Maybe we were due for a "break."
Day 3's main objective was to get the senior staff, commander and support staff through the firing ranges. In today's Army that means you first have a safety briefing (ie "Don't be stupid") followed by an environmental briefing (ie "Don't shoot at the deer" and "Watch out for butterflies" (no, I'm not kidding)).
The next baby step towards the main objective meant getting "beach guards" in place. See, the ranges are positioned so that firing is in the direction of the beach. I guess that's better than in the direction of the rest of the camp and the town of Warrenton. The guards' job consists of a) installing the radios in the HUMMVs (1 hour ... check), b) receive training on radio protocols that you will forget about within the hour (check), c) escort by Range Control to position one team at the north end and another at the south end of the range limits (seemed like HOURS ... check), d) try to convince folks on the public beach that there is a danger they might get shot if they walk through (should have told them the BAND was trying to train ... might have scared more people away), e) call CEASE FIRE! if someone blows through your position, and e) perform a "radio check" every 30 minutes (to make sure you're not just out swimming or sleeping).
Everyone else got to the zero range and waited. Then we waited some more. The sun came out and it got warm (not warm enough for SFC to remove her Goretex), and some of us took a quick snooze. The Commander worked hard on his sunburn (with great success, I might add). We waited so long that we actually ate LUNCH before we finally got the go-ahead.
Actually zero firing was fine. The painful part that came next was switching beach guard teams so they could come up and zero their weapons. If you're still following along, you can pretty much re-read two paragraphs ago. One of our beach guards actually did get to call a CEASE FIRE when a county sherrif had to drive through that section of the beach, searching for an armed suspect in a blue camper. (SSG Cruz mentioned that every-other car that drove by that after could have fit that description ...) By the time everyone was zeroed and the Commander had qualified on his pistol, it was nearly time for dinner.
We raced over to the MARF (can't remember what that stands for, but I'll probably never forget the acronymn!) to attempt qualification on the pop-up target range. Out of 10 people who tried the first qualification round, we got four people finished. (I'm actually writing this a few days late, so I know the reason WHY so few qualified ... but you'll have to check back for the Day 5 musings to get the answer.) By then we swept everything back up and raced over to the chow hall, since the food was catered and we were already an hour late. Plus, we'd been fed by that caterer several times already during the week and knew we did NOT want to miss one of their meals! Maybe the day's main objective was not firing, but instead getting ourselves to dinner ...
Senior staff took a few practice shots at the XBOX on steroids facility, then rushed back to the barracks to await the arrival of the rest of the band. Too bad they left Portland an hour later than planned. The senior staff did get a chance to modify some of the schedule for the upcoming day, based on what our experience had been (that was the point after all of going through this training before everyone else showed up). After they arrived we met for just a few minutes and then sent everyone to bed. Sort of. My platoon all ended up either out scavenging for food or just being outside chatting, so I turned off the light and went to sleep with nobody else inside, but what sounded like about a dozen talking and laughing right outside my window. Good thing I was tired enough to block out the noise.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
More Fun & Adventure
Well, I havent posted for the last few days since things have been slightly crazy...
A couple of days ago I got a phone call from our neighbor across the street - which isnt unusual, except she was calling me from the hospital! In January she was bitten by a brown recluse spider, and ever since then she has had one challenge after another, never quite taking care of complete healing. Apparently she had been having more pain, she went into the ER in the middle of the night - and they made her stay. She had to have her toe amputated and they had to stitch up where the skin had broken open again clear to the tendon - she showed me picts she took on her cell phone - quite gruesome.
I arranged with her husband to run over to the hospital with him. When I got there, the nurses were in and out and pumping her full of a zillion things, still trying to neutralize the infection and trying to help her manage the pain. It was crazy to see how much stuff they were giving her. Her diabetes is also causing tons of challenges. Her blood sugar is so low that she is eating choc bars and soda to try to get her numbers back up. The hospital staff are completely baffled and havent been able to help her. She also ended up with a blood transfusion yesterday too. It has been totally crazy for her. She is going stir crazy, because being a health care nurse herself, and never one to sit for long, she is really struggling with the rules to stay in bed. The kids made her cards and cookies, and we are hoping to go visit her again since she will probably be in the hospital most of this next week still. We had her husband over for dinner last night. he has not been doing so good with her gone, and he has such a sensitive disposition that he is not handling her being away and being so sick still. I am working with our other neighbors to get meals and things in place for him and for them both when the hospital finally lets her come home.
I finally got good news from the local computer guy - sounds like all data has been safely recovered. He was able to pick up a new hard drive for us, too, and it will be better/safer way to hold onto things. When Preston can sit down with me, we are also going to get an online storage of some kind set up. I will be going in probably some time next week to make sure everything is good, and help go through the data before I bring the new drive/data home. Apparently, the old hard drive double copied some info to the new hard drive, but the computer guy is not sure what may be doubled. I am so thankful that prayers have been answered and that all is well. This has been a not so fun learning experience, and I am hoping to never have something like this happen again. We will do our best to make things more secure in the future.
I am anxious to get everything back up and running. It has been so hard to know I have things needing to be completed for clients, plus have my personal stuff that will need to be updated/re-installed. I havent been able to do any Quicken or other personal stuff because it is all with the data on the hard drive...will spend next week re-loading and updating all of my software and editing programs...
On the other computer side of things, my neighbor (who is a web designer) almost has my new work website up and running. It is amazingly beautiful, and I will have my very own dot com address on the web! It is very exciting, something I have been wanting to do for the last year. It will be a great way to let everyone know where I am and what my work is all about. I will be sure to post and let everyone know when it is up and running.
Another fun work opportunity is that I am about 2 steps away from joining a local small business association. I was sure I was not going to be able to meet the requirements or keep up with the membership obligations. I have been doing a lot of praying and thinking on things and have not been able to get it off my brain. I have had thoughts and ideas just pop into my head, and an excited, good feeling about pursuing this. I will attend one more meeting this week and we are still working hard to put the membership fee part in place. It will be a huge step for my business though if everything falls into place. I will be given a small business training as part of joining the group - and about 35+ business owners who will recommend only me to their clients and customers. Pretty amazing. I will be sure to post when everything is finalized and ready to roll.
Training has been interesting this week. I went to Wendy/Drew and had them both "beat" on me. I was still having a lot of back pain though, so I went to see Wendy a 2nd time in just a few days. Found out that I most likely have a bulged disk in my back - all from sneezing a couple of weeks ago. It was really good that I had seen Drew & Wendy a couple of times, or things may be much worse than they are. Wendy gave me suggestions for toning down training and using oils and massage to keep things moving towards healing. I have just been spending time in the resistance pool and hot tub with mild exercises and walking. No biking until next week - hoping that will give enough time for rest before I get on my bike again. I woke up in alot of pain this morning - almost to the point of tears. Walking was really hard, but swimming and walking in the "river" pool really helped relieve the pain and I have been feeling much better today.
