Lunar Eclipse

Tuesday, December 21, 2010.

Lunar Eclipse on the winter solstice...hasn't happened since 1663...or something like that. We (the Wrights) couldn't miss that but we (the parent Wrights) couldn't stay up til 2 a.m. and Josh was still in school so he couldn't stay up that late either. So we set our alarm and decided to get up in time to just get a glimpse of it to say that we saw the great event.

And that's what we did.

We got up. We went outside. We looked. And, we went back to bed.

Or so I thought. (More on that in a minute.)

In my groggy state, I didn't grab my camera to get any pics so these are borrowed from my friend Jenny Lawless. She did a great job.


This 2nd picture is basically what we saw...the beautiful reddish, copper colored moon. It was beautiful even through sleepy eyes.

But the best part happened the next morning.

Josh comes in to breakfast and gives me "the look" and then,in a voice that, if a voice could roll its eyes then his would have been rolling, says "I guess the eclipse didn't happen."

He didn't remember us getting him up and going out in the front yard to look at the moon! That would explain why he marched himself out there in only his boxers!

He doesn't remember a thing which just cracks me up! I guess he'll have to wait another few hundred years to get in on the action!

My First PWC Recipe

First of all, I am not a professional chef. The most exotic thing I cook is a grilled pork chop with a pineapple salsa. That's my go-to dish when we have friends over in the summer...it can be impressive only because it takes forever to chop all those veggies for the salsa!

I won't be sharing any of PW's recipes on here. You should rush out and buy this cookbook and drool over it the way I do. The photography and glimpses into ranch life are so enjoyable!

Back to my cooking adventure...

This is an egg-in-the-hole. It's the first thing I cooked from the cookbook. And, I'm sure if Cutest Boy and I weren't already married, he would sweep me up and rush me to Vegas to make sure I didn't get away!

I've made these several times now for the fam and they love them! My favorite part? I toast the cut-out circle of bread along with the EITH and it is soooo yummy!

Now's the time...drop everything and get to Barnes and Noble, Target, Amazon...where ever you get your books and BUY THIS COOKBOOK!! You, too, can have your life changed...just like Roman Wright!

B...who is happy to report 3 copies of this book have been purchased by her friends since she started this crazy obsession!

Pioneer Woman

Obsession.

Definition: 1.) To have a fixation on something. 2.) A cologne by Calvin Klein. (From Beverly's dictionary!)

I have the first one. I'm completely and totally smitten with "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" cookbook.

It all started when...

My friend, Charlotte, was raving about this cookbook she had gotten. I had heard of Pioneer Woman's blog and had seen her on the Today Show once but I didn't know any of her story of how she came to "be." So I went back to her blog and nosed around a little and read about how she was a city girl turned ranch wife. She has such an easy style of writing, I felt like she was chatting just with me!

October was my month to host Bunco and after 12+ years with these ladies, each time gets a little tougher to buy just the right gift that will bring out the savage beast in each of them causing a riot when it's time to pick your prize. (Sidebar: seriously...belly button lint could cause a smackdown some nights. That's just how we roll! I do love those ladies but that's another post in itself!) So I bought the cookbook.

And I read the cookbook. Or, at least I read as much of it as I could without opening it all the way so as not to break the spine so no one could tell I had been reading it in case someone else won it. (insert big sneaky smile here)

So when Bunco came, I rolled and I rolled and I rolled those dice. And, I won. And I picked that cookbook. And the next day, I sat on my couch and read it cover to cover!

And, I'm pretty sure Ree Drummond and I would be bff's if she lived a little closer! She seems very.........hmmm, what 's the word......REAL! Probably because she is. She's an Okie...like me. She homeschools...like me. She cooks...better than me. She's a country girl...like I used to be. She's humorous...like I want to be!

We could seriously hang out!

So, after the love fest I got a brilliant idea! I'm going to cook everything in it and blog about it. Yes, I stole the idea from the movie "Julie and Julia." But, my cooking adventure will be called "Ree and Beverleeeeeee!" (I crack myself up!)

I've already made 5 things. Yipppeeeee! To quote Roman Bethany Wright: "Pioneer Woman has changed our life for the better!"

That made me giggle! Next post: Eggs-In-The-Hole.

Yum.

