What's up with us

Well, it has been a while, so I will try to recap.

"Soul Man Eric" is playing the trumpet still in two different bands at school. Jazz Band and 8th grade Band. He likes Jazz Band better, they have alot of fun! He is 2nd chair(good place to be) and loves learning how to be more soulful. Eric saved all of this birthday money (14 years old) and bought himself a Wii. Needless to say, he spends many an hour "working out" on it. On top of all of that he has a girlfriend. Yea, I know I thought the same thing. Of course, I layed down the rules and he said he knows and has already spoken to her. Letting her know and I quote "No sex. And we can't kiss for like 18 months." It speaks for itself.

Jared on the other hand just finished his first year in football, he is in Upwards, which is a program through our church. It was only flag football this year, but leave it to Jared to gain penalties for tackling. (That's my boy!) He was also given a ticket to the Orange Bowl in Florida this year for his 10th birthday, which Brent just happened to go along for the ride! Cincinnati lost, but they and a few friends still had a great time hanging out in Lil' Havana where the sky is blue and the sun is actually shining!

Lucas is now 3 1/2 and world's of fun! He is definately still the baby of the family. Besides the fact that it sounds like he just sucked in Helium when he speaks, he is trying to be a "big boy" without losing all his "baby" perks. Mischeivous is not enough of a word to describe this kid. He can put a smile on like a movie star and sugar coat anyone with his charm. Trains are his thing, along with the movies "Cars"& "Kungfu Panda" and of course going into mom's purse and stealing anything that looks edible. He still walks with his hand on his skinny rearend, to keep his pants from falling down when he runs. The picture to the right is when Lucas opened his first present after the boys opened theirs and stated in a very unhappy manner "CLOTHES?!"

Brent and I celebrated our Anniversary this January, yes 14 years folks! Time does fly when your having fun! We actually ate oysters for an appetizer, yum yum! Along with Salmon, Tilapia, french fries and zucchini! (Brent ordered the fries) We also shared a marvelous chocolate dessert that I couldn't finish until the next day. (It's always better when you wait!) I also bought him a new wedding band, that he has been asking for for 14 years. He never liked the one I bought him for our wedding, so I figured I would finally give in this year and get him a nice new one!

As for me, I gave up Pepsi. Headaches, delirium, hallucinations, anger, withdrawls. Enough said.

Hope everyone is well...where ever you are...

It's been a while.

Truth is, I didn't feel like writing about anything except for Rocky.
Then one day, I was on the phone with my cousin Melissa, and she said something to me that made sense. It was something to the effect of one day I will be able to talk about other things again, write about things that aren't so emotional, or sad. Write about the kids again, or things that make me happy. Just get back to being me.

Humph! It was sort of like a light went on, I was actually taken aback from it. Although she said this to me on Christmas, I have been pondering her words for quite some time. I actually thought where would I start? What would I write about? Would people even want to read what I wrote? I felt like for a while, with blogging, all I had was Rocky's story, and that's all that I wanted to write about. Because honestly, it helped me get through a tough time. It was sort of a therapy for me, to write the blog and read people's responses. It helped me stay connected to the people who loved him, who knew him and it also kept my mind busy. But, many days have passed, many thoughts have come and gone, many events have happened and I haven't taken the time to sit down and write a new blog. So, please forgive me if I am a bit rusty.

I appreciate you for taking the time to let me vent. Thanks for reading this, too.

Rocky and me

Times have changed...but, it's still the same ol' me. And it's still the same ol' Rocky.
My mom sent this photo to me a few months back and I remembered it when the accident happened. This is actually how I see Rocky when I think of him. Maybe because this is how he looked when we first met, so it's burned into my thoughts. We are both so goofy, too. It makes me laugh. I remember telling someone one time that "I got my sense of humor from him." Funny, I don't have his DNA. But that's not what makes up a "dad" anyway, right?

Lucas "Lucky" Burden

Not that I believe in "luck" per se. I know there are angels out there protecting us and God grants miracles, that allow us to live to see another day. And thanks to Brent's side, Lucas has some Irish in him, too. I actually like the sound of "Lucky" better than, "Lukey". So, with that said I like to call Lucas, Lucky, for fun. And so far this week he has lived up to his name...

• Bit his tongue, too which he kept biting over and over.

• Fell down carpeted flight of stairs, followed by a welt on his hip.

