School Pictures

Aubrey - 4th grade
At the top of her class and in extra programs at school. She just completed a special class on archeology at the Science Museum. She has a good time. She is exploring music and is excited to learn to ice skate. 10th birthday coming up soon. She will be getting her ears pierced for her birthday.

School Started :)

First day of school pics. Finally!

Well, we are a good month into school now. Kids have had their school pictures taken already and the school is planning a Halloween fundraiser dance. I have become treasurer for the Parent Group (PTA).

Aubrey has signed up for Girl Scouts and will be attending her first meeting this weekend. She is very excited.

Brodie's teacher called home this week....he got in trouble for not listening and not keeping his hands to himself. The little social butterfly.

6 months back

Well, we've been home 6 months now. We got the house rented here and got rid of the house in MS. The kids start school next week. Brodie in kindergarten and Aubrey in 4th grade. I can't believe it!!! Stephanie is working for the Ramsey County Attorney's Office on contract. Matt was working at Ft. Snelling Cemetery for a spell and is dealing with work comp claim right now. Nerve damage to both his hands/arms from using a jack hammer. We are coping with that and severe back pain and migraines for Stephanie.

Harley and Maggie were playing today and Maggie broke her front tooth.

I painted and decorated Aubrey's room over the weekend. She loves it. I am very happy she does. Brodie's room will be next. We still have the rest of the house to settle back into. Repaint and all. The kids are glad we are back, as are we. We are grateful for the friends we made in Mississippi. It was an experience there. We learned many things.

Back home

Well, we've been home for just over a month now. Matt & I are still looking for employment. Hitting the temp services on Monday. Im so excited...(can you hear the sarcasm?) But better than nothing.
Still trying to sell the house in MS. Still trying to rent the house in MN. Had a hit on it, don't know if it is a scam or not. Keeping our fingers crossed for that check to come in the mail for the rent & deposit.
Kids adjusted well. Aubrey didn't miss a beat in school. She was a little behind with what they were learning here but didn't have any issues catching up. I knew she wouldn't.
Brodie is missing his friends from daycare. There aren't any little kids here like there were down south - and being he isn't in daycare, he doesn't get the same interactions. We have a friend who does daycare and she will take him free when he can so he has that interaction. I can't believe he will be in kindergarten in September.
Wishing it were warmer. Have lots to do in the yard. LOTS of planting and transplanting. Grass seed galore, down an oak tree, replace floor in shed, rebuild kids house. Still have things to do next door to get the house ready for renting. Need to get that done ASAP.
Matt wants to get started in the dog house too.
Hunting down old friends - getting together with people we haven't seen in 3 years - missing the people we left behind.

Moving Home

3 days until we move back to Minnesota. We are all excited. Decided not to sell the house up there due to some issues down here.
Have 2 days left of work, then I get to look for a job in MN. Have already started, but hard to focus on that from 900 miles away.
Matt is considering joining the National Guard. There is an IT position available that he would be more qualified for than people that are already enlisted. He would need to go through boot camp - 10 weeks - and then possibly officer training. In the IT position, he would be an officer - that is what the recruiter told him anyway.
The kids are thrilled to be going home.
I pulled out all my plants in the yard last night so we could take them with. Let me tell you, they come out a LOT easier than they went in!! Too bad we can't take the magnolia trees though.
Well, back to work. Will update soon.

Long time

Well, it's been nearly a year since I've updated. Have been through unemployment, re-employment, back surgery, in the process of evicting tennants in MN....been a busy year.

Aubrey will be 9 on Tuesday. Brodie will be 5 in March. Matt's folks were here over Christams with his brother. We finally got to Graceland and toured the house. My parents are here this week.

Doing some painting around the house. Maggie is in heat. Harley is getting grey.

Still trying to sell the duplex in MN. If you know anyone who is interested in rental property, it is a beautiful property with lots of space.

Thats about it for now. Will try to update again soon.