Dang Cat

So, here's my experience yesterday. I was downstairs folding the laundry when I heard a crash upstairs. I had just put Carter down, so I knew that the cat must be into something. As I went upstairs to investigate I had suspected what that crash had been, but was hoping that I was wrong. I came into my room and saw Lincoln up on the computer desk against Kracky's cage and facing the cricket house. I was right, the blasted cat had knocked down the cricket house, and yep you guessed it, there were crickets scurrying and jumping around everywhere!

I do not like crickets! They are jumpy and random and creepy. Rob thinks its hilarious because they are in no way harmful, but they just freak me out. And unfortunately for me, Rob and Spencer had just bought about 80 on Saturday, so I estimated that there were approximately 50 on the loose. So first I threw the cat out of the room and shut the door, (I dealt with him later), and then I hurried and gave Kracky an early snack and threw as many as I dared grab into his cage before they all hopped off and surrounded me. Then I grabbed a container and started gathering them without having to use my hands as best I could. They were starting to hide in Rob's binder, the basket of lizard supplies, under the cage, under the fax machine, under Kracky's cage, everywhere! This was so unpleasant. Well, I rounded up all that I saw. It took about 30 minutes. I wasn't so sure if I would be able to sleep in our room last night, but Rob assured me that they wouldn't jump up on the bed and jump all over me, --thanks honey, so reassuring, good dreams. We saw one last night hopping around downstairs, Lincoln came over and ate him. So, I forgave him for helping out in my cause. Hopefully, there aren't too many others hopping around. We caught about 5 on a sticky trap. Ohhhh, crickets! Rob thought that after this incident I would be over my fear of crickets. . . . Nope, still don't like them, not one bit.

Our Biggest Football Fan

It's kind of sad that football season is over, when you have a child so enthralled in every game that he has even shed a few tears over his favorite teams losing. -This picture was taken before the Chargers lost.- Spencer has been a huge San Diego Chargers fan. He followed them all the way until they lost the division championship game to The New England Patriots. It was so sad to see his little heart broken. He cried a good few minutes to which Rob just held him and let him cry it all out. He liked them so much and wanted them to win sooo badly. But, at least he liked the Patriots as well, so then he thought the Superbowl was in the bag. Unfortunately for him and the Patriots, they ended their perfect season with their one and only loss to the Giants last night. Again our little football fan shed tears. He told us, "None of the teams I like won!" He was so upset. Rob being the good dad that he is and wanting to make Spencer feel better, reminded him of how his team, the Denver Broncos, only played one playoff game, and lost. He also reminded him of how the Broncos even lost to the Chicago Bears. (It just goes to show you how much Rob loves his boys to even bring this painful point out) This cheered Spencer up quite a bit, but he still needed a few moments to regain his composure.

Such a cute, little fire ball. I love his competitiveness and obsession. All he does is eat, drink, and sleep football. --I guess our family will have to find some other way to spend such quality family time together on Sunday now that the season's over.

TAGGED

Here I am yet tagged again, but I have to admit this one's a lot of fun.

Time to spotlight the hubby.

What is his name? Robert David Mackley III

How long have you been married? 8 years

Who long did you date? 11 months

How old is he? 32

Who eats more sweets? That one's me all the way. Rob has way more self control than me.

Who said I love you first? Rob, I'm afraid I chickened out, sorry honey.

Who is taller? That's Rob by a few inches

Who can sing better? Judging by Rob's girl & boy singing voice, I'm still going to have to go with me.

Who is smarter? He's a scientist for crying out loud! Yes, him.

Who does the laundry? That would be me

Who pays the bills? Me

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

Who mows the lawn? Both

Who cooks dinner? Again, me mostly, but it's a treat when Rob cooks, and it's really good.

Who drives? Rob, he's much safer than I

Who is more stubborn? He'll tell you me, but I"m not!

Who kissed who first? He kissed me finally after 4 looong months

Who asked who out first? Rob took me to Fong's Chinese for lunch. It was love at first site.

Who proposed? Rob, took me by surprise and it was perfect. All alone, gave me a book I'd been wanting, The Holy Temple, and cut out the pages, put my ring on a single white rose, and got down on his knee. Man, was his face pale, he was a bit nervous

Who has more siblings? Rob

Who wears the pants? Rob all the way

Now I tag...Ronni, Mandy, Tice, Sara, Holly, & Myr

Winter Fun

We didn't get much snow here, which I'm not complaining, but with what we did get, we made a little snowman, snow, leaves, dirt, and all. Spencer had a good time, and Carter again just loved being outside. He likes to roam, he's a roamer. Anyway, we were proud of the snowman, it toppled over while Spencer was in school, because it warmed up, but we fixed him again, and this time it lasted for 2 days. Every hour or so Spencer would inform me that he's still up mom! He's always keeping me up to date on things.

Spencer Can Read

I need to spotlight Spencer here for a minute. He has just started reading books to me. I gave him the 10 beginner books I grew up reading and let him have at it. The boy is smart, and sounded out every word. He is just taking off with all he's learning and I'm so grateful things come easily to him. He seems to excel in learning, and what more could a mom ask for. Can you believe it? My not so little "red" is reading. Rob and I are so excited for him, but having a hard time with it as well. Not that he's growing up, cuz that's great and he loves it, it's that we're getting old. Anyways, good job Spence, you are the little man of the family, and we're so proud of you. Keep practicing, (that's a tough one sweetie) and you'll get even better.

TAG, I'm it

The RULES:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog....
#1--
hmmmmm, okay, every so often, about once or twice a year, i focus on me. Now is one of those times, so I am trying to get me and my body where I want them to be. I'm down 25 pounds, I'm reorganizing all the rooms, and trying, trying, trying to stop yelling at the kids. I'm proud of my progress and hope I will achieve my goals in 3 months time.
#2
My weird habits still exist. I still crack my little knuckles on my fingers and pick my lip. I truly wish I could stop the lip thing.
#3
I am so, so, so excited for Lost season 4 to start at the end of the month. Rob and I are late fans and have purchased the last 3 seasons and are up to speed on it all. Can't wait!
#4
I am learning something new which I have not done for a very long time. I am taking tennis lessons. Just had my first one and loved it. A lot harder than I thought and rather humbling. Rob calls me the next Martina Navritilova
#5
I love my kids and am trying to give them more of my time.
#6
I love and miss my family! I truly wish we lived closer to you guys. I almost feel guilty. The boys are growing so fast, and I want to have the whole, dinner thing once a week, with gma and gpa sleepovers, breaks from the kids, birthdays to go to, holiday celebrations together, and everything else I can't have. I just wish I could see you all more.

Okay, I tag: Tice, Mandy, Holly, Ronni, Myr, and Liz

The Best Lady Out There

Wow, what a lady I have for a mother. Specifically the things that make her great are the times she stopped what she was doing and focused on me; making me feel important, loved, and valued. Mom, do you remember when you stayed up late, wrote an alto music line, so that me and my friend could sing it the very next day in Seminary? ---I recognize now how awesome that is. And how about all the games you came to, and the very few that you missed. Knowing you were always there cheering me on was a constant reminder of how supportive you were. Always rearranging your schedule, spending all your money, and being happy all at the same time, just so I could do something I enjoyed. Gosh, what I took for granted as a teenager, I value today, and can only hope to be the same kind of mom to my own boys. You taught me how and I only hope I can be the same mom for them as you were/are for me, so they never question how much they're loved, how awesome they really are, or how grateful I am for them. Happy 66 Lady! Hope your birthday is as memorable as you are to me. We love and miss you!