Complete Family again!

Elisa is home~Finally. Yeah I know, many of you wonder how I could miss all the drama. But, I did and I am so happy she is home. She is too (I think). I know she had a good time with her mom, and I am sure that it was hard for her to come home. I wish that she didn't have to do this every year. Hopefully someday we will live closer to where it will be an easier trip. We didn't do much after she got home. Just hung around the house. She cleaned her room, yes I did type that correctly. And put away all of her clothes. We just had a realaxing day at home. We did buy a new game for the wii. It is a pretty fun game. I will blog more about it later. We are glad to be a complete family again!

~Other News~





More than Chocolate Eclairs~


So, I have to write this about my dear friend. She is truely an inspiration to me. From the first time I spoke with her I knew she was a very special woman. I love talking with her and feel like I use her for her infinite wisdom. I know if I want to know something, then I can ask her she will have the answer. I love listening to her speak of her passions, like the elections. Anyway, the other day she shared with me her chocolate eclairs. Now, I don't know how she knew, but I have been wanting an eclair for a while now. I even looked to see if Walmart had some the other day. Then, low and behold she brings me some. I loved them. They were very good, and rich. I had two, (two-too many)! I actually had more than that cause Robby didn't like his and I couldn't let it go to waste. So, I need to thank her for helping me have to run an extra mile or so to burn off those calories...Thanks Sharlene. I love ya!





Taylor Jane Swainston~ (Jacey & Taylor 23 July 08)

Today Taylor was blessed. It was a very special blessing given by her dad. After Sacrament we went back to their house for brunch. We had a nice time and were very blessed to be able to share this special day with the Swainston Family. Thanks Jennis and Justin for letting use share this special day with your family. We love you!

Just around

So not a whole lot new going on. Just same old stuff. The kids had their open house last night for school. They were able to meet their teachers. They have excellent teachers, which makes it even harder on me that we have to leave. But, I am coping. So, for those friends that don't know, I think that I am going to try and do a triathlon. Of course, it will not be an iron man, just a sprint. But it is something that I have wanted to do for a long time. Some friends and I are actually looking to do a 5 k run next month and a possible dualthon in Oct. I am very excited. I am working hard at it, taking it slow though.
Elisa comes home on Saturday. I am excited for that. Then we have last minute shopping to do for the kids and get a few more clothes. But, for the most part I am done and they are ready.

Serious note-
I found out Tuesday that a friend of mines (in Germany) husband died in Iraq. I was really saddened by the news. I was just thinking about her and her boy last week. Wondering about them. We weren't close friends, but friends none the less. It made me more sad is that it happened a year ago. I haven't talked with her since I left Germany. It made me realized two very important things. Keep in touch with the people you meet and care for. And, be very grateful for the blessings you receive. That night I looked at Robert while he was sleeping and was very grateful he was there. No words could ever express that.

Our new toy!

Well, after much deliberation and negotiation, we broke down and bought a truck. We got an excellent deal on this one and it has all the bells and whistles. My friend Heather can't believe that I "let" Robert get. I told her "heck, I have wanted a truck so bad, for so long. I let myself get a truck" Even though it is Roberts. It is nice, and yes it sucks on gas. But, we will need it to help us move to Texas...At least it will transport Robert motorcyle. Not sure still what the plans are for that. Kind of frustrated and worried. I do not like not knowing what is going on. For sure he reports in Nov. Terrible time to have a family move. But, as my Dady always would say, "The Army never seeks out the advice of those who really matter" (something like that>) Well, it is really late, and I am upstairs on the laptop probably making it really hard on Robert to get some sleep. I should head to bed too. Today was my lazy laundry day. I got a lot of it done. And it is put away. I even sorted socks. Big accomplishment. The garage got fixed today. It was way broken. Part of it got fixed on Thursday, the guy came back to replace some things. Now it is good. Not sure exactly what happened, besides Robby and his friend riding it up a few months back. (what's the big deal of that?) It got "fixed" when that happened but I guess those guys didn't really want to fix it right. I am still bitter about that situation. They were very unprofesional. But, what can you do. This company did an excellent job. And even though it was quite a bit, I am sure it could have been a lot more. He was very nice. It is nice to know there are still some honest people out there who are truely concerned about others.

