Wow, time flies by and there goes 2011. As I look back on the year and the our blog, it's clear by the number of entries since March, that mom has been really busy. So here is an abbreviated version of 2011 for the Ferguson family. This will read more like Christmas Card letter than my blog post.
January started with Brooke flying the coop and heading down to UVU. It was a hard move for both Mom and Brooke. But she conquered and mom survived and then mid April she was happy to return to the chaos of family Life. She went back to her previous job at Sentinel Field Service for the summer. Grateful to have a job, but not so in love with the job itself. When August rolled around, Brooke pulled out her courage card and returned back to UVU. This time to a new apartment and new roommates. Her good friend Lauren Whitley didn't return with her, so this was truly a solo experience. In many ways the new apartment and new roommates were a lot of fun. But there always seems to be unnecessary roommate drama and unfortunately she returned home at the end of the semester with a sour taste in her mouth. Brooke plans to live at home (well her Webb home away from home) and work for the next semester. She has an application in for a Study Abroad in London, Paris and Barcelona in May. She is keeping her fingers crossed that she is accepted. She is currently a professional job seeker.
TJ began the new year with a goal of just finishing his senior year. He had been afflicted with "senioritis" since his Junior year so we all knew that this would be a tough year. But he too prevailed. He finished Davis (and Northridge High) in June. And perhaps no child (and no mom) in the history of the world was happier to be finished with High School. TJ took to ROTC classes at Northrigde High which he seemed to enjoy and he worked part time at Legacy Junior High as a custodian. When graduation time rolled around, he begged and pleaded to skip the commencement exercise. Mom thought it was important to go, TJ thought it would be a torturous waste of time. So we drew up a contract. Mom agreed to skip the graduation ceremony and TJ agreed not to grow his hair out before his mission. This was a great deal for mom since she had heard rumors that he was going to avoid all haircuts for the next year. Win... Win. 2011 was a tough year for TJ, the first half was an exercise in endurance in just finishing school. The last half the year was tough as all of his buddies left on missions. TJ transfered schools with Rusty Smith and worked after schools at Snow Horse. He took 2 classes at SLCC. But what really got him excited was the EMT class that he took from October to December. He is studying now to take the test in January. He is really looking forward to moving to Spanish Fork and working the Ambulance with Karl Webb. He needs a new start and something exciting to look forward to.
Miss Madilynne is loving life. She transitioned beautifully into 7th and then into 8th grade. She is a smart, social, soccer kickin' girl. She has really enjoyed her time playing competition soccer for Wasatch Shok. We have seen a real improvement in her soccer and she is leaving her sweet personality on the sidline and starting to really get into the game.
Steve, like Madi, loves the social aspect of school. He is a very conscientious student and an awesome soccer player. At the end of school, Steve broke his wrist (a hard soccer ball hit.) He was able to bubble wrap the cast and still play out the end of the season. At the end of the season we decided with Steve's skills he would have a better experience if he played up a year. But due to team politics and numbers... he was placed on a team well below his skill level. Rather than changing clubs, he decided to make the most of it and learn from this experience. He was invited to guest play with the A team for the park city tournament in Park City in August. Grandma, Mom, Madi, ELi and Steve stayed at a condo near Heber and we had a great time at the games. Dad, TJ and Grandpa Ike were at a dream fishing trip in West Yellowstone Montana with the Priests. They were able to make it to watch the championship game, which of course they won. Steve was a great scorer and asset for the team. Then before the regular season even began, Steve had a bad accident and dislocated his elbow and broke it in 4 places. A back hand spring in the back yard was the culprit this time. There was no way to play with this injury, but because he is quick healer after just 4 weeks the Dr. cleared him to play again. His arm was stiff and weak, but he was so happy to be back on the field again. Mom had a heart attack every time that he fell or took a tumble. A re injury of the elbow would be a bad thing. One of the elbow breaks was in the growth plate, but after a 4 hours in the ER, dozens of x-rays, a cat scan, many Dr's appointments and thousands of dollars, the elbow seems to be in good shape. Thank goodness for modern medicine. If he would have been a pioneer boy... he would have a crippled arm for the rest of his life.
