Jackson's Happy Birthday

Today was a fun filled day! We started out by singing "Happy Birthday" to Jackson and in response he said, "I want cake." Okay, then! (We ended up making a rainbow chip cake tonight and it didn't heat up the house too much).

We headed out the door at 8:15 for our Pictures for a Purpose, and Amy Cheng, took the pics. She is so talented, and Savannah was a little ham and just ate up all the attention. When we get them back, I'll share!

Afterwards, we went to the Pancake House in Redmond. The kids got chocolate chip pancakes. Then we went home and hung out in the yard all day.

For dinner, we went to Red Robin and they sang to Jackson, and he got an ice cream sundae. When we got back home, he opened his present from sissy--5 different airplanes! As I am journaling this, he and Chad are playing with them on the floor.

I can't believe Jackson is 3! We are officially out of the baby stage and tomorrow he'll go to a new Sunday School classroom! We are so blessed to have him as our son and thank God daily for him.

Pool Party

Today we had the first of hopefully MANY pool parties this summer! We had a blast! There were 9 adults and 12 kids--great turnout :) We grilled hot dogs and had lots of good snack food.

We will be spending most of our summer days at the pool, so if you feel like coming up on a hot day, just call me and invite yourself up!

Summer Movie Camp

It's time for Summer Movie Camp again. AMC theatres and Regal Cinemas are putting on summer kids movies every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10 am this summer. AMC asks for $1 donation for charity, and Regal is free for kids and parents. Here are the websited for you to check out what movies are playing near you (this is a nationwide promotion).

AMC: http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/

REGAL: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

Precor AMT

This morning I headed back to the gym and worked out muscles I didn't even know existed. But more on that later.

I did a little research and found a picture and the description of the machine I attempted to master yesterday. It is called the Precor AMT. I found their description amusing (maybe I should have read this BEFORE yesterday).

The AMT does more than customize a workout, it customizes a movement -- adapting to your motion -- which means you can completely change the motion and paths of your steps without so much as the push of the button.
Yup, it sure does!--wait here is the best part yet:
Freedom of choice. This is what makes the AMT so unique. By allowing you to alter your motion at the slightest whim of your imagination, no two workouts have to feel the same. This keeps your mind engaged and your body torn between wanting to experiment with new movements and needing a second to catch your breath.
hmmm...maybe next time I'll do a little reading before thinking I can tackle anything! This description is right on--I know each time I get on the thing I won't have the same workout as before! And, boy does it tear your body--I woke up today with my back all out of whack!

So back to today. Gold's Gym just got in new equipment, so my body toning/sculpting regiment is changing. Out with the old, in with the new! I tried out this new machine that tones some muscle(s) in your arms and was looking around for the name of it. I saw "Hammer Strength". That's a good name for this...I'm doing hammer strength (kinda like hammer time!), I thought to myself..Then I looked up and to the right and saw that, no, I am not doing HS, I am doing the "seated row" machine. Aparently HS is a company that manufacters gym equipment.... Then I saw a new leg press machine. The press stays stationary, and you push your body backwards in the chair--kinda like the space shuttle launching into outerspace. Cool, I thought. Being the humble person that I am, I decided not to do the usual 160 lbs, but 140. HAHA What a joke! I couldn't even push myself back! No, I had to quickly adjust the weight amount to 80 lbs and that even got my HR up! As the kids and I walked out of there, I gave myself and A for effort!

The Gym

It's Monday and time for another "to do" list!

I decided that since I have my 10yr. high school reunion the 1st weekend in August, and the weekend before is a big family reunion at the lake, I better get my butt in gear--for purely vain reasons, I might add. I'd rather strut around in my bathing suit looking decent rather than a rolled up sausage! And since it has been 10 years, I'd like to look like I haven't let myself go, especially in the eyes of your former peers.

