I'm back!

Well....after a long hiatus, I'm back. I can give you a ton of excuses why I haven't blogged in so long. After looking at our pictures on the computer, we have been busy. That and the fact that my old computer crashed, or froze, or chose not to work anymore. It's still a good computer, and we need to take it into a computer guy to get all of my pictures off of it and take Microsoft Vista off of it and add Windows 7 on it. After getting and using the new computer (for 2 months now), I'm realizing that the old computer was mega slow, and I simply didn't have the patience to wait for the pictures to load onto blogger. Now, it's better and stronger and faster! Here are recent pics of he boys. They are getting big!

Mason got a new bike last week. Lee and I have never been the type of people to buy the boys bicycles for thier Birthdays or Christmas. Thier birthdays are in the winter, and it would KILL them to wait for a nice day to ride thier bikes. Mason out grew his bike, and needed a 20 inch. It was hard to find, but Lee found a few. Mason is super excited about his bike. He slept with the bike in his room the first night he got it.

This was the second year Mason made a Pinewood Derby Car. He wanted to paint it Camo. So, we did. Then Lee (The Dad) put on the wheels, etc. He did pretty well.

Mr. Mac. Mr. Big High Schooler/9th grader now. I guess this would be another reason why I haven't had time to blog. He needs to go places. It's always something. He has been going to early morning Seminary this year. He's enjoyed the teacher and what they are learning this year, it's Church History. He's all into that. He's also going on Trek next month. He's been busy with Schoolwork, Scouts, Scouting Fundraiser...it goes on. His Uncle Wes (Lee's youngest brother) wants Mac to spend the summer in Utah with him and his new wife, Kamisha and their little baby Ava. So, he's spending the month of July and part of August there. Then, he comes back for Football of course. Real High School Football, which practices are twice a day, everyday, until School starts. Mac is officially taller than me, and is as tall as Lee, and he is still growing. The picture was taken when he first got back from his Order of the Arrow "Ordeal". It's a big deal. He had to sleep outside (in March, in the rain). He couldn't talk for the duration that he was there (really). He had to fast (not eat), and do a service project at the Boy Scout Camp they were at. He did it, recieved it, and we couldn't be prouder. Now if only he can get working on his merit badges for Boy Scouts.

Not Much Going On...Again

I guess the time between Christmas and Spring is a slow time for us. We have been busy with the day to day, but there haven't been many pictures to be taken-or a need to take many pictures.
Mac has been Wrestling and he's really enjoyed it. He's made a few new friends, and over all, he's doing well. He has lost 4 pounds (not on purpose)-and seems pleased when he's lost weight. He had his IEP (Individual Education Plan) re-evaluated this year. 2 of his Teachers and the School Psycologist (the person who evaluates him) expressed to me what a good kid Mac is. They have been empressed with his school work, his work ethic, and how he tries really hard on his school work. He is well liked amongst his peers, and is a good example to others. While I was in the meeting, it was after school. One of the Science teachers were offering homemade cookies to us. He told us that they made the cookies for a experiment, but because the kids were misbehaving (badly) he decided NOT to let the kids in his class eat the cookies, so he was giving them away. After he left, the School Psycologist said "See! This is the stuff we have to deal with day in and day out. We have alot of kids around here who misbehave, but Mac is NOT one of those kids". As a parent, you always aren't sure how you are doing. So as long as Mac isn't being kicked out of school or worse, I guess we are doing alright.
Mason has a conference pretty soon....I bet you $1,000 dollars they are going to mention something about him not sitting in his seat. I'm at his school once a week volunteering, so I KNOW what goes on with him. I am grateful Mason doesn't have the learning issues Mac has. Mason has seemed to inherit Lee's smarts, I guess. Lee has always had a photographic memory, if he sees it once, he knows it. So with Mason...he doesn't like to "practice" reading, or practicing his sight words-because "I know it already!" With Mac, we had to practice and go over things over, and over again. Mason LOVES Math, and loves to count in 2's and 10's. I'm going to enroll him in swimming lessons this spring and summer. He has no interest in anything else. Mason is also getting ready for his baptizim at the end of the month. He is getting really excited about it-and so are we.

