At the suggestion of two people close to me, I am attempting to post on the blog again. We haven't stopped having adventures, I've only missed documenting with info here. There are tons of pics from me and the kids saved on our devices.
This photo with Jar Jar Binks was taken at the old Dr. Pepper Bottling Works in Dublin, Texas. Here is a link to the area we traveled. http://www.dublinbottlingworks.com/
I started this blog to keep track of our growth and learning. There is no way to stop growing and learning, at least I don't think so. My children amaze me everyday. Sometime this is with the amount of knowledge they have on a topic I was completely unaware they had any prior knowledge about, and sometimes it is with a dirty counter they are trying to pass off as being clean. Either way, when I examine the situation even a tiny bit, I can see the learning that has taken place.
Updates on children? Mady recently purchased her 3rd car. It is a 2015 Mazda something she picked out and loves because it seats all her doggos well. She has worked hard to be able to purchase something she likes, I am very proud of her work ethic and admire her passion for animals. She owns 5 dogs now and currently fosters one. She works a regular schedule at a pet supply store. She trains her dogs and occasionally helps with others dogs as well. She house sits and pet sits. She has an adorable hedgy named Penny. I know from having the pleasure of being with her in the presence of others, people love her, and are inspired by her. I see so many people that want to help her reach whatever goals she sets. Sometimes, not everyone wants help in endeavors.
Cami (formerly known as Niki) is still hilarious. I think sometimes she curbs her jokes in fear others may be offended. She has two cats and 5 rats she is raising with her fabulous boyfriend, Andrew. If Andrew ever reads this, I am sure he will not be surprised to find anecdotes including his name. Cami is taking a year off of most things to chill. Things often have patterns, and I anticipate her dreaming up vast adventures for herself and Andrew. They are very helpful at home, and our house will not be the same if they move out on their own. Cami and Drew DoorDash a few days a week, and I think Andrew is looking to add in an hourly job somewhere soon. One of my favorite things to do with them is drive the 15 minutes into Weatherford late at night to pick up something not so healthy for arteries but Oh So Good For Your Heart. French fries. We have some deep conversations, and some conversations about completely made up scenarios regarding the universe during these drives.
Ezra is a young man with a plan of becoming a truck driver. I love it! I am of course completely selfish in the fact that I hope he will let me go drive with him once a year, somewhere with an unforgettable view I may never have a chance of seeing again. He is 13. If he changes his mind I guess I'll have to find the views in the car. He enjoys playing games on his PC a great deal and is in the process of earning money to build his first computer alone. He is highly motivated. I am highly motivated to take this opportunity to help him learn how I like the kitchen cleaned! This kiddo amazes me in his steadfastness. He still will not eat pizza and will not eat any other brand of fried Asian noodles besides Ramen. When he tells me something, I have full faith in his words. So, I think he will be a truck driver, at least for a little bit.
Luke has this seemingly all encompassing memory. He can shoot off facts about what I think is almost anything, He is even better at taking the facts and applying them to life situations. His weakness is his twin brother. He has a giving heart, and would do just about anything for Ezra. Ezra is very good at looking out for himself, and doesn't seem to believe in the give and take Luke is attempting to nurture. Luke continues to give anyway. I just remind him that Ezra will not likely give back in the manner Luke expects. Luke has developed a recent interest in mechanical engineering. I have no idea how to accommodate this interest currently, though I would like to. He plays XBox a good deal, and is very focused. He likes taking care of plants and his brother.
I currently landed a job as an ER nurse and start in about a week. There is a steady live in boyfriend, along with a few parts of that adventure I am not currently ready to share. I have had the opportunity, thanks to some amazing friends, to travel to Mexico a few times for about a week at a time each quarter after our family's month long stay there a few years ago. I have a long term plan to spend a couple years living there once I become a travel nurse. I feel an unbelievable amount of gratitude for my family and friends as I type this update. My life is everything I dreamed of, and because of that, I am dreaming bigger now. I hope I have opportunities to help others imagine, and realize their dreams. I think this planet is as close to heaven as I will ever be, and I'd like to make it more like that for others. Look for more pix to come!
