Got a Fever of 103.9

After not sleeping for 2 nights, walking around looking and feeling like the living dead, I can honestly say that I am delicately balancing on the brink of exhaustion-induced psychosis. To be blunt, my emotions are shot and I am pretty much a mess.

With this in mind, today when I checked Markie's temperature and the digital readout STARTED at 103 degrees - that was all I needed to set me off in full-tilt-freak out mode. With a thermometer reading 103.9 degrees in one hand and the phone to my doctor in the other - the poor receptionist had to deal with my wrath. I am convinced that when you start a conversation to your doctor's office with "I AM FREAKING OUT!" it is a very effective method to get the care that you need. This theory was tested and proven today as the response was for me to bring him right in - which I did. The diagnosis was that he is suffering from a common virus that will most likely show up in both of my other kids before the week is out. Now that sure is something to look forward to! I can hardly wait!

Hot Blooded...

Check it and see - Got a fever of a 103... Well, almost 103 anyways. 102.4 to be exact! Markie has been on a feverish roller coaster all day and it looks like it might be the trend well into the night. Bummer for me!

On a much cooler and WAY more exciting note, my sweet niece Elena turned 8 today! Happy Birthday Little E!


We all love you like crazy angel girl and can't wait to see you in a month and a half!

Golfing, Birthdays and a Bunch of Full Bellies

After the return of 5 tired but happy campers - we headed off into a bunch of directions! The Marks (Mark Jr. and Mark III) scooted off to their golf tournament while Tanner, Madison and I - with Riley in tow - headed over to the Knowles house for an incredible lunch. We gorged ourselves on a homemade Stromboli and tomato soup. After a quick trip down the street to drop off Tanner at a birthday party - I headed back to resume my spot at the Knowles dining room table where we chatted and drank ridiculous amounts of sweet tea.

To top off the fabulous lunch, I concocted a new brownie recipe that consisted of chocolate chip brownies covered with a flattened layer of chocolate chip cookie dough and then baked. It was quite delicious - even if I do say so myself!

A fun conclusion to a fun weekend!

On My Own...

What to do with all of this time - I just don't know! My very brave hubby took our three kids and Madison's friend Riley camping for the night. Since oil and water go together as well as camping and I do - I have the next 18 hours to myself! I can't remember the last time that I didn't have anything to do! I am so fired up! So, in no particular order, here is what I am thinking my evening will look like:

• Get caught up on Ace of Cakes
• Take a Bubble Bath
• Finish the book I am currently reading
• Eat a well balanced meal (cookie dough balanced on a spoon)
• Watch a chick flick (probably The Holiday)
• Sleep like an X in the middle of my bed!

Pretty much lots of lounging, absolutely NO cleaning and some well deserved time to just chill-ax!

VOLCANO ERUPTS!!!

The walls were shakin', the earth was quakin', my mind was achin' and we weren't fakin' as a volcano erupted right here in Redding, CA. With lava and poisonous gases spewing everywhere, the unbearable heat and ash surrounding us, it was by the grace of God alone that we lived through it!

OK - so we weren't really in THAT much danger. I tend to have a way with embellishing things! It was quite an eruption though! After making the volcano from scratch (*note to reader, inhaling powdered plaster is never a good idea), and painting it over the course of 2 days, it's destiny to erupt was fulfilled and my work as a volcano maker/painter/erupter was done!

Lullaby and Goodnight...

After running around like wild animals and acting like untamed beasts - it was all too clear that these little ones were well overdue for a nap. Getting them to settle down enough to actually get some rest was another story! After exhausting all other options, it became apparent that lulling these creatures to sleep with the sweet melody of Tanner's voice was the only choice. After rounds of Rock-A-By-Baby, a very interesting version of The Star Spangled Banner and Josh Grobin's You Raise Me Up, these sweet little beings finally settled into a restful slumber!

Happy Apple Day!!!

'Twas 3 months before Christmas and hidden all around
Were apples for the kindergarten class to be found
There were red ones, green ones and some fujis too
Ready to be studied by this under six crew
With marshmallow and peanut butter apple smiles
And apple tree paintings in their own unique styles
Apple Jacks to be strung by the children with care
And then eaten quickly so they wouldn't have to share
There was juice and dancing and lots of apple-y fun
And a couple happy moms that Apple Day was done!

