Sep 2, 2009

Cleaning kick

The temperatures are falling here, it is still in the 80s & 90s during the day, but at night it is in the mid- to low-60s so we have the windows open. These temps (and the fact that we still have boxes that haven't been unpacked or moved from there original location) make me want to clean! Yesterday I cleaned all 4.5 bathrooms, including our master bath that needed HELP!, completed washing and folded ALL the laundry (the kids' drawers are almost empty - it was LOTS of loads), and cleaned our master bedroom (home to many of those boxes). It was very fulfilling and I'm trying to get that same motivation today.

I figure when we put a house on the market it is very clean and I would like to have that same level of cleanliness most of the time! Wish me luck!

Exotic Creatures

Well, living in the panhandle of Texas I knew it would be a desert-ish climate, but I didn't expect all the creatures that come with it. We had the snake about a week ago, and now the scorpions have visited. This is #4 that we have counted. 2 in the basement, 1 in the entryway and this guy was in our master bathtub (no idea how he got in there, but he was vacuumed up when I was cleaning the bathroom yesterday). We plan to spray this weekend to keep all these lovely critters out of our house...

Aug 31, 2009

New Blog Look

I figure that most of you read this blog on Google reader - or something like that - but I wanted to write a note to say drop by my blog to see the new layout. I still have some changes I want to make, but the basics are there. I made everything from scratch using a DS kit. So click on over...

Aug 26, 2009

Chore Charts

Ok, so we tried ever since school got out last May to set-up a chore system and well...this summer it didn't happen. So with the new school year we vowed to get it done! With a little extra time on my hands (I'm no longer on the entertainment committee or referee at home - and I'm not as involved here as I was in Katy) I created a chore chart.

We wanted to have some paid chores (Chaz begs to be able to earn $$), but some chores they just do because they live here, eat here, and have it pretty good. Here is the result (since I didn't know how to post a Word doc [if that is even possible] I made them into a JPEG)! The blank spots to the left of Feed Winnie, Family Rm, Dust, Vacuum are for the kids' names. They will rotate those tasks every week (in hopes they won't get bored).
I printed both pages and laminated them front/back (I LOVE my laminator). This way the kids can use a viz-a-viz marker to keep track of their stuff and if they have any questions about the job they can look on the back (I will have to read it for the little ones).

In the morning and evenings we use the Children's Miracle Music system my mom gave to us a couple months back. Again, we waited for school to start with this, but my kids LOVE it and I'm not having to "strongly encourage" (translation - yell) at them to get them to get ready on time for school or to get in bed. My kids dance around like crazy people to the songs, and they get done the task at hand.
I had to reorder the morning CD since my kids don't get dressed until after breakfast (they tend to get whatever they are eating all down their shirts), but I just put the CD on iTunes, reordered the songs and burned a new one. Easy!
I haven't been able to find the points chart since the move so I created my own. I needed the morning one downstairs and the evening one upstairs - so I created one for each. This program is purely points based, so no money, but instead of just offering a "date" (the suggested "prize") we offer DS/Wii games, meals at McDonald's, happy hour at Sonic, etc. as "prizes" giving each a point value for the kids to work towards. We will see how all of this goes, but I am encouraged.
Yesterday was the first day the "Opportunity Chart" was in play and I told the kids they have to do their Everyday Jobs before the TV or Wii came on or they could play outside. They did a good job. I had to help Gavin and Aedan a bit, but they were efficient and got the job done in good time.
Off to pick up the kids from day 3 of school!!
P.S. If you are interested in a pdf of any of my charts I would happy to email them out! :)

Aug 24, 2009

There's a snake in my....house?

We came home from errands on Saturday and when Aedan walked in from the garage she yelled, "there's a snake". I came around and looked, but couldn't see anything - so we unloaded the van and went on with the day. Then around 2:30 the kids were coming down from quiet time upstairs and she said, "mom come look, there's a snake". Since this was the second time she talked about it I decided to look - and yep...there was a snake! Coby was on an errand so I called him and he was just about home so he came in and we caught it in a box. Took some shots and then he went out and dumped it over the fence. We think it's a bull snake, but not sure...any guesses? I know the pix is fuzzy and the shiney stuff is just something that was in the bottom of the box, not from the snake!

School Dayz

And their off...
Chaz and Aedan start today, Gavin on Sept. 8th!






Aug 23, 2009

Catching Up - the condensed version

Coby has posted, but I've been silent for quite a while. I would like to blame it on the move, but I think a better excuse would be a general lack of motivation. This move has been hard (I guess in retrospect all the moves have been a challenge in one form or another)! After 6 months we have: moved into our house, made it a home; the kids finished one school year and are about to start another; become a force for good in our small ward; learned that the nearest Super Walmart is 30 minutes away (in Pampa) and my parents are about 3 1/2 hours away (a quick drive); reconnected with friends from college; found out Coby LOVES what he does (lucky man) and has a good management team behind him; been told the next project is probably cancelled so we will be moving again; discovered the ABQ zoo is AWESOME; gotten a dog from the pound and named her Princess Winnie the Pujols (the princess part was Aedan's idea, the rest was from Coby); had a VERY successful garage sale (made over $400); just tried to make this small town a place we belong.

