School Days

Summer has come to an end.  And to be honest, I cannot believe we are still here and my kids are going to Beacon Heights for a month.  I like to find the good in situations, so I'm going to say that it's a blessing that we get to enjoy this wonderful school for a month.

Cameron started 3rd grade with Mrs. Woodruff.  Allie has Mrs. Bradley for PM Kindergarten.  They are so excited.  We all do so much better with a routine and schedule.  Nate gave them both a blessing on Sunday, and we went over our family rules and daily schedule for the school year.  I love this time of year!

Allie's first day was two days after Cam's first day.  Her bus came 10 minutes early!  So we were running like crazy across the court, and I only had time to snap a quick picture!

I'm so proud of these kids.  They are such smart, sweet, funny kiddos who make Nate and I so happy.  They've been troopers while we've been trying to figure our life out.  Every morning and night, they pray for Daddy to find a job so we can get a house and a dog.  Their faith is so pure, and I am so grateful for that!

Master of Public Health

Nate's graduation was this weekend.  It was SO exciting and inspiring to watch him walk and receive his hood and diploma.  I am so so proud of him!

On Friday night, it was the Department of Public Health graduation.  And then yesterday was the big commencement for the entire School of Medicine.  Then we had a party in West Jordan for Nate, Megan and Preston (who graduated from BYU-I last month).

Such an exciting weekend!  I never thought this day would come.  But it did!

Now we need a job....

DONE!

So....this happened.

He is DONE with school!  It hasn't really hit us both yet.  I still feel like he has to go up to campus today to study.  Or that in a few weeks, another semester will begin.

I am so SO proud of him!  He has been working so hard for the past 9 years!  So many ups and downs.  So many twists and turns to get to this point.  But we know that the Lord is pleased with the path that we have ended up on.  Doing the Lord's will in your life brings absolute peace.

No news on the job search.  We are trying not to get discouraged.  We know God has a plan for us.  He has had one all along.  I have NO doubts about that.  So we wait.

Nate and I have been feeling particularly close lately.  I love this boy so much!  We have such a wonderful, blessed life, despite the fact that it hasn't been full of luxuries or ease.  We have each other and our gorgeous children, and best of all, we have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Kid Business

A few items of Kid Business to address:

1. Cameron FINALLY lost his front tooth.  It's been ready to come out for over a month.  Nate just pinned him down and yanked.  I think Cam was slightly in shock, but then he was really excited it was out.

2.  We got Roo's school pictures back.  During the shoot, we couldn't get her to relax and give us a non-forced smile.  Funny.  But really cute!

Cambop

Cute Cammers is getting SO big and old!  He's such a nut.  Today he came home from school and said, "Mom, I was acting weird at school today because, well, I'm just a weird kid."  Ha!

Looks so sweet and innocent.  

This is what he does when he gets his hands on my camera.  Oh Cam, we love you dude!

2nd Grade!

Cam started 2nd grade yesterday!  Hard to believe.  This year, his teacher is Mrs. Walker (they call her Miss Sue).  His friends Sam and Nathan are both in his class, too.  He had a great first day, and I think it's going to be another good year.

I am loving having "older" children!  I love having kids in school, helping with their homework, taking them to activities, etc.  I love that my youngest is not a baby anymore.  I have no idea if we are going to have a 4th or not, but as of today, I am loving our family just how it is!

Graduate Roo

This is one of those posts that nobody but the mom really finds interesting, just so you know.

Roostah "graduated" from preschool today!  Well, sort of.  She's going back next year again, so I guess she didn't really graduate, but she completed her first year.  I can't believe it's over already!  Taylor and Sarah will be back as her teachers next year, so we are really happy about that.  We love them!

Goodbye November

So much for my keeping up on blogging!!  Here is a quick catch-up post.

Last Saturday, I went with Nate's mom and sisters to the annual cookie exchange.  Such a delicious tradition!  But so many calories...it's so hard to resist the HUGE plates of goodies we bring home!  I vote for a veggie exchange next year!

On Sunday, I taught my Primary class about the Apostasy and how Christ's church is the same now as it was when He was on earth.  I'll blog more about my class soon, but I LOVE THEM!!!  They make me so happy every week.

Nate only has ONE week of school left!  Then finals.  I can't believe it.  I am SO PROUD of him.  He has rocked this semester, which basically means he is rocking his Masters program so far!  He is loving the material and doing well at it.  Once again, it reaffirms that the Lord placed us here, and that this is HIS will for our family.  Nothing brings more peace and happiness than working hard to figure out the Lord's will for your life, and then DOING it without hesitation.  Nate has also applied for an Internship with Intermountain Healthcare for this summer.  It would be an amazing opportunity for him to get involved in hospital administration and get some experience in the public health field.

