The stomach virus, nothing exciting and ready to know...

This week didn't start out too well. I woke up with the stomach virus! UGH!!! It was not fun. I had to take off work of course, did I mention Aaron had it for 2 days last week? I'm hoping it's done! We didn't really do much this week other than work and school. We know that we are most likely moving back to the United States sometime between August and October. Not knowing where we are going stresses me out! I think of all the places "I hope we might go", but ultimately know we will go where we are needed.

On another note, we had a meeting with Ace's teacher. He had a really rough week last week. The meeting was great. She let us know that Ace's academic level is 2nd grade 4-5 months in. He's in 1st grade though. He's so smart! The biggest challenge has been maturity. He is one of the youngest in the class. But, I know that will come full circle in the next few years. For now I will be one proud Momma to have a smart boy! Aaron had a sleepover birthday party to go to. I know he had fun, but I really missed him. Yes, I'm that Mom that misses her boys when they go for sleepovers...I admit it! I will never be the Mom to say I can't wait till they are gone. I dream of having my family live within a few miles of me with their families. I love my family to pieces :)! I know this isn't the most exciting blog post, but I'm really trying to do at least one post a week! ;)

Summer Ends, School Begins!

Well, we have had a relaxing summer! I truely love summer. I love not having to get up so early. I love being able to hangout in our PJ's all day if we want. I love going to the pool, even if is Germany that means I might see a little more than I want, I mean do I really have to see a lady in her ealr 20's without a top to her suit and her skin still in place where it should be... No sagging! HA!! And as an American we are not use to being so comfortable with our bodies so we stare in disbelief. The boys seemed to not notice too much.

We managed to see a few local sites. Germany is so beautiful!! Every time we get in the car, I look at the window and say "Wow, it's so pretty here!" It really is that beautiful and it really amazes me everytime. This summer was sooooo HOT!! Apparently, it was the hottest summer in a long time. We made it to almost 100 a few days and with no AC, it was almost unbearable. But as I sit here now it is maybe 60 outside and raining, so I'm pretty sure summer is over :(.

Aaron starts school tomorrow. I'm still unsure how he became a 4th grader. Where does time go???? Ace will start Kindergarten next Wednesday. That's a whole issue in itself. I've cried nearly daily the past week. It seems like yesterday he was just a baby. He's so excited to start school and I'm excited for him! We met his teacher and her helper and they seem really nice. He seemed to like them and I think that they are a good match for him.

So with the kids going back to school, it is my new mission, to try and keep up on my Blog!!

Who???

Who you ask in student of the month??? Yep my baby Aaron!!! He was awarded student of the month for showing kindness...Yep he makes my heart melt!! He has to be the most thoughtful little boy's I know. I'm not saying that because he is my child, but simply because it's the truth.

He always is thinking of others before himself. This isn't new to him, it is how he has always been. I remember when he was in 2nd grade, he came home and said he wanted to give his $10, to flood victims, (he had earned over a course of a month for doing chores), at offering during chapel time at school. Of course I was all for it, but thought it was necessary to explain that he didn't have to if he wanted to give $5 that was fine whatever he wanted. He looked at me with those big blue eyes and said "Mom, I know, but they need it more than me."...TEAR!!! :) So here's to one of my many blessings....I love you Aaron!!

Swimming 101

Although it is the middle of winter here in Germany, we are so blessed to be at a base that has an awesome Indoor Swimming Pool! Last month I signed the boys up for swimming lessons. They both love to swim and are really good swimmers, but to me swimming is such a life skill. So for the past 3-4 summers I have signed Aaron up. Really, I signed them up here so that they would have something to do on the weekend, I mean it did feel a little weird to signup for swim lessons right in the middle of a snow storm. Any whoooo....

