Monday, August 25, 2008

Be Smart

School has begun! School started on 8-18-08 (there has got to be something tricky about all those "8's"). The clan began without difficulty. We pretty much had to put a second mortgage on the house to pay the registration fees and purchase the school supplies, not to mention shoes and/or clothes (if Bowen and Hannah would stop growing). But, we managed and everyone seems to be adjusting to the new school schedule.

Courtney, Senior at Lehi High School (I cannot believe it). She is absolutely bored with school and ready to take on the world. She has a few challenging AP classes and lots of electives that are time fillers. The college prep math class will prove the most challenging, she says, but it will be a great preparation for college Algebra. She is contemplating her college options. She is considering Utah State, Utah Valley University, and maybe Snow College. I keep suggesting BYU-Idaho and like the idea of Snow College as well. We will see which options are preferable after she applies and begs for financial assistance and scholarship help. She is still interested in studying secondary education or social work. She keeps hinting at fashion design, not sure which college will offer such a program. But, whatever she decides, she will be great. She just needs to survive her senior year. I think it will be one big party for her! Soccer is going well, she is getting lots of varsity play time and Lehi is 2-0-1. Pretty good start to the pre-season! The team will take on Riverton and Wasatch this week and next week all region games will begin! Go LHS girls soccer!

Caitlin, Sophomore at Lehi High School (I also cannot believe it). Caitlin is so excited about what is ahead of her. She is thrilled to be in high school. She has a challenging schedule. She has a couple of honors classes and Geometry, in which she already has stress! She is also very busy with the drill team, dance company and choir. She loves music and performing, but with all the electives, she has to take Health on-line in order to have all her credits for graduation. There will be no rest for the weary. She looked darling everyday, making certain her outfits for high school were just the "right ones." She performed at the school assembly on Friday and really had a great time. The drill team also performed at the football game this weekend. She was so cute! She looked great dancing on the football field and really shined! The whole drill team looked sharp and in sync. Go girls! We love LHS Pionettes!

Hannah, 6h grader at Lehi Elementary (growing up quick). Hannah is excited to "rule the school" and be in sixth grade. She is still getting acquainted with her teacher but says that all of her friends are in other classes. She will just have to get to know the kids in her class, this should not be too hard, she is quite sweet and social. She has already begun reading a biography (almost done) so she can write a report. She completes her homework without supervision and is so responsible to get her planner signed daily. She is a sweetie! She is so careful selecting her new outfits to wear and is doing a great job styling her long and thick hair. She has an eye for fasion and enjoys "dressing trendy" or making her own style.

Bowen, 1st grader at Lehi Elementary (finally). Bowen is already breaking in his teacher and taking charge of his class. The best part of his day is getting school lunch (you get your own tray and pick your own meal) and recess, thank goodness there are three of them! He has not said much about his teacher or what he does in the classroom, however, he seems to be adjusting, even as difficult as it may be. He is our "likes consistency and dislikes any change" boy! He feels secure in a repetitive schedule and gets stressed whenever flexibility within the schedule is needed. I think he will love school once he adjusts to the new school year and his teacher. He says first grade is sooooooooooo long! "Being at school all day is so hard" according to him. He also let us know that it took so long to get to Wednesday, I did not have the heart to remind him he has school until Friday. Bowen was very happy to have the weekend arrive and to be able to play video games and jump on the trampoline at his leisure. He will be so great! He is an intelligent little guy with alot of personality and energy! We love him!

Mom has adjusted too! I feel divided every new school year. I love having the kids at home and schedules not so strict! I enjoy the play time we have and the freedom during the summer months. But, it is nice to get everyone back into routine and back into the classroom, that way they don't complain of boredom and near starvation (after they have eaten the entire weeks worth of groceries in two days)! I love them all soooooooo much! I am excited to see Courtney become a sweet and awesome little adult and commence into bigger life experiences. It is so fun to watch Caitlin grow up into such a beautiful and talented young woman. Hannah brings so much joy and teaches me so much about compassion for others. Bowen continues to make us laugh with his wit and wisdom!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Total Survival

I feel quite accomplished as yet another week has flown by and I still living to tell about it!

Caitlin and I ventured and survived the girl's camp experience. Our stake camped at the Lehi Utah stake property in Heber, Utah. The area is beautiful and the whole girl's camp thing is always such a spiritual high, however, it rained everyday, which added a bit of gloom and doom! This year, I was a stake leader and I have to admit, it was a little hard camping with all women and no girls! I was a bit envious of our ward leaders who were camping with the young women. I enjoy the company of the young women, that is what makes it fun. The other stake leaders I camped with however, are so great. I enjoyed getting to know each of them, they are very talented and valiant women who love the Lord and the young women of our stake. They are also a bit "crazy," so I fit in well! Caitlin was a trooper, she was not so thrilled about going, however, she had a good experience once she got there. She shared a beautiful testimony and was grateful that she was able to develop relationships with her leaders and with some of the girls that are her age. I had a great time with her, she visited my camp site frequently and we giggled alot. I even shared (this was a great sacrifice)some peach cobbler from the dutch oven with her. She is so sweet and cute! Eric is the high councilman assigned to the young women, so he spent time at camp as well. He was the fireside speaker on the first night and did an outstanding job. I think that the girls and the leaders were all touched by his love and testimony of self-worth. He worked hard at setting up tents, taking down tents, digging trenches, and obeying orders from women!

Hannah and Bowen were well cared for by Grandma Thomas and the Zunkowski family. Bowen wanted to know when I could go back, he had fun and wanted to have some more, apparently! Courtney was missed by me, her sister and our ward. She did not get the opportunity to camp this year as she had soccer tryouts at the high school. I was a bit nervous for her, but all prevailed.....she is a VARSITY player!

Tuesday morning was worrisome, she had a collision with another player and a ball, they both came directly at her, she turned her face to protect the nose (oh, the priorities) and ended up on the ground and out of it! The ball knocked her on the back of her head and neck and sent her to the ground. She quickly jumped up and finished the scrimmage, however, a bit loopy and confused. We had to take her to the doctor, who verified she had suffered a mild concussion and would have to take the rest of tryouts a bit more carefully. She was tearful and fearful of her team placement, however, she still made the varsity team and hopefully this will prove to be a great soccer year for her. Now, she is going to have to work hard for her play time. Oh, the rigors of high school athletics. She is so great and makes a valuable addition to any team she plays with. I am so proud of her!

This is the last week of summer break! School begins next Monday, the 18th! But, the girls are already busy, Caitlin resumed early morning drill team practice, daily at 6 AM and Court has soccer practice this week and a pre-season game on Thursday with Bingham High School. All is well....the craziness begins!