Bugger

Peyton is a mess. Being the youngest of five, he has learned that he had too choices, be outgoing or get lost in the crowd. He picked the first. Peyton has been trying to keep up with his older brothers since day one. He has always felt a need to be right there, where the action was.
Peyton does VERY well in school. Math is his stongest subject and he excells in it.
He is very social and the older kids (especially the girls) adore him. He sat last night and talked to a 16 y/o girl who is a friend of the boys during an entire basketball game.
Peyton is very affectionate and has not outgrown hugs and kisses, even in public. He will even initiate it.
Like Maddie, he too can memorize lines to movies very easily and we often get reinactments of scenes from him.
Being our last child makes it very difficult to see him grow up but he is doing it... in leaps and bounds.

Maddie Claire

Oh my Maddie!! She is sweet as pure maple syrup. She cares about the needs of others. She is a stickler for fairness. She does not like to see people treated un fairly even if it is someone who has done her wrong.
She is very bright (just like ALL of my children) but she sees the importance of good grades. She works very hard and maintains A's and B's. Our other kids say that Maddie could become President some day. While I don't think this is her ambition, I know that she could do it if she wanted to.
Maddie has toyed with thoughts of becomeing a vet or a teacher. I think she has plenty of time to decide and I know that whatever she chooses, she will be great at it.
Maddie loves to make us laugh and she can memorize lines to movies with one sitting. We usually get snippets of movies acted out for us.

Devo

Devon (Devo) is our middle child of five and for the most part has followed THE book to the 'T". He is a very emotional young man. When he is happy he is very happy, when he is sad he is very sad. I know that this will be tempered as he matures. He is very caring. He considers the needs of others. And he genuinely hurts when he hurts someone else.

Devon is VERY artistic. He is also very creative. He uses these gifts in his drawing and painting. He wants to be an art teacher and pairing his love of art and his love for children is a wonderful thing.

I see Devon being a GREAT teacher. And more importantly being a wonderful man.

Kman

Where do I start with Kristian? I see so much of myself in Kristian. He sees life as black and white. His views are very idealistic and he has no problem making sure you know how he thinks. I realize that most of what I discribed could be seen as negatives but when I stop and consider that this is the mind of a 16 y/o I realize that harnessed these could morph into some pretty good qualities as he matures.

Kristian is a passionate young man. He can't "like" something, he has to love it or he will hate it. When he loves something,like lacrosse, skateboarding, or snowboarding, look out. He will put every ounce of energy he has into doing it the best that he can. But, when he hates something, forget it. there will be little or no effort "wasted".

He, like many 16 y/o boys, wants to make the "Bens" (= Ben Franklin= $$$$). He isn't sure how he is going to do that but he "knows" that is what he wants. He is thinking of getting into graphic design (he would like to create the designs that go on snowboards and skateboards) or marketing. I think that he has the brains to do whatever he wants. I just hope that he begins to realize that.

Kristian keeps us laughing. Although his sense of humor is somewhat warped, he does like to keep us in stitches. Now we just have to teach him when to turn it off.

Liz and I have now doubt that Kristian will be successful in whatever he chooses to do in life. That is that passion. It may not be something that the "world" sees as success but doing something that you love and loving what you do are keys to success in my book.

I love you Kman for who you are,warts and all!!!

My Little Girl

My little girl is my oldest girl. She is our first born and for that she will always be my little girl. Kenz is a beautiful 17 y/o that has blossomed in the past several months. She has matured more in the last year than all the other years put together. She has become very compliant and obedient. I see so much more of a young woman in her now than ever before. She is finally getting this thing we call life. I am amazed and VERY thankful for all of the changes that God has made in her.

Mackenzie turns 18 the day after Christmas. Wow, time flies. She is doing very well in school this year. So far, all A's. She is overcoming dyslexia which continues to be a battle but she has not given up. She was honored in the 1st quarter this year as Student of the Quarter. She is in her second year of Childhood Education which is a curriculum that our school offers to those wanting to study to become a teacher. Last year she was granted an internship teaching Kindergarten. This is usually only awarded to "promising" second year students. She absolutely loves children and There is NO doubt that she will make a SUPER teacher. Liz and I are so proud of her.

This note in my blog was not prompted by any ONE thing. I just wanted to start honoring my children more. Over the next several days I hope to share with you the positives in my children's lives. I hope that you are able to see my children for what they are, GOD's blessings.