Hello everyone...I just wanted to let you know that we are still alive but very busy. I have not taken 1 picture since August so I have nothing to post. Our lives are just busy busy busy as I am sure it is with most of you who are reading this. Monday thru Friday we are at school of course and then we head to swim and are there until about 5:45. That puts us home by about 6:15-6:30 depending if we have to make a milk or grocery store stop. Then dinner, homework, and showers...well I think that pretty much sums up our lives right now.
Most of you know that Jason has started a new job...same people-different location and lots more responsibility. He is now working in Greeneville...he says that it is about an hour drive. I am pretty sure that it would take a normal person a little longer but that is how long it takes him to get to work and then home again each night. We are hoping that over a short amount of time this new job will allow him to be home alot more, which would be nice.
As for my job...well I am struggling a little bit. I love the people I work with and even most of the kids. The little boy that I work with is very spoiled so that makes it a little challenging. The hardest thing for me is knowing how little Jason is home and how hard he is working and I cannot even go have lunch with him.
The kids are both swimming and loving it. Our first meet is Halloween weekend and we are so excited. They have been working very hard and I cannot wait to see how they do. They are loving school and their teachers which is a blessing. I cannot believe that their first report cards come out Oct 8. My how time flies...the first 6 weeks OVER.
Today is the first day of Fall. My favorite time of year is now...all the way until the end of the year :) I have already started Christmas shopping...I plan to be finished before Thanksgiving (and have everything wrapped). I can't think of what I want to get Colin so if anyone has any ideas or if you see anything "cool" please just let me know! Help would be appreciated :)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Update..
Monday, September 1, 2008
Update..
I just thought I would post an update to my work situation...I ended up getting a call the Wednesday after school had started with a job offer. It was so strange how it all worked out. I had gone into Kennedys school just a couple of hours before to get a "sub packet"...the secretary at the school actually even called and had a few strings pulled so that I could go ahead and start rather then going to a training class. While I was waiting for the kids at swim I got the call. I am working with a little boy named Matthew...he has autism. He is a very sweet little boy who likes to get his way. The teacher is great and very easy to work with. I have really been blessed to work with such great teachers because I can't just sit and do nothing. Last year and this year both I feel at ease to walk around and help kids or help with paperwork or making copies or whatever.
Look who is driving...
Colin was so proud when Grammy got off of the lawn mower and let him learn how to mow. Jason gave him a few instructions and then let him mow a few strips on his own.
Summer Swim Banquet...
We had our summer swim banquet last Sunday...they had all the kids line up to get their trophys and then did some individual awards. We were so excited with both of our kids. Colin received an award for being on a relay team that did not loose any races all summer. Kennedy received an award for being most improved. She was so excited about this...it was much deserving because she has worked REALLY hard this summer. We have already started to practice again...we are so excited for the swim meets we have this fall. They will both do great!
Kennedy and Chandler...they love each other!
We love the zoo...
We spent a day at the zoo with some of our best friends...The Knights. We had a great day!
We loved when we got to the monkeys and were able to see the baby...the momma was so cute and proud. 
Samuel, Colin, Kennedy, and Silas
Monday, August 11, 2008
Little Gasparilla Island...
We just got back from our vacation. We went to Little Gasparilla Island again...we really just love this place. As you can tell from several of our pictures it is not very discovered yet and we really enjoy having the beach to ourselves. Some of the highlights from this vacation: On our way over to the Island via boat we saw dolphins so "Captain Dick" went over to them and they started jumping out of the water..of course I did not have my camera. We collected over 100 more sharks teeth and about 100 sand dollars. The kids really enjoyed diving for them and truth be known so did Jason and I. It did take me a little bit to get comfortable in the water, I am not quite as fearless as I used to be.
Now that we are home we are in back to school mode...school starts back on August 18th...the kids are really excited about school, their teachers, and who is in their class! I am still waiting to hear what is available to me (Lakin is changing schools)...so thus far I do not know if I will be going back to work or not. I will say that I really hope so because I really enjoyed working with the kids! I will keep you posted as I know more...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
City Swim Meet...
WOW...what a great couple of days this was. First let me say although it was great there was one little problem...the first day it was pouring the rain and our swim team was set up to rest under a tent. But where we were set up there was no grass so guess what that left us...MUD!! We ended up staying inside most of the day which really was more fun because my kids could actually sit and watch the races when they were not swimming.
Kennedy and Colin did great at this meet. I think the final tally on kids swimming was over 2000. They both swam in 4 events. The way it works is if you finish in the top 16 in your race you get to come back the next day to swim in the finals and both of them were able to go back. Colin ended up finishing 3rd in his backstroke and 10th in the 50 freestyle. He would have placed 10th in the breaststroke but he ended up being disqualified because he dove in to deep and had to kick and extra time to get to the surface..he is really sad about this because breaststroke is his favorite. Also there was a relay that was dq'ed that they would have finished, I think 11th in. So Colin had a great meet! I was so proud of Kennedy...she finished 24th in her 50 freestyle and 32nd in the backstroke...and she only started swimming at the end of April. She did get to come back the next day to swim in a freestyle relay that they finished 6th in and she was VERY excited about that..plus she will get her first medal. Our swim team finished 5th out of 36 teams..so that is great!
Right now we have a break from swim practice...but I must say they really miss it already. Colin still walks around the house all the time moving his arms like he is swimming the breaststroke :) We are very excited to see where swimming will take us this fall!
