Each year the landscape makes a beautiful change of colors that brings me joy beyond measure! I know there are some who love to drive around and look at Christmas lights, or to enjoy spring flowers... me? I want to drive around and Oooo and Ahhhh at people's tree choices and absorb the peaceful feeling and beauty that is Fall.
I love it! It's my most favorite time of the year!!
And so... here is a little glimpse of the beauty I enjoy when I come home each day...
Oh Caleb... sweet funny Caleb... here's a quick update on that little man...
* He still loves/adores/excels at anything hands-on, dirty or resembles something his Daddy would be doing. He also just spent over 2 hours helping me bottle tomato juice! He LOVES work... as long as it's not school work/reading.
* Caleb started with a fantastic tutor here in the neighborhood over the summer, and she is helping him succeed by leaps and bounds. He still *really* struggles with the building blocks of reading, but his comprehension is awesome! He landed a fantastic teacher at school, and it's the smallest class to boot! (almost 10 kids less than the other classes!) The school is getting him some help as well, and we are optimistic that he will get caught up this school year and not feel so behind.
* Caleb has attended Cub Scouts for almost six months now. He is scooting right along with his achievements and last week declared that "even though I am suppose to hate scouts" (wait? what??) "I totally LOVE it now!" He proceeded to explain that they worked with tools, hammered in nails (which "I rocked it better than anybody else!") and did all the things he loves. LOL He is so funny!
* Caleb has had a lot of fun hanging out with Cam and Tyler, but he also just loves hanging out with Cameron. They have gotten really close the last few months and love to hang out together. One of their favorite pastimes is Minecraft that Caleb got for his birthday. Their little worlds are super elaborate, and they work together to make things work. It's kinda cool. They also ride bikes and love to play outside together with soccer balls and the like.
* He is on pins and needles... it's almost OCTOBER!!! He absolutely ADORES Halloween! His all time fav! So far he has 100% decided he wants to be a cowboy, or maybe a karate kid or maybe a skeleton. LOL He is so much fun!
So... to wrap up the updates on us let's begin with Cam...
* Cam is LOVING sixth grade! His teacher is awesome, and he got to be a part of a special 6th grade class. It's a fine arts 6th grade, and so he gets to incorporate the arts into his everyday learning. One of the coolest opportunities in this class is that they get to pick a topic/subject they learned this year and, as a class, write an opera for it. They then have a music teacher that helps them to compose original music for their opera and next spring their class will perform it!! Talk about unique! He loves it!
* He also tried out last spring and made it into the Elementary show choir: Tyros. He spent a whole week at a "retreat" at the school during the summer learning 3 detailed choreography dances to perform. Last week they performed at the city's Harvest Moon Hurrah and have another "concert" in 2 weeks. He really enjoys it and his voice is maturing and growing so much... his momma loves it too!
* Cameron has jumped headlong into scouts. (I think his brother's example helps *wink*) This fall he is attending both the local and the BYU Powwow's and when it's all said and done, he likely could have over 10 merit badges! He was really disappointed when his 2nd 11-yr old scout overnighter was cancelled due to heavy rain (and moved to the church) a couple of weeks ago. His Dad had committed to go with him and he looked forward to having him all to himself! Dad still went with him to the church (they still did the activities etc. just no overnight camping) but he was still a little bummed out. His other 11year old overnighter was missed because of a bad asthma attack. He is REALLY looking forward to turning 12 in January and becoming a deacon and a "real boy scout" with lots of camping opportunities!
* His best friend lives right behind us (Tyler Day) and they are constantly on the go together. My favorite part about their friendship is that they have no problem including Caleb in their fun. It makes my mommy heart burst! :) They love to jump on the tramp for hours, or play X-box together. Tyler has been a deacon for over a year, and can't wait for Cam to join him too!
* Another fun thing Cam has been up to... he is passing off his Articles of Faith for his Faith in God. So far he has almost 5 of them memorized completely. He wants to receive his award before his 12th birthday.
Cam is full of fun and laughter. We love his sense of humor, as well as his small acts of kindness he is constantly trying to do. He is such a good kid and we love him to bits! :)
Now to do a quick update on the Code-man...
