Back to School and Running Shoes

I have survived my first week of school! I am excited to be back, I do feel like this is where I should be!! But, what a week! I am taking 15 credit hours and the majority of classes are held on Tues and Thurs. One class on M/W/F. So Monday I survived and felt like I could handle anything and then Tues came and I decided the best way to handle it was to go through it and not run away crying, screaming and declaring defeat!! Well, I guess it wasn't that bad!
The main issue on campus is parking and so after circling for almost an hour on Tues and deciding that I was not going to miss my classes I found space to park but, not a parking space. I got into class just in-time. After class I tried catching the Universities local Bus, the Roo, and missed it. I couldn't find my cell phone so walked to my car to find a parking ticket. Found my cell phone and I thought I better not move my car since I already got the ticket for this spot might as well use it all day!! So ran accross campus to my next class. Caught the Roo coming back and did make it for the third!! Very exhausted and without any bathroom breaks or time to eat inbetween!! I drove home to find no one there. Got things organized and then headed out to my last class of the day with the fam just pulling in and enough time to kiss them hello and good bye!! That class is only once a week and so it does not usually end till 8pm! I grabed a soft pretzel for dinner and then onto class! My saving grace was that I got out of class early so I could go home and put my kids to bed!! I then had to do make a list of all the supplies that I was going to need!!

The rest of the week has gone good! Found parking on Thurs. Classes are great and even have friends including someone from my ward in two of my classes!! I have learned that the fastest way to get back and forth between Polsky and Schrank is running. So today I went out and bought running shoes!! I should be really fit by the end of this semester!!

Papa's Garden

When we moved into my parents house last summer after awhile of being here Jenna told my mom that she was so glad we moved here to Nana's house because she has the BEST yard!

There has been so many wonderful blessings that have come into my life this past year. I am so thankful to my parents for opening their doors to me and my kids! We love being here and are so happy.

My parents yard and garden has been a wonderful blessing in our life. My dad is a quiet man but, the most hard working man I know. Generally if my dad is home he is working in the yard and in the Garden. My kids love working by his side and I know they are building so many memories with him that are character building and life long lessons. He talks to them, plays with them, and teaches them while they are outside working!

The picture above is a strawberry left from our friend the chipmunk. We had seen him earlier sitting there quietly eating and very happy! The garden is a blessing to many more than just my family!

The garden provides the blessing of fruits and veggies. We had strawberries earlier this year and now are getting lots of raspberries. We have eaten many wonderful foods from the garden such as corn, green beans, squash, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, and we have growing, potatoes, and pumpkins for later!! I am thankful for this blessing and for teaching me the importance of a garden!!

We have many friends in our yard! There is a small pond that we find many frogs, the frogs are also all over the yard, there are birds, butterflies, insects, chipmunks, squirrels, and more. Of course some are more wanted than others!! And a few weeks ago we were all stung by bees and that was not enjoyable!! The kids are just starting to play outside again!! We are thankful for all of God's creatures. Peyton said he is excited for heaven when the bees are nice to him!

This is my most favorite spot in the whole house! I love to eat, read, talk, and reflect here as I can enjoy the beauties of the yard, here the rain outside, or the pond nearby with all the soft noises of the insects and frogs! When we have had our friends over this is the room we all love to sit in and enjoy each others company while the children our playing around us!!

I start school tomorrow and am filled with excitement, a little overwhelmed, anxious, worry, sadness, but mostly gratitude! I am thankful to have had a wonderful summer, thankful for family and friends! Thankful for my parents! And very thankful for all the great opportunities that I have had and for my next adventure to go back to school!! I am so filled with love and gratitude to my Heavenly Father!

Camel Rides

We went to the Cleveland Zoo yesterday as a farewell gesture to summer! I start school on Monday then the kids will start soon after!! We were walking around and they offered Camel rides!! We all got to go! It was so much fun! What a great Memory!!

Dinosaur Park

Two doors down from our house is a Dinosaur Museum and Park. We drive past daily but have never been. So last Saturday I took the kids! They were overjoyed!! It was really fun! The museum is a creation museum which means they teach that we have a creator, about the creation, and teach from the Bible. Lot's of good info! The kids and I all learned something! We can't wait to go again!
P.S. It is geared toward children probably age 4 and up. The park younger and you can just do the park if you want for a separate fee. But, this is a good date and definitely for adults, too!!

This is outside the Museum in the Dino Park! The kids loved all the fun activities!!

They look like they are in the Amazon! This was part of there obstacle course. It was a fun experience.

Akron Aeros Game

It rained all day last Saturday! We were so looking forward to a baseball game but, not sure if it would happen!! We decided we were going to go and just see what happens. When we left it had stopped raining and we ended up with a perfect night for a base ball game!! It was really a good time!!

They liked the Mascot- here he is running the bases!!

Matt, Laura, and David!

My parents were the ones that made it all possible! And the Allen family joined us as well!

Here is the kids having a good time with Cotton Candy!

Jacob and Hyrum Allen! They were so fun to be with!

With the Aero's game you can really get close no matter where your seats are! The kids loved that!

The Aero's won the game!! The score was 9 to 2! Great game with lots of action (as much as baseball games can!!)

Cedar Point

We went to Cedar Point on Monday and had a wonderful time. The kids enjoyed it and were really good! They loved going on rides even the ones that spin you around- I can't do those. It was a fun family activity and I did get to go on a couple of Roller Coasters myself which was fun!!

Adalyn's Blessing

We had such a great time with Cory, Diane, and baby Adalyn. It was a wonderful visit and was so great to beable to share the baby's blessing with us! She is so precious and adorable! I am so in love with her. I also really enjoyed having those special bonding moments with Diane and loved hanging out with Cory. So did the kids- Uncle Cory is a lot of fun!! What a great Visit- we miss you guys already!!

FYI- Yes, I made the bows she is wearing!

Balloon Fest 2009

We have gone to the Balloon Festival in Canton every year for years. I look forward to it with the kids!! Because of rain and wind the Balloons did not take off this year. We still took part of the festivities and the kids got to explore a Hot Air Balloon and go in the basket, there was also Fireworks- they were Fantastic!!