2 Week Review March 21- April 3 2011

Here is a quick run down on some happenings the past two weeks in Dyerland.  Nothing too exciting! 

This is the normal way the pets eat here.  For one, they all eat dog food.  For two, Russel always gets to eat first and the two doggies sit and wait paitently for their turn when Russ is done.

 We thought Spring was here and all of our snow was long gone and then came this crazy snow storm! It was beautiful and came over the weekend so we didn't even get a snow day out of it!  If the snow looked that pretty all winter, I don't think I would mind it so much!  It was such a heavy, wet snow.

 I had an order for a Sesame Street 1st Birthday party cake.  The mom sent me the picture of what she wanted.  The smash cake always comes free on 1st birthday party orders!

 Glenwood has a huge ammount of nasty turkey buzzards in town.  From time to time you will spot them in a tree in town rather than circling above an area.  We had to go around the block to check out these ugly guys.

 Brock had his school trip to Hawaii and they had a luau a few days later after finishing their study of oceans.  I made this cake for their party.

 We attended the Omaha Home Show where Brock got a shoe shine kit from one of the vendors.  He was SO excited to get home and shine our shoes with his spray and little brush. 

 This weekend was absolutly beautiful.  We got a few hours of yard work done yesterday and Brock attended 2 birthday parties for school friends.  Today we did a little more work outside and then decided to go up to the State School campus to try out Brock's new kite.  On the way up, we passed this deer just off the side of the road.  Can you see it?  There were two of them and they didn't even move while we backed up and took the pictures.

 Gram and Papa went up to Indianola this weekend to visit Kenzie and Daniel and see their new house.  We stopped over at their house after they returned and Brock did a little more shoe shining over there.

Tomorrow Matt has an early morning- he is meeting in Council Bluffs at 5:30 AM to ride to Ames for his final police test.  This is the timed running/ push up/ sit up test.  He has been working out a lot and I'm sure he will do great.  He is really just wanting to get the final word so he can start planning for his long- term sub for school and get things prepared around the house for being gone 3+ months. 

We will let you know as soon as we hear any official word on his new job!

Week in Review March 7- 13 *2011*

This week I had MOPS on Wednesday.  Thursday, Matt took the day off from work because he had to complete his psychological exam for the Co. Bluffs Police Dept.  He was scheduled to be there for testing for 6 hours.  He said it was a crazy test with a zililon questions.  Overall, he felt like he did good on it.

These pictures are a little out of order this week so I am just going to go with the order they are in:

The Youth Wrestling Banquet was on Sunday night.  Brock's two cousins Isaac and Eli were also there.  They all recieved tropies for their participation in wrestling.

Brock was so excited to be called up with the PK- K kids to recieve their trophy.

 They had to stand in line and announce their name as they went by the wrestling club president.

Uncle Tony is on the wrestling board and got up to say a few words about a scholarship that will be given out in memory of a family friend.

 Earlier in the day we got to spend some time with our neice and cousin Keagan and her mom.  Keagan is getting so big!  She had fun playing with Brock and Uncle Matt.

 And had fun being silly too!

Thursday night we had the High School Wrestling Banquet.  I am always so proud of Matt during his banquet.  He does a great job speaking about the team/ season.  He gave an award to two sets of parents in honor of all that they contributed to the team this year. 

Cousins Josh and A.J. also recieved several awards that night.

The night was very bittersweet.  As Matt was finishing, I got teary thinking of how proud of him I was and that this is most likely going to be his last season as a head coach if the police job comes through.  I know how much wrestling and the kids mean to Matt and  it will be hard for him to leave it behind.

Matt was talking to Brock the other day about all of the animals he has in his room that he never plays with.  Brock told Matt that he does play with them and that he plays farm every night with them when he goes to bed.  I had to take this picture after I found this one night when I went to kiss him before I went to bed.  He has six of his animals laying all around him and is sound asleep :)

Week in Review 2-28/ 3-6

On Monday I started my new job.  I had to work each day this past week in Harlan, IA.  It took about 75 minutes each way to get there.  The weather was great this week so driving conditions were good.  On Monday we trained at the Human Resources office...IPERS, tax forms, health insurance, payroll, blahblahblah....It was pretty boring go over all of that "stuff".  There were four of us who were new:  2 home visitors, 1 accoutant, and 1 head start classroom associate. 