So, it was off to the gym bright and early--I think we rolled in a few minutes before 11! The gym was pretty quiet so I decided to tackle some new equipment..I can hear y'all laughing right now. It does get better. This equipment is like a high tech elliptical machine and burns way more calories--now I know why.

The foot pads (or whatever you call them) look like swinging pendulums, and I had a hard time climbing up. I teetered this way and that before gaining my balance. By the time I figured out my "course" the computer was telling me to pedal faster. Let me tell you--I looked like a very uncoordinated Tigger. One foot went forward and the other back and I almost fell off the stupid contraption. After about 30 seconds I mastered the use of my gross motor skills. Phew!

Towards the end of my workout, I grabbed my water bottle to get a drink, and it knocked off my phone. Down it went onto my foot which sent it flying into the aisle next to me. The back cover flew off and landed under this machine, and the phone and battery were scattered. I kept on "jogging" and considered my options. I could A) jump off, pick up the pieces, and make a fool out of myself with trying to get back on or B) continue my workout, pretending that didn't just happen. About a minute after choosing option B (I only had 5 more minutes left), a man came over, picked up my phone and battery and handed it to me! I was way too tired to be embarassed! I did hold my arms close to my body just in case the deoderant wore off :)

I have never been so glad to be done with a workout in my life. I hate working out anyways, but my whole body felt like jello when I climbed down. I thought I was going to fall over. Maybe the fact that I couldn't feel my toes had something to do with that............

Despite my agonizing ordeal, I am willing to make the sacrifice for being able to fit into a size whatever dress and cute shorts in 5 weeks.......Then, I'll cancel my gym membership and hang up my gym shorts until the next big reunion. Good thing they have an elastic waistband!

Montana

Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Hanging out with our cousins Aubrey, Owen, Elaina, and Emmett in Spokane.

We went camping at the lake for Father's Day weekend. My Grandparents cabin was 1/2 mile from the campsite, so I stayed with them and we hung out at both places throughout the weekend.

Savannah with Uncle Jeremy

Uncle KC and Jackson

Making a campfire with Grandpa

Holding the catch of the day!

On Monday we spent the day with our good friends Gavin and Havyn. Gavin is 3 weeks younger than Savannah, and Havyn is 3 weeks older than Jackson! When we get the kids together, we realize what our lives would be like with 2 sets of twins!! Their mom, Paige, and I have been friends since we were little. My dad worked on their family ranch, and my mom and Paige's mom went to high school together.

Gavin and Savannah

Havyn and Jackson

Antioch Adoptions

Chad and I went with 2 other couples to Antioch Adoption's dinner/fundraiser and Ken Hutchinson was the guest speaker.

Did you know if you are a white couple looking to adopt, agencies will push for you to adopt a white child because they profit more? It is almost impossible for you to get any child regardless of race if you are white (I know there are some exceptions, but he told us 3 different stories dealing with agencies here in the Bellevue area that were heartbreaking).

It costs around $500 for all the paperwork and background checks (there might be other fees, but he didn't mention any), but agencies will charge you $30,000 + to adopt a caucasion child. Here's the sad part. To adopt an African American child, it will cost you $5000! And, ALL African American children in the foster care system are classified as "special needs" regardless of whether or not they are, because the state and schools get more money from the government.

My heart broke when I heard that. This is a form of human trafficking on the local/state/national level. Since when do we put a price on children and discriminate against all of the races? God created all of these children and I wish I could adopt them all!

There are 500,000+ kids in the foster care system (not sure if it's state or national) that are legally bound to the state(s)--meaning their ties to the birth parents are severed, and over 1 MILLION families just in the US waiting/wanting to adopt. The cost and all the red tape is what's keeping these innocent children from being in loving families. Insetead, they are being tossed around and have no sense of security or belonging in their lives.

So, the Lord laid it on Pastor Hutch's heart to found this agency that helps families adopt without having to pay astronomical amounts. They cover all the fees and the agency is built off of donations. As Christians we are called to take care of the widows and orphans. (James 1:27) and they are doing just that.

