Katrina Lawrence and her motley crew

October 4, 2011

A report from Kai's Science Teacher

I got the BEST email from Kai's science teacher today. It totally made my day!! Thank goodness for such cool teachers, he's been wonderful about embracing Kai's quirky little personality.

Hi
Katrina,

Just thought you might be interested in today's activities. Kai has been AWESOME! He came into class, saw that a prompt for a journal write was on the board, got a yellow journal sheet, read the prompt, then told me I had mistakes in my writing.

"Actually, Mr. Stafford, you should not have is, but rather, are, in your sentence." And he was right-I did make the sentence confusing.
The prompt: What is your favorite cereal or breakfast foods?

His journal entry, and I quote..."On Sundays my mom makes one of my favorit foods, frid rice. And abot a few days ago my mom got the halloween cereal boxes, count chocula, Franken Berrey, and Boo Berrey."

I did not give him any special instruction or reminders, he just did it on his own. I don't know if you talked to him today on the way out the door, but he's been an exceptional student today.

The entry was interesting because he usually ONLY writes or tells facts. Today he revealed preference, like, and gratitude for his mom.

Rick

www.4lil-monkeys.blogspot.com

September 1, 2011

Just keep Swimming

The other day I was having one of "those days".... who I'm I fooling?? I've really just been having one of those MONTHS. There's a lot I've been struggling with, sending the kids back to school (I miss them), having just Koa at home (he misses them even more), business, FINANCES, a new church calling, feeling chubby and all around just feeling really overwhelmed. I didn't realize that I'm a bit of a control freak and it's been really hard feeling like I'm drowning. I'm not used to that feeling because I'm usually so impulsive and headstrong - I'm more of a do-er and then a fixer once I screw up.

In the middle of an almost panic attack I posted the following on facebook:

"Ever  have one of those days when the words from Finding Nemo ring true "just  keep swimming, just keep swimming"....... (and the fact that I am  inspired by a Pixar clown fish puts me at the maturity level of my 2  year old"

Right after I posted it from my phone, I removed it. I hate sounding negative. These problems are mine. I hate to put them on someone else's plate. I'm a big believer in positive thinking brings positive results and me grumbling wouldn't help anyone out.

Later that night when I got on Facebook, there were a whole slew of replies to a status that apparently didn't get erased. There were words of encouragement and love. It got me teary eyed. It was nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels a bit overwhelmed at time. So it didn't take away the problems but it was nice to know that most of my friends are as crazy as me :)

Just one of those days that I love Facebook.

I wanted to save some of the responses:

Arlynn Pangilinan Lawrence Quote from Adam Sandler movies... "YOU CAN DO IT!"

Tuesday at 8:46pm · · 2 peopleYou and Amber Dawn Johnson like this.
Stacey Randolph Lawrence Uh...ya!!!

Tuesday at 8:48pm ·
Wendie Rigby So it would be bad that I have it as a ringtone than????! I wouldn't mind being 2 again..

Tuesday at 9:00pm ·
September Dawn Yep

Tuesday at 9:13pm ·
Danielle S Mansfield Um, I'm pretty sure that sometime within the past month I quoted Dori. "It's like on Finding Nemo with Dori the fish..."

Tuesday at 9:36pm · · 1 personLoading...
Rachel Whitaker Galbraith If you know me at all, you know that is my motto in life!

Tuesday at 9:36pm · · 1 personLoading...
Lisa Kallunki I have lots of days like that... Hope tomorrow is a better day for you Katrina.

Tuesday at 9:46pm · · 2 peopleLoading...
Megan Gardner Heath Anything your slcker visiting teacher could do to lighten your load?? Seroiusly??

Tuesday at 9:51pm · · 1 personLoading...
Linda Bronson True words no matter who said them. My parenting inspiration comes from Pocahontas, "Listen with your heart, you will understand." Wisdom is all over. (Even in a kid's movie.)

Tuesday at 10:06pm · · 1 personLoading...
Lindsy Stewart Cieslewicz Funny, that really is my mantra some days. I think we could start a whole moms motivational movement based on it.

Tuesday at 10:09pm · · 1 personLoading...
Katrina Galbraith Lawrence Ahhhhhh thanks girls! I actually tried to delete this post right after I posted it. I didn't realize it was still here :). But it really is nice to know that so many moms and woman I admire feel the same way sometimes. Just so you know, you all don't ever appear like you are drowning!!

Tuesday at 10:20pm ·
Tracy McCann-Ashton Almost every hour, of every day, I keep telling myself those same words. It *is* hard and one of my greatest struggles is coming on FB and reading about all these amazing things that mothers are doing for their kids and it makes me feel even more guilty for what I'm NOT doing for my kids. I knew that single parenting would be hard, but I had absolutely no idea it would mean I'd feel like a failure almost every day. Can we start a movement where we post about losing our tempers or raising our voice? I'd sure feel a lot better. The sun'll come out....tomorrow...

