Personality Plus

In my efforts to keep my little boys little for as long as possible I had no intentions of sending Gibson to three school.  When his "best girl" (well, her momma) decide to try GymStarz preschool one day a week it sounded like an option I might be able to consider.  The schedule became a life saver as it coordinated nicely with one of Gabe's weekly appointments and the sitter schedule when I started working in December.  The experience was an obvious fit for Gibson to learn through movement, express himself with silly songs, experience God's love through a teacher full of grace for all kids and their unique personalities, and to work on his zoo phonics friends a bit too. Last night was his Gymstarz graduation and a perfect time for us to appreciate how Gibson has grown since his first day of school.

Not an ounce of stage fright for the Gibster as he marched down the aisle in his makeshift graduation hat and stepped up on the podium to receive his diploma (seriously? three school!? The big kids are really having a hard time wrapping their heads around all the fanfare to celebrate Gibson's 3 hours of school a week ;))

 {"Teacher, her name is not KorrIah, it's KorrAyah"}

In the graduation program Gibson's bio said he wants to be a police driver when he grows up because he likes cars and super heroes. "I'd also like to thank my parents for taking me to Disney" He believes in the power of suggestion.  This year we recognized Gibson also believes in fearlessly sticking up for the people he loves, following the rules when they really matter, figuring out where the rules are better off bent, and finding all the fun in life!

It isn't hard to imagine a picture similar to this one 14 years from now. For now though we will just look forward to the smiles and stories these two will share as they head off together on some new adventures in four school.

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Spring Forward

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Let it be Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is the top contender on my list of favorite holidays.  My love for all things frilly & friendship, pink, purple & passion has worn off on the kids and they are anxious to haul out the hearts as soon as we pack up the Christmas tree. It was mid January when we started pouring over Pinterest ideas for Valentine cards for the kids' classmates.  After much debate each of them picked something they were very excited to put together and even more excited to share with their friends next week!

{gibson is wild about animals}

{gavin is always dropping into an adventure}

{anne hope loves a good iChat with a friend}

Happy{Almost} Heart Day!

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An encouraging reminder from New Life Worship's song Great I Am.

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It's About Time

While relaxing with Pinterest recently I came across an Inspiring Word that made me sigh out loud.  Yes.

"time to create," said her Heart.

"it's about time," replied her Soul!

Just the reminder I needed that creating something  is not just a hobby.  Filling  white space, turning out words, cutting paper, mixing colors, creating.  It's heart & soul. Today didn't have space for all of my creative supplies with a house full of snow day lovies bouncing around, but I was able to digitally turn the song quote stuck in my head into printable word art.

{download}

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A Few Predictions for '13

Anne Hope

~Princess Kate will have a baby girl

~It will rain more in 2013

Gavin

~Our family will get one more Apple product (He is saving his cash for a iPod)

~When I turn 9 I will get my own pocket knife

~This winter I will really learn to snowboard even if I have to practice in the sand on the dunes

~Hopefully we will see the Titanic exhibit again when it is in Grand Rapids

~By the end of the year I won’t be afraid of cats anymore

Gibson

~I think I will get my own cowboy boots

Kevin

~We will finally replace our front door

~It's gonna be another HOT summer

~Tigers WILL win the World Series

~A former president will die

~It's obvious...everything will fluctuate, the housing market will hardly change, and the economy will stay bad.  Those are all stupid things to make predictions about now.

~We will listen to annoying one hit wonders on the radio

~I will do my best to avoid any news this year

~Daniel Day Lewis will win best actor at the Oscars for his role as Lincoln 

~Taylor Swift's dating life will continue to draw lots of attention and inspire song lyrics

Katie

~Bachelor Sean will be so entertaining that Kevin will even be sucked in to the series.

~One of our children will continue with piano.  One will continue with soccer.

~Our camper will get out more in 2013 than it did last summer

~I will unnecessarily stress over Gibson’s preschool decision and he will love it no matter where he goes.

More letting go.  Transition.  Revised Focus.

The unexpected will be a whole lot more significant than the planned!

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Predictions Check Up

Last night we took a look back at the predictions we made for 2012 to see how we did.  

~Kevin and I will take our first plane ride together
We cancelled our January trip, but enjoyed some nice family getaways close to home during the year instead.

~Taking 2 more grad classes in 2012 will make me itchy to get back in the classroom

Grad classes were a success.  Hours logged and ready to apply toward my new teaching certificate.  Whether or not it gets any use in the next 6 years is yet to be seen.

~No Royal baby yet in 2012 for Will and Kate

2012, no.  2013 yes!

~The price of gas will be over $5/gallon by late spring

Thank goodness it didn't.  Even with the prices averaging less in 2012 than 2011 our family was ready for a more fuel efficient vehicle!

~There will still be snow on the ground at my birthday (April 13)
~The Packer's will win the Superbowl
~The book Unbroken should be made into a movie.

My fact checker didn't get back to me on his predictions, but I'm pretty sure these are three incorrect for this year.  It looks like Unbroken is in the works though with Angelina Jolie as director?!

~Obama will win a 2nd term, no contest – 4 more years.

It was more of a contest than either of us predicted, but Obama stays in the White House for 4 more years.

~Gabe will take his first steps before summer 

More of a dream than a prediction we were blown away by the gift of Gabe's first steps in May and the way he continues to plow forward on his feet to keep up with his siblings.  

~We will take a train trip to Chicago

No train trips to Chicago this year, but we will encourage Gavin to add that prediction again on his 2013 list.

~I will play baseball and soccer again – 2 fun seasons

Gavin enjoyed lots of time on the field hanging out with his friends.  Quite honestly, the time with his friends is all that matters to this little guy with less than a hint of competitive nature for athletics.

~We will get a pet goldfish

Anne Hope had four little Princess fish this year.

~I will meet more friends 
~I will get a Wii game for my birthday in June ~I will learn something new in school

Yes. Yes. Yes! 2012 brought some great new school friends, Wii fun, and another anxious 1st grade reader.

~Matt Lauer will leave the Today show 
Guess not, but I still wonder about those Ryan Seacrest rumors..
~The Kardashians will finally go away 
Maybe not, but we quit paying any attention ;)

More Hope. More Courage. More Joy.
Everyday

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