In a word...nothing.

That basically describes what has been going on.  I've been busy editing a ton of pictures from a bunch of sessions I've had over the last month and a half or so, and still trying to get caught up.  Work is going to get busier as I learn some new responsibilities, and it's always busy busy busy at home when the kids are up.  At home, I feel like I'm in a constant state of motion.  No wonder I always feel so tired!

Not much new to report, other than Steven had his first land judging contest yesterday and I believe placed 3rd individually out of a large number of kids at this contest.  I honestly have no idea what land judging is--I'm not going to lie.  With any luck, Justin will be able to explain that one at some point; after all, he used to organize entire programs for land judging when he worked for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts.

Xavier has a preschool field trip tomorrow to the pumpkin patch, and I'm excited to have a work schedule now that allows me to accompany the group.  I'll be in charge of 3 or 4 kids as we make our way around the patch.  Fairly certain I can handle that...we will see! 

The two youngest, Xavier and Michael were sick last week, but seem to be getting over it now.  Thankfully Emma hasn't gotten the bug yet, nor have Justin or I.  And I hope Justin won't, since he's due to leave for China in about a week and a half for an international golf show.

Everyone has really hit a stride and have grown comfortable with their new roles with Steven in the house.  Well, Xavier has been saying he doesn't like Steven, but then again, he also says he doesn't like mommy, he doesn't like Michael, he doesn't like Emma, and he doesn't like Mrs. Cheney (his preschool teacher).  He's just about 4, and I think this age has been the worst for him as far as attitude goes.  Steven asked me this morning, "Why does Xavier have such bad moods?"  Well, they don't call it ''f'ing fours" for nothing.  Or maybe he likes to have a reason to spend time in his room, I don't really know.

So that's all for my update.  This weekend is the big Ohio State game, and next weekend is the Apel Family's annual fall cookout, which is always fun.  Hot dogs and s'mores over the fire with potluck foods, games and a hayrack ride!  I'll update more then.

Plenty of Room

Wow how time slips away!  It has been a while since my last update and although this will be short, there has been a lot going on.  Each night seems like a new adventure, whether keeping all the kids busy, making sure everyone has what they need for the next day, and Melissa and I know where each kid needs to be and when.  The week of the 12^th is behind us.  Our anniversary was fun to celebrate, but all week long we had the Calfee family in our thoughts.  Their news is still very sad and Facebook posts and newspaper listings still keep the entire event fresh.  Regardless, she had such an impact on friends around us she will never be forgotten.  I hope for the idiot drunk drivers family that he didn’t destroy two lives with his careless behavior.  It is insult to injury that he just got done with probation for a 1^st offence violation of drinking and driving.

I cannot even tell you what we did that weekend, it obviously wasn’t very exciting.  It was a day game televised and Nebraska pulled off a win with Washington.  I think that was the third time we played them in two years that was unique.  I think I helped a friend roof his garage, that may have been the weekend before.  Also that night was Steven’s homecoming.  I needed to rush home from roofing to help tie his tie.  He and the group of friends had a great time.  I wasn’t able to stay awake to make sure he made curfew, if he was anything like me growing up it wasn’t a problem.  Check Facebook for pictures of the group. I do not have any to post.

Last Tuesday we had parent teacher conferences for Emma and Steven.  Steven stayed home with Emma and Michael while Melissa, Michael, and I made the visits.  First was Emma’s teacher.  My first impression was not good.  She overran with the appointment ahead of us by nearly 10 minutes so we had a very short time with her.  Her plan would have been to carry over and make the next family wait, but my frustration was already too great.  I told her we didn’t have much time and hit the points.  Emma had a great report.  Finally a teacher that basically says “your kid is progressing and is still acting like a kid”..  What a relief.  We know Emma is “busy” to say the least, but I’ll take an extravert over the alternative any day except when hung-over..  After our short visit with the near twin of our sister-in-law Kelly, we headed for Palmyra to visit with Stevens teachers.  It worked out great, it was near the end of the night and we were able to visit with all of his teachers.  He had shuffled his Math class a few weeks before that changed his schedule.  For a few teachers Steven was relatively new in their class so there was not much to report other than his schedule for catching up with the other students.  He had great comments from all and has adapted very well to school.  All of the teachers offered their help in keeping us informed if he appears to slip in any classes and we want to maintain that his cross country and extracurricular activities do not interfere.  After the conferences we met another host family Lori and Steve at the Palmyra bar to swap FES stories..  Getting home late I think had both Steven and Emma nervous at how their reports went.  It’s good to make them sweat a little.

