It's Whitlee's Turn...........

So, O.K. I know I know I have had some fairly long posts about Brendan recently!!! Don't think I have forgotten Whit because I assure you I haven't!!!! She is also UBER busy!!!! Along with tagging along to her brothers hectic schedule which we all know is BASEBALL BASEBALL BASEBALL -- she also is still enjoying gymnastics or nastics as she refers to it every Wednesday morning. She loves Coach Tammy!!! We also are helping the 6th graders earn money to pay for their upcoming field trip to Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium by selling popcorn every Friday at lunch time. She really loves interacting with all the kids as they go to and from lunch. She does however get hacked off when they refer to how "little" she is or say "look at the cute little girl". She is sure to let them know that she ISN'T a baby she is grown up cause she is 4!!!!

She is currently obsessed with "The Littlest Pet Shop". She was introduced to them by the sister of a ball player on Brendan's team. She(the sister) will remain nameless as I haven't asked her parents for permission to mention her in my blog. Anyhow, our house is Littlest Pet Shop central. It's all she wanted for her birthday and she has a BUNCH of them. She carries them everywhere -- At any given time I have 2 or 3 in my purse, she has a purse full of them or even a backpack full of the pets and their "gear" or "stuff". Pictured below is just 2 of them -- we were in the truck at a one of Jeff's softball games and it was POURING RAIN!! We were snacking on a cheese and fruit tray from Starbucks and she decided that her "friends" wanted a nibble also.

It's hard to believe that she is 4. She is such a little powerhouse. I can't imagine not loving her or wanting to spend as much time as possible with her.

So, without further ado................Here is Miss Whitlee Jane..................

Meet Sheila Squirrel and Shelia Mouse.

(yes there are a lot of Shelia's)

They are enjoying a square of dill havarti cheese

I love this picture of Whitlee --- well, except for her filthy hands -- she was digging in the dirt -- I know I know not a shocker!!!

Enjoying a slice of the "perfect" orange
She isn't understanding why a worm doesn't like it when you cram it into a hole you have dug for him covering him with a rock. She doesn't understand why doing this does not equal a happy worm friend.

At lunch with my cousin Sandra -- Whitlee and I are the only 2 people in the house who like Thai food. I think she loves going to Indochine because they have carved elephant statues. She calls it the Elephant place.

Whitlee at baseball practice digging a hole in the dirt. She has her monkey friend that Uncle Steve and Aunt Sharlene got for her when they took her to the zoo. At the zoo one of her most favorite things was..............the monkey that puked into its hand and then ate the puke. She tells EVERYONE she comes into contact with about this freaking monkey!!!!

This is one of my FAVORITE pictures of her. She was concentraiting so hard and paying such close attention to what she was doing. One of her favorite things to do at baseball practice is to blow fairy flowers --- yes, evidently they are called fairy flowers not dandelions

See all the Fairy Flowers........

Only once has she sucked in instead of blowing out. She didn't like it -- she said the fairy flowers tasted gross. She is very careful to blow blow blow.....

One of the other things she LOVES about baseball practice is the big grass hills....she gets to the top and then RUNS RUNS RUNS giggling the whole way -- sometimes she is laughing so hard she has trouble staying upright

Please notice that the girl is wearing her "party" shoes --- she LOVES those things!!!!!

So, that is Whitlee's update

Just an FYI -- I have tracking software on here that allow me to see how many people view my blog. I know where they come from and it also logs the IP addresses -- so, while I am glad that you visit and that you are interested you the evil witch that lives in Lancaster BE GONE before a house falls on you!!!!!

To the rest of you HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!

My evening with Ali Edwards...................

If you didn't know I am a scrapbooker!!! While I LOVE LOVE LOVE it and I'd like to pretend that I am SO creative truth be told I am not.........What you might say Stephanie isn't creative....OK maybe you aren't saying it but really if you know me at all I tend to do things artistic to my eye --- that is how I photograph that is how I scrapbook --- that is who I am. But, I digress.......................back to Ali............There is a magazine I like to refer to it on a monthly basis. And while of course not everything is "my taste" I find a lot of inspiration in the pages between it's covers. Here is a link to the mag if you are interested:

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/

That is where I first encountered Ali. She writes articles, books, scrapbooks, photographs things with an amazing eye, thinks outside of the box - OK she kicks the crap out of the box. She creates the MOST beautiful things - yet, it is something even I can do. Her creativity is nothing short of AMAZING!!!! Her books are beautiful ---

My typical day starts like this: Roll out of bed, take Brendan to school, come home and grab something to drink, log on to check email, ready Ali's blog........http://aliedwards.typepad.com/