School starts in one week! Yeah! I know the kids are way excited, at least the boys are. Elisa comes home on Saturday. I can't wait. Well. I guess that is a pretty good update. G-night.

Just Do It!

After having a quite the little meltdown with Robert over him taking the Anytime fitness key and not having an extra reflective belt, I just put on my new running shoes and went for a run out in the morning air. It was awesome! I did realize that I am not in shape. It just means that I will have to do it more to get in shape. I only ran for about 25 min, and I had to stop a few times. It did feel good to get out there and run though. Hopefully I can keep it up this time. It is now it is 7:00 and I am ready to go, but the house is quiet. I guess that means that I can use this time to do some homework. I would rather be blogging. Hey, there is a new bumber sticker!

Ward Campout!

Robert playing Horseshoes~~~~~Kyle and the Missionaries ~~~~Brother Benton~Relaxing


Jaycey~ CHEESE~~~~~ Michael and Robby~Yum! ~~~~~ Pretty in pink! Digging in the sand!


Jill and Erika ~~~~~~~~~~~~Justin~Thumbs up griller! ~~~~~~ Heather and Lucas


Michael gets the point on ~~~~~Micahel and Hannah ~~~~~~~~~~~BREAKFAST!! YUMMY!
Brother Faber ~~~~~~~~~~~~~outside the "A" Frame


Asleep! Finally! ~~~~~~~~~ Robert finishing the tent. ~~~~~~~~~~ The kids in the "A" Frame


Well, we had our ward campout on Friday night and it was a good time. We didn't get there until about 5:30 so that was in enough time for Michael to join in the penny in the haystack game. He had fun. Robby went straight to the volleyball court. He also played horseshoes and hillbilly horseshoes too. The kids had a great time and dinner was pretty good. No Turkey Burgers though, so I just ate salad, but that was fine for me. Robert was not too keen on the idea of staying out there, but the kids and my persuasion worked like a charm, (like it usually does) and we camped out next to the Benton Family. The kids had fun hanging out in the "A" frame and finally wen to "sleep" around 1100. At around 3 in the morning Michael came in wanting to sleep in the tent with us. It was a lot chillier than we had planned, but he wasn't cold, just a little scared I think. I know I would be in that "A" frame. Robert and I ended up sandwiched together on our air mattress due to our extremely slow leak. And good thing I brought the poncho liner, it came in handy cause it was a bit chilly. We got up in the morning for a wonderful pancake and sausage breakfast, that I do have to say was worth sleeping out on a deflating air mattress with only a sheet and poncho liner. Thanks Justin (Rhonda and Andy too!) After breakfast everyone left. While Robert took down our tent, I sprayed down the women's bathroom. Fun times hanging out till the end. I am just kidding, I didn't mind. We headed home after that and Heather and I went shopping while the boys took a nap. Only the biggest boy ended up sleeping though. Then he got rewarded for being such a good sleeper and went and hit a bucket of balls with Justin. Then the power of persuasion came back to bite me in the behind, cause Justin and Robert wanted to hang out some more so we skipped out on the Adult session of Stake Conference. We all had a good time hanging out for a little bit, plus my belly wasn't feeling all that great so I am kind of glad that I was not out and about. Sunday we had Conference. We recieved a new Stake Presidency. And a member of the 70 was there. Pretty powerful message he gave the youth. I know my boys listened, I wish Elisa could have been there. That is when I really wish that they made a recording of Stake conference as well. We came home, took our Sunday nap and I got busy on my final project for my class. Robert straightened up the kitchen and the downstairs for me. And I have actually kept it up. Awesome! (of course it has only been 2 days, but who's counting) We had a joint FHE with the Swainston's last night. That is when I got my Turkey burger. Much to Justin's disaproval and fight, he did cook them on "his" grill. It is now contaminated I'm sure. I took the boys swimming on post today. I think that will be a normal part of our routine. I feel so great when I am in that pool, and it is such a great workout. WOW! I am now ready for bed, but I have a quick disscussion question for my new classes that started yesterday. Whewie!
(ok, just for the record, I couldn't get the pics to line up right, and I can't figure out the slideshow! so that is why it is all funky looking, sorry!)

