2014 Goals & 2013 Year review

It's that time again. Time to review the past year and time to set some new goals for 2014. This year the 4 kids in total grew 10", gained 34 lbs and only went up 4 shoe sizes.

Rebecca

Favorites: Preschool, baby dolls, Doc McStuffin, writing & drawing.

Stats: 3'3", 31 lbs
Shoe size 8

Goals:
Learn how to cook (in the oven)
Improving my reading
Start Kindergarten


This past year Rebecca grew 3", gained 3 lbs and went up 2 shoe sizes. She reached all of her goals this past year! She knows many new Spanish words and loves to talk to us in Spanish during the day. She learned how to swing in September and it was awesome for all of us. She can write all of her letters, numbers and lots of shapes. She can write names and some words on her own. She can read a few easy books and feels so proud of her reading skills.

Ammon

 Favorites: Legos, reading, football, baseball, soccer, basketball, staying up late and sleeping in, science.                                                 4'4.5"

53.4 lbs

Shoe size 2

Goals:
Learn to ride my ripstick
Earn my Black Belt
Earn my Wolf rank in Boy Scouts
Learning to better control my anger


Favorites: Minecraft on the tablet, reading, Patriotic songs (singing & playing on the piano), science & P.E..

In 2013 Ammon grew 2" and put on 7.5 lbs. and went up 1 shoe size. Ammon read 2 1/2 Harry Potter Books. Then he moved onto R.A. Salvatore books like Simeon. Because we skipped a promotion in 2013 he ended the year with his 2nd black tip. He learned to do the media group of kicks. He gives the  best huge jumping hugs to dad and cuddles with mom.            


Corrine

Favorites: Running, writing, swimming, neon green, Cosmo & horses.

4'11"
82.8 lbs
Shoe size 6

Goals:
Read the entire Book of Mormom (with Mom)
Strength my foot, so I can start running again
Journal every Sunday
Be kinder to my brothers

In 2013 Corrine grew 3", gained 12 lbs and her feet stayed the same size. She became a rock star swimmer, passing 2 swim lesson levels on the 1st try. She improved her reading, but it's still a struggle and she continues to work on it. She's still trying to find her favorite type of books to read. She worked hard on keeping her bed cleaner. It was cleaner then the year before, but wasn't consistently clean. Many times this year she would do a major bed clean up making it look so nice.


Simeon

Favorites: Science, Sports (football, baseball) & video games (Skyrim & Minecraft)

5'0"

82 lbs
Shoe size 7

Goals:

Favorites:

In 2013 Simeon grew 2", gained 11.4 lbs and went up 1 shoe size. Simeon didn't reach his goal of becoming a Life Scout, but did end the year as a Star Scout. He's working on getting his Life Scout rank in 2014. Due to his hip problems he wasn't able to accomplish either of his baseball goals. Because Simeon read alot on his NOOK, it's hard to really know how many pages he read this year. He was always reading a different book, so he probably did meet his page count goal.

Kari

Goals:
Be more patient
Connect-with family better through cards & learning about them. Get Christmas & school albums up to date.
Simplify-less stuff, more organized house, less activities, more relaxation
Appreciate-take care of what we have, learn to live with what we have, or live without!
Strengthen my stomach muscles (and lose a few pounds there) so I can help my back be stronger and feel better.


2013 wasn't my best year. I did exceed one of my goals and that was in regards to photography. I had almost 10 photography jobs and actually got paid to do them. I loved it! I got our 2012 Project Life album pictures in the album, but I still need to do some journaling. I didn't even begin to get the kids school albums or Christmas albums updated. That's a goal I'll have again this year. Staying on budget is a very hard thing for me, and in 2014 that is a major goal of mine. Exercising came in spurts for me this year. I had no injuries this year which was a big improvement from the previous year. Laundry is a never ending project that I really need to figure a better system for. Like maybe the kids doing their own laundry! I felt like this year I had alot more individual time with each of the kids. Ammon and I get time twice a week going to Taekwondo alone to talk and I look forward to that time so much. I've been able to take kids out on one on one activities and spend time really talking with them and getting to know each other better.

Johann
Exercise more

Family Goals
Connect, Simplify, & Appreciate.
More regular Family Home Evenings
Smiles, laughter, fun, memories


This summer we spent an entire week in Northern Minnesota camping as a family and it was awesome!! We had more Family Home Evenings in 2013 then in years past. It still wasn't weekly, but it was at least 2 times a month. I felt like we got good schedules in place that would last a few months, then activities would change and we'd have to find a new schedule. I feel like we were better able to say no to more things then in years past and that we had more unscheduled time then in years past.

