Open House

Today was an emotional day for me! We had Christian's open house for Kindergarten at his new school, Howe School! I'm so nervous to be sending my baby boy off to this first day of a full 8 hour day of school.  Last year he only had school 3 days a week for 2 1/2 hours per day so this is going to be a major change for him :(

Thinking back over the past 5 years has really made me an emotional wreck these past few days.  I'm so proud of our little man. He has matured into a handsome,  caring, imaginative, inventive, (sometimes overly sensitive), but always sweet little boy! We have struggled with the decision to send him to Kindergarten this year or hold off for one more year since he has the summer birthday and he doesn't have height on his side, but we feel that we are doing the right thing by sending him off to gain more social skills and keep on learning! I don't think any mother sending their baby off to their first day of school will get any easier as the years pass!  I just wish time didn't fly by so fast!

As if I wasn't in a fragile enough state as it is, we had Christian's open house to meet his teacher this afternoon.  As Christian and I are walking towards his class room a mother approached me and asked the name of my son's Kindergarten teacher. I informed her of his teacher's name to which she proceeds to inform me that her son had this same teacher and she was "horrible" were her words and she would never allow her child to be that class.  So as you can imagine being a nervous wreck, I was in tears before I even arrived at the class room door.  I had to regain my composure, but was complete dumb founded and shocked that a fellow mother would have the nerve to say something like this to another mother.  I am competent enough to form my own opinions of others and in any other situations I probably would have been able to ignore the comment but it was just not the right time.  Thankfully, I knew several of Christian's class mates and was able to chat with their parents.  I also met Christian's teacher and she seems great.  She was soft spoken and a bit shy just like Christian. I feel that Christian will do just fine!  But I have so many friends that were able to give me uplifting feedback and I am friend's with Christian's Principal's wife, and she even called me tonight to see how I was doing!  Friends are great and they always know the right things to say!

So after the emotionally challenging day, I am fine and although Christian is not excited yet, I know he will do great as well!  (He keeps saying," so I really have to stay there as long as you are at work?)

Also, if Christian isn't growing up fast enough, he had another "first" tonight!  He is at his first sleep over with his cousin, Marcus!  He is so excited because he gets to go to Chuckie Cheese tomorrow to celebrate Marcus' 6th birthday!  I already checked up on him once and we only dropped him off at 6pm.  Do you think that I need to let go a bit?!? lol.

When did this little boy...

Turn into this big boy...????

"A mother holds her child's hand for a little while but holds their hearts forever."-- Author Unknown

Our Little Engineer

This one is for "Red" Grandpa!  Christian says he is an engineer, just like you!

 One smart boy if I must say!  He used his helmet to attach the bike to the wagon!

And this one is for "Red" Grandma...the kids (and Mom) finally enjoyed the cotton candy tonight!

Just a little explanation...since Christian was very young he has color coded people by the color of their clothes that they wear most often, most importantly his grandparents.  The names have stuck and now we have, "Red" Grandma and Grandpa and "Green" Grandma and Grandpa.  We also have "Goldfish" Grandma because she always feed the kids goldfish crackers.  

Baby Love

Today, I was thrown feet first into my new position at work.  I have been slowly learning over the past two weeks but today, my co worker had the day off and our unit was full, so I was able to start my Monday off on right!  I didn't even have a chance to even take a breath until 2pm.  But I'm okay with that because the day just flew by and it was already time to go home!  Now that is what I love about this new position and all of the new information that I am learning.

But I was very excited to come home and spend some quality time with the kids after the busy weekend that I had. After dinner, we walked to Dairy Queen for an ice cream sundae! 

After ice cream, we went over to my sister's house to spent some time with my amazingly adorable nieces'.  Even Christian was excited to hold his baby cousin!  I told Bryan that even Christian wants another baby in the house and he told me that we can get him a GI Joe.  Ha, so much for that idea!

And in other exciting news in this house, Bryleigh is doing very well at potty training.  We are slowly going about it this time since I get very frustrated with potty training and it ends up being a more stressful process than it should be. So Bryleigh wears undies for a few hours every day but we still use diapers for naptime and pull up's when we go out.  But I think we are actually getting somewhere this time and she has stayed dry even when she is wearing the diaper and pull up (except for naptime.) So once we have this mastered, we will be onto the next venture of going #2 on the potty!