Tuesday the other home visitor and I reported to a different office in Harlan.  The other girl and I have a mutual friend so we got to know each other a little better during the week.  We even did a little shopping together after work one day on the Harlan square.  They have some cute shops! 

We were greeted at this office with a little welcome kit in a bright green take out box.  The sticker on the outside said Welcome!  On the inside, our trainer explained the meaning of each item inside. 

The lei:  Remember to have fun

The shoe keychain:  Remember to go the extra mile

The little game cube:  Remember to be persistant

The kalidescope thing:  Remember to look at things with a different perspective

The dice: Remember to take a chance

The question stress reliever:  Remember to ask questions

The green stretchy thing: Remember to be flexible

There was also a little yellow smily face pin:  Remember to be happy!

I thought this was such a cute idea to welcome us!

Matt has been having fun with Brock everyday after school.  They have gone out to his mom's to mess around, taken Josie for a walk, and played outside. 

There was not much else going on during the week so I'm kind of lacking in pictures.  Here are a few I took during the week of random stuff.

Everymorning when I get up Russel the cat is waiting anxiously for us to open the curtains for him so he can sit on the chair and watch the birds.  He just stairs at the curtains as if he is willing them to open!

Here is Josie girl and her "baby ball".  She LOVES this baby ball.  It is a squeaky ball and Brock and Matt do not love it.  They frequently take it away from her and hide it! I am always finding it and giving it back to her.  She lays with it and carries it inside and out.  She eats and destroys every other toy she has, but this ball is her baby. 

Friday night Brock was invited to his first sleepover at his friend Lane's. Lane was turing 6 and they have been friends since they were about 2.  Lane's mom picked up the boys from school and there were 5 boys at the party.  Matt and I went out for Sushi in Omaha and texted her and asked her to send us a picture.  This is what she sent: 

That is Brock in the middle.  They were having fun running around with no shirts on and playing! 

Pacific Junction, IA has been in the news lately for large number of Bald Eagles in the area.  Matt and Brock had gone down twice this week trying to spot some but were not successful.  We went down on Saturday afternoon and were able to see 4. 

Click here for the story from the news station.

They were so beautiful and I felt very lucky that we were able to see the few that we did! 

After that we drove around town and I had Matt take Brock up to drive by where my new office will be.  Starting tomorrow, I will be working at my office on the State School campus in Glenwood.  When I am not on home visits, I will do my paperwork, planning, etc. there.  I will share this office with a lady named Lori.  I will job shadow for the next 3 weeks or so before I begin working with families on my own.  I am really hoping that her and I work well together. 

Matt got his dates scheduled for the phych testing (6 hours long!) and his physical test. They are this Thursday and next Tuesday.  Please keep him in your prayers as he finishes the final steps of this process!

On the way back down the hill, a train was approaching and we let Brock get out to stand on the old walking bridge over it.  He thought that was pretty cool.  He is still so fasinated with trains.

Week in Review

Here is a run-down of what the Dyer's were up to this week:

Monday- we celebrated President's Day with a trip to the Omaha Zoo.  We haven't had a membership for a year, so we were finally able to get one again, and Oh! how we have missed it!  We love the Omaha Zoo.  Click on the picture to enlarge it and see some of our scenes from the day. 

Tuesday:  Matt went back to school while Amber and Brock enjoyed an extra day of no school.  We did a little shopping for some clothes for my new job.

Wednesday:  I made these simple cakes for a wedding and baby shower party at one of the schools.

Thurday- Friday...not much going on besides a crazy little snow storm. All of our snow had melted and we had a taste of spring with some upper 60's....not anymore..we are snowcovered once again.

Friday night Brock had wrestling practice.  He still enjoys going to practice each week.  He has several friends there so he always has a good time with them.  This next week is his last week however.  We have already started talking about t-ball this spring/ summer. 

Saturday- the big highlight of our day was getting out of our Verizon contract and getting new phones/ service with US Cellular.  The only thing is....my degree is in education, not smart phones so I'm not sure if I will be able to figure mine out.

