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Once again daddy goes to the desert!
27 & 28th
Busy 2 days.
Thursday I talked to MZ. Lance doesnt have as many badges to complete as he originally thought so it is completely doable
still. So I didnt let Lance quit. If we move he can drop.
It was parents night at camp. Since Lance wasnt working I made him go to. I had a headache that was acting like
it was going to turn into a migrain so I needed a back-up driver. The buses didnt run the afternoon route so we had
to go get her - in Cresent Iowa.
It was hot and the baby only ate Doritos and a chocolate chip cookie. I ate her hotdog. I was a meal short
since I took Lance (you paid for it when you signed up for camp) so the baby and I just shared - worked out fine.
We watched Cierra do her horse riding and then came home.
Today, Friday, was the newest disaster. Lance was mowing the lawn and the mower broke. None of the neighbors were
home so we have a half mowed yard. And he works both jobs this weekend so its going to stay that way until we can borrow a
mower next week. Looks pretty bad but I cant imagine mower shopping and then you not being happy with it. Plus,
what if you come home and can fix this one.
Today was C's last day at horse camp. It was also free extreme bowling at the base alley so after I picked her
up we went straight out there. The dinner was free to. We only played one game. Alia wasnt containable.
And it was crowded. But she's still on track for her "once a week for 6 weeks" requirement.
Now we are at home and I have a very whiney and tired young lady. I even called Mary and cancelled going to the
picnic with the Lincoln Chinese group because she wants to stay home. That's probably for the best as the house needs
a good cleaning anyways.
We are in for the night. Cierra is counting the days until you get home - and complaining its too long. No kidding.
Tuesday and Wednesday
Not alot going on here. Its pretty quiet with C at camp. Lance worked Tuesday so it was just me and Alia.
Alia is having alot of sleep issues lately and ends up in my bed more often than not. She also spooks real easy and does
that crazy hysterical cry afterwards. It started before camp so its not C being gone.
Today Lance got off at 2:00 so I ran some errands while he babysat. Got the van registered (at the right price
this time) and a few other things. Picked Cierra up and then we cooked steaks -- her request from yesterday. She comes
home completley wiped out and hungry.
Lance went to scout. He was not paid back again. Its next week again. Also, Lance asked to drop out again.
He said he cant make eagle at this point with us moving since he still needs 6 merit badges. I told him we dont know that
we are moving so he's not stopping yet. I put in a call to Mark to find out if something happened or if its true
that Lance is just spinning his wheels and should be allowed to drop. He hasnt returned my calls. Should have know with
the situation what it is. So I dont know what to think about that whole thing.
Thats about it. Tomorrow night is family night at Cierra's camp. I'm getting tired of doing these things
by myself.
Monday, July 24
Cierra started horse camp today. We had to get up at 6:00am - there is something wrong with that. I have to take
her to the Sarpy County YMCA to catch the 7:45 bus. She gets back at 5:00pm.
Alia and I spent the day at home. I was trying to do things around the house, but with Lance at work and Cierra gone
the baby wanted to sit on my lap the whole time and I wasnt allowed to get anything done. I took her out back to swim for
awhile but that wasnt as fun without sissy so I was spared the usual two hour time frame.
Cierra had a great first day at camp. After I picked her up she was starving so we stopped at IHOP on the way home. I
told her that wasnt happening again so she'd better pack more food from now on.
The girls swam a little and then we came inside. Lance hadnt done any dishes or brought in the trashcans. Grounded.
Cierra tried to get away with not doing dishes also - she's grounded also as she didnt do the hand washing - again.
Thats it!
Sunday the 23rd
Not much going on today. Lance worked after we did the office cleaning. We left C at home babysitting while the
two of us cleaned. Took a while but we got it done.
Saturday the 22nd
We had to get up bright and early to have Cierra and Meagan to the zoo for their all day camp. The weather was
nice enough that I thought we would come back after lunch with Mary and An Ling.
Lance worked both jobs today.
An Ling ended up taking a long nap so we didnt make it to the zoo. I finally left at 2:20 to go out there = that gave
me about an hour to walk around before the girls were done. I could not find a parking space! It was so crowded. It took
me 45 minutes to find a spot. It wouldnt have been so bad if part of the ball park lot hadnt been closed as full - it
was half empty! I could have parked on the other side of 13th street but that was crazy. So by the time I actually
got into the zoo I had like 10 minutes to wait on the girls.
The girls had a great time and earned 3 GS badges. They got to go behind the scenes alot at the zoo. It was pricey
at $35 for the day, but it appears it was worth it.
We tried to go to the aquarium from there but it was so crowed we ducked out the emergeny exit (which as open as it was
so crowded they needed the air and escape. I was getting clausterphobic. It was so crowded that we just left. So much
for our zoo day.
We took Meagan home and then came back to the house. The girls swam for a little bit and then we went in and watched
a movie.
Friday the 21st
Today was pretty low key in the morning. I made your potatoe salad for the ALWW picnic.
At about 2:30 Alia and I went over to Carrie's for a play date. Cierra stayed home for not doing the dishes. She loads
the dish washer and then leaves everything. I dont know how many times in one day I can keep having this same conversation
with her.
Maizie is too cute! Mary and the kids came over also and we all played in their little play room in their basement. Really
nice set up. Alia is still stand offish with other kids and spends most of her time taking what she wants or defending
what she has. She's rather high strung in a group still.
Carrie showed us some pictures from our last picnic at Robins and Alia pointed out An Ling and says "Ling". That was
so cool - it was before the MIllers got there. She recognizes her terror twin!
From there we went home and finished up the potatoe salad and went out to the picnic. It was just me and the girls as
Lance was working.
We saw pretty much everyone. The Vorthems were there! Emma is such a little personality! And it really doesnt appear
there are any CP issues. She is so cute. Her and Bei really favor each other too. You should see Sam - he's
not the cute little bitty guy anymore - he's a handsome young man now.
