Sunday, January 4, 2015

Oh the places you’ll go

So, Pootie’s real name is Jack Curtis.   He is our first born – our first baby. 

Back in August (2014) we watched him make some pretty cool life decisions.  He’s a soccer player (I know, DUH) and was offered a FABULOUS offer from a college near us.  It is a well respected program, run by a very well respected coach.  Oh and it had the major that (for the moment) he is interested in. 

He had also made the decision to graduate high school early.  The only class he technically needed to finish high school was “senior” English.  Oh, and he made the decision to longer participate in the US Soccer Development Academy program.  He opted to play for the high school…

Side note:
What a great experience for my boys.  They were on the same team!  It made my momma heart happy.  It changed their relationship – BIG TIME.  We watched them become friends and it was awesome.  Since Jack had to ask the coach AFTER tryouts were over to even be considered for team, we will forever be thankful to the coach for the experience he enabled for them.  (Soccer wise it wasn’t about jack not being good enough – but the tryouts were over, the team was picked.  He did not have to let him on the team.)  And the other guys on the team – WOW – so cool the way they made Pootie feel welcome.  (Again, they didn’t have to)

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We thought these were great choices for HIM. 

Having been a part of the US Development academy program, he had no life beyond soccer and school.  (Those were his choices at the time and he is the player that he is because of the choices he made over the years.)  So, his plan was the graduate after the first semester and then get  JOB (something he’s never had because of soccer).  He would work and train to get ready for college soccer and college to start in August 2015.

And all was rolling as planned UNTIL the weekend of December 12th. 

His college coach was at a game and decided to revisit the option for us to have Pootie start in the SPRING of 2015.   Pootie was all over the option.  And so were we.

So…..

BAM

I know have a son who is graduating taking his final high school exams AND starting college the week of January 13th. 

I don’t have time to be the let’s get you ready for college mom.  You’ll need this, you’ll need that.  Because there is just a little bit of time.  But we’ll wing it.  Right?  Schools close by – so i’ll shop and drive – not a big deal. 

 

But my baby is going to college –

earlier than we thought

 

It’s going to really shake things up around here.  First with Bubba.  At least one of them is going to have some separation issues.  (I’m still not sure which one)  Think Crash is going to miss him too. 

CCF02272012_00005 *a month old – with my Gram*

 

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**18 months old

 

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So my son.  I offer these words to you. 

Because you know my theory is a great quote always makes any paper better…….

“You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.”
Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

“Oh the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.”
Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

We love you so much and can’t wait to watch you in this next part of your life!!!!! 

 

Go Bulldogs!!!!!

Wingate University Athletics

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The final days of December

I hope that December has been good to you.  We have been go go go since Thanksgiving.  Dinner’s have still been planned, breakfast’s cooked – I’ve just not taken the time to stop to tell you what all we’ve had going on in the kitchen.  (This is what breakfast looks like in our house at 6:00 in the morning.)

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Today was the baking day - 100+ little tiny chocolate chip bunt cakes made for the hubby to hand out at his office.

Here ya go…THE Chocolate Chip Cake…

Preheat over to 350 degrees

1 box of vanilla cake mix

1 small box of vanilla instant pudding

1 cup of sour cream

1/2 cup of oil

1/2 cup of water

4 eggs beaten

Dump all of that into mixer and mix until ingredients are, well, mixed.

Now add one grated german chocolate bar.

and one bag of semi sweet chocolate chips.

Stir until all mixed up….

Pour mixture into greased or well sprayed bundt pan.  Cook for 50 minutes….If you are going to use the little bundt style pan – it takes about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of batter per little cake and should cook for about 20 minutes. 

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My dining room became the “staging area” (Jessica – you KNOW I have to have a staging area)

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And this is about 80ish all done and packaged for hubby.  

Then there is my Uncle Barry.  Here he is with Gracie and Sally – two of his caregivers.  These women are amazing!!!!!!  He’s doing great here in Charlotte. 

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And this would be my goofball son (who is getting ready to graduate high school by the way!  Yippeeee!!!) When his picture he posted on instagram got 200 likes.  (Oh – the picture is one of the ones I’ve included – let’s see i fyou can guess)

I have no idea – don’t ask me to explain WHAT he was doing.  He is a whack-a-doodle.  (More news on what the oldest has got going after the New Year)

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And now my favorite end of the year game – SEE HOW THEY’VE GROWN!

The Bubba in 2010.  Seriously – cracks me up the think that he was BALD!

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And December 2011 – the blond curls had been HACKED off once…..

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2012 

2013

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2014

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And Lola – 2010.  She looks like a babe here…

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And December 2011….the short hair cut year….she went the year then decided it was time to grow it back out.

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And 2012

 

2013

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and now – 2014

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And my blonde baby boy, Crash 2010…he has changed so much!!!

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And December 2011…

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And 2012….he is such a young man. 

2013

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And 2014

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And Pootie - 2010

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December 2011 –

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2012….

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2014

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The group shot from 2011 –

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2012

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kids grp

2014

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And 2010 -

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2011…….

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2012

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2014

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And 2011

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2012

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2013

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2014

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And here are some great shots I just have to share of my kids from last weeks “annual” make my happy by going to get our pictures taken event.  I have to say – we had the BEST time- the kids too – the photographer that got stuck with us – she had a blast!

 

7C He just could not stop laughing…

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Cute – but not my kids (not the Christmas card)

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Them being goofy – those are my kids.

34C Love this one of my boys

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And Sassy-molassy here.  Just love her. 

I must share the picture that Pootie and Crash INSISTED be taken.  There really are no words.

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yeah- they were taking a little inspiration from StepBrothers

Merry Christmas to you and yours.  Enjoy the time with family and friends.  It’s what really matters. 

See you in 2015!!!!!

Disclaimer – we went to the Picture People in 2012.  That is the ONLY reason we went there.  My photo friend reminds me that those type of places make there money with traditional style poses – but that does NOT work for our family.  We’re just not like that.  The fabulous shots of my kids in the red and black outfits are done by Suzy of Suzy Moore Photography.  She has been taking pictures of all my kids since they were wee babes and gets the best out of them.  Portrait Innovations has done the rest.