2013 Smith Family Update

2013 Family Update

This year I decided to not add the stress of getting Christmas cards out and I'm not allowing myself to feel guilty about it. I still wanted to do an update so I could have it for us to look back over the year and for our Christmas album.

2013 was a year of challenges and opportunities for growth for our family. 

Simeon continues to be cancer free. January 10^th he’ll be 4 years off chemo. In May right after his 12^th birthday he woke up with significant pain in his right hip. We visited the doctor and right away he was getting blood work and x-rays done. Fortunately his blood work came back great and his x-rays showed no damage from the steroids. An MRI, CT Scan, more blood work, an ER visit, a false emergency appendicitis scare and more than half a dozen doctor appointments later, a pediatric orthopedic doctor put a cortisone shot into his hip and the pain instantly went away. While being pain free for the 1^st time in months was awesome, it finally gave us a diagnosis that wasn’t what we hoped for. He has ASIS, which is like tendonitis in his right hip. It’s something he’ll have to live with until he reaches bone maturity, but he will outgrow it eventually. He’s learned to live with the limitations of not being able to lift his right leg very high. Stairs seem to be the biggest obstacle for him. He had to stop playing baseball halfway through the season because of the pain. He was a great team mate still attending all the games, cheering on his team and helping out with keeping the play book for the games. Because of his hip pain and not playing much during the season he didn’t make the 2014 team. He’ll play Iowa City boys baseball with Ammon this spring. He played football this fall, and was able to play about half the games before his hip pain got too intense. After resting for a few months, he’s taken up Polar Bear running club and is thankfully having no pain running. He started Junior high this year and loves it. He has been doing so great in school that he was able to switch from an IEP to a 504 plan, which meant that he could get into Spanish 2^nd trimester. He continues to play the baritone in the 7^th grade band and has improved so much in just a few months. He’s also playing in the Junior High Jazz Band. He started passing the Sacrament in June and takes it so seriously. He’s enjoying being in Young Men’s and Scouts and all the campouts they go on. He still loves to be outside on his ripstick, bike or shooting his hand made bow and real arrows.

Corrine-started 4^th grade with some struggles, but by the end of the year had grown so much. She started 5^th grade this fall with a huge smile on her face! Last spring Corrine played her 2^nd season of softball. Weeks into the season after weeks of a sore right foot we went to the doctor. X-rays showed no broken bones, but instead a mysterious mass the size of a BB near the growth plate on the top of her big toe. She had an MRI done, which showed multiple stress fractures and gave no clues about the spot. She was placed in a walking boot for 6 weeks, and worked her way out of it so she could go to a week-long horse camp through Girl Scouts which she absolutely loved. She also was an awesome team mate, going to all the games, warming the other girls up and cheering them on. She has a class rabbit at school that she quickly became very knowledgeable about. Her calm nature made the bunny warm right up to her. She spends many recesses playing and caring for the bunnies. In October just days before her practice 5K for Girls on the Run she had a repeat MRI which showed she still had a few stress fractures and the spot was still there. She was put back into the walking boot. Because she wasn’t healing they wanted to do some more tests. A bone density scan showed she has normal healthy bones, and her blood work only showed a Vitamin D deficiency like Simeon. In December after 2 months in the boot, she was placed in a walking shoe for a month to transition her back into a regular shoe. We joke that her right shoe is going to have an inch more tread on it then the left since she hasn’t been able to wearing it for so long!  She has showed so much bravery this year getting 2 IV’s placed for the MRI’s and blood work done. She wanted to take swim lessons in January. She amazed all of us overcoming her fear of the water and passing every level on the 1^st try! It was so awesome to see her confidence growing so much this year in many different areas. She was in the schools Lego Robotics Club where she helped make an App about emergency preparedness and presented it to a panel of judges with her group. She was a robot operator and on her run she earned her team 128 points. Corrine is quite a creative girl. She loves to write stories, sew, make rubber band bracelets, draw pictures and write cards to others. She is so incredibly sweet and loving with Rebecca.  Those 2 are the best of friends. She plays the viola in the advanced orchestra and the clarinet in the beginner band. She recently told us that when she grows up she wants to be a writer and an Olympic runner.