We got a fun invite from the Jeffries to go watch the kids' movie that they have been working on the last few weeks. It was really wonderful. JaNay is becoming quite the videographer. She had worked hard on editing and adding all sorts of special effects - even including a bloopers reel to the end. The kids were thrilled to get a copy of their own to keep. We are starting quite the collection of original JaNay Jeffries movies. It is so fun for the kids to have keepsakes of their special times together.
I am looking forward to a fun night out with friends. A family in our ward has almost all of their children in different wards in the stake - including 2 in our own ward. The sons of this family have amazing musical talents and have put a band together. They have performed for years together - and one son even has music professionally produced and is on the radio. They do lots of local concerts and are performing tonight at a local restaurant. I was excited to be included on the invite list. I have been missing Preston terribly, and it will be good to get out with other adults - esp with the gals from our ward - they are young and wonderful and so sweet to include me even though I am a chunk older than they are. Wish Preston was here to go with me, but it will be fun to have something to share with him as we continue to swap posts to let each other know how we are doing while he is away.
Still counting down the days until Preston is back home with us. I know things are going to be crazy busy for him with work and drills before he leaves for TX with military again in a couple of weeks. At least I will know he is close by, and home every night. Having him be gone, and not being able to even talk to him has been really hard. It has given me a small taste, and a much better appreciation for those military spouses who have loved ones very far away, for even longer. It has been much more difficult for me than I thought it would be, and I can now empathize with others who have had to endure so much more. I am very thankful that he is being watched over and protected while he is away. We are counting down the days until he is home with us again.
A couple of days ago I got a phone call from our neighbor across the street - which isnt unusual, except she was calling me from the hospital! In January she was bitten by a brown recluse spider, and ever since then she has had one challenge after another, never quite taking care of complete healing. Apparently she had been having more pain, she went into the ER in the middle of the night - and they made her stay. She had to have her toe amputated and they had to stitch up where the skin had broken open again clear to the tendon - she showed me picts she took on her cell phone - quite gruesome.
I arranged with her husband to run over to the hospital with him. When I got there, the nurses were in and out and pumping her full of a zillion things, still trying to neutralize the infection and trying to help her manage the pain. It was crazy to see how much stuff they were giving her. Her diabetes is also causing tons of challenges. Her blood sugar is so low that she is eating choc bars and soda to try to get her numbers back up. The hospital staff are completely baffled and havent been able to help her. She also ended up with a blood transfusion yesterday too. It has been totally crazy for her. She is going stir crazy, because being a health care nurse herself, and never one to sit for long, she is really struggling with the rules to stay in bed. The kids made her cards and cookies, and we are hoping to go visit her again since she will probably be in the hospital most of this next week still. We had her husband over for dinner last night. he has not been doing so good with her gone, and he has such a sensitive disposition that he is not handling her being away and being so sick still. I am working with our other neighbors to get meals and things in place for him and for them both when the hospital finally lets her come home.
I finally got good news from the local computer guy - sounds like all data has been safely recovered. He was able to pick up a new hard drive for us, too, and it will be better/safer way to hold onto things. When Preston can sit down with me, we are also going to get an online storage of some kind set up. I will be going in probably some time next week to make sure everything is good, and help go through the data before I bring the new drive/data home. Apparently, the old hard drive double copied some info to the new hard drive, but the computer guy is not sure what may be doubled. I am so thankful that prayers have been answered and that all is well. This has been a not so fun learning experience, and I am hoping to never have something like this happen again. We will do our best to make things more secure in the future.
I am anxious to get everything back up and running. It has been so hard to know I have things needing to be completed for clients, plus have my personal stuff that will need to be updated/re-installed. I havent been able to do any Quicken or other personal stuff because it is all with the data on the hard drive...will spend next week re-loading and updating all of my software and editing programs...
On the other computer side of things, my neighbor (who is a web designer) almost has my new work website up and running. It is amazingly beautiful, and I will have my very own dot com address on the web! It is very exciting, something I have been wanting to do for the last year. It will be a great way to let everyone know where I am and what my work is all about. I will be sure to post and let everyone know when it is up and running.
Another fun work opportunity is that I am about 2 steps away from joining a local small business association. I was sure I was not going to be able to meet the requirements or keep up with the membership obligations. I have been doing a lot of praying and thinking on things and have not been able to get it off my brain. I have had thoughts and ideas just pop into my head, and an excited, good feeling about pursuing this. I will attend one more meeting this week and we are still working hard to put the membership fee part in place. It will be a huge step for my business though if everything falls into place. I will be given a small business training as part of joining the group - and about 35+ business owners who will recommend only me to their clients and customers. Pretty amazing. I will be sure to post when everything is finalized and ready to roll.
Training has been interesting this week. I went to Wendy/Drew and had them both "beat" on me. I was still having a lot of back pain though, so I went to see Wendy a 2nd time in just a few days. Found out that I most likely have a bulged disk in my back - all from sneezing a couple of weeks ago. It was really good that I had seen Drew & Wendy a couple of times, or things may be much worse than they are. Wendy gave me suggestions for toning down training and using oils and massage to keep things moving towards healing. I have just been spending time in the resistance pool and hot tub with mild exercises and walking. No biking until next week - hoping that will give enough time for rest before I get on my bike again. I woke up in alot of pain this morning - almost to the point of tears. Walking was really hard, but swimming and walking in the "river" pool really helped relieve the pain and I have been feeling much better today.
We got a fun invite from the Jeffries to go watch the kids' movie that they have been working on the last few weeks. It was really wonderful. JaNay is becoming quite the videographer. She had worked hard on editing and adding all sorts of special effects - even including a bloopers reel to the end. The kids were thrilled to get a copy of their own to keep. We are starting quite the collection of original JaNay Jeffries movies. It is so fun for the kids to have keepsakes of their special times together.
I am looking forward to a fun night out with friends. A family in our ward has almost all of their children in different wards in the stake - including 2 in our own ward. The sons of this family have amazing musical talents and have put a band together. They have performed for years together - and one son even has music professionally produced and is on the radio. They do lots of local concerts and are performing tonight at a local restaurant. I was excited to be included on the invite list. I have been missing Preston terribly, and it will be good to get out with other adults - esp with the gals from our ward - they are young and wonderful and so sweet to include me even though I am a chunk older than they are. Wish Preston was here to go with me, but it will be fun to have something to share with him as we continue to swap posts to let each other know how we are doing while he is away.
