Brace Face!

Bruce got braces and an expander on this morning. It makes me feel old knowing that I have a kid with braces. But, he's only 8. They start earlier these days to prevent more work in the future.

Here are Bruce's before pictures.

(crooked bottom teeth & top teeth separated with one in front and one in back on his bite.)

Here are the pictures from getting work done this morning.

This is the expander he has on the roof of his mouth. I have to widen it for him each day for 14days and then they check it again. It's supposed to widen his jaw and make room for teeth to come in.

The Braces

We got clear braces so you can only really see the wire.

His New Smile...for now.

Mormon Battalion 2012

It's that time of year again, time for the Mormon Battalion commemoration. We attended this last year with Robert's parents and decided to go again. We love going to Old Town, it's so beautiful there.

Grandma & Grandpa Thompson and the kids.(along with cousin Elise & Audrey)

Jane found one of her favorite things...a horse. She was so excited to pet it.

Bruce ready for the long march. I love the California flare w/flip flops and shorts. :)

Our kids. Claire had to wear this hat all day because of an unfortunate hair cut she gave herself last night. :/

It was a fun morning.

33 Years Blessed

Today I turned thirty-three years old.  As I look back on the last thirty-three years there were a few  specific things I am very grateful for in my life.

I'm grateful the Lord let me have such a wonderful mother. She has always stuck by me, through the good and the bad. When my father left, she held our family together through love and sacrifice. Where would I be without her? I speak to hear almost daily for advice and for her friendship. I love and admire her.

I'm grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know it is Christ's restored church on the earth. It has provided me with guidance and standards, and most importantly the knowledge that I am a child of God and that he will always love me. This knowledge has made all the difference in the world to me.

I am grateful for the Saviour. He has never given up on me, and  I certainly feel I've given him reason to. Even in my darkest hour when I had basically given up on myself, He put people and circumstances in my life to help me find my way. He is my friend and my advocate.

I'm grateful for my brother & sisters. I've heard the quote, "Sisters are different flowers, from the same garden." I love that quote. My sisters and I are all very different. We have a lot going on in our individual lives. But when push comes to shove, we would sacrifice anything for each other. I have been able to depend on them in hard times and I've been able to change and make important decisions with their advice. Who needs friends? I have sisters.

I'm grateful for my babies. How did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful son, and three beautiful daughters? They are my world. I learn from them each day, and find myself trying to be more like them. I try so hard to be a good mother to them so that in hard times they will always know they can come to me and that I will always love them. I enjoy being a full time mother. It is the most important job I will ever do. It is the only thing by which I think I'll ever be able to measure my success by.

I'm grateful for Robert. I know I was supposed to marry him. He loves me no matter what. I'd never been able to say that about a guy until I met him. I've never felt so secure than when I'm with him. I know that no matter where we are, apart or together, that I love him and that he loves me. It has given me wings to fly. He is my partner. I love him very much. We can accomplish anything together.

Adoption

Since June of last year, Robert and I have been in the process of being approved for adoption through San Diego County. I made a separate blog of the process we've been going through. We are now approved for adoption. I'm not sure what the future will hold in this regard but it's been quite a journey. You can click on the link below if you want to read about it.

Our Adoption Blog

Cub Scouts

A few pictures from Cub Scouts.
Bruce has already received some belt loops and his first badge.
It's tradition for the dad to hold the Cub Scout upside down while the mother puts a pin on them. Bruce had to leave the pin upside down until he did something kind for someone.

We're looking forward to another fun year in Cub Scouts!

New Year Family Update

Robert - Still plugging along with the SBA. We had a few stressful moments when the government was deciding if they should shut down this year. Luckily, Robert now works under the DC office so even if the government shuts down it shouldn't affect his job. At church, he is still 1st counselor in the Stake Sunday School. He is in limbo since there is no Stake Sunday School president right now. He's waiting to hear if he'll stay or be released. He's enjoying the easy calling. :) Robert will be coaching Bruce's soccer team in the Spring. As always, he is coming up with new business ideas on a daily basis and hoping to get back to visit Argentina sometime soon.

KaDee - I'm holding down the fort at home. I do a lot of driving back and forth from school and to and from activities. I really hope to go back to school sometime this year. I am getting my health back on track(namely, my anemia) and have seen two Dr.'s in December. I see another this month. I still work in the Young Women's program at our church as 2nd Counselor. I am learning a lot and now scared to death for my kids to become teenagers. :)

Bruce (8)- Bruce has his last competitive soccer tournament next week. After that he'll do recreational in the Spring with Robert as coach. It'll be a nice change of pace. He has been invited back to the competitive team in the Fall. We haven't decided if we'll do it or not yet.(a lot of changes and politics happening)  Bruce really loves Cub Scouts and has the best leader ever. Seriously, she is wonderful and Bruce looks forward to it each week. Bruce moved up to the Valiant 8 class at church. He is getting taller every day. At the end of this month he will get braces and a thing on top of his mouth to widen his jaw. Ouch.

Linda (7) - Linda is now in senior primary in CTR 7. Her and Bruce are really becoming great friends now. I think they've realized that they're practically the same age. It makes me happy to see them love each other so much. Linda starts a singing group next week. It's like a little show choir. She'll do that through April. I hope to get her in choir next year at school as you can start in 3rd grade. In the Fall she'll go back in to ballet. You have to be 7 1/2 to get into the class I want her in. Perfect timing. Linda will be baptized this year. She turns 8 on Thanksgiving day.

Jane (5) - Jane is an excellent reader and student. The girl crawls around more than she walks because she is always pretending to be a pony or a puppy. I really want to get her in to swimming but believe it or not there aren't many options around here during the year. We're working on it.

Claire (3) - Claire moved out of the Nursery class at church and in to Sunbeams. She is the only girl with about 7 boys. She loves that she is getting "big". She is social and friendly to everyone she meets. When I went to check on her in primary she said, "Mom, what are you doing here?" As in...I don't need you here because I'm big now. The primary president said in the middle of primary she belted out the song I Am A Child of God very loudly. :) Her teacher said she keeps the boys in her class in line and on task. Love this girl.