history has been made

Not something I thought I was going to hear tonight.  It's a moment in history, similar to that of the Challenger explosion and the 9/11 attacks, that we will remember where we were and what we were doing when the news came to us all.  Osama bin Laden has been found and killed.  It took nearly 10 years of searching by our military, but they finally found him and he is no longer living.  It's hard to rejoice in someones death; however, this is one that I think most Americans will agree with and know that it is for the best. 

I never thought this was going to be the big announcement when they started coverage on the television station we were watching.  But being 9pm on a Sunday night, we knew it had to be something big.  And that it was.  This mastermind that destroyed so many families in the United States has been hiding from the US and they finally found him.  Not that this will end all the terrible attacks in the world, but at least one of the leaders that sets these plans in motion has been laid to rest. 

I have the utmost respect and my heart goes out to all those who have worked towards this goal for so very long. Not only those that have served over seas in the trenches, but also those who have protected us here on our homeland, those who have "allowed" their loved ones (their husband, daughter, daddy, brother, or sister) to be in a position to protect our country.  It's not only those that are there fighting the battle, but also all those here who have to let them go and live for months at a time without them, not knowing if they are going to be returning home.  To ALL those involved in this fight, I thank you!

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Below is the transcript from President Obama's press conference tonight.  I am putting it in here just for documenting purposes so we have it recorded in the years to come. 

Transcript: Obama's speech announcing the death of Osama bin Laden
Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama addressed the nation Sunday night to announce the death of Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the worst terrorist attack on American soil. The following is a transcript of his speech.


President Obama: Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world, the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child's embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda -- an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides in that effort. We've disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must --- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not --- and never will be --- at war with Islam. I've made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done. But it's important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who's been gravely wounded.

So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda's terror: Justice has been done.

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

Summer Lookout

This summer I need to have a schedule for my boys, so I've put one together.  Not that we will stick to it every day, but at least we have a plan if we need one.  There are several key parts of our schedule that will happen all or most days. 

Those thing include the following...

*Getting dressed

*Brushing teeth and combing hair (yes, even boys need to comb their hair)

*Making beds - (guess this means I have to make mine too)

*Free play

*Letter of the day activities

*Pool time!  Pool time! Pool time! - (we recently enrolled in the membership for the golf course that is near our house and while the golf is nice, I am REALLY looking forward to the pool this summer - and to be honest, that's really why we joined.  The summers here in Missouri are NOTHING like those in Utah and in order to survive the hot, humid days with both boys at my heels, the pool will be used almost daily when weather permits.)

* Quiet/Nap time

*Snack Time - (I always seem to be able to come up with much more fun snacks in the summer.)

*Reading/coloring/painting activities

Now, each day will be a bit different than the previous one due to play dates, library time, etc; however, having some sort of schedule seems to make our days run smoother than if it was just a free-for-all each and every day.  We'll see how it goes, but so far, it's working out well.

Going Up

We are blessed to be a part of a wonderful church community here in Missouri.  We have become more involved here than we ever have in any of the churches we've belonged to.  Ethan attends the school that is affiliated with the church, I volunteer at the school quite a bit, Rick has started doing the readings once a month at mass, and we are getting involved with the Catholic Engaged Encounter (the marriage prep retreat that engaged couples can go on). 

At our last church, in Utah, we were privileged to see a new church dedicated and attend mass at the new facility.  It's a special thing to see a church dedicated and to enjoy a new facility full of love, community and faith.  If it wasn't enough to be a part of that, we get to be a part of it again.  In spring of this year, our church started building a new facility that we will hopefully be using by Fall of this year.  It's amazing to see it take shape and to see the excitement of everyone involved with it.  The current church is connected with the school.  The new church will be a separate entity all on its own and the current area where the church is will become the gym for the school.  This is also much needed and everyone is so excited about it!  The school has never had their own gym.  They currently play basketball games at the public school's gym and use the Methodist Church's gym for practices since it is right across the street, they have indoor PE time (on rainy days) in the back of church or in the classroom (for the little kids anyway), and have archery practice in the back of church.  It will be so nice for the kids to have their own gym to play in, practice in and hold competitions in.  

Here are a few pictures of the progress the contractors are making....I'll post more as it gets finished.

The beginning... frame goes up

Frame - the current school/church in the background

Next few steps - Walls up, Roof boards on, clear windows in (will be some stained glass eventually)

Since these pictures were taken shingles have put the on the roof, the steeple is housed in brick, the bottom part of the building has larger stone pieces on it and they are just starting to put regular brick above that.  Completion is scheduled to be at the end of August with the dedication sometime in September or October.  Until then we'll just enjoy seeing bits and pieces get completed as it begins to look more and more like a church every day.