He has had a busy summer as well. He committed to mow & edge "Grandma" Carolyn (our next door neighbor in our last house)'s yard each week. It has been a bit of an adjustment for him - he has some depth perception issues so sometimes he had to go back over spots, but he is getting really good at it! For a few weeks he helped mow a couple of other families yards as well. He earned enough to pay his way for Scout Camp, as well as purchase his new iPod touch he has been saving for. Once he reached those goals, he then saved some for his CA souvenirs, and now is helping to pay for his Drama and Choir fees. (he needed a new TUX for choir! WOW! I guess he's set for dances in 2 years...no? IF he quits growing though right?? LOL)
He had a very busy July - it felt like we rarely saw the boy! We started out the month in San Francisco on vacation. We arrived home early Sunday morning and hurried and packed him up and he left for Scout Camp the next day. He was gone all week (and for his birthday too!! :( This Momma was sad!). He arrived home Saturday and we rushed through getting his laundry done and sleeping bag cleaned up, and re-packed him... he and Emmalee left early Monday morning for a Pioneer Trek for 4 days. The poor boy came home and had NO desire to leave the house... or really even his room... for a solid week! LOL He loved trek and camp... though was really disappointed for both because for Scout Camp his best friend Ethan got dehydrated and went home early, and for Trek Ethan wasn't old enough to go! A few weeks later Ethan moved two towns over and he has missed hanging out with him a lot. :(
In July, Cody also turned 14, and was ordained to be a Teacher. He was sad to leave the Deacon's quorum, but was relieved to no longer be the D.Q. Pres and "be in charge" anymore.
Funny enough... his "being in charge" didn't lessen much the following month. August was consumed with his Eagle Scout Project. I will do a whole post (or two) on the project, but in a nutshell it was a way bigger bite than he had planned. He coordinated the efforts to build ladders across the end of the bunk beds at the local Young Women's Camp - Camp Koholowo. This project was completely out of his comfort zone and really stretched him to the limit, but he DID it! We had a lot of great support and love... and honestly... we are all really thankful to see it completed! *grin* We hope to get all the paperwork completed and signed off and are shooting for an Eagle Court of Honor sometime in Jan.
Cody is loving being a Freshman this year! He is taking Drama, like I mentioned, but he also tried out and made it into the Shakespeare Group. He is practicing with his group and they go to competition the first of next month in Cedar City. We are really excited for him! He also tried out for Choir and made it to the High School Concert Choir. He also is taking a Choir Tech class where he is learning the theatre prep/prop prep/lights & sounds behind the choirs performances. He could go on tour (Nationals) with the Show choir as their "Techie", but it's $2000 and I just don't know if that can happen LOL We shall see... in the mean time he is eating it up and loving every minute of it!
He started taking French this year and LOVES it! Last night he asked me if he saved up for it, could he go with his French class to France his Junior year? WOW! (Can I just say how much I *love* their school?? So many great opportunities!) Pretty cool!! *I* wanna go to France!!! LOL
Cody loves his iPod, and his favorite hobbies right now include finding funny pictures (especially of animals) to see (and share). He is annoyed by his little brothers, but is also fiercely protective of them. We all tease that he has definitely become a surly fourteen year-old... but he is such a good kid - even when he acts kinda grumpy LOL
One of my favorite things about Cody is his willingness to just quietly jump in and help. He really does so much to help out the family. He doesn't love big chore days, but he is the first to rotate laundry, empty the dishwasher, take out the trash and mow the grass. He also likes to help read scriptures at night and keep us on track for Family Home Evening.
We sure love our Will-I-am... He is such a great part of our family!! :)
Emma has been super busy as well (I wonder where she gets it?? Bwahahaha)
Here's a quick sum up of her comings and goings as of late...
* She finished her first semester of college with flying colors over summer semester. She is continuing her college courses this fall - along with being a Sophomore in High school. She has two EdNet (live interactive) college courses this semester and one AP class. It is TONS of work, and she really wants to do it, but sometimes really just wants to be a teenager and hang out with her friends. It's tough, but she is being so responsible about it and learning a lot of time management skills. We feel really proud of her, but try to not be too proud because we want her to do this on her own if she wants it - it's entirely up to her ;)
* Emma is serving as the Mia Maid President at church and loves the girls in her class. She prays for them often and is just so sweet about it.
* Em earned her Young Women's Personal Progress Medallion in July (me too!!) It was fun to receive it together and to reflect on how much we have grown together. She has been such a motivating factor for me to get mine alongside her, and it has been worth every minute! When I was being interviewed by the Bishopric member about my experience and about how it has changed my own relationship with the Savior my heart filled to overflowing and my eyes filled up with tears... I hadn't realized just how important my role as a mother is to help my children feel, recognize and develop a relationship with the Savior. I realize that I am His greatest ally when it comes to my kids. It was profound moment as a Mom. Emma is excited to move on to earn her Honor Bee next, and has already completed over 40 hours of service helping Cody with his Eagle Scout Project. She restarted reading the Book of Mormon.
