Back to the grind

I am currently enrolled in college again. I really want to keep going even though it seems like finishing is so far away. I am only taking two classes this semester. I took last semester off because of so many distractions going on in my life. I guess one class at a time until I can finish!

Little Lane

He is such a cute little stinker. I often get told by people that he is their favorite of my three kids. I think because he is so sweet and genuine. And, he is extremely polite. He says thank you to everyone for everything.
Yesterday, was his first day of half-primary. Many of you may already know that when they turn three they spend the last half of the year going to one hour of primary. The the last hour they go back to their nursery class. This is to prepare them for January when they will begin as full-time Sunbeams.
He fell asleep during Sacrament meeting so he was a little groggy waking up. I actually took him to class with me, but when he woke up he really wanted to go to his class. He loves going to church.
Once I got him to class, they informed me he could go into Primary. He was so excited that he got to go to the "big" primary. The same one that Porter and Madison were in. He's quite into music, so he really loved all of the singing.
I ended up staying with him....mostly because he was a little groggy from waking up at first...and okay, let's me honest...because he's my little baby. I loved watching all of his excitement. I will have to go to my class next week by myself. I think I will be okay without him.
The singing teacher did an activity where the kids got to get called up by drawing their names out of the glass jar. Lane was so disappointed that he couldn't go up and volunteer. I told him to go ask the lady if he wanted to do it. He walked right up to her and said, "Can I do it?" She told him next time and was nice enough to call him up to the front.
He had to wave the stick with a ribbon on it and yell "Yee-haw." She tried to get him to say it, but he got really quiet. So, she asked everyone to be very quiet so he could talk. When he finally said something, it was very quiet. But he clearly said, "Giddyup."
I am thankful to all of those ladies who put so much time in to make primary fun. My kids love it. Lane tells everyone that he is practicing to be a Sunbeam. He is so proud and happy to be in with the big kids.

Happy Birthday...5 years old already!

The twins turned 5 on Sunday, July 17th. And...I haven't had time to write about it. We were so busy this year that I feel like we weren't able to focus on them that much. Sharing one car, until my gets fixed, was also an added stressor. We celebrated on Saturday, because I was working Sunday night. We bought them each their own tiny cake...because no one ever eats all of the cake. Porter said, "I was expecting a much bigger cake." I said, "Are you disappointed?" He said, "No mom, I was just expecting it to be bigger."
They shared time opening presents while Lane acted as the garbage man. He would collect their wrapping paper as it was taken off. He was a really good sport. I always feel bad because with only three kids, he is the only one not opening presents on their birthday. Of course, they shared all of their candy and toys with him. They are such sweet siblings to each other.
They got loads of stuff, cards, and money from all of their grandmas and grandpas. They have four sets of grandparents on Brant's side and only my parents on my side.
As a last minute idea, we took the three of them to Chuck E. Cheese--by far their favorite place to go. We had a blast following them around. I think Lane's favorite thing to do is to put tokens in the machines. He rode one ride six times in a row.
They birthday landed on Sunday and one of the things they were so excited about was to get up in front of the primary and get sung to. When they came home, they said that they forgot to sing to them. They were both so sad. Of all of the things they were looking forward to that was a big one for them. I thought they would forget about it, but they brought it up again yesterday. So before primary I talked to the president and asked if she wouldn't mind singing to them. She felt so bad they were missed. She was actually out of town last week and of course, it was an innocent mistake. She was so gracious and even brought cookies over to them last night. They were very delighted.

Happy Fourth of July!

Can I just say that holidays are so much more fun with kids!!! Fourth of July really never was a holiday growing up. We actually didn't look forward to it because that was the busiest time of year for Taco Bell. It wasn't until I married Brant that I actually got to watch fireworks.

The kids had so much fun. We started with an early morning flag raising ceremony at the church. It was a great patriotic way for the kids to start the holiday. Then we went inside for breakfast. I had to go to work--so "oh no" missed the parade in the triple digit weather. Brant took the kids and they had a great time. Especially catching candy. After work, we had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's. Then, Brant let the kids light fireworks. We finished with watching the firework show at Redrock. Porter was literally jumping up and down saying he loved this holiday. I think it was the pyro part of it.

A-B-C, 1-2-3

Rhonda has been home schooling the kids and working so hard with them. She is amazing. I can't take credit for any of their education. They can both write their names (see example). Lane can write an "L" but he's not as proficient as the other two. Rhonda has been taking one letter a week and helping them learn it. She sings songs, studies the Pledge of Allegiance, and is having them memorize Articles of Faith. I am amazed at how much they learn. The twins start school next month! Aaah! I am freaking out. My babies...going to school. Just crazy.

Jayley visits

Due to Jaden's unexpected seizures we were able to have Jayley spend almost a week with us. She flew in Monday and was supposed to have her parents pick her up. But, they were a little busy attending Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Madison wasn't sure what to expect as she has heard alot about this Jayley girl that used to be her Dad's favorite girl. She questioned us quite a bit about her. We assured her that since she Jayley had her own dad, that Madison was still Dad's favorite girl.

Lane was so cute with her. He took to her right away and wanted her to do everything with him. Maybe it's because Porter already has his partner, so he figured Jayley could be his. He started calling her his "chookie." Jayley was awesome with the kids. She played with them and read stories. Jayley helped me take them on the bus--something they have been wanting to do--and we went to McDonalds.

Brant wants to keep her. He tried to come up with a million excuses why she should stay with us. The best he could get from her was a consideration to go to UNLV in a few years when she graduates from high school. Brant was so excited for her to come. He really does have a soft spot for her. He loved taking her out and going to her soccer games when the Taylors still lived in Las Vegas. Whenever she would do really well, he would take her to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. He took her there when she first got into town. And, sweet Jayley, wore her soccer necklace that Brant bought for her years ago.

Jayley was such a trooper. I know this couldn't have been the most fun part of her trip, but she didn't complain. When I was home, I didn't have a car so we would have to walk and/or take the bus. We made it to Old Navy for some shopping and went out to eat at Sweet Tomatoes. It is so fun to have a teenager around that is sweet and helpful and nice to your little kids. We loved her! And, we're still throwing in our hat for taking in her while she goes to college.