But here I am in front of the screen.
Where does one begin when you have neglected so many days, weeks, months, events, fun times, sad times, in-between times? Well, my answer to that is a quick run down.
Zane:
- 10 years old
- loves sports
- in 2nd year of football and going to be QB again this year. Hard for mom to watch him get tackled but he loves it
- loves music
- loves friends
- loves electronics
- likes reading...not his first choice but showing mom tendencies when he gets into a good one and ignores all of us
- responsible and starting to watch brothers for a couple of hours at a time
- stretching for independence - hard to know with the first sometimes how much is enough/too much
Rhett:
- 7 years old
- LOVES Minecraft - 3D lego building game - would play 24-7 if I let him
- our quiet boy
- huge sense of humor when he feels secure with who is around
- starting to play practical jokes
- very technical and precise in most things
- growing like a WEED - almost as tall as Zane
- played baseball for 2nd year
- loves playing with friends
- loves electronics
- is a FAB dancer! This kid has moves!!!
Brock:
- 4 years old
- BUSY
- thinks he's as big as his brothers
- loves anything with a ball
- won't sleep by himself
- starting pre-K and speech in the fall!
- loves minecraft
- would play electronics all day if I let him
- rides a bike with training wheels or gets pulled by mom
- adores Zane
- can't seem to make it through church since we've started going to Lacombe building while our Kentwood building is under renos. He's asleep before the first speaker
Me:
- still in RS presidency as 2nd councillor
- working part time at Shoppers Drug Mart
- gearing up to start teaching piano again
- volunteered to manage Zane's football team
- working on expanding my bubble of friends....and my sphere of influence
- missing my sister Kinsey....she entered the MTC on July 31. She's been called to the Toronto, Canada mission. It doesn't quite seem real yet. My eyes hurt all day Monday from all the tears on Sunday.
- Working on making weaknesses strengths
- madly in love with my husband!
Cliff:
- 12/13 year old scout leader
- attended the week long Canadian Scout Jamboree at Camp Woods just outside of Sylvan for a week at the beginning of July. 8 days of our vacation days this year. So grateful I have a husband who will sacrifice for the Lord and the things he's been called to do
- talked me into a van...and a car payment....he was right....
- not golfing as much as he would like
- connecting with our Sylvan missionaries....we feed and see them a lot....
- loves me more than anything in the world...I never have to worry about that!
One thing that hasn't changed is my absolute belief in the gospel. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church on earth. I know that families can be together forever. I know that we have a prophet on the earth, and that he, with the apostles, receives revelation from our Father in Heaven. I know that if we strive to keep our covenants we will return to live with our Father in Heaven.
I'm not perfect, I'm full of flaws, but I keep trying. I'm getting much better at loving me for me and not the me that the world says I need to be.
I'm hoping to be a little more regular around here....Kinsey put me in charge of updating her blog so I will try to do mine at the same time.
Thursday, August 01, 2013
Sunday, September 16, 2012
To Borrow a Line....
"I have a blog?" Yep, just like Paige I have a blog. And just like Paige I have had well meaning intentions of updating it all through the summer, and then as soon as school started...and now well, we're halfway thru September. It's not that I don't have things to say. I think it's the sheer amount of things I have to report. A little overwhelming. But I have a plan. And I hope to implement it by the end of the week.
Life is busy. Life is stressful. Life is blessed. Life is hard. Life is happy. Life is full of struggle. Life is Life. And I'm trying to make it through one day at a time as best as I can.
I'll be back...soonish! I promise!
Life is busy. Life is stressful. Life is blessed. Life is hard. Life is happy. Life is full of struggle. Life is Life. And I'm trying to make it through one day at a time as best as I can.
I'll be back...soonish! I promise!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I am slowly going crazy....
Why? Well, right now the biggest cause driving me towards craziness is my wonderful 3 year old. And his refusing to use words!!!! I know he has words...he used to use them. When we got back from Mexico he was finally talking up a storm. A month later he has reverted to grunts, gestures, yelling, crying...and the occasional word to help direct my attention. He'll repeat words after me when we read, but he won't use them. If I ask him a yes or no question, he won't respond verbally. He'll nod or ignore me. I feel like we are forever butting heads because he won't communicate to me what it is he wants! Arg!
Advice?!?
I know all kids do things at their own pace, yada yada yada. But is is too much to ask for him to use the bloody words he already knows?
Bah. Frustration.
And that is why I am slowly going crazy....
Advice?!?
I know all kids do things at their own pace, yada yada yada. But is is too much to ask for him to use the bloody words he already knows?
Bah. Frustration.
And that is why I am slowly going crazy....
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Hi There
Well it's been awhile....
If you don't know, Cliff and I went to Mexico again a couple of weeks ago. Ahhh, Mexico. It was great. This is what we did: beach, pool, food, shows, air conditioned room. The end. Ha Ha Ha. No, really. We wanted to do nothing but relax, so that's exactly what we did. Between the waiting time at airports and all of our relaxation time I read 8 books. Yep. Most were pretty good, some were duds, but it was great. We were at the same resort as last year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We even experienced a thunder storm while there. Thunder is so different over the vast ocean than the prairies. It's hard to describe, but it's louder, longer and almost sounds like it has a circular pattern to it. Sorry, that probably doesn't make sense to anyone elses' brain but mine. And I didn't get air-sick this time! Yay for Gravol!! And a HUGE thank you to Grandpa Dooley and Grammie S for watching our minions for us. They had a great week with you!
In other happenings around here...
- Rhett has started T-ball and loves it. He's always first to the balls that are hit and has a pretty good swing
- Zane has started spring football camp. He's in love with football. And doing well. It's full-contact so they have all the pads and equipment...sniff, sniff, sigh. He looks so grown up. Yesterday he earned himself a nickname while they were playing King of the Castle. Coaches piled all the pads up to make a "castle". The King and his protector had to prevent the "up" kid from making it to the castle. Zane was up a small but fast king, and a HUGE protector. Zane's not a small kid for 9, but this kid's a year older and wearing a men's XL jersey. He tried deeking them out, tried going through, around...everything he could think of. It took him awhile but he was finally able to plow through and knock over the castle. Lots of praise and thumps from the coaches, and when he got home he informed me that they nicknamed him THE BULLDOZER! He is over the moon! It's so funny. We had to get the sports tape out and write it out and tape it under his name on his helmet.
- Rhett had T-ball pictures yesterday before Zane's practice was over. Thankfully it was in the same area, just a different park. As we were waiting for his teams turn, football practice finished and Zane walked over. Rhett's coach was trying to distract the team, and pointed over at Zane where he was standing with me and said "oh, guys, look at that big football player over there. Isn't he cool?!" It's a good thing Zane already had his helmet off 'cause his head swelled up right there and then. Ha Ha Ha. And then Rhett piped up and told the coach that that was his big football player. His status on the team instantly sky-rocketed even more. Having boys is a hoot!
- Brock is being his usual busy self. We are attempting potty training. Grrr. Just please shoot me now. It's going.... he hates being wet and will say, uh-oh mom! Sticky! When he pees not on his potty...so I guess that's progress.
- I'm having a horrible time getting out of vacation mode. All I want to do is laze around, read books, and eat anything that isn't healthy for me. Not doing good things for my waistline I tell ya. But today I'm determined to get back into pre-vacation mode.
That's all for now! Happy June tomorrow!
If you don't know, Cliff and I went to Mexico again a couple of weeks ago. Ahhh, Mexico. It was great. This is what we did: beach, pool, food, shows, air conditioned room. The end. Ha Ha Ha. No, really. We wanted to do nothing but relax, so that's exactly what we did. Between the waiting time at airports and all of our relaxation time I read 8 books. Yep. Most were pretty good, some were duds, but it was great. We were at the same resort as last year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We even experienced a thunder storm while there. Thunder is so different over the vast ocean than the prairies. It's hard to describe, but it's louder, longer and almost sounds like it has a circular pattern to it. Sorry, that probably doesn't make sense to anyone elses' brain but mine. And I didn't get air-sick this time! Yay for Gravol!! And a HUGE thank you to Grandpa Dooley and Grammie S for watching our minions for us. They had a great week with you!
Going out for supper...
Cool landscaping...on the way to the beach
I promise Cliff was having a good time!
See...all smiles!
YUMMM!!!! Loved all the desserts we tried!
Beautiful! Miss the ocean and the beach!
In other happenings around here...
- Rhett has started T-ball and loves it. He's always first to the balls that are hit and has a pretty good swing
- Zane has started spring football camp. He's in love with football. And doing well. It's full-contact so they have all the pads and equipment...sniff, sniff, sigh. He looks so grown up. Yesterday he earned himself a nickname while they were playing King of the Castle. Coaches piled all the pads up to make a "castle". The King and his protector had to prevent the "up" kid from making it to the castle. Zane was up a small but fast king, and a HUGE protector. Zane's not a small kid for 9, but this kid's a year older and wearing a men's XL jersey. He tried deeking them out, tried going through, around...everything he could think of. It took him awhile but he was finally able to plow through and knock over the castle. Lots of praise and thumps from the coaches, and when he got home he informed me that they nicknamed him THE BULLDOZER! He is over the moon! It's so funny. We had to get the sports tape out and write it out and tape it under his name on his helmet.
- Rhett had T-ball pictures yesterday before Zane's practice was over. Thankfully it was in the same area, just a different park. As we were waiting for his teams turn, football practice finished and Zane walked over. Rhett's coach was trying to distract the team, and pointed over at Zane where he was standing with me and said "oh, guys, look at that big football player over there. Isn't he cool?!" It's a good thing Zane already had his helmet off 'cause his head swelled up right there and then. Ha Ha Ha. And then Rhett piped up and told the coach that that was his big football player. His status on the team instantly sky-rocketed even more. Having boys is a hoot!
