Kindergarten, kangaroos, and Karats

So we are about 8 weeks or less away from John coming home and I can't wait.  I'm sure this is no NEWSFLASH to those of you that know me, but I haven't had any time to blog.  I am lucky to have time to post on Facebook.  Part of me thought that this whole blog thing and Facebook would be redundant and I kind of believe that to have come true, but here we are again.

Things have not slowed down here a bit.  Here's a little update on what we have been doing and where we are now....

• Harper flushed my wedding ring down the toilet.  We had it custom designed about 6 years ago and paid a little under $5000 for it.  I went back to the jeweler today to get an appraisal for the insurance company and it was $12,241.  Yep, that's right.  Harper flushed 12K straight down the toilet.  Mr. Rooter (God bless them!) spent 2 8 hr days over here trying to retrieve it with no luck.  Needless to say, if we ever move, I am digging out the entire septic tank.  I may have to sell the ring to pay for it, but I will find it.  Harper still feels bad and my stomach turns knots if I think on it too long.

• Our church had an outreach weekend and Sean Michel (from Benton, AR who was on American Idol) came and did a concert at church.  We had a good turnout and he was amazing.  I can't wait to have John hear the cd.  He will love it.  It is real Bluegrass and Old Country, sounds a lot like Johnny Cash
  

• Linzi came to visit last weekend.  We went to see Miranda Lambert in concert, and Camden and I actually got to see Miranda Lambert in person.  She was nice, very quiet, and it wasn't quite what I had anticipated.  But we were fortunate enough to have the experience, and for that I am grateful. 

Camden:  (to Miranda) My daddy says hi.
Me: Do you want to tell her where your daddy is?
Camden: (to Miranda) My daddy is in Afghanistan.
Miranda:  Well, tell your daddy thank you very much

This meant a lot to Camden.  It is hard with John gone and when she talks about it and people show their gratitude, she feels proud and stands up a little taller and smiles a little bigger.  I can just picture emotional release as tension leaves her. 

• Camden started Kindergarten!  Did I just say that?!  Camden started Kindergarten!  I think I need to take a break and get some Kleenex. Day one was good...day two is a different story.  She told me today that she is annoyed that she has to sit in the same chair everyday.  She said she is sick of coloring pictures for so long.  She also told me it was stressful to split into two groups to go to Art, because she doesn't even like art.  (This comes from the child that draws in a journal everyday)  She told me that she doesn't want to go back.  We forgot to pray before school this morning and we rushed off to the bus.  I think that tomorrow will go more smoothly.  She is pumped up about PE tomorrow.  Maybe she'll get some resentment to conformity out in kickball or something.

• Harper started a new day care.  She isn't sure how she feels about it yet.  She is strangely fascinated with talking about the sleep room, where she gets to take a nap with, and I quote, all five of her friends.  Apparently she just lays down on her cot and goes to sleep peacefully. Why will this not translate to night time bed time?! Ugh, so annoying.  I can put her in bed at 7:30 after bath, teeth brushing, and book and she is up until 10.  She is wearing me out.  Tonight was better.  Maybe she played in enough sand at volleyball to make her tired.  It is 9:46 and as far as I know, she isn't laying in the hallway or on the bathroom floor, which is progress. 

So the adventure continues......

Gram looked at me the other night during dinner and said, "This is a great meal if you are hungry."  Im thinking that was a little bit of a sideways compliment.  You know, if you are starving, you will eat anything.
 Yes, I know Chicken Voile is not ideal, but we added extra broccoli and it is ready in 10-12 minutes, so it is what it is.

Working out lasted a whole two weeks.  I cannot bring myself to get up at 5:30 am to workout, or start at 9:45 when Harper finally stops coming out of her room.  One day last week, I ran 2 miles in the morning before work, came home and did Insanity, met up with Sarah and walked almost a mile, and then played volleyball for 2 hours.  Yes, I could still walk the next day, and I was surprised at how easy it was.  The next few days I ran occasionally and Camden even ran 2 miles with me.  I pray that I can get back in shape before John comes home looking Manorexic.  The skinnier he looks, the fatter I look....no matter what.

Well, I said I would get in bed before ten so I bid you adieu.