Real Quick

I thought I would play catch up for the last few days. I have to leave in a few minutes to get the girls and Logan is asleep.

It has been a relatively uneventful week. Yesterday I hosted a baby shower for a lady at church. It is her second child, but first daughter. Lot's of pink stuff. Including a non-edible cake made out of diapers. It turned out really cute. I had fun making it.

Aurora was so excited today because it is her first field trip. She is going to a local air festival and gets to see Jay, Jay the Jetplane. I can't wait to pick her up and see how it went.

Tonight my Sister Beth has invited me to come see her and her youngest son, Johnathan at scout camp. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't been camping or to something like this in probably 13 years or longer. We get out and walk local trails, but that is about the extent of it. We don't get to stay overnigt.

The next few weeks will be fairly busy. On Monday I am watching one of the neighbor girls, Andi for the day. Tuesday I'm going to Silver Dollar City with my children and my friend, Lori, who is legally blind. She's never been. I hope she likes it.
Wednesday is the 4th. Bruce plans on seeing the new Transformers movie that morning and then we'll go as a family that night to see the fireworks. We've invited a friend from Spfld, but haven't heard for sure from him. Lori has never seen the local display so we may take her. On the 11th and 12th we are going to Branson and Silver Dollar City with the kids. On Friday morning, early, I'm driving up to my Mom's with the kids for a small family reunion. We'll come back on the 14th. Busy, Busy.

I've gotta dash.
Jennifer

New Numbers

For the last month, little by little, the numbers on the sign for our apartment complex have been disappearing. It has been frustrating when we've tried to give directions to people because we can't give them directions by our number. Today, new numbers were put up. It was strange how excited I was to see them going up. I pointed it out to the children and everything. Isn't it interesting how numbers define us. Birthdays, IQ's, S.S. #'s, phone numbers, the list goes on and on. Just some rambling thoughts. Have a great day.

Logan Deflates over the Trashman

The trashman comes regularly on Tuesday and Friday mornings here in our complex. For the last year it has become ritual for Logan when he hears the truck to run into our bedroom and look out the south window to watch the dumpster get lifted into the air and bang back down. Today was no different. Logan was sitting on my lap while I read to him. Then, all of a sudden he heard it and jumped off my lap with a grin and a "It's the trashman, Momma." He started down the hall. He was halfway down the hall when I told him to stop. I remembered that Aspen, the little girl I babysit, was asleep in our bedroom. He was obedient and stopped, but he let out a long and heavy sigh. He came back around the love seat with slumping shoulders and a sad look on his face. He walked across the livingroom to the couch and sank face first into the fluffy arm of the couch. It was hard not to laugh at him. He stayed there for a moment then layed himself out on the floor with another sigh. It was about 5 minutes before he was ready to read with me some more.

I realize you might not be able to appreciate it without having been here, but I hope you enjoyed the story just the same.

Jennifer

Disappointing

Well, for those of you who might be wondering, I did not get the position with Parents as Teachers. They interviewed 14 people to fill 3 positions. I was passed by for people with more education and experience. I realize there are a lot of people with more education, I'm surprised there are people with more experience than I have. Oh, well. There must be something else out there for me. Once I find out that Logan will for sure be in pre-school this fall, I will job hunt more seriously.

For better news, Bruce and I had a great time in Branson. We went shopping on Monday and ate at a very nice resturaunt. It is called, Sullivan's. It had a jazz club atmosphere with red carpet and black table clothes. Very classy. Probably the nicest resturaunt we've ever eaten at. However, it had some tough competition with the place we had dinner at on Tuesday. Tony Z's. A very nice Italian resturaunt. Normally we spend more money on shopping when we go to Branson, but this time we treated ourselves to two very nice meals. We also had pizza and subs on two other ocassions. Tuesday at Silver Dollar City we had Succotash. It was yummy. We did get a good deal at the Onieda store on a new set of 12 stainless steel place settings for $45 dollars. Anyway, we had a lot of fun. Also, may I suggest if you ever have the opportunity to go see Darren Romeo that you take it. It was an excellent music and magic show. We are probably going to go again in July when we go for an overnight as the family.

