Hair

As many of you read previously, Chris and Shawn received hair cuts before they left for Wyoming. Their mom took them and they both LOVED the hair.

Well - I am happy to report - Chris actually initiated a hair cut and went and got one this morning! I have no idea what it looks like but hopefully since it is shorter it will look better!

PROMOTION

Back in February, Chad took his test to determine whether or not he would add a stripe and move from a Tech Sgt to a Master Sgt. He studied and reviewed the test materials a lot! We all helped him including the kids. (I think they thought it was fun to see Daddy doing homework!)

Well - Thursday morning we received word that Chad scored high enough on his tests to earn his next stripe. His line number is low and so he should be sewing on his stripe (Officially moving up) before Christmas!

Lesson: Studying pays off.
Lesson: Working hard for a goal makes it all the more worthwhile to achieve it.

WAY TO GO CHAD!!!!

Jr. Youth Group

Chad and I started a new journey tonight both as a couple and as a family.

Back in December, we began brainstorming and planning with one of the pastors to begin a junior youth group. The kids would be in 5th through 8th grade. We would provide them an opportunity to build relationships and create friendships with substance and religion as a building block.

Tonight, we finally got a chance to meet the other couple who will be our co-sponsors. They seem like a great couple. They were recently married (January) and are from Iowa!!! YEAH - We have a bond already!

Anyway - We are really excited to begin this new adventure. The boys will be able to participate as Chris is going into 5th grade (AHHHHH!!!! How scary is that?) and Shawn will be in 3rd - a little young but able to participate because he is our son!

Our first gathering is in July! We are going to World's of Fun - This will primarily be hosted by the Sr. Youth Group. Then in August, Chad and I are having the kids over to our home to swim, play video games, watch movies, have bible study, eat food and play outside. It should be a lot of fun!!!

Please keep us and the Jr. Youth in your prayers. This will be a great way to keep kids involved in church, which will only make their faith stronger.

Dog Days of Summer

Father's Day wasn't quite what we expected. The boys are not here with us so Chad was hoping for a phone call. Sadly most of the day came and went without hearing from them. Finally around 8:00 they called. Also - The kids were bummed because they sent cards, but they did not arrive on time.

With the kids not here, the dog has taken center stage. He was more than happy to wish is "Dad" a Happy Father's Day. All we really can say is that the dog is loved.




As the pictures progressed, Murphy got more lazy. He just melts into Chad and it just makes us laugh!

Needless to say, he loves his "mom" too! Chad was goofing around with him and tucked him into the side of my shirt. Murphy melted into my hand and just laid there. He had no desire to even try to move. He is definitely a part of the family!

We Got Annie!

Annie came to Omaha on Memorial Day to stay for 3 weeks. She has come to live with us during Summer School. She works with me as a special education para-professional. This year turned out better than last, although the weather was not so great.

We went shopping (bought the same shirt for Flag Day), ate great food, sang in the church choir together, and I even got to test her nursing skills (I almost broke my toe at New York and Company). Along with all that, she was my camping buddy during all the storms. We camped out under the staircase while Chad stayed outside in hopes of seeing a tornado. He is crazy sometimes, but thankfully, he was able to achieve his goal (he saw a funnel cloud) and not one single home in our area was touched!

Sadly, Annie had to go back to Clear Lake last night, but Chad and I will get to see her and the rest of the family soon. We go to CL for the 4th of July and then a week later, we get to go on our cruise to the Carribean!

Love Ya Sis!

Storms

Well - Many of you who know me and my husband know that we love pictures. We especially love outside/weather pictures. During the past week, we have had so many cool pictures that I thought we would post a few and share them.

This was right after a big rainstorm


These next 3 pictures were taken just before the storms tonight around 9:00. I took consecutive pictures just hoping to catch one of the amazing lightning bolts... and this is what I got...


We hope that all our family and friends stay safe with all this wicked weather around the country.

A bad case of the Grumpy's

Well - No pictures to add this time around. We all seem to have a bad case of the grumpies!

Annie (my sister) came to visit last week on Monday. She is working with me for summer school. Currently she is assigned to work with a kiddo who has Cerebral Palsy. He's a little sassy so I think she might enjoy the nursing home better. She is grumpy cuz she misses her boyfriend, Tristan.

The morning before Annie got to town, our boys left to go live with their mom for the summer. This always makes Chad and I a little grumpy. We don't like the kids being gone and the house just seems too quiet. We are also very tired which doesn't help the overall mood! Chad has been working 12 hour shifts and I started a new job (teaching, but at a new school).

On top of all that, the weather has been yucky! We have had to be indoors a lot and we would much prefer to be outside.

We need this next weekend .... bad! It is supposed to be 97 and sunny - A perfect day for the boat or the pool!!!

Well - hopefully we will get some pics to post soon, but in the meantime -