We also saw Robin, Len and Emily. I think Emily has grown the most of all of them. She's taking a gymnastics class
at the base that Robin is going to call me about when they start another round. I'd love to put Alia in gymnastics. She's
still climbing anything she can. She kept climing the ladder instead of the stairs at the picnic on the play equipment.
Bill, Carly, Zoe and the girls were also there. I havent seen much of them lately. Zoe is a knock-out. And
she has so much hair!! She's got some really good pony tails going on.
Jeff and Carrie were there with Maizie. I was able to steal a little holding time while they tried to eat something.
It seems so long ago that Alia was that little.
The picnic was nice and we were one of the last to leave. I dont get to see the Vortherms enough to want to stop
visiting! I told them we are going to Mt. Rushmore, etc and we would see about stopping in if it worked out for
everyone.
Meagan came home with us. I wanted to cancel the overnight because Cierra didnt do the dishes but they both had that
zoo class in the morning and I was taking them so it was easier to have her. So I made Cierra do them while Meagan was
over. But she didnt - she did the whole load the dishwasher and dont hand handwash anything. I was even more mad.
Alia ended up in bed with me. Must have been too much of a day for her.
July 20 - Thursday
The girls and I headed to the base this morning. They wouldnt give me the allergy shot as I had a reaction Monday. What
I didn't know was that the entire back of my arm was bruised. I had on a green shirt and got lots of compliments on
how well my arm matched it! LOL! So no double dose this week for me.
From there we went over to your work and took R Lance's computer. LIke when I go over there for you, the time
vortex sucked him in and we ended up waiting in the parking lot awhile. I felt bad for him because he was rather embarassed
and apologetic. Never work in a building with no windows. By the way - did I not tell you that Lance was in no hurry for it
to be fixed? He's been too busy doing other things and since school is over for the summer he hasn't been using it really.
That is one of the reasons why he's confused on why it crashed - he hasnt even been using it really except for his ipod.
That's why I asked if maybe the ipod could be part of the problem.
We picked up my refill and then went to the bowling alley. Since we hadnt eaten I decided to do their eat and bowl
special - which means we bowled three games this time. Bad thing is on my very first throw I pulled the large muscle
in one of my thighs!! And we even stretched first!! I still havent figured out how I did that. And now I had 3
games to bowl! Wasnt very comfortable!
At 6 Cierra had a girl scout class. It was a glass fusion class where she made a pendant. They arent fired yet
so we will have to pick them up at the council at a later date. I saw hers and it was rather cool. Funny thing was we
had watched a show on one of the home chanels and she did almost a replica of what we saw this one lady make.
She has become a little pro and cutting and snipping the glass pieces - although she did cut herself on a little chip.
Lance stayed the night at Stacy's. He's feeling rather unhappy about the move possibilty and leaving the friends
he's had since 6th grade. He tells me he will come back - to which I say that's just fine. Anyways, dont get the
wrong impression, these were just conversations, he's not acting angry or anything. I told him you and I both moved
our senior years also so we "get it".
Thats pretty much it for our day. We spent a couple of hours in the back yard pool. Best $30 I ever spent I think.
July 16-19
Not a whole lot new going on. We did the cleaning on the 16th - and the baby broke a big clay pot. Not a good thing.
I'm just glad Ron was there and I was able to go directly to him and tell him myself.
MOnday Lance had the day off and spent some of it over at Stacys - and ended up staying the night over there.
Miracle didnt come bowling today as she was sick. So Cierra and I bowled. This isnt the way I'd perfer it
with Alia running around - but Lance was sick when he got up (he had been up in the middle of the night vomiting) so I had
to give up having him babysit for me. That stunk. I could really use a day.
Anyways, so I went and got my shots - and about 4 that afternoon had a pretty serious local reaction. My right arm swelled
up like a balloon and itched something crazy. It was starting to go down by 11 that night, but 2 days later is still
itchy. I'll have to let them know when I go back.
After bowling we ran a few errands - Post office, library, etc. Nothing exciting. After we got home the girls played
in the pool. I think we ended the night watching a movie.
Tuesday I ended up taking the girls over to the Millers. They stayed with Matt and the kids while Mary and I went and
checked out the Asian Market off of 75 that you have pointed out to me. Its pretty big. I found the Lee Kum
Kee soy sauce I like so much - but its in this huge 62oz can. I have to find something to put it in after I open it.
We ended up going out to dinner at China One with the Millers. They invited us to come along. Matt taught everyone
bad table manners and hassled Cierra real good for you.
We swam again after coming home and Alia crashed hard.
Wednesday was mostly quiet. We did run around a few places looking for some kind of bottle to use for the soy sauce -
no luck. I"m seriously considering getting a sun tea jar for it.
Lance had scouts but only for a short while. I forgot it was Wednesday so I forgot about church. Oops.
Thats it for now. The ALWW picnic is Friday. Meagan will probably stay the night -- her and Cierra have a
girl scout ecology badge blitz thing they are doing at the zoo on Saturday (its a day camp they are holding) that I will take
them to and pick them up. Its too hot to stick around with the baby and enjoy the zoo. Too bad. Cierra has horse
camp next week - guess I'd better check to see she has everything she needs!!
Today
July 11-15
Not a whole lot going on out this way. Mostly we just go from day to day.
Tuesday the 11th we pretty much just stayed home. The girls like to play in the pool in the backyard so I take a book
outside and sit and read while they play. Alia is getting an insane tan. I'm so jealous I can hardly stand it.
Wednesday our 4H group cancelled as the person that was hosting wasnt getting the emails and didnt get it planned.
My turn to host is August 9th so I already sent out an email on the plan - bowling at West Lanes for $5 per kid. Thought
with that being the time frame you would return I'd better get it planned now or it wouldnt happen at all. I don't want
to drop the ball -- especially if it turns out I cant make it. Now at least it is already planned.
