Grab a cup of coffee with me…

I am in the mood to write, I hope you are in the mood to read & write back!

It’s snowing… but it didn’t start until about 7:30 when the kids were leaving for school… so they are in school & I am home with “nowhere to go” on my calendar (at least not until 3:00 dental appointments, you didn’t think I would be free all day did you??)

I have been so overwhelmed for the past few months, I haven’t had the delight of writing and reading blogs that I used to enjoy.  I’ve wondered if I had somehow missed something and lost the joy of writing?  Maybe I have.  The ability to balance writing, photography, business, laundry, 3 or 4 kids in sports, cooking, cleaning, exercise, Bible study, 2 dogs, large yard… and an illusive ex-husband… far beyond my human ability for sure.   Asking HIM how HE wants me to use my time.  One day at a time.

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After our Quitting incident earlier this week, James went into this swim meet on Tuesday night and got the only first place on the whole boys team! 

In diving…

 

His girlfriend, Alisen, also dives…

Memories…

They look like they are having fun, don’t  you think!  Actually, after tonight, (if they travel the hour plus to their swim meet) James will not be diving any more. 

There was another boy who dove last year, but had an injury.  Well, he’s back and so the coaches want to use James in more swimming events and use the other boy in the diving.  You can only be in 4 events a meet & diving counts as one. 

Spring Musical Parts have been assigned.  James has a lead in that, and Zach has a small speaking/singing part.  The Musical is "Friday knig*ht Fever” and James is “Barry” and Zach is one of the “3 thugs"

I need to start a list of the things that need to be done for graduation.  I decided to rent a fellowship hall to have James’ party in.  Thankful that I don’t have to figure out how I am going to host it here!

James asked me last night if my taxes were done yet (UM NO!)  He is ready to see how much financial aid he is going to have for college.  Makes me nervous!

One thing that I LOVE about Face*book is getting to see other poeple’s pictures!  Especially when my kids are somewhere and I & my own camera are not! 

James on New Year’s Eve…

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Zach is challenging.  Much like his mother in ways I’d rather not admit.  Much more socially active than his older brother. 

Practicing his driving on icy roads.

Complaining about his coaches & his teachers.

Trying to pass Biology.

Playing basketball.

Has his first “real” girlfriend.

(that picture showed up on my phone, before he got his own phone!)  Oh, and this girl, Meg, Happens to be first cousins with James girlfriend, Alisen… sigh.

Got his first phone for Christmas.

15 thinking he should have every privilege of his 18 year old brother.

Ripping me along by the reigns if I am not careful!!!!!  Goodness!

I love this kid, he is so cute & fun to have around, but as I always say, “there is a reason” he’s so cute! 

He’s in need of some balance in his life too.  How to balance school work with a busy social life & 3 sports & a musical… & a girlfriend.  He needs me to use my brake, probably even more than I already do.

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Leah has a birthday this weekend!  She is turning 13!  Someone asked her last weekend if she was my “15 year old”!  She is taller than me now & her feet are 2 sizes bigger too!

Last weekend she had a birthday party with one of her friends, who turned 13 last month, at her friends house…

I wasn’t there… but I got these pictures off of face*book!

 

wow. those didn’t copy well.  oh well.

This girl had quite the social life over Christmas break…  She went on a ski trip with Campus Life that lasted 3 days!  Monday-Wednesday…

She took my old camera along, but I don’t know where the cord is to get the pictures off of the camera! 

Then she went to a New Year’s Eve Party…

yes, that was on face*book!  “open wide for the camera Leah”

Then she had her birthday party… we saw more of her on face*book than we did at home!

Hope I can survive 3 teenagers… uuuuuhhhhhh….

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Lucas is still sweet & eleven… not too many of those “nasty” hormones messing up his disposition yet!

He says that basketball is his favorite sport…

& I am not about to tell him that he doesn’t seem possess that natural ability or the aggressiveness it takes for sports.  Maybe they will come one day & he will decide he really wants to excel and make the effort, but for now he just seems to be way too easy going for sports… so… my mission is go encourage him to be all that he can be and not feel like he isn’t just because he chooses to do different things than his older brothers.

The other things is that Lucas really really struggles to do “average” in school.  Needs to be pushed to challenge himself, and needs to work hard to do well. 

I’ve recently asked his teachers from the past 2 years if they think that Lucas could have a learning disability.  Neither of them suspect that he does.

Maybe it just falls in line with his whole disposition.  So relaxed & non-aggressive about everything that it almost is a disability of it’s own if he isn't careful!

Totally not complaining…

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Jadon…

Jadon…

 

Jadon…

The recess monitor told me that he gave her a picture he drew yesterday.  She told them to make her something creative with their play-doh.  He drew her a picture of play-doh.

Thinking outside the box.

He pulled a tuft of his hair out the other night.  Said he wanted me to cut it anyway.

Read his first book to me the other night… “Hop on Pop”.  He and I were both so thrilled!

Still dealing with the damp pants… should have called the doctor for a prescription according to the instructions I was given at our appointment, but I hate to do that.  Not sure how much help was given to him at school with this issue.  I know his teacher is a first year kindergarten teacher & a man…not sure this is too high on his list of concerns.  Not blaming him, just not sure that medication is the solution for a problem that appears to be “I’m too busy to remember go go & then I can’t wait when I do remember”

We had friends come and stay with us over New Years.  One of Sheila’s boys are his age, they had so much fun together!

We all (the 3 youngest and myself) enjoyed having Sheila & her 4 kids here over New Years & then going to a hotel for swimming with them & having them here for 3 nights!  We played games & the kids played, it was nice for both of us single moms!

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Kiahna is doing well!  When Jadon was reading his book to us, she told me quite a few of her letters!  I think watching Jadon read kind of inspired her!  I hope!

Her and I just braved the snow and took the trash out to the road. 

Mostly we are just enjoying being together & she asks questions about everything and I try to find 5 year old answers for her.

She was probably the MOST excited to find that she is not just going to have ONE BABY cousin this spring but TWO!!! 

My sister, Allison & Brent are going to have a baby too!!

Kiahna is extremely interested in babies & where they come from & how there get there, and how they come out & when she gets to have one of her own!  OH MY!!  Such interesting conversations we have had.

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Christmas at my parents house was nice!

The photo book we created for them was a hit!

Leah with her two “same age” cousins, Livia & Koty…

Are you still with me!   Leave me a message if you endured that whole thing!!  Maybe I’ll have to find a prize for someone who comments after reading this all!! Been working on it all morning!  & now I hear the schools are dismissing early!  Better go!

Pam