Tuesday at 10:28pm · · 1 personLoading...
April Webster Johnson I totally think of that phrase all the time. I even use it with my children when they are feeling like they are going to sink.

Tuesday at 11:17pm · · 1 personLoading...
Dawn Gillings My fav quote from that movie's not even useful "Fish in my hair, fish in my hair!!!" I love that movie:)

Tuesday at 11:40pm · · 1 personLoading...
Lisa Merryweather Roberts I saw a store the other day with that name. Made me smile. :)

Yesterday at 12:10am · · 1 personLoading...
Nancy Jackson I love you Katrina!!

Yesterday at 9:20am · · 1 personLoading...
Iryne Q. Escalera I'm just a call or text away mydear!!!!

Yesterday at 9:26am · · 1 personLoading...
Nancy Fish I think that's better than shouting: "Serenity Now!" I have to do that sometimes! Hang in there. I love your guts!!! Tons! You inspire me!

22 hours ago · · 1 personLoading...
Melissa Williams Bierlein I think I am in the middle of two weeks of needing that quote. Don't be surprised if I steal this status!!

15 hours ago ·

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w335/khat119/DesignA_.jpg

July 3, 2011

Dr. Maya M.D.

The other day Justus and I were in our room when we heard Te let out a harsh cough in the kitchen. We turned and looked at each other and both jumped up quickly. We knew right away he was choking.

We ran into the kitchen, Te had tears in his eyes. We asked if he was okay. He nodded and said,

"yes, Maya saved my life!!"

We asked "how?"

he said "she got behind me and pulled on my stomach!"

"she gave you the heimlich??"

"yeah she did that and then the food shot out!"

We looked over at Maya, she was watching TV. All as if she saves her brothers life everyday!

There were some angels watching over my kids that day who helped Maya to think on her toes! We are so grateful :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Welcome baby Kylie

We were so excited to have our newest niece join the family! Dallas, arlynn and makeila had a new baby:

Kylie Leilani Lawrence
July 1, 2011

It's so nice to have another baby to love. She's already part of the family.

We couldn't resist rushing right over to see her! Kai just loves babies so much, I'm sure he'll be there every day. And to be honest we probably all will!

www.4lil-monkeys.blogspot.com

Justus's 34th birthday (what a weirdo)

Yep, this is the only thing Justus wanted for his birthday - a workout at his favorite Crossfit gym - Viking Crossfit in Lindon.
He's been going there for just over a year and is obsessed with it! I've never known his attention span to last so long! ;). So after a week in California, this is all he wanted:

WOD
15 deadlifts of 225 lbs
50 sit ups
15 hand stand push ups
-3 rounds

He finished in about 12 1/2 minutes.

Just so you know, for my birthday I want a lot of chocolate and an exotic vacation :). Or an iPad would do!

Next part of his birthday, check out our new space! Now this was the expensive part of his birthday!! He's sooooo excited! He checks on it multiple times a day!

The last present was from me & the kids. They did most the picking. A variety of 10 different sour candies, lime chips, and a nerf gun he could shoot Te with (this was maya's contribution).

Not what I'd pick but he seemed thrilled :)

Happy birthday Justus! We love you!!

www.4lil-monkeys.blogspot.com

June 2, 2011

Kai graduates

I can't believe it. My oldest son is moving on to Jr. High!! Where did all the time go? And can my sweet, brilliant, daydreamer really be able to navigate the hallways of lakeridge?
I went to lakeridge 22 years ago, 22 YEARS! That sounds incredibly old but I can totally remember so much about it.

I'm so sad for him to leave his safe haven at vineyard. There have been so many amazing teachers and students who look out for our sweet little guy as he slowly meanders down it's hallways. I've always known he can't wander too far without someone there looking for him and guiding him back.
They've been so good to him and our family, it makes it scary to leave but in my dear Kai's own words,
"mom, I wish 6th grade could go a couple more months"
ME "Ahhhhhh do you wish it could go forever?"
KAI "not forever!! That would be soooooo boring!!"

My little guys ready to grow up - but am I ready for that?? Ready or not I suppose......

Maybe it's just a natural parent tendency or maybe it's a natural guilty parent tendency but watching him at the Graduation today I was filled with regret, I should have spent more time with him, he should have tried out for student council, should I have held him back??? It's all a great reminder to embrace everyday I have with my sweet little monkeys........

Donavyn (he invited kai to his first "friend" birthday party), Kai, Romissa (she was an angel, she sat right next to him in class and served as his scribe, a tutor and a great friend to poke him and remind him to stay on task)

The program

Kai really enjoyed the ceremony.......

NOT!!!

Little fart

Receiving his candy lei that the PTA made for each student!

Jaden was our biggest blessing for kai this year. He is such a good, sweet boy and has been a wonderful friend to kai! For the first time in his life kai has a best friend :). We are grateful to him (and uncle Randy & karie) to helping kai become a part of his class this year.