A funny thing happened...

When I wasn't looking, I have a family, great husband a couple of kids and me....nearing my 40's ( who are we kidding, next year). So I sit here and wonder- should I start to cry or should I embrace it? I say- embrace! As someone who has had a life straight out of " My Big Fat Greek Wedding," I realize that I am lucky. Life deals you a certain hand- you can either deal with the cards that you got- or fight like hell to discard and grab some new ones. I had to discard SEVERAL cards before I got what I liked. Now, I have a 'child' going in to high school, a four year old who THINKS he's going into high school- and a pretty hot husband. I'd say I'm doing ok. Do I wish I had a Honda Odessey in my driveway (because in this house it's buy ford- or go home), I sure do! And a master bathroom of my own? YUP! But don't we all wish for something a bit more? In the grand scheme of things- I HAVE everything that I want. As far as my 40's are concerned...bring it! You won't ever see a tear out of me!

life is funny....

Today I decided to get back to my college days ( many years ago), and start playing soccer again. In my mind, I am still twenty two. The only difference from then and now is that I have a family. In my mind. In reality, I am in fact, much older, and slightly bigger in size, and after tonight, much slower then I used to be. As I ran up and down the field, trying to keep my lungs from busting out of my chest, and watching girls run by me- I thought to myself,"damn, this sucks!" But I pushed through it and made it to the end of the game without passing out. Life is funny. Now I look at my fourteen year old and watch him as he is about to start a new adventure/ chapter in his life- high school. I think to myself, as I stare at him trying to be " cool," the world is truly your oyster, you can become anything in the world- as long as you focus. I have learned that perseverance is just as important as brains (possibly more important). If you are capable of sticking with it, success will inevitably follow. May he always persevere. So life is funny, sometimes it takes awhile in your life to figure things out. Life is funny that way. Maybe somebody had it right when they said it might be better to start your life out old and get younger. That way you are wise enough from the start to make the right decisions. But then again, that wouldn't be as fun!

LIFE..

So I know it has been awhile since my last blog- but give me a break, I have been busy! As the years go by and the kids get older...you begin to ask yourself what have you done with your life or what else do you want from your life? Both good questions, I am just not sure I am ready to answer either one. I know if i had to do it over again, I would've made VERY different choices after high school. But I often wonder, if I hadn't gone through everything I did, would it have been better, or just different? I love my husband and the things that we are accomplishing together. Yes, I would have loved to finished my education way back when, but I am done now. I did it. My husband did too. I think it makes you appreciate things more when you are an 'adult student.' So when you see people who are taking a different route- or see the guy working two jobs and going to school, you GET IT. Better late than never. I also think that your accomplishments matter more to you when you have children. You want your kid to know that you did what you were supposed to and you are in fact, proud of the life you have. My sweet little man is my life, and I want him to know the world is his oyster- there for the taking as long as you have the brains to get it. So far, he does, I hope it continues and he has has fun, takes smart chances and regrets nothing on this crazy journey called life!

this is what mornings look like in the Estes home

Samson begging for food-the usual

Willie enjoying his big brother

Okay I know I'm a slack ass. But I have been busy and lazy. Right now I'm lazy. So here are some pics to keep everyone busy til I feel like writing. Hope everyone is well.

