Just once a month

I can't believe my life has gotten so busy that I haven't been able to blog in over a month! Where does my time go? Maybe I need to reassess my priorities... maybe. Of course, if I really need to account for my time... it certainly goes without saying that my time gets dedicated to the following people and events for the last month:

• Jackson... oh, yes. My favorite little man is a time eater for sure. And not just the normal AMAZING accomplishments: like cutting his fourth tooth, cruising, taking one to two steps UNASSISTED, crawling FAST, bath times, meal times, walks.... then, he has the uncanny ability to sense when Jeff is out of town and stay up all night partying with mama... between that and his second ear infection, YIKES! Still a love bug and my favorite little dude.
• Jake ... oh Jake. He doesn't get as much time as he once did, but between breaking his foot while riding his bike... yes, only Jake could do this one... having to have surgery, multiple trips home for doctor appointments and the like and the many hours we have logged in talking, emailing, texting, and researching yet another major change... he has definitely part of the time eating in my life.
• Work... it was meant to be make my own schedule, work when I want and then one of the regular girls left for another opportunity, so I picked up a LOT of hours... so work is a big time spending location.
• Reading the bible... seriously, what was I thinking trying to read the BIBLE in 90 days, while working and taking care of my baby??? Well, it is really a fulfilling event. I have made it to Isaiah and am only a couple of weeks behind my class... and just so you know... reading the Bible in 90 days requires 12 pages a day... 12 pages a day!!!! In my SPARE time... LOL!
• THE GYM!!! How could I not mention my personal trainer and my exercise routine... UGH. Still not loving exercise, still not able to do it on my own... no fun or joy in this. But, I am seeing results and I am feeling better and looking better.... but, oh its such hard work!!

What's missing from this list??? JEFF!!! Jeff has traveled and will travel more than 90% of October.... home for something like 5 or 6 nights in the entire month. It crazy, he is all over the US: WA, CA, NJ, NY, TX, and will actually go to WY in November. With time differences, his schedule and mine... we have not exactly been connecting. Which is why I am currently in a Hilton suite in College Station, TX with my husband... and what does he do??? Watch TV... and what do I do? Blog! AAAHHHHH, free time without Jackson... and this is how I spend it? At least Jeff and I are in the same room and having conversations... laughing.

What's coming in November?

• Jeff's birthday
• Josh visiting from CA
• Karen coming from NV
• Jacque's 21st Birthday
• The Nutcracker Market
• Another Caribbean Cruise, this time with Mom and Dad and Jackson
• Thanksgiving
• and so much more!!!
  

September!!

OMG, has it really been a month since I blogged? Where does the time go? I can answer my own question: between working part time (which was mostly full time during September)... and attempting to read the Bible in 90 days (just 12 pages a day, and I am currently behind 12 days or 144 pages, sheesh!)... and a teething baby boy... and a husband out of town... and a son at college with a broken foot... there goes all my free time for blogging.

Jake decided not to pledge this semester after all... a personal decision. I think once he got a gander at the pledge fall schedule, he decided to focus on his grades. Jeff is silently relieved... I just want him to be happy and either way, I am supportive. We also bought Jake a bike this month to help him get around on campus a little better... and so, that didn't work out exactly like we planned... he fell and broke his 5th metatarsal in 2 places (classic Jones fracture for you ortho's)... and he will be having surgery this Friday (9/25) in Katy... We also went to the first LSU home game - in the rain - Jake in a wheelchair - but it was so exciting and fun... and LSU beat Vandy!! It was awesome! Jake is working hard at keeping his GPA up and above 3.0 and he has changed his major AGAIN... He is now a business major, but hasn't decided on or if he will minor in something (say, like transportation)... It's awesome and he is just the most wonderful son ever (except for his little brother who is also pretty wonderful)... but, Jake makes me so proud and I am an excited and supportive mama!

