Boxes, Boxes and more Boxes. Oh and some Vick's Vapor Rub

Boxes are piled everywhere! They are all taped up except one we are taking with us. JJ was being ever so quiet this afternoon, so I took a peek at what he was doing and found him smearing Vick's all over his legs!

And after a conversation with Gretchen this morning, she thinks it weird that I have never experienced a cockroach in person before!

I have seen spiders, and all sorts of other bugs, just not cockroaches. Thank goodness!

The Three Amigos and a Sleeping Baby

The boys had a picnic in the house at Gretchen's today. The packers were at the house so I thought I would get the kiddos out of their way and hang out with our friends before we leave.

Moving Time...no tme for blogging

The movers are coming in the morning, in fact they are coming for the next three mornings. Needless to say, I won't be on the computer a whole lot. We'll have the net hooked up 'til Wednesday and then off it goes and the road we will hit Thursday morning. In Michigan, I will have limited access as my sister has dial-up. You won't be seeing much of us until we get to Wichita in mid September. Sorry folks! Sianara for now!

Blog

Sorry, I was so wiped yesterday I didn't write you anything about graduation! Thursday night we had a dinner to go to. We got the kids a sitter and had a decent dinner. JJ didn't go to bed until we got home at 9:30 so he was a ball of joy for the graduation Friday morning. He didn't do too bad according to Gretchen, but he was getting into eveything and rolling his cars down the auditorium under the rows of seats! I was so embarrassed! I think the other people were getting a kick out of it though. After the ceremony we went over to John's building for cake and orange julius' and water. It was John's idea to go to the Taj Mahal and get our pictures taken in front of that. The weather was beautiful for once. And it didn't rain until later on in the day.

Today we are cleaning and packing, not something I enjoy that is for sure! We have a birthday party to attend later this afternoon and then back to more cleaning!

CSO Graduation

Orders

John FINALLY got his orders today and went to TMO to schedule the house to be packed up. And they were able to get us movers starting next Monday! We officially leave SA next Thursday mornig, sniff sniff :(

This has all happened so fast and hasn't hit me yet. So I'll probably not be on the computer much after next week since we'll be driving back to Michigan. The plan is to have both of us drive to Wichita to drop off John's car and then he will drive us to Michigan and fly out to Spokane for his class.

Tummy Time

No not tummy time for Maddie. It's lets jump on mommy and daddy's tummies! This happens everytime I lay on the floor. JJ thinks my belly has a sign that says sit on me, or really plop down on mommy's belly with a whole lot of oompf!

A little bit of an update

We are definitely going to be sad to leave our friends in a few weeks, but definitely not sad to leave this neighborhood. A few weeks ago we heard a helicopter at around 3am. When I looked out the window it was flying pretty low with it's search light on quite near our house. Later that day it was back and when we looked out the window there were cop cars everywhere. They eventually found the guy. I believe he broke into the house two doors down and then ran some more before the cops caught him in the drainage ditch.
Then last night we heard sirens which I thought were just out on the main road. But lo and behold they were right in our neighborhood coming down the road; screeching around the corner in front of our house chasing a car going who knows how fast. There were at least 8 cop cars outside chasing after this car. According to the news he was apprehended but for what I have no clue.
I just found this link on the local news website http://www.ksat.com/news/13710192/detail.html with the story.

On a side note, we are signing the paperwork on our house tonight to be leased. John called housing at McConnell and there is no wait so we should be able to get on base no problem. Hopefully the housing is decent.

Friends

JJ has been able to spend lots of time with his friends. On Friday, we went to my friend Gretchen's house and the kids had a great time.
Yesterday my friend Janelle and her daughter Kadence were in town for the weekend so we had them over for pizza and play time. JJ and Kadence were having a great time! (So were the adults :)
It is so nice to see a friend that you haven't seen in well over a year.

