Our Very Own New Eagle Scout

After 10 years of Cub Scouts and Scouting, Emric has finally joined the honorable rank of Eagle Scout.

Way to go Emric!

He had set a goal and made a promise to be the first Eagle in our family.
He wanted to get it at 14 years old and was well on his way, but then we moved to Texas.
And that kinda slowed things down a bit, right Emric?

But he made it!

Got his gazillion badges
 Fund-raised (THANK you Friends and Family)
Started and finished his project at the local animal shelter HERE
Aced his interviews
And last but not least, got through the paperwork!

We are
Sooooooooo HAPPY
for Him

 And only moms of Eagle scouts know how happy I am and glad it's done and over with! :)
Getting a kid through that program can be like... a 10 year birthing process!
Moms should be able to add that to their resumes!!!!

Eagle Oath

Buddy & Moms who nagged, pushed and helped make it happen!

Awesome Accomplishment! To be worn with honor...

Lovely Mentors & Cheerleaders

Eagle Official Paperwork, letters from officials, flags & Joining the Eagle's Nest

Pinning the Parents

Again Way to Go Emric!

You Got Some Nice Moves Kid!

Yesterday, Emric had a 11 dive meet. 

He is finally gaining more control over his body and losing some of that teen boy awkwardness...

Yeah!

I love to see my kids involved in good stuff! 

As I was watching the coach's interaction with the kids, 

I felt immense gratitude for good, involved, caring, kid-inspirering, dedicated teachers. 

They truly are doing a wonderful service to our kids, and play a big role in who they become.

They truly make a difference for good  in our kids lives...

Thank you! Good coaches and teachers everywhere!

Fun Run

Like every year, 

Amelie participates in the 1 mile Fun Run for 1st through 4th grades kids.

She did awesome this year!

She came in 18th place among 80+ 4th grade girls!

Way to go Amelie!

She is in a Purple Powel Shirt.

Last year she got 32d and before that 29th.

She had walked those 2 times for a bit.

This time she ran the whole time sure and steady!

Emric ran a little bit with her while encouraging his little sister...

When it comes down to it, they do love and cheer for each other.

We are Family and that is what we do!

Yeah, I know we do fight too, but not today!

Amelie's Note to Mom

******
My mom

My mom is wonderful. 

She is always there for me. 

Sometimes she can be mean like ground me, 

but i know she dose that for a reason. 

She just wants to be a good mom. 

My Mom can be very funny. 

Don't tell this to anyone but sometimes she makes me 
laugh so hard I fall to the ground, and I can't catch my breath. 

She can be awesome when she gets me clothes or pays for things I do. 

So I just wanted to point out that I'm grateful that I have her today. 

Because its quite important to have a mom. 

WHY?? 

Because she feeds you, 
gets you dressed for the day, 

packs your lunch, 
and gives you hugs and kisses.

******
Ps 
Amelie has been dressing herself for some time now...
 And making her own lunch this year!

Amelie's Letter to Dad

*****
MY Dad 

My dad is very fun. 

Sure we have some up and 

downs but we still love each other. 

My dad and I try to go on lots 

of daddy daughter dates whenever we can. 

We love to go see movies together 

we try to go every Saturday. 

We get popcorn, slushies’, and snacks. 

Whenever I go to bed when I was little 

he would tell me funny stories or stories 

about my childhood. 

I always remember the saying my dad 

always before school: 

remember who you are. 

I know that my dad will be very sad 

when I leave because he always tells me: 

Amelie don’t grow up.

*****

Better to see through

The last full day Sarah was here, 

she washed all my windows and did some yard work!!!!

Oh and washed my tile floors

Thank you so much! You realy didn't have too...

But I'm enjoying it anyways, a lot!

On the Table:

Sweet Potato cuttings. 

Put them in Water and they will grow roots and keep growing! 

Cool and Pretty!

An Awesome Girl!

I am so lucky to have Justine as my kid! As I have gotten the house ready to sell without Mike, Justine has been an inspiration, a motivator, and a helper to me at a time of need. She got me started and helped me at times when I felt so overwhelmed or discouraged. As soon as school was out, she spent hours helping me pack, organize, clean, carry heavy stuff, paint, and so much more... She has so much strength and stamina, at her age she can stick to a job until it is done, and that without complaining! She sees a need and gets to work. Just her presence has been a source of encouragement and strength for me.

She is simply Awesome!!!! I Love her so much! Thank you Beautiful for being there for your mommy! :)

Je suis tellement benie d'avoir un fille comme Justine. Elle m'a tant aider a un moment ou j'avais grand besoin. Preparer la maison a vendre sans Mike etais souvent decouragent. Des que l'ecole a etait fini, Justine m'a motive a commencer le travail, elle a passer des heures a m'aider a faire les cartons, organiser, nettoyer, porter les choses lourdes, a peindre, est bien plus. Elle a beaucoup d'endurence et de volonte. A son age elle sait finir un boulot, sans se pleindre. Elle voit un besoin et se met au travail. Elle a ete une source de confort et d'encouragement pour moi, just par sa presence. Elle est tout simplement Super! J'e l'aime telement! Merci Justine pour avoir ete la pour ta maman! :)

Our First Senior Graduation!!!

