A Special Week for a Mother

This has truly been an incredible week.  There have definitely been some ups and downs, including some crazy stressful situations for both Eric and I with work and soccer, but overall the good of this week greatly out-weighs the bad.

On Saturday, Lucas turned 12.  Not only is he now a pre-teen, but in my faith, 12 is a huge milestone birthday.  When a boy turns 12 he is able to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.

On Saturday we celebrated his birthday with cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then he had to open his presents.  He got the one present he really wanted, a cell phone.  Eric and I had debated for a while as to when it would be the right time for him to have a phone, and after a lot of thought and consideration, he got one for his 12th birthday. (Next week I will share the contract we made him sign in order to have a phone).

Then we watched BYU beat Michigan State and went out for dinner that night at Mimi's Cafe,

followed by his birthday cake-- an Awesome Face Emjoi cake.

He loved his cake!

Sunday was a very special Sunday, Ryder gave a talk in Primary and Lucas received the Aaronic Priesthood.  At the beginning of sharing time, the young men from the ward came into Primary and sang a song and then took Lucas away to his new class.  He was beyond ready to leave Primary and start Young Mens.   We then went with Lucas where Eric ordained him to be a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood.  I could feel the spirit so strongly and have so much hope for the boy Lucas is and who he will become.  They asked Lucas to share his testimony and he said that he felt the spirit so strongly and it reminded him of how he felt when he was baptized.  They then asked me to share a few thoughts.  It truly was a wonderful a special day.


This day was even more special as it was also my Mother-in-laws birthday.  Lucas is their oldest grandchild so they had come to town for this special weekend, and so on Sunday we also celebrated her birthday.

On Tuesday, thanks to some last minute plan changes and great friends who were able to help with my youngest two, my in-laws, Eric, Lucas and I all went to the Temple, where Lucas performed baptisms for the dead.

Redlands, CA Temple

  It was awesome to be there in the temple with him for his first time.  Family's truly are meant to be forever and there is a plan of happiness which can bring you so much comfort and peace in life.

The rest of my in-laws visit was spent sewing with the kids

Alex made this skirt with the help of Mimi

going to soccer practices
and just enjoying our time together.

This truly was a wonderful week and one I will never forget.

Proud Mommy Moments

Several years ago, a fellow blogger Kmama of the Daily Dribbles, who sadly no longer blogs, she and I would do a Proud Mommy Moments every Thursday.  Sometimes the moments were truly proud and other times they were  'proud' moments or embarrassing things our kids did.

Today, as summer is underway I do have a few things I am truly proud of.

I am proud of my kids for all having a great school year and loving school.  In fact they are all saying they are ready to go back to school already!

I am proud of how amazing Ryder is doing in swim lessons; yesterday he swam halfway across the pool all by himself, then with a little pause made it the rest of the length of the pool.

I am proud of how hard Alex is working to improve as goalie.  She might not have the best drop kicks and the other goalie might be slightly faster to the ball, but her coach recognizes her joy and how hard she is trying to improve, so loves her at that position.

I am proud that even though he sometimes picks on his siblings, that my Lucas truly still does have a golden heart and to see how comfortable he helped the other kids in his swim class feel, even the one that is on the spectrum.

Today I am a proud mama and hope and pray that I can keep doing the best for my kids and helping them to be truly good people who contribute, work hard and bring good to things and people around them.

What is your proud mommy moment?

The Beginning and End: Kindergarten and 5th Grade Promotions

Yesterday was a big day, a day where yes a few tears may have slid down my cheek.  Yesterday not only was it my youngest's kindergarten performance but my oldest had his 5th grade promotion!

Okay, yes before I share a bunch of pictures, I do think it is kind of funny that 5th grade has a promotion, but when you are the mom of the 5th grader you just love it anyway.

I am so proud of Lucas and how well he has done.  When he started kindergarten, it only lasted a week and a half- until we pulled him out and waited a year.  The next year was better, but he still struggled to even get 10 green-days in a row.  Finally things began to click, and now he promoted a 4.0 GATE student who won first place in the District Science Fair, whom all his teachers adore.  What a difference a few years can make.
After his promotion we went out to lunch to celebrate.  Alex and Ryder were able to leave school early also, so the whole family went to Lucille's for a celebratory lunch.


Then last night, it was Ryder's turn with a really cute kinder performance, of songs and a poem.  He even was part of a group of 6 kids who came down and performed the dance to song they were singing, kind of like a mini-solo just with five other kids.

He has had a great year and I have loved being able to be there in his class so often.  As we were looking through his memory books, I realized I was there for all of the big days and a whole lot more.