I also want to share these cute sayings that Christian has said lately!  Today, Christian spent the morning with his Great Grandma M. aka Goldfish Grandma.  This was "Christian's Day" since Grandma and Grandpa M. were unable to make it to his birthday party since they were sick.  So Christian was able to go mini golfing and out for lunch with Grandma.  He informed Grandma that "She shouldn't come to his birthday party next year either, because then he can have another "Christian Day" and be able to celebrate his birthday all over again!"  Oh how I love his critical thinking skills!

Also, on the way to Aunt Katie's house today, Christian says, "Baby Ducati sounds like a boy's name." I explained that it can be a girl's name, to which he replied, "Why does Auntie Katie keep having all these girls?  One of these times, she should have a boy!"  That's right buddy, as much as we feel sorry that you are the only boy in our family, the reality is that you come from a family of all girls!  Sorry babe!  lol

Lastly,  on the way home tonight, my sweet little boy made the following statement, "When will all of our days be over so that we can go to see Jesus?"  When I explained that we don't know when that will be, but it will be someday, Christian replied, "I wish it could be tonight because I miss Jesus."  I explained that Jesus is with us all the time and when we miss him, we can pray to him.  So Christian says, " Well, let's say a prayer now." And so we did, on our car ride home!  These are the moments when I can take a deep breath and realize that through all of the frustrations and emotions of parenthood, I can safely say that we are teaching our children the true meaning of life and who we are living for...Our Savior!  

Home Sweet Home

I am home, safe and sound!  And so very excited to be home!  I missed the kiddos, my hubby, and my bed. It was a busy two days and the reality has officially set in that I am starting graduate school and saying good bye to my Saturday's for the next 4 years with a few breaks in between.  It is a very scary, and hard concept to process but I just need to keep thinking of the end result and the benefit for our family!

On Friday, I had orientation for the program. We learned about what our life will consist of over the next 4 years, met all those in our cohort program, and toured the UW-Madison Campus.  The day went amazingly fast and after a meal at my favorite restaurant, Hu Hot Mongolian Grill, it was back to the hotel to study.

This morning, I had an exam to attempt to test out of my first class that will be starting on September 8, thus delaying the start of my schooling to the end of October.  I have been studying for the past several months, reading 5 books on my camping trips, nights and weekends, and any time that I can squeeze in some reading. I felt as prepared as ever going into the exam this morning knowing every historical development in  social work.  But boy, was I in for a rude awakening!  After the first several questions, I felt completely unprepared and as if the past several months of studying had been completely unrelated to the test questions. I walked out the exam discouraged and disappointed. And as I had expected, I did not pass the exam.  I was 9 points away from a passing grade and a few many tears were shed! So needless to say, I am frustrated and emotional today. 

I tell you this news not for sympathy but just to let you know that I do go through tough times, and although I like to keep this a happy and fun blog of my family life, there are up's and down's we go through. But onward and upward! And now, instead of a few more free Saturday's to enjoy, I will be starting classes in two weeks!  

But I sure was excited to be home this afternoon and spend time with my amazing husband who has been so supportive in my going back to school journey and knows just the right words to say to make me feel better (and laugh a little.) I couldn't make this journey without him and I'm so blessed to have such a supportive family!  

On a happy note,  these little faces just made my evening so much better!

Picking tomato's with Grandma

Helping Grandpa fix the hot tub

Eating all the tomato's that Grandma and Bryleigh picked :)

Such a good little mommy!

Tomorrow is a new day and I need to realize that God has a reason for everything and I just need to trust in him (although his life plans are not always what we want!)

Busy Week

It has been a very busy week for us.  In between loving up on my sweet niece, which by the way, has the cutest hospital picture, not that I am a biased Auntie or anything...

I has also been preparing for my upcoming weekend in Madison.  Tomorrow, I leave after work for Madison for two nights.  On Friday I have orientation for my graduate program and on Saturday, I have the first of two exemption exams.  I'm praying that after all the studying that I have been doing, that I pass out of at least one of the two classes that I am enrolled for this semester.  So wish me luck because I could really use some and lots of prayers please! 

And just for the record,  I am officially a mini van mom as of tonight! Okay, it is only for a few days while my dad fixes my alternator.  But still, I have to laugh a little because I am not used to driving a van!

