This Week at Our House #20

Hike to Ensign Peak. Ruth had too much homework

1. John has been actively working on writing apps for android, hopefully for profit, as well as writing a book. 
2. I have been having a hard time with the legnth of unemployment and the fact that unemployment benefits do not cover all of our bills. June bills are due again, and we are just about out of our savings. I may try and find a way to make some money in another month. But, since it is June, I now have the Supreme Court decision on DOMA and Prop 8, to keep my mind occupied and away from our problems. I already have 2 articles in mind to write up.
3. Ruth had 9th grade graduation. "Just another way to celebrate mediocrity". She moves to 10th grade,which is officially high school where we live. She still has one more week of school and finals. She is looking forward to summer break and Trek Youth Conference.
4. Kate's been reading a ton. This makes me really happy, because she has hated reading for years and years. Now, she is hard to get away from her book. She's mostly been enjoying Agatha Christie books.
5. Johnny has been lying around reading books too. His first scout camp trip is now scheduled, and Johnny is very much looking forward to that!
6. Adam was back in school all week. He definitely has the end of the year duldrums. Every day he asks me if school is out yet. Adam will be in school until the end of this month because he has year round school. But, since, Adam is going to homeschool next year, he won't have to get back into school stuff until September.
7. Rachel found out that she is on track c and will have Mrs. Banks for 2nd grade. She is very excited about that because Adam has Mrs. Banks, and Mrs. Banks is fun and kind and just an all around great teacher.
8. Anya is registered and all set for kindergarten. She is on track c and her teacher is Mrs. Lund. I've heard great things about her, so that is good. So far, next school year, I will have 6 kids in 5 different schools, and 6 different bell schedules and vacations.
9. Joseph is doing better at behaving and obeying. I have been making him practice reverence when he refuses to sit still and listen. That seems to be helping him settle down a bit. Joseph loves the warm weather and playing in water. He keeps our back yard well watered.
10. Joshua seems to love trains more than cars now. He carries trains around with him where ever he goes. He also spends a lot of time looking at books and you tube videos with trains. 
11. Arwen is getting around a lot more. She has tried to go out the back door a few times, and she is starting to pull herself up. Arwen also says "mama", "da", and "yeah". Every now and then, when I am feeling depressed about all of the money we have never had and I think "What were we thinking having all of these kids?" Then I pick up Arwen, and I am just so grateful we have all of these kids. They are better than gold!

This Week's Pictures 

View of SLC from Ensign Peak

Ruth and her friends at 9th grade graduation

My mini me