Not another Hurricane

Geez! With my brother living in Florida and Richard's sister Carolyn living in New Orleans, I worry everytime there is a hurricane. Generally my brother gets the most of it, but Katrina did a number three years ago and Carol evacuated. Richard just spoke to her and they've decided to stay this time. YIKES! They are not in the immediate flood zone is all I know and they didn't get flooded last time and she's concerned about the looting. Carol and Bob are military people. I'm worried for the looters if they come around her! But seriously, can all my family and friends who read this just say a little prayer for Carol and Bob that they will be safe and no harm come to them or their house. She will evacuate if flooding threatens them, just so you all know.

God Bless you Carol and Bob. We love you!

Spencer started Kindergarten

Well, the time has come and Spencer started kindergarten this past Monday Aug. 25. As we were leaving, as if I wasn't sad enough, Cassidy said "you forgot Spencer mommy". Well that just made me more sad and the tears I was holding back started coming down. He's the second one now to be in school. Brenden is in 4th grade and he told Spencer this morning that he'll look for him at recess. That makes me feel good to know that his older brother is looking out for him and is willing to make his little brother feel more comfortable at school. I had to go in the bathroom this morning after Spencer gave me a big hug because I was tearing up and I didn't want him to see me. He asked for tissue for his pocket because he said he might cry a little. He's more shy than Brenden so I think he'll cry quietly to himself a little. That's how he is. He's the break your heart crier. He's so quiet about it and it just makes you sad when he cries. Brenden cried on his first day of kindergarten for just a bit after I dropped him off, and he's the social one! It's weird here with just one child again. I haven't had just one at home for a long time. Spencer wrote me a card that says " I love you mom, Spencer" because he wanted me to have it today when I got sad. It's hanging on the fridge.
Last Sunday I took Spener to Chuck E Cheese, just me and him, for some mommy/Spencer time alone before school started. He was so happy. We spent 3 hours there and played everything and just had a good time together. He is so good and didn't even ask for anything, I asked him if he wanted me to buy him a toy. He picked one and I let him pick another one too on top of what little things he won with his tickets from the games. We had a great day together. I enjoyed it so much, especially when he put his hand on my leg and scooted close to me when we were eating and he said "I love you mommy". Melts my heart. And now he's in kindergarten. My little mommy's boy is growing up. He's such a sweet, loving, kind, wonderful little boy. I'm so proud to be his mommy.

Weekend update

Well, last night I had the best time with Brenden at the Jonas Brothers concert. I felt like a kid again! I was screaming like a teenage girl but I refrained from jumping up and down and dancing so I wouldn't embarass Brenden. It was so awesome! Brenden was screaming and said his throat was sore when we left. My ears were ringing from all the girls screaming around me. A group called the Veronica's performed first and I liked them so much I'm thinking of downloading some of their songs. Demi Lovato was next and she is great. She reminds me of a young Kelly Clarkson, she's got an awesome range. Then came the Jo Bros. and they just ROCK! Though Brenden was outnumbered by girls by like 500:1 , not really that much, but everywhere you look there are screaming girls! Me and Brenden had so much fun and I was happy just watching him have such a great time. He was clapping, jumping, screaming, singing, and waving his hands around. The teenager beside him looked at him one time when he was singing and just smiled at him. I could tell she thought it was cute that he knew all the words to the songs. This was his birthday present. I'm sure it's one he'll never forget.

Today I'm taking Spencer to Chuck E. Cheese for a mommy/Spencer day since I've gone to Wiggles with Cassidy, Jo Bros with Brenden and now this. I didn't want to leave Spencer out and since he starts Kindergarten tomorrow, today is the perfect day to take him.

Richard still has to download the program for me to download pics from my new camera. I'll try to get him to do that today so I can share the pictures with everyone.

Side note: Please remember Hadley Fox in your prayers. She is nearing the end of her cancer journey. You can read her mom's blog to the left under Hadley's name for more info whenever you want.

The last few weeks

Geez have I been busy the last few weeks. On the weekend of the 9th I went to West Union and stayed at my dad's for the weekend so I would have time to visit all my family down there. On Saturday we visited my grandpa Bill, then went to my dad's for a nap for Cassidy, then off to Terri and Tracy's for the rest of the day to swim. Hollie, Derek, Heather, Trey, and Hunter were all there too. We had a great time swimming and they cooked out. Heather took Cassidy in the pool for a bit and proved to me that Cassidy can swim with just floaties on and not floaties and a ring (scaring me to death!) and Spencer did the same! The boys loved going down the slide and Brenden did the diving board a few times too. On Sunday we went to Vickie's and visited with her family and Judy and Jim. No trip to West Union is complete without seeing Judy. Even on trips that I don't have time to stop by her house, I stop by the flower shop.


