Old Photos

These are old photos from Lance's phone that I didn't get saved or into my journal.

Summer 2018 - on our way to the Pettingill camp out at Yankee Fork

 Christmas 2017

 Fall 2017 - house hunting and stopped to document this sweet baby

 June 2017

 June 2017 - made a quick trip to ID to see Grandpa Pettingill, stayed for a few days with Donna

 2017 - I made these box houses for the kids' stuffed animals but that night they insisted on sleeping in them instead

2018 Family Photos

These two are proofs and didn't get the editing or special schnazz.

Christmas Festivities

This is the annual Christmas barbershop show. Lance did a great job directing, afterward I had several guys tell me how much they love having him be the director - he knows how to make it fun but is serious when he needs to be. I even won a raffle item and silent auction, woohoo!

On our way to be secret Santa's to the Guild School!

Christmas Sunday

Christmas Eve - the kids get new pajamas and this year was the movie Home Alone (I knew Kimball would find it hilarious) with a special treat. We had such a great Christmas together with our little family, what a memorable and special day. I read something the other day that said, "The magic is in the mess." So I tried my best to ignore the chaos and embrace the moment. I sure love these three cubs of mine and am thankful for the sacrifice Lance makes to work so that I can stay at home to be with my children. I'm so grateful for a precious Babe who chose to fulfill the Lord's plan and sacrifice himself to redeem us from sin and to conquer the grave. How blessed we are!

Christmas Break

I absolutely LOVE breaks from school, no school OR therapy for two weeks!!! To fill our time and count down to Christmas day we had play dates at McDonald's with our neighbors, played games, made gingerbread men with Daddy. 

When Lance had to get some labels from Staples the guy asked if he wanted a huge roll of paper. Sure! So we've been doodling and playing hangman a lot. I was so impressed with Cora's picture! This is the first recognizable drawing that isn't scribbling, what a huge milestone for her!! Previously she couldn't draw a full circle, line, smiley face, or any resemblance of a stick figure. This guy even has pupils and hair!

 Cora needed some girl time so I let her do my makeup one afternoon.

Little Ezra is absolutely obsessed with any kind of animal. Somehow he got out the step stool and was playing with Sam, so cute.

This is one of the most precious things I've happened to stumble across. After quiet time I came downstairs to check on Cora and she was teaching "school." She had all of her friends lined up, each with a fruit snack and coloring book. Look at how attentive her students are, this girl has an impressive imagination!

Student of the Month

Last week we surprised Kimball by attending the school assembly, his teacher had emailed us to inform us he was chosen for student of the month, character trait CARING. He was so surprised to see his whole family there to support him! As I took this first picture I noticed he's the smallest kid, haha.

Great job, buddy! Caring is certainly one of your strong characteristics and I'm happy to see that others notice that in you, too. You're an excellent student, your teacher loves you, your classmates love you, and most of all your family loves you! You love to read (I'm secretly hoping you'll be a nerd) and by the second month of first grade had already long passed the first grade reading level. I love that you love to have fun and joke around. We're proud of you!!

My Day Time Sidekicks

I Wuv Cwazy Hair

Cora wanted a to show Grandma a picture of her purple nails with pink glitter so I told her she should go do her hair before I take her picture. "No mom, I wuv cwazy hair!"

Dance Class

Since Cora didn't qualify for the special education preschool in our district, I still wanted to keep her challenged and engaged this year. She's continuing on with speech and occupational therapy down at Milestones, and since they don't offer physical therapy I decided to put Cora into a dance class. There are still some major differences in gross motor skills with other children her age and I didn't want her to fall behind.

A friend recommended Inspirations Dance Studio and as I called to get more information I learned the class is only $40 per month. Score! Her class is with two other boys that are brothers and one of them is partially blind. The first week all the kids and I went into class with her, Cora wouldn't look up at the teacher, would not participate, and even sat to the side crying, 0% participation. I was really disappointed but not too surprised with it being a new environment and all new people. I told myself I'll give her 4 weeks as a good trial run and if she still hates it then we can quit. The second week Cora held my hand for a few minutes as I did the moves with the class, 5% participation. The third week I forced Cora to do the obstacle course (walk on low balance beam, jump between cones, jump on small trampoline, etc) and she would do it if I held her hand, 25% participation. But the fourth week was golden and Cora went into class all by herself and loved every minute. Success!

Dance is now one of her favorite things to do, she's always dancing in the car or kitchen or during quiet time to a show. Her teacher said she listens extremely well and picks up on the steps really, really fast. I've noticed a difference in her motor skills as well, Cora can now skip properly! Her jumping and leaping is better, her moving all around is more fluid and solid. She has more confidence with balance and her body, this has definitely been a good decision! Her right leg is still quite a bit weaker than her left but as I discuss things with her teacher, Janet, she incorporates different moves into the routine to specifically target those areas to strengthen Cora.