Saying goodbye!

Saying goodbye to good friends is a really hard thing to do.Friday was a tough day for me. I really don't like saying goodbye and I had to say goodbye to a good friendthat moved to Oklahoma. I realize that this will be the first of many goodbyes in the next few months. This is exactly why I I usually don't make friends. I know that with good friends, it really is never "goodbye", but staying in touch is so difficult with busy lives. Even with the best of friends it is a challenge. The Army sure doesn't ask what is easier on us that is for sure. Well, I can only hope and pray that being good friends will make it a priority to keep in touch. I love you Amanda...I will miss you and your family!

We love the Olympics!

Well our family is now on the Olympic band wagon! My kids love to watch them, Robby especially! He wakes up in the morning and the first thing he asks is if he can watch the Olympics. Last night was so fun. They wanted to sleep downstairs watching them until after midnight. And then Robby states, " I am going to get up and watch them at 6 in the morning". I don't know if he was up at 6, but when I came downstairs this morning at 8:30 or so, he was already watching them. If you ask him he probably will be able to answer most anything about the events that have gone on. We have recorded all of them so, and have used up all of our DVR space. So we are pretty much watching them all day. Michael Phelps is absolutely amazing! Both the boys love to watch him especially, and Michael thinks it is way cool that he has the same name. Michale said, "If my name was Phelps than Michael Phelps and I would be twins, except I have a round head and he has an oval head!" I thought that was pretty cute. Michael also made the comment pertaining to the rings in Gymnastics, "I will be able to do those rings when I am in gymnastics." I love that he has that goal. Robby is anxious for the running to start. I enjoy them getting so excited about the Olympics. I remember being so excited to watch them, and I still feel like a kid when I watch them now. They are amazing athletes that's for sure. Who knows, maybe someday I will have Olympians going for the gold in my family! I know it sure was a dream of mine.

GO USA!!!

OBSESSED!

Well, I can officially say that I am obsessed with this blog now. I have spent my free time for the last two days trying to make it better. I did the same thing with my space at first too. Now I hardly ever go on there. I love this thing though. It is such a great way for people to feel connected to those that mean the most to them. Of course, I am feeling a little inadequate right now compared to my good friends that are so awesome at posting, not to mention their page is so awesome looking and organized! Anyway, I am learning and hopefully this won't totally take over my life where I forget to do the important things like clean the house, feed the kids and husband, and my homework. I hope that I will get this page to the point where people will be able to read what is going on in our life and know by looking at it what is important to me. I love my family and my friends. I have such wonderful people in my life I don't think I could ever clearly express my love for them. I could just hope they all know they mean the world to me!

I wanted to post some fun pictures of the important people around me!
Looking at all my pictures, I could post so many that I want to share. I will need to start a slideshow soon. That will come in time. These pics are from the 4th of July. We all had such a great time at Heather and Kyles celebrating our Independence and of course, Amanda's and My husband being home from Iraq!

Waterskiing!

Robert looking like a pro~!
This one is me. Looking like I am going down!
Michael riding in the Tube!
Robby loved riding in the tube!


Well, I finally did it! I have been saying that I wanted to learn how to waterski for the last two years. We have some really good friends who live right on the lake and two summers ago we spend like everyday over there. I tried one time to water ski and I just could not get up at all. I was extremely frustrated. Last summer we didn't get to spend any time over there mainly because I spent a lot of the summer in Utah and Robert was gone, so life was not normal. This year our friends boat was getting fixed up so when they called us and said they finally got their boat back we jumped at the opportunity for another attempt. Robert and I both got up with no problem and did great. Robert did a lot better than me. He was crossing the wake even. I took the easy way on the inside of the wake, but I went around the lake. Of course my camera died so pics are minimal, but I do plan on doing it again real soon. The kids went tubing as well. They had a lot of fun. The weather was perfect and the water wasn't too cold. I am feeling a little sore today and Robert is too (I think) but it was so much fun. I just had to share cause it has been a goal of mine and I did it!