Angel and Miracle stayed the night with Cierra. They didnt get here until after church so it was a late night.
Cierra was not a very good hostess so it wasnt an easy night on mom either.
Thursday Tricia picked up Angel at 10:30 so they could go to her skate lesson, and Miracle, C and Alia joined me on a
trip to the base. I didnt make it in time to get my shots (its only until 11 on Thursdays), but I did pick up the new thyroid
meds. Joy.
After that we went bowling on base. The girls had a blast. I was able to get the operations manager to take
them on a tour of the back side of the alley so they could see how everything works. I wasnt able to join them
with the baby and I was very jealous. Since we were there at a time that there were only two other families there bowling,
she let the girls turn on all the black lights, etc like they use for their crazy night bowling -- a good plug on her part
to get them to want to come in for the expensive bowling! Now they are begging to go back on a Friday or Saturday night --
when it would cost me 4x as much! LOL! Smart lady. Anyways, she answered a lot of the questions they asked that pertain
to the bowling badge so they are almost done with it. I went ahead and called that council and ordered the two badges.
If they dont earn them I'm out $2.90. If they do I'll turn in the reciept to the troop and be reimbursed.
We ran into Emily, Robin and Len when we first got to the bowling alley. They were having lunch there. Emily is so big!
Their snack bar is not so bad. And the ladies like Alia and give her free cookies.
After bowling the girls played in the pool for awhile. When Tricia came to get Miracle they asked if Cierra
could stay the night so I said yes.
Alia woke up in the middle of the night with a massive nosebleed again. It went through the waterproof pad the sheet
and was only stopped by the plastic backed mattress pad. Time to find some vitamin K and see if it works.
I've looked serveral places and am having a hard time finding it.
Friday was another "you've got to be kidding" day. Cierra was over at Tricia's all day and Lance and I did some
cleaning. I decided to clean the carpets in the van as the coke spill spots were turning black. I really didnt think
it would come out, but I finally got it up. The nice thing was that it was so hot out that all I had to do was leave
all the doors open for an hour and the whole thing was dried. I didnt get the floor mats very good - they are soooo
dirty that I never got it all out. Its all that tracking from snow time. Talk about some muddy water. Next
time maybe I should hit them with the hose first and see it I cant get some of the dirt out that way.
Lance had to work at 4 - and went out to his car around 2 to find a back window broken out. He came howling into the
house. Its the back passenger side small back window - not the part that rolls down, but the little window right
behind that. He has it duct taped at the moment since he has no money and payday isnt until the 22nd. He still
hasnt paid me off completely (as Mark hasnt paid him off yet - not happy about this). Question: Are we taking this
car to Texas if we go? Do you think it will pass inspection?
Before picking up Cierra I went to the Whole foods mart and got some vitamin K. They also ordered the Pro EFA for
me - Alia is almost out. That will save me on shipping. I also picked up some Stevia as I think maybe my whole
flushing, rash, hives might be triggered by Splenda. Came about it a funny way - I'm trying to find ways to get
Alia to eat less sugar and start eating veggies, etc. So I found some muffin recipes but everything seemed so high
sugar that I thought I'd check out the research on Splenda and maybe use that. Its a dirivitive of sugar, right? Wrong - its
a sugar molecule injected with 2 different chlorines. Geeeezzzzzz. So I started reading on the types of symptoms
and problems it causes and was shocked to see things I was thinking were related to another problem. So, I figured the way
to find out was to cut out the Splenda and see what happens. I didnt realize how much stuff has Splenda in it now
- knocks out the yogurt I eat, my morning sweetener, Propel, etc.
Saturday Tricia took the girls to the Children's Museum to finish up their tiles for the wall. They got to glaze and
fire tiles for the permanent display wall and had a good time.
We had already decided not to camp with the new developements and the heat, etc. But Lance and I headed out to
Two Rivers for the HSHS thing. We saw no one there we knew and the swimming pond was so overcrowded that I called
Tricia and told her not to bother bringing the girls out - it wasnt worth the drive. So our swimming for the day was
cancelled and we went home. Since it was 100 degrees that was probably a good thing. I picked C up and her
and Alia played in the pool in the backyard instead.
Question: Is Lance supposed to rake the yard after mowing? He says no but I could swear I heard you tell him you wanted
that done for now on.
I was going to pack the camping stuff up, but if you think we can camp after you return I'll go ahead and leave it out.
I'd like to go some more. You know, this is the first year that I didnt buy a state park sticker and the first year
I"ve spent more than it costs for the sticker to get into the parks - just figures!!!
July 10th
Miracle was supposed to come over and go bowling today. But she got herself in trouble so she had to go sit with
mom and sis at the hospital all day instead.
Lance worked a little and then mostly stayed home the rest of the day. That was unusual for him.
Since Miracle didnt come, I drug the girls out to the base with me to get shots. Cierra helped keep the baby occupied
while we did the 30 minute wait. This is not going to work out. Containing a 2 year old in a small space she has
no interest in being in is a nightmare. She was climbing on tables, laying in the floor and running out the door
every time you blinked.
After we left the hospital I found out where the base bowling alley was and we went to check it out. We had a quick,
cheap, lunch there and then bowled two games. Their summer prices are so low that it even beats the "special" I thought
was so great at West Lanes. So, now I know where we will do our bowling for this 6 week period. For $10 at West
Lanes we would have got the girls a pair of shoes and two games. The same $10 at the base gets them the same plus 3
large drinks for all of us while they play. Works for me. Plus the lanes are in much better condition and its
just a nicer place all around.
Thats about it for us. I purged the file cabinet after we got home - that took all night.
July 8-9
Not a lot going on this weekend. Saturday Cierra went Ice Skating about 1:00. Tricia says she's getting comfortable
on the ice now.
Lance went to see Pirates of the Carribean with Nick. Tim was in town this weekend so they hung out in the neighborhood
for a while also.
