Finally Finished

Well, today is our last day of school! We are all happy that this school year is finally over. It sure does get difficult to work during these last few weeks. Now I will begin going through everything and getting next years stuff ready. Jacob is really excited to be going into 3rd grade. Jenna is a little less excited, but she is ready for 1st grade.

We had a good Memorial Day. A co-worker of Mike's had a BBQ so we all went over and had some really delicious fajitas. You really can't beat this part of the country for good Mexican food. Even if it's not at a restaurant the stuff is great. Our annual Mex-Tex food festival is comming up downtown here. We may try to go to it, though I have eaten at most of the restaurants represented and know they are good. Oh, back on track now, we played some games with the kids when everyone was through eating and they all had a wonderful time. I was surprised that we made it home about 8:45 and everyone got to bed at a decent time.

It's A....

BOY! So, we finally know that Coleman number 5 is a boy. He looks strong and healthy. He was very active and the radiologist had a hard time getting all of the sonogram pictures she needed. As far as the due date goes, it stayed about the same, so we're right on track for the very end of September or the very beginning of October. I am going to be very surprised if he is born on Jennas' birthday, September 30.

This week we are having a revival. It's a short one and only lasts 4 days. I had the nursery full of older kids last night and it about wore me out. I won't go into detail, I'll just be nice and say that people really don't seem to understand how to take care of children these days. I have always found that I tend to do things differently than others and apparently child rearing is yet another difference. I just can't see how people can put their children in daycare everyday and then need a break from them when they actually do have them. I know, this is not a new story to many, but can't families understand that there is a season for small children and it doesn't last forever? Mine may last longer than others, haha, but I'm enjoying it! Mike was commended the other day by a public school teacher. He told him that he was one of the few parents he saw that actually cared about his kids, and our kids don't go to a public school! Okay, I'll step off of my soapbox here, I could probably go on forever about it.

Yesterdays Events

Yesterday was a lot of fun for us. The homeschool group had the end-of-year track and field day for the kiddos. We met at Sherwood Park in Odessa and from there they had all kinds of fun things for them to do. Jacob especially loved the tug-o-war. He participated in every event from the 100 meter dash to the obstacle course. Jenna only did the obstacle course, but found a friend to talk to and ended up talking to her most of the time we were there. They climbed on the monkey bars and talked and talked. I mainly followed Ryan and Rachel around who had a great time just playing at the park. I am still kicking myself, though, for forgetting the camera! They ended the busy morning with pizza for everyone and even Rachel ate almost 2 whole pieces! The only thing missing was Mike, who had to work the night before and then had to wake up and help with a funeral that afternoon. (Someone we didn't know, they asked him to be a pall bearer.) I know he wanted to go though, maybe next time he'll get to.

When we got home in the afternoon we rested and then they still had energy to go to Aikido. Afterwards, they came home and took baths to wash off all of the sunscreen and sweat from the day.

Jacob and Jenna also had their bi-yearly dental cleaning Wednesday morning. I have to say that I really do like their dentist. They actually enjoy going and ask when we can go again. What a nice thing to do for kids. Now when they grow up they will have a positive outlook about going to the dentist.

Since we have been quite busy this week, we obviously have some school to get working on. Today promises to be a nice day. We did get a bit of rain Wednesday, but I don't think there's any hope of that today, so I've already started watering the yard.

Oh, and I finally downloaded the Grand Canyon pictures.

A Couple of Short Updates

I finally called about my house yesterday and it's already under contract! I guess that makes a quick end to that. I am thankful for a speedy decision.

Also, Mike called Dawn yesterday and it turns out my appointment isn't until next Monday, so we will just have to wait until then to see if we are having a boy or a girl. I was so ready to know too.