Now Tuesday, their last day of school marks the end of an era for me.  The end of having a child home at least part of the day, the end of all three of my kids ever being in the same school at the same time... the end of just elementary school as my oldest goes off to Middle school.  It has been a crazy ride and life really is good right now.  I know there will soon be many new experiences, challenges and craziness to deal with, but for today- life is good.

My Son is Humble

Every Thursday Kmama and I used to do Proud Mommy Moments, where we shared both the proud and the "proud" moments in motherhood.  While we are not resurrecting that meme at this time, I do have a proud mommy moment to share.

For school, Lucas is supposed to write a little note or letter to Eric and I every month.  Last week, we got his first letter.

As it may be a little hard to read, I will type it below:

Dear Mom and dad,
  The first month in fourth grade was awesome.  This year I've learned algebra, about CA's regions and that I have a awesome teacher.  My favorite thing I learned was algebra. It was my favorite because it was easy. (Everything was easy)
  Although I learned a lot, I struggled with, (drum roll in the background) nothing!  I struggled with nothing because I'm awesome. (And everything was easy)  I could use your support on homework. (A.K.A "stink work")
   I'm really proud of getting an A+ on most of my grades.  I worked really hard to get good grades.  I'm proud because I like good grades.  I love you a lot.

   Love,
    Lucas (a.k.a. Super Lukenator)


I have to admit- I laughed and giggled through the whole thing.  My favorite party is the 'drum roll in the background'.  And oh, his humility, is totally amazing, don't you think?

Do you have any 'proud' mommy moments this week?

Proud Mommy Moments: The Hair

Proud Moment: Lucas earned his Wolf and managed not to stick me when pinning me.

Proud Moment: Ryder has now actually peed on the toilet a few times! -- also could be "Proud" as it has only been a few times. 

Proud Moment: Had kids' parent teacher conferences; great reports all around.  Both are doing really well, their teachers like them, they are kind and respectful.

Proud Moment: Lucas' teacher said he is a thinker and sometimes will get lost in his thoughts, but it isn't hurting his grades, all A's even some A+.   He often chooses to work by himself, when they are given the option but is always with groups and others out at recess.  

Proud Moment: Alex, or Alexandria, as she goes by at school loves art, has really great handwriting and is not short of confidence.  She is very expressive and dramatic when she recites her poems and is a great reader and great at math.  

"Proud" Moment: Something was brought up during Alex's conference that I don't think I ever thought would be brought up at a conference... her hair.  You see Alex's hair is baby fine and straight on top and long ringlet curls underneath.  The two together, just seem to lead to a tangly crazy mess.  Her teacher commented how adorable it looked at my church's primary program (where the kids present the program once a year), as I had curled her hair into adorable ringlets; but most mornings I am not that ambitious.  Most mornings, it is a quick brushing and out the door we go.

It looks good when we leave, but I am sure a few laps around the upper field for their morning mileage club, and that brushing is soon irrelevant.  She also said Alex doesn't seem to care one bit and isn't vain and it also doesn't seem to affect her confidence.

But yes, her hair....  maybe this is becoming a mommy confession where I admit I don't really do my daughter's hair.  

Poor thing.

But hey, at least it's never looked like this when she went to school

*************

If you have followed my blog for a while, you know Kmama and I used to do Proud Mommy Moments every Thursday.


We took a break over the summer and just never have come back with them.  She and I have decided to end Proud Mommy Moments as a weekly linky, but I will still be sharing Proud Moments like this from time to time.  

Proud Mommy Moments: School Is Out!

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Kmama and I have decided to take a break from Proud Mommy Moments this summer; in fact this is the last week until school resumes.


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School's Out for the summer!

Yep- it already is for us.  Tuesday was my kids' last day.

It has been a great year for both of them.

Alex from day one was fearless, happy and the ring leader- but as her teacher said in a good way as she got everyone excited about working and being at school.

She loved school, even was happy to do homework.  By the end of the year though she kept saying she was ready for first grade and her completely perfect report card would indicate that yes, she definitely is ready.

Lucas

Lucas continues to grow and improve everyday.  His teacher loved him and his class voted for him to receive the "best manners" award at the end of the year.  He has known how to read for a while now but this year his reading ability and enjoyment of it jumped to a whole new level.

While he still likes to sometimes fight me about homework, the fights were definitely less this year and when he sits down and just does it he finishes it so quickly and easily.   Spelling comes just naturally to him and we hardly even have to practice his spelling words (which is so different than both Eric and I were in school).

So to my two oldest- I am very proud of how awesome you both did this school year... now let's just survive summer.

What is your proud mommy moment this week?

