Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Update from the Dicks (List Style)

* After looking for a job in Kingman for two months (with nothing to get excited about), Sean decided to pursue some self-employment options (that he's been thinking about for a while). He is going to start doing some financial planning. He took and passed his test for his license a couple weeks ago. YAY!

* Because of this new venture Sean has been in CA a bunch lately working with my dad (trying to learn all he can about the business).

* We are thinking that we will be moving to CA at some point - we're just not sure when (it depends on what we decide to do with our house: rent or sell, and also how close it gets to the end of the school year for Caelan). We're pretty sure we'll be there by summer.

* Caelan is becoming quite the reader in school. She also started dance classes again (just once a week, but she loves it).

* Ben is loving the computer (ABC websites) recently. He is our little runner - loves to run all over the house and the yard. He has great form too (arms bent and pumping - it's awesome).

* Meg has decided that she LOVES to take off her clothes. I'm starting to wonder if she is ready to start potty training. I'm just not so sure I'm ready yet....

* Nathan is growing so much. He is very social these days and doesn't really like to be by himself. He has the greatest smiles and laughs. I just want to "eat" him all day.

* I have started watching a little boy (almost two years old) a few times a week. He is a fun addition to the house full.

* With this new kind of work it takes a while for money to be coming in regularly, so I've been trying to be as frugal as I can, and I've been exploring new recipes for the basics: beans, wheat, etc (healthy and cheap).

We're good. It's funny how you think things are going to work out a certain way (for example we thought for sure that we would be here in Kingman for 5 years or more), and then just a short time later everything changes. We don't mind the changes - it makes for a fun ride!

It's Been A While

I haven't posted much in the past month, so her are just some pictures I've taken recently.
Aren't they looking so much alike??



Crazy kiddos!


Look at that scowl!



Summer in February. We had some really beautiful weather last week and the kids thought it was time to bust out their swimsuits. Actually, they were pretending that the guest bed was a jacuzzi ("wakuji" as Ben calls it). What imaginations they have. This is Meg showing off her new talent - removing all her clothes.

Caelan's Quad

All of the Kindergarten classes at Caelan's school had a Transportation Parade. Each student was supposed to create a vehicle of any kind that they could wear for the parade. When I read the paper I immediately turned to Sean and told him this was his project to do with Caelan. Well a couple weeks went by and we didn't really think about it. Then Sean ended up going to CA the week of the parade. We thought he might be back in time, but when the afternoon before the event arrived I decided I better get to work myself with Caelan. She wanted to make a quad, so we got busy. I sent Caelan to bed at around 9:30 PM that night, and I finished it at around 11:30 PM (I was having problems fastening the wheels on). I felt like I was right back in school, staying up late into the night finishing projects due the next day. Anyway, here is the finished project.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Random Things

1) I'm so impressed with myself - I haven't purchased or eaten ice cream in three weeks (that's a real accomplishment for me). I was having a real "treat" craving the other day, so I made whole wheat peanut butter fingers (YUM).

2) It seems like I feel more and more thankful for my Mom everyday. Currently it is in regard to laundry - to keep up on laundry for 9 people (WOW). There are 6 in my house, and I could spend an entire day each week getting it done.

3) I am amazed at how much Caelan (my 5 year old) LOVES sour cream. The other day she was eating it straight from the carton.

4) I'm still reveling in my victory over Sean in racquetball last week (the first time ever). After over a year I'm finally getting better.

5) Doesn't it stink when your little ones are sick? I hate when there is absolutely nothing you can do to make them feel better. Poor Mega has been laying around for two days now.

6) I've been trying new wheat bread recipes (I'm trying to take advantage of my wheat). The last batch was really pretty good - I will master this thing someday.

7) I'm getting a little itch to write - I'm not sure what, but something.

8) I'm pretty surprised at how much I enjoy playing Mario Kart with Sean and Caelan. I don't even mind just watching them play - it's fairly entertaining.

9) I sure hope there are good job prospects in CA. Sean and Ben are there right now checking things out. We've pretty much given up on finding anything good here in Kingman. Does this mean another move for us????? Oh Man!

10)I LOVE doing our taxes. I get excited about finding new ways to write off income, or make deductions (especially this year when we've have paid bunches of dollars in house interest), etc. It makes me giddy when I see the refund number rise. Love it!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Fun at Grandpa and Grandma's House


My kids LOVE to wrestle around with Sean (and anyone else who initiates such fun times). We were with Sean's parents this past weekend and they had quite the grand time wearing out their Grandpa.

The "Uppers" Together Again


I was able to get together with ALL of my college roommates this past weekend. It was a BLAST. We were known as the "Uppers" when we lived together (which stemmed from the name of our house - Connection Up). It was a very productive weekend: one got married (Melissa) and another one had a baby (London) on the same day. We were able to be there to support and gush over both events. I LOVE these girls. It was great fun to see them and spend time with them again.

Here is Red with my little Nathan boy

Friday, January 9, 2009

So I know I have neglected blogging for the past couple of weeks. I finally sat down and did some tonight, so there are several posts below. I'll get around to our New Year's posts when I get some pictures from my parents (we left our camera at home... Silly us).