Last Thursday night I left for Wyoming with my brothers and dad to surprise my sister and attend the Husker vs. Wyoming game.  What a blast!!  It was fun to spend time with my brothers and dad, something we have not been able to do for a long time.  Hopefully sometime soon we can all get together back on the farm like we use to do growing up.  A week later my ribs are still sore from laughing.  I’m sure my brothers are sore also from falling in a creek bed trying to take a shortcut.  Nothing will top my younger brother having to be walked home and put to bed by my dad and leaving my sister and I with his cell phone.  Lots of hacked posts!

Melissa will have to report on last weekend’s activities. 

This week went quickly.  The routine of cross country and school work for each night.  Tonight we are keeping Lou from up the street while Steve and Lori (his host parents) head to Las Vegas for their anniversary.  Lou will be staying with us until Sunday night.  Melissa and Xavier are home today.  This morning X walked in as he normally does and was out of his routine, normally he wants to shower but this morning he wasn’t feeling good.  He laid on our floor wrapped up in a blanket.  Before I left he was acting a little like himself by wiping the kiss off his cheek I left for him.  Melissa sent a text and said he is acting find now, he may have tricked us..  She said he stomped on a long legged spider and said “I squished him but that’s ok he’s waiving at me”.  We will have to watch him faking now that he knows what works.

Tonight we expect Lou and tomorrow night is a big night at the football game, parents night for all sports so we will go represent FES x2.  We are way ahead in the host parents race, Steve and Lori missed Lou’s parent teachers conference and are now missing parents night…  The other German kids host parents couldn’t win a….  better leave that one alone…  Saturday we have another roofing job and I plan to put Lou and Steven to work.  All from the ground of course, no heights or ladders, just some good old picking up trash and nails duty..

Empathy

A couple of weeks back, the kids and I were at Target shopping for clothes for Steven and ran into Mo (she's the little sister of the girl whose funeral we attended yesterday).  She was holding a purple hippo Pillow Pet.  She said her mom wouldn't buy her one so she thought she might buy it herself.  I don't think she ended up with it that night, but I can't be sure.  Last night, I took Emma and Steven to Kohls to find Steven some clothes to wear for Homecoming and somehow Emma found the mini Pillow Pets.  There happened to be a mini hippo.  Emma said, "We should get this for Mo.  Maybe it will help her not be so sad about her sister."

How could I not?

9 Years!

Last Sunday we were at Melissa’s parent’s house on the farm while some of her extended family was in town for a visit and her parents were having a BBQ.  While the kids were all playing outside Melissa’s dad pointed out a piece of equipment sitting out that I wanted to show Steven.  It is a 3-wheeled floater sprayer and from a distance isn’t all that impressive, yet I knew up close Steven would be amazed especially when he saw the tires.  While we were walking across the farm yard we went past their barn and it reminded me of when I was in grade school and we were out for a birthday party.  We walked past a small fenced coral where I remember bringing my nephew Jack out once when he was very little to ride.  We walked by a spot where in college I helped her dad dig up a broken water line.  Steven was asking questions about the buildings, the farm ground, animals (especially the smell of the hogs) all the while I kept thinking about how many memories I have of Melissa and her family growing up and while I was telling Steven the stories, I can’t wait to tell my kids when they are old enough to remember.  Nine years ago today Melissa and I were married.  We had been dating since our second year of college yet had actually grown up together as friends.

I never thought nine years ago we would have a 7 year old in 2^nd grade, a son in Preschool, and another son learning to talk along with an exchange student in high school.  It goes to show that we make a great team and how lucky I am.  Happy Anniversary honey, I love you!

HOMECOMING WEEK!

