Highlights

We had some very nice things happen this weekend. Race called, which is always good. He is doing fine. It is difficult to have ANY kind of real conversation, because all of his calls are being recorded.........and not by US! So, that makes it hard. But still it is always great to get a call and know that all is well.
On Saturday, we went to the "Rock Garden". This is a rock collecting hobby-turned-business that is just a really cool place to visit if you are interested in rocks and minerals. Jack has been pestering me to go by there so that he could show the owner a rock that he found. Jack was certain that the stripe in the rock was silver. I explained that it wasn't, but I am no geologist, and he knows that, and therefor I am not qualified to make a conclusive judgement on the subject. ( This child has also questioned my qualifications for being his teacher, as well.) Soooo off to the "rock store" we go. It really is a cool place, and the "rock guy" is very knowledgable, and only slightly creepy. "Rock guy" was kind enough to REALLY examine Jacks rock. He was looking at it closely, taking his time, ("Rock Guy" never hurries) while Jack stood there, breathless, already counting his $$ in his head. "Rock guy" gave him the scientific name for his rock, and explained the silver streak in it with great detail. We looked around the tiny store, and got the obligatory "Bag o' Rocks" as well as a box of labled,sample rocks and minerals found in VA , to hopefully be able to identify the rocks ourselves from here on out. Thanks, "Rock Guy", for not brushing off my kid. The next time we go back, maybe we'll get his name.
The kids and I ate at out at one of our favorite little spots, called Sundae Grill. Burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream....good stuff. We window shopped at Toys R Us and TJMaxx (O.K., I did get a good deal on a pair of running shoes, but THAT'S no fun).

The other really great thing that happened this weekend, was that we got a visit from family! My brother-in-law Todd was in town with the little boys in tow. What a great guy! Taking those little guys on his own to visit the grandparents. (O.K., Em is great too, but this is about Todd. ) But wait. That's not all. He came by our house on thier way out of town, and took Austin out to the ball field to practice! I can not tell you how awesome that was for Austin. With his Dad being away so much, he doesn't get to practice with anyone else much ( I sure as heck am not getting my head ripped off with one of those pitches!), so this was just great for him. Race and I really appreciate that. While they were playing ball, we got to play with the boys, Q and W. We had such a great time with them. They were so good! I had made some home made soft pretzels right before they got here, and they gobbled those right up. We all had a great time playing with them. Em and Todd are doing such a great job with those little ones.

As an aside: I was lamenting to my sister about Race's job, and him being away so much, and how I just need to get used to it, and stop expecting it to slow down. And she said, "Well, Melissa what do you expect when you go and marry Johnny-Bad-Ass??". I thought that I would bust a gut laughing at that. For those of you who don't know her, she is totally joking, and loves Race to death. And for those of you who do know, well, I will leave you guessing as to which sister said it.(Oooooooo.......tough one.)

Well, that is the good stuff from the weekend. I am still feeling really worn out and a little run down. And I have several blog topics stewing in my head, but haven't found the energy to put them together in a cohesive manner as of yet. But, it will come.

Have a great Monday,
Melissa