Catch Up

It's been a while - so here goes!

Lex turned 8 and was the top reader in her 2nd grade class. She just started 3rd grade

and is doing very well. She is growing into a beautiful young girl and I couldn't be happier for her.

Tyse turned 5 in May and started kindergarten just a few weeks ago. It has been a rocky transition and we have had some problems, but we are hopeful and praying that things will begin to level out. He is quite the little man and we love him so much!

I started my 3rd semester at Western and am enjoying it. It is very overwhelming and I am getting tired

of homework, but the outcome will be worth the sacrifice. I think that if I can finish quick enough, I may

end up with a job at Ramsay school where the kids are going to school - they need a special ed teacher.

Shawn finished up our arena and has been getting the kids into roping - they are loving it!

A quiet moment

The last couple of weeks have been filled with very little time for quiet moments. School began this month, not only for Alexus, but also for myself. I will be receiving a second bachelors degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education and in business 5th-12th. The additional work of 3-4 hours a night homework has left for very little free time. So this morning, after reading one of my more interesting textbooks, I thought I would take a moment for myself. One of my courses, "Reading and Writing Connections for all Learners, K-8", encourages journaling on a regular basis, so this could perhaps be such an event.

This isn't much more than a simple ranting, but I have included covers of some of my new reading material of late. It is a lot of hard work, but I also know that it will be worth it in the end. One bit of joy is the knowledge that I know this is where I need to be and what I need to be doing. The fact that my gen eds are complete makes it a little brighter. Hopefully in the next while I can get some pictures of the kiddos up!

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas Season this year. We were able to spend some pre-Christmas time with my side of the family and then we went to Kalispell to visit Shawn's brother and sister-in-law for a few days. It was a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed themselves. Then, the kids were able to spend a full week with their dad right after Christmas, rounding out the holiday season for us. In between, we received our newest addition - Annie, Shawn's new cow dog/puppy.

Here are some pictures:

November and December Fun

I thought it would be fun to post some pictures from the last couple of weeks!

Here is Georgia and Hank

My fat horse Barley

Lex finally lost her first Tooth!!

My Sewing Companion

Tyse playing Big Game Hunter with Shawn

Our horses Wolverine and Harley (purple blanket)

Our goats Maddy and McLovin (all white)

Tyse and Hank playing

Halloween Pictures

Here are a few Halloween Pictures!

Thankful

I'm so thankful for the wonderful weekend we just had. Being able to be home with my kiddos and get things done around the house, while it may sound trivial, was such a blessing. I was able to get Lex's room cleaned out, sew more on their Christmas quilts, made bread, homemade cinnamon rolls, put up the Christmas decorations and play with the kids and niece and spend time with my husband and even do some Black Friday shopping. With the new year coming and school starting for me, I feel these leisurely times will become less and less and become luxury times. Hopefully in the coming days, to get some pictures up from Halloween and other events that I have been slacking on.

My Mom

My mom is one of the most amazing women I know. She does so much for me and it has been such a blessing having her so close and being able to live here in Butte. I learned today that she and her husband may have to be moving and it literally breaks my heart. My mom and I are extremely close and to be honest one of the few friends I have here in Butte itself. It's hard to not shed tears.