He's 19!

I won't say that he can't possibly be 19 because it really does seem 19 years since I had him when I think of all the places we've lived and all we've been through. But it's been a good 19 years and we are so proud of him. He has had a lot of challenges and he still struggles, but he is making it. He starts college next month.


Six months old in Grand Forks, ND

First birthday, ND

Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa

We loved it there but were sent back to the U.S. for testing and early intervention for Tyler.







South Dakota

England

Euro Disney in France




Georgia

Cruise

MGM

Florida

Graduation




Happy birthday Tyler!

Dinner Out

After finishing Adam's room and other projects including replacing boards in the steps and railings, replacing old swings and fixing up the swing set, and lots of cleaning, we all went out to dinner, my treat.

We went to Chilis. They had the special where two people share an appetizer, each get an entree and then share a dessert for $20. That worked out well for us. Jasmine got a kid's meal.

My dinner.

We had lots left. The appetizers filled us up before the meal even came!

Jessica decided that more steps need replacing so we got lumber for that.

The rug is for Jessica and Jasmine's room.

I told Jessica that after Adam's room was done she could paint the bathroom the color we decided against for Adam's room. She is so busy with work that it's hard to get the projects done now. She works 12-6 most days but has to stay until 7:45 on the days Ty works to bring him home. Next week she has marching band sectionals. Stay tuned for more pictures as the bathroom progresses.

Adam's Room

While Adam is at Merritt Island for mission camp this summer, we redid his room. Jessica has actually done most of the work but everyone kicked in a little.




Priming the walls.

Changing the bunk bed from bright blue to navy blue.

We painted the whole room in a pretty, bright blue color but then decided it was too cute for a boy's room. We are going to paint the kids bathroom that color though. Here the girls are painting over the bright blue.

This is the final color.

His carpet had to be replaced with linoleum a few years ago. It was stuck down and had to be scraped up. Not fun at all.

Tile was laid instead.

Floor done, white edge added along the floor, curtains hung, bed put back together and bedding being put on.

Stuff on the walls except for the picture we bought in Haiti which need frames.

Kaleb and Adam will share the bunk bed or Kaleb can share Ty's room if he wants. There is a bunk bed in it too.

More About Orlando

Most of the first day was spent at Universal. Everyone started out together on the first ride but then we quickly split up boys/girls. When we are all together, there are too many personality quirks.

Adam is at camp.

Once we split into groups, we pretty quickly decided what we each most wanted to do.




















The boys hung out at the pool in the evenings.







The girls spent most of the second day at Islands of Adventure but the boys went back and forth between parks.


Jasmine on One Fish, Two Fish. My shirt got soaked on this ride.








In the Cat in the Hat shop. Cat in the Hat was a good ride but I didn't know it spun. I had set my backpack, and Jessica's purse, hat and water bottle (she was on a ride where she couldn't have any loose items) on the seat beside me. The lady didn't say anything like "Do you know that is all going to fly off and you are not going to be able to get it back until the ride closes at 9?" Nope. Found that out the hard way. Thankfully the backpack didn't go flying so at least we had money and the tickets.







Jasmine in the Seuss Landing play ground. I told her to go ahead and get wet but take her shoes and socks off. As usual people stared at her feet and pointed them out to their friends. Even adults. I'd rather they just ask. She knows what to say when people ask why her feet/hand/neck etc. are the way they are.

Jasmine's favorite rides were Spiderman and Seuss Landing (all the rides) at Islands of Adventure and Jimmy Neutron and Men in Black at Universal.

Jeff's favorite rides were Simpsons and Mummy at Universal and Spiderman at Islands of Adventure.

Jessica's favorite rides were Mummy and Men in Black at Universal and Hulk Rollercoaster (big loops and very scary!!) and Dueling Dragons at Islands of Adventure.

Tyler's favorites were Mummy at Universal and Spiderman and the River Adventure at Islands of Adventure.

The girls and I went back to Universal when Jessica got back from taking the boys back to the hotel so they could hang out. We were able to go on several rides the last hour because it was sprinkling and people were leaving.

They are both fun places and I'd like to go again--but not right away! It's about 7 hours there.