Posting to post?

So, I like to try to post once a week to give you all an update on us. We'll see if I can keep it up! Travis got a new truck this week...It's very shiny!

I have been homeschooling the kids for almost 2 full weeks now. While it is getting better, I cry almost everyday. It is SO HARD!!!! Travis keeps reminding me of the reasons we started this adventure. And, they so outweigh why I want to quit...but, let me tell you, it'd be easy to drive to the school about 1/2 a mile from here and just enroll them! I am giving it my all for a full month and we'll see how we're doing. I'm trying to look at it as weight loss..small goals! First a week, then a month, then a quarter, semester, and then a full year. We'll see if that works out. I have hope. Yesterday was one of the first days I managed pretty well on my own, without crying. I guess I can't say alone. God was with me every step of the way and without him I COULD NOT do this!!! Oh, and how could I forget, I did have an amazing friend call and encourage me, and I took an afternoon break to make some cards...I think that helped! Continued prayers for this life transition are always appreciated!

In Loving Memory...

I miss you more than you know Beth. There are so many days I wish I could call and chat like we used to. You were more than just a step-mom. You were a friend, companion, sound advice, seamstress, baker, chef, boat captain, camping guru, cosmetologist (thanks for waxing my uni-brow!), you did it all. I miss you so!

July 9, 1951-August 28, 2008

July 9, 2009

Food for thought...

Today as I was making lunch for the kiddos, I accidentally put too much milk in the Mac 'n Cheese...that's right nothing but the best for my family! ;) Anyhow, it got me to thinking how my mom ALWAYS used to put too much milk in the Mac 'n Cheese and how I hated it! While I'm still not that fond of Mac 'n Cheese, I'll eat it, and I'm thankful for what God provides. But my whole point in blogging this is the older I get...rather the older my kids get and the more parenting experiences I have that I swore I'd never be like my parents...in all reality, ALL parents are quite the same. We all try to coax our children into eating veggies or something they don't like by telling them "there are starving children elsewhere in the world." We try to make our children thankful for the clothes and toys and home they have because "there are other kids out there without this many toys, or a home at all!" And fact of the matter is, we all mess up...yes, even the GREATEST parents mess up. But ya know what, I think all our kids turn out better for our mistakes. They can watch us and learn from them...and one day repeat some of the same ones with their own children. And perhaps, next time, I'll remember to use a measuring cup when pouring milk into the Mac 'n Cheese!

The Voice of God!

So, tonight Travis and I had gotten done working out and I had just showered, and was checking e-mail. And Travis had just gotten out of the shower and was in the closet getting dressed. The radio just turns on and is giving out information on some website about training up children, since neither Travis or I were near the radio when it turned on (OK God, we hear you!) I mean it REALLY got our attention. We thought MAYBE we should check out the website and listen to the rest of the radio broadcast. For a filler...Just last week we had decided to try homeschooling this year. But, there was still that "yeah, right" in the back of our minds. We thought we must be crazy. I was DREAMING of what I'd do with my free time once I got all my little ones shipped off to school! Well, we go to the website and it's a sermon series on homeschooling and the benefits of it! Talk about hearing God loud and clear! All I can do is laugh, but I still feel hot all over because of the crazy spiritual experience this was! If I didn't know it before, I know it now... God will use ANY form he can to get you to listen!

Basic Instructor Course Graduation

Travis has completed his training in the Basic Instructor Course. That's right he can now teach the newest and most impressionable Airmen in the Air Force! It was 6 weeks of preparation and presentations. And he did great! I may be partial because I am the wife...But, I think his ideas were great!!! After one of his speeches a few of the guys from his class gave him a , "Thanks man, you should have gone last...that was really good!" His sister from Wyoming was here to share in the celebration. She is the first person from his side of the family to be at any official military function. So I know that was special to him. And, the kids and I rushed back from Colorado, bringing our nieces with us, and we made it in time to be here for the Graduation too!

A day out with Papa Petey!

While visiting our family in Colorado, we were fortunate enough four my dad, "Papa Petey" to have a good amount of time off work and he was able to take us up to the top of Trailridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. It had been years since I had been to the top and gotten out and took pictures. It was so windy and cold! On our way back down we saw some Rocky Mountain Sheep and Elk...no moose or bear this visit!

The we went back down the pass and into the town of Grand Lake. Papa treated us to Miyauchi's Ice Cream and lunch on the boardwalk! We also went down by the lake and played for a bit and then went Go-Karting. That was my first time driving a Go-Kart. It was SO FUN!!! I already can't wait to go again! :)

I even to time to think of my love while we were down by the lake! (awww...it's ok, I know this may make some of you sick to your stomach!)

Fireworks!

Here are some photos from our fireworks fun! I didn't get many good ones of the fireworks. But, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the one of my niece, Lexi, holding her sparkler. So I had to include it!