The Perfect Day...

How often in our lives are there days when you can honestly say that you wouldn't have spent it any other way? Well, I was lucky enough to have one of those days on Saturday! After easing into the morning, we made our way over to the soccer park for our first game of the day.

Markie was up first with a 1:30 start time. He hit the field running and didn't stop until the final whistle blew. While his team posted a 4-3 loss (all 3 goals being his), his dominance on the field was undeniable!

After a brief reprieve in the shade, we headed over to Tanner's game. With all of his best gals by his side, his offense was unstoppable and his defense was impenetrable. With 3 goals to his name in a 3-0 win, he and his Kicker teammates celebrated by crawling like dogs through a man (and woman) made tunnel!

With an hour to go before Madison's 6:00 game, we, along with Grandpa Mark and Auntie Courtney, headed to one of our favorite burrito joints! After gorging ourselves, we waddled back to the soccer park for the last of our 3 games.

Madison and her Pride teammates ROCKED THE HOUSE! While the final score remained 0-0, it was one of the best games I have ever had the privelege of watching! Madison's speed and ball handling skills were unbelievable. Watching her dribble past the defensive line (girls who are 2 years older and a head taller) to take shots on the goal was a joy that I can not put into words. That girl amazes me. Watching her play and seeing her become more confident in her abilities is just about as good as it gets!

So, there it was. My perfect day. Watching my kids play soccer, eating way too much food and being surrounded by many of my favorite people! It doesn't get any better than that!

2 Birthdays and 1 Very Cool Cake!

It was a night of birthday celebrations! Mark's grandfather celebrated his 85th while his sister, Courtney celebrated her 22nd! The hamburgers and hotdogs were barbequed to perfection, the friends and family gathered were a perfect combination of well, old and new, and the evening was topped of with what could be called a culinary work of art!

Smashed Rattlesnakes and World War III

There is just never a dull moment in our household! After a quick trip up the street to retrieve a recently smashed rattlesnake, we came home to World War III. While none of the countries currently at war were involved - it was one of epic porportions nonetheless. It was a battle of Good vs Evil. Light vs Darkness. Right vs Wrong. Dinosaurs vs. Cowboys and Indians. While the dinosaurs overpowered the men by size, weight and ability to rip their heads off in a single bite - the craftiness and skill of the men made it an even match. With bodies from both sides flying across the clearly drawn enemy lines, it was unclear who would come out the victor. In a nail-biting finale, WWIII came to an end with no man... or beast left standing!

Soccer Saturday!

With the temperatures above 105 today (and easily 10 degrees hotter on the artifcial turf) - the hours spent at the soccer park were sweaty but definitely memorable ones!

Madison game was the first on the card. The amount of joy I get watching her play is indescribable! Her grace, speed and skill is amazing. While she and her Pride teammates played hard and did the best they could - they fell just short of a win.

Mark was up next. With two quick goals under his belt, he was pulled into the backfield. The other team scored 3 goals and Mark was put back in the forward position. With just a few minutes left on the clock, he stopped a goalie punt with his chest, dribbled up and did a sliding kick that flew by the goalie to end the game in a 3-3 tie.

Tanner's game marked the grand finale for our day on the soccer field. (To fully appreciate this, you really need to be singing the theme music to Chariots of Fire.) Tanner, with his good buddies - Drew, Georgia, Demi, Abigail and Emily - were a force to be reckoned with. The team work that was displayed in this game was phenomenal. Drew's goal and Tanner's 3 goals were definite highlights but it was Tanner's pass to Emily so she could score that made it all worth while. He could have easily taken it in himself but instead passed it to his shy teammate for her to complete the task. While victory was won, the numbers didn't matter. Helping someone else find happiness - on or off the field - well, you just can't beat that!

Eight is Enough...

Actually, eight was perfect! Here is the breakdown for our Labor Day BBQ:
Girls: 5
Boys: 3
Potential For Drama: Immeasurable
Actual Drama: 0
Men involved in Man Circle: 4
Ladies gathered in Ladies Loop: 5
Number of Peanut Butter Brownies Consumed: 24
Spending Time with Friends and Family: Priceless