Ammon started 3^rd grade this fall and is doing so incredibly good in school. He soaks up information so quickly. He tells us all sorts of interesting facts he learns from books and school. He is an amazing reader and loves to read anything Simeon has read. He loves to learn about everything military. We took a trip to the Rock Island Arsenal and he loved every minute of it. He got into Harry Potter this year and can talk about any character or book. In June he was baptized and started Cub Scouts. He loves going to den meetings and working on the requirements to advance in rank. He is very athletic playing baseball, soccer, riding his bike, playing basketball and shooting his home made bow and arrows. He loves to be in the action on the soccer field running all over the field. He’s an aggressive goalie diving on the ball to stop the other team from scoring. He continues to increase in belt ranking in Taekwondo. He earned his 2^nd black tip in December. It’s awesome watching him do his form and braking boards. He loves to climb the hallway walls like Spiderman. He is a very loving kiddo especially with mom and Rebecca. He gives dad a running, jumping huge hug every day.  He enjoys serving our neighbors raking their leaves and shoveling their snow. He still thinks going to bed in not for him and loves to stay up late and sleep in just like his mom. He has been learning to play the piano this year and is getting better each month. He was very excited to get the Star Spangled Banner music from Corrine for Christmas.

Rebecca is the sweetest, loving little girl. She gives the best hugs and kisses dozens of times a day to everyone in the family. She has to give a hug and kiss before anyone leaves the house. Her hair continues to grow, but it’s getting straighter as it gets longer.  She’s decided that even getting her hair brushed is a horrible daily ordeal that she would rather not deal with, but she doesn’t want it cut. She wants to grow it long like Corrine. She started Pre-K this fall and loves every second of it. She gives her friends and teachers hugs every day when school is over. She’s learning so much so quickly. She knows and can write all her letters and numbers. She can write all our names and some other words without any help. She loves to learn to write new words and shapes. She can read a few easy books, and loves to find words she knows all around her. She plays with her babies and takes care of her toys just like Doc McStuffin.  She learned to swing this summer which has been so nice for all of us. When it’s warm she’ll swing for an hour straight. This August we discovered that she had a mouthful of cavities. We went to a new dentist that would fix them under general anesthesia in the hospital. Rebecca was so brave going into the operating room all by herself after we learned minutes earlier that mom couldn’t go in with her. The procedure lasted 2 hours and she came out with her baby dressed up for surgery. She ended up having 10 cavities and got a shiny silver tooth on a molar. She thinks it was so much fun that she wants to do it again. Mom and Dad feel differently.

Johann became the 2^nd counselor in the Bishopric this summer after 8 or so years in the Young Men’s program. He’s enjoying the change in service in the ward and getting to know more people through his calling. He works so hard for our family and is a great husband and dad to the kids. Rebecca and him have a special book they read together before bed. He made Ammon a loft bed this year which turned out so nice. He helped coach Simeon’s baseball team again this year.  He enjoys the rare chance he gets to sleep in. He doesn’t seem to mind the never ending to-do list of projects around the house.

Kari- I’ve learned a lot this year about patience, bravery, asking for help and excepting help. It was a tough year for me with my depression getting worse throughout the year. This fall I finally went to the doctor and started medicine and therapy. It’s been helping not only me but everyone in the family. I’m learning to be calmer, more patient and to know what’s really important and what we can do without. It’s a work in progress, but most days I feel better able to handle life’s challenges. I spent 10 weeks this winter/spring reading and rocking our sweet nephew Levi in the NICU while he recovered from having his intestines outside of his stomach at birth.  I loved being with him and am very excited for when I have time to be a volunteer at the University Hospital. This summer I started a small photography business. It’s been such a good thing for me to use my skills and to make some money doing it. This school year is my 2^nd year teaching the beginners Spanish class. It’s been so fun brushing up on my Spanish and feeling accomplished getting lessons made for the kids. It was a hard transition for me this fall having all the kids in school every morning, but it has been a wonderful chance for me to work on improving myself.

