School! And some other stuff...

School has started here in San Ramon.  I am now the proud mother of a big {tiny} 3rd grader and a kindergartner!  It is weird.

Kadie got an awesome teacher.  We are so excited.  She gives the kids hugs every morning.  She started out as a social worker, a profession that pulls at my heart strings a bit.  She discovered that she loved teaching through that.  Her name is Mrs. Smart...how much better can that get?  Kadie is loving school and has already completed a class presentation and learned 4 cursive letters.  She loves 3rd grade.  She is also doing so great at piano.  She has already started composing her own little songs.  I think she truly has a talent, and she loves it.  We found her "thing".  Yay!

Laney has another awesome teacher for Kindergarten.  She didn't get Kadie's old Kindergarten teacher, and we were sad about that because we loved Mrs. Young.  Laney's teacher is Mrs. Mochizuki...she is Australian born, and has lived all over the world.  She seems very structured {good for Laney}, organized and fun.  Laney is having over-sensory issues with the ginormous class size.  24 kids...could become 26 through the year.  So sad.  When Kadie was in Kindergarten she was so lucky to be in a looped class of 10 Kindergartners and 10 first graders.  It was so cool to have so much time with the teacher.  Her teacher truly knew her.  I am hoping among the chaos of a larger class that Laney will be fine.  But one full week of her having anxiety attacks is getting me worried.  Every night she cries and says "There are just so many kids!"  In the morning she does the same.  It took me 30 minutes to get her to go into class on Tuesday.  We made a star chart, and for every day that she goes into class and is brave {and doesn't come back out of class looking for me and Crew} she gets a star.  5 stars gets her an ice cream cone at the ice cream store, or a prize from the dollar section at Target.  I love bribery...hopefully it works...and really it is actually just an incentive because she gets the reward after she goes to class.  I feel good about the star chart. :)

Crew is having WAY too much fun bossing me around with no one else here.  He started this new conversation thing where he starts out with "So...mom..." and waits for me to say "What Crew"...then he talks in French or something that sounds like French...although I can usually make out "Buzz, Woody, Cars, Daddy, Kadie, Laney..."  He is a cutie.  He is constantly asking for kisses, hugs, and saying "I Yuv You _____!"  He says everything like it has an exclamation point at the end.  He is so enthusiastic.

Josh is back to a busy schedule...I mean wait...He is just the same.  Busy.  But we came up with a plan where Sunday nights we choose one night that looks a little less busy in his schedule for him to come home and have dinner with me and the kids.  It worked this week!  Hoping we can keep it up.  It is so nice for the kids to see their Dad during the week.  He got awesome reviews this last year, I am so proud of him.  Senior Manager here we come!

I am busy with projects of course.  Just finished wedding invitations for my cousin.  I also painted and redid Crew's room and Laney's.  On to Kadie's room {painting}, the primary program, Waldron Family Cookbook, and Children's swap!  Bring it on September!

Leisa :)

My Josh...

Happy Cinco De Mayo, and Happy Anniversary to US!

Warning: This is mushy and squishy and specifically written for Josh...ok.  I have warned.

Since I met Josh 11 1/2 years ago, I haven't seen anything in front of me except him.

After only 2 months of dating, I knew he was who I wanted to {hopefully} marry and be with forever.

There have been a few definite moments in our marriage that were almost more than I could handle, and through my craziness he stood by me.  I knew we loved each other when we got married, but I had no idea how much that could grow.  I also knew he would be a good father and husband, but I had no idea what an AMAZING father and husband he would be.

We were so cheesy when we were first together.  We spent pretty much EVERY minute together.  We wrote love notes.  We took walks every day.  We spent hours on the phone when we weren't together.  Then, we spent the hours we had together telling each other what we loved about one another.

Times have changed so much in 11 1/2 years.   I like to call it Modern cheesy!  Instead of written love notes, we send emails and texts.  I don't know what I would do with out being able to send Josh an instant message and instantly get a reply.  No matter how hard it is between work and kids, we make time in our separate schedules so that we have time together.   Then, we spend the time we do have together talking about all of the work and the kids.

I just wanted to write down, how thankful I am to have someone like Josh in my life.  Of course our marriage isn't perfect, and there is always room for improvement - especially on my end.  What I am thankful for is that Josh doesn't ever comment on my flaws, he cheers me on in all of the good things he see's in me.  That cheering is what gives me energy and makes me want to be a better wife, mother, and person.

Happy Anniversary My Josh, I love you!

Here are some fun photos through the years...

Josh travels to London

Why Hello there dear friends!

I'm a young chap from the States with a hankering for authentic fish and chips.

Why don't we travel on over to London for a bite and I will give you a tour on our way!

After that 10 hour flight I need to stretch my limbs.

Let's start our walk off at Trafalgar Square!

Look, look...look!  Over there!

Aw, you missed it.  The Queen was waving at us from Buckingham Palace!

