Football in Full Swing...

It's officially football season. I'm excited, but at the same time gearing up for a busy schedule! Ty has games on Thursdays and Justin plays on Mondays. Along with practices that never seem to start or stop at the same time it definitely keeps us on the run! We're so excited that Grandma is here! She's already lightened the load of driving! It was a nice, hot day... uncomfortably hot to play in but, Grandma and I enjoyed it sitting in the bleachers!

Last night was their annual scrimmage. Ty (8th graders) scrimmaged the 7th graders. Justin wasn't quite as lucky- the Freshmen were up against the Sophomores. He's facing off against a much bigger #69 in this bottom photo.

The Military Poster Couple

I'm so proud of my honey! After months and months of studying, Jim tested in February for his next rank- Master Sergeant. We found out in June that he passed his test- so exciting! With just under 13 years in the military, he's done so well to work his way up the chain. It's been a lot of discipline and countless hours of studying. The frustrating part for us is he doesn't get to sew his new stripe on until June of 2009. The way they work promotions is mind-boggling to me! Those who have been in the longest who make the rank get to sew it on first. Since he's one of the younger ones, with the least amount of time in he has to wait. I've NEVER hear of this system until the military and I think it's crazy.

The raise won't kick in until next June as well, but the responsibility sure has! He's already been put in a new position as Flight Chief in charge of Support- a job that he'd happily hand off to anyone who would like it!

Last night, to honor those moving to the upper ranks of enlisted military, they had a nice induction ceremony and dinner. Not too exciting since we're not exactly the "poster couple" for the military...but, it was a nice dinner. I had to laugh a little while singing "off we go... in to the wild, blue yonder..." Grandma saved the day by flying down on Wednesday so we had someone to stay with the boys. Justin and Ty could have managed, but it's much more fun with Grandma here!

Probably the highlight of the evening was being asked if we're newlyweds! Very sweet... I think I told all of my friends when we got married that in 20 or 30 or 50 years, we'd still be madly in love and feel like newlyweds! It just grows stronger by the minute!

Tyler's First Day

Vacation's now over for Tyler as well... 8th grade started today for him! We woke up to thunderstorms and rain so he's a bit more bundled up. It's funny to me that it hits 65 degrees and he thinks he needs a sweatshirt. (He's the one who misses Alaska...) It's also a little darker outside. They start an hour later on Wednesdays, every other day they're picked up at 6:40am... Early mornings!

Justin's off to High School

School's in... Justin's a FRESHMAN! I just can't believe I'm old enough to have a son in high school! I'm 35... but, feel so young! Lucky for him, today's the first day for freshmen and new kids only. Gives him a day to get to know his way around in a more relaxed atmosphere. I think it's a great idea! Ty's vacation ends tomorrow as he starts 8th grade. They're both definitely happy to be in different schools again... if only for this school year!

I hear moms all the time who can't wait for their kids to get back to school... I'm not one of them. I'm almost as sad as they are that our summer break has ended. It's not just that my big boys help me a lot... I just love hanging out with them! Yes, they do fight... but they're great fun most of the time!

Caden offered a little support while they waited for the bus to pick Justin up. Check out these big feet... he's starting this school year in 13's...

Berries & Peaches

This last couple of weeks has been WAY too busy! Too much work... not enough play! After a really long couple of day working last week (plaques covering about every square inch of open space in our house) I told Caden we were going to play the next day- Mommy worked too much! His response, "Where? Where did you work?" As long as he thinks it's all play- guess we're doing alright!
We did take a break last week to visit a farm close to our house for peach and blackberry picking- yum!! I think Tyler and I had the most fun- we were working on peaches while Jim and Justin tried to fill the bucket with blackberries. Coleman and Caden just bounced around mostly enjoying the two dogs the farmer had walking around.
Once our box was full of peaches, we found some full blackberry bushes and picked more than enough in no time!


I have yet to make any pies... or cobbler, but I did make my first batch of jam! It actually turned out better than expected- fun times!