Big Girl

Very happy!
Maddie likes to sit in her highchair while we eat. She just stares at all the food she will eventually be able to enjoy!
Playing with her toys in the walker.
These next two are for Anne. I dug out the T-Shirt Maddie is wearing that she had given us for JJ to wear as an infant. I forced them to get their picture taken (can ya tell?) I think Maddie would have been ok with it, but JJ took so long to get situated next to her she just got mad. In the second picture it looks like she is telling her brother off for holding her leg! I love it! (Sorry Anne, I couldn't find the booties that go with it)

This past week as been a bit crazy in the Langworthy household. John had Tues-Thurs off, but we spent most of that super cleaning the house to have it shown this weekend. We did manage to go to the circus on the 4th which was a bit overwhelming for all of us. John says we aren't going back until the kids beg and beg to go.
About a month and a half ago, we posted our futon on craigslist.com. A gentleman came down to buy it and just jokingly said would we want to trade for a weekend at his cottage on the river. John and I looked at each other and said why not. So this past weekend was spent in an adorable cottage on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels. It was just 40 minutes from our house. It was so peaceful and relaxing. The weather wasn't very cooperative, but it hasn't been down here for the past month. It has rained everyday for the past 25 days, I believe. It is so wet, but at least we don't have to water the grass!
Yesterday we went to the children's museum in New Braunfels and today we stopped at Landa Park and got to ride the little train around the park. JJ had a blast!

Tractor Tippin'

If you've seen Cars then you know why JJ does this with his tractors every single day!!!

Crafty Creations

Here are my latest craft projects. My mother-in-law sent me a pattern kit for baby hats. The blue one JJ is wearing is actually for my niece, but he HAD to wear it. It has a bow on the back of it so it is a bit girly for him...

Report Date and other Goodies...Don't skip reading this post!!!!

John came home yesterday to tell me that his report no later than date to Wichita is 30 Sep. He has to report for Survival school I believe 8 Aug and will be gone until 30 Aug. Soooo, in the event that John is gone, the kids, dogs and I are going to be heading back to Michigan until mid-September. John plans on driving us up there and then flying to Washington where his first school is and then when he is done, he will go to Wichita to house hunt and then come and spend some time in Michigan with us.

I've already got plans the weekend of the 10, 11, 12th for a family camping event at my mom's and on the 18th I am planning on attending my ten year class reunion in Spring Lake. So if your in Michigan and want to see us, which I am sure you do :) let me know what days work for you, especially for those of you on the east side of the state (Kristin) :)

On a different note, we are searching for a new home for Libby. As much as we love her, she needs to be in a home where she will get more attention. So if you know of anyone who would like a small, house broken, loving dog let me know...

Kiss the Baby!

JJ is sooo sweet to his baby sister. He loves to pat her head and give her kisses. Now I know of course this will change over a period of time. But I'll take it while I can!

Friends and Food

Our friends, Gretchen and Jack, came over to play on Friday. Jack was really having a good time feeding JJ his Kix cereal. They are so cute!

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Well, at least on Thursday it was...

Baking Day

It was a rainy day with lots of thunder and lightening today. The three of us stayed in our pj's all day! Since was yucky out and we couldn't play in the backyard, I decided we should bake muffins. JJ loves helping me, especially when it comes time to lick the beater! He then realized how yummy the batter tastes and started sticking his whole hand in the batter I had already put in the muffin tin. You can see how upset he got when it was time to bake!

Crumb Topped Banana Muffins
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 easpoon salt
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted

Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, to taste
1 tablespoon cold butter
1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

In lg bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
Mix bananas, sugar, egg and butter.
Sti into dry mixture just until moistened.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
Combine first 3 topping ingredients.
Cut in butter until crumbly.
Sprinkle over muffins.
Bake at 375° for about 20 minutes, until muffins test done.
Cool in pan for 10 minutes.

New Thing Over there---->

I was told about this world map by my friend Gretchen and finally saw it on someone else's myspace. I googled it and found the code! We'll see how it works.

Appetizer

I need to bring an appetizer to a girls night tomorrow...Anyone got any suggestions?

Wall Art by JJ Langworthy

Up for auction is this beautiful artwork by a new and upcoming artist, JJ Langworthy! We are starting bids at $25.

The paper art is starting at $10.

Pretty Girl

Here is Maddie in her new dress before we went to church yesterday morning.

Dressed in Blue

Everything in Texas is Big, Including Bugs!

I put my ring next to it just to show you how big this thing really was. He just sat there for a long time and then Libby sniffed him and he hopped away.

Finally!

No smiling

Maddie was all smiles, but once the camera came out she said no more!

Nerds, Cars and Haircuts

We decided it was summer haircut time. In order to let daddy cut his hair, JJ had to have candy Nerds in his hand and the movie Cars playing. He did much better with this haircut than the one at the barbershop last time.