- Brock is being his usual busy self. We are attempting potty training. Grrr. Just please shoot me now. It's going.... he hates being wet and will say, uh-oh mom! Sticky! When he pees not on his potty...so I guess that's progress.
- I'm having a horrible time getting out of vacation mode. All I want to do is laze around, read books, and eat anything that isn't healthy for me. Not doing good things for my waistline I tell ya. But today I'm determined to get back into pre-vacation mode.
That's all for now! Happy June tomorrow!
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
1,2,3,4,5....6 Candles on Friday!
Friday the 4th our Rhett turned 6! He is the best 6 year old I know! He started the day off with his favorite cereal at the moment: cinnamon toast crunch and quickly moved onto presents. He loved everything and spent the morning with his brothers playing with one thing or another and wearing his new Angry Birds Space shirt. Grandma and Grandpa Johnson and cousin Cohen showed up in the early afternoon and we played hard! Riding bikes, trip to the park, trampoline, playing catch...all before Paynes arrived and we feasted on Rhett's choice of homemade pizza and bread sticks, followed by homemade Oreo ice cream cake. Yum, Yum, Yum! Candles and another round of presents finished the night off.
Brock "supervising" morning present opening...
Smile and pose before blowing the candles...
One of the favorite presents of the day!
At six Rhett is:
- in Monday/Wednesday full day kindergarten. He LOVES it!
-starting to read
-starting to do simple math
-starting to spell random words for me
-still constructs elaborate games around the house from random objects he finds. His most recent is re-enacting Angry Birds scenes with balloons and other objects
-loves to jump on the trampoline with his brothers
-has finally decided that riding a bike is a good thing...and is making noise about taking his training wheels off already
-started T-ball this year and is really liking it so far
-actually will chase the ball and try to catch it
-loves to run
-is not sure about starting swimming lessons in June
-still loves to play computer and XBox games
-favorite cartoon: Phineas and Ferb
-favorite color: changes week to week
-sleeps with his stuffie dog who is currently named "Z"
-is so stinking tall! He's wearing size 8 pants!!!! And 7/8 shirts and size 1-2 shoes. Crazy!
-loves primary and his teacher Summer
-eats more food than peanut butter sandwiches! The day has finally come! He's still pretty fussy but his food repertoire is slowly expanding
-would live on granola bars, cereal and yogurt tubes if I let him
-can be a walking appetite
-is really starting to enjoy being the "big" kid with Brock and Violet and orchestrates some great games
-has lost 5 or 6 teeth already!
-still melts my heart with his smile
We love our big kid Rhett! He's a joy to have in our family and we're so proud of him!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Um, where's time going?
17th of April? Excuse me? Would whoever is in charge of time PLEASE slow it down. Sigh. I feel like every day is a marathon but I'm not getting any closer to the finish!
But that aside, one of the reasons this month is flying is because the kids and I played hookie from real life during spring break and headed south to Cardston and Taber. We had a most lovely time playing with family. The weather was typical for southern Alberta spring but we did manage a few trips to the park, lots of trampoline jumping and making a mess and disaster of both Grandma's houses. We're really good at that part. :)
We missed daddy, and he missed us and convinced me that I should come home a day early. I told him yes as long as the laundry was folded AND put away, and the dishes were done. I'm happy to report that he delivered on both, as well as surprising me with a new, bigger freezer. I cried. Yep, I'm that sappy and weird. I cry over new appliances. I wonder if there's an anonymous group for that? Anyways, it's big, black, and gorgeous.
I came home with 3 new pairs of shoes from Yummy Mummy Shoes. Thanks Lish for hosting and Tisha and Jessica for the great shoes! It was so fun to see you :) I also got 2 dresses while I was down there...
But that aside, one of the reasons this month is flying is because the kids and I played hookie from real life during spring break and headed south to Cardston and Taber. We had a most lovely time playing with family. The weather was typical for southern Alberta spring but we did manage a few trips to the park, lots of trampoline jumping and making a mess and disaster of both Grandma's houses. We're really good at that part. :)
We missed daddy, and he missed us and convinced me that I should come home a day early. I told him yes as long as the laundry was folded AND put away, and the dishes were done. I'm happy to report that he delivered on both, as well as surprising me with a new, bigger freezer. I cried. Yep, I'm that sappy and weird. I cry over new appliances. I wonder if there's an anonymous group for that? Anyways, it's big, black, and gorgeous.
I came home with 3 new pairs of shoes from Yummy Mummy Shoes. Thanks Lish for hosting and Tisha and Jessica for the great shoes! It was so fun to see you :) I also got 2 dresses while I was down there...
This is one of them....and the boys all ready for church on Easter Sunday. BTW, I'm wearing 2 inch heels and the boys are still that tall on me! Silly boys, they won't stop growing and whine too much when I don't feed them.
This past week has been getting caught up on life that happened while away, cleaning house, quick trip to Edmonton to renew passports, chopping and blonding my hair more, groceries, and working on the Mac n Cheese fundraiser for the Hall family.
And now I'm battling a head cold. Lovely.
But we're on the count down to Mexico - 3 weeks tomorrow and we leave. Oh, my! So much still to do!
Sorry for the randomness. Let's blame it on the cold meds!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Nine going on 18!
March 22 was a special day in our house 'cause Zane turned 9! Seriously?!? Yep, seriously. Sigh. It's gone by really, really, fast. And next year means double digits. Gulp.
But here's a quick glimpse of Zane at 9:
- lives, breathes, sleeps and eats sports. He can spout stats and players and random facts to me all day long. Mostly hockey, but basketball is a close second.
- can be found with a ball of some kind the majority of the day
- LOVED basketball nights - especially when it was time to scrimmage
- favorite things about school: science, art, gym and recess
- really interested in magic and is thinking of combining science and magic as a career
- is counting down the days to football sign up. Yep, he's gonna be a football player this spring and fall
- LOVES cubs. He built his first car this year and it was a Hummer Limo with a hot tub. He called it "Zane's Party Wagon". He and Cliff had a lot of fun at the races and he came in second in 2 heats
- Is showing an interest in cooking and chopped a bunch of peppers for me with a really big knife the other day. It was hard for me to let him but he managed to do it without cutting off any fingers!
- Still likes to sing but didn't do choir this semester because it cut into his noon-hour sports
- has friends wherever he goes
- is a great big brother
- goes to bed at 9:00
- is wearing 10/12 clothes and size 3 shoes
- loves to read but will choose sports first
- has an AWESOME testimony - blows me away
- is a planner...just like his mom and it drives me crazy sometimes!
- growing like a weed!
- the best 9 year old I know!
We had our typical Birthday events around here...presents, birthday waffles, birthday bash with friends...Zane wanted to do sports at the high school gym again - thanks again to Jas for making that happen! And fun was had by all. More birthday celebrations await us in southern Alberta this coming week while we hang out for our spring break.
But here's a quick glimpse of Zane at 9:
- lives, breathes, sleeps and eats sports. He can spout stats and players and random facts to me all day long. Mostly hockey, but basketball is a close second.
- can be found with a ball of some kind the majority of the day
- LOVED basketball nights - especially when it was time to scrimmage
- favorite things about school: science, art, gym and recess
- really interested in magic and is thinking of combining science and magic as a career
- is counting down the days to football sign up. Yep, he's gonna be a football player this spring and fall
- LOVES cubs. He built his first car this year and it was a Hummer Limo with a hot tub. He called it "Zane's Party Wagon". He and Cliff had a lot of fun at the races and he came in second in 2 heats
- Is showing an interest in cooking and chopped a bunch of peppers for me with a really big knife the other day. It was hard for me to let him but he managed to do it without cutting off any fingers!
- Still likes to sing but didn't do choir this semester because it cut into his noon-hour sports
- has friends wherever he goes
- is a great big brother
- goes to bed at 9:00
- is wearing 10/12 clothes and size 3 shoes
- loves to read but will choose sports first
- has an AWESOME testimony - blows me away
- is a planner...just like his mom and it drives me crazy sometimes!
- growing like a weed!
- the best 9 year old I know!
We had our typical Birthday events around here...presents, birthday waffles, birthday bash with friends...Zane wanted to do sports at the high school gym again - thanks again to Jas for making that happen! And fun was had by all. More birthday celebrations await us in southern Alberta this coming week while we hang out for our spring break.
Always so cool
Framed Canuks team photo with signatures - he was so excited
about this one!
Breakfast: Birthday waffles!
The cake and some of the crew
Oreo ice cream cake - nice and easy!
More crazies!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Perspective
I have really struggled with wanting and not wanting to write this blog. Because it's not my story, and yet I have learned so much the past few days I feel that I need to write it - for me and for my children.
Friday night we learned that our friend Steve Hall was killed in an avalanche while snowmobiling with friends. Another two brethern in our ward were there but unharmed. Of course the initial reaction was shock, disbelief and then the crushing realization of what this would mean for my friend Lara. Let me tell you a bit about this wonderful woman. She is AMAZING. She deserves every single one of those capital letters. Many who read this also know Lara and will be nodding their heads in agreement. She is genuine, kind, faithful, steadfast, committed, fun, outgoing, life of the party, loving....if you pulled every positive adjective out of a dictionary I guarantee that every one could be applied to this special lady. I have been blessed to know her in many different capacities over the years and count myself so blessed. She and Steve have 4 of the cutest and most wonderful children. I love them all. And so it has been a struggle of a weekend as I have tried to think of a way to convey my love and support to Lara and her children.
