Summer's Ending

Well, another summer has come and gone.  No, I'm not talking about the heat, for that is still here with a vengeance.  No, I'm talking about the summer break for the kids.  Yep, they started back to school today.  It went by very quickly, but I must admit, I was not too upset about it's demise.  It was sure different than the previous summers spent doting, teaching, and frolicking with the boys.  Nope, this one was hard.

Two weekends ago, I was without the kids, so I decided to drive down to Temple to see my mom and my brother.  I got to Temple on Saturday morning about 11:00, and it was sure nice to see mom greet me at the door.  It was really strange visiting without the kids, or Lori for that matter, but I really enjoyed my time there.  We stayed around the house for the most part, but that's what I needed.  We ate well, watched some good movies, and just had fun visiting with each other.  While I was there, mom set aside a few things for me to take back to the new house.   As I was looking at them, I came across this sad sight tucked away in soon to be forgotten drawer......what a shame....  :-(

I did end up with some really nice things though, and I  added them to the ambiance of the house once I got home Sunday afternoon.

On Tuesday I had a tough choice to make.  Unfortunately, I was torn between taking Christopher to his first baseball practice, and taking Aidan to "meet the locker" night at his Jr. High.  Well, I figured there were going to be many baseball practices in the future, but there was only going to be one "get your first school locker" night.  I decided to take Aidan, and Lori was nice enough to agree to take Christopher to practice even though it was my night for the boys.

It was really funny seeing all of the new 6th graders getting so excited about their new lockers.  They really make a big deal about it, and allow the students to decorate the inside of their locker however they wish.  While the vast majority of the boys just threw their books in their locker and called it a day, the girls were an entirely different story.  Wow, you would not believe some of the elaborate setups that I saw.  I'm talking fully carpeted walls with tiny chandeliers hanging from the ceiling elaborate.  No, I kid you not.  It was crazy!

And of course, Christopher "slugger" Thornton ready for action!

Look at that form!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I said in my previous post, Thursday was my baby boy's 6th birthday.  We had a party at JUMP STREET for Christopher, and a few of his friends.  JUMP STREET is an indoor trampoline park, and it is really cool.  All sorts of trampoline rooms.  Dodge ball trampoline rooms, huge foam pit trampoline rooms, mechanical bull trampoline rooms........etc.   You get the picture......Just really amazing.  Everybody had a great time.

Christopher with his friend Conrad, explaining the finer points of rope swinging into the foam pit.

Blow baby Blow!!

Not just happy......Skylanders Happy!

Just his color.

A little brotherly love.

Senor Aidan!

Great fun was had by all that attended.

After the party, we had just enough time to go to our homes and relax for about an hour, and then it was on to Christopher's "meet the teacher" night at his school.

I met Lori and the boys at Allen Elementary, and we went over to the "classroom" board to find out who Christopher would be tormenting.......uh I mean....to find out who Christopher would have as a teacher.  Mrs.  Childress was the answer, and Christopher was really happy.  He knew her from last year, and it's who he was hoping to get.  YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After "meet the teacher", we left the school, and headed to the baseball field for Aidan's scrimmage.  Whew, it was a busy day and night.  After two hours of watching Aidan play baseball, it was finally time to call it a night.  I hugged the boys bye, and off they went to Lori's house.  That's always hard........

I had the boys for last weekend, and we had a really good time.  Aidan had two friends spend the night over here, and everybody played great together and had lots of fun.  4 boys and just me.......what was I thinking?  Actually, it was great, and was surprisingly easy.  I smoked a 3 lb. rib filet on the smoker for about 3 hours on Friday night, and the boys devoured about half of it.  It turned out great!  We had pancakes and eggs in the morning, and everybody went home happy and full.

Although I was supposed to have the kids until Wednesday morning, I decided to let Lori have them on Sunday night.  This morning was their first day of school, and I thought it would just be easier on the first day if they rode the bus.  Lori was happy to get them, and each called me from the bus stop before they left.  Oh how I wish I could have been there.  I'm sorry I had to miss that.  It's always exciting watching them on their first day back.  Maybe next year.......

Here is our big 1st grader looking a little apprehensive.

Aidan looking anticipatory.

 Aidan waiting with his friends Matt (7th grade), and his little girlfriend Maddie.(6th grade)

I say "little" strictly for age purposes.  Maddie just turned 11 and she is 5'7" tall.  Wow, and I thought Aidan was tall for his age. 

Thanks Lori for sending me the pictures.  It helped.

William

6 And Counting

Today is my baby boy's 6th birthday.  Even though he will eventually dwarf me when he is grown, he will always be my baby.  I will post a bigger update with pictures in the next couple of days.  I just want to say that my life would be empty without my children.  Each birthday is another notch on the belt of fatherhood.  I love both my boys more than anything in the world.

Happy Birthday little buddy!

William

Momma I'm Coming Home......

