I am thankful because...

Thanksgiving this year has in store for the Wayne’s a visit from Nana and Papa, my husband’s step mom and dad. The boys are looking forward to getting spoiled with lots of hugs and kisses, not that they do not get that now but a Grandma and Grandpa hugs and kisses are special.

Scott has meticulously prepared a menu for the feast. The menu has my stamp of approval and items to be purchased for said menu have been logged into the Grocery app. How can you not love a man that uses a grocery app. I bet he can also provide 10 recommendations for said app that he researched prior to purchasing. LOVE HIM!

Tonight we will put the finishing touches on the house…I’ve got some planting to do and I may have to get my flashlight out in order to finish.

I’ve seen many of things people are thankful for via the social sites I follow and I thought I would jot a few of them down as well.

I am thankful for my husband. He is my love, my hero and the father of my two boys. His nuances are endearing…we are different in so many ways…to the point where either one or both of us have just thrown our hands up out of frustration. Yet that man of mine can still make my knees quiver with just one look.

I am thankful for my two sons. It is amazing to watch them both grow and learn in their boy ways. We have tickle fights in the evenings and there is nothing like a house filled with the laughter of children. Our five year old is maturing more and more every day. He is reading, writing and solving math problems. I am so proud of how hard he works at everything…everyday. Our 17th month old is in awe of his big brother and when he is not trying to beat him up he can be seen as a blonde streak running through the house, with one arm just a pumping, chasing after his big brosef. I’ve said it many of times…I never wanted kids until I had them and I am thankful God had a bigger plan and allowed me to experience and grow as a person and hold the prestigious honor of being a mother.

I am thankful for family and friends. Love and support…from family, extended family to the family I got to choose…my friends, I am thankful for them and their kind hearts.

I am thankful for the health of my family, both physically and as a whole. I am thankful our visits to the doctor’s office are from an occasional fever or checkup. I am thankful we are a cohesive unit and when there is something that needs to be dealt with we rally around each other and see it through.

I am thankful to have a job with outstanding benefits to help pay for those occasional fevers, checkup, unscheduled surgeries and emergency room visits.

I am thankful for our neighbors that have become our friends. Whether it is births, babysitting, a stick or two of butter, gasoline for the generator or a reason to get together to be adults for a night…we can always count on our neighbors.

I am thankful to God. We are truly blessed and I thank Him every day .

Reunion Recap

The hubby and I met up with Mandy and Greg and the high school cafeteria Friday night to begin the La Porte High School class of ’89 festivities. I personally thought it was a great idea to have a homecoming of sorts at the high school. We got a chance to walk the halls and wow…things have changed and I wouldn’t necessarily say for the better…in my opinion of course.

It’s been twenty years and remodeling has been done but everything looks more institutionalized. Zip ties are on the lockers, we surmised that they didn’t use those anymore, adopting the two sets of books philosophy. WHAT??? Isn’t that what half of the experience was about…relationships, sports, social clubs, and lockers, I’ll throw learning in there for good measure.

A name we recognized as we meandered through the hallowed halls was Mrs. Kicklighter. Dang…she was old when I attended that school. She did show up to the dinner, although I didn’t recognize her until later. Picture the old woman from Beetlejuice and when she smoked it would come out of her neck…yep…that’s her. Mr. Nolen was in rare form, as flamboyant as ever. Steve and Kerry Reagan were there, the cool theatre teachers.

The retired Bulldog they used to take to the football games and run it up and down the track when we scored.


After the dinner we decided to ditch the football game and head to Outriggers for the after party. As we were walking to the car La Porte scored and our fight song filled the night air. I couldn’t help but throw an L sign in the air…La Porte Dogs…or Kicks…you know…I never really knew what they said at the end of our fight song.

Outriggers was fun, we were the first group there, had a few drinks and watched as the alum filtered in…we attempted to play a game, the first one who recognized someone had to pick a person to drink. I seemed to have had the advantage facing the door.

We headed downstairs and meeted and greeted those we recognized and those that recognized us…which was at times rather challenging. Not many people from the class of ’90 came; several I know went to Classic and from what I heard the two groups met up later in the evening.

Mandy, Me, Laura Haley, Sally Boldman


Me and Mandy


All in all, from what I witnessed it was pretty tame, no drama to speak of and it was great to see some old faces and catch up with old friends. High school was such a blip on the map of life, it is laughable how we were consumed by the relationships and drama…how can kids comprehend and understand “life” and just be…get along with each other...work hard…and look forward to the future with endless possibilities. Wow…that was deep.

I made a few more facebook friends and Mandy’s (Amanda to everyone else) shawl was so popular it had its own fan page created.
It was great seeing Mandy and meeting Greg. Mandy and I haven’t hung out like that in many o years. I hope it doesn’t take us 18 more to do it again.

No…I didn’t lose ANY weight for those keeping track…oh well…I have time before my “official” to get high school skinny. On to my next endeavor…