If we go to the store he has his back pack, if we go to grandpa’s he has his back pack, if we go anywhere other than our house Hudson has his back pack. Still, no big deal to us.
Then it happened, we saw Thomas the Train pajamas. Hudson became so in love with the pajamas he would want to wear them every night. So, what did this make us do? Did you say buy more pajamas? Well of course that is what we did! We wanted to make certain he had a clean pair of pajamas each night and since Hudson insisted he put on his Thomas pajamas each night the smartest solution is to go buy more right?
Boy, were we ever wrong! Hudson now not only has to wear his “Thomas pants” each night, as he calls them, he wants to wear them all day long as well. One Saturday we allowed this to happen. We were not going anywhere and who doesn’t want to stay in their pajamas all day? Sunday we did get him out of the “Thomas pants” and into clothes. Monday morning however was a different story. I tried to get his “Thomas pants” off of him and he cried and cried and kicked and cried even more….if you have a two year old I am sure you understand why I let him go to his sitters in his “Thomas pants.”
When I got home Kenny asked me why I had not changed Hudson. I explained how Hudson behaved and how I needed to get out of the house and on to work. It was just easier to get Hudson in the car with his pajamas on. Kenny and I discussed how we should not allow this anymore, looking back, I think we should have included Hudson into this discussion. Because now each morning Hudson cries while I change his clothes and I have to get Trenton to go hide his “Thomas pants” while I am changing his diaper and trying to pry on his day clothes. Kenny says that he now each day will get home start to take off his clothes while he goes and finds his “Thomas pants.” Kenny said the other day Trenton and Kenny were in the street throwing the baseball and Hudson came out totally naked with his “Thomas pants” asking Kenny to help put them on. Kenny of course was mortified and quickly got Hudson back into the new house so our new neighbors would not become concerned as to why we have a two year old naked boy in our front drive! I think this has to be one of the funniest stories Hudson has provided to us so far.
Just this morning I had put Hudson’s clothes on and was looking for socks. I did not realize Hudson was right behind me while I opened the dryer to look for socks. Hudson asks me. “what’s this” while he was starting to pull out his “Thomas pants” I quickly threw them back into the drier shut the door and said “nothing”. Hudson started to cry a bit but I found something else to sidetrack him with and he forgot about his “Thomas pants.”

1st of the month

Amazing how fast January flew by huh? It seems as if it was this past Friday we celebrated New Years Eve. On new year’s eve I thought that I would not set a new year’s resolution but a change in the way that I eat and to change the way that I go through my day to day life...try and see and do things different.
I can tell you I believe my candy eating lifestyle did not alter at all. On the upside I have added greens to my plate and that without doubt is a start! I have made more family meals then I have done in the past and surprisingly I am good at following Paula Dean's instructions and cooking my family a meal.
As far as trying to see things different, because of the enormous earthquake in Haiti, I have seen things different in the past few weeks. When I sit down to eat I look at my plate and wonder how much this food really means to me. When I was driving the other day I thought to myself, I am in a heated car with a cushion seat and music to enjoy. When I walk in my house I become aware that I do have everything I need in this world. Most importantly when I look at Kenny, Trenton, and Hudson I realize that I have a husband and two boys who are in good health and for me that is an accomplishment. I am really a blessed wife and mother.
Although I wish the earthquake never happened so we could have saved all the Haitians from their pain and suffering and I pray each time I think about Haiti, I am glad that the earthquake has "moved my cheese" to be more thankful for all that I have in my life.

slot ..i mean slut... machine

This past weekend Kenny and I went with a few friends to Laberge Du Luc. Kenny and I have never spent a weekend away from our boys nor have we been to Laberge. (Trenton is now 7 and Hudson is 2) I’m not quite sure why we have never taken a weekend for ourselves; it definitely isn’t because we are overly protective parents. I think it is more of the reason our two boys are full of life, rambunctious, and never want to sleep or miss a thing. But our good friend Barbara decided to move our cheese!
The 2 1/2hr drive there I think was one of the best parts. The girls were in one car and the boys were in another following. From the moment we got in the car till the moment we got out I think we burned off about 10,000 calories with laughter. Barbara, Valentina, and I laughed just about everything. The more we laughed the harder it was to stop.
We arrived at the hotel, unloaded and met back downstairs to take a tour of the casino. We stopped at a slot machine and the lady three slot machines down won $4500! I am sold!!!! A minute later the couple across from the machine I was playing won $1000! I talked with the couple, who I later called double d's, and they told me the machine I was on will hit almost every time when it blinks $1,008.24. They told me they have been for the past few weekends and they have won over $6,000 each weekend. At this point I am at no return! This is my machine for the weekend!
I won more money on the tables for Barbara while she went to the bathroom then I did at my machine but did I learn from that no! Let’s just say I left with zilch and my slot...I mean slut...machine took all my money and gave me nothing in return!

