Today I Ask For ...

Your Vote!

My Brother-In-Law, Jason, is up for a great scholarship. 

To get it he must get lots of votes. 

I know you don't all know Jason, but you'd love him to pieces.

So if you have about a minute, click here to read my sissy's post about the program, and about 30 seconds more to vote,

PLEASE VOTE FOR JASON!

The Best Thing I Heard Today

My Papa's Voice!

It almost made me cry (again? really?).  He sounded so great.  He said he wasn't in much pain.  Only has three more tubes hanging out of his body.  Funny as ever.  He has the greatest sense of humor.

This has been a long & emotional week and a half.  But I've learned a lot.

*Miracles happen.

*Fasting & Prayer bring blessings.

*Many people love my family.

*A lot of things really don't matter.

*Some thing really do matter.

*Don't miss a chance to tell your dad you love him.

(If you wish you knew what happened, my sister Geri posted about the ordeal here.)

This is pretty much what it's like...

...getting Justin to school in the mornings.

I Hate School

These are the lovely words I get to hear out of my soon to be six year old sons mouth.

I've never had a child hate school.

Especially five days into it.

But as I type these words I realize that I say that a lot about Justin.

"None of my other kids ever....."

"I don't know how to ..... with this kid."

"The other kids didn't......"

"Everyone did .... except for Judd."

"Who's kid is this?!"

(FYI-Layne confessed tonight that he had the same problem when he first went to school.)

Today the school nurse called me and said that Justin wasn't feeling good and couldn't stop crying.

Last night when I was putting him to be bed he told me that he cried a little at school.  I asked why and he just said, "Cause I was missing you".

So today when they called me I was going to tell him that he was going to have to stay at school, but he was crying so hard I couldn't even talk to him.  I couldn't imagine leaving him there for them to deal with.  So off I went. 

When we got in the car he asked if we could go to Taco Bell for lunch.

hummmm

Then he started singing the Months of the Year song.

hummmm

He pulled out his papers and showed me the paper he colored.

hummmm

I ask:

Justin, why did you tell me you were sick?

Judd:

I hate school.  I'm never going again.

I say:

Yes you are and why do you hate it?

Judd:

Quiet for a minute...because Mrs. Johns is mean.

I say:

No she isn't.  I know her and she is nice.

Judd:

Well, I just hate school and can you home school me?

**Sigh**

Even as we were going to bed tonight I realized we still have a problem.  Layne was having a discussion with him about how he needed to be a big boy and not call to come home from school and I got done telling him that I can't come get him tomorrow because I have a doctors apt (I get to have my first mammogram...now that could be an experience worthy of a post) and I wont be able to go get him.  He said that was okay because he wasn't going anyway.

**Grrrrr**

This child has always been determined and strong willed.  He has also always been a mamma's boy and a homebody.  But this isn't something he can win.  He's going to have to get used to going to school.  I've arranged things so that I'll be there a couple days a week for a couple hours to help out.  That way he would know that I wasn't too far away.  I'm guessing in about six years I'll wish I still had this problem with my Juddy-Bear.

Wish him luck.

Wish us all luck.

School is Back in Session

And that makes me cry a little bit.

It doesn't always.  Just when I send a new little Kindergartner on their way.  And today it was my baby.  I haven't been home alone all day, everyday in over 15 years and I've got plans. 

But for today, I'm just sad.

Justin's first day of school. 

The other kids started a couple days ago.

I'll get more pics of them.

Justin was excited because his best friend, Micah, is in the same class.  We didn't expect that to happen since there are six kindergarten classes.  Justin also has the same teacher Mitch had as his kindergarten teacher,

Molly Johns.  (She may have had a hand in that.) We like Mrs. Johns. 

He told me this morning that since today was his first day EVER he wanted to pick what we had for dinner.  I said okay, what do you want?

Meatloaf!

No problem.

Well, I'd better get over my boo-hoo moment and get on with my day.

Laundromat, here I come!.....all alone, with no one to help me......

This isn't going so well.  It will get better.

Is she getting old, or am I? **sigh**

(Photo(s) by Geri, the bestest photo taker lady in the West! and my baby sis.

  Check out her site.)

Our Josie turned the big

this past Saturday.

She is now counting down for February 1st, the day she can get her drivers permit.

This was a fun night at mutual.  We had two exchange students in our branch this past school year, and we played some fun games at their good-bye party. 

The rules:  1)Get a partner 2)One of you put on a shower cap 3)The other partner covers the shower cap with shaving cream

4)Everyone lines up, shaving cream heads on one side, non caps on the other side, with about 5' between the two lines 5)The non-shower cap partner has a bowl of Cheetos and on the count of three they start to throw the Cheetos into the "hair" of their partner 6)At the end of the time limit (1 minute) you count to see how many Cheetos got stuck in your partner's 'hair'.  7)Who has the most wins

warning:  easiest clean up is to play this outside.

Two of my favorite people.  Jo & her dad. 

As usual, Josie couldn't keep a straight face in the straight face picture.

We LOVE you Josie. 

just an update

The front steps & walk were poured today.  Pretty soon the rock & columns will be done and then I think other than staining the front door, the exterior will be done...oh, and the garage doors put in. 

So close....for the outside anyway.

The back.  Nothing too exciting.  Layne is so excited to be able to start the deck though.  Not being in the middle of this build is driving him nuts.  Lets get the man in his tool belt already!

They ought to get the dirt moved around and the final grading done next week.  Then we can get some lawn planted. 

Ummm-has anyone seen a missing plumber?  We lost ours or he got lost.  Not sure.