Recognized by the Optimists

Today was an awesome day!  Caleb was recognized as an Augusta Optimist Student of the Month.  The Optimists held a recognition luncheon at Pizza Hut where they handed out certificates to the students who had been chosen for this prestigious award.  The certificate they presented reads as follows:  "Citation for upholding the dignity of youth, for showing sincere devotion to the welfare of others, and for generous and unselfish contributions to society".  But Caleb had a part to play other than receiving his certificate.  He had to give a quick speech...he had to tell the crowd who he was, who came to the luncheon with him, his favorite subject, and what he wanted to be when he grows up.  He said that his favorite subject was science and that he wants to be a meteorologist.  So much for following in my footsteps of being an Air Force officer!  Caleb caught a ride with Mr. Clark, his principle, to and from Pizza Hut who did a fantastic job of prepping Caleb for his speech!  

As the dad of three boys and one really sweet baby girl, my prayer has been (and will continue to be) that Christa and I will raise them to be devoted to following Jesus wherever He leads them, to be men (and woman) of integrity, and to be kind hearted.  I can't help but to thank God for the work He is doing in their lives.  God has so blessed us with a tremendous family!  We are so proud of our crew!!  

Last post placement visit DONE!!!!!

I posted on our adoption blog about our last post placement visit yesterday.  We are officially done with social worker visits.  We are now waiting on our Consent to Adopt document so that we can file our petition in our county.  Pray that all goes well and we get a court date quickly.  You can read about our visit at www.ourheartinseoul.blogspot.com  

We had a wonderful weekend.  The kids didn't have school on Friday and Steve took the day off.  We met my parents at the half way point and picked up my sister so she could visit for the weekend.  Friday night we had a girls night.  It was a rare treat to have my sister all to myself so we spent some quality time together.  We went to the movie theatre and saw Nights in Rodanthe. sp?  After the movie we grabbed some dinner and did a little shopping.  On Saturday we got up early and drove to KC for a Holt family picnic.  After the picnic we drove down to the plaza and did some more shopping and ate at my all time favorite restaurant The Cheesecake Factory.  We then headed back home.  

Today we got up early again and drove back to the half way point to meet my parents and take Cassie back.  I am sad tonight that Cassie had to go home.  We had a great time and I can't help but think how much closer we could be if we didn't have to live so far apart.  Cassie is an amazing person and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful little sister in my life.  I don't think she will ever truly know how much she means to me.  

Lunch...

Do you know what happens when a 10 yr old packs his own lunch? Well we found the answer to this question this morning.......

 No!! I did not let him leave the house with this lunch.  He left with a sandwich, a water bottle, a fruit cup, the Oreo cakesters, and a small bag of tortilla chips.  I know that's not much better but at least he didn't take all cookies.  I guess this is why he picked the name Cookie on Western night. LOL!!!!  What a goober!!  Don't you wish we could all eat like that?  

Kid with Character.....

***Warning***shameless mommy brag in progress....My sweet Cody was the first "Kid with Character" for his class this year.  I am so proud of him.  He works hard and is....JUST A GREAT KID!!!!  We are so blessed with our four beautiful children.  

One student is picked from each class every week for their hard work and good attitude.  Last week was Cody's week.  He received a certificate, a pencil and a free meal at Applebee's.  I guess we will be going out for dinner soon.  ;o) 

Family Night....#2.....Western Night

For this evening's family night the boys chose a western theme....

We dressed up in western wear....and listened to country music all evening.

For dinner we had BBQ ribs, potato salad, corn, baked beans, biscuits, and for dessert Texas sheet cake. (Well we didn't actually have Texas sheet cake b/c I couldn't find the recipe but that was the plan)
After dinner we came up with funny names for each other and made name badges.
Then we made up our own family line dance.  We each made up a move and we danced to country music.  We laughed so hard...and had a ton of fun.  We decided not to video tape our line dance as it is our own little family secret dance to remain forever in our memories.   Sorry....you will just have to imagine us doing our silly dance.  ;o)

After our exhausting dancing we settled down by watching Veggie Tales Little Joe.  

So from our house to yours 

Love,

Sheriff, Rose, Cookie, Bandit, Bones, and Sweet pea.

A family of knot heads!!!!

Yesterday was a day of head injuries in our house.  

First Caleb hit himself in the head with a baseball bat......No joke.....We now know that if you hit the bat on the ground as hard as you can as you are leaning over....The bat might just bounce back and hit you in the head.  MY POOR BABY!!!  I did panic a bit and I worried all night that he might have a concussion but so far he has had nothing more than a headache.  

Next as we were putting the kids to bed Steve and I heard a thud followed by a loud scream.  Yep.....You guessed it Cody hit his head on the wall as he jumped into bed.  He now knows that if you run as fast as you can down the hall and take a running leap into bed.....You might just hit your head on the wall.  I didn't get a picture of Cody b/c the bump on his head is in the back and covered by his hair.  But.............SERIOUSLY!!!!!! I can't take anymore!!!!!!!  I got up several times last night to wake up both boys just to make sure they were okay!!!  

