Family Update

It isn't easy to keep up with life AND a blog.  I keep proving that to myself.  But, life has been okay for us.  No big news to share, but I thought I'd update anyway with just a little about what is going on in our lives.

OVERALL - It has been a long, cold, snowy winter.  We are all ready for spring, and some recent warm days has meant a lot of outside time (especially for the kids.)  This momma is ready for smaller loads of laundry, and the smell of sunscreen! :)

CHAILLE - She is well aware that her 5th birthday is rapidly approaching.  She has been very healthy since February and the little "flu" bug that had her with fever and cold like symptoms.  She is reading like a champ, and could give Nolan a run for his money very soon.  She can count by 1's, 5's, and 10's and count about as high as you want her to.  She can add single digits, and I think she will thrive in Kindergarten next year.  She LOVES school and she loves to just sit and color.  She will do it for hours at a time.  She's grown and is currently wearing size 7/8 shirts and size 6 or 7 jeans. 

NOLAN - Nolan is 6 now, and he is an amazing little man.  He is doing very well in school and is quite athletic.  We signed him up for baseball this spring, and are anxious to see the difference a year has made for him.  He did very well last year for being one of the youngest on the team.  He is in love with Legos ever since Steve took the kids to see the Lego movie.  He makes some pretty amazing things with them.  He also is growing like a weed and moving onto size 8/10 shirts and size 7/8 pants.  He has started reading with more emphasis and more smoothly.  He's ready for 1st grade for sure.

SILAS - Silas is doing amazingly well in school, bringing home good grades every week.  He is a sharp guy with such athleticism.  I can't wait to see him play baseball with the older boys this year.  As his dad says, "He's a natural."  He just gets it.  He has struggled emotionally with some of the boys at school.  Thankfully he has an amazing teacher, and she has been on top of it.  He just needs to realize that the majority of the behavior he is receiving is likely out of jealousy.  And we are quite proud that he has not bought into the behavior and been in trouble himself.  He's a remarkable young man!

AVERY - Avery is just wonderful.  He's been involved with a lot this year.  Spell bowl, math bowl, sports.... And he handles it all in stride.  He did awesome on his round in Math Bowl, and they finished 1st in their division at the meet and 18th in the state.  He was recognized at the final home basketball game for earning his 100 AR points, and constantly has a book in his hand.  His books of choice are usually non-fiction, and the topics he reads about tell you a lot about his personality (sports, history, world facts, etc.)  He is a smart cookie and it comes from his love of learning. :)

STEVE - Steve, after a few weeks on shift again, was asked to teach some classes for the Fire Dept.  So, he has been back on days for 4 weeks now.  We have transitioned quickly back into that life. He has 2 more weeks of it, and we are enjoying it while we can.  The good news is that he will be home with us some on our 2nd week of spring break.  While we aren't going any where this year, it will be great to have some of the time together as a family.  Steve has had some stress with work, but he handles it well.  He is my hero.  He handles life in the most mature way, yet he doesn't take life too seriously. He's the most wonderful father and husband, and he shows us that he loves us EVERY day.

JEN - I'm doing well.  The weather changing has had me congested for several weeks now, and I'm over it... But otherwise I'm doing okay.  Things at work are beyond stressful, but thankfully it seems that the things that are going on don't affect me in any way.  That's a relief, but it doesn't help the atmosphere.  People are edgy, and rightfully so.  Spring break is coming at a good time (March 22) and I'll be thankful for a couple of weeks where I can focus on my home and my family.  I'm counting my blessings that God has worked in my life the way he has. (I'm going to update on this testimony on my momma's blog here soon.)  God is certainly beside us right now. 

Well, the kids have been helping around the house today, and we promised them some Frosty Boy this evening.  I'd better get cleaned up so that we can head out.  I pray today finds you happy, healthy, and full of thankfullness!  Back soon. (maybe with pictures next time...)

1/25 - 2/1 Sickness

What a week it has been...

After Nolan was diagnosed with strep last Thursday, the health of this family went downhill fast. Silas started coughing and complaining of body aches on Sunday. Took him to the doctor twice and was told it wasn't strep or the flu. Just a virus.

By Wednesday Avery had it and Thursday Chaille and Steve came down with it. I had the congestion but not the fever and such. I'm the only one who had a flu shot, so I can't help but wonder if it wasn't the flu after all. How else did I not get it???

