Months 4 and 5

Wow, what a whirlwind the past few months have been. We are almost to the 6 month mark here in the great state of Arkansas. We have been very busy lately. In July, we bought and moved into a new house in the town of DeWitt. I also was accepted into a program to get my Arkansas Teacher's license (long story, but it is working out), and I am now one of the newest additions to DeWitt Elementary school teaching fourth grade literacy and social studies. Oh my goodness, it has been an amazing start to school. I am in love with 40 kiddos I get to spend my days with. I was really worried about the transition from kindergarten, but it has been great so far.
Crawford has started third grade and loves it and his teacher Mrs. Holly whom happens to be Jason's bosses wife. So, the Sloan's control our world right now. (haha). He is playing his 7th season of soccer and has his first game on Saturday. I am so excited to watch him play. Cash is staying with an in home caregiver and having lots of fun. He loves his Mrs. Brandi. Cash will also be playing soccer in a drill and clinic type game on Saturday mornings. I can not wait to see him play.
Jason is still loving his new job and now the water has receded enough he is actually getting to see more of the refuge that he works on. Hunting season is about to be in full force, and I think he is chomping at the bit to get out and work and do a little hunting also.
We just experienced our first of many small town football games, (which I of course loved), and are looking forward to many more. It was neat to have the kids hollering at me and giving me hugs and lots of fun for my kiddos to be a part of.  We have wound down summer with a trip to Little Rock to watch baseball and take care of some things, a visit to the Arkansas Post, and many other little mini trips, including one to Hot Springs to see Lolly and Grumps a few weeks ago. The boys are settling in nicely and I am beginning to adjust to everything. (It is a 30 minute drive to the little Wal-Mart, so not too much shopping going on unless the Dollar General has it.) We are loving our new backyard and that it only takes me 2 minutes to get to the school from my driveway. WOOHOO! 
Until next time,
Greetings from Arkansas.

after signing on our new house 

 first night at the new house

 the boys favorite part of the new house...the Jacuzzi tub in mommy's bathroom

 Officially official an Arkansan

 Crawford's new bed covers...he wanted all sports

Cash and Crawford in the dugout at an Arkansas Traveler's game 

 a little southern in Little Rock at the Travs game

 Travs statue

 Poppy and Crawford at Silver Dollar City in Branson

 Crawford with his cousins Ellie, Asher and Brooks before a movie

 my door for this year (thanks hubby for the superhero)

 third and fourth grade literacy teachers...you cant take us anywhere 

 first day back for the teachers of DES

 Suzee and Mags have their own space in our back yard

another Travs game 

first day of third grade for Crawford 

 mommy and Crawford's first day of third and fourth grade

 soccer practice

 Cash loves swimming in the tub

 Lolly, Crawford and Cash in Hot Springs

Crawford and mommy before running club 

 our new bed...notice who is in it

 lolly and cash washing up in Hot Springs

back porch and fire ring 

 Dragon pride

 Dragon football game

 mini get away to Little Rock

Travs pitcher who played with cousin Aaron at TCU

Month Three

This week marks our third month here in Arkansas. It also is a huge step forward for us, as we will be signing (Good Lord Willing!!) on our new house on Friday. Friday is also our 11th wedding anniversary! (YAY!) We joke, because last year he took me to Hawaii and this year he is buying me a house....he has to really step it up next year. (Joke) We have been blessed to have somewhere to live these three months as we have been transitioning, but it hasn't always been easy. The boys have been stuck in a bedroom with Jason and I and really unable to be themselves due to others living here with us.  They are ready for a change and to get their own things back. Jason and I are ready for them to get their own things back too! I am ready to open the back door and say "Go play and don't come in until dark!"I am also ready for my own bed, bath, closet, kitchen...etc. I sometimes feel like we have been prisoners, so it will be nice to be in our own space. It will really feel like it is real when we get our dogs home. I know the boys are also ready for that. We have finished up baseball season and are ready to just relax (ha) the rest of the summer. We have plans to head to Dallas and visit my Mammy Jo and possibly a small trip here and there to Memphis and Hot Springs. I have a possible job lined up for next year, so I am getting things arranged for that. (Until I sign the contract, I am trying to play devil's advocate!) I will be informing people as soon as it is official. I can tell you however, I am extremely happy and excited for the prospect. We are passing time with trips to the park, trips to the refuge, trips to gather eggs, and anything else we can do. We have been to Little Rock, The Louisiana Purchase State Park, the Arkansas Post and anything else we can find close by to do right now. For Father's Day today, we went to church, had lunch, and Jason grilled us steaks for dinner. We agreed that for this month, our house is our gift!! I will update with pictures when we finally get to sign on the dotted line!!!

 having fun at parents vs. kids

 parents vs. kids game

 the ring bearer with mommy before the wedding

 this kid...he was giggling the entire time

 The Ring Bearer for the Crow wedding

 a very rare picture of the two of us together

 yard ball

 when you live on a wildlife refuge...