Boot Camp for My Bigs

Yep! We sent all 4 of our Bigs to a Believer's Bootcamp! They wanted to to go! It was a sacrifice, but I think they totally enjoyed it. It is called Enlisted 2 Endure. They really do focus on the relationship with Jesus Christ.  Dealing with family issues, attitudes and peer pressure that is real and getting tougher and tougher to overcome.  The kids left on Monday Morning, Mom was a bit nervous.

There was a ton of stuff to get for them. Jeans, sleeping bags, tshirts and more.  They look so calm.  I was wanting them to get the most out of it as possible.
They went with a few other teens from the church and this past Sunday, they were honored in the PM Sunday service:

Eric is on the far left. He does the sound for church so is hanging there until the boots are called.  You can see Gabe in front. He was the one who called the instructions.  He loved it!  The boy so wants to be in the military. Oh help this momma!

 The did dress right dress, present arms, some right and left facing, and about face.

Pastor was also one of the DIs at the boot camp, and although he was their DIs, he talked with each child's DI, and said the nicest things about our children.  Then each boot gave a testimony of how they enjoyed it.

Abby looks so serious.  She was the one I was the most "worried" about.  She is sensitive, and she had a blast!  She did it, and I am rather proud of her too.

Anna had us all rolling. Apparently Pastor got the scoop on her inability to go right or left.  The common heard phrase, was YOUR OTHER Right BOOT!  I was laughing so hard.  She is a goober, but all ours!

Gabe is totally into this. They have obstacle course, paintball and challenges that he thrives in.  He didn't even look nervous, just smiled and took it like a soldier!

The boots practiced late all week, and did a song from the Boot Camp that they loved.  This was Gabe's first time on the drums, and Eric's first on the bass. Mom was so impressed!

 They are some amazing teenagers. We are proud as can be of them and hope they are able to go next year.  They have to earn the money next year.  This was a one time Parent Paid trip!

back to school!

As the smell of chile's being roasted waft thru the air, the yellow school buses rumble up the street. School has begun!

The Little's were lookin' mighty cute in their new duds.  A bit florescent!

Abby and Anna took the time to look purty, now that they can wear mascary:

Abby looks so stunning in white.  She is all happy. This is good, I have to admit, I am gonna miss them a whole lot.  I did enjoy having them at home the past few years.

 Anna's new shirt makes me so happy, she was so hilarious when we were shopping, I bet she tried on 30 different shirts.

 Gabe, he is so easy going.  He is really happy about being out of the house and going to school.  He is going to do fantastic.  I am happy about his electives too. Welding and RoTC!

 Here is the happy mom, sadly also sick with strep throat. ugh.  But still smiling!

We trudged to the Elementary first, and took the obligatory photo outside the school:

Eric gets a pass, because he is in college and doesn't start for two more weeks!

Mrs. Woods is Jordan's teacher, and 12 years ago...she taught Eric. Kind of trippy.  Jordan was not sure about school. But he did inform me after school that he would go back again. ha ha

We dropped the girsl off at the Middle School, and took this photo from the van...tee hee...MOOooooom! lol

There is a ton of construction going on at both schools, so we took the long way to get Gman to high school  I knew there would be no pose from him...so we dropped him at a stop sign , he ran across the street and I yelled hey:

Yeah! I got it! woo hoo
I dropped Tony and Eric off to work on my dining room entry way.  I then went to get meds from the VA clinic for my swollen throat.  Three hours later, I was drugged, and slept for a few hours.  Made some cookies and smiled as the kids came rolling home.

Aquatic Park Part two!

Last year, right after we got the boys, in June we took them to Las Cruces (indoor)Aquatic Park.  It was insane. They had the a/c blasting, the water was freezing, and none of the little's could swim.  Recipe for disaster.  We survived and a bit more than a year has passed.  Friday we went back. All can swim, although Whitley is still a bit scared of the water, he pushes it to hang with everyone.
It was great! They have the doors open, so the air from outside (hot, hot, hot) comes in the place. We knew it wasn't an all day event, so planned on 2 hours, and it was perfect!
We drove in first to get Abby's glasses(she broke them earlier in the month).  Then to a couple stores for things we can't get in Alamo.  Hobby Lobby, mall and Jack n Box for lunch!
See what a difference a year makes:
Davondre last year:

Bondre this year:

Love that smile! He is a fish, loves the water and will just be in his own little world for hours as long as there is water!

Then Jordan last year with Abby:

Then this year, he worked a bit with Dad, and no life jacket needed at all! 

Whitley last year, was attached to me! I felt like I had a barnacle! He would not take off that life jacket for nothing!

 I snuggled him this year, but only in between him going down the slide alone!

This photo of ABBY makes me smile: 

 I think Tony and I look a whole lot more relaxed this year too! It was a great day and a good end to the summer!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Pancake kinda day!

Great morning! Little Man (J) had a follow up appointment for his front teeth. They thought he was going to need silver caps! Yikes, I was thinking, the boy does not need a silver grill! The dentist was hilarious, and said, that is just silly, he is 5, they are gonna fall out in 3-6 months.  Lets do a local and small filing and make him happy! It made Mom very happy.  They did give me some extra strength fluoride to floss and brush on before bed to help keep that cavity from growing!
We got home a bit later than expected, so I missed the work out at the gym.  So hey, lets make pancakes, with peanut butter and chocolate chips in them! oh course! They were awesome, and.....we went to the pool!
The SLIDE IS FINALLY open! lol, school starts Monday, and the slide is done! Perfect timing! snort!

 Abby coming on down!!

 Jordan with a big smile! All by himself!

 Whitley was satisfied with the little slide, then mom took him on her lap.  He loved the big slide, but only with Mom!

 Anna and Bondre at the top of the slide

 Anna breaking the rules head first and on her tummy!!

 Isn't that beautiful? I just so enjoyed the weather yesterday, two hours in the pool, laughing with my crazy kids!

 J and Gabe in an intense water fight.

 Eric our friendly neighborhood sniper.  Punk got me right in the kisser!

 Jordan hung tough against his big brothers!

 It was a frenzy fun time.

 Whitley drinks more pool water I believe!

 oh and DaVondre down the slide, like his big sister! lol

are all those kids with us? yep!
We snacked on the pancakes, laughed and swam and just enjoyed the end of our summer!