Our primary presidency asked the children today to draw a picture and write a brief message on small pieces of paper that they are going to assemble into a book for the Hall children. Knowing the plan I asked the boys on the way home from church what they had done. (**Side note: Steve and Lara have had a role in their lives as well, most recently as basketball coaches. ) Rhett said he drew hearts and suns and stars, and wrote "From Rhett." All things that to him convey love. Zane said he drew a man with light coming out of him and on the back wrote "I hope your days are filled with light like my picture". I'm not recording this to brag - to say "look at my kid and how awesome this is", but I felt the need to record this as an affirmation for myself and Cliff that the things we are teaching in our home, and the example that we are setting are beginning to show. And I am so grateful for that.
And for the perspective that I have gained. Steve's death is tragic. And my heart hurts for his family. He will be missed by so many. But I have felt my testimony of the Atonement, and the Plan of Salvation strengthened and enlarged over the past two days. Being in the Relief Society Presidency has afforded me some wonderful experiences with our RS president and with the women in our ward. I have SEEN love in action, I have seen the Lord reaching out to bless through the hands of others. And it has been so faith affirming and touching that I know my testimony has grown. I've also seen my family through new eyes. Thought of things that I want to change, and things that I want to appreciate more.
Sacrament meeting today was so spiritually charged for me today. I felt that the hymns, the talks, the general spirit there was so sweet. Yes, we were all aching for our ward family's loss, for Lara and her family. But we were doing it together. The Spirit was there and was a comfort as promised in the scriptures. And once again I was amazed by the examples of others around me. I am so thankful to live in the ward we live in. To be surrounded by the good people we have the privilege of associating with, and drawing on their strength and testimonies.
We are attending the funeral in Cardston on Friday afternoon, and planning on going through the 10:30 Temple session that morning. Why? Because as Lara told my mom on Saturday when she attended: "Where else do you go for peace? This is what we teach our Young Women. ".
Thank you Lara for your wonderful example. As long as I have known you you have been an example of grace and goodness. I am blessed to count you as a friend.
Over the course of the weekend I have done some reading and found these two quotes that have made a huge impact on me at this time. Both I have heard before. But seeing them visually has been wonderful and insightful and inspiring.
I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and the perspective it gives to me.
Friday night we learned that our friend Steve Hall was killed in an avalanche while snowmobiling with friends. Another two brethern in our ward were there but unharmed. Of course the initial reaction was shock, disbelief and then the crushing realization of what this would mean for my friend Lara. Let me tell you a bit about this wonderful woman. She is AMAZING. She deserves every single one of those capital letters. Many who read this also know Lara and will be nodding their heads in agreement. She is genuine, kind, faithful, steadfast, committed, fun, outgoing, life of the party, loving....if you pulled every positive adjective out of a dictionary I guarantee that every one could be applied to this special lady. I have been blessed to know her in many different capacities over the years and count myself so blessed. She and Steve have 4 of the cutest and most wonderful children. I love them all. And so it has been a struggle of a weekend as I have tried to think of a way to convey my love and support to Lara and her children.
Our primary presidency asked the children today to draw a picture and write a brief message on small pieces of paper that they are going to assemble into a book for the Hall children. Knowing the plan I asked the boys on the way home from church what they had done. (**Side note: Steve and Lara have had a role in their lives as well, most recently as basketball coaches. ) Rhett said he drew hearts and suns and stars, and wrote "From Rhett." All things that to him convey love. Zane said he drew a man with light coming out of him and on the back wrote "I hope your days are filled with light like my picture". I'm not recording this to brag - to say "look at my kid and how awesome this is", but I felt the need to record this as an affirmation for myself and Cliff that the things we are teaching in our home, and the example that we are setting are beginning to show. And I am so grateful for that.
And for the perspective that I have gained. Steve's death is tragic. And my heart hurts for his family. He will be missed by so many. But I have felt my testimony of the Atonement, and the Plan of Salvation strengthened and enlarged over the past two days. Being in the Relief Society Presidency has afforded me some wonderful experiences with our RS president and with the women in our ward. I have SEEN love in action, I have seen the Lord reaching out to bless through the hands of others. And it has been so faith affirming and touching that I know my testimony has grown. I've also seen my family through new eyes. Thought of things that I want to change, and things that I want to appreciate more.
Sacrament meeting today was so spiritually charged for me today. I felt that the hymns, the talks, the general spirit there was so sweet. Yes, we were all aching for our ward family's loss, for Lara and her family. But we were doing it together. The Spirit was there and was a comfort as promised in the scriptures. And once again I was amazed by the examples of others around me. I am so thankful to live in the ward we live in. To be surrounded by the good people we have the privilege of associating with, and drawing on their strength and testimonies.
We are attending the funeral in Cardston on Friday afternoon, and planning on going through the 10:30 Temple session that morning. Why? Because as Lara told my mom on Saturday when she attended: "Where else do you go for peace? This is what we teach our Young Women. ".
Thank you Lara for your wonderful example. As long as I have known you you have been an example of grace and goodness. I am blessed to count you as a friend.
I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and the perspective it gives to me.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Pity Party
I have decided I really don't like it when Cliff travels for work. It doesn't happen often, and it's usually just to the states somewhere...but I don't like it. I miss him and I feel cut off from him. He's only gone for a couple of days so it's not worth putting a roaming package on his phone so he can use it down there, but it's definitely not worth turning it on unless it's an emergency either. And he's always so busy with the training and socializing events planned that he hardly gets to a computer to facebook us or anything.
And yes, I do realize that I am EXTREMELY spoiled to have him around so much and gone so little and for such short amounts of time.
But it doesn't change the fact that I miss him terribly, and stay up ridiculously late to avoid going to bed by myself.
And that's all the pity party I'm going to have.
And yes, I do realize that I am EXTREMELY spoiled to have him around so much and gone so little and for such short amounts of time.
But it doesn't change the fact that I miss him terribly, and stay up ridiculously late to avoid going to bed by myself.
And that's all the pity party I'm going to have.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Travel Trauma!
So our family likes Valentine's day OK, but what we really like about it is that Auntie Kinsey's birthday is that day. Rhett came with me to pick out a birthday card for her and was determined to find one that was "numbered" because almost all of Brock's had numbers on them and that's just cool. Um, not too many "26" cards out there. But he was determined and started picking out number cards. He recognized a 50 card and asked "is 50 close to 26?" Bah ha ha. I had a hard time not giggling as I explained that Auntie probably wouldn't appreciate a 50th birthday card. I snickered when I told her. Good thing she has such a great sense of humor and laughed as well!
To help celebrate her birthday this year I decided that me and the kids would pack up Monday and leave right after piano lessons to head for Cardston where everyone else in the family was gathering for supper. We wouldn't make it for the food but Grammie and Grandpa were in on the plan and agreed to stall her so she would still be there when we got there.
Everything was going according to plan. I was super mom and had everything packed and ready to go, taught my lessons, did the last minute pee breaks and prayer and we were in the truck, on the road by 5:00. Supper was packed and passed out, movie was on and we were cruising. And then we hit Innisfail. Hmm, that looks like white stuff falling out of the sky. Huh. Road and weather reports were supposed to be clear. Hmm, well it's not bad so let's keep going. Before I hit Bowden I was down 20 kms in speed and had felt my back tires slip around a couple of times. By Airdrie I was down another 20 kms and getting really worried. Zane was texting Cliff for me and all the road reports were finally updated but showed we should run out of it right away so we kept going. The south side of Airdrie was worse and by the time I was halfway thru Calgary I was seriously stressed. By the time I got out of Calgary it was pitch black and I was crawling along the hi way at 60 k. All you could see was white ditches, white road, and white snow blowing at you. People were still passing me which made any visibility I had turn to nothing and I was doing all I could to stay in a straight line. I quickly realized I was not going to outrun the storm and started weighing my options. Trying to cross the hi way and head home again was not appealing - didn't get me out of the storm and I was worried about trying to cross that many lanes of traffic with such limited visibility. Keep on going was not a great option, and stopping on the side of the road wasn't going to work either. Instead, I decided to try my best to get us to High River. My Aunt Connie lives there, as well as cousin Caley and I was hoping we could crash for the night with one of them. The boys and I said a prayer that we would continue to be safe, and I continued to silently pray that I would find the exit. I've never been to High River. And the snow was starting to cover the signs on the side of the road. I knew we had passed by one exit and decided to try and take the next one. I finally saw one posted as the business exit for High River and almost didn't take it but decided I could find a gas station and maybe they could come find me there. I aimed and prayed and we made it off the hiway. Thank goodness! I slowly followed the exit into town and stopped as soon as I saw houses. After a quick text to Cliff to let him know I wasn't still driving I called home to get Aunt Connie's number and promptly lost it when Dad answered the phone. I was so stressed and so glad to not be driving anymore. I calmed down a little, called Aunt Connie and was thrilled that not only could we crash, but we were only blocks away from them! And they could SEE me from their window! I felt so blessed and protected by my Heavenly Father in that moment. I had been sure that my effort to keep my children safe on the hiway wasn't going to be enough, and every time some new vehicle would pass us I would tense and brace for the ditch that I was sure was coming. The kids were troopers though, and after getting us and our stuff in the house they roared around and were their loud normal selves. I shook for a good half hour after being in the house.
Brock and Connie's dog Striker fought over monkey baby, and Brock declared "Dog! Bad! Bad! Dog! no Baby!" Striker went back into his kennel until we went to bed. Poor Striker. He just wanted to play and really wanted that monkey. The kids all settled in really well and slept great. I was so exhausted and thankful to be safe...but also worried about what morning would bring.
Bright sunny skies and lots of snow on the vehicles greeted us in the morning. The roads were reported as not great both north and south of us so I decided to just keep heading south so I could at least see Kinsey and do the dinner and movie she and mom and Lish had planned. Another heartfelt prayer, and 80kms/hour from High River to Cardston finally found us at Grammie and Grandpa's house. Cousin Paxton and Grandpa were waiting for us and the boys were more than happy to be out of the truck!
