Twisted

So I'm just gonna put it to you straight.  My boys are wrestlers and it makes me feel sick.  Literally.  I have no problem with the sport in general, although it would sound a bit TWISTED if you tried to explain to someone who didn't understand, why my boys like to put on a stretchy little suit that resembles a woman's swimsuit with legs, and roll around a mat in a stinky cafeteria or gym once a week.  I actually believe they are learning great skills for defending themselves and building strength and confidence.  My real problem is in the watching.

Just a little background here might help.  When I am selecting entertainment, like movies for example, I would never choose the ones that are dark or scary.  I don't even like some of the really intense action movies.  I watch the whole time with every muscle flexed and my jaw clenched.  I leave feeling tense and a bit exhausted, I don't want to pay money to feel that way.  And so of course my boys decide with the encouragement of my husband that this the sport they want to spend their winters playing.

They have grown up wrestling with Jeff as it was a sport he always excelled at when he was in school.  Every Sunday at some point my living room or my moms turns into a WWF scene.  The boys wrestling each other their cousins and even tag team their dad.  But it's all fun and games and no one wants anyone else to get hurt.  Outside of the house it's a different story though.

Every Friday I gear myself up to watch their meets.  Luckily, they are both quite good and rarely loose.   I  feel a nauseous pit in my stomach as I watch them shake hands with their opponent and the match begins.  They roll and TWIST their bodies up until either they or their opponent makes one wrong move and then BAM they are done. Stuck in a position that they physically are incapable of getting out of.  The winner has complete control and the looser is stuck on their back. When my boys loose and I've watched them struggle and fight to remove themselves from someone else's control but just can't get away, I'm  tense for a good 30 minutes afterwards and wonder if I'll throw up.  When they win I feel relief, but always scan the crowd sympathetically looking for the mother who just watched her son get TWISTED up by mine.

Mama Bear instincts aside though, they are both having a great season.  They have both placed well at recent tournaments and have way more wins than losses at their weekly meets.  Both boys even love the time they spend at practices.  I love seeing them happy and triumphant, so as TWISTED as my stomach may get, it really isn't all that bad.  At least that's what I keep telling myself.

You Never Know...

There are no guarantees in life, but there are a few things you can usually bet on.

 It would be safe to say I'll continue finding a weekend in December to gather a few friends together for a hilarious evening.

You could put money down that my beautiful friends will come if they're in town.  It would also be safe to wager that this isn't the first picture of Rod wearing this super excited expression.

You can usually count on me being in only one or two of the photos for the night and really not liking what I see...

 You can almost guarantee that everyone will be smiling like Jeff after tasting the delectable baked goods Corey brings to share.

 But beyond that, the rest of the night is up for grabs!

You never know what stories your spouse will chose to share about you.

You never know which of the men can actually do a toe touch, or will go home with a book full of tips on being the best dad including a rubber finger  to pull!

And who would have known that Fashion Fair Mall's break dance champion was in our midst?  Or that he can still rock those moves in a Sauna Suit (as seen on TV) or coconuts and rubber gloves?!

Who knew that our very own Miss California is money with a shotgun and was thrilled to go home with "The Peacemaker"

You might think that Bieber Fever is just for screaming tweens, but I'm here to tell ya, not so!! Bieber Fever struck my house with some serious testosterone!

 You never know when you'll be in need of boosting your patriotic spirit, which is why Jason really scored with the Obama Chia Pet "Determination".  Talk about the gift that keeps on giving...so many possibilities with this one!  In the kitchen it's somewhere to wipe your sticky fingers, in the garage as an addition to your cat's litter box, or at your vanity for some hair do inspiration...you never know!

You also never know where our friend Natalie will travel from year to year and just how much will be added to her growing scrapbook.  Jeff was thrilled to bring her into the Bohn family for the next year.  What will we do with her and where will she go? You never know...

You never know when you'll feel like you just need an extra layer of protection in other places than the usual areas. Who knew that Handerpants were there to fill the need?  With so many uses including texting, doing construction, cooking, cruising on the road, for the elderly, and night blogging, it's hard to guess what Charisse will wear them for!

