Packing Has Begun...

And yes, that is a Bob Marley poster ready to go!

Tattoos

I just recently signed a consent form for Tyler to get a tattoo...something both of my boys have discussed and talked about getting for quite some time. Not sure if it's just because other people their age have them and it is just becoming more popular or if it is the thrill of doing something that you cannot normally do till you are 18 years old or if they are just fascinated by the whole artistry. Because that is what it is, really. I personally am not the least bit interested in getting a tattoo and I personally do not think it is pretty to have them all over your body. I do, however, find them interesting. Some tell a story, some have meaning to the person, some are just neat looking. Some people would also criticize me for signing for my boys to get one. We had our ground rules and that is between us and them. They respected it and we allowed them to get one. It is something they will have the rest of their lives. Who knows, someday they may end up regretting getting the tattoos, or they may not??? Who knows, time will tell. Trenton got one last year that was basically showing a bit of his rebellious side and he is one that really just chooses at the spur of the moment...reminds me of grandpa Honeycutt altogether (the tattoo and Trenton)!!!Tyler chose one that has a bit more meaning...a family crest. He actually took the time to dig deeper into our ancestry and I think he learned alot of new information in the meantime...had the tattoo artist draw up a combination of what he found...I think he did a nice job. Even the colors represent!

Anyways, read this recently as well...opinions of tattoos and how true:

A lot of people see tattoos as offensive, some see them as an expression of themselves and others just don't care. It's not your body; why not let them do what they want to theirs? They are the ones who have to live with that choice for the rest of their lives.

"Never judge a book by its cover"

"A closed book is a closed mind"

Tyler

Wishing Tyler the best birthday today!!!! I just can't believe how the years have flown by - 17 years already!!!!! We are so proud of the young man Tyler has and is becoming. Such a smart and caring person. So proud. Helped Tyler get a new sound system (for his birthday) in the car and he is absolutely loving it. We can hear him coming a mile down the road now lol. We love you, son!!!! Have a very happy birthday!

Things I appreciate about Tyler...
Tyler is a night owl...loves to stay up late, but is cranky if he doesn't get enough sleep the next morning.
Tyler loves Reese's Fast Breaks - his favorite, alongside the Peanut Butter Cups
He loves to eat Wings, especially at Buffalo Wild Wings and doesn't like hamburger at all
Tyler is almost 6' tall and is build like the Brugh side...like Chad
Tyler is very empathetic. He cares about people.
He loves his family and is not afraid to show it!

St. Joe

Great game last night. The Cavemen started out a bit rusty and the "lights out" defense let the Indians score on them first. That didn't rattle our team one bit, we stepped it up, had 4 turnovers and won the game 28-7! Tyler did great. Stayed right where he was supposed to be, had good coverage and was in on a few tackles. LOTS of people came out to cheer on our team. LOTS of spirit last night. Good game!!!!

RIP Yoshi 1999-2009

Sad day...Yoshi is gone. We have had him for 10 years. I remember getting him when he was a few weeks old actually (right before Gabi was born). My mom and I actually hand fed him formula!!! Anyways, Tyler was the one who wanted a parakeet and had talked me into getting one. We would sit and talk to him almost daily, and in turn, he learned to say many words. He could say Yoshi, PJ, Maizy, Gabi, Trenton, Tyler, Come here, Pretty bird, Bless you - just to name a few. An extraordinary bird he was and will be missed :(
The house seems too quiet right now...no chattering, no whistles. Very sad...

Changes Coming Soon

Trenton has been busy going through his clothes, etc. - the beginning stages of packing up for his departure on Wednesday. He finally got his schedule finalized, per his wrestling coach (he thought his original schedule would be too difficult to juggle with wrestling). It is as follows:

Monday - Wellness 10:40-11:50 am

Tuesday - Speech 10-11:50 am, First Year Student class 12-1 pm, First Year Writing 2-3:50 pm

Wednesday - Wellness 10:40-11:50 am

Thursday - Speech 10-11:50 am, First Year Writing 2-3:50 pm

Friday - Wellness 10:40-11:50 am

Not a bad schedule at all. Got his books ordered and pretty much done picking up things from the store for him, though I am sure we will have more to get. Busy weekend ahead...football, a birthday, shopping, packing, more football, flu shot, and hopefully some R & R in there somewhere.

Looking forward to watching the "Lights Out Defense" tonight! Go Cavemen!

