Staying at Ross's Place

Ross has been lonely in his new place so he asked me to come stay with him.

And he asked that I bring Coley too so that when I left, Coley could stay with him for a few extra days.

So Wednesday, I picked Coley up early from the summer program he and the girls go to.

 

 

And we decided to stop to get a couple of drinks on our way out of town because it was so hot.  (Passion tea with no sweetener for me and an orange smoothie with whip for him.)

And then we stopped by a kettle corn stand on the way out of town.

And then we made the 1 1/2 hour drive to Klamath Falls listening to some podcasts I had downloaded and having one of the most meaningful conversations we have probably ever had.  (The podcasts are from a series called Character Under Construction by Andy Stanley and this particular series has been life changing for me and though they're not geared towards kids, Coley really seems to get the message too.  I think it's a six part series but they've only released three so far.)

 

And then we got to Ross's place.  (And no, those are not wine bottles in the background.  They're sparkling cider bottles...I already checked.)

Yes, my toes are painted orange right now (only because my husband thinks I look hot in orange.)

The boys wanted to play video games for awhile

But I hate video games so I walked around taking pictures of Ross's new place instead.

And for the first time after I asked him to PLEASE TURN OFF THAT HORRIFIC, HEAD-BANGING MUSIC BEFORE I SCREAM, he got to say, "Mom, when you pay the rent for my apartment, you can decide what music I listen to."

I think he's been waiting years to say that to me (since I spent so many years saying it to him.)

And after that statement...he changed the song to something I liked instead.

A note from Cali.

His work schedule.

 

He's had these face pads forever and they make his eyebrows turn orange...so I have no idea why he still has them.

 

He painted that coffee table a year or two ago.

And then I took them out to dinner.  (Mexican food.)

 

And then they talked me into taking them to go see Predators.  (I seriously can't think of any movie that I'd like to see less than Predators - and it looks like a bird who flew over the sign thought as highly of the movie as I do.)

When we got up to the ticket counter, I realized it was rated R, but the girl at the counter said it was just due to blood and violence.

Oh....just blood & violence.  Cool.

So against my judgment, I bought tickets anyhow.

And about five minutes into the movie, Ross could be heard saying, "Ok Mom, we'll leave, just don't make a scene" as I freaked out over the blood, the violence and the language I had just subjected my nine year old son to.

So we got a refund and went to Blockbuster to rent movies instead.

 

And then boys played guitar hero until almost midnight.  (Thank goodness my camera has a really high maximum ISO.)

And then we went to bed and after a lousy nights sleep, I locked the door behind me at 5:45 am when I left to head home.  (Ross is bringing Coley back with him on Saturday and we're all heading up to Salem to go to the Enchanted Forest.)

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Karen, I'm a current student, and I have to say that my respect for you went up even more (and it was already pretty high!) hearing that you and Coley were listening to Andy Stanley. He is my all-time favorite pastor. I don't know how familiar you are with his other series, but they are fabulous; he just makes so much sense and really speaks to your heart. I live in TN, but I got to go to a service at North Point a couple years ago with my husband, which was pretty cool. Anyway, kuddos to you for sharing that special time with Coley. It sounds like he's pretty lucky to have you and his loving big brother.

[Ally]

First of all, YOU are the coolest mom EVER. EVER.
Second, holy tamales, when did Coley turn into a pre-teen young man. He looks like he aged five years this summer. That photo of him in front of the bus... totally different kid there.
Third, you have the COOLEST kid ever to ask YOU, his MOM to come hang with him. Seriously, I cannot even imagine any such thing ever happening with my son. As a matter of fact, I think he lived in four different apartments before I ever had the opportunity to step foot into one of them.

[nancy in ks]

Your left bicep must be the size of Popeye's! Great one-handed shots.

[charity palmer]

I know you get tons of comments...and rightly so! But this amateur just wanted to say thanks for such an awesome blog full of amazing photos. You're an inspiration!

[tara pollard pakosta]

how awesome!
you are such a fabulous mama!
xoxoxo
tara

[Roxanne]

Great pictures.. As always :) We go to Northpoint here in Atlanta. We LOVE Andy! We have been going there for about three years. I have a 8 yr old and a 6 yr old. He's a great speaker and tells it like it is :)
Love that Coley is hanging with Ross for a few days.. I used to get to do that with my Sister when I was younger.. So much fun :)
Roxanne

[Nina]

Glad you enjoyed the podcast....I loved that series, too. Andy is actually my pastor here in Atlanta, GA and I'm fully aware of how lucky I am. I love to go back and re-listen to particularly good messages he's done in the past.

[jakki]

This is too funny..

And for the first time after I asked him to PLEASE TURN OFF THAT HORRIFIC, HEAD-BANGING MUSIC BEFORE I SCREAM, he got to say, "Mom, when you pay the rent for my apartment, you can decide what music I listen to."

I think he's been waiting years to say that to me (since I spent so many years saying it to him.)

I think everyone waits their whole teenage years to tell/or go against their parents on. Mine big deal was standing with the refrigerator door open for any length of time JUST.TO.SEE.WHAT.THERE.WAS.TOO.EAT.

even though I had just been in there 1 minutes ago....

[Melanie]

Karen, I just finished listening the first podcast of the series you mentioned. It was great! I downloaded the rest of them and can't wait to have the time to listen to more. Thanks for sharing!

[Kimberly]

Andy Stanley is a wonderful preacher/teacher. We were part of his congregation before moving to Bowling Green, KY last year. Yepper, we miss it.

[Cathy S.]

Thank you so much for coming to Billings, your class was amazing!!! I am so going to buy a nifty 50 lens for my camera! I am excited to get my camera out and keep it out. Thank you again!
:) Cathy

[Melanie]

I love the first and second photo and the one of Coley looking up at his big brother with a huge smile on his face. The one of him smiling on the couch just shows how happy he is to be there and staying with his brother for a few days. What fun for him.