January 2009

Austin doesn’t have the best balance and he falls a lot. At preschool his teacher was having him walk on a balance beam, but he was having problems staying on. She told me we should have his eyes checked, that was the easiest place to start in pinpointing the problem. At his eye exam they told us he needed glasses. The first day he started wearing them, he looked at books for hours, talking about everything he saw. I can tell he sees better by the things he talks about, but he still doesn’t run around like Coy does. I guess that just one of the differences in the boys that hasn’t changed.

Austin’s 4th birthday was on the 8th. Jon and I were both working so he had a little party at the preschool with all his school friends. We planned to celebrate at home the next day. Jon was working but would be home in time for dinner. Well dinner, cake and presents were ready and Jon still wasn’t home. At 7:45pm Jon calls to say he is tied up and won’t be able to make it home. I gave Austin a choice, have the party right now with out Daddy or have dinner now and the rest of the party the next day. All he said is “I want my Daddy.” Coy is telling him no, he wants to have his presents, but Austin wouldn’t budge, he wanted his Daddy. I explained that this was a very big boy decision he was making. I know I wouldn’t have made the same one when I was a kid. So we ate dinner, macaroni and cheese with hotdogs and chips. (My family may remember I picked this same dinner for my 8th birthday.) Then went to bed. For breakfast the next morning we ate cake and ice cream and opened presents. It was very different but fun.

On the 16th we met up with Jon’s sister Kari and her husband Mike, to go to the world wildlife zoo for the last part of Austin’s birthday. Instead of having a party we do what ever the boys want to do and Austin wanted to pet some animals. Kari and Mike have been able to make it to all of the boy’s birthdays. We saw all the animals, went on a train ride, pet the animals at the petting zoo, and rode the merry-go-round. The only problem was Austin didn’t like petting the animals. Kari had him try feeding a goat, as soon as the goat touched Austin’s hand he dropped all the food on the ground. Coy was petting and hugging any animal that he could get his hands on. It was a long day, but we had fun and the boys stayed happy all day.

Austin at his birthday breakfast party

Austin at the petting zoo





Coy hugging a goat

Austin on the merry-go-round

Coy and Aunt Kari

December 2008

I can't believe 2008 is over. We started off December with Jon finishing his training and coming home. It is so nice to feel like a normal family again. He is now working 5 days a week, 8 hour shifts. It's a big change from his 12 hour shifts with Sedona.

I finished my vet tech course and can start looking for a new job.

The boys were in a Christmas program at their preschool. Coy was Joseph and Austin was a star. They both knew all their lines and songs and where so excited. Then the program starts, Coy looked at the crowd and didn't move, didn't sing, and didn't say any of his lines. The girl that played Mary took Coy's hand and walked him through the play. Austin started jumping and throwing his star, so they had him leave the stage. At the end Coy asked if he was the best Joseph ever.

For Christmas the boys got bikes. They where so excited to ride them, but it was cold and raining. We moved the cars out of the garage and let them ride in there.

We ended the month with New Years Eve/ Jon's birthday. Jon had to work, so the boys and I ate finger foods and watched movies. We celebrated Jon's birthday the next day.

This picture is from Jon's graduation.

This is what Jon does with the boys while I'm working.

Austin on his new bike.

Coy riding his bike.

The boys with their gingerbread house.