Making fun Crayons....

It was a beautiful day yesterday but little CJ was sick and we couldn't get out. We tried to make it a fun afternoon for the boys. I saw this craft idea on my friend Erin's blog so we thought we would give it a try. We took old broken crayons and peeled off the paper wrapper. Then we put the crayons in a nonstick muffin pan. We baked them for 10 min at 350 and then put them in the freezer for a bit to help them harden.

The boys had a ton of fun. Peeling, breaking and melting crayons is a boys dream come true.

Sickness has arrived in our house...

Thursday Caleb came down with a fever he had no other symptoms just a headache and a fever.  Well Saturday afternoon CJ came down with a fever.  This morning he woke up and threw up.  Poor baby!!!!  Hmmm who will be next Cody or Catie?

Family Night....

We are starting a new tradition in our family.  Well I guess it is not totally new to us.  We used to do family nights quite a bit when we first moved here to Kansas and didn't know anyone yet.  On our old family nights we ate pizza and played games.  We always had a good time but the boys were ready to start something new so we will now have themed family nights.  (I totally blog lifted this idea off of another blog that I read.....But why not....I am sure the other blogger won't mind....right?)  The kids will be in on the planning so we will have to see how this works out.   We have been trying to build a stronger family before the BIG move so here we go.......

Pajama Night 

For dinner we made apple cinnamon pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and bacon.  For dessert we ate Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  We all wore our PJ's and after dinner we all curled up in blankets and watched a movie.  

Catie likes....Oh I mean LOVES chocolate chip pancakes!!!!!!
Getting ready for our movie.

We had so much fun!!!  Everyone is excited to do another family night soon.  We would like to do a family night every Friday night but we will have to see how it goes.  

We all needed a good laugh!!!

Now go yearbook yourself at www.yearbookyourself.com   and post a link to your picture in the comment section of this post.  

9-11-2001

Seven years ago I woke up to the horrific images of 9-11.  I will never forget the fear I felt that day.  Steve was in Alabama for Officer Training School and was locked down in the highest threat condition the military has.  I could not call him or talk to him for what seemed like an eternity.  He had already been away for three months and was nearing the end of his training and scheduled to graduate on Sept. 27th.  After many hours I think close to 12 hrs Steve got a quick 5 min phone call and was able to reach me.  We didn't really get to talk b/c there was a huge line behind him of others trying to reach their loved ones.  But just to hear his voice was all I needed.  I didn't really have any words anyway.  All I could do was cry. Over the next week all our plans had been changed. My flight had been canceled and was not going to be rescheduled.

We had worked so hard as a couple to reach this milestone of graduation and I was not going to miss it for the world. I decided against all reason to drive down to Alabama by myself (with the boys of course) to see Steve walk across the stage. However nobody in my family would let me go alone....So my Daddy.....my sweet, sweet Daddy took time off from work and drove all night long.....and took me to my husband. Now that my friends, is the love of a Daddy!!!! My parents stayed one night and left the next day and drove the Long trip back to Omaha. The boys and I (at the time it was just Caleb 3 and Cody 9 months) got to watch Steve graduate. (I will post some pictures later....they are snap shots so I will have to scan them.)

When I think of 9-11 I think of all the unsuspecting men and women that went to work that day as if it was a regular day.  In the blink of an eye they were all taken away from their loved ones.  It is a reminder to all that we never really know how much time we have here on earth.  We need to make the most of our time and make each day matter. 

So where were you on 9-11? Tell us about your experience. I know for most Americans it was a day we will never forget!!

Let it go.....

I know those words made me cringe too.  "Let it go" hmmmmm why in the world is that so simple for a man?  I am going to have to be vague here but just know that I have had some heavy thoughts on my mind and in my heart for quite some time.  As the woman that I am I tend to carry these burdens around with me.  I thought I had let them go but then somehow I always dig them back up and dwell on them again.  So I asked my hubby tonight if he thought I was being too sensitive.....yeah I know dangerous territory.....but it was a must ask question.  You see my hubby and I have a great relationship....he is my very best friend and I can ask these dangerous questions and know that he will tell me the truth with as much sensitivity that a man can muster.  On this issue his words of wisdom were "Let it go" So I will try again......to "Let it go".

Under the weather...

I went to bed last night with a headache and woke up this morning with a migraine.  My head hurts so bad I can barely see strait.  Even my eyeballs hurt.  My ears, neck, and spine also hurt.  This just bites!!  It was all I could do to get the boys ready for school this morning.  I am not even sure what they looked like this morning.  I am pretty sure none of their clothes matched.  Oh well, they are boys and could care less about appearances.    

 I simply don't have time to feel bad today.  I need to get caught back up on laundry.  After two days with no water my laundry is starting to pile up.  I have many other regular chores to get done as well.  I also need to get items ready for a consignment sale.  aaaAAAAHHHHH!!  Pain!! Pain!!  Go Away!!   

