Happy Father's Day

Since we won't be able to spend Father's Day with Brian this year (he's flying back to the States on Sunday after spending a week in Norway) we'll have to celebrate when he gets home--whenever that may be. Our two children are so lucky to have such a fun, hard-working dad! We really miss him when he's away at work. Happy Father's Day!

Another Rice Experiment Update

My dear friend Ron in Louisiana asked me how my rice experiment was going. It's been quite some time since I checked on my jars of rice. In fact, my last update was here. I started this experiment nearly 5 years ago. At first Kylie and I talked to the rice and threw it dirty looks. Then after a few weeks the jars got put in the back of a cupboard and got pulled out once a year when we moved. I haven't looked at them for 2 years. The positive jar of rice is finally looking nasty and breaking down, which I suppose could be compared to how our bodies will naturally age and break down. The negative jar of rice is just as nasty as ever and unrecognizable as rice. It's been an interesting progression to watch and a great visual lesson on the power of positive and negative energy and thoughts.

Spring is Here

Our sweet Jaxson is 7 months old and sitting up on his own. We drove to Evanston, Wyoming last week for my cousin's high school graduation party and I got Jaxson all dressed up. I had to gel his hair down to keep it from sticking up in back. The poor boy has 2 cowlicks on the back of his head. He is such a handsome little man!

On the way home from Wyoming we stopped at Bear Lake and let the kids run around on what little beach there was above-water. It was so wonderful to enjoy the warm day with our feet in the sand. Jaxson loved exploring the sand for the first time. Kylie loved throwing rocks in the stream.

When visiting Bear Lake, you have to stop for milkshakes. Behind the milkshake stand was a beautiful tree in bloom. I had to snap a few pictures of my beautiful Kylie-bug.

Big Changes

We were very sad when Brian was laid off at Classic Helicopters in April--it's been a great company to work for. His boss, Mario, is such a great guy and put a lot of effort into helping Brian find another job. He gave Brian an excellent recommendation at Evergreen Aviation, and Brian began working for Evergreen on May 31. He is currently being trained to fly the Puma at their headquarters in Oregon. After his classroom instruction in Oregon, Brian will go to Norway to train in the simulator. He will then be assigned to a job in Afghanistan on a Department of Defense contract, flying troops and supplies high above the IEDs. I imagine his days will look a lot like this: Initially, he will be gone for about 10 weeks straight. Then he will begin his regular rotation of 6 weeks gone and 6 weeks home. The type of work and hours is similiar to what he did in the Gulf of Mexico...with the exception of the hostile locals.

Another exciting change is that we are under contract to buy a brand new townhome in Smithfield! With Brian being gone so much, it will be nice to have the yard and snow removal taken care of. Kylie will be able to stay at her school with her friends. Our home should be finished in July. It's been fun picking out the counters and flooring and colors. It's like a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. July can't come soon enough!