Weekly update

Well, we all survived the first week of school!! Steven was away on business, so it was just me and the girls for the first part of the week. Aeris walked into her new classroom with ease, which she didn't do in her last class. We had to put her back in pull-ups until she gets a little more settled in her surroundings, but she is using the potty so no complaints there. Katie is liking her new teacher and class. She's been really excited because this year I have decided to let her wak home with a friend and her older brother. She also thinks she's HOT stuff because we bought her a little phone for walking home with. I guess it's silly in ways for a 7 1/2 year old to have a phone, but she's learning a little lesson in responsibility. She has to call home before they leave the school and shortly thereafter, I meet her at her friends house ( who just so happens to live in the subdivision across from our apartments). So, its been fun for her and nice for me, too, not to have to sit in the long line of traffic everyday. I milled around for the first part of the week, enjoying the random silence in the house, then started to prepare myself for classes that started last Thursday (although I didn't physically go to campus until Friday). I'm taking 3 classes online and 3 on campus that are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I like not having to drive everyday, although on Fridays it's a trip for one class...but it's not bad...and I get to eat lunch with Steven after class! And...thanks to Katie's dad (David), we are going to enroll Katie in after school Gymnastics!! She's excited about that...and the fact that she gets to wear a leotard that is "sparkly"!! Right up her ally!! I hope that she will like it and does well. We did ballet a few years back through day school and she loved it, but now she's more active and likes to flip and spin all over the house...so I figured why not, right? So, I guess that's all the excitement around our house for now, but I'm sure there is more to come!! Never a dull moment here!!

First Day of School!

My babies on their first day of school. Katie
is in the 2nd grade and Aeris moved to the
three-year-old room.


Katie showing off her new outfit!!

And Aeris wanted her picture taken like her big "Sissy".

Success!!

We finally made potty progress this week. Aeris has graduated from pull-ups to "underwears". She stayed home with me yesterday, and I thought I'd put some on her for grins and giggles. She did very well and managed to stay dry until after dinner. We still put pull-ups on before bedtime, though. Oh well! I did take her to school today in her "underwears" and she proudly showed them off to her teacher (exactly like she is doing in this picture)! So...YAY!! to Aeris. She's so excited and loves her "underwears".

Family visit

Well, I haven't written anything in the past week because we've been busy ad have been on the road here and there, but I can fill you in...

Last Wednesday, Katie and I met my dad in Beebe to visit my grandmother. She is in a nursing home after suffering from a stroke, I believe. Her memory isn't exactly top notch, however, she does remember people and knows when you have been there for a visit. My dad says it comes and goes. I was very nervous to see her since its been a while. I really didn't know what to expect. Needless to say, it wasn't what I was expecting at all. She was in a wheelchair, unable to get herself up, she had a nervous tick in one of her hands, and she just didn't look like I wanted to remember her. Much to my surprise, she seemed to recognize katie as my dad pointed out we where there to visit. i wasn't directly in her line of vision, so she didn't see me well at first. My dad left after a few minutes to get a nurse for her, and as she slowly turned my way, I caught her eye. She looked at me and said, "Well..Amy...what are you doing here?". I explained that I was there to see her and for a brief moment she seemed happy...until her attention was drawn elsewhere. I'm glad that we got the opportunity and the time to see her. I left feeling a sense of relief, but also with a hint of sadness just knowing she was in the state she was in. I held back my tears while I was with her, but later that night, I cried. I love my grandmother very much. She did so many wonderful things for me over the years. I haven't spent much time with her over the past several years, but hope to spend more time with her as long as I can.

*The picture above is from Christmas of 2005. This photo was taken at her home in St. Charles; with Katie (age 4; almost 5).*

After seeing my grandmother, we headed out to my Aunt Linda's house. My dad, grandmother, and Aunt all lived on a piece of land together in St. Charles, AR., but all have moved within an hour or so of us. I'm excited to have them all so close. Over the past few years, I have neglected to spend time with my dad's family...and regret it deeply. I guess my reason was mainly for living so far away (having lived in Fayetteville anyway). It can be hard now at times, as I have to divide my time between several family member, which now includes my husband's family. With everyone so spread out, it can be hard to see everyone when you want. Either way, I had a great visit with my Aunt Linda, Aunt Robin, and my dad!! Katie had fun as always....but it was fun to watch my dad play with her!! It brought back some wonderful memories from my childhood!!

Potty Training 101

If you have children, you already know this isn't an easy task to learn. We have been working with Aeris in hopes that she will use the potty on a regular basis. At school, her teachers have encouraged her with a sticker sheet. Every time that she uses the potty, she gets a sticker (and her favorite...Dora!!). To help, we made one to post at home. She gladly shoes off her stickers to her "Sissy" and to her Daddy!! I love that when she hears herself going, she claps her hands and gives herself a loud "YEY"!! It's precious!!
We're still working on it, but for the past couple of

weeks, Aeris has stayed dry all day (minus bedtime). Now, if we could get her to go "poopie" in the potty.

Job News

It seems as if we are walking on eggshells waiting to receive any news concerning Steven's job. For those of you who don't know, I'll fill you in.

For starters, Steven is contracted to work for AT&T, but is wanting to get a permanent position for security reasons. Two job have become available to him. One is as an IT Analyst (same job that he has now) that would keep us in Conway, and the other is as a Cell Tech. This job would move us to the Forrest City ( to include several surrounding cities, including his hometown of Stuttgart) or Jonesboro area. We aren't sure what to think about either location, but realize that Stuttgart is closer to family and would allow me to continue school at the same location. We don't really have very many contacts in Jonesboro, but it is a much larger city.

As school approaches in the next weeks, I am getting nervous that we will have to pull the girls our of their existing schools and move. I keep praying that God will take hold of this situation and place us where we need to be. That's really all I can do, but in the meantime, I get a little stir-crazy!!

OK, so I figured this was the best way for family and friends to catch up with us, to view photos, and to read news updates. Over the past few weeks, I have been reconnecting with old friends and have been flooded with tons of memories that have done nothing but make me smile. It's sad that life separates you from those that meant so much, but it's even better when God reintroduces those people back into your life.