Moody

So you may have noticed that I tend to run hot or cold. Of course, since the few of you who read this already know me pretty well and this is not a new relevation. :)



This week I am committed to happy positive blogs.

• I will not dwell on the fact that even though it seemed like Jeff had a really strong job lead and things were sailing along and everything seemed perfect until we heard nothing Wed, Thur or Fri...


• I will not go out during this rainy time and scout for the driest bridge for us to move under..


• I will not complain about my wonderful, adorable, healthy, intelligent children


• I will not complain that I can't remember the last time I lost a pound...( oh, wait yes I can, I had giardia and as soon as I was better every pound returned to me!)


• I will not complain about grading papers even though I am giving a test on Tue which means I will have a pile to grade this week!


• I will not complain about laundry...

So I'm sure you are all very relieved to hear the news. :) Nothing but positive, happy, lovely, blogging :)

Frychik

Things Treasured

Family

A hearty laugh

Finishing a good book

An unexpected hug

Sitting on a porch swing

Warm chocolate chip cookies

The perfect spike or serve

unexpected personal notes

A child loving you

Meaningful conversation

Travel - anywhere - anytime

A true surprise

Cold fruit on a hot day

Warm sunshine

Teaching someone something new

Learning something new

Breeze blowing over your skin and through your hair

Having your hair washed by someone else

Success, reaching your goal

Full body Swedish massage

Love, true, honest, committed

Frychik

I thought last week was rough...
I feel this week I have burned more calories by the stress I'm holding on to than anything else.

I'm sure you can relate...
Well, I hope you can't, but chances are you can.

Some of the stress is not appropriate to blog about so that leaves me wondering what to blog about...

So I'm gonna ask for advice regarding one of my current stresses....

My teenager. The one that will be turning 16 in a few weeks.
He's moody...
When I say he's moody I mean he could rival any girl!
I really was naive regarding boys and moodiness... I was operating under the blissful assumption that having all boys meant there would be no moodiness
I was wrong...it happens...

He is nice when he wants something and that's about it lately.
He pretty much stays in his room which does not have a computer or TV in it so I'm not sure what the attraction is...Well, yes I do. He's avoiding his annoying, pathetic family.

I should let you know that I have been dealing with his moodiness for awhile now. I have really struggled with what to do. My approach has generally been to blow up, give him a lecture that he doesn't listen to and then next time I see him act like nothing has happened in hopes he will be friendly again.
I have this hang up with the idea that if I stay mad at him he will believe I only love him conditionally. But he doesn't apologize on his own. He can see me to the point of tears overwhelmed with frustration and that boy doesn't crack.

I remember being a mouthy, opinionated, independent teenager. But when I saw that I had pushed my mom too far I would stop. I would apologize. I would want to make amends. He doesn't seem to care. It kills me!

I would like to pause and say I love Josh very much and he is a good kid. I could spend much more time talking about his goodness so please don't get the picture that he is an awful kid. He is just acting like an awful kid!

So his latest "thing" just pushes me to the edge...a scary dark edge..I will go into his room and try to have a conversation with him. I purposefully go in all bright and cheery in an attempt to get him to talk. Sometimes he's friendly and things go well but lately it has been so rude.
For starters, he won't look at me. He mumbles when he does speak. I mean I am sitting right next to him in a quiet room and I can't hear him. He doesn't move his lips when he talks. Unbelievable. I find it absolutely infuriating! But as I swallow my anger and ask him "what's wrong?" He answers "nothing". I ask "why are you acting this way then?" He say "I don't know." I say "well then, stop it" and I get nothing. He continues to stare down at his lap.

So last night I got mad. I think it's my defensive nature. I haven't done a thing wrong to this kid! I have feed him, clothed him, driven him, cheered for him and I get this??? I don't know why I got mad, it doesn't do a darn thing.

No knock on the door to say he was sorry.

So this morning I had a choice. I could try to be all happy and friendly in hopes he would be the same or I could let him take the lead, which I did.

He didn't say a word to me this morning. Not one. So I didn't make him his lunch. I didn't ask if he needed a ride to school. I took Ty to school and went to FM to get milk it was then I got a text from my son asking if I would be able to take him to school this morning. I said, sorry I didn't know, you didn't ask and now I'm buying milk...

So, what is the good parent to do? Act like nothing is wrong and expect the teenager to be dreadful. Which to me honestly feels like being a doormat. Sure abuse me all you want and still expect me to do things for you.
Or just let him take the lead like I did this morning???

Wow! I needed to vent. Sorry about that. I really will try to keep this a cheery blog

Frychik

Night Court

Recently I had the opportunity to spend sometime in night court.

I hadn't been to court for a long time and I wasn't there because I was in trouble...
I have to say it may be a more interesting place to people watch than even the airport!

I had tried to dress appropriately even though I would not be appearing before the judge. I made sure my phone was off, not vibrating. I made sure my belly button wasn't showing...

To put it simply I am astounded at what some people choose to wear when appearing before a judge in a court of law.

Oh how I wish I had my camera!! I thought I would share a list of observations of their clothes from my visit to Battle Ground night court.

1. I don't care how flat your tummy is or how perky your breasts are please don't show up in a tight pink camisole...especially when you are chilly!

2. Why would you stand before a judge in a bright green T-shirt with the words "GOT DIRTY?" written boldly across your chest???

3. Compared to the two above the "Huntin Bucks and Drivin Trucks" seemed tame

4. This one I'm not positive of, but the man stood before the judge in a T-shirt that read "powered by ouzo" Isn't that a type of alcohol? Maybe I'm wrong I hope so. He was there to discuss his progress in Alcohol treatment....

