February's Ups and Downs

February has not been a great month for us and thus not inspired blog entries. The kids have experienced the hard first anniversary of saying goodbye to their birth parents. It’s been amazing to see that although the kids don’t remember it’s a painful anniversary, their bodies do and they exhibit it in their behavior, memories, nightmares, and emotions. This is very normal. It’s not fun, but we’re all praying the first year will be the worst.

That said there have been some good times for us. Kaley continues to grow and learn so much. It’s fascinating to experience with her. I’ve learned the power of teaching by example from her. She now folds her arms during the prayers because she’s watched us do it for so long. She likes to get tissues and blow into them though she doesn’t like getting her nose wiped. She’s also decided that walking to what she wants is the way to go. She’s taking longer and longer trips and is pretty steady. It’s so fun to be excited for her. Her molars are coming in. She’s got eleven teeth showing and the twelfth will pop through any day now. She discovered purses and bags last week and loves playing with them and carrying them on her arm. I have loved watching her grow and learn and am sad that I missed all of this with Jacob and Makayla. Kaley still loves books and loves pulling them off the bookshelf and looking at them. It’s a daily occurrence around here.

I now call Makayla Mommy Makayla because she is such a mom to Kaley, Jacob, and all the kids in her preschool class. She’s forever telling them what to do and helping them do it. She had a bout of strep throat this month on top of everything else. It was a bit scary to wake up during the night to a crying Makayla with a rash all over and a temperature of 105.5. I’ve never seen a temperature that high. Thank goodness for doctors, Jarl, and medicine. All five of us are healthy at the moment for the first time in two months. I’m crossing my fingers and praying that it will last. When the kids dress themselves in interesting combinations I always grab my camera for a pic. Then I scrapbook them in pages titled “When Kids Dress Themselves.” Here’s Makayla’s latest fashion.

Jacob continues to do well in school. And luckily he’s been able to leave the emotion of the last month at home for the most part rather than taking it to school with him. He is the Star of the Week this week in his class. We made a poster of pictures of him that he took in yesterday to show his class. Today he’s taking a favorite story for his teacher to read to them. He chose Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain. Tomorrow he’ll take in Little Debbie Fudge Rounds to share with his class. Thursday is a questionnaire about him and Friday he’ll bring something in for show and tell. He’s pretty excited that it’s finally his turn. He celebrated his 100th day of Kindergarten with a party last week. He was supposed to dress up how he thought he would look when he’s 100 years old. This is Old Man Jacob.

One of the highlights for me this month was my nephews’ first piano recital. I’ve been teaching them since April and they are doing so well. It was a very proud and rewarding moment for me to watch them perform for their family members. I’m grateful to my parents and teachers for teaching me play, especially now that I get to share it with Ben and Nathan. And I get to use it as the Primary chorister and teach all the Primary kids about music.

February has also been a big month for Jarl. He’s decided to take his Professional Engineering Exam in April so he’s started preparing for that. March will be filled with him studying. He’ll be taking a review course every Tuesday and Thursday night for six weeks and working study time in around his job and Church calling. He also registered to run the Salt Lake City half marathon the day after the exam so he’s working on squeezing running time in as well. Here's the best picture of the three kids together we could get during 20 minutes of trying for a nice picture.

We’re looking forward to spring at our house. Jacob has been talking about everything he’s going to do once it’s spring for months now. We’ve taken the opportunity on three warmer days to ride bikes and scooters, blow bubbles, color with chalk, and play outside after school. Kaley likes pushing her walking toy around in the driveway where there’s lots of room. We even pulled out the nice wagon we got for Christmas and put it together to play with. Here’s hoping spring hurries here so we can play outside more and this week's cold, cold weather goes away.