A kid who gets straight A's???

We got Nate's progress report this week and saw that he is on track to get straight A's! He has struggled with attention issues at school since day 1 and his report cards have reflected on this deficit. I was so happy to see that he is doing so well, but now I feel like I should reward him.

Rob and I differ a lot on rewarding our boys and have never been close to the same page. He thinks $.25 a day (yes...I said 1 quarter!) is a good allowance and I feel that $5 a week is good. I feel like the kids should have new shoes for school every year and he thinks that if they don't have holes in them, they are still fine as hand-me-down tennis shoes. We rarely spend money on clothes because our neighbors spend an incredible amount of money on their boys and they give us all of the clothes...For instance, I got a bag FULL of Levi jeans, size 8 and 10. Some of the labels were still on the jeans. There were probably 5 to 6 pairs of each size! Don't get me wrong! I am not complaining in any way! I am SO completely grateful for the awesome clothes. We have gotten Sideout t-shirts, Old Navy polo style shirts, skater shoes, Old Navy trousers...NICE STUFF!!! But I just have no sense of reality in spending money for my boys. I feel that we are WAY under the norm (except in sports) on spending for kids, but I see others who are excessive. I want my kids to grow up with a respect for money and material things.

Do you reward your children for their good grades? What type of allowance do you give your kids? And what age do you start?

Update on Rob's new niece

Well, they did an MRI and CT scan on Rob's little niece Katlyn. They diagnosed Retinoblastoma, a very dangerous Cancer that attacts children under the age of 2. She went home yesterday because all of her other issues have gone away with being premature. She is just having problems with her left eye. They have to take her to UCLA soon because it is a rapidly growing Cancer, and I guess UCLA is the only place that specializes in Retinoblastoma.

Please keep this family in your prayers.

Perfect Day for us, Hope for a new niece

Well, we woke up extremely early to get to the early service at church yesterday. There was a special guest worship leader this week. Her name is Kendall Payne. She was so awesome! I have added her to my playlist.

We were home by 9 AM! We were able to relax and enjoy the wonderful holiday without rushing around. I absolutely love Easter! We had our awesome brunch that I was salivating over just thinking about. We were able to take naps. And then I cooked a great dinner for 16 people! It was a fantastic day! We had my family over, minus my "up-North" family, who are all getting ready for their Make-a-wish trip this week! Rob's step-dad, sister, niece and niece's boyfriend came. His mom didn't make it because she was at the hospital with her newest granddaughter, who is having a few complications. She is in good hands, as she is at the local Children's Hospital. They are thinking that she has cancer in the eyes and doing a bunch of tests. Her mom had the same thing when she was a little girl. Mom is now blind and has 2 glass eyes. But there is more hope now in this day and age. I pray that this precious little baby girl will go home soon to his mom and dad.

Easter is one of my favorite holidays!

I love Easter! I love that Jesus died for me and rose again! I love celebrating Him! I love going to Sunrise Service and praising Him!

I also love all the material aspects of Easter too, though and I tend to get caught up in them a little too much. I love having Easter egg hunts with the boys. I love having the Easter Bunny come with candy and small gifts, (but not too extravagant :)) I love having Easter Brunch! My Brunches are always extremely yummy! Not to say that I am a good cook, but I have some fabulous recipes, like chili egg puff, and tater tot casserole that just make my mouth water from thinking about them. I love having a big Easter dinner with ham, potatoes and "Magic muffins". I LOVE having Strawberry pie afterwards! I love having an Easter egg toss after dinner and trying to get egg on someone! I love the memories of going to my parents' friends house every Easter--the Lundbloms. They are truly special people! I could devote a whole post to them, but maybe later!

I think that Easter holds the most memorable place in my heart of all the holidays from growing up. And now that I am older, I am appreciating it more and more.

what are some of your traditions?

Life is getting back on track

For the past several years, I feel as though my life was quickly becoming a train wreck. I was getting older, larger, not so smart, and my spiritual growth was at a standstill. Well, I finally decided to do something about it this past year. First off, I went to Weight Watchers...I lost 15 pounds but gained most of it back...But I started feeling better about myself. Last summer, I made the decision to join a small group at a different church than the one we were going to. It was totally out of my comfort zone, because I enjoyed anonymity. We were at a big church and no one knew us. We could skip Sundays because no one was holding us accountable. But at the same time, I wasn't holding myself accountable either. I wasn't living the Godly life that I had wanted. When we joined this small group, I felt as though it was time to start living the life intended for me. I switched churches and immediately felt God's arms wrapped around me as if to say, "Well done, Good and Faithful Servant." I immediately started feeling better about myself; More confident than I had in a LONG time. I am actually started to turn to God again for my times of trouble. I even feel my husband starting to get it a little bit. He is actually teaching a lesson in a couple weeks. He will need a lot of prayer.

