My relationship with ICY HOT

My husband has worked a heavy labor job his entire working life so about 24 years.  He's now 42 and his aches and pains bother him more than they did when he was 30.  Imagine that.  About a year ago ICY HOT became a permanent fixture in our home.  We monitor its contents and an alert goes out when the bottle starts to get empty.  But recently Mike's dependence on ICY HOT has reached a whole new level and guess who has the responsibility of applying it.  I've discovered my thumbs are more useful than I ever gave them credit for.  Recently Mike has been battling a "knot" in his neck.  It's been my job for the past week to work that knot out.  Mike will start out each evening asking me if I'd rub ICY HOT on his neck.  My reply is always laced with sarcasm, "Sure dear, I'd love nothing more."  At first Mike didn't appreciate my response but he's over it now since he's acquired such a dependence on my thumbs.  It's the same routine every night, Mike directs me where the "knot" is and tells me I need to rub it down, into his shoulders.  I sit behind him so thankfully he can't see the amount of eye rolling going on on my end.  I begin the rub and recite the part in my vows about  sickness and in health.  I also have to remind myself that Mike has gotten knots out of my back several times.  We are good to each other that way.  I am pleased to report that I have finally gotten the "knot" out of Mike's neck and he's feeling much better.  I, on the other hand, detest the smell of ICY HOT and my thumbs will never be the same. 

An old married couple

Our family adopted Cole in Dec. 2013.  Cole is Nick's dog and of our two dogs he's the most affectionate which says a lot because if you know Copper, she is very affectionate.  But Cole wants to be touching you CONSTANTLY!  It has proven to be quite challenging for Nick at bedtime.  Nick and Cole have turned into an "old married couple."  About 7:30, Cole finds his way to Nick's bed.  It doesn't matter if Nick is ready for bed or not.  When Nick heads to bed he finds Cole sprawled out all over his bed.  Nick knows which side is his and Cole does not.  Nick has to get Cole off the bed, get him repositioned in just the right away.  Nick insists that as long as he's laying on top of the electric blanket with a blanket over him then all is good.  I always have to give Nick an "emergency blanket."  Apparently Cole is not only a bed hog but a blanket hog.  It is not unusual to hear a loud thump in the middle of the night or as in last nights case, several thumps - one of them has fallen out of bed.  I haven't been able to detect whose thump is whose but rest assured, Nick lets me know about it in the morning.  Cole is always up before Nick, much to Nick's dismay.  As I make breakfast in the mornings I am greeted by Nick on the cat walk who starts his day by telling me how he and Cole slept.  Cole fell out of bed, Nick fell out of bed.  Cole got up to wander around the room, Cole threw up (oh yeah, that too, gross), Cole stole all the covers, Cole laid on top of Nick and his foot fell asleep.  Every morning I am entertained by the "Cole and Nick show."  The two of them really are an old married couple.  Nick finds lots of things to complain about when it comes to his dog and Cole is completely oblivious to it - sounds like most older married couples I know. 

Nick's circuit board

My mom bought Nick a circuit board for Christmas and it was a hit.  A few weeks ago she went shopping with him and Nick said he wanted an even bigger circuit board so Nana bought it for him for his birthday.  But being the genius my mom is, she gave Nick his birthday present early. The weather here is still freezing and since Nick is done playing basketball, he needed something to occupy his time.  Nick has Mike's brain.  He's always trying to come up with new ideas and a different way to doing things so the circuit board is perfect for him.  On Saturday he woke up and was thrilled with himself that he made a radio!  He turned it on and we were listening to the weather report.  Then he insisted I take a picture of him with his circuit board (hence the picture above) so I could send it to his teacher.  I thought that was so cute!  Third graders are so cute.  They are still young enough to think it's cool to send pictures to their teacher but yet they are also independent and aren't nearly as sassy as 5th graders. 
As I go into this week I am anxious for the weather to warm up a bit but there is no end in sight.  I really shouldn't complain because this winter has not been bad.  Last winter was bad!  I have joined weight watchers......again!  Jenny and I have joined together.....again!  Sigh. 

Happy V Day

 On Friday I went into Nick's class for his party!  I love third grade and I love seeing Nick in third grade.  The picture above is his buddy, J. After school we got to meet up with Sid!  I would say Nick and Sid were each others Valentine's that day but that would embarrass them both. 

Jay and Nick were Nana's Valentine's on the actual day.  Mike and I had a much needed and long over due date night.  My mom took the boys to an ISU game.  She's such a brave soul!  She let Nick keep Cole overnight at her house.  As I write this I haven't talked to her but I did get a text from her this morning so I know she's alive and well.  Ha!

