MY THREE SONS

Dec 8, 2009

Holiday sing and the first snow

Tonight was Pleasant Lane Elementary's Holiday Sing. The snow fall was just beautiful and put everyone right in the holiday spirit. The Kindergarten kids were adorable as always. Karrick was very concerned about getting all the motions just right. I gave him the old "if you mess up just keep going, nobody will know" He did great.

My super duper zoom lens came in handy tonight

They are a precious bunch...pure innocence

Then you have the big shots...the high and mighty 5 th graders that were mortified, just mortified at the dance they had to do. They sucked it up and did a good job

Karrick and his buddies

Had to get a picture of Cal and his on and off girlfriend of 4 years playing Risk while waiting to hit the stage

Dec 7, 2009

For the love of God, Keep your junk in the trunk!

I have started working out again, today being my 2nd time in 3 days. I brought Karrick with and we swam together for 45 min, then he went to the nursery while I hit the gym. After my grueling workout (as grueling as a 45 year old with a fukked up neck can be) I treat myself to a soak in the hot tub in the womens locker room . I am well aware it is a cesspool of germs. I keep my head above water and hit the showers immediately after. After my workout, I can't wait to soak. Soothing my muscles that are in a constant spasm is worth the risk. (I mean a constant spasm) It is a deep hot tub with the super strong jets, they are heaven on my neck . As I sit there, a stark ass naked lady comes waltzing over, "please be going to the shower, please be going to the shower" I silently pray. No such luck. Not only does she climb in with her shit all hangin out, but then she proceeds to stretch! Yes, I said stretch. Are you freakin kidding me? do you not see another human sitting in this, all of the sudden way too small hot tub? There is not much in this world that can render me speechless, but my God I was frozen. I don't care if you look like Gisele or Shelley Winters...KEEP YOUR JUNK IN THE TRUNK...WTF! I realize wearing a swimsuit doesn't isolate the germs, but come on. Long story short, I did not enjoy my after workout soak. I will forever have this women business ingrained in my mind.

"ladies, it's okay to trim that shit once in a while"

Dec 6, 2009

Nobody said being a Catholic was easy

I was born in 1964 on the South side of Chicago into an Irish fireman family. We went to all catholic schools, attended church religiously every Sunday. We said prayers at bedtime and I often remember my mom having us say special prayers for some fireman that died or got injured. I remember on Good Friday my mom would make me and my older brother and sister sit on the couch from 1-3 pm:

Because Jesus was on the Cross between the hours of Noon and 3:00 PM, these three hours today are considered the most sacred of all. A devotion called "Tre Ore" or "Three Hours' Agony

All I remember was that it was absolute Hell! I honestly would rather stick a needle in my own eye than have my 3 boys sit quietly on the couch. All we did was beat the crap out of each other...I guess that was our suffering. I don't remember my younger brother and sister having to suffer this way. I also remember my mom pinching and separating me and my younger brother Jim in Mass. Jim is possibly one of the funniest people on God's green earth and lets just say he didn't rest on the Sabbath. I remember laughing so hard I would cry in church and seeing the Devil daggers coming out of my mom's eye sockets. The pinch and the whisper were next "wait till we get home" it was an empty threat because after mass we always went to "Dutchie's" for lunch.

When I went to Catholic grammar school the nuns still wore the full habits and I'm not lying when I say some were mean. Sister Juanita in the 5 th grade was brutal, she would limp over (Polio as a child) to some unsuspecting victim and smack them right in the back of the head...one poor boy in particular always got it.

Jim and I would ride up to St Bernadette on a Saturday for 4pm mass and grab a bulletin then go hang elsewhere, hoping mom wouldn't ask what the Homily was about

We had to go to mass every week until we were 18. It being the south side neighborhood of Beverly we were introduced to Western ave at an early age. I celebrated my 17th birthday at the Touch of Green tavern. The brutal Sunday bellow always came "get up , we're going to 11:15 mass" I remember praying that she would leave without me..as my head pounded from the night before, but it.never happened.

So now I have my 3 own boys, all of whom attend public school. On the south side you didn't go to public school...they sucked. In the western suburbs the public schools excel. I stopped going to mass years ago, more out of laziness than anything, but my boys do attend CCD. When my mom died I took a leave of absence from my faith...I was pissed! As they say "It was a blessing in disguise" of my mom's passing. She would of been very ill and w/o her dignity had she lived. My mother's dignity was everything, she was a woman of intelligence, grace and humor...everyone adored her. I look at Religion as our history, my boys are Roman Catholic and I want them to know the history, make all their Sacraments then make their own decisions when they grow up.Once you grow up, you can't go back and make all those Sacraments...easily.