Proud Mommy Moments: Racing and Flirting

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Kmama and I have decided to take a break from Proud Mommy Moments this summer; so hurry and link up while you still can!  Grab the button and join us!

Every Thursday!
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Proud Mommy Moment Number 1:

Lucas first pinewood derby race!  He and Eric worked hard on the car, with engineering/design help from Pappi and lots of hard work.

His painted his car totally by himself, we printed off the decals (very convenient there is a Lucas Oil Company)

His car was fast- very fast!

He got 3rd/1st place (long story with a possible scoring error) - we were proud.   He also go "Most Unique Design"

The cake that he/we made took 1st place in the cake decorating contest!

Proud Mommy Indeed

Proud Mommy Moment Number 2:

The following conversation took place in the car on the way to school.

As we were driving, Lucas and Alex were talking about a boy Alex likes or her "boyfriend".

Lucas: "Well if he is your boyfriend why don't you just marry him?"
Alex: I can't marry him, he's not family.
Me: Miss we don't marry family.
Alex: Yes, well he is just a little boy and I am going to to marry a man so I when I am a grownup I will probably never be able to find him again.
Lucas: Maybe when you are teenagers you will find him. For some reason teenage boys really start liking teenage girls."
Alex: Yes they probably like fancy and pretty girls like me. And if I do this (she says while titling her head and batting her eyelashes) they will really like me.

Face slap!  I am in trouble and yes Lucas for some reason teenager boys do really start liking teenage girls.

What are your Proud Mommy Moments this week?

Proud Mommy Moments: The Three's

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Grab the button and join us!

Every Thursday!
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It is coming.  I can feel it.  Each day creeping closer and making it's ugly appearance.... the terrible three's!  Yes, I said 3 not 2.  My kids all seemed to prefer the 3's for their fit throwing, kicking and screaming, testing every boundary.

Ryder has always been so good, so calm so that I was hoping that maybe it would somehow just be skipped all together; but with his third birthday fast approaching (on Tuesday) it is starting to show.

Last night I made a nice wonderful dinner, which I then proceeded to take to a friend who is in the hospital so needless to say I wasn't up to making a second dinner, so Chick-fil-A it was.

We ordered our food, sat down and I happily observed Ryder nicely eating his food.  I smiled and tried to quietly point it out to Eric; that was my first mistake.

Ryder then began dipping his finger into his ranch dressing and eating just that, all with a big smile on his face of course. I took his dressing away, so then he started finding things on the tray to throw away in the near by garbage can.

Lucas and Alex finished their food and asked if they could turn their toys in for ice-cream.  "No Ryder needs to eat more first."

Ryder then decided to push his chair aside and squat/sit by the table in his "little chair" thinking he was hilarious while doing so.   When he started to throw his food, that is when we called it quits and left.

Now is when my proud mommy moment begins.  In the past, if this sudden change of plans had occurred both Lucas and Alex would not have been happy and may have probably loudly professed it. While both were disappointed neither complained or fussed once!   Eric and I both made sure to compliment both and point out how wonderfully they did and I also warned them that this might not be the last time something like this happens as we are about to enter the terrible 3's.

trouble is coming!

What is your Proud Mommy Moment this week?

Proud Mommy Moments

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Grab the button and join us!

Every Thursday!
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I have a confession to make; my kids do not know how to tie their shoes.  Nope, not even my 8 year old.  There are a lot more options with shoes now days; for a while even his nice dress Sunday shoes did not have laces, though his current pair does.

Their only shoes that seem to have laces are their soccer shoes and the laces are so darn short on those things I have a hard time tying them.

So when I saw that Alex's homework for the week was to learn her address, telephone number and how to tie their shoes and that they would be tested on Friday, I panicked a bit.

I also immediately texted my husband.  "You have to help Alex learn how to tie her shoes this week!"

As you see, well I don't tie shoes correctly.  When I was a child one of my best friends taught me how to tie my shoes with the bunny ear method.  My mom was probably just happy someone else taught me and I could do it, so that was the end of it.  The trouble was along the way no one taught me the correct way.  In fact I did not even realize there was another "correct" way until I was in high school.  No joke.

I have since learned the other way, but I have to think about it and often try again and usually just revert to my bunny ears.

So last night Eric got to work, teaching Alex the correct way to tie her shoes;  Lucas also joined in as well he is 8.

"Make a tee-pee like this" Eric began instructing.  It made me grateful that I got to stand back and watch; much like I will probably want to do when they learn to drive; not because I can't drive, in fact I would say I am a good driver, I just don't know quite how I would handle it.

So how did it go?

Well I am happy to say that two of my kids now know how to tie shoes the correct way, even if yes their mama can't.