Still counting down the days until Preston is back home with us. I know things are going to be crazy busy for him with work and drills before he leaves for TX with military again in a couple of weeks. At least I will know he is close by, and home every night. Having him be gone, and not being able to even talk to him has been really hard. It has given me a small taste, and a much better appreciation for those military spouses who have loved ones very far away, for even longer. It has been much more difficult for me than I thought it would be, and I can now empathize with others who have had to endure so much more. I am very thankful that he is being watched over and protected while he is away. We are counting down the days until he is home with us again.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
FTX Day 2
OK today was MUCH more Army.
After an early breakfast the senior staff was driven out to the Land Navigation course for our refresher. The "announcement of the day" was delivered at that early hour ... that a "large cat" (cougar) had been spotted on Camp Rilea, and they were out looking for it. Good morning to you, too!
The run-ins with wildlife continued as we figured out our 100-meter pace counts, when SFC Michael nearly stepped on a Tiger Slug. The zoo experience continued to intensify when we spent a few stationary moments getting a briefing from the commander, which gave the apparently-very-hungry mosquitoes several very easy targets.
The actual Land Nav course got started when Mr. Alexander gave us a series of grid coordinates to visit, maps, protractors and a compass. After a few minutes we pretty much had the hang of things again and were writing down estimated distances and compass bearings between points. We were a little worried when the first point plotted in the middle of a swamp area, but fortunately there weren't any other obstacles apparent from the map. Smooth sailing, right?
Wrong.
Apparently the topo lines on those maps are 5 or even 10 meters in elevation difference, so the up-and-down terrain that we hiked through definitely was NOT indicated on the map. On our way to the first point some 950m away, we had to do a "jog" to get around a stand of thick trees. That little detour took us through what we thought was going to be a relatively tame and easy meadow (which is why we decided to go that way) but turned out to be a field of 7-foot-tall scotch broom. Great for squad concealment tactics, not so great for keeping an eye on your Land Nav targets.
Several more detours and ravines later, we were still fairly confident as we passed some of the few features that actually WERE on the map, such as quarry pits and crossed roads. We were closing in on what was supposed to be a swamp, but instead it was heavily-vegetated forest. Well, as we entered it became apparent that it was actually heavily-vegetated, spongy-ground forest. Then came the reeds, mud, and water. We almost had the commander convinced to let us backtrack and select another point on his map, but instead persevered and found yet another detour that landed us on a dry road. We thought we were still several hundred meters short of the objective, but this road wasn't on the map! Fortunately we did come across another marker, useful because it would give it's grid coordinates and we could continue on towards our target with a new estimated distance and bearing. After wading through more bog and water to get to the marker, we were rather surprised to find that it was actually our target point!
After re-traversing the swamp on our way to the next point, fighting through more brush and treeline, the commander decided we had learned enough to be able to teach it to our platoons over the weekend. So he gave us new points (somewhat closer together) and we had a more leisurely stroll from point to point and back to the start location. We arrived a bit late, rather worn out, still with wet feet, but rather more confident in this particular skill.
The rest of the unit met at that site for some basic platoon movement training from a 25-year infantryman with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. We got drilled on squad movements (various formations while traveling) and ran some scenarios that included coming under imaginary fire. We were NOT very smooth or coordinated at first, but after a few scenarios we thought things were starting to make sense. Of course, we're just the band and it could be our instructor was just trying to go easy on us.
After an MRE lunch we got trained and practiced at setting up ambushes. The first attempt sort of fizzled when the first person in our line yelled out "Enemy Contact!" as the opposition was coming up the street. That turned out to be a VERY good way to give away the fact that there was an ambush in place! That and the fact that most of us were quite visible to anyone coming down the road (photos to be posted later). Ambush #2 wasn't much better, starting off with someone almost stepping on a snake when entering the weeds. This time the opposition was instructed to just go ahead and walk into the kill zone even if they saw those of us trying to hid in the bushes. Not only were we seen, but the Specialist who was sent ahead (by an E-5 and the commander) couldn't help but to GIGGLE as he walked into what he obviously saw as our concealed position. Probably the photographer walking around our position snapping photos was at least a partial giveaway. Could only get better, right? The next position turned out to be very poor because we set up on a short straight bit of road with two blind curves at either end; thus we couldn't see when the opposition was coming! (And in a real-life situation, we wouldn't have been able to see if they were coming with reinforcements.) Plus we set up this "hasty" ambush too slowly, and the opposition could clearly hear us still calling out instructions and talking to each other as they caught up to us.
If one learns from his/her mistakes, we must have been experts by then.
Ambush #4 was much more "by the book." The position was appropriately chosen, concealment was good, and this time the kill was both a complete surprise and ... well ... complete. That was OBVIOUSLY the right time to end that portion of the training, now that we finally had a success.
After spending some additional time talking about squad defensive maneuvers, identification and selection of cover and concealment, it was time to head back to dinner. (VERY good steak!)
Evening training was spent on the indoor, electronic range again. This time the senior staff went through the process we'll use again tomorrow on the "real" ranges, to "zero" (or adjust) the weapons to the individual, and then to practice actually firing at the pop-up targets. A couple of our members seem to have the whole process down very well and won't have any trouble qualifying tomorrow. The rest of us will get lots of practice. The idea is to have all of us qualify, so we can help run the range when the rest of the unit is here this weekend.
I'm probably forgetting some of the day's events, but my brain and body are tired. Several people were taking pictures (and giving away ambush positions at the same time) so I hope those are shared and posted shortly after I get home next week.
More adventures tomorrow!
After an early breakfast the senior staff was driven out to the Land Navigation course for our refresher. The "announcement of the day" was delivered at that early hour ... that a "large cat" (cougar) had been spotted on Camp Rilea, and they were out looking for it. Good morning to you, too!
The run-ins with wildlife continued as we figured out our 100-meter pace counts, when SFC Michael nearly stepped on a Tiger Slug. The zoo experience continued to intensify when we spent a few stationary moments getting a briefing from the commander, which gave the apparently-very-hungry mosquitoes several very easy targets.
The actual Land Nav course got started when Mr. Alexander gave us a series of grid coordinates to visit, maps, protractors and a compass. After a few minutes we pretty much had the hang of things again and were writing down estimated distances and compass bearings between points. We were a little worried when the first point plotted in the middle of a swamp area, but fortunately there weren't any other obstacles apparent from the map. Smooth sailing, right?
Wrong.
Apparently the topo lines on those maps are 5 or even 10 meters in elevation difference, so the up-and-down terrain that we hiked through definitely was NOT indicated on the map. On our way to the first point some 950m away, we had to do a "jog" to get around a stand of thick trees. That little detour took us through what we thought was going to be a relatively tame and easy meadow (which is why we decided to go that way) but turned out to be a field of 7-foot-tall scotch broom. Great for squad concealment tactics, not so great for keeping an eye on your Land Nav targets.
