Thanksgiving and such

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving shared with a few new friends. We ate at the Roundy's for dinner (which really was around 1 pm) and then when to the Kurhe's for dessert and games. We had a blast. Considering this was our first ever holiday away from both our families, I think it went well! Unfortunately Cole missed his nap so he fell asleep as we were driving to the Kurhe's for dessert. I am so grateful he falls asleep so easily! I loved splitting up the dinner tasks between the four families that ate dinner. I made rolls, crock pot green bean casserole (YUM), sweet potatoes (double YUM), my mom's whipped raspberry Jello, and a pecan, apple and cherry pie. Everything turned out so good-I was proud :) The pecan pie didn't set like I would have liked it to, but I guess you can't win 'em all. It still tasted good :)

The week of Thanksgiving was my first ever PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE. Man, that makes me feel old! Cole has had some difficulties throughout the year, and the teacher and I have been talking consistently about his progress. He has a hard time sharing, and using the right words. She said he has made definite progress there.

Academically he is fine, right on track. I have no worries about his intelligence. It's the social environment that he needs. That's why I wanted to put him in school as soon as possible. He doesn't have any siblings yet, so I know he's not learning as much as he could be. Things like sharing everything and being more self-reliant. Most kids, by the time they're 3 1/2, can dress themselves, put on their own shoes and socks, feed themselves and even want more independence.

Cole, I feel, does not.

SO! This is why he is in preschool, not necessarily to get a head start on his academic future. His teacher said he is a great participator and is always the first one to join her in singing. But we still have some things to work on. She has definitely seen how Cole really is. He hasn't held anything back!

She mentioned that some days are great- he's helpful, kind and obedient.

And others are just hard. Sometimes he is flat out defiant.

Hmm... knew that!

She also mentioned some other things like he has trouble walking in a line, and sitting at the table/focusing...but what three year old doesn't? Those things don't worry me so much.

I just need to figure out how to teach him obedience.

The problem is, he's smart. He's got me figured out and he knows how to work me over. I should be better about standing my ground and being consistent. But sometimes it's less trouble to give in than to fight him.

So yeah, Mom has some work to do.

We've started a reward system, since punishment obviously isn't working. Cole can earn snowflakes by obeying. When he has 3, he can play computer games or have a piece of candy. It's been going well so far. And hopefully he can fully understand what we expect of him by the time the baby gets here!

I don't mean to make Cole sound like a problem child, because he's not. For the most part, he is happy and loving. I just want to make him that awesome kid 100% of the time. I guess that's why we have 18 years to raise them, right? :)

On another note, baby CJ is growing steadily. I definitely don't feel ready. But I am starting to look ready. People ask me all the time when I'm due, like they're expecting it to be any day now. But I have confidence we will make it to Utah for Christmas and be back in plenty of time for this little guy to come. Soon things are going to be very different! For what seems like forever, it's been just the 3 of us. We had Cole 10 months after being married, and he'll be 4 in April. And to be honest, I don't remember much before Cole. Except just waiting for him to get here!

But We are so so happy to be adding another little guy to our family.

33 Weeks today!

Yesterday, we had a little water start dripping out of our ceiling fan...that is never a good thing.

Turns out, our washer was leaking. But it was sitting on a wash pan, so really, there shouldn't have been a problem. Except that in the last couple of days the weather has changed drastically-from high 60s to low 40s. So we think that caused the PVC drain underneath the wash pan to shrink and crack, letting all the water from the leaking washer drip down to the sheetrock ceiling beneath it.

We had to move the couch and christmas tree in order to take the wet panel of sheetrock down, so now the guts of the house are all exposed. What a mess! Hopefully we can get everything taken care of before Cole and I leave for Utah.

Oh the joys! We have had more house trouble in our 4 months living here than we had our entire time in AL. It would have been nice to get some of this life experience out of the way, while my handy father was close!! :) We are learning a lot, and have some great guys in the ward who are willing to help with anything. I am very grateful. We seriously had minimal tools, no ladders or anything like that when we moved. I guess I should pick up a new hobby and start collecting these things! Seems like we're gonna need it...

I can't wait to see our dear friends and family in Utah in just a matter of DAYS! I am so excited! I'm still working steadily to get Mikenzie's quilt done though. Gotta get it done before we go!

I sent out our Christmas cards the other day. If you didn't get one, I'm sincerely sorry. I did my best. If you really want, you could always print it for yourself at home. :)