Caring for T.J.

As some of you already know, I am caring for our neighbors 12 week old baby full time. They both work full-time, so they ask if I would babysit while they work. Well yesterday was my first full (10.5 hrs) day with him and it went well. Maybe I shouldn't brag, so it will continue to go good. He seems to be a good baby, so maybe he will stay that way...haha. He only cried twice yesterday and only fussed a little bit today.

The picture shows how I felt after many hours with him. It was a little bit stressful yesterday, cause I am not use to worrying about a little baby. Of course I will and did take very good care of him and wrote down things throughout the day to tell his parents.

I have the base of his carseat in our van, so he will going places with me. Since they live right next door, I can just go over there and get things for him - if I need them.

I am not worry about my summer being ruined by babysitting, cause if we plan to go any place - I will just let them know ahead of time, so they can make plans for someone to care for him. Also I will taking care of two older kids all summer. They are Luke's co-worker's stepkids, they are a 9 yr old girl and a 8 yr old boy.

Well the baby is crying, chat later.

A Hero's Story!

A hero can come in any shape, size and age. A hero does not have to be in the military or be a fireman. It can be a child just having fun!

While we where at the beach today, a man was looking for his sunglasses. He had dropped them in the very swallow water, but it was not clear water. He had mentioned this to us, so if we had found them we would give them to him.

A few minutes had passed and Casey had found his $200 sunglasses. He was so very happy that he was screaming and called Casey a hero. His wife told Casey, that just saved them $200.

As a thank you gift, the guy's mother gave Casey $20. She was a very happy child, cause she knew she could get herself a new DS game.

Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend, we had lots of fun....

...having fires in our fire pit

....boating

...getting in our pool

...going to the beach

RESULTS!!!

Casey passed the state exams that she has to pass 3rd grade to get into 4th grade. She took the test this week and found out the results on Friday. She only got the results back from the math portion. She will find out in November about the reading portion. The teacher told her that she got the highest you can get on the math part - that is AWESOME!

She is SO EXCITED! We went to Wal-Mart to get her a Nintendo DS (hand held video game system) for passing 3rd grade.

Justin Update and Look at Us!

Well Justin had a follow-up appointment today and it went a heck of a lot better then Tuesday's appointment.

First off, we did not see the same darn Dr. we did on Tuesday. This time the Dr. we seen listened to me about how worried I was about this and gave Justin medicine that he can take everyday to keep any bites down. Also Justin will be getting an appointment with an Allergist soon. So I will keep you posted on the results as we get them.

Well look what our kids wanted me to see - Justin walking on Casey's legs. I didn't think that was good idea, but I of course I had to get a picture of it first. They got the idea from Luke - of course! I told them that Dad's legs are a lot stronger then their's.

The cost of things!

Ring Pop = $0.33

New Shirt = $1.00

New Pants = $1.00

Happy Child = Priceless

Is this what got him?

Wow, look what Luke discovered in one of our little trees out front. BEES BEES and MORE BEES! Don't know what kind they where, but now they are the dead kind. Luke sprayed them with bee spray and they didn't chance him one bit.

Even through they did not chance him, one did ended up in his shirt...haha. I'm laughing because it did not get him, but he was sreaming like a little kid...haha.

I'm glad Luke has an eye for these kind of things, because I didn't even notice it.

Those Darn Bugs!

Poor little Bubba got bite good this time. His bites was so bad that we ended up in the ER last night. Thank GOD that we got right in and out of there.

I had taken him to one of the Dr.'s at the base yesterday and he was just an ass about it, that I am going to file a complaint against him. I am not the only person that has been unhappy with that Dr. The Dr. that we seen is not asigned as 'our' Dr., so I have to take Justin back in for a follow-up and I will see 'our' Dr.

We are not sure what got him, but I am going to request to get him tested to see what he has a reaction to.

This is not the first time that he has a reaction to a bug bit, but this is the first time they have gotten his eye.

Biltmore Estate - Asheville, NC

I went on a 4 day trip with two friends and it was so much fun! We went to Asheville NC to see Biltmore Estate (the biggest house in America). I really liked seeing it, but we just didn't spend enough time there to me. The coolest thing was the indoor pool, but I couldn't take any pictures inside the Estate - so sorry you don't get to see it, unless you have been there.

