It's Almost Time!

I can't believe it's really here......the light at the end of the tunnel.  Saturday at 1pm I will be walking across a stage being pinned.  I will be have earned a RN degree.  It's been a LONG 3 years and it's finally going to pay off.  I'm so scared, but so excited at the same time.  What's next????  Will there be any jobs around???  Happy thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Brushing Teeth

Today, myself and three other nursing students did a presentation in Kaitlyn's first grade classroom on keeping teeth clean for a healthy body.  We found the cutest ideas to teach kids proper brushing and flossing and why.  So, here are a couple of ideas for your kids.  To teach how to floss, give them a piece of yarn and allow them to use that as practice between your fingers as how to floss their own teeth.  We also hard boiled 2 eggs.  One we placed in vinegar and the other left alone.  The white shell of the egg is like the enamel of our teeth. "the protector".  But, when we don't brush our teeth, and let the acid and germs stay, it weakens the enamel and causes cavitites.  After one day of the egg being left in the vinegar, the shell has softened and cracked, and in some areas completely dissolved.  These were visual and tactile forms of learning the importance of teethbrushing.  The kids really enjoyed it and were able to answer questions correctly at the end.  We also taught them songs and things to do in your head while you brush your teeth to make sure you get that 1 minute on top and 1 minute on bottom.  Just thought some of you parents might find this interesting as a teaching method for your own kids.

Catching Up

Well, it's been awhile since we've done any updating and many things have happened since the last post, but the most important have been Halloween and Birthdays.  We now have a 12 year old, a 10 year old, and a 7 year old who were Scream, a witch, and a mummy for Halloween.  Just a few pictures.  They aren't very good quality so I do apologize.

Matthew, Kaity, Nathan

Kaity after licking the frosting off the decorative balloons.

New Moon Countdown Official

Halloween

It's Halloween time. Our leaves are falling, our temperatures have dropped to the 60's, kids are wearing pants and light coats to school, and everyone is getting ready for Halloween..........except the Ackleys. We usually are on the ball, but not this year. With my graduation nearing and last minute stuff needing to be completed, I didn't even realize that it was October until today. Sadly, I don't even know what my kids are going to be for Halloween or if they've even decided yet. So, I have 3 kids, this month they will be 12, 10, and 7. The oldest are boys and the youngest is a girl. Now, I ask you this..........HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What are some of your ideas for fun and unique Halloween costumes?

It's Been a Long Time!

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth.
Batter Up!

Back to school haircut.

Back to school!

Not very many pictures of the boys I know, but they haven't had as many changes as Kaity yet this year. We have been so busy with school, PTT, Scouts, and precepting that the blog has been very neglected. We still have pictures on the camera that haven't been downloaded yet. Anyways, just some quick updates, Nathan-- still playing trombone in the band, still loving school, is in T.A.G. this year learning about technology and science, and is running for a student council position and trying out for a part in the school play. Matthew -- bored with school as always, still watching Ohio State every chance he can (going to have to hit someone up for tickets to a game), still being chased after by the girls on the playground, and loves to read library books. Kaity -- LOVES school and picking on her brothers. She's all ready had lots of homework, even on Fridays (in first grade), and is going to be starting dance classes (that is when I get around to driving to Findlay to sign her up). All three on in their own room now. We now know who was the clean one of the two boys. One of them was stuck doing a lot of cleaning before they had their own rooms. Now there is only one room that needs to have a closed door.

"I Love My Zoo!"

Last weekend we took our zoo. It was so much fun!!! It was great seeing family the family that lives so far. Conveniently dad was still home so he was able to spend some time with everyone also.



Roynon Family











Nate and Kaity on the way home - we had to take the pic because they never would have believed us later.



















Kaity and Syd. These girls are so cute together.













Kaity wading in the "river"

Kaity and Tim

Back To School!!!

Kaity had her back to school haircut yesterday. She was very excited.

Our very "responsible" 6th grader. We are very proud of him. He's done very well in school and enjoys it immensely.

Our 4th grader.......can you tell how ornery he is? He has a mischievous smile about to bust out.

Here she is, the first grader!!! Very excited to be back in school and to see her best friend Bailey.

Well, today is the first day of school for the Ackley Kids. There were mixed emotions as they readied themselves for school. Nathan was nervous for his last year in elementary school knowing that this year things pick up and get harder. Plus, he has grandma's high school best friend as his teacher this year. Matthew was excited to head back to school, but for no other reason than to see his friends. The school part he could do without, he was kind of bummed about that. Kaity woke up this morning easier than she ever has. She wishes that her Kindergarten teacher could be her first grade teacher this year, but is satisfied with being able to see her every day.

