A miracle, and some great family time...

Ok. It is about time I get another update out. I never did get pictures posted last time, and I have some I want to post this time, but lets see if I ever get around to it. We have had a lot going on the last couple of months, I just hope I remember it all.

I am going to start with James this time. He will be three in 2 weeks. We have seen the most changes from him. His tantrums are getting farther and fewer in between, but they are still BIG when he has them. He is learning his ABC's and can now recognize a majority of his letters. He has been doing really well with his colors for quite some time now. He is also doing really well at counting to 11 correctly. He still is a car/truck/anything with wheels fanatic. The big miracle, however, is over a week and a half ago he woke up and after his bath he told me he didn't want his diaper anymore. He wanted his underwear. At first I thought Oh great, how am I going to convince him to use the toilet, because up to that point, he wouldn't even sit on it. Right after that thought he simply said "I want to pee on the toilet." Well, he did use the toilet immediately and has been using it ever since. He has had a couple of accidents, in the morning he hasn't woken up in time to get to the toilet, but hey, I am ecstatic. It has been almost two weeks since any of us has had to change a diaper. Hallelujah!

Alesea finished kindergarten with excellent grades and reports from her teacher. She took the end of year Kindergarten assessments. She finished the required portion with 100% and was able to finish the 2 extra tests both with a hundred percent as well. They are given 45 minutes to get the required test completed and the extra tests are for those who have extra time to spare. She is excited to move on. She is also excited for the summer. Her last soccer game is tomorrow. She scored her first goal last week. Unfortunately I missed it because I was taking James to the bathroom. Her summer is going to be filled with sleepovers in Elizabeth's room, which is her favorite thing to do. Before her school year ended she started reading the book Matilda. She has finished it halfway with great comprehension. She has been a great help with James. She finds ways to help keep him entertained. She plays school with him among other various activities.

Elizabeth finished soccer last week. Her team had a great season. They won eight and lost 2 games. She finished up school with fantastic grades as well. She will miss a lot of her friends, because she will not be able to see many of them over the summer. I think she will survive. Elizabeth was just called as the Beehive President in our ward. She is excited about that. She will be attending Oakcrest camp in July this year, which is a camp that has about 300 girls each week. It is through our Stake, but it is not only for LDS young women. Any religious group can enroll their groups. It is only for girls, however. She will then attend YW camp in August. Wow, two weeks away from the family this summer. I don't know what I will do without her. She helps me keep the kids entertained during the summer. She is a huge help and both James and Alesea adore her. They look up to her and want to be with her all of the time.

Mike just recently made a job change within the same company. He applied for a position last summer and then the opening was put on hold for all applicants until further notice. Mike received a letter from his boss last week offering him the position if he still was interested. He took the offer. His official title is now Business Warehouse Administrator. We were happy about that. Mike is starting a big project this weekend. He is building a shed for us in the backyard. We were blessed and received all the wood to build it for free, so our out of pocket expense will be greatly reduced.

I have made a change at work as well. I am no longer in the Deli. YIPEE! I have moved up front as a cashier, and I like it much better. I don't go home smelling like grease, fried chicken and meat. I like the job a lot better as well. I don't have to do dishes and clean out fryers, and sweep and mop and prepare food. I get enough of that kind of work at home. My hours have been cut back, but I don't mind that very much either. I work 2 - 3 days a week rather than 4, and that time home, to me, makes a huge difference. The baby is doing really well. He is moving a lot, at all times of the day and night. Heart burn is kicking in. The end of August is still a very long ways away. Especially now that the weather is starting to warm up. The unusually cool weather has been nice in many ways- green grass, growing gardens, cool air. But sometimes it is still too cool.

We have plans for Lagoon this year, and hopefully some 4 - wheeler riding, but not too much beyond that. We went up to my mom's house for Mother's day and enjoyed a great meal with some great visiting. David and Patty returned from the Middle East and Italy and were out in Utah for Mother's Day. They were supposed to be here for just a week, but it was extended to 2 weeks. They are now in South Korea for 2 years. It was great visiting with them while they were here. Mother's Day was great to visit with everybody. I will hopefully post some pictures of that visit. If I ever get around to it. The truck is fixed too. You would never know about the little ding that I put there. Mike is, however, looking for a minivan for me now. One that he says I can do whatever I want to do to it. I have been taking pictures still, here and there. Sporadic business, but I still love it. I have a few sittings lined up for this summer as well. I have many pictures I need to post there as well. One of these days I will get to it.

Ok, I have rambled enough. Hopefully you are not all bored to tears. Hope all is well with all of you and your families. Take care and keep in touch!