Life is good.

Quick update: Carissa went to Haley's birthday and had a great time. The girls stayed up most of the night playing WII and having fun. In two weekends, we have Brenna's birthday party to go to. Fall is a busy time of year for family birthdays but it has been great to visit with family.

Brittany is enjoying Varsity Football Cheerleading. Carissa's team on the Jr. Lyons is full of drama. I think it is the pre-teen thing. However, she seems to be having a good time over all.

My class this year is great. I have some concerns but so far no one is physically violent. Thank goodness.

Brittany is 14

I can not believe that my oldest child is 14 years old. We only have 4 more years with her and then she will be off to college and other adventures. She decided that she wanted money this year and then she wanted to go to the mall. She picked out some clothes, jewelry and I think had a good time. At first she told me that she did not want a cake but then decided she wanted an ice cream cake. She is a great girl and I love her very much.

We also had fun at Alexis's birthday. She had family and friends playing at Perkins Park. I can not believe she is 6 years old. Brenna did have a hard time with the fact that none of the presents were for her.

On a side note. I am feeling better. I still have a cough and I have a follow up appointment tomorrow but we are getting back into the school and cheerleading routines.

Labor Day Fun and more

Brittany made it onto the Varsity Cheerleading Team, which she is really excited about. She has also been asked to help on an All-Star Cheerleading Team and they are taking a trip to Darein Lake at the end of the month. The only down side to all of this is that she will not be able to help coach the Jr. team. We had told them that she may have other commitments and I think it was hard for her to choose what to do. I guess it is hard to be wanted. (Ha Ha).

This weekend we went to camp for Labor Day and we invited family to come visit. Karen's kids love the swimming pool and Uncle Bob was the only brave adult to join them for their cold swim. Everyone had a good time and we talked about trying to get together more often but everyone is so busy. We at least made a few plans for Christmas.

Then lastly, I have had a busy week with work and family appointments, and in the mean time I started to not feel well. Finally when my family is stuck in a small camper with me they began to realize that I was not kidding. I kept them up all night with my coughing. I just was not feeling better no matter how much Tylenol Cold I took. So, after our picnic on Sunday we came home early. Then on Monday morning I called the Dr. office and they wanted to go to the emergency room. After about two hours, a breathing treatment, and an x-ray they told me I have pneumonia. So they took me out of work for 2 days. I can not believe that I have to miss the first day of school. But I am feeling better and breathing a lot easier.

Extreme Makeover Update

It is really amazing how they can build a home in such a short period of time. The heart of the show is the many volunteers that work day and night to make it happen. We went over on Friday night to see the progress. They had so much going on at once. They had a crane bringing in the roof of the porch, while large trucks were bringing in dirt, and at the same time they had people siding the home and finishing up the roofing. Whomever orchestrates and coordinates the contractors, volunteers, donations, and so on is good at their job. The show makes things look so smooth and easy but much of the work is done by the local volunteers.

It is also interesting how they make things look like they are spontaneous and real-life but it is not. They do several takes with the designers and then edit it together to make it look seamless. Tonight after Carissa's football game we stopped by and they were getting ready to move in the furniture. So, we had the pleasure of seeing Ty and the designers. They did a couple of takes with the designers running out shouting for everyone to get ready to move in the furniture. John was taking lots of pictures but it could be a few days before I can post them.

The show can bring a community together. I only wish the feeling of volunteering and giving could continue on in many other areas.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition nearby!!!

Yes, we love this show. Brittany says she would love to have Ty's job. She has been working on architecture art in one of her classes and found that she liked it. So, when we heard the show was coming to a town near us. John and Brittany got excited. The show did not announce the name of family and town until yesterday morning and after Cheer practice John and the girls took off to take a look.

Of course not much was happening so far. They are cleaning out the house and preparing it for demo. Anyway the family is looking forward to watching the progress of the house and plan to visit the location several times. John and Brittany would have volunteered but they already have enough volunteers for now. We will see.

Check out the link.

Where did the summer go?

Where did the summer go? I am headed back to work on Monday. I know my husband is happy about this and I look forward to a new school year.

The girls and I have been watching out for some back to school sales. Just like any holiday, it seems like the back to school sales starts earlier and earlier. However, we have found some good sales. We found notebooks for 5 cents and crayons for 25 cents. Brittany can not wait to go clothes shopping and John promised we would start next weekend.

The girls and I spent this last week at camp. While John was at training in Virginia. We had fun riding bikes, swimming, and playing lots of games. One morning I could not get the girls to walk the dogs. So, off I went with the dogs for a walk and Jasmine started to pull me over to the horse shoe area. While I was waiting for her to do her business, I looked down and found a couple of dollars. I came back to the trailer and told the girls that it pays to walk the dogs. It was a little easier to talk Carissa into walking after that. I did really find the money but I should have thought of this sooner. The only time she did not care to walk them is at night because we could see the bats flying low over the trees.

While is was fun to be at camp, I am glad to be home with all of its space and comfort. Home Sweet Home.

Time for Cheerleading

August is always a busy summer month and it signals a return to our school routines. It is that time of the year when my girls return to cheerleading. Brittany has been invited to try out for the High School Varsity Football cheerleading team and she seems excited about it. Carissa begins practice for the Jr. league tonight. Both teams take a lot of commitment but it is what they enjoy.

The girls are also getting excited about school. The stores are beginning to put out school supplies and have sales. Both of my girls like to plan out what they need, what they would like to get for school, and of course Brittany loves to shop.

I am also starting back to work on Aug. 11th this year, which will give me lots of time to might my families and set up my classroom. Carissa loves to come over while the school is empty and help me set things up. I appreciate her hard work because some of the furniture is hard to move by yourself. I could wait till my assistant comes back to work but I like to have the room in some order. Otherwise I find it hard to get things done.