What a JUNE

Well, since the last post (a month ago-does anyone even look anymore) we have been very busy, with unusual stuff.

First in May Jacob taught a lot of weekend classes, so the boys and I had a lot of times just us.

Then my cousin Joyce's daughter was getting married in Evansville, IN (an 8 hour drive) May 16th, I had decided to go, then not go, then to go, then definitely not go-so Jacob decided to teach, then I decided to go-Jacob could not. I decided to go alone-then found out my parents were going, so off we went. On the way we stopped at the St Louis Zoo-great fun, the boys LOVED it, we walked and walked, then off we went on to Evansville. Of course the boys had a great time in the pool, then the wedding. Neither had really been to a wedding and dance that they could remember, so it was really fun to watch. Levi spied the "Marrying girl" first and asked her to dance-all the while Benjamin stood there and watched "I'm waiting patiently" he would tell people. When it was his turn he was certainly smitten. Levi found a bridesmaid that he adored dancing with over and over. We danced until Levi finally told me he was tired and ready to go, Benjamin's eyes were heavy, but he wanted one more dance. They still talk about Mandi and how pretty she was in that "marrying dress". The ride home was uneventful, I think a good time was had by all.
After that excursion Jacob and I began to plan for our June, we packed for the whole month one afternoon, so we could literally just go from one bag to the next, without having to do much, thank God we did that it would have really frustrating if we had not.
June 2nd Jacob (bag #1) left for Jefferson City for the week (until Sunday)-the boys and I (bag #2) went to "visit" him in the hotel Friday-Sunday (yeah, we brought him home with us). On Saturday the boys and I went to the State Capitol, to see mommy's boss's building (aka the Jefferson Building) with the BIG BEAR, the Governor's Mansion ("so he's like the president of our state, right mommy?", "right, Levi", "but the president has a bigger job, 'cause he has 50 states", "right, Levi", "but Governor has just one state", "right on, Levi", "so why does he have 2 buildings, and the president just have the White House?"....). We did the self guided tour of the capitol, Levi liked the cannon, Benjamin liked the echos, amazing art, really amazing art was what mommy liked. Levi, to my surprise asked a lot of questions about laws and lawmaking and who decides what is fair...there was also a Lewis and Clark demonstration/celebration going on in the Jefferson garden, many boy scouts with period "kid powered" toys that we played with for a while. There was a wedding getting started in the garden by the mansion, so the boys wanted to go see Mandi get married again, when I explained that it wasn't her, neither of them thought that bride was quite as pretty as Mandi (off the hook)! We enjoyed diner with Jacob, then after class on Sunday we came home, and we all got one night together.
Today much to Benjamin's disappointment (I'm sure) Jacob is off to another class (with bag #3) until Thursday (hopefully), Levi to school, Benjamin to daycare, and I am back to work.
Thursday (hopefully) we will leave to go to the Lake (bag #4) to do some diving. Once we get back, the plan is for Benjamin (bag #5) to go to dad and mom's, then I leave (bag #6) for St Louis. I'll pick Benjamin up on the 20th then we have Father's Day at the K to watch the Royals and the Cardinals. Then life will be back to the normal business of our lives.
All through this we are continuing Tae Kw an Do on Monday/Wednesdays, T-ball games Tuesday/Thursdays, church on Wednesdays, Inter-generational day on Fridays, Summer School...

Yeah, it's been a while

Needless to say I have not been very good about keeping you all posted. So here is the run down:
Levi-almost ready for summer school as a 1st grader! Spent his birthday money on a dwarf robo hamster named Matey Whiskers. He is very proud, but Matey has been so scared he doesn't do much yet. First t-ball game is in 2 weeks!!
Benjamin-growing a little at a time, however talking ALL the TIME, complete sentences. We had him tested to see where his milestones were (through parents as teachers, they do it on all almost 3 year olds) and he actually does many of the 36 month milestones, which surprised us all since he is 32 months and he was so early.
Jacob-done with his first semester, taking the summer "off", teaching A LOT of PALS, ACLS...and taking several classes provided by work. Looking forward to diving A LOT.
Me-teaching a lot of different stuff, my friend Keri and I are starting a new project to expand our PTO (PTA) to include some activities, not just fundraising.
We started a bit of a garden as we usually do, just hearty stuff. I grew broccoli and cauliflower one year, but I really do not have to time for those picky plants-clipping the flowers, covering them from the sun...I just have too much other stuff...
Jacob and I are going to the Mayan Rivera this fall, hoping to do some diving and I really would like to zip-line.
Wow, we are much busier than that, just day to day stuff...

wow, is it really that hard?

Tonight Jacob met me at the door "I'm leaving", off he went to a fire, of course. I had driven by this fire, so I half expected him to meet me at the door. Levi has homework again. When did kindergarten get so hard? I mean homework? he's FIVE. This may be punishment for the parents. After a day of school to sit and have parents (well, me) sit and harp about getting homework done is just a great finish to the day. I usually do not mind, the reading and the counting, and the writing, but just writing for the fun of writing is just hard for me. Maybe I am just tired and ready to relax. Jacob was going to make my requested supper, now, I will probably be making something simple-my knight in shining armor is saving someone else's diner...Boys are great. Benjamin was the crowned prince of the Veteran's home last Friday (pics will come). Levi loved his party at school.
Unfortunately I have to close. I spent some time on facebook, so my computer time is about up, I am being requested to read and proof read the numbers...

