All 4's!

There is no doubt that Henry had a very difficult school year last year. He was emotionally immature, had manual dexterity problems, and is a very energetic, easily frustrated little boy. Mix in a crabby nun and a full day of school and it was a recipe for disaster. He was miserable and I was worried. It was just a very bad experience and one I really regret putting him through.

This year started off much like last year ended--both of us very frustrated. Add to the fact that Henry was behind where he should have been at reading and things were not looking good. I even went to the doctor for a consult about medication to help him. The doctor told me to hold off for a little bit, so I gave it until parent-teacher conferences to see how he was doing and to see what the teacher said. His conference was actually really good and his first report card wasn't bad, either. It was definitely better than last year's were. He had some 4's, many threes and two 2's--in listening and staying on task. The teacher told us that he had vastly improved since the beginning of the year. When I asked her about needing a consult she expressed surprise and said she hadn't even called in the school counselor for a consult. I was so relieved! She was so positive about Henry and his progress and his personality that I wanted to hug her out of gratefulness.

Fast-forward to this morning...Henry's report card for the second quarter was in it. IT WAS ALL 4's!!!!! Even the 2's he had last quarter improved to 4's! He did have one 3.5 in handwriting, but the rest were all 4's!! My little Henry is growing by leaps and bounds and I couldn't be prouder of him! He is trying so hard and doing so well, I want to shout it from the rooftops (honestly, the petty part of me wants to call Sister Ruth up and rub it in her face and say "See?? See how well he's doing and you just wrote him off!).

I knew he could do it. He just needs to be given a chance.<3

Double Digits

Happy Birthday, Wyatt! 10 years old. Two full hands. A decade. It's hard to believe you are that old. It can't have been 10 years since I first held you in my arms. You with all that black, fuzzy hair and chubby cheeks. 10 years since my life has changed so immeasurably, I don't recognize the person I was before I had you. You have blessed my life in more ways than you can ever imagine. You make me want to be a better person. You make me want to be more like you...your good-naturedness, your positivity, your patience. You handled this last year with such bravery and strength. I was worried how our move would effect you the most, and you breezed through it with such confidence. You've gone out and made new friends and embraced this experience for the adventure it is. You are an inspiration.

You're my dream come true.

Happy Birthday, Henry!

"I can't believe I'm seven!"

I can't, either Henry. It's been quite the year for you. You graduated from Kindergarten, moved to UT, hiked a mountain, camped out, started first grade--which is going 100x better than Kindy did--and skied. I have a feeling this next year is going to to be even better for you.

I love you, Hankster!<3

Happy New Year 2010!

I can't believe another year has passed and that I have been blogging for 3 years now. It is amazing to look back through the posts and think about how much our lives have changed in such a short period of time.

I will admit to being very happy that 2009 is over. A year like that is something I never want to have to live through, again. The challenges were difficult, painful, stressful. But, the year also showed me that I am a much stronger person than I ever gave myself credit for. So, I am grateful for that discovery.

I am so hopeful for 2010...hope for health....happiness...contentment.

Here's to a wonderful 2010!

Real Sledding!!!

Yesterday;s sledding down the sidewalk was fun but we decided to do some real sledding, today. We went to one of the parks by our house and hit some great sled hills. Everyone got into the action, including my mom who I have never seen enjoy the snow ever in my life. It was so much fun that we are talking about going out tomorrow and doing it again. Seriously...one of the best days ever for me.

Are you ready for some pictures???

Our hill:

First up...Mom decides to go down the hill. Here I am giving her a push:

Mom going downhill:

Mom wiping out:

But, she was a trooper and went back up the hill and rode down with LC:

Dad went for a ride with Lauren, too and took out a random kid in the process:

Todd and I even took a ride down the hill on LC's tube. Don't ask me how we both fit:

Lauren did go down the hill by herself:


Wy-Guy's turn:


Henry!:


Todd and LC:



Me!:



Heading back up the hill:


Picture overload, I know. But, between Todd and Dad, we had soooo many great pictures that I didn't even post one-quarter of them. Let me know if you want to see more!LOL

Sledding!

We got another major snowfall last night into today, so after Dad and I finished shoveling, the kids got out their sleds they got for Christmas and hit our sidewalk.  That thing is like a bobsled run!  We have a hilly yard, but the snow is so light and powdery that the kids just sink in the snow.  So, we improvised and it worked out well!

Taking a break from shoveling:

Commence bobsled:

Me and Papa even got in on the action:

Then we did tandem rides:

So much fun, but I am looking forward to the hot tub tonight.

Christmas 2009

The kids got up, attacked the tree, opened more presents, played all day and then we had our typical turkey dinner. Enjoy the pictures.LOL

The tree with all the presents:

They slept downstairs in the basement under their little tree in their sleeping bags:

Diving in:

Henry excited over Wyatt's Legos.LOL He actually ended up putting it all together himself:

LC playing with her new DS:

Wyatt with both Transformers movies. Or, were they the video games for the Wii?:

The boys with their new school Hoodies:

Observing the destruction:

LC styling my hair with her new hair-styling station:

The kids stayed in their PJ's all day and loved everything they got. It was a very successful Christmas in our new house.<3