Projects

Many of you don't know the big changes in the Willis family. Jason quit his job in February due to great unhappiness. It wasn't the company that we thought we would be working for when we moved to Iowa. He has a great passion for hospital construction and has been on the job hunt very dilligently. Since then when not networking or keeping our family inline he worked on the basement.

Right before he started his new job, he had the opportunity to remodel/add to this awesome deck. Many of you know the Lapoints. This is Allie's parents house. It was a big project that too some long hours and a good sunburn to finish, but in the end it is absolutely beautiful. I can imagine the fun that they are going to have with their families on it. Nick graciously helped Jason on the last day finishing some last touches!

Back to Jason's new job. He works for the University of Iowa. Yes he is a Hawkeye and will say it with a cough on the end. He officially works for the U of I hospitals. He flipped sides of construction. He now manages projects from the owners point of view. It is fairly humorous when he comes home and tells me about working on the jobs that he worked for while at Miron. Jason is a man of little emotion/excitement but I think that he really enjoys the job. Here he is supporting his new wardrobe. He is now a tie man which meant that we had to go shopping. So if you would like to donate to the "Dress Jason Fund" we are taking donations and ideas!

He now has to ride a bus to work since their is only EXPENSIVE parking at the hospital!

Career Day

Schools are required to connect school to work. Makes sense doesn't it, but it is sometimes harder than it looks. This year our school connected with a local community college and set up some job follows. We took 106 eighth graders to different locations to see what they did and the education that they needed to do their jobs.

One bus went to Cedar Rapids to visit the culinary school at Kirkwood Community College and then to the Roughriders arena (hockey). Another bus went to Monsanto and then to the Iowa County Courthouse/Jail. My bus headed HyVee grocery store and then to either West Music or Centro. At first I think the kids thought this would be a stupid trip, but in the end they learned a lot! I am excited that next year we are going to expand this to 5-8. Kids need to be introduced to lots of ideas so that they can start to see not only what they might be interested in, but also how their school work is needed to meet the requirements of future jobs!

This is an oven baking probaby about 30 dozen cupcakes and several cakes for the bakery. It roates around.

Jill wants to eat this HUGE barrel of frosting. The girl we watched decorated a cake in less than 5 minutes. It was beautiful too!

This is inside Centro. They make plastic parts of John Deere Tractors, CAT equipment, Rug Doctor Machines, etc. This is very close to our house. We looked out their dock and could see our house.

We looked awesome walking around with our safety glasses and ear plugs. I would hate to wear them all the time though!

Bubbling

Dear Mrs. Willis,

Congratulations! Based on the proposal submitted for the HP Technology for Teaching Grant earlier this year for the project titled Bringing Learning to Life: Using HP technology to promote active student learning and higher math achievement for Clear Creek-Amana (CCA) middle school students. HP is pleased to offer Clear Creek Amana Middle School the K-12 grant award! You were identified as the lead for the team of 5 teachers working on this grant, and we hope you will share this message with each of your team members.

I know that this doesn't mean much to many of you but I was absolutely THRILLED when I got this email last night. I was home by myself and was jumping frantically around. I have worked my tail off in Dec-Feb to finish this grant up with the help of a grant writer. It is a huge opportunity and will allow our kids some great opportunities!

Each of our math rooms gets:
• HP Compaq Notebook/Tablet PC with Microsoft® Vista Business Tablet PC Edition with OneNote
• A digital projector
• An HP digital camera
• An HP Officejet printer, scanner, copier
• A $500 stipend
• Customized online professional development opportunities to support the use of technology in teaching and support from a mentor with experience integrating technology in the K–12 environment
• Free Software from Microsoft

YEAH CCA!!!!

Omaha or Bust

We headed to Omaha a few weeks ago for my brother's 29th birthday! Wow he is getting old. My mom went with us and my dad came on Saturday. We saw their house that they flipped and then headed to the Omaha Children's Museum.

I totally recommend getting a membership plus to your local museum. It typically isn't that expensive - ours is $100. We can visit it as much as we want and can take in 2 extra people when we visit. We use it on rainy days and on some evenings or an afternoon off for mom - dad takes them. The benefit is also that you can get into most museums across the nation for free. Something fun to do on vacation!

