The Taco Wagon

So.....you may have seen the video about the Swagger Wagon.

If you have kids, you will think this is hysterical.

If you don't have kids, the humor will probably be lost on you.

But nonetheless....My mini-van is a silver Honda Odyssey
and there IS a story behind the name (*which does NOT involve a rap or music,)

So here it goes....

Over the summer our foster kids were visiting their parents.
They were returned to us kinda late at night, and we met the social worker at a Taco Bell right outside the base.   The kids were hungry, (what kid isn't when you are parked in a fast food parking lot)
so I got them tacos.  
But like I said, it was kinda late and the kids were more tired than hungry, so we headed home.

For the next 5-6 days I would get in the van and fuss at the kids about wet towels and dirty socks
and "YOU GUYS BETTER GET YOUR JUNK OUT OF MY VAN!  IT STINKS IN HERE!"

Finally, I broke down and decided, if you want something done right
something done YOUR way...... you gotta do it yourself.

I got out in the driveway and started collecting
towels,
socks,
trash,
melted crayons
and forgotten Happy Meal Toys*.

Almost satisfied with my efforts, I decided to make one last effort by checking the pockets on the back of the two front seats.

And there is where my hand found GOOP ....

I pulled my hand out and had maggots on my finger tips,

Yes, I did say maggots.

It was TC's taco from the week before.

And so....I present to you,

The Taco Wagon.....with it's newest upgrade....a purple mirror,
'cause that's how we ROLL!!!

Swagger wagon got NOTHING on us....

My sexy man can fix anything!  :)

LOVE YOU BABE!  





(*registered trademark for things I throw away within 10 days)

McCool Middle School Soccer

 Isaac is on his own this year without big brother's shadow -
and he is making good on the family name.
He is a great defender and speedy too.

The first game was a rainy one and I was on the road picking up Michael from cross-country.

The Seahawks beat the Andersen Dragons 6-0.

Second game was a beauty and I probably got a little carried away with the photos.
(*I'll condense)

What happened to my OTHER little boy?  

White uniforms - on Guam - during rainy season
A man ordered those I'll bet......
a man that doesn't do laundry.

We call these photos the CHASEDOWN -  Isaac is totally plottin' on that boy right here.....

getting past him.....

and getting in front to kick it out of bounds.....
that is classic Michael right there.
Just sayin'

Our coach is super dedicated to these kids....
I mean, seriously, she has her own kid on her back!

The boys won the game 4-0.

The third game of the season was on Tuesday, the 25th of September against Harvest.

(Yes,  the same Harvest that Michael goes to - Isaac played against his best buddy, Josiah.)

Harvest Eagles took that game.

another chase down....

love it!

The team continues to do well -
they are 5-1 with a few more games to go.

Good job Isaac

and

Good job Seahawks!!

Harvest Eagles Cross-Country

Way to go Eagles!

8-0

The team continues to run strong and will be finishing the season soon with an All-Island meet in a couple of weeks.  

A few more photos from last week. 

Harvest vs. Okkodo

Monday, September 17th

coming out of the jungle...
heading to the swamp

Yep....it's rainy season!

I just love this picture.....

final sprint

6th over-all - 5th in for Harvest

On Friday,  the team ran against George Washington High School.

You can see the newspaper report (if you hurry, I think it's only available for a week)

CLICK HERE

Isaac also had a soccer game - so I went to his game and Michael had to ride the school bus.

Sometimes as a mother of 5 - you just can't be everywhere at the same time no matter how hard you try.  

Photos of soccer coming soon!  

Family visits!

Well....The Thornton tribe has lived on the ROCK since July of 2010 - a little over two years.

After our failed attempt at a MAC flight this summer - my mom caved in on her plan to NOT fly "all the way to Guam" and booked a ticket very shortly after we gave up our attempt and made my step-dad agree to tag along and pull her suitcase   visit the island rich with WWII history.

They left this morning after a two week stay.

I'm not sure they had a vacation really....with all the chaos that is the normal in our house,
but we did enjoy their visit and had a great time having them here.

A few snapshots:

For our first day, and tour around the base - I thought maybe they shouldn't feel so far from home.
So we went to Nap's....

Another day - Molly McGee's on base
for some Irish Pub Grub

  And then after they had a chance to catch up on sleep and get the island feel....


It was out to Jeff's Pirate Cove for some family
fun in the sun and a little FEISTA dinner,
Guam style.

Red rice and chicken kelaguen.







If you notice a theme here around food....

well.....

so.

On the way to

Jeff's Pirate Cove,

we toured around the south side of the island,

I was totally stunned when my mom said she wanted to get on the carabao -

but she did, with the help of Big John at Fort Soledad.

We stopped at Inarajan Pools with a swimming break for the kids

(who were sick of the "history lesson")

Michael and Papaw solving the world's problems with a beautiful backdrop.











They also did some touring on their own while the kids were at school.
They saw three of Michael's cross-country meets and one of Isaac's soccer games.
My mom did a lot of dishes, laundry and homework help.

They are heading to Hawaii for a week before heading back to Alabama.
But the room is available for the next guests.....who's coming?

Cross-Country Catch-up

First meet: Harvest Christian Academy vs. Father Duenas  click here

Second meet: Harvest vs. Guam High  click here

and.....the next four - Harvest vs. St John's (forgot my camera)

Harvest vs. JFK - Back to School Night for the other kids - didn't get to go.

Harvest vs. Southern High

tying your shoes....very important

An area of the course that has been nicknamed, somewhat affectionately?  THE SWAMP
Hindsight is 20/20 - should have bought BLACK socks.......

see those new, white dry fit socks?

already went through the swamp here...
Lovely brown color to the socks.

Final sprint

Harvest vs. Southern Christian Academy

Final sprint

Coach and his cowbell....
He will be getting one for a coaches gift if I can find one on this island.....
He never leaves home without it!

So proud of Michael.  Most of the time, 9th graders on a high school team are there to learn, instead of really compete.
Michael has done well and helped his team with his speed and determination.  (and his long legs help too!)

Also proud of the team and coach -
They are a great group of kids and encourage and support one another well.  The team work pays off - the boys team is 6-0.
The coach is always positive with the team and prays with them before every meet.

We continue to be pleased with our decision to send Michael to high school at Harvest and are looking forward to the rest of the season.