Haircuts

When Mason was a toddler, his hair started growing into these beautiful, little red head, curls. The Spring of 2004 I think, his head was sweaty when he ran around, and he was a miserable little guy. So we had to cut the curls off. Lee and I never heard the end of it from the Grandparents, and quite honestly....Lee didn't think I had the guts to have them cut off. Since then, he has always had a "big boy" haircut. In November, Lee was looking at pics of Mason and said "hey, it's winter time now, lets grow Mason's hair out and see what happens". The only person who wasn't "on board" with this idea was Mason. I had to squirt his hair with a spray conditioner every morning so his hair would be less frizzy and less "poofy". He hated this process and over the course of this week particularly, he got mad at me 3 times this week about not getting his hair cut. Then, Lee said something about "well, why don't you cut his hair?" Like it was MY idea to grow it out. So yesterday after school, we went to get Mason's haircut.

The before pic...wouldn't smile because he wasn't happy.

After....a very happy guy!

I picked Mac up from Wrestling practice yesterday, and left Mason with Lee and Mac and I went to the Mall to run some errands for him. One of those things was getting his haircut too. We went to a Mastercuts in the Mall. He wouldn't let me take his before pic. He suddenly became annoyed with me. THEN....a couple of girls his age walked in getting thier hair cut too. I said something too him, and he wouldn't respond. I asked him something else and he gave me "the look". When I give "the look" Lee calls it the "Look of Death". Mac resembles me, so he gave me the "Look of Death". His haircut was over, and then he bolted while I paid for his haircut. So, no pics of Mac. It's not because I favor one child over the other, it's because I have a TEENAGE BOY now and he is a non willing participant. Now it has started, and now I have to be sneaky.

Halloween 2009

It was a busy and little sad Halloween. With Mac still in Football, Mason being pretty sick with a bad cold, and then the rains comming a little early than usual (or maybe not). We weren't able to get to the Pumpkin Patch. Mason was more disstressed about us NOT having pumpkins on the front porch more than he was not knowing what he wanted to be for Halloween. Mason just wasn't into it. He could have cared less.

Mac and Mason carving the store bought pumpkins. Mason really got into this, usually he sits back and watches because the pumpkin guts really grosses him out.

Mason wanted to scoop out all of the guts himself...of course this was a painful process for me to watch, so I helped to get the ball rolling.

On Friday day...Mason decided he wanted to be something, so I mentioned a Scarecrow and he said yes. So I got the stuff together for his costume. He didn't want to go out, but because of his cough, he knew he wasn't going out. When this happens, he stays in....and I go to Target to buy him his favorite candies. This was the second or third Halloween he missed out on because of being sick.

Mac was a G.I. Joe guy. He always has his costume mapped out and knows what he wants to be by the end of September. He did go Trick or Treating, and being that he will be in High School next year, this was his last year. He actually wasn't sure if he wanted to go out or not until the last minute. Next year, hopefully, no one will be sick.

First Day of School 2009

The first day of school was last Wednesday. After all of the drama of our teachers striking or not, we started only 1 day late. I'm not going to get into the reasons why the teachers were going to strike, but I will say-I supported them 110%.

I have been taking the first day of school pictures of Mac since he was in Kindergarten. I think I missed a couple of grades here and there. Mac leaves the house to catch the bus at 6:50am. He leaves just as Lee is leaving for work. Just after I took this picture he says "Isn't he a bit old to have his picure taken for the 1st day of school"? NEVER!! Being that Mac is now a teenager, he has a small opinion about what he wants to wear now. I used to be able to choose things for him. That ended last spring. I have always had to take him into the store to fit him for jeans, since he was 2 years old. I believe that will never change, well....until he tells me not to come anymore.

It was still pretty dark outside when I took this picture. Mac starts Mid-High this year. It is a school for the 8th and 9th graders in our district. Last year, there were 1200 students. It's a brand spanking new school that Mac is going to this year. He really likes it. Also, he has "main streamed" into the regular Language Arts (English for us old schoolers) this year. He went up 2 1/2 grade levels in his reading, spelling and Language Arts area last year. So, I'm pretty darn proud of him. Mac has dyslexia, like his Mom-and was able to get out of Language Arts in the Resource Room. He is still in there for Math-like his Mom. In High School, I was in Resource Room Math and College Prep English. It doesn't make sense I know.

Mason is in the First grade this year. He is as always, a willing participant for getting his pictures taken. We went back to school shopping 1 week before school started, and he picked out what he wanted. He really likes the color orange. He loves his class, and some of the kids from his kindergarten class are in his 1st grade class this year. He takes his luch to school with him (Mr. Picky Eater). And I love that he leaves his garbage in his lunch bag, so I can evaluate what he's eaten or not eaten. This was a HUGE concern for me-because he's a picky eater, and doesn't really eat when it's "time" to eat. So far so good!

