Snack Time

T & She love to sit in Mommy's chair and eat their snack. Snack of choice: cereal. T's cereal choice is either Fruit Loops (if we have it) or Cheerios and She's choice is Life or Kix.
Um, sure is good.

Day at the Bay

Some of Ray's coworkers threw a get together last Saturday at the Bay park next to the Air Force Bay. The kids immediately went to dig in the dirt although it was packed down by the storm surge from Hurrican Ike.

There favorite was playing on the playground equipment. She was very brave and crossed this little crossbar walk several times to get to the big slide all by herself.

T surprised us all and went down the big slide all by himself a bunch of times. He had never been down a slide before and went for it and then he was hooked. She wouldn't go down by herself until after she turned 3.

Down at the beach part of the Bay She practiced making letters in the sand. That is her new thing although she doesn't know all her letters yet but she draws E, H I, O, & T pretty good all on her own. She can copy almost any letter.

I took this picture since it shows most of the damage from the storm surge. The tree to the right is pretty much just being held there suspended in air by it's roots because the sand is all washed out from underneath it. To the left barely in the picture is one of the picnic gazebos that also had a bunch of sand washed out from underneath it and the foundation is cracking and eventually it will split and break off. They have put caution tape around it so that no one uses it.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Halloween and cool weather are some of the things I'm most looking forward to in October. Of course this October I am looking forward to my cruise and another family vacation up to South Carolina.

2. Sometimes I sing. But only my husband and children will hear it, poor things.

3. My older brother is finally having a baby with his wife and that's why there is a saying, "never say never"! When he was younger he said he would never have children.

4. When I'm down, I like to walk or read to get me out of my mood.

5. Home is where you'll find me most often.

6. A rainy day is good for reading a book, cleaning the house, and watching movies.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to possibly watching a movie, tomorrow my plans include entering things in the fair and Sunday, I want to go to church and be able to stay without any sick kids!

Washing the Cars

Our kids love to wash the cars with daddy. She has been helping daddy for about a year now. T only the last few times.
They do a good job where they can reach.
And come in soaking wet afterwards.

I need BA, according to my husband

Okay, so what is BA you ask? It is books annonymous. Let me explain. I have never been on drugs and even taking something a little stronger than advil makes me loopy so I just don't know what an addiction feels like in that sense but I am addicted to one thing, books. I stopped reading for a short time after getting married. I use to read at night before I went to bed. But I wanted to spend that time with my husband. Soon I was having sleepless nights and tossing and turner. I discovered it was withdrawals from reading at night. It helps me relax and focus my mind so I can sleep. So I took up reading again. I read usually around half an hour before I shut off the light. But I have a problem. Sometimes with a new book I get addicted. That is what happened to me this weekend. That is why I have only now blogged after reading 2 full books in 5 days time. Plus part of an online book.

I will try to explain further. It all started a few months ago. I was looking for new books to read since I had finished all the Harry Potters and all the Robert Jordans and was debating what I wanted to read next. My children's teenage babysitter and I went on a walk one day (I use to be her YW leader and her mom was the Primary President that I was counselor too so I knew her well.) She's very into sci-fi things and I was talking to her about that. She was the first to tell me about the Twilight series although I had heard it mentioned on my HS website. I had just started into Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series and was rereading the Wheel of Time series. I decided to check into the Twilight series sometime in the future. About a month ago I ordered some books on Amazon and saw the first two books of the Twilight series for a good price so ordered them as well. They came and I put them on my nightstand to start in the future. I read the two Brandon Sanderson books (the second Mistborn and the first Alcatraz) really quickly (yes, I was addicted to them too) and then started back in the Robert Jordan book, the 7th one. I finished that one last week. So I picked up the Twilight book and couldn't put it down. After 2 days I had finished it. I felt like I was starting to have withdrawals. I had told myself that I would read the 2nd one after I finished the 8th Robert Jordan book (now remember this is my second time through the Robert Jordan books so I wasn't soaking them in like I usually do with a new book.) I thought about the Twilight book all the time. I felt like I was in a dream state. I wanted to know what happened next.

I looked up the author online because I wanted to see how many are in the series. (I just ordered the 3rd and it should be here sometime next week or the next and then I will order the 4th with my next order around the middle of October. Mistborn 3 is coming out and so is Alcatraz 2 in the middle of October.) I saw that there was a fifth one and clicked on that link Midnight Sun but disappointingly I learned that it had been leaked on the internet and she was putting it on hold indefinitely ( I hope someday she does finish it) and there was a link for a partial draft, which I immediately started reading.

After talking to my husband about the symptoms I was having he told me to just read the 2nd book (and that I needed BA.) So as soon as I got home Monday I did and I read almost 300 pages that night.

