Don't Tell Michelle Obama

For the entirety of Carson's school career, he has had a cold lunch. Every.Single.Day. (well there were two days during kindergarten when he had a school hot lunch). Since 5th or 6th grade his lunch has consisted of two granola bars, a fruit (usually applesauce), a muffin and a Boost. Every now and then there would be a bit of variation--maybe some cookies or two muffins, maybe a juice of $2 for a chocolate milk. But beyond the occasional treats, he has eaten the same lunch for the last 8 years.

I know that is probably not the most healthy of lunches, but I felt OK about it since he was getting a fruit, Boost, and sometimes actual homemade muffins. And when he first started taking cold lunches he was a finicky little dude with a very narrow range of acceptable foods so we went with what he would eat. As he grew, he decided that he liked more and more foods. Unfortunately, he is also a creature of habit and was quite comfortable knowing exactly what would be in his lunch every day. Truth be told, I'm a creature of habit as well and it was so much easier to pack the same thing day in and day out rather than trying to be creative in the lunchtime menu.

But this last two weeks I have lost momentum. I still pack him granola bars, muffins, and fruit. But he isn't wrestling right now so we aren't buying Boost. The last two trips to the grocery store I forgot to by juice to replenish our stock. So today I packed an RC Cola in his lunch. I can think of only one other time when I have packed him a soda in his lunch. That was a couple of weeks ago when I found myself in a similar situation.

I can't believe I packed him a soda. I feel like I should get the "worst mom" award. I don't think the award should be given just because of the soda. No, I feel like I should get the award because the packing of the soda demonstrates a bit of giving up on my part. I just haven't made it a priority to get to the grocery store to get more juice.

And you know what? Since we still have soda in the garage, I think Carson will probably get a soda in his lunch tomorrow and Friday.

TV watching Memory

We are a TV-watching family. Our viewing choices are a bit eclectic. We will watch anything from sporting events (well, not soccer or tennis...too boring) to classic movies on Turner Classic Movies to history or travel shows. The boys have taken a liking to The Bachelor/Bachelorette (why? I have no idea). But I can't cast too many stones since I like to watch The Real Housewives series (everything but the RH of Atlanta and NJ...those ladies are too crazy for me). So, yes, our TV viewing is a bit eclectic. But it is a family activity that we enjoy together.

One of our staples is Survivor. We have watched every season. And watching Survivor has led to some interesting family discussions. Sometimes the discussions are quite comedic. Last night's viewing led to this conversation...

Background info: I have enjoyed cheering for Cass, a lawyer on the "brains" tribe. I have liked her from the beginning of the season. Carson has enjoyed cheering for Tony, a cop who I find irritating, manipulative, and deceitful. Cass totally rubbed Carson the wrong way. He didn't like the way she played the game. He felt she was too emotional and mean.

So last night when Cass came from last place to win immunity to get her to the Final 3 I let out a little cheer. That set the conversation into motion.

-Carson:  Ugh. How you like her? Don't cheer for her. That isn't necessary.
-Me:        What? Like you wouldn't have done the same thing if Tony had won?
-Carson:   If Cass wins, I'm never watching the show again.
-Me:         Whatever. You will to.
-Carson:   I just can't stand her. She's psychotic.
-Me:        Really? Psychotic? That would imply that she didn't play clear-minded; that she was confused. I think all of her decisions were quite clear and calculated.
-Carson:  But she played like a girl...all emotional decisions.
-Me:        I think you are more emotional than Cass.
-Carson (throwing his hands in the air):  But I'm a teen-ager!

I'm sure going to miss him next year. Watching TV with Carson has led to many different conversations, some funny, some just plain interesting, and some quite meaningful.

Three

Three...the number of posts that may wind up as the final number for May. I'm in such a funny place right as now as I begin to adjust to the thought of it being just Dave and me come September. I'm sure that is playing a large part in my blogging funk. I am trying to figure out what direction this blog will take. I started it when I had lots of funny kid stories to share. Now my kids are big, mostly out of the house and funny anecdotes don't occur on a daily basis. Dave is a funny guy but he always follows his funny faux pases with the statement "that better not be on your blog". I am trying to respect that request.  And I don't want to always blog about me, me, me. And I don't think my 3 readers want to read just about me, me, me. So this blog and me are in a transition as we find a new path.

Three...is also the number of Friday's until Carson's graduation. Only 22 more sleeps until he is no longer a high school student. How can it be that these high school years passed by so quickly? Carson doesn't think they went fast enough, but for me it was faster than I wished.

Three...the number of months Katelyn has been out on her mission. She is doing great. She loves being out and street contacting people. She is a bit frustrated with the members where she is serving. From her perspective they aren't that into missionary work and don't want to be on the hook to help connect the missionaries to investigators. Her dad told her to find more ways to serve the members and then the members may be more willing to help them find investigators. No word on how that advice is working out for her.

Mother's Day and a funny, but kinda embarrassing picture

Sunday was Mother's Day and that means we were able to Skype with Katelyn. We had a great conversation...talked for 1.5 hours. I mean, non-stop talking. When she was home that amount of conversation would never have happened in one sitting. We shared, she shared. We all had lots of laughs. It was a great way to spend Mother's Day evening.

Monday is her p-day and the day she usually e-mails. I wasn't sure if she would e-mail us on Monday because of chatting with her just the night before. But she did e-mail long enough to send us a picture from our Skype session.

What can you even say about this picture? Maybe

What's Kate Been Up To?

Taking a really neat picture that she wants me to get published in  The Ensign

Driving a really cool truck...but only for a day

Finding giant citrus fruits

Feeling sad that her room is lacking in decorations

Feeling happy to receive mail from the Primary children and now she has something to hang on her wall

She has also been busy street contacting people. Street contacting is basically trying to share the gospel message with people she and her companion meet while they are out riding their bikes around Tempe. She has also been using Facebook to share messages of Christ.

Katelyn is happy to receive e-mails; but what really feels her tank is to receive good ole snail mail. She recognizes the effort that goes into sitting down and composing a letter, then finding an envelope and addressing it, and finally stamping the letter and getting it to the mailbox. And to her all that effort that goes into a handwritten letter equals love. If you would like to send her a letter you can send it to the mission home. That address is:

Sister Katelyn Graham

1871 E Del Rio Drive

Tempe, AZ 85282

PS I'm looking for suggestions on how I would go about getting her picture published in The Ensign.