We're ba-ack. . .

. . . to the world of blogging (and technology), that is.  My love/hate relationship with computers turned to 99 % hate and 1% love about two and a half weeks ago.  We've been having some irritating but manageable computer glitches for months now, but recently, the problems escalated exponentially.  Mike was spending hours and hours and hours trying to get the stupid thing fixed.  It would work for a day or two, then explode with viruses, malware, and whatever heinous thing those malicious computer hacker losers could come up with.  Seriously, people, what's the point?  I'm reminded of the disgust I feel whenever I drive by some graffitied public property.  There must be some feeling of victory for vandals and computer hackers, but the whole mindset befuddles and escapes me. 

Anyway, after one particularly infuriating computer debugging session, Mike decided to go buy a new computer and printer.  "It's my birthday soon.  Let's just consider this my birthday present and call it good."  At that point, I simply wanted a functioning computer, so I agreed.  I'll have to admit that it did make birthday shopping quite a bit easier.

When I last blogged, I was anticipating the next night's national championship game between Duke and Butler.  Oh, how hopeful I was!  I know the source of Adam's love of the Blue Devils, though I still think his obsession has far outstripped mine.  To say that we were excited about their victory is a wee bit of an understatement.  Adam was alive for their 2001 championship but not cognizant enough to care.  This year he was over-the-moon excited and fully engaged in all of the hoopla (pun intended).

We, of course, had our annual party again, and I explained to him beforehand that he had to try and control himself, and he did. . . for the most part.  There was one time when I was sitting at the nook table with Mike's cousin, half-watching the game and half-talking to her when Adam leaped off of the arm of the couch and nearly hit his head on the ceiling.  Mike's cousin's eyes got big, and I think all she said was, "Wow!"  (Since her husband loves the Denver Broncos with a similar intensity, she did mention that she had seen such displays before.  However, I suspect she was just being nice.)

I told my family before the tournament started that if Duke won the national championship that I would buy everyone some celebratory t-shirts.  I really didn't think they had much of a shot this year, but I was thrilled to make good on my promise.  When the t-shirts and hat came, I lined them up on the couch so Adam could see them when he came home from track practice.  The look on his face and the screams of delight when he came home were priceless.

On a side note, I also discovered how smart my son-in-law was as a direct result of Duke's success in the tournament.  Andrew (and Karen and Rachel) were at a Utah family gathering at Mike's Aunt Diane's house.  One of my brothers-in-law was talking about the tournament and happened to ask Andrew, "Do you even like Duke?"  His quick and brilliant response?  "I do now."  Just another reason to love my son-in-law. . . .  I always knew he was smart, and this just confirmed it.

Speaking of my son-in-law, he and Karen both graduated on Friday--Karen with her bachelor's in nursing and Andrew with a master's in biology.  Tomorrow I'll blog about that and Matt's prom experience.  (I'm guessing everyone's tired of reading by now.) 

Tonight I'll close with a picture or two of Mike on his 45th birthday.  As a kid I hated when my birthday fell on a Sunday.  Now when Mike or I have a birthday on Sunday, it feels like a gift.  Mike even had minimal meetings today, so we got to take a nap and have lots of family time.  That, to me, is the perfect day.

I am grateful for Mike and feel "lucky" to be married to him.  (Family joke.)  He is one of the most selfless people I know.  He always thinks of others before himself, a trait that, to this day, still blows my mind.  What also surprises me is how the candles seem to have multiplied so fast.  As Rachel noted, "Dad, you're only three candles away from being a three-boxer."  (Didn't candles used to come in packs of 36?!  That would make me feel way younger since I'm precariously closing to needing that third box of candles as well.)  Anyway, I love my husband and was glad we could celebrate him today.  I'll blog some more tomorrow.