Wrestling

I know, I'm not the best at updating my blog. I really do need to work on that.

Chance decided he wanted to be in wrestling this year. I know, I have always sworn I would never put my boys in wrestling, but I decided to let him. On 3/3/12, he had his very first tournament. He won the first match but then lost the last 2. The very last one, the other kid did an illegal move and held Chance down and choked him. I didn't know what was going on with the angle that I was watching, but couldn't understand why Chance had given up. After Chance was pinned, he got up and came running to me crying with a beet red face. He was saying, he choked me. The ref didn't call it. However, the ref did apologize to him after. I figured that he was done, but the coach talked to him and told him how great he was and that next time he would do better.

Chance received 4th out of 4 kids, but he had a blast - besides the choking incident. His coach said that he is a natural and has some techniques that can't be taught - things that even the high school wrestlers can't do. I think I'm looking at more years of wrestling.

Here are some pictures and even a video...

So excited!


Warming up...




About to start his first match


And finally...

First day of school

After a fun and exciting summer, the day finally creeped up on me and it was time for school to start. I couldn't believe that all 3 of my boys would be in school this year! My baby started Kindergarten! He, however, was a lot more excited than I was about it. I have kind of been dreading the first day, only because it means that all of my boys are growing up on me.

The first day for Chance was on Thursday, 8/25. He was so excited to get his new school clothes on and get his back pack on. I got to go with him as far as the lunchroom, where he met up with his class, they lined up and left us parents behind. I definitely figured I would be crying, since my little baby boy is now a big Kindergartner. However, it turned from me being concerned with my tears to me being concerned that he wouldn't go. Chance pulled his typical Aspergers behavior and started to pull away. He refused to sit with his class and was inching towards the door. I was afraid he would be the child who would have to be peeled off of me. I kept trying to engage him with his class, while his dad was encouraging him to disengage from his class. After a few words with his dad, I was able to get him to engage with his class right before they lined up to leave. Thankfully that was enough time and he left happily with his class.

When I picked Chance up after school, he was way excited and can't wait for his next day of school. He didn't go on Friday, since they take half the class one day and the other half the second day. When asked if he made friends, he replies that he hasn't made friends yet, but he will.



All 3 of them excited for their first day.



Way excited :)


Standing in line for breakfast - Bryce sharing his wisdom about school with Chance.


Eating Breakfast


In line, ready to go to class.

Chance turns 5

I can't believe my little boy is already 5!!! It seems like yesterday that he was born. So, he woke up this morning and was the most patient birthday boy I have ever met. He was totally fine with waiting until his party to open his presents. However, I did give him his birthday outfit. At noon, I snuck away from work and took him some cupcakes to class. The look on his face when I walked through the door with his treats was worth running like mad to get them to him.

For dinner, Chance chose Mac and Cheese, rolls with jam and chocolate milk. I tried really hard to get him to add some meat or something, but he wouldn't have it. So, we had exactly what he wanted. After that, we had his little party. I was intending on just having me and the boys, but they were so kind and started inviting people. So, I went with it. We had a pinata, cake and ice cream. All the kids (10 of them) were very sugared up by the time they all left. Chance loved all of his presents, and was way excited that grandma gave him a bubble machine and the Griffith's gave him a spiderman hand that shoots webs/water. Course, the DSi I gave him made him happy.

Chance has had a very eventful year this past year. He was diagnosed with Aspergers, started preschool to help deal with the social limitations he has, has been switching medication often to help with his ADHD. He has learned to talk better, ride his bike without training wheels and a multitude of other accomplishments. The best thing he has learned is how to do laundry. Course, he doesn't do that as often as I would like. All in all, it has been an amazing year and I am so thankful to have him as my child!


Dinner!!!


Took a couple tries


I got a DSi!!!!


Taking a swing. Megan finally cracked it :)


Batman cake


Playing with the bubble machine grandme and grandpa gave him.

Promotion

I am so excited! I got another promotion at work!!! It was effective on April 1, and I got a raise to go along with it. Not a lot changes at work, except that I have more responsibilities.

I have definitely come along ways in the past few years. I can't believe that I went from working at a factory to this. I am so thankful that I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunities that I have, and the support and love from my family and friends :)

Grandma

Last month was a hard month for our family. On February 18th, I went to Utah in order to take a mini-vacation and spend some time with my boyfriend and my family. However, the week prior, grandma had a fall in Yuma and hurt her knee. Mom and Uncle Jeff flew down there to drive her back to Logan, as she is stubborn and refused to see a doctor in Yuma. The plan then became that I would shorten my trip by one day so that I could bring mom back home with me. This meant that I was going to be able to introduce my boyfriend, Juan, to grandma and grandpa.

