{They own me}

"they own me" he came home proclaiming.
(when I think of pagers I think of the 90s. )
Rod was given his pager today.

I dont know, but there is something about
seeing that pager on his
belt that made this real.
****
For the next two years the closest place Rod will be rotating will be a
90 minuet drive.
He will be doing 7 months in Lee County Virginia (3 hospitals)
(his first rotation is psyche, nice way to ease into it all.)
& then 18 months of selective rotations.
He has them in Texas, Ohio, California, Tennessee to name a few.
This will be the hardest part for us.
I don't know how to explain daddy's absence to the big boys.
(any advice mommy's?)
****

Today we went to Rod's dorm for the building dedication.
lots of head honchos were present.
the kids were really good (britt babbled a lot, but no screaming, yelling, hitting etc...)
& they got to see Daddy's room.
***

Rod & I have some tricks up our sleeves to make this work.
(one involves momma hen & the chicks in a tent...more on that later, & no we are not going to camp outside the dorms or hospitals. I don't think that would be appreciated.)
****

It was nice to attend the dedication & hear the mission statement &
the excitement surrounding this new program in Lee County.
I think seeing all of it & feeling a part of it gave me a sense of unity with Rod.
rather then thinking feeling like that is his life, & this is mine.
****

Im gonna miss that guy.
especially in the winter. his legs always keep my toes warm at night.
(picture a sad face here.)
****

it will definitely be an adventure...
involving a ton of prayers.

{Saturday with the Smiths}

Saturday was a busy day,
actually it was going to be but ended up being really relaxing.
We were in the car at 7:30am to get back to KY.
we arrived home at 12:15pm.
I hurried & made these.
then we got on our play clothes & headed to the Smith's House.
***
The smith family lives in a holler.
in that holler lives Sandy's Mom & Dad in one house,
her sister Tammy & her family in another house,
her little sister Amy & her husband & kids in another,
& Mandy & her family in another house.
We love that concept.
all together & all supporting each other.
In the middle of this holler is a pool where all the cousins play.
We were lucky to join in the fun yesterday.
some other ward kids were there playing too.
[Im not convinced that our boy's wives will want to live that near to me! ha.]
***
Sandy made her missionaries favorite dinner.
All from her garden & chicken she had canned.
The smiths have a knack for gardening
& have passed onto us some of there knowledge & plants.
(we have tomatoes, peas, basil, egg plant, peppers, & sunflowers this year.)
They also have chickens. They impress me!
***
Jim Ford was over & played with the crazy boys.
Tre really likes Jim, he makes the kids laugh. Hes such a good guy!
***
we took lots of picture's to send to Elder Smith.
we wanted to let him know we are thinking about him
(& maybe to make him jealous a bit too)!
***
Sandy can really cook!
I had 7 helpings. SEVEN! 7! SeVeN! yikes!
we stayed till late looking at pictures of Trey & Sandy in there dating & honeymoon years.
I love other people's stories.
I love the way Trey & Sandy looked
talking about Millie, Jessica & Fleet when they were babies, & about how they met.
The smith family is what we wish we hope to be like.
***
enough blabbing. here are the pictures we are sending to Elder Smith...











we were supposed to go to
a wedding reception at church after dinner,
but lost track of time, missed it
& had hoped to get a sitter
to go out with some couples from the ward,
but couldn't find a sitter because there was a youth dance.
so in the end Im extra glad we didn't have any place to rush off too!

{Botany & Boys}

My parents have a membership to the botanical gardens.
Thursday night when we got back from our overnight away
we went to a dinner the garden was having.
We were happy to all be together.
they had good food & a fun craft for kids.
we all enjoyed it.

{stolen}

{Good Luck!}

apparently I should have written these sentiments with crayon, or marker...anything but colored pencil as these notes are illegible. I probably should have rewritten them & asked T to smile a few more times, but the babies are up & their is an errand in Knoxville to run. So this is what Ive got... "GOOD LUCK DADDY!"

Rod left for Chatanooga yesterday, had some time to study, catch a movie & eat dinner with Austin Finklea. They got a good night sleep without children interrupting slumber, & got up early this morning for 8 hours of the arduous task of completing the boards.