I will probably not be in blog land for a few days while I do lots of last minute studying but I will be sure to update after my weekend has calmed down a bit!

Oh So Precious

Yup, its true, I fall more and more in love with my new niece each day! She is so tiny and sweet!

Great Grandma Thompson

It made me a bit teary eyed thinking of Bryleigh in the same "Little Sister" outfit 2 1/2 years ago!  I sure do miss the baby stage!  Although I do love all the words that Bryleigh is learning these days!  To think how much a little personality can develop in just 2 short years!

Bryleigh's Hospital Picture

 It was another great afternoon cuddling with little baby Ducati and then coming home to my own two babies to play with and cuddle with as well!

Welcome Baby Girl

I'm proud to announce that I am an Auntie to a healthy, beautiful little girl! Both mother and baby are doing wonderfully!

Welcome:

Ducati Linnèa Urban

Born: 8/19/2012 at 2:42pm

Weight: 6 pounds 13 Ounces

Length: 17.5 inches

It is never too soon for a big bow!

And a pure bundle of joy she is!

After the long awaited anticipation and excitement...

Denali and Phoenix were able to meet their new baby sister (and find out the unique baby name that my sister always has :)!  And Christian and Bryleigh, their new baby cousin!

We are just so in love and I can't wait to spend more cuddlin' time with this sweet little girl!

 Not only do we have our sweet Jesus to thank for this new little life but we also celebrated Christian's 5th Baptismal Anniversary today, as well as, our Compassion sponsored little boy, Manuel's 5th Birthday!  God had plans for us on August 19 and for that we are blessed!

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;

I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”---Jeremiah 1:5

Change of Plans

Well, I guess the good Lord had other plans for my niece's birthday.  Unfortunately there is no baby pictures to show you today since apparently quite a few other babies decided it was a great day to be born!  So due to the Family Birthplace being overly busy, my sister was rescheduled for induction for 8am tomorrow!  Now let's pray that all goes well and she can be induced tomorrow as scheduled!  I know the feeling of being of being all prepared and then there is a change of plans. The emotions run wild, especially in a very pregnant female!

My mother and I attempted to get my sister out of the house so that she could stay busy but she decided she wanted to relax!  So we took my oldest niece and Bryleigh on fun girls day to the Dells, while Christian and Daddy had a boy's day playing with their friends, Andy and Landon and Carson!  It was the perfect girl's day and we all had lots of fun!

Our first stop of the day was the Canyon Stables for some horseback riding fun! I was a bit scared to take a wild toddler on an hour long trail ride on horseback!  But amazingly, to say she loved it would be an understatement!  She was so excited and talked about everything we were doing along the way.

My favorite of Bryleigh's statements was, "Mom, you scared?" when the horse started galloping.  And also, "Mom, careful" as she continued to make sure that my hands were firmly wrapped around her and holding onto the horse.

I have to say that horseback riding takes on a whole new feeling when you are responsible for a little 2 year old on the horse also.  There were many times that my stomach was in my throat when the horse would gallop or kick up a leg.  But overall, we had a great time and Bryleigh did so well.  But I'm glad that it was just a girls day because I know my timid, safety concerned 5 year old and there is no way that he would have gone on a horseback ride.  He would have been too scared.  So we will wait a bit longer before we take Christian on a ride.

Our next stop was the petting zoo...

Lastly, we stopped at the outlet mall.  What's a girl's day without a little retail therapy :)

I found lots of good deals and started to pick up some fall/winter necessities for the kiddos!

And I couldn't pass up this clearance dress at Old Navy for next summer!

We also found a few pairs of flip flops for Bryleigh at the Disney Store for only $2.50 each!  Bryleigh LOVES flip flops and tends to steal any pair that are lying around!  But it is very hard to find flip flops for toddlers with no back straps.  So although these are a tad bit big, they will serve the purpose!

And I also picked up a few sun dresses for me since we have our Mexico trip all booked for March 2013!  It is never too early to buy dresses for vacation!

We had a great day and although I still think that it would have been beneficial to for Katie to come along on our girls day (that horseback ride would have put her into labor for sure :) I understand that she wanted to relax! So now we just hope and pray that tomorrow my little niece will grace us with her presence!