Don't I look good next to the gold plated gates?

Right around the corner is the Tower of London Castle and the Tower Bridge!

The gate at the bottom is the Traitors Gate where prisoners would enter the castle.

My favorite song is "London Bridge is Falling Down,"  I like to do the actions and everything!

Let's sing it a round or two while we gander at the London Tower Bridge!

Some signs in London look different than in the States.  

Instead of Yield look for "Give Way"

Instead of Exit look for a sign that reads "Way Out"

And if you see a sign for a Queue...that is where you should line up.

Also, KFC is much nicer here and is two stories tall!

Let's take a picture in front of the London Eye.

You won't get me up there until I have had my fish and chips.

I don't want to get queasy now.

Do you have the time?  Oh wait, I think I hear the chime of Big Ben.

It is so convenient having a giant clock tower I can see almost anywhere in London.

You may have hear of St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Winston Churchill's funeral was held here.

Now you can see it!

 

London is busy busy right now getting ready for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Let us get some snap shots of Westminster Abbey!  Remember when Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married there?  Carla Laney does.

The city of London is three times as busy at night than during the day.

It is fun to see the city with the lights of Harrod's, Big Ben, and the London Eye.

Let's go grab a bite before it gets too late or too busy!

Ah, these pepper and vinegar fish and chips were just what I needed.

Thanks for the company around London!

Until next time!

Cheers!

Where Josh was today...

I am officially jealous.  Just look at this!   I don't know if Josh is drooling over all of the awesome architecture like I would if I was there.  All of my art history teachers would be scolding me for not hiding away in Josh's suitcase.  I am getting a passport ASAP.

Westminster Abbey

My mom will probably try to tag along if Josh goes to London again anytime soon, or in her lifetime!

Makes me miss Princess Diana just looking at it, and I am almost positive that my mom knows everything about Princess Diana.  I can't wait to see pictures of the upcoming Royal Wedding.

Where Josh is Sleeping tonight...and tomorrow...

Talked with Josh twice today...and I wish I was in London with him.  

Here is his place for the next couple of nights, not too shabby!

He left 7:00 pm Saturday, arrived 1:15 pm in London Sunday where they are about 8 hours ahead.  He slept 3 hours on the plane which meant he got in 3 hours of sleep in 32 hours. Not much different than here at home lately during this crazy busy season.

Josh saw all that he could in 1/2 day today, but tomorrow it is work work work.  Tuesday it is work work work, and then catch an 11 hour red eye to Chicago for a lay-over.  Then another 5 hour flight back to SFO.  I am not jealous of the lay-over and flights, but I am sure he will use it wisely for sleep.

I can't wait to see all of his pictures and get my prize!  He got me a prize. :)

Where Josh is Sleeping tonight...

Not like our bed, but at least it is Business Class!  In 10.5 hours Josh will be in London.
I am just a little bit envious...

He was practicing his British accent all day. :)

Merry Christmas!

This last year of 2010 was one of the fullest we have known!

Crew Boy!

• learned how to walk and immediately began RUNNING and JUMPING!!!
• words so far:

mama

daddeeeee!

Dee Dee (Kadie)

Nay Nee (Laney)

Mineeeeey! (Mine)

no no no! (while pointing his finger and smiling)

awe (putting his head to the side when something is cute)

joo (juice)

ha dah (hotdog)

• Crew also knows to fold his arms in prayer and he dances to all kinds of music
• He gives the sweetest little kisses, and he has a baby doll.
• He is a monkey and climbs on EVERYTHING, and breaks most things he throws.
• Crew stole the title of Messiest from Laney, and probably also owns the title of best tantrum thrower. We will continue watching him closely in 2011. :)

Laney

• Learned to write her first name as well as f-o-x, c-a-t, l-o-v-e, n-o, y-e-s, t-o, and m-o-m and d-a-d. She leaves notes everywhere in the house.
• She is always right at my feet when I am upset about something telling me she loves me.
• Laney LOVES flash cards. Any and all kinds!
• Laney discovered the world of girly toys and things this year. She still has a special love of dinosaurs, but she and Kadie play all sorts of princess and fairy games.
• Laney has also started "crafting" with her sister after school.
• Laney still owns the title of Most Curious child, but Crew is a close match!

Kadie

• Kadie became a big kid in my eyes this year which really makes me happy and sad at the same time. :) :( But mostly happy. :)
• Kadie was baptized this year, she pays tithing, and she reminds me now of family prayer, scripture study and family home evening. I even put her in charge of one lesson and she is a natural at teaching!
• Kadie's favorite thing in the world is NATURE. Anything and everything about it.
• Kadie changes her brothers diaper sometimes, she even offers to vacuum on occasion.
• Kadie is a WIZ at math and loves it almost as much as her Daddy. She rarely comes home missing more than one problem on her math or spelling tests.
• Kadie has even dabbled in jewelry design this year, and wears one of her most recent bracelets almost every day.
• She wants to be a mom when she grows up, and I think she will be such a patient mother.
• Kadie still wins the award for Most Dramatic in our family, and she can add a touch of Sassy to the mix most days.

