Air Force Ball 2011

 Howard FINALLY invited me to the Air Force Ball.  Most years I've either been pregnant, breastfeeding, or Howard was deployed.  I'm very grateful we had the opportunity to go.  Our kind neighbor watched the children and even took a few photo's of us before the ball.

 

Navy blue turned out to be a popular color for dresses  (and uniforms, lol) this year at the Ball.  Everyone looked beautiful and I was happy to blend in with all the other girls.  Fortunately no one had the same dress on, they were all unique.  The best part of getting ready was when I got my nails done.  Erin went along with me and also had her nails done.  I love having girl time with her.  Once I had my hair done, I was hands off for the kids. I wouldn't even let them kiss me good-bye.  My kids can really get excited showing affection and I wasn't about to let them ruin my hair or make-up.  They were good sports about it and didn't complain too much.

 

 (My dress fell just below my knees and I had sparkly silver 4" heels and a matching clutch.)

At the beginning of the ceremony, the speaker explained in detail the significance of the empty table in the front of the ballroom.  It represented service members from each branch who are MIA.  I couldn't get through that without crying.  Our table was filled with some wonderful people who were very easy to talk with and dinner was delicious!  Pictured below is our place cards along with a bracelet to remember a fallen soldier.   Each bracelet had a different name, date, and location of battle.

 

 After the dinner and speakers was dancing.  My feet were killing me after only a few dances, but we enjoyed ourselves anyway.  The USAF Band of Mid-America played and we were seriously impressed with their talent.  Howard is not much of a dancer, so I had to fly solo when everyone on the dance floor started line dancing.  Luckily they were dancing the only line dance I know.  That was my favorite part! Luckily Howard danced a few slow dances with me. :)

 Afterwards we went out for ice cream at Braum's and shared a sundae.

School

 We're in the swing of things and I'm playing catch-up a little on the blog. These photos are a couple weeks old, but they're still good.  I started school a week after the children did. I have not been in school since Spring 2000! I was really nervous, but now that I have a few weeks under my belt, I'm feeling good about things. I'm taking one Online class, Reading Literature and Writing Argument and one classroom lecture, U.S. History 1865-present.  I am so grateful that I have spent the past 11 years reading American history books, keeping up with current events, and writing on this blog (since 08). It has helped me stay focused academically. Sometimes motherhood makes my brain feel like a wet noodle, but I now have a renewed confidence in my abilities as a student! I'm not 100% sure yet, but I think I want to major in American History and one day be a high school history teacher. ( I change my mind a lot, so this is subject to change.)  Howie told me he wants me to be his teacher. I don't think I'll graduate in time if I take it slow, but once Luke gets into school I might be able to kick it into high gear. Time will only tell.

I have a renewed appreciation for Howard working and providing for our family. He has to associate with many different people every day. Not everyone is nice, but he has to deal with it anyway. Since I have been a homemaker the past 10 years, I have primarily surrounded myself with family or friends who have similar values as myself. I like nice people. You don't have to agree with my religion or politics to be my friend, just a common level of respect. I learned recently at school some people lack the type of respect I am referring to. It's okay if people disagree, but do respectfully please! I obviously need to grow a thicker skin when it comes to criticism. Constructive academic criticism is one thing, but negative and rude is not acceptable!

[I'll stepped off my soapbox now.]

 Here is Jack on his first day of school. He loves school so much! His teacher is WONDERFUL!

The first full week of school was spirit week and we all had a great time on "Wacky Day".

 Some people thought Howie was a girl, I think it's time for a hair cut.

 Erin is just a little bit of everything! I tried to tease her hair, but because of the length, it went horribly wrong. I didn't tell her that, so I just did something crazy and she was happy with it.

Jack was the only kid in his class that did crazy hair. His teachers LOVED it! 

This n' That

 Howard took the last week of summer break off.  We did some fun things, worked on a project, and took it easy. 

 

 Howard built an extra shelf in the laundry room.

 

 We went to the water park as a family and got a sunburn. We all wore sunscreen, we just forgot to re-apply.  I don't have any pictures of the water park because I didn't think it would be a good idea. Also, now that our kids our old enough to enjoy the big rides, we had a blast! Howard and I took turns with the big/little kids and had so much fun! Although, I think I had more time with the big kids, which meant I had more fun!

 Jack started pre-school.  No tears from him or I, it was a good day.

 

 Everyone was ready for the first day of school.  It was nice for Howard to be home and a part of all the activity in the morning. Luke even had a backpack on in this picture. He was MAD when everyone was dropped off and he wasn't!