We had a great time playing with family, and even squeezed in a couple of hours with our Johnson side...and then started the trip home. We left Taber at 7:00 and 10 minutes in I was wishing I had left straight from Cardston when it was nice and sunny. The roads were perfect, the stars were out, no clouds to be seen and yet I was fighting back the panic. I think the stress and helplessness I felt driving down affected me more than I thought. But I did make it home, and hopefully driving at night will get easier again.
I'm not trying to whine or get glory from writing this, more trying to find some closure for me. Even typing it and re-reading the experience is making my heart race a little. And the odd thing is this wasn't my first blizzard or driving a far distance in nasty weather, but it was the first time I had my children with me, and I felt absolutely helpless to protect them. I still feel like I made the correct choices based on the information I had but it was one of life's experiences I hope to never repeat!
To help celebrate her birthday this year I decided that me and the kids would pack up Monday and leave right after piano lessons to head for Cardston where everyone else in the family was gathering for supper. We wouldn't make it for the food but Grammie and Grandpa were in on the plan and agreed to stall her so she would still be there when we got there.
Everything was going according to plan. I was super mom and had everything packed and ready to go, taught my lessons, did the last minute pee breaks and prayer and we were in the truck, on the road by 5:00. Supper was packed and passed out, movie was on and we were cruising. And then we hit Innisfail. Hmm, that looks like white stuff falling out of the sky. Huh. Road and weather reports were supposed to be clear. Hmm, well it's not bad so let's keep going. Before I hit Bowden I was down 20 kms in speed and had felt my back tires slip around a couple of times. By Airdrie I was down another 20 kms and getting really worried. Zane was texting Cliff for me and all the road reports were finally updated but showed we should run out of it right away so we kept going. The south side of Airdrie was worse and by the time I was halfway thru Calgary I was seriously stressed. By the time I got out of Calgary it was pitch black and I was crawling along the hi way at 60 k. All you could see was white ditches, white road, and white snow blowing at you. People were still passing me which made any visibility I had turn to nothing and I was doing all I could to stay in a straight line. I quickly realized I was not going to outrun the storm and started weighing my options. Trying to cross the hi way and head home again was not appealing - didn't get me out of the storm and I was worried about trying to cross that many lanes of traffic with such limited visibility. Keep on going was not a great option, and stopping on the side of the road wasn't going to work either. Instead, I decided to try my best to get us to High River. My Aunt Connie lives there, as well as cousin Caley and I was hoping we could crash for the night with one of them. The boys and I said a prayer that we would continue to be safe, and I continued to silently pray that I would find the exit. I've never been to High River. And the snow was starting to cover the signs on the side of the road. I knew we had passed by one exit and decided to try and take the next one. I finally saw one posted as the business exit for High River and almost didn't take it but decided I could find a gas station and maybe they could come find me there. I aimed and prayed and we made it off the hiway. Thank goodness! I slowly followed the exit into town and stopped as soon as I saw houses. After a quick text to Cliff to let him know I wasn't still driving I called home to get Aunt Connie's number and promptly lost it when Dad answered the phone. I was so stressed and so glad to not be driving anymore. I calmed down a little, called Aunt Connie and was thrilled that not only could we crash, but we were only blocks away from them! And they could SEE me from their window! I felt so blessed and protected by my Heavenly Father in that moment. I had been sure that my effort to keep my children safe on the hiway wasn't going to be enough, and every time some new vehicle would pass us I would tense and brace for the ditch that I was sure was coming. The kids were troopers though, and after getting us and our stuff in the house they roared around and were their loud normal selves. I shook for a good half hour after being in the house.
Brock and Connie's dog Striker fought over monkey baby, and Brock declared "Dog! Bad! Bad! Dog! no Baby!" Striker went back into his kennel until we went to bed. Poor Striker. He just wanted to play and really wanted that monkey. The kids all settled in really well and slept great. I was so exhausted and thankful to be safe...but also worried about what morning would bring.
Bright sunny skies and lots of snow on the vehicles greeted us in the morning. The roads were reported as not great both north and south of us so I decided to just keep heading south so I could at least see Kinsey and do the dinner and movie she and mom and Lish had planned. Another heartfelt prayer, and 80kms/hour from High River to Cardston finally found us at Grammie and Grandpa's house. Cousin Paxton and Grandpa were waiting for us and the boys were more than happy to be out of the truck!
We had a great time playing with family, and even squeezed in a couple of hours with our Johnson side...and then started the trip home. We left Taber at 7:00 and 10 minutes in I was wishing I had left straight from Cardston when it was nice and sunny. The roads were perfect, the stars were out, no clouds to be seen and yet I was fighting back the panic. I think the stress and helplessness I felt driving down affected me more than I thought. But I did make it home, and hopefully driving at night will get easier again.
I'm not trying to whine or get glory from writing this, more trying to find some closure for me. Even typing it and re-reading the experience is making my heart race a little. And the odd thing is this wasn't my first blizzard or driving a far distance in nasty weather, but it was the first time I had my children with me, and I felt absolutely helpless to protect them. I still feel like I made the correct choices based on the information I had but it was one of life's experiences I hope to never repeat!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Lookee Lookee, Someone's THREE!
This was my first REAL look at Brock 3 years ago...
4 or 5 days old here...now off the respirator and c-pap machine but still in oxygen and under lights and have a feeding tube
Big #1 - big brother holding him still for a picture!
Birthday #2. Check out the bruise!
Brock at 3:
- LOVES cars...especially Lightning McQueen
- thinks walls look better with his personal touch AKA crayon or marker on the wall
- sleeping better...FINALLY
- talking better
- smiley and happy most days
- grouchy between 4 and 5 most days
- usually doesn't nap anymore
- NIGHT OWL!!!
- 33 lbs
- wears mostly size 3 clothes...some 4s, and a size 7-8 shoe
- sings cartoon jingles with the TV
- loves music
- dances - Rhett is teaching him some sweet moves
- calls for people in the house at top volume - even if he's standing next to you
- loves yogurt, cheese, peanut butter, nutella, bread, buns, apples, bananas, spaghetti, pizza and most junk food
- is a big mooch - he will eat things off our plates that he won't touch if it's on his
- getting more and more independent
- not really interested in potty training
- makes it through most Sundays without having to leave Sacrament meeting
- gives great hugs and kisses
- loves to color and do stickers and bingo dobbers
- runs technology fantastically
- hates being left out of anything
We love you Brock! Can't wait to see how you'll grow and change this year!
- smiley and happy most days
- grouchy between 4 and 5 most days
- usually doesn't nap anymore
- NIGHT OWL!!!
- 33 lbs
- wears mostly size 3 clothes...some 4s, and a size 7-8 shoe
- sings cartoon jingles with the TV
- loves music
- dances - Rhett is teaching him some sweet moves
- calls for people in the house at top volume - even if he's standing next to you
- loves yogurt, cheese, peanut butter, nutella, bread, buns, apples, bananas, spaghetti, pizza and most junk food
- is a big mooch - he will eat things off our plates that he won't touch if it's on his
- getting more and more independent
- not really interested in potty training
- makes it through most Sundays without having to leave Sacrament meeting
- gives great hugs and kisses
- loves to color and do stickers and bingo dobbers
- runs technology fantastically
- hates being left out of anything
We love you Brock! Can't wait to see how you'll grow and change this year!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Randomness
- Brock had a self-inflicted incarceration in the bathroom the other day - he refused to put anything on his behind and I refused to let him out until said bottom was covered. I was willing to let him stay there all day but Daddy managed to get some underwear on him about 45 minutes in
- I hate potty training. And Brock isn't looking like he's going to be any easier than his older brothers. Joy.
- Why do people who don't know me assume I should have more kids?
- I had an Il Divo CD playing in the truck the other day with the kids. Zane asked to change to "their" music because he didn't understand this music. I said it's Italian, that's why you don't understand. Then I switched to their version of Amazing Grace which is all English. After it was done his comment was 'Yeah, still don't get it'. Sigh.
- I love performing piano solos in Sacrament meeting and feeling when the congregation is actually with me. I can actually feel the Spirit in the room change and become stronger. Awesome!
- I asked Brock if he wanted to watch a potty movie I got out of the library - his response - uh, no. Great.
- Just spent 10 minutes cleaning crayon off the walls...again. Why does this child insist on using my walls for coloring?!
- Love being in the RS presidency and seeing the sisters of my ward serve each other. Makes my calling so easy!
- Rhett is so sensitive and I often miss it or hurt his feelings. Sigh. I'm working on it.
- Just finished cleaning up another big Brock mess. I don't think I'm going to miss that part of little kids.
- I hate potty training. And Brock isn't looking like he's going to be any easier than his older brothers. Joy.
- Why do people who don't know me assume I should have more kids?
- I had an Il Divo CD playing in the truck the other day with the kids. Zane asked to change to "their" music because he didn't understand this music. I said it's Italian, that's why you don't understand. Then I switched to their version of Amazing Grace which is all English. After it was done his comment was 'Yeah, still don't get it'. Sigh.
- I love performing piano solos in Sacrament meeting and feeling when the congregation is actually with me. I can actually feel the Spirit in the room change and become stronger. Awesome!
- I asked Brock if he wanted to watch a potty movie I got out of the library - his response - uh, no. Great.
- Just spent 10 minutes cleaning crayon off the walls...again. Why does this child insist on using my walls for coloring?!
- Love being in the RS presidency and seeing the sisters of my ward serve each other. Makes my calling so easy!
- Rhett is so sensitive and I often miss it or hurt his feelings. Sigh. I'm working on it.