Cosmo/Bun buns-In November we adopted the sweetest mostly black bunny. He was found wandering by a police officer and taken to the shelter. The kids had been asking for a dog for years, but we knew that a dog was more then we could handle. A sweet little rabbit was a better fit for us. They think he was about 12 months old when we adopted him. He has one ear that lacks some muscle tone so it doesn’t stick up as much and he gets called helicopter ears because of it. He doesn’t like the hardwood floors, so he stays in the front room and hallway, except when he gets daring and explores the boy’s bedroom. His favorite treats are purple lettuce, parsley, cilantro, radishes, bananas, apples and carrots. We found out quickly that he loves to chew electric cords like Simeon’s ear buds and cell phone charger! He has been such a blessing for our family in so many ways. He is very loving, grooming us and running around showing us his happiness. If he didn’t enjoy digging up our carpet he would be the perfect pet!

We are grateful for all of the chances we’ve had to learn and grow this year. The kids keep getting taller by the day and will soon pass mom up in height. We’ve had lots of smiles and laugher and wonderful family time together. Even with all the challenges 2013 brought to our family, we also had so many amazing blessings and happy times. We spent a week tent camping in Northern Minnesota exploring the head waters of the Mississippi River, fishing, swimming, cooking over the fire and hiking. It was a wonderful week of fun.

We are looking forward to more chances to learn, grow, laugh, smile and play in 2014.

The Smiths,

Johann, Kari, Simeon, Corrine, Ammon & Rebecca

Oncology Camp 2013

Ammon's Baptism and Simeon Ordination

We have been counting down the days until today for months, maybe even for years. Simeon turned 12 on May 9th and could have gotten the Aaronic Preisthood that day and started passing the sacrament the next Sunday, but he wanted Nani & Papa here for it, so he waited until today to get ordained. So today was a double big day. Simeon got ordained and received the Aaronic Preisthood and Ammon got baptized.

Simeon and the group of Men he asked to stand in when he was ordained.

Spencer Willardson, Matt Black, Ben Randall, Papa, Dad, Grandpa Smith, Jake Smith and Matt Fischer.

The grandparents with Ammon before his baptism. He had such a nice baptismal service.

Dad baptized and confirmed Ammon a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ammon asked Papa, Grandpa Smith, Jake Smith, Cordell Jeppsen and Bishop Gelder to stand in when he was confirmed and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

He asked Simeon to give the opening prayer, Mom to give the Baptism talk, Papa to give the talk on the Holy Ghost, and Grandma Smith to give the closing prayer. He picked out his favorite baptism songs (Baptism and When I am Baptized) to sing during the service too. He asked both Grandpa's to be the witnesses when he was baptized.

If you asked Ammon if he was excited about his baptism he might have quietly said 'yes', then went on his way. The Sunday before his baptism he had an interview with the Bishop after church. As soon as his class got out he went right to the Bishops office and stood against the wall quietly waiting for over 30 mins. This showed us just how excited he was.

After his baptism I asked him to write down his feelings from today. His picture is of him and dad in the baptismal font. As he waited in the font for everyone to come in he was shivering, so I wasn't surprised to see him write that the water in the font was cold!

Today was such a wonderful day. Both boys were so excited and ready for today. 

I on the other hand was so nervous and anxious for  everything to work out right until we got to the church and I had such a calm feeling and I knew that everything would go nicely.

After Ammon's baptism we had a bbq at our house. We had family, friends and the missionaries over. We had lots of fun, food and laughter. It was a perfect end to such a beautiful day!

Class of 2019

Simeon with his awesome Lemme Teachers.

Front Row-Mrs. Spicknall 2nd grade, Mrs. Hynes 2nd grade, Simeon, Mrs. Christianson K, Mrs. Hackbarth 1st grade

Back Row-Mrs. Johnson 3rd & 4th grades, Mrs. Gordon 5th & 6th grade, Mrs Hall 6th grade (Lego Robotics & Science Club), Mr. Balke 6th grade

Simeon the big 6th grader on campus!

"It's Great to be a Lemme Leopard"

Door 3 where he 1st started at Lemme with Mrs. Christianson. Simeon has grown SO MUCH in his 7 years at Lemme. Simeon started kindergarten looking so healthy, but just a short 5 weeks later we found out he had Leukemia and was extremely sick. Looking at him now, you'd never know the battle he fought to be where he is today. 

Simeon-you've worked so hard to over come some pretty big educational delays from all the chemo and missing so much school the 1st few years. You're an amazing reader with such a high level of thinking. We're over the moon excited to watch what you make out of your future. You're such a bright, compassionate, energetic kiddo that can go so far in life. Keep putting one foot in front of the other with that smile on your face and kindness in your heart. Even when life gets hard, and you want to take a break, remember the fight you gave cancer and what you've overcome already in life.  You are going to do AWESOME things!!

