New Sport

2011 found us getting into the world of Mixed Martial Arts!

The Professor loves it!

He started out as a white belt...

Then he advanced to his yellow belt.

After that he was promoted to the Black Belt Training Class...

Now he's learning to use weapons!!!

This summer he earned his orange belt - and he just keeps going!

This has been a great fit for The Professor:

gets focuses on an important life-skill each month...

he gets to hit, kick & yell...

he gets to break boards...

he gets to make "intense" faces...

he gets to use weapons...

he has his own set of kick boxing gloves...

&

he gets to work out & build muscle.
Best of all he loves it!

First Laugh of the Day

Junior is my garden helper. Everyday - we work in the garden together and he likes to say the names of the vegetables as we are weeding or harvesting.

This morning we were out picking some okra...

he was chatting along and then he got very quiet - I could see he was thinking - and then I knew... he'd forgotten what this vegetable was called.

Then all of the sudden his eyes lit up and he said,

"Mama - I weally wike "B"-kra!"

I had to smile - and then said, "you mean "O"-kra?"

"Oh yea, Mama wight... is "O"kra!"

Junior with his "B"-kra!

Jack-O-Lantern in July

Bubba's gonna save us some money on buying pumpkins this October!

He's lost another tooth and has the best jack-o-lantern smile on the block!

He's Alive!

OTG Boy had a wonderful time at scout camp!

He said the weather was perfect...

only a little bit of rain : )

He worked hard and completed 8 Merit Badges:

Astronomy

Environmental Science

First Aid

Indian Lore

Mammal Study

Nature

Wilderness Survival

&

Wood Carving

Handsome Hubby and I are very proud of all his hardwork!

Mighty Fishermen!

It's been years in the making - but Handsome Hubby and OTG Boy have finally experienced a successful fishing trip!

Good thing, too - OTG Boy was trying to finish up a pre-requisite for scout camp.

Thanks Handsome Hubby for taking care of our boys!

Dinner was delicious!

Toothless

Look who just lost another tooth!

Guess we know what Bubba will be wantin' for Christmas!

(Two others are loose & wiggly - how's the poor boy going to eat!?!)

Trying to Let Go

OTG Boy walked out the door, today, at 4am!

Off for a week of Scout Camp!

Handsome Hubby drove him to the church, while I waited at home watching the lightening light up the walls and listening to the thunder crash. Then the rain started pouring down...

My mind was racing...

will he be warm enough?

will any of his belongings stay dry?

why am I letting him go away for a whole week?

Handsome Hubby has done his best to calm my fears and remind me that this week, both the good and the bad, will be important experiences for OTG Boy. He promised me he'll survive.

He better be right... it's going to be a very long week for mom!

Time Flies

When we moved back to Phoenix in 2004

I thought my little boy was so cute swimming in the pool!

Then

OTG Boy

Now

My cute little swimmer has turned into a crazy cannonball,

very grown-up, "almost" teenager!

Staying Cool

(Bubba and The Professor)

Favorite Summer Family Activity? Swimming!!!

The Garden

Our garden has been very productive this year!!!

It's been fun for the kids to help -

they help with the watering & the weeding.

So far we've harvested:

Green Bell Peppers

Roma Tomatoes (hundreds - it feels like)

Jalapeno Peppers (very spicy)

Peas

Cucumbers

and Okra!

The zuchini and crook neck squashes are almost ready!

Lessons Learned:

We had to battle the birds this year they kept eating our little plants...

Handsome Hubby created a system to keep the birds out!

Lesson two: we specifically planted roma tomatoes because I had heard they are excellent for canning. So, I thought with all our peppers I would make my own salsa to can. I learned making salsa is a lot of work - for a very small yield. I think I'll stick with the sales and buy my salsa at the store from now on : )