Beverleeeeee

How I Spend My Mornings

A few months ago, my friend Lisa and I decided to start walking in the mornings after we dropped our kiddos off at school. We were starting slow...just the days Roman was in school. And we were going on a "walking tour" to satisfy our shared disease: adult-onset ADHD.

We decided to walk at all the parks that we knew about in south OKC. We started at Earlywine. Then we walked at Red Oak. We didn't go to South Lakes cuz it seems too deserted and scary in the mornings. But we did go to the Memorial Park in Moore. They were all wonderful...but then we decided to check out Little River Park and then...and then...

I don't want to exaggerate or anything but it was SMASHINGLY BEAUTIFUL!! EXTRAORDINARILY, OUT OF THIS WORLD FABULOUS! There are ponds and squirrels and little old people who are friendly and miss us when we don't get to walk.

OK...I don't really know if they miss us but we like to think they do!


So we decided to settle down and be exclusive with LRP. And we are so happy there!

Look at these pictures...need I say more?

I didn't think it could be more beautiful and then
came the Fall. Ahhhhh...happy sigh.

So, along with a beautiful view, I get to enjoy 40
minutes of hardcore chatting with a sweet friend
who has known me since 1 month after I met
Cutest Boy.

Oh yeah...and I'm doing something good for my
ticker! We're pretty much walking at least 4 days a week now.

I just don't think I could be more blessed!

B-dawg
(who turned 43 today and is spending the day in my jammies having all my meals cooked for me and watching movies with the CBOTB!)

Favorite Things

There are some things in life that just give a girl pure, unspeakable joy.

For me...it's the automatic car wash on Telephone Road. Ahhhhh. I get that some girls enjoy the pedicure or massage or an afternoon of shopping and lattes but all I need is that 3-minute ride through the brushes and waterfalls and blowers and I could pass out from the exhilaration I feel when it's over.

Cue the music:

After I put my car in neutral, I give the carwashguy the thumbs up. I slowly start my journey. First the light foaming soap that dots the windshield. The wonderful clean smell perks up my senses. Then the giant brushes whooooosh against the side of the expedition. The giant mop slides up my windshield with a swishing sound leaving the prettiest pattern on my windshield. Then, oh sweet pickles, a gigantic sheet of water washes all the soap away like a gentle rain on a summer day.

What happens next is almost too much for me to take. It's the Triple Action Shine soap. Foaming suds in three colors - pink, blue and yellow - that smells like bubble gum and cotton candy all at the same time. I about hyperventilate with my face pressed to the air vents trying to smell it over and over again before it's gone.

Another pass under the fabulous waterfall and then it's on to the row of dryers all aimed at my car. It's all I can do not to roll down the windows and stick my head out to feel the power of those puppies!

All too quickly, it's over. I have to shake myself out of the state of lethargy it puts me in, put the car in gear and get the heck out of there before the guy behind me rams me right on out of the chute!

All for $7. Seriously...it's the best 7 bucks I spend in a week's time.

I'm off to find some mud to drive through so I'll have a reason to go back! I'm sure Cutest Boy wonders why I need to wash the car so often when we haven't had rain in weeks! Don't tell him!

You've Gotta Have a Goal

And the goal for the Wright family? Well, it's to get in the pool once every month until next summer.

Every month.

That includes January and all the other months that might have REALLY cold weather.

And when I say "the Wright family"...I mean Cutest Boy and Josh.

Seriously, they are going to do it. I do not know why but I will have my video-ing camera ready every time!

Last night was a beautiful night. At around 8:30, the sun was down and it had really cooled off. I think it was 70-ish degrees...cool enough for a hoodie. We had a fire in the fire pit and had just had smores and Josh said "I'm going in." The most shocking part of that? Roman said "Me too!"

So that's the video! My crazy baby Wrights jumping in the 68-degree water. Roman looking like she had never swam a day in her life and Josh moving through the water at lightning speed!

Where was Cutest Boy? By the fire, of course!!

Peace, love and polar bear plunges!

B

First day, Second time

August 24, 2010. The 1st day of 6th grade or, as I prefer to call it:
"it will be over before you know it and my baby will be graduating and leaving me day."

Please take a few minutes to get a snack or cup of coffee while I try to quit sobbing hysterically!