Eric took this for me as I had a meeting to go to and missed the end result

What is your Proud Mommy Moment this week?

Proud Mommy Moments: Bounce House Tears

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Grab the button and join us!

Every Thursday!
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Last week Lucas went to his best friend's birthday party, it was at one of those bounce house places.  The parents had the option of just dropping off the kids, most did but I chose to stay.  It isn't because I am a helicopter mom, at least I wouldn't call myself one, it is because I just know.

What do I know?  I know my son.

I didn't blog when Lucas was little, I didn't even know what blogging was.  I sometimes wonder what my posts would have been like.  How many would have been filled with pleas and questions asking for help.   Wondering why at 4 months old he would scream until he passed out, wondering why he seemed to have no sense of boundaries and personal space as preschooler; wondering why he couldn't be in a room with people clapping.

I still remember one of his check-ups when his pediatrician asked how he was at making friends and when I started to describe his behaviors he was not at all surprised.   He unofficially diagnosed him at the time with Sensory Integration Disorder.

Thankfully me working with him and time has changed him into almost a whole other kid, but he still has his times, his times where ordinary things overwhelm him, times where his very tender heart which he was also blessed with shines through.

Which is why I stayed.

Sure enough, at some point during the party he came running to me in tears, a group of the boys were pushing him every time he made it to the top of the slide, a legitimate reason to be upset but for him it was the end, he wanted to go home, tears sobbing, hardly able to breath.

The other parents went and talked with the boys, a couple came over and apologized.

I slowly and calmly talked with him, he settled down but was still ready to go.
"Okay, just go get your shoes then we will go." I said.
"Why can't you get my shoes?" he asked.
"Because, I think if you just settle down more you will decide you do want to stay."

"Do you want to play some video games?" one of the moms asked him.
"I don't have any quarters." Lucas said.
"I have some if you would like to."

She gave him some quarters and he and her son went to play.  While he was there she also bought him a bottle of water and she later recounted the event to me.

She told me the machine was having a hard time accepting the bill.
"Are you getting that for me?" Lucas asked her.  "Really you don't have to do that, that's okay, thank you though, but you don't have to do that." he sweetly said.
She said she was so impressed as in her words, 'if it had been my son he would have demanded it and want to know what else I was going to get for him.'   She continued on with how impressed she was with how kind and sweet he was.

This was a proud moment.  Despite all the tears and earlier drama, the night was able to end on a good note.

With the bad comes the good.  It really is how life just is, we just have to keep looking for those proud good moments.

What is your proud mommy moment this week?






P.S. Ten Things to Smile About this month will be on Tuesday!  Love to get lots of links as I think we all need to find the good things after this crazy month.

Proud Mommy Moment: The Book Worm

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Grab the button and join us!

Every Thursday!
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I have always loved reading.  I have certificates from when I was in grade school saying I read over 300 hours in a school year.  I would always earn several personal pan pizza from the Pizza Hut Book It Club.  To this day I still love reading, though it is often dangerous for me as I get totally lost in books neglecting everything else until I finish.

I would love for my children to love reading too.  Lucas is a good reader but it just really isn't his thing. He would much rather build something with Legos or design a roller coaster (his latest obsession).  Occasionally he would get hooked on some nonfiction books like ones about volcanoes or trains; he even also really likes the Magic Tree House books, but nothing totally sucked him in.

Yesterday he started telling me about a book they were listening to at school, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, he said he loved it and asked if we could get it.

We immediately jumped on Amazon and ordered it.  It was only after he went to school that I went up to the playroom to our shelves of children's books I have picked up over the years at thrift stores, only to realize we already have it.  I quickly canceled my order and brought the copy with me when we picked him up from school.

He was thrilled!  When we got home he immediately went and sat on the couch and began reading.  He hurried through his homework so he could read more.  Then during his sister's soccer practice he did this the whole time.

When we got back home he told me he was going to do what I really wanted to do-- i.e. just sit and read a book.

I think it finally happened, I think my book worm has finally emerged.  I am a proud mama.

What is your Proud moment this week?

Proud Mommy Moments: Confidence Issues

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Grab the button and join us!

Every parent thinks their child is the most beautiful and so adorable- and they should; for me with Alex, well I had no doubt.

As her hair started to come in and we realized it was red, as her chubbiness increased in the cutest way...

When she was between the ages of 10 months to about 18 months, we would literally be stopped in the store at least 3 times anytime we went anywhere by someone coming to comment on how adorable she was.  I often felt bad for Lucas who was standing right there too.  I would try to point out something awesome about Lucas to this complete stranger who could care less, but I cared.