Anyway, on with my day. Have a great one.

Washed away

We have recieved heavy rain the in Joplin since Sunday night. We had a tornado warning Sunday night. Yesterday morning I got up and straitened my hair and put on a dress for my interview with Parents and Teachers. We went outside to pouring down rain. We got to the school. I pulled up in front of the building. There was a rush of water about 6 inches deep right outside the van door. The big girls were able jump out over it, but not Aurora. I got out of the van, slipped off my sandals. I went around the van and basically tossed her over the water. Needless to say by the time I got to my interview I was damp and my hair was curly, frizzy as usual. I feel like the interview went well. I made a thank you card and took it back over to Patty yesterday. She said she is doing more interviewing on Friday and I should hear from her the first of next week. I'm glad I have a cell phone since we will be out of town next week for 3 days.

We've had more heavy rain and thunder and such this morning. I was out earlier because Aurora and Logan had dentist appointments. NO CAVITIES! Visability was about a block in distance and less at times. Kinda Scary.

My friend Julie who I am growing a garden with at her home, since we are in an apartment, said her back yard looks like a pond. We hope our crops survive.

It's a busy week for us. We feed the missionaries tomorrow. I am going to try my hand at alfredo sauce from scratch. We'll see how it goes. I need to go shopping for Aurora's supplies for hehr birthday party on Saturday. I also need to get everyone packed for next week.

Take care dear ones.

"Sick" Children

Yesterday morning when Patience woke up she said her stomach hurt and she was really hungery. I encouraged her to get ready for school. If she got sick at school I would come get her. Joy didn't want to get out of bed. She ended up getting upset with me. She has a great way of turning her faults back around on me. Anyway, before we made it to school she had shed several tears. I dropped the girls of with my love and headed home. I had just turned onto our street when my cell phone rang. It was Bruce. Joy had just called from school to say her stomach hurt and that she was told she could go home. I told Bruce I was going back to the school and I would take care of it.

I spoke to the principal and explained how Joy is often "sick" even when she is not "sick." I told him if she threw up or ran a fever or whatever, I would be happy to come get her. I told her the same and off she went to class.

I returned home. I got Logan ready to go to the 9:30 story time. We picked up his friend Lily, Julie and Luis's daughter. We got to the Library and got their name tags on and my phone rings again. I went outside to answer it. This time the school had called because Patience had thrown up. I went and got her. She slept for 2 hours and then she got up and ate a lot and was fine the rest of the day. Ahh, the joys of parenthood.

I don't know about any of you, but we got quite the storm last night. Sirens and everything. All 6 of us in the bathroom at midnight. What an adventure.

Jennifer

Snack Sack

Yesterday when I picked up the girls from school, Aurora came out carrying a large cloth sack. it was almost as big as her. She is about 38 inches tall. The bag was about 30x24 inches. She had her arm hooked through the handles and it was up on her shoulder. She was so pleased to have the responsibility of bringing snack to her whole class today. I bought her pretzels and sandwich cookies. When we were waiting for the doors to be unlocked this morning she had to take the stuff out and show other children and adults around us.

Joy and Patience are enjoying school pretty well. Joy doens't like playing kick ball. Patience was excited because a good friend of her's from here in the complex started school yesterday in her class, Andrea, but she goes by Ande. Her father asked if I could pick her up in the afternoons and keep her until he get's here at 3:30. Patience and Ande are both excited about that.

12 more days until Bruce and I go on our trip to Branson to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary on the 17th. We are looking forward to the break together. Joy and Logan will be staying in Springfield with Jesse and Becca and Patience and Aurora are staying here with my friend Lori Dempsey.

I better get ready to get the girls. Good day all.

