The Zilch

You may be wondering what in the world this thing is. Well, it is the infamous Zilch, a family heirloom that was lost but now is found! I am not sure how this thing was found in the first place; I thought Shaina had discovered this precious stretchy thing because of those highly compromising pictures of her in it with her dear friend Bethany also sporting it during their college years, but as you can see from the above picture, Kim has the first entry on it. I received this coveted gift (or Alexis did,to be technical) December 2005 and then lost it. I only just found it as I was cleaning out one of my drawers, so it had been missing three long years. My family just had a conversation about the zilch about a year ago, wondering where it had gone off to. I said that I think I was the last to receive it, but had lost it. But know it is found. Oh, the prodigal Zilch had returned. I knew I must blog it at once so my dear sisters would know that it had been found!

Now the tradition can be carried on. I must now send it on its way to one of my siblings. He/She won't know when it's coming but beware, for IT WILL COME! (Screeching horror movie music playing!!!) You never know when, you never know where, you only know how...through a gift from me with the zilch hidden somewhere within. Be on the lookout!

Some goofy grins

Eli Showing off his teeth
Alexis wearing a wig
Her real hair color, she did her hair herself
Posing for the camera on our 5 yr anniversary to California
Sisters having fun, Mackenzie and Alexis Laughing for Momma

JARED'S ALTERNATE LIFESTYLE

I decide about a month ago that I would start a blog, but didn't have anything great to start out with and I wanted to start with a real bang. I thought of a few things but nothing quite stood out as being "the one" great story to begin my blogging experience until this... So sit back and enjoy the story. Last week, Jared had his annual faculty verses students basketball game. Every year the money raised from the concessions and raffle tickets goes to a local charity. This year, the student government approached Jared and asked if he might be willing to wear a dress. He was obviously very hesitant but after much thought, decided it would be okay, if the price was right. He decided on $300.00. If the students donated that much he would be willing to wear a dress an entire day of school. Plans were set in motion, Thursday morning the dreadful announcement was made over the school intercom system. Kids lept with excitement at the prospect of Mr. Heath wearing a dress. They had only until the next day to accomplish the dirty deed, but the students were determined. Keep in mind, there is only about 450 students in the entire school, but they prevailed. By the time Friday afternoon came and the basketball game was about to begin, the students had met the $300.00 goal. Jared had no choice, he would have to wear the dress.

But alas, that is not the end of the tale, for we still had half time to try and squeeze some more money out of the Hobbs Middle School population. Jared boldly held the microphone and said, " You guys were able to raise enough money for me to wear a dress but if we can make $50.00 dollars more, I'll wear high heels and a wig, and if we get $100.00 more, I will also wear accessories, makeup and pantyhose." Well, the crowds cheered and nothing could deter them from accomplishing this task. The faculty basketball team and the 8th grade boys basketball team were sent out into the audience to collect the cash. Be mindful, however, that they were given a time limit of 5 minutes and they had already spent much of their money on candy and drinks. Would they be able to pull it off? Yes, yes, yes, a resounding yes. In 5 minutes time, the kids ended up donating $177.31, Amazing! Just this alone brought in more than half what the school earned for the charity. Pretty impressive, and I bow to Jared for being such a good sport . He is such a great Teacher! Female teachers left and right fought for the right to create Jared's "Mrs. Heath" attire. It took three days to complete the ensemble but in the end all articles were found, except for pantyhose, they couldn't find any fishnet stockings that were long enough. I guess he lucked out there! Wednesday morning came; Jared left for school early so he could get all dolled up and this is the result. Enjoy!

(Warning, children might have nightmares should they see these horrific images!)

Prequel

My sisters have been hassling me for a couple months now to start a blog. I have hesitated doing so because I don’t really have anything cool ever to say. I do the same stuff every day. My sisters said to write about the funny things that your kids do. I said, “My kids aren’t funny, at least not to me.” Other people come over and laugh at what my kids do but I guess I have just been with them way to long to notice that what they are doing is funny or even weird. It is just stuff they do and I don’t take notice. For example, Kenzie seems to have this constant little cough, I never noticed it until Kim pointed it out, or Alexis doing her odd sounds like a little nymph when Darick, Sharon’s husband, comes over. At this very moment, Kenzie is running around the house with Alexis close behind screaming, “Mine, mine, mine…” as she holds out a head band I put in Alexis’ hair only moments before starting this “blog entry”. That’s what I deal with every day, what is so funny about that? But then, I started to think about how life would be a little bit easier if I just lightened up and saw the humor in the things my kids did. So…then after I split up that fight between the girls that I was just describing to you, I heard Kenzie say, “Honey, come on.” Alexis started to follow her and I asked, “Kenzie, who are you?” She said, “I am the mommy and she (pointing to Alexis) is Jared.” I smiled and said. “What is your name?” She replies in a duh sort of way and a bit exasperated, “I’m the mommy.” “Oh,” I said, “It’s not Courtney?” She says, “Yes, but I am just the mommy.” Then she walked away yelling over her shoulder, “Come on honey.” I guess that was pretty cute! I might have stuff to say after all.
But…the reason I waited this long was because I wanted my first entry to be about Jared…so here it goes…