Joe's 8th grade awards night

Joe after the awards

Honor Roll Award

Activities Award

3 years at Beadle Award

Presidential Award

Joe and his teachers: Mrs. Wittgren, Mrs. Novotney, Mr. Kessling

Finishing up the deck

Here are some recent pictures of our deck. Jeff and the boys did an amazing job. We just LOVE it! It's such a wonderful retreat!






Jenna even loves it to lay down and play her DS. Notice it's plugged in and charging!

1.5

The count down is on. We had our multiplication ice-cream party. We cleaned out our desks. My report cards are nearly finished! 1.5 days to go until I'm home with my kiddos! I can't wait!

Remember When?????????

Life was crazier? You were more tired? Kisses came often? Toys were played with? Meals were smaller?

NOW...life is still crazy....not as tired....fewer kisses....fewer toys......need to butcher a cow to feed these kids!

Here's my latest book

My dear friend, Julie, convinced me to read this book and lead a book discussion on it for our church's adult ministry. It won't happen until August....it'll give me plenty of time to read it (on my trip to Alaska) and make plans for the discussion.

Have you read it? Have you seen the movie? What do you think?

3.5 days to go

With just 3.5 days left in the school year - we are finding ourselves so happy to have beautiful weather, very little homework, and are enjoying each other's company. Joe commented this evening that he is bored and wished he had some fun homework to do. Jackson's homework consisted in finding the definition of "share cropper". Jenna spent the afternoon playing in the basement with her barbies. I've stayed on top of all of my correcting - and my report cards will be done by Friday! Life is good!

Jeff is taking Friday off to finish a few deck things. We are planning on sticking close to home over Memorial Day weekend. I have plans to clean up the basement, perhaps paint the first floor bathroom, paint Jenna's room, and go to our friends' lake house.

My parents have taken their dog, Shadow, to a breeder to meet her new mate. Hopefully, we'll have puppies after our trip to Alaska! Jeff hasn't complained any more about getting a puppy when I mention it...so he must be board with the idea!

Jackson and Jenna will be pug baby-sitting right after school gets out. It will be nice to have this good dog practice for our kids. I like the idea of them being more responsible.

Our niece, Ella, will be graduating from high school in two weeks. We are so excited to see her in her cap and gown. She was only 3 months old when Jeff and I got married. She is the first on either side to go through this! Next year we will have two HS graduations...niece, Abby and nephew, Jeremy.

HE MADE IT!!

Thanks to my parents, who read this blog, I am reminded that I never shared the results of Jackson's Middle School Show Choir tryout....HE MADE IT!!!

He's rather excited to be part of the Beadle MS "Show Dogs". His BFF, Alex, is the one who shared the audition info with us - and Alex made it too!

Putting on the ROOF

We put the roof on the deck today. It was an all day project. I'm so proud of the boys for being helpful and hard working! I think Jeff loved having his two big guys there to help out.

Jackson went to the doctor today where we discovered he has an ear infection as well as a sinus infection.

Jenna biked around the neighborhood looking at the many garage sales. She spent her own money on play money, a roll of tickets, and a bracelet.

Jackson, Jenna, and I went to my friend - Jill's house to meet her two cute pug dogs. We will be dog sitting for a few days in June. I know we will all have a blast with Chase and Chloe!

Looks like a family movie night tonight.

Rain Rain Go Away

Jenna loves sponge rollers






Lots of rain falling on the prairie this week. Sure doesn't feel like summer is coming. I've been wearing my sweaters again.

Today at school we got I-Pods. They are already set up with our reading CD materials. We aren't allowed to use them for anything but the Reading Series...no apps, no personal music.....but I think the I-Pods will be easier than digging for CD's. I like our new docking stations that can charge the I-Pod. It's a CD / Radio docking station. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow!

The 4th and 5th grade teams got SMART BOARDS today. I had fun learning about it from my friend, Christy. I kind of wish we were getting one...but at least the projectors will be more readily available for the 3rd grade team.