Sunday we went to clean but everyone was working as a trial starts tomorrow. We are going to head over there again
after the kids finish the dishes. I told them to call the security company and tell them we would be working late this time.
Glad Lance isnt actually working.
The girls and I sat out in the back yard for a few hours. The girls swam in their pool. Lance got in for a few minutes
but it was too cold for him. Its not been very hot here - mostly in the 80's. Anyways, Alia tanned
like crazy and has serious swim suit lines. Lance and I were amazed.
Thats about it for this weekend. Next weekend we have the HSHS thing out at Two Rivers so we are just going to
go ahead and camp. Might as well get one last time in as I dont see it happening after you get home.
July 7
I'm having a hard time keeping track of what day of the week it is lately. How did it get to be Friday already?
Not much going on today. I met Mary and the kids and Cierra and we took them to the Children's Museum. Alia
was scared to death of the dinosaur exhibit upstairs. The dino move and make noises and she wasnt having any of that.
So mostly we stayed in the toddler room while the big kids played. An Ling came and played with her some to. Its
good to see the two of them playing together more.
On the way home I got a call from Lance who had locked his keys in his trunk at Best Buy. So we went home and grabbed
a set of his keys and took it to him.
Then we went next store to the Old Country and had dinner - Lance just had a drink as he wasnt hungry. After that
he went home and the girls and I went into Toys R Us. The pools were on clearance so I got one for the girls to play
in. The one from last year is pretty much toast.
Lance went to see the second Pirates of the Carribean with Nick.
Thats it for our day. Nothing planned for tomorrow.
July 6
Busy day.
Lance worked 9-4.
Cierra got up and was picked up by Niki and Morgan before 10:00. Niki was able to get them into a babysitting class down
at the downtown library. It was from 10:30 to 4:00. They had to take their lunch and everything. Now Cierra has a card
saying she took the course and is ready to start babysitting. She informed me that she is charging $1.50 per hour. I Informed
her I was charging $500 room and board. LOL!
While the kids we gone Alia and I headed out to the base. I got my first allergy shots. I get two - one in each arm.
I then have to sit around for 30 minutes as they are shooting you full of an allergen and need you to be where you can be
treated immediatley if things dont go well. AFter this we went down to the lab and I did the blood work that was due
3 weeks ago. With Lance working or gone getting out to the lab without the baby is pretty much impossible. I just went ahead
and drug her in with me.
Mary and the gang dropped by about 3. Meagan wanted Cierra to spend the night. I told them I'd bring her over when she
returned from the library. It worked out great because they went ahead and took Alia for me so I could go to the dentist and
have my lost filling replaced. Lance's boss changed his schedule without telling him and had him working after I needed
him home. Told him that his manager could let him off at 4 as originally scheduled or pay my $25 cancelled appointment
fee. But even at that it was cutting it too short so Mary took Alia for me.
After the dentist I came home and got Cierra. We loaded up the firepit in the truck to take back to the Millers.
I took it out of overdrive and didnt have near the problems with the transmission - altough I still think it wasnt exactly
right a few times. Fly away dollar signs, fly away.....
Mary got a job today! They were really beginning to sweat it so this is good. And its 10K more than her last teaching
job. We celebrated by going to BTG. Angel is in China visiting her family! She wont be back til August. Anyways, we
tried the hotpot tonight. It was great. You would not like the mild broth though as it is heavy ginger. YOu would love the
hot broth.
I put the baby to bed early. She's been up much too late recently. I'm trying to get her back on a decent schedule.
Her sleeping has been much better than in the past - except when we travel.
Lance is all set up for senior year with Jubilee now.
July 5th
Mostly stuck around home again today. Wasnt feeling very well or social.
Lance worked and had scouts. Mark only paid back half of the money he owed Lance (long story about their trip to
MN). I wasnt thrilled since its actually the money he owes me for fixing his car that is outstanding. Guess he's
learning a life lesson. Also resulted in an overdrawn account due to ATM fees. Another lesson in the making.
Cierra went ice skating with Angelica late in the evening.
June 29th - July 4
Thursday the 29th we got ready to go to KC. Cierra decided she wanted to skip the Shakespear class so we were able to
leave town early. I think we got out of here around 2 or 3. Tricia drove over and we loaded up the car and went.
Funny, C seemed to think the girls purpose was to entertain her on the trip. What a brat.
We gave Audrey her bday present after we arrived - got her a ride on toy. Alia thought it was great. LOL! She did
much better with Audrey this time.
Friday we all went to the Hallmark building. They have like a museum and they have some of their people working in glass
rooms where they show you how they do things and talk to the kids. It was really neat. After that tour we went next
door to their craft workshop and the 3 girls got to create whatever their hears desired for an hour with the Hallmark
scraps. They had a blast. It wasnt so easy keeping the babies and Garet occupied as they have a 5-12 year old
limit. No moms even.
While there I found a Pooh book that I looked at with Alia. She surprised me by naming all the characters - with real
words. She is definatley starting to come along with talking finally.
Oh - we threw away all the bottles before coming on this trip so she is a very big girl now. I got tired of the
kids not putting them away and finding them all over so we threw them out. But I dont think she is drinking enough and her
weight is dropping as she just lost half her calorie intake. The good news is that she is asking to eat more -- but
she still wont take hardly anything.
After crafts we had lunch and then went across the street to the fountains they have for the kids to play in. They all
changed into their suits and played in the water. Alia decided it was too cold and didnt go in. The rest had a blast.
Even Audrey thought it was great.
After Barry got off work we went to the neighborhood pool and he worked with the girls so they could complete their swimming
badge. That is now done and taken care of.
Alia had a blast at the pool. Aubrey loved it also. She is so cute. Alia had no fear and kept heading for
the deep end. When she lost the bottom she would laugh and try to keep going. Crazy kid. I put her in one of their
life jackets and she thought that was great - she could try and go anywhere.