Hubby in Print

The fun of a small town. Rick's company is getting ready to implement an expansion at one of their plants. Because of this expansion, Rick had a meeting with the mayor and some others to discuss the matter at hand, sign papers and whatever else they needed to do (I really don't know... maybe it was just a picture taking meeting, I'm not sure). This said meeting was held in the morning hours and by the time the paper came out that afternoon it was front page news. Big news travels fast in a small town....

Is Your Day Going THIS Bad?

(updated 2/28 - see end of post)

A mathematical equation for you.....

Moving Vehicle

+

Stationary Garage Wall

=

???

This is what your answer should have been... did you get it right??

A broken van

A broken garage wall

A dryer that got catapulted to here (4 feet away from the where it used to be)

And a damaged wall/window/laundry room!

Bet you didn't have all that answer correct on the first try...

The Road Trip

The trip to Missouri was the first multi-day, long road trip that we were taking the boys on. We had gone up to Yellowstone earlier in the summer; however, that was a mere one day drive. So, we were hoping for the best - preparing for the worst. We had a chucked full snack bin (thanks to my visit to Wally World for the 2nd go around at packing it), a plethora of different movies and "fun" songs, a bag full of activities & toys, and for the worst scenario, 2 pair of ear plugs. OK, I'm just kidding about the ear plugs, but I was fully ready to plug my ears if necessary.

FRIDAY
We had the van packed up with the hotel room stuff by 8:30am. We ate a relaxed breakfast and started on our way to our first stop, Cheyenne, WY. We took the route up towards Bear Lake and at 11:37 (not even 2 hours into the drive) we had our first "When are we getting to the hotel" from Ethan. Oh, boy... it was going to be a long day!! Around 12:30pm we stopped at Little America in Wyoming and had a picnic lunch at the little playground there. It was a great stop for us all. The boys played, Kelty was able to come out with us and lay in the shade, and we had 50 cent ice cream cones! What could be better than that?

We got back on the road (Hwy 80) around 1:45 (yes, it was a longer stop than anticipated, but well worth it). Just as we were getting on the highway, we saw an Oscar Meyer mobile and Trevor said it was a rocket ship and then he laughed to himself as if he had said something quite funny. Shortly after seeing the "rocket ship" the boys experienced something that was way cooler... a tunnel! We got into it and everyone was yelling and laughing the whole way through. The boys wanted to go back so we could go through it again! No can do... we are going only in the right direction, no backtracking on this trip.

When we were about 1.5 hours out of Cheyenne, I noticed that there were a few areas in the mountains that STILL had snow on them! Can you believe it - mid August and still snow in the mountains! We got to the hotel in Cheyenne around 6pm, unloaded the bags we needed, got Kelty settled in and then headed to dinner. We were going to go to a Steakhouse; however the wait was almost an hour long. Next stop, please. The Village Inn (since it was right next to the hotel). I couldn't believe it - we lived in UT for 3.5 years, had a Village Inn a couple miles from our house and never went there. Now, as we're traveling away, that's where we end up for dinner. It was a good dinner though and was just what we needed after a long day in a car. Quiet. Relaxing. Simple food for the kids. Perfect.

Following dinner, the boys got PJs on and went down well. Rick and I laid in the bed next to them as they were trying to fall asleep and all we could do was laugh as we heard them giggling as they got the 'sillies' out of them!

SATURDAY
Everyone slept well on Friday night - YEAH. Rick and I were up around 6am and the boys followed suit at 6:30am. Everyone was up, dressed and ready to eat breakfast by 7:30am and then we were on the road to Lincoln, NE around 8am. This day had a bit rougher start - we had to start rationing the Starbursts that LuWana gave us at 9:30am. UGH. But they did ok after they settled in a bit, had a movie on and realized we were in for another long day. We made it til 1:30pm CST before stopping for lunch at a rest stop. Another picnic lunch and the boys loved playing with the "rolly polies" that were crawling around (sorry, I don't know the technical name for them, but they crawl around and when something touches them, they roll up into a hard little ball).

Back in the van, the boys finally fell asleep around 2:30pm. Whew... some quiet! Shortly after that, we saw the exit for Kearney, NE... we thought of the Nowak's since they used to live there! By 4:30ish we were at the hotel. It was great to be done a bit earlier this day so we could do something fun with the boys. We ordered pizza, ate in the room, and then we all got on our swimsuits and headed down to the pool. The boys had a BLAST. Trevor was shivering so bad towards the end, but we asked if he was having fun and he said, "Yes" and then we would ask if he wanted to get out and warm up and he said, "No"! So, we played! Then we bathed. And then we went to sleep.