Borger has been very hard for me because although in this small town everyone is friendly, no one wants to actually be a friend. I have gotten involved on a committee for the school district and I'm PTO treasurer at one of the kids' school (all pre-K and K in one school, 1 & 2 in another, 3 & 4 in another; 5 in another; 6-8 another - then HS - CRAZY) and love being Gospel Doctrine teacher at church (I guess you could say I "campaigned" for the calling and got it [the Bishop asked what callings I liked and I told him my favorite...] - although I LOVED being in the RS Pres too). I also play the piano for RS (this isn't an official calling and it isn't very good - even using the super easy hymns book I ordered from Church Dist), but it is better than the acapella we were singing when I first got here.

The kids and I tried to stay busy this summer, but there isn't a ton to do here. No playdates could be found (people don't even go to birthday parties here, it is strange!), etc. Luckily we went on a 10 day trip to Durango, Co and Farmington, NM in July for a family reunion and reunion with great friends and in August went to Gpa & Gma's for a week. That helped! Although Chaz won't admit it, they are ALL ready to head to school tomorrow morning and I have to admit I am MORE THAN READY!

Chaz will be in 1st, Aedan in K, and Gavin in preschool 2 mornings a week. What will I do with all that alone time??? :)

May 3, 2009

Father/Son campout

It was time for the annual Priesthood commemoration campout and so we "Men" went out for a bonding experience. This was Gavin's first time sleeping out in a tent and Chaz's second that I know of. We loaded the truck up Friday after I got home from work and headed east towards M.K. Brown Scout Campgrounds, about 1.5 hours east/southeast of Borger...near the Oklahoma border. We arrived about 7ish to the campgrounds and set up camp, the boys were so excited that they almost forget to help set up. Once we got our game plan together we quickly unloaded and set up the tent and chairs and inflated the air mattress and unrolled the sleeping bags. Once all set up we walked down to the area where they were holding the fireside talking about the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood and had snacks. I thought it was a great fireside...the boys loved the snacks...priorities I guess. Once all was done we headed back to the camp where we sat around a big campfire and roasted marshmallows...Gavin didn't like his crispy and Chaz just wanted to be near the fire. Gotta love my boys. About 11 or so they both informed it was bedtime and so we got all settled and gave Codi a quick call goodnight...had to have a cell phone in case of an emergency of course. It took a bit to calm down and get ready for sleep, but also I was asked to snuggle each one so they could fall asleep like the way I used to do it when they were babies/toddlers. Once everyone was asleep the storms rolled in around 0200 and didn't let up until 0500. The boys slept through most of it, but not me...I had to be on comfort/snuggle alert. Funny thing happened...Chaz is so much like his mom, but nicer...he woke me up to tell me I was snoring...Codi usually kicks me until I roll over or stop. During the night we got to listen to all the sounds of the animals and some that Chaz made up and Gavin tried as well. Chaz kept swearing there was a bear, but it was someone snoring in the other tents in the distance. The next morning we got up and started to roll up all of our stuff and leave it in the tent and headed to breakfast...both boys with their newly acquired walking sticks. Had a nice warm breakfast with Tang...Chaz loved it and Gavin had to get his watered down. Once breakfast was all done we drove back to the campsite and did our final roll up and took down the tent and headed off to go fishing. The boys loved this a lot...I would cast their lines out and they got to watch the fish steal the worms off their hooks. Chaz and Gavin both could have caught 4 fish each had they understood what it meant to set the hook when I showed them and told them. I think they just liked see the bobber get drug under water and pop back up. We finally loaded up and head home...Gavin passed out within five minutes of the trip and Chaz hung on for dear life...the boy hates to miss anything. Got home and unloaded and set the tent and chairs up so they could dry off. I know I had a lot of fun bonding with my boys and I am sure they did too...a memory to last a life time for sure.

Mar 24, 2009

It's been a while

It has been a while since we have updated our blog and so now that we are in our new house finally and have the internet working I will update everyone.

Chaz - loves going to his new kindergarten class and has made many friends. He had to switch teachers on his first day of school and we didn't know how he would do with that, but he just rolled with the punches and had no problems with it. He has started playing soccer and I am his coach...fun, fun, fun. He is glad that he finally has his own room and doesn't have to share with Gavin anymore. He trully thinks he is a big kid.

Aedan - She is now going to 5 day a week preschool and loves it. They have been doing lots of activities lately around the cowboy theme...she is having a blast. She too is playing soccer and will have fun. She is back in her pink room and has been enjoying reconnecting with her things after being away from them for a month.

Gavin - He is 98% potty trained...2% = diaper at night only...he has been trying to talk us into not wearing one, but he loves to have water before bed, however, he hasn't mastered the art of getting up in the middle of the night and going potty. He has been a big helper around the house, but has also a big attitude. We just keep reminding ourselves that he will grow out of it. He is still making us laugh though with all his antics and demand for independance.

