Hello from Kate and The Boys

Hello everyone,

Since last blogging I have started school. I am taking classes through Fort Hays online program. I have decided to work towards a leadership degree. I started out the semester taking two classes but after a organizational blip I have dropped it down to one. I think this will work out better and I'll try two again in the spring. The class I am taking is Intro to Leadership - the first class I will need in my major. The switch from psychology is because after so much treatment and therapy I don't think I could stand to study it day in and day out. And definitely would not be equipped to handle a career in it. Leadership has an element of psychology in it and it's just the right amount.

Gus's training continues to go well. We've hit the puppy teenage years and that is challenging. A little too much energy and a lot of willfulness. He accompanied me to the fair and did very well except for continued stopping on a whim and refusing to move. We didn't get very far, very fast. He's needs more exercise but luckily he loves to play fetch and wrestle with the other dogs so wearing him out is fairly easy. However, class at the Kennel Club is where his teenagenish is most apparent. Gus has apparently forgotten what stay means.

A piece of interesting information about Gus and I is that we are now part of an organization called 1Boy4Change. 1Boy4Change used to have a service dog program that either supplied dogs to owner trainers or supported owner trainers. They graciously allowed me into their now closed program and have given me permission to use their name to train under. They will also administer my public access test when Gus is ready which will make us part of International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) because of their partnership with them. This is exciting because it means Gus would be able to travel oversees. Also, this is considered to be the BEST organization for service dogs and dogs registered with them have very good reputations.

Benny is doing well and hasn't had a seizure for quite awhile. Chris is taking him to obedience class which Benny is enjoying and I think Chris is too. :) Benny hasn't been able to go to class for awhile so it's nice for him to get out there again. In a few weeks Benny and I will be starting a nose-work class in Wichita. This is absolutely perfect for Benny because of it's low stress environment and it's emphasis on dog's having fun. Benny will be taught to search for treats in boxes and places around the room using his nose. We have taken a workshop in this before and Benny LOVED it. He became so excited when he got to do it. So this will be wonderful him.

I am well. September has lots of hard memories for me as I went to treatment twice during this month and it's the back to school month which I don't remember too fondly but I made it through unscathed. I'm proud of that.

That's about it for us. Here's some pictures to close this out.

Love,
Kate and The Boys

Gus does his job at Metro - He has grown out of this vest and is a lot bigger now

Checking in - doing his job

This pretty much captures Benny's personality 

Gus learned to swim this summer. It was sooo much fun.I was a proud Mama.

I graduated from the Animal Behavior College!!! 

Happy September from the Shooks

We have made the transition back to school also.  Tim is excited about his year with 2 new, young, energetic, "want to work together for the benefit of the students" faculty.  He actually has 3, one was new last year.  We went down last Saturday morning and cleaned the office and moved some pictures around.

My work has a good tempo right now.  Not swamped but work to do each day.  One company is doing very small rate increases next year so maybe we won't have so many calls - "My premium went up-WHY?"

We have new carpet which has really changed the look of it and I have a new desk that I am enjoying.

Best news for me is that Ascension voted to repair, clean the organ and add the digital components.  It will take lots of learning but should be fun!  The ones we heard had wonderful sounds.

Samuel had a gig last night and continues to be in what I have decided to call his "wilderness years."  We are still working to get him to accept help.  

Erik is playing some Ultimate.  Working on a Neuroscience class, a tropical biology class and a research class and pathogenic microbiology. You will have to ask him what that entails!  The tropical biology class will be going to Costa Rica over Thanksgiving for research in a tropical setting.  He's quite excited about it.

We finally had Peaches shaved as her fur was so knotted .  Here are a couple of pics.  Ember was sniffing to make sure she knew who this cat was.

And here are some friends from the pasture:  a walking stick, a green worm and a zipper spider, my favorite

Best wishes to all.

