I need one of these

I received the most awesome email today and it has my face aching from smiling:

Hi Kortney,
My name is Lindsay and I am from CA. I happen to be searching online for this hilarious shirt I once saw at Kohl's here (it was the slice of bacon talking to the sandwich shirt). When I went they only had an extra small, but I needed a bigger size than that. Anyway, I have been searching all over for this shirt--at Kohl's and online. Do you have any tips what-so-ever on how I could locate this shirt or where I could go online to buy it?? I HAVE TO HAVE THIS SHIRT!! I crack up when I just think about it....I would love to own it!! I read your blog and I was crackin up.
I know this may seem like the strangest email you could have received about your clothes, but I have tried everything....and it was great to know that someone else actually knew about the shirt I want.
Maybe if you have some time you could email a picture of the shirt.....it might help me in locating the same one....and maybe you could also send me who the manufacturer is. I would really appreciate all of this!!
Anyway.....nice to meet you and hope to hear from you soon

Thank you!!
Lindsay

Lindsay,
I cannot even explain how big I am smiling all in part to your email. 1) Love to have a blog reader. 2) Totally love my bacon shirt as well so I can relate to your desperation / enthusiasm in locating one.

So, I found my awesome bacon shirt at the Goodwill, but I will start on my hunt to find you one. "Whats gonna work? TEAMWORK." Lets clarify that we're both referring to the bacon "You'll find me in da' club." shirt and what size do you want.... we can do this..

In return, can I use your email in my blog? Because its flipping funny and made my day.

Your friend for life,
Kortney

From this I think we should all learn that no request is too small and no email is too ridiculous. I am now on my quest to find my new BFF Lindsay her own bacon shirt. And I am a very happy lady today. Can't wait for dinner when someone will ask "Mom how was your day?" I will then share the happy bacon shirt email story with my family.

Happy Thursday blogworld. I'm back.

thankful he's shallow

Its been two weeks since Nate passed away. It was on the news. ESPN was at the high school yesterday even during Kainon's gym class. There was a viewing, funeral, celebration of life at the high school you can see #44 written on car windows and football helmets all over this region of the state. Things are beginning to return to normal now.

I was worried about Kainon since this was his first real experience with death, and I had flashbacks to my own high school experiences. My friend died in a car accident when I was a sophomore and I just could NOT get over it. I was so frustrated when the world kept spinning. I tried to give Kainon space, lots of hugs and watch for any warning signs.

My other concern was the Christian aspect of Nate's death. He was a Christian kid who was not shy about his faith. He wasn't a "beat you with his bible" type but was active in youth groups, a praise band and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His parents started "the Nathan project" which gives bibles to high school students. When Kainon was little his biological dad was a youth pastor. Kainon was able to tag along on retreats, overnights, parties, and concerts. You could tell Kainon was excited to be a part of it all. Now that we are in a new chapter of our lives it has been difficult to find our place in a church because the children associate church with their biological dad. (For the record, Jesus does NOT equal my ex or his family's behavior. ) I thought maybe Kainon wanted to be involved with the youth group now that he was in high school, but didn't want to hurt my feelings.

So, we were in the car together just the two of us and I thought I would broach the subject. I asked him what he thought about getting a bible and if he missed being involved with church.

K: Mom, I'd rather spend Sunday morning with our family.
Me: What if our whole family when to church too.
K: Then I'd go, but I don't want to go the youth group. I've gone with Jordan before and its just not my thing here.
Me: Do you think about the youth groups when you were little? Do you miss that?
K: Mom, this is different. I don't like it.
Me: I know you have bible verses up in your room and we talk about faith. I am worried that you associate church with your birth dad.

long pause...

K: Do you think I can get some new shoes this week?

I look at him and its clear that he was not reflecting, or in avoidance mode. The lights are just not on in that room for him.

I love my son. I love that he is not a deep thinker. His life will be so much easier.

puts things in perspective

Kainon served his 5 days of suspension rather uneventfully. The teachers were supportive and though he missed football games, his grades didn't suffer. Overall I am very proud of how mature he handled it all.

He went back to school Wednesday and played his final football game of the year last night. It was a cold night and we had all 6 kids bundled up in the bleachers cheering for their big brother.

Then after a passing play our receiver took a hit that he didn't shake off. It wasn't a feroscious hit but you could tell his bell had been rung.

Then he started seizing.
Ambulance finally arrives.
This is not good.
Then Life Flight helicopter arrives.
We all pray for him and wait.
News starts as we are all heading home around 11pm. He is in brain surgery.
We pray. We hold our kids a little tighter and a little longer as we tuck them in to their beds.
Wee hours this morning we hear that he didn't make it. An 18 year old boy from our small team, our tiny town, was lost this morning.

Kainon was stunned. He shuffled out to the bus stop early. I could see him standing there in the dusk. I walked out to give him another hug knowing he was going to have a very rough day but needs to be with his friends at school. I let a tear fall because as I hugged him all I could think was "I'm glad it wasn't you."

i want to punch that kid in the nose.

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cussing makes people think you are too stupid to think of something else to say*

*that title is what I tell my children to keep their mouths clean. With that being said I would be a wealthy woman if I had a cuss jar on my desk at work.

Kainon was watching the kids and Zeph called someone a "bitch." Kainon jumped on him.

Kainon: What did you just say?
Zeph: Um... I don't know.
Kainon: Yes, you do and don't say it again or you'll be eating soap.
Zeph: I'm only in Kindergarten. I can't know what all these words mean.

Kainon: exhale Just go to your room. Mom can deal with you.