Mainely Family is our simple site to share a little more about ourselves with those who have a personal interest in our welfare....

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."  ~Leonardo DaVinci

I have felt the need to simplify my online projects in such a way that will enable me to more fully enjoy, tend, and share them. In order to do this with Mainely Family I have chosen this format to allow me to update and present both photos and communications in a simpler manner both for my benefit and yours. Previously I have felt there has been an information overload and a significant amount of time and energy required to both upkeep this site as well as for you to navigate this site. So, to keep the new theme of simplicity in mind, I'll end my remarks on the matter....

 

Please note that the Family Photos link will open in a new window using an application that may take a little time to load. If you find that it takes too long or does not function correctly please let me know. It works fine for me after allowing it to load for about a minute but I am unsure how it will affect those with slower internet connections. Eventually I will have different albums and will create another page to list these albums, but for now I've put together a few photos from the last 5-6 months all in one show. Enjoy!

 

July 19, 2010 - A lot has happened since I last wrote. Seth and I celebrated birthdays in May. It's so fun watching Seth tell people he's four years old now. Our home was turned into a bit of a mess as we planted, finished the irrigation, and continued to complete projects around the house. Kailey and Daniel continue to weed almost daily. We're still trying to figure out the best way to garden here in Utah. It's nothing like what we're used to from gardening in Tennessee. We're learning though. Well, Gene's really the master mind behind the garden, I just contribute a bit of my time and input when needed. Gene's other project is delving into his genealogy once again. He's making some great progress and is very excited about what he's learning about his family history. In June our family spent a day at Lagoon, an amusement park here in Utah. Our church Stake was given passes for free admission and discounted ride passes. It's the only way we would have been able to afford such a place with the kids. Gene had a blast riding different rides with the four older kids. I stayed with Isaac and took care of him and took pictures of the fun when I could. It was a great family day for us. The older three kids had their last day of school the first week of July. We have been on a year round schedule until then. Citing budget cuts, we are now switching to a traditional year schedule. The first day of school will be August 26th. Kailey will be in 6th grade (one more year and she'll be in middle school, yikes!), Daniel will be in 4th grade, and Owen will be in 1st grade. Owen will go to a high functioning autism class (HFA for short) and be bussed on a special ed bus. Kailey and Daniel will either have to walk, or I'll have to drive them to school every day. Another budget cut included buses in the "hazardous" walking zones. I don't feel comfortable letting them walk since it is a hazardous route, so I'll probably end up driving them every day, again (like in Orem). We'll see how it all plays out next month. About a week ago we started a point system with Daniel to try and manage a few behaviors we were really struggling with in regards to how he worked, or didn't more accurately. Nothing we said or did could convince him that work did anything for him or anyone else. The point system is set up so that he has to earn a certain amount of points to pay off his debt to us (for Lagoon) and to be able to redeem his points for privileges and/or fun stuff to do. So far it seems to be working well. Here is an image of the system we are using:

As the seasons change the tasks will change, or be added to. Also, family activities that we intend to do anyway, like the park or playing games, he does not have to redeem points to participate. Those points are to redeem if he feels like doing one of those activities and is requesting it at a time when we did not have plans to do so. Anyway, I thought this may interest some of you who are aware of the various behavioral issues we have with Daniel. This has reduced the amount of arguing about what he can and cannot do, as well as give him an incentive to pitch in and work with and for the family. Other than trying to stay cool and tackling the never ending "to-do" list, there's not much else going on to comment on that I haven't already mentioned. Oh! My mom chose to go with dad on the road during this last haul. They should be back some time the first week of August. Trucking sure is not an easy life! We keep them in our prayers daily so that they'll be safe.

 

Kailey Ann (10/24/98)

July 19th

It's all about the animals with Kailey. She really loves taking care of the chickens. They all have names and are held off and on by her as she takes care of their pen and gathers their eggs. The guinea pigs are still her first love. Unfortunately we believe Rain may have cancer. She has a large lump hanging down in front of her front leg. So far she seems to be fine, but Kailey is prepared to do what needs to be done if Rain gets worse. Kailey goes over to her friend's house that lives around the corner a few times a week. It's nice to see her making good friends. She's currently reading the Levan Thumps series and loving it. She recently finished the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series.

Robert Daniel (12/18/00)

July 19th

As mentioned above, Daniel is on a point system to earn different privileges and fun activities. This has helped him have a better summer and be rewarded for his hard work and effort. He has finished reading Harry Potter and is now reading Artimus Fowl. His favorite activity is still playing computer games. Both him and Kailey started playing Plants vs Zombies and got their dad involved as well. It was fun listening to the three of them discuss strategy. Daniel really likes to help out with Isaac. He likes to play "Pop goes the weasel" with him to make him smile. Isaac seems to really like his big brother. Daniel's anxious to get back to school. He loves to learn and show off what he has learned.

Owen Zachariah (10/29/03)

July 19th

Owen has enjoyed the start of his summer break. He loves trips to the library, parks, and store. Running is a favorite outside activity for him when we're at the park. He'll often run laps around the park once he gets a bit bored with the playground equipment. At home Owen enjoys reading Dick and Jane to me. He tries to read a little every day and is doing a wonderful job. We haven't been practicing his sight words as much, but the reading is helping him. When the day is really hot Owen loves to run through the sprinklers. Getting wet and acting crazy seems to be his favorite thing to do outside. When he's stuck in the house he plays with his cars and blocks. He's also a great builder with K'Nex and enjoys PlayDough.

Seth Leland (05/27/06)

July 19th

Seth is happy to have his play buddy, Owen, home for the summer. There is often the sound of cars and crashes and revving engines throughout the house as Seth makes noises during their play time. Seth is not outside as often as we thought he would be. He has a fear of flying insects of every kind, so he's constantly screeching when he is out since our property is swarming with flies, bees, wasps, and every other kind of insect it seems. He loves the park though since there is a lot to do and not as many bugs to deal with. His favorite thing to do is swing, which is wonderful since he used to have a fear of swinging when he was much younger. Seth really enjoys listening to Owen read every day.

Isaac Walter (01/13/10)

July 19th

Our sweet baby boy, Isaac, is 6 months old now. It's so hard to believe that much time has passed since his birth. On the day he turned 6 months he popped out a tooth and another was peeping through his gums. The poor little guy had been quite uncomfortable for months until then. He's much happier now! Isaac spends a lot of time rolling around the floor, and creeping on his knees and elbows. He even manages to get on his hands and knees and bolts forward a bit. We feel he will crawl before he learns to sit unsupported at this rate. It's about time to try and baby-proof this house. That will be a chore! Isaac is a happy boy and gives lots of grins and giggles to everyone he meets. He also screeches, loudly...