TJ is 13 and making his Confirmation March 25 th at Sacred Heart Church. It is a 2 year program that started in the 7th grade. TJ had to attend a weekend retreat at the church, it was pretty intense. He didn't particularly enjoy it, but is glad he did it and feels like a better person because of it.

this was the itinerary...yikes, no joke (click to enlarge) don't know why everyone puts that because everyone already knows to click

In addition to that the students are required to perform 20 hours of community service. TJ and friends have been volunteering at our local pads shelter every Tuesday night which has been an invaluable experience for them all. They are also making blankets in class to donate. TJ is required to write a letter to the Bishop introducing himself and explain what he is doing and why he wants to be Confirmed (my mom is forcing me is not an option) I just read TJ's letter and it made me cry, I'm not sure why, but some old Catholic pride came to the surface. I asked if I could blog about it and he said, sure. TJ is and always has been very easy going.

I asked TJ if he really thought his family was crazy and he replied "yes". To which I replied:

"well, at least your family is not boring"

TJ is required to pick a patron Saints name, he chose Patrick. He is required to write a report on St Patrick and why he chose him and the similarities they share. He chose his Godfather Uncle Brian as his sponsor. Brian, is Tim's younger brother. TJ asked me if I had to do all this when I was in the 8th grade. I told him "No., I had to do all this stuff on a daily basis. When you go to a faith based school...it is faith based" " I lived this stuff daily"

All kidding aside, I am extremely proud of TJ. He is turning into a fine young man and really taking his responsibilities to the Church seriously.

Keep up the good work baby, what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Boy will you be strong!

A little bit of everyone

Karrick had his first Kindergarten birthday party today. It was Gia's 6th b-day and she had a Spongebob party at the park district. The morning after the big hug Karrick woke up with a 101 fever and sore throat. I had my surgery scheduled for that day (Thursday); Facet injections in my Cervical spine and was not about to cancel. Tim thank God took an earlier train home to take care of him. He dropped me at the Hospital and picked me up when I was done. By afternoon Karrick was on the couch with a 103 temp. I took Karrick in on Friday and Strep was confirmed. I was hoping it was Strep...24 hours on antibiotics and life is good again. There is way to much junk going around that is taking 7-14 days to kick; I welcomed the Strep. This morning Karrick woke up hungry, happy and fever free.

I'm so happy Gia didn't come down with Strep. Here they are playing Spongebob, Spongebob, squidward while waiting for the kids to be picked up. I had 2 hrs to kill during the party so I went to the health club. My neck and back is so messed up I had to stretch them out in the hot tub...I know creepy water. I actually worked out for the first time in forever and feel better. I just don't know what to do anymore, my Cervical spine is now covered with Arthritis. I have a constant crunching that goes on with every move I make. That is in addition to the bulging disk, nerve damage and constant muscle spasms. I am one lucky gal!

Callahan sound a sleep in my bed at noon after spending the night with 3 buddies at Josh's house.

Cal : " It was the best sleepover EVER!"

2 more pictures of TJ. Steven Palm sent me a disk with 177 pictures of TJ from his shoot. Most photographers make you pay extra for the proofs, you are just paying for time and talent. Steven always has given me all the shots, minus the ones with blinks etc. I realize he is my kid, but he is so handsome. 13 is not really a cute age for any boy...puberty and all

You know it's Christmas in Lombard when the Santa House is all lit up

It's down the street and the man has been taking in unwanted plastic Santa's for years. He display's all of them every year. People just drop them off instead of throwing them away.

Tonight Tim, myself and the boys went out to dinner then we saw Christmas Carol 3D. I just loved it, the 3D was pretty freaky. Karrick squealed with delight, then ended up on Tim's lap once the ghosts came. I have a funny feeling someone will be in our bed tonight. We finally got him sleeping back in his own room a week ago.

Dec 4, 2009

Stained Glass Santa

I have this on my front picture window and love how it catches the sun at different angles throughout the day

Dec 2, 2009

Gia, Sophia...

Walking to the van after school, Karrick says:

" I hugged Gia today"

Me: "did she hug you back?"

K: "Yeah, we were in line and she asked if I wanted to
get in front of her and I said yes. Then I did it"

Me: " Is she your girlfriend now?"

K: "yeah"

Me: What about the other girl?"

K: "Sophia?"

Me: " yes, is she still your girlfriend?"

