Leaving Las Vegas!

In July, Kylie flew to Vegas for orientation at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. After her first week, she already had a job at UNLV's bookstore and was excited to meet her roommate. So far, I think she's liking college life.

Brian drove Kylie's car down to Vegas and swung by Montana to grab Therin on his way. Then, Mama and Jack flew down on a plane. Jack loves planes, and he loves getting to see "Brother" and "Sister" in one spot.

Therin, Jack & Kylie

When people hear we're going to Vegas, I know that they immediately picture The Strip. We actually go to visit family and play in Grandma Mary's pool. However, this time Brian treated me to a night at the Luxor (so now I can say that I've slept in a pyramid). We caught an early show, and like the party animals we are, were in bed by 11:30pm.

We stayed at Brian's brother's house so we could play with cousins as much as possible. It was fun to meet our newest little cousin. Heath is sweet & smiley. And, really limber. The kid is always chewing on his toes! I'm positive that I've never been that flexible...

Our new cousin, Heath.

Hayden is a sweetie and a wild man.

Jack & Hayden at the water park that Uncle Dave built.
Well, maybe he just helped find funding for the project.

Jack with his namesake, Uncle David

It was great to see the fam and nice to get some warmer weather, but we fly home this afternoon. Although, we're sad to say goodbye, it will be nice to climb into our own beds tonight.

The Grad Girl

Kylie graduate from Curtis High School yesterday. She was accepted by all of her colleges but plans to attend the University Nevada in Las Vegas.

At Baccalaureate

Kayla is almost family

Catherine is in Kylie's small group

McKenzie (cousin), Kylie & Therin

Therin was teasing Kylie for being short.

Graduation Day!

Kylie with her Rutledge Grandparents.

Grandma Mary & the Grad Girl.

Favorite Furber Things [From the Kitchen}

For the next week I'm going to share a few of the Furbers' favorite things from the kitchen. Tonight we begin with Sweet Baby Rays. I originally bought this BBQ sauce because it happened to be the cheapest, and we all know that I love a good deal. But, this great deal ended up making for some delicious grub. Even better, Sweet Baby Ray's is a gluten-free sauce (it lists "modified starch" in the ingredients, but I called the company because that's how much we love Sweet Baby Ray's). Plus, there are several flavors as you can see (below). If you've not tried it, go out and buy a bottle!

No, Baby Ray is not paying me for this post.

Single Parenting This Month

As some of you know, Brian is "in the field" this month. Basically he's away for training and I'm a single mom of a 10mo and 17yo. It's a unique life I lead.

Yesterday morning, I gated Jack in his room in the hopes of getting my shower while Kylie was still asleep. After a quick scrubbin', I jumped out to check on Jack. I wish I had a photo of Kylie's wide-eyed face as I ran out of the bathroom with a towel hastily wrapped around my still-dripping body. I quickly retreated back to the bathroom, and heard Kylie remark, "Don't worry, Lindsay. I'm fine."

Senior Pictures

Thank you, Doug Stoeckicht!

Apparently, there was a bee.

Homecoming Dance

Max escorting Melissa & Kylie to Homecoming

Jack is Ten Months!

Holy Crap! I can't believe you are 10 months old Jack! Someone asked me today and I was still saying 9 months, which explains why this originally posted with just notes to myself about all that you've been learning.

I must say that this has been quite the month. You've learned to clap your hands and to wave when someone comes in a room. Sometimes you get the two confused, but Kylie says that it's nice to have someone clap when she walks into a room. Your new accomplishments are so super cute, and I want everybody to see how adorable you are. Unfortunately, you don't like to perform on command, despite our best efforts to train teach you with treats rewards.

You've definitely decided that scooting around on your bottom is way easier than learning to crawl so I'm back to forcing you to get tummy time. You still just army crawl around, but every now and then I catch you using those abs to lift your body up. I think you're pretty content with scooting & army crawling, and probably I should be, too, since you get around quite quickly.

Daddy had to put in cupboard latches this past week. You love opening drawers and cupboards so we'll have to be kinda careful. My guess is you think it's funny to watch mom sweep behind you and pick up all the messes. I swear your favorite thing about your books isn't reading because you can barely sit still for a book, but you love to tear every book off your shelf.

You're sleeping right now, Jack, which is good because you've had a rough couple weeks. Turns out you have an ear infection right now and it's made you a bit grumpy. It's also made you a bit more of a snuggler, and Mama doesn't mind that part too much. There are very few times when you stop being such a busy lil man and let me hold you.

