Being Thankful.....Day 30!

I am Thankful for Haden!

Haden loves sports! I think the only kid in our family. He especially loves football and baseball and requests to watch or play them often. Delaney isn't a huge sports person, but she will always play with Haden for a little bit. Haden loves a good challenge (learning the pogo stick and now wanting a unicycle). He tries his hardest at whatever he puts his mind to. He enjoys writing stories, reading books...oh he loves books, drawing and playing video games. 

This boy is amazing and surprises me every day. He thinks of others, is concerned for others and is always willing to help others. He has, since he was little, been a huge help to me! I am so grateful that he is such an example to his brothers and sister. He loves to make others happy, and does whatever it takes. He has always been curious and wants to know everything. He has such a fun personality and loves to be goofy.

He wants his peers and friends to like him and tries make them happy. He is a tenderhearted boy, who even though he will try and make you think something isn't bothering him, he often has a lot on his mind. I am so grateful he opens up to Jeff and I, and talks about it. I pray that continues! He has an amazingly strong testimony and continues to strengthen mine.

He is a light, a strength and an example to all of us!

Being Thankful.....Day 29!

I am thankful for sarcasm!

I know, totally odd thing to be thankful for....but growing up in a family that is sarcastic, I am so grateful to have found a husband who is just as sarcastic as I am. I love that my kids understand and dish out the sarcasm as well! 

It is something I love because it can be used instead of totally going off on someone, or when getting frustrated it can change my mood. I know not everyone gets it, and around me I have learned those who take it well and those who don't ;)

A Very Happy Thanksgiving it was!

Today we woke up slowly, we spent some time as just our family and got ready for the day. We were given rolls and mashed potatoes for our assignment, so we started raising the rolls. I've done something to my back, left side, that is making it hard for me to get around. Jeff is awesome and stepped up and took care of things.

We then worked on our turkey tradition....thankfully Jeff is amazing and picked up the stuff last night on his way home. The kids were excited for it, and couldn't wait to put it together (they also couldn't wait to tear it apart and eat it)!

Our crazy turkeys...love these kiddos, silly faces and all!

Then we finished up any last minute things, made the potatoes and headed on our way to Bob and Trudy's. We were so excited because we finally got to meet Bailey...our nephew, Brandon, and his wife Tamara's little girl. Oh she is so cute!!

Haden could hardly wait to hold her! He was so sweet with her.

Grant was excited too and would have held her for a long time.

The dinner is yummy, the company was so fun. I love Jeff's family and enjoy being with them. They are a lot of fun and we laugh a LOT!

Trudy had a fun game of Bingo for the kids to play! They were so excited to win :)
Thanks to Shanna for playing with Kahle and helping him...my kids really love you!

Thank you to all who helped make the meal! Thank you for the laughs, the fun and the conversation!

Being Thankful.....Day 28!

I am Thankful for laughter & smiles!

As we gathered with family today, there was plenty of laughter and plenty of smiles! I love being with family, sharing stories, talking and always laughing! Not only was it a yummy meal, it was great company!

I love to laugh, I love to be with others who are laughing. Smiles are always something I notice on people, and they always make me smile. Smiling's my favorite :)

Thankful Feasts!

On Tuesday Kahle's class, along with the other Early Childhood class, had their Thankful Feast!

Here is our cute little Indian :)
He really liked the cranberry sauce...he had seconds!

The cute Pilgrims and Indians :)

They made these adorable tissue boxes! LOVE it!!
Kahle is so proud of it too, he has carried all around the house :)
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After the Apex Fun Run, Delaney's class had their Thankful Feast!

Delaney at her Thankful Feast, eating Popeye's chicken...my beautiful girl!

I have to say how much I love Delaney's class! They are so kind to each other, they are always sharing, being friends and it is so fun to watch!

'I am Thankful for my cousins'

Delaney's class in their cute turkey hats!

I love having younger kids, where they still do cute crafts and parties like these :)

Apex Fun Run!

Today was a fun run at the kids' school, they ran to help raise money for the school. If you would like to sponsor them for each lap or make a flat fee donation contact me...the kids would love it!

Apex Fun Run is just that...FUN! It is full of energy, the kids had a blast and I was so glad that I was able to be there for each run!

Apex Power Up!
P - Positive Attitude

O - Others First

W - Work Hard

E - Exercise

R - Responsibility

Apex...Pow, Pow, Power Up!

Delaney's class was with the first group to run...isn't she cute?!

They did lots of fun things while the kids were running, they 'airplane' was one of them. 

Delaney ran 39 laps! Go girl!!

Coleman was with the second group that did the run!

Jeff marking off one of Cole's laps...I think he went to his Dad every time :)

Notice the red cheeks...he ran a lot!

I didn't get a picture of him in his shirt, but he ran 36 laps...even though he wasn't feeling great!

After lunch, Kahle's class ran with the 3rd group.

This little man ran the entire time!

He was so cute to watch!!

And he ran 40 laps, and had a blast doing it!

Grant and Haden ran in the 4th group.

I teased them, when they would slow down, that Kahle did 40 laps...they can't let their brother beat them!

Grant's class with Apex leader, Will I am!

One of the parents was drawing mustaches on the kids....too funny!!

Grant ran 37 laps...and for a kid who really does not like running, I was proud!

Haden was on a different track than Grant, so I kept going between the two!

Lorey marking off Haden's laps!

He did great! He said it only burned for a little bit, but eventually the burn went away and he could just run :)

Haden ran 43 laps!

