2nd grade field trip

 Today was Nick's 2nd grade field trip.  We went to the zoo.  As second grade draws to its conclusion it's yet another year I had not envisioned for Nick.  Maybe 3rd grade will be finally be the year when at its conclusion I can smile and think what a great year it's been.  It's been a challenging year for Nick for a variety of reasons, reasons I don't really want to divulge in my blog.  I am hoping that with his IEP in place for next year and the start of organized sports that things get a lot better for him. 

 Nick is off to the right in his boonie hat in this picture.  The kids thought it was fun to see how many of them could get on the tire at the same time. 

 Nick and K., his friend since Kindergarten.  I just love her.  Aren't they cute together?

Nick's 2nd grade class.  Nick is in the second row, off to the right with the black shirt and boonie hat on.  Good bye 2nd grade, Hello 3rd grade.

Memorial Day Weekend

As I type this at 7:00 pm on Memorial Day I'm so tired I can hardly type but I'm tired for good reasons and I'm thankful.  My weekend was spent with family and friends and it doesn't get any better than that.  My weekend started on Friday with lunch with my sister and mom for Kim's 36th birthday.  On Saturday we went as a family to our neighbors birthday party.  I was really proud of my boys.  Jay was great with the younger kids and Nick and N. were the same peas in a pod they always are.  On Sunday the boys went to Nana's and their grandparents and Mike and I got hang out with friends which was long overdue.  Mike and I hadn't spent time with friends or each other without kids in probably 9 months - ridiculous.  Anyway, these friends are parents of some of Jay's friends and we really enjoyed ourselves.  On Monday the Ausili's and my mom came over for lunch and I got to try out some Pioneer Woman pulled pork.  It was yummy!!  The kids, as always, love playing together.  They went to froggie island and put a sprinkler on the trampoline and played basketball, hence the picture above.  I got a picture of these 4 kids last year about this time and just even a year later they look so grown up.  Faith is 14, Jay and Curtis are 12 and Nick is 8.  Time flies.  The weather was perfect this weekend (unlike last year).  The only disappointing factor was Mike had to work - A LOT.  He worked about a 24 hour shift on Saturday that bleed into Sunday.  This Memorial Day I am thankful for my freedom and the Americans who laid down their life for it.  Feeling very blessed this Memorial Day....and very tired - ha!

Cheers to 6th grade

 As Jay's 6th grade school year wraps up I have to say this has been his best year - EVER and I'm not exaggerating.  As his mother it's been my easiest year in raising him.  I think there are several reasons and one of them is simple growth and maturity but Jay was also ready for middle school (much as I worried that he wasn't last summer).  He was ready for the independence and the sports helped him tremendously this year.  He made more friends, got to test his abilities and was exposed to Cross Country and Track, both of which he really liked.  Jay's teachers did an excellent job in giving Jay more independence but also knowing when to step in and give him some help.  This fall during Jay's IEP conference he was so close to not qualifying for services in 7th grade but as one of his teachers pointed out, Jay is a kid that has worked too hard to have all "props" taken away and I agree.  He's worked really hard in school and it continues to be difficult for him and that probably won't change but he's figured out what works for him and what doesn't.  Recently he expressed to me that his one goal this year was to take tests on his own (he often takes tests outside the classroom and sometimes has tests read to him) in the classroom which didn't happen this year.  Once again the teachers let Jay decide if he wants to take the tests outside the classroom and Jay has learned it's best for him to take tests elsewhere.  He's taking responsibility and learning what works best for him.  He told me he was disappointed he hadn't achieved his goal.  I was quick to ask him how he'd feel if he continued to fail tests.  He acknowledged he'd feel bad.  Plus for every successful person there is a string of folks behind them that helped that person get to where they are.  I like to think of Jay's teachers as a parade of supporters behind him all the way.  I recently ran into his 3rd grade teacher and when I told her 6th grade was awesome for Jay, she got tears in her eyes. 

