Jose

This is Jose, the newest member of our family.

We adopted him. He's grown up and lives by himself, so he just occasionally comes over for dinner.

Good Things to Come

Emily has been accepted into BYU-Hawaii! She is very excited and looks forward to attending in the fall of 2010. She took the application process very seriously and felt very strongly that this was the right thing to do. Our girl who has always loved tropical foods, scenery, etc., will definitely have her fill of the tropical life! Good luck to you! It's time to start saving so we can go see her; she only has three more semesters before graduation!

Where has the time gone? I'm not a techy, and my children tell me I am technology challenged. Where was I when the PC and internet became such an integral part of peoples' lives? I was having children, playing with them, taking them on walks, cooking for and with them, serving in scouts, nursery, etc., tutoring struggling students, cleaning house, reading good literature, and the list goes on.

I like having a computer and am happy to report we were able to save up and get a good working machine that will increase our ability to learn and communicate via technology. I feel spread thin enough now, but I am working on Knowledge in the Young Women Personal Progress program and hope to incorporate some new computer skills as a result, as well as taking some classes to update my credentials so I am more marketable in the hiring lane. It's a competitive market out there with Professional Certification and National Board Certification for teachers. I still have an edge: experience and insights. Those precious years I spent with my children as they were growing up created some amazing learning experiences.

I may seem old and under qualified, yet I think I have some things to offer that all the credentials one can earn cannot show on paper: a PhD in mothering and nurturing.

It is girl scout cookie time! After all these years with girls, we now have two in Girl Scouts. L has set a goal to sell 200 boxes of cookies and is well on her way; she is great at sales. The neighbors gladly buy them, even when she approaches them with chocolate pudding all over her face!

Our house is a little quieter and a little different with 3 off to college now! We miss having them around, yet it is the best place for J,M, and E to be. Have a great semester and enjoy your studies! We love you!

Aim was mastering her cartwheel on the balance beam, when she mistakenly crossed her legs on the landing, falling down on the mat below. She landed on her big toe, breaking it, taking her out for the rest of the season. In spite of the let- down, she has been a good sport about it all and was patient about walking around with a brace on her toe and a big black boot on her foot for a month.
After a month of x-rays and multiple appointments, she was freed from the boot. This young lady is ready for the time she can run to condition for track. Not being able to exercise (other than walking around and stretching out) has been the hardest part of the ordeal. The day she got the boot off was the day she was on the stationary bike cranking up as many miles as she could in 30 minutes. Go, Aim! Indeed, there is no stopping this girl! I forgot to mention she competed on the bars with her broken toe before she went to the Dr.; she is one dedicated gal.