I Love...

getting into a MADE bed. A rare occasion here, who has time to make the bed.

Homemade Icebox

Last week for science Ashlyn had to make something to keep ice frozen. They couldn't use Styrofoam, coolers, or insulation. This is what we came up with. A cardboard box lined with tinfoil, layers of newspaper and magazine pages, and another layer of tinfoil. Then we got a terra cotta pot and wrapped it with tinfoil. The ice was put in the bottom of the box and covered with the pot. It worked because she took 1st in her class. It kept the ice frozen the longest.

Dove Hunting

The kids had been bugging Matt to take them hunting doves so Monday night we headed to Pinecreek. They sat on a little pond for hours and had a blast. Even Garrett got one. Braden went with Dallen so he wasn't with us. He must be getting older he isn't with us very much.

I went with Matt yesterday to pick his hunter up at the Cedar airport. As we were driving up to the airport I started thinking about the times I had been here. I can remember every detail about those days, even the way I felt.
The first was when Matt was leaving for Mississippi. It was a cold and snowy day. Everyone crying and hugging, not sure when we would see each other again. The next time was better. It was the day after Christmas. We hadn't seen Matt for six months and he was coming home from Iraq for his two week leave. We decided to surprise the kids so we got up and got the house picked up and got ready and I told them we had to run to Cedar to take some stuff back. When we got to Cedar I took them to the airport to see the new building a watch some planes. We were sitting in the waiting area and I was trying to get the looks on there faces when they seen him walk in. It was so fun. Garrett was only two and he wasn't quite sure what to think. The whole time Matt was gone every time Garrett would see a plane he would point to the sky and say dad. The next time, not so fun. The two week leave was over and Matt was headed back to Iraq. It was night and we left the kids home. They let me sit with him in the boarding area until he boarded and then I had to drive home by myself. It wasn't until the end of June that we headed back to the airport for the fourth and final time. Matt was coming home for good and we couldn't wait. It was a beautiful day and there was so many people there. We were waiting for the plane to land and taxi up to stop. They asked for everyone to stay back, but there was no stopping me, as soon as Matt was in sight coming my way I ran to meet him.
As we were parking we were talking about the times we had been there and the sick feeling it still gives us. When we got in the waiting area there was a family there, wearing matching shirts and crying. He had his army bags packed waiting to board that plane. The little kids were at the window watching the plane land and saying maybe that's dads plane. All I could do was sit there and cry for them. I know what they were going through and had just been thinking of the times I had been through it. Had myself heard my kids wondering if that was their daddy's plane. I am grateful for having that experience and the things that I learned from it. And I am grateful that I don't have to experience that again.

Sleeping Outside

We hauled the old sectional up to the Martins for there yard sale Saturday but it didn't sale. It is sitting in the driveway on the trailer still so the kids slept outside last night. Looks cozy. It got cold last night but they must not of felt it cause they are still there.

Today was kind of a big day in church for us. First Braden was ordained a Teacher. He was ordained by Matt who did a really good job. Then we had the big stake meeting to realign the ward boundaries. Not to much changed here in the first ward but we now have seven wards. I think Matt has always been in the first ward except when we were first married and lived in the third ward. I have been in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th. Three of them while living in the same house.

Not in the mood...

I haven't been in much of a blogging/picture taking mood this week. It's hunting season. Let's just say I can get a little bitchy. I actually have the weekend off-the WHOLE weekend. Matt is off hunting and I stayed home and cleaned out the shed. If I had the money I would be on a shopping spree. ALONE. Tonight Braden is having an airsoft war with his friends and I am listening to Ashlyn and Garrett fight. G is trying to pass a level on Wii sports resort and Ashlyn is hitting and kicking him and making noises trying to mess him up.