- Just finished cleaning up another big Brock mess. I don't think I'm going to miss that part of little kids.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Our Pioneer Days
If you live in Alberta you understand cold. This past week was one of those that makes you re-examine why it is you live here. Low minus 20's to 30's with wind chills almost to minus 50. But let's be honest, anything past minus 20 with or without windchill is just ridiculous. I promise, snow stays frozen just fine at minus 10. However, I'm not in charge of the weather.
It all started last Tuesday. Cliff went to start a bath for the kids and came back saying there was no hot water. We shrugged it off since I had been doing laundry ALL day and the dishwasher was running etc. But the next morning when Cliff went to take a shower and there still wasn't any hot water we knew there was a problem. I got the kids who needed to go to school out the door and then settled in to wait for Cliff to fix the problem. This kind of thing is so out of my area of expertise. Usually when I try to help I just make it worse of get in the way. After a few phone calls and trying of suggestions we were in the waiting period. I was laying in bed (stupid head cold) when I noticed that the furnace was making a funny noise. I asked Cliff if he heard that and he agreed that I wasn't hearing things. Turns out we were hearing our fan motor seize. Yep, special isn't it? Considering the wind chill that morning was -44!!!!
So, there we were with no heat and no hot water. I immediately started doing a mental survey of our heat resources in the house and took action. First - hoodies and socks for kids not in school. We already had space heater in the kids rooms so I turned them up a little. Then I turned the oven on in the kitchen and the electric fire place in the living room and counted my blessings that we still had electricity! I was all ready to crawl back into bed and be miserable, but instead I chose to get dressed and get on with my day.
A friend of Cliff's from work came out and looked things over with Cliff - he thought it was our thermostat that had gone on the water tank and helped Cliff locate one - in Edmonton. Sigh. So we knew we had to wait and would be boiling water for a couple of days. Thankfully, the heater was an easier fix and the motor we needed was actually available here in Sylvan. A couple hours after it quit Cliff had the new one installed and we had full heat again! We were really grateful for that. Although our makeshift sources were doing a pretty good job I didn't want to test it over night!
We discovered that my two big 12 quart pots and a couple of smaller pots full of boiling water combined with some cold water could make a decent bath for the kids and a passable one for us. It wasn't enjoyable but it did get us clean. We had multiple offers from great friends to come and shower at their homes, but I figured by the time I packed everything/one up and drove etc it was just as easy to boil water and put up with a bath for a couple of days.
The part came in, Cliff replaced it and we waited with baited breath while dreaming of a shower...and it didn't work. On to plan B. Replace the elements. Did you know that hot water tanks have two of them? I didn't before this. And did you know that to replace them you have to drain your hot water tank? Yep, didn't know that one either. And did you know that we couldn't find the elements we needed and had to order them as well?!???? Yeah, I was doing some deep breathing for awhile, but concluded that it could be worse and tried to carry on as best as I could.
****Side note: I would have made a REALLY crappy pioneer, and I now understand completely why people bathed so infrequently and sponge baths were the rage before indoor plumbing. And yes, I have been camping. But you expect it then. Not so much in a house with taps! I digress!
Saturday Cliff sent me a text saying he had found elements! Ahhhhh! (That was the angels singing in case you were wondering). The ones we had ordered weren't going to be here until today (Monday).
After borrowing a hose that wasn't frozen (cold in Alberta remember?) and hooking it up we waited for the tank to drain.
***Side note #2: We live in a small house. With no basement. The hot water tank is located behind a panel in our bedroom closet. Special. So no cement floor with a drain. Hence, the hose from the tank to the bathtub.
Continuing on....Water started trickling veerrrryyy slowly. And after hours and hours of waiting we finally resorted to pot brigading to get the water lower than the last element. It took forever and then the process of putting in the new ones, filling the tank, etc...we finally had hot water again around 2 AM.
I take a lot for granted! But I am so thankful for a husband who is willing to learn to fix things he hasn't done before, and for my working furnace and hot water again. And yes, I really enjoyed that shower Sunday morning!
It all started last Tuesday. Cliff went to start a bath for the kids and came back saying there was no hot water. We shrugged it off since I had been doing laundry ALL day and the dishwasher was running etc. But the next morning when Cliff went to take a shower and there still wasn't any hot water we knew there was a problem. I got the kids who needed to go to school out the door and then settled in to wait for Cliff to fix the problem. This kind of thing is so out of my area of expertise. Usually when I try to help I just make it worse of get in the way. After a few phone calls and trying of suggestions we were in the waiting period. I was laying in bed (stupid head cold) when I noticed that the furnace was making a funny noise. I asked Cliff if he heard that and he agreed that I wasn't hearing things. Turns out we were hearing our fan motor seize. Yep, special isn't it? Considering the wind chill that morning was -44!!!!
So, there we were with no heat and no hot water. I immediately started doing a mental survey of our heat resources in the house and took action. First - hoodies and socks for kids not in school. We already had space heater in the kids rooms so I turned them up a little. Then I turned the oven on in the kitchen and the electric fire place in the living room and counted my blessings that we still had electricity! I was all ready to crawl back into bed and be miserable, but instead I chose to get dressed and get on with my day.
A friend of Cliff's from work came out and looked things over with Cliff - he thought it was our thermostat that had gone on the water tank and helped Cliff locate one - in Edmonton. Sigh. So we knew we had to wait and would be boiling water for a couple of days. Thankfully, the heater was an easier fix and the motor we needed was actually available here in Sylvan. A couple hours after it quit Cliff had the new one installed and we had full heat again! We were really grateful for that. Although our makeshift sources were doing a pretty good job I didn't want to test it over night!
We discovered that my two big 12 quart pots and a couple of smaller pots full of boiling water combined with some cold water could make a decent bath for the kids and a passable one for us. It wasn't enjoyable but it did get us clean. We had multiple offers from great friends to come and shower at their homes, but I figured by the time I packed everything/one up and drove etc it was just as easy to boil water and put up with a bath for a couple of days.
The part came in, Cliff replaced it and we waited with baited breath while dreaming of a shower...and it didn't work. On to plan B. Replace the elements. Did you know that hot water tanks have two of them? I didn't before this. And did you know that to replace them you have to drain your hot water tank? Yep, didn't know that one either. And did you know that we couldn't find the elements we needed and had to order them as well?!???? Yeah, I was doing some deep breathing for awhile, but concluded that it could be worse and tried to carry on as best as I could.
****Side note: I would have made a REALLY crappy pioneer, and I now understand completely why people bathed so infrequently and sponge baths were the rage before indoor plumbing. And yes, I have been camping. But you expect it then. Not so much in a house with taps! I digress!
Saturday Cliff sent me a text saying he had found elements! Ahhhhh! (That was the angels singing in case you were wondering). The ones we had ordered weren't going to be here until today (Monday).
After borrowing a hose that wasn't frozen (cold in Alberta remember?) and hooking it up we waited for the tank to drain.
***Side note #2: We live in a small house. With no basement. The hot water tank is located behind a panel in our bedroom closet. Special. So no cement floor with a drain. Hence, the hose from the tank to the bathtub.
Continuing on....Water started trickling veerrrryyy slowly. And after hours and hours of waiting we finally resorted to pot brigading to get the water lower than the last element. It took forever and then the process of putting in the new ones, filling the tank, etc...we finally had hot water again around 2 AM.
I take a lot for granted! But I am so thankful for a husband who is willing to learn to fix things he hasn't done before, and for my working furnace and hot water again. And yes, I really enjoyed that shower Sunday morning!
I'm on a roll! #4!
So a quick re-cap, Grammie came, it was my birthday and Rhett lost two teeth. But the excitement of January doesn't end there! Auntie Kizzy came to visit the week after Grammie. She got here Thursday night and met me at the church 'cause I needed to be there for a RS other meeting (seriously, can we just go back to calling it Enrichment please? So less confusing) But I digress. We took in the last of the activity, held Jenna's baby Cora (such a doll) and stayed at the church talking and laughing with Jenn until late. Cliff started texting me that Brock was wandering around the house looking for me. Ha ha ha.
After staying up way too late and starting the morning early(we really weren't thinking about kids needing to go to school the next day) we enjoyed some Kinnect, some visiting and snuggling with kiddos, and a girl's night planned by my friends to celebrate my birthday. I have some of the very best friends a girl could ask for, and having Kinsey there was the icing on the cake.
Another really late night (we never learn ) led to a sleep in and lazy day with the kiddos before heading out again for a girls night together. Have I mentioned what an awesome husband I have?
We headed to the mall for some great window shopping and then hit a late movie. We declared an early bed time (midnight) and collapsed.
A miracle happened and the kids all slept past 8:30 in the morning - for those of you who know my kids you know that's really a miracle. We made yummy pancakes - a tradition when Auntie is here and then headed to church. It was great to have an extra pair of hands there 'cause Cliff had to work.
Saying goodbye was hard - we hate to see Auntie go. We have so much fun together. How lucky am I to have sisters who are such great friends!
Onto the next adventure...
After staying up way too late and starting the morning early(we really weren't thinking about kids needing to go to school the next day) we enjoyed some Kinnect, some visiting and snuggling with kiddos, and a girl's night planned by my friends to celebrate my birthday. I have some of the very best friends a girl could ask for, and having Kinsey there was the icing on the cake.
Another really late night (we never learn ) led to a sleep in and lazy day with the kiddos before heading out again for a girls night together. Have I mentioned what an awesome husband I have?
We headed to the mall for some great window shopping and then hit a late movie. We declared an early bed time (midnight) and collapsed.
A miracle happened and the kids all slept past 8:30 in the morning - for those of you who know my kids you know that's really a miracle. We made yummy pancakes - a tradition when Auntie is here and then headed to church. It was great to have an extra pair of hands there 'cause Cliff had to work.
Saying goodbye was hard - we hate to see Auntie go. We have so much fun together. How lucky am I to have sisters who are such great friends!
Onto the next adventure...