You already know from Justin's post yesterday that this last weekend was another busy one.  We went to the air show on Saturday, which was really pretty neat.  It took about an hour of waiting in the car, slowly making our way to the air field, but it was worth it.  We ate overpriced hot dogs and nachos and watched the jets and planes dip, duck, dive, duck and dodge.  I could imagine being up there with the pilots, getting sick all over the instrument panel.  I don't handle heights or things that spin very well.  We left before the Blue Angels came out, which was a little disappointing, but we could still see them from the tailgate spot, and they did perform a fly over the stadium.  After tailgating, we went home to listen to the game.  I'm pretty sure everyone in the house was asleep by 10:15 p.m. (unheard of!); we were all just exhausted.

Sunday I took some pictures for a friend and met up with Justin and the kids to pick out a ceiling fan to replace the one that quit working.  Once back at home, Steven helped Justin with some projects (putting the fan up, messing around with the fire truck), while I made a pasta salad for a cookout my parents were having.  My Aunts and cousin were in town from California and everyone gathered to see them.  I was a little worried about Steven.  That's a lot of family to process at once!  My 3 sisters, my grandma, parents, an aunt, a great aunt, and a cousin.  He did very well though.  It was fun to show him the farm I grew up on.  I told him how, when I was little, I HATED being on the farm because all of my friends lived in town, and I never got to play with any of them.  Now, though, I'd give anything to be back on the farm.  He told me that in Berlin, you live in town, have friends in town, but you still don't see them.  I guess that could be true, but that's the difference between a city of 4 million + and a town of 1,600.

That brings me to my main point of this post...it's Homecoming week at Palmyra High School!  I'm glad to have something else to focus on Thursday, after our friend's daughter's funeral, and that would be...homecoming shopping.  Our Steven has a date!  Incidentally, her name happens to be Emma.  I've seen her picture and she looks like a nice, cute girl.  I really didn't think at this age, I'd be worrying about homecoming clothes or anything, but this is fun.  I'm taking Steven and Lucas in on Thursday after school to buy an outfit which he can wear Saturday to the dance and a few more times for other events like church on Christmas and Easter.  My plan is to take them to my very favorite store, Kohls, where I also happen to have a 30% off coupon.  Yay for Kohls!  We're also going to need to order a corsage to have picked up for Saturday.  Lucky for us, I work right near a flower shop, so that shouldn't be a problem.

He's also got another cross country meet this week.  He came home from the first one last night, and he told me he ran his 5k in about 30 minutes.  Not bad, but he didn't place well.  I reminded him that he pretty much JUST started running last week and the only place he can go now is UP.  I'm sure he'll do better next time.

Now...off to plan some homecoming outfits!

2 week summary

Some of my info might not match Melissa's prior posts but just remember, just like at home, I am always right..

I’m finally finding a few minutes to get caught up on this blog.  We have had an exciting two weeks, staying very busy with EVERYTHING.  The kids are off and running in the school routine and we have been able to show Steven a bit of Nebraska.  Labor Day weekend began with tailgating with my younger brother at his annual tailgate location across from the stadium.  Steven got to witness firsthand what downtown Lincoln looks like on a home Husker gameday in the fall, how the stadium becomes the 3^rd largest city in our state, and the “sea of red”.  Friends of ours from Bennet have tickets and Chad invited Steven to attend the game with him.  It was perfect weather and a perfect afternoon for a game.  The team played well and Chad was able to secure access to the field after the game for a few pictures.  Very few people ever get that opportunity.  After the game Steven and Chad met us at our friend’s house in Lincoln where we were watching other college games and having an extended tailgate party.  It was a late night. 

 Chad & Steven

 Melissa, Steven, X, Emma, and Miko

 Tailgate Spot

Justin and Beezer

Beezer & Miko

Waste of Money Band

Sea of Red

Emma ended up spending the night at their home and Sunday morning Melissa, Steven, Xavier, and Michael along with our neighbors Sarah and son Hunter loaded up for a 2.5 hour drive towards the center of the state Grand Island now home of the Nebraska State Fair.  Sarah’s husband Joe and I stayed behind.  I needed to work and Emma was boating with our neighbor.  While at the fair Steven jumped on the big rides, almost flipping his own pizza on the ride that spins around while completely inverted…  Melissa has video proof on her Facebook.  He also took Xavier on some of the smaller rides.  Sunday night we had company over but the kids including Steven went to bed early. 

