When we grow up...

Okay, we know it is a long time from now. One day we will all be big and on our own. Mom thinks we are going to grow up, have jobs, and live either in the basement or next door. Realistic, we know that's not going to happen. We had this discussion last night at dinner and we thought we'd share our future hopes and dreams.

Jake wants to be a surgeon. When mom and dad told him he'd have to work harder on his math to do this he changed his mind. He now wants to be an engineer (even more math is required). "Oh well," he said. "I'll just be a professional baseball player." Chances of that happening, slim to none. But remember, we are a supportive family (even though it is hard for dad to stay quiet on this one...).

Syd wants to be a vet. Very reasonable for her. She is loving and compassionate and LOVES animals. This future Purdue grad will have to take mega doses of allergy medicine before she goes to work everyday. She is allergic to cats, dogs, and horses. It can be done.

Owen says he is going to be an artist. He wants to paint pictures of monkeys or as the parents say, "self portraits". Owen is really into coloring, drawing, and painting right now. Mom's room at school is like his own personal studio.

As for Miss Sassy-Pants, aka Kenna, she wants to be an "animal fixer up person like Syd". She says she wants to help kittens and save them from "people who put them under wheels". Under wheels? Where did she come up with that? She must be watching too much of the Animal Planet with Syd.

We never know what the future might hold for us...

Bad Momma

Okay, lets face it. We have one bad momma. Yes, she is bad on so many levels. She is bad at keeping everyone up to date on what is going on in our life. She is bad about taking time out of her busy schedule to share about us. What about our lives? Aren't we as important as she is? Anyway, Mom is making a new pact (for the hundredth time) to update our blog once a week. One time a week is reasonable, don't you think?
Well, back to us. A lot has been going on since Mom last updated (in July!). We have had two birthdays since that time. Jake hit the big 11 in August. Syd is now in double digits at 10. Can you believe it?
School has once again started. Jake started 5th grade and has Mom's good friend as his teacher. Jake cannot get by with anything and nothing is sacred, as they talk everyday. Syd started 4th grade and loves her teacher. Owen is now in kindergarten. That is another story in itself. He is starting to become a little reader and learning so quickly. Mom and Dad are really proud of him. We also got our report cards two weeks ago. The winner of the best report card in the house goes to...Sydney Paige. Straight A's! She works so hard and has a great work ethic. Her teacher raved about her. Owen and Jake also had very good cards. Owen had all S+'s (kindergarten report cards are a bit different) and Jake had all A's and one B+. He will be working hard to raise that for next time.
We are heading straight into the holiday season. Christmas lists have been made and Santa is watching. He will especially be watching Momma to see if she can keep up her end of the bargain. She may even upload a couple of pictures, if she gets real ambitious. Until next week...

Our Daddy the Hero

This is our Daddy. Did you know that he is a hero? We mean a real life hero!

Last night, our Daddy saved some 17 year-old girl's life. He went on a call last night of an unresponsive female who had possibly overdosed. When he got there, she did not have a pulse. He started CPR and gave it to her until the paramedics arrived. He saved her life. She is in ICU right now, but is talking and responding. Our Daddy is too humble to talk about it, but that girl wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for him. He is a real life hero--our real life hero. We think he should get a lifesaving award from work. Love you, Dad! We are all so proud of you!

Bad news (don't read if you get emotional)

I wanted to take a minute to share some thoughts that are going around in my head right now. In the last two days, I have gotten some really rotten news. The first is the death of my friend Kelley. Kelley taught with me a Lost Creek and we worked together through Covered Bridge the last six years. She finally lost her long, courageous battle with breast cancer on Friday night. She was 37 years old. Kelley has been sick for several years now. Her cancer went into remission and came back last winter. She knew she was dying and spent a lot of quality time with her son Lance. She bought many gifts for him as he grows so she will continue to be involved with him as he grows. Lance is six months younger than Jake. Kelley was a single mother, so keep her son in your prayers. She was a great teacher and mentor. She touched the lives of many children and adults with her enthusiasm and smile. I will never forget her.

The second tragic event I learned of involves my Big Sis from college, Christa. Christa helped me decide to become a special education teacher. She is so compassionate and giving. She teaches special education at South and goes above and beyond for all of her students and their families. Christa is the mother of three terrific boys; Gabe, Caleb, and Isaac. Gabe played on Jake's baseball team this fall. Isaac had special needs of his own. He was born with a birth defect where his arms were not fully formed. Christa treated him like he had no challenges. She coached his t-ball team, which also had several other children with special needs on it. On Saturday, Christa's little boy Isaac fell and hit his head. He died from his injuries on Sunday. He was Owen's age. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain Christa and her husband Gary are feeling right now.

I guess I just wanted to remind everyone to hold their children tight and love them no matter what. I know there have been days when I just want to be left alone, but those days always get better. My children are so special and precious and I can't imagine my life without them. Whether you have time to prepare for a loss like Kelley did or if it comes as a complete shock as Isaac's did, it still leaves such a void in the lives of someone. It is times like these that I am reminded about how precious life is and that it truly is a gift. Live each day to the fullest and appreciate and treasure those around you.

Amy

More Vacation Pictures...

Introducing our bathing beauty, Sydney Paige.

Jake thinks Paula Deen's cooking is finger-licking good.

Here is the fabulous foursome in Savannah by one of the riverboats.

This picture shows the crew and their cousins outside an art gallery in Savannah. Can you tell how hot it was?

Here is one last photo of Syd at the beach. She wasn't included in the last post so she earned a double feature this time!

Vacation Recap

There is nothing like a little sun and sand to start the summer out right. We were fortunate enough to spend a week at Hilton Head with Rob, Erica, and the kids. We also had a day trip to Savannah.

Jake almost got us killed in Savannah with his hat that he had to have. We made him take it off before we ate at The Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's restaurant).

Kenna is relaxing at our house.

Owen and Henry are enjoying the sun and sand.

Miss Sassy-Pants is probably doing what she does best--boss everyone around!

Challenge

In an effort to be a little less white trash coach potato-like (refer to Dad and Jake above), we are taking on a fitness challenge. It is the goal of the Funkhouser family to walk 100 miles between Memorial Day and Jake's birthday (August 12th). We also plan to run 10 miles in that time frame as well. To some of you seasoned fitness fanatics it may not sound like that big of a deal. The catch is that ALL of us (including Kenna) will be walking and running together. It is not a cumulative goal...the miles will be completed as a family, not separate and added together. We'll keep you posted on our progress. Have a great extended weekend!