Just an FYI....

The last day of Preschool was last Thursday. I had a couple cute things happen. I had one little guy named Hayden get here and the first thing he said was "Mrs. Gina, I'm never going to forget you." A couple days prior, I had a cute experience happen with a little guy (well not so little, he's the big guy in our class) his name is Corbin. Corbin was sitting by my side as we were having circle time with the class. He put his hand on my leg and said, "Mrs. Gina, I love you." He has definately been my hardest child this year, but we've made huge strides with him and it has been so rewarding for me to see. I'm sad to lose all of my students but am excited to know that I played a part in preparing them for Kindergarten and those that will be going on are totally ready.

I had to share this, but also wanted to put in a little plug that I have openings for preschool. We will be doing it two days a week for two hours each day. The cost is $45 per month. I've taught for 5 years now and love it!! My goal is to have them prepared to enter Kindergarten, and I really feel like each year I accomplish that. So if you know of anyone who has Preschool aged children, let them know that there is a fun and convenient Preschool available right here in Franklin :)

Our Graduating Preschool Class

Also, as the school year is coming to an end. I will be losing quite a few daycare children due to the fact that a lot of children that I care for have parents who are school teachers. Summer is always so much fun with the daycare kids. We have lots of water parties and playing outside; we make fun holiday crafts; and games, puzzles and playdough are often a part of our day. I'm State Licensed, CPR & First Aid Certified, ICCP Certified and love the kids that I have the opportunity to care for. So if you know of anyone who is in need of child care PLEASE send them my way, I have immediate openings.

Sorry, I figured this is probably a good way to get the word out.

Thanks- Gina 208-646-2015

It's great to be eight!!

Nic's birthday was on Monday and he turned the big eight years old. After school he had baseball pics and then we celebrated. We invited some family over for a laid back hotdog roast and some cake and ice cream. Nic wanted a Ninja cake so I asked a friend of mine to make it. He really liked it. The day went by quickly but I think Nic had a great day. He got lots of cash from all of his Grandparents so he was way excited about that. His favorite gift? A new leapster game called "Animal Genius". He has stayed up the last three nights playing it after I tuck him into bed. I couldn't figure out why he was having such a hard time getting up for school when we got him to bed by 8:30. I guess it's good that he was doing something educational...right??? I can't believe my baby is eight years old. It goes by so quick. Happy Birthday Nic!! We love you :)

Growing up...

Nic's birthday is tomorrow and it has been kind of a hard for me due to the fact that he will be turning the big eight years old!! What is it with those milestone birthdays? First birthdays are always hard, but eight is like I'm turning my little guy over to the world...His baptism is June 6th and that means he soon will be accountable for all the bad choices that he makes...Ahhhh!! That's so scary. No really, I am excited for him, and proud of him that he wants to be baptized. But I can't help but worry about him...
Tim and I were talking to him about baptism today and about how sins are washed away. We asked him if he knew what that meant. He said, "when you go under the water, something goes into your ears-like hands or something and washes all the sins away." Wow!! That totally wasn't what I expected him to say, but he really didn't get it. It was a great opportunity to talk to him about baptism again and make sure that he understood what it all meant and how important it is. Nic is definately my challenge, he's a strong headed, stubborn little goof. Sometimes he makes me crazy, but I still love him. I think that he'll be one of these little guys who if Tim and I somehow can keep him under control, he'll go places. But those days when he's a little pill it really makes me wonder if we're doing anything right. (I'm sure every parent feels that way) I guess we just keep doing what we're doing and hope that someday we'll look back and say that we did something right. Just had to share my little thoughts...

"my daughter"

I know that you all are thinking that the ultrasound has already been done, but no such luck. I wanted to post a few pics of a gorgeous young lady that has been part of my life for about 3 years now... Meet Adrianna, she's 15 and lives here in Franklin. Isn't she cute?? She was one of my Young Women and we managed to really hit it off from the start. Her mom and her sister joke that I'm her other mom because she tells me just about anything. Anyways, she is having her Quinceañera (15 year old celebration) in June and she asked me to help her with the invitations. This is no small task. We're making 125 invites, but it has been a lot of fun. I got to go out and take some pics of her for the invitation and we had lots of laughs. Katie met us up the canyon about an hour into our photographing and she got some great photos herself. She showed me some of her "secret photo spots" and I will be going there a lot more often, thanks Katie!! I'm not as good as Katie is with editing photos, I need to have a crash course with her on that one too. I love to show off my photos, and get a little input of what everyone likes and doesn't like. So here are a few pics of "my daughter". I'm so grateful that she's part of my life, we have lots of fun!

