Haley is just blossoming here. She loves school and is non stop talking from the moment I pick her up from school (this is something she
didnt do back in California - first grade) I really think placing her in kindergarten here has been the best choice! She even got in trouble for talking at school. This made me smile. She told me RIGHT AWAY when she got in the car.... Her dresses are currently in time out for giving me attitude when I told her she could not wear a sun dress to school... it was in the forties outside.... Her attitude has improved since.
A conversation Haley and I had the other day:
H: Everyone at school says ma'am
Me: Really?
H: Yeah...
me: do you?
H: No. I told my teacher that I dont say that
me: Oh... what did she say?
H: That I didnt have to but that she likes it when kids say it
Me: In Georgia kids say yes ma'am as a way of being polite.
H: Well, in California we didn't
Me: I know.
H: mom... I think I am going to try to say ma'am.
Me: ok.
H: I have to go to the bathroom ma'am (and then she proceeded to get up and go to the bathroom... with a smile)
when she came back... she used ma'am over and over again, never in the way they use it here. "The dogs need to go outside ma'am" "Ma'am I love you" "Ma'am can I have some milk please ma'am?"
Hunter is still at home. We are still in the process of finding the right school for him. Mean while, he is going on "field trips" with mom or dad threw out the week to help keep him socialized. He has a new friend, Grady, who he enjoys when he sees him. He is getting along with Jonah much more... which we wasnt a few months ago. Him and Joe are sharing a room and doing fabulous with that! (Thanks Mrs. Jones for the social story that helped make this process easier... it really helped!) Hunter and I are focusing on learning sign language while he is not in school. He already knows how to sound words out and all.... he lacks the motor skills to write.... but we are working on that. I mean, seriously, he is only 4!
Conversation with Hunter:
H: mom... I miss Tennessee
Me: You do huh? What do you miss about Tennessee?
H: Nate
Me: Nate doesnt live in Tennessee
H: Where does Nate live?
Me: Where do you think Nate lives?
H: By our old home.... I miss our old home in Tennessee
me: We never lived in Tennessee.
H: Why... I like Tennessee... I want to live there.
seeing that this conversation was going no where... I informed Hunter that we lived in California (which he knows) and that we have never lived in Tennessee.... This is a conversation we have a lot.... sometimes it ends in tears about how he loves Tennessee.... sometimes he just moves on.... silly man. Personally I think he just likes to say the word Tennessee.
Jonah has been struggling with his molars... a few weeks ago got his bottom two... runny nose.... FUSSY!!! This week he got two top molars.... runny nose.... FUSSY!!!! YUCK..... He loves to explore our new home. He loves to get into Haley's littlest pet shop stuff, which of course makes her totally upset! He thinks all animals say woof.... You know... basic one year old stuff.... into everything... wants to do everything by himself and what Haley and Hunter are doing.....
Jim and I...
I am sick with a head cold... yuck! And it is REALLY cold here!!! At night the temps are in the 20's. Jenny had left a cup of water in her car over night and in the morning it was ice. I cant find any of the scarfs I made back in California.... and I could really use some snow gear... i think i might invent a nose warmer because my nose is what freezes the most outside. When we take the dogs out to pee in the morning... they run out... pee and dash back inside. (Except for when they see a squirrel.... then they chase it)
Both Jim and I are on Facebook and are enjoying catching up with friends, both old and new on there. If you arent on Facebook, you really need to join. It isnt as time consuming as people may tell you it is. It is only if you let it be. It is connected to your email account so really, you have no need to go on unless you get an email that someone has contacted you. I like being able to send video messages to friends and family. Hunter and Haley have made some videos and sent them to friends via Facebook. I am trying to figure out how they can send video messages to friends via email.
Jim had a final interview with a jail job. He walked away from it uncertain. He knew he was very indecisive with some of the questions they asked him. Mostly because he didnt know how he would respond when put in the situation given. Would he shoot a 12 year old boy if he was aiming a gun at him? One question that bothered me was how he would handle a situation in which a fellow employee was attacked by a riot in the prison he would be stationed at. Oh and in the scenario it is only him and his co-worker and about 60 inmates. The job was a position in the prison... as a guard. He has gotten a job as a secret shopper where stores hire him to come in and shop and rates them. It sounds fun. His first assignment came and he is just waiting for one thing to arrive in the mail (the money to do the shopping). It is like mission impossible. They tell him who he is to interact with (hostess, or check out clerk, or a sales associate) and what he is to buy.... at times he may even be asked to be a disgruntled costumer. He is excited!
That is it for now... I know... long and boring.. :)
I just want to say thanks to those who have been so encouraging and supportive. I know it can be tough to keep up a relationship or friendship so far away.... I appreciate the efforts. I know relationships take on new forms... mostly online.... :) but it still is nice to know you all are there!
I am going to attempt youTube soon so hopefully I can download video to my blog. This was a comical event, tons of fun! And the Turkey even turned out EXCELLENT
Both Jenny and I were new to this. We have never seen the inside of a Turkey. It was gross. 
We cooked a 20 pound turkey! Yes... that is a LOT. The advice we were given at the store was to buy a turkey where you calculate how many people were eating.... then you get a 1/2 a pound for each person.... so we counted all three kids as one adult (if that) and us four = 5 which = a 2 and 1/2 pound turkey.... 
Jenny and Scott brought the kids balloon ball things and Jonah had a blast with them.
After over FOUR hours of cooking the Turkey... we finally brought it out of the oven... it was beautiful :). 
Really... I think Jenny and I were surprised at how easy it was to cook Henrietta. The picture below, I am pointing to the popper thing that pops up when it is done.
After dinner.... we cleaned up and packed up all our left overs. We played games and ate dessert (Pumpkin pie, Cheese cake, rice crisspy treats, and chocolate pudding). 
This is a picture of how much turkey was left over on the plater AFTER we ate. Plus there was more in the kitchen....
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