long story short

adventures in aviation

Hutton has been wanting a remote control helicopter for a while. Walker has one, but he never lets Hutton fly it. Or touch it. So, you can imagine his excitement when K walked in one night with a helicopter just for him, with lights and everything -- for no special reason even! Hutton carefully read all of the instructions, then he set a timer so that the helicopter would charge for precisely two hours, as instructed. I felt honored to be invited to the maiden voyage.

We drove to the school -- more open space, you know. There were other people there, which made this first flight even more exciting!

I helpfully pointed out this sign, which the guys ignored:

(K retorted that a model helicopter is not the same as a model airplane).

Like a good dad, K acted as the launching pad and let Hutton take the controls -- even though I think he really wanted to fly the chopper himself.

Hutton assured me that he knew what he was doing. He was so pro! He sent that thing flying! (notice the awesome lights!)

And then...

...yeah, too high. Too high, then too far, then the chopper went rogue. Seriously, it just kept flying, further and further away. Hutton's loyal companion/assistant tried to help. The spectators just stared, awestruck.

In the end, we saw helicopter fall from the sky, beyond the school, across the street and into someone's backyard. No big deal, says K. We'll just knock on the door and ask if we can get our likely-mangled helicopter. So they did. Fortunately, the lady who lived there was nice (sort of).

UNfortunately, her yard looked like this! (holy cow! it just goes to show that you never know what lurks behind someone's fence).

I know you're on the edge of your seat! Did we find the helicopter in that jungle of weeds and trees?!

What do you think?

It was a long walk back to the car...minus one super-cool helicopter with lights.

 

editors note: i'm realizing that this is kind of a sad story. would it help to know that K brought home another helicopter? yes? okay, he did. but that helicopter was kind of, well, broken. that actually makes the story even worse, doesn't it?

the only thing that saves this story is that (1) thinking about it makes me laugh; (2) even though it didn't turn out as planned, we had so much fun with hutton that day. watching him figure out the instructions and get that thing flying so high was priceless; and (3), after a few minutes, and a few tears, even hutton couldn't help grinning about the whole thing.

we haven't stopped talking about that awesome, crazy helicopter.

world travelers

Did I mention that Brinley has been traveling the world lately? Well, she has.

After a few days away on a senior trip in southern Utah, Brinley -- along with her dad -- took off for Guatemala. They went with a group on a humanitarian trip. They planted trees and helped build a school for a village.

K made sure that they had a day to sightsee -- what a gorgeous country!

    

And Brinley -- being Brinley -- found time to give manicures to the girls...

... and to fall in love with the people in the village -- especially the children.

      
 

These are just a few of the hundreds (literally!) of pictures they took. I wish you could see them all -- they're all so great.

Brinley and K spent several days in grubby clothes, traveling on small planes and buses, sleeping with lots of people all in one room, eating new foods and working hard.

Brinley came home with a new sparkle in her eyes. She saw people living with so little (in the way of material possessions) who were so happy. She learned to communicate with people who spoke a different language. In learning about the culture and lifestyle of others, I think she gained an appreciation for her own.

K has always been one that can be comfortable with anyone, anywhere, so I was sure he'd have a great time. I also knew that Brinley would love this experience if she opened herself up to it.

And she did.

In sharing herself with others, she came back even more herself than she was before.

And, I think she left a little piece of herself...in Guatemala.

 

dresser talk - no. 6

Dresser number 6, the last in our series, is all business.

There is rarely anything on this dresser aside from sports and business magazines. You see a book there, you say?  Secrets of Longevity? Oooo...intriguing, right?

Well, before you think that this dresser reflects a man concerned with aging gracefully and other such mysteries, look closer. That book is pristine! There is no tell-tale crease in the cover. Believe me, that book has never been opened. (Neither have any of the other books -- you know, about child-rearing, relationships, feelings and such-- that I've given him).

So, he may not know the secrets of perfect relationships and living to be 100, but this guy knows all about sports, stocks, the latest innovations and up-and-comers in the business world. 

(But, I'm going to keep sneaking those books in there anyway).

some things never change... and that's a good thing

You know how people always say that time flies? Sometimes, I feel like time is just zipping by and things are changing faster than I can keep up.

This week, I -- being the supportive wife that I am -- went to cheer K on in his lacrosse game. Yup, you read right: K played in a lacrosse game.

And, I have to say, he still had some moves! He scored 3 goals and had 3 assists. (He'd want me to put those stats in. Madsen bet him he wouldn't score. As if!)

He played with a couple of friends from college. Somewhere I have a photo from around 1989 of K and Charlie, in their lacrosse gear, after a game. I'm not sure where it is now. But I did find this treasure:

1988. Can you find K and Charlie in their bandannas? Now, fast-forward TWENTY ONE years...

There they are. Same guys. Same game. Same competitive spirit. Much of the same gear -- check out that old helmet! Sadly, same jerseys (stinkin' pack rat!!). K even wore one of his ancient old bandannas. (That's gross, right?) I think that the only thing that's changed is the shorty-shorts (thank heavens!). Although, I'm pretty sure Charlie still has his.

So, time flies. But maybe things don't really change that much. At that game, these guys were the same guys they were 20+ years ago. Maybe a little slower. Just a little. But they're still friends. They still love to play lacrosse. They can still make each other laugh. And I felt like the same girl that used to sit at those games 20 years ago and cheer my favorite guys on.

I think that's pretty great. As fast as time goes and as much as things change, some of the best things stay the same. Speaking of that...