In a nutshell....

This is what's been up with us-in a nutshell....

Nic is playing baseball and is still doing gymnastics. He's also started Scouts due to the fact that he will be 8 in one week. He loves all of it! He had a little meeting with the Bishop tonight to talk to him about baptism and I was very impressed with Nic. After he was done with the Bishop and we were walking out to the car he said, "Mom, I feel different". I said, "what do you mean?" He said, "now that I'm getting baptized, I feel like I'm going to have to try really hard to be good. I'm really excited to get baptized". I was proud of him. He got up in Sacrament and bore his testimony about 5 months ago for the first time and that in itself is huge. I think he'll be a good Missionary some day. He's a fun, talented, coordinated, and sometimes stubborn, hard-headed little boy. But I love him :)

Ty started T-ball this year. He loves it too, of course. He will be done with Preschool next Thursday and he's so excited because that means he'll be going to Kindergarten. I can't believe I'm sending my second little one to school. Crazy! He loves to ride his bike and sing. He's constantly singing, love it, love it, love it!!

Josh is potty trained!!!! Yeah! He's totally done. What is it with little toddlers in underwear? It's so stinkin' cute. He's had a little cough and the other morning, he woke up and came up stairs all upset telling me he had a "dinosaur" in his mouth. He's talking better and better each day. He's still doing speech up at the Elementary twice a week, which he thinks is school. So he thinks he's one of the big boys.

As for Tim and I, we are just trying to keep up with life and these little boys. We have something for at least one of them every night, except Monday (thank goodness). Tim has been able to get some golfing in, which keeps him happy. We've been doing a lot of work in the yard lately, I hope that all of our hard work now, will mean less work when I'm huge and miserable. I have been extremely busy with my calling, but I love it and have definately seen the blessings that come from serving those in our ward. I am also getting excited about preschool being done. As much as I love it, I am looking forward to being a little less busy during the day. It will be nice to just let the kids play. Our family is also looking forward to June 3rd. We will find out if our baby will be wearing pink or blue. Everyone is hoping for a girl, but I'm trying way hard to not get too hopeful. I love my boys and I'm sure that one more would just add to our chaos, I mean fun....I'll keep you all updated on our findings.

My mom...

So since Mother's day is close at hand, I have been thinking a lot about my Mom...

My mom's name is Janice, she is the most kind, generous, caring, concerned, giving person I know. She's the Young Women's President in her Ward and give so much time and love to those girls. She also volunteers for Richmond City Youth Council and has overseen many things such as the 'Lil Miss pageant for Black and White Days and many other Youth Council activities. She's known as the world's best boss by all of the employees that work for my parents because she cooks meals for them quite often. One employee in particular (who happens to be Becky & Brad Wood's son) is an extremely talented singer and is in a band and my mom goes to his performances and supports him when he's in musicals quite often. Now how many bosses do you know that will do that???

Her quiet acts of kindness to other people are things that I see and know about and want to shout to the world what wonderful thing she's doing. But to her, it's just part of her and it's what the Lord wants. She wants nothing in return. My mom taught me and instilled in me a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so greatful for that.

My mom has been so willing to help me with anything I need. She takes Nic to gymnastics every week, she comes and sits with the daycare kids so I can take Josh to speech (sometimes twice a week). She comes to any game, performance, competition or event that any of my kids have and cheers sometimes louder than I do. She isn't afraid to be firm with my kids when they're naughty-which I think is great!! Sometimes she's even a little stern with me, telling me to get over my bad additude and she helps me with life's little problems. I honestly don't know what I would do without her. I rely on her so much and learn something new from her each day. She's so much fun to be around and always makes me smile. She gives so much of her time to make others feel good and rarely do you ever hear a complaint. I love my mom and hope that someday I can be as wonderful as she is.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!