GO Lions!!!

Blake is playing Basketball on the C Team at school. He just came off of Football and moved right into Basketball. He is having a great time!

Nik and Jensen are two of Blake's best friends...and two of the nicest Guys!!! We are so lucky to have such great people in our lives!!!

~Back to School~

Powell - 10th grade

Blake - 8th grade

Bennett - 6th grade

And...Lucy!

The boys headed back to school this week. It is so hard to believe that Powell is a sophmore, Blake is in his last year in middle school, and Bennett started middle school. Lucy missed the boys this week, but was so thrilled when each of them walk through the front door.

~Happy Mother's Day~

I couldn't let this day go by without acknowledging each of my children. I am so blessed to have been chosen to parent each of these boys. They are the truly the "lights" of my life. They make being a Mom a privilege and a joy!

To my sweet Lucy Joy~

I already feel I am your Mommy in every sense of the word. Not a day goes by that we don't think of you and pray to have you home. I look forward to celebrating many Mother's Day with you in my life.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you special ladies~

Happy 15th Birthday Powell~

Happy Birthday Powell!

We love you and are so proud of the young man you have become. You are honest, caring, responsible, athletic, handsome, funny, smart, a role model to others, a great older brother, a loyal Grandson, and all that makes a parent proud. It seems just yesterday, you were placed in our arms, and today you stand before us as a young man. We love you and wish you a great year ahead.

Love, Mom and Dad

D.A.R.E. Graduation

Bennett graduated from the D.A.R.E. program yesterday. At the completion of the program each fifth grader writes an essay about what they have learned and their pledge to not smoke or try drugs. Bennett's essay was one of three that was chosen to be read during the graduation ceremony. Way to go Bennett...we are so proud of you!!

Bennett goes to JA~

~Bennett, CFO Tacoma Water Company~

On Friday, Bennett's 5th grade class went to Junior Achievement. This is such a great program. There is a small city set up inside the building...and before the kids attend they are given a job at one of the businesses, they are given a checkbook and basic information on how their day will progress. The kids are paid a salary twice during the day, and on their break and lunch they are to go to the bank, deposit their paycheck, open a savings account, and withdraw cash to purchase snacks and lunch at the restaurant. They are encouraged to go out into the retail stores and purchase items by writing checks (many corporations sponsor this program so for instance the Mariners Team store has items donated by the Mariners).

Bennett's job was, Chief Financial Officer of the Water Company. His job was to input his company's loan amount into their computer, do payroll for all of their employees (5), pay bills to the other businesses for their services (ie:newspaper advertising, electricity, IRS, Recycling, insurance, rent, etc...), and input payments other business made to the Water Company, and at the end of the day did all the bank deposits, and then printed out a balance sheet to make sure their company acquired enough assets to pay off their loan amount.

It was such a full day, but it is so amazing to watch these kids. There is another program 8th grade students participate in, and at the high school level, 9th graders attend "mock" job interviews in the field of their choice. Powell did his interview this year...had to wear a shirt and tie, go through the interview process, and then was notified if he got the job or not. He did

Da Boys!

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Happy Birthday Blake!

Happy 13Th Birthday Blake! It seems like just yesterday you were a little boy. You have grown into such a handsome, kind, athletic and funny teenager. You are a joy in our lives, and we wish you a wonderful year full of happiness, fun, and lots of love and laughter!

Flag Football ~ Bennett

Bennett is playing flag football again this year. Well, last year he didn't technically play because after the first practice he fell out of the tree in our front yard and broke his wrist, poor guy. He was so disappointed. He loves football so much, but is quite aggressive on the field, I think he might be a candidate for tackle.

~Pumpkin Patch~

We went to the Pumpkin Patch last weekend. It was a rainy and muddy day! You would think that the older your children get, the easier it would be to take their picture, NOT! If it is not a holiday, they refuse to wear coordinated clothing, nobody wants to match! And to get them to stop goofing around just to snap a picture is a huge feat! Here are the only two pictures I did get, at least one of them has them cooperating :D Love those boys!

Blake's First Football Game

Today was Blake's first 7th grade football game. I did my best to get in on the action and take pictures. Hopefully next game I will be able to get some better shots.

First Day of School

The boys had their first 3 days of school this week~ It was a little lonely around the house.


Blake ~ 7th grade
Blake's friend Devin

Powell ~ 9th grade

Bennett ~ 5th grade

You've Got The Cutest Little "Brace Face"

Today was the day. Blake got his braces.

 

 

 

Blake's Hair

Blake's hair is definitely one of his defining trademarks. Last year he decided to give modeling a try. He enjoys it, and of course his big selling factor is the hair, but it was getting to be a little too much. So, today he got a much needed shape up. His baseball coach will be disappointed we did this AFTER baseball season :)

My 3 Sons...

Who would have thought 14 years ago we would be on this journey. These 3 boys have made parenting a joy. Don't get me wrong, we have our daily struggles, but the happiness they give far out weighs anything else. We are homeschoolers, and have been only for the past 2 years. I brought our oldest son, Powell, home after 6th grade to finsh out his middle school years at home. It is hard to believe next year he will return to school, but as a freshman in high school. How did that happen?? Our middle son, Blake, will be in the 7th grade, and our youngest, Bennett, a 5th grader. So, as our school year comes to a close, I am reminded of how lucky I am to be a SAHHM (stay at home homeschooling mom).

Bennett working on Math

Powell reading for History

Blake working on Math

Powell 14, Bennett 10, Blake 12.5