Good News!!!!

I knew it was about time to get some refreshing news.

#1- Dave has been released back to work full duty.
#2- Katlynn is pretty much fully pee-pee trained and is doing amazing with social skills and friendships.
#3- Halle tested amazingly well on her state testing standards
#4- The girls had their first soccer game yesterday and really did well in it.
#5- Audrie moved up a level in Ballet class.

Things are finally settling in for the Smith family again.  We're planning our vacation next year.  Looks like a 7 day family cruise with friends is in the works.  Not 100% sure yet, but that is the plan.  My old HS is also having a 15 year reunion (I didn't go to the 10th because the twins were just born) and I would really like to go and take the kids back home and to Tx to see some of Dave's family. We would also stop at the Grand Canyon and some other places along the way of we did this trip.  So we're just trying to decide which one.  Both are very appealing.

College is going well for me.  I am enjoying the challenge and the time to myself just absorbing everything and really hoping I can get back on the career path in a couple years. By then the twins will be in 1st grade and I can really focus on what I want to do.

I signed Audrie up for her very first 1-Mile run.  It is called the Tinker Bell Kids Run and is being held at Disneyland in Jan.  She is looking forward to it.  I just might do the 5K also.  Not sure yet.  Looks fun though.

Just trying to get routines going, scheduled managed and life rolling.  Hoping that by this time next year... we in the works of looking for a house.  Aside from the vacation, we're going to try to save as much as we can to pay off the cars and have a decent DP for a new home.  We're looking at Yucaipa,  Rancho, Corona and some other areas of Riverside county.  ultimately, we could like Yucaipa, but the schools are not the best for Katlynn, so that is one of the big things we are concerned about.  The schools out there have decent demographics, but that is about it. I know the kids would make new friends and we have friends who live in the area already.  It would be nice to have some land and a house we can call our own again.

Here's some recent pictures of a trip to the Aquarium, soccer and Misc.

The Twins first year of soccer

We decided to give soccer a shot.  Mainly for Katlynn, but since Audrie's new little BFF is doing it,  of course Audrie wasn't going to miss out. So I am assistant coaching 9 little 4 year olds for the city soccer team.  It's already been quite the experience.

Back to School

I can't believe I have a 4th grader on my hands as well and Pre-Kindergartners.  Where did time go? Anyhow,  kids were excited to get back to school.  They are starting on their 3rd week now.  They all seem happy and seem like they are having a good time.  It's time to get the education plans (IEP's) underway and going for this year for Halle and K.

Update on Dave and I

Dave went for a follow up on June 28th.  Everything is looking better.  All his test results came back normal.  They are going to do another EEG (to test for seizure activity) and another lumbar puncture to make sure the infection is clearing up completely.  He is still off work hoping to go back light duty in the next couple weeks.  He still can drive for a few months, but at least he can get back to work.  He seems to be feeling a lot better.  Dr. gave him the okay to exercise again so we are both happy about that and we can now resume our training the the 1/2 marathon.

I've been busy with the kids this Summer doing several different activities and outing.  I am blessed to be so fortunate to be able to be at home with them during these precious years. It has been so rewarding and so special.  Dave has been such a great father and man.  I have started looking into some part-time positions in the special education field.  It would be mostly paraprofessional positions since I don't have my degree.  I do plan on going back to school part-time this year while the kids are in school. It's time for me to start spreading my wings and focusing on a career alongside mommy-hood since the girls are getting older now. I need to have something lined up by the time they are in 1st grade, so I better get a move on it.  I have been working out regularly and walking with my local moms group almost daily.  I haven't been running much, but am hoping to pick it up again in the next couple weeks.  I had a suspicious mole removed about a week ago, so I have been taking ti easy with lots of movement since it was near my knee.  

Over-all we're doing good and keeping busy all the while trying to stay healthy and have fun.  The kids are growing up so fast.  Katlynn is a talking machine now.  So sweet and so bright.  Audrie is my 4 year old who acts like a much older/wiser kid.  She is so smart and witty. Halle's enjoying Summer camp and drawing and working on her artistic creative juices.  

NKOTB BABY!!!!!

Mons night out with the ladies.  We had a blast at the New Kids concert and a fabulous dinner.

Sassy Pants's first dance recital

Audrie's pictures from her first dance recital.    She is such a hoot.

Finally getting back to normal.

Dave's finally getting much better.  Was a crazy month of May.  He is still off work for another month, but is feeling so much better and acting like himself again.  I am so glad.

Anyhow, as sort of an early Father's Day together we took the kids to Griffith Park Observatory and to ride the ponies.  We finished off the Day with a meal at Saddle Ranch.  Kids had a blast.

It's just my phone, but I was able to get a family picture today.  Not the greatest, but it will do until we can get another one this winter.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY everyone!!!

~S