Oregon Coast June 2009

What a year! It is hard to believe that 2009 is almost over!

I am happy to say I have finished another year of daycare. Three of my babies turned 2 this year (they are not babies anymore). Ellie and Keegan are pretty much potty trained (yeah!!!). I have to remind myself that Tucker is 6 mos. younger than Ellie and Keegan and he’ll be potty trained soon. I also started watching my friend Zoe’s little boy, Mason.  I also have 2 kindergarteners and Evan. They keep me busy.  The daycare has been great for me. It allows me to get Abbie ready for school and be home when she is done. I love hearing about her day!

As for Abbie, she finished kindergarten like a pro. She had 3’s and masters in all her work. She started 1^st grade in August and loves going all day. Mommy was a little sad at first but Abbie is happy to be a big kid. She is reading above a 1^st grade level. We started spelling words this year. I made a deal with her if she got a 100% for four weeks in a row she could pick a restaurant for dinner. The first 3 weeks were pretty easy. She had the words on Monday and was ready for the test on Monday night. This last week she was ready on Tuesday.

She is very proud that she lost a total of 5 teeth this year and I am sure there are more to come.

Robert is busy, busy, busy. School is almost out (YEAH!!) He graduates on December 18^th with a nursing degree. I can’t believe it has been 3 ½ years since Robert left Micron to go back to school. I am glad he (we) decided to try something new. He is much happier and seems to enjoy his job as a Nurse Apprentice. I hope it will be even better when he is an RN.

As a family we also have been busy, busy, busy. In May Abbie, Brandi, and Grandma went to see Taylor Swift. Abbie loved every minute of it. Grandma was very impressed with all the words Abbie knew to the songs. It was a great first paid concert for Abbie.

Robert’s summer work schedule allowed him to take week-long stretches off of work. He had 9 days off in a row in June so we remodeled the kitchen countertops and backsplash.  At the end of the week it really looked like a professional did it!

Also in June we went to the Oregon Coast with grandma. In seven days we saw the Portland zoo, visited with Brett and Stacy and the boys in Salem and at the aquarium in Newport, and camped for three nights at campgrounds along the beach. We played in the ocean and just loved every moment. It was sunny and warm all week while it rained the whole time in Boise.

In July we had to replace our A/C and heater unit.  That was stressful. It is a big decision to make in a couple days time. Also in July we went to a beautiful wedding for Robert’s nephew, Matt, and his beautiful wife, KT. We were happy we were able to make it. It was a mini family reunion.

In August Abbie and I took on a new adventure thanks to our friends Matt and Kim.  We went on a 12-mile hike.  We laughed, we cried, we hurt, but mostly we smiled. It was a get adventure and I hope to do another one but we need to make sure Robert doesn’t have to work next time.

We missed the Oregon coast so much that Robert and I went back in September. This time it was adults only. We went with 10 other friends from Robert’s work. It was a week of shopping, relaxing, walks on the beach, and partying at the beach house. A couple people got stuck with Oregon’s speeding tickets and we got a flat tire. But overall it was a blast! Next trip is to Las Vegas in May!

BSU beat the PAC-10 champions Oregon 19-8. The Broncos finished the season 13-0 and will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona on January 4^th. Robert and I will be there cheering them on in the stands as a graduation present for Robert.  And yes, the Vandals still suck!

There isn’t much going on in December except for

ROBERT’S GRADUATION!!!!!

On December 18^th Robert is graduating from Boise State’s nursing program and will have his licenses by the middle of January. YEAH!!!!!!  We are so proud of him and his determination and go get it attitude.

So now the next chapter of our lives has started. We are happy to say we started the adoption process to add a new member of the family. We will keep everyone posted. It will take time to get the process going so please keep us in your thoughts!!

I hope the next year brings everyone all their hopes and dreams. Just keep swimming!!

The Whitakers

Robert, Brandi, and Abbie

http://robert.whitakerfamily.org

http://brandi.whitakerfamily.org

Comments (0) Dec 10 2009

i just printed out the 22 pages of forms to fill out. deep breath!!

Comments (0) Nov 30 2009

I will be having  to change the name of my blog soon.  ”Just the Three of Us” will not fit. Not sure how long, but we have filled out the first of many papers  to start the adoption  process for the next member of our family. Just filling out the papers that asked name, address and financial questions got me excited.  And knowing soon life will change for “Just the Three of Us”.  I am going to try to update throughout the process. I am  ready for the emotional part (I think, I hope).  It can’t be as hard as going through the emotional roller coaster of IVF.  The good thing is that I have an 11% chance of getting pregnant, but we have a %100 chance of getting a baby through adoption.

Next step is taking the paper work in and setting up an appointment.

more to come

Comments (0) Nov 27 2009

Okay, I have not been that good at doing posts. But I have been tweeting!! Okay no more excusses!!

So the coutertops turned out so GREAT. It really looks like a professional did it. Robert worked many, many hours. All the pictures are on Robert’s blog  at robert.whitakerfamily.org.

The Coasts was so much fun and really needed for my family.  The drive was good, but I did try to sell grandma in Pendleton but no one wanted her. The first stop was IKEA which was fun but next time I need a list.  The Portland Zoo was big. We got to visit with the Anderson’s. It was great to see their kids. They are getting so big. Camping by the beach, the waves at night were amazing.  Robert also has all the pictures on his blog robert.whitakerfamily.org. I have decided this will be a yearly thing. Maybe a house right on the beach with a couple families. I think it will be a great place to make new tradtions and many, many memories.

This summer  break was greatly needed. Less daycare kids and more big kid activites. Roaring Springs, Wahzoo’s, a couple trips to the lake, the zoo, being in a parade, Harry Potter movie marathon, swimming at Evan’s grandparents house or at Heathers, RN parties, and going out with friends. Just a lot of fun and very busy. The last couple weeks were stressful and really made me slow down and be thank ful for my family and friends, and how much I am greatful for Abbie and Robert… (R.I.P Robert Manwill)

So I am back to full kids, and Abbie starts school on Monday.  Abbie is going to be in 1 st grade.  WOW!!  I am really not sure when that happened. She is so excited to be going all day. Me, I am not sure what I am going to do during nap time, maybe start scrapbooking again or sewing. I am sure I will find something.

This is Robert’s last FULL ( I say that because I see more school in Robert’s future) semester and I have to say I really can’t wait. I need some normal. But the more I think about it, what is “normal?” Was it normal when Robert worked at Micron, yes for Abbie and me but not good for Robert. School for sure is not normal. Maybe we are going to start a NEW normal. I think it will be filled with Robert being home more (no more m-f 8-5), and be all about Abbie. Maybe some house improvements and of course bills getting payed off. I am very determened to get all bills payed off (except the house) within 6 -12 months so Robert can get a NEW car. I feel after all this stress of  leaving Micron, no job, school, UPS, school, work, school and  me,  he deserves a reward. I am so proud of him. It has been a rough road but I am really glad WE decided to do it. Life is short you need to have excitement in your lives or it gets boring.

Okay so here is my blog I should be good for another 6mos. right  lol!!

Comments (0) Aug 29 2009