October fun

Halloween was such a great time. It was bitter sweet though because it was our first holiday as a family in another state. It was celebrated around our area for two days. The kids loved getting dressed up two times. Saturday we had a party for the end of the season baseball and softball season. The kids had a great time!! We went to a block party and the kids saw lots of kids from school and we met up with lots of friends!! After we had dinner with some frinds and then took the party to our house!! We used the hot tub and the kids seemed to have a good time!! It was so much fun! There are hardly any subdivisions here so all the trick or treating is street walking and the house are spread out so alot of people do the trunk or treating!! We did end up on Sunday doing some of both. The kids got so much candy. They had a blast!!

We are also putting in new flooring, which has been a project for a few weeks now!! So far so good and hopefully we can get done tonight!! It is looking so GOOD !! I love Cody that he is so willing to put it in and he is doing a great job!! The hot tub is needed as he is super sore from all the bending!!

I got a JOB!! I am so excited and I start next week!! The kids are going to go to a after school program through the YMCA and they are pretty excited about that!! It is just a Registrar position through a local medical office but I feel good about the opportunity and getting into the medical field!! I will keep you update on that!!

A look back

Time to look back a few months....I just downloaded some over due pictures from our trip to Lagoon when we lived in Idaho and when Austin played AllStar Baseball as our last season in Idaho. Here are a few of those picture!!

2 months of living in NC

Cody was camera happy!!


First day of School!!

It has been officially over 8 weeks since we have moved to North Carolina!!! Where has the time gone??? Well I will tell ya....

The kids are adjusting to school and they come home excited about their day. The teachers are GREAT and all 3 kids are meeting some amazing kids and friends!! Katelyn has missed a few friends from Idaho esp Gavin but she has found a new crush. The only problem is he is in 7th grade!! He is on Austin's baseball team!! He is a cutie though!! Austin still doesn't care for girls which I am okay with. And for Bryce, well he has a girlfriend, and he tells everyone that she is CUTE!! Her name is Bezida. She is a sweet little girl but it is so funny to hear how Bryce talks about her. He tells us that he is in love and she doesnt know it!! Or we ask Bryce if she is in his class, he replies yes. We ask if they sit by eachother he says yes right beside him.... So we have fun with that and say Bezida sits Beside ya.... it funny!!

The kids are in baseball and soon to be in basketball. Everyday of the week we are at a practice or a game. The only day to get things done is Sunday. Katelyn is doing GREAT in softball as this is her first year playing with the only girls!! Austin is AMAZING with the older kids and it is so fun to see the older kids just encourage him and help him achieve and succeed. Bryce is playing coach pitch ball and he is having a blast and is a SUPER little hitter!! I am having a blast watching the kids and meeting some moms along the way.

Cody is doing great at his job and still have high expectations for himself. He is also coaching Bryce's team and so he is busy too!! We eat dinner together about 9 pm, I know its bad for you but it is the time we get home and have some down time. And when i say we, I mean Cody and me, the kids eat before games!! I do feed them, lol!!

I am still trying to get the house in order and trying to find colors to paint and decor ideas. There are about 5 rooms that I am trying to accomplish but I just look at colors and I like them all but not sure if they are right in that room!! I need a creative vibe my way!!! I am helping 2 days a week in Bryce's class and it is fun to see him learn and grow!! He is a sweet kid in class and always gets compliments on how much he helps and interacts with the daily things they do!! He is eager to learn!!

Illness took over my life for 3 and a half weeks and I am glad to get my life back and this house back in order and accomplished!! I was diagnosed with cluster headaches and there were days where I could only get our of bed for a few hours a day. It was miserable, BUT I am back!!

The weather is awesome right now!! Not to hot and not to cold during the day. At night gets chilly...So that means one thing---HOT TUB time!! I am so excited about that and so are the kids!! Well I think that is all for now till I get some painting done so her are a few pictures of life the last 8 weeks!!

Since we got to NC

More pictures of our 3 day adventure

Pictures of the Trip

Rockin' North Carolina!!!

