The Verdict....

The verdict is in.....

We're moving!!

The big trailer/truck is here taking up our entire driveway and part of the street, and we will load it up all day tomorrow! Matt graduates Wednesday (should have been today, but that's a long story - and it's not his fault!), and we plan on driving out immediately afterward! We will be internetless for a little while, but I will try to post updates as I can.

My Daddy.....

My Daddy is my favorite pal,

And I help him everyday!

It's plain to see I want to be
Like him in every way!

He teaches me that honesty is best in all I do.

I'm very glad

that he's my Dad.

And I know he loves me, too!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DADDY! WE LOVE YOU!

Love,

Darren and Joseph

Moving Update............

On Friday, July 26th, Matt is scheduled to graduate Tech school! This is subject to change though, because of issues that have developed within his class. Nothing will be determined until it is actually happening. The very next day, the 27th, we will work hard, and hopefully fast, to load the moving truck. We are totally CRAZY and doing it all ourselves, which means I'm super busy doing all the packing since Matt is in school all day long! Then, on July 1st, we drive out!

Our plan is to spend 4th of July weekend with my BFF Jessica and her family in Georgia! Jessica and I were music majors together at Snow College. Because it was a small school, and the music department was even smaller, we had almost all of our classes together, and became study buddies and "unofficial" roommates (I had an extra toothbrush at her house for when I would sleep over - which was ALL THE TIME!!). Her landlord even knew me by name! Basically, we were connected at the hip! I would post a picture of us from back in the day, except they are all packed! Anyway, I am SOOOO excited to get to spend a few days with her on our way to Florida! She has only met Matt once - when we were still just casually dating. I've met her hubby once - at their wedding! Our hubby's have never met, though they've heard plenty about each other, and our kids have never met. Anyway, Jessica is one of those rare friends that even though it's been several years since we've been around each other, and a few years since we've even seen each other, we can still EASILY spend 2 or more hours talking to each other on the phone without realizing it. Jessica's main instrument is the piano, and mine is my voice, so we can be a pretty dynamic duo! We have already put our hubbys on notice that they will get to play with the kids for a least a couple hours so Jessica and I can pull out all (k, maybe not all, but a lot) of our music and have a sing-a-long! I cannot tell you how my soul has CRAVED this!! To pull out almost ANY piece of music (for fun), hand it to an accompanist that can not only play it, but ACCOMPANY (there is a BIG difference here by the way), AND, sing to my little heart's content. Then sing it again as an impromptu vocal duet! How she can play and sing at the same time, I don't know, but I'm jealous! I know she has music that I have not sung before as well, and I am very excited to practice my sight reading skills! I have this feeling that we're not going to get too much sleep that weekend we're there. Good thing Matt does most of the driving on our road trips, so that I can take a nap when the boys nap.

Anyway, I totally digressed. Our plan is to arrive at Patrick AFB, Florida on the evening of July 6th. The next couple of days we will spend looking for houses (we would like to buy our first home). However, insurance rates are so high that if can't find a house with what we deem as "acceptable" insurance rates, we will plan to just live on base. So, who knows what will happen. Stay tuned for continual updates!

My Loving Little Chef

Okay, I know this is the 3rd post in 2 days, but Darren was just so cute this morning, I have to share! All morning long (AFTER breakfast, mind you!), Darren kept getting into the pantry and pulling out the pancake mix. I kept making him put it back, since he had already eaten a good breakfast, and it wasn't time for lunch yet, and pancakes just aren't snacks. Besides, I had some yummy leftovers planned for lunch! Anyway, Darren is a very determined little boy. When he has his mind set on something, there is NO stopping him! He really had his heart set on pancakes! About an hour before lunch, he pulls the pancake mix out of the pantry AGAIN, and this time gets out a pan, too (a saucepan... but a pan, nonetheless!) Then he proceeds to dump pancake mix into the pan and all over the kitchen too! Seeing his determination and knowing he NEEDED some assistance, we cleaned up the mess and made pancakes together! He was really good about helping me measure, and he added the eggs all by himself too. Darren even mixed it all together! He felt SO BIG for making pancakes, he REFUSED to sit in his booster seat to eat them. He had to have a grown up chair! Here he is, proud of his finished product!

While we were eating Darren's really yummy pancakes, he came over and gave me a great big hug and kiss. Then he did the same to Joseph. Then he went back to his seat, and had to give the syrup a hug and kiss... and then the butter knife... and then his plate... Then he came back to give me ANOTHER hug and kiss, only this time, I got an "I love you, Mommy," as well! Through all of his affection, he still managed to eat 3 whole pancakes!

When we were done, I told Darren it was time to do the dishes. Growing up, my mother taught me that a good cook ALWAYS cleans up her/his mess! So, Darren pulls up a chair, and "helps" me do the dishes. His definition of "helping" me was putting his 2 favorite tractors in the soapy water and "giving them a bath." He did a very good job of making sure ALL of the water stayed in the sink, and bringing all the dirty dishes to me. Darren was a great little helper!

Have your dinner and wear it too!

You'd think that by the time a child learns to use silverware and is almost 3 years old, that mealtime would be less messy. Not at my house! At least not a few nights ago! Darren is usually pretty good, so I don't worry too much (notice no bib), and that night I had been focusing my attention on trying to get Joseph to eat. I looked up to see that perhaps I should have paid a little closer attention to Darren! Although spaghetti is messy, there's no need for it to be THIS messy! At least he was wearing a red shirt, and he's washable! Darren's expressions crack me up, and he was especially on a roll that night, so I took a few pictures and I hope you enjoy them too!

Showing me that his spaghetti went into his mouth and down into his tummy!

Relay for Life

This last weekend, Matt had the opportunity to participate in the Relay for Life cancer walk. He and his teammates took turns walking around a track from 7 pm until 7am the next morning to support cancer research (all after a long day at work). The boys and I went and hung out with Matt for awhile - until the boys' bedtime. We even walked a few laps with him, and Darren walked the whole time. It was quite a ways for short little legs, and he was such a trooper. We were so proud of him! Joseph had the best seat in the house - he fell asleep in the stroller! Anyway, Matt dedicated his walk to his aunt Sally, who passed away a few years ago from cancer. For the opening ceremony, they had cancer survivors walk the first lap, and the caregivers the second lap. It was quite the sight. Many of the cancer survivors could barely walk, so it was quite amazing to see them work so hard to make it around that track. What a great event for Matt to participate in! Here's a few pictures from the evening.

The cancer survivors walking their lap

Father and son, hand in hand. I love this!
We paused briefly for a family photo. The lights in the stands spell "HOPE." It's kinda hard to see in this picture.

Teddybear Picnic

Do you always remember to think about what your actions (0r lack thereof) could lead to? Well, early this morning a box of cereal was left out on the counter by mistake. No big deal.

Then, the boys and I got up. Upon leaving his room, with Bear under one arm and Chunky Monkey under the other, Darren raced to the kitchen searching for a banana (unfortunately, they were all gone). Then, he spotted it..... the box of cereal. Left out by Daddy - within perfect reach for our tall toddler. Darren excitedly exclaimed: "OH!!! Monkeys. Bear. Eat. Cereal." Then he sat both of his beloved animals at the table, and gave them each a handful of Cheerios to enjoy! As if that wasn't enough, he then put a handful of cereal on Joseph's high chair and climbed in! All 3 of them enjoyed their little "picnic" together!


When Matt got home from work today, I told him the story and showed him the picture. He's now resolved to leave remnants of his breakfast out every day! Hmm. We'll see about that!