P!nk !!!!!!!!!!!

Got Natalie tickets to see P!nk in concert when she comes to Lincoln, NE in November.  Roby was AMAZING and got fabulous seats before they were sold out (seriously, they sell out in minutes!).  I got a Pinkalicous book and had her read it out loud in order to find out what her gift was.  On the last page I wrote:

Happy 11th Birthday!  Hope you have a great time at the P!nk concert in November!  Love, Mom and Dad

I, of course, took video to see her reaction.  Its kind of long, so feel free to skip to the end!  

Most of you know, I'm almost done with my bachelors degree - 36 days to be exact.  Working full time, school, and family keeps me slightly busy.  I have pictures from all kinds of things and still need to finish our family "updates" that I started a while ago.  Soon!  I hope...

You're Just Write For Me

Natalie is getting older, so the simple card Valentines that we used to get don't fly anymore.  I saw an idea on Pinterest that I thought would be perfect for Nat's Valentines this year.  I couldn't find a template  so Natalie and I created our own.  I thought I'd share (on Pinterest too!) so others could simply print how many they need.  Hopefully it works!  

Steps:
1. Click here to view/save/print template as PDF.
2. Cut out hearts
3. Use hole punch to punch a hold on each side of heart
4. Sign
5. Insert pencil/pen through holes!

This was our inspiration.

Our finished product!

Feel free to leave a message if you use my template or have any problems.

December 14, 2012

Today is a very sad day. A very selfish and disturbed young man took the life of twenty innocent elementary school children and six adults. It breaks my heart. I can't imagine taking my kids to school, then having something like that happened. School should be the safest place your kids go outside their home.

It was a beautiful December day in Nebraska. Following the morning events, Farley and I walked to pick up Natalie from school.

As soon as she saw us, she ran to give me a hug. The joy of your child running into your arms is overwhelming. Especially after a tragedy like today's.

E

The second letter in REEN is for my name, so I guess my update is next.

I've been told that I've lived in a constant state of stress for about fifteen years.  And recently I had a conversation with someone else who has been told that.  She said that even though her job situation has slowed down, she has found other ways to fill her time and has not yet figured out how to relax.  She told me that I'll probably be the same way after I graduate.  That I will need to work at being able to slow down and relax.  Should be interesting.  Only a matter of months until I graduate with my bachelor's!

I'm a couple days away from being done with another semester.  I finished my online algebra class a couple weeks ago.  When signing up for it, I was told it was probably the hardest math class they had online and I would most likely need to go to the math center for help.  I got a B in the class, which I'm happy about.  I'm even more happy that I won't have to take a math class online again!  Student teaching in the clinic is a blast!  I absolutely love it and look forward to my Friday mornings.  I feel like I know what I'm doing and I do a decent job at it.  I had to be late one morning and was told that about half the class asked where I was and if I was ok.  I guess they don't mind me being there either!  I'll be taking another clinical student instruction class next semester in which I'll have more freedom and responsibility.  I hope I enjoy it just as much!

I've been working two days a week, sometimes more if I can find sub work.  Although I thought I'd be working four days a week at this point, it has allowed me time to work on school work.  (I'm often reminding that things happen for a reason and many I needed the extra time to not be so stressed.) Starting next week, my job situation is going to change completely.  I hope for the better!  If nothing else, it has helped me learn what I want out of a job and how I should/shouldn't be treated.

I haven't been taking pictures.  Like at all.  I don't know why.  I need to get my camera all charged up and put it somewhere more available so I'll be more likely to grab it.

Other than that, I'm just getting ready for the holidays to get here so we can focus on birthdays!  Plus, Nathan will be here in ONE week!  It'll be cool having him here for a holiday!

R

It has obviously been a long time since i posted on this blog.  I feel bad that I haven't been posting many pictures, but in all honesty, I haven't been taking many.  I keep thinking that next semester will be easier and I'll have more time.  What happens, is that each semester is equally busy if not more.  Add working and kids' schedules...not a lot of time for taking pictures.  The pictures I have taken tend to be with my phone and I need to find an easy way to transfer/post them on this blog.  (I'm sure there's an app for that!)

So, to start our updates, I'll start with Roby.

He PASSED his promotion test as well as his most recent PT test so should be sewing on TSgt in 13 days!  I'm so proud of him!!!  (Not to mention excited we won't have to worry about the stress of testing for a while!)

Roby recently completed his CCAF (Community College of the Air Force) degree.  This is the equivalent of an associates, and I think he said he'll be getting a second one complete soon.  His thoughts are now on what he would study if he (when!) he decides to work on his bachelors.  Because he still has 2.5 years left of teaching, and no trips, it would be the perfect time to get that done.  

He played summer hockey and is at a hockey game right now.  His first game of this season, we thought he broke his foot.  Luckily it was a deep bruise and he healed quickly.  

Lets see...what else.  For Halloween, I asked him what he thought about making our own tomb stones to put in our yard as decorations rather than the foam ones that you buy and fall apart.  He thought it was a great idea, and we ended up going all out!  He came up with a great design, executed it well, and put them all together.  The only thing I helped with was painting them after they already had the stone paint.  We had several comments on how great they look, and I think they are pretty cool!

  

Other than that, he's bummed about putting his motorcycles up for the winter and has been keeping busy helping shuttle the kids around for their appointments and activities!

