Dastroyah's Grom Has Been Stolen!

 Local Friends:

Please keep an eye out for this motorcycle. It was stolen from Dastroyah’s yard today. The police have been informed so if you think you see it, please contact the police.

Farther Away Friends: please pray that it is magically returned or that the police find it. Thank you!

PS. I share this for two reasons. 1. To get the word out, people to pray, and for people to be on the lookout. 2. Some people believe that my entire life is sunshine and roses, and I like to keep it real.

Best Photo of the Day

 This photo of The BIGS makes me so happy inside. Just happy, relaxed, enjoying life. Together. Makes this mama’s heart fill with joy. Dastroyah and PattyCakes. 

Take a Leap of Faith

 

This old photo, paired with the age old wisdom of the Bible, is still relevant in 2021. Amen 


PS. When I posted this on FB, all the mamas were aghast at this photo of Dastroyah doing something so dangerous, and I chuckled to myself a little about what it is like to be a mama of all adrenaline-junkie boys. I'm never bored, that's for sure. 

12 Years Ago...

12 Years ago...
     I arrived in NM after a 3 day drive with my mom, David (9), Derek (2), 2 hysterical dogs and a few tote boxes of belongings to a place I'd never been before to start a new chapter of our life away from everything and everyone we'd ever known.
      And while I miss my Illinois family like crazy even all these years later, I've never been sorry I said yes to the adventure of a lifetime, not one single time.
      Daniel Meyer, I'll follow wherever you're going for always, because I love you to the moon and back.




#TeamMeYeR
#NotOneBitSorry
#AdventuresWithHercules
#TheManCrew
#NewMexicoForLife


PS. I should add that Dan and Patrick (7.5) had left town before the rest of us and had arrived in Mid-July. By the time we arrived, Dan was gainfully employed by the company that would employ him for the next 7 years, and Patrick had Auntie Karen wrapped around his little finger. 

Catching Up with Us Meyer's Sept 2018 Edition

Hey friends, it's been a hot minute, hasn't it? Life keeps on rolling, whether we participate or not, so we might as well play along, right? Anywho, September has been packed full of the exciting and the mundane, so here's a quick overview to get everyone caught back up. 

~Hercules: Is still unemployed in terms of not working for an official business but continues to be the busiest unemployed person I know. He's completed 2 engine swaps this month, fixed up a new-to-us car that he and Dastroyah collaborated on for me, fixed Pat's car 3 times, and Nathan's at least twice and is working on Dastroyah's Datsun as I type this. He's also helped Roger, Teresa and Karen move, put together an estimate to repair a home damaged by flooding, put in new carpet for 2 people and repaired a car for Tommy and Alex from church. Everyone in the family has working AC in their car now (If they are set up for it) thanks to a new technique he learned recently. He's worked on Ricky's old 270 car and a motorcycle that Ricky wants to buy from David. He is considering going into business with Joelle and opening their own little handy-man/auto repair storefront. Somewhere in there, he's made time to hang out with DT playing Mine-Craft, celebrate our 22nd anniversary, attend church and community group, and always be present for Pizza and Movie Night each week as we plow through the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. 

~Mama K: I'm tired just trying to remember everything Dan has been doing. LOL! I also worked my 30-35 hours a week with Jodi, did a solid 4 weeks of school with DT and Mr T., ran the house, decorated for Autumn, cut all the hair, attended swing dancing on Tuesday evenings, Sister-Girl Night on Wednesdays, enjoyed Community Group each Thursday, hosted Game Night on Fridays and church on Sundays. Jody Stolp, Ruby Eley and I did a FULL DAY of batch cooking last Saturday and while we wore ourselves completely out, we had a ball and prepared a full freezer's worth of breakfast foods, which are now being inhaled at an alarming rate by The Man Crew and Friends. (Look for a separate post regarding the baking day soon.) I also FINALLY FINISHED my #HotMess challenge project of getting the SOC room ready to use as a scrap-booking counter so I can leave my supplies out all the time. *Victory dance* I even managed to sort some books, clothes, and other things and filled my donation box to overflowing twice over. So not to toot my own horn, but TOOT TOOT, I was pretty productive this month, too. 

~Patrick: Patrick remains elusive after his grumpy sorta-kinda-maybe move out at the beginning of the summer over the lack of Internet at the MCH. He's been sleeping at Nathan's for weeks and weeks and has recently crossed the street to hang out at The Hooligan House. He comes home to shower, do his laundry, and eat all the food out of the fridge. He also comes home to ask Dan to help him with car projects, and for Pizza and Movies Night. Jodi and I are considering asking him to take school pics of Mr. T and Slick.