6th grade at Veritas means a move to the upper school. Roman wasn't so excited about that and I'm sad to report that, even now 4 weeks in, she doesn't really like it very much. :( Not sure why. I don't think she knows exactly why, either. But she is rocking along!

I love that girl! Even though she keeps disobeying me when I tell her to stop growing up!

How to spend the day when it's 105* outside

They say a picture's worth a thousand words,
right?

(These pictures would tell a much better story if I could EVER get them in the order I want them!! grrrr!!)

You might say it's been a tad warm in the Heartland this summer. I say it's been downright H.O.T!!! Many days in the 100's with a heat index 10 degrees above the real temp. Just miserable! There's not a much better way to beat the heat than by being in the water.

So...we put in a pool. This cute little sea turtle lives on the top step. I love him!

These rafts/floating-pieces-of-furniture were given to me by my friend Joan. This is how it went:


Joan: I have some rafts I want to give you.
Me: You have a pool. (thinking they were the little $2 floaties from wal mart)
Joan: We won't use them. Richard (her cutest boy) buys stuff like this and just puts it out in the building. Let me help you carry them out to your car.

Seriously??? They were in huge boxes and they are the most fun in the pool!! You can get about 8 6th graders on the white one!! Thank you, Joan!!

And this is a full view of the pool and deck. **happy sigh**















And, what do I say about this picture? What is there to say, really? He's 14. That pretty much sums this up!!


It looks like he's really letting loose!! hahaha

And, that's how we spend these super hot days. Ahhhh...

First day, First Time

So it was the first, first day of school for the Wrights yesterday. Roman starts next week and I'll have to do this all over again.

Doesn't this one look so sad to be headed off to high school?














Yeah...about that. He wasn't sad one bit. He didn't even consider my offer to stay home and spend the day with me. He didn't even look back when he went to jump in the car that was taking him to school! Not that I REALLY expected him to come back and give me one more hug...that only happens in the movies, right?

Well, he went. He conquered. He loved it. And, he went back today.

He's gonna be fine at Moore High School...he'll be better than fine. He's gonna ROCK it!!

I love that boy.

Video Killed The Radio Star

Remember that song from waaaaay back in the day? I think it came out right after MTV and VH1 debuted on television. It was a "one hit wonder" by the Buggles.

"Facebook has killed the blog" could be their next big hit, I think.

Ahhhhh...Facebook. I do love it. It brings the great big ol' world down to the size of my computer screen. I get to know the everyday details of my friends' lives...when babies are born, when kiddos lose teeth, when my son is "in a relationship," and then when he's not. I've reconnected with people I knew in high school and friends that have moved away. I've used the "ignore" button so as NOT to connect with a few people.

Facebook suits me. At least it suits my adult ADHD. It's quick. It's all on one page. It's easy to follow. But, my blog...my sweet blog. I was supposed to be "writing it all down" for the little Wrights and their little Wrights so they would know me and know about our life.

For example, how would they remember laughing all the way home from church last night because of the Wombat game we had just played in youth...at one point, Cutest Boy almost had to pull over because we were all laughing SO HARD!!! I thought Roman was going to pass out!!

So...I. must. blog. more.

I think I'll start where I left off in May. Remember my garden? It's just 2 posts back if you want to look. Planting and growing had just begun. The rows were neatly kept and all was well.

And then, it happened. Just like I said it would! The cucumbers and squash overtook everything.......the green beans got bushy........the tomatoes toppled their cages......and the watermelon, oh the watermelon - it even grew onto the fence. Aye yi yi. It got buggy and scary in there and I haven't been back. I took this picture from waaaaay up on the porch cuz I don't want to get too close!!
















I did venture in to pick this lovely watermelon the other day before I heard something in the green bean bush and high-tailed it out of there.















And this is what it looked like on the inside!! It was delicious and well worth the wait! The best thing is that there is another one this size in there right now and 2 other smaller ones. I can't wait!!

I do have a better plan for next year's garden. I'm only planting a few things...and nothing like green beans that make a bush for grasshoppers and snakes to hide in. No corn...it didn't work at all. Better, stronger cages for the tomatoes. And maybe a separate garden just for watermelons!!

Now I'm wondering...can I grown pumpkins this fall???

I just might try.

