UGH!

I miss blogging, my kids broke my laptop and I simply cannot blog from a tablet...it's unnatural. Things are going well, my offspring are doing amazingly well, my marriage is flourishing, and we are as happy as can be. I love my family...even when they make me crazy. Trenton is still doing well behaviorally, Alexis is a shining star as always, Jessa is a pain in the ass but she is at that age. The annoying age. Lemon is almost a walker. Jason is doing well in the business area, I am doing well....in my area.

The cat is out of the bag: we are fostering/adopting. Yay for a bigger family. It will be later...we are still working out the kinks and trying to get all of our ducks in row, our homestudy is next week and I am anxious. Besides, we are going to Disneyland in less than month...I can't be swamped with paperwork and then trying to get a new child situated while going on vacation. We will be ready in the beginning of next year, everyone is excited.

I have so much to share but so little time, I will try be more diligent when it comes to blogging. Sitting at a desktop isn't quite my style either BUT it's better than nothing! I'm hoping Santa hooks mama up with a new laptop xmas!

Speaking of Christmas; that is a big deal at our house. Every year we have a birthday party for Jesus in addition to all of the Christmas-y stuff.

Gotta go, life awaits.

Alexis, grade 5

Straight A's baby! Girlfriend is making that money, $5 per A. Her teacher told me that Alexis is very imaginative and writes beautifully. She commented on her outstanding behavior (she recently received a certificate for for 10 purples), her ability to problem solve, and her outstanding self esteem. I've been told this time and time again but it never gets old; my greatest desire is to raise children with  a great sense of self-esteem/self-worth and confidence. Alexis has a journal that she writes in daily at school, I read some of it today, and I felt so blessed...my daughter admires me! She had written about what a great mother I am and how she is lucky to have her 1/2 dad (she doesn't like to call him step dad so she calls him 1/2 dad) and a big, supportive family at home. I am feeling so proud! All of my school aged kids blew my mind today!

Jessa, grade PreK

I've another smarty pants on my hands! Bunny is accelerated, she is going to be ready for Kindergarten next year per her teacher and plans on writing a letter of recommendation for us! I currently have her in a public elementary school for PreK, I know that the Arizona Department of Education will recognize letters in addition to individual child reports from state schools for early entrance into Kindergarten. The cut off date is September 1 but make an exception and enroll a child if it is in the child's best interest and the child will be age 5 by January 1st. Bunny will be 4 next month and if she doesn't plateau or fall behind I will enroll her at the Preparatory Academy with the two older kids next fall. I expected Bunny to spend one more year in PreK and more time with me, it's bittersweet. I'm proud of her for doing amazingly well but sad that my partner in crime will be gone with my big kids all day. Hey, I've still got my lil' Lemon!

Trenton, grade 1

My boy sure loves that ambulance! Jason has been driving it home almost every night and it excites Trenton, he loves the lights! I went to a parent/teacher conference today and saw this picture outside his classroom on the wall, not only did I giggle at his sweet illustration but I was overjoyed to see his beautiful penmanship. I am so excited to share the news!! Trenton is doing wonderfully, I am very proud of him. Trenton has three A's, one B, and one C. Trenton is struggling with reading but we have him in tutoring and he reads at home 20 minutes every night which is roughly 4 books. Behaviorally, he is a "complete joy!" according to his teacher. Who is this boy?! I just love hearing his teacher tell me about how caring and polite he is. She also mentioned that he talks about Jason a lot and is a walking billboard for his business as he is constantly suggesting that his peers and teachers visit one of the stores. His teacher did mention that his organizational skills were poor and he has trouble focusing, she also mentioned how his handwriting had improved during the last two weeks and during the last two weeks we have been working on that at home. I like knowing that my efforts at home pay off, I love that his commitment paid off too! I am overjoyed, I am so proud of Trenton and he has earned himself $5 per A and a special dinner of his choice...not to mention an unheard of amount of praise from Jason, his siblings and myself. Seriously, my palms hurt from the massive amounts of high fives going on in this house.

halloween and birthdays

It's October! Naturally, the kids are excited about Halloween. Alexis has suggested going out as a cat or maybe a witch. Trenton wants to be a ninja. Bunny, she has grand ideas! "Batgirl, all black and gold sparkly  with a princess crown and a batman mask and a wand." Lemon might be a cat too.

Jason and I will probably dress up but I'm not sure...we are last minute people.

Bunny has a birthday coming up, she had decided on a batgirl and princess party. In addition she has requested a big party hat that announces that she's 4 years old. She said she wanted a "reeeeeaaaaaallllly small party with HUGE presents." I can do that.

Trenton has expressed wanting a dirt bike party. I'm excited because I have this great came idea and I bet I can pull it off. My boy will be 7, whoa.

Alexis...she's tough. She wants a moustache party but she wants to also go see a concert with Jason. I will officially have a preteen, she will be 10.

We have decided that Lemon will have a circus theme, click here for the circus theme. Crazy, she will be 1!!

All my sweet babies are growing up. They are wonderful and I love them all so much. They're all very different but the same at the same time. I know that probably doesn't make a lot of sense BUT its how I feel. Their personalities are so different but the way they look at me...it melts my heart!

I've been making amazon gift lists with the kids over the last few months so when birthdays and Christmas comes it will be easy for gift ideas.