One Incredible Woman

This smile comes from a woman that gains her happiness and joy through serving others. This is Jared's mom. Her life is devoted to her family's well-being, as well as her friends. She is an incredibly talented nurturer, cleaner, and organizer.
The day after we had our first child, Jared had to go to a business conference out of town. She took me into her home, gave me her bed and room while she slept on a mattress in her living room, fed me delicious food, and gave me advice that I'd never heard or even imagined that I would need after giving birth to a child. Needless to say, she took care of and showed me how to care for my newborn baby as well.
She put up with our whole family living in her basement for several weeks while our first home was being refinished. Each time I had a baby, she came in and helped with whatever needed done, usually tons of laundry and house cleaning.
When Evan got sick, she quit her job and spent countless hours, days, weeks helping us, whether it be in the hospital, especially while I was in the other hospital having my 3rd child, or at our home, where she kept it and the laundry under control during that entire difficult year.
On Match Day, when we found out that we would be moving to Missouri, she was in the hospital after having a hip replacement the day before, and when we called to tell her, she cried because she was hoping so much that we would get to stay in Utah, but she quickly added that she would ride up with me in the van to help with the kids on the trip. She helped us survive the long 3 day journey up here, and then stayed for a week to help us unpack and get organized, especially the kitchen, which she unpacked and put away completely, making it convenient for me to finally use all of my things, including the china that we stored for years!
Her health hasn't been the best, but she tries to ignore her aches and pains and continues to serve others.
I have learned so much from her Christlike example, and I think I've become a little better of a person because of her.

We love you Gramma Judy!

Happy Birthday!

Back to School: Kindergarten and 5th Grade 1st Day

The School-goers

I had to stop them to get this photo. They were so anxious to get to school. The little man in pink is Jace's good friend and neighbor. Actually he's great friends with all our kids. They'll be walking buddies all year.

Kyle and Lance We met a flock of wild geese on our path toward school. Too bad they're in a school yard. Jared would love to get a permit for these tasty meals.
Buddies.

Lance found his spot without a problem.

... And it turned out to be a great day! Amazingly, even though we live very close to the school, we are also in the zone for getting a bus ride (they don't count the shortcut we take, they count the distance away from school by driving distance), so Lance will walk to school with Jace in the morning, and ride the bus home with the other kindergartners. One of the first things he asked me was, "How did you and Kyle do while I was gone?" His concern for his brother is so sweet. Kyle really wanted to stay and do puzzles with Lance. I told him we did okay, but we missed him, Cami too :)

I looked out my window this afternoon, during Cami's naptime, and saw two brothers playing together again in the backyard, grateful for each other's company. Sweet. I am so glad he's only gone for the morning!

I didn't get a picture of Jace coming home because he snuck inside and was doing his homework long before I realized it. Typical behavior from Jace. He had a great day, too, and was anxious to play with his neighbor friends as soon as he was done. He likes his teacher and is making lots of friends, he says. Looks like it's going to be an awesome year.

Back to School Party!

My mom always had these when my siblings and I were school-goers. She wrapped all our school supplies and new clothes to open before each new school year and we had a little party to get us excited to go back to school. I thought about it while Jace has been in school, but wasn't sure if I was ready for that kind of commitment every year. Plus, he was already excited enough, back then, to go to school.

This year seemed like a good time to start. Jace had a lot of homework last year, and isn't looking forward to that again. And Lance is beginning Kindergarten! So the kids and I went shopping together for school supplies. I gave Jace and Lance their lists, and they pushed their own carts around the store and loaded them. Kyle and Cami helped, of course. I found a few extra glue sticks and items that didn't even look like school supplies in the cart.

Then yesterday while Jared was home, I took off to Kohl's (I just found out that we live right by it!) and got some shopping done so the boys would have crisp new clothes. I remember how much I loved getting new school clothes. I bought a few cute things for me, too, of course, to reward myself for the great job I did of shopping :)

It seemed like a waste to just hand all these new things to them without a party!waiting patiently to open the goods while mom gets a pic You can't tell, but his shoes light up when he walks. He absolutely loves these! Kyle and I are going to have preschool at home this year. I thought hard about putting him in preschool, but I just feel so much more at peace with having him home with us. He doesn't begin Kindergarten until he's almost 6, just like Lance. So perhaps he can go to preschool next year. It will be nice for Cami to have a buddy home with her.
Cami's not sure what the fuss is all about, but she's ready to party anytime.

Jace seems to like his shirts: (Top) "Dear Teacher, I'm a dog & I LOVE eating homework! But you've been assigning TOO MUCH! Please STOP! IF I eat any more homework I might EXPLODE! signed, the dog."

(Bottom) "What I WISH my parents would say...We're raising your allowance to $1,000 a week! You must be tired, I'll clean up your room for you. I know you busted the window, but let's blame someone else! Here's your new touch screen phone. Just for fun, let's pretend everyday is your birthday! TV is GOOD for your eyes!"

Lance loves his new clothes, shoes, and Camo backpack. He quickly changed into them, and my goodness, he looks so grown up. He is so excited to make new friends in school!

~doing the Back to School dance~

We've found the classrooms, met the teachers and principals, and loaded our bags. We role-played how to introduce ourselves and meet new friends. Each child, including Cami, received father's blessings. I think we're ready! Here's to a great school year and many more to come!