We have made it safe to North Carolina and officially have our house in order. We are enjoying it alot, but there are a lot of little things around the house that needs fixed our painted(due to style differences) or the outside yard work or just simply hanging up pictures.

The drive was LONG and when I say long I mean almost 40 hours in the Penske truck and with 5 dogs and kids!! I must say right now though that my kids were the Best that I have ever seen them!!! They didnt whine to much and they actually were pretty excited to cross the different states!!! We crossed 12 of them. We started in Idaho saying our Goodbyes in New Plymouth with my family and then went up to Twin Falls for a few days and got to see Codys family and have a few more goodbyes. Then my dad drove the Penske truck and the Herrmann crew rode in the van. He met us in Twin and we crossed Utah, Wyoming and stopped in Nebraska for the night. The next morning we got up bright and early and crossed Iowa, Missouri, Kansas(only the border though) stopped in Illinois. Then the 3rd morning we went to Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia, and then to our Home state of North Carolina..... That day with the heat index it was 120 degrees....Super hot and HUMID!!! It has been 2 weeks since we have moved here and it is humid everyday but 1 that I could enjoy!!! The thunderstorms here are alot bigger in NC and when it rains, it sure does POUR!!!

The kids are registered for school and they are excited about starting. The first weekend of August is no tax weekend in NC so everyone does their school shopping, it just so happened to be the weekend that we decided to check out the mall!!! Cody wasnt happy because the mall was like Walmart on Black Friday!!! and He doesnt do shopping on Black Friday....lol....I of course didnt mind it and neither did Katelyn!!! We did get some awesome deals and Cody verified again that he was not going shopping on BF with me again this year!!!

Cody is doing great at his job here and adjusting well!!! They have him on some new projects which he is enjoying!! He has sure come along way in this company and we are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished!!

As for me I am getting my directions figured out and have now made it to most stores without my GPS. I am really proud of how far I have come in the last 2 weeks.. I have accomplished alot in and out of the house and I can not wait to get the kids in school and start Zumba at the YMCA!!! The hardest thing for me is that Bryce will be in kindergarten all day and it is everyday!! He will do great though and I am excited to help in the classrooms....

I know that I am carrying on in this post so my next few post will be of just pictures!!! Hope you all are having a great end of the summer vacation!!!

It is all about Austin!!

So my little guy is 7!! Cody has been in North Carolina so this was the first birthday or holiday that he missed for our kids!! This birthday def. was different due to Cody being gone but Austin didnt want to party.....All he wanted to do was be with his PAPA and go hunting!! So a few days before his big day he and my dad went camping and hunting. They came back on his birthday in the late afternoon!! He had a great time and got exactly what he wanted!! He is a spoiled kid!! He got games for his DS and and IPOD nano and a RIPSTICK and money...He figured out to ride that ripstick in just 1 day....I cant get on it because I fall off right away!! He makes it looks so easy!! He loves the IPOD nano and he listens to it everyday!! Here are a few pictures of his birthday!!

2 weeks tilll our journey begins..

Almost time to go to North Carolina~~~ We are definitely ready for the adventure!! Cody has been there for officially 2 weeks and I miss him like crazy!! I miss talking to him mostly and his help with the kids!! For the 4th of July we went to Lagoon with my family and we had a lot of fun!! Katelyn went on rides that I wouldn't even look at....she went on the sky coaster even...yes the one that went 150 feet in the air and drops you!! After Lagoon we stayed in Twin Falls with Cody's family for the week and went fishing and got to spend some quality time with the family!! We celebrated Austin's 7th birthday there and he had an amazing cake!! I will post pics of the adventures soon!! So after being in Twin Falls, we are back at my moms house for the rest of the month and it has been anything but resting!! Bryce had his tonsils and adnoids and tubes in his ears again so it has been very hard recovery for the little guy!! We are up every 4 hours and getting medicine to him!!! I am not use to getting up 2 times in the middle of the night but if it keeps the pain gone for my little guy then it is worth it!! We are headed to McCall this weekend as long as Bryce is doing better!! Today is a good day!! Only 2 weeks left and I have a lot to get done and a lot of people to see!! I will keep you posted on all the exciting things happening and I will post pics soon!! Also Austin turned 7 yesterday so I will post about that in the next few days!!