We came home Saturday morning after breakfast. Cierra went back to the girls house and had lunch and then
they went ice skating. By the time C got home she was feeling pretty sick and I ended up with a puker the rest of the
day. I think she was dehydrated.
Lance got home at about 2 in the morning Friday so he was home when we got there. He had no idea where we were and called
me. He said with the boxes in the garage he though we moved without him. It couldnt be camping because all the gear
was still there. LOL! Shows how much he payed attention before he left for MN.
Lance had a great time and caught like 25 fish. I guess Aarron and Mark didnt do as well. They had a good time
and came back all tan. He was smart this year and kept the sun screen on so he didnt burn - not even the back of his neck.
But I thought Aarron and Mark were going to even out that haircut for me.....
Sunday we all slept through church - even the baby. She didnt sleep well in KC and ended up in bed with me both
nights - and wouldnt go to bed until I went - which was late.
Lance wasnt working yet so we did the cleaning a little later than usual.
I realized in the morning that I had lost the filling in my eye tooth AGAIN. This is getting old. Thinking I'll
call them Wednesday -- bet they close Monday for the holiday.
Monday Cierra wanted a day to do things. So we went and picked up Miracle and went to NFM where they worked on a badge
they had started. They went around deciding what they would like in their homes and writing it down. Later they talked about
budgets and what they could really afford, etc. I got the biggest kick out of their choices. Any couch, etc that
was the brightest, craziest red you can think of they were both drawn to. It was wild.
After that it was lunch time so we went to Chili's. Alia ate all of her mac n cheese. The girls had ribs.
Then we went bowling. Cierra is still determined to earn the bowling badge. So after we bowled a game at West
Lanes (where they have a great summer special for kids I was pleased to see) we went to the pro shop right down the street
from us. They were really nice and the girls got to see what the inside of a ball looks like, etc. They learned lots from
this older gentleman. They would have seen holes punched if they had any to do but they didnt. Fair
warning - C has her ball picked out that she wants to buy. Why she cant use a free ball at the lane is beyond me.
We went through the car wash at the gas station later that night and the baby went nuts. It scared her pretty good. And
it didnt even get the bugs off the windsheild.
Lance stayed the night at Stacys after working. Funny - he locked his keys in his car at work and I had to take him another
set.
Today I didnt feel like doing anything. We were going to go to Tricia's church to their 4th bash but I didnt feel like
socializing. C gave me an immense amount of grief over it. I made your potato salad and we had steaks. Lance worked.
After dark the girls and I went out into the yard and kicked back on a blanket and watched all the neighbors set off fireworks.
It was actually chilly so we didnt stay out long.
Tomorrow I need to go get my first allergy shot. Thrill. I"m also due for bloodwork for the whole thyroid thing.
Great. I hate needles.
Off to bed. I cant seem to catch up on my sleep -- I have insomnia or something. Oh well.
Catch-up time - June 16th - 28th
Guess I'd better get this all caught up now. Its been a tiring few weeks. The back to back VBS and summer school
weeks were ruff.
June 16th was summer school for Cierra and work for Lance.
June 17th was the HSHS Platte River State Park day. We met with about 6 other families at the State Park. I also
took Morgan with us as Tricia and the girls didnt make it. I forget that Cierra has Alexander to play with when
we get together with this group. They get along famously -- and Lance and Elizabeth (Alexanders big sister) get along rather
well also. Erika - the young lady that rode with us to Des MOines - was there also.
The girls and I all rented a paddle boat for half an hour and paddled around. Cierra tired out so I had to switch
places with her and "drive" with Morgan. Afterwards we went back to the house and the girls played, and Lance and the
high school kids when to Zach's house for Classic Movie Night.
Sunday the 18th was church, cleaning and then Lance worked.
The 19th was summer school and VBS at Karen Street. Cierra brought Emily, Aubrey and MOrgan met us there.
Tuesday the 20th was a repeat of the day before. We did have Emily over for a few hours after summer school and then
Aubrey came over early before VBS. The twins also joined us at VBS.
I was going to put Alia in the 2-3 year old class of VBS but she freaked out and peed all over me when they tried to
talk to her. I ended up keeping her home all week after dropping the older girls off. She didnt even want to be in the
nursery. I think she was tired from our long week last week.
The 21st was a repeat of the day before pretty much. We didnt have church since VBS was going on. There was no scouts
for Lance so he stayed the night at Stacys.
Thurday the 22nd was summer school and VBS (Meagan came with us this time).
The nice surprise is that Carrie contacted me (they got back Wednesday) and wanted to know if I still had the walker
for her. Maizie loves the walker. Anyways, after picking up Cierra from summer school we went over to Jeff and
Carrie's and took them the walker and a few other things. Maizie is sooo cute! She is a tiny little thing! Alia threw
a nice big temper tantrum for them too. Exciting. Poor Maizie had to see what a spoiled toddler looks like!
We also took Lances car in for an oil change today as Joe said it looked bad and needed to be done.
Friday was the last day of VBS. Cierra tied with one other child for the most points earned -- and won the most visitors
brought. She got extra prizes. Made her night for sure.
We took the van in for an oil change today at the dealership - they sent a coupon. I asked how much it would cost
to have the windshield replaced. Answer: $250. Not as bad as the side window at least.
Cierra's climbing wall class at UNO was cancelled due to not enough sign ups. I'm just having them hold the money and
put her in August's class.
Saturday the 24th we got up and went and did the cleaning. Lance left at 2:00 for Boundary Waters with Mark and
Aaron. Just the 3 of them went. I told Mark to make sure and play Styx for Lance- he loves that.
Sunday we stayed home all day. I was beat and not even up to church.
Monday was back to summer school for Cierra. She's had a great time doing this. And when she gets off the
bus we go inside with Emily, and Morgan, Ethan and Gillian to have lunch. Its become a routine.
Tuesday was Summer school and then a Medeval Fair for Cierra at the Florence Library. She said it wasnt that good.
