Kade the Reader!!

All summer Kade and I have been working through a lesson book to help him learn to read and read well. Kade's progressed really well through the book and is almost done. However, he hasn't seemed to think he could really read anything outside of this lesson book.

Today I took the boys to buy books -a principle was selling lots of books for $1 a piece- and I never pass up a chance to buy books!! The boys could spend their $5 on whatever books they wanted. Kade happened to buy a very special gem called Big Cats. Kade enjoys book with facts especially animal facts, and these days his favorite animals are...you guessed it....big cats. It just so happened to be a level 2 reading book. After flipping through it I knew HE could read this book! There couldn't have been a better blessing given at such a perfect time, then this perfect book with the perfect reading level and about a perfect topic for Kade to finally realize he was a reader! (That's too many "perfects" not to be Heaven sent!)

I encouraged him to start reading, and very soon into the book he gained confidence that he could read this book! He read the whole book himself (save a few words here and there).  Kade read his first book today -a 48 page book that says "Grades 1-3" on it. Whoohoo! Reading is everything! And, I've always wanted the boys to love to read and want to read. Kade starts Kindergarten in about a month and he's already reading so well! I love that he'll be ahead of the game. I love the confidence he'll have. If a kid can start off school with confidence, then nothing can stop them! He can always be ahead of the game if we keep him moving forward. And, of course, we WILL! I love that Kade feels confident, and SO excited that he can say 100% that he's a reader! YAY KADE!!

Fish Lake Fun with Fabulous Friend!

This past week the boys and I made a trip to beautiful Fish Lake, near Richfield, UT, with our amazing friends Cami, Nathan and Ashton Petty. First of all, thank Heaven for awesome friends to experience life with! We love the Petty fam!

 

None of us had been to Fish Lake before, and it was only a three hour drive (give or take), to be in a whole new place, doing and seeing new things, not to mention NOT sweating to death in the heat of the St.G sun. Cami and I quickly planned and two day, one night trip for us and the brood of 5 boys!  

The best thing about this trip was our plans were to just exist and go slow and enjoy. We had basic plan to "get into town, buy food, go to the lake, come back to the hotel, swim, eat, relax and go to bed" (we had our maps and knew where to be and how to get there -we are always prepared and planned in those things) but how we did the things we had in mind, and how long we did those things didn't matter. We were just going with the flow and enjoying ourselves. Our three boys and Cami's two boys get along SO well, that they basically ignore Cami and I and do their own thing. That means Cami and I get to talk -and- mostly laugh, and laugh, and laugh. She's just a great friend.

We all spent the majority of the first day throwing rocks in the lake scaring fish, nad just soaking in the beauty and cool breezes. The boys filled up holes with dirt that they just knew were filled with snakes and other venomous things. We walked around the lodge, and inquired about boat rentals. On a very "cool" and very gross side note, as we walked around the lodge, I spotted a dead bat in our trail. I pointed it out the the bigger boys who, obviously were completely thrilled. Kade thought lightly step on the dead thing, and to their complete pleasure, a little blood squirted out. (And, to hear them tell the story, it was "A LOT of blood!") So cool! We headed back tot the hotel -which is always so fun- and we swam!! We had the pool to ourselves. Ben and Kade their newly acquired swim lesson skills, and Carter turned adventurous and jumped in the pool to me, over and over again! Ben even accomplish a summer goal to do lots of cannon balls into a pool. Success! We ate, later, our fill of Pizza and went to our room to relax and hit the sack.

Have I ever mentioned that our boys are awesome?! And that the Petty fam is just great? With all seven of us ready for bed, we climbed into our designated sleeping spots and once the lights were off, we were all asleep! The boys didn't giggle or talk or cry or bother their mamas. They were angels, and went to sleep. Heaven!

The second day, we head back up to the lake to see things we didn't see the day before and "hike" a little. We found a trail, threw rocks in the lake, of course, and "hiked" some more. We stopped at a beautiful pavilion to eat our lunch of left over pizza and other things, and enjoyed a beautiful little bridge and stream. It was overcast and chilly but perfect and no one minded. We just talked and existed and enjoyed. My perfect idea for a vacation. Also, Carter found a set of five "power rangers" in a little lodge store. He's loving all things Power Ranger these days, so for just over $2 I got these little men for him. By the pictures, can you tell that he loves them? We traveled home, and due to rain crazy weather, and sleeping toddlers, we didn't stop at the couple other stops we'd considering seeing, but headed home instead. It was a great time. Cami and I were proud moms of boys who listened, were sweet, were good to each other, and did wonderfully in the car. We were also women who went out and did something we our kiddos to build memories and to use the summer to be with out boys. It was a great trip. This is the first of MANY similar trips to come.

Another Little Boy.........