What a difference we could make if there wasn't so many hoops to jump through and cost wasn't an issue....And, if these numbers are so high here in the US, just think of all the orphans and parentless children that are in the world......

Home

We're back! Yesterday we surprised Chad by coming home--he didn't know when we were coming back--the weather was too nice out there and we were having so much fun. Luckily Jackson slept half the time and Savannah for a couple hours, so I just stopped for gas and drive-thru for food. We made it home in a little over 10 hours!

To celebrate Father's Day, we had a big meal of Tri-Tip steak and all the fixins. He told me not only did he miss me, he really missed my cooking!

I am spending today unpacking but will try to post some pictures of our trip later.

Don't Dust off the Sunscreen Just Yet

It's official. We did not get the orders for Hawaii that we were hoping and praying for. Good thing God sees the whole picture because I'm pretty discouraged!

Here's some answers to a few questions that I've gotten about what we're going to do now.

• A new list of billets come up every month, so we'll keep checking those and if we see ones we like, we'll put in a request for them.
• Chad is waiting to hear back from the FAA about air traffic controller jobs and the training he'll need since he already has experience in that field.
• We will look into the officer program and weigh the pros and cons. If he chooses to go this route, he will do either a nursing program or medical doctor program. All other degrees had to be completed by the age of 28, and he realistically cannot get his bachelor degree in 9 months!
• We are also looking into and submitting resumes to many DOD (dep't of defense) civilian jobs
• Our friend is periodically looking at Microsoft security jobs to see if there are any openings for Chad to apply for.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Hawaii Update

We're still waiting to hear about Hawaii. Results were supposed to post last Friday, and the system was down for maitenance all week. Chad thinks we didn't get them, but is contacting the detailer to make sure. Usually he'd get a response saying whether or not he's been selected for the orders requested, and this time there was nothing. I'll update when I know more.

Blog Design Giveaway

My friend, Jenny, designs AMAZING blogs and is doing a summer giveaway! She made my blog look so sheek and I love it! Jenny will design a custom blog design for 2 lucky people. Just go to her site http://pinkarmchairdesigns.blogspot.com/ and check it out. If you want to be entered in the drawing, the directions on how to enter are right there!

Montana

Well, we made it to my parents late last night. I left our house at 5:54am with the kids, got gas, and hit the road. As usual, I stopped at the Burger King in North Bend for my "coffee" aka Dr. Pepper!

We stopped in Spokane and hung out with my cousin, Treasure, and her 4 kids for about 2 1/2 hrs and the kids had a blast. It was great to have some girl time and catch up with Treasure. After we left, the day got longer and longer and longer......well, you get the idea! I usually make the trip in 12 hours with the kids, but with our little pit stop it turned into 14 hours. We were so glad to get to my parents!

I was really looking forward to the weekend forecast--sunny and in the low/mid 70's and much do my despair (I feel your pain, Neely), I woke up to, yup, you native Montanans guessed it--SNOW! UGH! Oh, and yes, it does have a tendency to snow in the first couple weeks of June out here. We left Seattle for our much needed dose of sun! At least it is melting as it hits the ground...maybe I should check again, just to make sure.....Oh, look at that-it's stopped snowing and the grass is green. I am still holding out for my dose of sunshine. This weekend we're camping (my family will be, but I'll be staying at my grandparents house 1/2 mile away! haha) at the lake so I'll be sure to take my camera.

I would post pictures, but I left my USB cords at home, so you'll just have to use your wild and vivid imaginations on this one.

Stay tuned for more late breaking news from Big Sky Country!

National Donut Day!

This morning I went to check my email, and much to my surprise, I read that the first Friday in June is National Donut Day and that Krispy Kreme gives out free donuts. The kids were so excited to go get a donut, and we got to pick out any one we wanted. We had a really good time, and I need to mark it on the calendar for next year!