Today was the last day of summer school. Alia and I went to the "Meet the Author" party for Cierra's publishing class.
Her book is really cool. It was a hard class -- but you will be impressed with her book. It is really neat. The
teacher told me she loved working with her and that she is a talented writer.
Morgan came over this evening - I forgot it was Wednesday so forgot about church. Aubrey came over and played for
awhile also.
Lances computer is down again. I'm wondering if maybe its not compatable with his IPOD? Could that be crashing him? I
dont know. But class is over so its not like he has to have it back up and running before you get home.
The Durango's transmission is slipping - I told you about that on the phone. It's parked until you get home.
Tomorrow evening I am leaving for KC. Tricia and the girls are going with us. Barry is going to help them complete
their swimming badges. We will be back on Saturday. Lance will be back Saturday also.
It will probably be a few days before I update again since we will be out of town.
June 15
Another way too long day.
I got everyone up at 7:00 so we could go drop off Cierra. From there we picked up the cake for the girl scout pary.
After that we dropped Meagan off at Tricia's so she would have someone to play with while Cierra was at summer school.
It started pouring.
From there we drove out to Joe's. Paid $285 for Lance to get his car back. Also left the Durango there with
him to put back on the computer. Had to switch the car seat and my stuff over to Lances car to get home - in a downpour
and got soaked again.
After we got home I jumped in the van to go out to the base and pick up my perscription. Drumroll please.
Driving down 75, under an underpass I hit a bird and broke the windshield. Somebody must think we are made out of money.
Well - that's all 3 vehicles in one day, so maybe the Ram Charger is just fine -- but I have to say I wont be shocked to find
out something happened to it also. And all this before 10:00 am. Great way to start the day.
After I got back home I got everything ready and Tricia drove over, we picked up Aubrey and then went to the school to
pick up Emily, Morgan and Cierra. They all ate in the car on the way to the skating rink. THose that didnt finish did
so after we arrived there.
We stayed at the rink until 3:00. Half the girls were done by then so we called it quites. Alia wasnt being
very agreeable either - and she wouldnt keep her shoes on. She wouldnt keep them on downtown yesterday either.
She's got shoe issues.
By the way, Alia's new words are NO and Yucky.
After skating we went to Godfathers pizza to use our certificate the girls won in the Goodwill collection.
We had cake and talked about their bronze award project. Alia was a wretch. Why she can't just act 11 like the
rest of them.......
From there I took Morgan, Emily and Cierra out to Florence for the last day of VBS at Morgans church. Nancy is
going to bring them home, thank goodness -- the baby has had it and I'm putting her to bed early again (I Hope). Now
if I could just be put to bed early also....
June 14
Long day!
Cierra was up and out the door to summer school first thing. I went and did some grocery shopping and
then Meagan's grandmother dropped her off for the overnight. We had a conflict in schedules so I got her early.
We went and picked Cierra up from school and had lunch there. Wednesday is Pizza Hut day so they liked that.
I brought my own lunch and the baby ate the cookie and the orange.
From there we went downtown to meet with Cierra's 4H group. The kids played on the slides. Alia went down
once with Cierra but she was too hard to hold on to since they were going so fast so that was it. I visited with the
other moms while the kids played for 2 hours.
After that we went out to eat as we really didnt have time to make anything. The girls wanted spagetti works so
that's where we ended up. Afterwards we went to church while Lance went to scouts.
Had to get the girls to sleep by 10:30 as they have to get up early. Lance went over to Stacys after scouts and
got home about 11:00.
Alia went to bed an hour early with all the running around. She really didnt get a nap in.
June 12 and 13
Summer school is in full swing now. Cierra is loving it. Also she is going to VBS at Morgan's church. Nancy (Emilys mom)
and I are taking turns transporting the girls out there since they are both going.
Got your package mailed off. Also got all the homeschool paperwork mailed off. Don't want to take the chance of
not getting orders and me not having the paperwork filed. If I understand correctly, there is no paperwork in Tx.
Cierra was up and ready to go to the bus stop first thing. She catches the bus at the school at about 8:10 and gets back
at 12:50. It sounds like she loves all three of her classes. Morgan is in two of them with her.
Today we found out that there is a free lunch and breakfast program at Westgate so after she got off the bus we went
inside with Morgan, Jillian and Ethan and they all had lunch. Its a state program that is going on at 4 schools.
There wasnt anyone else there and it is for anyone age 2-18, so even Alia had a lunch. She ate the applesauce and chocolate
milk but thats about it. Breakfast starts too late for Cierra to take advantage of and still catch her bus.
Lance and I took the pontiac to Joe this morning. Talked to him on the phone - he was running errands early but Lance
had to work so we just took it and left it for him. He called later with the $285 price tag and I told him to go ahead
and do it. I'll have to cover it until Lance gets paid.
I picked up my contacts after dropping Lance off at work. I ordered a year supply instead of having to drive back
out there -- its too far west to want to do too often.
Went to do the tags on the ramcharger today. Where is it anyways -- its going to have expired tags unless I go put the
new stickers on it. Anyways, I didnt have our TX address so I couldnt do all the paperwork. And at that time I realized
that last month when I took 2 cars in they charged me full price even though I took the LES, etc. So I asked about that.
If I want to try and get them to admit they overcharged and see what I can get done about it I need to go back and argue with
them. Great. At least now I know why it seemed strange to have to write a check for over $100 last time -- thought
that sounded too high. Wouldnt have happened if you had been here to handle it. I dont know if I will bother
fighting with them or not at this point. He said it would have to be faxed downtown for approval, blah blah.
Lance decided he wanted a mohawk. Told him that it was his money. So he got Nick to cut his hair for him. Now it
looks just like Nicks. I think it looks terrible. Will be interesting to see how long it lasts. I think
he's going to find that people treat him very differently since he looks like a punk. He's prepared to shave it
off when you come home -- LOL!
I picked up the girls tonight from VBS. Niether will go tomorrow as they will attend their respective churches.