~Derek: Derek is working his way through the 7th grade and making progress by leaps and bounds. His tablet and/or Mine Craft consumes most of the rest of his time, if I allow it...because riding your bike/rollerblading/pogo sticking isn't that much fun by himself, and it's still too hot for Mama to intentionally spend much time outside. He did get to attend Home School Day at the Rockin' Jump Trampoline park and enjoyed himself immensely. 

~Dastroyah: Dastroyah still prefers not to be talked about much, but I think it's safe to say that he's working on motorcycle and car projects, still working at the gym, and he attends Pizza and Movie Nights each week.

It's the Little Things: Day 198

I want to focus on the good things this year.

All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the times that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we? 

• How can this year already be more than half over? I'm enjoying this blog series so much. It has become one of my little things. I don't get to post it as often as I'd like since I can't blog from my phone or my tablet, but whenever I get the chance to review some of my blessings, that's a blessing in itself. 
• It's as simple as a Pandora music station that plays only songs you love and gets smarter and smarter the more you play it. (Currently playing, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound radio.)
• It's a week on my own at the office. Which isn't necessarily a little thing, since it allows Jodi to have a week of stay-cation, but her trust in me to handle the students is a wonderful gift. 
• It's Hercules and DT spending a whole day together playing Minecraft and hanging out. Mama got to work in peace and they had a ball together. And neither of those is a little thing. 
• It's a hilarious Facetime visit with my 'Shua, Lauren and Caden. Little Punk was NOT all about sitting still to talk to {Grand}Mama K. At. ALL. But it was fun to visit with 'Shua and Lauren in their new house looking so happy and content. 
• It's getting a gift of candy corn from one of my this-week-only students. 
• It's my breakfast nook roof not leaking anymore thanks to some extra attention for Dan earlier this month. This is NOT a little thing, but I'm mentioning it just the same. Monsoon season is upon us and it's raining at least for a while nearly every day, so this repair came at just the right time. Thank you, Dan!
• It's an hour to blog in between students. And with DT at home with Dan again today, it's only interrupted by the office phone ringing. And that's good news for the business so that's okay with me. 
• It's pulling random ingredients from the fridge while I'm still sleepy and bleary-eyed this morning and once I woke up, realizing I've got ingredients to make a spinach salad topped with honey-chipotle chicken tenders, tomatoes, cucumber, zesty Italian dressing and Cheez-It crackers as croutons. Not bad, indeed. 
• It's looking forward to "Swing on the Plaza" tonight if I'm not too tired. Free swing dance lessons, followed by 2 hours of music and room to dance. Dastroyah recently discovered swing dancing (with Z Benson's help) and it has changed his life. Even if I don't have the energy to dance, just enjoying the weather and watching the youngsters dance will be pleasant. Plus, food trucks will be there with Taco Tuesday specials. One can hardly go wrong in that environment. LOL! 

All of these and more make up my little things list this week. Isn't it so difficult to not see the blessings once you start looking? What's on your little things list today? 

 

It's the Little Things: Day 184

I want to focus on the good things this year.

All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the times that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we?

• It's a successful day of work, which involved making kites, walking to the park, watching Mary Poppins, and laughing at the kiddos antics.
• It's being SO ridiculously grateful for Air Conditioning in this insanely hot and humid (for Cruces) summer that we are enjoying. 
• It's having an easy peasy and tasty dinner ready to eat in 5 minutes.
• It's having big kids that means I can slip off to Starbucks around the corner to enjoy a free iced tea and blog for an hour (or two).
• It's that same big kid that still enjoys having me read him bedtime stories. I KNOW I'm on borrowed time and I'm trying to soak up every minute. 
• It's a friend requesting that we have our annual Independence Day bbq and then donating all the money to make it happen. (We are so blessed, guys!) 
• It's celebrating with 'Shua and Lauren over the purchase of their first home and a successful and safe move last weekend. They live 6 blocks from my mom now. Woot for GiGi! 
• It's a friend offering a free Herbalife shake to help me start my weight-loss journey. And enjoying some delightful mama chatter while doing it.
• It's a bestie that calls to ask how things are going...not the socially appropriate answer of fine. How are things TRULY going? And being able to answer without fear of ridicule or a scolding reminder that others are worse off than I am right now. She's a gift, that's for sure.
• It's having brake lights that WORK again after some attention from Hercules and Dastroyah. I feel so fancy and special now! 
• It's a new sermon series by Pastor Dennis that rocked my socks off and caused me to rethink several long held ideas about my commitment to the Lord. And that's always a good thing. 

 

What's on your Little Things list?

