{Some of my Greatest Blessings....}

Call me MOM!

I really do have some pretty great kids, who need to be bragged about every once in a while!

Brock competed in his first ever Karate competition this past Saturday. Since we'd never been to one, and really didn't know what to expect, Derrick took him while I stayed home with the other kiddos. I think Brock was pretty excited to have a day with his dad. Anyhow, as we were getting everything out Friday night, we couldn't find his yellow belt anywhere. He had been wearing it the day before for class, so I was sure it couldn't have gone far.....boy was I wrong, after 2 hours of searching (it was now almost midnight) I gave up, and he wore his white belt (that danged yellow belt still hasn't turned up!). I really worried that this was a sign of things to come, but again, I was wrong.......HE DID GREAT! He took a fourth place on his Kata's (basically a choreographed routine) and FIRST place in sparring! Way to go Bud.... I love that he's found something that he really loves and does well!
Right after the kids went back from Christmas break, it was Kaleb's special week in his class. I made an all about me poster, with his help. He is such a fun kid, with the most contagious grin. When we had his pictures done earlier in the year, he decided he wasn't going to show his teeth, since so many of them were missing. Sally (Sweetly Simple Photography) caught this cute giggle, that I just fell in love with!

Kaleb's poster. It says............

My name is Kaleb Dearden. This is my family. I have one sister and one brother. I like to play my Nintendo DS and build with Lego's. My favorite foods are, ravioli, brownies and peanut butter. I like to play with my puppy Chevy. My favorite color is red. A monkey is my favorite animal and I am good at climbing on everything, just like a monkey. I also like to play at the lake with my family!

Carlie is our girlie girl. The other morning she not only wanted a dress, but she wanted her hair curled. When I finished she look so adorable, we just had to have a little photo shoot! She loves to color and draw and maybe I'm just biased since I'm her mommy, but I think she definitely has some talent there! The other day she decided to draw a little doodle on her jeans with one of her markers (thankfully it was washable). When I put her on her bed for a time out, she sobbed and sobbed.....not because she was on time out, but because I told her I was going to have to take her "colorlings" away for a few days, and that devastated her!

I am constantly amazed at how different each of my children are, not just in their looks, but also in their personalities and temperaments! They are each truly unique and I am so awed by the fact that they are mine. I'm so thankful for them and the chance I have have to be their mother. They truly are some of my greatest blessings!