Ten years later....

Wow, my family has grown up so fast. My youngest wanted to see my blog after watching a history class where he learned about the history of the internet. We just read through all of my posts and decided to write a new one. 

My oldest finished High School, Went on a mission for our church, and is now in college studying cybersecurity. It's fun seeing him on Facetime once a week. 

My daughter is still dancing, writing, painting, playing flute and piano, sewing, singing, and performing in drama. She is very talented. She has enrolled in college for next year and plans to study graphic design. She had prom this past weekend with many of her friends. She made her own dress for the occasion.  

My youngest started High School early and has been learning lots. He likes attending Seminary with his sister and friends. He has grown so tall so fast, he looks like he is two years older than he is. He enjoys playing French Horn in the band, singing in choir, learning music theory, and acting in drama. He can solve a Rubik's cube in 17.51 seconds! 

We have two additions to the family. One very fluffy dog (in 2015) and a parakeet (about 2 years ago). The dog is very lovable and lazy. He loves food and the great outdoors. The bird is very messy and scared of everything, but it does enjoy its toys.

Ernest just finished being secretary for our church. So now he has more time to spend with us during the week. He started making models this year and is always enjoying his car videos.

I am teaching the youth at church and Ernest has been helping me. We make a good team. I teach music at the co-op, so I started teaching myself viola and cello recently. It's fun to learn the stringed instruments and to teach them. I also enjoy reading motivational books and books written about and by our church leaders. Aside from that, I have lots of fun spending time with my family and our family dog.

A new chapter of my life!

So I have joined the local Symphony and I am really enjoying it so far. This month will be my 3rd concert. Everyone is very inclusive and kind, and the music is fun and different styles each time. I am a little sad that my stand partner has not been coming since the 1st concert. He really helped me a lot to get started and to feel comfortable in the group. Last concert, I had to sit by my self. So far, at the practices, I have a stand partner again, which is nice. Her stand partner has not been at the practices this time, so we get to help each other out.

My oldest is now in Orchestra at school, himself. Taking after Mommy. I get to teach him private lessons myself. The benefit is that the lessons don't cost us but the drawback is that I am Mom, and sometimes kids don't like listening to Mom, or taking on the challenges Mom gives. But he is progressing well and enjoying his talent. I think he will ultimately going to be a better player than I am. He is a quick player and is in tune most of the time. He is also great at memorizing.

My little girl is going to be in her first school play this month. I am excited for her, but sad that I will miss it. My son's concert is the same night...so Daddy will take her to her play and I will take my boy to his concert. Wish I could be in two places at once! Hopefully my husband can video tape and we can watch it latter.

My "baby" is doing well. He is learning letters nicely, writing his name and other words when you tell him how to spell them. Today we went around the house labeling things with index cards: fridge, door, table, trash can, dresser, etc. He had so much fun taping the labels all over! Labeling things helped my girl learn to read well. I think this will help my "baby" as well. He is growing so fast, that soon enough he will be in school and then what will I do with myself. I will miss him tons! I am hoping my joining the Symphony will help during that time. So far, it is great to be a part of something that is outside my "Mommy" role.

I enjoy getting out and being a part of such a great community organization as well. I joined thinking it would help my abilities to grow. I have been playing church music for a long time and haven't played with a symphony for over 15 years. Feels great to be back! And now the Holidays are upon us! So nice. Love the weather of fall, love the getting together with family, and love the music!

Praise for my kids :)

I cannot believe how much time has gone by! My youngest is two and we all still treat him like a baby. He has hit terrible two's but it is pretty mild terrible two's, thankfully. I love seeing his happy little face every day :) He loves playing outside with his siblings and visiting with our neighbors' kids. He also likes to help mommy water our herb garden.

My sweet daughter is getting ready for her second dance recital. She is my shy one and wouldn't practice on her own at home until just recently. Her class is dressing up as the "lost boys" from Peter Pan. The costumes look a lot like cave people outfits, Ernest says. I don't mind too much now, but I was disappointed at first, I would have loved to see her in a Tinker Bell costume instead. The important thing is that she gets to enjoy her dancing.

