Meredith's Musings

New peeps!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:43:00 +0000

We got a new batch of baby chicks yesterday! This batch has 26 babies and so far all of them are getting settled in. There is one chick that seems to be a runt and a little weaker than the others, but we are watching her closely.

Travis read in a book that you should introduce your pets to the chicks and let them know they are yours. Here Travis is explaining to Hercules that the chicks are his and he is not to touch them. We'll see if that sinks in. We also showed the new chicks to Pepper and explained the same thing to her and all the while she was licking her chops.

It is amazing to what a difference 2 weeks makes in their growth. Here are our 2 week old chicks looking a bit like awkward teenagers compared to the new cutie pies.... but, they are still adorable!

Stay tuned for some chick flicks!

Chick Pics

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:04:00 +0000

We have 14 chicks left and they are doing great. Travis loves having them and is very dedicated to their care. If I call him and he doesn't answer I know it is because he is down in the basement checking on them, feeding them, checking their temperature or changing their water.

So far we have found the chicks love meal worms, wheat germ, and chopped vegetables, but are not fond of strawberries.

It is amazing how quickly the chicks change from day to day. They are getting fuller, taller, and their fuzz or down is being replaced by feathers. It is interesting to see their feathers coming in and what kind of markings they have. Awww, such pretty girls!

Chicken Chronicles- Christmas Day Massacre

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:41:00 +0000

This cute little thing took out half of our flock on Christmas day. It happened when I went to the base and was gone for all of 15 minutes. When I returned, Pepper was outside romping around. I was about to let her in when Noah met me at the door crying to leave her outside because she killed some of the chicks. All of the kids were upset but especially Noah.

It happened like this... Travis was busy cleaning a couple of the chicks when he heard a commotion in the basement and yelled for Noah to check on them because he thought Pepper might be in the "hen house." Noah ran down to the basement and found Pepper in the baby pool with the chicks and yelled at her to get out, but, it was too late. There were 6 dead, 3 casualties, and 3 walking wounded. Travis had to put 3 down later that night and over the next day or so three more died.

It took a day or so for the kids to warm back up to Pepper and treat her like a part of the family again. We tried to explain that she is a dog and just doing what dogs instinctively do. However, we learned a valuable lesson from the tragedy and now we know we must be diligent about protecting the chicks from the dogs... especially Pepper!

Got chicks?

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:19:00 +0000

We do! We are now the owners of a flock of chicks. They are adorable and we are very excited about the prospect of farm fresh eggs this summer. We know it will be work and will take everyone to do their part to take care of the chicks and we hope this will be a good experiment for the whole family.

The chicks were mailed from TX and arrived on the 23^rd. When we went to pick them up at the post office the first thing we heard were the chicks peeping up a storm. I’m sure they were very thirsty, hungry, and stressed from the journey.

There were 27 chicks in the box and only one died in route. Travis took them out of the box one by one and gave each of them some water. Travis ordered an assorted batch of chicks, so it was exciting to see each one as he took them out of the box. Before long the baby pool quickly filled up with the 26 most adorable chicks we had ever seen!

Stay tuned!

So true

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:11:00 +0000

I read this quote on a friends facebook page and I like it so much, I thought I would share it.

"Anyone that imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time journey... delays, side tracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

Written by a journalist named Jenkin Lloyd Jones and quoted by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

A geocache weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:37:00 +0000

Over the long weekend we had fun with the kids hanging out and geocaching. They are really getting into it now and we finally settled on our name/handle. The corn dog crew! Not my first pick, but Noah just loves it! We took a drive up to Winchester for the day and found a couple geocaches while we were there.


I thought this one was hidden in a pretty cool place.

Good job corn dog crew!

The next one we found was in a neighborhood...

Hurry up Dad!


The kids found it under a rock at the base of this tree but Noah was afraid to pick it up because there was a bird nest on it. So, Lily took care of business and moved the rock for him.