Somebody loves her Daddy!!!

This picture was taken a few days ago.  Here is the story......I work all day long to get a kiss from our sweetheart.  Daddy walks in the door after work and gets the biggest smooch ever.  What's up with that? She is already a Daddy's girl.    

We have a toddler...

I caught Catie playing in the kitchen cabinets the other day.  So Cute!!  The boys loved to play with the tupperware too!!  

While I cleaned up the tupperware I caught her digging in the diaper bag.  I love it!!!!  I can't tell you how much I love my days.  At one point I really thought she would never come home.  She DID come home and I am having so much fun with her.  

Got water??

We don't.....our little town had a water main break and there is no water.  I heard through the grapevine that all three of our towns water towers are empty (not sure if that is true).  I guess they expect it to be a while until we have water again b/c school was canceled for tomorrow.  The boys are excited but what is a mom to do with three boys that keep making more human waste that can't be disposed of.  The boys have resorted to peeing off the deck.  Steve went to Wal-mart to buy some bottled water and a little potty for the boys to do the other duty in.  We can't shower, brush our teeth, do laundry or dishes.  Hmmmm......this is going to be fun.

Steve thinks this is a bit funny.  He says it's like being in the desert again.  He knows how to live without potable water.  It is no big deal to him.  But I can't stand it.....this is driving me crazy!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies...

Are Chocolate Chip Cookies considered diet food?  Oh man....I made some last night and I can't keep out of them.  This diet is going to be even harder than I thought.  UGHHH!!! 

Getting back in shape...

Well this last year has been tough on my waistline.  With the arrival of the cool fall weather (which I love so much) I have been pulling out the fall wardrobe and well there is no way to say this other than laying it out.  My clothes don't fit.  I guess I have gained more weight than I thought.  So back to grind I go......I am officially on a diet.  I woke up this morning thinking that I would head out to aerobics but there was nobody there.  Has it been that long since I have been there that it is no longer at 8:30am?  I guess I will have to look up the schedule and find out what time the girls meet now.  So anyway, I headed up to the trail at the lake to go for a good walk and I ran into a group of women from my church that have started walking.  I joined them.  UMMM Yeah.......they pretty much kicked my butt.  They were all walking so fast that I couldn't keep up........but I am determined to loose these extra pounds so I will do what I have to do.  Now as I sit here my legs and rear end are sore.  I am going to have to get some WILL power.  

What a morning....

Well this morning I woke up with great expectations.  I was happy b/c it was the first cool and rainy morning of the fall.  Perfect weather to drag out all the fall decor that I was so excited to put up.  The problem was......none of my children were as excited about this change in the weather as I was.  I woke them up at 6: 40 and told them to get up and dress warm today.  This statement was met with grumbling.  Cody was complaining that he couldn't find any jeans.  Hmmm....I told them that they were in his drawer and he needed to look again.  He stomped downstairs and slammed things around in protest.  Caleb was being his regular bossy self and was telling everyone what to do...very grumpily I might add.

To make a long story short.....It was a very rough morning in our house.  The boys were tired, grumpy and couldn't quit fighting.  I was starting to reach my breaking point.  I have been trying a new approach to parenting.  I have decided to stop yelling at the boys b/c it really does nothing for them.  It doesn't change the situation it only makes me more frustrated.  So I was trying very hard not to yell and trying to keep my composure but I was about to burst inside.

We finally made it to the school and the kids unloaded all their backpacks, lunches, and a newly purchased snare drum and bell set.  I kissed them all goodbye and they were on their way.  I watched as they walked across the parking lot to the crosswalk.  I noticed another sleep dazed mom backing out in her minivan.  She was not paying attention and was getting very close to my CJ who was following (not so quickly) his brothers.  I panicked and just knew she was going to hit him and there was nothing I could do.....I screamed but being in my own minivan she could not hear me.  I was strapped in my seat belt and couldn't get out quick enough.  So I did what any panicked mother would do and I laid on the horn.  It did make her stop and scared the heck out of CJ just in time.  He noticed the van and ran out of its path just as the van slammed on its breaks.  My heart is still hurting from pumping overtime.  I was sure my little man was about to be hit.

So I am now sitting here trying to recover from a not so great morning but thanking the good Lord for sparing my child from harm.  I think I need some candy corn and peanuts.  Yummy!! that sounds so good.  I wonder if Wal-mart has put out the candy corn yet.  You should try it!!!  They taste like a payday candy bar when eaten together.  Have a great day!!!

September is here!!!

I am so excited for fall!!  It is my favorite time of the year.  The weather starts to cool down and all of nature seems to scream out with majestic colors that the festivities are about to begin.  I love the changing colors, the pumpkins, the harvest, the cool crisp air,  I love a good football game, I love that I can wear jeans and a sweatshirt and be perfectly comfortable, I just LOVE FALL.  I am not sure why but for as long as I can remember fall has always put me in such a good mood.  When I woke up this morning I couldn't stop smiling b/c I know that magical time of year is near.