Flying into February

It seems like just yesterday I was attempting to stay up until midnight to welcome in the new year, and now it is already February! Time is sure flying by... It helps that Ben and I are extremely busy this year. Ben is still working for American Family Insurance by day, but also works part time for a fine dining restaurant named Avanzare's two or three nights a week. In addition, he caters on occasion still for James Clary, who used to own Clary's fine dining restaurant. I am teaching high school English at Republic High and love it. I teach two sections of English I, English II and Honors' English IV (which the students can take dual credit through OTC). Then I teach for Drury University Monday and Tuesday evenings; there I teach a Composition I course and an American literature I course. I love teaching at both institutions, even though the atmospheres differ greatly. Noah celebrated his first birthday last month on the 4th and, as par for the course, began walking the week following. Now he can ALMOST keep up with his big brother. His personality has certainly began to bud now that he's one and he entertains us daily with his new discoveries! Currently he loves to wag his tongue in and out of his mouth and make adorable faces. Not alot of words yet from Noah, probably because Kaden dominates most conversations (I am certain he gets that from Ben's side, ;) although I can't prove it!). Kaden is a typical wild and adventurous two-year-old boy; he loves farm live, including driving Uncle Ted's four-wheeler and tractor, feeding Apple Cow apples, and hauling hay. He has an incredible love for animals and really enjoys trips to the zoo, where he has to be a sort of tour guide for anyone who is with us! Life is full and God has truly blessed us this past year! Hope all is well with you and yours!
Sincerely,
Kristin (Ben, Kaden, & Noah, too)

Back to School...

Well, it has been a very nice, relaxing (as much as it can be with two under two) summer but it is now time to head back to work! I am really excited about starting the new school year for many reasons. First and foremost, it's always fun to meet your students for the first time and everyone is usually fairly excited about being there. Two, I have a student teacher this year so it will be nice to "share the load!" And three, I am teaching English IV dual credit as well as two other college classes this fall! I'm super-psyched about these new experiences and am grateful to have this door open in my life.

On to the boys: Kaden turns two August 16th and is having a John Deere themed birthday party. When I ask him what he wants for his birthday, his only response is, "John Deere tractor cupcakes!" He sure knows how to make it easy on Mom and Dad! :) Noah is getting into everything now; he can crawl and pull up and so he is constantly getting himself hurt. He doesn't understand that the metal rim of the coffee table is NOT a teether, and is often hurting himself on it. Noah was 7 months on August 4th and is growing, growing, growing...He wears 12 month clothing and has pretty much given up baby food. He loves vanilla wafers, animal crackers, fruit cocktail and pretty much anything he can pick up and put in his mouth. Big brother is so helpful (sometimes a little TOO helpful) with Noah and I can tell he's going to be a great companion and example for little No-no!

Other than that, Ben leaves for St. Joseph, Missouri where he will start his Agent-In-Training program September 8th. This is an 8-week program but he'll be home on week-ends. For one of the weeks, though, he'll be in Madison, WI. He's excited to see his fam while he's up there!

Please give us a call or drop us a line sometime! We love to hear from our friends and family!

Sincerely,
Ben, Kristin, Kaden & Noah

Time's Flying!

Well, my boys are now 19 months (Kaden) and 3 1/2 months (Noah) and time is just flying by! I only have 5 weeks left of school; the students' last day is May 23rd and then we are ready for some R&R this summer! I am going to attempt to take both the boys into the pool this summer. For Easter, Noah got his first baby raft so it should be quite the adventure! Ben and I are planning on road-tripping to Wisconsin for Memorial Day weekend for Ben's sister Nicole's graduation party. Other than that, we don't have much planned for the summer.

Ben is still quite busy with both jobs: American Family and Clary's. Also, softball season started two weeks ago and so we go to (and coach) three games every Monday night! We usually get home at about 11 pm so it makes for a LONG day! But we love it, or we wouldn't do it! I hope everyone is doing well and please contact us when you get a chance!

Love,
Kristin (Ben, Kaden & Noah)

February 29th

Well, Noah is doing much better through the night...thank goodness! Ben is still very busy with work, but I am counting down the days until Spring Break! I get Good Friday (March 21) and then the whole next week off (March 24-28). After that, I can easily make it to May 23, our last day of school, if Mother Nature is finished dousing us with ice! Anyway, our family is keeping very busy and I can't wait for summer!
-K

New Addition to the Fam!

Well, it is evident that I am horrible at updating my "blog;" however, I try to keep pictures up-to-date when I can! Baby Noah Arthur Howard joined us January 4, 2008 at 3:17 pm weighing 8 pounds 10 ounces and he was 22 1/2 inches long. He has thus far been an excellent baby. He eats every four hours (just like his mother) and is sleeping fairly well, with just a 2 am feeding during the night. Ben and I are surviving; nonetheless, I DREAM of sleeping through the night again. Hopefully it is one day very soon! Kaden is somewhat protective of his little bro and will ask about him when he's not with us by saying "baby?...baby?...baby?" He doesn't really call him Noah yet, but we've heard him try it a few times. He's a very helpful big brother and can retrieve things for mommy like blankets and diaper bags (so this is why parents have multiple children! :) Just kidding!)

Anyway, I went back to work on January 24th, worked two days, then had a day and a half off the following week for snow. Yep, Springfield got about 2.6 inches, according to the news! (I know those in Wisconsin are laughing hysterically at us being out of school for that, but we teachers enjoyed it!) So basically I have only worked one full week since before Christmas, and I'm NOT complaining!

Ben is keeping busy at both jobs: American Family by day, Clary's by night. Occasionally he brings me home a yummy dessert from the restaurant & that keeps me happy! Other than that, all is well with the Howard household! Keep in touch!

-K

October 2007

Hello Friends & Family,

Life is getting very hectic here in Springfield, MO! I recently finished a two-week stint on jury duty (not fun!) and am very glad to be back at work! Ben has started serving at Clary's, a fine dining restaurant 3 nights a week, while still working at American Family Insurance during the day and at Play it Again Sports the other 4 nights.

Kaden is loving life, as you can see in the pictures below! He uses so many new words now and has a great disposition! Baby boy Howard #2 should be here over Christmas Break...and we will hopefully have a name narrowed down by then!

Other than that, no new news! We hope all is well with our friends and family!

Take care & God Bless,

Kristin, Ben & Kaden (and baby boy Howard #2)