The bird flew away while we were there... I sure hope it went back to it's nest and no one bothers it for awhile. The last time someone found this cache was about 6 weeks ago.

Way cool!

On the way home we stopped at place close by to find one called "between two barns."

We looked....

and looked...

and looked....but could not find it. We will have to get more clues and try again.

The next day on the way home from church we decided to do some more geocaching. Noah was not enthused about geocaching in his church clothes, and sat in the car while the girls looked. This one was called "Franklin's first"

We found it!

Katy is using the handheld GPS like a phone. She decided to call Nana.

A nice view of Franklin.

The next geocache we looked for was in a beautiful spot. I love the way this picture turned out. I think I need a tripod!

The hunt is on...

Still looking..

While everyone was looking for the geocache I took in the beautiful scenery. Sometimes I can't get over just how beautiful WV is.

Back to the search... we looked for quite awhile but never found it. This was a tricky one and we'll have to get more clues and try again.

I did manage to get in a picture after all. Love my girls!

You see lots of hay bales around here now and Noah thought I was weird for stopping to take pictures of them.

The last search before we headed for home was in Brandywine.

Looking...

There it is!

Katy found it. Way to go!

The girl's helped to pick up some trash that someone left behind.

Cache in, trash out!

Found this geocache... finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:15:00 +0000

We attempted to find this geocache last fall at the little old Propstburg School with no luck. Then last weekend we decided to try again and were successful. Now we can move on with our lives!


Lily found it!


Dad helps Lily to pull it out from the rocks.


	I'm surprised we found it because it was hidden perfectly in the rocks of the church.

The cache was a little pill bottle attached to a rock with a little log book inside.

We signed our names, put it back where we found it, and look forward to finding our next geocache!

Easy three miler

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sun, 08 May 2011 00:18:00 +0000

It has been a good running week for me. I met a friend at the track yesterday for a quick run and it was so much fun. It seemed so quick and easy and I know it was because we were talking and laughing. It is amazing how a good conversation can pass the time. I look forward to more of runs like this.

I'm glad I did...

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:36:00 +0000

So, I decided to run the base 6 mile race yesterday even though I was still a little sore from Saturday's half. I'm so glad I did because it was a lot of fun and I ran it in 1:05:03, which is a PR for me. That is two PR's in one week! Who's your Mama?

WV Race for Hope Half Marathon

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:14:00 +0000

This past weekend I ran my first half marathon of the year and was pleasantly surprised at my time since the last half I ran was at Thanksgiving. I kicked butt and had a new PR!! Woo- hoo!!! It was in Elkins, WV on a beautiful rails to trails course. It was the perfect first trail run for me because the course was relatively flat with soft, well packed gravel. There was one long, steady hill that seemed to go on forever but was only about 1.5 miles. It was not terribly enjoyable going up that hill, but it was a treat going down! The weather was cool, sunny and pleasant and I got a nice bit of sun and I'm still flying high today.

I'm feeling sore today, but it's that good kind of sore that you feel like you've accomplished something. It feels good to get back into the swing of things again and I'm really looking forward to the next half marathon we have planned in Williamsburg, VA later this month. We have the Hatfield- McCoy marathon in KY/WV scheduled for June and Travis plans to run the marathon and I'm running the half. I think I'll stick with half's for now and maybe, just maybe, plan to do another marathon later this year.

Tomorrow morning the base is having a 6 mile run and I'm debating on whether or not I should attempt it because it sounds like fun running from the upper base to the lower base, but that may be pushing it for me. We'll see!

Kids say the funniest things!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:44:00 +0000

Lily loves to do crafts, but in particular she loves to paint. I'm always a little leery of getting the paints out because it is so messy, but this morning she convinced me when she said "Well, if you let us paint it will get us off your nerves Mom."

The other week Lily lost her CTR ring at school and was very upset about it. CTR stands for choose the right and it is a reminder for the children to make good decisions. Lily said she would not be able to remember to choose the right without it, and while I was trying to explain to Lily that she would still be able to remember to choose the right, Katy says "I always choose the left."

