What I Like About (and hope for) You...

In 2017 we started a family tradition 

of spending some time together the night before school, 

talking about what we like about each of the school kids, 

and what we hope for them.

It's been an awesome way to model

encouragement, observation, hope...

cuz we often live without saying these things aloud.
And we then prayed for each other.

So, I'm going to write them here for posterity!

TAYLOR LEE

Jacob notices you are good at sports things, especially throwing the softball
Jacob hopes that you still have fun even with the changes because of corona virus

Dad notices you are accepting more responsibility (like making eggs for us all in the morning)
Dad hopes that you enjoy your last year at Alkali Creek and last year of elementary school

Robbie notices you are funny and like books just like him
Robbie hopes that you will enjoy new and old friends as you finally get to see them

Mom notices you are responsive to correction and truly trying to improve
Mom hopes that your fifth grade year is a good bridge toward your incoming teen years

ROBBIE JOHN

Taylor notices you are determined and like to complete what you start
Taylor hopes that you will enjoy your new class and new-to-our-school teacher

Mom notices you enjoy facts and details and it brings her joy
Mom hopes that you encounter new levels of friendship as you go back into the classroom

Dad notices you are excited for and find joy in new things, especially the details of it
Dad hopes that you continue to learn and grow as a student when you get to class

Jacob notices you are creative, especially at building LEGOs
Jacob hopes that you have fun at recess and sit by friends in class that help you be responsible

JACOB STERLING

Robbie notices you are funny and make him laugh
Robbie hopes that you will have a fun time in first grade

Taylor notices you know how to cheer others up when they are feeling sad, even her
Taylor hopes that you'll make and enjoy wonderful friends

Mom notices you are tender meaning you're patient, kind, sweet and understanding
Mom hopes that you grow greatly in reading and come to enjoy it

Dad notices you are adventurous and like to try new things
Dad hopes that you enjoy and fit into the new Quest classes you get to be part of

Two Goods and a Bummer- First day of School

Today was the first day of school for Tay (2nd) and Robbie (Kinder)

 Second Grade!

All dressed up, hair curled,

and feeling READY for a new year!

Kindergarten!! (which is also called Grade 0)

Grateful Dad could be there for the big send-off

Last year I got in the habit of asking Taylor
to report on her school day by giving me
"Two Goods and a Bummer"

As I picked up Robbie from his first day of Kindergarten

I asked him to share with me "Two Goods and a Bummer"

and following this photo you'll find his response, verbatim!

"Well, Mom, first I don't even HAVE a bummer!

And... two goods...hmm...

One good is that I made a new friend,

but I can't remember his name,

and the other good is...

RECESS! 

It was fun cuz I've NEVER had a recess!"

He also reported that they got to visit the school library,

had a total of 5 recesses (!) and he didn't eat all his lunch.

Taylor's report was great too. (Capitalized words show her emphasis)

"The bummer is that TWO of the kids [insert their names here]

that were supposed to be in our class aren't gonna be.

One of them DIDN'T come and the OTHER one

moved to a different town.

My good was... I have GREAT classmates.

Also my good was my teacher is SO nice,

and has a REALLY good plan for EVERY day.

Like she MADE a schedule and we do LOTS of stuff."

She then reported on which days of the week she'll have PE,

who she got to see from last year's class,

and how much she loves being back at school.

And, just bonus, cuz we love him,

Jacob will start preschool in a few weeks,
but he got a photo too!

Jacob got to have a lunch date with Mom and Dad,

and spent the rest of his day with two friends at daycare at our church.

He said it was a pretty good day!

All in all,

truly one for the books!

Speaking Truth- Starting School Off Right

We decided this year to try something new

and have a little family meeting

the day before school starts,

to point out to each kid

#1: Strengths we see in them

#2: Hopes we have for this year

#3: Things we really like about who they are

I want to preserve this info,

so I thought I'd put it here and 

be able to find it again someday!

Taylor Lee Hickle - 2nd Grade

Strengths In You

Mom sees: You have empathy and care for others,
especially those that are hurting around you

Jacob sees: You play marbles and characters well

Robbie sees: You read really well

Dad sees: You truly love to read and it will
help you a lot in school

Hopes For You

Mom hopes: You will experience God's love in new ways

Jacob hopes: You will be a good listener

Robbie hopes: You will make new friends and have fun
Dad hopes: You will learn to be your own self and

make your own decisions

What We Like About You

Mom likes: How you can see the positive in any situation

Jacob likes: How you are kind to others and a good friend

Robbie likes: How you are a good helper

Dad likes: How much you like other people
and show them that

Robbie John Hickle - Kindergarten

Strengths In You

Mom sees: You can remember quotes and details
about people or characters from shows 

Jacob sees: You are good at playing transformers

Taylor sees: You are a good friend and make new friends
even when at first you feel nervous

Dad sees: You are committed to finishing things
and doing what you say you will do

Hopes For You

Mom hopes: You will find out you're stronger
than you think you are

Jacob hopes: You will make new friends

Taylor hopes: You will be a good example
for all your new classmates
Dad hopes: You will be a good helper for your teacher

What We Like About You

Mom likes: How you care well for each of your friends
and show your interest in them

Jacob likes: How you are fun to play with

Taylor likes: How you are a god friend

Dad likes: How much you love music

Jacob Sterling Hickle - PreSchool (1st yr)

Strengths In You

Mom sees: You are strong and fast and can

use your body to do what you want to do

Robbie sees: You are good at playing legos

Taylor sees: You are a kind person

Dad sees: You learn quickly and understand

things quickly

Hopes For You

Mom hopes: You will do hard things even

with no whining

Robbie hopes: You will make good friends

Taylor hopes: You will be a good friend
Dad hopes: You will have fun learning
and see how a classroom works

What We Like About You

Mom likes: How you make sound effects and 

sing songs cuz you make life more fun

Robbie likes: How you are a good brother

Taylor likes: How you have a good sense of humor

and you make things fun

Dad likes: How much you like to and want to help

Gradumacated!

in 'dis hause
we has anudder
gradumacated
fansy pants
lad fixin' tuh git
out intuh da work plase!