Eli has grown so much in the past year. It is absolutely amazing how much a human mind can grow and developed in such a short time. If you look back to the older post that detailed what Eli knew, it is phenomenal what he has learned since then. I can even begin to post everything he can do and say. He can communicate like a 4 year old. Before he was even 2 he could recognize all his numbers...we did not teach him. He just picked them up on his own. Now at 25 months he knows colors, shapes, numbers and about 1/3 of the alphabet (even a few of the phonetic sounds.) He is sooooooo busy and inquisitive. We finally after 12 or 13 months put our chairs and bar stools back to ground level. The climbing continues but we have learned to adapt. Eli spends a fair amount of time on timeout with 10 other people around to correct his behavior. He is very good about going to the timeout corner (and every once in a while he spends more than the allotted 2 minutes because we forget about him.) He can articulate what the errant behavior was and he offers a sweet and sincere apology and kisses to finish up the time out routine. Grandma Gloria's persistence paid off and we caved our resistance to the Yo Gabba Gabba phenomenon. He is a fan in the truest sense. (Pictures will be posted) He was the cutest Muno for Halloween, thanks to Aunt Kiera's crochet skills. The Yo Gabba Gabba Live concert was in SLC two days before his birthday so we had to take him! He was equally scared and thrilled with seeing the live characters. Then to round of the Yo Gabba Gabba hoopla he had two, yes two Yo Gabba Gabba birthday parties. While Gabba still holds a place in his heart, he has a new love. Peppa Pig! The British children show about a little pig and her family. It is a calm alternative to the Yo Gabba Gabba Frenzy. We all laugh at the little "whistle head." pigs (both eyes are drawn on one side the nose...it is so strange.) Eli is the most loved baby ever. He is the first one everyone in our combined household wants to see. He reciprocates with pure delight and kisses. Just for an example on Christmas morning... all Hartvigsen and Ferguson kids slept in the family room. They were so excited to experience Christmas through Eli's eyes. They all climbed on our king size bed where Eli was sleeping. They tried to wake him up gently but he was out! Finally, someone asked quietly, "Eli, did Santa come?" His head popped up and he said, "Ya Santa!" While he is a high energy, high maintenance child, none of us can even imagine life without our delightful Eli.
The reason the blog has been so woefully under posted this year is due to the fact that I returned back to school in March. Shawn and I sat down together in early March and thought through our future. It was a sad reality for me that someday Eli will go to school and after 25 years of mothering young children, I would be alone during the day. I knew that I wanted to go back to work in some capacity at that time, but despite my bachelor's degree from BYU in 1992, I would be entering the job world with no experience and no qualifications. Shawn asked me what I really wanted to do. I said, "What I really want to do is finish my book, but since I have no idea if really is any good, it's not a realistic option." Then the idea that I have had for over 25 years of going to nursing school, resurfaced and this time... I thought maybe I really can do this. I gave up on the idea back in the day when I was scared away from the program because of the math and science (chemistry in particular.) But a few decades of life experiences has given me a little more courage and confident that I can do hard things. So we ran with the idea and I began looking into what it would take. I was ELATED to find that my math from BYU would count as the math requirements. I needed to take 5 science classes and get my CNA license to fill the pre-requsites needed to apply. So within a week, I stopped doing my daycare and I jumped in with both feet. I was able to take all the classes online through Weber and I went through them at a breakneck speed. A class about every month and throw in a fast paced 3 week CNA program. It all equals one crazy, stressed, emotionally and physically depleted, but victorious mom. I am really grateful that my family supported me and endured my "absence" and I am happy to know that after so many years, I still had brain cells that worked. I had to work much harder to get good grades but I was more willing to put in the time and effort this time. I wanted good grades! In 7 months I finished 19 credits and the CNA course. WHEW!! I am taking the last class(Pathophysiology-- a nursing program requirement that can be taken before the program starts) starting January 2, 2012. I have applied twice for the DATC's program and now I will just wait. The goal is to finish with the RN degree around the time that Eli starts school. I know the most demanding time is yet to come, but we are well on our way. I say we because it really is a family effort.
Shawn is our family rock. He holds us all together and keeps us going. He works hard at Big West Oil, loves to golf, walks and walks and walks at the mall, outside and on the treadmill. He also keeps the YM of the Webb Lane Ward organized as their president. And just this very moment, at the writing of this post, he has just clinched the back to back title for the Packer Backers in his Fantasy Football league. Way to Go SHAWN! He is quite happy that his Packers have had an awesome season. Shawn also holds the covetous position of being Eli's absolute favorite. Nothing can light up Eli's eyes as when his daddy walks into the room. All of our kids loved daddy, but Eli adores his dad and can be found at his side whenever he is home.
