The Love of All Things Blue

Including...dun dah dah dahhhhh, DUKE!

That's right, you heard me. Duke. Duke Blue Devils. Duke basketball. I've had to justify my love for them over and over just in the past day because of the Maryland vs. Duke game. I LOVE DUKE! What's so horrible about that? They are the only basketball team (besides Maryland's) that I can name the coach, and name some notable players. I can tell you how many NCAA titles they've won. I can tell you how Bobby Hurley was the best point gaurd EVER. He had so many assists in his time it was actually SEXY. I can even spell the coaches name, but I prefer to write Shesheski.

Since I'm not a gambling woman, I can tell you that I know how Duke plays- safe, organized, and from the three's. No, they're not slam dunk heros, and no, they don't drive the ball on the inside, they hit the threes. And I think three pointers are sexy. I do. Who doesn't love the ssswwhooshhh when the a three goes in? Gavin says he hates them because Duke "lives and dies by the three's. That's ALL THEY DO!" WELL, I LIKE IT! I LOVE IT! Threes are sexy and they get you points. And that's how Duke has played ever since I started following them in high school. I just can count on them to show me some threes. Or even that half court lob from Christian (hellooo hotty) that blew me away sooo long ago. Ever since then, I've been a Duke fan.

I've tried to love Maryland, I have. But everytime, they just let me down. They choke. They can't keep it together long enough to make something happen. Well, clearly except for last night. And I honestly don't know much about they way Maryland plays except for they are inconsistent, so I'll stop here- the analysing of the Terps. And I won't deny that Maryland played their best, but Duke didn't just give it to them either. The Terps could have actually just blown Duke out of the water what with home court advantage, a very high off of senior game Vasquez, and a scramble to tie for number 1 in the ACC. But they let Duke sneak up, and take the lead back for a bit. They got lucky in the last minute. They did. In that last minute, Maryland got lucky. Suffice it to say, the match up was awesome, and I'm not saying that I don't like Maryland, I'm just saying that I looove Duke.

And yet, when I ask people why they hate Duke so much, they have no answer, its just, "I don't know, because I do!!!" Whatever! What kind of boogly woogly is that? Yes, I grew up in Maryland, yes, I went to Maryland, but I love Duke. Can't help it. I fell in love with them in high school, and they are the only college basketball team that I've ever followed whenever had the urge to follow basketball. ACC? I had bet on Duke. March Madness and the NCAA? I had bet on Duke. I don't even follow any of the other leagues, I would just always say, "DUKE"! I have no idea how Duke might be doing in a season, but I bet on them anyway. Yes, I love Duke.

And what makes it even better is that "friendly" rivalry between my hometown league and my Duke. That's what makes it all interesting, that's most of the draw. I've always tried to watch any Maryland/Duke game, just cause it's just fun. And I've always wanted to go to a Maryland/Duke game, and Gavin finally gave me a reason. Such an amazing game, even though Duke lost. It was tough to keep my cheers down, cause even surrounded my Terps fans, I couldn't help but scream for Duke. I just couldn't help it. I'm actually curious to see what it would take to get us to a ACC tourney game. Just so I can root for Duke. I need a jersey.

Oh, and CLEARLY, you must know, that the number one reason why I love Duke so much is cause they wear BLUE.

Snowmageddon, etc.

So, we got a boatload of snow. I hope you guys had a great time out in it, and I hope that you're READY FOR MORE! HEAR that? Ready for more?? Another 10 inches possibly along the way, and work and school is already closed for tomorrow and possibly Wednesday (yes, Wednesday too). I do love all of the riff raff, makes us appreciate the great outdoors, the roof over our heads, and um....electricity? Anyone? Get ready to hunker down for yet another round...

What a great week, I say.

Death of Blogging after Facebook!

I thought about ending this blog recently- with my joining facebook, and the world within it, I've been really slacking on updating posts. Even before facebook, I was only posting pictures!! So, what to do now, when I can post pics to FB, and my Jonas and Luna website- and stay in touch with everyone if I have anything witty to say, via FB? I suppose that means I'll just have to write more here.