Green Bananas

Since living in San Antonio, I purchased many a bunch of bananas. On three separate occasions, they have never ripened! The first bunch was from Sam's and they promptly replaced them for me with a new bunch that were fine. The second was from the commissary, I believe, and I never bothered to return them. And this last bunch again from the commissary, I have had for over a week now and they are still green as can be and hard as a rock. Has this ever happened to anyone before, or is it just me? We have bought bananas in North Dakota without a hitch as well as Michigan. This is very strange to me...

PS. I just emailed Del Monte to see if they have anything to say! Thanks Gretchen for giving me the idea to utilize their customer service.

Here ya go!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Pictures...

Yes, I know I am slacking in the picture department lately. I think the camera might even have some dust on it ;)

2 Months Already!

Maddie had her two month check-up this morning. She weighed 11lbs 12oz and was 24.5 in long, which put her in the 75-90th percentile for both. Her head on the other hand is in the 25th percentile--it is so petite :) She also got 3 shots in the thighs and an oral med. But of course she was the good one of the two kids today. JJ ate a good share of his Kix while we were waiting for the doctor to come in, it was waiting for the vaccinations that he got a little irritated with. But a good ol' lolly, as we call them from the nice technician cleared is impatience up right away!

First steps in house selling...

Last weekend John contacted AHRN.com which is sponsored by the Department of Defense to help us find a realtor in our area to help us sell our house. We have hemmed and hawed over whether or not to rent the place out, but after seeing many a homes for rent for months at a time in the neighborhood we have decided to sell the house and not worry about trying to find renters all the time. So back to the AHRN, which actually referred us to the militarymovingstation.com. We get a consultant who directs us to two realty companies in town that have a good reputation and that other military members have used and liked. We interviewed one real estate consultant today, as he liked to call himself, and were very impressed. We have yet to hear from the other company, but should by tomorrow. I hope all of this rambling makes sense. In my own head it does, but if I didn't explain it well I apologize :)

On another note, I ran my first mile and a half in about two years tonight! It went pretty well, exept when Libby decided to do bathroom duty in front of someone's house and I forgot a baggie. The nice lady was kind enough to fetch one for me from her house. Oops! By the end of the run I was actually dragging the dogs behind me. This could be caused by the 85 degree heat and lots of humidity! Libby promptly jumped in the kiddie pool when we got home and probably drank half of it too.

First date pic...

This is a pic of John and I at our first date in who know how long. This was taken Saturday at his work party that I last blogged about. I forgot my camera so I have been waiting for a picture his coworker took.

Wichita, KS Here We Come!

So yesterday started off a little on the bad side for me. I had been planning on getting my haircut for John's work party last night for two weeks. When I arrived at the Aveda Institute with Maddie, they informed me that I could have someone watch her in the lobby, but I couldn't bring her with me to the chaiWr. Now I would understand if I brought JJ with me, but Maddie was just going to sleep in the carseat next to me. So needless to say I didn't get my much needed haircut and was pretty upset with that. Now you have to understand that I am a sleep deprived mother of two so I was pretty cranky. But I left and ran my other errands anyway. We got the house picked up yesterday and I picked up our first ever hired babysitter for the night. JJ went to bed ontime for her and Maddie drank out of a bottle no problem!! We went to Dave and Buster's for the party to find out officially that we are going to Wichita most likely later this fall.

Sleepy baby...

Anne, do you recognize the onesie? It came in the pack you sent. I love them!

Taking after Grandma

My mom loves to garden especially with flowers and JJ LOVES to help me water the flowers. He would fill his pitcher in the pool and dump it on the flowers in the backyard. I guess I won't have to worry about them not getting enough! We also played with the sidewalk chalk yesterday. When you wipe your hands over it after you have written something the powder gets on your hands so we were wiping it on each other's face like war paint!

**edit** I forgot to say that JJ didn't want to wait for me to take his clothes off; he just hopped right in the pool!

Smiles!!!

Yay! She is finally smiling a bit here and there! And I finally caught it on camera.

7 Hours

Yes, that is how long Madeline slept at one time last night! And believe it or not her diaper was dry! I was shocked at both. I am not going to keep my fingers crossed. If she does it again in the next week I will be blessed!

On another note, John has a four day weekend so he decided the car needed new struts. Midas quoted him at over $700. So he decided to take on the task himself which will save us $500. So far 3 are done and he just ran to the store to by another tool because the last one is stuck. I am so glad I have a handy man for a husband!

The weather is rainy and dreary here this weekend. We were hoping to go to the water park at SeaWorld to get some use out of our season passes, but it doesn't look very hopeful.