Sorry about being MIA the past month…been REALLY busy! Every weekend we’ve had tournaments…you know how those go.  Hal’s team has really been doing well.  We were at Rockford, IL last weekend for an all day tourney and competed with, supposedly, the best 5th grade team in the Midwest.  We competed really well for 3/4 of the game…then they just got ahead.  It wasn’t as bad as we had expected it to be…so that was good.   Needless to say, we won one and lost three.  A good experience for the boys though…that’s what matters.  Payton did extremely well…they were all a little intimidated at first (because of the size difference) but they really gave it their all.  Payton even had some three pointers!! I was really impressed with my boy.  He is quite the athlete.

Ms. Maddie is keeping busy…she’s still loving school.  She comes home from school and starts playing ’school’.  She would do that until bedtime if we let her.  She is quite the artist…she is always drawing, coloring, painting…always working on a project for someone.  She is such a sweetie!

Hal is still laid off…so he’s been busy tackling a list of “Honey Do’s” that I’ve created.    He’s doing a great job…if only he could finish that bathroom!! Let’s not go there…

I’ve been busy with work…traveling almost every week for 1-3 days at a time…that’s not much, but it does get old. Oh well…could be worse, right?

Still trying to figure out the video camera thing.  That’s the hold up on that situation…not as easy as I had expected.  My brother bought the same camera, so I’m going to have him give me a crash course in it.  Okay, well time to eat.  Love you all!

Last weekend we went some friends and took the boys to a Milwaukee Bucks game.  Payton and I had never been to an NBA game before, so it was a new experience for the both of us.  I think I would do it again! As expected, prices were pretty high…but again, that was expected.  We got $10 seats (after service fees/charges they were $30 seats)…so our view was from afar.  But, they weren’t too bad for the price.

The boys were excited to see Dwayne Wade play.  Although, I was told it wasn’t his best game.  I thought that was a great teaching point for Payton…to show him that everyone, including professional athletes, have an ‘off’ day.  I

Prior to the game, we walked around the mall and had lunch at Maggiano’s Little Italy.  The portions were huge!! Payton had a children’s portion of spaghetti, with a baseball size meatball.  Needless to say, he didn’t finish his food (neither did I)…but Hal did. 

Bottom line is that we had a great time! This was our little treat to Payton for making straight A’s (one of which was an A+) on his report card this semester.  Way to go, Payton! This weekend is Maddie’s turn…not sure what we are going to do for fun with our princess…maybe paint some pottery? I’ll let you know what we decided.

Okay, so I bought a video camera today…not looking forward to all of the work that’s going to go along with it…or paying it off! It cost a pretty penny…so for all of you that expect to get money back on your income taxes…we are accepting cash donations Hehehe

Payton has a ball game tomorrow, so I ‘plan’ on trying the thing out.  I think using it shouldn’t be a problem…I’m just really bad about downloading…I’m gonna try and get Hal to help, since I do the pictures, and try to keep this website current.  Believe it or not, it can be time consuming.

Payton’s team played this afternoon, first game of the tourney…and won by 15 (don’t remember the actual score).  We play again at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning…I’ll let you know how that one turns out.

Let’s see…oh yeah, for those of you that don’t know…Dad is in Phoenix running the marathon tomorrow.  So, say a prayer for him tonight…please.  I worry about him sometimes…he just pushes himself too much.

Dad,

If you are reading this…please take it easy tomorrow.  I love you.

Found a few other recent pics that I must post.

Here are some sledding and basketball pictures.

Okay, so I know it’s been awhile since I have had a ‘worthy’ update, to include pictures.  I’m truly sorry for that, but I have been busy with getting back from Missouri and back into the swing of things with my new job, and home life.  But, I’m back…and ready to go.  So, thank you for being ever so patient…and putting up with me.  I’ve included a few pictures from Maddie’s basketball game, our weekend getaway to Kalahari Resorts , Christmas pictures, and our hibachi dinner.  More to follow…

RileyRose is up and running again! Thanks to my brother, Zach, for helping me give the website a new look. Hope you all like it! I’m going to post regularly…so check back for what’s going on in our world. Love you all!

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to touch my coveted B’s & C’s…(badge and credentials).  The badge is a shiny 24KT yellow gold…the credentials weren’t so impressive…but, they’ll work! It’s October now, and graduation is quickly approaching (thank goodness!) I’m in the home stretch, but not out of the woods just yet.

Currently, we are still in the “Interviews & Interrogations” block of instruction…which is pretty lengthy.  And, on Thursday we have our “Interrogation” exam, where we have to interrogate someone suspected of murder.  IT’S NOT REAL! We have role players who are given a role to play while being interrogated…and it’s pretty realistic.  We each have our own interrogation room set up with cameras and stuff (just like you see on tv).  During the exam, our role players are current CID Agents, so they know the routine…and I’m guessing it’s going to be quite a challenge to get a confession.  For our practices, we’ve been taking turns being the role player/investigator…using various scenarios.  So, interviewing someone NOT in the class is going to have more of a ‘real’ effect…I’ll let you know how that goes.  As you can imagine, I’m pretty nervous about it.  Tomorrow, we are interrogating a child molester.  Again, NOT A REAL ONE!  But, the role they are playing…and the things they are accused of are pretty disturbing.  NOT looking forward to that…but, it IS practice for the ‘real’ thing. 

This upcoming weekend is a 3-day weekend (Columbus Day is Monday)…so Friday after class I’m heading home.  I can’t wait.  This is the longest I’ve gone NOT seeing the kiddies.  It’s been a very long 5 weeks!! I look forward to seeing the whole family, especially my kids and both of my nephews!! They’re all getting so big I can hardly believe how much they’ve all grown since I’ve last seen them.  Especially Major! Check out their blog: www.majmoreno.com for pictures and updates.  And, for pictures and updates on Levi check out his blog at: http://durbinsunderthesun.wordpress.com/ .  Lastly, don’t forget to see what Zach’s up to at: www.zachmoreno.com!!

Love you all!

Happy Anniversary, Hal! I love you very much. I’m sorry I’m not there with you on our special day.  We will have to plan a dinner out, just the two of us, when I get back.  Thank you for being supportive of this journey I’m on…I know it hasn’t been easy for anyone, and I’m thankful that you are doing such a great job taking care of things at home.  It allows me to focus more on what I am here to do…to accomplish my mission, so I can get home to you and the kids.

It’s been a long 11 years, but we seem to get better each year.  I look forward to this upcoming year…making new memories with you and the kids.  I love you all so much…and miss you all terribly.

Again, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I LOVE YOU.

Love,

Lindsey