School is In

This kids are back in school, and I must say life has slowed down considerably. The 1st two days of them not being home, I really was at a loss. It was like a part of me was missing. About 2:30 I sat down at the computer to watch for Carter's bus. It wasn't till about 3:10 that I realized Carter was not coming home at 2:50. He is now in middle school and wouldn't be home until 4:20. Then I really was at a loss. I think a wandered around the house, not getting much accomplished for the next hour. I really miss those guys. They started on Wednesday and those 1st three days, I didn't accomplish much other than cleaning the house. But, the next week I was loving those extra minutes of time and especially my one on one time with my little Aspen. I love that girl so so much, what a special little spirit we got when Heavenly Father chose our family to be hers.

Shade is in 11th grade this year. It is so hard to believe he is that old, and even harder to believe that he will be a senior next year. I really have to not think about that, or I have a serious panic attack. He is taking a fun class this year call Forestry & Wildlife. He gets to shoot bows, build fishing rods and other fun things that he loves. He just turned 16 on the 19th of August and was ordained to a priest on the 21st of August by his Dad. I haven't had to ask him to wear his white shirt to church once since then. He is taking his priesthood seriously, which is a great blessing. I am not sure what he is going to do with his cool orange shirt that he loved to wear to church. Maybe he can wear it when we visit other people's wards.

Morgan is in 8th grade this year. She is going to the newly remodeled old high school, which is now the new junior high. She said she was pretty much late to all of her classes on the 1st day while trying to get oriented. The school is really nice and they are really privileged to have such a nice school to attend. She is playing on the 8th grade volleyball team and loving it. She loves her coaches and team mates. She has a new friend that just moved in this year, her name is Lexie, and seems to be a lot of fun. She is sure a good girl and making the right choices. If only her attitude at home would change, especially toward her dad. They are always at odds, and I am not sure how to fix it.

Carter is in 5th grade which puts him in middle school. It is still so hard for me to believe he is in the middle school. He doesn't seem big enough or old enough. I know he is big enough because he is one of the biggest kids on his football team, but to me my little boy is not big enough to be a 5th grader. He is starting to get a little teenage attitude, which worries me a bit, but all in all he is a pretty good kid. Everyone thinks he is a little crazy and does crazy things, but actually he is quite reserved compared to Shade. He doesn't like to adrenaline rush that Shade thrives on. He is loving football and thinks it is a good day at practice if he can tackle someone to make them cry or tackle his coach. He isn't mean, he just thinks that means he is doing a good job. I still don't know what the position is called that he plays. He is not the center but next to the center on the starting offense & defense line, I think he called it a guard or something.

Aspen didn't get her picture taken because she was still snoozing when these kiddos left for school. We have been having great fun together. She has been so bored, that I started working with her on her letters and numbers. She has her A & 1 down pretty good. Jenaee and I are going to work in a preschool type setting with her and Nora a couple days a week, to keep them occupied. I don't want to send her to real preschool yet because she has two more years till kindergarten. She makes me laugh and smile all day. She has an amazing imagination with all of her imaginary friends and animals. I could sit and listen to her play all day in amazement.