Art Works

A wall sized piece of art illustrating Fibonacci sequence that touched a bit on the math side of me

Trying out different frames - I thought this was the best picture to be framed of all!

My masked trio

A puppet show that includes Andrew

What a fun little place we visited this morning. We went to the art museum. I told the kids that they would need to be quiet like when they go to the library. I wonder what they were thinking about where we were heading. Oh well, I think they enjoyed it.

It was the art museum, but they had a very nice children's section that was completely hands-on. I don't know if they understood the concepts behind a lot of what we did, but they did enjoy "playing" with everything. There was a giant kaleidoscope, stamp pads, colored tiles, drawing stations, computer coloring, chalkboards, etc. We even finished our time there reading a few books. The kids enjoyed it and evidently it's a favorite place in Montgomery because there were a lot of other little ones there as well!

Winding Down...

Our time here is coming to an end. I only need to find something for us to do the next couple of days, pack, attend Chris's graduation and then get back on the road to our new home (we're also doing some vacationy stuff on our way there). I approach the next couple of weeks with mixed emotions.

I feel like I've said my good-byes and have had closure on our time in Wichita, Kansas. I guess having all of our worldly belongings packed up would kind of do that. However, at the same time, I long to return there - return to the known, return to the friends, return to our church. That is not where we're going, though. We are going to a new place where thankfully, I do know a few people and a place where Chris should be home more (the best part!!). The one thing that concerns me the most, though, is finding a good, solid Bible believing church that will encourage and teach our family to draw closer to God. We have been deeply blessed by a couple of excellent home churches so going to a place where I'm very uncertain that we'll find genuine worship, solid Bible teaching and an excellent children's program makes me feel a bit uneasy. I've been reading a book (Tour of Duty by Sara Horn) reminding me of some of the lessons that God has been teaching me the last month. I am going to be called on to believe these time and again in the months to come - God put us in our new home. God put us in our new home for a reason - to glorify Him. God will provide for our needs in our new home. It may not look the way I want it to, but it will be what is best for me, our family and even the people we come in contact with.

I was thankful for what a friend recently commented on an earlier blog post. She reminded me that we are all passing through this world and we won't be home until we are home with Jesus. Until then, I'm pretty sure these will be some of the same feelings that I will have each time God places us in a new home right where He wants us.

More Tours

Yesterday, was the last day for time with Grandpa and Grandma Robey and we filled it up with some more touristy stuff.

We began the day at the Rosa Parks Museum. It was a really good history refresher course for me. At the same time, it was nice to have the entire time-line of the Civil Rights movement laid out at the same time. It made some things make a bit more sense to me.

For the afternoon, we headed to the nearby Tuskegee Institute. I must admit that I was really looking forward to this since I have more of a math/science way of thinking. I've always heard of George Washington Carver and Booker T Washington, but usually got them confused. This place set me straight and I thoroughly enjoyed the education aspect that Booker T Washington brought to the campus and the science that George Washington Carver brought to the campus and ultimately the world (he did tons of research particularly on the peanut). If we would have had more time, I think it would have been fun to visit the historical site for the Tuskegee Airmen. Oh well, we can't always do everything, but I did enjoy what we were able to see.

What a Treat!!

This past week, we had the privilege of having Chris's parents visit us. As a result, Chris and I had were treated to three nights to ourselves. That doesn't happen often and we took advantage of it. One evening, we had to go have ice cream for it is a treat to eat all of your own ice cream. Another evening, we went and enjoyed some Mexican and the final evening, we just hung out and oh yes, went and got ice cream - again! It was definitely enjoyed to the fullest and much needed in the midst of moving and being in a temporary home for a month. However, while we were having fun, our trio had fun as well!!

While Grandpa and Grandma visited, the camped in a pop-up camper. So, our trio enjoyed their first camping ever! They loved it!! Who wouldn't enjoy it...they had s'mores, eggs, bacon and pancakes. Plus, they just got to be out of the hotel room. From what we heard, everything went quite smoothly. So now, I think I'm about ready to take them out for some real camping - tent style!! I'll let you know how that goes....

Today's Adventure Part 2

Capitol Rotunda

Room where the southern states became the Confederate State in 1861

First White House of the Confederacy and home to Jefferson Davis

Dexter St Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr was pastor

Alabama State Capitol

Before we headed to lunch we took a trolley tour of the downtown area. What really strikes me about this town is that it is home to a lot of points in history that were turning points in the history of our country. However, it is not a big city as I would have thought. Plus, many of the buildings are quite unassuming considering what took place there.

After getting refueled with some pizza, we went out and became tourists. The kids went inside their first capitol building. This is where the it was declared that the southern states were the Confederate States of America in 1861. Jefferson Davis was also inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States in this building. After viewing this building, we went across the street to see the First White House of the Confederacy. The Davis family only lived there a few short months before moving to another state in the south making that home the White House of the Confederacy.

