Into the Wild

Well, I finally got the time (though I should have been cleaning the house) to watch Into The Wild last night.

Didn't like it. The book is about 4000 times better (which is very typical, I know). My problem is that the movie glorifies this guy's stupidity where the book is a bit more straightforward and doesn't put emotion to his story. There is SO much more that the movie doesn't explain -- like the fact that his refusal to take a map cost him his life. There was a ranger crossing (of the river) only 1/2 mile away -- clearly marked on local maps.

Plus, it creeped me out. So, if you have seen the movie but not read the book -- I encourage you to read it! It is only around 100 pages. Analee... I'm talking to you.

Just pictures tonight...

Lots to be thankful for -- but tonight I'm just leaving pictures and going to bed :-)


Josh at the Leaders' Club --


Kids at Leaders' Club for Al's promotion to CPT -- is Grace a giant, or what?!?



The girls were SO interested in the promotion ceremony -- NOT!


Faith's last day of Pre-K; they hosted an ice cream social


Sam had his first ice cream cone -- just the cone -- no ice cream. Couldn't you just eat him?!?


Lord help me -- he is climbing



Sam has learned how to crawl and not hurt his knees -- he bear crawls when we are outside!


Josh trying to figure out the new hose nozzle -- I could just eat him too!


Pretty girls playing in the sprinklers

Tuesday's Thanks

Sorry I missed a few days, but the kids and I really did have a good -- uneventful -- weekend. And I went to bed early every night :-)

1- Today was Faith's last day of Pre-K. I can't believe she will start Kindergarten in the fall! Her class hosted all of the younger siblings and parents for an ice cream social. So fun :-) I have pictures, but my card reader isn't working :-@

2- Whatever weather front has been pushing through this weekend has finally passed. Finally, my head doesn't feel like there is a balloon inside of it -- inflating! Such pressure :-(

3- Have a great friend who is willing to brave watching all four of my kids while I have a tooth pulled tomorrow -- she doesn't have kids yet, so I am not to scare her away

4- Faith's soccer game tonight was postponed until tomorrow night. This is a thankful in that I had a bit more time to get the gift (got it this afternoon) but not a thankful in that now she has to decide whether to go to a birthday party (at 5pm) or her LAST soccer game (at 6pm). I am pushing hard for soccer -- but told her that we could try to do both. At least go and give the little guy his present then head to soccer. Only problem is that it is at Blazers Fun Zone (one of those inflatable, bouncy places) and she REALLY wants to do that. Maybe I'll take her this weekend... if she chooses the right...

5- Didn't get to talk with Rob today, but did get two very sweet voice mail messages. I hate that I missed him, but am okay knowing that he is safe and sleeping :-)

Friday's Thanks

So I didn't write anything last night because Rob called as I sat down to write. Sorry, folks, he takes priority :-) and I didn't get up again to write!

1- Rob is safely at his final destination of the deployment

2- Kids played in the sprinklers this afternoon and I got Sam a baby pool to sit in -- with a shade on one side so he doesn't sit in the sun :-)

3- Made mom's famous slush today ^_^ and it is just slushy enough to have a drink tonight

4- Three day weekend -- though I am not sure that is a thankful yet...

5- stayed out until 2200 tonight talking with some other ladies in the neighborhood. The kids were playing until the lightning bugs came out. Hmm.... preview of the summer to come :-)

6- got to see the first lightning bugs of the season -- I love lightning bugs

Wednesday Night Thanks

1- Sam went right to sleep tonight -- no fussing at all!

2- I got a snuggle nap with Josh today! I miss snuggling with him :-) Though he has been finding his way to my bed during the night...

3- American Idol will be over soon... I love watching it, but I don't like the 2 hour finale that seems to drag on and on and on and on...

4- I am so excited that Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be coming out in July! I just saw a commercial :-) Mom -- are you going to be here so I can see it on opening day?

5- Got to talk with Rob today after he came back from his trip. Now I can sleep knowing he is safely back where he should be -- well, he SHOULD be here, but you know what I mean

Tuesday's Thanks

1- No obligations tonight meant that we could stay outside this afternoon, enjoying the nice weather, without having to rush to soccer or a meeting

2- Turkey kielbasa with peppers and onions for dinner -- cooking it makes me think of the NC State Fair

3- American Idol finales tonight -- I have liked Adam throughout the season, but I have really started liking Kris. Reminds me of Dave Matthews.

4- went to the gym again this morning. I even took the boys with me -- they have free childcare there. I went to a step aerobics class -- it has been a very long time since I did cardio at the gym. I usually like weights much better.

5- Dentist in the morning. Why in the world is that a thankful?!? I am PETRIFIED! But I really need my tooth to STOP hurting!!

Monday night thanks

Well, I skipped last night's thanks due to a toothache/headache/sinus ache/general didn't feel good kind of night. So, I may have more than five tonight -- forgive me :-)



1- Went to church again yesterday and liked it even better than I did the first week. The regular pastor had been at his son's graduation in Oklahoma last week so there was a stand in. This week, though... this guy was awesome! And he preached one of those sermons that hit you pretty hard -- like he was talking directly TO me, ABOUT me. I will probably blog about the sermon later -- I did that during the first deployment, so that Rob could participate in our church life back here.


2- Cool weather is nice

3- Woke up this morning with 3 of my 4 kids in the room with me. Josh was the only one to stay in his bed all night :-) Though this isn't always something I am thankful for, it is nice that they just come find a spot instead of waking me!

4- Girls got on the bus with very little fussing this morning. There really is something to be said about having them very close to bed by 8pm.

5- Tried out a new gym this morning -- for free :-) It was quite nice and offers free childcare on site which will be AWESOME for the summer! Haven't joined yet, but it may be something to consider. I am going again tomorrow -- and am taking the boys to make sure they like going too!


6- Because of my toothache, I called a dentist. I am SO scared of the dentist. I have an appointment on Wednesday morning. While I was on the phone, the lady said that she could hear my kids and asked if I wanted them to be seen too. I said sure and she said to bring them in this afternoon -- and they loved it! Had a blast! No cavities :-) and they got stickers. Let's hope that I do half as well on Wednesday...


7- Had a nice walk this afternoon

8- Cut Josh's hair this evening. He hadn't had a hair cut since the weekend before Rob left (so 4 weeks...). He really needed it!

9- There is a beautiful sunset outside right now. Blues and pinks and oranges all across the Western sky. Beautiful

10- We got a new digital thermostat today. Now I can tell exactly the temp inside. Plus it does this schedule thing where it will change the temp at any time -- so I have it scheduled to get cooler at night. I really love sleeping under covers ;-)

11- I am SO not a fan of Hamburger Helper, but tonight I made the Cheesy Enchilada and the kids ate every bit! Now I know what I can do in a time crunch!

12- When life gives your browning bananas... make banana bread! Josh and I made mini-loaves tonight. Yummo! Plus we have breakfast ready for us in the morning :-)




Miles to date... 17.5
Miles to go... approx 800 :-p