It's Harvest Time

So while I am bachelorette-ing it this week, the temperature has dropped significantly outdoors! I love the crisp in the air!

I recently decorated my porch and my home with my favorite fall things, and thought that I would post them for you to see. Grandma Dorothy...this one is for you! Thanks to my sweet Daddy for the wheat straw from Iowa.

More to come...I start teaching tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!

Here are a few pictures of our house, our decorations, and my little girls' favorite fall treats!

Leavin' on a jet plane

All my bags are packed
I'm ready to go
I'm standin here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin'
It's early morn'
The taxis' waitin'
He's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die....



~John Denver




A little dramatic, I know. However, I must admit I am a little spoiled...so saying goodbye to my mister was harder than I would have thought. Jeremy will only be gone for the week, then it's home for three more before another trip...courtesy of Uncle Sam. Three years on an Air Force base, two years in training, and 4 months of settling has kept us out of the regular Army lifestyle. Not that Jeremy was home a great deal during out time in Georgia...but there is comforting familiarity when we hear the word "post" and go to bed listening to the light boom of artillery from the range.

I have a big week ahead of me, so I feel like our "Daddy" will be back before I can blink. I consulted the calendar and we have dentist visits for both Bek and me; I finish up one class and start another; Savannah is in preschool everyday; I start my new job this week; I have a stamping party scheduled for Thursday night; and then it's the weekend!

To get me back in the Army-wife mentality, and multi-tasking on my own, I have decided my motivational word for the week is:

For those of you who are not familiar with the word, I shall provide a definition...compliments of cavhooah.com:

"HOOAH!"
(who-a) adj. (slang used by soldiers) Referring to or meaning anything and everything except "no".

1. What to say when at a loss for words.

2. Good copy, solid copy, Roger, good, great, Message received, understood.

3. Glad to meet you, welcome.

4. I don't know the answer, but I'll check on it. I haven't the vaguest idea.

5. I am not listening.

6. That's enough of your dribble...SIT DOWN!

7. Stop sniveling.

8. Oh, Lawd! You've got to be kidding!

9. Yes

10. Thank you.

11. Go to the next briefing slide.

12. You've taken the correct action.

13. I don't know what that means, and I'm too embarrassed to ask for clarification.

14. AMEN!

What's good for the gander can be implemented by the goose, right? We're back to real Army life again...so bring it on Uncle Sam! So, here's looking at a action packed, testosterone-free, seven days. I am full of anticipation as we embark on a week that is sure to be adventurous! Hooah!

Savannah's big day...read all about it!

...in true Savannah style...on the way to school
Savannah Kay and the best Daddy in the world!
...finding her hook and hanging her bag
Mrs. Hinkle and Savannah Kay
...on her mat in circle time

Today marked the first day of school for Savannah Kay! She requested happy-face pancakes for breakfast, so that is what she received. We all enjoyed her choice this morning!



Bekah hit the bus at 7:22 sharp. Bus driver Jerry is a punctual fella!



Jeremy was able to join Savannah Kay and I for her first Pre-K drop-off of the year. Her teacher is Mrs. Hinkle. Savannah gets a kick out of her name! Her Assistant Teacher is Mrs. Grogan...not featured in this episode! She hung her bag on her hook, and found her mat in the circle. All things seemed to go as planned, and she reported a great first day!



On a side note...I begin teaching next week, so add that to the prayer list. Nine 2-3 year olds in my small room on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Jerm swears I must be crazy! Aren't we all?! Here's to what lies ahead!

Laboring with the fam...

