The Highs

 1. Owen is on VARSITY

My determined, dedicated, and hardworking athlete is on varsity as a freshman.  This past weekend was the first official high school wrestle off for the twins and Owen came out on top.  He knew that 106 was his best bet and he set the goal and started the grind.  It was nerve racking and then extremely exciting.  I had so much fun watching his goal become reality.  Take that back.... I struggled, STRUGGLED, with the weight loss aspect.  I leaned into Jenny Culp (another mom) and stayed on top of his health.  Now that the major cut is over, he has been doing AMAZING keeping his weight.  Wrestling is a crazy ass sport.  I could not be prouder of his hard work. 

2. Week off

I have the entire Monday - Friday off this week.  Usually, I pick up work but since the Cancer Center didn't need me, I decided to just be off.  Today I will get officially caught up on laundry and will try to finish most of Christmas...if not all of Christmas.  We finally have all of our lodging booked for Germany & Prague, but I still want to look at train schedules and things to do besides eat and drink our way through Christmas markets. Ehhhh.... that actually sounds great...

3. The girls

On Friday I went to Amy's house with Laura to just spend time together.  I brought stuff to make Christmas snowflakes and Amy pulled out her laminator.  That means I literally brought over my personal task and asked if they would help.  It turned into the perfect morning of just BEING.  On Monday the three of us went to Shelby's.  We helped fold laundry, Amy gave her bags of girl clothes, and Laura and I continued to work on snowflakes.  I am so grateful for their friendship.  And that they put up with my crazy.

4.  HSE Skyward

I am not sure if it should be a love or a hate relationship with Skyward.  It fully allows me to be a helicopter parent with grades....and it fully allows me to be a helicopter parent with grades.  How did our parents know if we did our assignments?  How did they know if we were doing absolutely nothing.  My only guess is....I did my assignments, so it wasn't an issue.  I am still grateful that I have a heads up and try TRY my best to figure this out without being a helicopter parent.  It's not working but I am super grateful for this crutch.

5.  New Eye Mask

I believe that gift giving is my mother in law's love language.  Every year she spoils us for Christmas, bdays, mother's day....everything.  Since Mike already received one, huge present, I decided to open my presents and use them as they come.  Right now, my new eye mask is my favorite.  I have used an eye mask religiously for years.  Even in a completely dark room.  This one is a bit weighted, silky, and fabulous.  I still look like an old, swollen, wrinkly lady when I wake up.  I am obsessed with sleep and since I will not be pulling the trigger on a $2000 cooling system, this eye mask is the next best thing!

Pots

 1. Halloween

Another year of Halloween success.  I love the tradition of hanging out with the Redmans.  The littles went off by themselves and at the end of the night Cameron and his friends showed up for dinner.  It is easy and fun.  We sit outside by the fire while people trick or treat.  

2. Wrestling Tournament 

Early last week I found out there was a tournament in Ohio on Sunday and I was NOT WORKING.  I had Greg sign Owen up, I got Jack to agree on attending, and we traveled to Cincy.  It was a 12-hour day with lots and LOTS of waiting -- but also lots of yatzee.  Jack and I played a ton of games, Owen wrestled great, and I was able to spend time just being together.  

Today is the first official day of high school wrestling plus no CIA tonight.

Also -- here is what I packed for the day. 

3 peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chip sandwiches, 2 PB&J sandwiches, popcorn, 4 drinks, 1 protein coffee, 5 peaches, 3 electrolyte packets, 3 protein bars, 3 fruit snacks, 1 cinnamon bar, 2 bananas, 1 chickpea/quinoa salad, and Halloween candy

But while there I also bought 1 pretzel with cheese, bag of skittles, and chipotle on the way home.  

No - we didn't eat all of this food.  Greg brought his own food as well that I saw Owen eating.  

3. Owen's Hair

I didn't have to pay $90 or $50 (both quotes I received) to bleach Owen's hair.  We did it at home.  It didn't turn out fully miserable.  

4. Driver's Ed

The twins are officially signed up for Driver's Ed.  Cameron has completed 10% of the course.  Owen hasn't signed in.  

