The Nitty Gritty

Happy 6th Birthday Son! William turned 6 yesterday! On his birthday eve, we were cuddling on his bed and I told him his birth story. It felt like it all happened yesterday as I recounted the details of how he came to our family. Towards the end, our conversation turned into literally HOW he came and he thought it was funny when I said, "birth canal".  It's crazy how fast Will is growing and learning. Last week I was feeling pretty blue about having a demanding full-time job. It was tearing my heart thinking about how much I missed being a stay at home mom. I attended the Saturday Women's Meeting and left feeling inspired, but also guilty and questioning myself if going to work everyday is truly the best thing for me and my family. Then, on Sunday we learned of a family in our ward that was being evicted and the mom was checking into a hotel and waiting for an interview at Fry's Grocery. It was devastating news, but it was news that was necessary for me...

We just finished our third week of school. By "we" I mean me and the boys. Isaac started school yesterday. The past three weeks have been filled with good and bad days. Mostly good. I have to put a LOT more time into this job than I ever have before in my teaching career. Taking care of myself can be a struggle amid everything else on my plate. However, I am doing my best and that's all that matters.  I have much to be grateful for, like: An awesome class. It's small-21 students- and they are so bright and lovable. I work 5 min from home.  I have the most supportive husband. Isaac is so good to take care of things when I am bogged down with teaching stuff. William attends my school where I teach. It has been so fun seeing him and hearing all the funny things he does from the classroom aide, Miss Kathy, who is also my aide. A job! William's teacher is from Pennsylvania but the only job offer she got was the one in Tempe. I realized the fact that I have a full time ...

 The preschool graduation was wonderful. It's always events like this when we feel really homesick and wish our grandparents and cousins were closer. Nonetheless, that is why I have this blog. I am so proud of William. It wasn't easy leaving his friends in Utah  and going to full day preschool everyday. He especially hated taking a nap. However, we were able to get things sorted out and eventually he grew to love his school experience. His best friend at school was Will. The teachers called the two of them "Team Will". His favorite unit was outer space when they made a giant robot. His second favorite day was when he went on a bug hunt. He used a magnifying glass to find the bugs and then put them in a bug bucket. He had the greatest teachers---Ms. Johnson, Mrs. Smith, Ms. Judy, and Mrs. Tobin. I can't speak highly enough of Ms. Johnson. She is one in a million. There were two specific occasions that exemplify what an outstanding teacher she is. One morning Willia...

I love you March. Thank you for being awesome. 

I love this little guy of mine. Every time I drop off William and Van at preschool and hug them goodbye, I walk to the car with a big lump in my throat. It's tough leaving my boys in the hands of someone else everyday-- I can't say enough what a relief it is to leave them in GOOD hands.  Yesterday as I was preparing dinner and William was drawing at the table, I asked him, "So do you like preschool?" He answered with a shrug,"Ya, but I don't like the naps." Then I questioned, "Do you wish you were home with mom during the day?" Just to check in and make sure he's happy with his school day and for my own reassurance that I'm number one:). His eyes welled up and he said fighting back the tears, "I miss you mom." Then we both kind of cried and he followed up with "but I like to play with my friends. Can I like both?" I responded with a resounding "YES!"  I want to remember that moment forever. It was a reminde...

We went to Geek's Night Out Thursday night at Mill Avenue. Because William loves geeky stuff like robots, aliens, and Star Wars, we didn't want to miss out. There were booths geared for kids. The boys made colored snow, glowing bracelets, controlled a robot built by high school students, and touched those "clear balls with the  lightning inside." It was fun to get out and discover what downtown Tempe is like in the evenings.  Our home teacher brought a robot car that he built for fun and  so that he could show the boys during his visit. He and Wiiliam always have good conversations about robots. Brother Skidmore related the robot to working together as a family--just like the parts of the robot work together. Will practically idolizes Brother Skidmore and ever since the Sunday visit I've been saying "be a good helper so we can tell Brother Skidmore" and Will immediately helps. I told Isaac "that is home teaching at its finest." Will has been dr...