Mrs. Jackson

OH MY GOODNESS!! So here I am complaining about having to go to D.C and see Janet Jackson in concert, because it's too far and Im also pissed that she canceled 10 concerts before ours- and that ours was still up in the air until the day before. Plus I thought if I did finally carry my ass up there, she would pass out during the concert. Well....let me tell you..SHAME ON ME!!! Janet came to D.C full force!!! Mrs. Jackson if you're nasty!! Well yes my friends- yes I am!!! she was absolutely amazing!! she sang and danced her ass (which by the way was huge),off!! Rach and I had a great time.. we danced our butts off. As a matter of fact all the white people there were dancing. The black folks weren't going at it like we were though, I think they were jealous at how good the sister looked. We had a great time and I will never complain about something like that again- at least until I see it.
So afterwards Rach and I took the metro back to her place (which took about an hour). So we got to catch up. I found out that my husband (although Kurt thinks is a gay triathlete), is actually very popular among the women. Especially my friend and her partner. So much so that they wouldn't mind having a threesome with him. Much to my surprise- I wasn't really surprised!! I already knew he was hot and I also knew (givin the drool that falls out of most womens mouths, that he would likely be chosen in alot of womens threesomes. What I did find interesting was that Petree would be OK in that mix too (sorry Kurt- your name was not mentioned). I quickly offered my friend of many years the usage of both guys(I was assuming they wouldn't mind).
So, Janet has come and gone, but she left a lasting impression. There are so many other things that I should blog about that has to do with that evening but I think I should just end it by saying WHAT HAPPENS IN D.C STAYS IN D.C.

LOGAN'S FIRST DANCE

Last Friday, my very cool child(the tween stage of knowing everything), comes into the house and automatically sits down in his dad's recliner, puts on his head set and gets online to see if Mr. Mike or Mr. Kurt is there to talk to. Personally, I don't see what he sees in either one of them :). Anyways, its approximately 5:30 p.m at this point and I am busily cooking in the kitchen while Todd is outside grilling. We are waiting for Petree and Murtha's to arrive. As I am cooking, I proceed to ask Logan how his day was at school and if there is anything new going on. He casually mentions that there is a school dance tonight (it starts at 7pm). So I say to him "hw come you aren't going?" he answers with the tipical kid response of "I don't know", which makes me want to beat him everytime. So then I ask him "Well do you want to go?" by now its about 6:15pm. Again he says, 'I don't know."At this point I begin to tell him that if there is something going on at school that he wants to go to, or friends he wants to play with, even though he is at his dad's house doesn't mean he cannot go. So I ask him again.."Logan, would you like to go to the school dance?" his reply was "yes". So I see him go outside and a few minutes later his dad walks in and asks if I knew that Logan had a school dance tonite (Todd's alittle slow). I said yes and I was going to take him because I ddidn't want him to miss his first dance in middle school. Now, Logan's school is in newport news(need I say more). I was on the road the rest of the night.
On the way to the dance, I was telling Logan that if e needed me to come in and bust a move for him and his friends, that I would have no problem doing so. Apparently that didnt phase him one bit. As the line moved closer for drop off he just hopped out and said this is fine (apparently he WAS scared I would go in with him). So I picked him up later and asked how it went, he said without pause, fine, we just hung out walked around, checking everyone out. Very good I said, are you glad you went? yep, he replied. Me too, I said. So even though it took alot out of me, I enjoyed that Logan could be a part of that milestone in his life. We don't get to be with him everyday, so we take advantage of even the little things. He's growing up , and before we know it he will be off to college

Something tragic happened in my family this week. I lost a cousin. As all Greek families do, they named there kids like all the rest of the cousins. So my cousin Georgia lost her life on Sunday. She was 36. I cannot explain to you the overwhelming sorrow that I feel for thier family and our extended family. Georgia will leave an enormous hole in all our lives. Although I have 50 first cousins, she was the first to go. I can explain her life best by quoting from the priest at her service "Georgia was what Christ wanted all of us to be." I don't bring up religion very often, but I cannot explain it any other way. She exemplified what a life should be. She lived her life like it was her last day. She glowed when she greeted you (everytime). She had a 'money is no object' attitude and always remembered to take care of her nieces and nephews.
So how does God take someone so wonderful and bright and real? I will ask myself that everyday. Her death has made death more real. Although people her age and younger die everyday, it hasn't hit home for me until now. I have walked away from her tragic death with a new perspective on life. I have to remember that if I want to take a random trip ,anywhere, not to be lazy about it. I have to remember to have fun, alot, and deal with everything else later. And I have to remember to love everyone like it will be the last time I see them. Georgia left her mark on many, many people. Mostly because she always walked into a room with a smile and always left the room and the people in it alittle happier. Thats amazing to me- yet effortless for her.
So remember people= life is short, enjoy everything and everyone like it will be the last.