Scenes From Our Week - Week 52

Well, it has been one year since I started my goal of posting Scenes From Our Week....snippets from our little corner in Iowa.  I've been sharing photos of our family, friends, and scenery throughout the last year.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing them as much as I have had taking them.  This project forced me to be more deliberate in my photography, being sure the camera was always close by.  Now we have the photos to help us remember those moments.  Stayed tuned for many more Scenes From Our Week.

Every 6th grader needs to construct a boat for science class.  The boat must be able to float and be creative.   This year, Bennett came up with a canoe made out of Rice Krispies.  So, I mixed up a batch of Rice Krispie treats for him and he formed it into the shape of a canoe, adding popsicle sticks for the seats.  After letting it sit for a couple days, we covered it in Shellac and we wait to see if it floats.  Tomorrow is the big test.

Bennett, #77 has been getting some action on the football field.  He's been going after tackles and having fun with it.  It has sure been fun to cheer the team on and celebrate their winning season so far.

Every week, Patrick improves his time during his Cross Country runs.  This week he ran a mile in 6:47.  Way to go Patrick!  Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Elaine came out to cheer him on.

Finally, Patrick reminded us we are never to old to be a kid.  

Have a wonderful week and be sure that you are taking in all the beauty of fall that surrounds us.

Book Review: Home Front by Kristin Hannah

HOME FRONT

By: Kristin Hannah

Published January 31, 2012

*****

In her bestselling novels Kristin Hannah has plumbed the depths of friendship, the loyalty of sisters, and the secrets mothers keep. Now, in her most emotionally powerful story yet, she explores the intimate landscape of a troubled marriage with this provocative and timely portrait of a husband and wife, in love and at war. 

All marriages have a breaking point. All families have wounds. All wars have a cost. . . .

Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of everyday life---children, careers, bills, chores---even as their twelve-year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm’s way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a solider she has always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own---for everything that matters to his family.

At once a profoundly honest look at modern marriage and a dramatic exploration of the toll war takes on an ordinary American family, Home Front is a story of love, loss, heroism, honor, and ultimately, hope.

Ever since I read FIREFLY LANE, I have been in love with Kristin Hannah's writing.  In the novels she has written and I have read since, I have become more and more entranced in her writing.  I noticed a big change when I read WINTER GARDEN and then NIGHT ROAD. Both stories were so emotionally gripping they ripped at my heart and pulled me through the novel gasping for air.  Then HOME FRONT came out and I purchased it immediately.  Since then I have heard wonderful accolades and read many reviews about how powerful the story is.  But reviews and book club reads have kept me from reading it...until now.

I have never had a novel grip me so emotionally as HOME FRONT did.  By chapter five, I was sobbing so much, my children were worried about me and I had to stop reading because I couldn't see the words anymore. I am not the only reader to feel this way.  Many friends that have read it felt the same way.  Hannah has found a way to write the words exactly how they would be felt and those of us reading can feel like the characters are our friends and family.  We are hurting right along side of them.  This story will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

With no one close to me going off to war, I learned much about military families and their way of life.  I have a new appreciation for those who go off to war and for those who have been left behind at home.  Even though you see and hear about the families, the daily struggles are often forgotten.  In this story, the mother is the one to go off to war.  Not just any mom, but a mom who runs the household, controls the schedule, and is the main caretaker in the family.  Jolene lives and breathes her military career, but her family is what means the most to her.  Jolene gets the kids ready for school, drops them off, goes off to her job, picks the kids up and handles all the night time care while her husband is gone all day running his law firm.  So, when Jolene has to go off to war, Michael has no idea what he is in for.  In the book where Jolene and her friend Tami are talking about leaving for war, Jolene asks, "How have men done it all these years, gone off to war and left their kids behind?" Tami answers, "They had wives."  That is what makes this story different and one to be read.

Without giving away too much of the story, another part of the novel stuck with me, "There was so much training before one goes to war, and so little for one's return."  Unfortunately, I am hearing more and more of how true this is.  There aren't enough resources to assist those to transition back into civilian life.  After just reading UNBROKEN, I have come to realize our government has not come far enough since WWII in ways to help soldiers deal with the effects of PTSD and the horrors of war.

