Scattered Pictures

Here are some random pictures I've taken over the last few weeks.

 

Just about everything in our yard is dead, but 
there's one rose bush (that I planted) that is thriving somehow.
 It's covered in pretty pink roses.



I find Gracie stretched out near Zac more and more.
I'm so happy to be moving a little bit out of puppy stage.



Our last afternoon at the pool.



We had thunderstorms the other day.  I have never seen clouds like this. 
They are called mammatus clouds.  It was like being under a giant bag of cottonballs.

Our indoor pool closed...but yea, they made the repair quickly and it's reopened. 
The water was so perfect last weekend.  We went twice on Saturday.

Dan's Imaginative Play

Dan and I play so differently with the kids.  Last weekend, everyone was B-O-R-E-D.  Dan gave them bags and told them each to go find potion ingredients in the backyard.  They came back with all sorts of things.  He had them write out a recipe for their potions and then helped them make them.  Allie was first up with an immobility potion.  She was very creative with her ingredient list.

Dan helped her cook it up on the stove.

 

 

 

And then Jaelyn agreed to be the test subject.

Allie might need to refine her potion a little.

 

Caden and Jaelyn were next.  Jaelyn made a love potion.  I'm not sure what Caden's potion was supposed to do.

 

There were a lot of kitchen skills in their play time.  They chopped and diced.

Caden even had to crush a few things before cooking up his mixture.

 

 

Allie agreed to be Jaelyn's test subject, but as far as I know, Allie doesn't love any boys and no boys love her...although, now that I think about it, there in one boy this is driving her crazy this week.  Maybe Jaelyn's potion really did work after all!

 

The Stress of Army Life

With Dan's new job, they plan assignments 1-2 years out.  For instance, we know we are leaving here next summer to move to Washington, DC so Dan can go to school and get his masters.  We were told we'd get the follow-on list (summer 2014) in February.  We got it Thursday!  We aren't super thrilled about anywhere on the list.  Our choices are back to Aberdeen Proving Ground (my top pick, Dan says NO WAY, he has had enough of that command), Ft. Belvoir or Bolling Air Force Base in DC (traffic, commuting yuck), Charlottesville, VA (there's no base there, it's an intelligence job so we'd be away from our normal military support, not to mention the commissary and exchange) and Kirtland Air Force Base in Albequerque, NM (so far from home and totally difference from anywhere we've ever lived).  We are in the researching stage.  Dan will turn in his list early next week and then maybe by October or November we'll know where we are moving in about 20 months.  Would you keep us in your prayers?  Ultimately, God's got it all planned out.  We'll move where we are supposed to move; I just hate this portion of the process (along with the good-byes, packing, unpacking and starting over)!

***Update***

Dan turned in his list

1&2 Charlottesville, VA jobs. 
3 Kirtland AFB Albequerque, NM
4 Ft. Meade between DC and Baltimore
5 Aberdeen Proving Ground MD

We'll find out in November...torture as we wait.

The End of the First Day

I thought I'd celebrate the end of the first week of school with the pictures from the end of the first day of school (I am really trying hard to catch up...there aren't enough hours, even with the kids in school).  Anyway, they all had a great first day - and week!

 

Allie was the first one out.  She ran to me with her arms outstretched.  What Mommy doesn't love that?!?!

 

Caden started to run and then realized I was taking his pictures.  He hammed it up, but he was still happy to see me.

 

Jaelyn is Jaelyn...she doesn't make scenes outside of our house.  There's no way she'd run to me or scream my name in excitement.  She slowly walked to me and only looked at me when I asked her to.  Crazy girl!

 

 

The true test will be to see if there are smiles and goofy faces at the end of next week after "real school" has begun!

THE TANTRUM

You might think this entry is going to be about Jaelyn, but surprise, it's not.  Jaelyn has perfected the art of the tantrum; although we've all been working really hard at keeping her cool.  We've gotten Jaelyn stabilized on a medicine that is helping her ADHD, which in turn is helping the "intermittent explosive disorder."  Now that school is starting, I'm watching my little volcano closely to see how she deals with school pressure and anxiety...

Anyway, this entry is about Allie, who apparently has been studying at the feet of the tantrum master.  One late afternoon, I told the girls they could play with our neighbor after they got their rooms cleaned and vacuumed.  They'd been playing in Allie's room all morning so it was a mess.  Jae helped clean a little and then told Allie she was going to get the vacuum.  Allie thought Jaelyn was going to vacuum up all her toys and flipped out.  And I mean totally wacko...she was screaming at Jaelyn to get out of her room and stomping or maybe pounded her fists on the floor.  I didn't know, I just knew it was loud.  When I went in to talk to Allie, she continued to scream and pitch a fit.  I warned Allie that her tantrum would have consequences (ie the toys she didn't pick up would be removed from her room).  She told me I "am the worse Mommy every" and that she "wished I wasn't her mommy."  I picked up a toy and got Allie's beloved Justin Beiber book thrown at my head.  She was totally out of control at this point, but it was so over the top dramatic.  I tried to hold it in, I really did, but I couldn't.  I started laughing.  It was funny.  That didn't go over well with Allie as you can imagine.  Two shoes sailed past my head followed by two pillows.  I had to finally hold her arms down to keep her from hitting me while she calmed down. 

