Award assemlies

With the end of the school year fast approaching comes the music concert art shows and award assemblies. It so fun to see all the accomplishments the kids make through the year. Both Samuel and Eliza are very talented artists. Samuel took on a new medium this year, stained glass. He picked a very hard piece to try for his first attempt . He did an amazing job

 He also is very talented at pencil drawings. Mrs Hardy wants him to use there pieces for a profolio

 

 

Eliza won several art awards for her art. This is the same art competitions Samuel won last year and now Eliza won it. I think we set a president.

 

 

 

These are other drawing Eliza placed with

 

Eliza also got several awards at the academic award assembly.

 

 

Eliza got a Physical science award,art award,English  academic excellence award, Mathematics award, and of course Honor roll all four quarters. Eliza is also number one in her class. The awards were giving out by each individual teacher who picked a student that excelled in their class had leadership and worked hard. I am so proud of both Samuel and Eliza for how well they do in school, but even more them that the kind of people they are.

 

 

This is Eliza before the award assembly. Samuel was at work so I wasn't able to get a photo of him. He is such a hard working kid.

 

" Lets Google it"

I find myself more and more saying "lets Google That" whenever myself or someone else has a question about anything. It seems like the Internet has the answer to EVERYTHING. I can get ideas from pinterest, new recipes to try, how to solve a math problem.I use Google map to find my way. I can't think of anything that the Internet doesn't have an answer too. I'm in aw of all the help and information that is available. But am I always turning to the right source for my answers, and help? I Know of a place I can go that knows more then the Internet, I know of a place that always has the right answer for me. I know of a place where I not only can find the answers of my heart but I can also find peace and love. It is on my knees talking to my Heavenly Father. When I have a problem, a question or need peace, before I google for help, or ask for my Friends opinion on
facebook, I need to pray for help because that is were the real answer is.

Growing up and moving on

Next year when school starts I will no longer have any children in elementary school. Samuel graduated from Jr high and will be going into high school , and Eliza will be making the big jump to Jr high. We saw Ed, Our children's bus driver at Samuel's graduation and realized he will no longer be stopping in front of our home anymore. We will really miss him. The Jr high and High school is practically in our back yard so the kids walk ( yes they are in the same building) We thanked him of all he has done for our kids and prepared ourselves for a new chapter in our lives. I love and Cherish the memories we have made as the children have grown. I also love watching them grow and develop their gifts and potential. Congratulation Samuel and Eliza! You make me so proud, and feel so blessed to be your mother!

Eliza and her Friends after her last band concert in elementary school.

Samuel Riding his new bike he got for graduating from Jr high.

Eliza's elementary school band concert.

Samuel at Jr High graduation.

Eliza's Spelling Bee

Eliza is the best Speller.( She certainly didn't get that gift from me.) I am so proud of her. This is her second time of being in the school wide spelling bee.

Mike and I got her some flowers and balloons to help celebrate her accomplishment.

The School gave her a balloon with a cute little bee on it.

She did really good but I think her nerves got the best of her in the end. Even though she didn't win I am so proud of how far she made it!

Eliza has the best rewards for reading. For the kids who met their AR goal a few months ago, the school took them to the movie theater in Keokuk to watch ,Where the wild things are. Just today Eliza's teacher drove the kids to McDonald's and bought them lunch for making their reading goal. They will also get to ride the bus to Burlington latter this year to see the Burlington Bees play a baseball game. The school make reading so fun for the kids.What I really like about it is that the school takes them during school so all the kids who met their goal can go together. Lucky girl!

Where is Christmas?

The Christmas decorations are still safely tucked away in there containers. No twinkling lights adorn the outside of the house ,and the Grinch who has welcomed in Christmas for 14 years is still tucked away in the attic. Where is Christmas this year? It seems to have been forgotten somehow and I don't know why. It is not like me not to have every inch of the home full of twinkling, sparkling, glistening, adornment. I am constantly cooking and fussing for the holidays , trying to fill every moment with memories. I more often then not have to work Christmas eve and Christmas day so every second that I have home is a treasured Jewel of time. Why am I not me this year? I have baked cookies and put up only a few of my favorite decorations like my nutcrackers that the kids painted and the Christmas socks. But this is far from my usually preparations.We haven't had the usually excitement as we plan for Christmas gifts we will be giving others. I so miss the excitement and warmth of the season. I need Christ in Christmas more then ever this year because it feels so empty. As I was driving home from work Christmas song were playing on the radio. Words of hope and love floated through my car but for some reason did not penetrated my heart. Where is Christmas? I have let to much time slip through my fingers this Christmas.I have gone to long without letting the feelings of Christ penatrate my heart. Tomarrow I have off work and one way or another I am going to find Christmas and make this the best Christmas ever.

Isaac is being restationed

Isaac is being restationed to Hill air force base in Utah. I am so happy that he will be back in the States and that there is actually the possibility of us being able to visit him. ( big ear to ear smile ). The move is going far from smooth for him though. He doesn't have a sponsor or a point of contact witch has caused some problems and since he works nights and puts in 12 to 16 hour days, it is very hard for him to get everything done that he needs to. To complicate things more, The point of entry for his car is in LA so he now has to fly into LA, rent a car and drive up to Salt Lake. They moved his flight date sooner without telling him so he is going to arrive in LA before his car. Then once at Hill he has to find a way to get some time off from a base he just barely got to so he can get back to LA pick up his car and drive back to UT.

I wish I could be there to help him. With all this going on it isn't going to leave him much time or money to find a place to live. He was hoping to find a small one bedroom home to rent, hopefully with a garage to store his car in. He said he doesn't care if it is really crappy ( Knowing him it will be fixed up really nice in no time) He just wants to get away from dorm living. He has worked night and has a hard time sleeping with others playing their music and being loud in the halls. I wish I could help him with his car and find a nice place to live. I really don't want him to end up in a bad area. I want him to be in the BEST ward (church) in UT. and be able to take advantage of the colleges. He has been looking forward to having colleges near enough that he can start taking classes. I am so proud of him. I know he will be able to accomplish all his goals. He is such a great young man.

P.S. Just hopeful dreaming, but if anyone knows of a small house for rent I would love it if you could let us know.