Change can be good

What to write... well, let's see! We got Preston's mid-term grades this past week. His grades, I must say were pretty good considering all the big changes he has been dealing with. We let him know how proud of him we are with his grades and the way he has handled those changes. Preston did have one low grade, but we're going to work on that with him. Hopefully, we can help him get things turned around. Unfortunately, the low grade is in Algebra, so my helping him is useless. Hopefully Rich will be able to hang in there and help him out.
Another football game is just a couple days away. This week we travel to Salina which should be interesting since I have never gone that far by myself before! It should be a fun time though. The game is in the afternoon, so at least I don't have to get up bright and early in the morning. I wish Rich could go, but don't know that he will be able to. He recently started working at Walmart. Yes, after 3 years of working at Pizza Hut, he decided to make a change and is now working at Walmart. I am anxious to see how this works out for us. Hopefully, it will be a good change!

OH HAPPY DAY!!

Today was full of excitement!! Preston's team won their first football game, which is so cool!! Unfortunately I had to work in the consession stand the first quater, (which is a story in itsself) so I couldn't cheer as well as I would have liked. I liked working in the consession stand, I just couldn't see the action or yell! I did get to watch the rest of the game though and it was a fun time!! Sadly, this game did not go without drama! There was a lot going on today, and I guess not all good. However, it was great that we won!! I think Preston was pretty excited! It will be fun to see if they can make it two in a row next week!

WHAT WHERE THEY THINKING??

I've decided that my parents can no longer go on vacation!...LOL!! Last winter they went on a cruise and we had the big freakin' ice storm. This summer, they went away for the weekend and I ended up with a dead car and needing a new engine. This week they have again gone on vacation and day one my dad's pickup goes missing!! I'm NOT kidding, I about freaked, because they just got it and I had just seen it the night before. Turns out my dad asked one of the car places in town to come get it and do some work, but didn't think about letting ME know!! On day two of their vacation, I get off work and my rear view mirror has come off from it being so hot outside. Now, I probably could fix it myself with my dad coaching me over the phone, but he doesn't know where the stuff is to fix it. So now I am waiting until they get back so my dad can fix it since I'm to CHEAP to have to pay for it!! :) I'm thinking at this point I need the vacation!! It's always an adventure when they go out of town to say the least!! I'm glad they got to go on vacation though. Since my dad has retired it seems like the are doing so much more which is a cool thing

YEAH!!!!

Wow!! What a weekend!! I am so tired, but it was well worth it! The weekend started off on Friday as Preston and I made our way to Hays, Ks to stay the night with my friend Stephanie and her children Jessica, Thomas, and Hannah. The drive to Hays is incrediably long and boring, but this time much more pleasent having Preston to talk with. Oh, and I almost forgot my dog Blazer made the trip as well. It was Blazer's first road trip....which was a "trip" to say the least!! Sat morning Preston and I got up and got ready to go to his football game. We got to the football field around 10am so he could warm up with the team. Unfortunately, we parents had to wait til 11:30 for the game to begin. When the game started I went to sit with Stephanie and her kids on the visiting side...it was fun for awhile! By half time I decided it was much "safer" for me to over on the Pratt side rooting for the Pratt team!! WE FINALLY SCORED OUR FIRST TOUCHDOWN!! I was soooo very excited as were the boys when they finally scored!! Hopefully, this will give them encouragement to continue to improve!! Preston and I came home Sat afternoon and I was TIRED!! We went out to Walmart Sat so he could use his gift certificate. It was SO entertaining watching him trying to decide on something. After a long time of going here and there, he finally decided on something!!
This afternoon we spent time with his former foster parents. I think he really enjoyed being there again and seeing some of the boys he had lived with. Thankfully, it's Sunday evening and time to relax. Unfortunately, tomorrow is Monday! Monday's and I just don't seem to get a long to well, but we shall see!!

It amazes me what all I take for granted! Not that I intentionally do it, it's just that most things in my life I have either done for "years" or have been blessed to experience. I say this because a lot of things Preston is starting to experience have been things that I again have been doing for "years" or have had some experience with. One big example happened today. My co-workers graciously gave Preston a gift certificate to either get something for his room, some clothes, or "something cool" that he might like. I told him about the gift when he called after school to tell me where he was. Later when I picked him up he wondered "what" the gift was and "who" it was from. When I gave him the card to open he was SO excited!! He couldn't believe that people would give him something for so much "just because". I guess what I take for granted is this: When a significant occasion comes be it a child, wedding, loss of a loved one, birthday, etc., people take the time to notice and acknowledge the event. However, to some children this type of gesture is not common in their lives. They can't believe people would do something like what has been done for them. Like I said it amazes me the things I am having to stop and think about the things that can so easily be taken for granted. Makes me appreciate just once more everything I have been given in life.