Alex at about 10 months

As she has grown, I have tried to point out her other strong traits: her intelligence, her ability to work hard, her ability to make friends, her athletic skills all while teaching a sense of gratitude and humility at the same time.

Let's just say her confidence has definitely blossomed over the years.. and the humility.  Well you be the judge.

A few weeks ago during dinner, Eric complemented and thanked me for dinner, as he so often does.   Smart man because between the kids whining and complaints if it wasn't for his compliments I might just give up on cooking all together.

He then went on to tell the kids how lucky they were to have me as a mom and how many great things I do for all of them "and she is so beautiful" he ended.

At this point Alex sits up straight, flips her hair over her shoulders, cocks her heads, bats her eyelashes and says "And what about me daddy am I beautiful?"

Oh boy! Heaven help me.

What is your Proud Mommy Moment this week?  Link up below!

Proud Mommy Moments: The One Where I Fail

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Grab the button and join us!

Every Thursday!
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Motherhood truly can be so wonderful, at times horrible, and other times ridden with guilt.  A lot of the guilt we put on ourselves unnecessarily as us moms are often way too hard on ourselves.   This last Monday, well my guilt was justified.

I picked Alex up from kindergarten, fed she and Ryder lunch, put on a show for them and enjoyed the time to myself while the TV entertained them for a bit.  Their show ended and I tried to put on my happy/entertaining mom hat ready to play and have fun.  A small miracle occurred though and Alex and Ryder ran upstairs to play together.  Yes, sweet victory!

I glanced at the clock, 12:45.  I debated whether I should bother trying to put Ryder down for a nap before it was time to get Lucas as he rarely takes naps anymore.   I thought a little more about Lucas and that I was happy he liked school so much.  I mentally ran through my afternoon schedule noting that we would need to leave to get Lucas about 2:20 for his 2:45 dismissal.

Alex and Ryder continued to play and I broke out my computer and started writing.  Have I told you I am starting to write a book?  I have always loved writing.  I was in a groove going strong when my cell phone rang at 1:40.  It was Lucas' school.

"Did he get sick?" I immediately thought, "or get sent to the principle?" It couldn't be the latter I thought while picking up the phone.

"Hi, Mrs ... this is X from Lucas' school, he is here in the office, today is Monday, early out day."
"Oh my gosh!" I squealed. "Tell him I am on my way right now!"

"Alex, Ryder!" I screamed after hanging the phone up, "we have to go get Lucas!  I forgot today was early out day!"

Yes- early out day which is and has been every single Monday the entire year.  The day that he gets out at 1:15 instead of 2:45.

As I drove I braced myself, guilt swarmed me, I knew he would be upset, most likely crying as he is my tender-hearted one.

I parked and ran to the office and saw him sitting on a chair (along with about 6 other kids in the office), "Lucas I am so sorry!" I said hugging him, "I forgot it was Monday!"

"Did you see this?" he asked showing me a flyer in his hand and then began chatting away.  No tears, no anger, no 'where were you, why did you not come'.  Just happy chatter.

Later that night as I was recounting to Eric what happened Lucas said "yea Mom just forgot it was Monday."

You can bet I said many prayers of gratitude that night that in that moment he was so good, calm and understanding.  Plus I relearned a lesson on the importance of forgiving others and not being so quick to judge as mistakes truly do happen.

I was a very proud (albeit- guilty) mama.

What is your Proud Mommy Moment this week?

Proud Mommy Moments: Candy Jokes

Proud Mommy Moment Time!  This is a weekly meme that Kmama and I co-host telling the proud and not so proud moments of motherhood. For more information-click here.  Grab the button and join us!

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My kids like candy.  They get this from their father.  Remember the Jelly Bean machine he got last year for his birthday-- yea it's always full.

The Jelly Beans for the machine for his birthday last year

Lately the candy of choice has been Laffy Taffy, probably because we have a big bag of it.  As you may know Laffy Taffy candies have jokes on the wrapper. You know the ones like "Why did the skeleton go to the movie alone?"  "He had no body to go with"... da-da-dum.

Ryder has learned that here are jokes on the Laffy Taffys and will ask me to read the jokes to him, usually laughing before I even read the punchline.

Yesterday, he decided to do it himself.

"No, I will read it!" he said while holding his laffy taffy flat to see the words.

"Why did the toilet go to the bathroom?"  "Because it wanted to go potty and his horn was broken."

"Why did the garbage can go to the grocery story?"  "Because he wanted to throw everything away"

Well, let's be honest his jokes aren't much worse than the ones on the wrappers.

And just a totally random cute Ryder thing-- here is a video my Father-in-law made when they were visiting last week of Ryder golfing.

What is your Proud Mommy Moment this week?