back to the blog

After a month of blogging everyday- then a week off- now I am back.

Last week was not the best week to stop blogging... but I did it anyway... now I am going to try to recap some of the highlights of life.

The house was a mess... (not a highlight)

Brian finished painting the main floor (most of it) without me. That meant everything has been in upheaval. I was too sick to do much about it- and even when I was getting better- I had no energy. So the table looked like this. Covered in homework & junk. But it's all better now- that's all that matters. I am so happy to have a freshly painted family room. Thanks brian!

Wednesday morning Trent & I left bright & early to see Hailey sing the National Anthem at the H.S. end of year assembly.

(notice the sunburn? I was in the shade for two hours at field day, but still got sunburned)

It started later than we thought which was a little distressing to trent, but when it started- SHE DID SO GOOD! she really knocked it out of the park. wow- i was beaming with pride & so thrilled for her.

Trent & I went out to the car & in my rush to be on time, I learned that I had lost my car keys...

Good thing brian hadn't left for work yet!

Brett was out of town most of the week on business....

Speaking of work...

last week Brian was offered a great, well paying job at a well know warehouse national chain- then three afters after he accepted- the MTC called. They offered him his "dream job" teaching districts of Spanish speaking elders how to teach missionary discussions. After much prayer- He took it. He is loving life, looking & feeling like he is a missionary again. It's a once in a life time chance - teaching new elders how to teach & he couldn't be happier. He comes home everyday saying- I LOVE MY JOB! He has truly been blessed- now if we could just get the poison ivy to clear up? he has another doctors appointment today. itchy itchy

Wednesday was field day- and I forgot my camera....

But Thursday Kristy & I made this for Trent & Jake's fourth grade teacher.

It's a bouquet of hand prints intermingled with $150 worth of gift cards.

We had each of the kids draw their hand print & write inside it what the loved about their teacher & took donations for the gift cards. It turned out FANTastIC!!

School was officially out for Hailey Thursday after the assembly. For Chloe Friday morning after getting her year book. Trent didn't get out until 1:30 Friday afternoon & it proved to be a very difficult day for him - lots of goodbye tears.

He had one of the best teachers any of my children have had the privilege to have!

She is an amazing lady who gave up a career in Food Science to teach kids, emphasizing science. We couldn't ask for a better year for trent!

Trent & his bff at school - Eric.

Eric will be going to a different school next year. Extra tears.

the end of the year ceremonies

The Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem & Lowering of the flag.

Friday night Hooray- brett was home & you won't believe what I netflixed

TRANSFORMERS II

We put it on the Clear Play and Trent was in seventh heaven. He finally got to watch the movie of his dreams without the cussing & sexual innuendo. Now maybe we can stop talking about it? Oh no-- he has watched it multiple times & still wants to watch it again.

Saturday night we had a birthday BBQ for Brett & I only took one picture- this one of the peanut in a Spider man mask & Batman gloves-

Sunday-

Hailey bore her testimony in sacrament meeting

brett left for another convention

and

brian & I spent the evening eating popcorn, visiting & watching a lightening storm on the front porch.

It seems like it took forever-

but summer is finally

here

the last day of school, company edition

7:00 came awfully early on the last day of school this year...

after the all night party & all. None the less- it is a very important day!

Not to be missed!!

I stammered to get the gifts together for Trent's teachers & all the aids, etc. at school. Trent is affected by so many people- not just his particular teacher. I know all kids are... but really trent is more than the average student. With his asperger issues- they know him, & luckily I think they love him as well.

Being the room mom to his retiring teacher-

the kids in the class & I worked on some extra special gifts.

Lucky I got there before she left. Kristy called me & gave me the warning-
She was just running off to a wedding & darn it- I didn't get her photo! shoot golly- I know I have several somewhere...
this is trent & his special ed. teacher.
She is truly amazing- tears-
She teaches a little social class to trent & a few other students with aspergers- plus works on most of his core subjects with him. I will be eternally grateful for this woman. Trent adores her, which makes my life & his so much easier. She is a miracle worker.

I stayed for their annual end of the year patriotic program & flag lowering ceremony.
Love that.
Trent & I walked home together & talked about what a great year of school it has been & how he is now a fourth grader!
***
That afternoon Brett got ready to take off -up to his home town.
His dad is in the hospital again for some severe back problems. Brett has agonized knowing he has not been there to help & was relieved to get there & see what he can do.
Later that afternoon Jack ran to the airport & picked up my darling niece Kylie.