I don't know what's gotten into her, but she's been horrible for several weeks now.  Her normal sassy, emotional self has kicked into over-drive.  I'm afraid hormones are starting to kick in...I am not looking forward to the next 10 years!

Two Wheels for Two Wheels

Summer 2011, Caden learned to ride a bike without his training wheels, but it didn't stick.  He has absolutely refused to ride his bike without the training wheels since then.  Santa even left him a new big kid Spiderman bike.  Caden immediately asked "where are the training wheels?"  I had to send Santa an email to leave them under our Christmas tree while we were in Florida.  Geesh.

Well, the other day, Dan took Caden and Jaelyn to the park.  Caden didn't want to ride his baby 3 wheeled scooter; so he rode Allie's razor.  He came home begging for one.  Being one to never pass up an opportunity, I made a deal with him.  When he could ride his bike with two wheels, I would buy him a razor with two wheels.

It was windy, sorry for the loud wind in your speakers.

 

In less than a week...I think it's time to pay the piper!

Silver Dollar City...Take II

After our Friday at Silver Dollar City, we had planned to go camping at Johnson's Shut-ins.  The shut-ins were totally booked up.  No camping.  Instead, Dan wanted to go to SDC with us on his Monday vacation day.  The park was EMPTY.  We didn't wait in a single in.  We walked onto every ride and in some cases, got to stay on the ride to ride again.

 

We started the day at the Wildfire. I didn't let Allie ride it on Friday since no one else could.  Jaelyn was hoping to ditch her yellow band in favor of a new 52" pink band that would give her all access.  No such luck.  She measured in at 51 5/8"...so close, but soooo far away! 

 



We are mad because we didn't get to ride the Wildfire.

Well, maybe I did :).  It's the first - and the last - time I ride in the front row.  So crazy scary, but also crazy fun.

 


Caden loves the giant barn swing.  This is one of the ride he was waiting to ride.

Seriously, who doesn't love the carousel?

 

It was hot that day.  We normally bypass the shows for the rides, but we needed some air conditioning.  We went to the saloon show.  It had us all laughing and Allie LOVED the can-can girls.  I wouldn't be surprised to catch Allie practicing her high kicks in her room.

 

Dan said he'd ride the water rides with the kids.  I brought my raincoat with me just encase I got a crazy hair and decided to ride too.  It's a good thing because Dan didn't bring a change of clothes which left only little ole me to ride with them.  They ended up soaking wet, but other than my bottom and some damp socks, I was okay.  We rode the log flume twice.

 

I got in trouble on the lazy river for putting my feet up.  I was bad and as soon as we turned the corner, they were back up.

 

 

I was sad we didn't get to go camping, but it was a fun family day and a great way to end our summer!

 

Kicking High and Seeing Green

We are back into our normal routine around here.  Caden and Jaelyn are working hard in karate.  Allie has decided it's too hard.  She seems to enjoy it when she's there, but she complains and cries when she's getting ready to go and when she gets in the car to come home.  She will be stopping the end of October just as soon as our contract allows her to.

 

I think catching their expressions during practice is interesting.  Caden is so serious...he might need to open his eyes though so he can see where he's kicking.  Pretty good leg extension, huh?

 

Check out Jaelyn's little smirk.  She is actually starting to enjoy karate.  I thought she'd be the one to stop first while Allie and Caden kept going.  I'm proud of her.  She's still quiet and timid is her voice, but her kicks and hits are getting harder.

 

Silly Allie is loud, but she's not kicking or hitting very hard and she's all laughy and smiley (are those words?).  I think she's really going to enjoy her cheer and tumble class that starts on Friday.

 

Because Allie is stopping, we only let Jaelyn and Caden test.  They skipped their yellow belt, green stripe and when straight to a green belt.  Way to go!

 

 

There have been a few nights where Caden has been the only child.  Shehon has been teaching him extra stuff and he loves it!

 

 

 

 

Dan just informed me last night we have to buy nun-chucks (do I come close to spelling that right???).  I'm not so sure about this...

It's the First Day

Meet the Teachers

We were doing drive-bys of the school for weeks waiting for the class lists to be published.  Apparently second grade was packed (28 kids per class) and they were trying to get another second grade teacher.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  We raced to school as soon as we got the call and joined dozens of other families doing the exact same thing. 

