The YOUNG and the Restless

So believe it or not, my kids and I have been to the pool more times this summer than I have in my entire life. For those of you who know me well, you can understand how big this is. (I don't do pools, I can't swim, I hate swimming suits, water messes up my hair, I have a reaction to chlorine, the list just goes on) But my kids needed something to do this summer and it has been great, and I even get in the pool, making sure not to get my hair wet! So when my husband asked us to come visit him in Kansas and wanted to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge because it had a indoor waterpark, I was like noooooooooooooo! But it was the most fun I've had in a long time, and once my hair got wet from being caught under the 1000 gallon bucket, it was even better!!! My kids even got me on 2 of the huge slides. There is something for every age level. It was hard, as you can imagine, taking pictures in here, but its totally worth going if you get a chance.

Kambry is on the move!! I've never had a kid mobile this early (she turned 5 months yesterday). She started pushing herself up and backwards a few weeks ago. Now she gets up on her hands and knees and launches herself forward. She hasn't figured out the hands yet so most of the time she hits face first! She's also found her squeal and it is loud (especially during prayer, driving in the car, watching your favorite show, when you're on the phone, when you think she sleeps-you get my point) She's really growing up fast. She wakes up in the morning and immediately starts looking for the other kids. She just too cute right now!

Now I'm on a mad hunt for a gate that's wide enough for my staircase.

We made it to TN and I didn't lose not one child....or husband! I can't wait to update everyone on the comedy that has been our lives for the last couple of months. But for now, we are still trying to get out of boxes and learn to love the South all over again. Clarksville is awesome because everything you need is right here......well actually I mean every restaurant you need is right here!!

The kids are having a blast, especially because the Howe's (pronounced How's... :) just moved a few houses down from us. If you don't know the Howe's you are missing out! She totally bragged on us on her blog for helping them out while staying with them. She failed to mention that we totally moved in with them for almost 3 weeks! I can't explain it! In all seriousness, not one time did we feel we were unwelcomed. They exemplify charity and I can't thank them enough. (Rosie did get a little tired of us, but I think it had something to do with her Root Beer dependency!)

Strati is at Fort Riley now training and getting the kids adjusted and ready for deployment is challenging, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'll update later on the kids and especially the Phenom that we call Kambry but for now I'll leave with recent quotes from Layla who turned 5 on 5-5 and acts like she is 55.....

(In the car as we are leaving Ft. Huachuca after 6.5 years) "All Isley's crying makes me wanna blow chunks!

Layla: (Crying real tears) "I miss all of my friends in Arizona"
Me: Awwww, like who Layla?
Layla: Ummmm...like....ummmm Peanut (crying harder)
Peanut is Strati's commander's dog!

(After her teacher brings her crying to me in church)
Me: Layla what's wrong?
Layla: I just miss you soooo much...oh wait.....its time for snacks......I'm ready to go back now!

Sure!!


Well, I guess it's just me and ............................




I hate insomnia...................

True story........upon seeing this photo of the 'King of Pop' this is the conversation Isley and I had.

Isley: Why is Michael Jackson so dark in that picture?

Me: Uhhh....cuz he's black!

Isley: MICHAEL JACKSON IS BLACK????!!!

I laughed so hard, until this picture showed..............

Kambry has grown so much in 2 months. She's cooing, kicking, laughing, and just loves the kids. She's too cute. As you can see, she has bad hair days all the time. It just sticks straight out. Can't wait until it curls up into the fro'.

Layla: So Deuce...since you think you're so smart, How many countries are in the United States?!?

Isley won her class spelling bee. Then she won her school spelling bee!! She was invited to participate in the county spelling bee with the winner moving on to state. It was a total of 32 kids. She got out in the second round on the word alleviate (she forgot an L), but we are so proud of her. For those of you who know how shy she is, this was huge! I know if she had more practice and better help she would have totally won. Here is an example of the awesome help she received from her mom:

Mom: schnecke

Isley: Are you pronouncing that right?

Mom: probably not, now spell it...

Isley: Country of Origin?

Mom: German

Isley: Can you use it in a sentence?

Mom: Nope!

Isley: CAN YOU SPELL IT!?

Even though her delivery became very scary, she is doing awesome now. The kids are just in love with her. Especially Layla: "Aww she's so cute. She's just the cutest thing. She's the best baby sister ever. Uhh......What's her name again?"
Sorry it took so long to update, but we've been a little busy and me and this blogging thing aren't best friends yet. Two of my goals this year are to blog more and not to lose any of my kids! Pray for me.