Happy Day :)

I had myself an awesome day yesterday!!! I even forgot how old I really was! :)

The sun shined ALL day and temps rose quickly from in the 40s to the 70s by the afternoon!!! I woke up to a beautiful vase of pink roses on the table and cards from Ben and the kids. Ben also left me a very clever gift...a Chicago Bears Stadium cushion!

After dropping Gabi off at school I headed to my mom's house to visit and have coffee. Little did I know that she made cupcakes and also bought my family a FAVORITE of mine...a boston creme pie!!! YUMMY!!!!! Enjoyed my visit there with my mom, nieces and cousin, Briella. They were all excited to share my birthday with me.

Took the day off of work so I was able to get alot of laundry done and have time to sit and watch a soap - Y & R just before getting around to go get Gabi from school. Took her to gymnastics after school and decided on a dinner with the family at Logan's Roadhouse (can't beat the 2 for $13.99 deal) and was hungry for the Terriyaki Chicken dinner!!! Met up with the boys there and enjoyed a meal together. Ben took me over to Dicks Sporting Goods afterward to pick up some new running shoes (overdue) for my birthday. Used them this morning :)

Have to also note a very nice gift from Tyler's gf, Abby...she printed out a bunch of pictures of my family and put it together in a collage. I cried when I opened it. Such a special gift!

Thanks to everyone who called, texted and wished me a happy birthday. It was!!!!!

Tyler's Party

Had a great time last night with family for Tyler's 17th birthday. Decided to celebrate a bit early because the next week will be very busy trying to get everything around to get Trenton to school, next weekend is Labor Day weekend and I thought everyone would want to see Trenton before he leaves also. Tyler, of course, got lots of cash...just what he wanted ;)

Started the evening out with Brunos Pizza and ended with cake and ice cream! The best part for Tyler was that Abby got to come home and be at the party also.

Lastly, gotta love this card that grandpa R. got Tyler...had me cackling (front has two bees with captions saying "boo!")!

Goshen

2 solo tackles for Tyler at last night's game against Goshen. Final score...43-0
Goshen seemed to run alot on the opposite side of Tyler's defense so Tyler didn't get a whole lot of action. A couple of things I did love about last night's game...
Caught the photo (a bit blurry but plan to get a better pic) of Tyler and Travis Thomas' tradition...when they run out on the field (pregame and start of 2nd half), Travis picks Tyler up in the air before they huddle. Those two started that last year and it continues...love it! They do it every time so watch for it if you go to the games!!!! It's cool!
Also love when the team gathers over in front of the students to sing the school song!!! Love it!

Friday Night Lights

Looking forward to tonight's game against Goshen. Tyler shared with us today that he was the only defense player to have tackles for a loss at the last game. Impressive and he is looking forward to tonight's game as well.
We have been staying dry inside these past two days. Trenton has been unable to work because of the rain so he has been trying to get his schedule fixed through many phone calls. He is learning quickly that HE is in charge of his schooling and not so sure he is enjoying all the administrative work that goes into it. He got to go see the new Halloween 2 movie last night at 12:01 am with a few buddies and said it was pretty off the wall.
Sadly, we had a viewing for Trenton's best friend's (Steven) "ganny" today so it kind of put a little bit of a sad note to the day. Definitely looking forward to watching some football tonight to brighten it up a bit. Lots of activities planned for the weekend...the game, Tyler's birthday party with family, visit from Abby, who came home from IPFW and preparing for the last week with Trenton...emotions running high already.

Open House

We were impressed with Gabi's Open House and teacher this evening...Mrs. Owens. She is a VERY 8 months pregnant...Gabi will have Mrs. McDougal while Mrs. Owens is out on maternity leave in September til around Christmas time. Gabi's class was decorated with all kinds of sports stuff!!! Football, baseball, soccer, wrestling, etc etc etc She loves it! One thing I loved was her football she made hung on the wall with a question/answer sheet attached...
LOVE LOVE LOVE her answer for the best thing about me!!! I hope she always keeps that attitude! :)

A touchdown I'd like to make this year (a personal goal to achieve): Get better grades in social studies

A subject I can't wait to tackle this year: I can't wait to tackle Science

A hobby or activity I get a kick out of doing: Practicing golf with my dad

Special talent I bring to my team: I am very responsible for my team

One thing I could use more practice on: I could still use more practice on cursive

The best thing about me: I like being myself, not a person I am not

One rule that will help my class be a winning team this year: Practicing good sportsmanship

Lifehouse!