Imagine my glee when Sweet Joy announced that Ali was coming to Ben Franklin!! My Ben Franklin --- the same Ben Franklin that I teach at!!!! I FREAKED OUT!!!! Simmer down Stephanie simmer down!!! April was National Autism Awareness month -- Ali is the mother of the most handsome Simon and wife to Oregon State Representative Chris Edwards (D) http://www.chrisedwardsfororegon.com/ Simon is a most handsome boy who if you are a scrapbooker you have watched him grow. Simon can be found in most of Ali's layouts. Simon is so many wonderful things and he brings Ali so many great experiences and adventures. Simon is also Autistic. So National Autism Awareness month is something special to Ali and to all of us who work at Ben Franklin http://www.bfranklincrafts.com/HomeBL.html Anyhow the Scrap Divas came up with the coolest idea and Ali said YES!!!! She came to Ben Franklin and taught an acrylic album class Ben Franklin raised $1636.00 for the charity Autism Speaks!!!

Now, that I have gushed and gushed and gushed I truly do look like a stalker (I told you Ali:)) For me meeting Ali was like Jeff having dinner with Barrack Obama, like Richard Gere's first meeting with the Dahli Lama, like Whitlee meeting Dora The Explorer, like Brendan meeting the Jonas Brothers, like you meeting the one person in the whole world you'd love to meet!!!

Ali is warmhearted and the sweetest person you could ever meet. She is someone that you could just meet in a Starbucks and sit down for a cup of coffee with. She smiles with her entire face (which means it isn't fake). When she laughs she really laughs. She asks questions and she doesn't just do it to be polite - she really wants to know. I had a blast in the class - it was the best and I can't wait to do it again. Here are some shots of the night.......

Me and Ali Edwards!!!!

A preview of the book we were making.....

Ali decided I needed a shoulder rub....

and me being a BIG BABY!!! Like I said it was a very big deal!!!

Ali signing my poster AND my book!! (please note: Joy had 3 books a poster AND her tee-shirt...note to self...get one of those tee-shirts!!!!)

Ali's message to me!!!!

It was a great night!!!!

Thanks Ben Franklin!!!

and

THANKS ALI!!!!!

12 Freaking Days........Hey Steven I posted before you!!!

Yeah Yeah it's been a bit --- here is what is going on with us:)........

We had a birthday party ---- Brendan turned 12 on the 11th. He was suppose to have a swimming party but about 5 days before the event we got a call from the pool saying that they were closing the pool for maintence. Nice 5 days before the kids party and they are closing the pool.........so, Brendan opted for a pizza party -- he had a great time.

I can't believe that he is 12 --- I know I say it every year but it really doesn't seem like he should be 12!!! He is sure growing up!!!!!

With no shock or surprise this was Whitlee's reaction to "Hey, do you want some cake?"

Of course April was FILLED and I do mean filled with BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!! Brendan loves playing! Every single moment!!!

Of course there has been trips to the ER --- ok NOT the ER but Urgent Care -- which happens to be between the baseball fields and our house. This is a shot of Brendan in Urgent Care waiting to be taken for X-Rays. He was yet again hit by the ball -- this time it was his hand it was pretty ugly. The good part is that Brendan was able to score and then when the team batted around and Brendan turn came up again he was so pissed that he smacked the crap out of the ball!!!!

At 3rd base waiting to come home.

At Children's Hospital getting to know the wildlife.

One of my VERY favorite photos of Brendan

It's been an uber busy month --- Brendan and I both came down with Strep-throat a couple of weeks ago -- It was so bad that Jeffie had to work from home for 4 days because I simply couldn't function. Brendan has also been dealing with migraines again -- We may and I use the word may with extreme caution.........have found a trigger for them. We have added an additional allergy med that works well with the one he already takes and so far (knock on wood) he hasn't had another one!!!

Brendan is currently dealing with strep again -- we aren't sure where he got it from but we think it was Jeffies work -- Thursday was "Take Your Child To Work Day" and this is the last year Brendan can go to his dad's office. None of his friends or teammates have strep. He is back at school today because....well, because he is no longer contagious and most importantly they are disecting frogs in science today. You would have thought the kid won the lottery.

We have about 3 weeks of baseball left. Win or lose it will be great! Brendan is having the best time. He has an amazing trio of coaches and the memories will last forever!!!!

long time no post ----

We really have been busy ----- I'll get to that later.....

I just wanted to get on here and post

It's been 4 months today since we lost Rick. He was a father, a brother, a cousin, an uncle and a friend. He was a painter, a drywaller, a hula dancer, a surfer and a fisherman. He never loved 1/2 way he loved with his entire being. He was most proud of his children Coja, Amber and Johnny. He never called me by my name instead calling me "little sister".