It's hard to believe that the kids are so grown. Nathan is in 6th grade this year, still in band, and still very much into all things science. Matthew is in 4th and is a sports kid to the bone. He's known as the quiet clown in school and the teachers all enjoy him. One of the 4th grade teachers tried to get him into his class even yesterday. Funny. He is the one that never flips his color chart though, so I can't complain. Kaity is in 1st grade this year. She's looking forward to being with her friends. She will have the same teacher Matthew had for 1st grade, so thankfully we know what to expect this year.

Well, we are officially into the next school year. I hope it's a great one for the kids and also for all of your kids.

First Week Done!

Well, the first week of classes are completed and in the past. This week went by so quickly and was suprisingly fun. On Monday I started my online drug calculations course and on Thursday took the first test (earned a 24/24). On Tuesday my obstretrics class began with a med math test. Thankfully I didn't forget anything over the summer and received a 15/15. On Wednesday, was my first day of clinical. I was so nervous walking in, not knowing what to expect. The first thing I did after orientation was give a Vitamin K injection to a 2 hour old baby. I felt so bad. I do not like to hurt precious little babies. I had to put a foley into a soon-to-be mom and also watched an epidural inserted into that same soon-to-be mom. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch any babies born that day (my patient didn't have her baby until after we left), but I did stand outside a room and listen to the miracle of life. Even though I didn't see, I still was teary-eyed. It's so amazing hearing that first cry of life. I think I'm going to love this five week course. Don't want to do it for a living though. I'm not sure I could handle a baby born not breathing, nor do I want the opportunity to find out.

Ugh!

Well, it's back to school preparation time in the Ackley household. Last night the kids resumed their school year bedtime, which of course was a pain and a half. Today, I will head of to school to purchase my books for my last semester of school..............I can't believe it's finally here. The kids are so excited to shop for school supplies this weekend, but that is as far as the excitement extends. Nathan is pretty much the only one actually excited to be back in school. Nathan will be in sixth grade this year, with grandma's friend as his teacher. Matthew will be in fourth, with the cheerleading advisor as his teacher. She was also Nathan's fourth grade teacher. Kaity will be first with the same first grade teacher Matthew had. Hopefully this year she'll be more vocal at the parent teacher conferences.
So, now I'm looking for bargains on durable school supplies. Need them to last atleast half of the school year.

Mamma Mia!

Okay, so this month, I finally watched the movie Mamma Mia! Although entertaining, I was not completely impressed. I am, however, thankful that I saw the stage show before seeing the movie. I'm not sure I would've paid the money had I seen the movie first. Don't get me wrong, the movie was entertaining. The stage show is just soooooo much better. The scenes were better acted out on stage. Plus, the movie cut out a few parts of the original stage show. Parts that I think are needed in the movie. The actors on stage seem slightly closer to the age of the play characters. It was really hard to watch Meryl Streep and Peirce Brosnan in those parts. The part of the movie where the actress sings Does Your Mother Know is waaaaaaay better on stage. It's hilarious and a touch more dramatic. Of course, this is just my opinion and a very inexperienced one at that. So, if you've seen the movie...........go to the theater and watch it on stage, It's MUCH better.

Happy Anniverary!!!!

Well, as of today, we have been married for 12 years!!!! Amazing!! Still very much in love and still learning to compromise (more on my end). I'm definitely not an easy person to live with, very stubborn and set in my ways (which I always think are right). Tim is such a great guy and has to be to put up with my mood changes. It's been lots of fun though. The fun and loving times always outweigh the struggles. Here's to atleast another 38 more years!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy Scout Camp

This picture is a little out of order. It should be last, but that's okay. This is Nathan and James cooking the dinner for the families. Matthew and I were the only ones able to visit Nate. Kaity had a t-ball game and Tim had a last minute job to complete. So, he ended up coaching Kaity's game with Chad and I went to see Nate.

This is Nathan the day he left for Boy Scout Camp. He'll have been gone a week by the time he returns home. This is the longest amount of time that he has ever been away from us. He was a little apprehensive, but we were so excited for him and the new adventures.

On Wednesday night we were able to drive up for Family Night and visit Nathan. He was so excited to see us and show the things that he's learned. He was a little emotional when it came time for us to leave for home, but I think it was a mix of being tired and worn out.

This is the fawn that we saw right next to the campsite. Apparently, he and his twin had been making rounds through the tents scoping out goodies to eat. I couldn't believe how close they came and didn't scare with the little kids screaming. It was pretty cool.