While we were out watching Haden and Grant run, they brought Cole out to us. He was in the nurses office complaining his jaw hurt. Looking him over, we could see his left ear was draining. So Jeff called the Dr. and they could get him in. A sweet friend of ours was subbing in Cole's class, so she brought him to us and also came back out with all of his stuff. Thank you Shawna!!!

Jeff took Cole there, while I stayed and got the kids after school. Then I took the other kids up to the Dr. and Jeff went to work.

The results...Cole has a double ear infection with one being yucky and they other being yucky yucky. The Dr. told us had we waited much longer and his ear drums might have burst, they were not good. The infection also is into his face and making his cheeks all puffy and swollen. They gave him antibiotics there, before letting him leave. So we came home and let him rest. Hoping when he wakes, that he will be feeling much better!

Other than that, it was a fun day!
Can't wait to see how much the awesome kids at our school have raised!

Being Thankful.....Day 27!

I am thankful for quiet times...for me time!

Don't get me wrong, I love and adore my kids. I live for them and love to be around them. I love being involved and there for them. But after a crazy day, I enjoy sitting down, watching some of my shows and enjoying the quiet that only comes when 5 kids are in bed asleep :)

This is my time. Time for me to regroup and get ready for the next day. I have always enjoyed quiet times (even when I was younger), times for me to be me, to think, to do what I want to do. And it hasn't changed. I know after a busy day like I have ahead of me, I am going to be enjoying some quiet time tonight!

Things I want to remember the kids saying....

I want to document some of these conversations that made me giggle!

- The kids were playing just dance on the wii, Haden kept beating Cole and this was very frustrating to him. He finally said 'Haden you are better at direction dancing (meaning the game showing him the moves) and I am better at freestyle.'

- Kahle when finishing a movie 'can you go back to the forginning?' (meaning beginning)

- Coleman has told a couple of us 'I can dance anywhere, any place and anytime!'

- Kahle, while picking a piece of candy from his Halloween bag, 'oh this is the best candy mom! Why would these people give out their best candy? That's so nice of them!'

-I don't always realize how much our kids listen...
Kahle 'Mom what does your name start with?'
Me 'Which name, Mom or Bethany?'
Kahle 'Mom'
Me 'It starts with an M'
Kahle 'What does Bethany start with?'
Me 'It starts with a B'
Kahle 'what does gorgeous start with?' (this is something Jeff calls me from time to time)...made me giggle...he listens even when you think he's not :)

-With his arms stretched out wide...'Mommy, I love you in a big way!'...oh Kahle Thomas you melt my heart

- 'I'm a heavy drinker...because I drink a lot!' - Coleman (after getting a big drink of water)

- Me- Kahle what is the that smell, did you put lotion or soap on?
Kahle- Nope! I used Haden's stuff in our room, because my pits stink! (said with a huge smile on his face)
Me- Did you put the deodorant on your pits?
Kahle- Yep, and now they don't stink!
HAHA! Gotta start the personal hygiene early

- Mom look it's the letter P...like pee that comes out of my privates, but we only do that in the potty!
Oh this child...never a dull moment with Kahle!

I love how hilarious kids are!!!!

Being Thankful.....Day 26!

I am Thankful for a potty trained 4 year old!

In the past month he has only had about 3 or 4 accidents...we will take it! Not sure what or how it clicked...and honestly I don't care! I am just so glad to not be dealing with it each and every day! Kahle was definitely our hardest to potty train, but I want to scream it to the world that he is, almost completely, potty trained!

It has been happy days in our home! WOOHOO!!

Being Thankful.....Day 25!

I am Thankful for my trials!

Yes, I am thankful for my trials, each and every one of them. Although when going through certain ones, I wasn't sure I would make it through them...I did. Not only did I make it through them, I have overcome them and moved passed them. I look back on these trials and challenges, I wouldn't change a thing...none of them...I would go through them all again, if it means that is what is needed to be who I am now.

I have a stronger faith, trust and belief! I have learned to reach out to those around me for help, when needed. I am thankful for my strength that has gotten me through my trials! For the love and support that is given me in times of need. I am thankful for the day to day trials and the big huge trials!

Being Thankful.....Day 24!

I am Thankful for church callings...especially teaching in Primary!

Jeff and I have taught in Primary off and on since we were first married (almost 12 years ago), and we love it! We have taught the same class off and on for the past 3 years with a break for just a few months. These kids are amazing and we feel so privileged to be their teacher. Each week, even when I feel like we may not be getting through, it's nice to hear them the next week or weeks after recall what you taught the previous week or two!

Obviously Jeff and I love kids, so we feel as though we fit right in! I am grateful for the children we teach and have taught! I am grateful for their families and how well they are taught at home as well. I hope that we have, in some way, made a difference in their lives...as much as they have in mine!

Rebel Reading Challenge!

On Wednesday, the 20th, Jeff and I had that chance to join Grant and Haden on their fieldtrip to UNLV to kick off a great program, Rebel Reading Challenge, it was like a huge pep rally. Thank you Adri for taking Kahle and watching him and getting him to pre-school, you are awesome!! This encourages the kids to read! They mark each day how many pages they have read for the next 30 days. It is a big competition and the boys are taking on the challenge!

I went with Haden and his class...this is us on the bus ride (where Haden made sure I sat with him on the way there and the way back).

Jeff went with Grant and his class...mustaches for everyone!

Schorr students filling in our section....there were 32 schools of 4th and 5th graders in attendance!

Waiting for it to begin!

Watching the mascots play against each other!

There was LOTS of dancing and our boys definitely had a blast!

Dancing his heart out!

Showing off his moves!

Mustache!

It has been fun to watch Haden, who loves to read, push himself more; and to watch Grant who wasn't so into reading, push himself to read! They have taken on the challenge, and are working hard each day towards it!