Tuesday, September 24, 2013

3 Birds - 1 Stone

Grammy knows how to kill several birds with one stone!  She managed to come out and see Abby play softball, Ben march at a football game and celebrate Ben's 16th birthday all in one short visit!  It was busy, but we all had a fun time.

Look at that beautiful sky!  Who would have thought it would turn out to be such a gorgeous night when prior to leaving Bartlesville it was raining cats and dogs and we fully expected the game to be cancelled.  Fortunately, it didn't rain nearly as much in Tulsa and the game was delayed, but wasn't cancelled.

It was a tough game, but the girls did a great job!

I am so glad Grammy got to watch Abby play softball!


The weather was fantastic for the Bartlesville homecoming football game!

Just look at that sky!

This year's marching band show is so cool!!  I'm so glad Grammy got to see it!  Well, part of it anyway.  The rest of the show will be finished by the time the band performs at Super-Regionals in St. Louis next month.  Thankfully, Grammy will get to be there for that too!

Ben's friends are the best!  They loved getting to meet Grammy!

My poor little Lukey managed to get sick while Grammy was visiting.  :(  We went to have lunch with him at school on Friday and he just didn't seem normal.  He was crying when we met him and when I hugged him to try to settle him down, he was warm.  It struck me that he was warm, but I just figured he was worn out from how busy we had been lately, his classroom was hot, he was worked up from crying... I just kind of let it go.  Well, he ended up coming home from school and going straight to bed.  Just for a nap so that he could make it through the football game that night.  In preparation for the game, I had to wake Luke from his nap.  That didn't go so well.  He didn't want to wake up.  Again, I assumed he was extremely worn out.  Jon offered to stay home with Luke until he snapped out of his funk and woke up.  Unfortunately, Luke had a fever.  Not good.

Saturday morning, Luke still had a fever.  It worked out well for snuggling with Grammy!  Later in the day, while he still had a fever, I discovered that Luke had a rash.  I knew immediately that he had strep.  A trip to the doctor the next day confirmed what my intuition told me.  Poor baby!  We did a lot of lounging and dozing that day!  We all needed that!

Ben had a few gifts that needed to be returned/exchanged in Tulsa, so Jon offered (again!) to stay home with Luke so that me, Mom. Ben and Abby could go do what we needed (or wanted (:) to do.  I felt bad, but it was so nice to get out with just the big kids!  We had a great time!  We found some great bargains, laughed a lot and had yummy food!

Abby chose The Cheesecake Factory.  While we were ordering, it struck Grammy that it was Ben's birthday.  Close enough, anyway. (:  Ben wasn't thrilled that he would be sung to, but he got over it real quick!  That boy was treated like royalty when the waitress found out that it was his 16th birthday!  She went well out of her way to make sure Ben had a great birthday dinner!

He still didn't love the singing, but he definitely enjoyed the dessert!

Ben chose the Chocolate Tuxedo Cream Cheesecake.  Mom, Abby and I shared Chris's Outrageous Cheesecake (quite possibly my new favorite!) and the White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut Cheesecake.  WOW!

I am so thankful that my mom is retired and is able to come out periodically to see that kids participate in their activities!  We had a great time despite me (I just had a cold) and Luke not feeling 100%.

Thank you, Mom, for coming out and spending time with us and making the kids feel special in coming to watch them! 

Sweet 16!!!

Can it be that I have a 16 year old?  When did I become old enough to have a 16 year old?  I'm not sure how it is possible, but it is the case.  I became a mom for the first time 16 years ago.  Wow!


Ben's birthday was a crazy day!  I didn't get to see him very much at all.  Abby had a softball game in Tulsa that Grammy came all the way from Indiana to see, so we really couldn't miss it.  Ben had the homecoming parade which ended up getting rained out.  The nice thing was the Jon was able to get home from work a bit early and take the boys to Frank & Lola's for a special birthday dinner.  I felt terrible not being there, but what can you do?