Inside the house was really neat to see, a bit better then some of the castles we got to visit in England. The gardens was neat, but of course nothing like going to see the tulips in Holland. I will post some pictures from the garden up later.

It's a.....Boat!

Luke finally got a 'toy' that the whole family can enjoy and we sure have enjoyed it already. This past Saturday was my first time going on the boat, since I was gone when Luke got the boat. I really enjoyed it, but just a bit scared to drive fast (30mph)..haha. Justin was a better driver then me, of course when you are a child - you have no fear. He drove while sitting in Luke's lap and was just so happy. I will try to get some pictures next time.

I had to make one rule while on the boat and that is kids and adults cannot fish at the same time, cause it becomes crazy! Luke did teach the kids to cast really well while I was gone, that's good he can handle the craziness better then I. :)

Look It!

Here are a few of the things I enjoy looking at. It is our beautiful plants and flowers that my parents gave to us.

When the kids and I went to Florida for Spring Break, my parents dug up most everything in the backyard and let us have it.

Just in case you where wondering why my parents would dig up thier plants to give to us, well they moved away from their house.

There are much more, but I'm just waiting for them to grow better.

Boring Justin!

Last week, when Casey had a ball game I told Justin he had to sit with me so I could watch the game. Here's what was said after that....

Justin "Mom if I get boring, can I go play on the playground"

Mom "You mean if you get bored?"

Justin "Yeah"

Justin "Mom I'm boring can I go play?"

Just thought I would share a bit of the funniness around here. Enjoy and have a nice day!

Justin being boring!

Happy Anniversary - I Love You!

Well Luke and I have been married for 12 years. It has only gotten better in time and that is great!

For our anniversary, we took the kids and the dogs to the river and let them have some fun. After being there for a bit some friends joined us. After the river fun, we came home to enjoy some time in the backyard. It was a nice day to get outside and Luke grilled up some bugers and dogs.

We didn't exchange gifts, but Luke did bring me back some very nice tasting wine from Key West. That was good enough for me.

It's a good day for a swim.

While at the game today, we took Denali for a swim in the river. For a Retriver she is not a great swimmer, but that is because we have not been around the water much with her. Now, since she will go in the water we will have to take her and Hershey both to the water more. I know for sure that Hershey needs to get more use to the water.

Denali jumped off the pier for her stick.

Ambrose Signs ARE Winners!

Ambrose Signs Softball Team

I am very happy to say that the Ambrose Signs softball team that Casey is on, won their first game today. It was a close call, but they won 21 to 20. They where so very happy! Way to go girls! We are so proud of Casey, she is doing so good and has not done any whining. She is getting a little bit tougher these days.

#15 - Casey

We think after ball season, we will be getting her into singing lessons. She loves singing and has been since as long as we can remember. At the current time, she is getting ready for the Spring Concert at school. I will keep you posted on it.

Shhh....Don't Tell Luke!

I gave Bubba a mohawk haircut last night. I know you are saying - why? Well it is a surprise for Luke and for us to get it on video. Before I cut Justin's hair, I ask him over and over. At one point he said NO, so I walked away and then he said YES. The kids love watching AFV (America's Funniest Videos), so we are going to try real hard to get Luke's reaction on video, so we can send it in. He has told me in the past to not to do that to Justin and I didn't then.

I didn't think I would ever let our son have a mohawak, but I figured it will grow back in no time.

Poem

I Took His Hand and Followed

My dishes went unwashed today, I didn't make the bed, I took his hand and followed Where his eager footsteps led. Oh yes, we went adventuring, My little son and I... Exploring all the great outdoors Beneath the summer sky We waded in a crystal stream, We wandered through a wood... My kitchen wasn't swept today But life was gay and good. We found a cool, sun-dappled glade And now my small son knows How Mother Bunny hides her nest, Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows. We watched a robin feed her young, We climbed a sunlit hill... Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky, We plucked a daffodil. That my house was neglected, That I didn't brush the stairs, In twenty years, no one on earth Will know, or even care. But that I've helped my little boy To noble manhood grow, In twenty years, the whole wide world May look and see and know.

Bear Day (aka Field Day)

Go Casey Go!

Today was Bear Day(aka Field Day) at NES and as always Justin and I joined in the fun. I didn't have as much fun this year as I did last, since I was not feeling well. I am just glad both the kids felt well enough to have fun.