Space Shuttle

On my last post, I totally forgot to mention one of the COOLEST "firsts" that we've experienced here so far. That's okay though, because it's worthy of it's OWN post. We were able to see the space shuttle launch! The AF base is about 30 - 40 minutes south of the launch sight (I think.), and people we talked to said we could see it from anywhere. So we went to a little park outside of our room to watch it. It was AMAZING! Matt's video clip really doesn't do it any justice. It was almost as bright as the the sun, but in the shape of a rocket (go figure!). It was totally quiet when we could see it, but once it was up out of sight, then we could hear the rumble. It sounded like rolling thunder (NOT to be confused with Ka-boom thunder) that could be heard for several minutes. The still picture shows the smoke trail the shuttle left behind. It lingered for quite awhile. Matt was attempting to get a still picture of the shuttle, but missed it, because he was video taping instead. So, enjoy the video and pretend you were there!

Firsts...

Since my last post, our family has encountered many "firsts." I accidentally loaded the pictures backwards, so I'll just start with the most recent, and work my way back.

Since our arrival in Florida,
I have seen a banana tree for the first time. I have also seen a whole orchard of mango trees, a papaya tree, a few growing pineapples (they do NOT grow on trees), and seen many other tropical plants/flowers I have not ever seen (except in pictures) before.

My boys have also gone to the zoo for the first time. We finally live close enough (about 10 minutes) that we can go fairly frequently, which is good. They loved it! Especially the kiddie land where they have a playground/animal caves to explore, a little water park, and a petting zoo!

Of course, you can't live in Florida and NOT go to the beach. The pic was taken from the balcony of a hotel we were staying in. I haven't been brave enough to take our camera to the beach, because I don't want sand in it! Anyway, Joseph has now been to the beach for the first time (and subsequent times), and Darren hasn't been since he was Joseph's age. And then, it was the Pacific ocean. So, all 4 of us have experienced dipping our feet in the Atlantic ocean for the first time! The beaches here are really nice. The sand is so soft and warm, and so is the water! I grew up in Oregon, where it's usually cold and windy on the beach, and forget swimming unless you have a wet suit. So, I'm loving the warmth of the beaches here! Darren loves playing in the water, jumping over the waves. Joseph doesn't like the water so much, but likes to watch the sand run through his fingers when he tries to pick it up.

On the 4th of July, Joseph experienced his first carnival ride, and LOVED it. He laughed and giggled almost the whole time! So much fun. Darren on the other hand, was afraid of them, and was MORE than content watching Joseph have all the fun. They both also experienced their first "real" fireworks display. Darren has seen some in Alaska (in the winter) from his bedroom window, and from inside the car, but never out in the open. Joseph loved them, and Darren was unsure and a bit scared until his daddy had him point out the colors he saw. Then he was fine. (Good job, Matt!) However, Darren LOVED the little individual firework display we had. Especially the little snappers. He was all over those! Laughing and having a good ol' time! As much as I love Alaska, I have to admit it was nice to let my boys experience fireworks on the 4th of July!

We spent the 4th of July weekend in Georgia with my friend Jessica and her family. That was such a welcome break from all the stress of moving! It was so GREAT to spend some time with them! On the 4th, they took us to Peachtree City, GA, which is quite possibly one of the most unique places I have ever been. That town is built around golf cart trails - seriously! People have golf carts instead of second vehicles! The parking lots ALL have designated golf cart parking, and not everyone with a golf cart plays golf! It's quite amazing. You can seriously go ANYWHERE in that town in a golf cart. We got to go for a ride in one, and the trails were quite pretty! It was a fun place.

We can all say that we have been to the southern states now as well. Actually, we can say we have driven from Alaska to Florida within about a 7 month time frame - with 2 small kids! We seem to be quite the novelty down here. It's not everyday in Florida that you see 2 vehicles with Alaska license plates, and a cord hanging out the front of them. We get MANY stares everywhere we go! Most have never heard of having to plug a car in.

For this move, we decided to do a full DITY (do it yourself), instead of having the military doing it. We have differing opinions as to whether it will be a first, or a first and last! The great things about it are that I will know exactly where everything is, because I packed similar items in the same box (now that's a novel idea!), and was DETAILED in my labeling! Plus, we've been able to make a little extra cash doing it this way, which of course, is always nice. However, it can be MUCH more stressful, especially if your hubby is stuck in school where the environment was VERY tense and stressful the last few weeks, with a graduation date that kept changing. This meant that I was unavoidably left to do most all of the packing by myself - with the kids trying to unpack almost as fast as I was packing! I am VERY glad and relieved that school and the packing is OVER!!

I know this is really long, but I'm going to add one more thing - and it doesn't even have to do with the topic. but I have to post our Coleman Family tradition. Whenever we move, we come up with a list of our 5 favorite things about that place. I will admit that because we knew we weren't going to be in Texas very long, I didn't try to make it "home." We've had to look a little harder for things to love than we did in Alaska and other places we lived. So, a little belated and in no particular order, here's our list for Texas in case you want to know:

1. FRESH homemade tortillas sold in little corner shops and even the bakery section of the grocery stores. SOOO much better than regular store-bought tortillas.

2. Fabulous Mexican food.

3. The HEB grocery store - grocery shopping became FUN! Live cooking demonstrations, free samples, fabulous produce section, HUGE selection on everything, they gave kids balloons to keep them occupied while shopping, etc.

4. The birds. I have never seen such a variety of birds. Our backyard was filled with all kinds of birds everyday! We enjoyed listening to them and watching them.

5. Texas was a little greener than I expected.

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!