Luke the Fisherman

To say that Luke loves to fish is an understatement. We found a great little fishing spot at Hummel Park that the water is clear enough you can see the fish from the shore. So we went fishing yesterday and today. Luke woke up this morning and the first thing out of his mouth was "Can we go fishing today??" The weather has finally cooled back down and it has been delightful, espeically with the nice breeze. I grew up spending my summers (and winters) fishing with my Dad. Though I am not as 'brave' as I was when it comes to putting worms on the hooks, I am getting used to it. Luke really started to get into fishing last summer and Mark spent alot of time with him fishing. So I will keep it up and get over dealing with squirmy worms and fish. It has been moments like this, that once again, confirms that I am making the right decision to stay home with the kids right now. I absolutely love to be able to spend quality time with them like this.

Luke with his biggest catch so far at Hummel Park.

Luke in his 'fishing' outfit. He picked it out all by himself. He looks like he going hunting instead of fishing. He said he needed a fishing hat and asked to have one of Daddy's, so I let him have this one since it matches his 'fishing' outfit.

Luke's BIG catch!!!

Yippie! We finally got the boat in the Lake!! With the help of some friends (Dave and Karen who were our pre-marriage counselors from church and then when Mark started to work for Baxter, Dave and Mark car pooled to Bloomington) along with some strangers (Dave and Karen's neighbor from Plainfield, Jack, who also has a place on Raccoon Lake and Jack's neighbor at the Lake, Bob) we got the boat running and in the water. Oh, the kids were sooo happy! They have been wanting to take a boat ride every time we have gone out there this summer. The weather was wonderful and a nice break from the HOT and humid weather we have been having. We got to go swimming off the boat and the water was nice and comfortable. Even Florida Papa (my FIL) got into the water!!! As we headed over to the swimming beach, Kate fell asleep (I swear that girl can fall asleep anywhere) so Luke had fun swimming and looking for rocks with Papa. I ended up with my first sunburn of the year (that darn spray on sunscreen!)

After getting back to the Triangle house, Luke was begging to go fishing. The only working fishing pole I could find was one that is a toy fishing pole. I did find his tackle box that Car Papa (my Dad) had given him. I was very proud of myself as I was able to get it working and even a hook on it. However, we did not have any bait. We tried some bologna with no luck. Then Dave went looking for worms with no luck, however he did find a beetle. And would you know it, Luke caught a 5 pound Large Mouth Bass which I missed as Kate had to go to up to the house to use the potty!

Luke driving the boat with the help of Dave (I have a picture just like this of Luke driving the boat every year since he was 1).

Papa and Kate walking down to the dock. Kate is carrying her "Rainbow" bear that she made at Build-A-Bear and is currently very attached to.

Dave helping Luke with his 5 pound Large Mouth Bass. This is the first fish Luke has caught on Raccoon Lake!

Welcome Mo-Mo to the Amos' Household

Okay, the human-to-animal ratio in our household is now skewed in favor of the animals AGAIN with the addition of Mo-Mo the Winter White Drawf hamster that Luke got. Mo-Mo joins Buddie the dog (who is old, fat and grumpy) and two Beta fish (Nemo and Dory, who are orange and blue, respectively).

Mo-Mo is named after the monkey on PowerPuff Girls. Yes, Luke is a huge fan of them, and I don't dare ask why! He thinks Kate looks like Bubbles (the Blue PPG). Anyway, Mo-Mo is very sweet and I think I will be much happier with Mo-Mo (will be much less work then the guinea pigs we had).

Anyway, here is a picture of our newest addition.

Florida Papa is now in town. We took the kids to the pool yesterday afternoon. While Papa was off playing with Luke, Kate and I went to Mermaid school (basically the girls hanging out together in the pool pretending we were mermaids). So it was lots of fun! But it is HOT and HUMID here....ugh! Looks like we are going back to the pool this afternoon with Papa after we get some quotes on how much it will cost to finish painting the house.