I got into Utah at 3, stopped and picked up Juan and headed over to see grandma and grandpa. Grandma was able to visit with Juan and ask him several questions. He then left to go pick up his son and so I sat down with grandma, grandpa and mom and chatted. Grandma and Grandpa were giving me the 20 questions about Juan. Grandma then tried to readjust herself and slid right onto the floor. This was about 5:40. I quickly called Uncle Jeff to come and help get her back up. Grandma laid back to rest a little, and within minutes we were calling 911 because something wasn't right. She was reaching out as if to ask for help, and her eyes were huge. She then laid back and seemed to go to sleep. However, mom was kneeling beside her trying to get her to respond. I even took my turn. When the paramedics arrived, it didn't take them long to realize she needed a lot of help. It didn't take them long to need to start CPR and intibate her. At this point, dad was calling and I was trying to fill him in. And then, I had to call Jen and let her know what was going on, and to have her call the family. The paramedics took her to the hospital and did all they could, but her heart was done. The next phone call I had to make was to Kim (Jen's phone was buys), to let everyone know that she had passed away, at 6:45. They figure that a bloodclot broke free from her knee and went to her heart. In a short hour and five minutes, I went from laughing with grandma to saying goodbye. My mini vacation quickly became unreal. I spent the next days in shock, and trying to help as much as possible. She was laid to rest on the 23rd.

Even today, I cry at the drop of a hat. Watching grandma receive CPR and get intibated, not something that I want to remember. What I do want to remember is the moments rigt before. I spent years not being able to see grandma, and so I feel privileged that I was able to be the grandchild who was with her as this all took place. I would give anything to not have the CPR memory, but I would not give up the moments before. Grandma is a wonderful woman, and I know that she is no longer in pain. I am so thankful that she did not have to suffer, and that her death was extremely quick. She is no longer in any pain, and she is watching over all of us. I am so thankful for eternal families, as I know I will be with her again one day. Hopefully not too soon! :)

What I got out of this experience is to slow down. I have decided to take a break from school, for a few years. I don't want to miss anything with my children, and I want them to remember me as having fun with them, not as always doing homework. I have stopped taking work home with me and I have started living a stress free life. I am also looking forward to, and dreading, Christmas. I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to learn grandma's candy making tricks. I now feel that it is my job to pick up where she left off. I want to fill her shoes and make all the Christmas candy for the family. Big task, I know, but I am just as stubborn as her and I will be able to do it!

Flag Football

Kim was so sweet and called me to inform me that I might be coming across as just a little proud of my boy. Well, Kim, I have to say that you are wrong. I am EXTREMELY proud of my little boy. Side note on that statement, he isn't exactly little anymore.

After last year in flag football, I couldn't wait for this year to start, and neither could AJ. He had no problems showing us all what he is capable of. AJ made at least one touchdown at 10 of his 12 games. He was quick to grab flags, and after I spoke with him about sportsmanship, he was extremely nice and handed their flags back to the kids. He learned a lot this year, and he can't wait until next year for tackle football. I asked him if he is sad that football season is over and he said no, because he wants to play tackle football. Next year he will start with flag and then tackle will start. I do believe that this is his nitch. I couldn't be prouder, and I am really sad that the season is already over. Well, not everyone is sad about it. I'm guessing that the parents who sat near me and heard me screaming my head off are happy they don't have to listen to me anymore. Yes, I'm one of those moms :)

Here are a few highlights of Super Saturday:


They didn't get his flag and he made a touchdown


Different time, can barely see his head, but he is making a touchdown!


Nobody can beat these cousins!


I know, he's awesome, another touchdown...


This was him getting ready for the game :)

New Job

I know that I have not taken the time to write much, but I have been busy at work trying to make a good impression on my bosses. It must be working, since I just received a pretty awesome job promotion.

I applied for Life Skills Trainer there a couple months ago. Then, waited forever and ever for them to decide to do interviews. Finally, I got my chance at an interview. I know that I did awesome at the interview, but the waiting was killing me. You all know how patient I can be. Finally, the day I had court for the kids, my boss pulls me aside and lets me in on a huge secret. She is applying for a job in Baker and her position will come open here if she gets that job. On top of that, she told the bosses that I would be the best replacement for her. Knowing this, I suddenly don't care about the Life Skills Trainer position. So, I patiently wait a little longer until last Friday when I get the unofficial job offer. Then, yesterday, I received the official offer. So, yesterday it started getting announced at work that Carolyn Anderson is the new Family Care Coordinator (FCC). Am I excited, heck yeah! Am I nervous, heck yeah! Can I do it, heck yeah! FCC is a pretty important position at Lifeways. I run meetings daily. Not just one, but several. I will be coordinating all the care needed for the kiddos on my case load. I will have 40 families on my case load. I will be working from 8 - 5, daily. Yep, getting a raise that will be official tomorrow. As well as some other benefits.

On a side note. I have finally received my grade for my capstone. I got an A-, so pretty excited about that too. And lastly, I am applying for a masters program. I'm going to be doing that online, pretty much the only way I can go to school, work full time and juggle the lives of three busy kids.

I just wanted to fill everyone in on my latest news :)

Love you all and thanks for all your support. I couldn't do this without you.