Monday we all went shopping and hung around home most all of the day.  Steven had his first Cross Country practice Monday afternoon in Bennet.  Their coach had them run 4 miles and he was in enough shape to keep up.

Tuesday was back-to-school routine.  Steven needed a Doctor checkup to allow him to participate in sports so Melissa took him that afternoon.  That evening Steven was fighting the start of a stomach bug and stayed home to recover on Wednesday.  He told us in Germany you go to school unless you are near death.  We told him we’d rather he recover at home quicker before it gets worse and more important to avoid contaminating other students.  A day’s rest must have helped because he was ready to go back on Thursday.  This was his first Cross Country meet however the coach had him just attend as a spectator. 

Saturday was very busy.  All were up early to head into Lincoln for the Lincoln Airshow at the airport.  Later that afternoon we once again went to my brother’s tailgate.  This was an evening game so we left just before kickoff and drove back to Bennet.  Saturday morning we had some very sad news that a friend of ours daughter attending college had been killed in a motorcycle accident Friday night.  Her and her boyfriend were away at college and an oncoming car swerved into their lane killing them both.  Alexis (Lexi) was an amazing girl.  Homecoming queen, amazing athlete, and comes from a very neat family that are very active in our community.  It is one of those horrific stories you hear about happening in a small town where it affects everyone because everyone knows them..  Melissa and I can’t even imagine what that would be like.  I think for both of us we wanted to keep into our plans for the day but it really made us both want to be home that night.  We weren’t able to watch the game at home because of our cable so while listening to the team play poorly, I honestly didn’t care.  Even with 9/11 the next day, nothing, football nor dedication ceremonies seemed nearly as important as what we knew our friends were dealing with.  Emma is at an age where she understands and although she is sad for Lexi, it is heartbreaking when she mentions how sad she is for Mariah (Mo), Lexi’s younger sister that Emma knows from babysitting and from our neighbor’s daughter and Mo playing with Emma and her friend Tara.

Sunday morning was perfect weather.  Melissa was in Lincoln doing family pictures for some friends so Steven and I had Emma, X, and Miko outside enjoying the day.  We left to meet Melissa around lunch to do some quick shopping.  The early afternoon Steven helped me with a project outside.  I brought home a pickup truck we had bought a few months ago for our fire department.  I’ll keep it in our garage while I fit it with lights, sirens, radios, and run plumbing for hoses.  I use to do these projects at the fire station but it is so hard to get away for that much time I have found it much easier to have it home where I have all my tools and where I can work on it for a few minutes here and there.  I think Steven was surprised when I took down the headliner in the cab, lined up brackets to start drilling holes in the center of the roof of what he thought of as a new pickup…  I showed him pictures of the wreaked truck we were replacing to give him an idea what it would look like (hopefully) when we are all done. 

Melissa had some extended family visiting in Syracuse so we headed to her parents house on the farm Sunday afternoon.  Steven was able to meet the rest of Melissa’s family including her older sisters and parents.  He got to see a little life on the farm seeing where Melissa grew up.  We walked around, he was impressed by some of the equipment.  I’m excited for him to go down at harvest time and ride with Melissa’s dad in the combine and trucks.

We headed home early since it was a school night, the kids would need a bath from petting horses and having played outside, and Steven needed rest since today is his first CC meet.  It is almost an hour north of Lincoln so Melissa and I aren’t able to go watch. 

After the kids were bathed and Miko was in bed Steven wanted to head back out to work on the truck.  We worked another 45 minutes, Emma and X watched until bed-time.  He asked this morning if we were going to work on it tonight and was disappointed when I told him I was gone to meetings.

We broke him.

Sadly, Steven was feeling ill towards yesterday afternoon.  He looked a little bit like he did after riding the Windsurfer ride at the fair on Sunday (perhaps a delayed reaction?), so he stayed home today.  He told me last week, that in Germany that unless you're dying, they expect you at school.  I told him, "Here in America, if you're sick, you stay home.  We don't want your germs." 

So it took a week before we broke him.  I haven't talked to him since this morning, so I hope he's feeling better!