Noah told me that Lily said a bad word. When I asked him what it was he said "you know when you say John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt? Well, just that out the M out of Schmidt and you'll know. "

P.S. Lily doesn't know what that word means yet, so if she did say it, she didn't know what she was saying! ;)

Snow daze

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:45:00 +0000

We had a nice amount of snow fall earlier this week and the kids are home again today from school for day #3. They love being at home and are excited to have another day to hang out. I have somehow managed to keep the kids occupied between puzzles, crafts, playing with friends, and of course playing in the snow....

Katy has so much fun with a big spoon and a cup.

Woo hoo!

Lily makes a snow angel.

We attempted to make a snowman but it is not as easy as it looks on Caillou and the kids lost interest.

Noah decides to make a snow fort for the dogs.

Hercules and Pepper are checking things out.

The snow is almost as deep as Pepper is tall.

Hercules has long legs and no problems getting through the snow.

Katy is too cute!

Snow ball fight!!

Lily, Katy, and Joseph on the sled.

There's nothing like snow days with friends.

Brandywine Bobcats Win!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:04:00 +0000

Tonight we went to Circleville for Noah's first basketball game of the season against North Fork Elementary. It was a close game from start to finish, a very exciting, nail biter kind of game and Brandywine pulled it off beating North Fork 19-18! What a great way to start off the season.

The team is warming up before the game.

Noah takes a practice shot.

North Fork invades the court, a real force to be reckoned with!

The huddle before the game.

Great job bobcats!

Science Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:04:00 +0000

After weeks of tracking which would mold faster, cheese or bread, it was time for Noah to do his science fair project. I know we were all relieved to see it come to an end, but we know that Noah learned a lot through the experience and he was pleased with the way it turned out.

Ta-da! The finished product.


There were so many great projects that I'm sure it was hard to pick the winners. Caden had a cool project about bicycle tires and which would stop faster flat tires or inflated tires.

These are the first place winners from each grade... Way to go!!


The overall first place winners are Noah and Caden! How cool is that?!

BES Geography Bee

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:25:00 +0000

It was an exciting day for Noah as he participated in the school Geography Bee. This was his first time in a competition like this and Noah has been studying for several weeks in preparation for it. Travis and I quizzed him on state capitals, countries, continents and so on. Although he was ready for the big day, he was nervous about it too and told me this morning he expected to come in around 6th place.

There were ten students participating from the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.

The 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes are in attendance.

Noah answers his first question....

He did not answer correctly and I could tell he was upset about it, but he made it through round one.

There were 6 students that made it into round 2. It was a nail biter, but Noah did well and managed to get through to the next round. Yay, Noah!!


And then there were two. I think it's pretty awesome that both the kids in the 3rd and final round were 4th graders. Way to go Noah and Haley!

What national park in Tanzania is home to the tallest mountain in Africa? The answer is Mt. Kilamanjaro. Yes! And, we have a winner!! Noah's Uncle Mark actually climbed Mt. Kilamanjaro a few years ago. How cool is that?

Mrs. Beatty congratulates Noah and gives him a medal. Wow, this is one happy kid! I don't think I have ever seen him smile so much.

All of the participants did a super job!

It was so exciting to see Noah win his first Geography Bee. That's my boy!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 05:36:00 +0000

Well, this new year has not gone exactly the way I anticipated as I got sick on new year's eve and have basically spent the last 24 hours in bed. I got some nasty bug that hit fast and hard and I felt like I have been hit by a truck...the last 24 hours have been a blur, it came on so fast. Ughh!! But, I am starting to feel better now and hope to be up and at 'em tomorrow.

Skiing at Canaan Valley

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 05:24:00 +0000

We went skiing at Canaan Valley over the Christmas break and had lots of fun. It was my first time skiing and let's just say one lesson was not enough for me. I spent the whole time falling down and trying to get back up again. After Noah gave it a chance, he liked it, and I think if he goes again soon to practice what he's learned then he has the potential to be a good skier. Travis went snowboarding and this was the first time I saw him doing it. He's been several times and basically taught himself, but he likes pain and doesn't mind if he gets hurt.