This is a photo that was taken this past summer at my nephew Coja's wedding. From left to right are: Sherri, Rick, Coja, Amber Johnny and Pete. Pete is Rick's older brother. Sherri is Peter's AMAZING wife:). Peter raised Rick after their mother passed away. He...strike that they Peter and Sherri are the most wonderful people. They have never been anything less than wonderful to me. The love and compassion that this couple have leaves one in awe.

I miss Rick -- I miss his late night phone calls (ok it was late to me but he was on "Hawaii" time) I miss his laughter. I miss his updates about his children. I miss his teasing about my innate ability so suck at surfing no matter how hard he tried to teach me. I miss the wasy no matter what was going on I knew no matter what he had my back -- brothers are AWESOME!!!! How lucky am I? I have been fortunate to have 2 brothers. They are both wonderful and amazing. They both are supportive. The are and were wonderful men.

That is about all I have to say about that.................It's been 4 months and it seems like it was just yesterday!!!

With much anticipation...............

the "Official" start to baseball is here -

What I have learned.....

It sucks when your opening day game is rained out.

It is COLD at 8:30 am on a Saturday in late March (But seeing your kids ginormous smile as he runs out onto the field with his team makes is TOTALLY worth it!!!!!)

Baseball is NOT for wimps:) It doesn't matter if you can't feel your legs from the knee down because they are frozen -- your kid is playing in his first Little League Game -- They will find icicles hanging from your ears before you'll leave.

Your kid has butterflies in his stomach when he has his first at bat.

Your kid has serious game face:)

So, last night was Brendan's first game:) Up until almost gametime we thought they may cancel the game. Brendan was THRILLED when I said "Game On"!!!! He did great!! He didn't start -- he was bummed but it was part of the coaches plan --- in majors you are only "required" to play 6 outs and 1 at bat. That being said of course there are going to be some players who play more than others --- this is the Majors people --- did you pay attention at the team meeting???? It was one of the very first things the coaches talked about. Brendan was put in after the boy playing 2nd had his 6 outs and 1 at bat -- he made some solid plays. He struck out on 5 pitches when he got to bat -- He of course was MAD but -- I said "shake it off buddy". We were talking on the way home and he was saying how nervous he was, that when he got up there he realized it was his first at bat in a real game. The most important thing he said was "Mom, I forgot I was hitting with my "new" bat!! It is much lighter than my old one". Yes, he got a new bat on Sunday -- I have to miss his game on Saturday -- I am shooting a wedding and when I told him he was really bummed that I had to miss a game -- my explaination that from shooting this wedding I could get him the bat he wanted for his birthday somehow made it all better:) :) :). After practice on Sunday his coach was telling me how the bats at Varsity sports were on sale. So, Brendan and I went down to try some out. He got a great bat and a new pair of cleats (thanks Uncle Steve!!!!) for far less than just the bat would have regularly cost.

Here are some shots that I took last night at the game!!!! Oh, by the way ----

WE WON!!!! 2-1

so, what goes good with a concussion????

STREP THROAT!!!! Thats right and if you are a super kid you share it with your mother --- needless to say Brendan and I have been DOWN FOR THE COUNT!! I don't even remember Tuesday or Wednesday. Antibiotics are my friend right now -- We (Brendan and I) woke up on Friday PAIN FREE!!!!

This entry is actually being written over a 4 day period ----

My brother sent me this in an email but he doesn't get the credit for it -- Jenel sent it to him!!! So, she gets the credit!!!!

A monkey is sitting in a tree, smoking a joint, when a lizard walks past. The lizard looks up and says to the monkey "Hey! What are you doing?" The monkey says, "Smoking a joint, come up and join me, my cold-blooded friend." So the lizard climbs up and sits next to the monkey and they have another joint. After a while the lizard says his mouth is dry and that he's going to get a drink from the river. At the riverbank, the lizard is so stoned that he leans too far over and falls in. An Alligator sees this and swims over to the stoned lizard, helping him to the side. He then asks the lizard, "What's the matter with you?!" The lizard explains to the alligator that he was sitting in the tree, smoking a joint with his new monkey friend. He then explained how his mouth got dry, and that he was so wasted that, when he went to get a drink from the river, he fell in! The inquisitive alligator says he has to check this out. He walks into the jungle and finds the tree where the monkey is sitting, finishing a joint. He looks up and says "Hey, MONKEY!" The monkey looks down and says "FUUUUUCK, DUDE... how much water did you drink?"