My Dream Home

Ok, so maybe it's not, but it sure is pretty. Anyway, years ago, Mike and I looked at a house we really liked and ever since then we drive by it on occasion. Well, Saturday we just happened to be at my Dad's in Kermit and just happened to buy a paper and guess what's for sale? Yep, and it is very reasonably priced, which isn't uncommon in Kermit. Will we move, probably not. Mike having to drive a little over an hour each way just isn't going to cut it. It sure is nice to dream about though. I love the yard and the space the house has, but the house we have now is more than sufficient for us, so no complaints here. I have prayed about it and if something doesn't happen within this next week then I'll know that we are meant to stay here. It really is hard to live in Kermit with small children anyway, since we have to drive to Odessa for practically everything. I'm just going to keep praying and seeking God's will on this and also do what Mike wants to do too.

So, our mother-daughter dinner was cancelled Friday night. One of the daughters went in to have her tonsils removed so they changed it to a tea on Sunday afternoon. I did go to the tea and won a nice candle for having the most kids. Surprisingly, I was also the youngest mom there, which hasn't happened in years, due to everyone not being able to be there because of the re-schedule. We had a nice time while the boys sat up front with Mike. There were lots of testimonies and a nice devotional too.

Friday night we ended up going and watching Mike, my Dad, and my Uncle Gary race their "hot rods." Mike and Gary raced their newer Mustang and Cadillac while my Dad raced a true made for the track kind of race car. The kids enjoyed it, but we didn't stay too much past 9 pm. I was glad to spend some time with my Aunt Barbara. We drove her home while the guys finished racing and I finally got to see the condo she recently bought in Odessa.

Saturday afternoon we all went to Kermit for BBQ at my Dads and I got to visit with Aunt Barbara a bit more and the kids got to swim in Pawpaw and Nana's pool. They had a great time, as they always do there. They love to swim and even though it's a drive, they love going to Kermit too.

We were tired after Friday and Saturday and so they were a little grouchy Sunday. I am going to let the kids sleep in this morning just because they have played so hard these past couple of weeks, but after that we are going to dig right in and finish these last two weeks of school.

We're Home!

Well, the Grand Canyon was quite a drive to get to. We all enjoyed it though. I know it's kind of a big oversite, but I didn't think about the climate being so different. Fortunately, I had packed cool and warm clothes for us and we had a washer/dryer close by. The mountain altitude made it difficult for me to breathe at times due to pregnancy, but I did just fine.

We started by taking the Grand Canyon Express (train) from Williams, AZ to Grand Canyon. We stayed for the three hour layover and took pictures and ate lunch. I'll get some of those on here soon, I haven't had time to put them into the computer yet. When we got back to Williams we were surprised to find it was a meeting place for restored vintage automobiles. Ryan especially enjoyed seeing all of the beautifully restored vehicles.

The rest of the stay in Flagstaff we enjoyed doing different things. We saw a wild west show in Sedona and watched the Grand Canyon IMAX movie, which was really a treat for the kids since we don't go to the movies pretty much at all. This was their second time to go to an actual theater and their second IMAX too.

On our way back, I have to add, we stopped at the International UFO Museum in Roswell, NM. How creepy! Haha! It was fun to look at and the kids got an alien lolli pop on the way out. It was mostly stuff to read on the walls and they even had a research museum. We spent a good 20 minutes at the museum, lol!

So, anyway, we are all glad to be home. Mike said he thinks people leave home every once in a while so they can remember how much they appreciate it. Boy, I sure do. I enjoy just about everything around where we live. The people, the climate, our house, our city, etc. I could go on forever, especially after such a long trip.

Tonight at church is our mother-daughter dinner and I'm glad to go and enjoy my family and our church. Even though we weren't gone long I miss everyone and will be glad to see them all. My Aunt Barbara is here visiting from Houston and I will hopefully get to spend some time with her. Mike is going to take the boys to the races tonight while the girls and I are at church and I believe she is going too, so at least they will get to see her.

No word from Dawn yet, so hopefully I'll still have a sonogram on Monday!!!! I'll keep you all updated.