So I couldn't just read all day. I had to clean, do laundry, feed the kids but every second I had free I read. I read while my kids watched their shows, during commercials of shows I wanted to watch, to my son when I put him down for a nap, and yes even during bathroom breaks. I do have a conflict of timing though because the fair is next week and I have to enter stuff Friday or Saturday so I have been trying to get all my small projects done. But last night I thankfully finished the 2nd book and luckily I won't get the third for awhile so I can finish my projects the rest of the week. I am almost finished with the partial draft of the other one too but since I get headaches reading a computer screen too long I have been reading those in short sections.

Now I don't know how addicts to drugs and alcohol feel but I think I can understand the feeling of thinking you need something so bad that it's hard to get enough of it.

She at Play

How creative. Who would have thought to use Mom's bundt pans for carebear skirt and the roasting pan as a bed for the bigger carebear.

Fiday Fill-Ins

1. There is no need for road rage. Hey, I am sure everyone just wants to get somewhere and everyone may even be having a bad day so lighten up and try to keep the rage in check. Road rage can make a regular person into a murderer in a blink of an eye and there is no going back after that.

2. Where in the heck did the time go. It has been 10 years since I returned from my mission, 6 since I graduated from college, and five since my wedding. My children will be 18 in a blink of an eye.

3. Read is all I managed to do. I started a new book yesterday and I was hooked. I finally gave in and started the Twilight books and wow what a great writer. I know Cher reads these books so I am sure she can relate. I love books that I can just get excited to read the next page. I actually got more done but I read almost 200 pages in the first book yesterday. Only a few books have been able to pull me in like that, and even fewer series. This series may become a favorite like The Work and The Glory, Harry Potter, The Kingdom and the Crown, Mistborn, and Wheel of Time to name a few.

4. Prospects for economic growth are huge right now. I know a lot people are freaking out about the stock market but it is the perfect time for people that haven't or have only small investments to jump in. Dr. Phil said that money is a commodity that you can get a lot of and then lose it and then gain it. That is so true and since the market is losing right now it will unevitably gain again so go ahead and make the plunge. I know I hope too.

5. Go out and vote is the message.

6. Simplicity and tranquility are not always the same thing.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, tomorrow my plans include hanging out with my husband and his friends and Sunday, I want to go to church without any anxiety!

Picky Eater

My daughter is one of the pickiest eaters I have ever seen in a child. I have tried everything to get her to eat. I have not resorted to just letting her eat junk. I usually put whatever we are having on her plate and try to encourage her to try it. I also have been trying to serve more vegetables and also at least one thing I know she will like. I usually let her snack on cereal since that is her favorite food during the day but the cereal she gets is Life, Kix, Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats, Corn Flakes, and the like. Anyway, my friend Holly had this article on her blog and I found it very helpful and will try some of the tactics suggested in there. For one I think my daughter will start helping me make dinner.

Six Food Mistakes Parents Make

TAG

Name and meaning:
I am not going to put his name on here for safety reasons but T-man is named after his maternal grandfather for his first name and his paternal grandfather, his maternal and paternal great grandfather, and his father for his middle name. My husband and I actually wrote down all the names we liked and narrowed it down to two. We first settled on Matthew Isaak but Ray kept calling the baby (while I was still pregnant) by the other name. Now I will explain how sly I am. I always wanted to name our first sone the name we eventually chose but my husband was adamant that we not use his name in any part of the baby's name because there were too many in the family already. We both like the first name and it was our first choice but we couldn't figure out a middle name we liked to go with it. Well, when Ray started calling the baby that we decided that should be his first name so I picked out a middle name and that is what we told everyone the baby's name is going to be. Then about a week or two before he was born my husband asked if it would be okay to change the middle name to his first name. I really wanted that but I acted like I was all put out and that I had to think about it. We didn't tell anyone we changed it until the baby was born. Anyway, I got my way in a round about way. His name means honoring God and mighty or wise protector.

Age: 20 months.

Nicknames: He has a lot of nicknames but the ones I will put on here are T-man and Little Man.

Favorite activities: watching sesame street, running around with his sister, playing with cars, looking at books, tearing up magazines, climbing on stuff.

Favorite foods: Much better eater than She but doesn't have many favorites yet. He likes candy though and that is one of his new words.

Favorite music: Anything on Sesame street or in church.

Favorite toys: cars, balls, and books.

Favorite item of clothing: nothing yet.

What makes him happy: getting something he wants, hugging mom and dad, being tickled, playing with his sister.

What makes him sad: She taking away toys, mommy and daddy telling him no.