5. Harry Potter

Quickly back to Halloween - Jack's new costume, Jack Skeleton, was not comfortable on him.  So, at the very last minute we switched to Harry Potter.  Jack had the robe and wand from Universal this summer.  He refused the glasses or a lighting streak.  So thankful it wasn't a meltdown and was resolved quickly.  Also, we might be able to regift the costume to Grace.  Fingers crossed!

Partners

 1. 4 days of work - OVER

My set schedule for work is 4 days on, 10 days off.  I love it.  This week I switched a coworker which took my fourth day and moved it to Friday.  I ended up picking up Tuesday on a different unit.  HOLY. HELL.  It was an insane day. I left an absolute mess for the night shift nurse.  I felt so bad.  I know it's a 24-hour hospital....but still... it was a lot.  I was so grateful to walk out of the door (even 30 minutes late).  I am also grateful I work oncology and usually my days are fabulous.

2. Partnership

I am so grateful for Mike and our partnership.  The schedules we carry are never regular and constantly changing.  The boys are going a million different ways and we have to constantly check in to divide and conquer.  It's tough.  It's not rare to be busy in this season of our life, but it's still tough.  Today I am signing the boys up for driver's ed and then will have additional tasks on the plate.  

**This picture was taken right before getting into Bernadette's car and heading to Tahoe for Trail**

3. Sara

About a month ago I had one of the absolute most memorable experiences of my life.  I was allowed to be in the delivery of Cassidy.  I was the only family allowed in the room.  It was unbelievable.  I saw Sara be an absolute badass.  I am so grateful and honored for this gift.  I wish I could shout it from the rooftops.  Since that day I have been able to hang out with these two multiple times.  It has been such a soul lifting experience.  

4. Friendship

All of the boys have great friendships right now and it has been so much fun getting to know their friends.  This evening the twins are having friends over to celebrate Halloween and then Mike and I are taking Jack to the Redman's.  I wish I could be at both places at once. 

5. Shelby

On the early morning of May 17, 2014, I called Shelby to ask for help.  She was the person who I knew would pick up the phone, immediately get out of bed, and drive over to help.  She went straight to Erin's house to watch the littles so my dad could be at the hospital with the rest of our family.  That is who she is.  That is the type of friend.  The type of person.  

In the picture below, she is at homecoming pictures with me.  

She is in my life for the highs and the lowest of lows.  So grateful for her and our friendship. 

Habits

1. Starting Again

I am going to try and make this a habit...again.  When the boys turned 15 a few days ago I started to get a bit teary eyed looking at old pictures.  I don't remember much - AT ALL - from that time period in my life.  I am so grateful that I wrote this diary that shared our day-to-day craziness.  And today, I am grateful that I can start again.  That I can just pick back up and write down the things that later I will absolutely forget.... or look at with rose colored glasses.  

This picture is of the twins at Big Apple on their birthday morning.  A TON of kids were there before school.

2. TRAIL is finished

I am finally (WEEKS LATER) able to look back with fondness on my TRAIL experience.  It was one for the books.  The books that are titled.... HOLY FUCK.  What are you doing to your body. 

3. Part Time work    

A few months ago I had enough with Sage Homes and New Bath Today.  It was a Thursday evening and I went to work on Friday and asked to work part-time.  I wanted to hold the insurance and didn't want to depend on that business.  A job was immediately created for me, and I was giving Sara my schedule before 3pm that day.  So grateful to have the opportunity and ease to step right back into work.

4. Wrestling season officially starts in less than 2 weeks

You would think I would be nervous for more wrestling...but in our house it will actually be less!  The boys currently have a crazy schedule with CIA and LOG (wrestling clubs)

Monday: Open gym at school until 5pm, CIA from 6-730

Tuesday: LOG 7-830

Wednesday: CIA 6-730

Thursday: Open gym until 5pm. Then Cameron has LOG 7-830 and Owen does private 630-730

Sunday: CIA 430 - 6

Since High Schoolers are not able to wrestle kids from other schools during season then they won't be going to CIA.  I am not sure what will be happening to LOG but pretty pumped that we don't have to drive to Warren 3x a week.

6. Kroger has pumpkins

The twins just got home from school, and we are headed to Kroger to grab pumpkins before they start to hang out with their friends.  Jack is going to Xever's house for a sleep over. Owen is having Clara, Jayden, and Max over.  Cameron is meeting up with Henry and Deegan to skate and then spending the night here.