#100HappyDays2018: Day 4

Day 4: Traveling with these two monkeys is never dull. They are burning off steam after a gymnastics competition. (throw back Thursday post)
#Dastroyah
#DTStrong

#100HappyDays2018: Day 1

 Day 1 of 100 Happy Days: This year I happened to get snapped while kissing on Dastroyah and since there is rarely any photographic evidence of his existence, I am thrilled to share* this darling snap of my favorite oldest biological Man-Child.
Since he detests having his photo taken and despises social media even more than photographs, this is a treasure for sure. 
 

I know the whole point of this is to pick something that makes me happy, but this is like crazy, over-the-top, super extra happiness right here.

*Posted with his permission.

It's the Little Things: Day 134 ~Mother's Day Edition~

 

 I want to focus on the good things this year.
All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the times that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we?

• It's the best Mother's Day ever! Thanks Man Crew!
• It's Dastroyah coming over early in the morning to make us ALL breakfast.
• It's a few hours of peace and quiet all to my happy little self while the men went off-roading.
• It's a lovely chat with my mom while we were both enjoying some peace and quiet. 
• It's board games and laughter...and perhaps a little shouting and gloating ;)
• It's everyone helping to get the pizza made so we can watch movies together. 
• It's taking a peek on FB and sending other mamas blessings. 
• It's delicious pizza and funny movies. Oceans 11 and 12 were watched and enjoyed. 
• It's feeling SO proud of my gentlemen savages. Not only did they pick up the Mother's Day traditions on their own (Dan's family doesn't celebrate it and I felt selfish teaching the boys to celebrate me when they were littles), but they asked me what I wanted and then they delivered. Their wives will be blessed someday by these skills. 
• It's a text session with some of my best mama friends where we spoke words of blessing to one another.
• It's being blessed by the young men my once very small boys have become. My active parenting years are coming to a close in a few short years, but then I'll have decades to enjoy the fruit of my labors. 

 

What's on YOUR little things list today?

Catchin' Up with The Man Crew

Hey everyone, I sure blogged a BUNCH in January, didn't it? Hopefully it wasn't overwhelming for you. I'm so enjoying having the time to blog more these days and with my new Little Things posts and the Pantry Challenge, I logged many posts over the past few weeks. It's been a while since I did a Catchin' Up post, so I thought you might all enjoy a broader scope of post that covers a little bit of everything and everyone.

Dan: Dan is home Home HOME!!
He is finished with the job on Eunice and he is delighted to be home again. Doesn't hurt my feelings either. *winks* He is keeping busy by working out with The BIGS and Ricky, building a deck for a friend's nursery/landscaping business, helping Dastroyah with motorcycle projects and building a bedroom suite for some friends from our beloved community group. We're enjoying the simple things like hanging out and watching Netflix together. 

Kristy: Kristy is cooking, baking, creating!
I am back to my regular schedule at work; M, T, W, and Friday from 8-2:30 and Th until 4. I'm well again after last month's flu business and I'm excited to have done so well on Pantry Challenge 2018. Only $143 spent on food last month and it was almost all fresh dairy and produce. And surprisingly, we aren't going hungry. LOL!I had fun rolling up my sleeves and digging into the kitchen work again, after Nov and Dec left me on a first name basis with the pizza delivery man and every McDonald's in town. I played paper with a friend, saw a musical concert with Mom, toured the local art museum, had lunch with friends, slept in a time or two and in general remembered how to use a Saturday. 'Twas glorious, I tell you! I pulled some books off of shelves and am in the midst of 6 books right now (no wonder I'm always confused, HA) and am hoping to surpass my goal of 52 books this year. It has been fun learning how to use my newly acquired free time. I've noticed that with the addition of a smart phone to my life a few years back, I don't read nearly as much and my attention span has diminished greatly. So this year I am working on getting my attention span back up to snuff and remembering that I had hobbies before FB and smart phones entered my life. This MAY be the year I finally get back to scrap booking!

Dastroyah: Dastroyah is doing his "life's work"
Dastroyah is in the thick of the competitive season with his little men and they are kicking butt and taking names. He is SO proud of them and all their hard work. He and  Hercules are currently working on 3 new-to-him dirt bikes in the hopes of flipping them and turning a profit. His Datsun project parts should be arriving this week and he will then start that project. His motorcycle is running again and he is SO over-the-moon about that. His little potato puppy is growing like crazy and is still so cute! He, Dan, PattyCakes and Nathan have been out off-roading several times this past month and always come home with some terrifyingly adventurous tales to share. Manly bonding and all that. *winks* 

PattyCakes: Pat is working, lounging, repairing. 
Pat is enjoying a slightly less busy season now that holiday camps at the gym are done until Spring Break rolls around. He and Nathan are currently enjoying some uninterrupted video game time since neither of them had to work any birthday parties today. His little car, aptly named "Gold Digger" is taking on a new shine as he has a bit more time to spend fussing over her. He recently overhauled his room and magically found more than 20 of my kitchen towels/reusable napkins, donated an entire basket of clothes to the thrift store, and shared some old toys/games with DT. I think he's enjoying his abode a good bit more now that it's less cluttered and more inviting. 

