Just Stuff...

We aren't doing anything particularly spectacular these days. It has been snowing and snowing, but the temperatures were above freezing (until today) so nothing much has stuck. Now it is brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

The girls are great. They are working hard in school and Mattie's parent-teacher conference revealed some extremely high test scores, particularly in reading. While not surprised, it is interesting to hear that your 8-year-old is reading on a 9th grade level!

Caroline has grown an attitude and I feel like I often work double time to keep her in line. She is sure pushing limits these days as she grows from baby to little girl. I still can't believe she is 5. Did I mention that she is stubborn as a mule and has a temper to boot. Whew. What goes around sure comes around.

I am enjoying an online fiction writing class and Derick's schedule has slowed a bit allowing him to relax and spend more time with us. Oh yes, it helps that deer season is over.

My handbell choir is hosting a bake sale Sunday and I am really looking forward to spending some time in the kitchen on Saturday. I love to bake, but we don't need the goodies, so I never make anything. I have pulled out the teacake recipe and I am thinking some homemade brownies and maybe a pan of Rice Krispy Treats would be fun to tackle. The house will smell yummy, too!

We are looking forward to the coming weeks and months when lots of folks have visits planned. I hope to see more of the area during this time and as the weather warms up. I feel like I have stayed in the house or darted to and from the car to a warm building for the better part of forever.

As you can tell, we are just living life here in Kansas. Totally amazed that our time here is over half-way complete!

Medical News...

Don't you just love it when people go on and on about their medical situations? I don't. However, I want to share a little about what Mattie has experienced in the last week.

On-again, off-again stomach aches, clammy skin and a funny color, loss of appetite and totally random symptoms=misery for all of us. Nervous about school? Maybe. A virus? Surely not. What on earth could be going on?

When she missed school on Friday, chose NOT to attend a birthday party on Saturday and crawled in bed an hour early on Sunday, I knew we had to do something. The doc ordered a tummy xray and a blood test--both normal.

Acid reflux. And boy have I already learned a lot about acid reflux. Did you know that children with reflux often have a dry cough and asthma-like symptoms? Hmmmmm. Mattie has that. And has for years.

So she is taking medicine and we are altering her diet and she is already getting better. But WOW! This has been such an odd and stressful week. So glad we have found a cause and, hopefully, a cure. But more than that, I am so thankful that Mattie is acting like Mattie again!

Skating Party

Mattie's classmate had a birthday party at a local skating rink. I think I had more fun than the girls did!! Talking about a blast from the past. I am now trying to convince Derick to go there with me for a date night!

Check out the feet...

I had on skates, too, but since M's classmate had enough trouble taking one picture with my camera, I decided not to ask for a retry of our feet!

She looks great here, but I cannot believe she didn't break something as many times as she fell. I will say that she admitted to being very sore the next day!!

More Snow

Our snow is bigger than your snow...

"Back" To School

Caroline went back to school Monday. She was only 20 minutes late!! I had no idea she had school and then, once I realized it, I thought it started 30 minutes later than it did. What a great way to get back in the swing--total shock/immersion.

See, Mattie did not have school on Monday, so I assumed that Caroline didn't either. Mattie did, however, return to school Tuesday.

Today--snow day.

Tomorrow--snow day.

Friday--I am going with, snow day.

Bitterly cold, lots and lots of snow. Pictures soon? Perhaps one of Derick shoveling the driveway. Again.

2010, A New Year To Celebrate

I have just updated with two blog posts...be sure to scroll down to see Christmas pictures!

This scene is becoming very familiar...

We are enjoying yet another pelting of snow. It is beautiful, I have never seen it snow this consistently anywhere and I wonder if the entire winter will be this way.

Who cares?!

I feel confident that there will be NO SNOW in Montgomery, Alabama when we move there this summer. Yep, if you aren't tuned in to the Bowdon/Carrollton grapevine, it is high time you learned that we are moving this summer to Montgomery--a mere 2 hours or so from home in GA!!! To quote my husband, "Woot."

Derick will be attending the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS) at Maxwell, AFB in Montgomery. Yay, Derick! Another great achievement and another year of studying. No complaints from his family, however, who are just happy to have him home for another entire year.

Tune in next time for another winter weather report...and stuff.

Home For The Holidays

December 2009 found us blessed beyond belief. We enjoyed a whirlwind visit with family and shared Christmas with those who mean the most to us. From school and work parties to family get-togethers, a trip to Las Vegas, and even a Falcon's football game, the month flew past in a frenzy of activity. The visit ended when we pulled safely into our snowy driveway and unloaded a car full of gifts, memories and exhausted people and dogs.

Derick's Maw Maw continues to amaze us, hosting the entire clan at her house for our annual Christmas get-together.

Cousins enjoyed the highly anticipated week of playing together, first at Grandaddy's and later at Nana's. Notice Nana holding our new nephew, Warren. What a cutie--I am so glad we shared his very first Christmas.

The "kiddie" section is growing by leaps and bounds at the Dobson/Rowell gathering--a sure sign that our ornament exchanges will not grow dull anytime soon! That's Leila hidden behind her sister, Naomi, and Ramsey is the headless guy on the far right. Not pictured is our youngest addition, Marilyn Rowell.

A rare event to have all of the Rowell/Steed group together. What a treat to watch Ramsey jump into mounds of wrapping and tissue paper, a game that was far more fun than any toy he unwrapped!