And to You All, I Say Thank You

But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for, Is their monument to-day, and for aye.

Thomas Dunn English

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

THUNDER

Just wanted to kick off Memorial Day Weekend the right way by honoring the military. I was born into a military family and I live in a military town; particularly close to the Air Force Academy.

Fly overs are just routine here folks. And they never get old.

We see a lot of military aircraft in the sky, from fighter jets to bombers, to cargo planes - you name it. But during this time of the year?

It's the Thunderbirds.

The Air Force Academy cadets graduated earlier this week and so I packed up my camera gear and headed up north to a spot close to the stadium to watch the Thunderbirds practice for the ceremony the following day. It's quite the spectacle, meaning that I wasn't the only one. The message "NO STOPPING ON SHOULDER - KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING" in bright orange letters was broadcasted on the automated 'alert' highway signs. State Patrol cars were scattered here and there. The scenic overlook that's right off the highway near the Academy was filled with cars. It's hard not to notice them buzzing around in the sky, you almost can't stop yourself from taking it all in.

As soon as they made their initial appearance on the horizon, I got the chills. My eyes even started to well up with tears. The sheer emotion, the thrill, the rush I felt when I saw them was just overwhelming. It's pride you guys, I'm proud to have the opportunity. And I'm honored to be able to photograph them. And really, they are absolutely amazing.

Sit back and take it all in, and try to image the sound and the speed that went along with it.

Aim high.

For the love of Summer. And baseball.

So we've survived the first week of summer. The weather has been great, the kids have been maintaining a decent routine, and everything else has been business as usual. I can't help but daydream about how nice it would be if us full-time working parents could just take the summer off too, but only if the income that went along with that full-time paying job kept flowing in at it's normal pace. I mean, it's a dream right? So yes then, my dream - my rules. Bright and early Monday morning the doorbell rang and when I answered there stood the little girl from up the street. Naturally being that it was the first official day of summer and all, she wanted to know if Keven Jr. and Isaac could come out to play. When I told her that they couldn't because they weren't home; they were at school, she looked at me with a puzzled expression then backed away slowly as if I was a crazy lady with snakes coming out of my head. Yes, I work from home these days but every day like normal we drop the boys off at school for summer day camp. Or Adventure Club as it's really called. See above: full time working parents here. Yes I feel guilty about not having a crammed packed fun filled summer at home planned out for the boys, but they enjoy their day camp. Our pocket book however whimpers. Each day with their water bottle and sack lunch in hand, covered from head to toe in sunscreen they happily join their schoolmates to do fun stuff. Each day promises a field trip of sorts for Keven Jr's group; putt putt golf, the movies, visiting museums and art galleries. Isaac's not old enough to leave on any sort of organized field trip so they stay close to school, but rest assured they have tons of fun just the same. They really do look forward to attending each day, which really makes it easy, although I'd be willing to bet that I'd hear a lot of "I'm bored" if they stayed home. And well, that gets old really quick. :: :: :: Keven and I took the plunge this year and finally signed Keven Jr. up for T-Ball. His first real organized sport complete with practices, and games and uniforms and trophies. He had his first practice on Tuesday evening and another practice last night, and I have to say: I think the boy has a knack for baseball. No, no - this proud Mom didn't just say that about her son. NOPE. Not at all. He's one of the older kids on the team, a team of mixed boys and girls. A lot of them have played before, a lot of them have played before on the same team. Keven Jr. didn't have any trouble fitting in, and he didn't have any issues taking direction from the coach. I had no worries about that however, I was mostly worried about whether or not he was going to like playing and whether or not he was going to enjoy it and want to stick with it long enough to excel at it. And okay, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I might be slightly worried too about the injuries that could potentially happen. But that's neither here nor there. I'm just happy that he seems to be enjoying it so far. And yes, I'm excited for him because I played softball when I was younger and I loved it. I'm hoping that maybe it'll rub off on him. We'll see what the season brings... More to come soon my friends. But for now, have a wonderful and safe weekend.

I Heart Faces - Yellow

I'm always up for a good challenge, or contest, or whatever you want to call it. Maybe I should just sell myself out now though and admit that I just enjoy sharing my photos.

And entering them into contests.

My friend Wendy told me about a site called I Heart Faces a while ago. I've checked out the site from time to time to see what kind of things were going on, but tonight I'm taking it a step further and entering their weekly challenge.

The theme is: yellow

And here is my submission

Head on over to I Heart Faces if you'd too like to submit something into their weekly challenge. The winning photo will be featured on their home page. Wish me luck!

Summer, Summer, Summer, SummerTime

On Thursday evening we watched as Isaac 'graduated' from pre-school into Kindergarten. On Friday morning we enjoyed a potluck style 'end of the year' breakfast with Keven Jr. and his classmates. It was officially the last day of school.

Isaac will be in kindergarten in the fall.

Keven Jr. will be in second grade.

I can't even let myself think about that now (my boys are getting so big!) because I might just break down and cry. The time, it's flying right on by.

On Saturday morning I was up at 5AM and at our zoo by 6:30AM to meet up with some friends to participate in the Run to the Shrine. It was a 5k, straight up-hill, with an 8.5% average grade. Needless to say it kicked my butt, but I did it. And I'll probably be signing up to do it again next year. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment? And yes, completely out of shape.