Dear future daughter in law

Dear future daughter in law:
I write this to you on behalf of my 13 year old son, Jay.  When I dropped him off at school today one of his friends had bought flowers for his girlfriend.  Jay doesn't have a girlfriend right now (which leads into my point of this letter) but it made me ponder, if he did, would he have bought her flowers?  The answer is No, however, that is a good sign for you.  I have a feeling that when Jay finds you, he'll do all he can to keep you, even buy flowers.  Jay isn't going to waste a lot of time with girls who mean nothing to him (like father, like son).  Please be patient with him, thoughtfulness does not come naturally to him.  He makes up for this with his affection, devotion and love for Jesus and family.  Life with Jay will never be boring.  His dry sense of humor will keep you laughing.  You'll experience exciting adventures thanks to his absolute love of the outdoors and hopefully you'll never have to hire a handy man (Mike is trying to teach him a few things - ha).   Although he's a bit gross right now, Mike is working on this with him.  He's slowly but surely starting to understand what you should and shouldn't do and say in front of a lady.  Leadership was modeled to Jay.  When the time comes, be assured he has the maturity and ability to lead a family.  Jay is a worker.  He's overcome obstacles in school and even at 13 his work ethic sets him apart from others.  Remember, communication is difficult for him, both written and oral.  The best advice I can give you is "wait for it."  He'll talk, when he's ready.  Jay is impulsive.  Let's just say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in that regard.  With time, growth and maturity his impulsivity improves every year.   And finally, when all else fails and life in general is wearing him down, bring him ice cream and cake!  In Jay's world, all is good when ice cream and cake are involved. 

The conclusion of basketball

 This week both my boys wrapped up their basketball season.  Jay had his basketball banquet and is riding the bus home after school (the first time this year).  This last week has certainly been more relaxing for him.  This week he takes the hunter safety course and he's got a math test so the week will still be anything but boring for him.  Ha.  Since Jay had his basketball banquet on the same night that we had ISU ball tickets, Nick took his friend, N. (hence the picture above).  The picture of the two of them just makes me smile.  They are so silly but in a good way.  The two of them continue to be really good friends which warms my heart. 

 Nick played in a tournament yesterday and the team got 3rd place.  I loved watching their faces when they realized they got 3rd place and won a trophy for it.  But what a season.  I have to toot my husband's horn.  Once again he stepped into a role and gave it 100% and boy did he shine in my eyes.  I saw my husband giving the boys high fives, talking and coaching them when they would come back to the bench from playing.  I often heard him asking the boys how their day was!  And for Nick, it was wonderful.  Nick really needed this experience and it made it more special because his dad was there with him every step.  Nick still claims he's not so crazy about basketball.  Football is his true love but as we said to him, he's still playing next year simply because he needs an outlet.  It was good for him to play. 

And this was the best picture I could get of the assistant coach and his player - seriously!  When I realized how bad this picture was, Nick was already gone.  Sigh.....

Feeding Frenzy

When I was growing up I lived down the street from three boys, all of whom were big football boys.  My mom was always in awe of how much food their mother kept in the house and how much food the boys (and all their football friends) consumed.  I've learned as a mother of growing boys that their quirks are sometimes hard to wrap my head around, like how they will sit in the tub for 20 minutes and never use soap, but what is most challenging to me is figuring out how to keep them full, an almost impossible task.  I struggle the most with this after school and into the evening.  They both have huge appetites, especially Nick (like mother, like son).  When Nick gets home from school he acts like he's been on a  mission trip working in a 3rd world country for weeks, living on granola bars (Yes, Jenny Ausili, that one was for your pleasure, ha).  We do the same song and dance every day.  We get home and I frantically search the kitchen (one would think I would be organized but I'm not) for a snack.  Like a wild dog I will throw some deli meat at him to keep him at bay while I attempt to turn myself into Pioneer Woman (where is she when I need her anyway?).  While I admit it is sometimes easier to scoop some ice cream out into a bowl, that usually doesn't help the situation with a boy who has ADHD and by 3:00 his meds are wearing off.  You get the picture.  So, I try to stay away from the sweets.  I stick to snacks like apples, smoothies, cheese and crackers - none of which makes Jay or Nick particularly happy.  They would rather dive into a huge slice of cake but then who wouldn't?  Jay is also challenging but in a different way.  He doesn't ask me to feed him, he's sly.  He'll sneak into the kitchen when I'm not looking and shove chips into his mouth.  He thinks he's getting away with something but nothing Jay does is discreet.  I find bags of chips half open.  I find wrappers stuffed in the couch and when he does have ice cream he'll add chocolate chips to his ice cream and again I find the bag half open and chocolate chips on the pantry floor.  Sigh.  Jay, the food thief, thinks he's getting away with something but he never is.  Recently, after school and before  practice he would use his prepaid cafeteria account and buy sweets before practice.  He wasn't aware I was checking his account everyday which demonstrated his love of an assortment of Dolly Madison cakes.  He's now using his account and buying a peanut butter and jelly sandwich after school (perfectly acceptable).  As a mom I get tired of all the meal planning and preparing.  I have to continually remind myself it's my job and while it's rarely a fun job, it does keep me on my toes.    One day my boys will be gone (God willing) from my home and all I'll have is Mike and trust me, he's no picnic to cook for either.  Maybe this is God's way of keeping me "uncomfortable" because certainly meal planning and preparation are not my strongest attributes. 

Boy time

 Ausili's came over this weekend.  I would like to title the picture above, "How many boys (Cole included) can you fit on a bean bag?"

 Recently it's become somewhat of a tradition with Jay, Nick and Curtis and often times, Mike Ausili, to challenge each other to a plank war.  Nick will won't agree but I'm fairly certain that Curt won this round.

 Nick got to do some snow mobiling with his friend on Sunday.  We had a pretty big snow storm come through on Feb. 1. 

Jay got to sled with his friend, Reece.  He was so soaked afterwards Mike put his seat up in his truck.  I guess he didn't want his seats soaked.  Imagine that?