There is so much I could say about his novel, but I don't want to spoil one bit of the story for anyone who has yet to read it.  This would make an excellent book club pick.  The dynamics of family, friendships, marriage, war, and grief will make for a lively discussion.  This has definitely been my favorite book of the year.

Finally, I want to leave you with one last piece from the story that reminded me to live my life truthfully and not hide behind my intentions.

"It's not intentions that matter. It's actions. We are what we do and say, not what we intend to."

Check out Kristin Hannah on her website, http://KristinHannah.com  For an interview Kristin Hannah had with Teresa Burgess, a real life military mom, watch this video:

Book Review: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

UNBROKEN

By: Laura Hillenbrand

Published: November 16, 2010

****

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood.  Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared.  It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard.  So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini.  In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails.  As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile.  But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater.  Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion.  His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.



What a powerful book!  It is absolutely difficult to put my thoughts about this book into words.  When I first started reading it, I was unsure about all the hype this book was getting.  It was actually a bit boring in places for me.  I appreciated reading about the history behind Zamperini's running and try for the Olympics but some of the details were able to be skimmed.  But, in light of that, I truly read every single detail during the rest of the book.  Zamperini's life during WWII was horrific beyond words and imagination.  Nothing in my worst of all nightmares prepared me for what happened to him and hundreds of other POWs.  

There was one part of the book that resonated strongly with me:
Page 182-183
"But on Kwajalein, the guards sought to deprive them of something that had sustained them even as all else had been lost:  dignity.  This self-respect and sense of self-worth, the innermost armament of the soul, lies at the heart of humanness; to be deprived of it is to be dehumanized, to be cleaved from, and cast below, mankind. ....Without dignity, identity is erased.  In its absence, men are defined not by themselves, but by their captors and the circumstances in which they are forced to live."  
We live our lives with the hopes that on our last days we can look back and say we lived them with dignity, honor, and joy.  When dignity is erased, so is our hope.  Louis Zamperini may have felt his dignity was taken from him, but he still kept hope alive.  I think that hope got him through it all.

The other theme from this book that spoke to me was Louis Zamperini's act of forgiveness.  I am absolutely aware of how difficult and painful it is to forgive, but also how life-changing it can be.  But, in this case, the act of forgiveness toward the captors was like no other I have other heard.  We can all learn from his example.

In thinking of the degradation done to these men, it is unfathomable for me to comprehend how they returned home and returned to "normal" lives.  I look at my father, who is a Korean War Vet, and today's soldier's coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan and wonder how they can ever be the same. 

I will not ever forget this story and the sacrifices that each of these men and their families made.  Their suffering was beyond all imagination and I am glad Zamperini and the other servicemen had the courage to tell this story.

I so appreciated the author's footnotes that updated me to how certain people had fared or where they were today.  Every detail was researched and noted, which is truly amazing.  I can not imagine the time and dedication the author spent on researching this book. 

It has been released that the rights to this book have been sold and the movie UNBROKEN is in development.  The hope is for it to be aired sometime in 2013.  I will be there to see it.

Laura Hillenbrand has also written the book SEABISCUIT: AN AMERICAN LEGEND.  For more on Hillenbrand, check out her website, http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/.

Week 2 of 5 of My Challenge with Peak 313 Fitness

Week two is complete with the Living and Active 5 Week Challenge through Peak 313 Fitness and even though the scale hasn't moved....GRRRRRR....it is getting easier to get on the treadmill and the time flies by!  Especially watching DOWNTON ABBEY!  I'm hooked!!!!!  I even stuck with working out while having a cold, which before would have been the perfect excuse to give up.

Our Soul Food this week is such a perfect verse for me and one I go to often:

Matthew 6:34
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I am such a worry wart.  I have gotten better, trying to leave things in God's hands.  But, as a mom, worry is constantly nagging at me.  This week I really focused on living in the moment that I was in, not looking too far ahead and just getting through the day.  It was much less stressful and made it easier for me to focus on the task at hand.  I didn't look at the week and worry about how I was going to fit in exercise, I just took each day and did it.