Several more detours and ravines later, we were still fairly confident as we passed some of the few features that actually WERE on the map, such as quarry pits and crossed roads. We were closing in on what was supposed to be a swamp, but instead it was heavily-vegetated forest. Well, as we entered it became apparent that it was actually heavily-vegetated, spongy-ground forest. Then came the reeds, mud, and water. We almost had the commander convinced to let us backtrack and select another point on his map, but instead persevered and found yet another detour that landed us on a dry road. We thought we were still several hundred meters short of the objective, but this road wasn't on the map! Fortunately we did come across another marker, useful because it would give it's grid coordinates and we could continue on towards our target with a new estimated distance and bearing. After wading through more bog and water to get to the marker, we were rather surprised to find that it was actually our target point!
After re-traversing the swamp on our way to the next point, fighting through more brush and treeline, the commander decided we had learned enough to be able to teach it to our platoons over the weekend. So he gave us new points (somewhat closer together) and we had a more leisurely stroll from point to point and back to the start location. We arrived a bit late, rather worn out, still with wet feet, but rather more confident in this particular skill.
The rest of the unit met at that site for some basic platoon movement training from a 25-year infantryman with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. We got drilled on squad movements (various formations while traveling) and ran some scenarios that included coming under imaginary fire. We were NOT very smooth or coordinated at first, but after a few scenarios we thought things were starting to make sense. Of course, we're just the band and it could be our instructor was just trying to go easy on us.
After an MRE lunch we got trained and practiced at setting up ambushes. The first attempt sort of fizzled when the first person in our line yelled out "Enemy Contact!" as the opposition was coming up the street. That turned out to be a VERY good way to give away the fact that there was an ambush in place! That and the fact that most of us were quite visible to anyone coming down the road (photos to be posted later). Ambush #2 wasn't much better, starting off with someone almost stepping on a snake when entering the weeds. This time the opposition was instructed to just go ahead and walk into the kill zone even if they saw those of us trying to hid in the bushes. Not only were we seen, but the Specialist who was sent ahead (by an E-5 and the commander) couldn't help but to GIGGLE as he walked into what he obviously saw as our concealed position. Probably the photographer walking around our position snapping photos was at least a partial giveaway. Could only get better, right? The next position turned out to be very poor because we set up on a short straight bit of road with two blind curves at either end; thus we couldn't see when the opposition was coming! (And in a real-life situation, we wouldn't have been able to see if they were coming with reinforcements.) Plus we set up this "hasty" ambush too slowly, and the opposition could clearly hear us still calling out instructions and talking to each other as they caught up to us.
If one learns from his/her mistakes, we must have been experts by then.
Ambush #4 was much more "by the book." The position was appropriately chosen, concealment was good, and this time the kill was both a complete surprise and ... well ... complete. That was OBVIOUSLY the right time to end that portion of the training, now that we finally had a success.
After spending some additional time talking about squad defensive maneuvers, identification and selection of cover and concealment, it was time to head back to dinner. (VERY good steak!)
Evening training was spent on the indoor, electronic range again. This time the senior staff went through the process we'll use again tomorrow on the "real" ranges, to "zero" (or adjust) the weapons to the individual, and then to practice actually firing at the pop-up targets. A couple of our members seem to have the whole process down very well and won't have any trouble qualifying tomorrow. The rest of us will get lots of practice. The idea is to have all of us qualify, so we can help run the range when the rest of the unit is here this weekend.
I'm probably forgetting some of the day's events, but my brain and body are tired. Several people were taking pictures (and giving away ambush positions at the same time) so I hope those are shared and posted shortly after I get home next week.
More adventures tomorrow!
WAY too much adventure in our life
Preston & I are going to be posting lots each this week, as we are both having our own set of adventures....
I am hoping to get the blog updated asap but have things on hold until our current computer drama is concluded - hopefully successfully (see below)
Many of you know that I am training for a triathlon. I have been taking the girls with me each day to be my buddy for the different events. Ceana & I have been getting up at 5AM to drive to the pool to swim. We swim laps and then do extras like resistance training in the river pool and stretching and ab workouts after. It has been good to have her be the one to pop into my room and tell me to get my rear in gear. I am taking Kaeli with me to do the biking. The other day we did our first big ride - we biked 12-15 miles all in one shot. She did a great job of keeping up with me, and I was impressed that I could really do the entire ride.
Last night we ended up on a spur-of-the-moment ride with one of the other tri-moms, out to an agricultural area just outside of the city - it was dusk..and anyone who knows country at that time of day means bug splatter - literally. We spent the whole ride trying not to talk because of the bugs that would get in our mouths. We laughed with each other as we swiped and shook and tried to dodge all the bugs that were apparently also enjoying the beautiful evening. Kaeli even had one bug go up her nose...we may be seriously re-thinking that route, or at least contemplating a different time of day to try it again...
This week I did my first trial run of the entire 3 events all at once. I did them all in about 4 hrs (with driving back/forth from the pool in between) I was so excited that I was able to actually do it all! I also should not have been surprised when all the expended energy knocked me on my backside and wiped me out resulting in a 4 hour nap (thank goodness for my rockin' girls).
Training is going better every day and I am even contemplating a July triathlon vs waiting until Sept...will have to wait and see if I can find more info...will keep everyone posted.
Our big drama this week has been that I am dead in the water at the moment with photography. I lost my hard drive over the weekend, with 2 years of my work and all of our family photos trapped on it. I took it into a local specialist on Monday AM. We got good news that stuff is at least transferring across from the hard drive, even though it is still not recognizable. The guy at the computer shop seemed optimistic that recovery is possible. Still hoping and praying that all of the data will be recovered safely. I am doing my best to stay calm and let Heavenly Father take care of it, but it is hard at times, esp knowing everything that is there, knowing all the photos that we can never replace. I am also having to keep current photos still on the camera because I have nowhere to download them to...We are hoping to hear some more good news in the next couple of days. Just an FYI - just heard from the computer guy and he called with good news that it looks like we have recovered most, if not all, my data. He is purchasing a new hard drive for me, and I will be going into the shop later today to look at everything with him and get things moved to the new hard drive. It is a wonderful miracle and a blessing and answers to fervert prayer.