...they won.

landscaping 101

K went out and bought a lawn mower. 

(So we didn't have a lawn mower! Don't judge me, people!)

We are going to mow our own lawn and try our hand at maintaining our landscaping. And by "we", I mean...

So far (it's been about a week), so good. 

I have to admit: When I saw this...

... I got a little nervous.  He sorta looks baffled by the machine, huh? 

But, I will not let that shake my confidence. Or shatter my dreams of that perfect yard... lush and green, with beautiful flowers neatly planted in perfect rows. (sigh) I will block out the image of the 6-foot (6 FOOT!) prickly weed that I found in one corner... and of K holding a gigantic bottle of RoundUp, spraying everything that looked like a "weed".

[Because, according to our BIL, Wes:

weed [weed]
-noun
1. anything in your yard you don't want.]

(deep breath)

Baby steps: We have the mower. Our son is using it. And no one has modified the mower to accommodate a child on the handle.

I kid you not! My other BIL did that! I have proof:

So, we're good. No flowers yet. But my freshly-mowed lawn looks great. And my son is learning to work at something until it looks good.  For now, I will enjoy green grass and big old trees. I will send out a message for beautiful flowers to the Universe.

Stay tuned for photos of my (future) gorgeous yard. ('You hear that, Universe?)

dream a little dream

We all have dreams. The things we fantasize about when our minds wander. The things we hope for, but don't dare expect.

Every once in a while, we hit the jackpot. Our dreams come true -- only better than we'd imagined. Take my husband, for example. I think that he thinks that I don't know that he -- high school and college lacrosse player extraordinaire -- has, for many years, harbored a fantasy that all of his sons would also become lacrosse players. Great lacrosse players, with a passion for the game equaled only by his own.

Over the years he has nurtured the dream. First, taking his baby daughter to watch him play lacrosse. Then, buying tiny lacrosse sticks -- just for fun, you know.  He has saved his ratty lacrosse gloves and pads for YEARS -- just in case.  We have a full-size eyesore goal in our backyard.

Over the last few weeks, I have been keenly aware that K is livin' the dream. Big time. See for yourself:

  

Four sons that play lacrosse -- and love it; a wife and daughter who are enthusiastic and supportive fans (okay, the daughter not so much); hours of coaching; and even more hours of cheering from the sidelines... sounds like a dream come true to me.

I'll bet there are lots of you that are livin' your dreams. Think about it. 

So, to all you dreamers out there, I say... dream big.

 

ramblings of a lonely wife

Dear K,

Here I sit... in the middle of the night. Can't sleep.

It's weird around here -- with you in China. Having you out of town is nothing new really. But, it's different this time -- when the out-of-town is CHINA. Not that there's anything wrong with China. I'm sure it's a lovely place. But, it's (approximately) 6,573 miles away. And in a time zone that's 15 hours ahead of ours. The time difference makes it difficult to phone, so we seem truly... apart.  It seems weird that, as I'm sitting here alone in the dark, you're somewhere in... tomorrow.

I've done the solo-mom thing many, many times. I don't know why it seems so weird this time. So many times, I've picked up the phone to call you -- only to realize you're in bed, sound asleep, on the other side of the world. Our IM chats have been fun, but still.

You should know that we're just fine. Hutton has taken your spot in the bed. And means to stay, I think.

I attempted playing two drums at once in band today. It's harder than it looks.

A certain someone here has been giving me critiques on my parenting. Apparently I'm making some pretty big mistakes. (Note: Just because someone critiques you in a kind, matter-of-fact voice doesn't make it less annoying!) You'll have to have a chat with that one.

As you know from our IM chat the other night, I took Hutton snowboarding on my own. You seemed so enthused by the idea that I wanted to make sure I actually did it. It was great. I think I earned some cool points. Sort of. Well, maybe not. Hutton was faster than I was -- and I could tell he suspected that I didn't know where I was going (I didn't).

The boys were playing football and lacrosse in the backyard today. And Mac is trying to recruit friends to play lacrosse. That should make you happy.

Oh, and Madsen made cookies today. They were really good. I only tell you that because... well, isn't that weird? I haven't seen him make cookies since he was my baking helper when he was about three. I don't know what got into him.

I got an email encouraging me to buy an amazing Snuggie. It's a blanket. With sleeves. I did not succumb to their clever marketing. I did, however, buy ShamWow. (Blame my sister!) Before you roll your eyes, you should know: ShamWow holds TWELVE TIMES its weight in liquid! TWELVE TIMES! It's not seeming like such a crazy purchase now, is it?

I went to the cub scout dinner with the boys. I ate Jell-O. Green Jell-O. See how things go crazy when you're gone?  Hutton looked at the Jell-O and asked, "What is that, Mom?"  Were you aware that he's never had Jell-O? Me neither. I'll add that to the newly-brought-to-my-attention list of my parenting errors (see above). I explained that it's kind of like a gummy bear. He gave me a weird look. Then I told him it's like that thing in the Monsters vs Aliens preview. He ate a bite or two. Not impressed. If you'd been there, you would have laughed.

As you can see, it's been life-as-usual.

Only not.

I know we're not the mushy types (sensitive cheese-o-meter and all that), but... I miss you.

Love,
-L

coach dad

A cute boy showed up at my door today with a little something for K.

 

K is one of those dads that's always the coach for his sons' teams -- at least one team per season.  Basketball, baseball, football (tackle and flag), lacrosse... you name it, he's there. And... he LIKES it!! Aren't my boys lucky??

 

So, in case we haven't said it lately... thanks, K. You're the best.