Well let's see it has been how many months since I posted on our blog? Let's not live in the past let's live in the present and move forward...so here we go!
The Ripp family has been enjoying summer and all of the fun activities that summer brings. We finally ended with all of the commitments of school, soccer, dance etc. and have been able to soak up some sun and have been spending a lot of time water. Oklahoma weather has been unbearable...as usual so we haven't been able to spend as much time outside as we would like with temperatures in triple digits and a excessive heat warning on the board everyday, but we make the most of it in true Ripp family fashion.
We have had play dates with friends almost everyday...this makes for both happy kids and happy mom. We have been able to go swimming, play at the park, splash park, drive in movies, library time and completed the reading program for great prizes, Chick Fil A, Mc Donalds and take turns at each other's houses. Kailyn and Holden both just finished with swim lessons where they both did great. Both swim on their own now without and concern from me now they are just "perfecting" their strokes. The kids and I took our annual trip to Branson with my mom and grandma and had a great week of relaxing and having fun. We just made a trip over to Table Rock lake for a little get away for just our family and had a wonderful time. Spent most days swimming in the lake, lounging, mini golf, napping and just spending time together. It has been a great summer and we still have a few weeks left and so there is fun still left to be had..and we will have it!
The big news on me is that I got a job and have been leaving the house to work. I continue to work with my mom from home and now I am a Nurse Tech at the Children's Hospital in Tulsa and I LOVE it! I work three nights a week so I am gone while the kids are sleeping and so far it has worked out. I love working with kids and being in a profession where I get people interaction and help people during difficult times. I am continuing to go to school I start back in fall and my goal is to become an RN sometime in the next few years. I am planning on having my pre reqs done for the Nursing Program by the time Callie starts Kindergarten that way I can start Nursing School then and get through it. This is the plan on paper, but as we all know life has a funny way of taking our plans throwing them up in the area and mixing them all up...so who knows what will happen. I have learned through life experiences that I just take it a day at a time when it comes to stuff like this. As long as it continues to work out with my husband and family happy and ok with me working and I continue to love it as much as I do this is what we will continue to do.
The next big news is the Kailyn is just 17 days away from starting Kindergarten...where did the time go? Wasn't I just holding her in my arms at a mere 4 pounds 13 ounces? I am so excited for her because she is very ready and jumping off the walls excited, but I am sad too. It is such a bittersweet feeling to see your kids get bigger. She continues to be a sweet, caring, gentle and loving little girl. She will be fine I know that is what you all are saying in your heads as you read this and I know in my heart she will be too, but as a Mommy it's my job to worry it's written in the job description.
Holden with go to Pre K (insert here the question again where did the time go?) at Wee Angels which is at our church I LOVE this! Holden will also start soccer and piano in the fall. He really wants to do the drums and guitar, but the rule in our family is piano first. Kailyn and him will split a 45 minute lesson each week so it should work out great.
Callie will be two in about two weeks. Again, where did the time go? She is talking up a storm and soooooo funny. She is the cutest thing ever and the stuff she does and says just cracks us up. She is starting to think about potty training and still loves Elmo..though she seems to be moving on to Mickey Mouse and Dora now. Ahhh bring on the Dora phase once again...ddddddora Dora the Explorer. Callie will start a Moms Day Out twice a week in the fall which I didn't want to do I really fought it because she is my baby, but the truth is that when the kids are gone Callie is plum bored with her Mom so this will be a very good thing for her to go and have peer interaction twice a week.
Chip continues to stay busy with work and move on up the corporate ladder as they say. He works so hard for our family and it seems that he is on the road for it to pay off...we just continue to pray and see what the Lord has in store for us. I am so proud of my husband and how hard he works for our family. I feel especially blessed that he loves what he does and the company he works for. He continues to play the guitar and spend time with the kids playing whatever they ask him to play when he is home. He has also had to take on a few more things at home since I have stepped out of the home to work and he has done it in stride with nothing but support for me.
That about wraps it up around here for now. I am going to try and not let so much time pass before I update again, but can't promise anything :)!!