With giant eyes and a smirk, Karrick replies:

"Well, I guess which ever one wants to come to my house
first will be my girlfriend"

I'm doomed...

Dec 1, 2009

Cal's big day

Callahan's

gifted class, Project Expand has been working on endangered and threatened species found in DuPage County for the last 5 weeks. As a team, they brainstormed how to present reasons for endangerment/threats and formulate recommendations on how to educate DuPage County citizens and prevent extinction. Their findings and recommendations were presented to representatives from the DuPage County Forest Preserve District today. I left work early and joined the superintendent of Dist 44 schools, our Principal, and other parents at the District Administration Building.

There are 7 students in Project Expand and they took turns presenting. The kids used Power Point on the Smart Boards. Let me tell you, these smart Boards are the coolest thing ever! They are giant touch computer screens and all the classrooms have them

The two in the middle were from the Du Page Forest Preserve (in khaki shirts) and the school officials sat in a horse shoe of tables....a little intimidating for the 10 year olds? The kids did Fantastic and were able to answer all questions from the peanut gallery...WOW! All the officials were super impressed with the kids presentation as was I. I am so thankful that my child can be a part of this wonderful program and school system. That concludes Block 1 of Project Expand until February.

Here is a quick peak at Block 2

The 5th grade P.E. will be learning about and analyzing the impact of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They will start the unit jigsawing parts of the Declaration of Independence and then presenting their part to the rest of the class. They will learn new vocabulary words and realize how hard the road to freedom truly was. The need for a constitution will be addressed and students will become knowledgeable about how our founding fathers formulated this very important document. The Bill of Rights will be analyzed and the many rights of citizens discussed. With that knowledge in hand, the students will be researching hot topics or current issues and the laws that apply. Then, using Photo Story software, they will design a show that explains the topic and connects it to the Bill of Rights. They will also be recording vocabulary words, people and events from the late 1700's for a contest, which will be scored at the end of the unit. WHO will be the Constitutional champion?

Cal will be ready for his Constitution Test come 7th grade

Nov 29, 2009

My favorite shots

TJ looks like an Angel

Steven Palm emailed me a few of TJ's good shots, 93 of them to be exact. Don't worry I didn't post all of them. A good model has many different looks which I think TJ nailed. For boys there is a little more challenge in mixing it up, because they don't wear make-up or drastically change hair styles. Some may wear make-up, but not my TJ

Love TJ's Olive eyes

this is a true to life TJ

Here's TJ's edgy look, maybe GQ in 4 or so years

TJ was so comfortable in front of the camera, he just moves. TJ wants to get more into the TV/film side of the business. He is too tall to model for the kids division and needs to be around 5'11 to start in the teens/mens division.(they also like them to look a little more mature around 16/17)

At the rate he is growing 5' 8 1/2 at 13 yo and all legs...

Nothing like chopping down your own Christmas tree

The owner must have teenage boys. You don't know how happy I was to see this big sign at the front gate

Today we headed to Downers Grove to a Christmas tree farm. This is the first time we ever got to chop down our own tree. There was every kind of tree in every possible size. Poor Karrick was having a rough time of it. Too many late nights and not enough structure followed by tripping over a tree stump. To add insult to injury, he wanted a GIANT green tree. We wanted a blue spruce and a much smaller one at that.

We flipped a coin and unfortunately for karrick, it was tails....which led to more tears.

He didn't get his giant green tree, but he did get the Giant picture of the giant green tree. Sorry kid, cutting a hole in the ceiling is just not an option this year.

TJ, honestly will be the best dad in the world. I've said it before...the kid's middle name is empathy.

While I was all "stop crying and suck it up" TJ had a much gentler approach. Notice the eye level approach. TJ picked some wheat and gave it to Karrick with a "here you go buddy, this is what you make bread out of" That's all it took. It is times like these that I am thankful for having a teenager. Sometimes teenagers can be a little trying...Yeah, I said it

Not sure if it looks like cocoons or little pieces of poop hanging.

Either way, I vetoed this tree
Want to make your boys really happy? Give them a saw. TJ really wanted to use an ax, but they had a sign

Our house smells incredible, nothing beats the smell of fresh pine. I NEVER had a real tree growing up. It was so against my South side Irish Fireman's family law. I'm glad we went much smaller with the tree this year. Quick thinking on your part Tim, with the "We'll have much more room for Santa to leave more toys" We're all way to pooped to decorate. My kids have been home for 9 days straight and we packed a whole lot of family time in those days. Our District did Conferences on Monday and Tuesday, and a non attendance day on Wednesday, followed by Thanksgiving break