PROM 2008

A.J. and Stephanie attended the prom this past Saturday night. Aren't they a cute couple?

10 Things I Learned from My Parents

Mother's Day and Father's Day are fast approaching and I began thinking about what gifts I could get my parents. They are the type of people who are NOT into things but always apprecite being remembered. They are NOT status conscience nor are they materialistic. They are 2 of the greatest human beings on the face of the earth. They have always been there for me, my husband and my kids. I guess the best gift I could give, and do give, is to live a good life and live by the example the set for me and my siblings. With this on my mind I give to you a list of 10 great things my parents have taught me. They taught me things either by telling me this information or from their own actions. The list is in no particular order and non-parent specific....
1. LIFE IS NOT FAIR. I think growing up this is the one thing repeated to me most often. Whether my sister, or brother, and I were fighting or if I was lobbying for some privilege or another. The cry of "thats not fair" simply did not fly in our house. Everyone is an individual and what is right for one is not neccesarily right for all. For me it has further evolved into 'Wendi (or the appropriate person) worries about Wendi".
2. SAVE your MONEY. My Dad told us this and repeadted it often. Buying things on credit was not an option. If you couldnt afford it you couldnt have it. Also, save for the future. I remember when I was young, maybe 12 years old, my Dad explained what a 401(k) was and actually showed me his statement balance. It was a nice chunk of money and it was a concrete example of what saving could do for me. The first chance I got I started in a 401(k) and continue with every job I have ever had.
3. THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM for 1 MORE. My mom is a great cook and hostess. Whenever she has family and/or friends over there is always space (and enough food) for another person. You would hate to ever leave a friend or family member alone on a holiday or special occasion.
4. DON'T OFFER ADVICE, WAIT TO BE ASKED. This is something I have learned by example. Over my teen years, newlywed, early parenting and even today my parents always are there to listen to what I have to say but don't put in their 2 cents unless I specifically ask for it. I now try to do the same with my kids and friends. Sorry if I am not as good at it as they are!
5. FAMILY is #1. There is nothing better, or more precious, than spending time with the family. Growing up Sundays were reserved for grandparents, aunts/uncles and cousins. With our busy lives we don't get to carve out quite as much time but I still do LOVE to be with my extended family. My sister, brother and cousins are truly my best friends.
6. READ. Whether it is the newspaper, a magazine or a good book always take time to read. We had the newpaper delivered daily, we went to the library to get books and we alwyas got a few magazine subscriptions every year. Reading is enjoyable, relaxing and provides a great source of knowledge.
7. DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. There was a time and place for seriousness but more often there is time for laughter and, more importantly, laughing with you (not at you).
8. LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL. Even on the rare occasion I got in trouble (most often bad grades or talking back) my parents would remind me that they might not like what I did or how I acted but they still, and always would, love me. It made me feel good to know that even in my missteps or nastiness they still loved me.
9. DON'T HOLD GRUDGES. This is another thing that they rarely, if ever, mentioned but rather taught by example. Whether if it was with each other or their family memebers or friends. If they had a fight, disagreement or argument with someone it didnt last long. They didn't harbor resentment or hold it over someone's head. They simply moved on.
10. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST. This sentiment was repeated often and sometimes too easily dismissed by me. It is something that I now repeat often to my children. I am easily proud of my children, whatever they are doing, if they simply give it their all.

This year at Mother's Day and Father's Day I will have special appreciation for my parents as I see how they have helped me become a good mom to my kids.

Finally....

The plane was on time, the traffic was not too bad and we made it to the Board of Review with a few minutes to spare. He was nervous but prepared. And now A.J. is an Eagle Scout. His hard work and our perseverance has paid off.

CONGRATULATIONS A.J.!

I'M BAAAAACK

And despite the rocking beginning we had a great time! We landed in Orlando at 11:30PM and it was pouring. Not the weather we had hoped for. We were all hungry so we stopped for a quick bite at the WAFFLE HOUSE. A treat for the kids because they had never been to such a place. Once we had food in our tummies the rest of the week was all thumbs up.

