End of School

This year's school term has come to a close. I have been blessed with the three most wonderful children. I was reflecting on their growth and accomplishments last night, as I was looking through their full backpacks last night. I think I will share some of my realizations with you today...

Nick - Wow, that kid is so much like me in some ways! And school is one of them, I am happy to report. He loves school and loves pushing himself to do his best. What more could you ask for as a parent?! I was reading through his list of "likes" last night, and he put his favorite subject is Math. And he loves to read. Sound familiar? I'm not sure how far he can count at this point. Sad to admit, but once we reach 9,000+, I tune him out. Ooops. He is doing basic algebra and has started simple multiplications with me. He is reading at a 3rd or 4th grade level, reading chapter books. Did I mention that he just finished the 1st grade? He has all of his sight words for next year memorized. And, in all of the reading tests this year, only missed one comprehension question. Wow! So proud of my mini-me!!

Zack - My lovey, snuggly boy! He reminds me of parts of all the "boys" in my life. Adam, Tyler, Brandon, and Michie, just depending on what he is doing at the time. He has his daddy and Uncle Michie's temper and attitude, is quiet and has facial expressions like Tyler, and is snuggly and my shadow like Brandon. What a great combination! At the end of pre-k, last year, I felt like Zack was a little behind the curve. His teacher was a wonderful pre-k teacher, but didn't push him at all. Zack is one of those kids, that if he can skate by, he will. If he doesn't have to do it, he won't. This year, his teacher really worked with him to push him out of his comfort zone. He has caught up and then some! His handwriting has greatly improved, he knows all of the kindergarten sight words, and is beginning to read. I am so proud of the progress he has made and how much he as grown this year!!

Beth - Poor thing is more like me than I am willing to admit! She is stubborn and in dependant, knows how to get her way, and rules the roost. And, boy to her big brothers know it! They let her boss them and do whatever she says. It's quite cute most of the time. She started at preschool in November, and has grown in leaps and bounds the last 6 months. It has been so good for her and me! She speaks so clearly, and has the biggest vocabulary. She sings ALL the time, and most of the time it is "Jingle Bells." (Thanks Mary! lol) She can say most of her colors now, and can count to 14. She can sometimes spell her name, and is working on writing it. She loves books, and will sit through story after story. She has transitioned so well over the last year with all the changes, and is doing great. She isn't my baby anymore; she is quick to tell you "I'm a big girl!!"

We have been so blessed to have wonderful teachers this year for all the kids! Each one of them are amazing, and I will never be able to thank them enough for all the hard work they have put in with my children. Nick will be moving up to a bigger school next year, and I was really nervous about it. But, his teacher has prepared him, and put us both at ease. Zack will be going to 1st grade and is ready for it. Beth has one more year of preschool, and is continuing to soak it all in. All three are such sponges, and have soaked in a lot this year. Looking forward to see what they will soak in next year!

Improving Health

So, I was just looking back on my facebook posts for this year and there are NONE about sick kids. WOW! Now, we still have the occasional stuffies, upset tummies, and fevers. Zack did have the flu in January and strep in February, but those were the only "sick" visits we have made to the pediatrician's office this year! Compared to last year, we are doing AWESOME! I will note, that Beth did split her head open, and we did visit the doc for that to get glued and butterflied together. But, she wasn't actually "sick." Our other little "sicknesses" weren't even big enough to post about!! Yay!!

Now, you may be wondering... "How did they go from going in every couple weeks last year, to only two "sick" trips in almost 6 months??" Let me tell ya: Young Living Essential Oils! Here is our story so far - -

In February, a good friend (who I met through Bountiful Baskets, more on that later) invited me to an oil class. After the year we had last year, I was ready to listen to and try just about anything. So, I went, with checkbook in the car just in case. That night changed our family. I signed up on the spot and ordered the Everyday Oils kit.
Little did I know that they wouldn't get here fast enough. That weekend, Beth started running a good fever, hovering around 102-103. We were at my parents house, and doing the Tylenol/Ibu thing. It would come down for a short time and then go right back up. I reached out on FB to my friend who signed me up with oils, and met up with her to "borrow" some to get us through. Oh, MY!! I just have to say, peppermint is WONDERFUL! Her fever broke within a half an hour and didn't come back!

Soon after that, we got our first kit of oils, and haven't looked back. Within a month of getting that first shipment, we treated a goose egg from Beth falling out of a kitchen chair (the same day we got oils in the mail!), several fevers, two very bad cases of congestion/sinus problems, and an upset tummy. All of which, the kids missed no school and not 1 doc trip.
In the last 3 months, I can't begin to list all that we have treated. Congestion, tummy problems, sore muscles, snoring, trouble sleeping, bumps and bruises, cuts, bug bites, and the list goes on and on.

I must say, I am forever grateful to such a great friend to share this blessing with me and my family!!