On Sunday we met up with some friends at a local park to celebrate a birthday. A friend of ours son was turning 5 years old. We spent the day flying kites, eating good barbecue, playing on the playground, enjoying the sunshine and just hanging out amidst good company. The kids took turns swinging at a pinata, stuffed themselves silly with cupcakes and candy, and even sat still for a few minutes to watch the birthday boy open his gifts.

The weather was perfect. We all have sunburns to prove it.

Summer is officially here.

And it better stick around for a while.

Life in the Fast Lane

Alright so here I am, sitting at my computer in my office stealing away a few minutes to write something. Anything here for those that still check in (and I thank you if you still do. But if you don't? I can't blame you one bit.)

Things have gotten a little boring around here lately.....

Or have they?

So. The boys are outside playing in the decent weather we had today; you know we had snow on May 12th - less than a week ago? I should be making dinner. But whatever; I'm writing. Because it's been too long. And my ads aren't running anymore (oopsie).

For anyone that knows me, it's a fact that I cannot ever tell a short version of anything. True story. I'm known for it, so much in fact that my middle brother always asks before I say anything that could potentially be long and drawn out to give him the 'short version'. I try. But damn if it isn't hard.

And for my other brother - YES YOU - I'm updating finally - SEE?

(It's pretty bad when your oldest brother gives you shit on the phone on Mother's Day no less to update your blog already. He must have been getting tired of looking at my photo of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak.)

So. That puppy we got a while ago? His name is Truman and well, he's not really a cute little puppy anymore. He's a cute five month old puppy now. I never really did post about Truman, and really he deserves a post all of his own but who knows when I'll get around to it. If you want to know anything about him - leave me a comment or something. But for now, look at this guy:

He's a chair thief!

If you follow me on Facebook that's totally OLD NEWS but it'll have to do for now.

Moving on to other things that have been going on in the Jones' Casa.

This is the last and final week of school before summer starts and that younger boy of mine, Isaac? He's all registered for kindergarten in the fall. Yep, Keven Jr. will be a second grader and Isaac will be in Kindergarten.

Hold on a second. I need to give myself a few moments to wrap my head around that thought.

My baby. In Kindergarten. HOLD ME.

Oh and that whole job situation I spoke about the last time I did a real post? Well July was the end of our contract but in March? They told us that the end of April was our demise.

Fast forward to freaking out because really? And also? I hadn't even started to look for a new job really. But wait a second, don't worry - I was fortunate enough to be one of the lucky ones and was assigned to a new contract. With a new manager and new job duties and everything. And the best part about this new gig? I get to work from home. Daily. And yes, I totally love it.

But I'm still trying to adjust. And it's a little weird. But see above: I love it.

We started geocaching again and get out to hike whenever we can (READ: When it's not snowing) and I had a wonderful Mother's Day surrounded by family and friends. We can't wait to go camping this summer and maybe even do a road trip or something. Because oh yes, we purchased a new vehicle a few weeks ago.

Oh and I have to mention a little situation I found myself in last week before I go. And yes, it'll be the short version - promise.

I had just left yoga class and was headed to the library to drop off some books when I found myself passing in the gutter of the roadway a Mama and Daddy Goose with about 5 babies. On a busy five lane road. I made my turn and was headed to the library but I had to stop and turn around. I just couldn't let the Goose Family cross the road without help. They'd for sure get squashed in the process because NO ONE was paying attention. They were just whizzing right on by, talking on their cell phones or something.

(short story, short story)

So I turned around and went back. By the time I got back the Goose Family was in the middle of the five lane road and a car had stopped traffic on the east bound lane to aid in them getting across. The west bound lane though was wide open so I did what I had to do - I stopped traffic. And I waited for them to get safely across the roadway and up on the sidewalk.

HOWEVER.

The baby geese were too small to jump the curb so they were stuck in the gutter. Cars continued to whiz right on by, swooshing the little babies this way and that way with the wind of their passing car. Another motorist came to my aid and stopped in the lane closest to the gutter forcing cars to pass by in the other open lane. And we waited and waited and waited for the little guys to jump the curb to safety.

I swear I've never cheered so hard in my life.

Ask my sister.

Later on that afternoon, right before the family came home I let the dogs out. Here's where I should mention that we had been fighting off the same Mama Robin from last year from building a nest on the fence between us and the neighbors. Every time she'd get started on her lower level, I'd go out there and take it down because Mama Robins? ARE ANGRY when you get anywhere near their home when the babies arrive.

So the dogs. I let them out.

Only a few short minutes went by and I went to let them back in when I noticed Truman, in the yard with something.

Orange and grey.

Oh my god you guys, he caught Mama Robin. And needless to say, she didn't make it. Which means neither did her babies.

*sniff*

I mourn them every time I go to the laundry room to do laundry because I can see the fence where she was trying to build her nest to lay her eggs. I piled up a bunch of rocks to try and keep her away, but .......

Truman took care of it for me I guess.

Wednesday of last week was for the birds.

So there you have it. Just a little something to keep you hanging till next time because I know I left a ton of things out. Let's just hope I get back around to posting before another month goes by.

Cheers.