Soccer Season has ended!

Soccer season ended for the kids last week.  It was perfect timing right before the cold weather set in.  They really enjoyed the class.  It was fun to watch them play and learn new skills.  Also, it was a little workout for Shawn and I since parents participate with players.  For the most part, Jeron enjoyed himself he ran around and played with the different balls, cones, and the coaches were really good to talk with him.  We definitely will do soccer again!

  

Our Soccer Champs

An Unexpected Vacation

Last night, Shawn needed to go up to his office. He attempted to turn onto campus from Dave Ward Drive. It was blocked off. There was a person flat on the ground surrounded by police officers. He decided at this time to turn around and come home. When he got home he checked his email and found that the campus was on lock down because their had been a shooting on campus. Not something you expect in Conway! Here is an email sent to us giving up the details as well as informing us class was cancelled for the day. Everyone loves a day off but not at the expense of two individual's life.

In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date information about the shooting incident that occurred during the evening of Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, UCA will release as much information as possible on its homepage at www.uca.edu.

The UCA Police Department received a call at 9:19 p.m. reporting shots fired. At the same time, a UCA police officer heard the shots and responded immediately.

The first two UCAPD officers were on the scene of the shooting at 9:19 p.m. The incident occurred outdoors between Arkansas Hall and the Snow Fine Arts Center.

The first MEMS ambulance arrived on scene at 9:28 p.m., and the first Conway Fire Department vehicle was on scene at 9:30 p.m.

One victim, a UCA student, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other injured victims were transported to Conway Regional Medical Center. One of those victims, also a UCA student, died at the hospital. The other victim, who was not a UCA student, was treated and eventually released from the hospital.

The names of the victims will not be released until their relatives are notified.

UCA residence halls and the UCA Student Center were immediately locked down after the incident was reported. However, the UCA campus itself is not locked down, although officers are posted at every campus entrance, and access to campus is limited to residents and authorized personnel.

All 25 UCAPD officers were immediately dispatched. The UCAPD’s automated alert system was initiated, and every residence hall was contacted by telephone to instruct officials to secure the facilities and restrict access to the buildings. E-mails were sent to UCA student, faculty and staff e-mail systems, as well as the Safe@UCA e-mail listserv. A notification also was posted on the UCA homepage at www.uca.edu, as well as the UCAPD website at www.ucapd.com.

The UCAPD is conducting a joint investigation with the Conway Police Department and the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office.
A person of interest has been detained, although that person is not under arrest at this time.

Classes are canceled at UCA for Monday, Oct. 27, 2008.

After the press conference this morning and the information given Shawn realized he drove by the scene as the first suspect was arrested.  Who would have guessed at that time. 

UCA has had a difficult year. This is definitely not the way they would like to make the news!  Our hearts and prayers are with the family's at this time.  May they find comfort and strength during this very difficult time!

Life is looking up!

Knock on wood..... the kids seem to be doing much better.  This morning Jaxon woke up and said Mom I don't want to put my head in the bowl anymore.  Poor little guy!  Last night, he said, "my tummy sick you piss it?" (He pronounces his K's with a P).  

I slept on the air mattress with Ashlin last night in case she got sick and Shawn had Jaxon with him....divide and conquer.  Sometime very early this morning a little body comes and crawls up to me.  I hurry and grab the bowl, put their head in it, and yell Shawn hurry bring the big bowl Jaxon's sick again.  He comes stumbling in with the big bowl and hands it to me.  Shawn says are your sure that is Jaxon I really thought he was still in bed with me.  I said, of course I'm sure.  I sit there with this little guy who is just hanging out with his head in the bowl.  Shawn politely says, Honey I really think that is Jeron.  At this point, I realize he is not sick, he is not fighting putting his head in the bowl, and is enjoying it.  Can't be Jaxon....just Jeron for his early morning snuggle.  The whole thing was actually quite fun, but hard to convey with words.

Ashlin wanted me to say hello.  She missed her fieldtrip today to the pumpkin patch.  She had fun putting nail polish on toys and her walls.  It's a good thing she is so darn cute!  

Hopefully, life will return to normal.  I scrubbed the house from top to bottom today.  If we get sick again, it was just meant to be.  

Thanks for all the good wishes!  It's always nice to know that your friends care!

  

Jax didn't want to be left out!

Jax must have felt the extra attention the siblings were getting and wanted to join the club.  He is now sick and not as quite as calm as Ashlin when his head is shoved in a bow.  I feel so bad for them.  I have been scrubbing and cleaning trying to prevent the virus from hanging out any longer.  Apparently, I was unsuccessful.  We are now on our 5th load of laundry due the collateral damage of the stomach flu.  Sigh..... 

