Grandpa Woolley Christmas Party

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Tonight we went to spend some time with my Grandpa Woolley and have a little family Christmas party with him, Minute to Win it Style.  This year the family decided not to do a big Christmas Party so we planned some time to have our own party with Grandpa.  It was a lot of fun to go spend some time with him at his place as i don't get over to see him very often.  We were able to play lots of fun games with him. We all laughed so hard that my cheeks hurt by the time we left.  I loved being there with him, it was such a great night.

Star Student Jeremiah

Customize a slideshow This week Jeremiah has the opportunity to be the star student of the week at preschool.  They are studying the letter Jj and since Jeremiah's name starts with an Jj they will learn all about him.  He was able to put together a poster of his favorite things which we included in this side show so that everyone can see what Jeremiah loves!!  He was so excited and it was fun to see him share things about himself with his friends at school.

Christmas Tree Decorating

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Tonight for family night we finished off the Christmas decorating, with the decorating of the tree!!  The kids love to help hang all of the decorations, and they hung every last one.  I think the best part is that all of the decorations get hung in the same place and mostly the bottom of the tree.  I love that it drives Adam nuts, but who can change it after all there hard work!!

Star Student Isaac

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This week Isaac has the opportunity to be the star student of the week at preschool.  They are studying the letter Ii and since Isaacs name starts with an Ii they will learn all about him.  He was able to put together a poster of his favorite things which we included in this side show so that everyone can see what Isaac loves!!  He was so excited and it was fun to see him share things about himself with his friends at school.

National Adoption Day

To the world you are one person, but to one person you are the World!!

I believe God had a personal plan for my life before i was born.  He knew i would be raised by a mother and father who would provide for my spiritual and temporal needs.  However, i had to join my parents in a different way.

My birth mother was young with little to offer a newborn daughter.  So she gave me the greatest gift she could have given, adoption so that i could have a better life then she could have provided at that time.

My adoption was confidential, as all adoptions were back then.  But from the time i was very young my family talked openly about the fact that i was adopted.  I know it wasn't by accident that i am in the family i'm in, it was somehow part of Gods plan.

I have often reflected on the women who had the courage to give me a better life.  I wondered what she looked like, what she liked to do, what things we might have in common, and if she ever thought of me.  But honestly, these issues were mostly a curiosity and did not consume my thoughts.  What i hope for most is that this beautiful women, my birthmother whom i have never met, would know that i have an incredible life because of the decision she made.  I know her decision has affected every day of my life.

I was raised by an incredible mother and father and was given every physical and spiritual opportunity to become what i believe my birthmother would have wanted me to become.  I am grateful that my mother and father were able to be a daily presence in my life.  The relationship i have built with them stands to this day.  They have always been there for me and always will.  My four children adore them as well.

I have a strong testimony of adoption and know that it is in God's plan.  Adoption is the greatest thing that has ever happened to my family.  Today i am active in my church, a mother of four beautiful children, and a wife to a wonderful husband.  I know i have been richly blessed.  I am grateful to all of my parents for making these blessings possible.

Today, November 19. 2011, families, adoption advocates, policymakers, and volunteers will come together and celebrate adoption in communities large and small all across the nation.  This one day project was created by the National Adoption Day Coalition to share with the thousands of waiting children what this one day is like, and what it means to find their forever family.  I hope they all have the chance to find the one person they are the world to!!

Alexa's Story

Alexa works with a tutor each week on her reading skills, which she loves to do.  Her favorite thing to do with her tutor is write her own stories and they are all so cute, that i have to share them with everyone.

Alexa the Dancing Queen!

I started dancing when I was eight.  I started a little late, actually.  I don't really know when most girls start dancing but I'm pretty sure it's before they are eight.  Before i took lessons at C & C Ballet I used to take lessons at another place.  I just can't remember the name but my teachers name was Miss Chris.  I didn't really like anything at my first dance studio because when i did exercise i didn't really have enough time left to do my whole dance.

At C & C dance I love it!  I love it mostly because I have an hour to dance.  I can do my exercise and still have plenty of time to do my whole dance.  I go from 6:30 - 7:30.  I am especially good at doing leaps.  I have already memorized my whole dance.  It is a Christmas dance and I am part of the First Noel.  My costume is blue and possibly pink or purple. I will be getting it soon.  I can't wait!..  It is mostly a dress with a skinny tank top and I wear pink tights with the costume.

I love to dance because i like to move with the music and I like ballet and tap but i have to say I like Ballet more!!

Next year, even though I like dance.  I might consider just ballet or try something totally new like Jr Jazz basketball!  I want to be on my brother's team if he does it again.

Written by Alexa Jones 

Kaleb's Dance Informance

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Today was Kaleb's Dance Informance!!  What a funny boy, he is way more expressive then Alexa is, and he really gets into it.  It was so much fun to watch him Dance.  For the most part he learned the same dances as Alexa, with the exception of one more!!  Also, he really took the time this morning to pick out his cloths, as he wanted to look nice for his performance today.  He picked his favorite shirt, he is very proud of this shirt, as it looks a lot like his dad's scout shirt!!  He asked this morning when we left for school when he was going to get some badges for it!!  I think he deserves a dance badge for this one.  I love that he wants to be just like is DAD!!

Alexa Dance Informance

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Today was Alexa's Dance Informance for school.  This is an informal performance where the students share what they have been learning about in there dance class.  Our school is the only school in the district that has a dance program and my kids really enjoy the dance class.  They have learned lots of movements and dances, this program provides them with another way to learn and an oppertunity for exercise, during the school week.  Usually at the end of every year they perform in a dance festival.  This year the informances are taking it's place.  I really enjoyed doing it this way as there were way less people there and you could actually see the kids.  I hope you enjoy seeing some of the things we got to watch the kids do today.

Oh... and who knew poodle skirts were coming back???