Hey Folks! It's Monday!

We survived our first two weeks solo......Of course Mr. Murphy had to pay us a visit....flashbacks of last winter......ugh. :P Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as bad! Bryce had a fever for 3 days, and has had a lovely cough and runny nose. He has been kind and would have made Mrs. Baxley (his kindergarten teacher) so proud! He shared, and with everyone! So one by one, they all got the hacking, wet cough; the green double barrel runny nose! (Don't you want a kiss??????? Nothing like a wet, snotty kiss!) Headaches, sore throats......really it was a party you didn't want to miss! We have been running the cool mist humidifiers, putting the vicks on nice and thick, and have bought stock in Benedryl. It seems like we are mostly better. A few lingering boogey noses and residual coughs. This weekend was a fun one! We got a condo in Nashville (Wyndham Resort) through Hotwire. We wanted to make sure we had at least a one bedroom, so the kids had their own sleeping space and we could stay up later. We actually got a better rate at the condo than at Residence Inn, where we normally like to stay. We left when the kids got home on friday. Blake left about 6 our time. We each had a 4 hour drive, not too bad! We got there about two hours ahead of him. That was perfect. I was able to have the kids help me unload, and make up their beds. Their "room" was the living room. I put KK, Bry, and Drew on the sleeper sofa, and Jonathon and Sam slept on the Floor. (yeah, i know...gross. ) They weren't ON the floor. Jonathon made a bed from the couch cushions and Sambo had a stack of blankets. They were comfy. IF they weren't they didn't complain, only slept!
We got up Saturday, but only because we had to. I could have slept all day, i think. I even bribed Sam with a breakfast in bed, consisting of Smarties and Chewy Sweetarts (now don't nominate me for Mother of the Year at once!). It worked for about 45 minutes, but candy can only keep a baby happy so long! So, out of the bed we roll. Get the whole gang dressed, and we take them to Shoney's for breakfast. Did the buffet, so everyone got something they liked. (Except Sam, no candy on the buffet). We had a really nice grandmotherly-type waitress. With a big family, you either get the crotchety old hags, or the really nice ones. Luckily, we got the nice one this time. Though, i did notice they took us all the way to the back corner table in the sunroom area of the restaurant. Anticipating trouble, I guess. I was glad, meant there were fewer folks for us to annoy. The kids behaved really well, and we ate and were out of there in no time!
Next stop....Opryland Hotel. Our sweet waitress told us we HAD to go walk through it. Our resort was only like 1/4 mile from it, and the shoneys was right across the street, so we figured we'd check it out. The waitress even told us how to park at the mall and walk over vs. paying 12 bucks to park in the hotels parking lot! It was pretty cool! We kind of did it in fast speed though, as things like that, though beautiful, don't keep the attention of an 11. 10, 5, 4, and 1 year old very long. (Not to mention their dad....he was a good sport, but I could tell it was painful for him!)

After that, we went over to Opry Mills Mall. I like that mall. Lots of great stores....I kept asking the kids if they wanted to go to Bass Pro Shops. We took them to one in Springfield, Missouri. They liked it ok, but have never wanted to go back to one. When you ask, they just groan............... So, we take them to this place called Sting Ray Reef (it is part of the Aquarium Restaurant). They got to see stingrays up close! I didnt get pictures, but Blake fed them! He said you could feel their mouth on your hand. Too freaky for me! THe kids rode the carousel. After that we walked, looked at a shoe store, a stop in Old Navy and Gap, then to Rain Forrest Cafe for lunch. Yummy! We stuffed ourselves. Had an appetizer courtesy of the Wyndham Resort, some delicious Strawberry Banana Drinks in glasses that flashed. It was pretty cool, but was missing the cliff divers that the Mayan in Salt Lake City has. After dinner we waddled down to Dave and Busters! We used to go to D&B with our friends, the Phelps, back in San Antonio. So much fun! We had a blast (the kids and the parental units). Sam was getting tired, so we decided to head back to the room.

After nap, we suited up and headed to the pool. You expect and indoor pool to be warm and welcoming. Not this one. It felt like the polar bear plunge. We didnt stay there near as long as I had thought we would. Bryce's lips were turning blue from the cold, and he said he was getting a headache, so we bailed. Back to the room, ordered Pizza and watched TV!