SUNDAY
Our last day of driving! YIPPEE! We were once again up early, had things packed up, ate breakfast, and were on the road around 8:30am. Only 5 hours of driving today. As we were leaving Lincoln, we saw the Univ. Nebraska's stadium from a distance... I was impressed that Rick fought off the urge to take a hard right and go drive to it! Way to go, hunny! The drive was rather uneventful, but we were all glad to be done with it when we arrived at Rick's apartment that he had been living in for the last month.

On our drive we...
- drove through rain both days... some of it hitting so hard we thought it was hail
- saw lots and lots of trains (the favorite part, along with the ice cream, for both the boys)
- saw lots of windmills
- I started and finished a book (something I have never done that quickly)
- had a lot of quality family time
- Ethan had his first "pee on the side of the road" experience (and he was laughing at how far he could make it go!!)
- started our next adventure as complete family.

Packing - Day 1

As promised here is my update after the first day of packing the house up. It ended up being a bit more stressful than anticipated due to the fact that both boys were home all day. I intended for them to be at a friend's house; however, Trevor coming down with strep throat yesterday put that idea to rest very quickly since you're contagious until you have the antibiotics in your system for 24 hours.

Despite the change in plans, the boys did well. They were rather excited to see the packing start (or maybe it was just that a big moving truck was parked in our driveway). They helped one of the packers, April, put some of their games in a box which I was happy to see. Better that they helped rather than screaming because all their toys were put in boxes, right!?!

Here are some of things that kept us busy and how the house looks now at 8:30pm after the first day of packing...

Sliding match-box cars down the unmade boxes

Coloring on the packing paper

Our Kitchen-Maze of boxes

Our Bedroom - Single Lane Walking

The Toy room - Just a pyramid of boxes filled with toys

It was a long day overall, but we can check Day 1 off the chart now. Ethan summed up the day when he went to bed with a few of this comments. Even though he was excited to help and to see the big truck he said, "Mom, I don't like seeing all my stuff packed up." (wait til tomorrow when they actually do his bedroom.) And I have to agree with him. We are excited to become a family once again and all be in the same house; however, it's extremely sad to see this chapter coming to an end.

In addition, Ethan told me, "Mom, tomorrow I want to take a nap so I'm not so tired at bedtime." This being said after not napping today and breaking down in tears because he "was just so tired." That totally sums up the day. We didn't do a whole lot to make us tired, but the stress of moving has finally caught up with us all!

Till tomorrow...Day 2

The Pre-Movers Pictures

So, we start the adventure of our move tomorrow morning. The crew will be here to start packing our stuff up and our house will be come a maze of big boxes and little boxes and square boxes and rectangular boxes. Today was a productive day getting things set aside so they don't pack the stuff we need for our trip. We also got all the letters/numbers in Trevor's room down. The boys thought it was so cool that they got to take the letters from me and put them in the bin on the floor. Definitely helped me and my quads out so I didn't have to climb up and down 36 times over (26 letters + 10 numbers = 36 times I am very glad I didn't have to get up and down).

Here are just a couple before/after pictures of Trevor's room

And the the pre-movers pictures.... just wait til you see what it looks like tomorrow!

We Have a House!!!

Day #1 - In and out of 11 houses.

Day #2 - In, out, and around the yards of 4 houses that we looked at on Day #1. Offer made on 1 house, counter offer back to us, counter offer back to them, and 2nd counter offer back on our plate.

Day #3 - We accept final counter and sign on the dotted line.

Result: We have a house to move into that we're excited about!! (and we're breathing a big sigh of relief that Rick isn't having to continue looking for houses after I return back to Utah...)

New Neighbor - Queen Bee

After naps today, Ethan wanted to go outside to golf while Trevor was still sleeping. I told him he could as long as he stayed in the front yard where I could see him from the living room. He did a great job and was golfing, riding his scooter, and playing with the hula-hoops when all of a sudden he came in the house very agitated. He said, "Mom, you HAF-TA come outside and see these bees!! Come on, Mom. Come on!"

I figured it was just a new, little nest that he found that had a couple bees on it. Much to my surprise, I opened the door going into the garage and could hear the buzz or hum of the bees. Oh man... I knew there were more than a couple bees flying around and as I looked around I could see the swarm, probably hundreds, if not thousands, of bees flying around the tree by our mailbox. I could not believe it!! I told Ethan we had to come back in the house and I quickly closed the garage to keep any stray bees out of our garage. That's all I would need is them to decided they like our garage and make house in there!

I wanted to go out and take a video of it, but was smarter than that today. We watched and waited to see what they were going to do. Little by little they started congregating in the tree and soon there were only a few buzzing around outside the tree. At this time, I figured it was safe to go out and get a picture of our new neighbor... Queen Bee and her Posse.