Ceana had one of her ORCA friends pop in on us yesterday on the way to a family reunion. They had a blast playing games and music, and we got to meet Keenan’s mom and baby sisters. They were so cute and sweet. They have 7 kids in their family all at the same/close to ages of all of our kids. We had a great visit, and it seemed as if we have always known each other, even though we have only met for the first time. It is too bad that they live so far away(Central Point,4+ hours south of us). We will have to just write and call and FB as often as possible. They also have a daughter that is the same age as Kaeli and it sounds like they have a lot in common. She is also a student at ORCA, so Kaeli may find a new school/church friend if she is willing to make the effort…we got all their contact info so they can give it a go. It is fun for the kids to have made good friends with all of the changes that we have made in the last year. Hoping that Kaeli will find good friends throughout her school years.
The big kids are putting a video play together with the Jeffries kiddos (close friends of ours), and it has become quite the production. The boys get their faces painted, which Caiden is not thrilled about at all, but they seem to be having tons of fun. The kids are planning to get together again this week to do more “filming” including costumes and make up. It will be wonderful to get to see all their hard work in their cute little video. It is wonderfult that they all do fun things like this together and make such wonderful memories.
Kels' big adventure yesterday is that she got chewed up fruit snacks stuck in her hair. I used the old peanut butter trick (which freaked Kaeli out) and got it all out thankfully. Kaeli got her through the bath and between the two we seem to have gotten it all out of her hair for sure. Will have to be sure to supervise her a little more closely next time. I was glad the PB worked so we didn’t have to cut her hair…
She continues to amaze me with her vocabulary and antics. She is spitting out new words EVERY day, things I have never heard her say before, and in full sentences. She is just a little sponge. She had me laughing so hard this morning as she stood here at my desk, in just a diaper, holding a naked Barbie in her hand and singing. It was the "Princess & Pauper" Barbie that sings the songs from the movie. Apparently she has picked up the songs quite well - she danced and sang with the music and knew almost all the words. I wish I had a video camera to capture all these little spontaneous moments....it was quite hysterical.
Another fun adventure has been that the 3 big girls (JaNay, Ceana & Kaeli) all got their hair cut together last week. Kaeli's birthday morning was spent with her sister and her best friend getting their hair cut SHORT. Kaeli & JaNay donated their hair to Locks of Love. Ceana got a fun new style and will be waiting patiently for hers to grow a few more inches so she can donate hers too. I will be sure to post picts (thankfully still on the camera) as soon as i can get them downloaded somewhere safe.
I have been designated as the unofficial exec secretary for bishop. Part of Preston's responsibilities each week is to get the ward bulletin ready to roll. Tues night we were at the building and I got a crash course in the techy side of that job. Thankfully, I was able to reproduce the same results on my own (that doesnt usually happen without ALOT of help) and the bulletin is all squared away for sunday - whew! I was able to get the bulletins printed and folded pretty quick, because caiden was there helping me get them all done. We almost left the building without the whole batch – apparently the copier had spit out more copies when I thought we were done. Caiden mentioned that the stack didn’t look like 80, so I started counting, and he was right. We ran back into the library, wondering if it had run out of paper and I didn’t realize – was just that they had finished printing and I hadn’t gathered them all up. If it wasnt for him, I would have had to make another trip, or start over sunday AM....
I have been pursuing an amazing business opportunity. Things seem to be falling into place and it seems to be the right decision. We are still trying to work out the financial end of things, but hoping that will also fall into place. With this opportunity may come a wonderful chance to help my photo business to grow and to finally get myself out into the community. I will keep updates coming as I have all the pieces ready to roll.
We have been "beaten" on by Wendy and Drew this week too. Wendy was able to come to us at the house and then we tweaked the schedule and got in to see Drew (our friend who is a chiropracter). Last week I biked, went horseback riding and sneezed all in the same day. I know you are thinking "you sneezed?" - but it was really weird - I sneezed and threw something out in my back - it was NOT cool. I definitely had more stuff out of whack – bones and muscles in spasm mode. Wendy worked out the kinks in my muscles, and Drew put bones back into place. Colton was also very out of sorts too – Drew was really surprised/concerned that he had so many things were out of place. He for sure wants to see me next week, and colton in 2 weeks. We will be seeing Wendy weekly again for awhile too. She also worked on Ceana. She has been very emotional and still not sleeping. She went off the deep end about 5am the other morning, after having not slept all night. Wendy's magic hands and inspired gifts helped her a ton and she is sleeping better and feeling better too.
Well, guess that is all for now - little boys and Kels are chomping at the bit to join our friends for a park outing and lunch at our local school. I will be sure to post lots more in the coming days and hopefully will get to do LOTS of catch up when I get the hard drive back and there will be all our wonderful photos to share!
I am hoping to get the blog updated asap but have things on hold until our current computer drama is concluded - hopefully successfully (see below)
Many of you know that I am training for a triathlon. I have been taking the girls with me each day to be my buddy for the different events. Ceana & I have been getting up at 5AM to drive to the pool to swim. We swim laps and then do extras like resistance training in the river pool and stretching and ab workouts after. It has been good to have her be the one to pop into my room and tell me to get my rear in gear. I am taking Kaeli with me to do the biking. The other day we did our first big ride - we biked 12-15 miles all in one shot. She did a great job of keeping up with me, and I was impressed that I could really do the entire ride.
Last night we ended up on a spur-of-the-moment ride with one of the other tri-moms, out to an agricultural area just outside of the city - it was dusk..and anyone who knows country at that time of day means bug splatter - literally. We spent the whole ride trying not to talk because of the bugs that would get in our mouths. We laughed with each other as we swiped and shook and tried to dodge all the bugs that were apparently also enjoying the beautiful evening. Kaeli even had one bug go up her nose...we may be seriously re-thinking that route, or at least contemplating a different time of day to try it again...
This week I did my first trial run of the entire 3 events all at once. I did them all in about 4 hrs (with driving back/forth from the pool in between) I was so excited that I was able to actually do it all! I also should not have been surprised when all the expended energy knocked me on my backside and wiped me out resulting in a 4 hour nap (thank goodness for my rockin' girls).
Training is going better every day and I am even contemplating a July triathlon vs waiting until Sept...will have to wait and see if I can find more info...will keep everyone posted.
Our big drama this week has been that I am dead in the water at the moment with photography. I lost my hard drive over the weekend, with 2 years of my work and all of our family photos trapped on it. I took it into a local specialist on Monday AM. We got good news that stuff is at least transferring across from the hard drive, even though it is still not recognizable. The guy at the computer shop seemed optimistic that recovery is possible. Still hoping and praying that all of the data will be recovered safely. I am doing my best to stay calm and let Heavenly Father take care of it, but it is hard at times, esp knowing everything that is there, knowing all the photos that we can never replace. I am also having to keep current photos still on the camera because I have nowhere to download them to...We are hoping to hear some more good news in the next couple of days. Just an FYI - just heard from the computer guy and he called with good news that it looks like we have recovered most, if not all, my data. He is purchasing a new hard drive for me, and I will be going into the shop later today to look at everything with him and get things moved to the new hard drive. It is a wonderful miracle and a blessing and answers to fervert prayer.
