Sweet Potatoe Baby!

They kicked us out of our house in Bagdad because Tom got laid off and the mine owns the houses and they would not extend our lease through the end of the school year as we requested. So we rented a Uhaul and moved everything into a storage unit and are now staying with my parents. Less than a week after we got here Tom got a job offer in Colorado. Right before we left Conor's teacher's (they team teach) told me that he would need to repeat 1st grade. I was shocked because he has done great in school. His Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers at his previous school told us how amazed they were with his intelligence and how he was above average academically. They even told me at the beginning of 1st grade that he was reading at a level well beyond 2nd grade and he got an award for Aceing all of his math tests. He only got 1 word wrong on one of all of his spelling tests. So naturally I was upset and nicely let them know that I disagreed. I told them that he would be in second grade next year regardless of their suggestion. Even if it meant summer school. So we got him enrolled immediately in school when we got to my parents house. Three days later his teacher informed me that she did some assesments on him and she to is shocked that someone would refer him to be held back. She said that he is in no danger of being held back and has the skills he needs to be a successful student.
At first we could not understand what the purpose of moving was, only to find out four days later that we would move somewhere else. What a pain! We now realize that if for no other reason than for Conor, it was all worth it. We are so proud of him and are so happy that he is doing well and enjoying school again. We know that the Lord guides us if we let him and even though we may not always understand his reasoning or timing, we trust him. We know he loves us and wants the best for us.

*This is a picture I took yesterday of Conor. Tom moved to Colorado a week ahead of us so while he's been up there Conor lost one of his front teeth. Tom is sad he wasn't here for it. The tooth next to it is also loose and Conor calls it his Nanny Mcfee tooth. I thought I better hurry and post a picture for Tom before the other one comes out. I'm hopeing it hangs in there till Saturday, when we see Tom so he doesn't feel like he missed out. We miss you best daddy ever!

While we've been here the kids have been without most of their toys and even though Grammy and Papa provide plenty of toys, I guess Kya needs something more. So she begged Grammy for a sweet potatoe she found in the pantry. At first Grammy said "no thats for me to eat." But who can say no to that sweet little face and request for the potatoe to be her baby. So she gave it to her and Kya asked me for a blanket for her baby. I found her a little (handmade by Aunt Joanne) dishcloth. It was the sweetest sight I've ever seen. Later it got even sweeter when Kya asked Grammy to make a pillow for her baby and once again Grammy could not say no. So now sweet potatoe baby has a pillow and matching blankie. We dread the day when Kya's baby starts to rot and we have to explain why her beloved babe will have to be thrown away.