This clip is of Noah coming down the hill and you will see Travis passing him and waving for him to follow.

Holiday Activities

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 04:18:00 +0000

We have had a wonderful holiday season full of many activities. Our time this month has been filled with baking goodies, secret Santa stuff, birthday parties, and Christmas parties. But, just being together and enjoying each other has been the best part of Christmas for me. Even though there have been hectic and crazy moments, I would not trade any of it. Here are a few highlights...

The Color guard from the navy Base leads the Christmas parade in Franklin.

We met our friend Emilie to watch the parade.

Katy and Lily are all bundled up to watch the parade.

Noah, Travis, Hercules, and Emilie.

Pendleton County High School marching band

The Girl Scouts

And, it's over!

Noah's school Christmas Program

At Lily's school Christmas party the kids sang several Christmas songs and were the cutest things!!

Lily and Katy and some cutie patootie friends.

Mrs. Eye helps Lily with her plate.

Katy meets Santa at our church Christmas party.

Katy and Santa

Daddy and Lily making cookies on Christmas Eve.

Lily with Pepper and Hercules. The children love these dogs so much! Not a day goes by that they are not hugging and loving on them... sometimes more than the dogs like.

On Christmas morning Noah is excited to find Santa brought him a metal detector.

Lily with her new doll "baby talks all day ."

Katy with her new baby alive doll.

Beyblades always make Noah smile!

Thanks Grandpa Tom and Grandma Molly.

Happy Birthday Noah!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:19:00 +0000

Noah wanted to have a few friends sleep over for his birthday. Seven of his friends came over to hang out and five spent the night. They watched basketball, movies, ate junk food of course, and stayed up late. Needless to say no one got very much sleep that night.

The next morning we had his "official" party at the bowling alley on base.

Noah's party was actually on Travis's birthday so we had an "Oscar the Grouch" cake to celebrate both birthdays. Noah wanted a purple corn dog cake but that did not work out. I told him I would surprise him with one soon... now I just have to figure out how to make a purple corn dog cake. I'm sure my neighbor Lindsey could because she did a great job with Oscar!

Lily and Dylan are wrestling with Cayden. Lily loves to be around Noah and his friends.

What a good looking bunch of boys!!

Happy Birthday dear Noah, Happy Birthday to you!!

First Day of Preschool

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:08:00 +0000

Katy started preschool this week. We have been talking about her going to preschool for quite awhile now and she was more than ready to go to "her school." Just like her brother and sister, she is eager to experience new things.

The preschool is right around the corner from the house but we had to bundle up because it was freezing outside.


I can't believe my baby is three years old and going to preschool. She is growing up so fast and I'm s proud to be her Mommy!

Happy Birthday Katy!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 02:43:00 +0000

Our baby Katy turned 3 this week and we had a little party for her to celebrate. We invited our neighbors over after dinner to have some cake and ice cream.


Katy and the Santa cake Mommy made.

The birthday girl looks a little tired.

Katy tried the frosting just to make sure it tasted OK.

"Happy Birthday dear Katy, Happy Birthday to you!"

Lily was a very helpful big sister and assisted Katy with blowing out the candles from across the table.

No looking back...

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:41:00 +0000

I have been doing a terrible job blogging since we moved last summer and I want to get back in the swing of things. But, the thought of trying to catch up on all of the stuff I've missed has been holding me back. So, I am jumping back in with the here and now and movin' on. Ahh, I feel better now.