We love you Simeon

Some weeks are like that

This week has been the typical busy, fun filled almost the end of the school year week. We had baseball games, baseball practices, softball games, taekwondo, 5/6th grade track meet, orchestra concert, advanced band tour and band ice skating party. You know the normal stuff with 3 kids in school and activities.

But you see the boys decided to make things a little bit more interesting for us.

Wednesday morning Simeon woke up with a sore right hip. He was limping, but feeling alright. This was track meet day. A day the kids look forward to all year long. To make it even more exciting was that it was being held at City High School and since our school is so close the kids got to walk. I seriously had tears in my eyes when I saw our 5th and 6th graders coming in the gate on the top of the field. I've been pretty teary about alot lately. I think between feeling overwhelmed with joy that Simeon's made it to these milestones and still getting back to my 'normal' after a very long hard winter with SAD.

Well anyways he ran in the 300 meter dash and was pretty slow. He told us his head and hip hurt afterwards. Then he did the triple toss and his team got 22 throws. An alright amount, but they'd done better during practice. Then he did the agility course and he plowed through one of the obstacles rather then duck under it. When he was done he came to us and said his hip hurt REALLY bad and he didn't think he could walk back to school and asked to go home. WHAT-Simeon wanted to leave the track meet that he'd been looking forward to for weeks instead of cheering on his friends.
He must be in pain.
We brought him home and had him rest. I rested too and got a short nap in before Ammon jumped on my bed and told me he's fallen at recess and hurt his finger. I feel back asleep and forgot about that little hurt finger.
Fast forward a few hours. Ammon had a baseball game and did AWESOME! He had 2 giant hits, got 4 or 5 rbi's and scored twice himself. All while nursing his sore pinky. We left the game early to get Corrine to her Orchestra concert. While there Ammon starts looking pale and tired and eventually lays down in his chair.
Now its Thursday morning. Simeon is very obviously limping and in pain. Ammon's right pinky is black on both knuckles and looks like a stripped puffy sausage. Time to call the doctor for both of them.
I know I've said before how much I like our pediatrician  but let me say it again. I really like the guy. He is mellow, straight forward, doesn't like to give meds unless truly necessarily, patient and just a good guy all around. And I should add he kept Ammon breathing for an hour and caught Simeon's leukemia. Yah this guy is on our top of the list of awesome people!
He comes in and looks at Ammon's hand and pinky. He's pushing on his finger and hand. Ammon jumps when he touches a certain spot on his finger, but not on his hand. The diagnosis he broke the pinky, but the hand seems to be alright. He gets a splint and Ammon asks a million questions likes normal and Dr. Boysen answers them like the great guy he is.

Then he takes a look at Simeon's hip. He starts pushing on it and moving it around and Simeon's pain level shoots way up. Concern. That was the look on the Dr. Boyson's face. So many different possibilities that it could be. So many scary things, but he only lets on to 2 things. Could be a long term side effect from all the chemo Simeon had to be with us today. Could be an infection. I keep the possibility of it being a leukemia tumor hidden away so as not to scare the kids. Rebecca's there with us too and she's just starting to understand what cancer is and what Simeon went through.
We leave with the x-rays orders and head to the hospital next door. We drop Simeon off because by this time he's not walking very good.
The radiologist think we're a hoot when he get there with a splinted finger, a limping boy and a mom who just needs to find the nearest bathroom asap. Man I drink alot of water these days!
When I come back in from the restroom I saw all 3 kids with their noses buried in books. Simeon's reading a book to Rebecca, whose asked him to read it to her, but now she's into her own book, and Ammon who I couldn't drag away from his book if I tried.

Simeon gets his x-rays done and is in even more pain. The froggy lay he had to do was so painful. They did x-rays of both hips to compare and one of his right femur just in case. I text Johann my concern so the kids don't hear anything. He's alarmed now, but all we can do it wait.
The next 3 hours are some of the slowest 3 hours.
Thankfully we get the results back that everything with his bones look fine. MAJOR bullet dodged today. Soft muscle injury possibly. He's pulled from all sports until early the next week.