This is Nathan's bunk. The tent ties closed on both sides. Still not secure enough for me to sleep in it comfortably. Spiders, bugs, and other critters can still get in there too easily

Nathan built this is first day at camp. There is a rope hanging down in the middle. You can pull as hard as you like on that rope and the sticks will not budge. They built an even bigger one at the Trailblazers site. Nathan can hang from it and it won't collapse.

Nathan misses home, but I think he is having a lot of fun. They don't call home unless it's an emergancy, which is okay I guess. I think about what he might be doing throughout the day. Anyways, we are so proud of him. He's growing up to be such an intelligent and capable young man.

New York Vacation Part 2

I'm just going to post our collage of pictures because there are just too many to be able to post individually. If you can't see them well, they are also posted on our Facebook page. Anyways, our vacation was lots of fun. The kids were able to see another side of Niagara Falls that they hadn't seen before. We went down to the whirlpool where depending on the time of day, it flows in 2 different directions daily. We then went on the Maid of the Mist ride. The kids wanted to be on top so that they would be sure to get soaked. The boat took us to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, which was a bit intimidating. Kaity decided that she didn't like it at all. After that, we went on the Cave of the Winds tour. We walked all the way up to the food of the Bridal Falls. Kaity didn't want to get soaked so she and I stayed at the bottom while everyone else went to the Hurricane Deck. Everyone came down soaked, clear through the rain poncho to their clothes.

We also visited Darien Lake, an amusement park, where Matthew went on his first Roller Coaster, The Viper. He absolutely LOVED it. Kaity wanted to go on all the rides that she could. She unfortunately wasn't tall enough for many of them, but we made due. For some reason, she despises the rides that get the riders wet. Nathan wasn't keen on the roller coaster rides. He does love the ones that go up and circle around, like the carnival rides. Dad, you would be proud of Matthew (and me), I had to go on the "enterprise" with Matthew since Tim wouldn't. At Darien Lake, it's called the Silver Bullet. I had to tell him the story of when you went on it with me after having had too many tasting glasses of wine at one of the wine festivals. He laughed when I told him that you would have lost all your wine on me had we gone in one more upside down circle. Good Times!!!

We did make other small trips and we watched Jessi (Tim's niece) play softball a couple of times. Man, is that girl good. She'll probably have a college scholarship before she's even through High School. The girl is pitches fast and hard and is very accurate. She's all ready had people out watching her and they've rated her speed in the 60's. Amazing!!!

Well, that's it. Lots of fun. Next year, we'd like to make a trip to Washington D.C. Guess it's time to start saving.

Awesome Recipe Spot

I love to try out new recipes when I have the time. I love to eat out when we have the time and money. I found a website years ago that is recipe heaven. It not only has every day recipes, but it also has copykat recipes. People eat out and then write out the recipe of ingredients. I love it. I've only tried a few things, but they've been very good and really do taste the same. So, here's the website http://www.recipelink.com/copycat.html The best way to get the foods you want without having to go out when you aren't able. Happy Cooking!!!!

Vacation Part 1

Jessie
Aunt Jen playing woofle baseball -- tradition to play this or kickball every year

Jessie

Uncle Steve taking kids around

Tim's dad, Aunt Helen, and Uncle Bill

Aunt Cita

Kaity

Grandkids getting stuck in the Jump House (on purpose)

Matthew

Kaity and Sammi

Uncle Bill and Tim

Nathan and Kaity playing in Grandpa's 4 tons of sand


Well, here are some pictures of the first part of our vacation. We actually have 216 pictures and I was going to use Picasso, but got lazy. Anyways, more to come later. The first few days we stuck around Tim's parents house. Family reunion picnic, Jessie's softball game, and just some random pics.

VACAY!! YAY!!!

Well, I won't be posting anything for about 2 weeks. We leave on Thursday night for New York. We won't be making all the stops that we originally planned due to kids' activities. Kaity begins t-ball tonight and will be missing her first game and team pictures next week, Nathan is supposed to be leaving for his camping trip with boyscouts on the 12th, and Matthew has a baseball tournament the 10th-12th. So, needless to say, we will be cutting our vacation a little short. We still will have fun though. We are going to Darien Lake (Amusement Park), Niagara Falls (we realized just recently that Kaitlyn has never been there and she's 6), and we will go to a Buffalo Bisons game (not the Baseball Hall of Fame, but Tim is still happy). It'll still be fun and a nice break. Tim is more than ready for this vacation. His friend, a very nice guy (we call him the Dog Whisperer), will be staying at the house and caring for Shelby while we are gone. So, I'll post all of our vacation pictures when we get back.

Tim's Bar-b-que

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this barbque awesome. Tim had lots of fun and greatly appreciated it.