Raising the Roof

The Equestrian Zone has a Boots and Benefactors party every year to raise money to keep the hippo-therapy going.  This year they are raising money to put a roof over the arena so it can be used in the heat of summer and in the rain.  We had gone to one of these several years ago, but they are a bit fancier now.  They should be at $50 a ticket.  Luckily, Sahara and I were gifted tickets this year and Canyon got in free because his is a rider.

The Barn at Twin Oaks is a popular wedding venue.  It's not far away, but it's spendy.  We took pictures around the grounds.

Sahara is really thinking of doing succulents as a wedding theme at some point in her life.  She got some cute ideas with their succulent theme.

Dinner was buffet / cowboy style with pulled pork, BBQed chicken, beans, coleslaw, and bread.  Plus lots of edible succulent cupcakes.

Our favorite photographer friend, Melanie, was there to document the event and we got a shot with her.

I was a fun evening and perfect weather.  I hope we get to go again!

Celebration Time

Sahara's friend since kindergarten, Carlee, got excepted in the graduate program. We took her out for dinner and drinks to celebrate.

Eagle Tour

Canyon's class went out on the lake to eagle watch again.

They saw 2 eagles and a nest.

Body Bling

Ohhh, I forgot to add to the Spring Break post that Sahara decided to add another hole to her body. Hopefully it won't get infected like her earring always do!

Spring Break

We didn't go anywhere or doing anything that was too much fun.  Just a typical Spring Break at home.

I colored my hair.  Adding some highlights.

Canyon had a physical and we found out his has now developed Hypothyroidism.  He will have to take meds for this for the rest of his life.  It was also recommended that he go see a cardiologist to check on the development of his heart.  The last time they tried to check his heart, when he was about 12, he would not co-operate.  Hopefully we can get a good reading this time.  He is also to see an orthodontist regarding his canine teeth that have not come down.  It was recommended that he start yearly visits at the DS clinic in Little Rock.  He also has an appointment scheduled for the ENT which will most likely lead to another sleep study and possible CPAP.  We are going to be busy.

We found out at the last minute that our town was holding a World Down Syndrome balloon release at the train depot.  Even though I came up with 23 individuals in this town that should have been there, only 4 or 5 showed up (along with 50-60 friends and family).  Hoping to improve those numbers for next year and a few of us are getting together to make another Buddy Walk in October.

This is a very rare occasion.  A no occasion cake!  Yum!

Sahara got busy with an Easter box for Jared.  We have to plan a month in advance since delivery takes 20 days.

It was cold and windy and rainy, but we went to a neighboring town for Munchin' On Main Street.  Different food trucks were battling out for #1.  I loved the gumbo truck but I ate at Hogg BBQ, which won.

On the way home we pulled over for the Annual Run For The Fallen.

Looks like Jared got a little Spring Break too.  He and his buds were allowed off the camp base for fun on the beach on the Gulf of Tadjoura. Along the way they saw camels, donkeys, and gazelle.  He got to snorkel and swim. 

Back to school tomorrow.

A Little Djibouti Softball

Jared's team played a Japanese team. He said the USA team won and he got a couple of homers!

Art Therapy

Canyon LOVES art class. This semester it's on Thursdays which is also horse therapy days. He is worn out on Thursdays.

Unfortunately he ages out after this semester and won't be able to attend next Fall.

I hope they expand to adults soon!

Care Package

Sahara is preparing Jared's next gift box. It takes 20 days to get there so planning ahead is needed. What's in this one? His freaking play station 4 per his request. Also several shirts. I sure hope it gets there ok!!

Lil Moos

Jared's uncle has cows. Sometimes the mama cows don't accept their babies. They either starve, get trampled as Jett' s brother did, get accepted by another mama cow which is rare and take a lot of time, or get bottle fed.

Canyon and Jared's cousin's daughter, Adrianna, got to help out tonight.

I didn't realize Jett and Rosa were so small.

Got My Girl Back

Looks like she's getting out of here right on time. 4 cops just shows up at the neighbors.

Eventually they arrested the guy there for selling drugs.

Almost cleaned out after 3 days of back breaking moving.

Used up all of the storage room plus took 2 1/2 truck loads to my house.

Locked up til Jared gets back. I don't look forward to unpacking that unit then but happy to have her home.

ENT

The ENT in town suggested we see the ENT at Children's Hospital. Canyon has a 13 year old tube partially still functioning in his left ear. His right ear, the ear drum is collapsing and sucking inward. This is causing his little ear bones not to vibrate right and some hearing loss. He has 2 prescriptions for now and will have a recheck in a few months. They aren't recommending tubes again because he has had several and each time scar tissue is left. This also causes hearing loss. However, the doctor was really concerned with Canyon's sleep apnea. His sleep study from 5 years ago shows he only gets 20-25% of the oxygen he should be getting at night. Possibly another dreaded sleep study may need to be done, but for sure we are looking at a c-pap in his near future.

Sahara was trying to get Canyon's mind off of the ear appointment (his least favorite of doctor visits) with funny filters.

He also had to have his ears looked at through a microscope and to bribe him to do it was the promise of a hamburger afterward. Hey, whatever it takes!!

Official Deployment

On February 1st, Jared boarded the first of three planes packed full of National Guardsmen and women, headed to Africa. 1 month down and 9 to go!!

Room Spruce Up

Spent some Christmas cash and gift cards. Got an area rug and matching door rugs and a faux fireplace/heater cabinet.

Also a couple of wall art items because the walls were so blank after taking the Christmas decorations down. Sahara is getting ready to craft.

Treasures

Had this old stereo for 12-15 years, maybe longer. Getting rid of it because it was a system hooked up to the tv with surround that just wasn't sounding as good as it could anymore and the radio part wouldn't tune into stations clearly. #countrylife

Anyway, when picking it up it rattled so I took the speaker off the back. Look at all the treasures that Canyon stashed in there through the years!

Operation Enduring Freedom - The Horn of Africa

Jared and Jordan are being deployed tomorrow. January 1st 2017. We celebrated New Year's Eve first at Nanny and Poppa's house with a farewell dinner for them. Then we headed to the Old Bank for drinks. Happy New Year!

The next morning Jared and the rest of us headed to Malvern, Arkansas and Jordan headed to Mena, Arkansas. Jared's mom, dad, and stepmom stayed with Jared for a couple of hours. Then they had to head across state to Jordan's ceremony.

From the National Guard website... Soldiers from Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion of the 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said farewell to their families and friends today after a deployment ceremony held at the high school football field in Malvern, Arkansas. Approximately 700 Soldiers from the 1-153rd Infantry Regiment left the state of Arkansas. They will conduct a short period of training in Ft. Bliss, Texas, before they deploy to the Horn of Africa to support operations, exercises and security cooperation programs under U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

We were fed pizza while we were there. Lots of sitting around and waiting.

Finally the buses arrived, four of them, and all the bags were loaded up. We had to say our final goodbyes.

Big longer bye for Sahara and Jared. There were some tears.

We watched as he got on the bus and took his seat. They were served boxed Subway dinners and ate them there on the spot. They got a couple of goodie bags with snacks and treats for the road. And then they were off. We're expecting to see him back again somewhere around Canyon's 19th birthday. It seems like so far away hopefully the time will go by fast. Safe travels Jared. We will miss you!!