Saturday now. Johann and Simeon got back from the 6th grade camp out, got things put away and headed for baseball. Meanwhile I freaked out at a kiddo over not cleaning their room and then felt as guilty as a mom who just yelled at their kid could.
Then Corrine, Ammon & Rebecca ask to go to the park. They make lunches and get all packed to go. I asked them to finish picking up the books on the floor in the boys room.
I'm texting a friend about going out that night when I hear a CRASH and shatter. "See you at 5. Doing the happy dance now! Oh no not anymore. Something just crashed and shattered."
My stomach dropped.
What now.
The kids come running to the door, again in the bathroom-too much water I tell ya. I ask for a 1 word answer-what broke?
"The glass pan that had the scalloped potatoes in it."
The heaviest glass 9 x 13 pan we own. The heaviest glass 9x13 pan that I thought was indestructible. The heaviest 9x13 glass pan we've had for almost 15 years. The one we got as a wedding present that has survived how many drops on the counter and hits in the sink and hot and cold temperature changed.
That one?
Sigh
Yes that one.
The heaviest, biggest, most likely to send glass chunks through the entire kitchen 9 x 13.
Yes that one.
The one in the fridge that has the last bit of scalloped potatoes that should have been thrown out 3 days ago.
Sigh.
Yes that one.

I ask the kids to finish cleaning up the books and set out to clean up that heaviest, most indestructible, wedding present 9x13 glass pan with the last of the scalloped potatoes off the kitchen floor. I find glass on the stove, on the counter, in the fridge, behind something on the counter.
That 9x13 pan had A LOT of glass to break.

It's Sunday evening and Simeon's walking better, but is still fairly sore. He's going to be sitting for 1st half of this week at least. Ammon's moving his finger and using it pretty good. He'd rather be careful and not wear the splint.

I think these boys of ours just wanted to make this week more interesting. Hopefully next week things are quieter and we don't have any more injuries. We have 10 days left of school and we're all looking forward to summer and more down time.

Going on Tour

Simeon's been talking about going on tour with the 6th grade band for weeks. Today was the day and we started it off at the wrong school! Thankfully a friend saw us drop Simeon off and called me to figure it out. She was already bringing a van load of kids, so she took him along. 

I was able to chaperone the tour, so I was able to participate in the day with him. There were around 60 kids split between 2 buses, so there was alot of counting and roll taking to make sure all the kids were accounted for.

The kids have gotten really good on their instruments! Next year at South East they are going to sound even better.

Simeon was the only Baritone in the band.

It was a fun day of touring the 3 schools that the band kids come from. We started at Hoover, then went to Longfellow. Then we headed out to the Coralridge Mall for lunch. We ended the day at Lemme playing for their own peers. Dad, Rebecca and Grandma Smith came to hear the performance.

Arianna, April, ??, Julia, Nick, Kayla, Simeon, ?? and Megan (down front).

Our new 12 year old

How in the world did our 1st born child turn 12 years old today? Seriously HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?  Wasn't he just going into elementary school last year?

Now he's just shy of 5 feet tall and his feet are as big as mine. Not only has he grown physically, he has grown mentally and emotionally so much this past year. He's getting more teenager to him then child. It's exciting and somewhat sad to see it happen. What blows my mind the most is that in just 2 years he could have a drivers permit. YES a drivers permit!! Crazy to put it mildly.

Simeon is really growing into a sweet, kind caring young man. He has a serious, get things done side and a very impulsive, do it before thinking side to him. He is very bright and athletic. He LOVES to read, is a bit obsessed with his Nook (and not just for books), loves to camp, loves to talk, wants to do everything he can, is getting quite good at the baritone, is full of energy and loves to listen to grown ups conversations. He's constantly making bows and arrows outside, getting into stick sword battles with Simeon, making up games on his ripstick with Joe and writing in his own language Rickums. We love our Simeon!

A short interview with our newly minted 12 year old Simeon-

What's the best thing about being 12? I get the Aaronic priesthood. I get to go to Southeast Junior High.
Friends- Carter Westlake, Nick Cronk, Sam Lewers, Joe Ring, Kyle Hefferly, Jonathan Brown, Joshua Cahoon and Joe Fischer.
Favorite school subject-Science
When I grow up-Chemist, to find the cure for leukemia cancer.
Favorite books- Legacy and Sentinels (both by R.A. Salvatore & Geno)
Favorite movie-Hobbit
Favorite game or electronic game-PS3 (Skyrim), Nook (Bad Piggies)
Most nervous for this year-getting to class on time at Southeast.
Most excited for at Southeast-LUNCH! I heard they have lots of choices and you don't have to get just one thing, and it's made there and it's fresh from the store that day.