sky diving

I was absolutely out of my element the day we went to sky dive. First, I have to say how much I despise planes. I cannot get on a plane without taking heavy medication. How in the world did I get on an airplane and jump out of it...well OK I did not jump I was picked up by lance (my instructor).
It all started when my oldest sister Maryann sent a text with, "will you go sky diving with me on my 35Th birthday?" my first reaction was your serious? Then my next reaction was to tell Kenny. Kenny of course was in for the ride with both feet hanging from the plane. This may be the reason I first started to consider going with them. I guess it all came together when we found out my brother would want to go with everyone as well. He lives out of the country so there was only a limited time frame we would be able to go. Given that I am the planner in the family I started to look up skydiving websites, get costs, and arrange the time and day.
Once I finally picked the place I asked the lady on the phone what happens if someone goes through the video and the training but cannot go through with the jump. she confirmed not to worry you do not have to pay if you cannot go through with the jump but if you get on the plane and you cannot get out of the plane then you have just paid for a plane ride. Perfect right!
We all got ready on Saturday morning after Christmas got to Houston skydiving, signed the paper work which stated every other line "in case you die....", we then watched the video that the whole purpose was to let you know "when you die you or any of your heirs can not sue." we were scheduled to jump at noon. We were all standing around and realized it was about 12:45 and finally asked why we were not going yet? The lady explained the clouds were about 5000ft too low and we were more than welcome to wait for them to clear or we could come back tomorrow. We all decided to come back on Sunday. The whole night I could not sleep. I just kept seeing the man in the video telling me I was going to die.
When we woke up on Sunday it was a strikingly gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky. We get to skydive Houston and from the word we are all here it seemed to just go, go, go, go, go. Kenny and my 66 year old uncle Omar were going to be on the first plane, Teri and I on the second plane and Maryann and pat on the third. We all determined to get camera men so we were not all going to fit on the one plane. The man called my name and said OK go put your ensemble on. He then instructed me when we were on the plane we would have to move towards the door, look to your left at the camera man and then jump. I whispered, “what happens if I freeze up there?” Lance said, “do not worry I can pick you up and push you out if you tell me now that is what you want me to do”. Eagerly I told him, “Yes please push me out b/c as soon as we are out I know I will be OK”.
Well let me just tell you now from this point on it seemed as if I was out of my body!
We get on the airplane and out of everyone I am the only one not looking out the window. I have my head down trying not to throw up because every time I get on a plane during the takeoff I throw up. Teri says to me, “Linda look out the window we are not even off the ground yet”, I shook my head no thanks and kept it down. Then the door opens and there is a jumper just looking out the door. The pilot yells, "get out of the plane, jump!" the jumper just stays there...at this point I am not sure if this guy knows what he is doing, if he froze or what. the pilot again very insensitively yells, "get out of the plane, jump!" then lance...who is attached to me as if he is riding piggy back on my back, roars "the pilot said jump that means you jump!" Teri and I looked at each other like...oh shit this is not happening. Finally the jumper jumped and they closed the door. Teri's camera man comes up to Teri and says, "OK Teri we are about half way there any last words?" I at the point instantly look at her and say, "half way there? Who talked us into this?" Teri of course just laughs at me.
The door at last opens all over again and lance tells me we are going first. I freaked. he told me to move my legs, he then started to yell in my ear, "move your legs, move your legs." I looked down at my legs and I could also see out of the door and I started to think in my head, "move my legs? What legs? i can’t move my legs shit I can’t feel my legs"....and then we were out the opened door! I am sure I said, "oh-f***" I had my eyes closed while he picked me up and pushed me out but I really think they were closed for a second because I felt my stomach come up over my head and I thought Linda what are you doing open your eyes, open your eyes.
The instant I opened my eyes I believe if the wind was not pounding at my face I would have cried. It was completely astonishing. There are no words for me to express being able to feel the wind in your face while flying, ok so we were falling. The world was beneath me and all I could do is consider how much the Lord as really given us. The parachute opened and at this instant I was taken aback. That was when I was able to really look from side to side and see the world. I did not want the adventure to end. I wanted to hang about in the air for days. At last we did get to ground and the venture did come to an end. When I was on the ground I just kept replaying the excitement over and over in my head flabbergasted at myself I had just went skydiving. Kenny just kept saying, “Linda, I am so proud of you.”
I did find out that when I was in the air there was a pool on the ground if I would make it out of the plane or not. That made me laugh. I can tell you if MaryAnn would never have texted me, and Kenny not influenced me, I would have never have moved my cheese!

change

change-–verb (used with object)
1.
to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
2.
to transform or convert (usually fol. by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.
3.
to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.
4.
to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.
5.
to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.
6.
to give or get smaller money in exchange for: to change a five-dollar bill.
7.
to give or get foreign money in exchange for: to change dollars into francs.
8.
to remove and replace the covering or coverings of: to change a bed; to change a baby.


am i ready for change each and everyday? i finally watched the movie julie and julia....loved it. it was the movie that introduced me to this new thing (to me)....blogging. i then thought about why would you want to blog? why would you want to let everyone know what you are thinking or feeling? then i thought change. i could use more change in my life. so here i am using the blog to change my life and trying to figure out "who moved my cheese"?