Justice got Promoted!!

Today at Tae Kwon Do Justice's teacher pulled me aside and asked if he could put him in the intermediate level. He said Justice is really on the ball and is on the level of most of his 10 year olds. Wow- that really surprised me. So he is the same belt color- but will be learning much more quickly in his new classes. Justice is quite proud of himself. Let's hope this move is a good thing. He is really loving it.

We went and bought Tana baseball pants, cleats, and socks. She put her uniform on to make sure everything fits. She looks adorable. I wish I had the camera to take a pic, but Eric has it in Tokyo. She is learning a lot and did great at her first two games. She has another game tomorrow and one on Saturday. They named their team the Blue Dolphins-ahhh. They have a million cheers. It is a pretty fun group and Tana is really enjoying it.

Sierra and I, and the other head cheerleader and her mom have been busy making plans for next year. We are hoping that the girls will have a lot more fun this year and a lot less fighting. So we are having our opening social tomorrow- we are taking them swimming. Hopefully this will get things off on the right foot.

Catch ya later!

Tokyo Day 2 part one

Good morning from Tokyo. It is about 9:20am and I have been up since 4:15am when ths boss called and said "are you up?". It has been a great day so far. Went to breakfast and I must say McDonalds here is amazing. The food actually looks like the picture. It is worth having. After breakfast I stopped at the local Starbucks and had a small carmel something. It was good. I just sat there and watched the city wake up. With every minute more and more people were gathering at the stop lights and the traffic picked up. It is cool and there is a light rain in the air. I sat there and contemplated life.

Speaking of life, as I crossed the street this morning something hit me pretty hard. I was right in the middle of the street with tall buildings all around and cars and people every where. The thought that came to me was centered around blessings. How many people can say they have experienced Tokyo. Because of where I work almost everybody has been here but outside of work how many people do I know have been to Tokyo or outside of the US for that matter. I think I can count on my hands how many people I know that have been to Asia.

I started thinking about family, friends, work, home and spirituality. I have so many blessings and yet sometimes I forget to take inventory of how good I really have it. I am so thankful for all that I have, my family, health, talents, connection with spirit, friends, a warm home, cars, plenty of food, a good job that supports a good lifestyle and so much more. Everyday is truly a gift and should not be squandered.

For some reason my computer won't open the memory card from the camera So I can't post pictures yet. I will keep trying. I will post anotehr update after my meeting.

Tokyo day 1

Well I made it. After about 10 hours at 550mph I arrived in Tokyo. I miss the wife and kids already. The flight was good but when the pilot comes on and says "we are experiencing some light chop" I wonder what his definition of "light chop" is. Overall it was a good flight. When we landed and made it through customs and immigration we decided to take a bus to the hotel. So after another 1.5 hours on a bus we arrived at the Tokyo Dome Hotel. I know sounds great right. Maybe I have been spoiled by some of the places I have stayed but my room is the smallest I have ever had. I believe my office at work is bigger. Again, I guess I should just be grateful that I get to travel.

I don't have much more to report at this time but will write more tomorrow after my meeting.

Here we Go!!

I don't know what I was thinking. I have overloaded my schedule- but the kids are all happy and busy. We just signed Montana up for softball. She has never played before, not even t-ball, but she got interested in it somehow and begged to do it. So now we have two or three activities everyday and I am shuffling everything around. I have become Mom's Taxi Service. If I just charge .50 cents a mile- I might actually be able to pay for the gas!! Sierra now has Cheer, Dance Co., Stars Classes, and her Solo. Montana has Art, Softball practice, and Games twice a week. Justice has Tae Kwon Do three days a week. I was having a panic attack last night- but we can do it. I just want the kids to be away from the TV, the computer, the phone, and doing something constructive. Mission Accomplished.

Yesterday Montana had her first softball practice. It was a big learning day for her. The other girls on her team have played for years and are pretty good. Tana hit the ball and got to second base- she had the biggest smile on her face. After she got her mitt on the right hand (hee hee)they practiced throwing the ball and catching with a partner- that needs practice but she didn't do too bad. She has a double header game today. I am super nervous for her- but I know she will have a good time.

On the schedule today: Sierra- Dance, Justice- Tae Kwon Do, Montana- Games, Mom- Long Bubble Bath and aspirin.

Yay Sierra!!!

We finally have the results of the Cheer Audition for Sierra. She made the team and was selected as the Co-Head Cheerleader. This is what she campaigned for so she is super excited. There was a luncheon in the school library today to privately announce who made Cheer and SBO. Then they had an assembly to announce it to the school. It was pretty fun. Sierra was bawling. She is excited but sad to see some of her old team mates move on to High School. Now they have a dinner tonight to celebrate and a candlelight ceremony after at one of the girls homes. Whew- I'm glad I won't be there for that. It will be a tear fest I am sure. Way to go sis!

Little Austin

We traveled up to Blackfoot Idaho this weekend to see my cousin Aaron baptise his first baby. Little Austin Aaron McLaughlan. He was darling and Aaron did a great job. Austin wore the same blessing outfit that Aaron wore when he was a baby. That was sweet. Aaron also completely remodeled an old house they bought and was showing it off to us. Jealous!!! It was fantastic from top to bottom. He is so talented and Misty has it decorated so cute. Montana and Justice had a blast playing with kids their age. Aunt Jan invited them up for a weekend this summer to hang out there. They were super excited because of the cousins -the pool- the golf cart- the toys- etc, etc, etc. We will see what we can work out. The weather was beautiful and we sat outside with the family and had a great time chit chatting and catching up. We are all a bit sunburned. I had a really special feeling there today. A warm feeling that things were right in the world. I hope that lasts through the week. It put a big smile on my face. I love my family!

JD advanced a belt

Last week JD after less than one month of Tae Kwon Do lessons was invited to take a belt test. Honey and I watched as he was tested by a black belt. It was very exciting. After all the students were tested the class was dismissed and were told test results would be posted on Monday. So on Monday Honey took JD down to the studio to check the results. Guess what, he passed.

Yesterday, before class started, JD was given his new Gup rank belt. It is white with an orange stripe. Gup means junior. So he started learning "forms". Forms are a series of movements blocks, punches and that kind of stuff. He was so sharp. JD is really into it. I am very proud of him. Now if we could just get him to do his chores at home!!!!