Jeff was in Missouri today - just a day trip, but a lot of road time. The kids and I went to Hy-Vee for Chineese. I don't need to go there for a while. Jenna was cranky about not liking her selection.

We will find out tomorrow if Jackson made the Beadle Middle School Show Choir. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Rainy Monday

Flowers from Jeff and the kids.







Still doing the countdown for the start of summer. It's a rainy day and looks to be a long wet week. Jackson has his Beadle Middle School Show Choir audition tonight after school. He needs to sing "My Country 'Tis Of Thee".

Mr. Whiskers is going to spend some time with Grandma Gruber while we are in Alaska. We are going to miss our cutie pie cat!

Happy Mother's Day

A few more recent pictures of the deck.








We did a little more work on the deck today. It was just some trim around the posts that are attached to the house. Jackson added some topsoil to his garden area and planted some radishes. They should be ready to be eaten before we leave for Alaska.

Today is Mother's Day. I taught Sunday School this morning. The lesson was "we can tell people about Jesus wherever we are." based on Acts 16: 16-34. Paul and Silas were still praying and singing about Jesus - even though they were in prison. Later on, by their actions - the Jailer and his family were able to be saved because they now believe in God.

Where is the most unusual place you have talked about Jesus?

Jeff made me a delicious steak dinner. The kids cleaned (most of) the dishes up. Now we will end out night by folding laundry and watching "The Amazing Race".

There are only 16.5 days of school left. So much to do before then. I hope I can get it all done, stay calm, and maintain happiness.

Working on the deck

It was a cool day in Nebraska today. At least we didn't have any snow like they did in Wisconsin! We all helped Jeff work on the deck. We have the supports up and connected. The next step is to put on the roof.

Here are some pictures so far:

Piano Recital

Jenna had her piano recital tonight. She played "Camptown Races" and "When you Wish Upon A Star". She did an amazing job!



We celebrated with some ice cream sundae's at home.





It's turned very cold today. Our friends and family in WI might be getting some snow. Next week we will be in the low 60's. Some rain is also expected. I can't believe that we only have 16.5 days left of school....It will certainly go fast! Jackson had his sneak peak at Middle School today. He got to each lunch at Beadle, tour, and meet some teachers. I'm so proud of him - as he is going to audition for the MS show choir. They are only allowing future 6th grade boys to audition....along with current 6th and 7th grade boys and girls. Jackson's BFF, Alex, is also auditioning. Keeping my fingers crossed that it works out for both of them.

Because of the 'sneak peak' day - Joe only had 1/2 day of school. He claimed he was bored...but at least he had a quiet house to himself!

We have no big plans for the weekend. I signed the kids up for 'kidsbowlfree.com' and we have our free passes for 2 games of bowling each and every day of the summer. It might be a fun thing to do tomorrow - if it continues to be so cold and icky!

What a difference 3 years can make!

Three years ago I was sitting in an unknown lunchroom, listening to some unknown principals talking about this great unknown school. I met some nameless faces of some unknown staff - people who could possibly be Joe's teacher. My husband was my supporter thought this changing time.

Today I sat in this same room with principals I knew and recognized, happy to be back in the Multi-purpose room where Joe eats at each day, smiling at some teachers who have made not only an incredible impact on Joe - but on me as well. I was able to sit with my best friend and her husband as I offered my knowledge and support.

A few things have changed at Beadle Middle School during the past three years that Joe has attended. From what I see - they are good changes.

My tears of uneasiness, fear, and worry of three years ago were replace with a calm and certain feeling that Jackson will also not only grow - but thrive in such a caring, progressive, and academic place.

I'm happy to be able to continue my time as being a Beadle Bulldog Parent.....in fact I'm looking forward to being back in two years...... in the same lunch room - getting re-acquainted with familiar faces - when I return to get Jenna ready for Middle School!