I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be doing what I love as "homework!" Drawing floor plans and furniture placements, cabinets and kitchen lay-outs-- I do that as free time! Lucky me!

Carly made THIS for our dinner! It was AMAZING! How come she does Everything well? Cause she's Carly!

Photo Shoot

Grace decided she would set up a Photo Shoot this morning with Michael and Noah as her muses. The couch was draped with the perfect floral background aka her blanket and all sorts of wonderful props were brought in to really give the pictures life. The best part though, in my humble observer's opinion? The two darling boys huddled together in each shot!

My NoahD

The most darling, loving, affectionate, considerate, enjoyable young man you will ever meet and a character to boot!

Go T-Birds!

My Sweetest Lexis! Lexis and her friend slept here last night! YAY! The girls are getting ready for the big football game tomorrow. We went to Cozy's to get some orange and blue earrings. So cute! Lexis and a group of friends are going up to Rice Eccles Stadium with Verl tomorrow because TimpView is in the State Championship game! They canceled school because they sold so many tickets and Lexis said some kids bought half a dozen to help ensure school would be canceled. The game is at 11am and I guess pretty much everyone is going up. Lexis and her friends are getting all dressed up in orange and blue! I'll post pictures! Tonight Lexis came and gave me a hug and said "You're the best Mom!" I love her so much! LOVE having her with me! LOVE IT!

IEP Meeting

Today a USDB Family Plan Coordinator came to the house. She met with myself and Miss Terry to create a Student Profile for Michael to use as part of his IEP and introduce to his class. We went through a time line of events since his birth. It was honestly hard. Hard to remember all that has gone on from finding out Michael was blind to hundreds of sleepless nights and terrible fits. It reaffirmed the positive steps he was taking this summer with Maggie coming. What a blessing that was! I long for my happy boy. What struggles he has been asked to face!

A special envelope

This was sitting on the couch for me tonight after Verl picked up the kids! A beautifully colored envelope from Grace with a stack of coupons inside. "Make Brekfast!," "Paint Nails!" and "Musash!" No special occasion! Just a loving, special child! What an amazing girl I have! So thoughtful! I am so very lucky! I love you, Grace!

3 plus Hours in the "Salon"

Michael Ethan just before a haircut! His hair was getting so long! Mama loves it that way but we must see his eyes so after 45 minutes sitting with him in the bath and another hour on my lap once he settled down, the hair cut is done! But, Oh, what a handsome boy!

A new trick!

Feet of the ground as he stands against the couch! Michael has also learned how to get off the couch by himself. And all done in his fireman Halloween costume!

Pumpkin Carving

Noah quite serious about pumpkin carving and apparently we do it shirtless out our house!

Latest project is a complete remodel of this Kitchen/Dining Area. I am doing the whole house but this is the concentration now. My cabinet plan went out yesterday and walls are coming down. Not sure about that yellow wall color! I think that might have to go :)

NYC Bound

Lexis is taking an Interior Design class at school. The teacher is taking a select few students to NYC this year but Lexis was told that freshman weren't allowed. The newest news it that her teacher decided she could be the "exception!" She brought home all the forms today and she is so excited about the idea! Of course, Mom would just love to go as well. Perhaps, they need chaperons? We will find out on Monday! In her forms she mentioned that her Mom is working on an Interior Design degree and that she has become very interested in it as well. That was fun to see.

Super Man

My little Super Man!
Tonight Michael got a little grumpy and so needed his swing AND his helmet. It seems that no matter what his bottle is always upside down and dumping formula out on him. When the swing wouldn't put him to sleep I had to lay down next to him in my bed. I snuggle up behind him and he calms down right away. I always know when he is just about completly out because he rolls away from me, getting comfortable on his own. He has developed this habit of sleeping with me in my bed and if I didn't love it just as much as he seems to I may be calling a bad habit!

Noah has been working hard on his Multiplication Facts and passing each one off! This week he passed off the 6's!! Way to go, Noah! He is really great at Math!

Pre-School Update

Today Michael had another good day at Pre-school. We met with the Pre-school's Director and discussed with her how things were going for us. I had to be firm regarding the need for a swing in the classroom, she said she would get that taken care of. She also indicated that they were interviewing a few people this afternoon for the other Preschool teaching position and so there would be additional help in the class- which they need.
I am spending each day with Michael while he is at school and have not been able to leave him there on his own. Partly because he won't tolerate being away from me and partly because they are quite literally afraid of him.

Michael sat on my lap today and sang along with me as I sang the tiny turtle in the bathtub song. He says, "Bubble, Bubble" very clearly and his teachers were very impressed.
I couldn't help but post another one of these pictures of Michael in his cute school clothes from the other day!