So, technically today is Sunday, March 23rd --- That's right Easter Sunday. Marilyn is REALLY REALLY sick so we are just staying home and we'll get together with them at a later date. We are slowly coming back to life here!! Yikes --- I have had strep throat probably 5 times in my life maybe........I wonder if it gets worse as you get older. It was literally like getting hit by a semi truck (or at least what I think it would feel like). Brendan had little league photos on Saturday morning --- think O'dark early!!!!! We had to meet the team at 7:45 a.m. -- so, I pop into my favorite coffee stand to get a zipperdoodle and what do I do???? Now, some of you well, most of you won't be shocked at this at all BUT.......I popped the front driver's tire -- I know I know I don't have any idea why I pop tires like I do -- at least this time it was just one I called Jeff in a panic because I had about 5 minutes to get Brendan to the field to his team..Jeff came and traded me cars -- he put the spare on the van while I took Brendan for photos. While I was taking Brendan to Seattle to see Christopher Huson his acupuncturist -- that guy is AMAZING!!!!! Jeff took Ginger to work and then the van in to get the tire fixed. So, I have a new tire (did I mention I blow the sides of tires out so they can't be repaired). In addition, Jeff got some kind warranty and the tire guy said "now, your wife can flatten as many tires as she wants and we'll just keep giving you new ones!!!" I took Brendan to practice -- it was actually a pretty nice day -- instead of a regular practice they had a scrimmage against one of the other major teams. Brendan was kinda stressing out because he had spent almost a week in bed -- he did pretty well. He started the game in Right field (for 2 innings) then was moved to 2nd base for the rest of the game. He made a couple of really really good solid plays and had an amazing hit unfortunately his hit went directly to the short-stop but it was a great hit!!!! We also finally got his game schedule!!! WOOO HOOO!!! 19 games from March 29th to May 15th!!! 3 games a week.

Please take note of the eye black that Brendan is sporting -- the entire team had it on!! Solidarity and team and all that goes with it!! I was teasing Brendan and tried to explain that when applying eyeliner it goes ON the eyelid not UNDER the eye ---

So, I am off to finish fixing the ham and side dishes for my family -- I'll check in later.

Hey Val, just wanted to say again that I was thinking of you yesterday ---

She is an entire box of AWESOMENESS!!!!!!

That is what Aunt Sharlene is!!!!!!

So, since Monday Brendan has had a migraine headache --- He missed school on Tuesday but went this morning.

When I logged on this morning my brother sent me an IM asking how Brendan was. He and Sharlene didn't think that Brendan's migraine was caused by the busy baseball weekend. (Get ready for the lightbulb moment).................. They think it is from the knee to the face that Brendan took in his basketball game on Friday --- I TOTALLY and completely forgot about Brendan even playing in a game on Friday night. It was bad enough that they took him out of the game and he didn't go back. Steven said he may have a concussion. I grabbed my phone & purse as I was heading out the door -- Grabbed Brendan from school and the dr. got us right in. Mild concussion.......After seeing Dr. Christopher I took Brendan to see Mr. Chris his acupuncturist (just kidding) Brendan feels a bit better and is upstairs resting. No contact sports for a week and he should be good.

so, if you see her give her a hug -- show her the love people -- she is AMAZING:)

AUNT SHARLENE you are an entire box of AWESOMENESS!!!!!

Uncle Steven your not so bad yourself!!!!

It's it so great to have people who love your kids so much!!!!!

good intentions...........

One 11 year old boy + One Little League weekend Tourn. = Migraine headache

Be back later........

I know I know --- it's been a few days

but really we have been BUSY!! This will be really quick because I am downloading someof the roughly 4000 photos from this weekend. Brendan had such a great time!! He loves it!!! He played 5 games......well, they were about 50 minutes long and you could only score 3 runs per inning. You know pre-season:)

Out of the 5 games Brendan started 4. He batted 500 yesterday (saturday) and 750 today? He was walked once today so I don't know how they are counting that so, maybe he only batted 500 today -- but, that's not bad right?

Steven, Sharlene, Matthew and Dylan came yesterday along with Brendan's friend Sara -- and my Auntie Hinaye came with Jenninfer and her little boy Conner. Do I have an AMAZING FAMILY OR WHAT!!! Jeff's mom is so sick right now -- Jeff told her we had better not see her this weekend!!! It's only pre-season for goodness sake!!! There will be plenty of games for her and Grandpa to come to:)

Of his 4 starts 3 of them were at 2nd base -- he really likes it:) After playing 3 games and a batting practice yesterday Brendan came home and he and Jeff went over to the local field and practiced some defensive moves for like 2 hours. OK, so it wasn't just Brendan and Jeff Steven and Matthew were there also:) UNCLE STEVEN ROCKS!!!

OK, So I do need to run but I will be back with some photos:) See Auntie Sue, Auntie Kim, Michael, Christy and everyone else who means so much to us --- I'll be back:)