The kids enjoyed playing with each other and rarely fought, but did tattle on each other frequently. They all (except Lauryn) slept in the same room - girls in the bed Drew on the floor which was quite a task to get them to fall asleep!

Click over to Amy's site to see Ally and Kaylee in their princess costumes!

Everyone is excited about going back to Omaha during warmer weather to see a baseball game or the zoo - wish it wasn't so far to drive!

Big Prize!

Here is the proud winner of a new book on Dr. Suess Day at school. The 100 star is her number that they drew. All of the kids (PK-5) went to the library for a Reader's Theater of Horton and story time. I am so glad that my little girl loves to read.

Side note: yes this is from forever ago, but I have a lot to add to the blog to document Willis history!

Unexpected

I have had a toothache for some time due to some stupid popcorn I had. I was sick and tired of the dull aching pain and scheduled an appointment to see Dr. Hart. I was also feeling this hard mountain behind my last molar. I was already planning to hear the dreaded words - you need your wisdom teeth out.

I will save you the details, but it looks like I have one tooth that has always been bad. It has had a chipped and filled and recaped since I was young. Why they haven't pulled it is beyond me. He wants to put a crown on it. Man that makes me feel old - aren't old people the only ones that get crowns?

Then we talked about the wisdom teeth. I'm double covered on dental insurance right now so it is the best time to get it done. I asked about pulling on Thursday night if I would be ready for school on Monday. He said - you'd be fine by Friday morning. I laughed. In fact let's do it now. What?????

Well I am at home in hardly no pain (we will see what Wednesday morning brings) except for the tingling of the novacain wearing off. They only pulled one so I have 25% less wisdom tonight. They wouldn't let me keep it so I guess the tooth fairy won't bring me any money - Bummer!

My Helper

Ally has started to want to help make supper. She has always been a good help, but lately she wants to be INVOLVED with doing the whole process. But me being a control freak and effiecient master has had a hard time letting her help. She is always incharge of rolls from a can - or as Scoggins calls them "pop biscuits!"

At her 5-year check up (which is a blog within itself!) Dr. Kinzer asked her if she had chores. She listed off several things that made her sound like a slave, but she like to help her mommy. I hope that she continues to learn to serve others also and that helping mom sticks when she is 14!

Boy or Girl?

More funny words from Drew:

Drew: Mommy, Ally called me a girl and I'm a boy. (tattling always tattling!)
Me: What makes you a boy?
Drew: Short hair - the haircut girl just cut it off.
Me: What makes you a girl, Ally?
Ally: Long hair.

And we will leave it at that. We can explain body parts later.

As Jason was getting Drew in the car yesterday, he asked him what he was going to do today at school.
Drew: (in his firm voice) Let's just talk about it when we get home.

Wise Words from My Kids

On the way to school last Friday Drew dropped his toy he brought. He asked me to get it and I told him no, I can't reach it.

He responded with - just come over here and get it.

With a sarcastic tone, I said - I can't. I'm driving.

With an even more sarcastic dumb voice Drew responds - Just pull the car over, get out and come over here to open my door and get my car.

Good grief - not on your life buddy!

On our way home from Omaha, Ally made some very important decisions about where her and Trippie will live when they get married. We pulled off the interstate for lunch and drove past McD's. Ally comment that her and Trippie would live next to McDonalds so that they wouldn't have to drive there for supper.

Now that is a girl that has got planning down. Common sense and healthy - not so much. And no we didn't eat there!

Personal GPS

This morning on the way to school, I flipped on the GPS to see how it would take me to school in Amana. At first it did nothing since we were driving on the correct road, but soon it told me the in "600 yards turn left." From the back of the van comes - Mommy you need to turn left. Thanks Drew - I got it figured out.

This continued all the way to school with every turn - good thing there are only four! Who needs my GPS when I got Drew!

Softball

We have finally joined the rest of America in signing our very talented, gifted, fasted, most athletic child up for a rec league. Actually we assume that some of the best collegiate scouting programs will be coming to her t-ball games.

