New Beginnings...

Well, today is bittersweet.  I watched this morning as Orrin drove away to spend a week with dad in Texas before going off to Kansas State University.  I am so proud of everything that he has accomplished and he has grown into such a wonderful young man.  This is also the beginning of the end of our time in North Carolina.

The kids and I were going to stay behind in order for Mack to stay in the same high school and for us to be able to finalize Sydney's adoption.  Well, sometimes we think that we've come up with the best plan possible, only to find out that it's not.  Kenny's still active duty and at the beck and call of the US government.  So, Mack, Sydney and I are going to move back to Clovis.  We'll be a LOT closer to Kenny and be able to visit more often even though we won't be living together in the same house.  This is not something new since we've done it the past six years, but being able to spend time together more than every 6-7 months will be the BEST part.

What a difference a year makes...

Well, as you can all see, the kids have all grown.  Here's hoping that Orrin stops growing up!!  This is the Easter 2012 picture of the kids.  Orrin's two months from graduation and then before we know it he'll be off to Kansas State University.  Mack is enjoying high school and JROTC.  As you can see, he's closing in on his brother's height and is already taller than both Kenny and I.  The boys are still playing baseball for the high school and enjoying it.  We have a lot to do over the next couple of months to get ready for the summer.
Kenny got back just before Easter and made it such a wonderful weekend for all of us to spend together.  He's off to parts unknown at the end of the month.  He has orders for Ft. Hood, but we're sure hoping that something else works out for his last three years of active duty.
Well, Sydney has grown by leaps and bounds, she's talking and we can understand most of what she tells us.  We're still waiting on a decision from the Court of Appeals.  We're sure hoping that by Easter of next year, she will officially and forever more be a "Rice."