February 29

 

After the meet yesterday, we took advantage of the 70 degree weather at a nearby park. 

Clay flew to DC last night for the week. He didn't arrive until after midnight because he wanted to see Julia's meet. His luggage did not arrive with him, so he had to run to Wal-Mart for clothes and toiletries. Doh! So he is beginning his first day of 10 hour training today on three hours of sleep!

 

February 28

  

 

 Julia had her last regular meet of the season today. Overall it was not her best meet. However, she had an awesome vault that tied her for first place on the vault.

February 27

 This is how Elliott came out of his room this morning... apparently he knew it was Saturday, time for his last game of the season. I think he was a little excited for his game.

A couple of weeks ago, parents and grandparents were invited to dance on the floor during half-time. I found this sweet picture on Clay's phone.

February 26

 I bought a book of science experiments to do with Elliott for a little bit of fun, hands-on schoolwork. So far he's doing great with reading, etc., but alot of his schoolwork is worksheets and sitting still... which isn't much fun for a 6 year-old boy. For our "chemistry" lesson yesterday, we made bread. He learned how yeast is activated by water and creates carbon dioxide, which is what makes the dough rise.

Julia's reading tutor is working out just fine. :P   What would we do without our Gus Gus?

February 25

Hulk's new foster Mom sent me this picture of him playing with his new foster sister. Seeing that smile makes my heart happy. He's adjusting well. Hard to believe it's been a week since he moved. It seems like a long time ago, but my heart still aches for him too.

 

 Abbie and Jessica came over for a little while yesterday. We see you hiding in that first picture Jessica!

 Our 4th grade girls' AWANA class delivered our canned goods (133 pounds!) last night to a local food bank. This isn't the best picture, but it's the only one I took. Kat's on the ground. Apparently she fell over or tripped and took out a friend in the process.

February 24

Sleeping Beauty

February 23

 

We dissected a sheep heart in Anatomy at co-op yesterday. The kids were freaked out - until we actually started letting them touch it, etc. I think they enjoyed it. It was pretty interesting. We labeled colored pencils and stuck them in the major veins and arteries.Then, when we opened the heart, the kids were able to see the pencils go into the different chambers. 

 

 Kat's history class is learning about the rise of the Roman Empire. They learned about Roman Numerals and then got to make Roman Numeral cookies.

 Last night was Elliott's final basketball practice. The parents got to play against the kids. Clay is wearing the orange shirt. 

February 22

  

 This is the first picture of me and Julia where I think she actually resembles me (minus the hair/eye color). Similar nose, smile, big forehead. Poor girl.

 

 Clay and I went to Julia's gymnastics meet yesterday in Lexington. She placed 5th overall in her division. She set her new personal best overall score, with 36.425.

 After the meet, we met my Aunt Dale and Uncle Greg for lunch before touring UK's campus. It's changed so much since we attended that it's almost like a whole new school. It was kind of bittersweet. In this picture, Clay and I are standing in front of Blanding 3. This is the dorm where we met each other almost 19 years ago! Man, we are OLD!

February 21

 The boys cooked us breakfast

 

 

Elliott scored in his game. It's fun to watch him play.

After his game, Elliott and I ran errands and also went to a playground to enjoy the 70 degree weather.

 

 Kat took a wagon around our street and collected canned goods for a local ministry. The 4th grade girls at church will be delivering the canned goods Wednesday night. I was very proud of her for doing this all on her own.

February 20

 We took schoolwork on the road for the second time this week. Clay had a follow-up with his eye surgeon yesterday. Since he can't drive, we took him.

It was beautiful outside, so we took the kids to a park to play for awhile since they were well-behaved at the doctor's office. There was this foreign object shining in the sky and it was 60 degrees!

 

 

 My husband, the Unibomber

My awesome friend Peggy sent me these flowers. She knew I'd be having a hard day with Hulk gone. 

PS - Hulk is adjusting to his new family. We are making plans  to get Hulk and Elliott together for play date soon. It sure was weird not having him here yesterday. I think it hit me harder yesterday than it did Thursday. Thursday I was busy packing his stuff and then being strong for his sake. I miss that sweet boy, but I know in my heart he is where he needs to be and he will have a great life with his new family.

February 19

Happy Birthday, Terah!!!

 Is this a familiar sight? This is Clay's 3rd surgery/procedure in 6 months! He had laser correction in his other eye this time. Hopefully this will be it for a long time!

Elliott painted his car for the AWANA Grand Prix yesterday, and Lucy just painted for fun.

Hulk went to his new home yesterday. I can't say enough good things about this family. It was pretty sad around here, but I really do feel good about his future with them. They are sweet. I just pray that he gets to stay with them forever. I look forward to the day we get to celebrate his adoption! Please continue to pray for him and his new family. 

It feels kind of weird around here with only 4 kids. 

February 18

 

The girls and I went to the play "Peter and the Starcatchers" yesterday. I haven't laughed that much in awhile. We read the book a couple of years ago. It's a prequel to Peter Pan, but not written by JM Barrie. I highly recommend the play (and book) - for upper elementary-aged kids. Thanks to Tracy for keeping Elliott and Lucy so I could have some time with my big girls. 

Hulk is going to go to his new placement today after school. It's been a pretty emotional week. After visiting this weekend, we felt like the slow transition was too hard on him. Once he lives there and adjusts, I have no doubt he will do great. He's a great kid and we will miss him alot. Elliott has already asked when he gets to go spend the night at Hulk's new house. Please pray for him during the transition. I know he's hurting right now. It breaks my heart.

February 17

 

 

Yesterday our friend Michelle and her kids came by for a visit. We haven't seen them in over a year, since they now live in New York. We all picked up right where we left off! Love this family.

February 16

 Kids working on their schoolwork at the dentist office. The good news from the dentist? Kat, Elliott, and I do not have any cavities. The bad news? Lucy has a cavity, Julia does too (although hers is in a baby tooth that will be falling out soon enough), and Clay has to see a periodontist because his gums are receding and he will likely have to have a gum graft (ouch!!!). Also, Julia was referred to the orthodontist. I foresee 2016 being an expensive year with our teeth!

The kids had fun building a few snowmen with the little amount of snow we had left.

February 15

 

 The girls' class learned about the tabernacle in Sunday School yesterday and then had to follow directions to make a tabernacle. 

 

 

The kids went outside to play in the snow last night after dinner.