A Happy Post!

It was brought to my attention today that I may have seemed a little sad or negative in a couple of my last posts.  We ALL know that I am NEVER sad or mad! ha!  But, actually, those times are pretty rare, so I am going to do a happy post of all the good things that happened just this week, OK?  Then you all can know that I am OK and not ready to go "postal" any time soon.

Here goes:

1) Although shattered and bent, my cell phone still works. :)

2)  The French Open started this week - so I get to watch lots of tennis.

3)  Summer tennis leagues start next week, so I get to start playing tennis! (that has been hard having 3 weeks off!  no like!)

4) The cleaning ladies worked their magic on Tuesday, and the house stayed clean for 1 full hour.

5)  Addi is so happy and loves me so much because I bought her some barrettes for her hair.  Her exact words upon finding them were, "Oh Thank you so much mommy!  Heavenly Father and Jesus are going to be soooo happy!"   I hope they are, Addi.

6) Tax return = huge = happy! :) (Maybe a new 2 or 3 carat diamond?)

7)  I get paid to work out almost every day - how great is that?

8)  My eyebrows were waxed straight, despite the fact that the lady was crying and in a fight on the phone the whole time she was doing them.

9)  My husband told me last night that I am the most amazingly talented person he has ever known.  (After overhearing me on the phone helping my friend's daughter with her Spanish homework.  I guess he is amazed that I know how to do all these verb conjugations when I only took 1 class in Mexico 15 years ago?)  Apparently he doesn't know a whole lot of people, but who doesn't like to hear that?

10)  Finally, I had some of the really good kind of chocolate, and that ALWAYS seems to make things better!

I could go on and on about how my kids are healthy, and Lane is tolerating his chemo very well, and school is out tomorrow, and the sun is shining, and I have awesome friends, and I had a Sweetcakes sugar cookie today, and am so blessed every time I turn around, but I'll shut up now!

A horrible, no-good, very bad day - well, OK, not THAT bad, but -

That is the title of a children's book, and today was mine! :(

Started with a bike ride with Lisa.  We got 1/2 mile up the road and she got a flat.  We changed the tire, but the inflator thing wasn't working, so we called her husband.  He brought the pump and we were on our way.  Then my chain fell off while trying to ride up the Las Sendas Mountain.  Fixed that.  Then, while riding, my phone starts to ring.  I slow down and answer it, then hang up and am putting it in my back pocket when it misses the pocket and falls on the ground.  This is how my brand new (well 3 week old - remember the phone was thrown in the pool?  Had to replace at the discount price of $200.) phone looks now.

Seriously want to cry.  Of course we don't have insurance on it.  I call the cell phone fix-it store and ask if they can fix it.  They could, except they don't have any of the parts yet because it is so new.  AAAA!!!!  So, the phone works, but it is all cracked.  I only have a few cuts on my fingers and face from using it.  I can buy a new one for $500.  Seriously, what the heck????  Think I'll wait until the fix-it store gets the parts in a few weeks? Hopefully I don't lose a finger before then!

Now, on top of that, our home phone hasn't been working that great because we switched a couple of months ago to the Magic Jack which is the biggest piece of CRAP there ever was!  The connection is always bad, half the time the phone line didn't work, I had to re-set it a million times, etc.  I was so fed up with it that I signed up with Cox again.  

Today was supposed to be the day the phone number works at our house with Cox.  Great, now all I have to do is find the new modem they sent us a couple weeks ago.  Couldn't find it anywhere.  We're sure Lane put it somewhere in one of his cleaning frenzies, but we just don't know where.  Had to drive to the Cox store and get the new modem stuff, then get home and hook it up. 

So, now I can at least breathe easy knowing I have a normal home phone line again.  Still not sure what to do about the cell phone.

Seriously was an "I need chocolate" day, and not just the cheap crappy kind - the good stuff - but haven't had any of that for a while. :(  

Now I guess I'll go do some touch-up paint and hit the D-backs game with Lane.  Call me on my cell so I can cut my face up some more talking on it! :) ha!

Conner's birthday party (finally)

Two weeks ago we were supposed to have Conner's birthday party at Amazing Jake's. That was until he was throwing up that morning. By noon that day when he threw up again, I knew we had to cancel the party. :( Poor kid!

That's OK though, we had a make up party yesterday. We took Conner, Cooper, Collin, Cole, Caliber, and . . . . Ethan, to Amazing Jake's. Guess C names are very popular? They had a great time!