And we are spent!!

Everything is in storage!! Our house is empty and as I sat in the living room on the floor it hit me hard that this will be the last Idaho house that we will be in, or at least for a long long time!! It is really sad to think about but at the same time exciting!! We are at my moms for the month and that in itself is nice but chaotic too!

This last weekend has been quite an adventure!! We have had massive baseball games for Austin!! I must say that I am so proud of how much he has grown as a player and individual!! We got our first win this last weekend and that was so neat for the boys!! They have worked so hard so the victory was sweet and for the parents too!! Saturday we went into the bracket as the 4th seed!! So we played our first game and won again!! Then we had to play the #1 team and we lost by one run!! It was such a great game and to actually compete with the number one team was so nice!! The boys looked awesome and I am so proud of the only 6 year old on the team I must say that he can compete well with those 8 year olds!! Way to go Austin!!

It seems like life hasnt slowed down at all for us and I am def. in need of a break!! Cody leaves Thursday and it will be nice for him to have a month to relax and get to know the area and find us a HOME!! I am so proud of him for making this change and doing what is best for him and our family!! He is such a great dad and husband and I am excited for the journey that we are going on together!!

I am a little nervous myself to leave because of course my family and my friends! I really wish I could take some people with me!! I hope that everyone can make it down once while we are there and plan a few trips to disney world since we will be 8 hours away!! I will write soon and hopefully with some pictures of my last month in Idaho!!

Katelyn is 9

My little girl turned 9 yesterday!!! These last nine years have flown by and she has made leaps and bounds into the little lady that she has become today!! I am so proud of all her accomplishments. First, Katelyn is in 3rd grade and has gotten perfect attendance!! That is a whole school year without getting sick or missing a day!! I am so proud of her for this!! For perfect attendance at school she gets a certificate for a bike and helmet!! Way to go sis!! Then also, at her school she has received the superintendent award!! The requirements for that were doing work with great attitude and doing what she needed to go on to the next grade!! She was one of the highest ISAT scores also in the 3rd grade!! She is an absolutely amazing kid. On top of her academic achievement, she is in baseball, which is coming to an end but let me tell you she has come a long way!! She is our little catcher and she beings so much fun and excitement to the team!! She is a great hitter and when she connects to ball, look out outfield!! She is an awesome basketball player and she has so many great things ahead of her!! If only she would leave the boys alone. She has had a crush on the same boy for almost 2 years. They are really sweet together and play extremely well together!! Gavin is a Hoot to have to our house!! As everyone has read in past posts we are moving and she has such a great attitude about it!! She listens to everything that is being said about this new adventure and she looks to all the positive about it!! And she keeps reminding me of all the great experiences that we will have!! She has been a blessing to me and life without her wouldn't be as fun or entertaining as she gives to us now!! I am so proud of you Miss Katelyn and I love you so VERY much!!!

A recap of her birthday.... She had a friend birthday at Edwards movie theatre and saw shrek the final chapter. She had about 15 kids and they all seemed to have a good time. She got some neat things from friends and she loved being able to start the movie!!! Then next day we had a family party and received some nice gifts, along with a nintendo dsi XL!!! she loves that thing!! She is a lcky little girl!! Then for her birthday I took treats into her class and got her some flowers and balloons in the class as well!!! She had a baseball game last night and got the birthday song numerous times and had an enjoyable birthday!!! I cant believe that she is nine!! WOW!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!!

Hunting......for a House that is!!

