Camp Carson

Ty is leaving for Camp Carson today and will be gone for 5 nights. He had a book he wanted to pack and stated "Put it in there for me." I told him that he was going to be in for rude awakening this week when he had to do things for himself. His reply was "Yeah, you are right. You should probably pack an alarm clock for me."

Boonville Prom 2009

Aren't they cute!!!

Extreme Hair Makeover

Ty decided to style his own hair this morning into what the hairdresser called a "fauxhawk". Then this afternoon he decided he wanted all of his hair cut off . You decide which you like better :) Unfortunately the picture doesn't do this mornings hairstyle justice.

Ty received the AR award for his class for this six weeks since he read 56 books-more than anyone else in his class.

Handsome Bob

Some of you know this story-others don't but it is worth telling again.

I met Handsome Bob when he came in to see me about a research study. He was not able to participate in that certain study but I asked if he would be interested in another study we had and he said Yes.

Bob has been blind since birth. He is currently 61 years old. He had been institutionalized for 8 years at the Indianapolis school for the blind. He has a cane and his clear point of focal vision HAD been two inches from his face.

As part of the study, he had to have an exam. Dr. Eric Weyer told Bob about a surgery that he might be a candidate for. Bob ultimately was not able to participate in my study but we were able to get him in to see Dr. Tharp about the possible surgery. Bob had his first surgery about four weeks ago. His vision in his left eye is now 20/70 uncorrected.

When I talked to Bob for the first time after his surgery he told me "I never knew the sky was so blue."" I am sitting in my living room watching the squirrels play in the tree." Prior to the surgery Bob said the squirrels would be a brown mass. He couldn't see their hands, faces etc....

Bob is going to have the second surgery once his left eye is completely healed. I/We are so happy that God had our paths intersect. So often we want something and we want it now! But ultimately everything is up to our Master and he will decide when the time is right, not us. Sixty one years of blindness and now Handsome Bob is able to see. We don't know the plans He has for us but we can be assured they will be GOOD!

I bought Bob a bumper sticker at The Vineyard and it said "I was blind but now I see. John 9:25"

The **F** word

Picture this: a seven year old boy locked in his bedroom with the toychest blocking the door. He is crying and says " I can't believe you said the **F** word to me!" Sob,Sob.
I replied "What **F** word?"
"You know the F word?"
"What word?"
"The FR word"
"WHAT FR WORD?"
"The FRE word!"
"JUST TELL ME WHAT WORD"
"Freakin'-I can't believe you said that to me.

Yes I admit it! I said to my son "You are acting FREAKIN' ridiculous." This whole disagreement lasted about 15 minutes and was all because he wouldn't read the title of the story that he had to read. Sometimes motherhood can be so challenging.

All about Mom

1. What is something mom always says to you?
What- I dunno know. Pick up your clothes (Ty) Not right now.(Cj)
2.. What makes mom happy?
Whenever I listen to you (Ty) I dont know (CJ)
3. .What makes mom sad?
What- Umm, when something bad happens. (Like what?) I dunno know. (Ty) Me moving out (CJ)
4.How does your mom make you laugh?
Whenever you say something funny. (Ty) When she trips over her own feet (CJ)
5. What was your mom like as a child?
I dunno know.
6. How old is your mom? (39)
39 39
7. How tall is your mom?
I dunno know 5'11"
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
I dunno know. Watch America's Biggest Loser
9.. What does your mom do when you're not around?
I dunno know. Seriously-I don't.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
I dunno know. Seriously-I don't Helping people
11. What is your mom really good at?
I dunno know. Disagreeing with my Dad. Being a Mom
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Cooking pizza right. (It is in the oven right now and he thinks it is burning.) Leaving work at work.
13. What does your mom do for a job?
She's a nurse. Research Coordinator
14.What is your mom's favorite food?
I dunno know. Oh yeah, Banana pudding but that's not from the food pyramid. Olive Garden
15.What makes you proud of your mom?
I dunno know. Always staying strong.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Most likely the roadrunner. I don't know
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Not very much (I think I am going to cry) Fight over kitchen space
18. How are you and your mom the same?
I don't exactly know Hard headed
19. How are you and your mom different?
I dunno know She's a girl and I am a boy
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
'Cause she gives me stuff. 'Cause she puts up with me.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
That he's funny That she is divorced from him.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
I dunno know Mexico or Florida
Ty's answers are in red, Cj's are in blue.
I think this was supposed to be funny, but I am not feeling it right now. I felt a little better after CJ answered.

Wonderful Winter Weather-NOT!

So we have been hit by snow,ice,sleet. We lost electricity for almost 72 hours. I thought it would be nice to get back to 'normal'. Temperature today was 53 degress which means that all of the wonderful stuff that caused problems earlier will continue to cause problems. Our basement wall is now leaking. We have had to pull out the wet/dry vac to soak up the water as it seeps in on our new paneling and carpet. But hey it could be worse-we could still be without electricity and not be able to use the wet dry vac! I am attaching a picture or two that I thought were pretty with all of the ice.