Wordless Wednesday - Fun at Aunt Julie's

Check out the older two carrying on a casual conversation while the youngest looks like she has a death grip on the handles. LOL! It is always like this.


See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Seriously!

I think this is hilarious! Maybe because I am such a "rules" girl. Give me a rule and I think I HAVE to follow it after all it is A RULE! I am hoping my good common sense keeps me from acting as ridiculous as this "rules" person though.

Here is a link to the actual site in case this isn't displaying correctly. I seen it posted on Baby Bangs site today and just had to share it.

I blew it!

They say confession is good for the soul right?

I just got back from getting groceries at Wal-mart. I learned a lot of lessons. First don't go to Wal-mart after the lunch hour. Apparently that is when Wal-mart lets their associates take their lunch breaks. I know this because 2 of them were sitting in subway watching the checkout lines get longer and longer.

With a cart full of groceries I head to the checkout and find only 2 express lanes and 1 regular lane open. There was already a line for the regular lane and since I was shopping for the week I was WAY over the 12 items or less limit for the express lane. I got in the line with everyone else and just kept hoping to hear over the intercom "we need all available associates to checkout".

There was a sweet lady behind me who probably only had 14 items but still didn't feel like she should use the express lane (with no line) unless the clerk motioned her over. After a couple minutes she was saved by the clerk. By now there is at least 3 more carts full behind me and still 2 in front of me waiting. Wait some more.

Then I hear those magic words "we need all available associates to checkout". Cool, because it turned out the 2 carts in front of me were actually a husband and wife and they were now unloading their carts so that makes me next in line. I am anxiously waiting for another lane to open because I am next, right? Don't they always open a new lane with the polite "I can help who's next in lane 2"?

I get distracted from my lookout for a second when I catch Libby perusing through a gossip magazine. I ask her to put it back and as I am returning to my watchful post WHAM! The man who had been in the back of the line is flying past me into the next lane over that is... now open! "Are you serious?" "You haven't even been waiting." I have been standing here for what is feeling like forever."

I can't stand for this. Who does he think he is? Didn't his mother teach him proper shopping etiquette? I can't let him get away with this. I need to let him know how wrong he is so he doesn't do this again to another shopper. The mother in me needs to be heard.

The couple ahead of me was done unloading their cart and had moved up so I could move my cart up which put me right next to Mr. "skip the the front of the line without giving any regard to those there before me". So I looked straight at him as he had his head down unloading his cart and loudly said, "Wow. That was rude!" He didn't acknowledge me but that got the attention of the lady in front of me to which I quickly said, "Sorry, not you. I was referring to the man that was in the back of the line who just cut to the open lane in front of everyone." Again saying it so that Mr. "skip the the front of the line without giving any regard to those there before me" could hear me.

As I finished checking out I was just waiting for him to get sassy with me and was busy thinking up what I could say back to him like "just calling it like I see it."

In hindsight maybe I shouldn't go get groceries right after a "Jillian from Biggest loser" workout and a large coke from McDonald's. Apparently it makes me a little feisty. Like I could conquer the world.

You are know wondering how I know I blew it? Stay with me.

On the drive home I just could not get out of my head what had happened. I was feeling proud of myself for standing up to the situation for all women everywhere. So why can't I get it out of my head and why am I so worked up about it? Then it hit me. That still small voice. I hear "judges justly". Oh wow how quick am I to forget. You see two scriptures stood out to me so much during my devotions this morning that I had wrote them down in my journal "because my kids needed to hear this". Turns out God didn't give me the scriptures for my kids but I was too blind this morning to see how often I do the very same thing that my kids do that bothers me so.

I don't know if this is making clear sense anymore but read the scriptures I wrote down and I think you will get what God was showing me and why I now know I didn't pass the test at Wal-mart.

1 Peter 2:21-23 "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."

1 Peter 3:8-9 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called. So that you may inherit a blessing."

Ouch! There was no blessing for me today at Wal-mart. As soon as I realized what I had learned I shared it with Anna and Libby who had been with me getting groceries.

Mom blew it.

Wordless Wednesday (kinda) - Can't sit on the sideline

This one needs "some" words...

Do you know those guys that just can't be happy sitting on the sidelines? See the guy in the jean shorts and visor? Keep watching him...

Oh no where did he go? And why is my youngest trying to tell someone to slow down?

Why is he running? Note: My youngest now looks like "I tried to warn you. This oughta be good."

