James' First Day of School

So James started school today, and although he was excited it was bitter sweet for me. However; it was harder sending my oldest to his first day of preschool; today it seemed surreal that my little boy was starting kindergarten. He is attending Alpha Academy and I was surprised to learn they'd be in school for 7 hours every day.

The school is under some construction so things were a bit crazy at the drop off. Ever taking charge, I volunteered to help the teachers and ended up filtering students into class lines. Jake got put on car detail directing traffic. Once everyone was lined up the older students were taken by bus to the middle school (until construction is finished) while the younger students were escorted to their new classrooms.

James made himself right at home and didn't care when Jake and I parted. It wasn't so easy for me, and Jake ended up pulling me out the door. So here are some photos from the day. I will be off to pick James up from school and go to our first piano lessons. Best Wishes! Elizabeth

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Wilmington

So we decided to take a last minute trip to Wilmington, NC. The family enjoyed the beach and hotel suite sleepover then spend the day at Jungle Rapids - a water park, before returning home. Unfortunately we have no pictures to show for it. I took tons of photos, however; I forgot Jake was the last person to use our high tech camera and had taken it off the all automatic settings. As a result I took a bunch of unrecognizable photos. I really need to learn how to properly use that camera on the manual settings!

Jake is now on his 21 days of leave (vacation) and we are enjoying having him home. We have several small day trips planed, but will be around home for the most part. James starts school in 5 days (and counting). We are however planning to swing down to Atlanta for a few days to see Collin & Sara and maybe tour the Georgia Aquarium. I hope you have a great end of summer too.

Elizabeth

Jake's Home!

Hey Everyone,

So Jake got home late Sunday night and we couldn't be happier. The kids and I have just enjoyed being in his presence. With lots of hugs ande lots of joy everything else seems bland, but there are a few goings on to update.

First, Stephen's 1st birthday was on August 1st, but we decided to wait to celebrate until Jake came home. We will be having a party for Stephen on August 15th - back yard cook out... so please come. It is also a celebration of Jake's return & kids going back to school. No presents please.

Second, James has joined a soccor team with our local rec. center - Jake volunteered to be the coach. He will start practice in September and is very excited. As soon as we get the team uniforms we'll take a picture for you. If you know anything about coaching 5-6 year olds, Jake would appreciate a few pointers.

Third, Mikey has been having issues with Sleep Apnea so he is going to have his tonsils removed on August 14th. Please keep him in your prayers. Apparently, the sleep apnea could be directly related to his speech delay according to his neurologist. Something to do with the Language centers of the brain being the first to suffer from lack of oxygen during the sleep cycle. So having his tonsils out may be extremely helpful on that front as well. Please keep Mikey in your prayers.

Fourth, we are trying to decide what to do for a mini family vacation during Jake's leave, but before school starts. No planes involved, something driving distance from here... any suggestions?

Last, thank you all for the prayers, words of support, funny stories, and everything else that got our family throught these past 15 months. It hasn't been easy, but it could have been much worse if we didn't have the support you all provided. Thank You!

Random Family Photos

Back on the Wagon

So I apparently haven't posted since January of last year. I didn't think it'd been that long, but alas things have passed by me rather quickly. A family update...

Jake deployed to Camp Arifjan Kuwait May 17, 2007. Stephen Davis McDonald joined our family a month early on August 1, 2007 weighing 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 22 inches. The children and I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in Utah. We returned 2 weeks before Jake's mid-tour leave. He managed to be home for his & the twins (3rd) birthdays. His parents joined us for the 1st half of his visit home and we blessed Stephen.

Jake returned to Kuwait and we returned to our routine. No major events of note happened in the spring, just the usually craziness. The kids' last day of school was May 30th and I started praying I'd survive the summer and potty training the twins. So far Mikey's doing pretty well, but Evey has little interest. A family funeral sent the children and I to Utah over the 4th of July for 2 weeks.

Now we are home and prepairing for Jake's return after 15 months of deployement. The children are starting to sense the nearness of his return. We are counting down with a paper-link chain. It is so tiny now compaired to where we started. I have no idea where this summer went, but I'm glad Jake's deployment is drawing to a close.

In addition, I can't wait for the kids to restart school. I love haing them home, but miss the routine school provides. It is also more difficult for me in the summer with Jake gone - it seems my babysitters make a fortune while I run to the grocery store and do errands. Anyway, James will be starting Kindergarden, the twins will return to pre-school 3 days a week, and Stephen will start pre-school 1 day a week.

So that pretty much brings this up to date for our family. Hope yours are doing well. God Bless!