A year later ...

So, maybe it hasn't quite been a year but it has been quite a while since I have added content to our blog. (Sorry if you have tried to be a follower - I am not worthy).

This year has been quite an interesting time. The kids have completely dominated all of our time and energy - but they are only 'little' young once right?

Brittany just completed a nine month program to become a dental assistant. She has just started a two month intern program and will be commuting back and forth to Cathlamet. She is really excited about choosing this as her career of choice - after having her take some x-rays for her state registration ... I agree, she has found her calling. In her free time - Brit is quite the character. As she has finally grown older both Troy and I are really enjoying having her around and actually are focussing more on 'keeping her around' than kicking her to the curb like we always threatened we would be ready to do!

Taylor is a sophomore at Mark Morris playing varsity volleyball. With practice and game schedules it is going to be a challenge keeping up on her driving skillz - but just a warning people ... STAY OFF THE SIDEWALK. Actually, there is really very little to complain about with Tay. She is a 'good' girl and still gets teary-eyed the minute she thinks that her dad may be a little angry with her. Although not 'high maintenance' Taylor is not going to be a tom-boy anytime soon. Since she is now taller than me - I may just leave well enough alone for awhile!

Trey is still our daily sports enthusiast. There is a lot to be said about being able to come downstairs in the morning for coffee and have a complete ESPN 24-hour recap without having to pick up the paper or turn on the television. Although baseball will always be his first love - he is anxiously awaiting 7th grade football at Mt. Solo this year. Much like his father, he is one of those kids that can play any sport and be good - and extremely competitive. He has also more than impressed us with his grades in middle school. From being the kid that was always bringing home some sort of 'teacher concern' he continues to teeter on the straight A's side of the report card and is a constant thorn in his sisters side. Thank heavens we have never been the pay for grades parents because between those two and their competitive natures we would be broke.

Then there is Brielle - last but definately not least. Brielle will be a 5th grader this year and let me tell you she is the 'dude with a tude'. Not only is she very detail oriented, she needs to be in the know on everything. She thrives on knowing the exact day, time, hour and minute that things are going to occur and will hold you accountable for EVERYTHING that you say you are going to do. Brielle loves keeping busy and has no room in her life to watch tv or lay around wasting away a day. This summer this girl has truly kept me caught up on household chores and is my saving grace in the event I need laundry or dishes done. If she is not watching and learning from those around her she is tuning her volleyball skills (she plays league in the winter) or chasing after Trey and his friends on bikes, wiggle boards, etc. On several occassions this summer we have found her out pitching a ball to Trey and his friends in a 12 year old front yard baseball game. Troy and I still wonder how many more years until Trey will not allow her to be around his friends?

When all of this kid stuff isn't going on around our house Troy and I actually find time to do some things together (once or twice when the moon and stars align and we have days off together). This last year we traveled to Denver Colorado for a week for the Colorado Crossroads Volleyball Tournament (Yes - Taylor's team was there ... but we went in seperate planes!) Then this summer we took our annual pilgrimage to Shreveport Louisiana to visit my sister and brother in law (guilt as charged - we took the kids there too). We have also made a trip to the Yakima Valley - for a Trevino reunion as Tr0ys uncle and aunt from Ohio were out for a visit. I really enjoyed meeting them as after 9 years - this was my first opportunity. As we near the end of the year, and my husbands 40th birthday ... I am hoping for a little alone time where we can actually take some time to be us without being mom and dad - . I will keep you posted on that progress.

Well, Monday school starts again. Back to the routine .... homework, making lunches, "I need money" .... etc.

Thank heavens I love every minute!

Until next time ....

Susan