Ode to the Veterans

Veterans Day was nearly two weeks ago, but we wanted to give a little shout out to all of those amazing soldiers who have fought and are currently fighting for all of the freedoms we daily enjoy. THANK YOU! Land of the free, because of the brave!

Seth wrote a poem about a soldier. I thought it would be appropriate to share here. It is called:

I Am a Soldier-by Seth Redd

I am a soldier.

I wonder if I am brave enough.

I hear the gun shots.

I see the enemy attacking.

I want to serve my country.

I am a soldier.

I pretend I am shooting the enemy.
I feel the bombs dropping under my feet.
I touch the trigger to fire.
I worry that I am going to die.
I cry, "Fire"!
I am a soldier.

I understand that I love my country
I say, "God bless America".
I try to do my best.
I hope we will win the war.
I am a soldier.

Thanksgiving Tree

Seth was in charge of family home evening Monday night. He found a pot, filled it with dirt, cut a branch, put it in the dirt, and even put a nice decorative rock border on top of the dirt. He taught a great lesson on being thankful and we commenced putting together our annual "Thanksgiving Tree". We all wrote down our thoughts on the leaves then went around the table talking about them as we put them on the branches. I loved hearing all the thoughtful things that my kids came up with. There were some pretty funny things too. Brig said he was thankful for a girl named Kendra. Wha!!!! I think he did that to get a rise. Seth wanted it off the tree the next day....He didn't want "some girls name on our tree".
Our family has been bountifully blessed in so many ways. It is a pleasure to live with these wonderful people!

Kiddo Update!

We are happy to report Brig and Katry both received straight A's on their mid term report cards. Seth, who is a veritable genius, also received straight A's from RHS (Redd Home School). I feel very happy that the kids were as prepared as they are for public school. That is always a relief, cause sometimes you have to wonder. However, I am also disappointed that school is such a breeze for them, cause I'd like them to be a little challenged. All the areas that they were so advanced in, are just going to slowly dissolve into their current education, and that makes me sad. I am very happy that they are doing so well, and amazingly enough, despite all of the naysayers out there, my kids are excelling socially. They have lots of great friends, and according to their teachers, they are very well liked, adjusted, happy kids. Socialization, was the number one concern I got from so many people, when they heard that I home schooled. It was, and is, my number one concern as well. There is a lot of "bad" socialization out there. So far, all is well, and we are all happy.
Brig is wrestling right now. He has practice five days a week for TWO hours. I think that's nuts. He is loving it though, that's what counts. Katry is playing indoor soccer. Her dad is the coach, their games start this week. Seth is playing basketball and rocking it. If it wasn't for him, their team would be in the tank. Seth also started the first phase of his orthodontics with a palate extender. He is adjusting well. Kaleb is learning to read and keeping us all entertained with his cute "four year oldness". Kai is the cutest baby around. Don't take my word for it- everyone says so.
The house is moving along. Hopefully, they will start sheet rocking this week. Uncle Darren, Aunt Duce and crew came up this weekend. Darren is a landscape architect, and is drawing up some fancy plans for us. Thanks Burnetts, we love you!
And that's our Update! Love and Hugs to all!

Redd Haven Rising IV

We now have windows in. Yea! The last two weeks they have put in the plumbing and mechanical things- heating duct work etc. The electrician is supposed to be here this week, but he has yet to show up. I tried taking some interior pictures- but they didn't turn out very well. Too confusing.

Anyway, here is a picture of the back. It is a walk out basement. So that is why it looks a little different on one side. Its coming along! Fun stuff.

Happy Halloween!

We started off our Halloween "week-o-fun", with our neighbors on FHE, carving pumpkins. Kaleb and Seth chose some incredibly challenging designs.

Tuesday night we had our ward trunk or treat activity. They also had a mini carnival that the YM and YW provided. Katry went dressed as a "girl on crutches." Her dad helped her out, providing a cast for her arm and her leg. She wore that for two days and was delighted to get it removed. I spotted Kaleb outside in a dinosaur/cowboy costume- riding his bike. Katry's jack-o-lantern.Seth's jack-o-lantern. See what I mean- this was tricky. As you can see- we didn't even finish it. For our actual trick or treat night Katry went as a mad scientist and Kaleb was a complete dinosaur. I can't believe it- but I don't have a single picture of Seth or Brig in their costumes. Seth was a ranger (think Aragorn), and Brig was a crazy clown. The younger kids had school off for Halloween so we went swimming and made "mummies" for lunch. Brats wrapped in dough. The kids loved them. The weather for Halloween was beautiful. We sat outside on the lawn chatting with neighbors and enjoying a lovely fall day. Kai was our love-able lion. We hope your Halloween was perfect.!