Mommy Bragging Rights

I am so proud of my kiddos this week.

In just the last couple of days:

• Landen got his California High School Exit Exam scores (kids take it every year starting as sophomores until they pass it and must pass to graduate) and he got PERFECT SCORES on it... as a sophomore!!!
• Isaac's baseball team (he's playing for Park View Little League Yankees) was the 1st seed in the championship playoffs and has won every game so now goes to the championship on Saturday!!! Whoo-hoo!
• Emma came home with the most amazing report card ever and a invitation to be a part of GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) next year!
• Maddie, mommy's baby... graduated from kindergarten!!!!! What a big girl! She is reading voraciously, tying her shoes all by herself and just has a heart that is full of love for others...I couldn't be prouder.

Thank you for indulging my mommy moment! Please...I'd love to hear YOURS! Post them below in the comments!!!

Today I saw Jesus...

Today I saw Jesus in my daughter, Emma (9 yrs old). This morning Maddie (our 4 year old) was scheduled to get four shots (she's catching up on immunizations here in the U.S.). Knowing this, Emma put together a gift bag with things she had found while packing that she didn't use anymore (or didn't use often)... a stuffed animal, a few books and a cute horse necklace (a nice one but Emma's not a jewelry girl and Maddie lives for accessories). She wrote on the note attached to the bag, " To Maddie, I love you. You did great with your shots!" She also enclosed a note that had one of her famous dog drawings and "Good job on your shots!" written in big letters across the top.

Emma went along with us to the doctor's office and spent the entire time leading up to the appointment distracting her with drawing and talking. At one point, while Emma was doing Maddie's seat belt for her (something she usually gripes about when I ask her to do it), Maddie says, "Mommy! Emma loves me!" I guess all the extra attention was sending a message! After the shots had been administered and the tears dried, Emma walked out with her to the car. As soon as they were in their seats, she leaned over to where she had "hidden" Maddie's present and gave it to her! Maddie was thrilled. She put on the necklace immediately and has been playing with everything else since. On top of the gift giving, Emma pulled out one of the books and started reading it to her in the car. It was so very sweet and thoughtful and I was so thrilled and proud that she did this on her own. I love that little girl.

Isaac graduates from 5th grade and elementary school...

Two Best Friends acting goofy and showing off their new Discovery Middle School Shirts
(left: Zach Bonek; right: Our Isaac)

Nick, Zach and Isaac with their "diplomas"

Isaac with Mrs. Nash (His teacher for both 4th and 5th)

Bragging Rights...

Bragging on Emma today... her artwork and photo are featured on Snapfish's Mother's Day Page (she drew the horse and stable picture and her photo is on the featured photo necklace on the right side of the page)

Take a look!

My baby is FOURTEEN...

The oldest... the one you learn everything with... my first baby is fourteen. He is gifted in so many ways. He's creative, funny, brilliant in a scary way but most of all he has a heart for the gospel. I love him so. (Yes, that's me with the big hair. And that's Uncle Joe holding little Landen)

These photos are when Landen got his "very own brother" (his words when he found out we were adopting Isaac) and then with his brother this week. By the way, when he was three he would beg me for that haircut... he called it a "circle head".

Brief Bragging Blog...

I am so proud of my son, Landen. God has gifted him with an amazing intellect and brilliant creativity.

Yesterday he came home from school and handed me an invitation to a Recognition Breakfast...for this morning! He apologized for the late delivery, explaining that when he received it initially he was confused because he knew he hadn't gotten a 4.0 last semester but that his teacher yesterday told him that it must be for another reason and he should attend.

So...we all got up before God this morning. I ushered Isaac and Emma out the door to catch the bus and Maddie and I, along with Landen, headed over the the middle school. Even after we arrived Landen was not entirely convinced that he was supposed to be there. I assured him that there must be a reason...maybe they were honoring the general honor roll as well as high honor roll. Anyway...long story short...Landen was honored for his I-STEP scores, Indiana's statewide testing program. He had the second highest math scores in the school (and we're not talking about a small school here), the highest score in Language Arts and a perfect score in Writing! I am thrilled for him!

Now, if we can just get him to turn in his homework...