Summer's officially here

With school's last day, kids come home, drop their backpacks in the livingroom for the last time this year and head outside to have a water fight. Everyone has passed yet another year of school and I am now the Mother of a High School Student...

It's hard to believe that Cody, once just a baby, is now heading off to High School in August as a FRESHMAN!! Where does the time go?? After a long year of fighting over getting his homework done, cleaning out his room, or helping with dishes... summer has arrived and the battle rages on. But instead of homework or studying for tests it cleaning his room, brushing his hair, helping with the dogs or just chores in general.

As a freshman in HS, he must learn that he is no longer a child. He has responsibilities and must get used to having them. I have just shy of 3 months to get his attention on the fact that he is no longer a child....

Austin is heading into 5th grade.... his grades are great, loves being at school but also loves the fact that today is the last day.... He looks forward to catching bugs, toads and his new battle with the 13 stripped ground squirel is quite a sight as well. From rabbits to chickens and everything in between, Austin appreciates his responsibilites and knows that while he may not enjoy doing some of them, they teach him something new about himself and others everyday.

Now, Little Autumn -- sweet little Autumn is heading to 1st Grade in the fall... being 3 yrs older than everyone in her class yet the smallest hasnt brought her down at all. She understands why it is this way and while she is small she makes up for it in attitude LOL All lessons learnt are hard but as long as something was learnt from them... they are worth it...

So now to plan out the summer... what things will we do, places will we go, food we might try? I am not sure about that yet but do know that whatever it is we do, life will take hold and once again bring me back to reality that being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world!

Till next time my friends....
Crystal Smith
signing off.....
This is going to be a very interesting summer indeed....

Holiday time is here..

Hoping everyone had a great Thanksgiving.. Christmas will be here before ya know it! Do you have all your shopping done?? I know I dont. Got my daughter's done and my neice and nephew but still have to get for my 2 boys. I have NO idea when I'll have time.

This week has been pretty normal here I guess.. had to buy a new stove, that was $700. Then my car kicked the bucket and had to get that fixed.. that was another $550! Then yesterday, had to call the plumber.. OMG.. almost $300!! Ok, so anything else breaks here.. TOO DAMN BAD

Well, Pimp My Ride is on... catchya laterz

JFL...

I am sitting here in our small town of 2100 (give or take a baby or 2!) We are at Austin's JFL practice.. One of about 30 he'll have just this month. The kids are having a blast and cant wait for full padded practice to begin. Austin is running drill now and is anxious about the first game. The Blue Ridge JFL Jamboree. August 22 & 23 at the football field in Farmer City.

Drink break now.. then back off to run some more!

Well, guess I'd better watch... he's getting mad!!

Till next time.....

Cody's BIG decission...

Cody made the hard decision to NOT go back to Detasseling today. He broke out in this CRAZY rash in the evening, was sick as hell and of course the muscle pain was making it hard for him! We woke him up this morning and gave him the option, totally his choice, of going or not. BUT, it he didnt go, he was done. Of course, the fact he was ill was a big part in his decision..

Austin will be able to do it here in about 3 years! He will be able to do it and while Cody was unable, he's glad to have made what little bit he did...

Hard lesson to learn but, well worth it in the end.

Till next time....

Why do we have to be so darn busy these days???

As if our days aren't busy enough. We have to add 4H meeting in LeRoy, JFL practice in Farmer City. Now we are preparing for the McLean County fair from July 29 thru Aug 2 held in Bloomington!! Have TONS of rabbits going there plus posters for hedgehogs and quaker parrots. We are NEVER going to get it all done... Oh well... next year... ONLY RABBITS!!!!

Till next time....

Cody's 1st day Detasseling...

Well, I just went and picked up Cody from the High School in Farmer City. He was SO glad to be done for the day!! He's exausted and is in the shower as I type this.... poor kid.. first time he's actually HAD to work for something (not my fault either!!). Got to dawn a BRIGHT orange baseball cap with a netting on it, cool protective glasses, gloves, rain poncho, work boots and a bright red face!!

While he said he WILL finish out the 2 weeks, he WILL NOT and I quote WILL NOT do it again next year LOL.. yeah, well we'll see once he gets his check (between $784 - $1176 for 14 -20 days work)

He's doing a great job!! I was shocked to hear that he wanted to detassel this year as it is a very hard job!

Till next time!!

Crystal Smith, signing off.......

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Well, it's Friday, what more can I say.

After a really long week... it is finally Friday. We have 2 birthdays to celebrate this weekend... Both on July 12. Brian (the hubby) will be 38 and my son, Cody, will be 13. It's hard to believe that I have a 13 yr old!!!!

We will also be having a moment of silence for a friend that recently passed away just 1 week before her 33rd bday. (We miss you Paula)

So, hopefully, we'll get some good pics done and have a great time!! Cake, Ice Cream and an Ice Cream cake to celebrate!!!

more to come............