From what I've heard there's a good and a bad second grade teacher.  The principal would not take requests, but she was aware of the problems last year and said she would place the students accordingly.  Everytime I've had the chance, I've told her what a hard year it was for Caden.  Between that and my prayers, Caden got the good teacher!  He's thrilled with Mrs. F.  I'll be spending a lot of time volunteering in his class this year.  28 second graders in just too much...well, as much as 28 first graders like his class last year, I guess.

 

I didn't really care which fourth grade teacher Allie got.  They are both wonderful teachers.  Allie wanted Mrs. M (Jae's teacher).  She was a little bummed because she got Mrs. D.  I'm not worried at all.  I think she's going to have a great year.

 

Jaelyn did not want Mr. K.  Anyone but him, she said.  We were surprised to learn the other teacher, whom she'd been hoping for, retired.  Jae got her replacement.  We went straight into the office to find out about the new teacher, Mrs. A.  We were told she's young, energetic, and nurturing.  She's moving up from younger grades at another school to fifth here.  After meeting her on meet the teacher's night, I like her.  I don't know what kind of teacher she is, but she's my kind of person.  Jae seems really happy.

 

Silver Dollar City...Take I

I had been planning to take the kids to Silver Dollar City once everyone else around went back to school.  My sweet friend, Becky, mentioned she'd be there on the 24th; so we headed that way to spend the day with her and her children.  It was a wonderful day.  Becky is the most awesome lady.  She oozes Jesus out of every pour.  She's a very easy, uplifting person to be around.  Her kids are pretty awesome too.  She has two, both adopted domestically.  Her Kaden and my Caden hit it off immediately.  They were actually holding hands walking onto a ride to "claim" each other as ride partners...that's really cute for 10 and 7 year old boys.  My girls love her daughter, Alaina.

As soon as we got there, we headed to the back of the park where the measuring station is.  Caden was 47.5" last time which made him too short to ride two of the girls favorite ride.  This time, he measured in at 48.5" and was awarded his coveted yellow wrist band!



A benefit of yellow...Mommy didn't have to ride the horrible swings with him!

 After the swings, we walked right on to the Electro Slide (AKA - the Sombrero).  It was Caden's first time and he LOVED it!

 

We live closer to SDC than Becky's crew; so we played around until they got there.

 

Sheriff Jae locked us in jail!  I was fuming mad.



And then Sheriff Allie put me and Caden in the stocks.  We didn't do anything wrong.

 

The crazy mirrors in Grandfather's house always make us laugh.

 

And finally our friends are here..I'm sad that there aren't any pictures of Becky on my camera!

Did I mention that these two boys really hit it off.  We were waiting in line at the Powder Keg when I noticed them playing.  We'd been given fans (it was a hot day).  The boys were being good friends and fanning each other's armpit.  Hilarious.  They were quite the attraction for everyone else waiting.

 



Teamwork...

 Becky turned out to be the perfect person to meet at SDC.  She doesn't ride the twirling, whirling, zipping type of rides.  I do; so I road them with the kids.  I don't do water rides.  She does; so she got wet with the kids.  It was an awesome day and we were sad to leave the rides and the friends! 

Happy Birthday, Grandma Molly

I miss you!

Scattered Thoughts

I'm so behind.  I have a mental list of the blog posts I want to write.  There's the one about our two trips to Silver Dollar City last weekend and the one about seeing our class lists and of course, I can't forget our meet the teachers evening.  I also have green belt pictures to post.  There's probably more, but my memory is toast.  The last few weeks of summer have been filled.  Some days I'm not sure what we've done, but we've done something.

School starts in two days and I plan to update my blog right after I clean up my house.  I am appalled at the dust on things (and if you know me, you know a little dust doesn't bother me at all as long as things are in their place).  I need to spend a day per room .  Either that or it's time to pack up.  I always do my deepest cleaning when I'm packing and unpacking.  I can't imagine what it looks like behind furniture that's sat in the same place for a decade.  Actually, I can't imagine furniture sitting in the same place for a decade.  I'm already planning move #12 which will happen sometime next spring, we think.

I'm up late tonight because Dan is on his way to the emergency vet clinic in Springfield with Zac.  We caught him peeing little drops in the carpet and then the dog bed last night.  Jaelyn's been cleaning out his kitty litter; so I haven't been paying attention.  When I looked last night, there were teeny tiny pee clumps, but no big ones.  That's a big red flag for urinary problems.  A problem with living in the boonies is lack of things...we have two vet clinics and the nearest emergency clinic is an hour and a half away.  Ours apparently doesn't have Saturday hours (why didn't I know this?).  The other one would only see their patients on emergency basis.  Tuesday was the first available appointment - thank you holiday weekend.  We gave him wet food with extra water today.  He's eaten some, but still no pee.  He's starting to feel like he's running a fever.  From everything we've read, UTIs only get worse and get more painful.  We were going to take him tomorrow. Instead, Dan decided to take him tonight.  Poor Zacy.