House Hunting is so fun but when you are doing it 23oo miles away from these houses, it can be very hectic.. I love looking at the pictures and all the details that people put into their homes and the furnishings!! It makes me get some great ideas for my house and makes me want to hurry and get to a new home so I can start all the neat remodeling projects. I have found so many houses that I like but when you put other factors into a big city, you have to look at the distance for Cody to drive to work and the schools that the kids will be in and it can be an all day event on the computer. I am enjoying it though but I just wish the whole move was over and the stress of moving was gone. I hate being stressed out and I this is a huge thing that is VERY stressful!! I hope that you all have a great weekend and when we get a house lined up I will share all the photos!!

Lots to Say....

As I write this bare with me....I am sure I will be all over the place....

So many emotions come as I write about some newly updates....

1- Cody's mom has been diagnosed several months ago with terminal cancer and there is no treatment that was coming close to stopping it or even slowing it down. So the family decided to do a research for all the other people to come one step closer to a cure..... She had a week before she was to get on the plane and start this research and they denied her last minute.....As we lose hope she went back to her Salt Lake doctor and did some more tests.....Come to find out that her cancer spots in her lungs have not grown and she is holding strong.....She has eight weeks to enjoy the family and life before she does a new research study. So please keep the prayers coming as they get a little closer to Finding a cure and for Brenda's strength.

2- I Graduated from College.....YAY!!! It was exciting and I took it all in....Too see my family there and the pride they felt in me was overwhelming at times..... Everyone around me in the graduating class were crying and I was thinking why???? But after grad I saw Katelyn holding thumbs up and Austin blowing kisses and Bryce waving like he was so proud....I lost it and said this is why I did what I did and I do what I DO!!! After we came to my house and had a little celebration with my gmas and aunts and parents.....Over and over I heard I am proud of you!!! Ans to hear it from my dad, WOW!! Every daughter wants to hear that!!! My mom wrote me a nice card that I couldn't even read all the way through cause I was an emotional wreck!! It feels good to do something for myself and to make so many people proud along the way....So I am officially a college graduate....

3- Austin is trying out for All Star Baseball!!! He is awesome!! He is the only 6 year old that is trying out and let me tell you that out of 25 kids, he is top 12!!! He is so athletic!! All he talks about, dreams about and after school all he wants to do is play or watch baseball!!! Cody had to play 7 hours with Austin and his friend on Saturday after his first day of tryouts!!! Holy smokes There arm had to have been tired!!!

Next issue is a little touchy to me......Cody is losing his job in Boise Idaho....I know as you read that you say, what are you gonna do now!!! Well, the answer is we are moving to North Carolina... Why, because Cody"s division in Boise is closing but staying open in Phoenix and Charlotte, NC....The job opportunities for Cody to move up in the company in Phoenix isn't as good as Charlotte, that is where the head quarters are!! After much deliberation, and I mean months...We felt it was an opportunity that Cody had to take...And me being his wife and his support system, it is where I need to be as well..... And I know there are multiple opportunities for me and the kids there as well. I plan on attending school and the kids will do our normal routine... Sports, school and fun activities....
The beach is 2 hours away, Disneyworld is 8 hrs away..Wash DC is 5 hrs away and the zoo, compared to Boise, well we know how that is!! lol is right around the corner!!! And being in a new place I am sure we will get lost a lot and find many adventures... Duke basketball is there so we plan on attending games and seeing some NBA and baseball games......And my sister will now be 11 hours away!!! Still far but closer than we were!!

When the family first heard, It was a little hard for them and there was not much support. Now, people are coming around and I am so excited to take this new journey with Cody!!

Our plan--- Cody leaves July 1st and will be there for a month and find a house and get things lined up but in the mean time in Idaho, I am moving to my moms and putting our stuff in storage...It will save a little bit of money and a little extra time with the family before the big move!! Cody will fly back the first few days in August and spend a few days with family and friends and we plan on leaving the 5th and driving 4 days to our new home in NC!!! Wish us luck!! I will be sure to update you more as we get closer!! Also, it is official and this is NOT a joke....Our moving van is reserved for Aug 5th....My family asks me all the time is this for real??? and Yes everyone it is!!! So lets all get together cause it will be last few months in Idaho for probably a year or so!! But for sure we will stay in contact and I miss all you so very much and thanks for all the support!! Especially my sister!!!

all new

So today is my last day at my extern site and at 1 o clock this afternoon I will officially be a College Graduate!! I will miss the team at ICI but I will be glad to take a few steps forward into a career and get paid for it now!! There are so many things that I accomplish now that I have a little bit of radiology under me. I am planning on joining the BSU program in the fall and I can not tell how EXCITED I am about that!!