Since Grammy was in town, she let Ben open her present the night before his birthday.  Grammy's are allowed to do that, right?


Again, I felt terrible not being around and making Ben wait till we got home From Abby's game to open his gifts. He finally got to open them at 10:00p.m.  Thankfully, he was really cool about it!

  I think it was worth the wait!

Knowing how crazy the schedule was for Ben's actual birthday day, we had talked about having his special birthday dinner over the weekend.  I don't think he cared as long as he got his traditional birthday dinner.  

Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and "butt rolls"!
(Yes, I had to throw some veggies in there whether he liked it or not!)

 Ummm...our birthday boy is taller than us.  Weird!

  
For as long as I can remember Ben has not been interested in traditional birthday cake.  For a while he opted for Oreo Cookie Cake.  The last few years he has chosen Death By Chocolate.  YUM!!

 Happy birthday to you!  Happy birthday to you!  Happy birthday dear Ben!  Happy birthday to you!

As a trombone player, I would have been disappointed if he wasn't able to blow all the candles in one breath!  He did it!

Ben's birthday was a little crazy, but it was fun.  It made my day when Ben said it was one of his best birthday's ever!  He said he got everything he wanted!  He truly appreciated everything which made me so happy!

Ben is not your average 16 year old.  He is amazing!  He is a fantastic musician.  He is loyal.  He is sensitive to how others are feeling or are being treated.  He is a great friend.  He loves jazz.  He enjoys reading.  He is a leader.  He is learning to be responsible.  He is just plain awesome!!

Happy birthday, Benjamin!!  I am SO proud to be your mom and of the young man that you have become!  I love you so much!!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Dad ~ September 5, 2004

I will never forget the awful call I received at 9:30 that Sunday night.  My dad had been in an accident and didn't make it.  Another guy on another motorcycle hit him head on and he didn't make it either.  I will never forget.

JAMES DAVID VINSON
September 4, 2004, age 57. Beloved husband of Denise. Dear father of Jamie Grief, Rebecca McCracken, Kris Hodnett, Brian Yax, Heather Rice and Erik Rice. Grandfather of 9. Son of James A. and Nova Lee. Brother of Donna Damron, Linda Ingold and Michele Schroeder. Visitation Wednesday 3-9pm at the John N. Santeiu and Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd. (between Ford Rd. and Cherry Hill). In state Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 34530 Michigan Ave. (2 blocks east of Wayne Rd.) 1:00 p.m. until 2 p.m. funeral service. Memorials suggested to Alzheimers Association or American Diabetes Association.
- See more at: http://deathnotices.michigan.com/results.php?page=1&0010=true&name=Vinson&date-range=1/1/2001%20-%209/5/2013#sthash.XEGxHxo1.dpuf

VINSON JAMES D

2004-09-07
September 5, 2004, age 57. Beloved husband of Denise. Dear father of Jamie Grief, Rebecca McCracken, Chris Hodnett, Brian Yax, Heather Rice and Erik Rice. Grandfather of 9. Son of James A. and Nova Lee. Brother of Donna Damron, Linda Ingold and Michele Schroeder. Visitation Wednesday 3-9pm at the John N. Santeiu and Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd. (between Ford Rd. and Cherry Hill). In state Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 34530 Michigan Ave. (2 blocks east of Wayne Rd.) 1:00 p.m. until 2 p.m. funeral service. Memorials suggested to Alzheimers Association or American Diabetes Association.
- See more at: http://deathnotices.michigan.com/results.php?page=1&0010=true&name=Vinson&date-range=1/1/2001%20-%209/5/2013#sthash.XEGxHxo1.dpuf

