The airplane has landed...

Justin arrived at the Pocatello airport last night at 10:00 p.m. He has been in Orlando, Florida for 12 days and we missed him terribly. The girls and I went to pick him up. (Zander was at Ty's birthday party and Zack was at Nathan Tolman's late-night.) The girls and I were so anxious at the airport... We are so happy to have him home.... I must say, I feel for single parents...I am glad my Justin's home!

Are you following my blog????

I have been blogging, however, I have been back-tracking. I want to use my blog more so for journaling. So, if you enter this place and think, "Lori hasn't been working on her blog..." Check the later posts. I am back dating events of 2008 so I can print them into a book.

Scouts caroling...

Last night the boys went caroling for Pack Meeting. The scouts surprised us by caroling to us. It was quite a sight to see. Travis Smith had his big white truck and he was pulling a large flat trailer full of kids. I loved that the trailer was lit with Christmas lights. Ellie and Adrie loved that they left a bag of goodies for us. When they were finished it was quite comical to see the leaders on each corner of the trailer trying to keep all the children on the trailer as they drove next door to sing to the Gibbs family. We have the greatest scout leaders!

Prayer Works

Zander has frequently talked about the Direct Writing Assessment that was going to be taking place at school. Last night he told me that it would be today, and he was a bit nervous.
Our after school conversation went as follows:
Mom-"How did the Direct Writing Assessment go?"
Zander-"It went good. Really good."
Mom-"Really good?"
Zander-"Yeah. Last night I prayed, and He definitely helped me."

The faith of a child...prayer works.

The Best Mom Ellie has ever had...

I brought home breadsticks from Papa Murphy's tonight and this was Ellie's response...
Ellie-"Oh, thank you mom! You are the best mom I ever had!"
Mom-"Ellie, I'm the only mom you ever had."
Ellie-" Well, your still the best."
Maybe I should bring home breadsticks more often...

Zan-Man

Zander is in 5th grade and likes school! (I haven’t been able to write that for a few years.) He likes being treated more grown up and he said that’s how the 5th grade teachers treat them. He is currently playing tennis, and playing the piano. He played the piano in Sacrament meeting last Sunday, November 30th, while Zack and Ellie sang. It doesn’t get cuter than that! He is also busy playing sports. This year he played soccer, baseball, and took a rock climbing class. I think he is part monkey. You should see him climb! He loves to climb trees, too. Infact, he was a little upset this summer when dad cut down his climbing tree. He did however forgive him fairly quickly when Justin built a tree house in its place. It's great! It has electricity and an enclosed slide.

Zander is a cool kid. He's fun to hang out with, still loves to read, and likes to ride his motorcycle with dad and Zack.

I can tell he is growing up. He likes his brady bunch hair-do and it is cute to watch him spend some time in the morning making sure it flips up in the back.

He helps me so much...you know the kind...first child syndrome. He is an extreme perfectionist, and always sacrificing for everyone else. Gotta love him!

My Boogalou Bear

Zack is the kind of kid that everyone is drawn to. He has many friends, he’s confident, funny, and sweet. He is in 3rd grade and his teacher describes him as being very intelligent and an extremely thoughtful boy. And he is! He is taking piano lessons and we have noticed much improvement this year. He also loves to play sports. Lucky for him, he's a natural little athelte. Recently he played football and soccer, and he is getting ready to start basketball. If we can't find Zack it is usually because he is off reading a book.

He and Zander hang out pretty much...always! I don't think Zack realizes how unusual it is to have an older brother who enjoys hanging out with the little brother.

I love that Zack still holds my hand while were out and about. He is not embarrassed of me...YET!!! I am sure that day will come sooner or later, but I hope it is much, much later.