Rough Night...

We should have known we were in trouble when we went to check on Jeron for the last night and this is how we found him sleeping. He woke up at 3:30 this morning, toddled into our room, and refused to go back to bed....he was followed by his sister.....



Jeron threw up several times right before nap time yesterday. He bounced  around and smiled afterwards.  We thought we were lucky and the sour stomach was short lived.  Nope...Ashlin followed Jeron in early this morning complaining her stomach hurt. She's been sick all morning. Here is a picture of her laying on our bed with her bowl ready for when she gets sick.

Leave One Memory!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, just one memory.

2. . Next repost these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. Thanks for playing the Memory Game!!!

Unspectacular Quirks

This is a tag from my friend Heather and here are my unspectacular quirks. By the way, I know I know I have major issues. Why do you think I teach Psychology?

1. I love to organize things, label them, alphabetize items. I keep my movies and music in alphabetic order. My college days the boys next door would love to come over and rearrange them to bother me.
2. I love to read. I could sit and read all day, that is if I didn't have to keep my children from destroying the house.
3. I can't go to bed at night and sleep peacefully if the toys aren't picked up. I think the mess that kids make daily has been one of the harder adjustments of motherhood.
4. I could be happy if I never watched a Disney movie again.
5. I love to get pedicures. They are like therapy for me. I can just sit back relax and let my worries slide right off of me.
6. I don't like feet. I don't like them to touch me at all.

Our Family Weekend.

This past weekend, we went to Keller Texas to stay with my aunt and uncle.  It's about a 6 hour drive.  The kids were cheering Auntie J, Auntie J, Uncle Ronnie, Uncle Ronnie, and Lacey the Dog on the way there.  During the drive Ashlin would say this drive is so long, a couple of minutes later she would then repeat the phrase.  As we pulled into their subdivision we told her we are almost there and she said oh this was a good drive.  She certainly changed her tune when the end was in sight.  

Friday, my grandparents were able to come and see us.  Of course, that made the trip even better.  Especially because my grandaddie brought me 2 pecan pies.  He makes the best pies ever.  He spoils me with a pie every time we see him.  They are such a yummy treat.  The pecans are from his orchard which makes them even better.

The kids loved playing in my cousin's old clothes.  There was dance costumes, football jerseys, and many other items.  They sang and danced for everybody.  Jax was particularly happy that Uncle Ronnie had the latest Indiana Jones movie.  He watched it twice on the big screen.  They loved being around the dog.  Lacey was very patient and let them give her plenty of loves. Shawn was able to enjoy the Apple store and look at all the new man toys.  We ladies walked around and shopped.  We were even able to get Einstein's Bagels for breakfast one day. 

The whole weekend was great a nice break from the everyday life and more fun memories with our family.  We love being with them and have really missed them.  

Homecoming

Last week was UCA's homecoming.  We had a fun time at the parade...if you couldn't tell by the way Ashlin is staring intently towards the parade.  If didn't hurt that candy was thrown their way as well.  The Shipp's watched the kids where we could go to the game and actually watch it.  It was a very fun game.  We won by 2 points.  UCA actually has a good football team.  Hopefully, they will continue their winning streak throughout their conference games.

Horses, Donkeys, & Dogs...Oh my!

Today, we went on a field trip with Ashlin's class. We went to a miniature horse ranch that one of the student's grandparents owns. There was miniature horses obviously, goats, donkeys, and dogs. The kids were able to pet the animals. They didn't seem so intimidating when they are pint size. After we had a tour of the place, we went on a hay ride. We finished up the day roasting hot dogs and eating smores. The kids had tons of fun, you could tell from how dirty they were! Jaxon & Jeron loved being included. We only had one mishap Jaxon had an accident and it wasn't the easy to clean up kind but we survived. Of course, I forgot my camera.
We have made it to midterms. Yeah.....we are half way done with this semester! This semester has been interesting to say the least. We have a 4 day weekend and it could not have came a moment to soon. We are going to head to Texas to see my aunt for a much needed rest......or.....Shawn's much needed trip to the Apple store.

8 Things...

My 8 favorite TV shows...

Chuck, Grey's Anatomy, Samantha Who, Without a Trace, General Hospital, ER, Private Practice, Friends

My 8 favorite restaurants...

Texas Roadhouse, On the Border, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Chili's, Soup Plantation, Firehouse Pizza, Spring Creek BBQ

8 Things I am looking forward to...
A day I don't feel exhausted, a day I don't have to change a diaper, Seeing my Auntie J this weekend, Christmas in Utah, Watching the kids Trick or Treat, Nana & Papa's visit in November, Twilight movie, the next girl's night out

8 things that happened yesterday....

