Go Wildcats!

Last Saturday went to Manhattan to take the kids to their very first college football game. K-State beat Missouri State 61-10. Although, it was not the most exciting game we had a great time none the less. Our seats were 30 rows back from the field, but the kids just had to go up to the top as you can see by the picture above of Gunnar.

Happy 4th Birthday Wylie Jade!

Wylie took cupcakes to pre-school yesterday and woke up to pink streamers and balloons at the bottom of the stairs this morning, opened presents after we all got home from school, and then this evening we went to the football game where she got to cheer all 2nd quarter and dance during half-time with the high school cheerleader. Here is some footage (I promise during the dance I had nothing to drink...you will see what I mean).

Extra Curricular Activities

Gunnar has been taking Karate class for the last month and Wylie has been to dance class twice now. They both really seem to be enjoying it. It sure is fun to watch!

Three Decades!

Well, I turned 30 years old last week, which it seems like yesterday that I was in elementary school wondering what I was going to be when I go up. I have to say… I couldn’t have asked for anything more than what I have now. When I look back at my youth as a struggling student with divorced parents, I am very thankful that my dad’s level-head has been passed on to me. I have always thought of myself as an optimistic person who looks at every experience (good or bad) as an opportunity to learn. One of my students (who’s life story so far is not so perfect either) told me, “You have the perfect life Mrs. DeWeese, with your kids (boy then girl), nice house, nice cars, an education, and a good job”, the response I had for her was, “I have to admit, I’m blessed, plus I have made good choices in my life.” I explained to her that bad things happen to a lot of people and you can either do bad things because of it, or learn from it. So, as far as me turning 30, it’s kind of a bummer that another decade has passed me by, but as far as where I am at this point in my life, it’s amazing and rewarding.

Trip to the Wichita Zoo

We met my Dad at the zoo this weekend and had a great time. I knew that we had better get together with them before school starts up again. I can't believe that in 8 days work starts up again. It's been a great summer and should be an interesting and busy year. This 1st semester should be challenging! I have all knew math textbooks, new 7 period schedule, two classes for masters degree along with practicum project and log hours, plus I have decided to start coaching again. I am going to be the head junior high volleyball coach his year and I am looking forward to it. Coaching makes you a little more active, more involved with the students, and not to mention the paycheck is nice. I kind of figured that once the kids were a little older I would get back into it and the opportunity turned out to be the right one. I will be sure and post my teams progress. Anyway, here are some pictures from the zoo trip.

Here is a good picture of my dad with Josh, Wylie, and Gunnar enjoying a snow cone on what was probably the hottest day of the year.

You don't get to see a lion up close often. This lion was laying right next to the glass. He would set up every once in awhile so we could get a really good look at him.

We had quite crew at the zoo. From left to right Jesse (my brother), Jeff (my youngest brother), Tim (my sister's friend), Abbie (my sister's friend), Jake (my sister's boy friend), Chris (my sister), and Josh with Wylie on his shoulders. Not the mention myself, my dad, Gunnar, and Cindy were also at the zoo. I must say that the kids did a wonderful job walking around the zoo. Man...they were sure tired when they got back into the car.

I thought that this was a good picture of Gunnar with this Uncle Jeff and Jesse. I can hardly believe how much they have grown. Josh and I had our first date 12 years ago at the zoo. We took all three of my siblings. Jeff would have been 2 years old. I remember Jeff on top of Josh's shoulders drinking a Mountain Dew so fast that it was dripping onto Josh's head. Josh said that he didn't care, he knew that Jeff was thirsty.

Congratulaions Josh!!!

Josh received he results back from the National Emergency Technician Boards that he took on July 7th and he passed! He is now a certified EMT! Josh had been a volunteer fire fighter while we were living in Oswego and volunteered at Cherryvale's department a little over a year ago. He says that he has learned so much on this department and they gave him great opportunity and financial help to be an EMT. He has been taking evening classes every Tuesday and Thursday since January, not to mention he has been taking masters classes with me every Monday night. I know that it has been a lot of hard work for him and I sure am proud of him for accomplishing his goal. He is not giving up his day job as a teacher or anything, but he is going to go on calls and volunteer a couple of nights a month. Congratulations Josh!

Summer Vacation

We spent a few days at Grandma and Grandpa DeWeese's house. This gave us an opportunity to go down to the creek to relax, canoe, fish, and swim. Gunnar caught his first fish at this part of the stream with his Sponge Bob fishing pole, which I must say was not the littlest fish that I have ever seen, considering that I am almost 30 years old and have never caught a fish. Let me just say that it was exciting and I was so proud that he caught it all by himself. After our many hours spent down at the place on the creek named "Mother's Day", by the DeWeese family, Josh and Wylie took and four-wheeler ride to the lane where Papaw and the kids go to throw rocks in the creek. Wylie also caught her first fist with the Disney princess fishing pole. Not at big as Gunnar's fish, it fit nicely in Josh's hand, although she too caught it all by herself. I wish that I had pictures of these two firsts, but I don't. I did not bring my camera on this trip (of course, I found it when I got back) and papaw's camera ran out of batteries when the Gunnar caught his fish. What can you do??? Here are some pictures taken by Josh's dad from he creek expedition.

As I unfortunately said before, I am almost 30 years old and this was my first canoe trip. Josh and I paddled down the creek and he said that I did very well. Balance is the key you know!

Gunnar was starting to get the hang of casting out. I was not to sure about the live worms. Grandma had to help me out with putting the worms on the hook. (I can't handle the way the worms move from the sharp poke of the hook...who can blame them? Really?)

Although this looks like Gunnar is caught in a tree branch, he isn't. He and Wylie ended up doing really well on their casting out.

Wylie's pole is not doing to well in this picture. I really published this picture because I thought is was pretty good.

This may be the reason why Wylie gets whats she wants most of the time. It's a pitiful site. Josh especially can't hardly stand it.

Ten Year Anniversary!

Josh and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on the 12th of July. We celebrated the day by hanging out with the kids and throwing some nice steaks on the grill. We both agreed that it has not seemed like 10 years have passed or that we have known each other over 12 years. Throughout the years Josh and I have attended quite a few weddings, and looking at them now, a good portion of them have ended in divorce or have had there problems. We feel fortunate that we have managed keep our marriage steady and strong. Our secret... compromise, trust, and friendship, because at the end of the day there is no one else we would rather hang out with than each other.

Happy 4th of July!

We got the backyard all ready for swimming, grilling, and for setting off a few fire works of our own. Although, I must say the neighbors all around us put on a better show. We like to call it Baghdad in Cherryvale.

Picture in Front of Rose Bushes a Yearly Tradition?

It was a year ago that I took this picture of the kids by the rose bush that is front of our house. You have a window of time when the roses are in full bloom and I thougt that I might be able to make the picture a yearly tradition if I could manage not to kill the roses while living at 5th and Cherry Street. Well...as you can see from this years picture the kids are not exactly in to having their picture taken together. Wylie tried to stand next to her brother, but unfortunately he was in one of the moods where he's not wanting his picture taken. I may still have time to get Gunnar in a picture taking mood. If I succeed I will get it posted.