Me: Layla, why are you stealing money out of my purse?

Layla: Because I'm saving up for a swimming pool to go in the backyard

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me: Deuce you know I'll be breastfeeding this baby?

Deuce: Where does the milk come from?

Me: My body makes it.

Deuce: Really? I thought only goats and cows did that. Can you make cheese too?

Most of you know I don't have a great love for politics, and I often keep my opinions to myself.
I did, however, feel a great need and desire to speak with my kids on the significance of last nights election results. Thanks to their lovely teachers I spent the last week explaining primaries, delegates, and electoral votes, but last night I threw politics out the window and spoke on simply the history that was made.
We talked with grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles, and my great aunt (96 years young) who I'm pretty sure still has no idea who I am. She explained how while she did not vote for Pres.-elect Obama, she could appreciate the history that was made and that it brought her to tears because she never thought she would see this day. (She then hung up without saying bye)
I let my kids respond and tell me their feelings. They talked mostly on what they had learned in school and how far we've come since those times. I told them stories of my grandparents and great grandparents. One of my great aunts was one of the first Black women to vote in the state of Mississippi. I wanted them to remember this day, to be able to tell their grandkids "I remember when.."
There were a few tears and we watched all the speeches and as I sent them off to bed my dear Layla summed it up "Wow, I can't believe Bronco Bama won!"

Or maybe I didn't forget I had a blog, but I tried to! And then a dear friend yelled at me!!!
Here's what we've been up to in the last few weeks.....
*Football season for us is over!!! Big Strati decided he didn't have enough to do, so he accepted a coaching position at Buena High School, while also coaching a pee wee team, and helping coach Deuce's team. And while I love football.........hmm, never mind- better not go there. Strati is now at Fort Benning for the next 7 weeks for BOLC II. Yep, that right 7 weeks of my pregnancy...many people believe this is deliberate and planned. Am I that mean while I'm pregnant???
*Isley is doing great. She's playing the flute now and loves it. She got her first 'B' ever on her report card and the tears came rolling down! As the mean mom, I had to make a joke about it and she reminded me just how HARD 5th grade is....I'm so sorry, I must have forgot!
*Deuce just finished his first year of tackle football( he still had a year eligible for flag football, but I sent his dad to sign him up and you know how that went). He was the youngest and one of the smallest on the team. But he had NO fear, unlike his mom. It was a great season for him. He came just 3 inches shy of scoring a touchdown (the ref was blind!!!) And after the game everyone ran up to him asking him questions and telling him how close and awesome it was. My son's response, "Hmmm, I don't remember that!"
Layla is still .....well she's still Layla. She's honest and funny and finds time to tell me everyday how much bigger I'm getting. She constantly makes us laugh with stuff like, "I can't clean my room because I'm scared of it", "I don't think the baby likes you, because she kicks you all the time", and on the way to church, "Does this seat belt make me look fat?"
Yes, all is well in the Young household

It's a GIRL!!!! After much anticipation, we found out what we are having. We (minus Deuce) are excited.......... I am scared! Other than that, all is well. We got some really cool ultrasound pictures, even one where she turns and gives a smile........which makes me really scared! Upon my husband's request, I'll be registering at Pep Boys.

Me: Layla, what sound does the H make?

Layla: Oh, that's the sound you make when you blow your breath in someone's face.
..............................................................................................

Me: Give me a word that begins with the letter W.

Layla: That's easy--WHAT UP!

Finally, I've decided to start a blog! I've been reading blogs before I knew what they were, and it got to the point I was reading so many that I didn't have time to start my own. So sorry for some of you, I will have to drop you from my reading to chronicle the happenings and mis-happenings of my own family. Here is just an update on our lives, so that we can avoid the redundant questions.

1. Yes, we are still at Fort Huachuca, AZ
2. Yes, we have really been here that long (6 yrs)!
3. Yes, I am pregnant with my 4th child
4. Yes, I know how it happens!
5. No, I do not know the sex of the baby, but my guess is its a boy or girl!
6. Yes, we're SUPPOSED to be moving in May to Ft. Sill, OK.
7. Yes, I know the expression you just had on your face!
8. Yes, we are excited to move to such an unexciting place.
9. Yes, I'm sure that Strati has made someone mad.
10. Yes, I'm sure you'll have even more questions, that I can't promise I will answer!

Peace...........