Come on you need to be able to go to work tomorrow. What are you thinking? Is this going to be one of those "why didn't they put down the camera and go help him" moments?

No! The girls were jumping not diving. This isn't water.

I am guessing you now have sand in places that sand should never go.

Men. They just don't learn.

Thank you to our good friend (we won't use his name) for providing entertainment for the kids and giving me something to blog about.
I have a video of him doing a back flip also and burying his head in the process but I promised not to put it online. Hilarious!

See other Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Blog Hop '09

If you Twitter you have had to hear all the buzz about about the BlogHer Conference going on in Chicago this weekend. It looks like a lot of fun. But for those of us who aren't sharing in that fun Robin @ Pensieve and Jo-Lynne @ Musings of a Housewife have set up a Mr. Linky so that we can visit with each other while at home.

They have also asked that we share a little bit about ourselves but to keep it simple so here goes...

This is a picture of me and my family taken in June at Nike Outdoor track meet in NC with our son.

Like you can probably tell from the picture I am a mom to 4 wonderful kids ages 18 to 10. Mark and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary 2 weeks ago. I feel fortunate to have him love me regardless of all my quirks. Feel free to tell me that I don't look old enough to be Zack's mom because I don't feel old enough.

Likes:

• Coke- I keep trying to give it up but I keep going back to it. (BTW, I am referring to the drink not the drug. Although it is like a drug to me. BAH)
• Family- I am a stay at home mom who is never home. You will find me in the bleachers or sitting at the shot put and discus rings. I enjoy going to my kids sports and cheering them on.
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream sandwiches- yep, addiction number 2. Wink!
• My computer and iPod Touch- my family thinks those are an addiction also. Hmph!
  

Dislikes:

• Angry people- that can't be a fun way to live.
• Cold or rainy weather when I have to be at an outdoor event- I am kinda girly/whimpy when it comes to the weather.
• Cleaning house- it is a love hate relationship, I love a clean house but I hate cleaning it.
• Hazelnuts- actually they kinda hate me but my EpiPen protects me.

Make sure you leave a comment and say hello. You can also find me on Twitter. Then make sure you click on the Blog Hop picture above to go check out more blogs.

Smiles!

Quite an honor.

So back to catching up.

On June 16 we found out that Zachary was selected as Mr. Track and Field 2009. This is quite an honor. Out of all of the male track athletes in Michigan only one athlete gets this title every year. I don't know who was more excited Zack or me. I found out through an e-mail and went running through the house to find Zachary. He quickly called his throws coach. I told him to hurry because I wanted to call Mark. Then the little stinker started dialing his girlfriend's number BEFORE calling his father! "Oh no little man! Daddy first."



Here is a link to the list of athletes that made it on the Dream Team.

Some more catch up later...

We interrupt "catching up" with a little Emily sunshine. Since it is SO cold here today. Hard to believe it is the middle of summer and I need a sweatshirt on just to keep from freezing.

"They are my movies little man. Don't even think about going around me."



"I love me a big pillow!"

"Where did my plate go?"


"Grandma please get better soon. Look how this crazy family dresses me. Save me!"



Enjoy your day!
If you are in Michigan... bundle up.
Smiles!

Wow has it really been that long?

I knew it had been a while since I posted but I didn't realize it had been that long. We have had a busy start to the summer. I was going to do one post and catch up on everything but when I went to pull pictures I realized that would be very overwhelming, so I will try to do a couple post in the next couple weeks to catch up on everything that has been happening.

Up first, Midwest Meet of Champions. (Saturday June 13)

This is a meet that is by invite only and you have to be a senior. It is a meet between Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. It is quite an honor to be asked to represent your state at this meet. Zachary was selected to compete in both shot put and discus for team Michigan. It took place in Jackson, MI this year which was a real bonus to us to have it a couple hours away versus in a different state.

I drove Zachary to Jackson on Friday and dropped him off. He stayed at a local community college in dorms with the rest of his Michigan team mates. They were given team uniforms and a nice backpack that was all theirs to keep. The meet is put on by the coaches association and there is no cost to the kids, their food and lodging is all taken care of for them.

It was a bit weird dropping him off at a college (tug on heartstrings). He even mentioned that this was a little peek into what is going to happen later this summer when we drop him off at MSU. (insert mixed emotions for mom here)

On Saturday Mark, myself and Zachary's HS throws coach all drove back to Jackson to watch the meet. The weather was supposed to be rain and yuck so we left the girls home. It ended up being a perfect day for a track meet. Slightly overcast and we never had rain.

