Russell -- thing are going well for Russ. He's been busy with work. The good thing is that he hasn't had any big overtime projects so far this year! Wahoo! Two Sunday's ago he was released from the Bishopric in our ward. This was do to the fact that he called to be a high councilman. Specifically for the Spanish branch. many people were confused because they didn't know Russ could even speak Spanish! He's only been to a few meetings but he is enjoying it. He's especially excited about brushing up on his Spanish. 75% of the texts he sends me are in Spanish. Good thing I can read Spanish. We aren't sure yet if this will be less time consuming than the Bishopric, but it has been terrific having Russ sitting on the pew helping with the kids.
Jewelle -- I'm busy carting kids around...literally. This year we enrolled the girls in schools that required me to drive them there. We spend a lot of time in the car for that. Then we have a lot of activities that we go to. I love it though, because the girls and I get to have a lot of conversations this way. I'm also still doing scrapbooking. I still love it.
Lily -- She entered 5th grade this year. Where we live that also means she entered middle school! Lily has continued to do well in school. She currently is a huge bookworm loving to read things like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. She is still taking gymnastics too. Her recent passion has been swimming though. She tried out for a local swim team and made it. She excited for her first meet coming in a few weeks. LIly is also incredibly helpful taking care of her younger siblings.
Allie -- Has really blossomed this year. She always enjoyed talking to people but now you can't get her to stop! She's all about dinosaurs and animals these days. She talks constantly about how she wants to be a zoo vet. The kind that takes care of baby animals (according to her). She too does gymnastics and loves it. She's very excited that a few times she's received extra bubblegum in class for the best cartwheel. Allie is also preparing to be baptized in a few months.
Charlotte -- Oh my is this girl full of spunk! She certainly keeps me on my toes. She is very clever and requests to do school with me every day. We've been slowly counting down the time she has until she gets to go to kindergarten. We started at the beginning of this school year o_O Char also loves to color. I get stacks and stacks of pictures she has colored or drawn for me. Her asthma and allergies haven't been bothering her too much lately, so that is a huge relief! She too does gymnastics and counts the days until it is "gymnastics day" again.
Breanne -- Still my ultra quiet and sneaky child. Quite often I'll find her in some corner reading or coloring nicely. Just as often I'll find her coloring on the walls, sneaking into the snack cupboard, or spilling bubbles all over the bathroom floor. Her mischievous streak brings a lot to her personality. She is currently in Sunbeams and loves her teachers. She is counting down the days until she gets to do gymnastics in September.
Maxwell -- Is spoiled rotten! Well, not really but it is quite evident how much everyone loves and adores the only boy. His health has been on the increase for the past six months. He's slowly been able to gain enough weight that the doctors are pleased. He has also been able to get off his reflux medicine. However, his other stomach problem persists and the doctors are going to continue to monitor it. For the most part they aren't concerned as long as he can keep his growth up. At his last pedi checkup another problem presented itself. He's not talking. I'm working with him at home to see if we can improve this. Currently all I'm getting is a bunch of smiles, which is truly characteristic of Max. he is a very happy easy going boy who loves to play cars and trains. He does however have a bit of a mischievous streak just like his older sister Bree.