Ceana had one of her ORCA friends pop in on us yesterday on the way to a family reunion. They had a blast playing games and music, and we got to meet Keenan’s mom and baby sisters. They were so cute and sweet. They have 7 kids in their family all at the same/close to ages of all of our kids. We had a great visit, and it seemed as if we have always known each other, even though we have only met for the first time. It is too bad that they live so far away(Central Point,4+ hours south of us). We will have to just write and call and FB as often as possible. They also have a daughter that is the same age as Kaeli and it sounds like they have a lot in common. She is also a student at ORCA, so Kaeli may find a new school/church friend if she is willing to make the effort…we got all their contact info so they can give it a go. It is fun for the kids to have made good friends with all of the changes that we have made in the last year. Hoping that Kaeli will find good friends throughout her school years.
The big kids are putting a video play together with the Jeffries kiddos (close friends of ours), and it has become quite the production. The boys get their faces painted, which Caiden is not thrilled about at all, but they seem to be having tons of fun. The kids are planning to get together again this week to do more “filming” including costumes and make up. It will be wonderful to get to see all their hard work in their cute little video. It is wonderfult that they all do fun things like this together and make such wonderful memories.
Kels' big adventure yesterday is that she got chewed up fruit snacks stuck in her hair. I used the old peanut butter trick (which freaked Kaeli out) and got it all out thankfully. Kaeli got her through the bath and between the two we seem to have gotten it all out of her hair for sure. Will have to be sure to supervise her a little more closely next time. I was glad the PB worked so we didn’t have to cut her hair…
She continues to amaze me with her vocabulary and antics. She is spitting out new words EVERY day, things I have never heard her say before, and in full sentences. She is just a little sponge. She had me laughing so hard this morning as she stood here at my desk, in just a diaper, holding a naked Barbie in her hand and singing. It was the "Princess & Pauper" Barbie that sings the songs from the movie. Apparently she has picked up the songs quite well - she danced and sang with the music and knew almost all the words. I wish I had a video camera to capture all these little spontaneous moments....it was quite hysterical.
Another fun adventure has been that the 3 big girls (JaNay, Ceana & Kaeli) all got their hair cut together last week. Kaeli's birthday morning was spent with her sister and her best friend getting their hair cut SHORT. Kaeli & JaNay donated their hair to Locks of Love. Ceana got a fun new style and will be waiting patiently for hers to grow a few more inches so she can donate hers too. I will be sure to post picts (thankfully still on the camera) as soon as i can get them downloaded somewhere safe.
I have been designated as the unofficial exec secretary for bishop. Part of Preston's responsibilities each week is to get the ward bulletin ready to roll. Tues night we were at the building and I got a crash course in the techy side of that job. Thankfully, I was able to reproduce the same results on my own (that doesnt usually happen without ALOT of help) and the bulletin is all squared away for sunday - whew! I was able to get the bulletins printed and folded pretty quick, because caiden was there helping me get them all done. We almost left the building without the whole batch – apparently the copier had spit out more copies when I thought we were done. Caiden mentioned that the stack didn’t look like 80, so I started counting, and he was right. We ran back into the library, wondering if it had run out of paper and I didn’t realize – was just that they had finished printing and I hadn’t gathered them all up. If it wasnt for him, I would have had to make another trip, or start over sunday AM....
I have been pursuing an amazing business opportunity. Things seem to be falling into place and it seems to be the right decision. We are still trying to work out the financial end of things, but hoping that will also fall into place. With this opportunity may come a wonderful chance to help my photo business to grow and to finally get myself out into the community. I will keep updates coming as I have all the pieces ready to roll.
We have been "beaten" on by Wendy and Drew this week too. Wendy was able to come to us at the house and then we tweaked the schedule and got in to see Drew (our friend who is a chiropracter). Last week I biked, went horseback riding and sneezed all in the same day. I know you are thinking "you sneezed?" - but it was really weird - I sneezed and threw something out in my back - it was NOT cool. I definitely had more stuff out of whack – bones and muscles in spasm mode. Wendy worked out the kinks in my muscles, and Drew put bones back into place. Colton was also very out of sorts too – Drew was really surprised/concerned that he had so many things were out of place. He for sure wants to see me next week, and colton in 2 weeks. We will be seeing Wendy weekly again for awhile too. She also worked on Ceana. She has been very emotional and still not sleeping. She went off the deep end about 5am the other morning, after having not slept all night. Wendy's magic hands and inspired gifts helped her a ton and she is sleeping better and feeling better too.
Well, guess that is all for now - little boys and Kels are chomping at the bit to join our friends for a park outing and lunch at our local school. I will be sure to post lots more in the coming days and hopefully will get to do LOTS of catch up when I get the hard drive back and there will be all our wonderful photos to share!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
FTX Day 1
For you non-military types out there, FTX = Field Training eXercise. You might note right here and now that by long-standing tradition, the band does NOT do field training exercises. Instead we are content to meet indoors and play music together, travel to far-flung corners of our state and even the globe to perform, and generally be as non-Army as possible.
I knew something was up when they recently issued the latest-and-greatest field gear.
Yep, this year we get to play Army "for real" ... sort of. Today we, the so-called "Senior Staff" (based mostly on our age difference from the rest of the band members) showed up at Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center and started our training. Indoors, in a small group. I guess that was just comfortable for us. But hey! We did eat MRE's for lunch! That counts as field training, right?
Anyway the small group started with some high-level and very abbreviated classes that upper-level folks are at least suppsed to sound knowledgeable about when the topics come up in passing conversation, so that was good.
We also drove around the post to see the sights, including: shooting range, hidden land navigation markers (will come in handy later this week), herd of elk, "the best airborne training tower in the Army," a bald eagle, and high school football players here for a week-long camp. Would have been EXHAUSTING except that tour took place from inside our unit's van. I'm not complaining, really.
The evening finished off with an introduction to the EST 2000, an electronic, indoor shooting simulator that some have called "XBOX on steroids." Basically it's a movie theater that 10 people at a time can shoot at with M16's, M203's, M240's, M-9's, and just about any other M-whatever you can think of. The system detects which weapon hits where, and interacts with the "users" in various ways. The compressed air system gives a "kick" that is supposed to be semi-realistic to what the real weapons feel like. The characters on the screen (actually I only saw the Turkey Shoot simulation) can be killed. And after the session it plays back, showing where each shot actually hit. Some of the support staff "played" on the system for several hours while those too old to stay down in the prone, supported position for that long went off to have a meeting.
Actually that meeting ended up being fairly productive. We took care of some issues, discussed upcoming calendar items, and fortunately ended up with some pretty good belly laughs.