Codi - She is very busy making our new house a home and keeping up with the kids and preparing her Gospel Doctrine lessons. She is the new GD teacher in our ward, replacing the teacher who had done it for 13 years...yes that is 13 years.

Coby - I have been working long hours at work and loving every minute of it...not because I get out of house work or unpacking but because I truly love my job and enjoy all that I am learning from my new boss. At home though I am perfecting my plumbing and electrical skills, updates galore to be done. I am working with the Young Men at Church and I am also the Assistant Scoutmaster so Chaz and I will be going on campouts each month.

Life is good in the Long home and we are working hard here in Borger to make it our new home, but we still miss all of our friends in Katy.

Feb 4, 2009

All he wants for Valentine's Day...

Chaz has now lost FOUR teeth. He lost his second tooth on the top while visiting our counsins in Dallas January 18. He has found it hard to eat some things; whole apples, etc. but he loves the toothless grin! What a big kid! He is growing so fast!!!

Jan 15, 2009

Officially Official!!

Our house is FINALLY on the market. After waiting for everything to come together to make this event happen (job transfer, relocation company, interviewing 2 realtors, etc) the time has arrived!

If you know anyone in the market for a house in Katy, TX, send them our way. It is clean as a whistle and ready to go!

Look Ma, No...Training Wheels

Ok, so I'm a bit behind on this one, but Aedan has taught herself how to ride without training wheels! Coby and I were doing a TON of cleaning preparing to list the house over the holiday break and with the gorgeous weather and friends to play with in the cul-de-sac we let them play from sun-up to sun-down so we could get stuff done and they would wear themselves out. Well, Chaz comes running in one day and says "dad, do you want to take the training wheels off of Aedan's bike?" Coby said, "No!" Then I asked, "Why would we do that?" Chaz then told us that Aedan was riding a neighbors bike with no training wheels. We rushed outside and sure enough...she was riding like a champ! Well, her training wheels are off and she is a big girl on her 2-wheeler!

Another One Bites the Dust!

Well, Chaz has lost another tooth. This time his top right middle tooth! I was cooking chicken on a Sunday to follow the pattern for his other teeth, but the tooth just wouldn't wait. During Sunday breakfast (Jan. 11) Chaz was eating his bowl of Cheerios when he start crunching on a really crunchy "Cheerio" - he finally spit it out and it was his tooth! He loves to retell that story about trying to eat his tooth.

The tooth fairy traded him $1 for his little white gem and now he is working on loosing the other front middle tooth! Stay tuned...

Jan 9, 2009

All good things must end

As my time here in Alaska is coming to a close and I have less than a week left...YAY!!!...I thought I would share my final thoughts.

When I arrived in this beautiful state back in August I was ready to go and take on all that it could throw at me...fleeting daylight, cold weather, and whatever. As my time has gone on and my perspective has changed a little I have learned a few things or remembered a few things...not sure which is the best way to put it. But one thing I always knew was family is the most important thing along with the love of our Father in Heaven. Times have been great and I had fun, but there were times where it was hard for me emotionally and spiritually but I have gained much from this Alaskan experience and wouldn't trade it for the world...well maybe next time have the family with me so they can enjoy it as much as I did...even the - 20 degrees we have "enjoyed" these last couple weeks.

My next assignment in Borger is one that I am looking forward to, one because Codi and the kids will be with my and two it will be a great learning experience for me and a growth for my career. We bloom where we are planted in our family and I know the sun shines in the Texas panhandle.

Jan 8, 2009

My Baby Brother (not so 'baby' anymore)!

I wanted to quickly mention something that has made me appreciate my "baby" bro. When I found out Cyle was deploying to Iraq this past week I wanted to make the 3 hr. drive up to Killeen (Ft. Hood) to see him before he left. After trying to work out the logistics, etc. we (Cyle and I) decided that a phone call before he left would be fine. I was perfectly ok with that plan until I was sitting in R.S. on Sunday and out of the blue was hit with a strong feeling that I needed to go see him.

After church was over I texted my brother to let him know I needed to talk to him ASAP (he was in church...don't tell Elder Oaks ;) ). I tried calling him once also and the after the 2nd call I got ahold of him (between meetings). I explained my prompting totally ready to ignore, down play or defend it when he said "if you got the prompting then you better do it". End of discussion. We planned for the kids and I to load up and meet him for an early dinner the next day (Monday).

The kids, Amber B., and I made the drive to and from Killeen on Monday (6.5 hrs total) and had a great dinner (thanx Cye) - gave him a quick hug and then we were on the road again.

What a great reminder to me that when the Spirit prompts I need to follow thru and not ignore or down play those feelings. Also, when others tell me they are prompted, I need to only say "if you got the prompting then you better do it" and not question or down play their promptings!

Thanx Cyle for the opportunity to learn!