Happy Halloween!

A lot has been happening and I will fill you all in later with the SCARY details.

A New Year Begins

It is always so nice at the end of the year to be packing things away in anticipation for summer to arrive. Then, July quickly arrives and it is time to start thinking about the new year! It is always a task putting things back into order, and always seems to take more to put it back than it did to pile into a corner. However, this year was especially fun because I got a new Kiva in my room. (Kiva=a bench students sit on----THEY ARE HEAVEN SENT!)

I will have to update with photos after we have been in for a few weeks so you can see the bulletin boards all put together with the kids work!



BEFORE


AFTER

Lots of stuff!

A lot of stuff has been going on since school got out! Hold on for all the news!

Justin---He has been staying at my dad's since school got out. My dad has kept him busy driving tractor, tearing out walls, weeding, painting, scanning, and anything he can find for Justin to do! Justin has loved every minute of it and I am afraid he just might want to stay with with Papa! A big deal for Justin is Papa got him a phone. Justin has been dying to get one since "EVERYBODY" has one! Boo Hoo---Is all I can say! I didn't have a cell phone when I was his age! He hates it when I say that. He is also studying to get his learner's permit! I don't even want to know how much my insurance is going to go u!

The pictures below are right after Justin got home from Seven Peaks after going with the 9th grade and forgetting to take the sunblock I had bought him. He said no one brought any! It was pretty bad. We had to go and get some Lortab for him to help with the pain. Hopefully next time he won't forget! He even missed the last week of school and yearbook signing because his burn was so bad! If you look hard enough you can see the blisters (he had him on his face as well!)

Rachael---She is getting ready to go to girl's camp tomorrow! She has been busy playing with friends this summer and trying to talk us into getting her a phone! It sure is tough not being teh oldest! We told her when she is 15 and starting to drive we would get her one! She is now on the countdown! Rachael loves her sister Aleah and loves to take her everywhere with her! We will see how long that lasts! Rachael had to sing with the Young Women during Sacrament and Aleah kept yelling for her! We eventually had to take Aleah out because she was so loud!
Ozzy---What can I say about him but that is LOVES the girls! I can't get him off the phone or from texting them! I get so many texts on the land line (new tech for me) and on my phone! It drives me crazy! He is also a fish and wants to go swimming everyday or to the rec center. I am glad he is not a couch potato and likes to be outside! He also plays a mean game of Kings in the Corner and I can never beat him! He is such a kind boy and is always helpful in all I ask of him! He is SO excited to go to San Antonio in a few weeks to spend time with his grandpa and grandma! I hope they can keep up with him!
Ryan---Ryan is very active this summer! He stays busy playing with friends and entertaining his little brothers! He loves Scouts and can't wait until he is big enough to go on overnight campouts!
Kolby----Kolby, Kolby, Kolby---What can I say but he is the clown in our family! He keeps us young and smiling. The picture below is him in a baby cradle I had as a little girl for my dolls. He was very funny to walk in his room and she him squished inside of it! The things that boy will think of. He is so excited he gets to go to school with mom this year and he can't wait until I can be his teacher! SCARY! He just finished swimming lessons and did a great job! He was always watching to see if I was looking at him so he could wave! Oh the innocence of my little boy!
Princess Aleah---She is very loved and spoiled in our house. We all jump at whatever she does or needs. She is getting quite the personality and is constantly having us laughing. She is following in Kolby's footsteps in the entertainment department. She loves her big sister and is always into everything! I love the age she is and I was so happy when she could finally go into Nursery at church!

The world needs........

....more messy spaghetti and less worrying about the stained clothes, dirty face, and disgusting high chair!

My Life in the Land of Oz!

I often wonder why I behave and act the way I do? Is it genetics, environmental or a little of both? The answer still eludes me and as much as I try, I wish I could change some of my personality flaws and be a better person, friend, family member, etc. It's not as easy as it sounds----It takes a valiant effort to change! However, I had a chance to look a little deeper at myself the other day while watching the Wizard of Oz with my students at school.

As I was watching, I started thinking how I could relate to each character in the movie. The Tin Man in search of a heart, the Lion wanting courage, the Scarecrow needing a brain, Dorothy who is trying to get back home, and the Wicked Witch of the West who was miserable! They all had something I could identify with personally.