Our first few lessons went great! Aaron was doing great and his instructor said he would be right on target within the next 2 lessons! Great!! Music to Mom's ears! Ace is a really good swimmer for his age. I attribute this to Keyona , dragging always inviting us to join her and Lael at the pool. With that said, the swim lessons were set up much different here. So I went with a level that I thought Ace would do just fine in. Not too hard, but not too easy. RIGHT!!! After this last lesson....in which I sorda pretended that he was not my child. Yes I did say that. He was a maniac!! Jumping all over the place, spashing water, I suppose normal "pool stuff", but he was suppose to be learning how to swim. As I sat there, I really thought I was going to pass out when he threw a diving ring and it nearly knocked a lady out. I smiled and almost turned my head, ya know like I was looking around for "that kids" Mom. But, I didn't I smiled and apologized. I have to say she didn't look too amused. After the class I approached the instructor and apologized for Ace's "wildness" and to my surprise she says "Oh, no Ace is a great swimmer! He needs to be moved up a few levels, I think he's just bored." Oh, music to Mom's ears, music to Mom's ears!

The Little Tooth That Never Could!

When it comes to pulling teeth in our house, well let's just say it's like the phrase "pulling teeth"! Aaron has pretty much always had a deathly fear of pulling teeth. Me being the person that I am, I just say pull it and wait for the tooth fairy, I mean who couldn't use a few bucks under their pillow???? Well, his top front teeth have been loose for months now. That is not an exaggeration at all! I am pretty sure they have been loose since Mike left for Iraq, that was in January!! So everyday I threaten bribe Aaron with things. A special treat, a "I heard the Tooth Fairy leaves double on Wednesday's", I've tried everything! Yes, that is to include holding him down!! No luck! Let's just say I'm not too concerned that he will easily give into peer pressure! Well, Friday came and this was the site~~

Now, as you can see this tooth is holding on for dear life! I swear that tooth was 2x longer than the other one! What a MESS! Saturday the boys stayed with a friend for a while, when I came to pick them up this is what I saw~~

All I can say is~~~ Thank Goodness knees are sometimes made to knock a loose tooth out!

3 Months Down, 3 To Go and a School Dance

Well, we have made it to the half way point! It really has gone by fast. Mike and I get to talk, email or chat daily and that is such a lifesaver! The boys have adjusted pretty well. Rouge looks forward to video chat Sunday's, whoever thought a dog would like that!!

Mike sent us this picture~~
He looks really busy to me! Actually, it is one of the very few down times he has had. Now on to a few random things. We went to a school dance this past Friday~~~Ace had tons of fun and well Aaron as he says "is just not the dancing type"!!

Ace was so exhausted after the dance. Sometimes I look at him and think~~if I only had 1% of the energy he had. Aaron just watched and enjoyed some pizza. Well, that is until I forced him to dance. Maybe one day he'll be the "dancing type"!

White House Easter Egg Roll 2009

Let's Go Play!

PRICELESS~!

Spring is here Spring is here it's the best time of the year...

Here are a few things we did today...

We stopped to smell the flowers.

We had fun swinging from trees.

We walked hand in hand.

We played hide n' seek.

We reached for the sky.

We had a wonderful day!

Tickets to the Easter Egg Roll

Well, after all day of trying~~~we got tickets. We actually got tickets the the White House Easter Egg Roll!! WOW! It was the last batch! I am so excited that the boys will get to experience this! I am so excited that they will be part of a tradition that dates back to 1878. For us this is a once in a life time opportunity...I am not the person who would go back every year. Getting 3 tickets literally took me all day (I started checking @ midnight)! I am truly so thankful!

And Finally SNOW!!!

Well, finally we have snow! First of all let me thank Mr. Weatherman for getting it right! The boys were so excited and it was a major "pick us up" since we were all down in the dumps with Mike leaving. Aaron was released early from school so after picking him up, home we headed to get geared up for our first snowball fight! Aaron couldn't wait to get the first throw in! We walked all around the base~~we wanted to be the first to step in the fresh snow~it was GREAT! Since Mike was unable to be here, we took Daddy Doll out to play too. He also enjoyed playing in the snow!

Queso Blanco Anyone?

Well, although this would not be my first choice for a new posting, I promised Aaron I would do one about his "FAVORITE" dip! I must say it is pretty yummy. It is the Queso Blanco Dip from Don Pablo's (http://www.donpablos.com/) It is not your average Queso~~it is so much more. Aaron will always choose this as a meal with a side of flour tortilla's. So here is to my sweet Aaron~!