Sunday, we went to church in a little branch. They swarmed us when we got there......fresh meat! They are used to visitors though, and were very welcoming. We only stayed for sacrament, but it was a very nice testimony meeting. We both had long drives home, so we said our good-byes after lunch. The kids and I got home in 4 hours...no stopping! Woo hooo! Though it rained from nashville to clanton! now we are getting adjusted again to being home without dad. Sam still gets up in the bed every morning and asks" Where Daddy go?" We have four months, then we will be together as a family again, and I can't wait!

four days, over a thousand miles, and not enough sleep!

Well, we did it. We rented a small pull behind U-haul. That in and of itself isn't really that impressive. Actually, none of it is impressive, kind of depressing actually. We picked it up Thursday am, and by one oclock it was loaded with all the things a guy needs to make a temporary home:

• Loveseat- check


• Card table to act as a dinette- check


• four folding metal chairs to compliment table- check


• mattress- check


• computer- duh! check


• folding table to act as desk- check


• armoire- check


• tv- check


• xbox 360-duh! check


• dvd player- check


• towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, etc.- check

Ok...i won't go on.....well not with that at least. We get the uhaul loaded. The house cleaned. And we wait for the kids to come home. I don't think the little boys understood what was going on. Drew asked why he couldn't take all his toys with him. I think he thought we were all moving.

The big kids get home from school, and off we go! We get to around Bowling Green, Kentucky before we stop for the night. Next morning, up and at them! Oh, and did I mention it is COLD...not chilly, not brisk....but COLD! We get in the truck and head on the road. We stopped at a McDonalds near Mammoth Caves to get some "breakfast". (Have I ever mentioned that I HATE McD's breakfast food?) I would have loved to have gone to the caves, but we had places to go, people to see.....on we go! Blake drove the entire way, as he didn't trust me to drive pulling the U-haul. I can't say I blame him. We did notice on this trip a LARGE number of dead deer along the road. Not a good travel season for deer........

Anyway, so we arrive in Ohio around 12, get the kids some lunch and then go to meet our future landlords at the house we are renting for 6 months. House is a house...nothing spectacular. It does sit on the 4th hole of a golf course. However, when it is 14 degrees (feels like 6 with the windchill), you could care less what is outside the house. The kids explored, we talked to the landlords (nice people, chattier than i am....and that says something), took care of the paperwork, and got to work. It took us less than 30 minutes to unload the U-haul. Jonathon was a big help. it was SO cold no one wanted to be outside for long. Then we set out to wait for Mr. Time Warner Cable Man. Our time window was "a technician will arrive at your home sometime between 3 and 6 pm. They will call you 30 minutes prior to arrival." So at 5:45 when we hadn't gotten our arrival call, we called them. Still coming we are told! Great....hurry up man, we have stuff to DO!

He shows, does the stuff he has to do. Hands Blake the remote control........................can you say DVR? I think we have a new best friend. Pretty cool. I can see an addiction coming.

Cable guy leaves and we are off to take the dang Uhaul back so we can drive around without the Chinese Dragon effect. You know the ones in the parades that keep going and twisting and curving and seem to never end....Yeah, that is an excursion pulling a uhaul. Seriously, a few rules: Dont pull out infront of anyone and Don't make any quick turns......We find the Kwick Mart, return the uhaul, and we are free. Next stop....WALMART for some necessities. Moe's for some....burritos and queso, ofcourse! YUMMIE! So that was Friday.

Saturday consisted of a trip to Target (I had to check out the potential shopping), a stop at an actual Aldi's so the kids can see who dad works for, and a drive around the area looking for the church. Apparently google map's directions were a little off....but we found it eventually.

Sunday, we get to sleep in! YEAH!!!! No church until 1pm. I like that. Church was nice. Seems to be a friendly ward. We only stay for sacrament, so we can head to Springfield early. We stay in a country inn and suites so we can drop blake off in the morning. We get applebees to go, and watch The Game Plan with the kids. It was lots of fun. We really had a great time, but I would get a little weepy when it would hit me we were leaving in the morning. I am not going to like this separation thing.

Monday morning, we get up, eat the hotels breakfast, and take dad to Aldi's regional office. Turns out Google maps directions were a little off again. We almost made dad late for his first day, wouldn't that have been pleasant. We say our goodbyes, give kisses, and start our journey home.

The drive went well. We got home in 10 hours exactly. So, if we do the drive from our house to our house (isn't that confusing?), door to door, it should be 8 1/2 hours including stops. Not too bad.

