Rainy Day Fun!

It is raining here today, so we decided to get the pop-up playhouse out. The kids are having a blast. It hasn't rained for a week, so we had a break from it. Winter is just around the corner, so we will be entertaining ourselves indoors more and more. We will make the most of it!

Go Bulldogs!

 

Jayce started playing tackle football with the Bulldogs just a few weeks after we moved here. The team took him in even though they have been practicing since July! Jayce jumped right in. During the first practice, I was a little shocked at how much is expected from these 9-10 year olds. The coaches show those boys some tough love. I must say, Jayce has really matured in the past month. He knows what is expected of him, and he tries hard to do his part. I'm really proud of him for trying so hard. He loves going to practice even though it is 6-8 hours a week. He has walked in pretty dirty and beat up on some nights. He LOVES the game! He has has played in 3 games. He usually plays 3-4 plays since he is new, but he loves every second. Go #35!!!

A Little Late...Jayce's 9th Birthday

Jayce turned 9 years old this summer! We took cookies and his gifts out to Hookers at Lake Amistad. It is our favorite place for burgers out by the lake. Later during the week, Jayce had a party at the house with the Hedman family and the McConnell family. We had a fun time eating cake, playing Charades, playing Wii, playing Monopoly and just hanging out.

Jayce LOVES fishing and football. He can fish all day, or he could run around the yard and play football all day. He recently started playing tackle football over in a town close to where we live now in New Jersey. He loves it! The team has been practicing for months, but they were kind enough to take on Jayce. Jayce is improving by leaps and bounds according to his daddy.

Jayce just had a physical for school. He is is about 53 inches tall and weighs 71 pounds. That puts him in the 50th percentile for height and the 70th percentile for weight. He wears a size 8 or 9 in jeans, a M in shirts, and a 4.5 in shoes.

Jayce finally started 3rd grade on Sept 19. The school here in New Jersey was under construction, so they got a late start. So far, he seems to really like it. He says, "My teacher is way nicer than I thought she would be!" Ha! He says the school day is pretty long even though they start an hour later than his old school in Texas. It sure is a long day for his brother and sister because they miss him! We all miss him!

I am unpacking the photo albums now. One of the first pictures I stumbled upon was a newborn picture of Jayce. I had him propped upon my shoulder. He was so little! I have enjoyed my boy so much these past 9 years. Thank you God for letting me take care of him and love him. I pray Jayce has a great 9th year! We love you, Jayce!

Daddy's Little Ballerina

So, what are we up to? We have been in our house for about a week and a half. We are about 80% unpacked. Brad has started his new job and all is going well. This is a picture of Lakyn at work with her daddy. We took him lunch yesterday. We can do that since his work is only a couple of minutes from the house. Jayce had his first football practice last night. They allowed him to join the team although they have been practicing since July. He had a tough practice for 2 hours. He loved it, but he is pretty tired this morning. His first game will be Saturday. School doesn't start until next week! Conley is enjoying this big house. He runs around and around, up and down, all day long. As for me, I'm trying to find a balance and a routine. After 2 months of taking off from a good jogging routine, I am getting back into the swing of things. This house alone keeps me really busy with cleaning, mowing and keeping up the kids. Lakyn started ballet this past Saturday. So far, she loves it! She was fitted for her slippers just the day before. All she could talk about was going to ballet. I was nervous for her because I know how shy she can be with folks she doesn't know. However, she jumped right in there with the other little girls and followed her teacher. I think she is going to really enjoy ballet.

So, that is what we have been up to. We are just diving into this new life here in New Jersey. More pictures of the kids to come. For now, I'm using Brad's computer since I haven't unpacked mine yet!!

Moving

The moving company showed up on August 16 and loaded the truck on August 18. We stayed in a hotel in town for 2 nights and 1 night on base. We headed out on the following Saturday after spending our last night hanging out with our dear friends and neighbors, the Hedmans. We stayed in Arkansas for 3 nights. We enjoyed this short but sweet visit with our family. We stayed 2 nights in Tennessee on Douglas Lake at Dandridge, TN. We enjoyed the small town with the nice lake. We arrived in New Jersey on August 26 just before the hurricane Irene was to make landfall. After about 33 total hours in the vehicles, we are settled here in the TLF (Temporary Lodging Facility) on McGuire AFB.

We bought groceries to prepare for the storm. Jayce has been watching the Weather channel. So far, the folks are predicting high winds and heavy rains. Only God knows!

