Doctor Visits...

So, yesterday was Dr. Day at our house for all three kids returning to school on the 25th. We had an appointment at 10:40 for all three kids. By 9am we were finishing showering and eating breakfast so we could leave and run a few "Football" errands before we left; such as, picking up the athletic packet so Derek could have his physical form filled out by the Dr. and picking up an Ad that a company wants run. We signed into the Drs office at 10:20...yes, we were a little early, but I figured since Derek and Ayodele hadn't been in since last year (I thank God daily for my healthy children!!!) I'd have paperwork to fill out! Well... we sat and sat and sat and finally around 11am I was finally asked to pay my co-pay and fill out paperwork which was now on a wireless handheld computer monitor device. Now, realize our appointment was at 10:40 and we'd been there 40 minutes already. The kids were starting to get a little anxious. Finally about 11:15 we got to go back and get weighed and measured. Derek is officially 6'1-1/4" and 130lbs, Sade is 5'7" and 100 lbs & Ayodele is 4'8" and 75lbs. Once they weighed, measured, took temps & blood pressure, they put us in a "temporary room." We finally got into the "Normal" room at around 11:45 and around noon the Dr finally showed up! She's great, but I'm not sure worth an over-an-hour wait with four kids! (At least I didn't have any screaming babies!) Well... we've got three healthy kids, everything looks and sounds good, she said! Before we left, she took a look at shot records... oh... did these kids have a surprise! Derek had 3 shots, Sade had 2 and Ayodele had 1, plus they all had their fingers poked for bloodwork and Derek & Sade have to go back for another shot tomorrow since they'd run out it! Ayodele is definitely the most brave out of the three of them... he just sat there and took his shot like a man!! Derek made funny faces and squeezed my hand for the first two, then manned-up for the 3rd and Sade...well, let's just be reminded she's our princess drama queen and I'm not looking forward to taking her in for one more! I'm just pleased that all is well, that they are all healthy and that we finally got out of there!

So... while Derek's in Washington having a terrific time hanging out and having fun, I'm left here doing all of his football fundraising! Had I known, he never would have gone to WA as long as we allowed! :) We've got to sell a minimum of 10 "Blazer" cards at $15/each. These cards offer discounts to local restaurants and fast food joints until August 2009. They really are a good deal as long as you live in the area and can use it! We also have to sell a minimum of one advertisement for their Friday night program. This must be done in two weeks, or he won't get his equipment!!! If we sell 20 cards or $300 in Ads, then Derek will get his required "Spirit Pack" for FREE!!! (Guess what I'm working towards!) I understand that this is only the beginning of fundraising for athletic events! Let the games begin! I can't wait to watch his first game! Before he left, he was going to weight training and skills practice 4 days a week to help get ready for the season! Coach is a toughy! Let's just say I hope Derek is never late, never misses a practice, never talks back, or never tires first! Official practices start on the 14th, so I'm sure we'll have more to tell then! Go "Blazers!"

No fair....

Derek is in Washington visiting Morgan and his friends!

He's been begging to get up there all summer, but it just hasn't panned out. So, Morgan asked his parents for an early birthday present, and four days later, Derek arrived. He's up there for 2 weeks, hanging out and having fun! He was even there for Morgan's actual Birthday for the first time in years!

Of course, everyone here is jealous... even though we shouldn't be! We're happy for him...we really are, we just wish we all could have gone to see family and friends. It's been over a year since we've seen some of our family and our friends and we miss them tremendously.

We're trying to convince Dele that we need to move "home." Someday we'll get back up to the Seattle area! We're all hoping it happens sooner rather than later! :)

Date Night

Dele and I finally got to go on a date! The first time in a very, very long time! I happened to get tickets to the preview of the new movie "Swing Vote." We laughed through the whole movie! It really gets you thinking... our vote does make a difference! I would never want to be in his shoes, but our vote does count! Derek and Sade stayed home with Ayodele & Kayode and we returned home to normalcy. I hope Dele's convinced that we can safely "date" again!

Our newest family member...

Mayleen

Sade is both happy and sad at the same time! We welcomed our new kitty, Mayleen, to our family today. But...we have to give our kitty, Maggie, to a friend that lives on a farm. Maggie sneezes and emits showers of cat boogers constantly...it's really quite gross and we just can't take it anymore! Hopefully Maggie will enjoy her new home in the great outdoors and in her very own basement where they don't care if she sneezes. We will miss her... she is a very good kitty! Dele basically had to bribe Sade with a new kitty in order to find a new home for Maggie. That's where Mayleen comes in. Our friend Karen found her outside her office before the 4th of July, brought her home and gave her her first set of shots. She was looking for someone to give her to, and when we visited for the 4th, Sade overheard and said, "I'll take her!" With a little convincing, daddy finally said, "Okay" and, well... here she is. She's beautiful! She loves to cuddle with Sade and is potty trained, too! :) She's just about 9 weeks old and loves to play! All of the kids love her... and I must say, she's just too cute!

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July this year with our friends the Omojola's (Terry, Karin, Mona, Kelvin & Zhena). We went over late in the afternoon for BBQ burgers & hot dogs. When it was dark enough, we had our very own fireworks show.

The big kids had fun hanging out together. Kayode and Zhena finally became friends. He enjoyed helping her play with Sade's Nintendo DS. Too cute!

Mona is off to school in Germany for the year, so the girls had fun hanging out one last time!

"Why" sung by Sade

Sade sang the song "Why" by Nicole Nordeman at church on June 22. She did a beautiful job. I accompanied her on the piano! Many of the moms were in tears, not only because the song is so beautiful, but they've watched Sade grow up since Kindergarden. I'm so proud of her for getting up in front of an audience and singing her heart out! :) Hope you enjoy listening!

We will miss you!

All of our beautiful children... (From top to bottom, Left to right) Picture 1: Kayode, Elias & Ayodele; Picture 2: Sade, Kiersten, Derek, Marley, Konaloa, Kayode, Elias & Ayodele

Our wonderful friends moved to Kansas to be closer to family on June 20th. We will truly miss the Kalua's. Dele and Cameron met in college. They moved to Las Vegas shortly after we did. Cameron and I immediately hit it off as we were both teaching at Edison Schools in the Clark County School District. We would watch each other's kids for date night, have dinner at each other's houses and play games that kept us laughing all night. They even convinced us we should go camping with them the summer before we moved back to Washington. Thanksgiving had become a tradition that we picked up again when we returned. They were our local "family" and we miss them already! The two weeks prior to them leaving, Sade, the little boys and I spent many hours at their house trying to help any way we could. Sade absolutely adored the twins and was very sad that her only babysitting job moved away. She even babysat for "free"!!! What a terrific daughter! She babysat with Kiersten's help while Cameron and I went to the movies, out to dinner & even while we enjoyed a wonderful pot of chocolate fondu the night before they left! We already miss them and hope to see them again soon! :)

"Rock Band" with the Kalua's

Our new toy...

For Father's Day Dele bought a new PS3 and RockBand game. It's very cool! So when we spent our last with the Kalua's we had a blast Rockin' out! It comes with a guitar, microphone and drum set... hopefully someday we'll add the 2nd guitar so all four kids can play together. Unfortunately, with my love of music & competitive nature, I find myself playing more often than some of the kids! Lots of fun rock music from waaaayyy back in High School (there's actually music from the 60s-current). Anyway... it's a fun way to spend time with the kids! :) As you can see everyone is able to play! Some need a little extra help (like Kayode) but he still has a good time playing! You really have to have good eye-hand coordination to finish a song!