Addison was so excited to go. She told my friend we were going to Mazing Jake's. Then she looked at me and said, "Mom, what's at Jake's? I don't know him!" How cute is that?

A very useful and helpful Public Service Announcement . . .

In case any of you were wondering where you could get a Horse Sympathy card - you know, when you have a friend who has a horse who dies - they have them at the Superstition Ranch Market.

                                

"Heaven has welcomed in a new angel.  Thinking of you in your time of sorrow.  With Deepest Sympathy."

You're welcome! :)

Uneventful until today

This week has been kind of just there.  The busy norm.  I was kinda sad this week though, and I don't like being sad.  Sometimes it just hits me that there are things in life you want so bad, but just can't have. Hopefully if you are patient and wait, good things come?  That's what I'm banking on.  It's just hard.  I never have been a patient person, and having to wait for the right time or events just stinks.  Oh well.....


On a happy note, my friend and fellow aerobics instructor Jackie graduated with her degree in P.E. from ASU today!  Her husband threw her a party so of course we had to go!  It was fun to see her again (haven't seen her in probably a year!), and also see a couple other fellow instructors I used to teach with at another gym!  It was like a big aerobics reunion! ha!

Always the competitor, Jackie had to see who was stronger.  Who wins?  I think the girl behind us!  Look at her face - priceless!

Also today was the first day the kiddos jumped in the pool!  Summer and 100 degree temps are here.  Ugh.

How can you not love that little devil?

Finally, my friend Holly got married today!  We went to her reception tonight and it was so fun to see her so happy.  I wish I got a picture of them.   Ahh...... young love. 

Happy Mother's Day!!

Every year I look forward to my breakfast in bed and gifts from kids, and of course my awesome poem from Lane.

This year, Lane got a little run for his money.  It would seem the funny poet gene has officially made its appearance in that of our oldest daughter!

Today, in addition to the Kindle, books, workout clothes and bath salts, I received a double treat of 2 hilarious and amazing poems, and Lane and I both agree that Kayla may have won the crown this year for best poem.  What do you think?  Here are the two contenders:
(I have to say there are a lot of inside "jokes" in here, and some things may have been slightly exaggerated! :)

First Lane's:

Her lashes are long, but her legs are longer.
Her arms are buff, but her tongue is stronger.

She's quite unique, with a great physique,
And she's also an All Star Mom.

She multitasks, like an octopus juggler,
If you eat her chocolate, she'll yank out your jugular!

She swims and runs, and tones her buns,
And my kids think she's the Bomb.

She'll teach you piano, and a step routine,
Then sew you a hammock like a Singer machine,

She drives with rage, like a loaded 10 gauge
But she's still our All Star Mom.

With her high heels on, she stands 6 feet 4,
All blinged out, like a high-class ........ STORE :)  (ouch?!)

She's a texting queen, like a zit-faced teen,
But we love our awesome Mom.

She loves to eat, but she hates to clean,
She'll voice her opinion like Charlie Sheen.

She has no mold, cause she's pure spun gold,
She's a wonderful, All Star Mom.

Enough's been said about this luscious lass,
I'll speak no more about her real fine . . . . CLASS.

I love her to death, like a junkie loves meth,
Cause she's one great awesome, Mom.




A Day with Mamma Mia
by Kayla Cook

A day with Mamma-mia
is a year's worth all in one,
What we call hectic and chaotic,
she likes to call fun!

It starts out in the morning
before the sun shines bright
At 5 am already,
our mother's out of sight.

First she takes a run,
she goes 7 miles or so,
Then races home to get Kayla,
for she has got to go!

Addi comes out crying,
she wants to tag along,
Then off they go to start their day,
but with Addi, it goes wrong.

Mom races to the gym,
to teach all 5 of her classes.
She squats, and kicks and moves her hips,
which works all of their . . . . butts. :)

It's now 11 and time to go
to meet her tennis clan,
She wins again (what a surprise)
now her good day has finally began.

She calls up Beth and Lisa
and meets them for a bite.
Gets hit on by some "gentlemen"
who complement her height.

It's shower time for mom,
but just as she gets out,
Kirsten's here for piano
to pass off songs she forgot about!

More students shuffle in,
and leave with a candy bar.
Then at 4 o'clock pm
rolls up Sister Price's car!