Tonight she had her first "practice." Really do you need practice for t-ball with 4-6 year olds? Doesn't a game consist of 2 innings where everyone hits and stands in the field picking flowers while one kid (usually the coach's kid) chases the ball, throwing to others which begins another chase until 15 minutes later it gets back to the coach to "pitch" to the next kid? And it is an hour and a half! Ahh I am glad that she is going to learn the game - practice hitting when the coach pitches and knows how to throw and get a ground ball. If you didn't know, but Ally has a terrible arm. Her brother has out-thrown her since he was 1. Now he has aim, he can nail me with a cracker from his carseat while watching a movie.

Here are a couple pictures to document the moment! Ally is in the cream sweat shirt. It didn't help that it was pushing 45 degress out today. They cancelled the track meet that Drew and I were going to go to because it was too cold, but not cold enough for the GRIZZLIES!!!


She hit it! But I really think that her eyes are close if you blow up the picture.


Take me out to the ball game!

Apple Bottom Jeans

I'm not so sure this should be a proud moment, but this is one of the kids' favorite songs that plays in Daddy's truck. They have their Daddy's dancing moves and ability to remember all the words in a song. Sorry the stomping is so loud - we typically don't let the kids stand on the counter, but it for some reason seems appropriate for this song. One day while listening to this on the radio, Ally couldn't understand the words to the verse. She said - I think it is in French now. Then the chorus came back - oh now it is back to English. Then the verse - French again.

I Hate Drywall Dust!

We have been working on our basement since the beginning of the year. We actually wanted to have it done by Rachel's wedding, but we were smoking something! The dust has settled from all the mudding and taping. We think we are done painting - the lights are playing tricks on our eyes. Jason is getting ready to lay the tile, the woodwork and cabinets are on order. We haven't ordered the carpet yet, but we aren't in a huge hurry. We are hoping to have some guests this summer - maybe for Luke and Betsy's wedding!

Movie Area - can you imagine a big tv there - Someday....

Wet bar and poker area - black hole area/door is the bedroom

Cubby for kids to play where Jason's head it and game closet on right - bathroom is in that hall opposite of the stairs going up

Cracker Please!

What do you think of our artistic skills? Spray cheese and crackers are a favorite snack around here, but for some reason they only taste good if there is a picture on the cracker. This is the stegasauris that Drew asked for. What do you think?

Party Time

What do you call a birthday party with 12 girls in preschool? Insanity???? It might have been loud, it might have been busy, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Ally invited 13 friends (all the girls in her class) over for her 5th birthday on Saturday. I wasn't expecting that all would actually be able to come. They came in their pretty dresses - because I guess that what you wear to parties???

Several moms dropped off their little princesses looking at me like - I really want to head shopping since I have a couple free hours, but I will stay if you want me to looks. I pushed them out the door saying we had it under control. As my friend Patrick would say at school - organized chaos!

I must thank Kate and my mom for helping. Jason ducked out after the pinata to go look at a deck to build. There was too many girls in one house for him!

We did get to celebrate today with our parents. She had a wonderful day and got some great present - as if we didn't have enough toys! She got a camera from Grandma Rhonda and Grandpa Charlie. Jason and I had seen it at Christmas and thought she would like it. After Chuck said that Trip loved his, we asked for it! She has taken a meer 250 pictures today. So Michelle you have an apprentice coming soon!

Come On - Snow Really?

I know it isn't much, but really it is March 28th! Do we really need any more? I know that I don't want to start mowing quite yet, but I am ready for the warm sunshine and light jackets. There was no snow on the roads and it was gone before noon and 55 degrees by mid-afternoon. I know that other places were not as lucky as us - they got several inches. I am looking forward to thunderstorms this week instead of snow storms!

Oh My - She's 5!

I can't believe that FIVE years ago our precious - Ally Arlene - was born. We talked about her name the other night and how we named her after some special people in our lives. She cuddled up in her comforter that Grandma Arlene helped make to fall fast asleep.

Her party is on Saturday where we will be blessed??? with at least 10 little girls. I thought I was looking forward to this, but I was thinking that only 6 or so would be able to come. Princess party here we come. Bracelets, photo frames, pinatas, cake, giggling, squealing (from Jason probably) and lots of fun. We are shipping Drew off to the neighbors so that he won't bug the girls!

