Iowa

So, this is the reason for my blogging absence......

We sold our home and moved to Iowa.

It's been hard.  I miss Utah.

I miss my friends, my family, my old routine, my old home, our sweet neighbor, "Grandma June"

and the kids miss their friends. 

We had many, many, hard goodbyes and we packed up all of our belongings.

 Carter rode shotgun in the U-Haul the entire 1160 miles.

Life in Iowa is different.  Not better, not worse, just different.

I am sure it will take some getting use to.

We are settling into our home. 

Slowly and surely it is starting to feel more like our home.  

Nadya celebrated her 5th Gotcha Day!

The kids started school and we took our traditional first day of school Photos.

They all seem to be settling in, but Alex has definitely had the hardest time.

The girls played Volleyball and really enjoyed it.

It's different being at such a small school.  Everyone is involved with everything!

The kids tend to spend more time outside.  

The boys enjoyed helping Dad and Grandpa with Fall Harvest.

And Carter was the first second grader to be selected for Student of the Month!

So proud!

I've skipped over a lot, but that highlights most of August and September!

Many Trees

I got an email notifying me that Carter had won honorable mention in the reflections contest at school and would be receiving an award during an assembly and parents were invited to come.   I didn't tell Carter about the award because I wasn't quite sure if parents were to share that piece of information or not.   Plus, I thought it would be a fun surprise for him.  He happened to be the first one called up so it was a bit of a surprise and I don't think he understood that he should walk up to the front to receive his award.  They announced his name and then said, "Carter Johnson, is Carter Johnson here?"  Then he realized he was supposed to go up to get his award.  So, he did.

The topic was "Diversity Means...." and Carter wrote  about trees.  Quite appropriate considering he shares his Dad's love of all things green. So, so cute!

And it was really quite an honor to receive honorable mention.  They only had two winners from each grade level for each category and Carter was one of the two in Literature for first grade.  His school also had the most entries from the entire district.  

He received a certificate, jelly beans, an award, lunch at Chick Fil-A, and a two dollar bill! 

Happy, Happy, Boy!!!!!

Great Job Carter!!!!!!!

End of Year Awards

Nadya was presented with an awesome award at the end of the year awards assembly.

I was bummed that I was not present to see it first hand. 

(I had no clue she was getting it, or I would have been there!)

She received an award for being on the High Honor Roll all year long. 

 AMAZING!

Literally, three years ago she could not speak a word of English

and look at her now!!!!!!

(okay, I am pretty sure she could say, "Chase me!"  

They all could.  They loved to be chased!)

 

On the last day of school, her teacher pulled me aside to tell me about Nadya's award.

She told me that Nadya was not only on the high honor roll,

but she had the third highest grades in the class, 

however, Nadya works harder than anyone else. 
It brought tears to my eyes.  

It still does.

I know she is a hard worker, but when I think about all this 

little girl has been through I am completely taken back. 
It would seem natural for her to have given up. 
But, not our Nadya Mae.

She works hard for everything.

She is a go-getter.  

My competitive one.

And thank god for that.

After all, it is the reason she does so well when most would just say enough.  

I am so proud of her. 

She also got a silver reading award for her reading minutes too. 
Great Job Nadya!!!!!!!!

Cute Hallie got an award from her teacher for being the deepest thinker and loudest burber!

(apparently, she accidentally burped in class and it was a good one!)

I love that she gave her the deepest thinker award.

All year long her teacher has made remarks about the good questions

that Hallie will ask and the awesome connections she makes.

Hallie should have had a reading award too, because

she did the reading, but she failed to turn in all of her reading calendars.

Hopefully, it was a lesson learned.  

Great Job Hallie Jo!

We are so proud of you!

(Even if you are a loud burper!)