:)

Caution!

What do you do when you find this note on the powder room door?

Here's what you DON'T do: Open the door!!

It was a real warning sign left by one of Josh's friends on the bathroom door. And, he meant it. Really, really meant it. (picture me holding my nose and fanning with the other. pew-eeeeee)

Collin spends a lot of time at our house. We love him like a son. But, the difference between him and Josh? Josh wouldn't warn you about the bathroom...he would push you in there and hold the door shut!!

Thanks, Collin!

Who Knew?

Who knew I was such a gardener?? Look at how my garden is growing! There are onions, radishes, tomatoes, corn, green beans, 3 kinds of peppers, squash, cucumbers, watermelons and sunflowers...just because I love sunflowers!

I get out there and hack the weeds and water and talk to the plants.

I know, I know. It's still the spring season. I haven't had to get out there in 100-degree sunshine yet.

But for now...I put my cute hat and gloves on and enjoy it all I can! My cherry tomato plant has blooms on it!!! OH MY GOSH!! It won't be long!



And, look at my other mad skillz! These are Roman's super cute toes I just painted. Of course, it leaves me with the burning question: Am I too old to have polka dot toes??

:)

I hope my next post isn't about tornado damage...we're expecting severe weather tonight! Yuck.

A funny thing happened on the way to gym...

This a true story. No names have been changed to protect the innocent...the innocent being Josh The Amazing. :)


So, I'm laying in the tanning bed, so relaxed that I'm one song away from being asleep. My phone rings. I ignore it. It rings again. I stick my tongue out at whoever is calling and ignore it again - unhappy at the intrusion on my mini-vacay at the beach.

When I finally check the phone, it was Josh calling from school. He left me this message:

"Uh, mom, uh, there's been some confusion and someone, uh, thought that I mooned some people. It's all a big mistake but you have to call Mrs. Baker anyways."

Immediately, I do what every good mom would do: I burst out laughing!! Josh Wright showing his buttermilk biscuits to the world??? I don't think so.

So, I call the school. My friend, Cindy Guthrie the secretary answers. "Hey Cindy. It's Beverly" Cindy: "Bwahahahahahahahaha" Me: "I know, right?" She puts me through to the assistant principal, Mrs. Baker. "Hi Mrs. Baker. This is Josh Wright's mom." More laughter.

When I finally get the story, it seems that on the way to gym - which means a pass by the elementary school - some girl told Josh to pull his pants up. (Maybe he had "pants on da ground, pants on da ground, lookin' like a fool wit his pants on da ground.) So, being the goofy 13-year-old boy he is, he pulls his jeans down and takes off running like a goober. It was drop-off time at the elementary school so several parents and students were "scandalized" and hauled their cookies in to the principal to let her know about the obscene behavior going on outside!

What they didn't know is that Josh always...and I mean ALWAYS...has on a pair of boxers and at least one pair of shorts under his jeans. That day the shorts were silver Nike ones that apparently look skin-toned from a distance!! No real mooning going on here, folks!

But we have had the best laugh out of this - it seriously makes us laugh so hard we cry!

And, we're left with the burning question: Is this just the beginning????

Aye yi yi.

Before and...

...Well, it's going to be awhile til the after pics are ready!

But, look what Cutest Boy did for me! He tilled my garden spot.

Today, I bought onions and cabbage to plant. I wanted to get potatoes planted but I cannot find the right kind of potatoes - the kind with "eyes"on them. And, I'm in a little bit of a farming pickle...today's St. Patrick's Day and you're supposed to have your potatoes in the ground by TODAY! (That's according to my mom who says it comes from the Farmer's Almanac.)

And she believes in the Almanac. She lived and breathed by the Almanac when I was young. It not only determined planting but harvesting, fishing, raising chickens and most of the milestones of my life, I'm sure. I grew up in a home where the Almanac was more present than a Bible.

I'm not going to garden by the Almanac myself. I'll do it the way I've done most things in my life...by the seat of my pants and on a wing and a prayer!