I enjoy seeing history up-close and the actual places that people read about in books. This trip has made me realize that I haven't done too much of that in the south. I've done a lot in the north and a lot west of the Mississippi. So, this has been a learning experience for me learning more about southern history while actually in the south.

So, that is much of the Civil War history of the area. We did pass Martin Luther King's church, but really haven't done too much with the Civil Rights history....yet.

Today's Adventures Part 1

We filled today up with a couple of activities, but we had a good time. I think the kids will fall asleep easily tonight!!

We started our day at the base fire department. One of the spouses here has done an excellent job of coordinating 2-3 activities for us to do each week. We haven't done all of them simply because we've been busy with other things. However, today we joined them in a trip to the fire station. I know this is probably sad, but I had never been to a fire station. So, it was my first trip as well. We got to see the kitchen (Hannah's favorite) and the movie room (Luke's favorite) along with the dispatch rooms. Then, we went on to visit the best part - the trucks. The kids really enjoyed this part of our morning. I must admit that it is more fun than the next part, which included a short stop at the grocery store....

The Zoo (again!)

The beloved train

Yes, we've once again taken on a new zoo. This time it is in our temporary home. We actually went and saw it the other day, but went again yesterday, well, because...it was free. Even with some rain, it turned out to be a nicer adventure than the first time. I know it was an appreciation event for those serving and the families of military, but it is also with appreciation that we take part in these events.

I think one of the first things that made it nicer was that it was cooler. Up until this week, nearly every single day was 100 or just a couple of degrees cooler. Yesterday, it was overcast and it even rained for a bit. It didn't matter, though, since it just felt good!! We got to see nearly all of the animals and they were so much more active since it was cooler. The train this time was also included in our free admission. Now, this is a big deal since I didn't let them ride it the last time. I guess to make up for it, we actually rode it twice. What Mom can pass up a free train ride when your kids beg to ride it every 5 steps they take?!! We also enjoyed a nearby conservation museum full of "stuffed" animals. Andrew had to inform us at several of them that "he got shot". Thankfully, they also provided us with a very nice lunch. We had a good time!

MOOseum

Pink Cowgirl minus the pink chaps that we later found

Yee-ha!!

Cowboy Luke

Grandpa and Grandma Robey are visiting us this week. We've been blessed to have both sets of Grandparents visit us while we are in our temporary home. Since they are here, we've been trying to take in a few of the local attractions. Let's just say "free" makes them even better.

Our first free attraction was the state's cattleman's association MOOseum. They had a lot of info about raising cattle that the kids didn't get too interested in. I think it would have been interesting if we would have had the time to read it without interruption. Oh well, I knew enough to fill the kids on a few things. Plus, they had a little children's section that had some interactive displays. The favorite by far was the cowboy dress-up area. Of course, Hannah was thrilled with the pink hat, pink chaps and pink boots!!

Paid to Play

Yes, Chris got to play games at work yesterday and he loved each new game. However, it wasn't all fun and games, there was a point to it. Mostly, it was about leadership and problem solving. The problem solving and actual execution of the plan is what Chris enjoys - actually, anything hands on. To me, the best part was getting the chance to once again go out and get to watch him participate. Let's just say, I'm glad he enjoys it. I love to watch, but participating would be a whole other story

Family Pictures 2011

Look Who's 3!!!

Happy Birthday, Andrew David!!

It's hard to believe that three years ago, June 18 looked much different than today. We lived in Georgia (and have lived in Kansas since then), we had two kids and went to three and we weren't doing much that day and today is packed full of activities.

Andrew is a delight to have in our home. It's amazing how quiet things are when he isn't around, but that is true when any one of the three is not home. He loves trucks and balls and today is having a great time playing with balloons. He's got a great smile and loves to do so. He adores his brother and sister - most of the time - and knows so much more than they did at this age simply because he's learning from the best!

We love having Andrew as part of our family and are thankful for all the personality he brings our family.

Vacation Bible School 2011

Several weeks ago, I realized that my trio would miss out on VBS at our home church. They have an excellent program and their theme this year sounded really fun yet God-centered. Since we were not going to be able to attend, I decided to send them for a week while we were in our one-month home. Now, I must admit that this took me out of my comfort zone - sending my two kids (Andrew was too young) to a church that I'd never been to and leaving them in a class where they've never been. However, I did do my research and I did feel like it was a good, nurturing environment for the week.

Luke and Hannah had a wonderful time this week. They absolutely loved it as I knew they would. The theme for the week was the something about New York City. I must admit that I felt like the curriculum fell short of my expectations (I should be able to tell you what the main point was each day, but I can't). I guess I didn't feel like it was simplified enough for a good "take away" for the kids each day. All that to say, the kids did have a good time and did wonderful in a new environment. They did learn things and were reacquainted with beloved Bible stories. Even though my expectations were not met, I'm so very thankful that the church provided them a lot of fun in a Godly environment.