Rivers Ripple

Ahh, fall.  And a blog post a few days late.  It's been on my radar, but those of you who are parents will forgive me if you can remember what back to school, small children, and the usual household tasks entail.  ;0)  If not, I can loan you mine for a few days.
Seriously, though life is going well.  The move to our new house has been a great blessing.  We love it, the neighborhood, our backyard, and it's good.  If you have yet to visit, drop on by!  The newest edition is a new-to-us table and chairs. 
Sarah continues to enjoy staying home.  Dan reminds her to stay sane by shooing her out of the house at least once a week (for Bible study, a trip to Target-alone!, or some other reason).  She also has been enjoying extra work.   Since the spring, Sarah has been working 2 Saturdays a month and various days this summer (thank you Grammy!).  While Sarah was working last Saturday, the girls got new hats with Daddy.  Sarah has been working with a friend on starting a MOPS group at church and we've now had 2 meetings.  Attendance has been low, but the moms we've had have enjoyed themselves.  We continue to try new recipes and I attempt to read books.  I enjoy reading and REALLY want to be better about taking that time.  Working out at the Y twice a week is my other "me" thing and my workout buddy has returned so that's been nice.
Dan has been busy at KWCH.  His promotion to manager in May has led to more responsibilities.  He spent time before the fair creating a mobile website/app that showed people where food and events were.  It was well-received and downloaded/viewed!  Dan has been playing regular gigs with a band called The 33.  This gets him out of the house.  He is preparing to run a 10K at the end of September. 
Olivia started preschool August 26!  She loves it.  When asked, she usually has a "doing great" comment with further details if you prompt her a bit.  I'm amazed at what she recalls.  She's at Little Lambs and it has been a great fit for her.  Her teacher is the mom of one of my social work friends at Rainbows (small world!).  She's also taken gymnastics and swim lessons over the summer.  Right now she is taking swim lessons and actually took some swim strokes last week!  Looks like she'll take swimming next month and then probably do some gymnastics, but we'll see.  In her "down" time, she enjoys playing with her figurines (princesses, Elsa, Anna, Prince Wednesday, ponies, Doc McStuffins, and the like).  She's able to write letters from her name (sometimes in order).  She loves to sing and is active!  She can pump herself on the swing. 
Kinley is now 20 months.  She (and mommy) has been enjoying her time without big sister.  She was a little upset that we had MOPS this morning and I didn't stay to play.  We've been trying out some fall activities together (including painting with apples like marbles).  She's been quite the hostess for her friends as I've watched several friend's children over the past few weeks.  Kinley's favorite things are balls, babies, and her pacifiers.  She enjoys songs and books.  She is saying more and more!  Good news from the gastroenterologist 2 weeks ago--we shouldn't have a need to see her as long as she continues to gain weight (she's somewhere between 22-25lbs).  Also her food allergies/sensitivities appear to be mostly outgrown.  She's not had a hives incident for a month or more now.  The allergist did not want to see her for follow up.  Sometimes her tummy still bothers her, but we've been using lemon essential oil on her before bed most nights and it seems to be helping if it's bothering her. 
Brisco has had a rough bout with allergies, post a stint of the best we'd seen him in years!  He likes to play chase with the girls, sleep on Sarah's head/pillow, and eat any crumbs that anyone offers.
That's us, the short version.  Life is full and we are blessed. 

Playing with Aunt Mary

4th of July Parade!

Playing outside in the water and sand.

Theme week-oceans!

Brisco getting his check up from Vet Kinley

Consulting the ipad with Daddy

Botanica with Grammy!

Botanica

Botanica (yes, Olivia's Everyday attire is a shirt and skirt)

Theme week-Bugs!

Borrowed some toys from GGma and GGpa

Looking at rabbits at the fair

Olivia picked the airplane ride-no fear!

Carousel-Olivia rode the horse, Kinley sat in the seat.

Kinley loves her hat and pacifiers and kind of her blankie.

We know that you were just dying to see our new table! (it has a hidden leaf)

The beginning of Fall

What season is it right now? The end of Summer? I would say it is the beginning of Fall. If Fall lasted half of the year (or more), that would be fine with me. I had 2 Pumpkin Spice drinks from Starbucks last week. I have already created my wreath for Fall (by the way, I will take custom orders if someone needs wreath… or hairbow… or scarf…) I helped 2 friends make wreaths like mine and sold another to a friend. You betcha I have all my Fall decor in place inside. I am not quite brave enough to decorate the porch just yet though.

Adelynn started school! She is at Candy Lane this year. I love how close it is to our house. I am already loving the atmosphere of Candy Lane and the teachers. (Candy Lane is my Alma Mater) The owner was working there when I was there as a student and owned it by the time my brother went there (20 years ago). The other teacher used to cut my hair when I was little! It’s a small world. I already think their communication is worlds ahead of where we were at last year. There are a lot of reasons why this is a great fit for us.

 
Dave has been working and traveling for a work quite a bit. He was gone to Boston for a week in August, he came home last night from 4 days in KC. That is in the middle of his working 10 days straight – would have been 12 if he hadn’t taken a day off. In October he goes to Hawaii for 10 days (yes, for work). Adelynn gets sick every. single. time. Dave leaves. I don’t feel like this is coincidence. So this time – after she spent all day long trying to puke, actually puked 3 times, and couldn’t hold anything down on Thursday evening – I got smart. I have been dabbling in essential oils recently. So call me crazy if you want, but some good ol lavendar oil on her feet and belly was the cure. She had a great night of sleep and woke up a brand new girl! Ava also just got over a runny nose which usually leads to an ear infection. This time I was thinking ahead and a few natural remedies later – voila! *knock on wood* I believe we have avoided the ear infection. Like I said, you can think I’m loony – Dave sometimes does - but this is a great choice for our family! I can’t wait to see what else we can prevent and cure.

If you don’t do Facebook or read my blog, this is my Instagram. That’s a good way to keep up with pictures. Ava made her debut in the Oh Adelynn posts this morning on my blog!

Here’s some pictures:

Cake pops!


Adelynn and friends were prepared to stay up late and watch Mary Poppins. But it didn’t happen.

So happy in the mornings!


She got this My Little Pony mask from a birthday party on a Thursday. The following Saturday we went to another birthday party. Naturally, she had to wear the mask.


When Ava helps with coupons it’s a win-win. I can keep my eye on her and the paper gets a little more use before recycling!
  

 
 
I left my cereal outside unattended. A bath followed.

Meeting Waldo at Bluebird Books!
 
       
We have been to the Fair once this year so far. Adelynn wanted to do the sky ride! It was so fun to hear her talk about everything at the Fair that she could see. This age is fun because she is excited about everything.
  
Riding the train. Ava held on tight just like she did to Grandma on the sky ride (except she stayed awake on the train).
 
Happy Fall!