Sights Family Weblog

I LOVE SNOW!!!

It is snowing...a lot!  Our first snow and it is going to be about 5-9 inches.  Our lights just flickered.  Not good.  Could make for a rough morning getting ready if the power goes out.  Oh well.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE when we get lots of snow!!!  My only pet peeve is when the beautiful blanket of snow is marred by footprints.  I know I should get over it, but our neighbor boy was tromping through our yard and it isn't pretty anymore.  I know that it is very immature of me to be grouchy about it, but I really like my yard pretty.  Oh well.  I hope it snows more tonight!!!

Christmas Shopping the Day After Thanksgiving

Have I ever told you how much I like getting a good deal?  Well, I do.  I love it.  There's a thrill knowing that money was saved.  A lot of money.  In fact, on Friday, I saved over $450.  How awesome is that?  I was able to get things that I normally wouldn't have bought because they were on sale.  It rocked.  Love it.  And this year Dad went with me.  He even got up at 3:45 in the morning!  It was great.  I felt like I really accomplished something.  Tonight I spent some time online and the nieces and nephews done.  How great is that?  The only people I have left are:  Grandma, Mom and Dad, Kevin and the kids (a few more things).  Now I just need to start wrapping.  I love Christmas shopping!!!  Kevin on the other hand apparently had no idea how much I usually spend on Christmas because he is completely freaking out about the money spent.  He is now in charge of the checkbook and keeps track of everything.  Don't get me wrong...we actually have money because he is on top of things, but man is  he grouchy when I turn in the total of the receipts!!!  It was much easier to spend too much when I was in charge.  Oh well.  Maybe I'll have him finish the shopping and see what he comes up with.  I'm guessing not much!

Leeandra's Dance Recital

I haven't uploaded the pictures yet, but I thought this was funny.  Here is the conversation I had with our darling daughter:

Leeandra:  I want you to make my hair look like a China girl.

Sarah:  A China girl?  What do you mean?

Leeandra:  Like the girl at dance has hers.

Dad:  Leeandra, she's chinese.  We can't make your hair look like that.

Scouts with Kevin Leading

We had a Cub Scout meeting with the kids and Brian wasn't able to be there so Kevin was the leader.  He asked the kids how many had breakfast, lunch and dinner.  They all raised their hands.  So then he had them work on boxes for kids in Peoria that are getting their Christmas dinner with a small gift because they don't always get three meals a day.  They were shocked!  So they decorated them for the kids and did a pretty good job...well, most of them did.  And look--Leeandra now knows how to tie knots!!!

Some Fathers Suck. Big Time.

I was waiting to hear from James all of last week because he had promised Trevor that he would pick him up and spend the whole day with him on Sunday.  I called him 22 times and my Mom called him every hour.  And he didn't answer.  Trevor was heartbroken.  Finally, I reached James and told him he had to pick Trevor up.  So he did.  FOR 28 MINUTES.  Mom met me at the church so I could get Trevor.  She said he had been kind of weepy.  On the way home from the church, Trevor started crying.  He wanted to know if it was something he had done.  So, I told that it wasn't him.  He then started making excuses for his Dad about how he's working two jobs.  But then I asked him...if I worked two jobs would I make time for him?  YES! was his answer.  He then jumped in with, "So would Kevin".  Then he really started crying because he wanted to know why Kevin makes time for Leeandra and calls and never misses anything she does.  I didn't know what to say to that....other than James is trying to the best he can.  Trevor kept crying and said his Dad only picks him up one time out of ten.  So I told him he needed to tell his Dad all of this.  The problem?  James is a natural at BS-ing.  By the end of the call, he had promised Trevor he would pick him up every Sunday.  I told Trevor not to get his hopes up because his Dad doesn't always follow through.  He cried all night.  And hugged Kevin.  And kept saying what a good Dad Kevin is.  It was breaking my heart.  He told me he's going to tell Kevin what a good Dad he is one day when he's had a bad day at work.  According to Trevor, "That would make his day!"  My sensitive boy...always thinking of other people's feelings.  Love that kid.  I told Trevor that Kevin had two Fathers to show him how to be a Dad.

Okay...so now I'm going to piss off some other people, but I'm tired of it.  I said that if there was something intended for a specific person, they would know.

Tim, this is for you.  Why can't you call your son?  Or stop by?  I work later than he does.  Are you too stubborn?  Do you know what he felt like when he went to a church breakfast and they said you moved to Bradford?  Does that mean that you drive through Wyanet and don't stop?  I've tried being the bigger person when you pass and I wave...so does Kevin.  Why don't you even acknowledge us? Do you have a phone?  How does he reach you?  I know you said you wanted to cut off all ties with him, but really, after seeing both my husband and son hurting, it kills me.  Is it me?  What did I do to you?  Do I love your choice in fiance?  No.  But I'm not the one marrying her.  Just like you probably wouldn't have chosen me for Kevin.  You don't have to like me, but  Kevin is your flesh and blood.  And if you're jealous of Ray, you should be.  He returns phone calls.  And visits.  It's about being there for each other...as a family.  And yes, the Spears side invites us to things.  That's why there are pictures on our blog of Spears events.  Oh, and all of those Sights family events that Sarah was at?  Why didn't you invite your son?  Don't worry about me.  Next time, call him....I won't come.  I promise.  But I won't be the reason you don't talk to your son.  Or am I just an excuse because you realize that for the last few years you've been a really crappy Dad?  Well, you're his Dad and he loves you.  Regardless of what you think.  Call him sometime.  Our home number is (815) 699-2454 (in case you didn't know).

There.  I've said my piece.  And am feeling much better.

Making History

How awesome is it that we were able to participate in an election that will go into the history books?  Even the kids "voted" at school.  Trevor was told by one of the teachers that John McCain was "For our troops.  He would get them back safe".  So, Trev came home talking about how he was going to vote for McCain at school because he wanted his Uncle Jeramie home safe.  After explaining what their political views truly were, he wanted to vote for Obama.  What an awesome election.  It was so exciting.  I watched so much of it, but had to be at work before 7 the next morning so I had to get some sleep.  Not that I didn't keep turning on the TV to check!  SOOOO Awesome!  And I was able to participate in making history.  Ready for some change.

Rivermen Game

Tonight we went to the Rivermen game with Scouts.  It was really fun...except I had to refrain from cheering on the fights.  I know.  Shocking, right?  I love hockey.  It is so exciting.  Except when you're trying to explain off sides and icing to a 9 year old that is more interested in seeing the scoreboard stats.  Funny.  There were some AWESOME fights.  And the kids got to go down on the ice twice.  Trevor helped present the colors and Kevin was out there with them.  I guess the Rivermen mascot came out and one of the Tigers (the youngest Scouts) just about climbed up Kevin's leg.  So funny.  Anyway, they also got to go out on the ice later to pick up pucks from some sort of contest.  Trev fell.  He was totally embarrassed, but I didn't even see it since all of the kids were falling.  Oh well.  He was fascinated by the Zambonie and was explaining how it was working.  Then they had a Blimp that dropped coupons.  He won both a free dessert from Applebee's and a $5.00 gift card to the Riverme gift shop.  He really liked "Super Chicken" and some big ape that were doing stupid stuff.  The kids loved it.  Anyway, here are two pictures from my phone because I am such a bad Mom I forgot my camera and had to use my phone.