We headed to Culvers for some chicken and fries tonight after opening her presents. We are so blessed!

A new jump rope - she finally figured it out!

She got a new glove so that she can play t-ball this summer! Daddy is so excited.

Drew chillin' out in his new chair waiting for his sister to open her Barbies.

Drew or Carle?

Does anyone think that Drew might resembly my cousin - Matt Wilson? He could also pass for a little girl with really short hair.

He is all boy and loves it, but a few girly things are put on and end up becoming part of a war costume - I think this is a Ninja thing.

Finishing Up the Eggs

We finished up the eggs before Easter. You'd think that being on Spring break that I would have had plenty of time to post these pictures, but I always found other things to do!

It was fairly uneventful. Luckily I had 2 egg dippers so that they each had their own. Otherwise I can imagine the fights and the dye spilled all over my counter. Drew wasn't entertained by this activity for too long. They both struggled with wanting to leave the eggs in too long. They looked really cool when you left them in for several minutes.

Jason and I tried to get a couple "tied" dyed ones, but they didn't turn out so well. One good thing about the blowed eggs - We can keep them for next year. Actually I never put Drew's school hard boiled one in the fridge and I think that it will harden and never smell. That is how they do it in Amana. (See video on Break Out Day).

Church Clothes

For some reason we all (meaning everyone in the US) feels that we must wear our Sunday best and take pictures after church or before if you have alotted enough time!

We had many bribes going for Drew to take a good picture on Sunday - none of which I think that we would have followed through with though!

Here are three in at least time order of taking the pictures. We finally got a good one after many threats - I mean bribes!

This is his first growl that came upon him as I decided to snap the picture.

Here he is again trying to wink and see if it will work again with mom.

And finally a good one - we ended on it!

I hope that your Easter was memorable. Reflecting on what Jesus did for us baffles my mind. Drew has been pretty clueless still. The other night we were talking about the SS story. He remembered that Jesus died. I asked him why he did and got a blank stare. I said something about "death" and Drew looked at me and started giggling - that's a funny word. I asked him what he died on and Drew couldn't remember, but said he died like this as he flung out his arms to show me nearly missing my nose. I pray that he will understand the magnitude someday!

Ally on the otherhand has been pretty amazing. I don't think that she understands all of salvation, but does know that she has to ask Jesus to forgive her sins. Mommy - I did that one night remember. Yes Ally I do - faith of a child is amazing. So Jesus forgives all my mean words to Drew. Yes Ally, but he doesn't want us to try to do more mean words! Someday she will get it. Planting seeds and praying for her is my greatest joy.

Commotion

The other night I asked Ally if she had slept at school that day.

Her reply - oh no there was too much commotion. Mommy do you know what commotion means? (sounding if I am the dumbest mom ever)

Before I could get a word out, she continued "it means lots of talking and noise."

Okay smarty pants, I think I knew that.

Boy are her kindergarten teachers in for a surprise. She might try and teach the class!

Blowing Eggs

Easter is coming! Ally has been bugging me for days about making Easter decorations. When I told her about decorations, I meant get them out of the closet, but she didn't want that. So here comes the dye!

We were out of eggs and this is now going to be an expensive project. I think the grocery store people are evil because I think that eggs doubled this week in price! I wish we could use my mom's eggs, but brown eggs don't dye well! We don't like hard boiled eggs at our house and coling real eggs and sticking them back in the frige seems pointless, so I got my puffer out and blew out the eggs.

It was easier than I remember it. Does that mean in my old age I have more hot air?

We do have enough egg goup for french toast one day and breakfast pizza another!

Stay tuned for the actual dying process - it could be interesting with 2 pre-schoolers!

Cake Portfolio!

A lucky member of our small group had a birthday on Saturday. We treated him to some good Iowa steaks. He is from New York and is here in Iowa with his wife and little guy making video games. They like to laugh at Iowan food - cheese on everything and you can wrap anything in bacon.

He likes unicorns - he doesn't like to admit it though. Like all small groups we don't forget the little things. (Jason's afraid of bunnies and walking.) Jason used he decorating skills to make him a lovely cake for small group on Monday. I colorized it and he drew it on. Don't you think it is great! I know that Sheryl will be impressed and know that our inspiration is you!

