Our Kiddie Ditties: May 2011

I have loved this Spring! I have loved the cool, rainy weather. It makes me miss Portland....a lot! Sometimes I feel we go from Winter to Summer too fast. The kids have loved being outside, even in the rain at times. I have gotten some cute pictures of Ruth enjoying the sunshine. A few weeks ago I picked up my Grandma and had a chance to spend the day with her. It's so weird to see your Grandparents age. My Grandma is such an amazing woman has been and still is such an influence in my life. My crazy love for healthy food comes from her. I remember calling her years ago needing advice about my health and she just had all the answers. I am amazed at the kind of shape she is in. She is even more fit that I am. She enjoyed playing with Rachel, Joe and Ruth. She has Alzheimer's. In so many ways she is still herself, just more forgetful. She is very musical. She has an amazing voice!!! She will often sing. The kids had fun singing songs with her. She loves children, especially as she becomes more child-like as she ages. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with her. I wish I could do it more often.

My schooling opportunity fell through earlier this month. I was very disappointed but know that things happen for a reason. I have been looking into other options but nothing seems to fit, so I am putting my schooling off for another year. The other day Hailey said to me..."Mom, I'm glad you aren't going to school, I think I'm really going to need you this year. I'm scared to start Junior High." This comment, along with many other changes in our lives, made me sure of my decision to wait. Dan received a new calling this month as 1st counselor in the Young Men's Presidency. He is excited about this calling! I think he will be great! Again, this will be another reason that my being out of the home full-time is not a good idea right now. One of the things I wanted most was to be home with my kids. I have been able to do this. It has been such a huge blessing. I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. I'll get my schooling done when the time is right.

This Spring we've had Hailey in soccer, Joe in soccer and Abby in softball. It's been fun to go to some of their games. Many were cancelled due to weather. Joe is awesome at soccer! His last game he made 6 goals! He is fast! It's been fun to watch! Hailey has played defender. She isn't a fan of soccer but it's been fun to see her improve at soccer from Fall to Spring. This is Abby's second season of Softball. She loves it! She is getting better as well. Having 3 kids in sports this Spring has been a lot though! I think we will only have two kids enrolled in the Fall. This last Saturday all three kids had a game at Noon. Ugh.

Hailey was chosen Student of the Month in April. It was fun to go and meet with the principal of her school and have him read a few fun things about Hailey. She is such an incredible girl! She is so responsible and smart and gorgeous! I can't believe how she has changed over this last year. She was recently made Beehive President in her class at church. She truly loves all the girls in her class and doesn't have a bad thing to say about any of them.

Joe lost his first top tooth. He pulled it out all by himself. He has been trying to get that tooth out for a couple of weeks. He is so funny!

Rachel put on a cute little play with two of her friends from school. They had outfit changes, lots of songs, a welcome banner, goodies, dancing and a program. It was at her friends home. It was so cute to see! There should be a pic of that below. She is such a sweet girl!

Abby...oh Abby. She is my carefree girl. All she can think about is boys. She is always dancing and singing. She makes me laugh. I wish I were more like her. She is changing a lot too! It's so cool and yet so strange to see my babies turn into young women. I recently went to an Artists night at her school. She wrote a story and drew a picture with it. Afterward we went to the park to play. There was a girl there her age, she just went up to her and introduced herself and made a new friend. She has always been this way. Seriously...I want to be more like that.

Ruth is CRAZY! I love this girl so much. I have enjoyed her soooo much! She is jabbering a ton! She says a few words like..."Joe", "uh-oh", "don't", "no", "ma-ma". She is so sassy! She likes singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and she loves to dance. If only I could slow time down and enjoy her this age a little longer.

I'm so grateful for my babies! I am so blessed!