We had a garden before at the 18th street house and it went something like this: We bought cute gardening gloves. We planted and planted and checked the garden every day for new growth. We talked to the new plants and told them to be strong and grow tall. We about burst with pride and excitement when we got a tomato or a cucumber. Then...the weeds came. They were followed by the extreme Oklahoma sun and heat. An insect or two lived in the plants surprising the farmer in her cute hat and gardening gloves. We couldn't eat another squash and besides they were growing to 10 pounds since we only checked it every few weeks now IF there happened to be a cloudy day. Finally, Cutest Boy just tilled it all up.

But, not this year! I'm older. I'm a southerner. I'm supposed to garden. I will share my bounty with my neighbors and friends and they will praise my gardening skills. I will see it through - all the way to the fall!

Or not! **wink**

But for now, these guys are my new best friends!

We will be spending hours together...working the soil, tending the garden. Can't wait to pull my first tomato off the vine!

Peace, love and garden-grown peppers,

B

Things You Cannot Do with Fakey-Jakey Nails

1.) Pick celery strings out of your teeth
2.) Get a good scratch going (they're smooth as glass)
3.) Pick up the bobby pin you dropped in the sink
4.) Open the "pop top" can of mandarin oranges you want to put in your salad
5.) Text
6.) Clean out your other finger nails

I should get a pool going for how long these lovelies will last on my fingers! The lovely pointing and gesturing is getting old fast and I really need to scratch my arm!!

B

You wan cryt-ul jel?

I am 40-ish years old. One would think that I have done most of the basic things in life by now. I've gotten an education. I've married. I've given birth. I've swam in the ocean. I've eaten calf fries.

But today, for the first time in my LIFE, I got (in the words of the fabulous Laura A) my nails did! Looky at those fabulous snausages! That Marla W...she's pretty incredible with her multi-talented self.

They are kinda cool to have. I'm doing a lot more pointing and gesturing today!

But, in keeping with my A.D.D. self, these nails have caused me to give thought to a few things!

The first is.............what is the most attractive pose for your hand and fingers if you want to take a picture of your new claws? I'm tellin' ya - I took 10 pics and only liked this one! If I had more time, I would have found a hand double!

And, of course, getting my nails done, I could only think of Anjelah Johnson's "Nail Salon" that you can find on YouTube. (If I could link it, I would!!) If Marla had told me I had a crooked finger, I would have wet myself! And she says "You wan cryt-ul jel?" interpreted as "You want crystal gel?" and I fall off my chair laughing so hard! Seriously, you MUST google it! And, don't forget my absolute fave on YouTube, Bon Qui Qui at King Burger. Sweet georgia brown it is hysterical!! Go check it out!!

Peace, love and painted nails,

B

The Weekend by the Numbers - Part Deaux

1 tournament in Overland Park, Ks
16 fabulous Celtic boys winning 2nd place in the finals that ended in a shoot out.
10 hours driving looking at NOTHING (see photo, courtesy JTA-Joshtheamazing)
1:15 a.m. = the time JTA and I got home this morning
2 = number of stink eyes Josh gave me cuz I made him go to school (even though I did let him sleep in!)
3,657,228 = number of calories I consumed this weekend
0 = number of hours spent on the treadmill
7 = number of disks of "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks I listened to while driving those 10 hours.
0 = number of texts I sent while driving. So sad - did I mention I've given up texting and driving at the same time?? Whatev.

Look at my son on the end of the top row - he's a BEAST!! Go Celtic 96 Green!

My Fabulous Father-In-Law

What a weekend! My FIL (aka Bob, Bobby, Pop or Papa) worked his last day with Frito Lay on Saturday. He was with that company for 34 years!! That's a stinkin' long time. And, during those 34 stinkin' long years, he only called in sick T.W.I.C.E., twice! That's amazing. (Keep in mind that I used to call in twice a month and I only worked 4 days a month making that reason #328 for me to quit my job and never work again!)

Seriously, that fact left a huge impression on me and gave me a little glimpse into why my husband has such an amazing work ethic. His siblings are that way, too.

Retirement = party, party, party!

Saturday, Frito Lay got together a little surprise for Bob. They actually made him work on his last day........SURPRISE!! Now that's a thoughtful gift. (insert sarcasm here) It did get better! They picked us (Nana and his children) up in a limo and took us to his store. Walmart.

