travel and school

Oh my goodness, we are about to embark on a lot of travel..for me, anyway. I am the homebody to beat all homebodies. However, my kids robotics team won first place and are getting ready to go to regionals in Arkansas. It is only 3 or 4 hours away, but will be over 3 days and that means a lot of packing for this momma. Then, there is a large family retreat in Virginia that we are interested in the first part of next year. I would love to be able to do that too. It is pretty far from Oklahoma, and we could choose either one, two, or three weeks to stay. Then there is the micro conference again, which is in Arizona I believe, so closer than California, but still. I love to travel, but I don't love it, if you know what I mean? There is so much to pack and plan, and I am NOT organized at all. I would love to just go somewhere with Tony and I, and that is it...but that won't happen for a LONG time probably. Oh well...this is the life I want.

18 weeks pregnant and popped out like a watermelon. I go for the big ultrasound in 2 weeks...kinda excited. This pregnancy is so laid back compared to all the rest. I am not anxious and counting days and miserable like usual. I like it, don't get me wrong, but it is just different.

Rachel is out of therapy, and the school didn't much like us saying no to them, but I think we can do this. We know her, and we know what makes her tick. Just because we are not educated in special needs therapy doesn't mean we can't stimulate her the same as they can. We have music here, we have developmental toys, and lots of kids for socializing. We stand her up, and swing her, and do all the things they would do. She doesn't need to get sick from all the kids, and plus, if you think about it, the higher needs children (misbehaving etc) will get more attention by default than she will, so how would that benefit her? I just think God gave her to us just like he gave the rest to us, and we are qualified to teach them all.

We had a fun birthday party for her and Nathan. Went to a party of another kiddo who was born the same day as her, and in the same hospital too. Then after that, we went and ate pizza and had cake. Gave Nathan his own little cake. He didn't get forgotten about on his actual birthday, but we wanted to give him a little more.

Enjoy some photos for once. :)

This is the little boy and Rachel sharing a birthday...













Rachel and Daddy














Stuffing her face!














Nathan and his little cake. He didn't even finish it... HaHa!














Messy girl!