Long Time NO Blog...

Okay it's been too long:( I am not going to go into details on why I haven't posted because the truth is I have been way too busy. This year has flown by. Cole is finishing up his first year of Kindergarten and I am completing my first year of full-time teaching. Below are some highlights from our year.

1. Bowdy Daniel Hicks was born Dec. 10, 2009



2. Jacob Lance Brunner was born in May 4, 2010



3. Carly turned 5 years old


4. McCullough Construction Inc. Tee-Ball



Miss you all, I'll be back.

Chue'

Christmas 2009

Many people don't like to buy things for others off of their Christmas list but I personally appreciate ideas, suggestions, details and even specifics. It doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to get them what their list says but it does tell me what their interests are and so on.

I'm interested in getting a new...

1.

2. Macy's gift card- MAC make-up and clothes.

3. Buckle gift card- New pair of pants

4. Starbucks gift card- Peppermint Lattes while I cruise to Klamath or grade papers

5. Travel coffee mug- Mine cups always disappear

6. Parker's Beauty Bar Gift Cert.- Hair is so expensive:)

7. James Patterson's New book "I, Alex Cross"- I just love reading. * Audiobooks more than actual text, right now.

8. Candles from Bath & Body Works
Vanilla Bean or Lavender Leaves


How is that for specifics. Maybe i'll post ideas for the kids? or maybe I'll fly solo on this list :)

Independent Study Week

Few things in this life are as valuable as spending quality time with your parents. I know first hand how precious a little time alone with Mom and Dad can be. Travis was chomping at the bit to take Cole to Eastern Oregon to shoot coyotes, quail, and anything else they could find. Many of you know that my husband enjoys the simple life and being in the desert without a soul in site is paradise to him. Well we're raising two little kids that enjoy it as well. I am not sure where I fit into the picture:)

Travis took Cole to the hot-springs one day and that's the picture with my albino son in a river. Cole stayed in the water until an older gentlemen got in the river, also nude.... I missed the boys while they were gone but Carly enjoyed sleeping with me and eating things like mac-n-cheese, quesadillas and hot dogs. I hate to cook for just the two of us. Honestly, I don't get home very early and when I do finally pull into the garage the last thing I want to do is COOK. Travis also brought home to colts that he has been riding daily. It keeps him busy and he's able to take care of the kids while I work then I'm happy too. All in all we're doing well. We had a great Thanksgiving with friends and family and now I'm trying to use some of my vacation to do some work...

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday season.

To Good Chats

Today was a great day. Janelle and I took the kids up to Willow Creek and then Natalie and Whitney met us up there with the boys. The day flew by as the kids played, put a toe into the pool :) and DIDN'T DRIVE ME CRAZY! Yes, I typed right. The kids were good and I managed to finish a book. What more could a girl ask for.... Oh yeah, I had some groovy, honest conversations with some good friends, which leads me to my next points.

In the past year I have had the opportunity to meet an amazing mother, wife, and new friend. Yes, you all know her... Natalie Jones. What I enjoy about Natalie is that she is authentic. She moved away from her family to be with her hubby and she's survived in the fog for four years. (Don't you just love alliteration) I admire Natalie because she balances being a mother and a human and she doesn't even know it. She's someone that I can see frequently or infrequently and she's always down for a good chat. As I write about all the things I appreciate about Natalie I realize I have a lot of friends and especially family who go above and beyond daily and each of them deserve more than a shout out on my blog post, so no hurt feelers. :) I know how bad Natalie wants to be close to her family and I empathize with her but I hope she knows we would all MISS her...:)

P.S. My neighbor is CRAZY.....

Mommy Madness

Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~Pearl S. Buck

Right now Cole and Carly are outside playing together and they AREN'T fighting! God is GOOD. I have been home with them for the summer and it seems like they are constantly fighting with each-other. I try to find ways and things for us to do to keep us all busy... Cole is definitely ready for Kindergarten. He needs to be chased at recess and wear himself out. Carly is also ready to be back at pre-school and needs to torture the other kids... I began this post with the intention of thanking and praising all stay at home mommas! YOU ROCK. I don't know how you do it. Don't get me wrong, I love being able to putt around my house and so on but I don't like the days that I don't have anything to look forward to, even dinner. Travis and I planned our menu for the week and I only like Friday's dinner. Oh well, what's a girl to do, change the menu, NO. Which reminds me I need to start tonight's dinner, you'd think with all this spare time I'd at least be able to get to dinner.

San Diego 2009

No that is not Rachelle's real belly! Carly created a baby for Aunt Sis. Don't hate me Sis:)

This summer has been a whirlwind. Right now I am enjoying the peace and quiet as Carly is napping and Cole is laying down for 30 minutes. I am in the middle of a great book so this will probably be a short post. I am at home this summer and enjoying it. I am spending more time with the kids since school is out for all of us and as soon as I finish this book I am diving into my lesson plans. My mom and I are headed up to Klamath to work in my classroom this week and I'll have to take some before and after pictures. The students don't begin at school until after Labor day! Yeah. They have ceremonial dances and it isn't about what works for us teachers but what will work best for the student's. I am excited about my journey at this new school site as it is completely unconventional. I look forward to sharing with you all the new things we get to do and how my student's are growing. I hope everyone has a safe fun summer.

Nephews

How could you not love these two? Well I love Connor and Lucas as much as my own children. I would cross heaven and earth for them and I am so happy that I am able to have such a close relationship with them. I know Janelle has blogged about growing up close to our cousins and she loved it and I think that's why we focus on our kids being so close. Rachelle is expecting her first baby and we are due for our family to expand. This past year has been tough on our family and new birth is always a breathe of fresh air. We don't know if she is having a girl or a boy but either way I know I will love them just as much as I do with Connor and Lucas. How much room does one heart have?

Carly has been taking dance for the past year since she was three. Yesterday, her dance academy held it's annual recital. Carly being Carly didn't want to dance. Believe it or not she is really shy during performances. Vickie and I thought it would be a good idea to all go to the recital so Carly could see that it was a fun thing to do. She enjoyed watching her friends dance and they were really cute. She could have done it but I needed to make her. Oh well a lesson learned. She isn't continueing to do dance but will be beginning gymnastics and then soccer at the end of the year. Cole is also going to start soccer next year. Travis and I decided to wait until next summer because this summer we are busy. One more year before practice and games become are focus. After the recital we went to Mexican food and then I stole Connor for the night. The kids LOVE it when he spends the night. We set up a movie theatre with popcorn and they stayed up until 9:00, an hour and a half PAST their bedtime. Which is reminds me of another topic, kids who stay up too late and the parents wonder why their kids are struggling in school or so on. SLEEP is fuel for the brain. When I finally put the kids to bed Connor and Carly were in the same bed and I heard them giggling in there. Cole finally called for me and said "I don't think it's a good idea that those two sleep together, they should be separated" I did separate them until they fell asleep. Too cute.

This morning I heard Cole and Carly calling and talking to Connor about the toys and playing games, when did he get so big....
The moral of the story is that I love my nephews and I will work at having a relationship with them.