New Beginnings for August

A new school year started on August 4th. Summer vacation came to an abrupt end once August began. As a family we do our best to soak up as much summer fun as we can. I do my best to make the eight weeks of summer vacation full of fun and relaxation. Of course some of that fun includes traveling and making new memories. Once we had gotten back from Bentonville I took the kids out so I could take their school pictures.

Jackson starts 3rd Grade

Jack was SO excited to start third grade. He's not only looking older but is acting older as well. We have seen a change in his behavior. He's goofier than ever while maintaining the smart, sweet, fun little man he is. He's discovering what he can do to make people laugh. Jack loves to tell anyone that is willing to listen, about the video games he loves. Those include World Box, Minecraft, Kirby, and Gamer Garage. He continues to excel in art and loves programming. Jack is such an incredible kid to be around. Everyone that meets Jack just loves him. He has such a good heart. He's an amazing older brother to Beckham and Quinn. 

Beckham starts 2nd Grade

Watch out second grade!! You got a good one this year :) Beckham James is one of the sweetest humans you will ever meet. I pray this never changes. He looks out for everyone around him. He makes sure everyone is noticed and has a friend. Beckham is an excellent helper. He is quick to help his teacher in anything she needs. Beckham has loved second grade. He has an excellent teacher and has made several friends. He loves reading Bad Guys, Dog Man, and has been introduced to Harry Potter. This kiddo loves to be outdoors. He really enjoys playing football, soccer, and jumping on the trampoline. Going to the playground is a good time in his book. Beckham boy is our athlete. He loves sports. Football is still a fave for him. He really enjoys watching sports with his dad and keeps us all in the loop on stats, upcoming games, and injuries. We sure do love our Beckham boy! 

Quinn skips to 1st Grade!

This little Einstein blew past Kindergarten this year. She started off in Kindergarten, as expected, and exceled to unbelievable levels. Pres and I knew Quinn was gifted and thought long and hard about what to do if this opportunity presented itself. Quinn stayed in Kindergarten for a few weeks while she was being assessed by teachers. She also needed to take the state exams. These exams are primarily for  placement for all kids. They take these at the beginning of the year. It helps teachers to know where their students are educationally. so they can meet them where they are at. Before Quinn could move on we needed her scores from the state exams. She ended up scoring in the 99th percentile and actually tested into second grade. We had given the principal a heads up in June. We knew that this may be the case and wanted to get a head of it all. After following all of the procedures and protocols to have your child skip a grade, Quinn made it into first grade. Her first day was September 6th. She has not only been succeeding in first grade but excelling. 

We are very proud of this sweet girl. Quinn has one of the kindest hearts you will ever encounter. She is a friend to everyone and watches out for anyone needing a friend. Quinn absolutely loves to read. She will read at least 30 minutes a night while falling asleep. More times than not, Preston and I will find her passed out with a book in her hand. Quinn adores her big brothers and enjoys being around them. You will usually find her and Beckham playing games together and laughing out loud. Quinn loves drawing, coloring, baking, and playing games. She loves her alone time but also finds fun with anyone she is with. We are so grateful for our little caboose. 

These two are thick as thieves. They love hanging out together. One of my favorite things they do is talk to each other at night. Jack and Beckham share a room. Many times at night I can hear them telling one another a story or laughing at a funny joke. I pray this bond only thickens as they get older. 

August 3rd! Orientation!

We got to see Beckham's new desk.

August 4th! First Day!

Quinn rocked her first day of Kindergarten!

Quinn's Kindergarten class. 

I wanted a pic of her Kindergarten class even though she was only there for four weeks. We were so grateful to have Mrs. Meadows once again, even if it was for a short time. 

I was cleaning the house when I walked in on this sweet picture. I asked Quinn what was going on. She said, "This is my under water restaurant. I was tired of holding my breath, so I put on my scuba helmet to breathe." This girl has the best imagination.

My girl Allie :)

One of my favorite things about being the young women president is getting to know my girls. This cute girl graduated high school and took off to Orem, UT to live with her sister. I was beyond grateful and blessed to know Allie. She truly became one of my really good friends. She is going to do great things. I just know it!

Found Quinn reading to her elephant Ellie. I love when she falls asleep with a book in her hands. I still have no idea how she can do this, but dang it's cute.

Quinn and Mom Costco time. She thought this snowman was the coolest :)

Family bowling

Each Friday the kids get to pick a family activity for us to do on Saturday. They only get to pick if they get all of their stars for the week. This includes, making their beds, getting dressed, reading 15-20 minutes each day, doing homework, etc. If they get all of their stars they get to pick from the cup. I won't lie, they have been able to pick every single week since we started this. It's been awesome! They do their best to get chores done and listen. The kids even chose all of the activities we get to do. This week we went bowling. It was so much fun. I forgot to get a picture of the boys though, haha. Sorry guys!

Saying Goodbye to Allie.

This was Allie's last Sunday. We had to get one last picture of all the girls. Abby, me, Allie, Erika, Alex, and Cindy (Allie's Mom). Erika, Cindy, and I are all in the young women presidency. Erika is my first counselor with Cindy as my second counselor. I love all of these people so much! They are incredible souls and I am grateful to know and love each of them.

Another week to pick from the cup! The kids were so excited to get slushies and a big candy bar. We ended August on a sweet note ;)

This month was a roller coaster of emotions. There were so many steps and procedures that needed to be taken before Quinn could advance to first grade. It is so much harder than one may think. Nevertheless, we had so much help in figuring out what was best for Quinn. I leaned on several people in education as well as a friend that had experience advancing. However, for Quinn we felt very strongly that she needed to advance to the next grade. She was socially and intellectually ready to take on the next step. Pres and I had so much support from family and friends. So many prayers were said on our behalf. Those prayers were deeply felt in every meeting I attended. I cannot begin to express my gratitude. We were so appreciative. The Lord was very aware of Quinn and what needed to happen in her life. Pres and I put our trust in God and had faith that He would lead and show us the way. It's so hard being in a position when you know what is best for your child, yet, you have to wait for others to make the decision. We knew the Lord would help soften hearts. We also knew He would help those that needed to see what our little girl was capable of to see. Our biggest hope was that the school would meet her where she was at. That she would be able to learn and grow. Luckily for us, once Quinn's test scores came back we could move forward seamlessly. Her teacher and vice principal were even shocked by the scores she had. Everything went smoothly in our final meeting. She has since thrived in first grade and is loving it. More to come on that in September :) 

August took us by surprise. Yet, we wouldn't have done anything differently. It was a beautiful blessing and a great way to see the Lord's hand in our lives. How grateful I am to know that my Savior lives. He loves us deeply and cares for us in ways we may never fully comprehend.