Post Highjack: Now this could be a post in itself. Just picture it..........a beautiful white limo pulling up to...of all places...Walmart. I kept my sunglasses on in case someone mistook me for a rockstar or a rockstar's housekeeper or something. A girl selling girl scout cookies outside said "Seriously...a limousine...to Walmart?" Needless to say, we didn't drop any Washingtons for her cookies.

Anyway, they snuck us back to the breakroom (I've never been in the back rooms of a super center!!) where there were a ton of people that have worked with and loved Bob for many years. There was cake and gifts and hugs - and so many words of edification for my FIL. This quiet, easy-going man has impacted many lives along the way.

Then they took us to lunch at Charleston's where we ate ourselves into a diabetic coma! Then the limo took us home.

This is all of us leaving Walmart in our sweet ride after the party on our way to lunch. And, a pic of both in-laws. Aren't they cute?

Sunday, as if one heart-attack-inducing surprise party wasn't enough, we threw him another for friends and family.

Cutest Boy got up to say a few words about his dad, and I almost lost it completely! He acknowledged what a stinker he had been as a kid - along with his big bro, Jerry - but thanked him for his tough love and for all the grace he gave him along the way. Watching a child honor his parent like that is amazing. I ♥ the CBOTB so much for that.

I do have to admit, part of my emotion was realizing I would never get to do that for my own dad. Every day, I wish I could tell him and the whole world how he influenced the person I am today.

These are all the grandbabies - ages 5 to 23!! Vickie, SIL extraordinaire, and I have recruited him to the carpool! Well, he's going to need SOMETHING to do, right?

And, here's a photo of all of Jane and Bob's children and grandchildren. (And one DIL - Moi!)

I am so blessed to be a part of this family. And, I'm so proud of my FIL and thankful that he gets to be an influence in the lives of my children.

**big happy sigh**

Peace, love and parties,

B

Tragedy

The headline read:

FROSTY CUT IN HALF DURING TRAGIC SLEDDING ACCIDENT! (News at 5)

A precious member of the Wright household met his end after a day of gusty winds in the heartland. Mrs. Wright was heard to say "It was only a matter of time. I should never have left him by that sled and those skates."















But, with only a few hunks out of him, can he be saved? Could a little Gorilla Glue do the trick? Or a few squirts of Crystal Effects? Tune in tomorrow for .............................. the rest of the story!!

In other news, I had the most relaxing day stamping at my friend Susan's house yesterday.

These are the cards I made. But, the real show-stopper of the day was the wonderful lunch - fried rice with shrimp and grilled chicken made in a wok!! Sometimes, it's the little things that really just impress the heck out of me. I wouldn't even know where to begin!

I can't figure out how to get this picture in the place that I want it. **heavy sigh** So, it's going to have to be at the end.

Oh well.

Secret confession of the day: I {heart} that Lady Gaga song with the great beat...don't know the name...or really even the words...but it has RAH RAH OH MAMA GA GA OOH LA LA in it! Lady Gaga is a little out there even for me but that song gets my feet movin!!

Grinnin',

B - the snowman's EMT

9 Month Recap

It's February 20th - Cutest Boy's birthday. Also, the 9-month anniversary of my last blog post. Where does the time go? What have the Wrights been doing you ask?

Not much.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Now that is just not the truth at all.

I've missed my blog and I missed the reason that I started blogging in the first place - to keep a record of our lives so that the Wright children can look back on this one day and remember. Oh yeah...and so I could ramble for hours and hours about how fabulous my family is.

So this post will play catch up.

When last we visited...Patrick had a girl coming from Virginia. Remember? Well, she came. She stayed. He went. He came back. They broke it off. The end.

Then he started dating Tammy again. They dated before. She's the one that took him skydiving for the first time. Sweet girl. He broke up with her when he realized she wasn't the one the Lord had for him. It was a tough time for him. I just keep telling him it will happen. God knows what he's doing. Patrick moved to Edmond in the fall to attend UCO. It's his 5th year of college or his "victory lap" as he likes to call it. He's now at Rose re-taking some classes to get his GPA up. Will he ever graduate? Trust me...I will be shouting it from the rooftops when it happens! :) He's such a great kid...um, excuse me...a great man! I pray he's truly enjoying the ride.