Also, As my last post stated we went to Twin Falls this last weekend. I tore some cartilage in my knee so I am in a brace and all the fun stuff that goes with it !! I hate getting hurt or sick because so many people depend on me and it is very hard to depend on someone else to help me out!! But I do appreciate Cody for everything that he has done...On the other hand it is very nice to get hurt because he has cleaned bathrooms, done alot of the cooking, laundry and most of all he is doing bath time and most playtime with the kids!! I must say that I am impressed with the way he is handling things!!

This weekend is the last weekend of wrestling!! I am def ready to start sleeping in on Saturdays and beginning to go back to scheduling weekend trips and going hunting more now, as soon as my knee gets back to normal, but I love watching my son grow and develop and become stronger as a person. It is such a emotional sport that he really has no one to blame for losing but him. And that he does, he takes all things very personal and he gets very tempered and angry. He really strives to be the best and I must say that he is an over achiever, like his momma.... He is such a phenominal little man and I really hope that he can excellerate this weekend!! He always gets 2nd or 3rd place and he has worked extremely hard this week for that 1st place spot. So lets keep our fingers crossed on that!! I will post the results soon on that !!!

So, things are going in our family and we are running smoothly. I have got alot of questions about what happened to Bruna, our foreign exchange student that we had for 3 months and my answer is... I am NOT sure!! I wish her all the best of luck in her life and I really hope that she is continuing here in the United States but I am not sure!! I ahvent recieved any updates on that!!

So, I hope that you all have a great day and look for updates for Austin's tournament this weekend!! Also, if you want to come....Colombia High School, Saturday at 9 am....

Family photos

So we went to Twin for the weekend and had a great time!! We did some finishing, went to a few of the favorite restraunts and got to spend time with Cody's family!! While we were there we also decided to do family pictures because both Cody's mom and grandma both have terminal cancer and we are not wasting time with them and making memories for the kids....As many as we can cram in!!! Here are a few pictures of our session...The rest are sitting in my camera!!! I know I know.... soon I will post them, or at least sometime!!

Future plans and details.

So as I update my blog, I am thinking of my new adventures that I want to share with all of you!! The first news is, Cody got an offer to Charlotte for work. We are still in debate over taking it but it definetely would be a new adventure. We are praying that we get answers for the right decision. There are so manygreat things in Idaho, family and friends. But at the same time a new life and adventure awaits us!! So we are still deliberating. Hopefully we will have answer in the next week or so. Also, this move wont be for me and the kids until the end of summer. I want to stay here and enjoy the FUN months with my family and my sister comes for 3 weeks in July, which I have to be here for. So keep prayingthat we make the right choice in this HUGE decision!!
Also, no matter where we go, I am headed back to school for a few more years!! I finally have decided to go for an ultrasound tech and I am so excited about my career choice. The reason behind my choice is I get alot of experience in working in ultrasound right now with my extern site. It is so cool how things work and all the things you can do in the medical field. I can't wait for the future and all it holds for our family!!

Still kicking

It has been a while since I have been on here so while I was updating the wrestling blog I thought I might come on here and see what is new in the blog world!!! Here is a recap of my life..... It has been very busy as I try to finish my extern hours. I am half way done and I am so excited to get closer to the end!! I must say that it is nice to get some hand on experience but at the same time very stressful to find the kids a babysitter and being away from them....

It is spring break and the kids are enjoying the time off.... I wish Cody and I had it off too... My mom got back from Michigan and she took the kids for a few nights so I could work.. It really is nice to have family. And my cousins have been a huge help too!! What would you do with out family???? I sure don't know....