This is him at his desk. I love that he lets me take him to school, take pictures, and still gives he a hug and a kiss before I leave. I will be volunteering at his class and probably in the school this year again.

And what will I be doing now that I have my days to myself? Watch Soap Opera's and eat chocolates of course! Yeah, right! I have so many "to do" lists for myself, it's not even funny. Going through, organizing, tossing stuff without being interupted! I'm starting with Mason's room. But the first 2-3 days of school, I was canning peaches that I brought back with me from Yakima on Labor Day weekend.

Happy Spring!

Spring Break for us was last week. Mac had a Science Project to finish before we left for Yakima. We ususally go every Spring Break. It's a nice break from the rain, because the sun is ususally out, in which this case, it was. We went for a long weekend instead of the whole week. We visited Grandma and Grandpa Parker, Uncle Sam and Aunt Andrea, the cousins, and sometimes we see friends. We also pop into Ellensburg to see Great Grandma Dawson (Hope's Grandma)-she just turned 92 yesterday. I always enjoy seeing and visiting with her. She's still sharp as a tack. The pics turned out blurry-I messed around with my camera and I need to change it back, somehow.

I didn't get any pics of the boys on the Farm or anything. I'm still not used to whipping my camera out and taking pics. The sun was out the whole time we were in Yakima. I had a chance to visit an old friend of mine, Trina. We grew up in the same neighborhood together, and I've known her since I was 7 years old. I had a blast catching up with her, and it was nice to talk to someone about things that happened when we were little kids, and teenagers.

Honor Roll & Doctor Appointment

Last Thursday-February 12th, was a very busy day. The week before, I had received an invitation from Mac's School to attend an Assembly on Feb 12th in the morning sometime. I was going back and forth thinking to myself "Should I go? I have so much to do that day, well, we will see". I dropped Mac off to School in the Morning and he asked if I was coming to the Assembly-I blurted out "Yes"-and found myself going. Mason and Mac both had some immunizations the day before. Mason was a major crank, his arm hurt, etc. I took Mason to School and then went to Mac's for the Assembly. I was sooo glad I went. I was sitting in the Parents section, the Principal announced, "This is a list of students who made it on our Honor Roll for Fall Quarter". So, I had my camera out thinking, "Maybe Mac will be honored for something". I never in a million years thought it would be for the Honor Roll. He got really good grades Fall Quarter, despite being in Football (practices were 3 days a week for 2 hours a day). Mac has had Learning Disabilities, something he inherited from yours truly. I NEVER made it on the Honor Roll. Mac had struggled with reading in Elementary School, struggled with Writing, really struggled with Math. He loved Science, and always managed to keep up with his peers and do all of the work without making concessions for his IEP (Individual Education Plan). I saw his name on the screen, took a picture of it, looked at Mac (he was standing up from the crowd of 400 kids) and I started to tear up. I thought crying would be so uncool, so I held it together.

I am so stinking proud of this kid! So is Lee, we are both so, so proud of him. Not only academically, but, because he is a good kid, and not because we think so, but because other people tell us this. So, it must be true. Good Job Mac!! Oh, and I have started making him cook with me a little.

My other reason why this day was busy....Mason had a Check Up with his Surgeon from Childrens. We hadn't seen him since he had his Tummy Tube removed 3 years ago. He has had the same Surgeon since he was born. His name is Dr. Ledbetter, and he is the best. Mason wasn't old enough to remember the "routine" that we go through when we have a Clinic Visit. He get's weighed-on the cool scale that is built into the floor (and he kept jumping up and down on the scale). He was measured for height. We go into the examination room, I was asked a bunch of questions, and then we wait........wait & wait & wait. Mason choose not to bring any toys, etc. So he got bored. "How long do we have to wait for my Doctor? When is he comin anyways?" those were just some of the questions Mason asked. I laughed at him, because when he was a baby, we had to wait for what seemed like an eternity. So in comes his Doctor. "Where is Mason Bryant? I don't seem to see him anywhere. Where could he be?" Mason looked at him like he was nuts and responded "Well, I'm right HERE!" His doctor told him it couldn't be because he was so big. He asked Mason to see his Tummy and he flipped his shirt up and then down quickly. I told him to take off his shirt, and he told the Dr. Ledbetter "Well, I have alot of lines on my body". His Doc then responded "Well, I'm the guy who made ALL of those lines on your body". Mason's mouth opened up. This was the first appointment that Mason really got to interact with him. It was really cool to see.