She & I had a delightful time visiting.
She is heading up to her grandparents house for the summer to work before going to art school. She is an artist- a real artist- with unbelievable talent.
(I am looking up some art here that she has won contest for... updated soon, I hope!)

We had a calm- unbelievably calm after the week we've had- night with nothing to do!

We had edemame, hot wings, & milk shakes for dinner, while playing cards- then went out & enjoyed a far off lightening storm on the front porch.

We lit off a few sparklers- just for fun.

Her parents flew in at 1:40 AM - another long night-

from Florida- they were headed to a family funeral in the morning.

We had breakfast together- her family & mine.

Her dad Cody-

I should have taken more photos- but they had to head out.

Just a few short hours later look who came by!!!!!

My sweet niece Johnna & her baby Drax!

Are they beautiful or what!?

My sister was with her too- but like a jerk I didn't take her picture either... I think the lack of sleep was getting to me?

So

Summer Begins-

It's officially here

company

fireworks

babies

and

all

a week of graduation

Last Sunday our crazy week of graduation started!

CRazy fun it has been!!

First a week ago today we went to Baccalaureate.

It was a fantastic non denomination, inspirational program-

celebrating these soon to be H.S. graduates & their unlimited futures.

The speakers, musical number & prayers were wonderful.

At one point during the program Jack looked at me & said-

"can you believe this week is here?!"

{jack & zach jack eating a cookie & yes this is the best picture I got since he was making odd faces & not cooperating the whole time!}

It is hard to believe that another baby is going out into the world.

My goodness - time flies when you are having fun.

Tuesday after the birthday celebration- we headed over to church for seminary graduation. LDS teens have the option to sign up for seminary classes during their high school years. These classes are taught by volunteers & professional seminary teachers. I promised my kids years ago if they went to seminary they would be blessed. I myself graduated from seminary as did their dad & it was not easy! Not being from an area with a lot of LDS kids, I went to early morning seminary- seminary before school. It was early, it was hard, I'm not sure I learned one darn thing---- except that through obedience come great blessings (that's learning a lot!) It is popular for kids to skip seminary & get donuts etc.... i challenged jack 4 years ago to never skip- no matter what- no matter if he thought it didn't matter that day. the days you really really don't want to go are the days you need to be there. I am so proud of this kid- he did it.

this is nuts-

Instead of the first day of school photo- here he is last day of school with his senior t-shirt & yearbook in his hand- wowza!

Graduation night we headed out early & went here for dinner.

the food was fabulous & the company- even better!

Brittany, Marcus & Brittany joined us.

Brittany & Marcus are getting married next month!

We are so thrilled for them & happy they

came up to the graduation to help jack celebrate his big day.

Dinner was so good- the food was perfect.

Jack opened his BIG graduation gift from his dad & I.

A laptop computer!!

You can see from the look on his face he was so excited!!

We swore that no. matter. what. we were not buying one.

gotcha!

Jack's H.S. class is a big one- over 550.

It was hard to get a good shot.

but, here he is after getting his diploma.

and afterward!

We are so proud of you Jack...

and so thrilled for all the many, many good things that lie ahead for you.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2009

last day of school

Today was the last day of school 08'. Pretty darn exciting. Trent could hardly sleep last night. He woke up in the middle of the night- I laid down next to him- he turned over & in a sleep state of mind said, "guess what mom?- tomorrow is the last day of school." I know, go back to sleep sweetie. Our school has a tradition. Every year the whole school goes outside. They sing the school song, have someone play or sing the national anthem, say the pledge of allegiance, the sixth graders lower the flag- then the principal declares school out for summer! It's darling & sweet & I even started to tear up there for a bit. There is this great patriotic proud feeling in the air. I love this school.

You could have heard a pin drop- the kids were so respectful.

Here is trent with his FANTASTIC teacher! She has made such a difference in his life. Teachers are so important- especially when it comes to kids like trent. He cried & cried when we left. This is his resource teacher. She gives the extra help he needs. She is also FANTASTIC. Oh boy, I feel like I owe so much to these women. They are my hero's this year.

Chloe & one of her best pals were so sad to see the year end. Their teacher made a scrapbook at least an inch & a half thick for every kid in her class - amazing!Trent & Lily

Trent can be a tough but he's really just a softy. He insisted on walking home with me arm in arm crying. He did the same thing last year. I asked one of the neighbor kids to take our picture. Something tells me this won't last.

So- to start off our summer right we are having a little bit of easy bake oven time!

Brownies-YUM & BBQ tonight

*is school out at your house?