Jason hard at work.

Ally and Drew were trying to help - they were cleaning up the frosting left in the bowls - sugar-high for the rest of the day!

Pi Day!

I am lazy and today have the house quiet while the kids went to school. What does this mean - catch up on picking up the house without someone dirtying it immediately and get work on a couple blogs that are long past due!

Every nerdy math teacher gets excited about March 14. I bet that you didn't even know it was a special day did you? I also bet that you don't care that it is Pi Day! My kids were looking forward to this day for a week. Mainly because they didn't have to do "math" - wrong and get to eat pi(e). It happened to be the day before spring break which is typically laid back anyway.

Fourth hour sharing their singing abilities! I found these songs on the internet - I didn't write them!

We started celebrating pi day on Thursday with a lab to understand where pi came from. On Friday Mr. Fox, our principal, came in and read a book called Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi. Then we sang some great Pi Day songs - see videos. I had several centers set up that worked with pi and places that we use it, but don't even know. I (with the help of my awesome husband) and made 13 oreo pies that topped off the celebration.

Abby, Corey, Hannah and Andrew beading a necklace that represented pi.
Amanda, Celeste and Brandi making a pictograph representing how many of each digit showed up in pi.

Ethan, Travis and Shane using pi to figure their hat size. Real life application!

Paige and Sydney writing pi-ku!

Math isn't always boring or unuseful. I hope that my kids see that math isn't hard and can be fun.

As Jason said as I walked out the door on Friday morning - all your goofiness wrapped up into one day! Next year I will let you know earlier so you can celebrate with me!

Gone....

Can you imagine losing this precious picture?

Can you imagine losing 347 pictures? Can you imagine losing 347 pictures of your daughters wedding?

The last week has be full and very tiring. I never thought that would happen since the wedding is WAY over. Mom called me on Wednesday night sounding very distraught. She was on her way to watch the kids while we headed to a church meeting. "I lost them." Huh? "I lost all of the wedding pictures?" Oh NO!!! How in the world does my mom who never erases her pictures on her camera lose pictures.

(See if you can follow or skip ahead) Somehow she uploaded them to her computer, but then realized that she wanted to take the disc to Wal-mart to get them printed. She thought she copied them, but she must have slipped and selected "move." Then her camera would work right and it asked her to reformat her disk. Unknowing what she had just did - she said yes. Then looking at her camera realized the wedding pictures weren't there and went to her computer to search for them. Gone - can't find.

Then Jason and I come in...I didn't think they were completely gone, but Jason knew that they had to be on the hard drive somewhere until another file would write over them. (Sounded familiar since Bob D accidently erased our harddrive one time and recovered it all!) But the question - how do we search for it? I called upon one of our favorite computer dudes - Shawn Ross. He confirmed our hypothesis and gave us a few options - they just had to do this at Calvary.

Not really wanting to attempt it on our own and not really wanting to drive to STL, we decided to search for a Flash Card Recovery program. We found some and started working on the card. After a good 18 hours of trial and error and lack of sleep, we got the pictures back. We are missing a few, but we are thrilled that most of the big day are here. Now we have 3 copies of them so that nothing can get erased again.

Morale of the story - get your stupid pictures backed up!

Holy Cow - Look at that Thing!

Thank you Floyd and Shirley for the good laugh! Grandpa said that you gave him his new toy, but he hasn't quite figured out how to use it. We will work on it. Ally has figured it out already!

I had a picture of it laying on the lamp stand, but you couldn't tell the hugeness of it. You can really tell the greatness of this remote when you realize it takes up more of Ally's middle. Isn't it funny watching Drew use it!

One thing to look forward to when I get old - a HUGE remote!

Good Night Ally

I know that I have been a BAD blogger recently. I really have no excuses because I know that my kids say funny things ALL the time. I just am too tired to remember them and to type them in. I almost forgot to post tonight! I also have some great pictures from this weekend, but I would like to get my mom's picts because they are SO much better. I am assuming that Rachel and Chad are enjoying themselves in Nashville.

I was putting Ally to bed tonight and doing our typical routine. It was my night to sing to Ally. I gave Drew his many hugs and kisses - fighting for one on the lips.