Derek: DT is schooling, playing, gaming. 
Derek is cruising through school with Titus and even though it took a while to get back in the groove after the holidays, they are doing quite well again. Jodi and I are so pleased with his/their progress this year. He is enjoying time after work (once his chores are finished) to just sit and play video games as our much fuller school schedule this year is consuming nearly all of his time while we are at work. (Last year we were LUCKY to get an hour at the school tables, this year he's averaging 4+) And especially since he's no longer on the gymnastics team, he has some free time to enjoy. His game playing skills, in board games and video games, are improving. In fact, he beat CHARLIE at a game of chess just last month. He's still quite intrigued by MineCraft and will play that as long as I let him. We updated his chores at the beginning of the year, much to his chagrin, and he's now emptying the DW every day, caring for all the pets except the actual feeding of the snakes, making sure the trash and recycling aren't overflowing in the house and getting them to the street for trash pick up day, doing his own laundry and keeping his game 'cubby' neat and tidy. Not that he hasn't capable of any of that for quite some time, but sometimes being the baby of the family has it's perks. LOL! Soon, he's going to start planning, shopping for and preparing one simple meal a week.

 Everyone Else: 
Karen is on temporary disability as her anxiety and several other health issues are interfering with her ability to do her job properly. She's "enjoying" the time off by spending copious hours a week at doctor appointments and therapies. I'm delighted to see her taking such steps to take back control of her health.
Mom is still here in Cruces, but after a move to escape the rats at her first apartments, she's not enjoying her second apartment much more (disruptive/scary neighbors). Poor thing, she may never come back. But her birthday is coming up this month and we are eagerly anticipating a celebration of that before she heads back to the frozen tundra.
Alex is doing very well after his motorcycle accident last fall. He's walking and driving and gaming and rebuilding engines and doing all the things he used to do, which is wonderful considering he should still be sitting in a wheel chair according to the doctors. Prayer works, y'all.
Nathan is nearing the end of his high school career and has admitted to having a serious case of senioritis, but is aware that he needs to keep his grades from slipping if he wants to get a scholarship to play football at the college level next year.

Prayer Requests:

• Either steady side job work or an actual job offer on something local for Dan.
• Continued enthusiasm for the school year for Kristy. It's about this time of year when the "I-don't-want-to-do-this-anymore" feeling kicks in. (I blame the warm weather and sunshine)
• Same for Derek and for more reading progress. And for new friends, now that he isn't in gym anymore.
• For Dastroyah to know how many projects are enough, so that he doesn't feel like he's trying to juggle flaming chainsaws ALL.OF.THE.TIME. 
•  For Pat to decide if/when he wants to go to school, or if he wants to join the adult workforce with a full time job. 
• For my mother's continued safety while she is here.
• Karen to continue to fight to get well.

    

It's the Little Things: Day 30

 I want to focus on the good things this year.
All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the time that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we?

• It's oversleeping, but still waking in time to get to work on time.
• It's OWNING Pantry Challenge 2018 that's almost 4 full weeks in.
• It's a chat with your favorite oldest adopted child on his way home from work.
• It's you mom dropping by to bring you all the things you forgot at work because you're a scatterbrain. ;)
• It's fresh baked bread. Fresh bread fixes nearly everything that's not right.
• It's a chat with your favorite oldest biological son about a 'wacky plan' he has hatched with Hercules about rebuilding dirt bikes that he hopes will turn a profit.
• It's finding ingredients in your pantry to create chocolate mocha frosting to schmear on graham crackers for hubby's evening chocolate fix.
• It's your favorite middlest of middle children announcing that the whole house smells good when he walks in after work. (refer back to the comment about bread.)
• It's laughing with Mr. T and Slick over cat board games while you're 'at work'. Here, Kitty Kitty is a hoot, just saying.
• It's helping your favorite youngest biological child build a blanket fort and being so glad that even at 12, he still finds these amusing. 
• It's getting the email reminder that your grandson's birthday gift will arrive on time. (In other news, how is it already his 1st birthday later this week?)
• It's getting to the electronics first in line today and getting to listen to beautiful music for nearly 2 hours before someone else took control of the electronics. 
• It's your mom nonchalantly putting food into your fridge since Handsome Hercules is currently unemployed. She's the best. 

What's on YOUR little things list today?