Thursday I'll take them again since we will have a Girl Scout Skate and PIzza Party that day and I will have all of them
up until time.
I'm beat. Having to get up early to get Cierra to summer school makes me realize just how spoiled we are with our
8:30 wake up time!
June 10 and 11
Saturday was an uneventful day. Lance worked some and then went to the skate park. Cierra went ice skating with
Angelica and then stayed the night at her house. Alia and I ran a couple of errands.
Today was busy. Cierra got home in time to change for church. Lance got up sick and I ended up letting him stay home.
He's been having alot of stomach aches and headaches lately.
We cleaned after church. Then Lance went to work and C and I went and got some movies to watch.
Had to go in to church an hour early this evening for a VBS meeting. Met with my little group that will be running the
registration tables. Also volunteered to help out at the prize table on the last day, bring some cookies and do a little typing
for the ladies handling the cookies and snacks. One thing about a small church, its super easy to jump in and get involved
as every pair of hands is needed. If we have time we might go help decorate on Saturday. Its a pirate theme VBS and
starts the 19th.
Read Janet and Joel's blog today. They might be carrying 3 babies! Will have another ultrasound to check again.
Guess Joel is a little shocked with the news. I cant imagine going from none to 3. Wow!
Also, Jeff and Carrie have Maizie!! She is a cutie. She is laughing and smiling in almost all the pictures. They say
she is a very happy and funny baby. She appears healthy with the exception of some rashes, and she isnt drinking much yet.
You should check out the pictures on their travel blog. There is a link to it on the Chinalinksne site.
Cierra starts summer school in the morning so I'd better go to bed. Lance is closing so I cant actually sleep yet,
but I can read.
I told Lance you said to park his car until he takes it to get it fixed. He said ok but is driving it to work.
I didnt think that would be a problem since it keeps me from having to leave the house at midnight to go get him and its so
close. Guess I could give him the keys to the Durango. :)
June 8-9
Got your email - sounds like you have been pretty busy.
We got on the road for camping about 1:00 yesterday. By the time we got the tents all set up and everything it was time
for me to come back to town to get Lance. He workded until 4:00. I left C with Mary so they could all go swimming.
As soon as we got back we started dinners - just had foil dinners -- that is what C wanted. Of course we had smores
later.
Alia would not keep her shoes on and insisted in playing in the dirt -- throwing it all over herself and just laughing.
Kid needs a sandbox. She was rather easy both days and had a good time. Both babies stayed away from the
fire and were rather good -- with the exception of AnLIng refusing to sleep for Mary (which is everyday ops for them).
I tried to help her out and put her to sleep for Mary but Alia went off and I ended up having to handle her instead.
She wasnt easy to get down either.
We had breakfast, broke down and then went and let the kids swim again before going home. Alia didnt want to swim
the day before so I didnt put her in her suit this time -- so of course she went in and swam in her clothes. She had
a blast. She loves playing with Michael.
We were all exceptionally filthy this time as our area had no showers -- or running water. There was one pump in
the middle of the area but even the bathrooms were glorified portapotties with no sinks.
I was having to take meds like crazy so I'm wiped out. Also managed to do something unknown to my leg and can hardly
walk. Its like extreme shin splints in my right leg. Flashbacks of varsity soccor. I have no idea what I
did to cause it. Also popped my wrist real good on the right and couldnt use my hand hardly at all for a couple
of hours. It was a bizzare 2 days. But it didnt stop us from doing anything - I just gimped around like an idiot.
Oh well, its always good to embarrase your kids, right? Maybe its time to trade me in for a younger model -- I
seem to be falling apart. Oh wait - you didnt buy the warrentee so you are stuck with me!
Couldnt get the coleman stove to work - tried the one burner thing too - nothing worked. The stove has a leak or something
and the whole thing catches fire. Rather interesting to see but not practical for cooking!! We ended up cooking over the fire
the whole time and just barely had enough wood. Speaking of wood, we used the rest we had back in the wagon. Also
got rid of the bags of sevin dust and crabgrass killer I bought before we had the service. Ran across them while packing for
camping and listed them on freecycle and they were gone within hours.
Lance is staying the night at Stacys tonight. He was a big help on the camp out. He didnt want to go at first but when
I left him no choice he decided to enjoy himself and told me he had a good time.
I'm beat. Everything is put away except what needs to be washed. I doubt we get to use it all again this
summer with the possiblities out there. Didnt bother buying a state pass at Two Rivers.
Off to bed!
June 5-7
Every day is an eternity this week. I dont know why. Mostly we have just stayed home cause I'm not up to much.
Lance finished school. I need to get the paperwork for school in for next fall. Joy! Just glad I remembered to
have you sign it and got in notarized before you left.
Cierra is now on the 2nd tier of the reading club already (public library program). She's been reading alot since
there arent many play mates around during the day. She got banned from playing with the neighbors when she came home
crying YET AGAIN and wouldnt stop when they said they couldnt play until the weekend. I flat out cant handle all the
emotional baggage she is dumping all over me this deployment. It was easier when she was in the elementary school and
seeing the counselor. So we've reached the point where I cant deal with her inability to deal. I think its MY
turn to cry and scream all day.
Tom came by with the market analysis this morning. Houses are selling in 2-3 months average in our market right now.
I'm unclear on whether that is list date to final sell date or list date to contract date. I think its the first.
Our low end list price is 122K with a high end of like 128K. His recommendation was about 126k. All I really remember
is that on the low end price we still are looking at clearing 14k after all fees. Should make for a nice down payment
on the next place. And he said the floor might be something to consider in the kitchen as you might have someone want to knock
$500 off for that. Other than that its get rid of as much as possible and have it as bare as possible. We have a slick,
thick report that goes over everthing.
Scouts was cancelled so Lance went to church with us tonight. Alia did ok - but she gives me a fit when I drop her off.
I just hand her through the door and leave now -- she doesnt cry too long.