Drew - My teacher says that we don't kiss people on the lips.
Mommy - Oh yes you do - you better kiss your Mommy!

I got into Ally's room and laid down with her - hoping to keep my eyes open. I asked her what she wanted me to sing.

Ally - You pick.
Mommy - No what do you want me to sing.
Ally - I am just going to say "Home on the Range" (daddy's new found favorite) and you won't sing it. So pick.
Mommy - Okay you're right. First one I picked she did turn down and the second too I think. Good grief!

Recognize This?

Anybody recognize this dress - not the girl! This is my flowergirl's dress from my wedding. Thanks Nicole for sending it to us. It fits Ally perfectly. I think she might have to wear it this weekend. Nicole is coming for a visit for the wedding!

Soup or Dessert?

This was suppose to be written by Jason a week ago, but I guess he forgot. Jason had been promising Ally that she could do her "projects" but we kept putting her off trying to figure out what she really meant. I was helping her at first but was so frustrated that I switched Jason for the puzzle doing with Drew. She was making a dessert. She wanted to put all of my good food - meaning that I could still serve it to my family in the soup. Which in my opinion was NEVER meant for any breathing creature - even cats and dogs!
Jason played along with her and they made this lovely creation. Everything that you can think of it in it - along with the cheyanne pepper, cinnamon and garlic salt. They did put it in bowls and take a bit - or at least Ally did. I think that Jason pretended - chicken. She decided that it didn't taste good - she said that it tasted like a tree trunk and didn't want any more. BUT STILL offered me a bowl and saved it in the fridge until I could throw it away when she wasn't looking.

Showers of Blessings

Rachel had her last bridal shower last weekend. Her registries are pretty much gone which is what every bride wants but the poor guests have trouble picking something good. Money works though!

Ally had more fun with all the bows on her head. It was frequently heard throughout the morning - Grandma take a picture of this! Grandma Rhonda got ANOTHER new camera. I think her collection is up to at least 4. I guess we got to get some good ones of the wedding!

Jason and Drew were hanging out at the farm with Grandpa. They help get Rachel's washer and dryer ready to go to their house. We did finally get to see Chad and Rachel's house. I wish that I could have seen it before to realize how beautiful it really is. Chad and his Dad have really done a nice job! I bet they will be glad when it is over.

Proud Moment

I know that my husband did want this posted, but there are no pictures. But Drew managed to have his first need for the plunger last night. I must record all important moments to remind him when he gets married!

Dirt Cake

Scoggins - we haven't forgot you or your dirt cake. Dirt cake was good and only lasted one day.

Ally wants to know if Trip has learned about boyfriends because she is about ready to move on, but we want her to stick with a "good" boy!

Snow - Enough

I know that my blogging has been sparse lately, but my head hurts, school is crazy, there is tooooo much snow and it is cold!

We have only had 6 FULL days of school this month - 5 no school days, and a couple late starts or early releases. You can imagine what the indians are like in the classroom! We haven't been in school this week due to another 8 inches on top of the 10-12 that we had (and didn't melt yet). There is snow everywhere. Piles and piles and you can't even see around the corners. The stupid weatherman is predicting more snow, but hopefully this will be light. He did say we were in for another batch early next week with some ice to start it off again. There is already 2 inches on ice on the road. My van doesn't stop or start the way it is.

Soapbox: Supposedly the county, city, state whoever is "out" of snow removal money. This seems to happen every winter about the begining of February. HUMMMMM I see a pattern - put more money in your budget. So their solution - only work during the day and take over 2 days to get to some of the roads. Which doesn't allow us to have school since the big yellow bus can't get down the gravel roads. I think they have only been through our subdivision 3 times since Sunday. ARGHHHHHH

Valentine's day was filled with antipication of you guessed it - more snow - not much though. We enjoyed our heart shaped pizza, jello and brownies. The junior high kids at church set up a FREE babysitting night on Friday which we took full advantage of. Ally and Drew loved it too. (This was our Valentine's picture at supper but I missed the heart when setting up the camera.)


Conferences tomorrow night, wedding coming up, stuff to buy and stuff to get done - pray that we will keep God in the center through the business of our life!