Guy

I was talking to Vicki Seversike about "Wicked" and my favorite song "For Good". Nikki gave me the song 2 Christmases ago, and I have LOVED the song ever since. The song is about one friend's influence being 'for good' and making her 'better' because of their relationship. As Guy Ploegman's battle with ALS is coming to an end, I'd like him to know that because of him, my kids and I are better for knowing and having associated with him. They still remember him in their prayers, and I won't ever be able to think of Olympic View, or school in Lacey without thinking of him and his generosity to my kids and my family. We love him and will keep him, Wendy and Amanda in our prayers.

Settling In

Well...we are official. I know we've settled in once Chris starts construction.

In an effort to take advantage of free dirt and rocks from nearby job sites, Chris literally worked the Bobcat to the ground.

Chris will NEVER look good as a redhead.

School is in full swing. This is Bailey's model of a Nez Perce Native American longhouse. I'm confident that it took Bailey and I precisely the same amount of time to build our model as it took the Nez Perce tribe to build their actual house, which was over 100 ft. long.

One more amazing thing about our move to Columbus is the fact that I have taken up running. Yes...yes. I can hear the collective gasp. Amazing, yes, I DO exercise. What's more amazing is that I've been doing it for over 3 weeks now, and I get up at 5:30am!!

I'm so spoiled!

After looking at Carol Stephens' awesome update of their summer on her blog, I need to add that between WA and GA, I went to see Wicked in AZ with Carol. Just like Carol, I laughed and cried through the whole thing. I loved it.

We One Up'd You Saunders!

Kent & Stephanie took Braden to the Monster Truck show at the Tacoma Dome this past Spring. They joked about being there with a bunch of 'red necks'. No comment :) .

Well...Our necks are redder than yours!! We went to a Monster Truck/car race in East Alabama. It was a glorified Arizona 11 Mile Corner race. We were one of the few families not carting in a cooler, pizza box, a baby's high chair (yes, I said high chair), or camouflage camping chair (though a chair would have been nice). The 'stands' were cement stairs littered with cigarette butts and pebbles from all the cracks in the foundation. The saddest part of it all...we actually had a pretty good time!

P.S. Mom and Dad...I promise this was just a diversion, not a new frame of mind!

Please Forgive Me!

I had plans to see a bunch of friends while in AZ this summer, but things were SO stressful with trying to close on our house and Chris studying for Boards that I promise to check in when we make it back!! I promise! Don't give up on me...give me a call or write.

Study of Color

Braden and I made the most of our first day together by studying color. My idea was to just separate the colors, his was to line them up.

We also studied subtraction. I love this kind of math!

Wait until you see our study of shapes. I find applied learning is the best. Especially edible applied learning!

First Day of School in Georgia

Well...we started school today. Chris was home for the first time on the First Day of School. I put him to work on my gourmet toaster waffles (my waffle iron didn't survive the move).

Braden is happy thinking he's going off to school too.

Brody's SO happy to have his two front teeth back for school.

Braden still thinks he's going with the kids. He has a lunch in his pack and everything.

Brooklyn was the only one who'd let me take her picture. This is the first time she's ever gone to school. All the other kids in her class had attended pre-school. My stomach was killing as I dropped her off. She doesn't seem to be worried though. Her only concern was whether she'd get snacks sometime during the day.

No more pictures of Braden. He now realizes that he's NOT staying at school with the other kids.

We're off to get Jelly Bellies for our study of 'color' today. I'm the BEST kind of teacher!!

WA to AZ to GA - and a lot in between

Where to start? Our last weekend in Washington, I spent in Seattle with friends, and Chris took the kids to Mt. Rainier for a final farewell. Of course it snowed...and rained!

Chris took the kids down to the water for their last outing with the Johnsons.

Every morning I'd drop the kids off at school, and as we drove away we'd YELL out the window, "Bye! Have a good day! See you after school!". Surprisingly, they always waited for us to do it and waved good-bye.

Bailey and Brody's last day at school in Lacey.

After driving to say good-bye to the Ploegmans, and then a tearful good-bye to Jen Hakes, Beth hosted an "Adios" dinner for our drive to AZ.

I said 'later' to my sisters - in EVERY sense of the word.

This is out of order...but Chris did climb and summit Mt. Rainier again. What a way to set out from Washington!

After a stop in Provo for a STELLAR BBQ with the Oborns, then dropping in to see the Scoonovers, we make it to AZ.

Pop, aka: Papa, took the kids to the cabin. It was a MUST on the AZ wish list for my kids.

Then...we head to Flagstaff. We spent the night with the Stephens, where Kevin is convinced something is going to happen and Chris won't get up in time to make it to take his Boards. But...after an incredible brain breakfast by Carol, he's off, only to finish with time to spare so we can leave a little early for Lake Powell.

Thank You Stephens for such a great trip!!

After leaving the Stephens, we headed back down to the Valley. We had some difficult farewells to make to family. But...thanks to Nikki for the chocolate and toys; Mom and Dad for Macayo's; Barney and Diane for the ice-chest food.

Between long hours in the car, time zone changes, unexpected naps, and multiple hotel rooms, our sleep was off. Braden struggled every morning. We all would do ANYTHING to help him wake up happy.

HOME...

Thanks to Jamie Christensen for my mailbox numbers!

Jen...this picture's for you!

Thank you for the phone calls, for the farewells, for EVERYTHING you all did to make this transition a little less painful for me.

If you're ever near Columbus, GA...give me a call!