Sunday- chilled out most of the day and I had a Scentsy party in the afternoon.  It was early to bed for us so I could start my new job the next day. 

Matt recieved a letter from the CBPD this week.  He got a conditional offer for the April Police Acedemy.  He needs to pass his physical and physc. testing and then he is in!  I'm excited for him and I know he is looking forward to the change.

Week in Review February 14-20

I've been working for a few hours tonight trying to get all of the pics uploaded for the weekly update.

Finally, I have them done! So....here is what we were up to this week:

Monday I started 1/2 days in the 3rd grade classroom I have been subbing for since December. The teacher was able to come back after her surgery for some 1/2 days. Not a day too soon, let me tell you. I worked in the AM so I could attend Brock's class party for Valentine's Day, being the super awesome room mother that I am.

We played a few games and then headed back to the room for treats and some time for them to look at Valentine's.

Monday night our Valentine plans consisted of making pizza with heart shaped pepperoni. Love, I tell ya.

Wednesday morning Matt had his interview with the Council Bluffs Police Chief. Last summer, he applied with the CBPD and has been interviewing, testing, fingerprinting all along the way....this Chief interview is one of the final steps in the process. He is really looking forward to a change and we hope to hear something within the next month of two. His interview went very well and he felt really comfortable with it.

Wednesday morning I also got a call for a job I applied for the week before. I was offered a job as an Early Head Start Home Based Teacher with West Central Community Action. I was really interested in the position and am looking forward to starting on Feb. 28th. I will be working in homes with 10-12 families with children ages 0-36 months.

Matt had lunch with Brock at school that afternoon and then headed out for Des Moines with his 5 state qualifiers.

Brock and I had dinner in Glenwood with Aunt Lisa and cousin Ryan. On the way to the car after dinner, I pulled Brock's 4th tooth out. The tooth fairy brought $2 that night!

Thursday night we had our neighbors, The Dammen's, over for dinner. The kids miss each other lots since we use to play together frequently with our two daycares! We are looking forward to nicer weather so we can have more time outside to play again!

Friday night Brock and I went on a date to Pizza Hut after wrestling practice. We were lucky enough to be able to eat with our old daycare buddy Josh and his mom who were in with the rest of their family.

Saturday we headed to Des Moines for wrestling, but not without stopping at the mall for lunch with an old friend! Susie was our neighbor when Brock was born and now lives in Ankeny. We miss being able to hang out with her!

Saturday night is Dyer night at the State Wrestling Finals...Matt was able to get this cool picture of Brock for a little inspiration for his future! Hopefully he will stand up here with a medal in 9 years!

We always look forward to finals night and seeing family who we only get to see 1-2 times a year! Grandpa Rollin always gives us the tickets- which we appreciate!

Coach Asche and Coach Gregory also joined us in 103

Uncle Jim, Mike and Jamie, Aunt Sondra

Grandpa Rollin, Grandma Karen, Tricia, Bob, Brock, Matt

Jim and Sondra's friends...such nice and funny people...they fit right in!

I just hope next year we all sit in our assigned seats! The ticket Nazi lady did not like us this year!!!

Nate Harms places 5th! Good Job Nater!

Brock's friend Hayden was not too far away...we went to sit with them a little bit since Brock was getting antsy. Then he needed to get a $6 paper umbrella...I mean smoothie.

One of our Saturday night after state finals back at the hotel room traditions is to order dinner via room service (since it is around 10 PM). Brock thinks this is so cool!

Saying hello to Iowa's golden dome- State capitol building

After a short AM swim we checked out of the hotel and headed to Indianola for lunch with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Tricia.

Next stop was Aunt Kenzie and Uncle Daniel's new house is Indianola. They just moved up there last weekend- the house sure doesn't look like they just moved in. It's a cute little house and we had a fun visit with them and their 4 doggies!

Next stop...Grandpa Rollin and Grandma Karen's house. We finally got to bring their Christmas presents up to them!

Brock showing Grandpa his school picture and wrestling picture.

Aunt Sondra and family also had a Christmas present for Brock. A nerf shotgun, and let me tell you...he was excited! He was mad at me for not having scissors in my purse to open it and held it all the way home from Indianola. He couldn't wait to test that baby out!