On your mark, get set, go!

Wingman took his first steps yesterday. I tried to get video but he wouldn't cooperate so here are some stills. Of course, his first steps were while holding a soccer ball. That boy loves to play ball. It's his first and last words every day.



He can even stand up and dribble the ball. He's talented.



Now it's off to the big city to buy him his first real pair of shoes.

It takes so little to make them happy

This past weekend the Captain and I had a great parent's time away. We saw movies, we ate dinner at places that you have to wait to be seated, and we shopped at knick knack type places where no sane person brings children. It was great.

The boys were excited to see us when we returned. Of course, the test pilot had to tell me every detail of every thing they had done the previous two days. Then he says, "Mom, you will never guess what cool thing Mrs. A let us do!" I am full of anticipation. "She let us eat McDonald's IN THE CAR!" he says. You would have thought he had won the lottery.

Yes, I am pretty strict about no food and only water in cups with lids in the car. It just makes such a mess and I don't need more messes to be cleaned up if it can be avoided. Who would have thought my neurotic sense of cleanliness would be a cause for such joy later.

Mrs. A did have a method to her plan. It takes about 20 minutes to drive to her house from church and she was afraid (rightly so) that my two youngest would fall asleep on the drive and not be able to eat lunch before their nap. She was trying to fill their little tummies so they would nap well. Thank you Mrs. A!

We are so thankful for the A Family. They are a HUGE blessing to us in many ways but this sacrifice of their time and taking our boys was amazing. We are truly blessed with a great church family. It was just what the Captain and I needed.

This was the boys last night. Bubbles- another simple thing that brings such joy. I don't know if you can see the bubbles well. The big boys had bubble guns and their little brother just loved sitting there watching them fall all around him.

Jumping rope at field day

Today was Field Day at the test pilot's school. They had 24 stations of various activities such as obstacle courses, basketball, water guns, sack races, face painting, etc. Well, I was assigned to run the jump rope station. I thought no big deal- how hard can this be.

Did you know there is protocol to jumping rope? Some second grade girls filled me on the this stuff. You apparently have to tap the person's foot 3 times with the rope before you can start turning it. They taught me all the other technical stuff as well. (If I knew this I have long since forgotten.)

Also, boys on the whole stink at jump rope. I saw every Kindergarten through 2nd grader and the girls are sooooo much better it's not even funny. I had some activities to do with the jump ropes but some groups (especially the all boy groups) we just had to bag it and do the basics of jumping rope. Poor boys- they can be so uncoordinated.

It was a great day. The weather was great. It was warm but not yet 95 degrees. What a fun day.

The Captain and I are running away to the big city. An amazing friend and super mom is keeping all 3 boys this weekend so we can spend some time alone. We can sleep whenever we want. We can eat whatever and whenever we want. We can go see the new Star Trek movie. In case you didn't know I am a Trekkie. It's the little things that make me happy these days. Hope you have a great weekend too.

It's a miracle!

Ok so maybe it wasn't truly a miracle but I was amazed. Let's back up. A few weeks ago they had picture day at Crash's school. Cameras are NOT fun things for Crash. Usually we end up with weeping, gnashing, and him trying to wriggle out of the picture.

I was expecting a picture like this-



Or this- (in the next second he slides off the couch)



Or this- (The Captain calls this picture the family torture session. Crash was crying and throwing himself on the floor so the guy just posed us around him. Ignore the fact that the photographer cut my head off. It was not a great day.)

But instead I got this! Isn't he adorable. I am going to find this woman and put her on retainer. She may have to photograph him until he leaves home. (I am hoping he will grow out of this.)

Bye Bye

Wingman had his 15 month check up recently. He weighs 23 pounds and is 31 inches tall. He is mister social. He would prefer that I devoted my whole day to his constant amusement. He is cruising all over the place. He likes to push the dining room chairs around as his personal walker.

He loves playing with his brothers except he thinks he is 3 years old. This mostly involves them running around him and him shrieking with glee. He can say "ball" and loves playing with balls. He wants to be outside all the time. By the way, how much dirt is too much to eat? He tries to eat rocks, twigs, grass. He is a sight by the end of the day.

Here's some video of his latest verbal accomplishments. He thinks he is so funny.

Just when you think it's back to "normal"...

Can I ask for your prayers again? The Captain came home yesterday and told me that his new company laid off 1 person and cut every one's pay by 15% to deal with the economic times. My heart began to race. The pay cuts will be in effect until they start delivering planes. (No one seems to know when that will be. Bummer.) At least everyone is affected including the CEO so hopefully they will be anxious to reverse the situation soon.

He said he was surprised that he wasn't the one laid off as he was the last guy hired. I am thanking God every time I pray that he wasn't.

So things are not that great at any airplane/aerospace company right now. They all continue to lay off people or go bankrupt. There is no other job to look for so we will hunker down and deal with this new situation.

This will be budget 7.0. We have had so many budgets in the last 9 months it's unreal.

I keep telling myself that nothing for certain has changed. My God is still in control. My God knows what is going to happen next. My God loves us and he will provide for us. The song "Be still and know that I am God" keeps coming to my head. I am not good at remembering scripture very well, but I remember songs. This has been a comfort.

Pray that the company begins producing planes soon. Airplane companies don't get paid until a plane is delivered. For now they are living off money from the investors and that well seems to running dry. Pray for all those people who continue to be laid off. Pray that we keep this job.

Yee haw!

Crash decided that it was Western day. He wanted to wear the cowboy hat and bandanna all day. Every time he entered the room, he would tip his hat and say "Yee haw." That' s my boy.