Alexi made it! But, not without a lot of work his Senior year! We are so happy for him! To tell you the truth a year ago, we were really wondering if he was going to graduate. Once he made the decission, he went for it and did everything he needed to do make it happen.

This was also the first high school graduation that I attended in my life. It was quite interesting. I think it is a nice way of recognizing these kids and the hard work they have put in their education. I got a little emotional a couple of times, when the grads clapped and stood up for their parents, and when they were officially graduated and thru their (ugly) hats. It was so good to see Alexi so happy.

Alexi a reussi! Mais pas sans beaucoup de travaille de sa part pendant sa derniere annee de lycee. Nous sommes tres heureux pour lui. Pour vous dire, on ne pensait pas qu'il reussirai apres avoire echoue 2 ans de ses 4 ans de lycee. Mais une fois qu'il a pris la decision de graduate, il c'est mis au boulot et a fait tout ce qu'il a pu pour ratraper le temps perdu.

C'etait aussi la 1ere fois que j'allais a un "graduation". C'etait tres interessant, je pense que c'est une facon sympa de reconnaitre les jeunes qui reussissent et les efforts qu'ils ont mis dans leur education. J'ai etais un peu emu quand les enfant on reconnu leur parents en applaudissant et en de levant, ainsi que quand ils ont ete declare "graduate de 2010" c'est la qu'ils lance leur chapeux (qui son moche d'aillieur!) c'etait bien de voir Alexi si content!

My Mother's Day...

Got breakfast in bed. Love the turnover that only had half of it on the plate :) My Honey forgot to spray the tray! He is not a big Cook...

Emric made me some eggs, his specialty!

Amelie made a mothers day card.

Justine gave me one of her great heartfelt hug.

Alexi mumbled Happy mother's day, after I reminded him what day it was.

Got to take a nap.

Spoke on the cam to my family in France.

Didn't need to cook.

Had dinner with not one, but two of our favorite families.

Cried a couple of times at church. I loved that our Bishop got up and spoke to us mothers after several talks on motherhood. He was so sensitive to our mixed feelings; we love being mothers, but often feel so imperfect and/or we fail too often in our roles, and/or compare ourselves with others. I heard once that we are so unfair to ourselves when we make comparisons, we take our greatest weaknesses and measure those against other women's strengths... it does us no good!

J'ai eu le petit dejeuner au lit. J'ai aime le fait qu'il manquait la moitie d'un des chauson aux pommes. Mon cheri a oublier le beurre pour pas que ca colle! :) c'est pas un grand cuisinier!

Emric m'a fait des oeux brouilles, sa specialite!

Amelie m'a fait une carte.

Justine m'a donner un de ces super gros calin...

Alexi m'a dit bonne fete (apres que je lui ai rappele quel jour on etait.

J'ai pu prendre une petite sieste cet apreme...

J'ai parler a ma famille en France sur la cam.

J'ai pas eu a cuisiner.

Nous avons mange avec pas une mais 2 de nos familles preferer.

J'ai pleure plusieur foisa l'eglise. J'ai beaucoup apprecie ce que notre bishop a dit a la fin des discours qui etait sur les roles des meres. Il a adresse le fait que le role de mere n'est pas toujours remplis de joie, que c'est dur, et que meme si on aime etre mere, cela ne veux pas dire que l'on n'a pas des moments ou on se sent faible, imparfaites et qu'on croit desfois qu'on échoue. On ne doit pas se comparer aux autres meres, quand on le fait on ne se fait pas justice car on compare nous faiblesses avec les forces des autres, on ne se donne pas de chance...

Our little ingeneer

Justine is a great little engineer. She can put together an office chair, today I had her put together the rest of a vacuum. I know that she can figure things out like that. It's like a puzzle to her! :)
Tonight Justine, Amelie I and shoveled the driveway, not an easy task! I am so proud of my 2 girls, they are not afraid of hard work, and they stick to it until the job is done. What wonderful skills to have!

Scholastic Art Show

Insane Twists. She got a silver Key Award

Pondering. She got an honorable mention

Quite the little artist! Great job Justine!

A little bragging...

Just had to mention how well our Jr high and high schoolers are doing. 

They all 3 are strait A students! 

Alexi took the ACT and scored really high too.

Alexi, Justine et Emric ont tous eu un buletin de note super excellent. 

Tous des A. 

Alexi aussi a prit un test pour renter dans les universites,
il a eu une tres bonne note.

Bedroom Makeover

La chambre de Justine a eu un 'makeover'.

Elle l'a fait comme projet de Personal Progre pour les Jeune filles.

Papi l'a aider avec les etapes, mais elle a fait une bonne partie du travaille.

Je trouve que cela pete de joie et de couleur!!! :)

Justine's bedroom got a bright makeover!

She did it as a Personal Project for Young Women.

Papi helped a little but she did a lot of the work herself.

If I should say so myself: It POPS of joy and colors!