Well, seeing as I'm not going to get to see the kids until Sunday afternoon at baseball practice, I'm going to go to Temple early tomorrow morning to see my mom and brother.  That's one one to shake that loneliness.  I'm really looking forward to seeing them. 

In the mean time, I worked on the mancave garage today, and it's starting to come around.  I got all of my bar mirrors hung, my electric sign up and running, and my dart board put in place.  The previous owner left his surround sound system wired and in place in the garage, along with a receiver and 5 disc changer.  The adult beverage fridge is plugged in, and is chilling as I type.  Sweet!!!!!!

Half finished.......

Now I just need to finish cleaning up the other half, and I will be ready to start doing some more wood working.  I can't wait!

William

And Just Like That...They Were Gone......

I really enjoyed the weekend with my monkeys.  I picked them up from camp on Friday afternoon, and I have been able to enjoy their company until this morning when Lori stopped by to pick them up.  Boy, it sure is quiet now........

We had a wonderful time this weekend.  Now that time is halved, it seems like you try to pack as much "fun" and things to do in each day as you can.  Not nearly as much time for just relaxing.  I don't think I'll ever get used to that.

My good friends Liam and Elaine were kind enough to leave me the keys to their house and pool while they were on vacation.  They have a beautiful pool.

The boys and I took full advantage of their hospitality, and swam for hours on Saturday and Sunday. The camp on the lake they have been attending has been good for them, as they are both "swimming" (dog paddling for Christopher) like fish now. 

The last couple of days were spent indoors and outdoors.  Yesterday, I took the boys to a local baseball field, and worked on some fundamentals.  Christopher is slowly but surely getting the hang of things.  He starts his first season of baseball next week, so getting him ready is a challenge.  I'm sure he'll pick it up quickly.  I am ready to see him shine, just like his big brother.

Speaking of Aidan, he has been a real help in the teaching process, and it chokes me up to see he and Christopher on the field together.  It's moments like these I wish would last forever.

I promised pictures of the house, but I'm not there yet.  Soon.

Well, I guess I need to start cleaning up the house.  It's amazing what kind of mess can be made in just 5 days with those two monkeys around. I'll miss the clutter.

I imagine, since I won't have the boys again until next Monday afternoon, I'll have plenty of time to do blog updates.  Heck, I have so much time now without the boys here, you might start getting tired of reading about my life.

William

Quiet Is Hard

Well, just like I figured, this single life is not for me.  Like I stated in the past, I'm a family man.  I enjoy having and being part of a family.  Seeing the kids only half the time really stinks.  Sure, we make the best of it when we do get to see each other, but come on, who in their right mind wants half of what makes them happiest in the world.  Not me, that's for sure. 

I of course miss Lori too.  I miss the companionship.  I miss the conversations.  I miss doing nice things for her.   Sure, the last six months have been challenging, and I've had to deal with many issues and feelings that I would not wish on my worst enemies, but I still felt part of something meaningful and enjoyed the giving.  Oh well.....

The new house is nice, and I have been working very hard to make it a home.  It's amazing how much stuff you accumulate during 17 years while living with someone else.  It's taken me forever to move and get things put where they belong.  I've got a mountain of boxes stacked on the side of the house in the back yard waiting for bulky trash day.  The trash man's going to hate me.

I have not lived alone in over 17 years.  Haven't wanted too.  Wow it's different.  Quiet is hard.  I've just spent my time trying to get the house ready, and it's kept me busy.  Now that thing are coming around, and winding down, I'm a bit scared of the upcoming down time.  It's going to be pretty lonely when the kids aren't here.

The attorneys are still working out the final details of this awful divorce.  Soon Lori and I will no longer be married.  It still seems impossible to me, but it's true.  We will both be fine, and we will move on to new chapters in our lives.  If the next chapters are half as much fun as the ones that passed with Lori, I'll be content.

As soon as I have everything in the house complete, I'll post a bunch of pictures of my new home.  I'm really proud of how it looks, and the boys love it.  There is a huge yard for the boys to play in.  Of course, it's been about 105 degrees recently, so we have not been spending too much time back there.  We will, but it's got to cool down a bit first.

This is my weekend with the monkeys.  I can't wait to pick them up from camp this afternoon.  We are going to have a great time.  I'll fire up the grill, we'll play some video games, we'll play some baseball, and do some swimming.  I'll have to get double the hugs to make up for the time they're not here. 

They are both growing up so fast.  It seems like their childhood is flying by at breakneck speed.   Now it will seem twice as fast, since I only see them half the time. That's a sad thought. 

I should have pictures ready to post by Tuesday of next week.  I can't wait to show the house off, and I should have some of the monkeys too.

God Bless

William

Exhale...............................

The move has been made.  I am staring at a mountain of boxes.  I finally got my computer hooked up.  An update on my life is coming very soon.  Thanks for sticking with me.  I'm certainly not used to that anymore.

William