Long time no blog!!!

Life moving in the fast lane these days. I feel like since I became the mom of teenagers years ago that time moved from fast to speedy!  I wonder where the time goes!

I think Christmas just ended and it's already Feb! 

So I won't try to catch up but I will put some highlights of the last little bit. 

Cabins with the Hale family.  It was quite different this year missing William. Our oldest nephew is the first on the Hale side to leave the coop.  He is serving a full time mission. He is teaching people in Montana about Christ.  He is dedicated all his time and money to serve others. Missionaries don't even come home for the holidays so it was our first without him at the cabins!

Nana-(mom) just accepted a part time mission here in the Nashville mission.  We are excited to get to be a part of her service here and hear the neat stories.  It is good for Blake and Andrew to hear of all the neat stuff she is learning. 

Our family got a new little puppy. Blake named her Nike after the Goddess of Victory!  Ha...leave it to Blake and his books!  She is  a little golden doodle.  Perfect for a family with dog allergies.  She doesn't shed and she is learning fast and so smart.  The girls are really loving teaching her and playing with her. 

 Young women New Beginnings was a fun night for Leah Beth!  This is my 2nd New Beginnings as Yw president.  It was easier this year since I feel like I'm getting used to the calling finally!  I loved our speaker.  She related to the girls so well and I was really touched by the girls musical number "I walk by Faith".

Blake and Andrew cracking me up parked in the driveway jamming out!

A quick trip to St. Louis for New Years. Blake and Andrew got to go to stake dance with cousin Makela!  Next time Leah and Kai will get to go!!!

The end of Caroline basketball season. She made her first goal this season. Fun times for me since I love basketball...but not for Blake and Andrew since they are lovers of wrestling!!!

Blake taking the gold at the dawg pound tournament 2012.  Awesome day for him. 

 Blake has really been training for regional and hopefully state this year.  His freshman year he made it to state but lost Papa the day of state so he missed the tournament.  Sophomore year he got the flu at regionals. He ended up placing and going to state but he was so weak.    This year he is really preparing and trying hard to do well at regionals.  This Friday and Saturday is the regional tournament.  We can't wait. Our entire family has been trying to help him prepare.  Leah and I decorated his room with pictures and motivational words. Leah did an amazing job.  I'll take pictures maybe!  We've been trying to help him with healthy foods. BUT- This week Andrew has had the flu and Leah the stomach bug.  We are keeping Blake as far as we can from them.    He has been doing 3 workouts a day and eating so healthy while maintaining straight A's.  I can't imagine.  The funny thing is he LOVES the work outs!  We sure don't have to make him work out we try to get him to back off a little!  I love his determination and I am excited to see him this weekend. 

Andrew has had some unfortunate luck on the mat again.  During this match in Jan. He was wrestling away. 

The other kid did this move...

Then this which is not a legal move...

This was the result...along with a 911 call and ambulance ride and a very worried mom!

This was not a pretty sight. Last year it was the other arm but this was a much worse break. It was hard to watch and it just stinks. 

So here's my kid in his cast again!

Same month...different arm!!!

Kindergarten is going so well. I am so proud of my smart little people. I am blessed to be teaching these sweeties and I love it when they learn something new.  They are really challenging me to push them harder. I love the differentiation part. I love to see them blossom into their own little readers! It's really a rewarding job.  It doesn't really feel like a job (except for the evaluations)  I feel so blessed. I love being at school with my own children too.

Adoption news....well there isn't any....our home study expired the last week of Dec.  We are trying to take a little break and then revisit it in a few weeks. We are just praying about what to do and hoping answers will come for our next step.  I've had such mixed feelings...frustrations and hope!