This past weekend included the Labor Day holiday. Now what is a holiday without family, I ask? I was fortunate enough to have both of my sisters, my new brother-in-law, my baby nephew, and my parents in my home to celebrate! We grilled burgers for lunch and then dined on fried catfish at supper, compliments of chef Dad donning my apron! I made my first batch of hush puppies...which was a trial and error process. Aunt Haley did some tramping on the trampoline. Jerm amazed us with his flips and then almost lost a toe to the trampoline net. Needless to say his show ended abruptly. Remember the days when there was no net, and if you fell off, you just hoped for the best?! Jeremy thinks the net is safer for the kids and more dangerous for adults! My Daddy played some Mario in the basement with the girls. Then the gaming continued in the Living Room with some PS3 ATV racing and Tiger Woods golf. It was time for Haley and her family to head home. So after many smoochies, they were on the road. Mom, Dad, Jerm, Rachel and I played some Catan, and I was victorious! If you are not a Catan player, you should be. We love that game!

Monday morning dawned with sticky rolls and donuts. Dad and the girls amused the rest of us with a fashion show of sorts! That man is a saint! Lunch was a melting pot of leftovers. After lunch we loaded up in the van for a sight-seeing outing. Note to self...when travelling in the back of the van, with Jerm behind the wheel, take along a plastic bag. After an hour, both of my girls were snoozing, Rachel was keepin' cold air in the face, and Mom and I were ready to wrap it up! After a quick trip for happy hour Sonic drinks for everyone, we were on our way home.

I am so blessed to have my family living so close to me!

Jeremy did get a bit of bad news over the weekend. John (his dad) is in the hospital after receiving stem-cells on Monday. This was expected, but the pain from shingles was not. The cancer battle continues, and the patience of the patient is wearing thin. Please continue praying for our dear "Grandpa John." In a couple of weeks we should know if the stem cell transplant was successful. In the mean time, Grandma Dorothy and the gang in Amarillo need Godly reinforcement from each of you!

Well wishes to each of you and yours~

Swimming, School and Some New Friends

We had a great opportunity to head to Milford Lake the weekend before school started for Rebekah. Thanks so much to our friends Archie, Michelle and little Jade for letting us enjoy the lake on with a tubing experience extraordinaire! Both kids had never tubed before and had a wonderful time!

























Bekah had her very first day of 4th grade on August 15th. Our baby is getting so big! I made happy face pancakes to commemorate the momentous occasion. Grandmommy was here for the big day. We are so thankful to finally be close enough to have Grandmommy visit for the first day of a new school year.




















Bekah is attending Riley County Rural School. She is proud to be a Falcon. With all the moving, I think she is even more excited to have a new mascot! She has been a mustang, a patriot, and then a mustang again at the last two schools! Here's to 4th grade...and the adventures to come!









One last important thing. We have met the most wonderful new friends: Jose, Lise, Anna Lise and baby Joaquin. They are our neighbors and new best buddies. This week Savannah Kay and Anna Lise headed to the park while Bekah was in School. The girls sang ABC's on the swings, played in the water fountain, fed the geese. Even though the park was super fun, I think the highlight was goldfish and fruitsnacks for snack time! Thank you God for great new friends, a great new school close to Grandmommy, and a beautiful lake to enjoy! Life is so good!

Isn't she lovely...

I have a few pictures of my little sister on her big day. I am still awaiting the mass of pictures taken by my loved ones. She was a vision of beauty on her big day. Haley Alise Butts is now Haley Alise Wilscam. In a lovely display of black, white and lime green...she and Steven were wed. The location, while rather steamy in the August heat, was the beautiful Dillon Nature Center, in Hutchinson, Kansas.

(Left: Daddy and the Bride)

I plan to post more pictures as they trickle in, but wanted to give you a glimpse of the bride on her special day. Congrats little sister...showers of blessings for your future!

Wedding Bliss...

So my sister just got married this last weekend. Sheesh...I know, it's been kuh-ray-zee around here. August 2, 2008 was the momentous occasion. I do not have pics up of this one yet, but I would like to wish a very special congrats to my little sister...Mrs. Steven Coe Wilscam.

The wedding was simply beautiful, and it is a HUGE relief to finally be over with. I know this probably sounds kinda ugly, but weddings a so stressful! I am so glad to be able to celebrate the marriage and not dwell on the big huge plans.

So hip hip hooray for Haley and Steven!

Check back for wedding photos...I am still not settled from the big event!!!