We have spent another fun year living with Hartvigsens. We are all amazed at how fun it has been to be together. Hartvigsens are been so good to us and we are grateful for their kindness and generosity...but it has been tons of fun too.![]()
January started with Brooke flying the coop and heading down to UVU. It was a hard move for both Mom and Brooke. But she conquered and mom survived and then mid April she was happy to return to the chaos of family Life. She went back to her previous job at Sentinel Field Service for the summer. Grateful to have a job, but not so in love with the job itself. When August rolled around, Brooke pulled out her courage card and returned back to UVU. This time to a new apartment and new roommates. Her good friend Lauren Whitley didn't return with her, so this was truly a solo experience. In many ways the new apartment and new roommates were a lot of fun. But there always seems to be unnecessary roommate drama and unfortunately she returned home at the end of the semester with a sour taste in her mouth. Brooke plans to live at home (well her Webb home away from home) and work for the next semester. She has an application in for a Study Abroad in London, Paris and Barcelona in May. She is keeping her fingers crossed that she is accepted. She is currently a professional job seeker.
TJ began the new year with a goal of just finishing his senior year. He had been afflicted with "senioritis" since his Junior year so we all knew that this would be a tough year. But he too prevailed. He finished Davis (and Northridge High) in June. And perhaps no child (and no mom) in the history of the world was happier to be finished with High School. TJ took to ROTC classes at Northrigde High which he seemed to enjoy and he worked part time at Legacy Junior High as a custodian. When graduation time rolled around, he begged and pleaded to skip the commencement exercise. Mom thought it was important to go, TJ thought it would be a torturous waste of time. So we drew up a contract. Mom agreed to skip the graduation ceremony and TJ agreed not to grow his hair out before his mission. This was a great deal for mom since she had heard rumors that he was going to avoid all haircuts for the next year. Win... Win. 2011 was a tough year for TJ, the first half was an exercise in endurance in just finishing school. The last half the year was tough as all of his buddies left on missions. TJ transfered schools with Rusty Smith and worked after schools at Snow Horse. He took 2 classes at SLCC. But what really got him excited was the EMT class that he took from October to December. He is studying now to take the test in January. He is really looking forward to moving to Spanish Fork and working the Ambulance with Karl Webb. He needs a new start and something exciting to look forward to.
Miss Madilynne is loving life. She transitioned beautifully into 7th and then into 8th grade. She is a smart, social, soccer kickin' girl. She has really enjoyed her time playing competition soccer for Wasatch Shok. We have seen a real improvement in her soccer and she is leaving her sweet personality on the sidline and starting to really get into the game.
Steve, like Madi, loves the social aspect of school. He is a very conscientious student and an awesome soccer player. At the end of school, Steve broke his wrist (a hard soccer ball hit.) He was able to bubble wrap the cast and still play out the end of the season. At the end of the season we decided with Steve's skills he would have a better experience if he played up a year. But due to team politics and numbers... he was placed on a team well below his skill level. Rather than changing clubs, he decided to make the most of it and learn from this experience. He was invited to guest play with the A team for the park city tournament in Park City in August. Grandma, Mom, Madi, ELi and Steve stayed at a condo near Heber and we had a great time at the games. Dad, TJ and Grandpa Ike were at a dream fishing trip in West Yellowstone Montana with the Priests. They were able to make it to watch the championship game, which of course they won. Steve was a great scorer and asset for the team. Then before the regular season even began, Steve had a bad accident and dislocated his elbow and broke it in 4 places. A back hand spring in the back yard was the culprit this time. There was no way to play with this injury, but because he is quick healer after just 4 weeks the Dr. cleared him to play again. His arm was stiff and weak, but he was so happy to be back on the field again. Mom had a heart attack every time that he fell or took a tumble. A re injury of the elbow would be a bad thing. One of the elbow breaks was in the growth plate, but after a 4 hours in the ER, dozens of x-rays, a cat scan, many Dr's appointments and thousands of dollars, the elbow seems to be in good shape. Thank goodness for modern medicine. If he would have been a pioneer boy... he would have a crippled arm for the rest of his life.