7:59

Making rank in the military is a big deal.  When you make rank, you not only get more pay, but you have more seniority.  In order to make rank, you have to get good reviews, have medals, get points from other things, and do well on  a test.  After taking the test, it's usually about four months before you find out if you passed or not.

The list saying who made Technical Sergeant this year was due to come out today at 8:00 central time. 

Last night Roby was waiting anxiously for his supervisor to call him as they sometimes find out the day before.  He didn't get a call.

At 7:59 this morning he called me to say he didn't make it.  My heart sank. 

I should have known better. 

After letting me say, "Sorry hun..."  Roby said, "Just joking, I made it!"

Although he won't admit it, I know he'd been worrying about it.  I'm SO SO SO proud of him and happy he made it this year!!! 

Natalie's Dress Rehearsal

Because parents weren't allowed to take pictures or record during the recital, they let us know that we could during rehearsal. I couldn't resist, and figured it would be easier than trying to get the video off the DVD again (in 6-8 weeks).

This was her tap dance, "Watch My Feet."

Her ballet dance, "Not While I'm Around."

And the rehearsal for the finally.  During the actual performance, all the kids wore their white shirts and colorful shorts/skirts/pants.  It was rather adorable!

She did a TON better on Saturday at the performance!  Se looked up at the audience, smiled and remembered all her moves!  It was a blast watching her!  On the way home she was already talking about what classes she wants to take next year...  I can't wait!!!

End of School Year Activies and Such

I start my summer semester today, so yesterday I figured I would get a few posts together to catch up a bit on the last few months.  I haven't taken a ton of pictures, but wanted to share what I have. 

A couple weeks before school ended, Natalie's school had a carnival.  Roby took Ethan to his bass lessons, so I took Nat to the carnival and helped out at a booth for a bit.  This picture is not long after we got there.  Natalie seemed surprised and annoyed that I would be taking a picture of her.  Apparently she had forgotten the previous ten years of her life and my avid picture taking!

One of the biggest hits of the carnival every year is the jail.  I still don't understand this, but kids of all ages think its absolutely fantastic!  They put themselves in or get a "warrant" for someone elses arrest.

When the carnival was almost over, the lady in charge of the before and after school program was doing face-painting.  Natalie adores her and asked if she would paint her face for the few tickets she had left.  She did with a smile!

A few weeks after the carnival, I was checking out the school website for something and saw this on their slideshow!

 Just Ethan being silly with the dogs.  They love to cuddle with the kids!

 I was able to go with Ethan on his zoo field trip because it happened to be on a day I don't work.  The fact that he asked me still surprises me, but I will take it as long as I get it!  We had a small group and hung out with another group of boys.  It was more fun than I thought.  I knew the other mom from when Ethan went to a different school (when we lived in base housing).  They had a required activity that took hardly any time/effort, so we were able to explore the whole zoo.

 The boys.

 The week before school got out, Natalie's school had spirit week.  She was very excited to dress up for the last spirit day!  We went all out painting her face and arms!  She even had school colored flowers in her hair!

  Towards the end of the winter hockey season, the kids started to come to the games with me.  Once Natalie started to learn what was going on, she started enjoying herself a lot more!  They bicker a lot, so when I catch rare moments like this, I just smile!

Half His Free Time

Since getting his mountain bike, Ethan has spent nearly half his free time on it.  This makes the hassle of getting it worth it!  A couple weeks ago, he asked me to go to the park where he and his friends spend a lot of time.  He was eager to show off his jumping skills!

 Getting some air!

 Caught Nat shaking her bum at me!

 Such a nut!

 Not the best video, but check out how fast he's moving!

 There was a massive storm a week or so before we went to the park.  The kids wanted to show me a tree that had fallen during that storm.  Ethan is much braver than I am!

Last weekend Roby took Ethan to a mountain biking trail not far from us.  Ethan was beyond excited and seemed to show no fear.  Within the first ten minutes of riding, he was going a bit too fast, lost control and crashed.  Apparently he hit something, flew about five feet, hit his face against a log, leg against a branch, and his bike landed on top of him.  Good thing he had his helmet on!  He got back on and rode the rest of the trail!!!  I guess scrapes and bruises are all part of the fun...

Mini Photo Shoot

Natalie's first BIG dance recital is next weekend.  This morning I went to her dance school for a makeup tutorial.  I was  in dance performances and I do my own makeup, but I wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly for her.  They had some great tips for stage makeup that I wouldn't have thought about.  I ran to the store and got a few more supplies before getting Natalie ready for her dance pictures.  (They had pictures this week so we don't have to worry about it next weekend.)  Because pictures aren't entirely cheap, I told Nat that I would buy a group pic and take her somewhere to take our own pictures.  She loved the idea.  Here are her favorites from our little photo shoot.

 We went to a park that the kids play at quite a bit and looked for "pretty" places for pictures.

I love her smile in this one!

 We had fun taking a ton of pictures!  I love her silliness!

 One of Natalie's favorites is the one below on the right.  She looks so grown up!

 Yup, another amazing smile!   I guess its good I can still make her laugh like that!

My adorable dancer.

Big yawn!  These two pics remind me how much of a kid she really is, and I am thrilled to capture moments like it!

 Our favorite picture of the day!

If I get motivated enough, I may print a few of these out and send them with her picture from the Christmas performance...hopefully sooner rather than later!  I can't wait to see her dance on the big stage next weekend!!!