Can we take a minute to brag?

January 29th and 30th, 2009
We were asked to attend award assemblies for Jonathan and Elizabeth. Both of our kids were selected for special recognition as one of the top five in their class for the second quarter. As always, we were so very proud of both of them! It is so nice to see that they are doing well both academically and socially in their new school. Jonathan and Elizabeth both have some new wonderful friends and they have adjusted perfectly!!! Can I say that it was so nice to go to the assemblies and just be a proud mommy! Ronie didn't get to go to because he was out of town in Montana (We missed him greatly!) but thankfully I have an amazing Kindergarten team this year and principal to let me take time off and make it to both of assemblies. The kids were well supported and loved with Grandma Terry, Grandma Great and Grandma and Grandpa Ryan coming to cheer them on. Elizabeth's was Thursday afternoon and I was able to make it there in plenty of time to see her get her award and meet some of her friends in her class. Jonathan's was Friday, so I decided to take the whole day off. It was fabulous to be able to wake up, get the kids ready and have breakfast with them, drop them off, spend some time reading (ALONE!!), hang out with my mom and go to lunch with a good friend before I went to the assembly. To top the day off, Jonathan was not only one of the top five, he was the top of his class so received the "Wildcat" Award. A perfect couple of days, with the exception of not having Ronie there! We have been so very blessed by amazing kids and how hard they work in school! Jonathan and Elizabeth, way to go! We are so very proud of you and all that you do! Congratulations!!!

Here comes the sun....di, di, duh, duh. Here comes the sun... and I say, its alright!!!!

Yipee! I came around the corner and this is what I saw at our kitchen table. I had to take a picture. Yes, it is the sun and its golden rays creeping through our window! I am not really one for summer when the temps get over 90 degrees but I have had enough of this doom and gloom, inversion yuck that we have had this month! It just makes your spirit lift just from seeing our long lost friend. Thanks for coming sun! We have missed you!

Things Will Come If You Just Believe!!!

Last Saturday was Jonathan and Teila's judo tournament and to be honest it was a LONG day! I have to say, I am starting to enjoy the sport and can appreciate Ronie's love for it but our kids just had a rough day. The worst part was seeing our kids act defeated before they even started the fight. We are so proud of Jonathan and Teila (All of the kids at the club actually. We have become quite close and I care about all of them and their families a great deal!)but when you see them not try and just give up without a fight is heartbreaking! They weren't satisfied, we were concerned and our club just didn't put out the effort that we normally do. I know our Sensei's are the best. I know and have seen Jonathan become more confident than ever before. I know we have the culture, possibly the technique and the lingo down more than almost any club out there. But this weekend, we just didn't show it. That's okay though! We can learn. All of us, and we can only pick up where we left off and grow and be better because of it. Isn't that what life is all about anyway? I know that I have learned alot more from situations where it didn't go my way and I had to stop and rethink things. It isn't about winning but a mindset that we can try and do anything! My prayer is that I/we can be the parents to help our kids see that and to continue to help them grow and be fighters in everything they do! To not only learn from what happened on Saturday but to become better because of it! Hum....that might not be just a lesson for our two sweet kids but for all of us! (Note well taken!)

Hey, I do all my own stunts!

Really, it is just Elizabeth at her new gymnastics class. We just couldn't go without taking pictures of our lil' bit on her first night. We absolutely love the teacher and Elizabeth did great! It was nice to be able to watch her and she tried really hard and you could tell she was so happy! She can't wait to go back! Raina has been going for a while and told us about this place so after she decided she couldn't bear to do dance any longer, we decided to check it out. Thanks O'Leary's! You are awesome!!! We can't thank you enough!!! It was fun to see her enjoy herself and be so involved! Alyson even got to come and try it out for free and the very best part, it is a considerable amount cheaper than dance! Yipee! We are sold!! Happy little girl, less money going out, and a wonderful teacher to work with her! What could be better in life?

Time to HoNoR the past, but ImAgInE the future!