This is a picture of Mason with Dr. Ledbetter when Mason just turned 1. This was not the last time we saw him-and I forgot to take a picture of them last week. His doctor still looks the same. A very nice man. We will go and see his surgeon in another year. He likes to keep his eye on him, and his appointment went really well. He is keeping his eye on possible Scoliosis. This is something that could happen to him, as his left lung grows and fills into his chest cavity. His lung will grow until he is 8 or 9. He didn't see any signs, yet...But it could happen.

When we were walking out, Mason had to have his picture taken with Mickey Mouse, of course. We also stopped by the IICU (Infants Intensive Care Unit) to see of some of his nurses were there, and they weren't. They all had the day off. Mason also has a Pulmonary Doctors appointment in April, he will also see his Dietitian at the same time.

The weekend was Valentines Day, which we celebrated on Sunday. I made Steak, Baked Potatoes and I made these Chocolate Covered Strawberries. They were really yummy! I have gotten behind on my blogging...there just isn't much to say-but when there is, it's alot of stuff at once. I'll try to be better about it.

Oh, Christmas Tree & other stuff

Our Christmas Tree, is fake. I've come to terms with it over the years. I was raised with an artificial tree. I buy tree smelling candles to make it smell like we have a real tree in the house. We have white lights on the tree. I have full control of the big tree. I assemble the tree, I put the lights on, and I use to hang 95% of the ornaments-but I have relinquished some control. Mac and Lee have piped up over the last 3 years on the color of the lights. They want colored lights. I tell them "too bad". So I have compromised. Our little tree that we have downstairs. The boys have FULL control over thier tree. I assemble it, put the colored lights on it. They decorate it. The whole thing. I don't even rearrange the ornaments afterwards. It has some John Deere ornaments, Sponge Bob Square Pants ornaments, a Kasey Kahne (NASCAR driver-also Lee's cousin) ornament. Some small colored ball ones (that do break). Last year was the first year we had it up. They had some colored lights on it last year. This year-I bought them LED colored. I admit-it's a cooly lit little tree.

This is Mason's favorite decoration. I think I bought it last year. It was on sale, and Mason HAD to have this Plastic Snow Globe. It's huge. It plays annoying Christmas music with the press of a button. Snow blows in it everywhere. He loves it. The good thing about it, the batteries don't last long. All good things must come to an end. Until the Dad pulls out some batteries from who knows where, and fixes it for him.

The other stuff. Mac has an e-mail address. If you e-mail me, I will e-mail you with his address. This is a picture of him checking to see of he got any mail from anyone. Nope, not yet. It pained me to watch him type in his e-mail address and password. I think it took him 5 minutes to type it in. I'm a mean, mean Mom for typing that. But, it's the truth. Typing and computer skills are something he will be working on this year.

Costumes On - Check, Check

Mac has chosen what he wants to be for Halloween since he was old enough to have an opinion. I have tried to remember what he has been (Lion, Cowboy, Pirate, Zorro, Contractor, another Cowboy, a Hunter). I just remembered Zorro this evening when we were trick or treating. This year, he is at a Crossroads in his life where part of him is still very much a kid, but he is also a teenager-so he wasn't sure if it would be "cool" for him to trick or treat with us. I told him he could be Indiana Jones-and it didn't take much to convince him of that. The leather jacket is Lee's-that he got on his mission in Korea.

Mason also choose what he wanted to be.......a vampire. I have NO idea where he got hat idea-seriously. I am probably one of the only people on the face of the Earth who hasn't read the Twilight series. Every Halloween I always remember Mason's first Halloween. He was 10 months old, and I found Mac's Lion costume, so he wore that. I decided that year to shop for Mac's costume early, when Mason was 9 months old. I was still able to put him in a Baby Bjorn carrier, and he still had to be on oxygen. We went to the Costume Display Store in Everett-and it was loud, alot of lights, and alot of stuff going on. Mason was forward facing, so I couldn't see him. He suddenly got "heavy" like he was asleep, but I thought "there is NO way this baby is asleep". I asked Mac if his brother was asleep and he said yes. I couldn't believe it! I later discovered that his coping mechanism for dealing with stressful situations, is falling asleep.

Back to tonight. We trick or treated our neighborhood, then went to another neighborhood a few blocks down. Mason was getting tired after only 40 minutes of trick or treating. He does this every year. This year, we were able to trick or treat Papa and Nana Dawson's house. They live almost 20 minutes away from us, so that was cool that we got to see them.