Cam brought home his first report card for the year.  He's doing awesome!  Such a big improvement over last year.  I can't get over completely thrilled and happy I am with his teacher, Mr. Grandy.  They are such a great match, and I feel like Mr. Grandy does a good job of seeing Cam's potential, rather than focusing on how he might be acting up.  Cam LOVES going to school every day.

I love this time of year!  It's pretty hard not to be filled with so much happiness and gratitude as we focus on the Savior and also enjoy the fun of Christmas lights, choosing gifts and making my house smell like Snowberry.  Happy December!


Claire wants me to hold her and stop taking her picture!



2012 School Pictures

Cameron G. Wood - 1st Grade - Mr. Grandy

Allie J. Wood - Headstart AM class - Taylor & Sarah

Familiar Faces!

Cameron and his old pal, Will, were featured in an ad for Head Start.

 

Such a great picture!  Hard to believe it's been 2 years.

 

I have a First Grader!!

Cameron started school today.  I can't believe Aug 22 finally arrived!  We had a great summer, but I LOVE have a structured routine and schedule.  Cam looked so handsome this morning.  He was SO excited!  He helped me pack his lunch (that was So weird for me!!).  His teacher is Mr. Grandy this year, and I hope they are a good fit.

It's pretty quiet around here without him though.  I have set some of my own goals with scripture study, housework and exercising.  It will get even calmer around here with Roo starts preschool on September 6!  Crazy how big my babies are getting!

Proud of our Cameron

We got a nice e-mail from Cam's teacher yesterday. 

Hi Wood's,

I just wanted to let you know that Cameron had an awesome day today!
He was a great listener, so on task...did wonderful writing, and was very positive!

Way to go Cameron!

Miss Mary

 

"Once upon a time, there was a person.  He was at school.  He listened to his teacher.  The teacher was so proud.  Cameron."

 

 

Cam, you have been improving by leaps and bounds over the past few months.  We are so proud of you!!  Sometimes I think that we don't give you enough credit for how wonderful you are, and I'm sorry for that.  You are the smartest little boy I know, and you have the kindest, funniest personality.  You love to be around people constantly, and everyone is drawn to you.  You have a solid testimony of Christ already, and you aren't afraid to let it shine.  The Lord has so many amazing things in store for you, and we are so proud to be your parents.  We love you so much, Buddy!!

 

Cameron's Valentines and Roo's Announcement

We spent the afternoon today making Valentines for Cam's class.  He worked so hard to make one for each classmate.  I cut out hearts, and he used his class picture as a guide to write out everyone's name.  It was really fun and so sweet of him. 

Next to the actual birth day, I think the day a child potty-trains is just about the most exciting day for a mother!!  Roo is DONE with diapers!  A few days ago, it just clicked, and she's just done!  No accidents or little potty seats.  I don't even have to remind or ask her to go.  She just does it!  Go Roosta!! 

Fun Weekend

Yesterday was our 7th Wedding Anniversary.  Nate worked hard all week and got to take yesterday and today off.  In the morning, we went to Cam's school to watch his Patriotic program.  He has spent the last few weeks learning about Presidents and the Statue of Liberty and Washington DC.  It was such a cute program!  Each child said a line, and they sang Yankee Doodle and God Bless the USA.  Proud to be an American...and SO proud to be Cam's mommy!  Good job, Honey!

Then Nate and I got to go out for lunch to the Olive Garden, our anniversary tradition.  So nice to spend some time together!!  We went to Barnes & Noble too.  Short date, but we take what we can get!  That evening, we put the kids to bed early, made peanut butter bars, and drank our sparkling cider while watching Big Bang Theory.  Perfect evening in our books!  I love you, Nate!

Claire Elizabeth also turned 6 months yesterday!  Not sure where the past 6 months have gone, but I hate that she's this old already!  She's been eating solids for a few days now, and she LOVES them! 
She's just the sweetest thing ever, and we love love love having her in our family.

Then today we went to West Jordan for Ryan's birthday party at JumpNBounce.  The kids had a blast!  Roo can really hold her own there now, so Nate didn't have to haul her into every slide and bounce house.  Afterwards we had pizza and cake back at Grandma/Grandpa's house.  Now the kids are playing Kinnect, and as soon as they go to bed, I'm collapsing into MY bed with a book.  I wish I could read all day. 

I've been waiting for Claire to fit into this shirt so she could match Miss Roo.  Cute sisters!  Matching bows too!

Stop This Train

"Stop this train. I can't take the speed it's moving in."

-John Mayer

WOW, life is going soooo fast!!  Too fast!  The days and weeks just fly by.  I would love to stop this train and keep life just how it is right now.  Atleast for awhile.  Claire is at such a fun, cute age right now.  She is the chattiest baby!!  She will just sit there and smile and coo at me for as long as I'll let her.  She has this huge open-mouth smile that we call "Perma-Grin" because she'll just hold it there.  It's so stinkin' cute, I can't even handle it.  She also has the craziest sneezes ever!  She seriously gives us a shower whenever she sneezes!  Nate always calls her Sprayer.  It's too cute to be gross!  She likes to look up at me while she nurses now.  Those big blue eyes just melt me, and I just want to hold her like that forever.  I wish more than anything that I could just freeze Claire just how she is right now.  It's been fun watching Cam and Roo grow up and get older, but no, not Claire.  She needs to stay my baby!!!

