Our Valentines

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Student of the Week

This week Cami was Student of the Week. Since her birthday is in August, the teacher tries to have the student be star/student of the week around their half birthday. Cami was very excited to be able to do show and tell everyday. She brought her American Girl doll, her frog, her bear, and a few other things to show each day. She picked out a special treat of cupcakes to make with daddy and bring in to her class.

It was a week of treats as Cami got to bring her treat on Wednesday and they celebrated Valentine's Day on Thursday.

On Thursday, I came in and read one of Cami's favorite books, Bibimbop. The kids all joined along with each time the rhyme said BI BIM BOP. It was enjoyable for the kids and made me happy that the kids enjoyed the time I read and talked to them about Korean food.

Cami in front of her Student of the Week board

After the story, the kids exchanged valentines and most had candy to drop in the bags and boxes as well. The kids enjoyed their Valentine party with extra snacks and juice. The kids burned off energy and some of the sugar at recess, which immediately followed the party.

The kids were excited to finish up their short week with the party since Friday was a teacher in service day.

Cami showing her Valentine's bag

He shoots, He scores!!!!

For the last year and a half Ben has been asking to play basketball. This summer he attended a basketball themed Vacation Bible School at Lake City Church and LOVED it! This winter we signed him up for Upward basketball through Door Creek Church. It is a league of kids from 1st-6th grade who are learning to play basketball. Each practice and game focuses on teaching the kids about the sport and also having a lesson tied to it. They learn the sport, teamwork, and it is God focused.

Today was Ben's 4th basketball game. He is getting better at getting the ball, passing, and today he made his first basket! We are so proud of him. He shot the last basket of the game. Even though they don't keep score, one of the parents (who obviously was keeping count) said that Ben made the winning shot! He was so proud of himself for shooting and making his very first basket. Unfortunately I missed getting a picture of him shooting the basket, but I did get a shot of him right before he threw it...

Ben's Upward Team - The Hawks

Happy Gotcha Day Cami!

Today we celebrate the day Justin, Ben, and I got each other as a family. Five years ago we were in Korea waiting to finally have our little girl forever. We feel so blessed that her foster mother and father loved her and took care of her. She was very bonded to them. It was a difficult transition for her and for us. We felt joy that we had our little girl, yet sadness knowing that she was grieving the loss of the only parents she ever knew.

We celebrate 5 years together as a family and love every minute that we have with her. We thank and praise God for the precious little girl that he blessed us with.

Happy Gotcha Day Cami! I am so thankful that we GOT each other!

First Basketball Game

Ben had his first basketball game today. He is a little shy, but is doing a great job of dribbling and getting the ball down the court. He is so excited to play Upward basketball this season through Door Creek Church.

First Lost Tooth on Friday, January 15!!!

Ben finally lost his first tooth. This has been a long, hard process since his two bottom adult teeth starting coming in about 2 months ago. The baby teeth have not wanted to let go despite the tugging and pulling. With a little incentive, Ben finally got his first tooth out on Friday. His bottom tooth went into his tooth fairy pillow, along with a note. We told Ben that the Tooth Fairy brings something extra special for the first tooth the kid pulls out themselves. So, Ben wrote the Tooth Fairy a note asking for money to play Laser Tag. The Tooth Fairy wrote a note back congratulating Ben and giving him $7.50 for the game of Laser Tag.

On Sunday, we headed to the Laser Tag place. They offer free games for parents on Sundays, plus we had a buy 1 get 1 free coupon, so, Ben, Cami, and Justin had a great time and I stayed in the car with Ian as he slept.

Our last Midwest Airlines Non Rev adventure

Cami on the shuttle bus

Today marked our last trip as standby/ non rev passengers on Midwest Airlines. Two weeks ago Dana received a letter from Republic Airlines, the new owner of Midwest Airlines, telling her that they are terminating every furloughed Midwest employees flight benefits.

Originally, the flight benefits were suppose to last until September 30, 2010. We are thankful that her letter was in the second batch that were sent. The first batch was terminating flight benefits effective December 31, 2009. The second batch will have flight benefits terminating on January 15, 2010. We are thankful that our entire family was able to travel to California to spend time with Ma and Pa and with Mike, Allison, Austin, and Kylie. Dana enjoyed time with friends in LA for the People's Choice Awards for a few days. Justin and the kids ended up flying from Milwaukee to Phoenix since the LA flights were oversold. They rented a car and drove 6 hours to California. They made a stop in Irvine so the kids could play and spend time with their cousins before heading up to LA to see mommy.

We enjoyed time together in LA seeing Mann's Chinese theater, where the kids and Justin saw Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeaquel while Dana slept in after her night at the People's Choice Awards and After Party. Dana met Sam Waterston in our hotel.

We were all excited to head to Irvine after our stay in LA so we could spend time with Dana's mom and step dad and Mike's family. We took the day to go to Disneyland. We are thankful for Clairol's $500 American Express gift card that was part of the prize for spending money while in California. We were able to use that to pay for a day at Disneyland. The kids LOVED being at Disney with Aladodo and Papa and with their cousins. We went on rides, took lots of pictures, and enjoyed a long day together. We also ran into the Boppre family who was spending the day at Disney. We all had a great day. The kids even came home with a few souvenirs.

After our last family vacation on non rev tickets, we headed back to the airport. Dana had a paid ticket from her winnings and thankfully Justin and the kids made it on the flight non revving back to Milwaukee. The 12+ years at Midwest has lead us on many flying adventures. We have enjoyed flying for free or reduced fairs all over the United States and three times to Korea. We will miss our flying benefits. The kids have never known flying without a Plan B and Plan C to get to our destination or to get home. It has made them very easy going and flexible travelers.

Although the airline industry does not pay well, I enjoyed my job and the flying benefits that came with the job. We are proud to say that we utilized our flying benefits and thank Midwest for the time that I spent there. I am sad to leave after flying over 6 million miles working and several hundred thousand as a non-rev. For my children flying was an adventure they enjoyed...

107,962 miles Ben has flown; 71,372 that Cami has flown; and 25,649 that Ian has flown all as a non rev.