A Post of pictures

Things have been happening quickly around here. I'll start from the beginning of September.

September 4 - Elijah's first day of school

(look at those glasses! doesn't he look handsome!?!)

Elijah is at Hamblen this year. He went to Kindergarten and first grade so he is excited to go back to "his roots" and see old friends and meet new. I have been so scared for him to go back to school because he had such a hard time getting a long with others (more like, he didn't like to be teased) when he was going to school, but the first day he came home and said, "Best day ever!" Since school has started there has been a few times when he has said when I tuck him in at night that school was the best part of the day. So then I say when he asks me what was the bets part of my day - "Hearing that school was the best party of your day" It is such a relief. I just hope it lasts. I know I shouldn't be, but I'm somewhat just waiting for the ball to drop, but he has a good teacher and I have let her know my concerns and we can stay in contact with each other if needed.

Elijah is now in the 5th grade which means he gets to be in orchestra or band. He has chosen to play the bass in orchestra. He is very excited.

Sept 13 - Quianna's first day at Bryant TEC

(The Enrichment Cooperative - for homeschoolers)

I know she doesn't look too excited, but she really was - she just wasn't excited for me to take her picture "in front" of everybody at school. So the look on her face is because she is humoring me.

Quianna is taking drama, sketching, and choir for her electives and World Mythology, Pre-Algebra, and Washington State History for her core classes at Bryant. She has already made friends there and (I think) likes it. At home she is doing Language Arts, Science (through Spokane Virtual Learning), and technology. She wants to learn some french so while I am looking and waiting to order some curriculum for her, she is googling how to say certain words. So far she has learned "I love you" and "Goodnight." I am very excited for her.

I am very fortunate to have the Gilsons across the street because they go to Bryant too (a 12-15 minute drive one way). Jamie takes them in the morning and I pick them up in the afternoon. We will might need to figure out something different once I have the baby, but for now it's working quite well. I told Jamie that when the baby is born, she can just hold my baby while I go in the afternoon so it doesn't have to go out in the cold. She liked that idea.

Sept 14 - 21 Week UltrasoundOur healthy baby ___(insert gender here)____. We still haven't found out the gender yet. I would like to keep it a surprise, but the kids are begging for me to find out. The doctor said we have a cooperative baby because it let us see all the different organs that we needed to check out and get all the right measurements. He also said it is doing well and the perfect size for how far along I am. He was thrilled to hear that my last A1c was 5.5. If I can keep that up, then I should be able to avoid problems with the rest of the pregnancy or baby.

I just noticed that I have a picture of all three of our kids on this post! How fun!

Lets see, what else do we have in the way of news. We finished dog training with Allie last week. She is a good dog, but very territorial (its the shepherd in her) and gets jealous easily. We are working on those traits so we can avoid problems when the baby is born. Allie has started sleeping with us and we only have a full bed. She only comes into bed if she is invited but Brian invites her every night so it has become routine. We enjoyed the cuddling for the first couple of nights, but now she is taking my space. After Brian noticed I ended up on the couch this morning (and I had said, "That was the best sleep I had in a week") he said, "Why don't you check around see how much a queen bed." We have been discussing getting a larger bed for when the baby comes but I think we are pushing up that date.

Brian and I are taking the Financial Peace University class from Dave Ramsey. We are in the mind frame of paying off all our debt no matter how long it takes. We have had one class so far and are very excited to become debt free and start building wealth. We would love to be able to go on a mission some day and are working towards that goal financially.

Ok, it is now 10am and I need to get started on my ToDo List.