End of May updates

May updates: End of school, both boys got some pretty stellar grades and awards, Elijiah principals list and Tristan Christian Award ALONG with winning 1st place in his chess tourney! Been on some great family hikes, Tristans baptism, and overall just wanted to upload a few pics of the last few weeks.

Jonathan turned 40!!!

Jonathan Turned 40!! It was a lovely party with several friends and family. I wanted him to feel loved and he said he did. 40. WOW I just never thought this age would get here and it has. Its a strange feeling. Smack dab in the middle of life, officially NOT young anymore but not old either...plugging along in the midst of things and hopefully life continues to get better and better with wisdom and knowledge and kids, and fun right? Anyway have lots to update as usual, but seriously couldnt let another day go by without getting these pictures up. I love this man a ton, hes a good one. We work hard to keep things going despite the challenges that come with regular frequency. Hes a great father and hubby and on his big FOUR -O bday i put together a video and a bit of a salute for him. The other few pictures were of Elijiahs last game of the season. He tried out again and made the team next year and so it continues. But hes getting better and better each year and love seeing him play.

9 years strong

T- 8 years old

Tristan turned 8. Baptism will follow shortly but a few words about him of late.. Tristan has blossomed this year. For the first time since he was born I breathe easy at night. Hes doing well in school, no major friend issues, hes happily engaged in activities hes good at…. He is addicted to his tablet….well what kid isn’t…but it keeps him occupied and since we don’t have a family TV and he doesn’t play much video games its all good. Hes great at playing games. Magic and Chess for starters. Beats his dad almost everytime. Tristan has become more affectionate with me. He initiates vs me. I love that. It felt for so many years he kept me at arms distance and didn’t want anything to do with me. Its slowly changing and I eat up every minute. More often than not he gets easily frustrated but hes quick to apologize and turn things around. A year ago that would never have happened. Hes spunky, funny, still has his obsessions, races through homework and chores, rather play with friends then hang with his familia, but im not complaining. Hes old enough to take places, I enjoy being around him and I am praying this is the beginning of a long life of good times and the past 7 years will become a distant memory. Tristan struggles still being a middle child, in the shadow of Elijiah and not the baby where we have to spend a lot time still with Jett. Carving out one on one time is harder to do but we have done it. I love his quirky ways, funny faces, intensity and drive. Hes adorable, and I think about how he will be as he grows up and hes making this mama very proud. Love him always and forever….Happy 8th birthday my dearest T. Thanks,

March updates

Gosh I know the time has been going by and the ability to write really has diminished significantly. But 3 months goodness. I guess I should document a few things: Jonathan accepted an offer to work for a new company called Skuidify.com out in TN. We wont be moving but it is a remote position and he is doing a bit of traveling. Right now its been about 50 % travel but hopefully in the coming months it will go to 1 week a month instead. As much I can keep it together while hes gone I certainly miss him. My dear BFF Jenna came out for a visit. Was epic and lovely. Basketball for Elijiah is winding down. Both School and Club. Its been a whirlwind of games and practices for 4 months and Im a little burnt out. Soccer season started so I think we are taking a bball break. Tristan got 2 Stripes in Jujitsu. He was very excited and hes progressing well. Very proud of him and his activities- hes a kick ass Chess player often beating Jonathan these days as well as plugging along with his piano. Hes tapering off his counseling as hes improving so much but really really happy about this last year…since starting at Lourdes his grades have improved, his mental outbursts have mellowed, so all the things we were working on this school year is showing to be real positive gains. Jett is growing and growing…and hasn’t come out of the terrible 2,s or terrible 3’s yet. Hes demanding, spoiled, and the cutest thing on the planet for us right now. Hes just stubborn and fiercely independent which that combo puts us in almost constant conflict. I do my best to balance the must have to do now, vs it can wait, and not to sweat the small stuff. Which translates into him getting his way and ie spoiled. I dunno is juice an addiction? Perhaps…life literally is make or break by if he can have juice and juice when he wants it. Hes going through obessesions around things- socks, gloves/mittens that make him strong like HULK, and pJ’s…you know the onsie kind? Yea small stuff, but makes it impossible to function if he doesn’t have the RIGHT red mitten or his sock is falling down etc. So we keep on plugging knowing he will grow out of this into something else just give him a month. ALTHOUGH we did think that about him sleeping with us last year. Alas hes still in our bed and is the master manipulator around getting there each night. NO amount of bribery has worked, nor punishment. So yes…hes still sleeping with us. Finally the most significant thing for me…my last grandparent passed away. Grandma Storey. We have known its coming for months…Ive mentioned it here a few posts ago Raegan and I went out as well as Whitney and Josh and Jonathan and I last year….its just having her gone…her loss is felt. I know it was time and its good but it leaves a sadness around how time is passing, and my children wont have knowledge or memory of her ( with exception of Elijiah) She was a remarkable woman and lived a full full life. Heathly till the end. To me the way I want to live and go….

Dec 2015

My --lots of goings on over the last 6 weeks...Thanksgiving was a doozy, the kids birthdays, a family crisis of sorts, visiting my grandmother, a mini vacation to Moab and Christmas. Life is back on track. Had a great time spending Christmas with the boys and hanging with family. We kept it mellow and low key, managed to give a lot more than receive, and it felt just right. 2016 looks promising and I am looking forward to the new year.