New to the blog

Hey there everyone... My cousin Erin got me on to this site. It should make it easier for everyone to keep up with what is going on in the never boring life of our family. It will probably take me a little while to figure out how this thing works, so bear with me.

For those of you who don't know, Gifford and I are currently living apart (not by choice), due to his time with the Oregon Army National Guard. I am living with mom through the week, helping her out, and then return to LaGrande (where our house is) on the weekends. Either that, or Gifford comes down to mom's or we spend it with his family in Harper. Every weekend, a different place...*sigh* hopefully this won't last forever!

We are currently trying to get the house sold, so that we can buy something in Malheur County Our poor children don't know where home is. It would be nice to once again live under the same roof and be a full-time family again!

I am teaching in a small country school in Harper, Oregon. My commute is 48 miles, one way, to work which causes me to get up way too early. I taught Kindergarten there last year, with a whole 3 students! This year, I was moved up to the high school and am teaching business/computer classes as well as economics and art for grade 7-12. I was a bit nervous changing ages but have found that there really is not much of a difference. The attention span ofthe older kids is relatively the same, they are just older, much, MUCH louder, and get my jokes and sarcasim (which is not always a good thing).

Once home, I am a full time mom, keeping up with a preschooler and a toddler. Talk about exhausting! I would not have it any other way!

Ashlyn, now 3 1/2, is attending "Miss Krissy's Pre-school" and learning more and more every day. She can now sing her ABCs, recognize all basic shapes and colors, and more importantly, is learning to socialize with other children. This has caused her to not be as shy as she has been.

Gavin, now 1 1/2, is keeping grandma busy all day. He is full of discovery and is FINALLY saying a few words, that we can understand. He is full of energy, but is a little sweetie, most of the time. :)

For those of you who may not know, we lost my dad on Thanksgiving Day last year. We are still trying to rebound from such a shock. What a blow! He had recently been to the VA and was given a good report. Then all of a sudden, he was gone. He is missed by all of us terribly! There is not a day that goes by where Ashlyn doesn't mention how much she misses him! Gavin will look at his picture, and kiss it. What a joy the kids were to him. I am so glad they were able to know him, for as short of time as it was. I also thank God every day that he is in Heaven, waiting for us to join him.

Well, I need to feed my kids, bathe them, and get them ready for bed. I will try to add some more current pictures soon.

Talk to you all soon

~Winona