I could relate to he Tin Man in different ways. I felt "If I only had a heart" for some people I know or have known or just life in general. I wondered why I was so stubborn and could not be so forgiving of those whom I felt had wronged me or how my own self-serving attitude had pushed others away. Because of this I have lost out on relationships that could have been healthy and good for my own personal growth! I asked myself, "How do I find a heart?" I want a heart that looks at everyone and sees beauty, kindness, and has compassion for everyone and everything. That is especially hard for me when I get in a funk! I let things bother me and I can hold grudges. I do not like the feeling I feel inside and I have to make a conscience effort to be non-judgemental and forgiving. It just comes down to wanting to have peace with myself and others "all" of the time and not just when I am in a funk!

Then I thought some more----I have been like the Cowardly Lion. Many times I have been afraid to stand up for things I want, believe, and feel-- in fear of being offensive. I do not like conflict and will keep the peace as to avoid it. That is one personality flaw I dislike about myself. However, because of this cowardliness it all comes out in an volcanic explosion from bottling it up inside. I have to remember to have courage and stand up for myself, others, even when it is the hardest. I have had an experience the last few weeks when I have had to do this! I had to confront a colleague I work with because of something she said to my son that was out of line. She now will not speak or look at me. As a mother, I had to confront her but it was the hardest thing to do to confront another teacher who is a friend. It has been hard and it took a lot of courage. However, I have found I have gotten over it by having the courage and saying something!

Then, the Scarecrow was the one I identified with the most on a happy note. I love to learn and love school. I would pursue a higher degree of learning (Doctorate) but I have to many little kids at home. That is a dream someday I would like to achieve. Learning is a lifelong process and should never end no matter how old you are!

Finally, there is Dorothy----At the beginning she felt ignored and alone! Yes---I times I feel that way and wonder if I make my kids feel that same way too. Am I go busy to stop and answer their questions or just talk? Does work take priority over my kids? Sometimes it does as much as I hate to admit that! I have to stop when Kolby wants me to come and watch him jump on the tramp, or listen to Justin tell me who he likes at school. Those are the moments I am missing and sending a wrong signal to my kids. Do I want them to think it is better "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" or do I want them to think our home is the rainbow? Finally, Dorothy finds her way home after finding her way and herself. That is how I feel on my journey through life. I think I am much harder on myself than I should be! Yes, I would love to be the perfect mom, wife, friend, teacher, etc., but unless I look inward and change me I will never be happy!

(Sorry for this being so long!)

Easter smiles

Trying to get everyone to smile and look at the camera at the same time is a chore! Then you have the ones who always make funny faces (i.e. Ozzy!). I can't believe how grown up Justin looks in the picture! I wish I could slow down the time. This summer he will be 15 and old enough to start driving in the car. I think he knows exactly how many days, hours, and minutes until that time. He is excited to go to high school and I just wish I could keep the girls away! However, there are a few I approve of. Justin is a young man and is going to do many great things as he grows older!
Kolby and Aleah posing for the camera. Kolby has "cheezy" grins like his dad and Aleah would not sit still enough for me to take a picture. My "dear friend" Aimee sent her this darling Easter dress. There is a cute hat to go with it but she refused to keep it on long enough so we put in the flower! She loves the purse though and stuffed it with her smarties and other fun stuff for church! Love you Aimee and thanks for the dress! Do you like the nice bruise on her forehead? Very fashionable huh!

Chains of Love

My poor kids have to listen to music I like in the car and they have to like it too! Therefore, we are always listening to Erasure, Depeche Mode, hair bands, and anything else I like (I love XM Radio1). So the boys decided to mock their mother and have fun in the backseat of the car! I must say I was very impressed and thought they were pretty funny! I love Justin's facial expressions too! (Sidenote: Justin looks better with his new haircut----photos to follow!)

As for the new song selections, they are curteous of Ozzy---He wanted me to write he thinks Lady Gaga is "hot"! Oh, what I am to do with him and his girl craziness?

Does This Diaper Make My Butt Look Big?

James found this at Walgreens and had to buy it and then make her look even better with the do-rag! Need I say more? It's a James thing!

The Scowl

Aleah has one mean looking scowl. We have trained her to scowl on demand because we laugh at her and think it is so cute! I am afraid it may stay that way some day!

Crazy Chickens!

