D - I got it right

Everyone who knows our family knows that Noah is a daddy's boy. For example, last week on fall break, I took the kids down to Houston to visit my parents. I had time to focus a little more attention on Noah than usual, and at one point he told me he loves spending time with me. As my face lit up, he realized he probably got my hopes up. He quickly added, "When dad's not around, you know?"

Anyhow, today I did something right. His kindergarten class was having their "Fall Celebration" (formerly known in public schools as a Halloween party). Even though it started at 2:00 and I had to leave by 2:15 to pick Katie up from Sonshine School, I put out the effort to make sure I was there. It turns out that took more effort than I thought since I locked my keys in my car at the grocery store and had to wait for AAA to bail me out and made it to the party 5 minutes late. It was worth it, though, when Noah's face lit up as I walked into the room. It was worth it again as I watched him tie for the win in musical chairs and give me a proud smile. It was worth it yet again when he realized I was the one who brought his favorite part of their snack, and I got an enthusiastic "Cool!"

For today, anyhow, I got it right. That was 10 minutes very well spent.

D - That's Perseverance

If you live on the NW side of Edmond, then you know that they have been FOREVER building a new dry cleaners at the intersection of 2nd & Santa Fe. It looks like they may actually finish it during 2007 because now they have signs all over the building.

My kids and I have been following the progress for some time now, and yesterday Noah asked me if I thought I might switch over to give them a try. In my usual sarcastic manner, I said something along the lines of "If they ever finish it."

Noah said, "Of course they will. Remember way back when there was a gas station there? Well, they tore that down, and they've been working hard to build the cleaners. That's perseverance."

Wow. Kudos to all of his past and present bible class teachers!

M - Deployment ceremony for 45th Infantry Brigade

"For over 370 years, a group of people have stepped forward to serve and protect their neighbors, their communities, and their country." -National Guard Recruiting Video

This afternoon I left the office for a 'quick trip' to Norman to support the largest deployment of Oklahoma National Guard soldiers since the Korean War. The ceremony was for 2,400 soldiers from several units of the 45th Infantry Brigade and their families. I'll keep the history lesson very brief but Oklahoma is honored to have one of the most decorated Army units in all of armed history. Patton is quoted as having said of the 45th that it is "One of the best if not the best division in the history of American arms.” Coming from Patton, that means alot! The 45th was also responsible for liberating the Dachau prison camp during WWII.

The speeches today were very weak compared to THIS ONE. Be careful with some of the language though in that youtube link. If you stick with the whole speech I think you'll see how important it was to the troops at the time given the impending Allied invasion of Normandy. For a little saltier (if you can believe it) and historically accurate version click HERE. This last link is text only. I doubt most of you will care to make a study of this whole thing but I find it quite interesting! :-)

My aunt told me that the event was to start at 1400hrs but thank goodness she was wrong! It actually started at 3pm and I needed every extra minute I could get. After I arrived, I-35 was essentially at a standstill because so many people were trying to get to the ceremony. With an hour and 15 minutes before the event was scheduled to start the parking lot was almost already full! It was nuts but how great is it to see that kind of turn out. I sat in the parking lot for over an hour trying to leave and it took me another 40 minutes to get from the OU Campus to Sooner Road and I-240.

Speakers included David Boren and Brad Henry. I've heard Brad Henry speak on multiple occasions and the poor man just HAS NOT gotten any better. With absolutely no political inclinations at all I can honestly say his public speaking skills had nothing to do with him getting elected. What happened Steve Largent!?!?

The singers did an incredible job on both the National Anthem and God Bless America. I was also really impressed with the Oklahoma Army Band...who knew?? During the singing of God Bless America, the lady asked the crowd to join in and it sounded great. It was fun to have everyone participating in such a great song and at a moment like this. The video is rather large but hopefully it will upload and you can get a sense of what it was like.