Tag:
Anyone that wants to play just answer the questions about your youngest child.

Silliness of Kids Make Mom Smile

First up is She's wonderful ability to put together puzzles. She has always done wooden puzzles but Mom & Dad never knew she could put pieces together to form one big puzzle. Mom and Dad discovered this at her pre-K evaluation. Mom promptly went out and bought her several puzzles of 5 to 6 pieces. She was so good she got them done before mom could get her camera ready.

"Sesame Street is on," Mom called. In ran T heading right for his favorite chair. Pulling himself up he settled in for his beloved hour of his favorite show.
Pillow Time. While T was napping She got all the throw pillows mom had made and made a trail around the favorite chair. She hopped from on to the other.
She then made a bed of pillows on top of her princess couch/bed turned upside down.

Oops double picture. The editor couldn't figure out how to get rid of it without deleting the whole article.

Finally, why is there a pile of diapers in Mom's living room. They loved to bring Mom a diaper when they need their diapers changed but then they didn't stop and then Mom and kiddos had to play clean up with the diapers. And that is the silliness of the kids for last week.

Gas Nightmare

So people have totally panicked here over gas. On the news Thursday night they said that gas prices were trading for up to 85 cents more per gallon for wholesale prices. I knew the car was getting low and Ray and I slightly talked about him getting gas before things went crazy. Well, he decided not to get it at 5:30 a.m. on his way to work and by midday the gas lines were long and places were starting to run out. One place in Tallahassee jumped up their prices by $2, to $5.50. Price gouging is illegal and that is what is happening. The news didn't help any with their fear mongering. No other hurricane has disrupted oil to this point. By the time Ray got off work he only saw one station still open and there was three cops there maintaining the peace and controlling the long lines. So now Ray is on empty and hopefully either finds a station to at least put a few gallons in tonight or he will be driving the van until gas gets under control. Luckily the van was almost full.

I just called him and he was able to get at a station for only 15 cents higher than the last time we bought gas so he filled up. Yay, we caught a break. But I think today will be just as bad with the fear mongering already starting.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. I enjoy being creative. I never thought I was because I couldn't draw as beautifully as my sister. Then I learned creativity extends beyond drawing and painting. I discovered crocheting, knitting, sewing, and finally scrapbooking. I don't have huge talents in some of those areas but I enjoy them and love creating things. Another passion I am trying to get more involved in is photography. I just got a new zoom lens for my 35 mm camera and can't wait to see how the pictures turn out.

2. The election is something I wonder about often lately.

3. In my heart, I knew Ray was the one I would end up with. I moved to Idaho Falls in June of 2002 and I had a boyfriend at the time. But distance put a big wet blanket on that relationship. I was devastated since I really thought I would end up with him. But after 2 months of no answer to my phone calls, letters, and email I knew it was time to let go and I just had a feeling that once I went through that I would meet the man I would marry. I wrote my ex the letter in October saying it was time to move on. In November a friend talked me into joining an online dating service. I decided to join for one month. I definitely wasn't looking for anyone. I thought maybe I would get a penpal or two out of it. I thought the idea was so ridiculous that I put that I was striking looking (I thought it was really funny that one was an option, could anyone be so vain?) About a week letter I get an email from some guy in Florida. I went to his profile and read it. I knew at that moment he was the one. It scared me so badly I almost didn't respond to him. I was getting over a relationship and certainly didn't want a rebound guy. I just had to follow my heart and trust in the Lord. Five years later I am so glad I did and more inlove than ever.

4. Take red, add a little blue and you end up with purple.

5. Life has gifted me with good fortune. I may not be rich in the worldly sense but I have a lot of blessings and the things I have always valued, a beautiful, healthy family.

6. A day at a park or beach with my kids is an instant vacation.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to crocheting, tomorrow my plans include cleaning, crocheting, and scrapbooking and Sunday, I want to go to Stake Conferenece with my husband being off!

Mall Incident & Storm Surge

This happened yesterday at our local mall shortly after the 9/11 memorial service there.

"A man is arrested after a suspicious package is found at the Panama City Mall Thursday night.
Panama City Police tell us they were called by mall security after a package was left in a store.
Police, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement worked the scene.
The mall was shut down while authorities rendered the package enert. Police say Highway 231 was also shut down for 30 minutes.
Police say a man has been charged with planting a hoax device which is a second degree felony. " (WMBB news)





The other top news in our area is the storm surge from Hurrican Ike. It is a lot more than Gustav. Several roads have been closed. Ray drives over a bridge to the base for work. There is a little park off the bay that people use to launch boats, have picnics, and play in the water. He told me the water was up to the parking lot in spots and several of the tables are under water.

