My Brother Mark

Today my thoughts have wandered almost half way around the world. My brother Mark called me this morning to let me know that he had safely arrived in Baghdad, Iraq. Unfortunately I was in the shower and missed the call. He is serving in the Army National Guard and has been deployed to Iraq for about a year. He's a Combat Medic and has earned the rank of Specialist (same level as a Corporal).

We have been continually praying for his safety. My kids have never failed to remember him in their prayers and I am so very thankful for their faith.

He is supposed to be stationed in a relatively safe area, but with what's going on over there, who knows what that means.

I am so very grateful for the internet. It makes keeping in contact with him so much easier and faster. Lately I've only been able to see him every couple of years and only talked to him a few times more than that, but since our mother passed away we've been in able to contact each other regularly. It's amazing how much more I miss him now that he is so far away.

God bless our soldiers and keep them safe.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

WOW! I can't believe it's been 6 months since my last post! I actually have been busy, but mostly I've just had a lot on my mind...not to mention Eric got me hooked on Facebook so there you go.
My life has been more a mess of emotions than anything else. I've been trying to sell my mother's house and in the mean time I have found out that that it was not worth nearly what I had hoped, with the economy the way it is, it was understandable, but it's the condition that it's in that was so troubling. It may end up just going back to the bank and I have to walk away from it with just paying the lawyers bills. All well, such is life. And as such it must go on.... and that includes posting on my blog. So I'll try to do better. That's all I can say.

Oh and of course there's the rest of my "life" that I deal with 24/7. The kids are out of school for the summer...hooray for 9 month school! I would MUCH rather deal with 3 months of having them all at home than having them in school when its 110 degrees out! Not to mention the homework and being taxi mom.

Brendan just tested for his High Brown belt in karate today! Such an accomplishment...we're very proud of him...the next level is black. I'll try to post some pictures of him.

Kristen is growing taller everyday...I swear that girl is all legs! She's progressing wonderfully on the piano and is also now taking voice lessons.

Mackenzie is also taking piano and voice lessons and it's amazing to hear her play when she is not quite 6 yrs yet. She wants to do EVERYTHING the older ones do and refuses to be left out.

Lance is such a handsome little guy...he's just following in the others footsteps. Loves to help, as long as it's "his" idea.

Ryne is up on his hands and knees and starting to crawl! He's barely 7 months! And of course everything within his reach goes straight to his mouth. I'm in for it I know. Guess it's a good reason to keep the floors clean. He's our big chunk, and we all lovingly call him Chubby. He's already over 20 lbs but has the length to go with it. He coos and loudly lets us know where he is and what he wants. And of course the kids run to do his bidding.

I know this must sound like an annual Christmas letter...Christmas in July...there's nothing better!

Lance vs. Truck

This is one of Lance's favorite things to do...he gives Daddy a push off to work.













Sometimes he gets there a little early and just keeps digging in until Eric is finally ready to go.

Note the pants...guess we gotta feed the boy or get a belt!








"Ok Mom, now that Dad is gone lets go to the PARK!"

"Fine, where ever you want to go is alright with me as long as we just GET OUTTA HERE...I'LL EVEN GO SHOPPING WITH YA! LET'S GO!!!"

Kids

Here's some recent pictures. Lance is of course on his favorite spot.

Here's the proof...Ryne really does have blue eyes.

My kids are hams...they just kept saying, "take another picture!" So what can I do. They're just too cute.!

Yes it's Pinewood Derby season.
This year Eric decided to make the trophies.
And of course Brendan has to help.







Here are some of the trophies that he's made.
He always makes enough for all the boys to get one. I like the "Wall-E" one myself.




But the ones that have parts that move are really cool too!

Ryne 5 weeks old

Here's some pictures of our little "squeak".

This is his "Vegas look"...Thank you, thank you very much.


Don't know if you can see it but he does have blue eyes. Kind of a steel gray blue color. So Eric finally got one.






Here's his fighter's stance. He has to do this often when the kids are around. Gotta protect the do!

Then there's the pensive look. Just thinking whether to take a nap, eat or poop. Aaaah the life of a babe!

Here's our beautiful new kitchen. It's been basically finished for a while now, these last corner cabinets were added when Ryne was born. Thank you Thank you to Art and Eric for all their hard work!

Now I just have to work at keeping it clean and beautiful! Not an easy task.