And finally, when the Lawrences show up you never know just what they've got in store.  The goldfish a few years ago set the bar pretty high, but this year they totally out did themselves when they brought a live chicken!  No one would have guessed I'd let the chicken in the house.  I bet they'd all be surprised to learn the McCauley's have kept her, named her Nugget and built a pen on the side of their house! 

People say there are no guarantees in life but am pretty sure I can count on one.  A night full of laughter as long as this tradition continues!

A Little Catching Up

December was full, and busy as can be  

I tried to slow down and remember what the season means to me

Living in the middle of  Candy Cane Lane

Has us opening our doors for visitors and activites again and again!

 I had all my girls decorate cookies and walk the hood one night

About a week later the youth walked through then stopped by for a bite

Then somehow I found myself racing, from one thing to the next. 

My etiquette while driving probably wasn't  some of my best!

Especially at night when the neighborhood was stacked 

I couldn't leave my drivway the whole road was packed!

So the scene wasnt always mistletoe, merry and bright

On a few occations the sightseers let finger birds take flight!

The places I raced off to were worth all the fuss

Kindergarten class programs for me, are definitely a must.

Brynne in her glory was on the front row

Can't see her? Don't worry, once the singing starts you'll know

She'd rehearsed and rehearsed for days in the car

By the time they performed it, I knew it by heart

But as I stood watching my heart was a swell

Don't tell me I'm crazy, all moms know this feeling too well!

The night was still young we had more places to go

Band concerts at Buchanan aren't to be missed you know

Wes' winter performance was taken in by our crew

Mom, Dad, siblings, Grandma, and Great Grandma too

Just a few days later we were in for a treat 

We were off to the Savemart Center to witness Brynnes dancing feet!

 She wiggled and jiggled and shook her groove thing

Stealing hearts as she does in her red shirt "with lots of bling"

Other activities, there were more than a few

But they need their own posts just to share them with you

This was just to get you started on whats long over due

I'll have you all caught up on our happenings before this week is through!

Some say to get through the holidays we just have to believe,

 But things got so busy, I had to remind myself just to BREATHE!

Just Wishin'...

Just wishing I was the boss of mine...

Like a puppet on a string I could choose a little more here or a little less there.

Even a little switch would be nice...just to turn off parts of it that get a little bruised or broken from time to time and turn it back on again and just restore what once was.

Perhaps even a maunal for dealing with ours and understanding others...yeah that would be super. 

 Really I know that we become who we are by growing through our heart pains.  Some of the best things in my life have come from experiences that at the time left me feeling a little damaged.  Even so, sometimes I find myself wondering how nice would it be if I were totally the boss of mine.

Hello?

"Jeni, update your blog!  Now that's an order!  Love you!"
 
That was the message on my phone from Grandpa Huntington today.  Guess I better get on it!  Glad to know I've been missed.  Blog posts coming soon...Promise!

Love you Grandpa!

Get Your Groove Thang On!

Garfield Elementary has figured out one of the easiest recipes for a guarranteed good time.   Me, my guys, music and dancing equals a good night! The Mother and Son dance is a favorite of mine every year, and this one was no exception!

Drew and I thought it was going to be just us this year, but just as we were pulling out of the driveway Garrett decided to join us.

I have loved watching the boys personalities become more defined as they get a little older.  Both of these guys surprised me with their dance moves!  I was seriously cracking up as Drew and some buddies climbed up on top of the bleachers at the front of the stage while Dancing Queen blared through the speakers.

Garrett can wiggle his hips like nobody's business, and even has fun with a few throw back moves like the sprinkler.

Both of the boys were regularly in the center of a large circle just showcasing thier skills.  While so many of the boys were running all over the gym, my guys brought their friends over to where I was and actually wanted to dance with me.  I LOVED it!   Seriously, who can complain about an opportunity to get your groove thang on with two of the cutest boys around?  Not this dancing queen!