Eli has grown so much in the past year. It is absolutely amazing how much a human mind can grow and developed in such a short time. If you look back to the older post that detailed what Eli knew, it is phenomenal what he has learned since then. I can even begin to post everything he can do and say. He can communicate like a 4 year old. Before he was even 2 he could recognize all his numbers...we did not teach him. He just picked them up on his own. Now at 25 months he knows colors, shapes, numbers and about 1/3 of the alphabet (even a few of the phonetic sounds.) He is sooooooo busy and inquisitive. We finally after 12 or 13 months put our chairs and bar stools back to ground level. The climbing continues but we have learned to adapt. Eli spends a fair amount of time on timeout with 10 other people around to correct his behavior. He is very good about going to the timeout corner (and every once in a while he spends more than the allotted 2 minutes because we forget about him.) He can articulate what the errant behavior was and he offers a sweet and sincere apology and kisses to finish up the time out routine. Grandma Gloria's persistence paid off and we caved our resistance to the Yo Gabba Gabba phenomenon. He is a fan in the truest sense. (Pictures will be posted) He was the cutest Muno for Halloween, thanks to Aunt Kiera's crochet skills. The Yo Gabba Gabba Live concert was in SLC two days before his birthday so we had to take him! He was equally scared and thrilled with seeing the live characters. Then to round of the Yo Gabba Gabba hoopla he had two, yes two Yo Gabba Gabba birthday parties. While Gabba still holds a place in his heart, he has a new love. Peppa Pig! The British children show about a little pig and her family. It is a calm alternative to the Yo Gabba Gabba Frenzy. We all laugh at the little "whistle head." pigs (both eyes are drawn on one side the nose...it is so strange.) Eli is the most loved baby ever. He is the first one everyone in our combined household wants to see. He reciprocates with pure delight and kisses. Just for an example on Christmas morning... all Hartvigsen and Ferguson kids slept in the family room. They were so excited to experience Christmas through Eli's eyes. They all climbed on our king size bed where Eli was sleeping. They tried to wake him up gently but he was out! Finally, someone asked quietly, "Eli, did Santa come?" His head popped up and he said, "Ya Santa!" While he is a high energy, high maintenance child, none of us can even imagine life without our delightful Eli.
The reason the blog has been so woefully under posted this year is due to the fact that I returned back to school in March. Shawn and I sat down together in early March and thought through our future. It was a sad reality for me that someday Eli will go to school and after 25 years of mothering young children, I would be alone during the day. I knew that I wanted to go back to work in some capacity at that time, but despite my bachelor's degree from BYU in 1992, I would be entering the job world with no experience and no qualifications. Shawn asked me what I really wanted to do. I said, "What I really want to do is finish my book, but since I have no idea if really is any good, it's not a realistic option." Then the idea that I have had for over 25 years of going to nursing school, resurfaced and this time... I thought maybe I really can do this. I gave up on the idea back in the day when I was scared away from the program because of the math and science (chemistry in particular.) But a few decades of life experiences has given me a little more courage and confident that I can do hard things. So we ran with the idea and I began looking into what it would take. I was ELATED to find that my math from BYU would count as the math requirements. I needed to take 5 science classes and get my CNA license to fill the pre-requsites needed to apply. So within a week, I stopped doing my daycare and I jumped in with both feet. I was able to take all the classes online through Weber and I went through them at a breakneck speed. A class about every month and throw in a fast paced 3 week CNA program. It all equals one crazy, stressed, emotionally and physically depleted, but victorious mom. I am really grateful that my family supported me and endured my "absence" and I am happy to know that after so many years, I still had brain cells that worked. I had to work much harder to get good grades but I was more willing to put in the time and effort this time. I wanted good grades! In 7 months I finished 19 credits and the CNA course. WHEW!! I am taking the last class(Pathophysiology-- a nursing program requirement that can be taken before the program starts) starting January 2, 2012. I have applied twice for the DATC's program and now I will just wait. The goal is to finish with the RN degree around the time that Eli starts school. I know the most demanding time is yet to come, but we are well on our way. I say we because it really is a family effort.
Shawn is our family rock. He holds us all together and keeps us going. He works hard at Big West Oil, loves to golf, walks and walks and walks at the mall, outside and on the treadmill. He also keeps the YM of the Webb Lane Ward organized as their president. And just this very moment, at the writing of this post, he has just clinched the back to back title for the Packer Backers in his Fantasy Football league. Way to Go SHAWN! He is quite happy that his Packers have had an awesome season. Shawn also holds the covetous position of being Eli's absolute favorite. Nothing can light up Eli's eyes as when his daddy walks into the room. All of our kids loved daddy, but Eli adores his dad and can be found at his side whenever he is home.
We have spent another fun year living with Hartvigsens. We are all amazed at how fun it has been to be together. Hartvigsens are been so good to us and we are grateful for their kindness and generosity...but it has been tons of fun too.
