Monday, April 9, 2012

April 2012 Update

Rhett was recently working a temp job at Rackspace in their CFO department (Accounting). It is a web hosting company based here in San Antonio, with approximately 3,000 employees. To explain how big this company is, all I have to say is that they took over an entire abandoned mall for their headquarters…and it is the coolest place! Here is a picture of Jackson playing tetherball…next to the 2-story slide when we went to visit Rhett for lunch.


Maren - I’ve been keeping busy with kids, my calling, and housework. It never seems to end! I did take a much-needed break during General Conference to sit and get some scrap booking done. I’m so far behind…it’s driving me crazy!!! I have also taken some time-outs for myself with friends recently. Our old Primary Presidency got together for lunch the other day, I went to the midnight showing of the “Hunger Games” with 20 friends, and then I took Austin to go see it later…just the two of us. It feels so good to get away from “life as I know it” every once in awhile. In late February and in March I hosted first a Baby Shower, then a Bridal Shower. I also host scrap night at our house once per month and had several people over for dinner in the last month. Like I said, I’m keeping busy!


Austin wore his black “Spurs” cast for 3 weeks then got a new red cast on February 22nd. This was a “weight-bearing” cast, which he wore with a cast shoe for 3 weeks.
On March 14th he got his cast off and had a walking boot for 3 weeks. Now he has a couple more days of no P.E. He’s so excited to participate in P.E. again!!! It’s been three months, but it’s amazing how quickly it seemed to go by. On March 1st, Austin was awarded the “Driscoll Star” award at school. He was chosen by his teachers as one who exhibits responsibility, leadership, friendship, honesty, trustworthiness, patience, compassion, determination and perseverance. Driscoll Stars are considered role models for their peers. He was given a certificate and awarded a pin by the Academic Dean at his school. Way to go Austin!!! Austin has participated in UIL (University Interscholastic League) this year at school. They had their district-wide championship meet on Saturday, March 24th. Austin came home with 2 Fourth place ribbons for “Spelling” and “Maps, Graphs & Charts”. The competition was between all 13 middle schools in our district, and he was competing against all the 6th graders from those schools. Driscoll came in 4th overall at the meet. Austin has recently been obsessed with writing. He wants to be an author when he grows up…either while being an NBA star, or after he retires from the NBA! He is writing the first book of a series and is on chapter 35 of 39. Almost there! Austin continues to show us his many talents and is just a wonderful young man. We look forward to him turning 12 in July and receiving the Priesthood.


Logan continues to keep us on our toes. He is doing very well in the G/T (gifted/talented) program at school, but I think sometimes he gets bored in class, so his outlet is to goof-off, or not follow directions, etc. On the other hand, he is so smart and wants to be the leader of whatever he’s participating in. He is turning out to be a pretty amazing artist…and still surprises me with his awesome talent! Logan lost his 3rd tooth this morning! We found out recently that he needs some early orthodontics done to avoid having jaw surgery later. It requires that his 4 front top teeth are out & permanent ones back in though, so we need to get those ones out quickly!


Carson had some of his artwork chosen to represent Wetmore Elementary School at the Young Master’s Art Show this past weekend. It is a district-wide event they hold every year and we were ecstatic that he was chosen. Here he is with his artwork.
Carson is the one you will almost constantly see a bruise or scar on somewhere. He is our “daredevil” and isn’t afraid to try almost anything. He is constantly climbing, jumping off of things, and loves riding his bike (and trying new tricks).


Jackson continues to amaze us daily with his smarts! We have recently been teaching him to spell different things (our names, small words, etc.), but in the last few days he has shown us that he is not only spelling, but reading too! May I remind you that this kid is only THREE!!! A few days ago as we were walking through a store, he pointed at the sign above the door and said “Exit”. Then when we were at a restaurant recently Rhett asked him what a sign said. He promptly answered “hot”. This kid is crazy smart!…and has also recently learned to say/sing the alphabet backwards (thanks to his brothers teaching him). I don’t know what I’m going to do with this guy before he goes to school in 2 ½ years…he’ll be smarter than me by then!!!


Hailey keeps us smiling! She is the most wonderful baby, who smiles a lot, loves to cuddle, be tickled, loves to giggle and is just the most precious addition to our family. I can’t explain how loved she is by all…especially her big brothers. They can’t get enough of her! I think she has them all wrapped around her finger…and she definitely melts all of our hearts. My friend Maggie took these pics of her in the wildflower field near our house.


Hailey loves to eat!!! She will pretty much eat anything you put in front of her…including bugs, dirt, leaves or other nasty things she sometimes finds on the floor. I definitely have to keep up on my cleaning better with her around! Hailey turned 9-months old on March 28th and is crawling all over the place, standing up to furniture and cruising around. I bought her a new walker the other day, since we can’t find the one we had. I found this super cute one that looks like (well it is) a stroller. She loves walking all over the place pushing her “baby” around. I have even caught her standing on her own for a few seconds…before she realizes it. I’m sure she’s going to be walking within a month. On Easter, after church, this is what I found...Hailey had found the boys' cotton candy and she was really enjoying it!


Here are the kids in the Texas Bluebonnets! We've had a wet Spring, so the wildflowers are everywhere!!!

We continue to love living in the beautiful city of San Antonio, and feel so grateful for wonderful friends & our ward “family”. It’s definitely our HOME! We look forward to seeing family & hopefully some friends this summer, along with our annual Swim Team season beginning next month. Busy, busy, busy!!!

If anyone wants to take a much-needed vacation, San Antonio is a great place to visit!!!…and we have plenty of room for you to stay with us!… Hint, hint!

We love you all,
Rhett, Maren, Austin, Logan, Carson, Jackson & Hailey