Look what I found! One of my favorite bands at North Central College!!!

Gymnastics - BT

Beginning Tumbling is the class she is in...I really think this is good for Gabi. Learning several new things...back walkovers, handsprings, etc. Gabi realized she has stuff to work on and she is excited to do so...I didn't get the best pictures so here is a video of her one handed cartwheel...

New year, new do

Gabi decided she wanted to get her hair cut shorter than usual at last night's haircut appointment. I was hesitant but kept hearing the same thing in my head from the boys when they shaved their heads for this and that..."it's my head, mom" - so Gabi is happy with her haircut. As for me liking it...she is cute, no matter how the hair is cut. I was just a little saddened because I think it makes her look older and I definitely don't want my baby girl to grow up yet...
Off to the start of a new gymnastics class tonight.

DeKalb

38-7

Final Score

Tyler had an AWESOME game last night...don't know if it's because he was excited to see his gf Abby (whom we picked up at IPFW before the game to come watch) or if he was just into the game!!! Whatever it was, he did great! 3 solo tackles - one in the red zone on 3rd down preventing the td! He also was in on a few group tackles and had a fumble recovery for a turnover!!! So glad it didn't rain on us considering it downpoured at home. Definitely looking forward to the season!!! Check out the video of Tyler getting the fumble recovery for Mishawaka ball! #22!

Jenny

Happy Birthday to my sister in law in Texas!!! Miss you, Jenny!! Wishing you the best day ever!

US News 2010

Friday, August 21, 2009
U.S. News
Best Colleges 2010
Best Colleges: Undergraduate Teaching at Masters Universities (Midwest)
Best Undergraduate Teaching
Truman State University Kirksville, MO
Alverno College Milwaukee, WI
Butler University Indianapolis, IN
John Carroll University University Heights, OH
Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN
North Central College Naperville, IL*****************
St. Catherine University St. Paul, MN
University of Evansville Evansville, IN
Xavier University Cincinnati, OH

Question...

Can someone please tell me when I gave this precious girl permission to start growing up?????
School started today and I was thrilled that my baby girl still held my hand tight as we walked up to the school doors. Hoping my baby girl has an awesome first day. Tyler...well, he wasn't too thrilled about starting back but I know he is happy about the classes he is taking this year. Can't believe the school year has begun already.

Four!

This morning's message from Pastor was awesome...so glad we went. Took Tyler's girlfriend, Abby and her brother, Max, to lunch with us (TGIFridays) after church. She will be heading out to college this week and it will definitely be an adjustment on Tyler. We were thrilled with the fact that Max actually wanted to come to church this morning with Gabi, because he enjoyed it so much last week. Came home, plopped on the couch in the ac, and basically just relaxed all afternoon. Gabi had been wanting her daddy to take her to Nick's Golf Center to hit some golf balls...something new she has taken an interest in, so Ben and I took her early this evening. She did very well!!! Enjoyed some ice cream on the way home and looking forward to calling it a night early. Big week ahead...school starts on Tuesday. Can't believe the summer is over already for the kids.

Start of New Season

Yesterday was a VERY busy day. Got my new cell phone (EnV3) - so happy about that since my old one (EnV2) was not working properly.

Took Gabi and her friend, Lizzy, to my mom's for some swimming time. Also met Abby (Tyler's gf) and her little brother, Max, there as well. Got a few hours of relaxation in before the big scrimmage against Concord.

Tyler played cornerback for Varsity Defense and then rotated in as Wide Out for Varsity Offense. He was in on a couple of tackles and looked excited to be playing football. Looking very forward to watching him this year on Friday nights! I love Friday Night Football!!!!

Deal of the Week

Yes, I did it...I broke down and bought a treadmill. A NordicTrack Z7xi and I am so excited to get it. Mine decided to start slipping (the belt) about two weeks ago. Ben did as they instructed on the Problem Shooting Page of the instruction booklet and it didn't help. So, rather than spend $100 for someone to come diagnose the problem and then spend another couple hundred on parts and labor...I decided to go ahead and get rid of the 7 year old ProForm that I have. It is about due with as much running that has been done on it. It certainly has done us well. RIP ProForm. Welcome NordicTrack! My heels are definately ready for it.

Front Page of Sports

Look who made the front page of the Sports Section today!! Yep...#22 - that's Tyler

Full article here.