I've been looking around for inspiration, and even digging deep into the vault, here- at Blue Ryder. I've been blogging now for almost four years. I re-read all of my posts about Ryder, all of my vacation posts (I especially loved the Europe 08 recaps of our hotel stay, and the "reclamation"), the fat war posts, entries about my dad going through open heart surgery, watching the evolution of my pictures, all of it. The best part of reading was taking a look at all of the comments from friends...the crazy things they has to say, the back and forth about Britney Spears and LOST, and American Idol. I've decided that I can't stop blogging.

But, what if I don't have anything interesting to say? What if what I need to say can simply be said by updating my facebook status? Like, "Welcome home Tai-shan"? Everyone knows that I love Pandas, and updating my facebook status is probably going to be a lot easier than finding a picture of a panda, posting it here, and then writing about how much I love pandas, maybe providing a link to the news, and then hoping that someone sees it! LOL! FB has made me lazy.

Well, we'll just have to see what happens. Blogging is like using a land line for Internet dial-up....but so many memories here in these pages..we'll just have to see what happens..

Ryder's Snow Globe

We bought Ryder a snow globe yesterday for fun- so he could get excited about the impending snow. He stared at it for hours, turning it this way, and that.....shaking it upside down, watching the snow swirl around the happy snow man. At bedtime, he wanted it right beside him, so it could snow in his room before it started snowing outside. He picked it up....and then...crrraasshhh.. shattered to a million pieces on the hardwood. His face was red, and he whimpered, "I'm sowwy Mommy.." Poor guy...I gave him a hug and told him that it would still snow, as I tucked him into bed. This morning, he was enthralled. He's loving the snow- and I told him the snow man was happy too. He was free from his snow globe, and he got to feel REAL snow.... Have a wonderful snow-filled evening..

How They Grow!

How They Grow!, originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

Never Enough Time

Never Enough Time, originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

Lines are drawn.

Lines are drawn., originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

U2

U2, originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

Thanks amie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Little Man

Little Man, originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

I Love Doing THIS!

St. Augustine

Playing with Old Europe Pics

Bridge of Sighs (not size) makes me laugh. And well, the streets of Cannes was magical. Going to be playing with alot more photos these days, have a lot more stuff coming up...hope everyone is doing well!

We love my bed!

We love my bed!, originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

Snack time!

Snack time!, originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

A HOT Summer Day (if you know what I mean)!

I Love Ryder!

I Love Ryder!, originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

Anticipating an Update

Going to update my website soon....

3 am Smiles

There are certain moments in your life when all things come together...the things that you thought would never happen, or that you've waited so longingly for. Tonight, more than any other night in Ryder's life, he was a happy, silly, funny, care-free little boy- with other adults. Other adults who've known him for his whole life...other adults that have never experienced this side of Ryder. I just haven't been able to sleep for the last three hours because I just haven't been able to believe it myself, and I've been processing it, thinking about it over and over...he ran in the grass with his shoes off..chased golf balls all over a giant, green yard, followed the German around the yard with two raving psychedelic flashlights, and had some verbal banter with the Seed. Had a conversation about dishwashers with Beefcake. The brownie at 9pm probably had alot to do with it, but still.

This is a big deal for me for two reasons. First, I've been worried and scared that the decisions we made in our lives would negatively effect Ryder. There was nothing more that I wanted in this world than for him to be happy. But it was a catch 22 decision that had to be made, because as all mothers know, you can't evoke happiness onto your children unless you are truly happy. Secondly, well- Ryder has just never been or acted like this. Sooooo free and happy. He has been making leaps and strides in the right direction, but tonight was truly over the top. My heart really did explode. He was THAT silly and happy, that I thought he was going to have a little heart attack and collapse from all the running and joking and laughing.

I have always wondered if we made the right decision. Deep down, I know we did, but its human nature to second guess, particularly when a child is involved. And every single time I hear, "wow- I've never seen Ryder like this, he's really come out of his shell"....helps me to believe that I'm doing OK with raising him under the circumstances....that I might actually be doing well with him. And that's all I want. I want him to become that strong solid man one day. And I want the world to see it, to see that light shine in his eyes, heart, and soul...that light that I see in every single kid I know. The light that I knew he had...but never could show. I see it now, so full and so real. So finally, for the first time in 10 months - it all just kinda feels right. It's all just coming together. And this is a big deal, because god knows I have no idea what I'm doing.

Never Change

Never Change, originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

(three and a half)!

Some Things.....

Some Things....., originally uploaded by Blue Ryder.

(one and a half)