Where to begin

I have been a bad, very bad, blogger. It has been about a month, and I will probably update monthly and with pictures from now on. I have just gotten really busy, both at home and work. I do have a prayer request, if you are the praying type. I have a friend Keri whose daughter K (3) is Downs Syndrome and is currently in the hospital coughing up blood-not a really good sign...They are in the hospital and who knows when they will be home again. The last time K did this was 2 years ago and she was in the hospital for several weeks.
All is good at my house, we are just helping our friends...Levi starts hockey again soon, Benjamin is becoming a pro skater. So that is all, kind of sad how boring my life is-huh?

Happy New Year!

Wow, I cannot believe that this year is over! What a great year we have had!
It was so fun to send Levi off to summer school then "real" school. I'm sure in the future I will be so sad to see him leaving for school. Seeing him learn to skate and play roller hockey, watching t-ball, and seeing him get better at soccer. He now reads and writes. Levi kind of rides a bike. He has become a great big brother, protecting his little brother, playing with his little brother, and yes antagonizing his little brother.
Benjamin is now a talker, repeating so much that is said. He now runs and jumps and plays. He is now his chronological age TWO. There are no more extra doctor's appointments, no more cautious optimism, he is just him. He has learned so much with Levi as a great role model. How to tackle, how to antagonize, how to play. He now wants so much to play hockey and go and do everything.
Jacob is the best husband ever and 2009 will start a new chapter for him, he will begin his journey for his Bachelor's Degree in fire science. This will take a few years, but it is a dream of his to have his degree. He coaches t-ball and soccer. He loves watching Levi skate. He has learned that Benjamin is a good little helper and gives Benjamin good helping jobs. Jacob continues to create the things I dream up. He is a GOOD MAN!
I just keep perking along. I continue on my journey to be a healthier me. I have found some mental health in teaching a little bit of Sunday school and always strive for balance. I think I have become good at keeping us together and in the right place at the right time...this year I have really missed Jas, we so often have the same issues at the same time, it would be nice if we lived closer. Too bad neither of us are in the position to relocate...
I will be with my two little boys tonight, Jacob will be off fighting fires. No doubt we will be in bed asleep well before midnight.
so HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

the things kids say

Not sure if Levi made the paper last year, but this is his letter to Santa this year:
For Christmas I want a DS and Mario Super Car Game to go in the DS. I want Star Wars DS game. Come on a different day because dad works on real Christmas.
Your friend, Levi
Ok, so I knew about the DS, however I have asked him Thousands of times which games NEVER did either of these come up. Jacob is doing a scrabble today....
Merry Christmas!
GO FREEZER BUNS!!

Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat...

The Sunday before Christmas and we are still very unsure of when our celebration will be. We have been so lucky for so long that and this year is really the first time that our occupations have gotten in the way. Jacob works the 25th, I work the 24th and we have extended family on Saturday. We have told Levi that we will call Santa to make arrangements, but for when. There is a promising chance that Jacob will be home about midnight on the 24th/25th-which entails him working the 24th day- this is what we are hoping, but I hate to completely plan that because if something happens and he ends up staying all night then we have to wait for him to come home. Levi is SUPER excited which makes Benjamin SUPER excited. I love watching them...
We got to "play" Santa for a family in the town that I work, the CNAs asked for donations and got TONS of them for a family in need. Levi is pumped about all of the stuff in my office for the girls. Again it makes me so thankful for the things I have...I have never needed anything for Christmas--like toothpaste, shampoo, sheets, towels. It is a good time to remember what good feels like.
Today we did Sunday school. We do this rotation in Sunday school for the kiddos, in which for 8 weeks we use the same lesson and just apply it in different ways. Jacob and I always do the cooking week. We made edible Christmas trees- with sugar cones, green frosting, popcorn, and cookie decorations. This is a fun thing to do, but can be messy! We talked about how even though each of us had the same things to decorate with none of the trees were the same, kind of like people. We talked about what Christmas means and one of the boys said it is not as much fun when you don't believe in Santa. I asked him why he does not believe and he said he "knows" (mind you there are little kids also in the room) I said well wasn't God the first Santa- he gave the best present-he was surprised, and I said maybe there is a little Santa in all of us, and you just have to believe in giving and Santa makes sense- sometimes I surprise myself... I have Levi convinced that snowflakes are Santa's eyes and ears to watch over everyone. On that same note Levi had a bell today and he was ringing it in Jacob's ear, J pretended he did not hear it. Levi was very upset believing that J did not believe in Santa (don't get it watch Polar Express), J then said is that a Santa sleigh bell? Oh I can hear it...
So Merry Christmas, and may you all find more that you need in your celebrations! Oh, as for the title of this post, well, I do love John Denver the the Muppets Christmas Carols...