All in all, not a bad start. Not bad at all. Tomorrow will be much more field-intensive, with land navigation, EST training, platoon leadership, and best of all ... MORE MRE's!
I knew something was up when they recently issued the latest-and-greatest field gear.
Yep, this year we get to play Army "for real" ... sort of. Today we, the so-called "Senior Staff" (based mostly on our age difference from the rest of the band members) showed up at Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center and started our training. Indoors, in a small group. I guess that was just comfortable for us. But hey! We did eat MRE's for lunch! That counts as field training, right?
Anyway the small group started with some high-level and very abbreviated classes that upper-level folks are at least suppsed to sound knowledgeable about when the topics come up in passing conversation, so that was good.
We also drove around the post to see the sights, including: shooting range, hidden land navigation markers (will come in handy later this week), herd of elk, "the best airborne training tower in the Army," a bald eagle, and high school football players here for a week-long camp. Would have been EXHAUSTING except that tour took place from inside our unit's van. I'm not complaining, really.
The evening finished off with an introduction to the EST 2000, an electronic, indoor shooting simulator that some have called "XBOX on steroids." Basically it's a movie theater that 10 people at a time can shoot at with M16's, M203's, M240's, M-9's, and just about any other M-whatever you can think of. The system detects which weapon hits where, and interacts with the "users" in various ways. The compressed air system gives a "kick" that is supposed to be semi-realistic to what the real weapons feel like. The characters on the screen (actually I only saw the Turkey Shoot simulation) can be killed. And after the session it plays back, showing where each shot actually hit. Some of the support staff "played" on the system for several hours while those too old to stay down in the prone, supported position for that long went off to have a meeting.
Actually that meeting ended up being fairly productive. We took care of some issues, discussed upcoming calendar items, and fortunately ended up with some pretty good belly laughs.
All in all, not a bad start. Not bad at all. Tomorrow will be much more field-intensive, with land navigation, EST training, platoon leadership, and best of all ... MORE MRE's!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Moments of calm in a midst of a storm
Recently I have found out that multiple families in our ward and amazingly close circle of friends are moving. I have felt like I have been in a midst of a storm. Everything seems to be swirling around me.
Knowing that they are moving hurts my heart, and there have been random times when I all of a sudden break down and just cry. I know that there is nothing I can do about it, but I still feel pain. I will miss them. I have had some hard days, and I don't even know what to expect for the last day. I really don't want to think about it, as it is hard to imagine for me.
So, on to the title of this post. There have indeed been moments of peace where I am calm. Some of these times include when we are together, giving hugs, just times during the day when I think about everyone. Sometimes I surprise myself, when I think about (or try not to) what it will be like when they are gone, and I don't cry, I feel as if everything is going to be all right.
I know that it is because I have felt closer to my Heavenly Father. He has helped me through this, and I believe he will continue to, if I just ask. Even when I am sobbing helplessly, I know that I am not alone, and that He can help me.
I will miss all of you, and I hope to stay in touch. I love all of you. Thanks for being there for my family, and me especially.
Ceana
Knowing that they are moving hurts my heart, and there have been random times when I all of a sudden break down and just cry. I know that there is nothing I can do about it, but I still feel pain. I will miss them. I have had some hard days, and I don't even know what to expect for the last day. I really don't want to think about it, as it is hard to imagine for me.
So, on to the title of this post. There have indeed been moments of peace where I am calm. Some of these times include when we are together, giving hugs, just times during the day when I think about everyone. Sometimes I surprise myself, when I think about (or try not to) what it will be like when they are gone, and I don't cry, I feel as if everything is going to be all right.
I know that it is because I have felt closer to my Heavenly Father. He has helped me through this, and I believe he will continue to, if I just ask. Even when I am sobbing helplessly, I know that I am not alone, and that He can help me.
I will miss all of you, and I hope to stay in touch. I love all of you. Thanks for being there for my family, and me especially.
Ceana
Thursday, June 3, 2010
CHA-CHING = OUCH!
Have been without the Beast for 2 whole days now, hearing nothing about needed repairs. Just got a phone call, and it is the fuel pump that has died...its repair costs will be a big hit to the family budget...
We so need the car, and we knew taking this on would have these possibilities....just didnt understand the magnitude of what that would mean...not sure how to tighten our belts anymore....
We so need the car, and we knew taking this on would have these possibilities....just didnt understand the magnitude of what that would mean...not sure how to tighten our belts anymore....
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
NOT SO JOYFUL MOMENTS
1) Being beside myself with little boys who are bent on pounding each other to a pulp and destroying the house in the process, and being completely clueless about life in general....sometimes I wonder if I am ever going to survive these boys (and a baby sister who follows in their ill chosen paths)
2) A suburban that I love and hate at the same time. This was our misadventure today - went out to go get ceana from school only to have the dumb thing not start. We had it in the shop last week for something that was supposed to be fixed the time before that. I think this will be the 4th or 5th time we have had to take it in - for mostly different things dying - in the 2 months we have owned it....this is going to be another big "cha ching" hit to the family budget....we will most likely not have it back until the weekend when I told them I HAVE to have it back no matter what....
I have a friend who is going through some similar circumstances with her suburban right now too. We chatted this morning and she mentioned that having no car means practicing the family exercise program - and I replied "I know, I know, practicing to exercise faith and patience, etc" (she is always the one to give those kinds of encouraging comments) and she said "uh, no, I meant EXERCISE" (implying kids & I biking, walking, etc) We both laughed over that one, and that we can "feel each other's pain" in our current life's similar situations.
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Doing my best to clean out everything essential to life before it was taken away. That was harder than it sounds since we live in that thing and there was an extra huge pile of stuff to go into the house, including a 2nd trip to get cars seats out
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3) Weather that cant make up its bloomin' mind. One minute it is torrential downpour - and the next it is beautiful (though still overcast) and 60 degrees. The weather has wreaked havoc with our last 2 outdoor activity plans. Even though it is dry, the sky is still filled with threatening clouds, the wind blows and the temperature hovers around 45-50 degrees. Plants and flowers are blooming late, bees are not about and pollentating anything that has or is blooming, and it is still too wet and cold to even think about planting our garden...I REALLY need some sunshine - soon!
2) A suburban that I love and hate at the same time. This was our misadventure today - went out to go get ceana from school only to have the dumb thing not start. We had it in the shop last week for something that was supposed to be fixed the time before that. I think this will be the 4th or 5th time we have had to take it in - for mostly different things dying - in the 2 months we have owned it....this is going to be another big "cha ching" hit to the family budget....we will most likely not have it back until the weekend when I told them I HAVE to have it back no matter what....