Since I have been frustrated with the scale NOT MOVING, my cousin and I decided to jazz it up and cut out sugar for the week.  The was one of my 40 BEFORE 40 goals anyway and since my time is running out to get those accomplished, I decided this was the perfect week.  Hopefully it will change up my metabolism a bit.  Now when I say no sugar, I had no idea how difficult that would be.  There is sugar in so many things that I eat on a regular basis....Greek Yogurt, juice, and fruit all go in my regular smoothies and these are full of sugar.  So, since I don't want to cut out my smoothies, I am just not going to intentionally eat sugary things.  No cakes, cookies, candy, sugary drinks, sugary snacks, etc.  I am going to watch my sugar grams and try to keep them under 30 grams/day which some days will be harder than others.  Even my coffee creamer has 5 grams/tablespoon.  I can't give that up!!!!!! So, hopefully I'm not too cranky.  I know the first couple days will be rough, but after that, it will get easier.  I just want to see that scale move lower!

Here goes Week 3.................

Book Spotlight: Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down by Pauline L Hawkins

ASHES ASHES THE TWINS FALL DOWN
TWIN TOWERS, 9/11

By:  Pauline L. Hawkins

Published:  June 15, 2012

9/11: The Day That Defined a Generation Where were you on 9/11? That question has become part of the fabric of our lives as Americans. On that bright, sunny day, none of us had any idea what was in store and how it would change our lives. Depending on what part of the country you lived in, you may not have known anything was going on until several hours after the first plane struck. You may not have heard the news until you got to work, turned on your car radio, or received a call from a loved one asking if you had seen or heard the news.

 Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down is a look at the events of 9/11 from personal and informational perspectives. Author, Pauline Hawkins, who lived in Texas at the time of the attacks, shares her experience of 9/11, and its repercussions for her family, her job, and how she viewed the world. Pauline's story of coping with the news, reframing how she thought about America and the world, and making a conscious decision to become better-informed will resonate with anyone who lived through 9/11. In addition to her personal testimony, Pauline provides a thought-provoking context for the events of 9/11, including political background, social commentary, and reflections on the contributions of everyday heroes. You'll come away from this book both enlightened and comforted by Pauline's honesty and common sense, as well as her heartfelt appreciation of those who sacrificed for our country, and those who continue to work toward healing and rebuilding.

View the Book Trailer:



After just recently remembering and honoring those who lost so much 11 years after 9/11, this book reminds us of those who suffered and are struggling to put their lives back together.  I will never forget that morning as I know the rest of you won't.  Our families and our country were forever changed by those events and we will always be reminded of that on September 11th.  

Pauline L Hawkins has written her own personal memoir about 9/11 and this is her debut book.  Hawkins' stated, "When I sat down to actually write this book, my expectation was simply to put a few words on paper to work through my own grieving process for 9/11. However, I soon found out that the more I said, the more I had to say. Once I started writing, it was as though the emotional floodgates opened, and all the memories came back — memories that beckoned to be put on paper. I soon realized that while everyone talked about what happened in New York, at the Pentagon, and in the field in Pennsylvania, very little had been said about how that day affected those of us outside of those areas. An entire country, and world, were affected that day. Lives were changed, security lost, and our story should be shared as well. My hope is that you will find this book not only enjoyable but also informative and thought-provoking. I truly have enjoyed sitting down and sharing on these pages my experiences associated with 9/11 and the days and years following."

For more on Pauline L Hawkins, check out her website, HERE.

To purchase ASHES ASHES THE TWINS FALL DOWN, it is available on Amazon  and Barnes and Noble for $12.01 for paperback or $2.99 for Kindle.  This book has been receiving high praise and is averaging nearly 4 stars.  At just 124 pages, this is a quick, yet informative read.

This book is touring thanks to www.pumpupyourbook.com.  To read the First Chapter of ASHES ASHES THE TWINS FALL DOWN, click HERE.

Scenes From Our Week - Week 51

Last week I forgot to post a special photo. 

 We had a double date night with Pat's sister, Julie and her husband, Bill.  

We had such a fun time visiting and enjoying wine at our local winery, John Ernest Vineyard 

and then a delicious Chinese meal in a neighboring town.

Last week was busy with Bennett's two football games, a cross-country meet and it was Homecoming! Thank goodness we still had excellent weather!

