May the "Fourth" be with you!

This picture wasn't from the 4th of July... A few months ago, Bella and I went out to cheer for the injured veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars who were cycling through town on bikes or modified wheelchairs (not sure what they are called). It was sobering to see them, the real people who have been making the sacrifices to enable us, and others around the world to live in and strive for peace.

Many of them were double or single amputees, many of them suffered wounds that could not be seen, but were buried below the surface. They were touched that we came out to cheer for them and say thank you ... even though "thank you" always seems painfully inadequate. They gave us high fives, and thumbs up, on their way. They said "Thank you" to us as they rode on by... it seemed really funny to me that THEY would be telling us Thank you. They had miles yet to ride, but we all knew their journeys were very far from over.

America, I love you! I feel so blessed to have called you My Country all my life. I am reminded again and again, that "Freedom is not Free." Thank you to all the people who are serving our country, and their families. Your sacrifices are unspeakable.

This is the only decent picture that came out of the 4th of July weekend... This little girl has Shane wrapped around her finger.

I hope your fourth was happy and safe.

Take Your Sons to Work Weekend

Shane took Jackson and Isaac to work with him a few weekends ago... It turned out to be a good bonding weekend for them.It was also nice to have two little spies there to tell me what really goes on while Shane is away working....

Isaac: "Mom I'm not supposed to tell you this but, Dad got pulled over on the way home."

Me: "Oh rEAlly. Well why didn't you tell him to slow down?"

Isaac:" Because I was in the back seat eating my hamburger. Anyway, he only got a warning."

Me: "So Jackson, what was the coolest thing you saw at the hospital?"

Jackson: "Well, one of the nurses could do the splits!!!"

Great, glad it was educational.

Here are some of the pictures:

Suited up for a little radiation...

With Sam the skeleton, lookin' stylish with his messenger bag and Rangers Cap

Getting an EKG in the ambulance...

Watching the helicopter lift off...

Isaac ready for takeoff!

Are You Man Enough?

For Father's day, Shane wanted new shoes. Shane's poor feet have been killing him lately, so he requested a new pair of shoes, soft cushiony shoes to wear around the hospital. I suggested Heelies... you know the ones with the wheels on the heels so he can cruise around the hospital... and go into patients rooms and say, "that's just how I roll." I'm sorry, that was REALLY corny.

I went shopping and bought him some shoes for trail running-- cushiony, rugged, good looking, manly shoes. On father's day he was so excited to see a new pair of shoes sitting there in a box, then disappointed that they were a size 10. Apparently he wears a size 10 1/2...

Funny the things you learn after thirteen years of marriage.

Anyway, every time I try to surprise Shane with a present, it's somehow ruined. Wrong size, wrong color, wrong doodad with not enough memory.... not even close to what he wanted. I give up.

We went back to the store this week to fix things and ended up getting some Sketcher Shape-Ups because he claims they are like walking on pillows. You know those funny looking shoes that have an sole that is about 3 inches thick that is curved like a banana... That's right girls, my husband wears Sketcher Shape-Ups, guaranteed to sculpt and shape the quads, thighs and buttocks and improve posture. Try not to be jealous...

Here is my man in his Shape-Ups... look close!

Jackson and Isaac are also in this picture... They went to work with dad last weekend and got to hang out on the helicopter with the Air Evac team. And as we all know... helicopter pilots are way cool.

Coming soon.... more pictures from take your son to work weekend...

The Not so Lazy Days of Summer

We were at the ballpark until 11:00 last night watching my boys team get slaughtered in their first round of playoffs ... Shane was working so I was there trying to keep a 2 year old and a bored to tears 6 year old from driving me crazy. I feel exhausted and unproductive today. Perfect time to update the blog...

The boys baseball team finished 2nd in our league... and being the youngest team in kid pitch, it was a big accomplishment. District playoffs are around the corner, and then we can actually have our summer back.

I went with the boys to scout camp last week... thankfully one day out of the five days of volunteering was enough to complete my duty. Scout camp in Texas is hotter than hell... and I'm not afraid to say it. The kids were dropping like flies... and smelled like road kill. Despite the heat, the boys had a lot of fun. I actually had a fun time getting my hands dirty and playing with the kids... and the topic of conversation was always entertaining.

Scout 1-"Are those beans you're eating?"

Scout 2-"No they're chocolate covered peanuts"

Scout 1-"I can't eat beans, they give me major gas"

Scout 2- "Oh yeah, well my dad has the most disgusting farts ever."

Scout 1 -"Well, MY dad's smell like sardines that have been roasting in the sun for a week."

This, my friends, is the essence of scout camp. Here are a few pictures...

Mason doing the wrist rockets...

Jackson shooting the bb gun. Who care's how hot it is--just as long as you get to shoot stuff.

Jackson on the monkey bridge.

On the home front, we have ourselves a budding artist. I found this little masterpiece as I was walking down the hall a few weeks ago. After hyperventilating for a few seconds, I realized it was accomplished with a dry erase marker... whew!!!!!! Good call Bella, good call.

On another note... here are a few pictures of the man of the house. Pictures of Shane at work are few... so it's fun to see that he actually is doing what he says he's doing when he's gone at all hours.

Surgery class of 2011. A great group of guys and dear friends.

Good Things to Come

Love this message! Never give up!!

What the?

Yes, I really did see this car at Sonic... and yes, I was shameless enough to look, gawk and then take a picture... so I guess I owe this guy 6 bucks.