* She is still in love with piano, though with her schedule she is self teaching at the moment. She loves Drama and is the same Drama class as Cody. She chose Drama this year as opposed to Choir. She realized she didn't have time for it all. She looks forward to attending the Shakespeare Competitions in Cedar City next month. Cody is in Shakespeare and she gets to go cheer him on. She also wants to get a mask! (see below)
* Em is screaming up on Sixteen! She has her learner's permit and loves to practice, though the freeway has not been yet attempted. Her Mom and Dad are trying to save up to get her through Driver's Ed in the next few months. She was asked to Homecoming last week. She was so conflicted! Before her Dad and I could even discuss it and make a decision, she made it herself. She decided that it was the right thing to do to follow the standards she knows are for her own good and she told him no. He was a good friend, and was somewhat relieved she said no --- he didn't realize she was not 16 yet and was sick about making her choose! He has agreed to be her escort for her Masquerade...
* Yep. Masquerade. We are throwing her a Sweet Sixteen party and her theme is a masque (hence the mask shopping at the Shakespeare Festival.) We have a cousin who is a DJ and he is going to come make it a good time! We found Emmy a formal gown in California and she just picked up her shoes the other night on our way to Millie's wedding. It should be an event to be remembered!
We are so thankful to have her in our family! She is Mom's best friend, Cody's best friend, and we all just love her to bits! She helps to keep our busy family going whenever she has time and without her her Momma would be lost!
Soo... catching you up on Jestin:
He is busy as ever. (surprised? I didn't think so) Here are some recent highlights in no particular order:
* Jestin began going to school again this semester, however he moved from UVU to MATC and is getting his certification in HVAC (heating and A/C). He goes for 6 hours a week in the evenings and will have his certification in 2 years. He is excited about it. A lot of the machines at work have those kinds of systems on them, so he would be able to fix them start to finish, but it also will increase his abilities in his side jobs to help out. He really already can do these things, he is just excited to be able to be certified and understand a little better the formulas etc. His bachelor's degree is on hold... but not forgotten.
* He teaches Cameron's Primary class (11 yr-olds) at Church. He really likes it. He also was just called to be the on the Scout Committee as the Quartermaster. He has all kinds of plans for getting the equipment trailer up to snuff and organized LOL
* Jes had surgery over the summer for some diabetic issues. He is doing pretty good. It didn't really fix the problem, but at least gave us answers as to the whys. He is considering getting an insulin pump now that he has met his deductible LOL
* He has been busy this summer helping me with all kinds of projects! He has repaired and painted the chicken coop, sanded and painted the back steps, built shelves in the shed, and the biggest of all helped Cody with his Eagle Scout project (more on that to come).
* He got to fulfill a bucket list item this summer! He had the chance to eat a fancy seafood dinner at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. He was tickled that my cousin Kayelani & Daniel splurged and joined us. It was really fun for him. The kids even liked all the food! It was delightful!
* He works as many side jobs as he can and really does SOO much to help our family succeed so that I can stay home with the kids and so I can attend school. He often feel like a complete failure because ends don't always meet and pass each other, but somehow it *always* works out and we all feel SOO blessed that he is our husband and father!
Hello there. I miss you. It's true. I miss my blog.
I used to jot down all kinds of thoughts and updates randomly.
I used to be creative and fun.
I have allowed my perfectionism to stop me from posting.
* I haven't uploaded the latest pictures! I can't post yet!
* I still haven't uploaded Thanksgiving of last year for Pete's sake... I shouldn't post about what's happening right now!
* I don't have time to do pictures AND a post, so I better not do anything at all.
UGH! I make myself crazy. LOL
This is my blog.
And I am going to be better about posting the day to day.
If I do pictures, go me!
If not... I still capture some of our little families life no?
YES!!
I am tired of loosing my family's history to Facebook who files it who knows where!
LOL
And I just need some space from Facebook... ;)
No more perfectionism.
Just raw real Dorius Life.
Join us if you want to...
*WINK*
WHEW! That last semester was a doozey! Especially considering my last post was in January! LOL
I will be adding posts and dating them when they happened chronologically, but truth be told my last post was about the anniversary of my sweet Grandma's passing and her photo LOL
So... here's an update:
Jestin took two college classes this last semester (his first ones back to school since his Electrical studies) over 12 years ago. Math was TORTURE. We spent HOURS working problems together... up until midnight on the nights he didn't have class trying to meet homework deadlines. His professor was VERY difficult/demanding when it came to due dates... and for a student who worked full-time as well as attended classes at night {and did side jobs every free moment} - let's just say - it was ALL we could do to keep him caught up! I joked that that was all we did as a family for the last 4 months: eat, sleep, school and homework. All of us. LOL It was C.R.A.Z.Y. Jes also took a Health class and aced it. He really enjoyed it. But I can't even tell you how relieved he was to be done.