I tell myself every year I am not going to doing it again--KNITTING CHICKENS! What can I say I am crazy and knit these silly chickens for my students. (Granted this is the only domestic thing I can do!) What is even crazier is I always end up with bigger classes and I have to knit more. This year it was 50 chickens AAAAAH!!!! I still think they are cute and the kids love them-----Even the boys in my class fight over the colors! It is pretty funny!


I also changed my hair color again------I guess by the time I was finished with the chickens I had lost a few marbles! This time it is really dark with a maroon/auburn/brown color! What you ask is that color? It is really cool. However, my kids at school told me this time to quit coloring my hair. Every time I change my hair color they think there is a sub until they walk in the room and they realize it is me!

The kids are all doing great!

Today I got Justin all registered for high school. I can't believe he is going into 10th grade! I think he is an amazing young man and I can't wait to see where the future takes him! The girls think he is pretty cute too!
This is what Justin wore on St. Patrick's Day!

Ozzy is looking forward to turning 12-----All he wants for his birthday is to go to Papa's and hang out. He wants to take some friends too! That is a pretty easy birthday!

Rachael is doing much better---If we can get the issues with her mother taken care of I think she will be better. Her mother is still hurtful to her and Rachael is trying to move beyond that and I am proud of her!
Rachael, Aleah, and Justin

Ryan is doing well and loves to be outside on his skateboard.

Kolby------What can I say about the "wild one!" I love his spirit and boldness. He makes the whole family laugh. He helped me make the "shickens" by putting jellybeans in the eggs. I think he ate more than was put in the eggs. I have had him tested for speech and he missed barely for qualifying. I will miss the day when he doesn't say: "I dot a doal and da dame!" (I got a goal and the game!) or my name is "Tolby" (Kolby). It is funny when he tries to get us to understand him. He thinks by talking slower we will get it! I guess we are the dumb ones!

Aleah-----My little princess! She is very, very spoiled and boy she knows it! She has everyone wrapped around her finger! I love that she is getter more hair and it is getting curlier! However, she keeps pulling the bows out! I will teach her! I will just put more barretts and bows in :)

James is well. He keeps busy and work and doing all my "honey do" projects!

I am ready for summer to come! It has been a great year but summer is always a welcome sight! I have many projects and goals ready to get started for the summer! Much love,
Jen

Happy Birthday Aleah!

My sweet little girl turned one (1) on Saturday. This was a bittersweet birthday for me. With her being my last child I will never have this moment again! However, it was a fun day to celebrate!
Aleah Joy Edwards weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. She was so beautiful. She is named after my sister and James' mom whose middle name was Joy. Rachael was able to watch her be born and Justin was behind the curtain listening to everything! It was a very emotional experience. We were so happy to finally have her here. Kolby was in love with her the second he saw her.
My 1st grade students were very excited to meet Aleah! They were so funny when I was pregnant. They were say "big belly coming through" every time they would line up. They would love to watch my stomach move during lessons while sitting on the carpet. They were even more excited to surprise me with a surprise baby shower. They thought this baby was their baby too! So when she was 7 weeks I took her to school and we had an ice cream party! They all got to hold her and they even sang her a lullaby.
Aleah is the most cuddly thing. She loves to snuggle and have her back rubbed. She has a million dollar smile and the most beautiful blue eyes. All I have to do is think of her smile during the day when I get sad or frustrated and it seems to make it all better!
Leah came down for a few hours to celebrate her birthday with us. Leah is so much fun and a very fun aunt too! We made her a cute black and pink tutu and had to get her all dressed up. She was not thrilled about us taking her picture though. She is the cutest thing!

Before we had cake she opened her presents. What was funny is that James and I went shopping separately and came home with the same present. Here are her birthday cake pictures! She dug right in and made a very big mess!


Thanks Aleah for blessing our lives with your JOY and SMILE everyday!

WHERE IS THE WARMTH?

It is so cold here! I have the heat turned up and lots of blankets on the beds. It is just to stinking cold! I am ready for the warmth of the sun shining on our backs and being able to LOVINGLY scoot the kids outside to play. Cabin fever is not a good thing!

Amazing Ozzy

Ozzy has a really weird talent. He can suck in his stomach and make a crazy shape! He is rather impressed with himself and wanted to post it in the blog! CRAZY boy I tell ya! I still love him anyway!