Listened to college freshmen giggle like junior high students when I said to tighten their buttocks during a relaxation exercise, grading, grading, & more grading, went to soccer practice with the kids, went to dinner with the family, had a nice brunch with the ladies, sat in the dark for an hour b/c our power was out, talked to Shawn's mother, napped with Jaxon

I Tag: Carol, Donan, Heather, Jenae, Linda, Lindsee,

Soccer Anyone...

The kids have been enjoying soccer. Ashlin is doing really well. She stays with the ball and loves to kick the ball into the goal. Jaxon likes to play as well, but could do with a little less structure. He still wants to just throw the ball in versus kicking it in. Jeron hangs out and just enjoys running around while the kids play. Overall, it It has been a really fun experience for the kids. Shawn and I have enjoyed the opportunity to get a little exercise while the kids are learning new skills.

Walk-A-Thon

On Saturday, the student organization (i.e., Psychology/Psi Chi Club) that Shawn sponsors participated in a Walkathon. The walk was to help raise money for the Human Development Center which is residential/school facillity for those with fairly severe cognitive as well as physical impairments. This is our second year and we have really enjoyed participating. Last year Shawn had 2 students show up and this year 14 came. He was quite excited for the increase in student participation. Of course, the kids loved being around the college students and all of the attention they gave them.

Tag: 7 Things

7 Things I can do:

1-I can enjoy many different flavors of chocolate.
2-I can botch announcements every Sunday in Relief Society.
3-I can keep three children alive and part of the time smiling.
4-I can spend hours reading blogs.
5-I can take a long nap with Jaxon on Monday, Wednesday, & Fridays.
6-I can make IMovies.
7-I can make my husband swear in 2 different languages.


7 Things I cannot do:

1-I cannot cook but I try.
2-I cannot watch scary movies.
3-I cannot sing, but I still have fun singing along to my favorite tune.
4-I cannot go a day without eating chocolate.
5-I cannot understand how college students can act like elementary students.
6-I cannot go a day without checking my email.
7-I cannot bare the thought of eating liver!


7 Things that attracted me to Shawn:

1-I did not want to like him at first, he snuck right through my defenses!
2-He was my best friend.
3- He loved me for who I was and who I could be.
4- Our talks on our long drives from Logan to St. Anthony.
5- He would bring me a cold fountain drink in the middle of a Blizzard.
6-He would make me laugh despite the fact I didn't want to.
7-His testimony and example.


7 Things I say most often:

1-Clean up, Stop, No....
2- Go fast fast fast you can make it to the potty
3-I love you
4-Yes, missionaries we will feed you
5-Yes, you need to read your text book to do well in the class.
6-I'm bring home my baby bumble bee
7-Ashlin, Jaxon,Jeron please don't bother your sibling



7 Celebrity Admiration's:

1-Gordon B Hinckley
2-Any soldier that is defending our freedoms. Known or unknown they are my hero's..
3- Jay Leno
4- Dara Torres
5-Shawn Johnson
6-Dr. Mcdreamy (Patrick Dempsey)
7-Tim McGraw
(sorry Lindsee, I stole some of your answers)


7 Favorite Foods (in no particular order)

1-Taco Salad
2-Rolls
3-Steak
4-Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
5-French Fries
6- Sour Cream Enchiladas: On the Border)
7-Firehouse Pizza: Logan

7 People I tag:

1-Heidi
2-Beckie
3-Brookie
4- Heather
5-Heidi
6-Jenny
7- Michelle

Such a big boy!

Jeron is getting so big.  He needs to get a hair cut, but I know once that happens he will look like a toddler and not my little baby.  He has been sleeping in his toddler bed every night for quite some time now.  At first, it was interesting to see where he would be in the morning.  Sometimes, he would be sleeping on the couch and other times he would be jumping on Ashlin's bed.  He now just crawls in our bed in the off  chance we are not awake sings to us.  The other night we went to check on him and he had crawled out of bed and fell asleep right in front of his door.  We couldn't open the door to pick him up to get him back in bed.  We had to gently wake him up where we could get to him and move him back to his bed.  Thank goodness, he went right back to sleep!

A Photographer is born!

In 4 short years, Ashlin has shown interest in dancing, a gymnastics, soccer, being a princess, being a mom, and now........photography. I can not leave the camera down without her snatching it up and taking pictures galore. Here are a few pictures to show off her newest talent.