Been some time

Its been a while since I posted I guess.
The kids will be starting school next week. Aubrey in 7th grade, Brodie in 3rd. I cant believe we are there already.  Matt started a new job a few weeks ago, I am still working in Hudson.

Both of our vehicles decided it was time to retire..the same week. So we are searching for replacements while I drive the company truck and Matt is on his bike.

The veggie garden is doing well. Harvested many cucumbers - enough for 16 quart jars of pickles so far. I dont know what I will be doing with all these pickles...and waiting on the tomatoes to ripen. Went blueberry, strawberry and raspberry picking earlier in the season. Made many batches of preserves. Checked the elderberries earlier in the week and it seems the birds are getting to those. May not be able to make elderberry anything this year. The orchard opens this week - looking forward to apple picking.

Aubrey's softball team came in 2nd for tournaments and 3rd for season this year. Brodie's baseball team did very well too. Matt was his coach.  I will be coaching Aubrey next year in fast pitch rec ball. Aubrey is now in soccer for the 2nd year and Brodie in his first year of football. Started right out with tackle. He is doing well and enjoying it.

Still have a clean bill of health with respect to the cancer. Had a full scan done a few weeks ago and it was clean. I was involved in a car accident in March that totaled my mini-van. I was hit from behind at about 40mph while at a complete stop and was pushed into the truck in front of me. I am still recovering. Chiropractic and physical therapy weekly for me right now. It was the car I purchased to replace the van that died - about 3 weeks ago now. "Edna" - a 1989 Caprice Estate Wagon.

I am still active in PTO and Dave's Garden. Staying busy running the kids and keeping my appointments. Working full time too.
Recently had my 20 year class reunion. I was on the planning committee - which I will never do again. Had a good time and people enjoyed themselves at the reunion. It was good to see so many old friends. Many of which are not on Facebook and got a chance to catch up with. Remembered the ones who "we've" lost, caught up with old friends and had a good evening.

Watertown Mayer Tournament Jan 8 2011

Brodie did so well both today and last week. His first matches are a little "tender" but he gets going his second match and kicks butt third match. We need to work on that energy for all three matches and he will rock the house!

Today, while we were being "staged" (Brodie getting assigned a group), the rest of the crowd proceeded - I found out after the tourney that they had asked for a volunteer to sing the National Anthem - Aubrey volunteered! She went down on the mats, took the mic and sang it acapella! I so wish I could have seen it. The announcer asked if anyone got it on video so we could send it to dad, but noone came down. I left my information in hopes someone had it. She wants to sing at the Tartan tournament and is going to ask Coach at practice next week. So proud of her! I just cant say it enough!

Today exhausted me. We got home this afternoon, shared our news with dad and then I took a two hour nap.

November coming to a close

Started a new job today in Hudson. It went well. Feel like I am back in the swing of things - back in manufacturing environment. It was weird not going into the county today.

Brodie lost two more teeth in the last week. Its a wonder how he can even eat these days. He is missing 9 in all. 6 across the top and three on the bottom.

Aubrey is doing well in school. Wants to join volleyball so I have a little research to do.

Matt was home for the holiday. Surprised me by catching an earlier flight in and having his dad pick him up. I was bored waiting at home so I went to my folks house and he just showed up! My dad and I were watching "his flight" on flightaware.com and "he was" just flying out of TN when he walked up the sidewalk. It was a wonderful surprise. Dinner @ his folks was wonderful on Thursday. Dinner with my side on Friday here @ the house and his folks came too. We had enough food to feed his platoon I think. We will be eating it for a while.

Brodie starts wrestling tonight. He is giving me the lowdown on what goes on. Evidently I didn't make an impression on him last year when I came to watch practice. Matt won't be coaching this year but at least he will get to see a few of his tournaments when he is home for Christmas exodus. And if by chance we go to Rochester this season, Matt will be home for that.

One more month left of the year. Praying 2011 will bring better things to our family.

Mushrooms in the yard

I've never seen such huge mushrooms..or such strange ones. Any ideas on what kind they are?

Plugging along

Well, time is going by fairly quickly. Two more weeks and Matt will graduate from Basic Training. Seems like only last week when he left. We are all so excited to go. And he will have a wonderful surprise on Family Day! His sister and brother are flying in to surprise him for his graduation! SO happy they can see him graduate!
I've had my RAI with no side effects. I go back for my first follow up on the 21st. Still having some issues with my energy levels as I try to find the right dose for my meds. Also still feeling like I am being choked. Seeing the surgeon for that on the 14th. Hopefully it can be resolved. The voice isn't quite back to normal either.
School is out for the kids and they both did excellent. Aubrey will be sharing time between MN and IA this summer. More swimming lessons for her in IA.
Brodie started T-Ball last weekend and has another game today. He likes it but they are all still trying to figure out how to play.
Can not express how happy we are to be home with family so close by. It has been a godsend. Don't know what we would have done if we had to go through all of this while still living in MS.

New Adventure

We are following a new road in life, a recent turn that lead our family to become a military family. Having been exposed to military life through my sister and her family, hopefully there will be an advantage there with the knowledge and advise they can provide. Matt decided to join the National Guard and train to be a calibration tech 94H. Quite a bit different than doing the computer work of the past, but he is excited and we support him 100%.
Tears have been shed by all, more will follow I am sure. There have been struggles dealing with a cancer diagnosis for me, two days after Matt enlisted. I had thyroid surgery April 2nd and am healing nicely. I have yet to go through my RAI treatment but the Dr.'s are hoping my levels will be right so I am able to have that done this next week. I am very ready to have it done.
The kids are trying to adjust to Matt being gone after being a stay at home dad for over a year. Quite a change for them (and the dogs as well). Doing what I can to make sure both rolls of mom and dad are being fulfilled even though nothing could replace him actually being here.
Facebook has a wonderful page set up for his battalion and volunteers take pictures of them while on maneuvers. We got to see a picture of him which helped a great deal. So thankful to the volunteers who photograph and post!!

Wrestling

Brodie is in wrestling this year. He is consistant coming in 4th place (out of 4) :). Dad is one of the coaches.

Aubrey (mom) just got done selling Girl Scout Cookies. Her goal was 100 boxes (her first year). We sold 143.

We are all ready for spring. We have cabin fever and are going stir crazy. A few more weeks. We can make it.