Sports has also been really good for Jay.  He ran Cross Country in the fall and enjoyed it and will be running again in August.  He played basketball during the winter.  Basketball has proven to be his all time favorite sport.  He loves it!  Then this spring he ran track, another sport he really enjoyed.  Jay has really made me proud this year.  He's grown leaps and bounds in his spiritual life.  He's involved in a small group at church and it's been a very positive experience for him to be exposed to kids from the "city" (ha) and kids that go to a different school than he does.  This summer he's going on a mission trip with some of them.  He's done really well in school.  He's kept his grades up and had very few missed assignments.  His teachers spoke so highly of him which is music to any mother's ears.  While Jay was involved in Cross Country and track he would have meets after school and there were some days he would leave the house at 7:30 in the morning and wouldn't get home until 8:30 at night.  Jay is just like his dad........he functions at his best when he's got a full schedule.  Some kids get tired and cranky but not Jay.  He's truly at his best when his plate is full and I've noticed his relationship with Nick is better when he's in sports.  He's continued to make good choices with friends and is a good friend to others.  He's still that same outdoor boy (hence the pictures above) and loves nothing more than playing outside, riding his four wheeler, fishing or playing in the mud at froggie island.  So even though I poked fun of him in my last blog (I was really just trying to be humorous) I am really proud of him this year.  He's been a challenge to raise up until this year and I've even felt my relationship with him change, in a positive way.  We laugh more together and he shares things with me that he might not have a year ago.  I don't want to give the impression I think it will be smooth sailing with Jay from here on out because I know better than that but when I hit the next bump in the road with Jay I'll pull up this blog and remember with fondness his 6th grade year! 

Nursing home designator

I've been sick lately.  This illness really knocked me out for a good 24 hours.  I could hardly get out of bed to go to the bathroom.  As with most moms when they get sick, life must go on but in my house there is one person who actually cares that I don't feel good - Nick.  Now before anyone thinks that I'm "dissing" Mike or Jay, I'm not.  Mike and Jay have other wonderful qualities and Mike is actually quite thoughtful but Jay........not so much.  I love that 12 year old boy of mine to the moon and back but thoughtfulness is not his thing.  I am apologizing now to my future daughter in law.  All I have to say is I am still trying, my work is not done yet.  Nick is quick to ask me how I'm feeling, how my day was and if I need something, Nick gets it for me.  So today I made a decision if I had to pick which child would some day pick my nursing home it would be Nick (sorry Jay).  Nick would put thought into what kind of a home he put his mom in.  Jay on the other hand would probably put me on a street corner with a sign that read, "Feed this woman."  Whether we choose to admit it or not, all moms know which one of our children we want to pick our "home" for us.  There are certainly other things I would want Jay to do for me later in life.  He'd be great at helping me pick out a dog later in life.  He'd do the research for me and come up with a dog that would best fit with my elderly lifestyle.  But as far as my nursing home goes, I'm designating Nick.  

Blessings

Just last year N. moved in across the street from us.  N. is 6 and is in kindergarten so there is 2 years between N. and Nick but you'd never know it.  These two are two peas in a pod and I'm so thankful.  Nick needed a friend like N. and it doesn't make a bit of difference the boys are two years apart in age.  This is another example of God and his mysterious ways.  It's too long of a story and quite personal for my blog but God had a plan along - why do I ever doubt Him?  N. moved in at just the right time for our family and Nick. 

The conclusion of track

 Today was sectionals which means the conclusion of 6th grade track for Jay.  What an experience it's been for Jay and me!  Jay really enjoyed his season and even though he didn't qualify for state he wrapped up the season with good PR's and a season he can be proud of.  He rocked at the long jump and maybe he'll be state bound next year.  As for me......I enjoyed the season but my I have to admit I'm rather tired of sitting through 8 hour long track meets - only to see Jay run for about 5 minutes.  So until next year.............The picture above is of Jay's relay team in the 4x400. 

 After the meet we stopped by Scheels for a quick shopping trip.  Of course things got silly!  Jay's friend joined us so I had Jay, his friend and Nick at Scheels.  Needless to say it was an experience. 

And my favorite picture of the entire track season.  Jay and his friend, Aaaron.  So sweet of these boys! 

Watch out summer.....here comes the Siebert boys

 I don't know how my friend, Laura, did it but she managed to get this fabulous picture of our 4 kiddos!  They are all looking at the camera and smiling!  The boys love starting their summer in Laura's pool!  They didn't mind that the water was freezing.  Laura said pool and they had their swim trunks on in seconds.  Let the fun begin.

This picture doesn't have anything to do with this blog post but I included it because it was funny.  Yesterday (my birthday) Jay had another brutally long track meet.  I didn't go but my friend, Amy, did.  I texted her at one point during the day to ask her how things were going.  She didn't respond with any words but just sent this picture!  I laughed out loud. 

Lordy, Lordy, I'm 40

 Okay I don't want to brag but seriously don't I have some good looking friends and a beautiful mom and sister?  I love this picture and it to me it represents 40 perfectly!  I am surrounded by two of my dearest friends and my mom and sister.  Forty looks pretty good. 