I just know he will do great.
I remember the night we got the results to his MCAT. We stayed up till midnight. we were so worried, but when that number popped up on the screen...I screamed! We were jumping up & down. He killed the MCAT! I mean killed it! We still havent met anyone with a higher score.
I anticipate it will be something like that when we get the results of this exam.
He is so smart!(he wouldn't want me to talk about him this way. but its my blog & Ill brag if I want too!)

I am anxious for him to get home tonight & not have to study, I am anxious for him to wrap me in his arms & pick me up (because that what he does. he picks me up off the floor with his arms around my waist.) because I love when he is here.

{playing between thunderstorms}

{for hes a jolly good fellow...}

Celebrating Father's Day is always so much fun.
the Sclater kids have a great daddy!
T will tell you all about him if you get him going.

we started the day off with fluffy stuffed pancakes.
some filled with strawberry & some with chocolate.

after some lounging on our bed, the family got ready for church.



for dinner I did a burger theme. I wanted to buy rod a grill, but we have zero dollars.
so grill theme it was, but sadly no grill.



what is that? check it out HERE
again, short on money as its the end of the semester...so I didn't splurge on paper products & overly adorable. maybe another time.
the boys enjoyed their burger dinners & burger desserts!


even the big man of the day enjoyed his treats.
he keeps me laughing. I love that he doesn't take himself seriously all the time.

After dinner we had some family time SANS books!
Rods been eyeball deep in board review...we all enjoyed his attention.




(Rod & I are always talking about how britt has us, he has since the very moment we saw his round face. it was instant love.)

we sure love that Rod Sclater!

Daddy,
I love you up to the stars & the sky. My favorite things to do with you are play monster trucks, & rumble with you. you do not like blue things to eat. but I think you should try new snacks, you will like it. I like when you put me on the fridge. you are strong like a hero. Jaxon likes batman, but I dont, I like superman. he has a red cape. I have a superman monster truck. I want to play lacrosse when I get bigger so I can play with you. I dont wnat to play basketball, just lacrosse like you. I like when we go to the store together. We are the biggest & britton is not. I have fun when you are silly. You are nice & not mean. I like to eat grapefruits with you, you are very good at peeling them fast for mommy. It is fasinating. I love you daddy.
love, Tre-Tre

Daddy,
give me a kiss.
love, Britty Bear

Daddy,
I dont say much but I love when you hold me over your head, I love to smile at you & laugh. I like to sit in your lap & bounce in your arms. You make me happy.
love, Madd-Man

Rod,
Where do I even start.
Your a great father, you know that. Your patience is endless, your energy never dies, your love is unconditonal & evident, your creativity is entertaining & playful, your leadership is an example, your strength is empowering. Our boys love you. They race to the door when you arrive home, they dont take you for granted ever. They watch for you out the windows, they love to bake treats for you & make you pictures. T talks about you all day long, he makes an agenda of activities before you even step foot in the door. You make them giggle & smile.
& as for me...well, you make me want to be a better mother. I watch how you interact with each of our boys in such a unique way, individual to each of their strengths, abilities, stages. You never yell or let the little things overwhelm you or break your cool. you teach our boys to respect me. Every day for years now you have asked Tre "whats your most important job?" His reply: "be sweet to mommy." I know our boys will grow to respect me, their own wife, & all women because of the importance you put on it. I know our boys will be spiritual leaders because you teach the gospel in our home. We have had some bumps, & have learned to grow from them, I am confident that our boys will be stronger because we have chosen to be strong. I know that they will be blessed because you have chosen to live the way our father in heaven wants you to live. Live to bless the boys & us. You are a sweet man with a big heart. & the cherry on top is...your Hott like Fire! I loved you then, but I love you even more now. I know you love our boys, & that makes me happy beyond explenation.
forever & 3 days...
-Jenni

******

Dad, your the best! We miss you & have really enjoyed seeing more of you lately! Your a great dad & Opah! YOur alwyas on the floor playing with the big boys & always wanting to hold our babies. You are such an important part of Tre, Britt & Maddox's lives! Happy Fathers day!

Dad Sclater, Your so fun & we cant wait for you to meet all the little sclaters. I think you & Britt will get along like peas & carrots. T will love hearing about his grandpa's harley, & Maddox..hes a cuddler. Hope Hawk eye is happy & well! Happy Father's day!

Grandpa, We love you so much! The boys have a blast with you! Cant wiat to see you again soon! If you even eant to head this way, the door is always open! Lots of love!