Well, folks, you know how it goes. Intentions start off real well and then they all lead to Rome -- or something like that. I can't remember the saying at all.
I can't believe that time has gone by so quickly since I've last posted on our family blog. It is already the end of January and I don't even know how to catch up on all that has happened in our family. I think the best way is to just pick up from here and I'll include flashback posts every couple days.
As I type this, Blythe is playing and singing in her crib. She has been avoiding her nap (successfully) for the last hour. Usually if I leave her in there she will play herself to sleep but this doesn't seem to be the case today. Today it appears she will happily play, not sleep, and then be a grumpus for the rest of the afternoon. Unfortunately she has a bit of a cough today and I've been keeping her indoors. We've had terrible weather and air quality for the last several days. In fact, we've had such remarkable poor weather quality that it's been noted across the country. Utah's infamous "inversion" has made the news and what appears to be fog is actually just air gunk. So I have a congested little girl with two molars coming in who is singing and jumping around in her crib. I suppose it could be worse.
Last week was Blythe's first full day of nursery. She loved it and did quite well. She has a very good teacher who is fantastic with small children as she homeschools her own. Blythe loved to play with other kids although she wanted me to stay just so she could double check with me with what they were doing. She especially loves the little kitchen that is there. They also do music time which is probably her favorite. The lady who comes in for music time is also very good. She brings in many things for the little kids to be involved with so they don't just sit there. Blythe's favorite is the handbells. There is story time and snack time, coloring and then clean up. She is a little confused by all the many transitions, but she will get it soon. She is also very confused by one particular little girl who snatches toys away from her and pushes her. Blythe never cried but looked at her like she was crazy.
Other than nursery, Blythe is progressing quite well. After some concern over not walking or talking on "schedule" and receiving some guidance from fantastic therapists from Kids on the Move, she has now caught up to where she should be and beyond.
Ethan is beginning to realize how burdensome 6th grade can really be these days. We are finishing up his science fair project this weekend and will complete his display poster this week. His project was on icicles and how they can be affected by controlling the outside environment (like the temperature) so they can be prevented from growing larger and then hurting people. It has been a pretty fun project and I've enjoyed helping him. It has reminded me a lot of the times I spent with my grandpa (Baba) and the fun experiments we did together. Ethan's teacher has been on maternity this last month and so he has quickly learned how hard it is to stay caught up with things when the usual people aren't in place. He has also learned how much of a pain it is when his long term substitute is someone who had taught with his mother for many many years! The poor kid can never get away!
The poor kid's voice has been cracking lately but he doesn't seem to mind. In fact, I don't think I've ever met a kid who has enjoyed puberty so much. He gives us a daily count of how many chest hairs he has (all imaginary) and loves that he is taller than I am. I am so sad that he is growing up and as happy as I am with how he is turning out to be such an incredible young man, I also long for the days when he was my tiny little man running around in overalls and flannel shirts. But I am so very proud of Ethan.
Ethan's love of reading continues to grow and I can never catch up with what he has already read. His imagination is leaping and he and I have the most outrageous conversations. Our inside jokes are ridiculous and I know people would think we were insane if ever they were to overhear our conversations. But I know that he will love these days sometime in the future.
Jonathan is doing fantastic and I am so relieved to finally be able to say he loves being at work. After so many years he actually enjoys going to work and doesn't come home like he's been at war all day. A couple months ago he was suddenly asked to transfer to Diamond Fork Junior High in Spanish Fork. Sadly, an assistant principal at another junior had become quite ill and had to miss many days of school. I hope he gets better soon. I know how hard that is on a family. The district moved over the TSA at Diamond Fork to that other junior high and moved Jonathan over to Diamond Fork. His previous junior high has low numbers and so they really don't need a TSA. What a miraculous change! It has been the best thing (next to an actual administrator's position) for Jonathan. He is actually valued for his work and input at this school, and he is treated like an asset. Another plus is that he is only about ten minutes away from home.
As for me, I have returned to UVU for winter semester. The classes are more spread out this semester than last, but I am surviving. I'm teaching the second half of the freshman English requirement and my classes are quite enjoyable this time around. Last semester the students were interesting. I should say I very much enjoyed my morning class, but the afternoon class was a pill. My favorite teacher evaluation statement from that afternoon class was: "Stop trying to be funny because you're not." It still makes me laugh.
Many of my former students from my old life are leaving on missions now that the Church has changed the mission age. It has been so nice to see how many are going off to serve the Church, especially the young women. I have been invited to mission farewells almost every Sunday, sometimes even two or three each week. I've started to have to decline because there are just far too many. It is strange to think that the very last group of kids I taught in that life will be graduating high school this year. I will finally be able to put that life behind me in May.
This is us right now, in January. So far so good, but desperately seeking sunshine.