For his birthday breakfast he wanted a bear claw from Day Light donuts. Then we made a mad dash to our early morning Spanish classes. For lunch at school he wanted Taco Bell. He was so sweet and kind to have mom, dad and Rebecca come have lunch with him and he wasn't the slightest bit embarrassed. His school treat were bomb pops. For dinner he wanted a Mexican spread. We had Spanish rice, my amazing (by our kids at least) beans, tacos, burritos and fixings to go with it all.
Simeon was suppose to have baseball practice and Corrine a softball game, but luckily for us it rained pretty good this afternoon and the city closed all the parks, so they both got cancelled. That meant we got to spend more family time together eating DQ treats while walking on the path by the river.

This year for presents he got a very nice sleeping bag, and sleeping mat from us. He also got sent on a scavenger hunt through the house to find his last present-a set of 3 street hockey balls. From family he got money, Legos, Nook gift card and more money.

A cute birthday story. At his family party he wanted a chocolate chocolate chip cake. We stuck the candles into his cake slice, but it started falling apart. Simeon asked to light the candles. So I'm holding the candles up and he lights the 1, then turns the match the wrong way to light the 2 and it burns his fingers, so he drops in on the table. He quickly blows it out and picks the match up. Meanwhile I thought the 1 was stable so I let go and it tumbles over. We caught it before it went and lit the 2 and sang Happy Birthday while his candles balanced crazily against each other.

As mom I've gone through some emotions with this birthday. Each birthday is special for each of our kids.  But turning 12 is huge for Simeon. he'll be be graduating from primary and going into the Young Men's program at church. He'll get the Aaronic Priesthood and will be able to pass the Sacrament. He will also be graduating from Elementary school and will be in Junior High next fall. Seeing Simeon so grown up and healthy has had me in tears many times this week. He wasn't guaranteed this birthday or any after his 5th birthday when he got leukemia. Each birthday I am so greatful that he is here and healthy and happy.

We love you Simeon. We're so proud of the amazing young man you have grown into!

Happy Birthday!!

Valentine's Day

The kids have been so EXCITED about Valentine's day for weeks. Rebecca has been asking to put decorations up and get the house ready. With every thing else going on we didn't decorate until LATE the night before, and Rebecca was wide awake after a long fever induced nap that afternoon.

The kids combined had 67 Valentines to make. I had another 18 to make between my Spanish kids and my little Sun beams.

Simeon wanted to do something more grown up, so this year he gave cans of Izzie sparkling juice out. Corrine gave pencils and lifesavers. Ammon gave out pencils and Rebecca gave her preschool friends a bubble wand.
For Spanish I gave them Valentines in Spanish with a few treats. For my Sunbeams I went a little over board and gave them a bigger goodie bag with a bracelet for the girls, or desquise for the boys, bubbles, goldfish, fruit snacks and a sucker. April (we co-teach) Rebecca and I went and delivered them. Rebecca also gave her friend Kinsley a matching heart sweatshirt as an extra gift. Those 2 have so much fun playing together!

I was asked to make heart strawberries on skewers for Corrine's classes Valentine's party. I think they turned out so cute. Corrine said all the kids really liked them. Their not hard to make, you just have to figure out how to make the 1st cut correctly. I learned the fatter strawberries were the best to use.

Our teacher gifts this year were Valentine's dish towels I found on clearance at Kohl's the day before. I wanted to do something that didn't involve food. All 3 of the big kids are taught by 1 amazing teacher, so they all gave her a set of towels even though she isn't any of their homeroom teachers. All the teachers really liked them!

Valentine's Day was our normal busy Thursday. I did get up and make breakfast before we all left for Spanish. Since Rebecca was recovering from her fever she didn't go to dance class. We all went to Taekwondo, then went to Panda Express for our Valentine's Day dinner. The kids loved it, I didn't have any dishes to do and it fit perfectly in before swim lessons.

It's kind of sad to think that this is Simeon's last year of giving out Valentine's. His teacher had a really fun party for the kids. They all made boxes to collect their valentine's in. I'm so glad she did that and gave those 6th graders one last Valentine's exchange. I'm not ready for Simeon to go to Junior High. He's grown up was too fast.