"Fetch!" yells mamma-mia,
as she throws on her yellow scout top.
Then the scouts stampede storms in
with more energy than pop.

Once the wolves have left the den
and the sun begins to fall,
Mom takes Kayla out to dance
and Conner to basketball!

She races home to cook-
a meal for all the rest,
and cleans another disaster,
created by the pest (Addi)

Well the day is almost over,
she puts the kids to bed
When "Dancing with the Stars" comes on,
Kayla wants "Castle" instead.

Mom falls asleep in seconds,
Which ends her crazy day,
but as I mentioned earlier,
Mamma-mia likes it that way!

Although she may be crazy,
I still love her a lot.
She's talented and motherly,
but still looks dang hot!

A blurry picture of the poem on a poster-board.

As I said, there is tons of exaggeration in there, but I was laughing so hard I had tears running down my face.  Sadly, Kayla about nailed a typical day on the head! (I also didn't edit or change anything in either poem, as much as I would have liked to! :)

Please don't notice the omissions of how sweet, loving and kind I am, and very mild and soft.  I'm sure they both meant to mention all of those things too! ;)

Anyway, thought those were hilarious, and I know my Forsgren family will totally get a kick out of that!

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!  I'm off to make dinner, as Lane took the kids most of the day yesterday while I was at the Triathlon, then sleeping, then getting a massage.  I guess my celebration was yesterday! :)

Rio Salado Olympic Triathlon

1500 meter (1 mile) swim in Tempe Town Lake

25.6 mile bike ride

6.2 mile run

All for the bargain price of $110!  Can you believe we pay to torture ourselves like this?

In the last couple of years as I have begun training more and doing more races, I found myself caving to peer pressure and committing to do an Olympic Triathlon.  I guess the sprint ones really are too easy.  

Anyway, we all know the disaster of my flat tire at my first Olympic at Lake Powell.  I had to redeem myself and finish one!  So, seeing that there was one here nearby, I signed up about 1 month ago, after Lisa said she'd do it with me.  I really didn't train like I should have, but oh well.  We can now say it was fun and worth it - since it is over!

At the packet pickup.  Wondering what the heck we are thinking, but sure it will be fun! :)

Feeling strong?  

With our free goodies.

OK, Maybe we are a little scared.

Or not . . . 

Carbo loading on chocolate brownie shakes at the Water 'n Ice store.   I don't recommend doing that.   

Wetsuits are like the sexiest things ever - NOT!  Look at Lisa up on her toes to be as tall as me! :)

Lisa finishing the race.

Coming down the home stretch.

Dying to cross the finish line.

Yeah we survived!!

Note to self:  train for something if you are going to do it.

I finished, and not last.  But let's just say I could have done better, I'm sure.  It was bloody hot today, and I don't like to run when it is really hot, but still.  My swim was soooooo slow, and I feel like I am working hard!  What is my problem?  I guess we can't all be fish, right?

Bike and run times were much more respectable, so that is good.  I did the whole thing in 3:16:07.  I was hoping to do it in 3:10, so I didn't quite get there.  The women's winner did it in 2:20, so really all I have to do is cut off about 55 mins. from my time, and I can win it! ha!  I did finish though, and in the middle of the pack of 96 women.     Ugh!  Means I have to train more for the next one, and maybe sneak some fins in for me? :)

Happy Birthday and the party that wasn't

So my one and only boy turned 7 on Wednesday.  Wow.  Seven years ago I pushed out what happened to be my smallest baby.  7 lbs. 13 oz. and around 21 in. long.

Conner Lane Cook is the greatest boy I could ever ask for.  With eyelashes that any and every girl would kill for, and a true heart of gold.  Plus, he is really liking basketball, and that makes mom and dad very happy! :)

We celebrated as a family Monday night by going to Chili's, then home for presents.  Wednesday, (his actual birthday),  Lane took Conner to the D-backs game.  He was so excited to go.  Even though Lane was feeling sick and wiped out from his chemo, he still went.  He is a trooper.



Friday afternoon we were going to take 6 rowdy 6-7 year old boys to Amazing Jakes and have a party there.  That is until Conner woke up this morning throwing up.  Poor kid!!

I waited until noon to see if he was better, but nope, those Cheese-its I gave him came right back up.  So, I had to re-schedule the party for a later date.  You know what is sad?  That is 2 weeks away!  Too much going on!  Crazy.

Oh well, we sure love our boy.  Happy Birthday Conner!