Moving out is a process

When the boys were younger and needed me to help them pack the procedure was: find what you need, bring it to the living room, double check, and then pack it away. This was always a big production before football camp or vacations.

Well, I noticed that Matt still packs this way. Before he left for DC his clothes went from his room, to the spare room, to the living room, to the suit case. I didn't think anything of it at the time. When he did this again as he was packing to go back to school, all I could do was smile. At least I don't have to help him anymore.

I can't even imagine

Not many people can say they know a professional football player, let alone be friends with them. Nate can. One of Nate's friends, Tom Korte, is now playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed as a free agent this spring.

It was so exciting for Dan and I to watch the pre-season game on TV last night and see him play. The Hillsdale Chargers are in camp now and last night after practice the team went to the bowling alley. I bet the place erupted with Tommy went in and all his former teammates started cheering.

As Dan and I were watching I could only imagine how his parents must have felt: proud to have a son who has made it that far, and worried for his safety. Have you seen the size of some of those athletes?!

As of today Tom Korte #47 is still a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he makes it out of training camp we have a new team to root for-if not we will continue to support the Lions :) Also as of today Nate is replacing Tommy as the starting Mike (middle) Linebacker for the Chargers. He as some pretty big shoes to fill.


This is a picture of Tommy from last football season when he played for the Chargers.

Weekend at Aunt Donna's house

One every summer the girls come out for the weekend while Allen and Sarah go somewhere. This year is no exception. We kind of have a routine.


Swimming
Movie
Bon Fire
Staying up at late as you want
Eating whatever you want
Playing video games to your heart's content.

What I didn't know what that these list of fun things would get out to everybody. Apparently Kate has already posted on her Facebook that she spent 5 hours playing Zelda. I do not have Facebook, but Busia does. I thought Aunt Donna's house was like Las Vegas - what ever happens there stays there.


This must be hardwired into every kid. It doesn't matter who the kid - boy or girl - if they're under 9 years old they're making a fort with chairs and towels.

Happy Birthday Sarah

For those of you who don't know Sarah - she has a way of "twisting" the truth so that people believe her. She has been shaving three years off her age for years now. It wasn't until Thursday that her girls found our how old she really is. Hey-June and I shouldn't be the only ones in the 45 Club. For at least another month we are three strong.


The Anthony sisters - June, Marcia and Sharon
I will say one thing about the Roden clan - we make visitors feel welcome. I think it's impossible to have a boring time when your around us. Even though we don't see Marcia and Sharon very often (or June for that matter) we had a great time, picking up right from where we left off during our last visit.


Since Matt is back from DC he came along. He went on the boat with the intention of water skiing, but he realized that the water was cold and he would have to sit in a wet bathing suit. He quickly changed his mind and stayed dry. He must be getting older-3 years ago he wouldn't have cared how wet he got. While he didn't ski, Gwen, Kate, Meg, and Paige all went tubing.

Hey - I do this

Many a day I get on the scale and have some choice words.

What a change

When I posted the photo of Dan and I on our anniversary two people told me how that didn't look like me. Because I look at myself every day I wasn't quite sure what that meant.

The photo on the left was taken two years ago at one of Matt's football games. It was that picture that changed my life. I was horrified at how I looked. In looking at the photo to the right - I'm pretty happy with the progress I have made.

I even tried on my wedding dress and yes it did fit. Pretty good for a 45 - all most 46 year old woman. Matt was also impressed with his mom. He came to the gym with me the other day and was pretty proud of how I "got my swell on." I guess that means working hard.

Nate's last day

Well, for Nate today is his last day of summer vacation. Tomorrow he has to report for football. His bags are packed and he's ready to go. It's much different sending a junior back to college as opposed to freshman. Taking a freshman involves a lot of "mommy" stuff - getting school supplies, making sure everything is clean and packed properly, etc. Sending a junior off to college involves giving him the keys to the truck and giving him a hug in the driveway. (He's only a mile away it's not like we can't see him whenever we want)

I have attacked a link to the 2009 Media Guide