Talent Show

The elementary school had a talent show. Shaelynne and Alexys decided to perform. The sang "Girls and Dads" from one of the Land Before Time movies. They made up their own actions and even worked in some harmony parts. They had to go last on the program. If I can figure out how to get my video uploaded to you tube I'll post it. Until then you only get a collage of fuzzy pictures taken off the video.

They were very nervous. They did great. They sang loud and clear and very confidently. They also looked very beautiful. I was very proud of them.

Since I think they did a pretty amazing job, I'll share a couple of comments from the audience. One of Alexys' friends mother told me that when the girls started to sing her husband leaned over and whispered in her ear "Whoa, these girls can actually sing and they are on pitch. This is worth listening to." At the end of the song he said "A program that began well and ended well. I'd consider it a success!" (His daughter opened the talent show with an amazing violin solo!) Ken's cousin told us that when the girls started to sing and dance, he thought "Impostors! I know the Mencl girls personally and they are way to shy!" They did a great job and are already working on their next performance which will be in July at the he 2nd annual Wilson Family Talent Show! Great job girlies!

Jaxyn

If you know Ken at all, you'll know this is a huge stretch for him....
We have a new member of our household.

Meet Jaxyn!

He's an 8 month old Jack Russell Mix. We adopted him from a local animal rescue shelter. We would have liked him to look more like a Jack Russell and less like a mutt but he's proving to be a very good dog. He does not chew on anything but his toys, he rarely barks, he's very obedient, he learns quickly, he almost potty trained, and he no longer barks when we put him to bed in his kennel. The best thing about him is that my kids are outside all the time with him. (except Shaelynne!) I thought my boys would spend all summer locked in their bedroom. With a dog in the house, they have not spent much time in their room at all. It's so nice to see their faces. :)

Shaelynne is very afraid of dogs and so this is very out of her comfort zone. She is doing well. She spent the first day in her room crying. She is finally able to come out of her room as long as the dog is on a leash. She will participate in with family as long as she is on top of the kitchen counter. I asked her to do dishes today. She said she would be happy to wash the counter but was unable to do the dishes. :) For the record, she did agree to get a dog. She would really like to get over her fear of dogs. It's going to take some time and lots of effort.

We decided to get Jaxon because Justyn has always dreamed of owning a dog. After visiting my brother a few weeks ago, Ken decided that we could have a dog if it was a Jack Russell. Justyn jumped all over his father's generous offer and found a dog online. The shelter was close, Zach called on the dog, they filled out the adoption application, our references checked out, and now we have a dog.

Kate's Kindergarten Graduation

Today was Kathryn's kindergarten graduation. She did great! I can't believe she is going to be a first grader next year. Where does the time go?

Congratulations Kathryn! Future Class of 2022 Graduate!

Wow! That is a sobering thought. Kathryn is a month short of being exactly 30 years younger than me. Her graduation date is 30 years after mine. Don't be in a hurry to grow up, baby girl! This mother is not ready to be that old!

In the graduation they have the students tell what they want to be when they grow up. Kathryn debated all night last night between three professions. She finally decided on a police officer! She is a "Daddy's Girl." Her other two choices were a hair stylist and a construction worker. I can't wait to see what her future holds.

This is her teacher Mrs. King. Kathryn has loved her teacher this year. She cried today after school when she realized that school really is almost over and that Mrs. King will not be her teacher next year.

Ogden Motor School

Here are a few pictures that were taken of the motor school that Ken just returned from in Ogden for the last two weeks. I will add more later.

Principal's Pride

Today Kate was awarded Principal's Pride for her class. Henry and I went to watch her receive her award in the school's success assembly.

Three basketball players from CSI were there to entertain the children and talk about success. The the three players stood at the end of the "Trail of Success" that the students walk through to get their awards and gave all the kids "high fives." One of the men was from Nairobi, Kenya. He was about 7 feet tall and with very dark skin coloring. Little tiny Kate came walking through the trail and was overwhelmed. She just stopped. Her little feet were frozen. The man thought she was so tiny and cute. He was very kind to her.


She was also very nervous about receiving so much attention but she did good. I'm proud of her.

I'm not sure what they do to actually earn this award. Alexys earned Principal's Pride a couple of months ago but I missed the whole thing. (It was just one of those days when nothing comes together and my kids pay the price.) I'm sure her medal looked just like Kate's so just imagine a girl a little taller with hair a little longer. Perfect.

Congratulations to both Kathryn and Alexys!

Dream job

A while ago, Ken was promoted to the traffic team. He loves to write tickets and take traffic reports so this was a job he has wanted for a long time. After his 4 year stint in detectives/narcotics, this was his reward.

As part of the traffic team, he gets to ride the motorbikes. So, for the next two weeks, he will be in Utah attending motor school. He is getting his certification to ride the police bikes. This is the one police assignment he has dreamed of doing since he was a little boy. One of his favorite shows was CHiP's". Now he has the boys brainwashed into loving it with him. Henry thinks he is John and Daddy is Ponch.
Here are a few pictures I took of him last fall.


He got the bike in November and rode as many days as he could until it got too cold.


As long as it was over 50 degrees, he was happy on the bike.



I just realized that is not the car he drives anymore. His third police wish was granted a couple months ago when he was given the new Dodge Charger, without a light bar. He tried to get it unmarked but no luck. I think he's spoiled! He disagrees and is having a really great time!!!


I don't have a great picture of it but here is Alexys in front of it displaying her Flat Stanley doll for an Activity Days project.

Small moments

Since I started working, life seems to fly by. I have no idea if I'm coming or going most of the time. Only things that are absolutely necessary get done. (I've determined that meals are optional though my kids seem to disagree.)

I feel like I never see the kids anymore and my time with Ken is very limited now. Any spare moment I have is spent reading text books or doing homework. I only have two more weeks of my school left though. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but I am very much still IN the tunnel.

Ken is out of town for the next two weeks so that doesn't help my sanity level at all. One day at at time...

So, the other night, Ken was working late and all the kids were asleep except Henry. I was doing homework on the computer while Henry played with his trains on the floor next to me. Suddenly, I noticed the room was very quite. I turned my attention away from the computer to discover that Henry (and ALL his trains) had gone to bed by himself .


"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Some breaths are happy, some are sad, and some are heavy laden with guilt... I need to slow down and remember to enjoy the small precious moments each day. They are guaranteed to happen, with or without me.

And I will.....

Just give me TWO more weeks.