VINSON JAMES D

2004-09-07
September 5, 2004, age 57. Beloved husband of Denise. Dear father of Jamie Grief, Rebecca McCracken, Chris Hodnett, Brian Yax, Heather Rice and Erik Rice. Grandfather of 9. Son of James A. and Nova Lee. Brother of Donna Damron, Linda Ingold and Michele Schroeder. Visitation Wednesday 3-9pm at the John N. Santeiu and Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd. (between Ford Rd. and Cherry Hill). In state Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 34530 Michigan Ave. (2 blocks east of Wayne Rd.) 1:00 p.m. until 2 p.m. funeral service. Memorials suggested to Alzheimers Association or American Diabetes Association.
- See more at: http://deathnotices.michigan.com/results.php?page=1&0010=true&name=Vinson&date-range=1/1/2001%20-%209/5/2013#sthash.XEGxHxo1.dpuf
 
As devastated as I was, I couldn't have been happier that, only three weeks earlier, we had made a trip to Michigan for a visit!  I most definitely believe that God was  involved in making that trip happen!



I miss my dad.  I hate that Ben and Abby were so young when they lost their grandpa. I hate that he wasn't around when Luke was born and that Luke never got the chance to meet his grandpa.  I know that Dad would LOVE Ben, Abby and Luke and they would LOVE him too!  I am thankful that Ben and Abby still remember Grandpa Vinson.  I love that Ben remembers going for a motorcycle ride with Grandpa Vinson on that last trip to Michigan.  I am thankful that we have talked about Grandpa Vinson enough for Luke to have an idea of who he is.  He likes to look at pictures of him and will often bring him up out of the blue.  I love that!

I hate thinking about that day, however, I look forward to the day that we all get to see Dad again!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

What's Happening?


The kids have been in school for 3 weeks already!  WOW!  Luke had a bit of a rough start, but now, he loves school!  YAY!!

*****

What have I been doing while the kids are at school?  Well, I got a job.  Yep.  It's been a good long while, but I did it.  I had a bit of encouragement from Jon, but it's ok.  I am working at the school that Luke went to last year, East Cross Early Childhood Center, with the toddlers.  It is a Parent's Day Out program, so I only work Monday's and Friday's.  After two weeks of working, I have decided that it isn't as bad as I expected it to be.  Those little munchkins are so fun and lovable!  Plus, the days pass very quickly!

*****

Ben is deep in the throes of marching band.  He has to be at school everyday by 6:15am!  He has rehearsals every Thursday night from 6-9pm.  And this week he starts hour long sectionals (on the other side of town!) on Tuesday nights.  That might not sound like a lot, but let me just remind you that he is almost 16.  Apparently, when you are 16, all you want to do is hang out with your friends.  Ben has some really great friends!  However, I truly feel like I run a taxi service a lot of the time.

*****

Abby is in the middle of her middle school softball season.  I couldn't be more proud of this girl!  She has worked so hard!  One of the requirements on the team is that you need to be able to run a mile in 10 minutes or less.  Seriously!  Abby has worked SO hard to be able to accomplish this.  So far, she has made it in 10:45.  She is almost there!

*****

We are going to be in a world of hurt when Luke discovers that he could have a life too!

*****

Jon is, also, still in school.  Blah!   He is one busy guy.  Working full time.  Going to school.  Spending time with the family.  Figuring out how to be the assistant treasurer for the band boosters.  Keep up on yard work.  It is hard!  On all of us!  But mostly him.  He is stressed out a lot of the time, but I know that in the end it will be good.  I am so proud of him for all of his hard work!

*****

My foot is still a mess.  It hurts!  I have been back to the doctor.  He thinks that the tendon that was repaired last year has been re-injured.  Super!  Last week I went for a bone scan to make sure that nothing was going on there.  I think an MRI is going to be next.  I have a feeling surgery might be happening again...

*****

Ben turns 16 in less than 3 weeks!  NNNOOOOO!!!!!

*****

I have rediscovered reading!  I have always loved to read.  I just don't take the time to read.  I guess I have let myself become so busy with life and kids, that I hadn't read anything in a long time.  Well, all three kids are back in school and I have no excuse!  I am  going to read!  I am currently reading Longing by Karen Kingsbury.  It is book 3 in a series of 4.  My house just might be a wreck for a while longer...

*****

Life is busy!
God is good!
I am thankful!