Oh, one last thing...I was touched by friendly people at this church. One of the pastors parked cars each day and he called us by name. He was retired Air Force and understood what we were encountering in our month without a "home". Thankful for the blessings of the week!

Game Time

Chris is currently completing some course work for his job.We'll be here for five or so weeks before going to our new home back in the middle of the country. The first week was a bit rough with moving, settling into our temporary home and working through some technical difficulties. However, this past week has gone much better. Anyway...

Chris is spending his days learning about being a good leader. However, one thing that I have appreciated is that they have warmly welcomed the families that were able to come. We've been invited to numerous social activities outside of class time, but we've also been invited to watch some of their outside class activities and even to hear guest speakers - if we so desire.

All of that to say, Chris had a field day yesterday and we got to attend. I'm so glad we got to go despite the 95 degree heat, humidity and barely there breeze. It had been some time since I'd seen my husband compete and I loved doing that once again. He is an excellent volleyball player and has other athletic skills along with a competitive side that goes with it. It was fun to watch him. The kids did great, but the heat was a great distraction for them to focus on Daddy.

#22 Robey

My H-O-T husband (in more ways than one!!)

How We Are Spending Our Summer

After saying good-bye to Kansas and our friends there, we headed down the road for a few days. I'll have to do a few posts later that will be a bit out of order as to what we've been doing since we departed our prior home. In the meantime, we've been living in a very nice extended stay hotel. They obviously have a swimming pool. So, much of our time has been spent in the 90-100 degree heat and humidity in the hotel pool. The kids have absolutely loved it! It's taken just a bit of time for them to feel comfortable, but they are doing much better in the pool and are a far cry from last year's swimming lessons. I just think more time in the water has helped tremendously. We will definitely be making use of the bath-water-temperature pool for our entire stay here.

It's a Small World

One of my favorite things is meeting people I don't know and realizing we may have additional connections. This happens quite often in the military community, but it's happened to me in other places as well. The Air Force community is indeed a small world. Here are three examples and they have just occurred pretty much in the last week or so.

First, I met a family who knew Chris's former Commander and DO (second in charge). They had been neighbors at the base we're headed to.

Second, the family that is renting our last home is best friends with another family that was in our squadron a couple of years ago. We found that out after the fact. So, thankful that they are highly recommended and loved by others!

Third, I rarely follow blogs of people that I have never met. However, I do enjoy following blogs of people that I do know. It's offered a wonderful way to keep up with what is going on in their lives and just continue to be a part of their lives in some sort of way. That in and of itself gives me more than enough to fill my blog reading time. I did make an exception to that rule a few months ago when I was reading one of my regular blogs and she suggested that we read a blog of someone she knew. For whatever reason, I read it and loved her light-hearted yet heart felt style of writing and have continued to read it. So, I got to meet her and her family when I realized that I was standing behind her in the lobby of where we are staying. They are a fellow Air Force family that loves God. She has been a blessing to me that last couple of days as we've shared smiles and brief conversations. She has four boys of her own, has just adopted two from China and is in the process of adopting their seventh son. If you're interested, you can check out her blog here.

As crazy as life may be and as lonely as moving can be at times, it's these moments that I really enjoy. It's a joy to know that there is a connection to all these people we are blessed to meet. We are blessed!

Transitions and Technical Issues

Wow!! I had no idea that it was last month when I last wrote a post. Time has been going quickly, but that is not the reason for the lack of posts. It basically boils down to just a couple of reasons why I haven't written.

First, we've been moving and you know that. Even though I don't have some of the daily demands that my day is typically filled with simply because we are in a hotel setting, my days are full. I usually try to get the kids (ok, I need to get myself) out of the hotel room each morning. We may go do something fun like a park or the zoo or we may just go to the grocery store. It doesn't really matter as long as we're not in the hotel room. Then, we move on to nap time followed up usually with time at the pool. At that point, Chris is back and we have family time. By then, I'm done so I've spent very little time on the computer. I had the urge to write a bit tonight so here I find myself updating all of you that we love and miss.

The second reason I haven't written is due to technical difficulties. Our desktop computer is in storage somewhere in the central part of the USA. I think it was just a very few days later our laptop nearly crashed. My very technically savvy husband has been nursing it for the past couple of weeks and I'm somewhat a bit nervous to mess with it. I've been given the clear, but time has been my other constraint. So, I do most of my surfing on my iPod and I'm not about to write a blog post on that tiny screen. I will try to keep you posted when I can. Oh, by the way, one of these days, I'll add some pictures, but I'm afraid that just might push the computer over the edge....