 

ConGRADulashuns Mr. RN!

You done good!

 

---

Last night was Greg's RN Pinning Ceremony!!!

 

This year we sat in TWO rows in an auditorium
supporting Daddy in his Pinning Ceremony!

(Somehow we all coordinated!)

 

 

And the kids were extra blessed and excited
because Anna sat between the two biggers!

 

 

 

It was a long ceremony leading up to our part
as the LPN graduates were honored first.
The kids did a fairly good job
of staying in their seats,
snacking on a few peanuts Mom had stashed in her purse,
and clapping whenever it seemed appropriate!
(Even though it was truly bedtime by the time we got up there!)

 

When it was our turn
we got to walk up and PIN Daddy and give him a rose!

 

So very very proud of this man!

 

Just hours before the ceremony
Greg accepted a job at one of our hospitals here
working on the Med-Surge floor
where patients come when they're out of surgery
but not in critical condition so they don't need the ICU.

He'll be signing a two year contract with them!

We will start after he passes his exam.

 

So what's next?
Greg will spend the better half of each week day
going "into the office"
to study for his nursing boards exam, the NCLEX.
He will find out his test date in early January.
And he will likely test in early February.

And then he'll start all that it entails to be a working man!

We want to say thank you to YOU for
your prayers and support,
your encouragement and friendship
as we've made it through these schooling years.

And to both of our parents, who
have been ultra supportive of this endeavor
and so generous to help us through it!

We are grateful and blessed!

 

Thank you!

 

Without a doubt
we have seen God confirm for us
that this is where He has wanted us all along!

We praise Him for His provision
as we see His hand through it all!
Thank you Lord!

 

 



Pinned

As some of you may have seen on Facebook,
we got all dressed up on Friday evening
to head over to Daddy's school
and celebrate his accomplishment of becoming an LPN!!
Wahoo Daddy!!

So when Robbie came out of his room all dressed up
Taylor exclaimed,
"Robbie, you look SO Hamson!"
(rhymes with Samson)

Daddy was selected to give an address
on behalf of his class
and it was quite phenomenal!

To say I am proud
feels like an understatement!

Love you Babe!!

It was my privilege
to get to pin Greg as an LPN
and the kids "helped" =)

And Grandma and Grandpa got to be there for it
(just minutes afterward they headed for the airport
for a week of warm vacation in Las Vegas!)

And Great Grandpa Robbie and Grandma Peggy
came to support Greg and celebrate with us!

These kiddos are PROUD of their Daddy!!

And this wife is beaming too!

Proud!

Proud wife, here, signing in to tell you
about my incredible husband,
and his accomplishment of finishing his LPN program!
He will be "Pinned" as an LPN this Friday night,
and the kids and I will get to do it!

Here's a picture of the LPN Class of Fall 2013

He's been selected by his classmates as the speaker for the ceremony.

He's not sure if that's an honor or a duty,
but he's willing to do it! =)

So very proud of him!

And then next Tuesday he takes an exam
for his application for the RN program,
and will find out over Christmas break if (more like when)
he's made it into that program.

Lord,
thank you for your faithfulness
in walking with us through these long semesters,
in helping Greg keep focused and disciplined,
and in confirming over and over again that this is the right field for Greg!

Amen!

The Zoo & My School Girl

A few weeks ago Taylor started school!

She has been anticipating this day
for QUITE some time
and was STOKED when Daddy let her know
we'd be taking her to school now!

She goes on Tues and Thurs mornings
for two and a half hours,
is walking distance from our home
(although we'll be driving in weather like this week)
and she has 9 classmates in her class.
She LOVES her two teachers,
ADORES getting to bring home her 'homework',
CHERISHES the opportunity to be with other kids,
RELISHES in telling us all she learned that day,
DELIGHTS in creating crafts and bringing them home,
FLIPS for the fact that she gets to go back next time,
and is CRAZY about bringing home her library book
and then returning it the next week.

While she's gone Robbie and I really miss her.

But I've truly enjoyed the time with my boys,
and I think Robbie is enjoying getting to choose our activities,
and doting on his baby brother all by himself.

Last week Grandma and Mommy
took the three kiddos to the zoo
just for some fun outdoor time,
and to beat the weather that would come this week!

A local farm donated a 771 pound pumpkin for display!

The zoo staff decorated some of the paths
with Halloween-y cut outs and scarecrows!

(Taylor was not amused by how cold it was
and wouldn't smile for the camera!)

Robbie really liked the scarecrows!

He has several words that all kind of sound like "Cracker":
Jacob: Yay-cuh
Tractor: Cung-ker
Soccer Ball: Cuh-cuh Ball
Tinkerbell: Cung-ker-bell
One of his latest words is Pumpkin: Cung-cuh

And scarecrow is: Coh

My Farmer boy and his cow

One of my favorite things about our zoo

is that we get to walk these gorgeous paths
from one animal to the next
and truly feel you're out in nature!

Aww, the zoo!

Thank you Gary and Kathy for our membership!

I'm truly grateful for it on so many levels!