Yep, there was an ice sculpture.

Peddicord-Wharton celebrated 45 years. dinner was delicious and the evening was delightful. I think Dale was giddy and very pleased with how everything turned out. The shrimp were the size of my hand and very tasty and the wine flowed as is the way the firm does it. The ice sculpture was tasteful and was not, as feared, a bust of Dale. The flowers were beautiful and the company was wonderful. I have not been able to attend many events, so it was nice to see everyone.

Jake also had a recital for piano on Sunday to cap off a very busy week. He loves to play and is so serious about it. He performed well and we celebrated with Starbuck's as is appropriate, since we usually go there every day after lessons. Zeljka is such an encouragement. She loves Jake.

Bugz and Trash

Jake starred as a Preying Mantis in his class's performance of Bugz~A Musical. It was very cute and Jake and all the Bugz did a wonderful job. The songs were cute and it was very tolerable. We have had a very busy week of activities and commitments. Jake also raced in his first Grand Prix - Pine Car Derby. "The Block" made it to the top 8. Finished 6th overall. Not bad for his first year and doing absolutely nothing to the block of wood. He was a little sad that he didn't win a trophy in his first year, like his brothers. Jake has a very tender heart that is easily hurt. The musical did take away some of the pain.

Nick was honored by the Trash Bash by having his "trophy of trash" chosen to be given away to one of the teams who participated in the Trash Bash on Earth Day. He was able to be on stage as part of the ceremony giving away his own trophy to the Science Center of Iowa team. He was less than interested in staying, but after a soda and being able to present the trophy, I think he was pleased.

The Peddicord-Wharton 45th Anniversary Dinner (complete with ice sculpture) will be Saturday night. I am sure it will be nice. I am not sure how excited I am about going, but I usually don't get to attend any of the Wives' Dinners, so it will be fun to see everyone.

Ted is coming home from the Vet after having his "manhood" excised. I was hoping it would start to decrease his manic behavior, but after speaking to the vet who did the procedure, I am not sure. She commented, repeatedly, that Ted was very active and excited...... arghhhhh. Maybe some puppy Valium would be available? He is so cute, though.

It is stormy outside today, but I am glad for the rain so I don't have to water the flowers for a little while longer. I do love watching the flowers come up. New tulips are blooming. Love that!

Bulldogs, striders and Bugz

This week is full of activities. Yesterday, Meatball was crowned as the new Most Beautiful Bulldog to reign over the Drake Relays. I miss Meg during relays week. She was fun, but oh, so naughty to Jake and Nick.

Tonight the boys will be running the final 1/4 mile to with school mates as part of the Grand Blue Mile. I love that the run is not on Friday this year. I always enjoyed watching the High School athletes compete, but this year the run will be on Locust Street. Drop off and Pick up at school. Much more convenient. Nick said he would rather run on the Blue track, but I think he will have fun running through downtown, too.

Thursday, Jake has his performance in Bugz. He is excited. He said he doesn't have m

any lines or songs (it is a musical), but he will be a talking/singing Preying Mantis.

Ted will be having a remedial lesson from the Invisible Fence guy and then he will be off to be neutered. Hopefully, that will mellow his personality some. We will be off for a walk in just a few minutes, that should also help with his temperament. I think he will be a good dog for the boys. When he is mellow and snuggly, he is delightful. He just needs a lot of exercise.

Sam has had great weather for golf this week. Saturday he has a performance with the Jr. High Band. He competes at Adventureland Theater then is able to go on the rides the rest of the afternoon. Scott and I have a dinner celebrating the Peddicord-Wharton 45th Anniversary. Should be lovely.

Life seems to rush by. I am not sure I am able to keep up and certainly don't feel like I am able to do much more than keep my head barely above water. Laundry and dishes await.

Spring has sprung

I love when the bulbs and perennials start to grow. Daffodils bloom and grass greens. Sadly, when these new beginnings emerge, so does the pollen that haunts my boys. Scott is having another chemical cauterization in hopes that his headaches will wane. Veramyst has been called in for Nick, who suffers from seasonal allergies inherited from both grandmothers and his dad, and Sam has re-started his Zyrtec to slow his itchy, watery eyes. So far, Jake and I are free from symptoms that plague the others during this favorite time of the year for me. I love the new growth, signs of new beginnings and the reminder that God is a God of second chances and re-birth.

Sam and Scott golfed Sunday afternoon as I watched and cried as Lefty won his third Green Jacket and embraced his lovely wife for what seemed like an eternity epitomizing his deep love for her and the celebration that she made it to the 18th green to cheer him to victory. It was a win like no other, truly! I love stories like that and the way journalists document life and history. Jake and Nick played kickball with the neighbors and the sun shone. It was a wonderful day. I sent out letters to friends and family detailing the plans for me and Sam to serve in Honduras in June. It will be such an amazing week to share the story I have lived 3 other times. I pray his heart will be changed as mine has been over the years I have been in Teguc. I have a hard time asking for support, but God knows my heart and I pray that I have not offended anyone by sending the letters.

We are close to the end of the year events for school. Sam will finish Jr. High, Nick will graduate from the DTS and Jake will be promoting to his last class at the DTS. I am not sure how that all happened so fast, but it has. I am still taken aback as I remember clearly being Sam's age. So much of my life was defined by what happened at 14 years of age and moving to California..... Hard to believe he is old enough to actually learn to drive..... WOW.

I am looking forward to next week and the Drake Relays Week. So many fun events. Bulldog contest, Snookie's is open, competition.... I love it! I-Cubs are also back in action. Ryne Sandberg is managing. So much potential for fun and wins! :)

I must get to the laundry and dishes and various other tasks that have alluded completion in past days and weeks. Someday, my house may actually be clean and organized.

Decided to give it a try.

Spring is the time of new beginnings. I like the idea of documenting even the most mundane of happenings to our family. My memory seems to fail so quickly, yet I want to be able to treasure these times of chaos and monotony. Sam is 13 years old, Nick is 11 years old and Jake is 9 years old today. Sam will be playing golf this spring and is getting ready to move on to High School. It is hard to believe that time has already come. Nick will be graduating from The Downtown School in June and Jake will be moving to his last class. Feels like I blinked and suddenly I don't have a baby or even a toddler anymore. I feel very ill prepared for the teenage years. This may prove to test the limits of my sanity. I am not sure I will post daily or even weekly..... I am not sure anyone but I will be reading this, but it will be a legacy of these years that I may not remember someday.