At Long Last

I know I haven't updated in some time. There have just been too many things going on that needed my attention I guess. I may have also lost some interest in blogging for awhile because I haven't been reading blogs much of late either.

Here I will attempt to fill you in with the quick or short version.

In August, as school started, we began to look for another place to live. We decided that a different house would be better for our family. It would be a safer environment for Keaton and less stress for the rest of us. With two sets of sliding glass doors which are very difficult to keep locked, Keaton got away from us very quickly. Basically he ran off in the neighborhood and we couldn't find him. I cannot describe the panic we felt. His safety was and is more important to use than any house. So we found a smaller place with a privacy fenced around the backyard. We moved in September. Had a new alarm system installed. The new version is much louder. It can be heard easily from just about anywhere in the house. The other house was bigger and the alarm was much more difficult to hear from all over the house.

Connor continued playing baseball into September. He practiced swimming and joined the Jr. Beta club at school. He continues to be on the academic team and loves it. He is one of the captains. He makes us so proud. Basketball season started. The holidays came and went as quickly as they do each year. We celebrated Connor's 11th birthday with a party here at home.

Keaton keeps growing! He is already as tall as I am. I know that may not be saying much but he is only 9 years old. He already weighs 130+ pounds. We've had to make adjustments to his medications. We've spent some sleepless nights up with him just because he wasn't ready to sleep. (Last night/this morning being one of them. That is part of the reason I have found the chance to blog.) After we moved, we suffered some bathroom issues but I think we have finally gotten that all back on track.

Rob experienced some very high blood pressure back in December. Scared us all with a trip or two to the ER. Thankfully, he has that all under control now.

In January, Rob and I went once again to Pigeon Forge with some friends. After eating well on the trip and feeling like I had gained five pounds, I decided to make a better effort to get the gym. I've been to a step class or two and have started going to a zumba class with a friend.

As for now, the beginning of February, basketball season is winding up. It hasn't been the most exciting of seasons. The team came close to winning only one game. I'm helping organize a 5K race as a fundraiser for my school and have started haveing montly swim board meetings for the summer swim team. Somehow I ended up being president. Oh well....it's just one more thing to do.

Until next time, (and hopefully it won't take as long as last time)

Summer Reading

I don't know if you've noticed or not, but I've done some reading this summer and discovered a new author or two to enjoy. I'm not the only one.......Connor has also discovered a new author and a new series of books this summer.

The Edge Chronicles written by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell was a recommendation from the librarian. Connor had seen a kid at school reading it and thought he'd give it a try. Well, he can hardly put the books down. They have about 350-400 pages each. He is on book 5 in the series and we have already checked out the remaining books in the series from the library so that there will be no waiting when he finishes one and is ready for the next. The last book in the series is about 2 1/2 inch think and it isn't in large print. I am so proud of him and his love of reading. Hopefully all this reading will pay off with a big prize from the summer reading program. Only time will tell.

Until next time,
Live~Laugh~and Love

Places in Kentucky

Last Spring at the Southern Kentucky Book Fest, I picked up a copy of this book

Connor loved it and quickly decided on the one place he just HAD to visit this summer: THE LOUISVILLE SLUGGER MUSEUM.

It was almost the only thing he talked about the entire month of June. We finally made the trip last week with some good friends who aren't even real baseball fans. We ran into construction and made a wrong turn or two along the way but enjoyed our selves just the same.  

 Connor enjoyed the factory tour (NO PICTURE TAKING ALLOWED!)  and the museum tour of memorabilia and wax statues. He got to pose with some artifacts. What fun!!

 Jennifer really enjoyed the Norman Rockwell art display....once again NO PICTURES ALLOWED. Dylan couldn't wait to get a look at the Galvanized Glove. Here is a shot of the boys and the glove looking down from the 2nd floor. Pretty neat stuff.

 We also enjoyed the batting cages. I even took a turn. The attendant asked whether I wanted baseballs or softballs. Softballs. He then wanted to know if I wanted fast pitch or slow pitch. Slow pitch. He gave me a quizzical look. I might be showing my age, but when I played softball, we still played slow pitch. Considering it had been so looooooooong since I picked up a bat, I didn't do too terribly.

 I had such a good time in the cages, I was able to convince Jennifer to give it a try. HARD TO BELIEVE!! 

 The attendant gave her a few pointers and in she went. She even made contact and hit a few. Dylan would not be persuaded to give the cages a try. He just wasn't interested.

After a quick trip to the gift shop and a loooooooooooooong drive out of the way, we finally made it home. We had a good time and can cross the Slugger Museum off the list of 101 Places to visit in Kentucky.

Until next time,
Amy

Unlocking a New Favorite Author

My sister and her daughter have both been telling me for some time now that I needed to read Karen Kingsbury. They have raved and raved about her writing. I have looked for some of their recommendations at the library but haven't been lucky enough to find the first book in the series they recommended I start reading. Thankfully, my friend, Theresa, loaned me Unlocked. WOW!!! It is a great book. I haven't finished it but only like a few chapters. It is an awesome book about a boy with autism. It has made me realize how very blessed we are to be Keaton's parents.

If you're looking for another author to try, you can't go wrong with Karen Kingsbury!!!

Until next time,