Life has been busy for me with all of the daily family activities, taking on-line classes, church stuff, trying to keep up my running, and on and on. The kids have been doing great and we have been enjoying the holidays so much.... the Christmas music, the Christmas, books, the Christmas goodies. I am so proud of Noah for learning Joy to the World on the piano in just a couple of days. I'm happy he has found a song he likes because he will practice without being asked. Lily loves the tree and is constantly rearranging the ornaments. She also has a Santa beard countdown calendar she made a school and loves to glue a cotton ball on his beard everyday. Christmas is right around the corner. Katy is her usual sweet self and loves to be in the middle of everything. She starts pre-school here on the base next week and she is excited because she gets to use her new princess backpack. We have been talking about it for quite a while now and she is more than ready. Mommy is ready too and I am looking forward to having my mornings free to study and have regular workout schedule again!

I went to the gym today and ran 3 miles and did some weight training. It felt great. I know for me exercise helps me focus and I really need it. I have noticed on the days when I don't do it I get crabby. The last race I did was the Atlanta half marathon on Thanksgiving and that was the last race I had on the calendar, so I am looking for another one to do soon. I need to stay motivated and have a goal to reach for. There is a race in early January that want to sign up for here in WV but I'm sure it will be terribly cold. I know I just need to suck it up and do it. Travis doesn't mind the cold at all and is doing a 50k this weekend in Morgantown. We are all going to cheer him on and be his support crew. Or, if the weather is too cold for us, maybe I'll take the kids to the mall and finish up the Christmas shopping. I'm sure Travis will understand!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 05:35:00 +0000

Katy says "ta- da" as we finish up decorating the tree.

Lily was disappointed when we finished hanging the ornaments so she started taking them off and rehanging them.

Noah had more fun playing with Hercules than decorating the tree.

Marine Corps Marathon!!

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:10:00 +0000

After months of training here we are at 6:00 AM on the Metro to ride into DC for the start of the race.

We got off at the Pentagon and had walk a mile or so to the runner's village to check in.

The sun is finally coming up!

Guys don't have to wait for the Port O' John's, they can go anywhere.

The Marines hard at work passing out water at the aid stations.

It would have been nice if I was just doing a half marathon because I was already tired. But, I had another half to finish before I would be done for the day.

Travis and I ran together for the first 8 miles or so and then he took off. Running alone was not fun and everything seemed to just drag on and on. All I could think about was that I had to keep my pace up no matter how I was feeling because I had to "beat the bridge" at mile 20 before they closed the road.

... "beat the bridge"

It was a beautiful day and just awesome to be able to run through DC and take in the sites.

Nearing the Lincoln Memorial I came up on this group of Marines marching with their rucksacks

Everyone was cheering for them and I got a little emotional as I passed them.

...."beat the bridge"

..."beat the bridge"

Here we are heading up toward the Capital building.

Ugh, mile 19... I was tired, my left leg hurt, and I was really beginning to slow down. But, my main concern was to hurry up and get to mile 20 and "beat the bridge" so I kept plugging along.

Woo hoo!!! I made it to mile 20 in time and I "beat the Bridge!!"

This was a very boring part of the course where there was no energy and no crowds cheering you on.

By mile 21, I was hating life and wondering what the heck I was doing this for!

It seemed like most people were slowing down like me and limping a little bit too, so I didn't feel so bad about myself.

To be so close to the end at mile 24 and yet it still seem so far away was tough. Only 2.2 more miles to go!

Reaching mile 25, I started to get a little excited again and got a little bit energized because the end was near.

I was starting to smile again and could feel the energy of the crowd at the finish line. I was so excited to soon be finishing this marathon!

You have to run up a hill at the end to the finish line and you come out right at the Iwo Jima Memorial. It was so awesome to be cheered on and congratulated at the end by a bunch of marines. HOORAH!

I couldn't wait to meet up with Travis after the race and fall into his arms, and that's just what I did!

And the winner is.......

noreply@blogger.com (Meredith) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:55:00 +0000

... Jeni Cotterell!!!!

To pick a winner for the give-away of a free Scentsy plug- in warmer and 3 fragrances, I put all of the names in a bowl and picked one. Congratulations Jeni!!! Thank you so much for all of you participated and left comments.

Have a wonderful day!