We did just have some excitement with Patrick a few weeks ago. Hot appendix! He called from work (Chili's in Edmond) around 10:30 on a Friday night saying his lower right side was really hurting. We met him at the ER in Edmond and, sure enough, his appendix was bad and he had it removed the next morning. Let me just say that is completely the short version of that story! He did very well - went to class on Monday and never really missed a beat!

Brandon. Ah Brandon. Brandonbrandonbrandon. Brandon went out to live with his mom last summer. Not sure what to write about the last 9 months of his life except that he has now joined the Navy and will be leaving July 28. We love that boy. We can't wait to see what the Lord will do in his life. He needs the Navy.

So for the rest of the Wrights living at home, it has been a fun-filled, fabulous 9 months of living! We love, love, love living in our new neighborhood. It was the best move we could have ever made.

In June, Roman performed in Beauty and the Beast. She was the narrator, a wolf and a dancing rug and had the best time. It was a really nice production. We then went to South Carolina with Josh's soccer team. They got to represent Oklahoma in regionals. They did well but didn't advance. We went on to Myrtle Beach for a few days with 2 other families from the team - the Van Ecks and the Gosses. We had so much fun. We para-sailed. Yes, I said we. And, yes, that means me too!! It was fun but it really wasn't a very pretty beach. The sky, water and sand were all sort of the same shade of gray. But...a beach is a beach, right?

We came back and both kids had soccer tryouts. Roman is now officially a Cosmo - she's been waiting for that for a LONG time! Josh moved up to the A team in his age division!! Congrats Joshie! It's been a tough road for that team over the fall - the coach was fired, they lost most of the games they played and one of their best players quit in December to play for our rival, OFC. They did win the championship in the Celtic Cup. Yay! They've brought on some new kids so I hope things change this spring. Josh has improved above and beyond what we ever expected and has earned his spot on that team.

In July, Roman did 2 theater camps. One was Aristocats - she was Duchess and she was PERFECT! The other was Parabalooza at Regency Park BC. Josh went to a soccer camp at Tulsa University. Yikes!! It was residential so he was on his own - with his buddy Chandler - for 4 days! He loved it - me........not so much!

August just got things rolling for us. Roman started 5th grade at VCA and Josh 8th at CJH. And let the soccer begin!! We were gone every weekend with at least one of them for a tournament or OPL or SPL games! Of course, I love it! Soccer tournaments are like a mini-vacay for me! Eating out and not making my own bed = sweetness!

Roman's team started out slow and then started winning and winning and winning! They were semi-finalists at the Labor Day Invitational in Plano, TX. They won the Cosmos Cup. They won the Capital City Cup in Little Rock, AR. They finished (technically) 2nd in the league! In January, they won an indoor tournament in Tulsa called Winterfest. They will play in the OPL this season against some tough teams........but they are pretty tough themselves! It's been a fun ride with those girls.

Roman turned 11 in September. That's a killer to this mom. My baby is so not a baby anymore. She's a wonderful young lady that I'm so proud of.

So, we've had a couple of months of semi-quiet! We've had blizzards and more snowfall than I can remember ever having in Oklahoma! So perfect for me - being snowed-in is my ideal way to spend a day!

My whole family has discovered Facebook. What an adventure that has been! I've reconnected with 2 of my besties from highschool - Melanie and Traci. We get together for dinner when Mel is here from Georgia. I've caught up with Laura and Linda - both in Houston now. FB is definitely a great tool for staying connected with people - which is a huge struggle for me. Always has been and, I suspect, it always will be.

Roman auditioned for a production of Annie, Jr. She got the role of Ms. Hannigan!! So exciting except how does my 11-year-old play a drunken, mean lush??? LOL. We'll see in June! Josh is going to tryout for the golf team at school. Oh yeah........he discovered golf over the summer!! It's busy season for CBOTB so let the mom-taxi begin! You know I wouldn't change a thing!

But for now, it's Cutest Boy's birthday so we have some celebrating to do. I just took a pineapple carrot cake out of the oven and we have dinner tonight with the Eastwoods - a tradition for the last few years since Curt's birthday is the 18th.

Life is good. It certainly is not boring. I have a lot to talk about including Tiger's speech yesterday and the state of our country under Obama and Switchfoot's new CD Hello Hurricane and Amazing Race and pickles I bought at Affair of the Heart and and and and.....................

Peace, love and pace yourself,

B - the blogger