  Bennett is right in the middle in blue, 

but I love how the kid in black seems to be giving me the thumbs up for this shot!

It was an exciting first game and the boys won 24-16!

Tuesday night, Bennett's team played a game in the UNI Panthers Dome.  This is such a thrill for these boys and was a great game.  They scored. We scored. Back and forth the whole game.

Bennett #77

Bennett's #1 Cheerleader - Reagan

Time Out

Pat and Patrick helped with the chain gang.

It was an exciting game, but sadly we lost 40-38. 

I made Bobcat cupcakes for the kids and their friends to enjoy after the pep rally.

Patrick was super excited to perform with the marching band in his first parade.  

He played the Tri-Toms and had a lot of fun marching through town playing the Benton Fight Song!  

So much school spirit!  What a fun pep rally!  As a former cheerleader, I love Homecoming week!

There was even a teacher flash mob! So fun!

The FFA sponsors a Kiss the Pig contest each year.  Teachers are nominated and students donate money towards a certain teacher.  The teacher with the most money has to kiss the pig.  All the money is donated to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

Mrs. Noettger was such a good sport!

We closed out our week with a lazy Saturday morning.  

We spent some of our Summer Fun money and went bowling 

and then out to dinner at one of our favorite spots, Fazoli's. 

Fall is here and the kids are anxiously waiting for the field behind our house to be harvested.  Our days and nights on the porch are limited and the fireplace will soon be lit.  But, it truly is my favorite season of the year! 

My 5 Week Challenge Update with Peak 313 Fitness

Today begins my 2nd week of the Living and Active 5 Week Challenge.  I was surprised how easy last week was.  I was able to fit in 4 workouts into my week which was a new thing for me.  I was usually happy if I got one or two times in.  But, I made it a priority and my muscles reacted.  I didn't drop any pounds last week, but I didn't gain either.  What I did noticed was that on my workout on Sunday, I was able to go farther and burn more calories in the same amount of time.  That is a great challenge to work on right there.

I find that running on the treadmill is so much better than running through town.  One, I'm invisible.  I'm self-conscious and don't like having people see me running around town.  Two, I can keep track of my progress....how far I have run & how many calories I've burned.  I can change up my run with my incline or my speed whenever I want.  So, as long as it is getting cooler, I'm going to stay on my treadmill.  Plus, I just found a show I can start watching on Netflix Instant....Downton Abbey.  I've heard so much about it and have been curious, so now that I know Season one is available, I can check it out.  If I only allow myself to watch it on the treadmill, I will be motivated to go run, just so I can watch the show.  I did that last winter with GLEE and it worked really well for me.

The other benefit of this particular challenge in the Soul Food part of it.  Week One's verse was from Ecclesiastes 4:12 - Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  I really love this verse because it reminds us that we are never alone, we are  all part of a team...God's team. Your family is a team. Your friends are your team, and I joined this Peak 313 team.  We are all in it together, here to help each other, support each other, and love each other in this life and we can't be defeated!

So, here I am, ready to give Week 2 a go.  

Review: Golden Records: The Magic Continues Celebrity Series, Vol 1

Do you remember Golden Records from when you were a child?  I sure do. Well known and much-loved children's stories were read to you on records and now they have been rerecorded to CD and read by celebrities we know and love today.

Golden Records was dreamed up by Grammy Award-winning music producer Arthur Shimkin in 1948. It was one of the most successful children's record labels in America.  Through richly orchestrated music and the use of A-list talent, Golden Records created a timeless, one of  kind sound, releasing beautiful songs and stories that entertained and educated children for decades.

Tony Shimkin, the son of the late Arthur Shimkin is now carrying on his father's legacy by releasing Celebrity Series:  The Magic Continues, Vol. 1.  This CD is packed with 20 classic songs and stories that combine the digitally restored original recordings of the 50's and 60's with the voices of today's biggest and brightest stars.  Check out the video below:



I was sent this CD for review and I was super excited.  This brought me back to my childhood.  I was a child born in the 70's, but my sisters were born in the 50's, so I am guessing we still had their records laying around for me to enjoy.  I had so many favorites as a child and I enjoyed listening to them all again as an adult.  The kids became interested in the stories and wondered what I was listening to.  It has been relaxing to listen to them in the background throughout the day. I really loved Alicia Silverstone's reading of Rapunzel and Constance Marie's reading of Hansel and Gretel.  I think I could listen to Ed Asner read stories to me all day long.  I plan to use the songs mixed throughout the CD at our monthly story time.  The kids will love to dance along to Yankee Doodle, Animal Fair, and Pop Goes the Weasel.