 My sister and my mom came out for drinks and appetizers.  Mary, John, Mike and Jenny came for dinner and Mary and John spent the night.  I had such a fun 40th birthday.  It was spent just the way I like it, nice and low key with my favorite peeps. 

 Jenny and I.  I mentioned that when you turn 40 you should have a few friends who knew you when you were twenty and Jenny and Mary did.  Bless their hearts too because they say I haven't changed a bit.  See why I love them? 

 Mary and I. She was my college roommate and she set Mike and I up on our first (blind) date.  She remembers Mike and I during our dating years - priceless.  Love her. 

 My sweet husband.  He worked so hard in the weeks leading up to my birthday.  He finished the fireplace just in time (I'll post pics next week).  Mike likes to joke that he may be older, he looks younger - brat!  We met when I was 19 and he's still that same rock solid 21 year old boy who showed up on my door step 20 years ago. 

 I often joke about vodka in my blog.  Okay, I enjoy vodka - not too the point where it's a problem but dangit I'm 40 and I enjoy vodka - hence something my friends all know and love about me.  I was pretty excited to receive my fine gifts above.  Watch out summer, here I come!

                                                                        The crew!

 Laura and I, another one of my favorite peeps.  She came late because her daughter had a soccer game.  She is my neighbor and a very close friend.  We've been friends for 10 years and I am so blessed to have her in my life. 

Just a silly picture.  Nick loves John!  To sum up my 40th birthday I'd say LOVE!  I felt so loved!  I am truly blessed.  I am looking forward to the next 10 years.  My close friend, Vanessa, joked with me that now we are aiming for 50!  40 is exhausting, she said.  I can believe that. The next 10 years will be spent in the trenches with parenting but at this point in my life I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

Today is Mother's Day and I'm especially thankful for my mother.  People love my mom - seriously - they love her.  She is kind, funny and thoughtful.  To sum it up, one of my "newer" friends (Erin, who has been my friend for about 5 years) said the beauty of my mom is "what you see is what you get."  And it's true.  My mom is who she is, there is no game playing, ever!  She's raised two girls who are the same way - we aren't perfect but what you see is what you get!  My sister, mom and I love each other despite our differences.  We recognize our differences, accept them, and move on and we usually find a way to laugh about it along the way.  Thanks mom for always being my biggest fan, I love, love, love you!!!  Hugs!

Some must haves at 40

I have some "things" that are a must have in my soon to be 40 year old little world.  Some other 40 year old women may have no use for any of these but for me personally, Yeah, I gotta have 'em.

A strong spiritual life - a definite must have. 
Panty liners - sad but true.  I gave birth twice and neither of them were C-sections, just saying.
A really good moisturizer
A strong hair care line.  My hair is thick, curly and unmanageable.  My hair costs me a lot of money.
A friend who knew me when I was 20..........Mary and Jenny
Eye brow waxing........a must have about every 5 weeks or so.
A really, really good calendar system
Jag Jeans - they rock
Good vodka.
A good set of Spanx!  They rock right along with my Jag Jeans
45 minute daily phone conversations with my momma......Laugh or roll your eyes but this 40 year old loves her momma. 

In less than 24 hours I'll be 40!  I'll post pics over the weekend.

Humorous signs that 40 is right around the corner - literally!

My girlfriend, Jenny, and I enjoy green smoothies.  We've both spent some time in "perfecting" our smooth recipes.  We've learned that frozen fruit works much better than fresh fruit and we learned the Nutri Bullet is a lot of bang for your buck!  We love our nutri bullets.  Last week we got together for a quick birthday celebration for Nick.  Jenny was sharing a new discovery about our green smoothies.  She was advising me to buy the fresh spinach in bulk, put them in freezer bags and freeze them.  She went on to point out it would be a real savings and we'd have spinach available at all times.  I suppose Jenny and I were a little giddy about the prospect of frozen spinach because sweet 13 (almost 14) year old Faith piped up and said, "Geez you two are awfully excited about frozen spinach, you've been talking about your green smoothies for the last 15 minutes!"
Then this morning Nick went to give me a hug and as he was wrapping his arms around me I said out loud, which was my first mistake, "Nick, I'm so glad you can still get your arms around me.  After all I'm almost 40!"  His quick response was, "Yeah but barely, mom."  And that folks is a sure sign that 40 is only 4 days away for me. 

