Giddy Up!

Allie has ALWAYS talked about learning to ride a horse.  So we finally got that itch scratched.  Yesterday I took her to Sunhaven Arena in Cheney, WA.  The instructor was AMAZING!!!  Allie got to learn how to groom and take care of a pony/horse name Dunny.  She was one on one learning the basics of riding.  She LOVED it!!!  She will be going to lessons every Tuesday this summer and maybe even adding an extra day during the week...we will see.

Puppies!

On June 8, Cinnamon went into labor.  She ended having 10 puppies (5 girls and 5 boys), the last one born at 8:27 am on June 9.  So of course, we had to go and see them.  Here are a few pics.

They are all chocolate labs, like their daddy.  They are all healthy and we pray find amazing homes in the month of August.

BIG GIRL BED

Let me just start by saying this isn't my baby going from a crib to a twin bed.  We did that a long time ago.  She even upgraded when we thought we were moving to Nashville to a loft twin bed.  However, this daughter of ours is NOT vertically challenged.  She is 5'7" at 12 1/2 years old.  She looked like a GIANT sleeping in her loft twin bed.

Since we moved to Spokane, she has gotten a bigger room than before.  I have been trying to convince her to move to a full sized bed so that she has room.  She always said "NO".  Until about a week ago.  We got online and ordered her a platform full sized bed and a temper-pedic full sized mattress.

The first step to this improvement, she and I had to disassemble her loft bed and put it in storage.  Then I had her start going through all of her shelves and clothes.  She put several totes of books and toys into the basement.  We also donated several things.

Then the bed frame was delivered.  I was pleasantly surprised as to how easy it was to put together.  Her mattress was coming a few days later, so she slept on her twin mattress on the full frame.  Finally, the day came!  Her new BIG GIRL BED was complete.

Last night was her first night on it.  She actually hung out on her bed for about 3 hours yesterday before bedtime.  Owen even flopped on it and declared he would like one!!!  (This was my next mission.)  She said this morning that she slept GREAT!!!

School's out for SUMMER!!!

They did it!  They not only survived their first year of school in a new town/state, they thrived.  Being the new kids isn't easy (I know from personal experience), but my kids taught me how to embrace individuality and find a tribe.  Our summer will be full of adventures, trips, homework (I can't believe they have this for next year!) and establishing who they are.

Allie has become an inspiration for both kids to redefine their spaces.  I will post more of that soon.  But I have loved seeing them take ownership and figuring out who they want to be.

Happy Father's Day 2019

Today, I want to thank all the men who step into the role of a father and do it well.  I especially want to thank the man who is my partner in the game of parenthood.  Neither one of us knew what we were getting into, but we have managed to raise two amazing kids.  Jake compliments my style and I his.  He works hard to provide both our needs and wants in this world.  I'm very grateful God planned for us to be a team in this adventure.  I love you!

Happy Anniversary...19 years!

Today we celebrate being married for 19 years.  I love everything about my life with Jake.  I'm not saying it is perfect.  Nothing is.  But I can say I love my life with him.  We have had some challenges and many victories over the years.  I wouldn't want to share them with anyone else.  Together we make a great team.  I'm grateful daily that God had our paths cross back in September 1994.  We were different people then, but managed to see our flaws as unique traits that meshed well.  So on June 10, 2000 we decided to work daily at marriage.  But I will always think of us a dating for life.  I love you, Jake!

Gay Pride Month 2019

On June 8th, Allie and I attended Spokane's Gay Pride Parade.  It was a LOT of fun.  Since it was downtown, we also did some shopping and ate at Tomato Street.  We went to a movie, Book Smart, but lightening hit the theater and our movie quit an hour into it.  There is a plan to finish it when it comes to Netflix.  I bought Allie a rainbow flag as a souvenir of our day.

And...CUT!

Owen had a project for his honors English class over a scene in Romeo & Juliet.  His partner Emma and he decided to make a vintage "silent" film.  Owen was the director, so he had to write the script and do all the editing for the film.  They got together last Saturday with a few friends to record the scenes from the script.  Then he downloaded a program onto his computer to do the editing.  He taught himself how to use it and the finished product looks AMAZING!!!  I am so proud of him.

The Right Stuff!

On June 1, Jake and I went to Tacoma Dome to see the "Mixtape Tour".  It was NKOTB, Salt N Pepa, Naughty By Nature, Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.  It was AMAZING!!!

Our seats were in section 112, row A, seats 3 and 4.  So that put us in the first row of the risers, directly in front of the stage.  Of course there were 100's of people sitting on the floor between us and the show.  But we had a clear view and could sit whenever we wanted to.  Now comes the AMAZING part.

During the concert the groups would change out periodically, for obvious costume changes.  What we didn't realize is that the groups had a SECOND changing area less than 30 feet from our seats.  So the groups would walk right in front of us, behind the people seated on the floor.  We got high 5's from Donny (NKOTB) and Treach (Naughty By Nature).  I even got a high 5 "hug" from Danny (NKOTB).  It was EPIC!!!!  I even watched as Joey (NKOTB) picked a lady from the crowd to dance with.  When they took their selfie, I could see myself clearly in the background of the pic.

We will be doing more concerts after this awesome one!