Miss Whiney

"What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul."

Today, the girls and I went to McDonalds for breakfast and then to the Dollar Tree.  Oh my, how they love to shop at the Dollar Tree!  There are so many things there and they just have trouble deciding what to buy with their dollar. Cali usually wants a balloon, but today she got a doll.  When she opened the package, she dropped the shoes and purse.  That started her off on a fussy, whiney, crying trip home  (for 30 minutes).  She wasn't much better when we got home either.  She couldn't tell me what was wrong, but nothing was right!  This continued as we walked Chloe to Kindergarden and home again.  She ate a banana while I read her a few books before naptime.  When she went in for a nap I told her that I loved her.  She said she loved me the "whole way to Gracie's house, Camryn's house, Pop's house and back."  I told her I loved her to the beach and back.  She said "AND THE WORLD CUP AND BACK."  Now, that's my girl!

Soccer Sunday

"The only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend."

Both of the boys had home games yesterday.  We actually got to see both of them play.

Tough Weekend

"Goodbyes are not forever.  Goodbyes are not the end.  They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again."
We had such a beautiful day on Saturday.  The kids played outside and had a great time. They left early in the morning to get here, so the kids were in their pjs.  They played outside in them for quite awhile, but it didn't seem to bother them.  I was trying so hard to enjoy the few hours we had left with them, but it was tough.  When the time came for them to leave, I lost it, just couldn't hold back the tears.

I am trying to be positive about this move.  This is what they want for now,  it's his job and a way to further his career.  I don't like it, but I am being supportive.  I will be posting lots of pictures from Saturday.  We took 191!!

Summer Is Over

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

We had help closing the pool and fish pond last weekend.  Anything that involves messing with water usually attracks the kids.  They had such much fun trying to catch the goldfish from the pond and went home a little wetter than when they came.  Actually, Cali was soaked!

Loving Him

"Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close at heart."

This little guy has only been in our lives for 8 short weeks. When he returns, he will be 2 years old.  I hope through pictures, he will learn who we are.  I know his parents will do the best they can, but it's not like me holding him every Tuesday.  He is starting to smile and  form a personality.  It makes me so sad to let him go.  I really need to start saving my money for that 14 hour plane ride.  It will take a long time, but I have some "precious" reasons to save every penny.

Tomorrw we say our goodbyes, here, with a family picnic.  Give me strength to get through the day!  They fly out Monday evening.

My All-American Boy

"If you haven't had time to respond to a tug at your pant leg, your schedule is too crowded."

Another one of my babies that will be moving away.  He will be 4 when they return.  I have been with him almost 1 day every week since he was been born.  He was tiny with black hair, and is now huge with blue eyes and blonde hair.  Who knows what he will look like when they return. 

He loves playing outside.  When he's on the swings he always says, "MamMam, look at me."  I always tell him  that I am, but he keeps saying it anyway.  He's really getting into playing with matchbox cars.  That will be one thing  easy to send him.

Usually when we are at the playground, he just runs and runs.  Maybe track will be his thing.  Of course Mam is always hoping for soccer!  I am going to miss him so much.

"Too Hot To Play Tennis"

"The green grass and the happy skies court the fluttering butterflies."

The kids always like to take walks when we visit.  They have tennis courts right behind their house and it's a good place to run and throw balls.  On very hot days it's not fun because the sun just bounces off the court.  My babies are moving far, far away next week for 2 years.  It will be a 14 hour plane ride for them.  My heart is really down in the dumps over this, but that is where the job takes them.  I have taken lots of pictures this summer so that I can still put them on my blog.

She reminds me so much of a butterfly, the way she just flits around.  She loves butterflies and chases them all the time.  I wish I had given her the nickname of "butterfly", but she was so tiny when we got her and we didn't really know her personality. She is so precious and I am really going to miss her.

Scissors Are A NONO!

"You don't understand anything until you learn it more than one way."

Cali cut her hair!  Thank heavens she wasn't with me when she did it.  Carla needed to do some extra things in her classroom and  the girls went along.  Chloe loves playing school and cutting paper into anything and everything.  I guess Cali had other ideas as to what she was using her scissors for.  She was so proud of herself when she informed her Mom that she had cut her hair.  She chose a good place to do it, in the back.  Anyway, her Mommy said  "No more scissors for Cali!" 

She is  precious and usually so good, but she is 2,  that says it all.

Monkey See Monkey Do

"That it will never come again, is what makes this day so special."

Everywhere Camryn goes, so does her monkey friend.

Lovebug's First Day

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors in to windows."

Tuesday was Chloe's first day of Kindergarden.  She was so ready to go, but it's hard for me to believe that she is old enough to go.  She was so confident that she didn't want anyone to walk her to her room.  She loves music and recess was a big hit!  I'm hoping that her love for school continues for a LONG time.

Cali wanted to get ready for KDG also.  Chloe told her that while she was in school, Cali could play with her new doll.  That solved the problem.

Labor Day In The Mountains

"Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."

We had a Labor Day picnic at my brother's cabin in the mountain. We actually live in between 2 mountains, but his cabin is very high on one of them.  You can keep going up and up and up, and you still aren't there!  The kids had a great time just running around and riding on the 4-wheeler with Pap.  Aunt Shelley gave us a treat by letting the grill catch on fire.  The kids also did smores and those chocolate-marshmallow faces told us that a good time was had by all.  Just wish that #2 son and his wife and family could be there next year.  In 2 weeks, they are moving far, far away for 2 years.  My heart is really aching.

25th Anniversary

"A celebration of love as bright and enduring as silver."

A few weeks ago we celebrated my brother and his wife's 25th wedding anniversary.  Actually, it was their 26th.  Last summer was so hectic with my nieces wedding, my surgery and Carls surgery, that we just overlooked it.  Everyone felt terrible and wanted to make it up to them.  There was only 1 weekend in August that we could do it, so we went for it.  It was a small, family celebration, but I think everyone enjoyed it.

Family members took turns saying a few things about each one of them and letting them know how much we all love them.