• Stuck key in outlet, to his dismay, it wasn't as fun as it looked!

• Scraped big toe playing with his brothers on the porch.

• Scraped his knee up, he didn't realize playing with hot wheels could be so dangerous!

Of course, he had to explain to Jared and Eric that they shouldn't play with keys. And he isn't really able to wear his shoes without whining for the first few minutes. But, all in all he will live to see another day and that's the most important news!

Where shall I start?

Quick update...I finally graduated from nursing school in June, with academic achievement, might I add. Hey, I have never been on the honor roll my whole life, let me enjoy this! A position opened up at my work for full-time nights working as a nurse in the rehab unit. So, basically I take care of people that have had surgery, don't need to be in the hospital, but aren't quite ready to go home on their own yet. It's just about 15 minutes from our house, which is not bad, except for coming home at 7:30 in the morning. It is funny to see my neighbors getting into their cars as I am pulling up and getting out of mine. So far, the night thing is working out, except for my internal clock is all outta whack! Don't get me wrong, I love sleeping in, but it is hard to fall asleep at night while everyone else is. So, I am still trying to figure that part out on my days off. I have room darkening curtains which helps. Thank God, Costco sells Starbucks coffee, so I grind my own beans at home.

My mom was able to make it out for my graduation and ended up staying for a week, during that time we went camping and had a wild time in the rain! ha ha! It was a muddy couple of days, but we have boys so we just rolled with it! As you can see Eric has passed up Grandma Linda by a inch or two.

By the way, keep me in your prayers, I was kicked in the left shoulder in May, by a dementia patient and tore a small part of my rotator cuff. I was given a cortisone shot, between my shoulder blades!!, after a few weeks of not being able to use it totally. The shot took a few days to feel better, it was like getting his by a bat in that arm for days. But, for the last 7 weeks or so, I have felt better until about a night ago. I just pray that I don't have to keep doing this. I started back to the gym, against my will, might I add-thanks Brent, and it was inflammed after the workout class. I am trying to use it , but trying to baby it at the same time. Although, the Dr. wants me to workout to strengthen it, I am a sissy. So, for now, I am building up to full use again, I hope. Keep me in prayer.

Just a quick tid-bit, somewhere along the line, I forgot to mention it was Lucas' 3rd birthday in May. I made him a cupcake filled #3. He is 31 inches tall and weighs 32lbs. Loves to play with Thomas the tank engine, cars, rocks and eat as many strawberries he can get his hands on. Oh, and he can talk your ear off! (I don't know where he got that from, of course.)

Our niece Miranda was on leave from the Army for two weeks, she was able to spend some time with us at Kings Island and just hanging out not being a soldier. She just graduated as an Army Medic and is now on her way to Georgia to continue school as an LPN. We won't be able to see her until Christmas, boo-hoo. But, she is in great hands and loves every minute of it!

In the meantime, the weeks have gone fast for the boys as Eric & Jared are out for the summer and counting the days 'til they have to return. Not, that they want to go, they are just counting them, as if their days were numbered. Eric will be entering 8th grade, Jared 4th. Jared just started Upward football(flag) through our church and is really excited. Eric on the other hand has only played football on PS2. Although, Brent bought season tickets to the Cincinnati Bearcats football this year, and he will have to endure 9 games this season live. Eric would rather call the plays than actually execute them. Jared of course, had to be convinced that football with pads isn't as dangerous as flag. He wanted to play with pads so bad, but we didn't know if he was ready just yet. So, with that said he is happy to hear that with flag he could get hurt more, go figure.

This summer we also had some great friends of ours move to Virginia. Tina and Chris and their 4 boys (of course we got along great!) moved to be closer to family, due to some recent hard times they have faced. We are going to miss them everyday, our boys are sad this summer since we spent most of last summer together.

Good news, we bought a new car! It is a Chevy Malibu, black w/ gray interior and sweet as can be! This baby is so quiet and handles like a race car around corners. I know everyone loves that new car smell! FYI-This is only our 2nd new car since the birth of Eric. So, I was very happy to get it! And it comes with OnStar, which is so fun to call them and play with.

Brent wouldn't have wanted me to tell you, but he is #1 in his district for kitchen design sales and overall for the year. Just had to let you know how proud I am of him.



Well, I think I have touched base on all I can think of for now. Drop me a line... tina