Now we have shared beyond the family and our babysitter has it. I feel bad having exposed others!!!

So, with calling in subs on Monday and Friday, and a snow day Tuesday, I had a short week at work. I'm so ready to return to routine. With the forecast, it doesn't look promising. :(

I haven't taken a ton of pictures this week, but I will share what I have. Hope to have news of a better week health wise and Nolans birthday soon.

Another week 1/20 - 1/24

What a cold week it has been!!! We had a couple of measurable snows, Monday night and Wednesday night. We had school cancelled on Tuesday and then delays the rest of the week. I've enjoyed the later mornings, and judging by the forecast, I predict another sporadic week ahead.

This week we had baseball Monday evening, Awana on Wednesday, and a busy Friday evening. Silas had a birthday party, Steve had a poker night with some friends, and the other kids and I had dinner with my parents. Thursday afternoon Steve took Nolan to the doctor. We found out he has strep. :( The bug has very slowly made its way through the kids. Silas May or may not be next...

I'm attaching some pictures. In one, Nolan is reading to "Sparky"  from Awana. He got to bring him home for the week. In another picture, Chaille is reading a BOB book to Steve. The final picture is right now. The kids are laying in our bed watching Dolphin Tale. I love these sweet moments!!!

Weekend 1/17 - 1/19

We have had a really fun weekend. On Friday night my parents watched the kids and Steve and I went out to dinner and to Starbucks. Saturday, we picked up the kids and came home for lunch. Then Steve took the kids shopping for my birthday at bath and body works and goodies.  They picked out lots of smell good items and a new coat, which I greatly needed! He fixed chili for supper and we played at home in the evening. This morning we attended church and came home for lunch. Then we met the McGuires for sledding at the park. We are home now watching the Broncos play football.

I forgot to add that Steve was supposed to be on shift yesterday but took the day off for my birthday. :)

This morning before church, Steve gave Silas a "shave" with the back of his razor. I had to include the photos.

Thursday 1/16

Wednesday 1/15

No pictures today...

Today was a good day for all of us, I think. We had school, and then Awana. While the kids were there, Steve and I had dinner at Applebees with some gift certificates we received for Christmas. He picked up the kids while I picked up some things from Wal-Mart for school. Today was a very fast day, and actually this week has passed rather quickly!

Tuesday 1/14 Ordinary Day

The days I love most in life are the "ordinary days." Those days where you just do routine, live, and love those God has blessed you with. Today was an ordinary day. We spent our morning thanking God that we were running behind, which kept us out of an accident on the way to school. We spent our day at school, and Steve spent his in a meeting. We came home and Steve fixed a wonderful dinner and we ate around the table as a family, as we often do. And after dinner, we had homework and playing and lots of love. It is in the days like this that I know memories are formed most. In the travel time and dinner time conversations that we produce the most fruitful discussions. And in the tucking in that kids are assured that they are loved by both their parents and their Heavenly Father.

Lord, we don't live a perfect life, but thank you for these blessings. Thank you for the ordinary days. I know that one day I will long for just one more of these. I treasure this gift of family and love. You are amazing.

Monday 1/13 Baseball begins

We returned to reality today. It has been a great day. In addition to school, we had our first baseball practice of the season.  Feels good to be back into the routine. These guys should sleep well tonight.

A Chaille first

Today, I was walking up the stairs and found a patch of perfectly straight cut hair. It was long and I immediately knew...

Chaille.

She had her first experience with using scissors to cut her hair. I thought we had dodged that bullet, as she is very mature for her age.

Thankfully she cut the bangs in the front and she left them pretty long. She only cut the amount you see in the picture below, and how really can't tell when you look at her hair. She now knows that the second offense will mean she can no longer use scissors when she crafts. (And she LOVES to craft.) Hopefully this first was also a last!!!!

Sunday 1/12

What a fun, Family day. We got up for pancakes and eggs when Steve got hone from work, attended church, went for slushies and then headed to Sam's club for some things we needed for the week. We came home and watched football, did housework and made supper. This evening I took Silas, Avery, and Chaille to watch the Children's Christmas program at church (which had been postponed twice.) We came home and got showers and all of our stuff ready for a full week of school (fingers crossed!!!) Looking forward to the return to routine for a while.