Rhett spent 4 days up in Dallas for Management Training in September. He was treated very well, as they stayed at a really nice hotel and ate at 5 star restaurants or country clubs every day. As of today, Rhett has been with his new company (American Income Life) for 8 months. He recently got a new boss, who’s trying to get things up and running a little better than the previous one. Rhett was recently assigned his own office, and now has to wear suits to work every day. Good thing he has 3 of them. The life of being in Management!
I have been busy taking care of a household of boys as a single mom most of the time, since Rhett’s job takes him away from us so much. I hate to say it, but I’ve pretty much just grown accustomed to him not being around. Hopefully that won’t last very much longer. Please!!!
Primary is going really well. I have received several compliments about my Presidency & how we run things. We had our annual Primary Program on September 26th and it was marvelous! We had so many compliments from people saying it was the best one they’d ever seen. I was shocked!
I started having scrap nights at our house once a month, just to change the atmosphere and also to make it so the boys are not home alone as much on those nights, or so that I don’t have to drag them along.
Three friends and I have a kid swap that we’re doing on Tuesdays. It gives us each a couple of hours each week to be kid free, then once every 4 weeks we have 8 kids age 4 & under at our place. It’s kinda crazy, but worth it.
The biggest thing that has happened with me is that I had a needed surgery on September 27th. I have had a growth on the back of my tongue since early January, and it was finally removed. None of the several doctors that I saw ever thought it was cancer, but they wanted it to come off just to be safe. It ended up being a benign Pyogenic Granuloma. My ENT said it could grow back, but they’ll just cut it off again. Fun for me!
Austin has started taking piano lessons again. I’m trying another teacher again (this is his 3rd). I just want him to like it and so far it’s just something else that he “has to do” and doesn’t enjoy it. His new teacher likes letting the kids play fun songs that they know and enjoy, and she says he’s doing really well, so we’ll see how it goes. So far he’s having mixed feelings. If it doesn’t work this time I’m not going to make him continue.
Austin and I went to an orientation at Driscoll Middle School that he’ll be attending next year. He had so much fun touring it and trying to figure out which locker he wants. He’s very excited, but I’m shocked that I have a child old enough for middle school!!!
Logan is doing very well in school this year. Only a couple of folder marks for behavior this year vs. only a couple of smiley faces for behavior last year. He loves learning and is excelling in every subject. He is in the Gifted & Talented program again this year and we are very proud of his accomplishments. He still loves to draw & write and is starting to read really well.
Carson is enjoying our weekly outings to the park, and the kid swap group each week. He wakes up almost every morning and asks if he can have a friend come over or go to a friend’s house. Luckily on those certain days he gets his wish!
Carson & Jackson at the park!Jackson keeps me smiling. He is such a happy toddler, and loves to play with his brothers and friends, and in the Nursery at church. He keeps me on my toes trying to keep him out of stuff, but for the most part I just love having him around. In the mornings Carson will get Jackson out of his crib, and he will come downstairs, climb up onto the bed with me and cuddle. I love that boy!!!
The 3 big boys have been bitten by the bike-riding bug lately and constantly want to be outside riding either their bikes or scooters. Unfortunately we only have one bike with training wheels, so Logan & Carson have to take turns. I think that training wheels for the other bike will be on my next shopping list!
I recently took the boys to the Zoo for the first time in more than 4 years. I remember being pregnant with Carson the last time we went. Too long! We had a wonderful time and the weather couldn't have been nicer. Carson & Jackson especially had fun at the petting zoo, where they fed & brushed "Brian" the goat. Afterwards we all had a great ride on the Zoo train through Brackenridge park. What a wonderful day with my boys!!!
Atop the elephant statue
Brushing "Brian" the goat
On the Zoo trainOur ward had a fun Halloween Party on October 30th, complete with a chili & dessert cook-off, pumpkin carving contest, 2 haunted houses, inflatable jumpers, a ghost craft, cupcake walk and last but not least, a Trunk or Treat. I made Rhett, Logan & Carson some Rubik’s cube costumes, which was fun. Austin came up with his own “warrior” costume, Jackson loves dogs – hence the puppy costume from Sam’s club, and I made a black cat costume for myself with items from Hobby Lobby. Very little money, but a lot of time was spent on costumes this year. We all had a great time, then got to relax on Sunday and not answer the door or go out ourselves. It was a great “Mormon Halloween”.
These sure took a lot of time to make!
The whole family dressed up! Carson & Logan won a prize for their costumes in the Primary age category.That’s about all from us this time. We look forward to having my Mom come again for a visit in 2 weeks. We love it when Grandma comes!!! She’ll be here for Thanksgiving, which will be a nice treat for us. We look forward to the holidays & wish we could see all of you. We love & miss you!!!
Love – Rhett, Maren, Austin, Logan, Carson & Jackson