Our attitude about moving here was pretty negative. Oh, we are excited about the change, but we were also very comfortable in Del Rio. Now that we are here, we are looking forward to learning more about the area, getting into our new house, and meeting new people. This next week will be busy with registering for school, finding a ballet class for Lakyn, getting all our utilities switched, and gearing up for our household goods to arrive.

So far, the kids are doing great! They didn't complain once about all the traveling. They have really been troopers! I'm really impressed with their attitudes and their ability to endure this long trip with all the changes.

Look Who's 2!

 

Conley turned 2 years old on July 17, 2011. We kept telling him "Happy Birthday" and calling him "Birthday Boy" all day. We aren't sure he really understood what was going on, but he would give us a big smile everytime. What a blessing to have all 5 of us under one roof for his birthday. We invited a couple of neighbors over to help us celebrate. Those who attended the "Lightening McQueen" party were: Moma, Daddy, Jayce, Lakyn, Mia, Adam, Julie Hedman, Laura, Madi, Joey, Joe Zujus, Christiana, Brady, Eli, Faith, and Avah McConnel. Conley was a little shy during the birthday song, but he didn't seem to mind sitting at his chair and eating cake! He especially liked the "ice ceem!"

Conley is talking up a storm!! He repeats EVERYTHING we say! He asks quite a few questions, too. "What you doing, Moma? Where's Moma?, Where's Jayce, Where's aiken? Where's Daddy?, What?" He loves to look at books, play with fishing poles (b-boles), wear his flip flops (bip bops), wear hats, wear helmets, look at and talk about bikes, eat gum, drink out of a cup, use his fork, play outside, ride his motorcycle, push the barstool up to the counter and climb up, be chased, tackle daddy and Jayce, swim, and walk without holding your hand. This little fellow can swim! With a his life jacket one, he can kick continuously for a good 2 hours!! He is so comfortable in the water. A scuba instructor noticed him in the pool and couldn't believe how comfortable he is in the water at such a young age.

We all adore our "Boo Boos!" We love you, Conley!!!

He's Home!!!

After 193 days, Brad is home from Afghanistan! Thank you God for bringing him back home to his family!

The kids and I arrived at the airport at about 3:50. We would have been early, but I wasn't sure where the little airport was exactly. We also got out the door that afternoon a little later than I had intended. We all arrived and stood there in the airport by the door. Our neighbors arrived shortly after us and said they saw the plane up overhead. Within minutes, the airplane was on the ground and in front of us. I stood there with the kids with my hands shaking and sweaty and my heart racing. Jayce was climbing the walls trying to see out the door to the airplane. Brad was probably about the 10th person to get off the airplane. As soon as I saw him, my stomach did a few flips and my eyes welled up with tears. The kids started yelling his name. Brad walked into the airport with a big round of applause from neighbors, friends, and folks on his flight. He hugged each of the kids. Conley wasn't sure about him and came running to grab my leg. Brad then gave me a long hug. Oh, it was so nice to see him and touch him. Those who came out to help us welcome Brad home: Mark, Julie, Mia, and Adam Hedman, Eda, Anais, and Luis Castillo, Laura, Joe, Madi, and Joey Zujas, Shannah, Aubrey, and Alison Kassbaum, Frank and Debbie Moore, Terra Wade, , Maj May, Leshia and Mark Buchy, Marika Scott, and Sgt Fricks.

Of course, we had to stop by the Sonic on the way home to get some cold drinks since it was well over 100 degrees. He got a route 44 diet coke, I got a large diet Dr Pepper and the kids got a lemon slush. Brad was surprised to see the big banner we made for him and the yellow ribbon around the oak tree. We spent most of the afternoon helping him unpack with breaks to play. Brad now has 3 little shadows everywhere he goes. For dinner, we had waffles, bananas and peanut butter by request from Brad. Brad went to sleep about 10:30pm, but he woke up about 1:00am and stayed up. His internal clock will need to be adjusted a little at a time. This afternoon, he wants to take the kids to "wet a line." He has been in and out all day checking back in to the base. I know he has to be tired. Maybe, he will sleep more tonight.

There will be some adjusting to do for every member of the family, but it is to be expected! Brad isn't quite sure where to put all his stuff, can't remember where everything is in the house, not used to having the kids needing him so much, and getting back to all his responsibilities here. I'm trying to be patient with him. I know I will have to adjust to him needing me, letting him parent, and giving over some of my responsibilities to him. The kids will have to adjust to him parenting again which includes discipline, sharing him with everyone, and him being a part of their daily routine. We love each other, so I know it won't take long for us all to adjust.

We really appreciate our neighbors, our friends, our family and everyone who showed us so much love and support especially these past 6 months. We are so happy to have our family of 5 back together!!!