Counting Blessings

Yes, the transmission completely had to be rebuilt on our car at 54,000 miles (right before Christmas). Then, the compressor broke on our heat pump as well as a couple of other parts. Kids have been sick, the weather has been cold and a few other minor things. HOWEVER, I still have a lot to be thankful for and I don't want to forget those good things happening in our family right now.

We get lots of help from grandparents who support our kids in their activities, feed us, celebrate report cards with us, take care of Bradley to give mom a break during the day once a week and generally help us in whatever ways they can. I feel so blessed to have two sets of fantastic parents/grandparents close by!

Amanda is a happy teenager right now. School is great, social life is great and how exciting is it when you are oh so close to turning 16!?! For us at home, that is huge and whenever the stars are aligned in our teenage daughter's universe life is really good, for however long it lasts! :)

We've survived teaching her how to drive. We are still doing this but its getting better and I have noticed that I can actually relax and chat while she is driving in the car now--HUGE progress!

Jared has a little moustache. Mostly this is fun because Bradley can't stop talking about it but he gets a little flack from his friends. However, I think he's kind of proud of it. The only down side is that I keep checking the mirror making sure as I am getting close to 40 that I'm not growing one, too. It would be bad to have mother/son twin moustaches.

Jared won 2nd place in the science expo for 7th grade in the Health and Fitness category. He tested jumping ability versus types of shoe wear. Oh, and his basketball team is amazing--its been sooo fun to watch them!

Megan is happy at school and has great friends!

Bradley is enrolled in Preschool for fall--woo hoo!

I had two weekends out of town in a row where I missed church. I feel blessed to have fabulous counselors/secretary who totally took care of Primary while I was away. They are amazing!

Nate is on the home stretch of his formal internship and last class at WSU!!! He recently paid his last tuition. Well, until Amanda starts college I suppose....