ok, ok!

So I've been told that I haven't posted pics recently. Ummmmmm...confession...I haven't taken many lately. Not since the pool was put away anyway! But to make everyone happy, I will post an older pic. And oh my goodness...can you believe this was just under 2 years ago? Ohhhhh...she's so cute in this outfit. And I just loved the red flannel. I think Gaga Bob loved the flannel too!



Ok, so I am so excited that Fall is almost here. This wonderfully cooler weather has been so nice. I couldn't believe that I came home from work the other night, and Tim was laying on the couch...under a blanket no less...with with the windows wide open. It was great! Can't believe its August still and we really haven't seen more than a day or two of really hot weather! I'm excited for the fall activities. The pumpkin patch, Halloween costumes (Becca's got her's already) playing in the leaves, apple pies! mmmmmmm By the way, I just made an apple crisp last night. I can't wait to go home and have some! ok, so now I'm just babbling.

This weekend will be busy. I want to start painting the living room and dinning room, and Tim's mom is coming to town on saturday for a bit. We'll see how much I can get done! Tim's not the best painter...so I think I will be doing most of it..just to keep it nice! He'll be in charge of keeping Becca out of the mess!

This weekend was a blast! Cody came back for a home visit this weekend. He arrived in town late Friday morning, and then spent the rest of the day with his Mom and Grandma. He and Steph showed up at our house at about 10pm! Becca was soooooo happy to see him! Within minutes, she was on the floor playing with Steph and Cody and having a blast! That girl is soo in love with Cody...or should I say "Kitty". Becca can't quiet say Cody correctly. she can say Co-Dee, if you go slow, but as soon as she tries to say it like normal, it comes out Kitty. Hillarious. That name is going to stick!

We stayed up late on Friday night getting caught up. We had a good time and lots of laughs. Saturday, Cody's friend Aaron stopped by and ate lunch with us as well. We got to know him a little bit before he left and Grandpa Steve came to visit. He stayed for about an hour before having to get back to his stores, and then Steph came over again. We grilled out, watched movies, played jokes and had a lot of fun.

Sunday morning was rushed, but Cody, steph and I met his grandma Connie at Prairie Lakes Church for service. That was great. It was an outside service and what perfect, beautiful weather it was to sit out in lawnchairs and worship! We did have to leave the service early to get to lunch and to the bus station to see Cody off.

Overall, it was a great weekend. Lots of laughs, good times, good stories...and knowing more is on the way is good for the heart! But I must say, that I was happy to just lounge on the couch reading the paper in my scrubby clothes after Cody left and Becca and Tim took a nap. It was sooo quiet! *wink*

Becca's first real phone conversation!

So yeah, becca has been "talking" on the phone for some time. Mostly just answering yes or no questions. Well, yesterday, she had her first REAL conversation with me. The funny thing is..she completely drove the conversation. She was in control the whole time. Here's how it went:
Becca: Hi Momma, where arrrrrrrrre you?
Me : Hi Punk! I'm at work today!
Becca: Daddy at hoooooooooome?
Me : Nooo, Daddy's at work too!
Becca: By choo choo town? (this is her way of asking By the trains downtown?)
Me : Yep
Becca: Daddy come oooooooover?
Me : Yep, when you wake up from your nap, Daddy will come over to Grandpa's house
and get you!
Becca : O'tay Momma, yayoo too! (thats "Okay, Momma, I love you too!")

ok, so such a plain conversation. Nothing spectacular that we talked about. But it was typical conversation with Becca. A 5 sentence conversation...all in her control! I was the one answering questions!
I got off that phone call and was just amazed. I think I picked my jaw up off the floor! Its little things like this, that make me want to remember EVERYTHING she does. Cherish everything she's doing..on good days and bad. Cause when I'm 82...will I remember this conversation we had on the phone? I hope so....someone remind me!

November 1st!

Thats the date we are aiming to have Cody home by! He had his 6 month review hearing on Tuesday. Everyone was happy to learn he's completed his GED, his EAGLE status, and his substance abuse program. The judge would like to see him maintain his status now and have a couple of test runs home for weekend visits. He'll be home with us the weekend of August 22nd. It'll be a short visit. We're still finding out the specifics and will let everyone know once its final. He looked good, his family and girlfriend Steph were all happy to see him. It was only a quick 40 minutes we got to see him before he was back on the road for the 4 hr roadtrip back to Clarinda.

Last night I went to dinner with his Girlfriend Steph (Feff as Becca now calls her)at Carlos o'kellys. We had good food (not mentioning how we just knew steph's food would come wrong...and it did) and good conversation getting to know eachother, and sharing what we hope the future will hold for everyone.

Today Tim is in Des Moines on business. Not sure what time he'll be home tonight, so Becca and I might just hang out with Wendy and Xavier before coming home for the evening.

This weekend will be full of getting things in order for Cody's home visit. Not much to do really...but I'm going to be picky...and I'm sure it will drive Tim mad! lol

" Help me Momma "...

...is the common phrase I hear from Becca when she and Tim are swimming! Most evenings, we can barely finish the last bite on our dinner plates before she is begging to go play in the water. Its taken all summer for her to be brave enough to really have fun and rough-house with Daddy in the water. Its so much fun to watch, so thought I would share my very first video post!

New month...new look!

If you haven't caught on yet...I change the looks of this blog every month.
Well, I found the most adorable backgrounds! Friends with blogs...go check them out...http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/

Tip: if you are having troubles getting the new background to look right and currently have a pyzam background...you'll need to remove the current background from pyzam, then add a Blogger background to kinda trick the settings. Then it will take the new background from the cutest blog on the block.

Love it! best thing..is it doesn't erase any of your current extras or widgets! yay! so it'll keep your counter Gretchen! *wink*

We didn't have a very eventful weekend. Regardless, it was nice and low key.

Friday night I enjoyed scrapbooking with my girls. Its been a couple of months since our last crop. It was long overdo. If for nothing else, for the talks and mood boosters we give each other. I did however get 6 pages done. And I've realized that I need pictures of Becca and Tim swimming and of the potty training that is going on.

Tim and Becca spent a lot of time in the pool Saturday and Sunday. Becca has become quite brave and is actually " swimming " now. With the floaty ring around her, she will jump forward and kick her legs. She looks like a little frog! We're so proud of her. I definitely see lessons in her future! Tim was a great swimmer ( so he says...so maybe she'll get that from him).

Tonight I went to Dinner with my sister for her Birthday. Ok, really...mom and dad had a gift certificate for Olive Garden, and don't care for it...so they gave it to us to use! It was great! Free dinner! Thanks mom and dad! It was nice to get away from the house with an adult. Even if it was just for a little over an hour.

Tim had a conference call meeting with Cody, his PO and the Clarinda staff on Friday. It sounds like Cody has lost his focus a bit, but is working his tail off in one of the welding or metal shops down there. They commended him for his attention at work, but may recommend to the Judge a little longer stay, to help him catch up from some negative weeks he's had. I hate this. I wish he could come home. We want him to be able to start classes at Hawkeye like he had wanted at the end of August. But we've been told it could be a couple more months. We're disapointed as we know Cody is, but we're trying to help him realize that the goals Clarinda had set for him to come home, were not met because of his focus. We're doing all we can to help him refocus and finish strong. In the end...its all just reccomendation that his PO and case worker give to the Judge..and the Judge makes up his own mind. Regardless of when he comes home, there will sure to be a party! invites to come as soon as we know more about a date. Court date is NEXT tuesday the 12th, we'll have more to share at that time. Please keep Cody and his focus in your prayers.