Happy New Year - 2010b

Since our new year started off on such a crazy/bad foot with "the blizzard" and then Thomas' appendix situation, it just wasn't a great start. Therefore, I'm starting off the new year again - 2010b as my old high school mate Julie coined it. Both boys are back in school today and life seems to be back on the normal track, so TODAY is officially the "Happy New Year" I was expecting 10 days ago! :)

JOYFUL JOURNAL

1. End of snow days
2. Good books with no defining purpose other than to entertain
3. FB updates that are more social commentary than personal statuses
4. Hulu.com (have I used that before - I really do like this site)
5. Regular TV episodes returning this month

2010: JOY

This year, I'm focusing on the word "JOY". The little things in life that bring a bit of joy each and every day to the bigger things that add up to a lifetime of joy.

To that end, I'm following my friend Amanda's lead and starting a daily listing of items that make my joyful. Hers is called the "attitude of gratitude" and mine will be simply the "Joyful Journal". 

Each day there'll either be a specific area where I list the 5 joy items or that might be all my posting consists of on some days (when it's busy). So, by the end of the year I'll have a good "Joyful Journal" to reflect back on in the future.

Enjoy! (and someone please hold me accountable if I go too long without adding anything!)

JOYFUL JOURNAL

1. Morning Coffee
2. My sons' laughter in the morning
3. Unexpected email messages
4. Hulu.com
5. Friends with more warped senses of humor than me

Best Example of Organized Chaos (aka Karate Tournament)

Imagine around 200 students from 20 different parts of KS & MO, in six different belt classes (24 classes if you count intermediate striped belts!) ranging in age from 4 to adults participating in eight different events over a five hour period.Karate Tournaments should definitely be listed as a perfect example of organized chaos in the dictionary.

Example of how the chaos was controlled.

This was the boys' fourth tournament and they each did three events. We keep telling the boys that one day they will lose and they'll have to get used to that but each tournament they do better than the last one! :)

After taking 1st & 2nd in Escape Drill.

This time, Travis won a 2nd place in Escape Drill, 3rd place in Sparring and a participation medal in Fastest Fist. There was some complications with the meter bag for Fastest Fist and he was really upset about this one (as were we) but we decided to set that aside and be really happy with the two trophies and the knowledge that if he were in a fight or needed to defend himself, he'd be fast!

Travis in sparring gear after winning his first round.

Thomas took home a participation trophy in Sparring, a 2nd place in Strongest Punch and a 1st place in Escape Drill - he edged out Travis by about a quarter of a second! (15:03 vs 14:47). This is the 3rd time he's done escape drill and won a trophy for it!

Thomas ready to hit the bag during Strongest Punch.

It was a really great day of fun and learning and a little drama. Can't wait for class on Tuesday where they get to show off their trophies to the other students and talk about how they won them. I am SO proud of them!

At home with their collection of trophies from THIS tourney!

I'll post some vids of their sparring as soon as I fix them up... :)

Feeling Old? Let me help...

The people who are starting college this fall were born in 1990-1991.

• They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
• Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
• The CD was introduced two years before they were born.
• They have always had an answering machine.
• They have always had cable…and satellite...and cell phones.
• Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.
• Popcorn has always been made in a microwave.
• They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
• They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
• They’ve never heard: 'Where's the Beef?', 'I'd walk a mile for a Camel ', or 'de plane Boss, de plane'.
• McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.
• They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.

Feeling old now? :-)

Overheard: In the Ladies' Room

...conversation apparently started outside the restroom...

Mom (in sugary sweet voice the WHOLE time): now, Ethan, don't be like that. I want you to be a nice boy. Can you do that?

Son: No. I just want a piece of candy

Mom: I said you could, but not until after we eat something good. I don't want you to get a tummy ache.

Son: but I can have another piece?

Mom: yes, that's what I said. but not until later because I don't want you to get a tummy ache. After we eat something else you can have a piece of candy. Or a cupcake. Or Mrs. Allen made really special cookies for you. Would you like a cookie?

Son: I'd like a cookie. Can I have it now?

Mom: well, ok, but that's the last thing until after we eat some dinner.

... out the door...

UM - hello? Mom? You totally just got schnookered by your kid!