It is wrestling season which means I have absolutely no weekends off.... Austin and Bryce are wrestling every Saturday and they are doing great!!! I must say that I absolutely love wrestling but at the same time I am always so nervous when it comes to Austin wrestling....

The kids had their yearly checkup and the kids are doing well.. They are growing rapidly... They are all in the 75 percentile in their height and weight.... I must say that I have the best kids ever!!

Cody is still doing great in his job and he got another raise!! I can not believe how fast time has gone because he has been there 5 years already!! He is so wonderful and a great provider!!

Also the kids are starting baseball and Bryce is getting ready for tball.. Cody is coaching katelyn and Austin in Rookie and it is going to be a great but busy season... I know I am ready for the warm weather!!

As far as my extern, I am not sure where I am going after this 160 hours but where ever I go I am sure that I am going into the field well trained and ready to prove myself!!!

Rules are broken....

Changes....Oh mighty how things are changing!! As you all know, we had a foreign exchange student, Bruna. Well Cody and I have decided that is best for her to leave our home. There is alot of pain and anger that has been caused!! To sum it up, she is spoiled, she gets what she wants in Brazil and she has no rules. She back talks Cody and me. She has threatened Katelyn 2 times to hit her. The rules alone, is enough to say that she can not handle them. She wants to be treated like an adult and she is acting like a child. She was punished for taking advantage of my family and she got mad and tried to throw a fit. She called our coordinator at 11 at night, which lives in Idaho falls, 2 hours away...To come and get Bruna. When the coordinator told her that she was not going to make it on Bruna's demand, she got even more mad!! Her expectations of coming to my home, is that she can do what ever she wants.. I told her NO and that I am in control so she is throwing a fit like a 2 year old. Her way of handling this was to lie and tell her mother and the coordinators that we starve her!! This makes me laugh!! She is a pig at my house, she alone eats more than the 5 in my family!! She has also, gone to say that Cody and I are in a troubled relationship.....We are not perfect, but we love eachother and we are a team...Not troubled, but as I think, NORMAL!! This morning, she was screaming at her mother to sign the papers so she can get on the next flight to Brazil, her mother said no, she needs to try!! Bruna cried, screamed, and didnt get her way, so she is very mad!! So as of now, I dont know what is going on but she is not staying here!! She is determined to go back and she will destroy anything to get there!! But the one thing she will not destroy is my family and my pride.
I am determined to have a successful experience with a host student. I am not done with this process and I think this was a great learning tool for us!! I have made mistakes but I am learning and growing... I am honest with Bruna and myself when I say that I am a little discouraged at this point but I still want the best for her and I hope that she succeeds wherever she goes!!!

I understand that not all teenagers are like her....So that is my decision on not giving up...Bruna has some great friends that I have met that are not like her!! That are respectful and appreciative. My expectations were realistic for this experience, and I knew that there were stages for being homesick and/ or adjusting...I just never thought it was going to end up like this..
So it has been officially a week since we have been a family of 5 again and I can not tell you how enjoyable and relaxing life is again......We can breath and laugh in our own home!!! The last few months have been difficult but there is light at the end of the tunnel....I spoke with our coordinator the other day and she said Bruna was adjusting well and doing okay!!! So she wasnt meant for our family but we do wish her luck!!

Wrestling all day....

Saturday was full of fun excitement.... We got to spend the day watching wrestling.... Austin took 3rd and Bryce took 5th. Bryce makes me laugh cause at that age it is about having fun and bring out there..... He was losing and still smiling....Even when he got beat by a girl.....Then there is Austin that takes everything personal..... Win or lose he is mad after cause he is a hard critic on himself..... Here are a few pictures of this tournament....

Bryce got 5th place .....
He was so tired after he was done he slept 5 hours at the tournament
Austin getting ready
Austin talking with coach Robert....this is the best coach....
Staying strong!!
Bryce wrestling a girl
Love this face on Bryce......too bad he lost.....but it was fun!!

Have a great day!!