I guess that is it for now. I am falling asleep, so I'd assume you readers are too!

The wheel still spins.........

I think i am on that spinny thing at the park, you know the one that just keeps spinning round and round......oh yeah it's called the merri-go-round. We are all set to send Blake to Ohio. Then other options are being thrown our way, and it cast doubts on all the decisions we've already made! Ohio is still leading the race, but it there was a way we could stay here we would. We so enjoy being close to family. This last weekend we took a last minute trip to mom and dads. It was fun. I am exhausted as we stayed up too late playing cards both nights. Saturday Mom and I took the three little boys to the park and let them play....that was lots of fun. (Except for the poop that Andrew fell into.....can you say STINKY! Oh, and if your child ever has an accident at the park, please clean it up so my kid doesnt fall into it!) Gag, nasty.....ugh! Blake, Dad and the two big kids went and saw a movie. I think "in the name of the king" or something like that.

Blake and Dad went to church in Theodore, as Dad had to speak. Mom and I and the kids went to their ward. I pretty much paced the hall with Sam. He was tired, and he tends to get loud when he is tired. I got to chat with Lasanka for a while, so that was nice to catch up. Chris and Crystal showed up for most of Sunday School and then Sacrament.

After church we headed home and had a yummy lunch. Mom made a pot roast. I swear i have never had one turn out as good as moms. They just fell apart. And the potatoes that cook with the roast are my absolute favorites! It was so good! All the kids ate their lunch, I didnt have to fight with any of them. Even Drew ate! At first he ate just his fruit, but then I made him taste the meat, and he said "Oh, I like this" and ate it all! Unfortunately, we werent able to stay long yesterday,as I had meal group lastnight, so we left around 330 to get home in time. I barely made it! (Ok...truth be told, i was 15 minutes late to Candi's house, but thats ok). I did shepard's pies this time. It was the easiest meal i have done so far. Tonight we are feeding the missionaries, so I am going to be using one fo the meals, not sure which one yet. LOVE meal group! We havent had any bad meals yet!

This week is going to be a crazy one! We have to continue packing and getting things ready for blake to leave. :( The kids have a three day weekend, and I think we will probably drive up with him if the weather forecast is good. I have never been to Cincinnati, so I am curious to see where we'll be heading.

So many things are uncertain. What do we do with the house? Rent? Sell? Do we rent there or buy? Is staying through the end of school here the best idea or should we go ahead and go? That would mean three schools this year for the kids....I just dont want to do that to them.

Well, I have to go see the man of my dreams off....he is about to head to an interview.

Here's the start of Nothing!

I don't know why I am even starting one of these things.....I had a blog for a while a year or so ago, and it starved to death. Today has been one of those days that I would like to push fast forward on. Not that anything bad really happened... I think it is just the stress of all the change we are going through finally getting to us.

I hate having things hanging over my head. Detest it.....We have a giant elephant hanging over our head. I sure hope the rope holds. Decisions, decisions, decisions......Sometimes being an adult really sucks.

Everything in life is a delicate balance, amazing how one choice effects the next and the next....

I am very excited to see what the next year holds for us, to see where we are in a year! Time is passing so quickly! I cant believe it has already been 6 months since we left the Air Force life behind! I cant wait to see what the next six months hold. Blake is due to start his new job in less than 2 weeks. That is a lot of the turmoil right now. It is exciting and nerve-wracking and definately different! We're heading back to the mid-west. I dont mind actually. I really enjoyed Missouri, so Ohio should be fun too! At least we'll be close to a real city and airport and shopping this time.

This year should be an exciting one for us! Jonathon turns 12, which means he'll get the priesthood. Am I really old enough to be a mom of a deacon? of an official pre-teen!!!! Ugh!

Andrew will start kingergarten this coming fall! That so doesnt seem right. He is still so sweet and so young. Sam turns terrible 2.....oh how much worse could he get?(I know, dont ask that!). Then there's Bryce and Kayleigh growing up faster than they should.

I am hoping to get back into doing things I enjoy now that Sam is older and off my hip a little more. But, man, that kid gets into everything! I am enjoying being back here in AL for the time being, and having all my friends around! We are having a girls night out this week, and I really need it!

I guess that is it for now....I guarantee every post will be just as boring! We live a pretty boring life. And ya know, boring is just fine with me!