Life is good...

It seems a bit rare (sadly) that I look up and say, "Wow, things are going well for all of our kids!"  At risk of jinxing us, I feel like it is important to record these moments for the time when I say, "Wow!  Why can't anything go right?" (Ok those are quite rare moments as well) For the most part, our boys seem to all be in a growing, thriving state right now, so I'd like to record what they are up to!

Jacob

I was terrified of Jacob starting Jr. High.  Sixth grade was a bit rough for him and I thought it would continue in a slippery slope once he hit 7th grade.  We have be been pleasantly surprised!  He has had a great year to date!  It was a bit of an adjustment, but he has grown into quite a responsible young man: keeping track of 7 classes, earning straight A's for the first 2 terms, taking a few turns at 1st chair in trumpet, joining the track team, making some great new friends and just being all around awesome!!  It has been so rewarding to watch him grow up and mature.  I love to see him do good things as a Deacon as well.  I really am quite proud of him (in the good way) right now and look forward to seeing what else lies ahead.

Benjamin

Ben is in 5th grade this year.  He has a great teacher who is really emphasizing writing, which Benjamin loves and is getting quite good at.  He also loves to draw and the art projects she encourages.  Those who have read this blog with any kind of regularity, know that occasionally we push our kids into things they really don't want to do in hopes that it will stretch them and help them grow!  Usually it works, sometimes it backfires.  Benjamin tried out for the school play in December and got the part of John in Disney's Peter Pan Jr.  He was anxious at first, but is loving it!!  He has always been good at memorization and I am very excited about seeing him in this new role as an actor (he and his friends act in our basement all the time as they play, they just don't realize it!)  He also memorized a Martin Luther King Jr. Speech this fall and is participating in the school's Constitution Bowl in the Spring.  I love that he has had these opportunities this year and am proud of the fact that he is learning to step out of his comfort zone a bit and allow himself to participate in these things.

Micah

Micah has also had a great teacher this year in 2nd grade.  His handwriting is incredible and until last Friday, was a member of the 100% spelling club (a few tears were shed:( He is trying to start up MicahMart again and has been creating some pretty darn cute Comic Books to sell (please leave your orders in the comment section!) He is a great artist and I love when my kids create anything!  He is anxiously awaiting turning 8 to be baptized, join scouts and start Karate with his brother.  Life is a bit slower for him in the winter, but soon soccer will start and he'll be ready to hustle and play on his dad's team again.

 

Phil and I

I suppose things are going well for us too.  Phil has been travelling a lot so far this year.  In the summer he will become the President of the national Academy of  Orthotics and Prosthetics.  I don't think many people realize how cool he his, but I'm grateful that when he is around, he is excellent at putting his family first.  It means a lot to me.  He is going to be in our Stake's Savior of the World production in April.  Life is good for me.  Primary seems to be settling down a bit with lots of changes over for a while (hopefully!)  I sure enjoy those great kids and being with them every week!  Preschool continues to be my dream job in general, exhausting on some days, but I sure love those kids as well! 

 

Well, I guess you just got the Christmas card version of our life, just in time for Valentines Day!  Hope yours is sweet :)