Toothless - January's 3rd post
Are you sensing a theme here yet? All the blogging that I've meant to do this month is kinda getting done all at once. Hopefully once I'm caught up I'll be much better at the once a week I'm aiming for this year!
Disclaimer: Blogger hates most of my pictures today and refuses to load them the way I have them saved on my computer. I have gone in and changed and saved the rotation several times before adding these and blogger still loads them this way. FRUSTRATION for me who is so far from computer trick savvy it's not even funny. Sigh.
So although this picture is sideways this is Rhett missing his two top middle teeth. They had been loose FOREVER! As in I thought for sure he'd be the kid at Christmas without his teeth. He finally let me pull the one on the 6th, but the other one just wouldn't let go. Auntie Kizzy assured me it would be fine so I quit stressing. And she was right! Rhett was running down the hallway on the 8th and managed to hit himself in the mouth with his hand (don't ask) and knocked his own tooth out! He was so surprised he didn't even cry!
Of course the tooth fairy was very kind and remembered to show up and leave money - and Grammie contributed to the the toothless fund as well so Rhett has a nice little stash right now.
And I think he's the cutest toothless kid out there!
Disclaimer: Blogger hates most of my pictures today and refuses to load them the way I have them saved on my computer. I have gone in and changed and saved the rotation several times before adding these and blogger still loads them this way. FRUSTRATION for me who is so far from computer trick savvy it's not even funny. Sigh.
So although this picture is sideways this is Rhett missing his two top middle teeth. They had been loose FOREVER! As in I thought for sure he'd be the kid at Christmas without his teeth. He finally let me pull the one on the 6th, but the other one just wouldn't let go. Auntie Kizzy assured me it would be fine so I quit stressing. And she was right! Rhett was running down the hallway on the 8th and managed to hit himself in the mouth with his hand (don't ask) and knocked his own tooth out! He was so surprised he didn't even cry!
Of course the tooth fairy was very kind and remembered to show up and leave money - and Grammie contributed to the the toothless fund as well so Rhett has a nice little stash right now.
And I think he's the cutest toothless kid out there!
January's 2nd post: Grammie came to visit!
Grammie S came to visit!!! She arrived the day before the kids had to go back to school and we made the most of our time with her!
We played lots of games - including introducing Grammie to our dance game on Kinnect. We had so much fun dancing and laughing! Stories were read, cards were played, movies were watched and late nights were part of our time together.
Grammie brought me a beautiful apron for my birthday and we had fun celebrating with ice cream sandwiches with the kids, an afternoon of shopping together and then a night out with Cliff, Jas and Beck.
I'm so lucky that my mom is one of my best friends and that she was able to come and celebrate with me. And see the kids. I know she REALLY came for them - my birthday was just a bonus. Heh heh heh.
Grammie's time with us came and went way to quickly and before we knew it she was packing up and headed home.
Sorry no pictures...I've been slacking in that department lately.
We played lots of games - including introducing Grammie to our dance game on Kinnect. We had so much fun dancing and laughing! Stories were read, cards were played, movies were watched and late nights were part of our time together.
Grammie brought me a beautiful apron for my birthday and we had fun celebrating with ice cream sandwiches with the kids, an afternoon of shopping together and then a night out with Cliff, Jas and Beck.
I'm so lucky that my mom is one of my best friends and that she was able to come and celebrate with me. And see the kids. I know she REALLY came for them - my birthday was just a bonus. Heh heh heh.
Grammie's time with us came and went way to quickly and before we knew it she was packing up and headed home.
Sorry no pictures...I've been slacking in that department lately.
January First's post
So, this is the post I should have written at the beginning of the month...
Christmas was AWESOME!
- we took the kids to Edmonton and stayed over night in a great hotel
- played with Uncle Jamie, had some fun in the pool(Brock still HATES swimming)
- went to Fantasy Land next day.
- we all had a great time until I decided to ride the mind bender and ended up with a mild case of whiplash. I'm talented that way
- drugs and stick-on heat pads kept me moving - I was determined not to ruin the afternoon
- Christmas Eve started new tradition of family puzzle - didn't get it finished but it was fun
- went sledding at the Poplar Ridge school hill - it's huge and the kids and Cliff had a blast with a ton of friends who came too. I was still hurting and Cliff bruised his heel badly when he and Rhett slid into the swings!
- spent the evening with Paynes - home made pizza, the nativity with 4 Kings, not 3, presents and chocolate fondue
- opened new jammies
- Christmas Day Cliff and Zane woke everyone else up ( I had been up since 3:30 coughing and had just gone back to bed) when I heard Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra blasting through the house. How can you be grumpy?
- Took Brock a long time to get into things in the morning
- everyone had a great morning
- Church on Christmas day is AWESOME!!!! LOVED it - minus the brother who announced over the pulpit that Santa wasn't real - only Sunday I was glad my kids weren't paying attention!
- Connie Holladay and I played Joy to the World piano/organ duet by Sally DeFord for the last number and it was phenomenal! The congregation and us combined was a highlight for me and we had so many people who expressed their appreciation. I also played the prelude and snuck in Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.
- We had a quiet Christmas turkey dinner at home all by ourselves and enjoyed our time!
-Boxing Day Cliff went off to work and the kids and I headed to Cardston. We played and played and played and ate and ate and ate! Auntie Kizzy and Auntie Lishie were able to be there and so was Grandpa Dooley. Paxton and the boys had so much fun together - especially as Grandpa chased them around and around and around. I wish we would have thought to film it.
- 28th we headed to Taber to play with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson. Managed to see some other Johnson family as well and enjoyed our time with cousin Cohen as well. We even stayed longer because Cliff had to work and mom and dad J didn't! I was still hurting so stopped in Lethbridge to get cousin Nick to adjust me before heading home - it helped a lot
- 30th we finally made it home! We spent a quiet New Years together and took Christmas down to get ready for Grammie S to visit!
Christmas was AWESOME!
- we took the kids to Edmonton and stayed over night in a great hotel
- played with Uncle Jamie, had some fun in the pool(Brock still HATES swimming)
- went to Fantasy Land next day.
- we all had a great time until I decided to ride the mind bender and ended up with a mild case of whiplash. I'm talented that way
- drugs and stick-on heat pads kept me moving - I was determined not to ruin the afternoon
- Christmas Eve started new tradition of family puzzle - didn't get it finished but it was fun
- went sledding at the Poplar Ridge school hill - it's huge and the kids and Cliff had a blast with a ton of friends who came too. I was still hurting and Cliff bruised his heel badly when he and Rhett slid into the swings!
- spent the evening with Paynes - home made pizza, the nativity with 4 Kings, not 3, presents and chocolate fondue
- opened new jammies
- Christmas Day Cliff and Zane woke everyone else up ( I had been up since 3:30 coughing and had just gone back to bed) when I heard Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra blasting through the house. How can you be grumpy?
- Took Brock a long time to get into things in the morning
- everyone had a great morning
- Church on Christmas day is AWESOME!!!! LOVED it - minus the brother who announced over the pulpit that Santa wasn't real - only Sunday I was glad my kids weren't paying attention!
- Connie Holladay and I played Joy to the World piano/organ duet by Sally DeFord for the last number and it was phenomenal! The congregation and us combined was a highlight for me and we had so many people who expressed their appreciation. I also played the prelude and snuck in Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.
- We had a quiet Christmas turkey dinner at home all by ourselves and enjoyed our time!
-Boxing Day Cliff went off to work and the kids and I headed to Cardston. We played and played and played and ate and ate and ate! Auntie Kizzy and Auntie Lishie were able to be there and so was Grandpa Dooley. Paxton and the boys had so much fun together - especially as Grandpa chased them around and around and around. I wish we would have thought to film it.
- 28th we headed to Taber to play with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson. Managed to see some other Johnson family as well and enjoyed our time with cousin Cohen as well. We even stayed longer because Cliff had to work and mom and dad J didn't! I was still hurting so stopped in Lethbridge to get cousin Nick to adjust me before heading home - it helped a lot
- 30th we finally made it home! We spent a quiet New Years together and took Christmas down to get ready for Grammie S to visit!
The Kings...
Three of the kings
New Jammies!
Brock starting to think Christmas morning is OK
Rhett a little sideways...me and blogger are not getting along...sorry!
New shorts and ties
A real football!
Sorry for the sideways pictures...not sure why blogger thinks they look better this way!
And I hope to post again soon :)
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Christmas Letter - 2011
Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!
I apologize for the electronic version of this letter but it's all time allows this year. We have had another busy and fun filled year. I can't believe how fast it has gone by and that we are looking at a new year rapidly approaching! Without further ado, here's a look at the Johnson family this past year!
Zane turned 8 this year and was baptized by Cliff on March 26th. We were able to have lots of family and friends there to share the day with us and it was a highlight for us all. Now that he's 8, Zane gets to participate in cubs, and was so excited that his birthday was on a Tuesday so he could start on his actual birthday. He loves to go and has already earned several badges. His love for sports continues to grow and he is often found with a ball in hand. He played soccer again this spring but thinks he wants to try football next year instead. And he loved the basketball course he just completed this fall. He can't wait to start the next session in the new year. Music plays a big part in Zane's life as well. He still takes piano lessons from mom, and sings in the school choir as well as the youth choir at church. He's happy to do it and I'm thrilled that my love of music is being carried on. Zane keeps busy with friends and brothers and is very social. He doesn't like just sitting at home - he'd much rather be out and doing. He LOVED camping with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson this year and can't wait for next summer so we can do it again.