Monday morning we woke to overcast skies but we didnt let it damper our fun. We headed straight to Blizzard Beach, a water park on the Disney property. A place we were supposed to go 10 years ago but never made it. We had a great time at Blizzard Beach. It never rained that day or any other time during our trip. The weather cooperated and so did the kids. We went to amusement parks and hung out by the pool. We continued to experience "fine" dining--Hooters, Ponderosa, McDonalds and Dunkin Dounuts to name a few. Our hotel was on the Universal property and therefore our room key gave us front of the line passes for all rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures. It was a great perk. It was a lovely hotel and here is the view from our room....

And here is a family picture I think you will all enjoy...

Now its time to get back to work and our normal busy lives. Thanks for indulging me!!

The "Hawaii Pile" is gone

And not because we have packed it all but rather because we are not going to Hawaii. We are caught up in the ATA debacle. We had 2 tickets booked thru ATA directly, and paid for via credit card, and we had 2 tickets booked thru Southwest using RAPID REWARDS tickets (for Hawaii you need 2 RR for every 1 ticket to Hawaii). At this late date no airline can get us to Maui on Sunday. We are bummed!
But fear not, the HAWAII PILE has been renamed--it is now the ORLANDO PILE. Southwest was able to exchange the 2 Maui tickets for 4 tickets to Orlando. Not exactly what we wanted but it will be a nice, warm, FAMILY vacation none-the-less. (Actually it does have its good points. The boys are now able to attend the Spring Game at the Air Force Academy and then attend orientation. AJ will now be able to attend orientation with a few friends and he and Dave will be home for the 2nd night of Passover. Due to the Hawaii trip they were going to attend different orientation dates. Now they will leave Orlando on Friday, while Erin and I stay until Sunday, and fly to Denver, stay for 4 days and come home on April 15th.)
So this morning I shed a few tears, spent 3+ hours on the phone (over 2 of them on hold) and now have put the bad behind me. I am looking at the bright side--I am not STUCK in Maui and unable to get home, I got all my money back for my airline tickets and I still get a vacation(just a little more costly than I had planned).
I will blog from Orlando--wish us luck!

Save the Date(s)

The Air Force Academy 2008 football schedule has been announced.....

DAY DATE TIME OPPONENT (TV)
Saturday Aug. 30 12PM Southern Utah at AFA (no TV scheduled)
Saturday Sept. 6 1:30PM at Wyoming (CBS C)
Saturday Sept. 13 TBA at Houston (TBA)
Saturday Sept. 20 2PM Utah at AFA (VERSUS)
Saturday Sept. 27 BYE
Saturday Oct. 4 2PM Navy at AFA (VERSUS)
Saturday Oct. 11 6:30PM at San Diego State (THE MTN.)
Saturday Oct. 18 7:00PM at UNLV (THE MTN.)
Thursday Oct. 23 6:00PM New Mexico at AFA (CBS C)
Saturday Nov. 1 TBA at Army (TBA)
Saturday Nov. 8 4:00PM Colorado State at AFA (THE MTN.)
Saturday Nov. 15 1:30PM BYU at AFA (CBS C)
Saturday Nov. 22 2:30PM at TCU (VERSUS)

The Mtn.= Mountain West Sports Network. Currently this channel is carried by a limited number of cable companies and NONE in Southern California. Beginning August 1st this channel will be carried by Direct TV.
CBS C = CBS College Sports Network formerly known as College Sports Television (CSTV) and is carried by all cable and dish companies.
VERSUS is carried by all cable and dish companies.

The catch---we do not know, yet, if A.J. will be on the travel team. This will not be announced until the first game. We will be attending the first game FOR SURE, regardless, because it is Parents Weekend. I will certainly keep you posted. If he is on the travel team I hope we can all plan a trip to San Diego and/or Las Vegas to see the Falcons play.