My semester was good... I took my Math 1050 class (got an A-), and a Library Research class (got an A) and Intermediate Spanish (got a B+... conjugating verbs was killing me! Yes... my fluency came back quickly... but my brain just wanted to reword the sentence to say the same thing without having to conjugate LOL it was rough)
I also took a Leadership Mentoring class that I absolutely adored! I was working toward becoming a UVU Mentor and was so excited for it! The week before I needed to turn in my application, I was sitting in class and had this horrible feeling come over me. I cried the whole way home. I fought the feeling and fought the feeling.... I didn't want to NOT apply - this was a HUGE step toward my dream of becoming a professor teaching in the Student Success program (and as a mentor I would be helping to TEACH one of these classes!) It made no sense to me, and so I refused to ask if I should not apply when saying my prayers. But I already knew. Finally I asked. Yep. The answer was "not at this time". I was devastated. The day before the application was due, I got a text from the head of the Student Success Dept. He had heard that I was not going to apply...
He had been in our class "observing" my professor on a day when I taught the class - we had to teach the class twice during this semester to practice the skills we were learning to become a mentor. He told me that I did an excellent job, and that I was an excellent candidate for the UVU Mentor program and he asked to me to apply. I told him that I wanted to - very badly - but that I knew the time was right for me to apply... but maybe next spring I would apply. He told me that he admired my following what was right for me in my life and that he would look forward to my applying and that if I wanted to be involved in the program at all next year just for experience to come see him.
I couldn't believe it! The guy who some day could be my "boss" took the time to send ME a personal text, asking me to apply, and thought I would be a great candidate! I was stunned. And tickled. And It comforted my heart - as I was a little afraid Heavenly Father was telling me no because I wouldn't do a good job! LOL
Anyway... I still get a little disappointed when I really think about it - I really wanted to do this! And to do it with the kids I trained with would be awesome... but I think I know one of the reasons why the answer was "the time is not right"...
Two weeks before the UVU semester ended, Emma and I met with her academic counselor. Long story short... she is a high honor student and had specific goals for her future. Even though she is only going to be a sophomore next year, he suggested a program that her school offers. We did some research, jumped through a bunch of hoops... and 2 weeks later my baby girl had a UVU student ID in her hot little hands. (*sniff*) She participating in a program called "EdNet"... she takes college courses through video conference at her school. If she stays on course, she will graduate with not only her high school diploma... but also her associates degree! :) She is super excited. And super stressed out. It is a HUGE change. But she is up for the challenge ;)
So now... that makes 3 college students in our household! *gulp*
I think that as the mom and the scheduler, with 3 college students, plus 3 regular students... I will have my hands happily full.... and being a UVU mentor would require more than I should probably give while Em is adjusting and Jes is as well. :) It will all be good. And I can "mentor" my own little nestlings *grin*
So... enough about college life...
Cody is doing fantastic in school as well. He came home with a High Honor Roll certificate. He is taking honors math track and if he keeps up with it he will be done with calculus at the end of high school. He is also working on getting his Eagle Scout project completed this summer. He is Senior Patrol leader and Deacons Quorum President. He is a busy young man. He loves listening to music and reading the newspaper.
Cameron has been busy in school as well. He gets really good grades and loves to hang out with his best friend Tyler everyday he can. He took basketball classes this spring. He has also been a great friend to Caleb... they do almost everything together. He loves being an 11-year old scout and was really sad to miss his first overnight campout tonight - He has been home most of the week with his first really bad asthma attack in months.
Caleb was baptized this month. It was a wonderful event (I am sure you saw the post) He is so very excited for summer and the freedom to play and play and play. He still struggles some with his reading, but we are going work really hard on it this summer and see if we can't get him back on track :) Caleb still loves his sandbox, and his newest passion is water balloons. He is SUPER excited to go to Seven Peaks water park over and over, and go on hikes, and have his friends come for a week, and go to San Fransico over the Fourth of July & Six Flags!
And so... we are gearing up for summer!!!
Time to plan some fun, some work, some service and some memories! What about all of you? What are your big plans for the 3 months of freedom ahead of us???? :)