Jennifer

Aurora's first day in Jump Start Kindergarten

In the Joplin School District they have during summer school, what is called Jump Start Kindergarten. It is summer school for children who will be in kindergarten in the fall. Even though Aurora isn't 5 yet, she is able to attend. Yesterday as we were unloading to go into the school. Joy was saying how she was scared. "This isn't our normal school, we don't even know the teachers names." Aurora very matter afactly said to her, "I will ask them." That was the end of that. She did great, at least the teachers said so. I asked her what she did. She said, "Activities." I asked her what kind of activities and she said, "I don't know." She showed me what she ate for lunch by pretending to hold a stick and taking pretend bites out of it. I said, "A Corn Dog?" She said, "yes and I ate the hot dog too." She hasn't ever liked hot dogs. It is amazing what you'll try when others are having it too or it is the only thing offered.

Yesterday after school, I took all of the children for a yearly eye exam. Joy and Aurora are both in need of glasses. Joy has what is called Convergence ineficency. The glasses will help, but he is suggesting very expensive visual therapy that her insurance doesn't cover. We are going to seek another opinion. We will be going today to get glasses, though.

Well, I better get on with my day!!!!!!

Feeling Better

Hello,

Logan is feeling much better. He slept the better part of Thursday and Friday, but yesterday the fever was gone. We'll be going to church today. Yesterday, Bruce, Logan and I went out to dinner and then went hiking at Wild Cat park. It is a local Audobaun park. It was fun. Lot's of poisin ivy. We had a good shower after that, but knowing my history, I'll be breaking out soon.

Patience and Aurora had fun on Friday at the St. Louis Zoo. When I spoke to them on the phone that night, Aurora told me about the baby elephant with a mohach. My mother told me about a story Aurora made up. She has a 17 year old boyfriend that was going to come stay at our house for 10 sleep overs. My mom told her she thought her father would have something to say about that. At which point Aurora informed her it was pretend. Yikes, what is in store for me.

I'd better get ready for church. Have a great day.

VanHoose Family Update

Hello Family and friends!!!!

I would like to start keeping you updated through this "blog." There is one drawback. We do not have a way to put pictures on here. I hope you will still enjoy this.

Last Saturday, May 26th, Bruce's parents took the kids to the VanHoose family reunion. We stayed here is Joplin because Bruce was in charge of a baptism at church. It is part of his church calling as the Ward Mission Leader. I conducted the music for it. It was a very nice morning.

Afterwards we went and saw Pirates of the Caribean 3 with another couple friend of ours, Julie and Luis Pagan. We had fun. Bruce got on to me for drinking up our Pink Lemonade.:) It was a late celebration for my Birthday on the 25th. Bruce had to work all day on the 25th.

Bruce's parents took Joy home with them for the week. My Mom came and got Patience and Aurora yesterday. They'll all come home on Sunday evening. Mom will stay they night and go back on Monday.

Logan is not feeling well. I took him to Urgent Care last night because he had a high fever, 103.3, and complained of a sore throat and stomach ache. He has slept 16 hours of the last 25 hours. They said it is just a viral thing.

I'm looking forward to a Stake Relief Society Enrichment meeting for Women tomorrow morning at church. This weekend is also a large local 4 states festival. We hope to attend on Saturday if Logan is feeling better and if the rain hold off.

For those of you who don't know, I have a resume in with the Joplin School District to work part-time as a Parent Educator with Parents as Teachers. They should start interviewing next week. The woman doing the interviewing is out of the office until Monday. I hope to hear from her soon. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Bruce is working hard as usual. He enjoys designing and using his creativity. He also takes each of the children on an indiviual date each month. Sometimes it's just walking the mall or going to the park, but they enjoy that alone time with Daddy.

Well, I better wrap this up. I do have a few pictures that I will post a friend recently took for me. Hopefully our daily routine will not be too boring. My children often say the darndest things. As that happens I'll let you know and I'm sure it will bring a smile.

Take Care-Jennifer