This week (11th-15th) Spencer has been in kindergarten camp from 9:30-11:30am to get kids acquainted to school and meet the teachers. This will be the first year for all day kindergarten so the camp is good for kids who've not gone to pre-school or been in day care (Spencer!). He cried a little on the first day and that was it. Now he's excited to start school for real he said. I however will be crying on the first day because it will be different for me to just have one child at home, but I won't cry til I get home so I don't upset Spencer. When Brenden started school I started crying before we even left the neighborhood but managed to suck it up and hold it in when we got there. I'll be able to go up on the playground with Spencer and take him to his line and stay with him until the bell rings. Brenden's teacher was old-school and didn't let us do that. She said it makes it harder on the kids. I'd think ripping them away right at the side of the building makes it harder but whatever.

The Wiggles concert with Cassidy was Wednesday night(13th). She danced and sang and then got worn out and sat down and watched them in a trance the rest of the time. She loved it. I bought her a Wiggles backpack and butterfly glowstick that she waved around all night long. She picked out the backpack over toys and shirts, I let her pick. It was so fun to watch her enjoy the Wiggles who she watches on TV every day and she was just mesmerized. It was a very fun mother/daughter night. I'll have pictures uploaded soon of the concert. I took these on my new camera and have to download the software to then upload my pictures.

And finally, Richard started his new job this past Monday (11th) and likes it there. It's different being downtown he said and there are freaks that walk between the buildings all the time which is weird and it's not the best thing to see when you have your precious Camaro parked outside all day. I'll have to share a picture of the camaro too. He loves that car. And the only downside is the insurance is sooo much more expensive at this place. It's more than double what we paid at Mac Tools. It's gonna be @500 for medical, dental, and vision for the family. And he has to pay $30 for parking too. He's right downtown off of I-70. The drive is certainly better than the old drive. Now it only takes him 30-35 mins vs. 45mins-1hr before depending on traffic. It always took him 1 hr to get home, I know that and now he's home in 35 mins. So that's awesome. Now he'll be able to make it to soccer games on time and basketball practices too.

Next post will be the pictures of the Wiggles concert and a few from the trip to Dad's. Sorry it's been so long since I posted.

Summertime fun

Well, on Sunday we took the training wheels off of Spencer's bike and he's doing great. So I thought I'd share some pictures of him riding his bike and other summertime fun here at our house.

Of course Brenden had to show off some moves too. He likes to scare me to death now with his tricks.

This is what Cassidy was doing while they rode their bikes and she didn't want to ride her Dora bike. So she's sitting at the tree and playing with the mulch. Now some fun in the pool. Neighborhood association rules state we can't have a pool unless it's inground so this is as much backyard pool fun that we can have. Pools can't be over 1 foot tall. How crappy is that. Ok, how crazy is this picture! Brenden had been balancing it on his head and I took a picture of it on top of his head and I also got this one too. It looks like it was placed there but it's not, it's as it was falling. Cool picture isn't it. And Cassidy is helping me take pictures. Here she's taking a picture of me while I take one of her.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Visiting with my Brother

My brother was up to visit last week from Florida. He stayed with us for a day and Mom's for a day and then he had a family reunion on the Truesdell side in Manchester area. It was nice to have a few days with him since I only see him once a year, but I talk to him at least bi-weekly, sometimes weekly. Here's a picture of Mom, me, brother (Kent for those of you who don't remember his real name other than brother since that's what I call him!) and my 3 monkeys all of whom have decided to have their own expressions in the picture. You'll notice that Brenden is the one posing and smiling because he knows I'll keep taking it until I get a perfect one. But I decided to share this one with you to show their personalities a bit. We were taking pictures on my camera and on my brother's camera so they were pictured out by this time and being ornery!

We had a nice time and hope to all go on vacation next year together at the OuterBanks.

I also wanted to share this picture that I took of my cousin Erika leaving the church at her wedding on the 12th of July. There is a bubble right in her face which I didn't notice when I took it. I love this picture. And yes, I will forward it to your email Vic and Tammy. Congratulations Erika and Nic.

Fun time at the Wynonna Concert

Wynonna was at the Lancaster Festival last night and I was at the concert with my mom. It was awesome. Her voice is beautiful. She sang "Love can build a bridge" and "Grandpa" from her days with her mom and "Only Love" and "No One Else On Earth" from her albums (others too but these are the ones I can remember off the top of my head) and she sang the Christian song "I Can Only Imagine" beautifully too. She sang with the Lancaster Orchestra band and did covers of a lot of other songs too cuz with an orchestra she can't really do all her country stuff without her band. This is part of her orchestra tour. Nonetheless, she was great, covers or her original stuff, didn't matter to me. She could sing the phone book. She looked great too. She had a little boy come up on stage who brought flowers to the stage for her and she had his mom take their picture together. That was cool. She got his name and age (Travis, 8) and told the audience that she thought is was great that a kid knew who she was. A toddler was dancing down front at one point and she had her camera guy put him up on the jumbo tron....that was sooo cute! She is so friendly and really is great for a family crowd. She loves the little ones. I'll remember that cuz if I see her again I'll take the kids and maybe I'll get to meet her. She told stories and sang and I just really enjoyed the concert. I listened to her as a kid with my parents and then when she went out on her own I listened to her of my own free will. If she comes to your town, I recommend seeing her. You won't be disappointed.