Joe and I found out that we're expecting another little boy. I hate to admit that I was disappointed when I heard the news. I felt for sure I'd have a girl put into this mix of men around me. Yet, there's a song I've loved since a teenager, and in it, it says,

 

"All I ever wanted, all I ever dreamed of,

everything I hoped, and all the things I prayed for,

couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given.

I've been given what I need."

 

And, for me I went into the ultrasound knowing that whatever we were having it was what I'd need, and knowing that would help me feel perfectly fine. But, I didn't feel perfectly fine. When the thought of no nail polish or hair bows or purple baby stuff, and barbies came to mind, I did feel pretty sorry for myself. I hate that I cried. I feel bad for not jumping for joy that I was having this boy. This whole person, who I will LOVE and honestly can't wait to meet -I cried because I wanted new girlie décor and new frilly clothes. I'm sorry.

 

I love that the Lord knows me better than that. Even when He knows that I've been dreaming of girlie stuff and frills, He knows that I'd very soon not care about nail polish and hair bows, and that basically I would be focusing on raising a good child. And, because of that, he blessed me to get to raise child I need -another good BOY! The Lord has sent down these incredible spirits to me. I can't take too much credit for their incredible beings. But, I will always do my best to help them stay incredible and guard them from this world and teach them all (if anything) that I can. This world will always need good men, and I have always been so much better instinctively around boys. I was a bit of a tomboy, my best friends (till college days) were boys, and raising the three boys I already have, has just felt natural to me. So, I have no doubt that raising boys is what I'm built for. :) I love my three boys, and they are excited to welcome a new little buddy in to the family. Joe said it proves to be a great compliment that the Lord is giving us another man to raise. I believe that too.

 

Very honestly, I am thankful to be adding a fourth boy. Nothing will "hold a candle to what I've been given." I've always been given "what I need." I can't wait to meet this little guy come the end of November!!

Wildlife Museum

Needing to get out of the house and do something for the day, we met up with friends at the Wildlife Museum! Carter had never been here before, and it had been a long time for me, Ben and Kade. It was out of the heat, and out of the norm of hiking and swimming. The boys really enjoyed the animals, and just running around being with friends. It's not a large museum, but it's enough to keep the boys interested and entertained.

After the museum, went out for a sweet treat. These boys are just fantastic, and it's easy to want to treat them to some ice cream. Onward to more summer fun.

Swimming and Stiches!

Today I took the boys and Cami and the Petty boys, out to Veyo to swim in the local pool. It's new and different and beautiful! We brought picnic lunches and snacks along and were excited to swim and maybe even visit the crawdad creek nearby afterwards. The boys were excited to use their new "swim lesson" skills. :)  They were loving the water.

 

 Carter was ready to go, but never went deeper than his knees. I finally pulled him in with me, but he cried and hated it and walked out of the pool never to get back in........not that he had much time to decide differently.

 About 15 minutes into swimming, Kade hit his chin on the edge of the pool and split it wide open. So sad. He was worried something was really wrong. It was deep and even after a band aid was placed over it, the blood was still coming. We changed and packed up. Sad end to what we were so excited to enjoy. Kade said, "I like all the days when this didn't happen." Me too, Kade. Me too.

 Nervous, but ever the calm and collected kid.

Cami graciously took Ben and Carter to babysit while I went to the Instacare down the street. They got us in quickly. After the nurse took one little look she said, "Yep, stiches."  Kade's our first kid with stiches! Ben and Carter both came close, but Kade's wound won out. :) Kade as always is so good and calm. He didn't cry at all, although he was very uncomfortable. He got five stiches. Joe called as we were finishing up and drove over from work to be there for Kade. There was an ice cream place across the street, so we all went to get Kader-bum a milk shake.
I wanted new experiences and excitement this summer, and, this still fits into that desire. However, I hope we have no more of this type of excitement the rest of the summer. (fingers crossed)

First Day of Swim Lessons

Every summer I keep meaning to sign the boys up for swimming lessons. Well, finally, I did! They were thrilled! Joe and I really want them to have a little more swimming experience.

 Listening attentively. (side note: the teacher asked Ben and Kade if they were twins. We've gotten this question since Kade could walk. They look alike -duh, they're brothers, and even though there's a two year difference the height difference just isn't enough.) :) Cute boys.

 Carter sitting and watching.....yes, he was bored. My plan was to leave, but I waited since it was the first day.

 I love that the class has only six kids. They already did a few things they've never done in a pool before, so I think by the end of class, they will have learned a lot.

 Poor Carter. The class is only 40 mins, so next class I'll bring a game to play.

 He inched closer to the class.....

 Kade on the paddle board. The camera froze up when I tried to get Ben doing things.

 Carter entertaining himself with the pool rings (they had already used them, so it was okay.)

 Two happy smiling boys at the end of class! Day one and they can't wait to go back tomorrow!