Josh and Leisa

Leisa started a few new hobbies this year including party throwing and her Sassy Pepper blog. She discovered a new obsession with organizing, which doesn't last long with an 8, 4 and 1 year old. Instead of trying to be the perfect mom this year, she tried being more fun, and the kids voted to keep the fun. :) Leisa is also in the Primary Presidency as an intern... I mean, counselor. She now knows the secret to making it all work at church is just that...a SECRET that she hasn't discovered yet! :) Leisa wins title of Most Crazy, but a good crazy, not "crazy" crazy,

at least not yet.

Josh was so blessed to be given the opportunity to go back to what he loves again for a career. Josh is now an Audit manager with a full staff at PWC and absolutely loves it. His engagements include Twitter and Zip Realty! Somehow, he still finds time to play the Wii with Kadie, bake cookies with Laney and wrestle with Crew. We are back to our old schedule of working hard in the week and playing twice as hard on the weekend! I think Josh deserves the award of Most Thoughtful because although he is overworked and underpaid...he does anything I ask, even without the asking.

This upcoming May will mark 10 years in our marriage! And we plan on celebrating in style.

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that your year to come is full of joy and happiness. We also are so thankful for all of you, and most of all our Savior.

With Love,

Josh, Leisa, Kadie (8), Laney (4.75), and Crew (1.5)

What happened in Dallas...

What happened in Dallas didn't stay in Dallas.

My Josh came home a Cowboy. He finally found his perfect Cowboy hat.

After being gone almost two weeks in a row, I am so glad he is home! It was a long couple of weeks. And one very very VERY long Sunday to start it off with. We did come home from church to find little notes all over the house with messages from Dad. The girls loved it.

I'll take the real Josh over his notes any day. Glad you are home shnookums!

Job Number Three

Remember this post? It was such a sad day. 6 years at Grant Thornton. I cried that night and I think Josh thought I was crazy because leaving GT was going to be so good for our family! Leaving meant that there would be more time for us to spend time together. It felt like saying goodbye to an old friend. Although moving on was so great for our family the last 15 months, it is time again to make a change. And so we are saying goodbye to GROCO.

What I will miss the most: The short lived experience of Josh working in Danville and we were able to have lunch together sometimes - it felt like we were in a movie. The kids have seen or talked to him on the phone every single day since he began at Groco.

I also love the different ways Josh grew personally in the last year+. Josh is a Rotarian, which is actually really cool. He has become very involved in the community and always helping in service projects. Josh also became the Treasurer for Oakland Parks and Rec, and I think if anything, it made him love Northern California even more. And so the decision has been made to stay here in San Ramon! Working for Groco enabled Josh to become more than just a CPA, and learning to love life is something we will never regret.

So...what is the new job?

Josh Waldron. Experienced Assurance Manager for Price Waterhouse Coopers.

I have always known that Josh will be successful at anything he sets his mind to. He is driven, and that is something I love about him. I can brag about him because this is my blog.

I am so excited to see where PwC leads us. ( Even more excited for amazing medical benefits!)

Third time's a charm right?!?

Love you Joshy!

Goodbye GT...

Today is Josh's last day at GT.

I thought I would say goodbye with little bit of sentimental value:

First job out of college

Danville Blvd crummy apartment by the gay bar

Norris Canyon Road Condo...forced to move

Chicago

Falcon Bridge 2 bedroom condo

Bollinger Canyon Road - first Home Owned

1 broken hand from Church Basketball

Rainy New York with a broken hand and a prego belly

1 baby girl - Laney

Florida

Hawaii

First home sold

Carmel - we need to get back there. :)

Landsdowne Loop town home...forced to move again.

Falcon Bridge 3 bedroom condo...full circle

1 kindergartner - Kadie

Las Vegas shopping

Santo Domingo with guns and contaminated water

1 baby boy - Crew

6 moves

Lots of Road trips

Wonderful friends made

Six Years

20,000 + hours

Grant Thornton SF has seen us through it all. I won't lie, I will miss a lot about it.

It really is such a great company, with so many amazing people there.

But onto the new venture...

I am so excited for you Joshua James.

I know you will succeed wherever you take us.

What can you buy for $3.00?

One Radio Flyer Wagon

Yes it was $3.00...from a garage sale...and $1.00 spent at Home Depot for the missing screw.

The girls are already getting more than my money's worth. :)

I took a LOT of pictures.  I think I love this wagon so much because it is cute, red, fun...

and basically free entertainment.

Laney is discovering her love for roller coasters!

Bwahahahahaaaa!

Uh-Oh...we might need to practice sharing some more.

The End