My mom's last day of official work is today! However, many of us know that she will probably be busier now than she ever was while she was working! Not only has my mom watched our kids almost every day while we work, she is a major part of their lives and continues to be so! All of our children think the world of her and could not ask for a better mom/Grandma! So, in honor of her retirement, here are a few things that I have learned and love about my mom:
*She is a giver and never expects anything in return.
*She loves us unconditionally and completely, no matter what!
*She never complains! Even when things have been tough, she keeps a smile and reminds us to find the positive!
*She has always worked hard and shown us what it means to give 100%!
*She is a perfect role model for me and has helped me to become the mom that I am today. Even though I mess up, she still helps to guide me into an even better mom.
*She always has time for you no matter what. Even if you just need to chat or have someone come over and help you with your laundry!
*She is my hero!
*She is the bestest Grandma around and her Grandchildren think the world of her!
*She is compassionate and kind to anyone she comes into contact with.
*She is realistic and keeps all of us focused!
*She has a smile and a laugh (However, it has been known to sound like a turkey if she really gets going! teehee!) that will fill up a room.
*She has the ability to make everyone feel special and welcome.
*She has taught us the true meaning of life and that putting our trust in God is the most important thing we can do!
*She hasn't just told us what faith is, she has actually lived it!
*Whenever life gets hard, she can model Mary Poppins in a second!
*She is quick witted and enjoys a good story and a laugh!
*She enjoys a good water fight better than anyone I know!
*She is always there when I/we need her!
These are just a few things about my mom! So, Happy Retirement Mom!! We couldn't be happier for you!! You deserve it! You are truly our hero and have shown us all a work ethic that goes beyond what is expected! Thanks for working so hard for all of us! Enjoy!!!

Snow Much Fun!!!!

We made a trip to go up to the cabin to plow the snow and have some fun with our new coats, snow pants and boots. We asked some friends and family to join us but due to Holiday plans and the roads, noone was able to come up. We sure missed all of them but we did get a special surprise by Teila getting to spend the night/day with us! We took the 4-wheelers out and pulled the sled behind it and the kids had a blast! The dog was so sore from running beside them. Jonathan and Teila played outside the whole day! Our Princess Elizabeth did actually stay outside for about 2 hours so that was promising that the snow gear will come in handy! The mountains are beautiful a great way to spend a couple of days to end the Christmas holiday. Sorry friends that you couldn't make it up!! Hopefully soon!!!

And come Santa did......

Our lovely children were up at 1:20 AM Christmas morning! Yes, I am not joking.We took a picture on the microwave to prove it to everyone. Ron and I hadn't even gotten to sleep yet. They were so wound up and wide awake that finally Ronie and I decided in our infinite wisdom if we let them see just what Santa brought, (Thankfully he had already come! YIKES! What happens when he hasn't been there yet and your kids are still up? Does he still come? Does he come back later? I don't have the answers to these questions!) they will go back to bed and we will get more sleep in the long run right?!?!? So we took a peek and Santa was good to all of us this year. Maybe that is what provoked the craziness that continued to take place in our house . Even Bailey was all worked up and was prancing around and Santa didn't even leave him anything. (Teehee! Santa left a note that told Bailey he didn't get anything this year but if he tries better this coming year, he just might get something next year. The kids kept petting him all day and telling him to be a better dog and they loved him but Santa doesn't forget like they do!! It cracked Ron and I up! If you haven't heard the wonderful Bailey stories from this summer, give us a call. We would LOVE to share how much our dog costs us with a short 2 hour outing!!!) After we opened our Santa gifts, we all headed back to bed with a parental warning that NOONE is going to be up until at least 7. We finally got all snuggled into our nice warm bed (Thanks Tammy for the electric blanket! We love that thing! Oh yes, it was on our bed the very night we got it!!) feeling all proud of ourselves thinking of all of the other moms and dads that were going to have to get up around 4-6 AM and start their whole day but we would be sleeping. NOPE!! About 4, Elizabeth came in our room claiming to be cold and needing a snuggle, so in our bed she comes. This wakes up the dog, so in our bed he comes. Hearing all the noise, Jon wakes up and decides he can't be alone so in our bed he comes. Needless to say, we were up again at 4:30 opening our family gifts! Oh my!
With all of that being said, we did have a great day with family and even met up with everyone for the movie Marley and Me, later on in the evening. Who knew people go to the movies on Christmas? The place was packed! We were exhausted but enjoyed every minute of it! I absolutely LOVE Christmas time!!!