Rhett turned 5 in May this year and spent many months waiting for September to come so he could go to school. He kept busy playing with friends and Zane, visiting family (I think we spent more time in Southern Alberta this summer than here at home) and growing up! He still refused to ride a bike this summer despite efforts and threats, but did overcome his fear of lakes and was much more outgoing and adventuresome than last year. He loved the obstacle course at Camp Woods when we camped with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, and even camped over night without mom and dad! School started and he has continued to blossom. He loves to color, write and draw. He's learning to read and is picking it up fabulously. He sang in both the primary presentation at church and in the choir at this school Christmas concert. He wasn't happy about either but he took a deep breath and did it! Rhett also participated in basketball this fall and did really great. It was awesome to watch him with kids his age and for him to realize that he can keep up and compete with kids his age instead of trying to match Zane and his friends. He's been great at including Brock at home and enjoys being boss of the house on his non-school days. He's made lots of friends at school and we can't seem to go anywhere these days without someone calling out "hi Rhett!"
Brock is the definition of busy boy. He seems to be in constant motion. The beginning of the year brought birthday #2 to our baby. Sigh. Not so much a baby anymore! He loves anything and everything that his brothers are doing or want to do, and is determined to do it as well. He discovered a love for jumping on the trampoline this summer and was thrilled when we got one of our own. Mom had many heart attacks watching him jump with the big boys but thankfully we were spared any major injuries. Brock is normally a happy kid - as long as things are going his way. And as the baby of the family he tends to get that quite often. He's an expert at getting his brothers to cave and mom and dad are known to do that as well. He LOVES technology. He knows how to run my iPhone, Cliff's Samsung, and is so excited when Jas comes with his i-4. It's frightening sometimes to see how well he navigates between the games and movies on them. His vocabulary has improved a lot lately which has helped alleviate a lot of frustration between he and I. Thank goodness. He loved trick or treating and all the candy, but refused any attempt at a costume except a hockey jersey. Oh well. This year is the first that he's been really great at leaving Christmas alone in the house. He "helped" decorate the tree, and only had a few days of trying to un-decorate it before he lost interest. Not interested in Santa again this year, but did condone to give him "five" as we walked by in the mall one day. We think he's pretty great most days!
Cliff and I celebrated our 10th anniversary this year with a week in Mexico. We loved it and can't wait to go back this year. We won a trip back to the same resort and are looking forward to another week off! Cliff is still working at Trail and enjoying it. He also finds time to wrestle with the boys, play volleyball and floor hockey and golf of course. We actually camped two times this year, and yes, I survived both. We were able to enjoy our Jackson side of the family during the camping and the kids LOVED every moment of it. It's growing on me now that the kids are getting bigger. I've kept busy teaching piano, chasing kids, serving in my church calling, and babysitting for a friend who has gone back to work. We were blessed to spend a lot of time this summer with both sides of family with camping, visiting, trips to Waterton, and lots of sun and fun with friends.
We love living in Sylvan Lake and are blessed to be surrounded with friends who love us and whom we love like family. We miss our families and friends but enjoy all the time we are granted to spend with you through the year. Thanks for making 2011 such a wonderful year. God bless and Merry Christmas!
Cliff, Kelly, Zane, Rhett and Brock
I apologize for the electronic version of this letter but it's all time allows this year. We have had another busy and fun filled year. I can't believe how fast it has gone by and that we are looking at a new year rapidly approaching! Without further ado, here's a look at the Johnson family this past year!
Zane turned 8 this year and was baptized by Cliff on March 26th. We were able to have lots of family and friends there to share the day with us and it was a highlight for us all. Now that he's 8, Zane gets to participate in cubs, and was so excited that his birthday was on a Tuesday so he could start on his actual birthday. He loves to go and has already earned several badges. His love for sports continues to grow and he is often found with a ball in hand. He played soccer again this spring but thinks he wants to try football next year instead. And he loved the basketball course he just completed this fall. He can't wait to start the next session in the new year. Music plays a big part in Zane's life as well. He still takes piano lessons from mom, and sings in the school choir as well as the youth choir at church. He's happy to do it and I'm thrilled that my love of music is being carried on. Zane keeps busy with friends and brothers and is very social. He doesn't like just sitting at home - he'd much rather be out and doing. He LOVED camping with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson this year and can't wait for next summer so we can do it again.
Rhett turned 5 in May this year and spent many months waiting for September to come so he could go to school. He kept busy playing with friends and Zane, visiting family (I think we spent more time in Southern Alberta this summer than here at home) and growing up! He still refused to ride a bike this summer despite efforts and threats, but did overcome his fear of lakes and was much more outgoing and adventuresome than last year. He loved the obstacle course at Camp Woods when we camped with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, and even camped over night without mom and dad! School started and he has continued to blossom. He loves to color, write and draw. He's learning to read and is picking it up fabulously. He sang in both the primary presentation at church and in the choir at this school Christmas concert. He wasn't happy about either but he took a deep breath and did it! Rhett also participated in basketball this fall and did really great. It was awesome to watch him with kids his age and for him to realize that he can keep up and compete with kids his age instead of trying to match Zane and his friends. He's been great at including Brock at home and enjoys being boss of the house on his non-school days. He's made lots of friends at school and we can't seem to go anywhere these days without someone calling out "hi Rhett!"
Brock is the definition of busy boy. He seems to be in constant motion. The beginning of the year brought birthday #2 to our baby. Sigh. Not so much a baby anymore! He loves anything and everything that his brothers are doing or want to do, and is determined to do it as well. He discovered a love for jumping on the trampoline this summer and was thrilled when we got one of our own. Mom had many heart attacks watching him jump with the big boys but thankfully we were spared any major injuries. Brock is normally a happy kid - as long as things are going his way. And as the baby of the family he tends to get that quite often. He's an expert at getting his brothers to cave and mom and dad are known to do that as well. He LOVES technology. He knows how to run my iPhone, Cliff's Samsung, and is so excited when Jas comes with his i-4. It's frightening sometimes to see how well he navigates between the games and movies on them. His vocabulary has improved a lot lately which has helped alleviate a lot of frustration between he and I. Thank goodness. He loved trick or treating and all the candy, but refused any attempt at a costume except a hockey jersey. Oh well. This year is the first that he's been really great at leaving Christmas alone in the house. He "helped" decorate the tree, and only had a few days of trying to un-decorate it before he lost interest. Not interested in Santa again this year, but did condone to give him "five" as we walked by in the mall one day. We think he's pretty great most days!
Cliff and I celebrated our 10th anniversary this year with a week in Mexico. We loved it and can't wait to go back this year. We won a trip back to the same resort and are looking forward to another week off! Cliff is still working at Trail and enjoying it. He also finds time to wrestle with the boys, play volleyball and floor hockey and golf of course. We actually camped two times this year, and yes, I survived both. We were able to enjoy our Jackson side of the family during the camping and the kids LOVED every moment of it. It's growing on me now that the kids are getting bigger. I've kept busy teaching piano, chasing kids, serving in my church calling, and babysitting for a friend who has gone back to work. We were blessed to spend a lot of time this summer with both sides of family with camping, visiting, trips to Waterton, and lots of sun and fun with friends.
We love living in Sylvan Lake and are blessed to be surrounded with friends who love us and whom we love like family. We miss our families and friends but enjoy all the time we are granted to spend with you through the year. Thanks for making 2011 such a wonderful year. God bless and Merry Christmas!
Cliff, Kelly, Zane, Rhett and Brock
What to say?
What to say after being absent for so long and not recording so many things? The last I wrote was about how much Rhett was loving kindergarten. Sigh. Blogging has been on my mind a lot in the last couple of months....it just always seems to get put at the bottom of the to-dos. So, I'll do a quick re-cap of everyone over the last couple of months.
Brock: growing and changing every day. He is the source of much laughter for his grandparents, (especially Grandpa Dooley) and much frustration for his mother. He is busy embodied. Always testing limits, always figuring out something new, and very rarely still. I love this boy, who is definitely ALL boy. He has recently begun talking a lot more. I knew he would, but it has still been a relief and joy to hear him actually use the words he knows. One of his recent favorites are Zane and Rhett's names - he calls to them in his very loudest, longest voice possible when they are not in his sight. He's discovered a love for coloring....and has been known to use crayons/markers on my walls a few times. Grrr. He has no interest in potty training, is definitely my smallest at this age out of the three, and is rapidly leaving two and toddler hood behind as three is looming. Part of me is jumping up and down to be leaving the baby stage behind, and part of me mourns a little. I'm trying to enjoy and love the "baby" things he still does now because I know my days are limited! He is still not a stellar sleeper but I think we're getting closer to that being resolved as well.
Rhett: Is still loving kindergarten. He has taken to school like a fish to water and continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Including growing like a weed physically! He refuses to wear jeans or pants that have snaps, zippers and buttons. Only pants that he can pull on. And with the wonderful sizing these days, I'm constantly searching for pants that are just the right length. I'm often struggling with too short or too long. I don't care so much on home days, but on days he goes to school it drives me nuts to have his pants inches above his ankles. Small issue, I know, but it bugs me. But I digress. He has made lots of friends at school and always has kids saying "hi Rhett" when we're leaving school or out running errands. He and Zane took a basketball course this fall and it was great for him. They were in different age groups so Rhett finally got a chance to learn a new skill with kids his own age and it was awesome. They're both looking forward to the second session this new year. Building, video games, coloring, and anything with friends and his brothers is still high on his list and he has found he likes being boss on non-school days. He wasn't thrilled about singing in the Primary presentation or his Christmas concert but he did both bravely, and lived to tell the tale. I'm so proud of my Rhett man!
Zane: Is growing up before our eyes. I'm starting to fear for my height...my days are numbered that's for sure. Zane is still excelling at school and is very social. He's been great at walking home with Rhett after school and that saves me a ton of time in my day. He always has some kind of ball or sport something in his hands or going on. And he loved the basket ball course they took. His coaches were very impressed with his skill level and are looking forward to him coming back. Maybe by the time his age group reaches high school we'll be able to compete with the southern Alberta teams. Ha ha ha. Zane also loves to sing and is old enough now to sing in the school choir, the youth choir at church and participated in the Christmas choir for his grade. At one point between all the performances he said "I just have so many Christmas songs stuck in my head!" He loves to perform and takes it very seriously. He also loves being old enough for cubs and can't wait for Tuesday night to roll around.