Another amazing thing for me was getting to watch Hannah perform in the LSU Tiger Marching Band. She was in every performance and it was awesome... We saw the private performance in the PMAC... and pregame and halftime, and even after the game, they played again! It was so fun. As a long time football fan and football mom, I have had many opportunities to watch... but, never really focused on the band. It was AMAZING, just like Hannah. I am so grateful Kristi (Hannah's mom) and I could make the trip to Baton Rouge for this event. It was a great time had by all. Have a mentioned lately how awesome Hannah is and how proud we are of her?!?!

Jeff has been traveling a lot this month and spent an entire 8 days in Elko, NV attending fire school! He was so excited about learning the curriculum, he actually said he wanted to join the local volunteer fire department... (um, I don't think so old man!!!)... Laughing! He did earn a basic firefighter certificate and he had a great time... he is loving his new job in emergency response. i am so happy he loves it. Its quite a change and I am really enjoying watching his enthusiasm. He will be traveling every week in October and is home a total of 6 days or something crazy all month long. I will welcome November, that is for sure.

Jackson cut another tooth - which means he has two bottom teeth now... so cute and so crooked! He is getting so bug and turned 8 months old yesterday. We celebrated that by having my birthday... some shopping in Rice Village, a new fall wardrobe for the dude, lunch with our fave peeps, and a nice dinner out (Jackson stayed home for this last part... with his Nanni Cheri). He is "chatting" and "cruising" and "climbing" and "teething" and lots of things that normal 8 month boys do.

And me, you ask?? Well, I am back to work - make my own schedule kind of thing - a couple times a week is the norm. I am back at being a Case Manager... which is just perfect for now. Keeps my mind going and my license active... two very important things. Oh, and that whole working out thing and my personal trainer... well, let me tell you after 4 1/2 weeks of this mess... I am still not enjoying working out and its really flipping hard!! Ray works me very hard... push push push... heavy weights, lots of cardio, and LUNGES... UGH! But, the results are there... I am back in my smallest size in the closet and 5 weeks ago there were these jeans that wouldn't go above my knees (SIGH) and I wore them last night for my birthday dinner out... So, its working. I am feeling better, too... physically. I just want to love working out, and I can't seem to get there... maybe after another four weeks! LOL! MAYBE! That's the scoop for now.

New Pledge

Jake participated in all the rounds at RUSH at LSU... he narrowed it down to four, then two and called last night with his choice for BID. He was offered BIDS from three fraternities on campus, but chose the PiKapps... saying they most closely fit him. It helped too that some guys from his high school are upperclassmen there. He said he really felt like he fit in and that is what is important with brotherhood. Each fraternity will be a little different on different campuses and he felt this was the best choice for him and his future. I had never heard of them... so I did a little research last night for my benefit and yours....

http://www.pikapp.org/
Pi Kappa Phi has been building better men on college campuses across the nation for over one hundred years. We are a first class fraternity who firmly believes in the tenets of Character, Leadership, Academics, Sportsmanship, and Service. These principles are not only valued, but instilled through the opportunities you will have as a member of Pi Kappa Phi and as a man of class. Pi Kappa Phi attains a high level of service by raising money for our national philanthropy “PUSH America.” Funds are raised through many fund-raisers including our annual Strongman Competition and Pull for Push skeet shooting tournament. Our past social events include our annual Rose Ball in Florida, semiformal in New Orleans, Pi Kapp Swamp Water, Pure Country, crawfish boils, and exchanges with different sororities. Pi Kapps are known for our brotherhood, athletics, campus involvement , community service, academics, being true southern gentlemen, and ultimately having the best college experience possible.
Founded: December 10, 1904 at the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
LSU Founding: 1968
Symbols: Red Rose, Star, Bell, and
White Diamond
Colors: White, Gold, and Blue
Nickname: Pi Kapp
LSU Awards: Outstanding Fundraiser, Outstanding New Member

http://www.pikapp.org/
“Leaders by Choice”

MISSION STATEMENT OF PI KAPPA PHI
We will lead.
The expression of shared values and ideals as contained in the Ritual of Initiation,Supreme Law and fraternity policy;
The pursuit of brotherhood through scholarship, leadership, service and social experiences;
The achievement of personal excellence in each member and collective excellence in our fraternity;
A lifelong brotherhood of its members