 

 Ever since I took the kids to get their annual pictures taken a few weeks ago (it was a disaster for Luke), he has hated getting his picture taken. He's yelling at me for taking his picture here.

 

My helper.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We were given baseball tickets a while ago and finally used them at the end of July.  OKC has a minor league team and their field is downtown. It's a really nice ballpark. I liked it because it wasn't huge like the Dodger's Stadium in California. I like to get in and out of places quickly.  Our seats were originally behind home base. I'll be honest, I don't really like baseball (or sports in general). I would much rather spend 3 hours in a museum than be at a sporting event.  I think the kids feel the same way. They enjoy plays, musical events, and museums almost as much as I do. It was hot and boring, so after the second inning, we decided to call it quits and go home. Half-way out of the park we noticed a knoll across the field...and it had a playground. We ventured over there and ended up staying the whole game. There were fireworks at the end, but they were right over the knoll, so we had to move. Instead of going back to our seats, we sat in the nosebleed section (it was empty) and we had a great view of the fireworks (and a wonderful breeze). We wanted to sit close to the exit so we could get out quickly. With 4 kids, you always need an exit plan. Sometimes I feel like Jason Bourne searching for a quick escape.

The grassy knoll

It's easier to enjoy the game when you are not confined to hard seats.

Playing with Daddy.

 Our sanity!

Jack met some teenage girls and he chatted with them all night. He's a ladies man!

The fireworks!

Happy Birthday & Baptism

  2 weeks ago we went to my sister's house and brought home her girls for the week. We planned it so they would be here for Erin's birthday and my sister came to pick up her girls and came to Erin's baptism. This was not a "birthday party year", but we had an enjoyable time. 

Erin only received a couple of presents, but her Taylor Swift concert tickets (for October) really sent her into a whirlwind! Shock, excitement, happiness! Good call on Mom and Dad's part. (It also means we have less toys to pick up.)

 She requested chocolate cake this time. Thank you Duncan Heinz for making it special!

Howard's father, Sam, is visiting for Erin's baptism.  The kids adore him and love the stories he tells.

I loved having my sister and her family visit, but their visits are always too short. They each have a little thing called a job, so I guess I'll let it slide.

Erin was radiant in her dress! I'm so happy Lisa french braided her hair (since I don't know how to). It made life easy after she was dunked.

Our attempt at a family picture. Luke was on the other side of the foyer. Who knows what Jack is trying to do? Howie was trying to avoid Erin. This is a typical family photo!

 Erin's dear friend, Danielle, was also baptized. It was her actual birthday and I'm so happy they could share this day together.

Summer Fun

 Several weeks ago I took the kids down to the Chickasaw National Rec. Area. We had a nice time! We've done lots of other things this summer, I just gave up taking my camera everywhere.

What I've been up to

Clearly I'm not the greatest blogger these days, but I'm a pretty good Mom.

EXCEPT when I let my brother-in-law babysit...

...or when he passes gas.

 

 ...or when I'm distracted by 5 other kids and the littlest one gets into the makeup.

I just got back from my sister's the other day and brought home two souvenirs; her daughter's. We love having the girls here, but it has given me a taste of more kids.  It's testing my limit slightly.  I went to the Natural History museum today and it seemed like I spent the whole time counting six heads to make sure no one got left behind in the previous exhibit.  We had a nice time and I loved not having a stroller to push around. Luke is a great walker when it comes to things like that.  I get annoyed when I see 4-6 year old children being pushed in a stroller. They have legs and should use them!

Happy Anniversary, Father's Day, and Birthday Howard!

So this is my life, every year between June 17th-22nd. 

Anniversary

Father's Day

Howard's Birthday

All of these photos are "old", but since I didn't take one single photo this past week, it'll have to make do. Enjoy!

Anniversary

This is from our trip to Tokyo in 2008.

 We've been married 11 years now and in spite of our short engagement and some skeptics, we're still married! So there [sticking out tongue]!

Father's Day

Howard's a great Dad. He loves his kids and isn't afraid to show it!  

Here are just a few things that make him a special Dad...

He has given all of our newborn babies their first "bath" in the hospital. One time a nurse was going to do it and after some coercing, Howard finally got his way and took over!

He teaches the kids how to tie their own shoes.  

 He teaches the kids how to ride a bike.

He is very involved in Cub Scouts and supports Howie very much in this endeavor.

Happy Birthday

Howard recently turned 34. I love him dearly and here are just a few reasons why...

 He is my personal handy man and is very good about completing his "honey-do" lists.

  

 He serves his country proudly and does a great job supporting his family too!

He buys things for me...like a house.

He's there for me when I need him most and loves me unconditionally.