Bad Week

This has been a very rough week for me. A great unfairness took place here at my school. One of my students "j" was kicked out of school for getting into a fight (long sad story) He is a really good really respectful kid. His entire family are gang members and he is trying to stay out. He is considered "homeless" and really has a rough life. The school, unfortunately, only saw what he looked like and his associations and kicked him out, saying it was a gang fight. I don't buy it. He only needed .5 credits to graduate from high school-it could change his life. Through my stuggling with the situation-feeling bad that all my time and work was for nothing-my Dad volunteered to take him in. I couldn't believe it. I called the principal in Wayne, and he too is willing to give this kid a shot-I am ever greatful. We are working out the options and hopefully he will be down there and graduate with "his" class in May.I have been very upset this week-not to mention it snowed. But Grace calls the snow "bubbles" and that makes me happy-she reminds me to look on the bright side. She brings me happiness every day. Treadmills are like rollercoasters-amazing!

And look at this princess hat. I just love her and am so thankful she makes me smile-and realize it is the little things that count. Sometimes it just takes one good deed to make a big difference.

Dinner and Time with Family

Grandma and Papa Boxall came to town. We played outside a little. And then went to Buca for dinner. Grace on the ride home. She loved having them there. It was amazing how nice the weather was on Saturday, and then the next morning when they left, there was five inches of snow. I am so ready for Summer.

A "Utah" Night Out

On Friday night we had a fun family night out. We went to Sugar House Park for a picnic. Grace went up and down and up and down this hill. Sometimes on the way down, she rolled with her aunt pete.

We played a little hide and seek.

And Peek a Boo We played in the leaves

And back up the hill.

We snuggled a little (I was trying to get a picture of us, she wasn't cooperating.) This is really cute of her so I had to share it.

Back down to the leaves with Miles.

Finally a picture of us.

Our Family.

Pete's Family. Then to finish the night out, we went for ice cream.

A little ice cream kiss-my favorite!

Grace loved it!

We had so much fun. I love getting out and doing things like this. It was a great time!

Thank you.

I have been working on some curriculm for a local school. It has taken a lot of my free time. I finally finished the other day. I was very excited to finally be done (at least with these classes) The next morning I went out to get in the car to go to work and Art had left me a card, some treats, and a little treat for Grace too, just saying "way to go" "thanks!" . I thought it was the coolest thing and I realized just how thankful I am for Art. It is the little things that make our simple life great! And oh my Pie!

So Thankful to have you in my life.

I don't know what I would do. If I didn't have you!

Wayne County Weekend

We went to Wayne for the Weekend. With the big business closing down there-things are in a bit of turmoil. We wanted to go see the family and try to distract them a little. Grace watching Shrek, very seriously while at MiMi's House. Cleaning the fish tank with Papa (yep she is in the sink right in there helping-she was soaked-but she loved it) Because she was soacked she had to borrow a shirt. She thought it was a dress and loved it. She cried when I took it off. This is Grace's Funny Face! She pulls so hard. I think it should hurt!Mimi made the girls hats. Leah doesn't like anybody but Mommy to hold her, so she wasn't happy. Grace was playing a Kazoo and wouldn't let it go.

I love this pose, and how she is sitting. Too cute!

This face makes me smile!The kids put on a concert at MiMi's house.

We went to visit Amber at her house. Grace loved playing around outside. She saw the Chicks, The Cows, the Kitties and goats.

Grace liked the goats a lot. It was a lot of fun to go and play. Grace loves being with her cousins. Her and Miles play really well together, although I think Miles got a little sick of Grace in his space. She just wants to do whatever he does and sometimes he doesn't like it so much. They are so close though and I love it!

Big Time Stuff

Grace is growing so fast. She does new things every day. Like the door closing. She is really into that right now. I try really hard to watch closely for the fingers. I am sure one day she will close them in, but I just don't know how to stop her (maybe get some of those safety things I guess). She loves it though. She closes them and then laughs hard. This one show how very tall she is getting. I guess I better get the safety handles on our outside doors.

Some things never change. She still loves putting things over her head and trying to walk around.

She went to the track yesterday and did some running. She thought it was so much fun.

She especially loved running with Dad.

Laughing

Grace keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh every day. She loves putting her babies to bed, and giving all of the high five after she goes potty (really we walk and give them each five)She really like the "big girl" panty thing. Very cool. She makes me smile. Also she is very excited about ABC's and 123's. I started to realize though that our alphabet is a little difficult. We sing it and Grace sings along. She gets the ABC (or sometimes ABB) but then we repeat BC a few times so it goes ABCBCBC (at which times she jumps to O) which makes me realize there are a lot of letters that sound the same (BCDEGPV) especially right there at the beginning, but she is getting there and thinks it is a lot of fun. She can do 1,2,3 too on a good day. She likes 2 a lot so sometimes we say it over and over. I am so greatful to have my own little everyday comedian. I need the laughter and she gives it to me! Love you Grace!