Nate submitted his applications to graduate school and the MSW/MPH programs this week.  When he clicked "submit", we looked at each other, gave each other a high five, and then knelt in prayer to thank our Heavenly Father for guiding us to this point in our marriage and family life.  It has been a long, rough year.  But we feel like everything we have been through has been leading us up to this point.  We both feel so confident and sure that a career in social work is the right thing for us.  We have been praying for 6 months now to get into these programs, but at the same time, we have faith that if he doesn't get accepted, that the Lord will let us know what to do next.  Wow, life is not easy!  I can't even imagine getting through ONE crazy day without help from Him.  I would be a complete mess without the Gospel.  What peace it brings to put all of our worries and stresses into God's hands.  He governs all, and we will always be protected and guided if we trust Him and keep His commandments.

We have been keeping busy with Staci, Sam & Emma.  We all have so much fun together.  Staci is an answered prayer for me in so many ways.  I have been struggling with some things for a long time now, and in just a few weeks, her friendship has helped me overcome a lot.  I really needed someone like her in my life right now.  It sounds so cheesy, but I have felt a lot happier lately too, and because of that, I've been able to work on some of my other weaknesses that I have been trying to get motivated to work on for too long now.  I tell her often how grateful I am for her friendship, but I don't think she'll ever understand just how much she has helped me.  Love her!!!  And to top it off, she is a personal trainer, so we're starting to work out together.  She about killed me this morning with the squats and lunges....gonna get buff!

Cam is doing such a good job in school.  Well, he is still a little stinker, but we all know that's not going to change overnight!!  :)  He is just loving everything he is learning though.  I was reading him a book tonight, and he kept pointing out all of the words he recognizes now.  He also loves to play school with Allie.  He is the teacher, and he takes her through the whole day, just how his school day is.  He teaches her letters and gives her art projects and worksheets to do.  He even disciplines her, it's so funny.  "Allie, keep your eyes on me!" and "When your listening power is back, you can come join the class."  Haha, I'm sure Miss Mary has NEVER had to say those things to Cam....!!

Fun Halloween Weekend ahead!  Bring on the sugar high!!

A Happy Reunion

Yesterday morning I was outside and noticed that the Headstart Preschool class for this year had started, and they were out at recess.  When Cam got off the bus, I made the mistake of telling him that Will was back....Cam flipped out and asked me nonstop ALL afternoon if he could go say hi.  I made him wait until Headstart was out for the day, and then Kristi and I walked down with all of the kids.  When we walked in, Will was busy talking to one of his new students, so Logan and Cam kept peeking around the corner to see if he was done.  It was so cute!  They were so excited to see him!!

(I begged Cam not to wear that blasted costume, but to no avail!!)

Finally they got to be reunited with their buddy Will.  I LOVE the smiles on all of their faces.  Priceless.

Turns out Roo can go to Headstart next Fall when she's 3 1/2.  I'm so excited, she'll get to go for two years before starting Kindergarten.  She will LOVE it.

First Day of Kindergarten

The Big Day is finally here!!  Cameron is in Kindergarten!

We have all been waiting all summer for school to start again.  Cam has been so excited.

Bye Dude!  See you in a few hours!

Poor Roo....she wanted to get on the bus with her brother!



Back to School

I can't believe summer is basically over!  It went by so quickly.  After a nice 6-month break, Nate started classes up again yesterday.  He's taking classes that will count towards his Masters degree if he gets accepted, so they will be more intense than what he's used to.  He's excited though, and it feels good to be moving forward again.  I'll admit I'm always a little jealous when he starts class....I miss being in school!  Someday I'll go back.

Cameron starts Kindergarten next Wednesday.  We went and met his teacher and saw his classroom today.  He is SO excited and ready to be back in school too.  He loves to learn and be with his friends, and his busy personality thrives on routine.  We finally cleaned up his shaggy hair, and he looks all grown up now.  Putting my baby boy on a bus next week is going to be weird.  I hope he sits still and is kind to his friends and says please and thank you.....I pray so hard every day that I'm teaching my children well and that they are truly learning the things that I have spent 5 exhausting years so far trying to teach them!!

Claire seems to grow more every day, slow down!!  The rolls just keep piling on her!!  Nate and I think she is looking more and more like Cam.  She's been starting to fuss a little more in the evenings, which makes for an interesting bedtime routine when Nate's not home!  But on the flip side, during the night, she sleeps 4-5 hour stretches and always goes right back to sleep, so I can't complain!  My "Claire" tag for my necklace arrived today from Sarah Taylor.  Love that.  I will save my "TBA" tag for #4! :)