The fireplace project

 This fireplace project has been 10 years in the making.  When Mike built our house he knew this was what he wanted our fireplace to look like.  About a year ago he started making the mantle, hearth and book cases.  He also spent a lot of time preparing our basement ceiling joists for the weight of the stone.  Meanwhile we saved the money to purchase all the stone and here we are. 

 Nick has been a huge help!  Yesterday Jay had a track meet all day so Nick helped Mike with all the cuts.  Mike said he got a ton done because of his help. 

 This is what the dogs were doing while Mike and Nick were working.  They clearly were no help.

And here's Nick cutting the stone.  Don't worry this saw will not cut you....Notice how Nick is touching the saw, it simply will not cut your hand.  I don't understand it.  How can something that cuts stone not cut your hand?  Jay has also been a big help.  I just don't have many pictures of Jay because he's been trying to juggle helping with this project and track meets.  Jay has been really good at finding the stone Mike needs, taking it up the ladder to him so Mike can mark it and hand it off to Nick to cut.  It's been a family effort.  I'll post pictures when it's completed.  Can't wait.

Thoughts on turning 40

My birthday is coming up soon and I decided I'm going to use this next week reflecting on turning 40; what is means to me, how I view things differently (than I did at 30) and speaking of different I'll write about how my 40 year old body is different from my 30 year old body......here's where I insert a sad face.  This is all reflections of me and my views which are not the same as everyone else's.  Some people do not relish the idea of turning 40, I, however am looking forward to it.  I did have a "revelation" about a week ago.  As I was looking in the mirror I was noticing how at age 40 I'm still battling zits, my muffin top has gotten a little "over the top," my skin looks like alligator skin and I'm cursing my Bushman feet which require regular pedicures.  I sighed and asked myself out loud, "Geez, Amy, is this what 40 really looks like?"  The second I said it I heard God say, "Yes, Amy, this is what 40 looks like; you have a faithful husband who loves you, two healthy kids and a warm home to live in with laughter and joy."  For a brief moment I had forgotten all this, it was overshadowed by my double chin, my jeans which were too tight and my dark roots which were in desperate need of a highlight.  None of that garbage matters to God and He has blessed my life immensely.  This was not where my mom was at 40 and I often wonder if she had to "take one for the team" to give the life my sister and I currently have.  She has told me that when she went through her divorce she had many conversations with God.  She told Him she'd go through the hell she did if it meant her children would never have to go through it.  God never wanted to see my mom go through her divorce, that I am certain of but I do know through her pain he made her stronger, blessed her with unwavering friendships and lead her girls to the life we currently have.  I have no idea what the future holds.  My life and Kim's life could be completely turned upside down in a blink of an eye but for today I am blessed and 40 doesn't look so bad after all. 

Happy 8th Birthday, Nick

 Nick's 8th birthday was yesterday and as of today the birthday festivities are over.  He had his party on Saturday and we had a quiet dinner and cup cakes last night.  It was simple, just the way we like it.  Ha!  I posted a picture of Nick on Facebook yesterday, wishing him Happy Birthday and someone commented that he is such a sweet soul.  I thought it was a very kind comment and so true.  Nick really is a sweet soul.  He's thoughtful, funny and smart as a whip (make sure you know your science facts when you're around him).  He struggling in reading and writing but that appears to be his only area of difficulty.  The ideas this kid comes up with are really amazing at times. 

 Jay had a track meet last night so he wasn't here Nick's birthday night, much to Nick's delight.  Nick was thrilled he got to spend the evening with just Mike and I.  Jay gave him his present the night before his birthday - an UnderArmor bag for basketball and two pieces of heavy equipment he can play outside with.  Nick's really into playing with heavy (the smaller version, ha) equipment with his friends at recess. 

 And here's his sweet face.  Happy Birthday, Nick.  We love you.  As Mike and I told him last night our family was complete when we had him. 

 And here are two of Nick's not so sweet faces.  I'm including these pictures so I don't forget this annoying season in my life with him - not because I want to embarrass him in later years, however tempting that may be.  These faces are one of three stumbling blocks with Nick right now and Mike and I are working on these issues with him a lot.  A nice way of calling these faces is not acting his age.  I like to refer to them as a serious personality disorder.  I was using the word Moron a lot but knew that wasn't effective.  Instead every time he does this I tell him he's not acting his age.  The other two issues we're working on his Nick's argumentative nature and his one upping.  He's a work in progress. 

                                                                 Nick and Faith.