Mom (and kind of Luke) FAIL

I experienced a moment tonight that I never thought I would as a mom.  I forgot my child!  I went to pick the boys from swim.  Usually Luke grabs Gray from the concession area and they walk out together.  I was on the phone with Joey and not really paying attention.  Luke and Justin (his friend we carpool with) got in the car and we left.  I kept having this feeling that something was off.  When we were about 10 minutes away it hit me that I had forgotten Gray.  I was sick!  I called the Legacy Center but the teenage boy on the phone was no help.  I figured if Gray was not sticking out in the crowd as a kid in distress, he was probably ok?  After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the Legacy Center and Luke ran in.  Gray came out smiling and laughing.  He did think that Luke was taking a long time but was not worried.  What an answer to my prayers!  I hugged him and apologized over and over through the night!  I guess the lesson is that maybe I should not have had five kids!!  So glad he was ok and I really hope that I don't do something like that again.

Love Him

Tag really wants to be a swimmer like his big brothers.  He asked if I would help him get the swim cap on.  Once it was on, he ran and got some goggles.  Seriously the cutest!  I think I had better get this kid in some swimming lessons. 

Room Swap

After 4 years of all three boys sharing a room, we decided that it was time to change that!  We moved Luke downstairs to the former work out room/guest room. Nash now has his own room which used to be Luke's and now Gray and Tag share a room.  I am a little nervous having Luke on a different floor than the rest of us but I am loving the space.  It was quite the project but it allowed us to get more organized which I love!  Hopefully they will keep their rooms cleaner now that there isn't so much stuff in one room!  Nash's bedding comes tomorrow so I will have to post some pictures once that is done!

Tag's Fire station Field Trip

Today we got to go to the fire station for Tag's field trip.  Once he realized that there was not really a fire (love how literal this kiddo is) he had a great time.  He went right up to the fireman with all his gear on and wanted a picture with him!  He loved seeing the big fire truck and really wanted to drive it!  I love all of the experiences that Tag is having through Giant Steps.  Such a blessing!

Parent Teacher Conference

Tonight we had Parent Teacher Conference for the elementary school kids.  Gray was first and he did amazing.  He is off the charts with all of his testing and Mrs. Turner said that he is a joy to have in class.  The picture shows a report on Polar Bears that he had to write.  The next conference was for Harlee.  She is doing amazing and reading above a 6th grade level.  Her teacher, Mrs. Smith, told me if she could have a classroom full of Harlee's life would be great!  For her display outside her classroom they had tons of fun pictures of activities that they have done.  The last conference was for Nash.  His teacher Mrs. Christensen could not say enough good things about him.  He is testing way above 2nd grade level in all of his testing.  She said that he has so many friends and is so fun to have in class.  He had to write a paper on "When I am 100 years old". I am so proud of these kids.  They seem to love school and work so hard.  I must also say that Luke received his grades for term 2 and he had straight A's!  So proud of him.  I know that junior high school has been quite an adjustment with the demanding work load but he is doing so well

Super Bowl Sunday

Since it was the super bowl, Joey got to come home right after church.  We were excited to have our annual family viewing party and junk food fest.  This year it was between the Falcons and the Patriots.  The Falcons were doing amazing and by the beginning of the fourth of the quarter were winning 28 - 3.  Quickly things turned and the Patriots scored several touchdowns and the score was tied.  They went into the first ever overtime for a Super Bowl and the Patriots ended up scoring a touchdown.  It was crazy to see the come back!  Lady Gaga performed the half-time show and I really enjoyed it!  So fun to have these family times.

Gray and the two-wheeler

When I was inside cleaning the kitchen, Gray ran in and said that he had to show me something.  We went outside and he showed me how he is practicing riding a two wheeler.  He knows how to balance and glide down the hill.  So proud of him!  I am sure by the summer he will be pedaling up and down the sidewalk!

Office makeover

 

 

A few weeks ago I was asking my boss Jeff if Sarah (the realtor I am blessed to work with) would be able to use our conference room if she needed to meet with a client in Utah County.  Jeff made me aware that the new office looked like 2 guys had been working there.  I offered to help get the office set up and he gave me a budget of $2000.  It was a lot more work than I anticipated but I am pleased with the outcome.  Joey was such a support and help to me.  He helped put the furniture together and he hung all of the pictures.  So grateful for him.

Did I pick up the wrong dog?

 

 

This morning I took Ike into the groomer for the first time.  She had asked me if I wanted him to have the Schnauzer cut.  I said "yes" not really knowing what that meant!  Two hours later she texted to say that he was ready.  When I arrived he was hiding under a bench cowarding in the corner.  I honestly did not know it was him!  He looked so different.  From the look on his face he does not seem to happy about it either.  I texted Luke a picture and he was in shock.  When each of the kids came home that day they couldn't stop staring at our new puppy!  It is going to take a while for all of us to get use to the new Ike!  And I think we all decided to let his hair grow out!

Bean Museum Field Trip

After a difficult morning, Gray opted out of going back to school and decided to join me at Tag's field trip to the Bean Museum.  We had been there before with Mimi and the boys were excited to go back.  We first went to an animal show where they got to pet a frog, lizard, and a cockroach.  They loved it!  Then we got to walk around and see all of the animals.  It is so fun for me to watch Tag interact with his teachers and friends from school.  There is no doubt in my mind that this is where he is supposed to be.  Giant Steps has been such a blessing to our family.

Hard lesson to learn

 

This morning we were getting ready for the kids to go to school.  It has been a typical January in Utah and there was a lot of ice.  The kids said goodbye and went outside to wait for carpool.  Harlee then remembered that we forgot to say family prayer which we try to do daily before they leave.  So she said "Last one in has to pray".  They all ran as quickly as they can up the stairs and Gray slipped.  He hit the stair in just the right spot to split his poor chin open.  The other kids went off to school and I took Gray to the emergency room.  I was hoping that I was not overreacting but when the doctor told me he needed four stitches, I knew I had made the right decision to bring him in.  Gray was so brave!  They filled a cotton ball with "magic medicine" and it numbed his chin so well that he did not need any shots.  He lay super still while the doctor stitched him up.  I was so proud of him.  I did tell him though that this will teach him to volunteer next time for the prayer!