I love you, Sweet Son, and I can't wait for tomorrow!

Kylie's Baptism

Have I ever mentioned that Brian & I LOVE Kylie's friends? Besides the fact that they're beautiful, hilarious, Jack-lovin' sweethearts.... they also know when a friend might need a little kick in that patootie.

After tons of peer pressure encouragement from Kylie's friends, she decided to attend UPPC's youth mission trip to Kentucky. She raised her own funds through donations, yard work, car washes and more so that she could serve a community in economic poverty.

Cowboy Hat is a KY Souvenir.

Brian & I were thrilled that Ky decided to go. We knew it would round out some of her qualifications on the college applications, but more importantly we knew that serving can by a life-changing experience. However, we were also nervous about how she would handle such a new, and often, emotionally trying experience. We had little reason to worry because Kylie did great! She came home excited to share stories about the people she met, all the work she accomplished and how much she'd learned about herself.

The day after Kylie came home, she woke up to go to church, and she even made Therin get out of bed and go. This was quite a change from just a week prior. After the service, she tracked down Pastor Patrick so she could talk to him about getting baptized.

Taeler Baptizes Kylie

Kylie will be the first to admit that she still has a lot of questions about Christianity and what she believes, but the coolest part about her experience is that it has encouraged her to take an initiative. She's reading through Mark, meeting with mentors and looking forward to a study that will hopefully answer some of her questions. Brian & I are very proud of her.

Therin's Visit

We had a wonderful time with Therin.

Kylie & Therin had fun together and barely even argued.

Therin had fun with his brother, too.
Jack loved when his brother flew him around the house.

Flashback Friday

This cool gal that I know does "Flashback Friday" on her blog, and I thought it was quite clever so I'm stealing the idea this week and perhaps on other occassions, as well.
This picture of Kylie & Therin was taken February 2009. I can't believe it's only been 2 years!

Therin is not only taller than his sister, but is catching up to his dad. His voice definitely changed this last year, unless he's wrestling Brian (when he will occasionally squeal like a little girl).

Kylie, too, is all grownup. This semester finds her studying for the SAT, and considering different post-graduation options. She has checked out a couple different colleges and has even considered utilizing various military programs to pay for her education, though she remains undecided.

The Furber Family will be having another photo shoot later this month when T-rizzle visits so keep your eyes peeled!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fu-un!

Kayla, Kylie, & Taryn

Brian and I love that Kylie and her friends like hanging out at our house. They're such a kick in the pants (see picture at left for proof), and it helps me to not miss being in Youth Ministry quite as much, especially since these ladies are at my house more now than when I was the Director.

Brian mostly likes it when they spend the night because it's the one time we make a big breakfast, but unfortunately that's not happening in the next couple weekends because Kylie is trekking to Montana for her Spring Break. We will miss her, but hopefully she has fun with her tallest brother.

Meanwhile, Brian & I plan to do some Gluten-loading while Kylie is away.

Funny Things Our 17yo says...

Jack & Kylie watching t.v.

Since we are horrible parents and poor service attendees, Kylie had to ask what people do at an Ash Wednesday service. After explaining the meaning and what happens, she seemed momentarily confused about receiving an ash cross on the forhead... Her face quickly brightened and she exclaimed, "oh, like Simba!" Yes, Kylie, the sign of repentance is very similar to being annointed by Rafiki.

Then tonight we were talking about prayers and Kylie said that she wouldn't know what to pray except, "Dear God, Thanks for the food. Amen." I told her that was close, but usually people do more. "They pray for more food?!"

Jack & Jill

Jack had a hard day today. He went to his very first wedding where he discovered Jill was betrothed to another. He was so upset that he crapped his pants during the exchanging of the rings. The Furber Family was incredibly lucky to be sitting admist understanding parents because he wasn't quiet about the ordeal.

I'd love to show you pictures of how cute Jack looked for the wedding, but I was being quite literal when I said that he "crapped his pants." Instead, I'll leave you with this precious picture of the newlyweds.

The lighting of the Unity Candle.

In better news, Kylie seems to be doing quite well. Today she hung out with several, wonderful ladies and managed to appropriately spend her wad (thanks Grandma Mary!) at the mall. Oh to be a teenager again!

Ashley & Kylie enjoyed the first day of sun.... at the mall.