Where Were You...

When the world stopped turning? That's how the song goes. I well remember that day 7 years ago. I woke up to the radio announcing the news that an airplane had crashed into the world trade center. Being so out of it I thought they said London until it sank in that Manhattan was in New York. I immediately run downstairs to tell me roommates. No one was home so I went back upstairs to listen. About that time the second one hit. I listened upstairs as long as I could because we did not have a television at the time and I had to listen to the radio. I heard one of my roommates come in and ran down to tell her. She told me her sister was in New York and immediately tried to get a hold of her. Several hours later she learned she was okay.

I drove to campus that day (usually I walked) so I could listen to the radio. As I was parking the second tower collapsed. I went to class and it was very hushed. Some people didn't know yet. My one friend went several hours without knowing.

Later that night at work (Wal-Mart) several of us sat in the back and watched the coverage on television. It was a very slow and somber day and the few customers we did have stopped to watch the coverage on the televisions around the store. I was mortified. There are no feelings to describe how I felt and I am sure my grief was only a hundredth of the grief that those felt who had lost a loved one that day. I bought and saved the magazines (Times, People, etc.) that covered that event. We must always remember what brave men and women have and continue to fight and die for; our freedom to stand up, to speak out, to embrace our own morals and values, not ones imposed on us by a dictatorial government that fuels the terrorists. I will never forget and my eyes may never be dry when I see the images of that day.

It Could be Worse

“It could be worse” has begun to be my monthly motto. That is what I have to keep saying to myself every time something goes wrong or my husband’s schedule changes. He gets no notice. He went to work today again and found out he would be working 12 hour days again until Hurricane Ike is no longer a threat. We aren’t even in the cone of uncertainty. I really hope Ike is the last hurricane of the season and we can get back to normal so that our family can start having plans again.

She's Evaluation

We just got back from She's ESE/pre-K evaluation. Of course we won't have the official results until our meeting at the school she will attend if she qualifies and that will be 3-4 weeks. But the ladies that were testing her said she tested very high on her cognizance/problem-solving portion but there was a significant gap between that and her vocal skills. She may have to have a little more evaluation since she got tired and didn't want to do anymore but they think they might have enough to go ahead and set up a meeting. They were also impressed with her ability to hold a pencil and draw detail pictures. She has started drawing letters and drew all the letters on the page and even wrote out the words, although "Ball" was backwards and sometimes she would start with the middle letter. The lady said that was a test they did with older children but when they first gave her a pencil she drew an E and so she thought she would check that out.

Not Dark

My husband is getting up around 4:30 and leaving around 5:30 every day he works. I usually am able to sleep in until almost 7 after he leaves. This morning just after 6 I hear my door open and know it is my daughter. "Stinky," she tells me.

I hunt up a diaper and change her. She's only wet but that is her word if she needs a change. Then I tell her "Mommy is going back to bed." We have a huge window in our bedroom and it points east so we get a lot of sunlight (and heat) in our room rather early. She points to the window and says, "Not dark."

I explained to her that sometimes we sleep when it is light. I gave her some milk and turned on cartoons for her in the living room. But after trying to go back to sleep for 20 minutes or so I finally gave up. After all it's not dark.

Lazy Sunday

I couldn't sleep so I got up early and started getting ready for church. Finally my family began to get up. My husband started to change our son into his church clothes and the little boy started hacking away like he was going to cough up a lung. He had a slightly runny nose and a temperature off and on all week but I thought it was teething since his final little teeth are erupting through the gums. I checked his temperature and he had one. My daughter loves our new thermometer (we got one that scans the forehead so much nicer with little kids) and wanted hers checked too. Sure enough she had a temperature too, higher than our sons. We decided we better keep them home with his nasty cough. So now we are having a lazy day just being together as a family.

Biking It

Ray finally got the bikes out of the shed. We had to clean off some cobwebs and really pump up some very flat tires. The trailer was under our bed so it wasn't too much to clean up except for flat tires. We took the kids on a little ride around our neighborhood. I about died after the first mile. I am out of shape. But after some water and a little rest I finished the second mile no problem. Now that it is cooling off I plan on riding three times a week and work up to at least 5 miles a day. I use to ride 8-10 miles a day when I was 13-14.

A little better

Ray's big bosses have come to their senses somewhat. They decided to go back to two 8 hour shifts and then work 4 days, have 2 days off so everyone will get a weekend off eventually. Ray has a weird schedule this week. He had today off, then tomorrow on, Saturday off, Sunday on, and Monday and Tuesday off then he will be on the 4 on 2 off with the rest of them. I am glad he got Monday off since that is She's 2nd evaluation.