And yet another thing I am not so great at...... blogging

So what have you been up to? Has your life been full and happy? Have you missed us? Well, here my dear friends is a quick update on the comings and goings of the Metzger household.

Joe is still employed at O & G.

It's a long commute, over an hour each way. Not too long ago, I made the mistake of calculating how much more time we would have with him if the commute wasn't so far. It's a lot and I'm sure you will all get sick of hearing me go on and on about it. O&G is a great company and we are grateful for his job.

As previous mentioned Joe attended a lot of Phish concerts this summer. In recognition of this fact, Joe dubbed this summer as the summer of Phish. Being in the presence of these musical masters that much, nearly gave Joe's life enough meaning to make him want to go on.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should put it out there that I did

have a really good time at the one Phish concert I attended with him. It's amazing how familiar I was with their music. Considering the years of constant exposure I shouldn't have been surprised.

Here we are before the concert. Don't we look happy?

I recently got back from visiting my family. It was wonderful. I do plan on blogging all about it, someday.....

Due to my calling in Young Women's I went to both Youth Conference and Girl's Camp. I still wonder however if they released me from Primary for being a bad example to the kids. I just could not master sitting still.....

My sister Sarah came to visit. Fun, fun, fun. Future blog post about this as well. (It will happen, but don't hold your breath.)

Nicholas loved his first year of Public School. I am so happy that it worked out the way it did. It really was a blessing for this control freak mom. His teacher Ms. Shumans was kind and we will miss her.

Holden just turned 7. I can't stand how fast they are growing up. He LOVED soccer, which was nice because he doesn't like very much.

Matthew's platelets are almost in the normal range. Our last count was 137. (Normal is between 150 and 400) We don't have to go back to the hematologist for 3 months. Hip Hip Hooray.

Well there you have it, a brief synopsis of the Metzger family. Does this mean I am all caught up?

Tied Together With Love

Our 2010 Family Reunion theme was Tied Together With Love. 

We stopped in Utah before we drove up to Idaho and spent some time with family there.

Here I am with my cousin Stephen Hines.  It may not look like it but he loves me.

 When we got to Idaho we spent some time with Family there.  Including having a fun picnic in Victor.

Mine and Sarah's bum.  Nice right?

 After that we all headed up to Wyoming for the official reunion.

Nicholas's Last Day of Third Grade

Here is Nicholas's third grade class.  Left to right:  Back Row Iquan, Ms, Shumans, Gavin, Adriel, Chase, Anthony, Nicholas, Mckenzie, Ms. Marlene.  Front Row Liam, Corina, Mone, Tanisha, Rachel, Tanya and McKyleley

 

This is Nicholas with Ms.  Marlene, the assistant teacher.  She really likes Nicholas and calls him Mr. President.

Nicholas's favorite part of third grade was the Montesorri materials, especially the test tubes, which are used to teach division.

Thoughts on Phish

Joe has purchased tickets to four Phish concerts this year. Nope, that isn't a misprint. Four. It probably would be more, but his sister Karen's wedding is on the same weekend of the SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) shows. He has tickets on the 18th and 19th in Hartford. The 22nd in Boston and the 26th in Maryland.

"So what?" you are thinking. "We are supposed to be surprised by Joe Metzger's obsession with Phish?"

No, I know you all realize Joe's true love.

The news here is that after 10 years on hiatus, I will be joining him for one of the Phish concerts. To prepare me for the blessed event Joe has been giving me homework assignments and quizzes. I'm not doing too well.

As I have been inundated with Phish, I am continually amazed at the level of commitment it takes to truly be a Phish fan. Joe can tell you the set list of any concert he has been to and some that he hasn't. This is the same guy who can't remember which cupboard the pans go into. When he gets together with other Phish fans, he can talk for hours about all things Phish. He knows technic they use on the instruments, the mythology behind their lyrics, and how to clap on Stash.

I'm afraid that I just don't have it in me to devote so much to Phish. Deep in his heart, I know Joe wishes I could share his devotion to his beloved quartet. That may never happen, but I will learn how to clap on Stash.

Holden's First Year of Soccer

Holden's first soccer coach was our good friend Brice Flowers.  

Lots of friends were on his team, like Zoe Holland

Being a mom

So I kind of have a love hate relationship with being a mom. I love the big cheesy grins my kids give me. I hate brushing their teeth. I love eating as a family. I hate the mess that is left to clean up. I love watching them participate in things they love. I hate being a taxi service. I love to watch them learn new things. I hate nagging them to do their homework. I love having them in my life. I hate the stress of worry I am doing it wrong.

But in the end, life is not a balance sheet and I won't change the Metzger boys for anything. I am glad to be their mom.

The bunkbed

The BEST news we've had this month.

Matthew went to the doctor to have his platelets checked. 137! That's right. 137! That is almost double last month, with NO medication or intervention.

Due to his low platelet count I haven't allowed him to go up on the top bunk with Nicholas even for a minute. It was probably an overkill, especially the last few months when his platelets were hanging around the 75 mark. I told Matthew that if his platelets went above 100 I would let him go up and read with Nicholas on his bunk. All month Holden has been praying that his platelets would go above 100, so this is a real answer to a child's prayers. The normal range for platelets is between 150 and 400. But with a platelet count of 137 Matthew is out of any real danger.

Brag, brag, brag, brag, brag

I think my husband is a genius. Well, at least behind a camera. I just wanted to show a little of the work he did in 2009. Thus the following posts......

New Born Photo Shoot

Wedding