As I start feeling more confident, I realize that I was not put on this earth to be a stay at home mom. As much as I love my kiddos, I love them more when I am not with them all the time. I love teaching other kids the concepts of mathematics that are foreign to a lot of parents. I feel that I have a gift for it and I feel that I now have the opportunity to finally use that gift.

Yesterday, I signed up for some more classes. I have been going to the gym 3 days a week. I have lost 2 whole pounds. I have been reading the Bible and talking to God. I am really excited for this chapter in my life.

Going back to School

I am starting back to school next week. I am so nervous! I haven't been in school for 13 years, since getting my bachelor's. But, I figure, with the economy the way it is going, I need to do something. My hubby had been in school since we met and his boss finally told him that he cannot continue school while working. (He was a 6yh year senior for Electrical Engineering when he stopped going.) I, on the other hand, can finally follow my dream of being a high school math teacher! It is an on-line school, so I can still be home with Nolan. I will just need to cut down a bit on the internet surfing, Facebook and reading everyone's blogs.

Another stinkin' Tag

My friend Bren tagged me.


8 Favorite TV Shows

* Biggest Loser

* Ugly Betty

* ER

* American Idol

* Dancing with the Stars

* Arizona Diamondbacks

* Arizona Cardinals (If they are in the playoffs)

* Ed (Tom Cavanaugh was a bowling alley lawyer...Awesome show!)

8 Favorite Restaurants

* Texas Roadhouse

* Outback

* Rubio's

* McDonalds

* Pei Wei

* In & Out Burger

* Saute'

* Someburros

8 Books you'd Recommend

I have to admit...I am not a reader...I rarely read textbooks in my high school and college days and now I basically read blogs and entertainment stuff...

8 Things that happened Yesterday

* We celebrated my oldest son's Birthday!

* I went to the doctor

* I went to my Mom and Dad's house to visit

* I tip tested in Karate for a high white belt

* I played the piano

* I cleaned up my house

* I ate a wonderful dinner with friends and family at Someburros

* I read my friend Bren's blog that said that I was tagged...Ugh!

8 Things to look forward too

* Losing weight

* Getting stronger

* Retirement with my husband

* Traveling

* Kids getting older

* Nolan having no more "Accidents"

* The Economy getting better

* No more Lay-offs

8 Things on my wish List

* To give back to God all he has given me

* A Maldives Vacation

* A Suburban

* A Bigger house so my boys can have their own rooms

* To finish school so I can teach high school math

* My friends who have lost jobs to be able to find new ones quickly

* A little girl someday through adoption

* To become more patient


8 Things I love about Fall

* Beautiful leaves changing color up North

* Bearable weather

* Opened windows

* Birthdays

* my Anniversary

* Thanksgiving

* Halloween

* Christmas is right around the corner and stores are gearing up!


8 people I tag

Wow Bren...8 people do not read this blog.

Nate's 9th Birthday

Yesterday was Nate's 9th birthday! Happy Birthday to my oldest son! We are so proud of you and all that you are accomplishing!

Some wonderful things about our Nate!

*He loves to learn about Jesus!
*He has a pure heart.
*He gives good hugs and is not afraid to be affectionate.
*He is the best kid we know.
*He always does his chores without being asked more than once.
*He tries to make everyone around him feel special about something.
*He has been trying very hard in school.
*He strives to be a good big brother and leader to his little brothers.
*He rarely complains about what he eats for dinner.
*He takes after his dad!

We Love you Nate! I hope you had a good birthday!

Oops

Although I have been blessed with mild mannered boys, they do like to play. Last night, while the husband and I were making dinner, the boys were all in Nate's room, playing. All of the sudden, I heard Nolan scream. Now, Nolan does tend to cry quite often, but this cry was definitely much worse. I ran in there and grabbed him, but didn't look at him, as that tends to make him cry worse. I asked Nate what happened, and he said that Nolan was doing flips on the bed and hit his head on the headboard. Then I started to look at Nolan and freaked out. I don't know what I would do if any of the boys actually cut their heads open...Knock on Wood...I just thank God that dad was there to take care of him and sit with him.

Nick's first lost tooth

We were at dinner a couple weeks ago and Nicky gently says "Dad!" There was blood all over his mouth and in his hand was a tiny little tooth. My perfect teeth child is no longer. Of course I cried a bit.

He was so excited to get money from the TF. I don't think Nate has ever been that excited! Nick was certain he would see the TF. When he put his tooth under his pillow, he had to have it just so. I accidentally moved it while saying prayers with him, but he made sure to move it back to the spot he wanted it in. Way to go in being so brave, Nick!