Besides the interesting outfits I learned a few other things

1. If you flip a police officer off do not then defend yourself in court by saying "I didn't know it was a cop" and then state you were exercising "freedom of speech" it really ticks the judge off!

2. Don't even try to argue against your speeding, moving violation, whatever ticket. The judge will ask your side of the story in a board, I don't care what you are gonna say way, and then read to you what the police officer stated. If you continue to argue with the judge he will simply reread what the officer said. If you continue to argue he will read it again, he's very persistent. He will tire of you and find against you EVERY time...so I'm just saying...don't bother.

3. Don't expect the judge to look deeply in your eyes and determine if your of good character. He barely looked at anyone and I'm positive there are several he didn't see at all. So if your counting on charming him forget it.

4. And I guess based on #3 it doesn't matter what you wear to court...

Frychik

Soccer

This week its all about soccer

One game down...a win I might add...

Four more to go!

Ty has his first game tomorrow

So if your not into soccer...sorry.

It seems to have taken over my life at the moment.

Frychik

Me and my Ty guy

On Friday Jeff and Josh left for Boy's Club camp out

This left Ty and I home alone

Ty who used to be mommas boy has in the last 6 months definitely moved his camp to dad's side. Which as I have read is perfectly normal. It may be normal but it breaks my heart a little each time I see it...

When I leave for the weekend Ty gleefully says "yea, guys weekend!" When he found out he was being left home with me this weekend his response was more subdued...

So I had to plan to win him over. Bribe my own child. Yes, I'm not above bribing my own child. He was gonna have fun with me darnit! Of course, like any man the way to his heart is food. Tyler loves Sweet Tomatoes. I'm not a fan but I thought I would go for it and we would have a date night Friday night...I think it went well. He happily scarfed unlimited mac and cheese and pizza sticks...and we even had some conversation. He is a quiet guy. You have to wait for him to talk. But all in all I felt we were off to a good start...

On his way to bed he asked, "will you make me french toast in the morning?" He had me and he knew it..."Of course baby!"

So Sat. morning I made some french toast and scrambled eggs. He smiled and said "thanks mom" Of course in this area I'm just keeping up with his dad who has completely spoiled him by making him hot breakfasts all the time. But I think I got some credit...

On a side note, I made his breakfast with my favorite spatula. I love this spatula. I don't know why some people think I aught to throw it in the trash. But it's special to me. It's been in our home since the beginning and like me it no longer looks as pretty as it once did but it has become my "go to" spatula.

I'm so proud and excited to have another soccer player in the family! Preslie or "Lulu" as I call her, had her first game on Saturday. Ty and I showed up and had fun rooting her on.

It so adorable. Like miniature people running around on miniature fields so cute! Bless thier hearts they could not remember which way to run with the ball.

Look at her! She's got talent! Love her!

So our friends Shan and Galen suggested we go for a bike ride along the Columbia on Sat. so after the soccer game we loaded up and headed out. Ty has a brand new bike so it was a good opportunity for him to really try it out.

And a good opportunity for my reluctant friend Shannon to go for a bike ride! What a whinnier!

Love you Shan, you did good!

You can see Ty on his new bike to the right.

And then we went for an airplane ride....NOT

Sunday we lazed around and waited for Jeff and Josh to get home. We are just happier when we are all together...

So how did I do??? Well I know when I come home from a weekend away, Ty greets me with what food they ate and what movies dad let them watch....

I didn't hear him talk about what we did but I did see him smiling this weekend and I did hear some "thanks mom".

I will be gone in two weeks on a school trip. I have already heard Ty talking about his 'guys weekend' with his dad...sigh....

Frychik

Accomplishments???

As I've mentioned it's been a busy week.

I still feel way behind and overwhelmed as I'm sure you do as well.

When I feel that way I like to think about what I did do.

I think we should all do that because we are amazing! We accomplish a pile of stuff and all we can think of is what we didn't get done...

So in an effort to change I will list what I accomplished yesterday...It will not be a complete list, I'll leave out some details that I'm sure you don't care to know ;)

1. I learned that if/when using question marks or exclamation marks you should use one or three!!! Who knew???

2. I showered and got dressed

3. Made the bed, did the dishes, made lunches for the kids (well actually handed out $$ for hot lunch)

4. Drove around BG looking for foam balls which I had forgotten to go get yesterday at Michaels for a class activity

5. Learned that there are no foam balls in BG!!!

6. Went to Starbucks!

7. Graded many papers, wrote emails to parents, planned for class

8. Had class where I attempted to be educational and entertaining...

9. Handed out sweatshirts to SA officers - they look really cool :)

10. Had lunch at Subway, 6" sandwich, Dr. Pepper and 2 choc chip cookies...

11. Taught my second class

12. Outlined the next section of the chapter and wrote Friday's quiz

13. Came home, went back to school, came home again, sent some emails.

14. Decided on soup and grilled cheese for dinner

15. Started a load of laundry

16. Ate soup and grilled cheese which wonderful husband made

17. Took dog for a walk and debriefed with hubby regarding his job interview!!!!!!! (sometimes 3 is jut not enough! Rule be darned!)

18. Rotated laundry (I hate laundry)

19. Encouraged kids to stop fighting, do their homework and clean up after themselves!!!!! (again 3 just not enough!)

20. Remembered that kids can be helpful and told Ty to unload the dishwasher

21. Reminded hubby that he is camping all weekend with a bunch of teenagers and he better pack tonight...

22. Was relieved that I wasn't camping this weekend...

23. Folded a load of laundry

24. Brushed my teeth

25. Went to bed









Have an awesome weekend!!!




Frychik