Our 1st House Guests and other Random Tidbits

So my good ol' high school friend Scruggs (aka.. Angela) came down to Georgia for a quick visit this past weekend. She and her four kids, who are very well behaved I might add, came and spent the night. The significance of this post is that they were our first official house guests since moving here. It had been 4 years since we'd last seen each other even though we only lived an hour apart when we were in Maryland. So sad. Anyway, she just couldn't stand being any further away from me, so she up and made the drive just for me. Well, really her husband had to work and I guess she made time to see a few other old friends as well :). It was so great to catch up and talk about our good ol' Highland Ram days. Our kids played really well together and had fun until the sleep deprivation kicked in on Saturday afternoon. I would like to say we took them out on the town and showed them all that Augusta has to offer, but we didn't and we've yet to find out what Augusta has to offer ourselves :) It was a fun visit. Thanks for making the drive Ang and hope to see you guys again soon! For all our friends and family out there, our home is always open to you. Yes, I've resorted to begging for more visitors.

Our little rugrats minus two of them. Aren't they so cute?

Yeah! Our daddy came back! We are enjoying our last few weeks with him until he leaves again.

A few weeks ago as I was unpacking boxes and trying to organize my closet, Abby saw my wedding dress and wanted to try in on. She was in heaven. She asked me if she could wear it when she got married. So cute. The thing is filthy and I never cleaned it after my wedding day walking through dirt and grass for photos. I don't even know if the stains would come out 8 years later, but she didn't mind.

My blushing child bride.

1st Day of School

It was an exciting week here as both Abby and Andrew started school. Even though school starts sooo early in Georgia, it has been a much anticipated event. Everything went well, we walked Abby to her classroom and she waved goodbye without any problem. I remember totally crying and clinging to my mom's leg on my first day, but not this girl. She was ready. Her only concern was riding the bus home. She was convinced that the bus doors would close on her. I don't really know where this fear came from, but after I assured her this would not happen, she was fine.

The hard part was explaining to Andrew that his school would start the next day. I had told him this but he still thought he would be going when Abby did. He goes Tuesdays and Thursdays for now and may be going Fridays as well. Andrew also had a great day. He was all about the lunchbox and making sure I knew what he wanted in his lunch box. We packed the thing like three times. He was so funny. He also had no problems when I dropped him off and starting playing right away. Yeah! I was sure he would have a hard time, but he didn't. Preschool is going to be so good for him and me! His teachers are great and I couldn't be happier.

Galan Family Latest & Greatest

Sorry no pics, lots of talk.

1. Wow! Weren't the Olympic opening ceremonies last night amazing? I have been looking forward to these summer games for months now and with last night's presentation in Beijing, the Chinese people did NOT disappoint. It was one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring ceremonies I have ever seen. I even got a little bit emotional just watching and realizing how far China has come in the last decade and how important these games are to the Chinese people. They truly have so much to offer the world and they opened up the games in a way that only they could attempt to endeavor. It was magnificent. I am really looking forward to watching the events over the next couple weeks. I love hearing the emotional and inspiring stories behind some of these athletes and their struggle to get where they are.

2. Back to reality. Life is crazy right now. Perry is TDY for training right now in Canada, so I am flying solo. He has been gone for a week and we have one more week to go. He will then be home for 3 weeks and then he leaves again to the Middle East for 3 months! Ahhh! He does so much when he is home, that whenever he leaves, I have to step it up a notch and try to be as motivated and capable as he is. I guess this 2 week TDY was my refresher course for when he is really GONE. We really appreciate and miss him right now. I already feel like I am losing my sanity. Pray for me!

3. We have had potty-training SUCCESS! I am so proud of Andrew. He has finally mastered going poop in the potty. This may be TMI, but this is such a big milestone for him and me! Thank you for all your advice and suggestions on this. The only problem now is that he likes it so much, he tries to go every time. I am concerned he is going to injure his little self trying so hard. But I can't complain. Life is good with only one kid in diapers.

4. Abby is starting Kindergarten on Monday! I don't know whether to cry or to shout Hallelujah from the rooftops! It is time to let her out from under my protective wing, and she is SO ready. She cannot wait and it has been challenging to say the least to keep her busy this summer. She is excited to try school lunch (we'll see how that goes) and to ride the bus home. More pics soon to follow from her 1st day.

5. Andrew is starting pre-school on Tuesday. This one is a little harder for me, but I know he will do just great and have so much fun. Have you ever heard of a pre-school that went through lunchtime? Well this one does! I have to pack him a lunch and he will be gone for 4 hours 3 days a week! Now that is one huge undertaking. Feeding a classroom full of three-year olds. Opening packaging, cleaning spills, keeping food separate, and then cleaning up the mess afterward. Wow! More power to them.

6. As for me, I am trying to shed all the LBS. I have gained during this whole moving process. With all the packing, cleaning, unpacking, organizing, eating out, eating junk, eating icecream, and not working out regularly, I am now paying the price. It's amazing how much easier it is to put the weight on. Anyway, it's back to the treadmill for me. I want to start training for a half marathon. I need a training buddy. Any takers?? I have been inspired once again by my sister Kate who ran another one today.

7. Right now I am loving Pioneer Woman Cooks. I have tried several of her recipes over the past few weeks. Beef Brisket, Cowboy Nachos, Malboro Man's Favorite Sandwich, Penne a la Betsy, Berries and Cream, Chicken Salad just to name a few. (part of the reason I now need the treadmill). And she has written a really cute story about how she met her husband (Marlboro Man) and her life change from a city girl to living on a cattle ranch in the middle of nowwhere. It's a cute story called High Heels to Tractor Wheels. It's a cheesy, mushy love story, but check it out if you have some time.

It Happened......

Abby has discovered Hannah Montana and consequently Andrew has too. How did this happen? Maybe it was watching too much Disney channel. Even though they only watch Playhouse Disney, those sneaky Disney execs pump the programming full of Hannah Montana commercials and advertisements. Maybe it's because EVERYWHERE we go she is there! You can't escape the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus/Stewart (whatever her name is!) hysteria. Her face is on everything and you hear her name everywhere. Even just a few months ago, I myself was wondering "who is this Hannah Montana person." Abby and Andrew knew who she was before they ever knew who she was, purely because they see her face everywhere. We don't even watch Spongebob at our house. No offense to any of you who let your kids watch Spongebob. I've just never thought of it as an appropriate show for very young kids. But I am learning that whatever the oldest child discovers, quickly becomes the newest sensation for the toddlers and babies in the house as well.

So the other day Hannah Montana came on after Little Einsteins or something and my kids were starstruck. I let them watch the dang show okay. And I sat there and watched it with them. And you know what? It was pretty innocent, witty, funny and entertaining. Now, I'm still not comfortable with the fact that my oldest child is only 5 1/2 and watching a show for teeny boppers and now she wants to be a rock star like Hannah Montana and walks around singing her songs. Is this normal? Am I being a bad mom? Is this the kind of role model I want for my kids? Is Hannah Montana going to turn into another Britney Spears? Please tell me what are your thoughts on this?