We are going camping with the MIller crew tomorrow and Friday. Matt will be working so its just the kids and moms.
I'll come back for Lance when he gets off work tomorrow (about 4 not late) and then he has the next day off so we dont have
to hurry back. SHould be interesting. They have a beach open so the kids are looking forward to swimming. Trying
to decide whether to buy a year pass for the state parks or just pay the daily fee. I dont know that we will get many camping
trips in this year. Maybe I'll just pay the daily.
Thats about it for around here. Lance is staying at Stacys tonight. He's broken like 3 skateboards in the last
week and is having to replace them -- ghee, wonder if that means he's NOT going to do the brakes on his car??
Go to the chinalinks site and read Carrie and Jeff's travel blog. They are having a great time in Beijing.
Have been watching Amy and Marty's blog also -- Jada appears to be settling in nicely. And Amys post of "myths
of motherhood" was really funny. Apparently Jada likes music of the hard rock persuasion -- I already love her!
Found the Clear Care finally and got you some more rooster sauce (two bottles this time) and will try to get them in
the mail by Monday. Need anything else you can think of??
June 4th
For some reason I keep thinking its the middle of the week instead of the weekend. I'm losing it. Any yes, I've been
taking my meds! LOL! Thats Lance's favorite question now. My mom would get a big kick out of that.
Went to church this morning. The sermon was on the prodigal son -- except it was actually on the brother. It was really
good. A different twist than what you usually hear on those verses. Also you are missing that relationship video
series that is really good.
We cleaned after church. Then Lance went to work and the baby crashed. Worked some on scrapbooks and watched a little
tv. Rather a lazy day -- it was nice. Got the tomatoes planted.
Your mom called today to tell C happy birthday. Cierra is looking forward to seeing Mona's baby whenever we
get out that way. DeDe sent her some pictures.
We didnt make it to church tonight as Alia was still sleeping and pitched such a fit in the morning when I left
her that I decided to let her sleep and not put everyone through the trauma.
Thats it for today!
June 3rd
Not alot going on here today. Matt stayed the night last night - but Lance got called in to help at work so they were
cleared out of here before 11.
Cierra got up and went out to breakfast with the neighbors. The girls took her out as a birthday surprise.
After C got home Tricia picked her up and took her to the library where they made canvas totes for their library
books. Her design was a daddy and me design - which made her cry. The water works have been rather heavy this week.
After that Tricia took the girls and they made tiles for the new wall at the Omaha Childrens Museum. Their tiles and
designs are going to be a permanent part of the museum. Sounds like they had a great time. They go back in July
to glaze and fire everything.
The baby and I went to the commissary. She wanted to go for a ride (in daddys truck as usual - which we dont hardly
ever take so I dont get it). Otherwise we stayed home. I made spagetti and invited Tricia and the girls to stay
for dinner since I had enough to feed and army (Lance) and it was working.
Tricia and I worked on the letter to submit to the council. Some of our girls made their own badged - requirements and
all - that they want to submit to the council to become permanent badges. Cierra and Miracles are done - Morgan and
Meagans still need a little work. We were shocked to have 4 girls that developed badges on their own!
Stayce called to tell C happy birthday. She tried yesterday but we must have been out back camping. Also,
your dad called to say hello. He has a new job driving trucks for events. I asked him if he wasnt too old to be a roadie.
Sounds like the job isnt all that fun but the pay and benefits are good. He said he traveled 8000 miles in the last few
weeks. He's gone from home alot. Also talked to Sara on IM. She is looking for a new job - maybe even teaching.
She said Nate's graduation party was nice and someone even made a cake shaped like a sombero!
Lance is home now so I'm going to go to bed!
June 1 & 2nd
I lived through it! Camping is over and I lived to tell the tale! Just kidding. My allergies were a real killer
but otherwise it was great.
We got up Thursday and met Tricia and the girls at the grocery store to buy our "camping" groceries. From there
I went and picked up Meagan and borrowed the MIllers firepit so we could have smores.
We picked up the girls at school - their last day! Then we went to the park for a couple of hours and had a scavenger
hunt and other stuff. They made a trail mix - in which Alia tried to pick out all of the M&M's.
We came back to the house and put up the tents in the back yard and had our dinner. Most of us had MRE's - that was kind
of funny. We had smores around the "campfire". We had a flag retirement ceremony after that. Some of the
girls had never done one before. (And the funny part was when the girls were picked up and they told a parent they did
a flag burning! Raised an eyebrow or two! We had to clarify with a flag retirement ceremony!)
Lance stayed home and he slept in the house with the baby - but I took the monitor in the tent with me. At 5 she was
up and I had to come in. She didnt stay up long but it was a good enough excuse to climb into my own bed and not go
back to the cold tent!
The girls were up late chatting and had a good time. Cierra and Angelica stayed in Alia's tent. We had some coughers
that we couldnt put A in with. Worked out pretty good.
The girls were here today until 3:00. Most of them had a present for Cierra. We also let her open the rest of her
presents. She screamed when she opened her oil painting. She had no clue we got our hands on it! It was great.
Tricia surprised her with a cake and flowers also. She got your card and one from Carolyn in the mail also - that was
perfect timing.
After everyone left I took a short nap. Cierra went over to Aubrey's after I got up. She's having dinner
over there. Tomorrow morning the Stovers are taking her out to breakfast to celebrate her birthday.
With the exception of C and M fighting like cats and dogs all went rather well. THose two are too much alike and way
too competitive to be on opposing teams!!
Finished weeding the side bed for the tomatoes. When I went into the shed and pulled out the bag of topsoil I found
an ant colony living inside when I dumped it! They were not very happy and swarmed all over trying to retrieve the eggs, etc.
It was gross. Glad I got that out of the shed! Alia wouldnt let me work outside long enough to actaully get the tomatoes
planted - should be able to get that done tomorrow if she's agreeable. She's not too crazy about the hot!
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