Toy Story Soldiers

We had taekwondo tonight - the Daddy taxi service continues, getting home early for the bus stop and working from home, and getting Madison off so she can go kick people in the face!  Okay, so it wasn't that so much today, but they did get out the nunchucks again, and there was a bit of practice on form again.  Daddy was off walking along a trail with another father, our new routine while the kids practice a bit.

We got back home, and of course we were talking with Mommy a good bit on the computer.  It's only a few more days until we see her in person once again.  Tonight though, we carried the computer around and showed her the house, which we've managed to keep clean, believe it or not.  Yes, Daddy is proud of this - it's a losing battle sometimes, but it's funny dragging the computer around and picking up things left and right in order to put them back where they belong.  And there's the dishes, the laundry, the cooking, and so on... Daddy certainly has a new appreciation for all that Mommy does here.

Meanwhile, Mommy is still down there in Florida of course.  She's expecting her brother to arrive soon, and it will be a very sweet family reunion.  It's been a few years since everyone has been down at the same time, so this will be nice.  And he'll be staying there until Saturday, so Madison and Daddy will get to be there at the same time as well.

Take a look at this thing here:

I messed up the scripture location (it should be a 5 instead of a 3), but the idea is a nice one that Mommy saw.  Daddy just made something to go with it, this piece of paper here.  Basically, the idea is to get a green army man for each of the kids to have, and each time they see that soldier, it's a reminder to pray for that soldier.  Daddy made this stand above - it folds at the line just below the soldiers' feet, and there are places to fold to the right and left of the soldiers as well (as long as there's a small cut along that line).  Anyway, it's going to be a nice craft, and a nice reminder.  We'll have to get some pictures tomorrow when the kids make these.

Madison arrived at school early today to help with her Live to Give club.  She was out there collecting coins for the Trees for Troops organization, one that takes the money donated in order to put it towards getting Christmas trees for military families.  She set the alarm and was out there early to help out.  We're very proud of her.

We had some rain today, and all through the night too.  It was quite refreshing for a dry and thirsty land, and the smell of rain was invigorating.  Mommy said the weather last week was overcast and rainy, and we were somewhat jealous of that, having endured a draught these last several weeks.

Daddy has been making dinners for Madison, but nothing terribly elaborate as of yet.  There was spaghetti and tacos, but there's been a lot of chicken nuggets and pizza too.  It's been fairly simple, but we've been surviving.  Madison said she misses Mommy's cooking, which is not insulting at all - she misses Mommy quite a bit, misses her being here.  We're at over a week so far, and the computer conversations help out.  Each morning, we talk on the screens, and pray together, and catch up on all the things going on in Daytona and those things going on here.  One thing in Daytona that's been going on are storm surges bringing back baby turtles to the shorelines.  The directions are that you don't return that turtle to the ocean.  I know eventually you need to get with a place like the Marine Science Center, and they'll collect the turtles and help them the best they can.

Tonight we had a few taquitos on the way home.  It's not exactly a healthy choice, but Madison loves the taquitos, and it's okay to splurge every so often.

Our Orange County children's pastor has been with us this week, and she's a very nice person - Madison met her Sunday, and they both think very highly of her.  Originally from London, there's already a bit of a slight understanding of certain types of humor, and chocolate too.  And tea.  She spoke with Mommy today on the computer, and that was nice.  We'll spend a little more time with her tomorrow at KidPak, all part of a very pleasant visit.

Anyway, it's been a good day today.  We miss Mommy, of course, and we're counting down the days. But we prayed for her tonight - and with her tonight over the computer - and we prayed for the grandparents.  We're taking it day by day, and today has been okay.