The meet was the best ran HS meet we have ever been at. They had more than enough volunteers and things ran very smoothly.

The Michigan boys team picked Zachary as the team captain so he is carrying the flag during the opening parade.

Here is Zachary showing his determination to take a first place for team Michigan in shot put.

He succeeded! 1st place in shot put and he broke the record at this stadium for the furthest throw here.
Why can't the boys smile? LOL!

He took 2nd place in discus with his team mate taking 1st. He is happy with his performance even though you can't tell it from the picture.

Then he got a nice surprise. They pick one boy and one girl from the 3 states as the field athlete of the meet and he was selected this year.
I need to ask him what the young lady said to him because I love the way he is smiling in this picture. Wink!


Then the cherry on the top... Michigan boys took 1st place! What a great day.

Answer to prayers...

If you remember this post "They got "HIM"!". We got a letter about it on Saturday from the court house. He has pleaded guilty or no contest and is awaiting sentencing mid June. That was a wonderful letter to receive! He had originally plead not guilty and my prayers have been that he will acknowledge what he did so that he can get help.

Praise God!

Smiles!

It's official!

Zack and his principle Steve Scholten. This is Mr. Scholten's last year after being our HS principle for the last 19 years.

Zack with mom and dad.

Zack with Grandpa and Grandma.

Happy Birthday!

Emily Rose is 1 year old today!

Where did that year go?

The Perfect Throwing Machine

Life is busy

I have so much to blog about and so little time to do it.

Zack's track is keeping us busy you can also keep up to date with that at his blog Zack's Journey.

Anna had an excellent soccer game last night and scored 3 goals which she tells me is called a "hat trick". We weren't able to be at her game because we were at an awards dinner at school for her and Zack were she got an award for being a scholar athlete. She also got pulled up to varsity for a game on Monday night. She has been a very busy girl also.

Kaylyn will have her last track meet tonight if the weather allows. She is throwing 29' 9" and pole vaulting 5'9". Her goal for the year is 30' and 6' so hopefully tonight won't be canceled and she will have a great night.

Libby has not had hives since Saturday so we are hopeful that we have seen the last of them for this bout of them. Once she has been hive free for 2 weeks we will start weening her off her medicine again. Hopefully we can get her off them for a month and tested before another episode of hives. Maybe I should enforce a rule of no eating new food for awhile. Not a bad thought...

I got a new camera out of necessity for a Mother's Day/Birthday/Anniversary gift. Mine died right after Zack's regional meet. It was already having some issues so it was only a matter of time before we would have to replace it but with Prom and State track meets coming up there was no waiting.

So here are some random pictures from me playing with my new toy and then I had to include one Prom picture. When exactly did he grow up?

Zack and Tricia

Zack

Anna

Kaylyn

Libby
(Little explanation... my new camera has a feature that it can detect when someone smiles and then snaps the picture on it's own so I told Libby to smile and I guess she thought it had to be a really exaggerated smile. LOL!)

Last but not least here is a picture that is getting a lot of feedback of Zack and his friend Stephen taken before Prom. They are in track and choir together. Funny picture! Mark took it with his camera. Thank goodness because I missed it wile trying to figure out the new camera. There is a bit of a learning curve with it. Wink!

They're back

We thought we were going to get answers to the mystery hives soon. They have been gone for a long time and she has been off all medication for a month or so and then last night they decided to make an uninvited visit.

I sent her to school today medicated. She took more medicine right before leaving school and I got a call from the bus driver asking me to meet her because the hives were getting worse quickly. I called the allergist and they have put her back on allergy medication and told me to double the Benadryl. If we aren't seeing an improvement by Thursday I need to call them. And if, heaven forbid, she gets worse tonight instead of better on the stronger medicine we need to take her to the ER. Just so happens Kaylyn needs to get allergy shots at the allergists office Thursday so Libby is coming along this time. That why I can let them see her and decide if they are comfortable with how she is doing.



Please pray for her. She is very uncomfortable right now. If you can see in the picture half of her top lip is swollen. The hives are always random on her as far as where all they show up.

I am sure you are wondering what caused it this time... so are we. As far as I can tell it might be another powder mix. The allergist felt with the seasoning packet the first time that it might be a preservative and since Libby had a drink made from a powdered mix last night right before she broke out it makes sense that it might be just that.

It must be track season at the Hill house....