I have a friend who is going through some similar circumstances with her suburban right now too. We chatted this morning and she mentioned that having no car means practicing the family exercise program - and I replied "I know, I know, practicing to exercise faith and patience, etc" (she is always the one to give those kinds of encouraging comments) and she said "uh, no, I meant EXERCISE" (implying kids & I biking, walking, etc) We both laughed over that one, and that we can "feel each other's pain" in our current life's similar situations.
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Doing my best to clean out everything essential to life before it was taken away. That was harder than it sounds since we live in that thing and there was an extra huge pile of stuff to go into the house, including a 2nd trip to get cars seats out.JPG)
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3) Weather that cant make up its bloomin' mind. One minute it is torrential downpour - and the next it is beautiful (though still overcast) and 60 degrees. The weather has wreaked havoc with our last 2 outdoor activity plans. Even though it is dry, the sky is still filled with threatening clouds, the wind blows and the temperature hovers around 45-50 degrees. Plants and flowers are blooming late, bees are not about and pollentating anything that has or is blooming, and it is still too wet and cold to even think about planting our garden...I REALLY need some sunshine - soon!
MORE JOYFUL MOMENTS
1) Listening to my daughters' shocked reaction as C greeted K with "Good Morning Sunshine!" (this is Preston's little saying to her usually) Enjoying laughing hysterically with C and the girls as we asked him "who are you, and what have you done with my son?"
2) Being continually amazed my children's innocence and having their own simple truths about everyday things. Example - working with colton on a homework assignment and talking about what things/people we find in our community. We had named several local businesses when I asked him "Where do we get money from" - (my grown up response is a bank) His answer? In all seriousness, was "from the tooth fairy" - we all busted out laughing, and yet it was true, in his little world quarters do come from the tooth fairy...well, she lives in our community too right?
3) Having "my heart so filled to overflowing that some spills out of my eyes" (fave quote from Mulan that fits perfectly) whenever I think about my 2 closest friends and sisters. I grew up all my life without sisters - and now in adulthood I have 2! They are a great joy and comfort to me. M & C you are 2 of the greatest blessings in my life! I truly would be lost without you! We have shared joy and sadness, good times, and not so good times, and yet you have stood by me, and with me through them all. You are true miracles given to me from the One who knows how I have needed you most of all. Love you TONS!
4) Having an AMAZING husband who works mighty miracles and does death-defying feats in our home. He took on 3 weeks of laundry, more dirty dishes than you could count, garbages, recycling, dirty floors and countertops....essentially a house that has been a state of hurricane disaster for weeks.....and in a very short order, got everything sparkling clean and ready for guests and activities. He can knock out more in a few hours than I can ever accomplish over a span of days or weeks! He is also super patient and calm amidst my meltdowns and hysterics....
Love you, sweetie, for braving all our craziness with tenderness and willingness to serve and help keep our family going! You are the awesomerest!
5) Getting to sit in on a wonderful Memorial Day service this year. I cried through most of the whole thing. It was a good time to remember why we have all the daily blessings we have. I have an extra tender place in my heart when it comes to military service with Preston serving all these years. Though he has never had to leave us for months or been in dangerous situations, he has served gratefully and willingly whenever he has been asked. We have sacrificed a little to support those who have sacrificed so much.
6) Listening and watching 14 sweet and amazing kiddos sing together in sacrament meeting this week. Their sweet voices filled with love and power really was something to behold. We also got a cute chuckle over an extra little person who thought he was supposed to join our crew to sing. He was such a cutie and didnt seem to mind at all when I let him know the whole primary wasnt singing and that he could go ahead and sit with his mom. Our whole gang probably would be the whole primary somewhere...we are a good chunk of our primary now! It was just a cute, funny thing to go with an extra special music day.
7) Getting to spend most of a whole day with 14 amazing kiddos and wonderful and dear friends. We photographed 14 kiddos and 4 families - all in about 2 hours - mostly inside! Whew - it was really WOW. The kids all did really well and hopefully we have some super great shots for everyone to keep. Our BEJW crew is one lovable, crazy bunch, and a joy to be a part of!
2) Being continually amazed my children's innocence and having their own simple truths about everyday things. Example - working with colton on a homework assignment and talking about what things/people we find in our community. We had named several local businesses when I asked him "Where do we get money from" - (my grown up response is a bank) His answer? In all seriousness, was "from the tooth fairy" - we all busted out laughing, and yet it was true, in his little world quarters do come from the tooth fairy...well, she lives in our community too right?
3) Having "my heart so filled to overflowing that some spills out of my eyes" (fave quote from Mulan that fits perfectly) whenever I think about my 2 closest friends and sisters. I grew up all my life without sisters - and now in adulthood I have 2! They are a great joy and comfort to me. M & C you are 2 of the greatest blessings in my life! I truly would be lost without you! We have shared joy and sadness, good times, and not so good times, and yet you have stood by me, and with me through them all. You are true miracles given to me from the One who knows how I have needed you most of all. Love you TONS!
4) Having an AMAZING husband who works mighty miracles and does death-defying feats in our home. He took on 3 weeks of laundry, more dirty dishes than you could count, garbages, recycling, dirty floors and countertops....essentially a house that has been a state of hurricane disaster for weeks.....and in a very short order, got everything sparkling clean and ready for guests and activities. He can knock out more in a few hours than I can ever accomplish over a span of days or weeks! He is also super patient and calm amidst my meltdowns and hysterics....
Love you, sweetie, for braving all our craziness with tenderness and willingness to serve and help keep our family going! You are the awesomerest!
5) Getting to sit in on a wonderful Memorial Day service this year. I cried through most of the whole thing. It was a good time to remember why we have all the daily blessings we have. I have an extra tender place in my heart when it comes to military service with Preston serving all these years. Though he has never had to leave us for months or been in dangerous situations, he has served gratefully and willingly whenever he has been asked. We have sacrificed a little to support those who have sacrificed so much.
6) Listening and watching 14 sweet and amazing kiddos sing together in sacrament meeting this week. Their sweet voices filled with love and power really was something to behold. We also got a cute chuckle over an extra little person who thought he was supposed to join our crew to sing. He was such a cutie and didnt seem to mind at all when I let him know the whole primary wasnt singing and that he could go ahead and sit with his mom. Our whole gang probably would be the whole primary somewhere...we are a good chunk of our primary now! It was just a cute, funny thing to go with an extra special music day.
7) Getting to spend most of a whole day with 14 amazing kiddos and wonderful and dear friends. We photographed 14 kiddos and 4 families - all in about 2 hours - mostly inside! Whew - it was really WOW. The kids all did really well and hopefully we have some super great shots for everyone to keep. Our BEJW crew is one lovable, crazy bunch, and a joy to be a part of!
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