Cliff: Is busy with work, playing volleyball and floor hockey and was recently called to be the Elders Quorum secretary. And of course helping me with the general chaos that ensues around here on a daily basis.
Family:
Thanksgiving was great- we managed to come home and see both of families. The small amount of time we get with you is never enough and we always end up missing someone, but we love the time we're able to spend with those we saw.
We did the Halloween thing - LOTS of candy between the trunk or treat and then actual trick or treating. I actually dressed up but have no picture proof because we were running late and the RS was in charge of cookie decorating at the trunk or treat. I made a pretty good last minute witch if I do say so myself.
I held off decorating for Christmas until November 20th....gasp I know. I was later this year and again have no pictures to prove it but I LOVE my tree this year. And besides a few touches Brock has left it alone. (The enraged phone call to grandma and papa demanding they come get him may have deterred him a little. I came out of the shower one day and he had undecorated a significant portion of the tree. Brock = busy remember?)
And just so you know, the next post is going to be my "official" family Christmas letter. I'm cheating and doing it that way because it just didn't happen. I hope to make blogging more of a priority in the new year...but don't hold me to it!
Brock: growing and changing every day. He is the source of much laughter for his grandparents, (especially Grandpa Dooley) and much frustration for his mother. He is busy embodied. Always testing limits, always figuring out something new, and very rarely still. I love this boy, who is definitely ALL boy. He has recently begun talking a lot more. I knew he would, but it has still been a relief and joy to hear him actually use the words he knows. One of his recent favorites are Zane and Rhett's names - he calls to them in his very loudest, longest voice possible when they are not in his sight. He's discovered a love for coloring....and has been known to use crayons/markers on my walls a few times. Grrr. He has no interest in potty training, is definitely my smallest at this age out of the three, and is rapidly leaving two and toddler hood behind as three is looming. Part of me is jumping up and down to be leaving the baby stage behind, and part of me mourns a little. I'm trying to enjoy and love the "baby" things he still does now because I know my days are limited! He is still not a stellar sleeper but I think we're getting closer to that being resolved as well.
Rhett: Is still loving kindergarten. He has taken to school like a fish to water and continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Including growing like a weed physically! He refuses to wear jeans or pants that have snaps, zippers and buttons. Only pants that he can pull on. And with the wonderful sizing these days, I'm constantly searching for pants that are just the right length. I'm often struggling with too short or too long. I don't care so much on home days, but on days he goes to school it drives me nuts to have his pants inches above his ankles. Small issue, I know, but it bugs me. But I digress. He has made lots of friends at school and always has kids saying "hi Rhett" when we're leaving school or out running errands. He and Zane took a basketball course this fall and it was great for him. They were in different age groups so Rhett finally got a chance to learn a new skill with kids his own age and it was awesome. They're both looking forward to the second session this new year. Building, video games, coloring, and anything with friends and his brothers is still high on his list and he has found he likes being boss on non-school days. He wasn't thrilled about singing in the Primary presentation or his Christmas concert but he did both bravely, and lived to tell the tale. I'm so proud of my Rhett man!
Zane: Is growing up before our eyes. I'm starting to fear for my height...my days are numbered that's for sure. Zane is still excelling at school and is very social. He's been great at walking home with Rhett after school and that saves me a ton of time in my day. He always has some kind of ball or sport something in his hands or going on. And he loved the basket ball course they took. His coaches were very impressed with his skill level and are looking forward to him coming back. Maybe by the time his age group reaches high school we'll be able to compete with the southern Alberta teams. Ha ha ha. Zane also loves to sing and is old enough now to sing in the school choir, the youth choir at church and participated in the Christmas choir for his grade. At one point between all the performances he said "I just have so many Christmas songs stuck in my head!" He loves to perform and takes it very seriously. He also loves being old enough for cubs and can't wait for Tuesday night to roll around.
Cliff: Is busy with work, playing volleyball and floor hockey and was recently called to be the Elders Quorum secretary. And of course helping me with the general chaos that ensues around here on a daily basis.
Family:
Thanksgiving was great- we managed to come home and see both of families. The small amount of time we get with you is never enough and we always end up missing someone, but we love the time we're able to spend with those we saw.
We did the Halloween thing - LOTS of candy between the trunk or treat and then actual trick or treating. I actually dressed up but have no picture proof because we were running late and the RS was in charge of cookie decorating at the trunk or treat. I made a pretty good last minute witch if I do say so myself.
I held off decorating for Christmas until November 20th....gasp I know. I was later this year and again have no pictures to prove it but I LOVE my tree this year. And besides a few touches Brock has left it alone. (The enraged phone call to grandma and papa demanding they come get him may have deterred him a little. I came out of the shower one day and he had undecorated a significant portion of the tree. Brock = busy remember?)
And just so you know, the next post is going to be my "official" family Christmas letter. I'm cheating and doing it that way because it just didn't happen. I hope to make blogging more of a priority in the new year...but don't hold me to it!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Bragging About Rhett
OK, first of all let's just get it out there that I haven't blogged in FOREVER!!!
Now that we all acknowledge my hiatus we can move on to more important things like this boy:
Here's Rhett on his first day of KINDERGARTEN!!!! I was so nervous for him. He's never been my outgoing boy, never wanted to pick up a crayon, marker, pair of scissors etc and so was starting without knowing how to do anything crafty. And our kindergarten is one big art class (which I think is awesome) but can you understand why I was a little anxious? He knows all his letters and numbers, can read a few simple words and even do some math...but a pencil? Not interested. Why would you want to use that when you can type your name on the computer? But I digress.
We agreed that Cliff would take him for the first 'real' day of school. A couple of days prior Rhett and I had gone for the orientation, but since Cliff will normally be dropping him off I thought he should just start from day one. Plus, I didn't want to risk crying at school. This boy was up, dressed and chomping at the bit before 7:00am. Oi. I was able to contain his excitement until it was time to go and then....he was gone. And I had all day to stress. As the hours passed and I didn't get a phone call from the school I was feeling a little better about it...but still a little edgy. I practically ran the 3 blocks to the school to pick him up and found him grinning from ear to ear! Yep, my middle son who doesn't say boo to anyone he doesn't know, acted like a day in kindergarten with a bunch of people he didn't know was NO BIG DEAL! Can I get a hallelujah!?!
Oh but it gets better. After chattering my ear off on the way home he promptly pulls out his "homework" (a replica worksheet of the letter they did in class that day) and proceeds to ask me for crayons so he can color in his picture. After picking my jaw up off the floor and finding him some crayons he proceeded to color very carefully for a good 20 minutes. Um, wow.
And now we are a month and a half into school. He goes every Monday and Wednesday and every other Friday. (We're a full day program here). On non-school days he counts sleeps until he goes back to school and always has something to say about school when you ask him. He's very serious about doing "quality" work when it comes to his coloring and has even started coloring for fun. His confidence in himself grows every day and it has been AWESOME to watch him blossom into this fab 5 year old. Not that he wasn't fab before - I just mean that he's even better now!
He also started a basketball course, clinic? What do you call it? He goes once a week for an hour with a bunch of kids and coaches to learn basketball skills and have fun. He loved it and it has now been added to the countdown of sleeps. (Thanks Havan Built Hoops!)
I love this boy....
Now that we all acknowledge my hiatus we can move on to more important things like this boy:
Here's Rhett on his first day of KINDERGARTEN!!!! I was so nervous for him. He's never been my outgoing boy, never wanted to pick up a crayon, marker, pair of scissors etc and so was starting without knowing how to do anything crafty. And our kindergarten is one big art class (which I think is awesome) but can you understand why I was a little anxious? He knows all his letters and numbers, can read a few simple words and even do some math...but a pencil? Not interested. Why would you want to use that when you can type your name on the computer? But I digress.
We agreed that Cliff would take him for the first 'real' day of school. A couple of days prior Rhett and I had gone for the orientation, but since Cliff will normally be dropping him off I thought he should just start from day one. Plus, I didn't want to risk crying at school. This boy was up, dressed and chomping at the bit before 7:00am. Oi. I was able to contain his excitement until it was time to go and then....he was gone. And I had all day to stress. As the hours passed and I didn't get a phone call from the school I was feeling a little better about it...but still a little edgy. I practically ran the 3 blocks to the school to pick him up and found him grinning from ear to ear! Yep, my middle son who doesn't say boo to anyone he doesn't know, acted like a day in kindergarten with a bunch of people he didn't know was NO BIG DEAL! Can I get a hallelujah!?!
Oh but it gets better. After chattering my ear off on the way home he promptly pulls out his "homework" (a replica worksheet of the letter they did in class that day) and proceeds to ask me for crayons so he can color in his picture. After picking my jaw up off the floor and finding him some crayons he proceeded to color very carefully for a good 20 minutes. Um, wow.
And now we are a month and a half into school. He goes every Monday and Wednesday and every other Friday. (We're a full day program here). On non-school days he counts sleeps until he goes back to school and always has something to say about school when you ask him. He's very serious about doing "quality" work when it comes to his coloring and has even started coloring for fun. His confidence in himself grows every day and it has been AWESOME to watch him blossom into this fab 5 year old. Not that he wasn't fab before - I just mean that he's even better now!
He also started a basketball course, clinic? What do you call it? He goes once a week for an hour with a bunch of kids and coaches to learn basketball skills and have fun. He loved it and it has now been added to the countdown of sleeps. (Thanks Havan Built Hoops!)
I love this boy....
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