On Saturday, I had my first 'real' class (last week was more of an orientation to the program). And I must say I am very excited! My classmates are awesome and we all have the same goal and passion: to help 'exceptional' children, otherwise known as special ed. And the professor for this course is very inspirational. She has been in the Special Ed field for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge. The coursework for this particular class will be manageable and I don't see it overwhelming me. Heck, if I can survive having to write numerous 25 page papers during a semester while reading, on the average of 300 pages a week, while in grad school for history, I can do this even with 2 kids competing for my attention! And I think what is surprising, in a very good way, is how Indiana Wesleyan incorporates Christian virtues into the coursework and challenges us to be a good Christian. It is very inspirational.

We survived our first Father's Day w/out Mark. The kids are still to young to quite get Father's Day, but we were out at the Lake like we always were. Their Uncle Mike (my brother-in-law, Mike Myron) joined as he is now in Columbus, OH while my SIL and nieces and nephew are still in Omaha awaiting their house to sell so they can join him as he got a new job in Columbus. It was good for all of us. Mike wasn't 'alone' on Father's Day and neither were we. I got up early this morning, while the kids were still asleep, and had a chance to sit on the dock for a while watching the sun rise. I had my iPod with me so I could listen to the music that I 'needed' to hear at that moment. I was able to enjoy the serenity around me while reflecting on Mark. Also, I finally got an opportunity to spread some of his ashes in the Lake like I have been wanting to do. Up until now, there just hasn't been the 'right' time...and it was very fitting to have done it on Father's Day. Though there were many tears shed, it was really a peaceful feeling.

Here is a copy of the memoriam I had put in today's Indy Star from the kids for Mark in honor of Father's Day. I absolutely love this picture of Mark. It was taken about a month before he died while on a hunting trip in Washington with his Dad. It is such an honest picture of him- his charming smile with that twinkle in his eye.

June 21, 2009: In Loving Memory of Mark E. Amos June 1, 1976- Oct. 13, 2008. Dear Daddy: We miss you very much. We love to sing songs to you while sitting on the "Daddy" swing or when we are out at the Triangle House. We know you are with Jesus up in Heaven (and even beat Him at golf!) Love you, Luke and Kate



And here is the link: http://www2.indystar.com/cgi-bin/memoriams/index.php?action=show&id=6546&category=memoriam

Thomas the Train

We made our annual trek to see Thomas the Train in Connersville. It was fun as always, but it was in the mid-80's and the humidity felt like it was at 100%. None of us do heat and humidity well, so after the train ride, we did most of the free activities(pony rides, 'pumpkin' train ride and more) then headed back home. Here are some pics.

The last pic is of a covered bridge that we came upon after having to take a slight detour on the county roads due to the highway being under construction. I believe we were in Rush County at this point. What a wonderful surprise and a great way top of a beautiful day with the kids!

I have to admit, this whole being able to "stay at home more" with the kiddos is going much better than I thought it ever could (a little nervous they would drive me insane by day three)....maybe since it is summer time and we are free to enjoy the beautiful weather....but I really think it is all the stress that I left behind in that Allstate parking lot when I drove my car away from there for the last time. Now, don't get me wrong, I made some dear friends there and Allstate was really good to me given all that I have been through....but the job was very, very stressful ...and sure the salary was good and the 'benefits' were good.... but I have learnd too much stress is not worth any amount of money.

This afternoon our neighbors invited us over for an impromptu water party that consisted of a slip and slide and our alligator pool. They kids truly enjoyed themselves and I was glad to see that. I was smiling on the outside and inside as I knew that if I was at work, I would not have been able to enjoy this moment with them. Seeing them be care-free and enjoying themselves in the summer, as kids should, and I was there to see it, not sitting behind some desk and computer.

Okay, I FINALLY gave into peer pressure and created a blogspot.....you know who you are that finally kicked me in the behind enough to do so. I have a xanga account, but honestly, I haven't posted on there in some time. Given everything that has gone on the past 8 months, lately I just didn't feel like posting. So here is to a fresh start!!

Speaking of fresh starts, today is my first day as a "SAHM-who-is-an-unemployed-college-student". And of course, one of the kids have to be sick. Kate has been running a low-grade fever all day and has spent most of the day sleeping. Luke went to VBS this morning, albiet kicking and screaming, but warmed up to it once he got there. It is amazing what I can get accomplished with one kid out of the house with the other one sleeping!

We have the 'alligator' pool set up on the deck and Luke has invited all the kids on the street over for a 'pool' party. Ah, this will be an intersting summer that I think will involve me drinking alot of wine!!!