These CD's would make an excellent stocking stuffer or gift for any child on your list.  I know I will be giving them out as gifts this year.  The stories are timeless and will encourage a love of reading and storytelling in your children.  So, how can you get your copy?  Check them out on:

 iTUNES for $9.99
AMAZON for $9.99
WALMART for $9.00
SELECT-O-HITS for $9.99

To get your own free music download, go to their Facebook page HERE.  You can also follow them on Twitter HERE or Pinterest HERE.

Golden Records will be releasing more CD's in the next few weeks including....

Releasing September 18, 2012

Releasing October 2, 2012

Releasing October 16, 2012

I highly recommend these CD's and encourage you to get them for your family today.  They would be excellent to listen to during trips in the car, during supper time, while your child is getting ready for bed, or as you are having snack time.  The options are endless and with the additional CD's coming out, you will have a whole repertoire of stories to listen to.  

I was provided with a copy of the CD to listen to in order to give this review.  This review is my honest opinion.  I only review products that will benefit myself or my family.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  

Scenes From Our Week - Week 50

Like I mentioned last week, Bennett won the election for Student Body President.  

Here he is with his campaign poster.

We had our first week of After School JAMS.  JAMS is a program that we started at our church on Wednesdays after school.  Our goal was to reach out to kids in our community and share the love of Jesus with them hoping they will in turn share that love with others.  

JAMS stands for Jesus And Music Service. This week we had 30 kids which is more than ever and there were some kids who couldn't come.  

We are so thrilled that each year our program is growing and we are reaching out to kids that have never known the love of Jesus.

 Since it was so nice on Wednesday, we took the kids outside for some relay races.  

We had the favorite Egg On Spoon race 

and then the Balloon Between the Legs While Blowing Bubbles race.  The kids had a blast!  

On Thursday night, while doing dishes, I was in awe of the amazing colors in the sky.  It seemed every time I grabbed a new dish, the sky was different.  I had to run out and snap a couple photos. 

 I wasn't the only one to be amazed with the sunset that night as many friends posted photos as well.  

We truly are blessed with the amazing sunsets we get to see outside our windows.

We have a busy week ahead with 2 football games, a cross-country meet, a no-school day, and it is homecoming week.  There will definitely be lots of pictures to post next week!

I've Joined the Challenge

In my 40 Before 40 Challenge, I had stated that I wanted to lose 20 pounds.  Well, I don't think I am going to make that goal, but I'm going to give it one last good run.  The perfect opportunity popped into my regular blog reading and I decided to join in.

PEAK 313 FITNESS is offering a Living and Active Challenge for the next 5 weeks.  Even though I am turning 40 in less than 5 weeks, I decided this was the best thing to get my rear in gear.  Clare offers much needed advice and encouragement when it comes to getting fit.  She is also a Christian and includes spiritual guidance throughout her blog.  This current challenge offers a exercise plan and "soul food" of a Bible verse to memorize each week.  Clare offers exercises (with instructional videos) for you to fit in or you can do your own.  The requirement is that you are exercising at least 4x per week and memorizing your verse.  If you complete the 5 week challenge, you will be entered to win a prize.  Everything Clare is offering is for free.

For me it isn't about the prize Clare is offering, but the prize I hope to get from myself at the end of 5 weeks. For me, I just need to be accountable to something or someone and have some motivation.  So far I am 2 for 2 with tomorrow (Wednesday) being my rest day.  My muscles are aching but I have slept really well the last 2 nights.  I hope that continues.  I have also stopped drinking Diet Mountain Dew.  The last few times I have drank it, I have gotten terrible stomachaches.  I wasn't even drinking it that often anymore, maybe one a week.  So, I just decided it wasn't worth it and haven't bought any more.  I am drinking water all the time, and know the benefits will soon show from that.

