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I am trying out a blog writer and seeing what can and can’t be done with it. This a our wonderful boy and his favorite thing to eat. We thought that we needed to share this with all.

                     

The link below is to my facebook account. It is a video of CJ walking with the assistance of a walker. I thought that you all would like to see that.  

CJ Walking

Santee Part one

For those of you who know us (or have read this blog at all), know that we stink at taking pictures. Even if we do take pictures we still stink at putting them on the blog. Luckily we went on vacation with people who aren't as bad as we are and they were willing to share their pics with us. We had forgotten to even bring a camera. (Are you REALLY surprised????)

We have already said that we went down to Santee with the Jones family. Now we can show you what a good time we all had. This montage is just for Day 2 of our vacation. Day 1 was spent driving, getting groceries, unpacking and just being happy to be together again. No pictures of that. Sorry. Not even the Jones clan is perfect. Close but not there yet.

So... On day 2 we played at the pool, took a walk down to the boat dock in front of the condo and then we let the kids have another swim time in the big tub in the condo. They had so much fun. After the bath tub swim we decided to be really nice and let them stay up and watch a movie and have popcorn. We were hoping that by letting them stay up late they would sleep in late. Have you met my children. They don't let us sleep in. It was worth a shot though.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A week of Fun in the Sun

This last week was one of fun and enjoyment. For those that don’t know we have a time share and have used it over the last 5 years and have enjoyed it a lot. The thing that I wanted to change with it is that we always went to one or two different spots when we have about 200 places that we could use it at. So about 5 months ago we where talking to some wonderful friends and decided that we wanted to go to some place new and use the time share how it was meant to be used. After much thought and looking we decided to go to Santee, SC. This little town sits right next to Lake Marion.

No there is not a lot to do there but when you are with friends do you really need a lot to do to have fun? We didn’t think so either. We left Friday the 16th of July and headed to our humble abode. Not so humble since it was a 3 bedroom condo and looked ritzy. The only day that didn’t see any water/pool time was the travel day. We where either in the pool, on the lake, or at the beach. Yes, the beach did come in to play because we had to travel to Charleston to do some shopping at the outlets there (Great deals! $1.99 for shirts and stuff at The Children’s Place) and then we decided to add the beach in as well.

We got to the beach at the perfect time. We got there around 5pm when everyone was leaving. It was great not to have to worry about the kids on a busy beach with lots of people. We just let them run around and do what they wanted to do. We were there for about 2 hours and then went off to find a spot for dinner. The locals told us to try out the local crap shack. (Or crab shack if you like seafood.) So we did. After a very long wait an hour and a half or so, with tired and hungry kids we finally got to sit down and order up. The food was ok but not worth the wait.

I am very sad that the time had to end. We love spending time with the Jones clan. I hope that we end up near them so that we can spend more time together. They are the next best thing to family. Looking forward to another trip to a not so far location with them again.

Rick has a great idea to build a compound and we would share the backyard. We think we should meet in the middle and build it in Ashville NC. We are all for it. If only we could convince our families to all move close by…….. (hint, hint)

Pride

I know everyone wants pictures but I am not good at that(in case you haven't noticed). I do, however, want to tell you all how proud I am of my family. Ken is now back home and we are all adjusting pretty well. Ken started his new job at Massage Envy yesterday. He has been offered jobs at every place that he has interviewed at. Now maybe he will believe that he is as good as I say he is. Before they went to bed, both Chloe and Jared asked me separately when Daddy was coming home. I kind of expected this. It was so sad though. I feel bad that they are scared that he will leave and be gone for so long again. This is just another phase in the adjustment process.

Chloe gave her first talk in Primary Sunday. She and I worked on it together. We prayed before we started and we came up with the same things to say. It was a great experience. Jared's teacher told me that he kept telling him "That's my sister!" while she was giving the talk. They also got up to sing in sacrament since it was Mother's Day.

Jared is preparing to start kindergarten in the fall. He has had his physical and shots and keeps telling people that he will start school soon. He goes to preschool twice a week. He has quite a few good friends now. He loves to go on playdates.

Reba is getting really good at signing. We are all learning with her. For those of you that have not talked to us in a while, she can hear. We got her a sign language book and she was always bringing it to us to read so for her birthday we got her some more. We all have fun with it. I can't believe she is 2!

Colby is sitting up and getting up on his hands and knees now. Pretty soon he will be crawling (unless he starts walking first). He loves to stand up. He is so smiley. He laughs at everything. His favorite thing to play with is his brother. Jared likes to roll all over the floor with him. I hope they will continue to be best friends as they grow.

I have been busy getting things in order for everyone. I am trying to keep the schedule that we had before Ken came home and still let Ken be a part of it. There are chores and homework, playtime, friends, activities, my friends, etc. Life, you know?

Guy and Marilyn came out in April. While they were here we remodled 2 bathrooms, built a porch, painted the front room and went for a trip to the Outer Banks. We had a lot of fun and did a lot of work. I am so grateful to them for coming to help us. There is still a lot of finishing up to do but we have great looking bathrooms, a wonderful porch, and a pretty front room.

And now... back to our regularly crazy life. Hope you all are doing well.

Separation

I just wanted to express my feelings on this subject. I think that separation sucks. I hate to be separated from those that I love for a short period of time let alone for months on end. I don't know why people choose to be away from their families. I understand that at times it is good and refreshing to the relationship but to leave them behind for extended periods of time is just crazy. I think that this is the worst thing that I have had to deal with.

With Christmas just around the corner and Thanksgiving just past I would like to say "Thank you" to all my family for the love and support that they have shown and expressed to my family in NC and to me Iraq. It makes this difficult time a little bit easier to handle. I have never felt this alone around so many people before. I just want to be around family and feel in their love. For all those that have asked this is what I want for Christmas. Unfortunately I will not get what I want this year. I will have to wait a little longer for my Christmas present.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year. May God be with all of you and your families.

Cute Colby

An Update. YEA!!!!

While I am here listening to the BYU football game I decided that I had better update the blog since it has been so long since the last update. So here it goes.

I am currently home for two week leave from a year deployment to Iraq. This has been a very trying yet uplifting time. I say trying because it is hard to be away from family and friends for such a long period with nothing but a phone call and emails to keep updated (at least we have these). I also say uplifting because it has put a new resolve into me to live my life for God and family. I have made the decision that when my current obligation is over with the guard I am done. I know I have put many years in and have many great experiences with the men and women that I have served with but I now want to spend time with my family and be with them growing up and not just a figure that they talk to and see every now and then. If things work out I will rejoin the guard later in life and get my retirement out of it. I have just learned that my priorities have changed. WOW! How things change in life when we think that we have everything figured out.

Lisa and the kids have been enjoying the company of Gramama while they have been here in NC and look forward to the remaining time that is left before I get to join them. We really don't have anything planned for after I get home on what we are going to do or where we are going to live. Again with life changing by the minute who knows what will happen. We thought that we had things planned but then due to the economy our plan fell through when an acquaintance decided not to buy a tanning salon that had a room that I would have been able to do massage therapy in. I was kinda bummed about it but life goes on and nothing was set in stone so it is easy for us to change and readjust.

Anyway I will close for now and hopefully get some pictures but up before I head back to the "Sand Box" for the final leg on the deployment and wait to see what life brings our way. Have fun and enjoy all.