So Dave left for Jordan Tuesday morning.  Actually that is when he left for Texas and then Wednesday he left Texas for New Hampshire and New Hampshire for Jordan.  I am going berzoncerzoid waiting for him to phone me and tell me he is there and safe and sound!  I  HATE  this waiting and worrying game.  Goodness.  It reminds me of Iraq all over again.  We knew he would have no internet access in Jordan, so it is very likely that there is very limited phone access as well.  He swore to me that he would phone at the first given opportunity.  But last night I kept having horrible dreams that this "training" in Jordan was really something more.  That it was a cover-up for sending him back into Iraq on some mission that nobody wants to do or something.  Goodness- my imagination REALLY needs him to phone soon.
     The kids all had a melt-down last night as well.  It was an "I miss Daddy," meltdown that brought back all too many memories.  Except my younger kids are old enough to be melty now too and I don't know if I can handle 4 melties at once!  Last night Kamden kept saying, "but I'm his little son!"  goodness.  IT IS ONLY GOING TO BE EIGHT FREAKING MORE DAYS!  WHAT ON EARTH IS OUR PROBLEM?  But I think it has done for my children a bit of what it has done for me.  It has brought it all back.  And I knew it would- I think we need a healthy reminder now and then.  But come on!  No more meltdowns and I will be very much needing a phone call before the day is over, alright?
     I hope that this trip will be good for Dave.  He didn't get to interact with the people of Iraq as much as I think he would have liked to.  Maybe this will help him understand culture a little more and appreciate the conveniences of home even more than he already does.  I don't know what on earth my problem is.  He's not GONE, GONE again.  This is just a little trip!  Oh- you have to see the sweet pictures at (http://roper4840.spaces.live.com/)  of Jim meeting his new baby for the first time!  Ryan came a few days before his daddy arrive home on leave.  So sweet!  I'll stop whining.
     In other news...
     Boston's school took second place for Jazz Reading.  They had KYLE KORVER come and read to them to celebrate!  He signed the backboard at their school.  I'll post photos of that.  Boston read well over 4000 minutes herself!
     Kamden has changed preschool teachers.  His other teacher was good, but I am so glad that we have made the change.  There was a boy in Kamden's class that was CONSTANTLY bullying him.  Anyway, now he has MISS TRISHA!  Trish was Boston's preschool teacher back when she did her own private preschool.  Now she is working at the ELC.  Anyway, we moved Kamden to afternoon and to Trisha's class and I am so happy that we did.  He LOVES school now.  He feels like SHE loves him, and that matters.  He never had that with his other teacher.  And we won't have to worry about Joseph anymore and maybe school can be good for him now!  Also- he has QUIT needing pull-ups at night and is waking up dry every morning!  HALLEFREAKINLEUIJIAH!
    Holden has not been up to much.  He is still a Thomas the tank engine freak, but doesn't ask for a Thomas shirt everyday like he used to.  Now his request every morning is for a short-sleeved striped shirt.  He doesn't care what color the stripes are, but there has to be stripes.  Giggling.  My mom is going to shorten the sleeves on his Thomas shirts and see if that makes them his favorites again.  Either way, it is nice to have a little more variety!  Giggling.
     Kenzington has learned to fold her arms when we are having the prayer.  She just started doing it all on her own!  It is so stinking cute!  She is so much fun!  I very much needed that little girl!  I just love being her momma.
     I've been doing a new chore system with the 3 older kids and it has made things run more smoothly at our house.  I need to figure out a way for Boston to have more freetime, though, because by the time she is done with her one chore, her homework, and practicing the piano there is no time left for anything else! We'll have to figure out a way to find more balance.
    I better get going on my vinyl orders.  I've got a banner and a car decal for a lady back east who's hubby is coming home from Iraq soon, and some 11 inch polka-dots for a lady close-by.