While I was wandering around outside the Lloyd Noble Arena I ran into a young man that was several years behind me in high school. This was to be his 3rd deployment to Iraq. He volunteered for the 2nd one. The first and third came from being deployed under assignment. During his 2nd tour he volunteered because he was supposed to be going to Kuwait but instead was re-assigned with the infantry in Iraq...NOT a good alternative to Kuwait!

Most importantly, I did get to see Lenny (my cousin) and Amanda before they BOTH deploy, leaving behind their 3yr old little girl Lexi. Talk about tough! I could tell they were both heartbroken. Unfortunately I forgot to get a picture of us together but nonetheless is was great to see him and wish him well. This is the second deployment for both of them.

Here are some miscellaneous pictures I thought you might enjoy.

D - Camping

A couple of weeks ago I did something that has brought shock and awe to all that I have told about it - I went on my first ever camping trip. Now some (my family) are shocked that I would even consider this. While others (who know Mike) can't believe that I've never been before. Whichever camp you're a part of, the fact is..........I liked it!

The four of us went to Lawton to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge for a quick overnight trip. Katie and I got the oh-so cushy, comfy (or so I'm told) tent with air mattress while Noah and Mike toughed it out on hammocks in the back of the truck. Before everyone starts emailing with offers of tents to borrow - we have several. The guys just thought this was a good idea. Hmmmmm.......

Anyhow, I wish I had some really entertaining Dana's-first-trip-was-awful stories to tell, but it was just fun. This late in the year the weather was very nice, there were no pesky bugs around our food and I never saw any snakes. It was great. I did learn, however, that the purpose of camping is not actually being able to sleep. I think I was awake far more than asleep that night. I guess if the trip were 2 days instead of just 1, I would sleep much better on night #2 simply because of being so exhausted!

The 2nd day we drove around the wildlife refuge and saw some buffalo, longhorn cattle and prairie dogs roaming about. The guys fished a little while Katie and I climbed some rocks. Chrissey and Kim, I know it's not Colorado, but you should still consider going. It's pretty and would at least give you a hint of the type of fun you enjoy in your homeland!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention Mike's new invention - the reese's smore. I would have to recommend it as an alternative to the original!

D - Bowling isn't Fair!!!

On the 1st Saturday of the Fair, we loaded up the family and headed down for a much-anticipated day of fun. We talked all morning long of what we were going to do and voted enthusiastically on all of the junk we were going to eat. When we went to exit onto 10th street, however (cue ominous music), we were met with an ugly picture. Traffic was backed up forever, and the parking lot at the fairgrounds was overflowing. This wasn't exactly the fun-filled day Mike and I had in mind, so we decided to postpone our trip to a weeknight.

If you've ever announced to your children on Christmas Eve that you wouldn't be opening presents until New Years, you might have some idea how disappointing this was to our children. In our feeble attempts to think of something, ANYTHING that might make this up to them, we came up with bowling.

We had so much fun doing this. If you haven't been bowling as a family, make it a priority! They have this cool contraption for kids Katie's age where they just drop the ball down a ramp, and she scored over 100 each game. Much to the dismay of her brother, who only got to take advantage of the bumpers, she beat him both games. Given his EXTREME competitive nature, Mike could only make him feel better by saying the game was boys vs. girls, and their combined scores beat ours. Lucky dogs!

D - Katie is 3!

I'm very behind in my blogging right now - as evidenced by the fact that it's almost been 2 weeks since Katie's birthday. Sorry!

We had an INSANE day the Saturday of her party. With a house full of company plus baby showers for both of my sisters and a soccer game for Noah, I think we still managed to make Katie feel pretty special. She and Noah slept on an air mattress in her room that weekend, and I decorated it with balloons and a banner the same way we did Noah's birthday in our hotel room this summer. This was such a big hit with Noah, apparently it's now a Bosley tradition. Anyhow, I think she really enjoyed it.

She had her party at Oklahoma Gold (the local gymnastics gym where she is currently enrolled). It was VERY easy for me which was really important with so many other things going on that day - not to mention Katie really loved it! She is very into gymnastics, and it was fun for her to have the gym filled with her family and friends. Thanks everyone!