Sweet friend

One of my dearest friends recently moved from my town. We have always been friends since we first met, but the last few years we have really bonded. She is one of those friends that really gets me.

Our paths have been different, yet similar in many ways. We have dealt with husbands' job changes and uncertainties. We have dealt with moves that you thought were going to happen but did not. We have cried over losses together. We shared the best and less than best that life has dealt our families lately.

I have admired her as a Godly mother. She is amazing. She has 2 special needs boys plus an adorable little girl. She handles everything with such grace.

She makes a mean chocolate cake, will sell you some Mary Kay, or make you a baby blanket in her free time. My favorite part is her gift for being able to share the perfect scripture at the perfect time. I wish I had that gift.

Our kids love playing together. It has been fun watching them grow up together and become friends.

We have to stay in contact because we are going to arrange a marriage for Wingman and Little Miss. They are going to have some beautiful blonde, blue-eyed children.

I miss her tremendously. Thank goodness for Facebook and email. At the rate our individual families move, we may be near each other sooner than I think.

Sea World

We have started a bucket list of sorts. A list of things we wanted to do with the kids before we move. Going to Sea World was at the top of the list. Wingman had never been.

We don't have many pictures because it was HOT! HOT! HOT! Sea World in South Texas in August. I don't need to say anymore!!!! I think I melted after taking this picture.

We pretty much stayed in the water park and would occasionally venture out for a show then head straight back to the water.

Wingman loves Shamu or "Shanu" as he calls him. He loved the Shanu show! He still talks about it. That is a precious memory.

I did notice that the trainers no longer get in the water with the whales. It was a different kind of show than we had previously seen, but still very entertaining.

The Test pilot informed us that he wants to sit in the splash zone next time. I think I will pass on that one.

Our family actually made it until closing. Before you get really impressed, they closed at 6pm. Still it was a big deal for us. These kinds of activities are so much easier now that they are a little older.

We had a fun day.

You are a cool mom when...

You are a cool mom when...these are the shoes you buy for your boys. Stride Rite had Star Wars Clone Trooper shoes that light up.

I knew the second I walked in what they would pick out. They love them!

I might not love them so much when they insist on wearing these for the family Christmas picture. Oh, the memories...

Been a little delinquent

Sorry for the absence from the blog. For many reasons, I just have not been able to post many things. Life has been turned upside down and inside out since the layoff. I am a schedule person so this has really thrown me for a loop.

We seem to go day to day as far as a schedule. It's hard to make any plans in advance because we just don't know what the imminent future holds.

For now, I am working 20-40hrs a week at the hospital. I work based on the hospital census so that adds to the uncertainty.

The Captain is still waiting to receive the final details before he starts work.

There is just a lot of waiting without anything for anyone to do.

We try to go about our daily lives as normal as you can in this circumstance, while we just wait.

In the meantime, I will try and get caught up on some delinquent posting.

Thanks for all your prayers and concerns. I will post something when we know something.

Crash's 5th birthday

Crash has been waiting for his birthday since forever. His brothers' birthdays are at the beginning of the year so he has had to wait too long in his estimation for his special day. At last it arrived!

We had his party at our local bounce house facility. He loved it. It was a Toy Story theme party. I don't have pictures because I didn't seem to take many. That always happens at the party.

After he would open each gift he would say, "Do I get to take this home?" He was so excited to have presents.

It was fun to watch him play with his little buddies. He has made some good friends here.

Happy Birthday big guy!

*I have been asked several times so in case you were wondering. No, we are not starting Crash in Kindergarten this year. He will start next year when he is 6. Another year at home :).

Beach trip 2010

Here's the whole family at the beach. The kids have so much fun each year. It's the one thing we just can not miss.

This was one of their giant sand sculptures.

Me and my mama. We are so glad that she came with us.

Chasing seagulls is one of Crash's and Wingman's favorite activities.

My handsome boys.

We had great weather. The trip was lots of fun. It had its share of odd occurrences. The whole layoff was kind of a damper to things, but we tried hard to enjoy ourselves in spite of it.

The car battery died in the condo parking lot. We did not have jumper cables. We had to call a tow truck to jump our car so we could drive to town and buy a battery before the drive home. Odd occurrences seem to be the new normal these days. Looking forward to next year. Not sure which beach we will be at, but we are looking forward to a new adventure.

You know you live in a small town when your children ask:

"Can we go to the big city and ride an elevator?"