Wow- It's been a long time!

There is no possibel way to catch up on the last few months so I will give a highlight of the last month. School started and I now have an empty home during the day. Dustin and I were counting down the summer days until school started. We were more excited for the kids to go to school than they were! We have enjoyed getting the house clean each week- at least I know it will stay clean for a few hours. We have gone grocery shopping without the kids. Can I just say how nice it is to walk into a store and not have to yell and be afraid someone will call CPS on me because I am disciplining my children in public- nothing major, but it is nice to not have the store fights. I have been able to do doctor and chiropractor appointments without worrying about a babysitter. The best part- Dustin and I have been able to attend the same temple session together! It has been so long. We usually trade off so we wouldn't have to get a sitter- no more. That has been super nice. We have date days now. It is very nice reading scriptures in the morning without the kids to distract me. Life is good. I am still keeping plenty busy. I am helping out in the kids' classrooms one day a week, teaching piano lessons, and keeping the kids caught up on their piano lessons and homework is hard work. Plus, I am trying to read one large book to each of the kids each night, plus they read to me. Life is crazy, but fun.

My little "Jodi Girl" started Kindergarten this year. She was more than ready to go. I tried holding her hand as we walked to the play ground and she totally put me in my place: "No, Mom. I'm a big girl." "May I please hold your hand? You're my last child starting school." (BIG SIGH from Jodi) "Fine." Well that just made me feel oh so sad. She is way cute. She is so tiny compared to many of the kids. She finally broke the 35lb mark!! Yeah! She loves Mrs. Pena. Daniel had her last year and Jodi just expected that was who she would have. She has so much fun.

Daniel moved up to first grade. He loves Mrs. Neuman. He has a big heart and it gets hurt often, but he did tell me that he has lots of girlfriends and that they all want to be near him. He says some of the funniest things. He know who Justin Beber is and the Jonas Brothers. He likes their music. Daniel also started piano lessons this year and is having fun- I think. He has gotten quite attached to the Wii. He reminds me so much of my brothers! I finally have some leverage with the boy! He never really loved one thing and so discipling was hard because I couldn't take anything away from him that he really cared about, until the Wii came along. He can play for hours- if we let him. He is funny. he said I was one hot mama the other day. Where does he get it? Like father like son!

Noah is now in 3rd grade and finding school challenging. Mrs. Hall is a very good teacher. She really pushes her students hard. Noah loves reading and hearing stories and writing stories. He may be an author someday! He loves fantasy books- he reminds me of my older brother! We read the 4th Harry Potter together over the summer. He had a Harry Potter movie marathon and watched all 4 movies in a row. He loved it. I won't let him read or watch the last few books for anothe year or more. It gets a bit complicated and a bit more mature for his understanding. We have found other books though to wet his fantasy appetite. We are reading the 4th Book in the Fablehaven series together. He loves Brandon Mull's books. Noah is also really excited for "Reading Under the Stars." Bruce Coville is coming for the event. He rights books about dragon slayers and Noah is in heaven. He is super excited. He is also doing great in piano and at Cub Scouts. He is working hard to earn his wolf badge- he is almost there!

Dustin is doing well working as a nurse at Scotssdale Healthcare Hospital. He is in his 6th year as an employee and his 2 year as a nurse. He is also now ACLS certified and will be certified for med/surge work in Februrary. It means another pay raise. And it gets him one step closer to ER work- if that is what he wants still- who knows with him. He is always changing his mind! He provides well for our little family. We love our home and neighborhood. Great blessings have come to us!

I will try to post more often this year with my children's antics and successes, and maybe even their failures= hopefully they won't have any! But, that is life when it does!