It's a rainy night, and I'm in a bit of a funk. I can't think of anything great to blog about, so here's a random list of things you really don't care about.
1. Our neighbors GAVE us a set of solid wood bunk beds. The kind with the built in desk and drawers! Mason has always wanted bunk beds but we wouldn't spring for them. Good thing, huh? We have such incredible foresight.
2. We have great neighbors. We aren't such great neighbors. We don't really know how to be social, so we just stay in the house a lot.
3. I love my minivan. Blake was right - as usual. It's getting great gas mileage, and I can enjoy such peace and quiet with all the kids spread out and not touching each other. I can even take it to the next level of peace by putting a DVD in!
4. Blake decided he wants to be a country music star. He's never had voice training, and he doesn't play any instruments. We bought some books at Barnes and Noble.
5. Without prodding, Marcus would stay in the basement and watch TV all day. I forgot he was here last Monday, and he was down there for 3 1/2 hours before I realized it.
6. A few months ago Mason watched about 10 minutes of Cops without me realizing it. The situation was brought to my attention when he came out and announced that if you don't wear your pants, the police will haul you off to jail.
7. Country music depresses me. If Blake does become a country music singer, things are going to be pretty ugly around here. I only listen to Contemporary Christian music. I won't hold my breath for his boot-wearin', behind-kickin', gun-shootin' self to join up with Phillips, Craig and Dean.
8. My brother is one of the coolest guys I know - next to my husband. He loves kids and they have this weird, instant bond with him...even tiny babies take to him. He's tough as nails. He can fix anything. He is generous to a fault. He works harder than anyone I know. He's an excellent shot - once he flipped a nickel in the air and shot right through it.
9. I have fall allergies - really, horrid fall allergies. The kind that require a shot every year. I've NEVER had spring allergies...until this year. Oh well - it gives me a good reason to stay in the house and avoid the neighbors.
10. I'm jealous that Blake has all the good hobbies. He races motorcycles, makes the coolest bowls on his wood lathe, collects knives and guns, and will soon be singing in Nashville.
11. OK - I wasn't going to write an 11th one, but I just read back through what I've typed and some of it's sort of sassy. Judges 5:31 says, "Those who love the Lord shine as the sun." I guess there's just a little cloud passing by right now!
Mason had t-ball practice this morning. His team, The Wildcats, is a co-ed, 4 year olds team at the YMCA. I have really high hopes for Mason as a baseball player. He's built for the sport, and being a lefty is just an added bonus - though he's batting right this year. I realize we're just getting started, but he's going to have to step it up a notch before the scouts come calling. In the last game, a grounder got by him because he was digging a hole near 2nd base. Today, he had to abandon 2nd base again because "nature called". Blake is really encouraging to Mason and hangs out in the infield giving instructions and keeping the kids focused. On the way home I asked Mason if he likes having daddy out there helping, or if he'd prefer to have daddy sit in the stands with me. He said, "I want to have him in the stands. I like my privacy." Yeah - privacy to dig holes in the dirt and answer nature's call in center field instead of trekking to the bathrooms. 