My oldest is almost done reading all of the required books for the book-club at school this year. I am so glad he stuck to it for the whole school year. The books chosen by the school turned out to be great books for him to read, too. This year I am buying a year-book because his art was chosen to be inside of the back cover. His picture is of the school mascot. He has worked hard this year, I am so proud of my big boy!

Looking forward to another school year!

Wow is it hot! I am so glad the summer is almost over, just because of the heat!
The kids have been enjoying so much free time, spending their days doing projects together and sometimes going to the pool. Projects included weaving, bead pictures that are ironed to stay together, origami, and making jewelry. Lots of fun! But now it is time to prepare for school. Thank goodness the school sells those prepackaged supplies or we would be at the stores going crazy this weekend. I remember my school days and how my Mom had to wheel all six of us around to get school supplies. Poor Mom, she had to do so much work for us. Love you Mom!
Well, my oldest son will be in fourth this year and my daughter will be in Kindergarden. Only my toddler will be left at home during the day! I will be on my toes chasing him around, because he is a busy one! I am planing on pretty-much home-preschooling him like I did the other two. So far I have him doing action songs with me, looking at flashcards of pictures, and reading books. Action songs are his best subject so far, I am hoping he will get interested in the other activities as well.
My husband is still into photography and is getting itchy for a new camera already! I told him I would like him to keep the one he has, for at least a year. He is already talking me down though...so we will see.
I have be reading lots this year, especially this summer. I am looking forward to Book Club starting up again after school starts. I am enjoying being in my ward's Book Club and being exposed to new ideas, from the other ladies and the books we have read. Book Club also gives me a goal to actually finish a book. Some books start out slow so I don't know I would finish them if I didn't have to discuss them later. Plus I get girl time!--My husband takes the kids and I get time to relax and socialize. Love it!
Well, I hope everyone has had a great summer!

Yes a new blog, finally!

Time sure has gotten away from me! Let's see, what's new? My daughter is now in preschool and loving it! Her favorite part is playing on their playground. I am still trying to get her to talk to the teachers when they greet us in the morning. I hope this experience successfully gets her prepared to socialize with others before Kinder...she is my shy one. My baby boy is so happy to have alone time with mommy...and he sure keeps me busy. Some days I am just holding on till nap time! My oldest is still enjoying 3rd grade, and recently started piano lessons again, so far so good. I love hearing him practice in our home. Music is one of my favorite activities. My husband has taken to learning about photography...and is doing well so far. I like this hobby, because we have lots of beautiful pictures of our children now and of our world. I am a hard working mommy still, and loving every minute (even when I am Very tired)! I hope everyone is having a wonderful time with this weather, I love spring!

A little catch-up!

Wow, time sure has gone by! The holidays are upon us and I am so glad. And isn't it nice that the weather is getting cooler? I am so glad God made different seasons; at the end of each one I am always ready for the next one :)

The kids are doing well...they are all getting bigger! The baby is now almost 20 lbs! What a nice change to having to worry about low weight for him! My oldest is steadily getting taller. My little girl is already in the next size up and her birthday is not till next year! I have been busily cleaning her new hand-me-downs from her cousin and buying others that she needed. Now I hope these will last her at least till she needs to dress in lighter clothing again. She loves dressing in all of her "new" clothes. Thank you Sis!

My sweetie has swapped his RC helicopter out for an RC airplane. He has been working on it all week. It is much bigger than his small heli he sold on ebay. He is excited but wants to graduate from this "trainer" plane to a "real" RC plane soon. He has been asking me to get it for him...I think he should get it for himself because I would probably get him the wrong one or something.

We went to Trunk-or-Treat last night. We had a great time helping out and seeing all who came. We took lots of pictures for Mom so that she can use them for her next school project...go Mom! I love looking at all the projects she has done so far, she is so talented!

I have been reading the book Fairest, recommended to me by my older sister and I am 3/4 the way done. Very creative and interesting book. I didn't realize that the writer, Gail Carson Levine, also wrote Ella Enchanted, that movie is so fun, I wander how that book is...must be good too. I am still in our book club at church and I am enjoying fellowship there. The last book was The Giver. Nice and short and also creative.

Happy Fall everyone!