There is still time for you to join in on this challenge.  Click HERE and print off your calendar.  I put mine right on our counter where I see it throughout the day.  If you are going to join in, let me know in the comments.  We can keep each other accountable.

What's On My DVR

The Fall TV Season is upon us.  I went through the summer hardly watching any TV, and now I am ready for some good TV.  I'm not able to watch all the shows in their regular time, so I DVR a lot of them to watch while the kids are in school.  These are the shows that I am really excited about.  Some are new, some are old, but I think they will all be my favorites.

Provocative conversation. Compelling real life drama. Unexpected adventures. Candid celebrity revelations. Audience participation. And the opportunity to get up off the couch and say YES to life!

I tuned into THE JEFF PROBST SHOW today.  In my area, it is on at 3PM on NBC.  As a long-time Survivor fan, I had to tune in.  Jeff blew me away today.  This show is not like any other.  There was no negativity, no celebrity gossip, no news.  It was refreshing.  It was real.  For more about this show and to see clips from today's episode that will have you rethinking your whole life, click HERE. DVR this one every day!

I had never watched GLEE until last fall.  I started watching them all on Netflix and then DVR'd the current season and I finally got all caught up this summer.  I can't wait to see what happens to Rachel in NYC, what new tricks Sue has up her sleeve, what is next for Will and Emma, and who will the newbies be???  I am an official GLEEk!

I first saw the pilot of this show during The Olympics.  I have to admit, I didn't think I was going to like it.  But I did.  I will be tuning in to see how Ryan (Matthew Perry) travels through the grief process.

Survivor Phillipines: Season 25 begins next week and I am soooo pumped!  I can't believe there have been 25 seasons already. As a forever Survivor fan, I can tell this will be an exciting season.  One of the cast members is from Cedar Rapids and another is Lisa Welchel (Blair from Facts of Life).  There are also returning castaways that were injured on previous seasons.  This will be a MUST SEE each week for me!

The Middle is on at the same time as Survivor, but since this is our family's favorite, we will be watching this as a family. This show guarantees laughs from each one of us.  We all have our favorites and can relate to a piece of each of them.  The Hecks could be our neighbors anytime!

Dancing with the Stars: All Stars is hoping to get people watching and voting for their all-time favorites.  This is a show that if I miss it once in awhile, I am ok.  But, I hope to watch most of it this season.  I will be rooting for Shawn Johnson!

Castle gets better every year.  Again, I may miss an episode here and there, but whenever I do get to watch it, I'm sucked in every time.  The sexual tension, the crime-solving, the humor....and Richard Castle....mmmmm!  Can't wait to see what is next for Beckett and Castle!

What has you most excited about the fall TV season?  What is the show you must watch each week?  Do you DVR most of your episodes or watch them online?

Scenes From Our Week - Week 49

We had a fun Sheltered Reality performance last Sunday night.  We were able to perform with some of our friends and get them up on stage.  Everyone had a great time!

Patrick had his first Cross Country meet on Tuesday.  Yes, Tuesday, if you remember was HOT.  It was still 95 degrees with high humidity at 4:30 when the race started.  It was hot for the fans watching let alone the kids that had to run in it.  We were really proud of Patrick for finishing his 1.25 miles in 9 1/2 minutes.  

And...they are off.....

Sticking with the pack.....

Coming in for the finish.

Both boys came home with exciting news this week.  Patrick was selected to play the Tri-Toms for the Middle School Marching Band, which apparently is a big deal.  He is certainly looking forward to Homecoming now!  Bennett decided to run for Student Body President since he is a 6th grader this year and he won the election.  He is thrilled and is looking forward to leading his school and classmates to a fun and exciting year.  Hopefully, I don't have to start calling him President Bennett!

Patrick had a second Cross Country meet on Saturday morning and it was our home meet.  The weather was perfect and he had a much better time.  I don't have the official time but it was just over 8 minutes.

There were a lot of Middle School Boys to race against.....

He placed 23rd and received a ribbon.  We are sure proud of his accomplishments so far.  

Cross Country is not easy!

After our meet on Saturday, we headed over to Pat's sister's home to pick up our nephew for the night.  

We just had to get some kitty lovin in.  This kitty liked licking and then biting Reagan's fingers.