New Year 2009

Rhyen is now in the 1st grade and she loves school. Her teacher says she quite the character. She loves reading and hates math. Her teacher told us that she takes care of her little brother, she makes it her responsibility that he gets to class. She cares about her siblings, even though at home its a different story. She has lots of friends and loves spending time with them. She is our social butterfly. She chose to take a cheer leading class at our local dance studio, she loves it! Right now her goal is to be a cheerleader.

Caden started Kindergarten, he doesn't like school as much as his sister. He just likes riding the bus. As our only boy, he is definitely doing his best to keep our home full of trucks and mud. Never a dull moment with him. The snow hasn't stopped him. He takes a break from his trucks to "push the snow", as he calls shoveling. Brodie doesn't mind the help, Caden is out there everyday pushing snow. He helps me out in the house too, he is quite the little cleaner when he wants to be.

Chloe is busy being BIG sister to Maddyn. She is constantly showing Maddyn new things, mostly the kind to get in trouble. She is taking a tap/ballet class and likes it very much. Her and Rhyen had a recital in December and we really enjoyed that!

Maddyn has been busy accomplishing milestones of her life by learning to walk, talk, and getting her teeth. She is surprising us everyday with something new. Its fun! She likes to sing, for all the birthdays this year she sang "Happy Birthday" and for Christmas she sang "Jingle Bells". She sings lots of nursery rhymes and every time she sings a new one I'm,surprised. She loves her siblings and enjoys being apart of whatever they are doing. She doesn't like to be left out, unless mom is doing something fun.

I changed roles at work this year a couple of times, I stepped down from my supervisor position at McDonalds to stay home more often with my kids. Its been quite the transition for me, but I think its been better for the kids. I'm working a lot less, I'm a part-time assistant manager, so not too much responsibility anymore at work. I'm very happily trying to accomplish being great at motherhood!

Brodie is busy being Brodie. He recently was laid off from Bolinder's, which I think was a blessing. He starts work on Monday at a new place working on firetrucks and equipment. He seems to like the idea of this new place and it sounds like the people he will be working for are better at taking care of their people, and appreciate the work they do. That will be a change for him.

We are working very hard at becoming a better family and moving our family forward. As the new year is now hear, I welcome it and look forward to accomplishing a great deal this year personally with my family.