Back to Reality

We have returned from our week in Atlanta, and we are pooped out! Crossing all those time zones is no fun. Elijah was lying in bed last night...almost on the verge of tears...afraid he was going to wake up too early again. He went to bed Saturday night at midnight. (Note-- his little body thought it was 3:00 am!) Then, he got up Sunday morning at 6:00 am, and his internal clock was telling him it was 9:00! We didn't go to church last night in hopes of getting to bed at a normal (Pacific) time. We did, but we'll see how it goes today. It's a busy day and week for us. He has 2 make-up karate tests today, and a belt graduation tomorrow. He has a doctor's appointment today, and an AWANAS "test" on Wednesday. Oh yeah! And, he turns 9 years old this week! That means treats at school on Wednesday, dinner out with Mommy and Daddy , and friends and pizza on Friday night! (No, it is not a "spend the night" party. I am not that stupid. Yet.) Anyway... we are home. We had such a good time in Atlanta. Noah is the most adorable thing ever, and we spoiled him rotten. He took naps on Elijah's chest, and April had to make me put him down! He had his first cold while we were there, so he wasn't feeling too great. But, he is a sweetie! Nana and Pops came to visit on Thursday, and they stayed with the Bennetts (who used to be neighbors in Pensacola). They took Elijah and their kids (Annalynne and Walker) to play putt-putt and have a cook out. Baba and Papa came into town on Thursday night, and we ALL had lunch together Friday for Elijah's birthday. We feasted on BBQ and birthday cake, and Elijah got some presents from family. Mostly money. Lots of it. The boy always has more "funds available" than his parents! He's saving for a trip to Legoland or for a PS3. I am so glad we were able to go "home" for Spring Break. "Home" meaning "the South" and "with family." Getting back into the groove of things around here is no fun. Mountains of laundry. No groceries. Stacks of mail (bills). Phone calls to return. And apparently, while we were away, the broom broke.

Happy Easter from the Desert

The Easter Bunny has come and gone, and we have all eaten too much candy. We dyed eggs, we ate eggs, we hid eggs, and we found eggs. And, I think, at some point this afternoon, Elijah and all his little pals were throwing eggs. That's a sure sign to call it a day at the Egg Hunt. We had a very nice sunrise service this morning out in the park, and we had brunch with the Franklins. All in all... it was a nice Easter Sunday. But, there's no time to rest. I am about halfway through my packing. We (me and the boy) leave at some unholy hour in the morning for the airport. I do love seeing my family, but I hate the thought of getting on that plane. I am soooo looking forward to the day that we can drive to visit everyone. Let it be known that I am not a fan of flying. I already have a big knot in my stomach. Oh. That could be all the chocolate eggs. Or the jelly beans. Or the Peeps. Happy Easter!

Just a Little Spring Cleaning

Well. It has begun. Spring Break officially starts today. Elijah is out of school, and we have a few days at home before we go to Atlanta to see Noah. Oh, yeah... and his mommy and daddy, too. We are lounging around in the PJ's and doing a little housework. Except I haven't exactly told Elijah that part yet. He's too busy enjoying the "lounging" aspect of the day. Friday is a typical "cleaning" day for me, and today... I'll have the cooperative, enthusiastic help of a 2nd Grader! Truth be told, I'll clean around him. I did promise him a lunch out and some egg dying, so I'd better get off this computer and on to the cleaning. Did I mention there would be a haircut and some errand running in there, too? Please don't tell the "lounger." I'd hate to ruin his first day of Spring Break!

Hiking "Blackie"

As if the stupid time change isn't enough. My legs are aching (still!) from our "family bonding" time on Saturday. We hiked up "Blackie." That's one of the smallest mountains here at the lovely Fort Irwin. Let me put that another way... it LOOKS small from down here. It gets larger and steeper as you climb it. Don't get me wrong. The view is fantastic... you can see all of the post and then some. The weather was beautiful. And, we did have a good time. But, I am still in pain from the climb and from the mini-tumble I took trying to set up my camera for an automatic picture of the three of us. Those of you that know me best will have no trouble envisioning that. As you can see from the photos, there are big sharp rocks everywhere. Lots of them. Imagine me...trying to balance a ridiculously expensive camera on one of these rocks while pressing the button and then running to jump into the shot in a somewhat flattering pose. I fell. But, I managed to get into the picture and smile! (We'll put that one in a later post. It requires film developing... that ancient custom.) So, it was a good and tiring time. Then, we had to set the clocks forward. Dang it. I do enjoy the sun being up a little later in the day, but that does not make up for the dark mornings and the week of feeling tired. And, there's the joy of waking up a grouchy 8 year old when all I want to do is crawl back under the covers myself! I was late for church yesterday, and as I sit here typing and doing laundry, it feels like 8:00 am... but it's not! It's already 9:00 am. OK, enough complaining about "springing forward." I will celebrate in the Fall when time is back to normal.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Monday was my Dad's birthday. I called to sing to him (a family tradition on BOTH sides!), and he was out of town with work. But, I chatted with my mom for a while... always nice. At the risk of sounding so cheesy and hokey, I am very blessed. I have two great parents, a wonderful husband, an amazing son, a healthy brand-new nephew, a brother and sister-in-law (sister) that I adore, loving in-laws, the best friends in the world (yes, I'm referring to you, Wrenns!), and a pile of awesome "girlfriends" here in the desert. I know, that was pretty cheesy. I guess I'm just feeling grateful today. I think I should probably feel this way more often. Or at least admit it to myself! Anyway, the picture is from last year at this time. We spent the day in Big Bear... eating out, shopping, eating candy, and drinking Starbucks. "A good time was had by all." And, for that, I am grateful.

Low Flying Chaplain

Oh my. As if the world isn't dangerous enough. Yep. That's Dan. Danny. Chappy. Daddy. Flying, I repeat, FLYING in a helicopter. A friend of ours who flies here (as his job!) asked Dan last week if he'd like to go along on a ride one day. I actually think Dan got to the air field before the pilots. He was so excited. This guy flies "patrols" here in the early morning hours. He flies all over the desert to make sure no civilians have wandered onto base land. He has to do this before the troops in training start their "shooting" (for lack of a better term). "Shooting" is putting it mildly. Judging from the way my house shakes, I would not want to be "out there" when it actually happens. Anyway, this guy let Dan go along. And then, somewhere over the desert, he snapped this picture. I'm a little impressed and a lot scared. I'm concerned that the chaplain who got a special license to drive giant Army trucks though Iraq won't just be content to sit at his desk anymore. The thought of going "Airborne" or "Ranger" has always been a dream for him. And now, he's flying in a helicopter. Lord, help us!

#1 Nephew

How is it possible to love him so much when we haven't even met him? Noah Emerson Rogers made his grand entrance into the world on Tuesday, February 12. He is healthly and well, and so is his mommy. We can't get pictures fast enough, and we keep harrassing the sleep-deprived parents for updates. "Cute" doesn't even come close to describing the boy! We are making plans to go and see him during Elijah's Spring Break, but that's not coming fast enough for me! I have taken to showing his picture to innocent bystanders in the grocery store. (Now I know how those poor souls in Pensacola react when Nana and Pops whip out the 8x10's!!) And, if no one promises to harrass Elijah about this... I'll let you in on his little secret. The proud big cousin keeps kissing the computer screen when we look at Noah's pictures. Now, that's cute!