Who Me?

I am helping in Emma's kindergarten classroom this year and today was my first day. Her teacher gave me some work to do which included calling the kids over to do one on one assessments. Every time I would call a child over that sat near Emma I would hear her say "That's my mom!" It was really cute. She kept looking over at me and smiling.

After working in the class, I went to pick up Mia from preschool. I walked in and two of the little girls in her class try to fill me in on how the day went. Brianna tells me Mia was not nice today. Then Peyton says that Brianna is right. Uh, oh. The day had been going so well. I just hope it is an "off day" and not a regular pattern starting.

Europe

Charlie and I just got back from Spain and Portugal with our friends, Tim and Roma. We had so much fun. There were a few rocky moments, but all is well. We arrived in Lisbon Saturday morning and waited in the customs line for just under two hours. It was in a very large room and it seemed like we were the only people wearing deodorant. Yikes! Then we eventually made our way to the car rental where more waiting then off to the parking garage. More lines. The garage was so jam packed that the parking attendants would e-brake and spin the car in place so that they could pull into the parking spots! It was a little scary, but reminded my of a James Bond movie. It was kind of cool.

It was too early to check into the hotel so we drove over to some sites we wanted to see. We sat in traffic for a while before deciding to postpone the Sintra trip. We headed back and went to Belem tower and Jeronimo Monastery. Belem tower is really cool and located in the water. It is 500 years old and still in good condition. It was amazing. The monastery was breathtaking. We headed back to our car to find it unlocked and everything in it gone. All we had left was our camera, passports and credit cards. Tim and Roma only had a camera and chap stick. Luckily the thieves left the printout of our hotels in the car. We spent the next 5 hours at the tourist police station. Thankfully Tim speaks Portuguese. We were so tired that we literally slept on the floor until it was our turn. By this time all we could do was find our hotel and eat dinner. The next morning we tried to buy a few things, but nothing is open on Sundays. Eventually we found one pharmacy and bought some toiletries. It was about $9 for a toothbrush! So in all of our pictures we are wearing our glasses, no make-up, and clothes we bought in Spain(Thanks Tanner and Vanessa for letting us buy some new clothes on base. You are life savers!!)

We headed on to Cadiz, Spain and visited some of our friends who are stationed in Spain. We ate at the best restaurant. It was really amazing. It was great to see them again and they helped us out a lot. Then on to Granada where we probably got a little carried away with the European ice cream. So yummy!! We saw the Alhambra and wandered around the city. It was great. Then we drove to Sevilla for more castles, cathedrals, and ice cream of course. There were beautiful gardens around the castle in Sevilla. We had heard that the police station had some of our things back in Lisbon and were very excited to hear that they had Tim and Roma's passports. We had been dreading spending a whole day at the embassy trying to get temporary ones. We were not able to go to Morocco because of the passports, but we could see it and Gibraltar on our drive from Cadiz to Granada. Wow, that was one of the best parts. We had a great view and were able to take some pictures. Another highlight was the monastaries. The detail that the artisans put into the monasteries in particular was astounding. I was touched by all the effort that went into every square inch. One of the towers we went in had been there for over 1200 years! I loved my trip.

On the way home we went through security in Lisbon. I got through first and waited for everyone else. Tim joined me and we watched in amusement Charlie get pulled aside and the guard snap on some rubber gloves. I was laughing, but he only got a thorough pat down. I tried to take a picture, but another guard came over and made us erase it. :( Like I said in my previous post I was getting homesick at the end and really wanted to see my kids and eat some American food. I was really missing cold milk, soft bread and salad dressing. We were really fortunate while we were there and the food was very good, but after a little more than a week we were craving something a little more familiar. I think I need a relaxing vacation next. ;)

God Bless America

We just got home from Europe tonight. I had a great time, but I don't know what else to say except I love America. When we landed in Philadelphia I was between crying and singing the national anthem. Charlie made fun of me because I told a couple random people that I love America. Actually, I think I only told the guy in the airport restaurant that I love America... I told the customs guy that it is great to be home. I was smiling really big. In the Philly airport they have the liberty bell made out of Lego's and the signatures from the Declaration of Independence on a glass partition. It just stirred so much emotion in me to see the signatures and to know what they were risking and what they were creating. I think being away, no matter how amazing it was, makes me realize just how great we have it.

Seven

7 Things I plan to do before I die

1. Watch my children grow up

2. Build my own home

3. Go to Europe (I get to cross this one off tomorrow!!)

4. Convince Charlie that he wants to build our own home

5. Not be afraid to show my emotions and tell people why I love them

6. Be a grandma

7. Learn patience

7 things I do now

1. Watch my children grow up

2. Pray

3. Play

4. Study

5. Blog (probably too much)

6. Try to do everything (I should probably seek treatment for that)

7. Cook

7 things I can't do

1. Sing

2. Be understanding when someone hurts my child

3. Skateboard

4. Hide my emotions on my face.

5. Drive as well as Charlie
6. Play an instrument
7. Stop thinking about Ginger

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex

1. Sense of humor
2. Eyes
3. Intelligence
4. Playfulness
5. Athleticism
6. Sensitivity
7. Dorkiness

7 things that I say most often

1. Bummer
2. I love you more.
3. Cereal or waffles?
4. Want to play/race?
5. What did you do first?
6. Okay, your turn.
7. actually/really

7 celebrates that I admire ( I don't really admire any, but here are some I like to watch in shows or movies.)
1. Tina Fey
2. Morgan Freeman
3. Shawn Connery (back in the day)
4. Drew Berrymore
5. Lucy Lui
6. Adam Sandler
7. Johny Depp

7 favorite foods
1. Chicken Milano
2. Spinach and Artichoke dip
3. Cereal
4. Avocado
5. My BBQ hamburgers with green chilies
6. Tri-tip
7. Carne asada or pollo asada

7 people who need to do this

1. Christy
2. Ashley
3. Candace
4. Heather
5. Mery
6. Amy
7. Laura

Memories I Want To Keep

Before I had my blog I tried to write down funny things the kids did in my journal. I would often forget so I started quickly writing down notes on paper when something would happen. I am trying to clean off my desk in the office and came across a few of these notes.

Emma pretended to conduct primary(the children's meeting at church) and did a random version of the First Article of Faith, then prayed that her eggs would be yummy and soft. Then she told Mia to give the talk. Mia started to pray and Emma yelled at her to stop and give a talk. Mia stopped praying and began to sing "We Will Rock You." Somehow this was acceptable to Emma.

I told Emma that the aquarium has things that live in the ocean. She asked if it had pirates. I told her no. She said pirates live in the ocean with sharks and dolphins.

A Few More Firsts

Justin just started scouts. This is his first activity with his uniform. Doesn't he look handsome? Just like his dad. He had a pack meeting last week without uniform and a swim activity a few weeks ago. He loves scouts so far and is excited to participate.


















Charlie started a new job last week and had training in NY. This week was his first real week of work. I took a picture while he was getting ready. He asked what I was doing and acted like I was being weird, but I think he secretly enjoyed the attention. We recently got a new camera and I really like taking pictures now, so get used to it.


















This last picture is not a first, but I like that my kids are so random and goofy together. This is Mia and Emma pretending to be monsters and ghosts.

Uh, I Don't Think So

This is how Mia looked right before we left for church on Sunday. Notice two different socks, one inside out. I am all for the kids dressing how they want at home, the park or store, but I draw a line at school and church. Call me old fashioned.