Is it Fall yet?

Here we are at the end of September already. Leaves are starting to turn, but the only thing cooler is the nights. Days are still warm with an intense sun in the afternoon. This has been good for Dale's tomatoes - the last of them are turning red. Problem is we have an unknown night time tomato eater. We have yet to figure out what kind of critter is coming in the back yard. The possibilities are: possum, raccoon, rat, or squirrel. It must not be to big because it has not gotten one from the front planter boxes that are higher of the ground.

We have finished all back to school nights. Dale and I have to split and each take a child and attend their classes. I am always amazed at the really great teachers we have at the high school. It isn't easy to live on a teacher salary here. I attended Jaelyn's classes and feel the majority of her teachers are a good match for her and will help her succeed. The only class I got to attend for Nathan is his AVID class, which he has had all four years. Nathan also has Mr. Wong for AP Gov./Econ class. I am so glad he has AVID. They will help us with college application process and financial aid process. I am thankful not to have to figure this out alone with everything else there is.

Jaden has a good teacher and is settling in to the routine. One more week and they start all day kindergarten. So one more lunch to pack. But my day should also be less chopped up. I won't have to rush through the grocery store so we can hurry to pick up Jaden on time. No matter how hard I try to keep grocery shopping to once a week, (not including Costco) they always eat through all the fruit before the week is over, so I usually have to make a Saturday fruit run.

On a tennis note, I don't have the trophy because I haven't been able to play with an injured muscle in my right forearm. :( At least it is not tennis elbow - that would take forever to heal.

On a moral note, Did I write about Dale and I walking a precinct door to door in favor of the Defence of Marriage Proposition on our ballot coming up? I was scared having never done anything like this before. I was glad no one was rude to me. Dale finished up with phone calls after spending most of a Saturday walking. He will be doing more calling this week with a new area. The First Presidency has asked every California member to help with this cause because the consequences are far reaching. The concerned is not only with morality, but the probable collision of church and state; with the state trying to enforce the law even in churches, if this doesn't pass. Needless to say in this area the proposition is not popular as it is seen as an equality, or civil right of everyone. Could get interesting when yard signs go up. Every one's prayers are needed as we watch the last days unfold.

Start of School

The crazy schedule of school has begun. ( A few weeks of ago) I am finally getting it recorded now that I have adjusted to the new semi routine; I died the first couple of weeks. Nathan and Jaelyn head for seminary every morning at 6: 15 am. We are blessed that Nathan's friend Ryan comes and picks them up and brings them home. If Nathan had a license he would be able to drive himself - oh well maybe later in the year. I do try to be up by 6 am so Jae can have some breakfast the mornings she goes straight to school. Jae doesn't have a second period class, so on Tues and Thursdays she has almost three hours off in the middle of the morning, so she comes home. Our high school has a Monday schedule with all classes, then an A or B schedule the rest of the week, with Wed. and Fri. being late days. So I have a revolving door. Nathan only has 5 classes being a senior, so everyday is a late start for him, not having a first period. This is actually helpful, because I can leave the little ones home with him everyday but Monday, while Jaden and I ride bikes to school together.
Jaden's school starts at 8:15 am and gets out at 11:35 am until full day starts in Oct. This gets interesting as Justin's preschool gets out a 11:30 am on Tues and Thurs. Luckily, there is one other girl from our ward that is at Ellis in Kindergarten. Her mom picks up Jaden and watches them on the play ground 5 to 10 min. until I can get there. I am also working in Jaden's class every other week, for an hour on Thursdays and Jaelyn is home to watch Beka.
We purchased a bike trailer to carry Justin and Beka back and forth to school. Parking is almost impossible at the school and kindergarten parents are expected to stay with their children until the bell rings and to pick them up from the teacher afterwards. They don't have any yard duty for them, so it necessitates parking and getting two toddlers out to the door. I decided it would be easier to ride bikes every morning and for pick ups on non preschool days. When Jaden goes to full days pick up will be just as bad as morning, so I will have to bike. Walking would take to long and we would be late. We will see how it goes in the winter. Jaden's school is growing to the point they are building a new wing for the third grades, because they ended up with 8 kindergarten classes this year.
Justin loves preschool and asks to go everyday. I think he is much happier, he has school time plus some time without Jaden to pester him. So I am starting to see more playing together and a little less teasing. I hope it continues to get better.
Here is also a picture of Beka roping "Noma" into reading to her. She reads a ton everyday plus improving her singing and exploring skills!