And it has hit!

Tyler came home from school last Thursday with a fever and just wasn't feeling very good. Sunday Kaleb came down with it. Today I was volunteering in Derek's class. When I called him back to do his Math facts test he said he wasn't feeling very good. As I finished up I asked him how he was feeling and he said he still wasn't feeling good. I took him to the office to see what his temperature was, 100.7. Dang it all! That's three of them now, and I'm feeling under the weather, too! I'm just waiting for Logan to say he's not feeling well, and Will keeps saying he needs to get out of this illness ridden home. :) I sprayed everywhere I could with Lysol when I got home to hopefully kill some of these icky germs.

I get a daily inspirational quote sent to me from the Biggest Loser site. It's amazing how many times it coincides with what I am dealing with day to day. Here's one from yesterday:

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."

– Virginia Satir

Oooooh these words are so true for our family right now. We're just trying to make the best of our days. I keep looking for the good as the days go by. We are blessed in so many ways. I am so grateful for my amazing family! I am blessed to have the joy of the gospel in my soul. We have a piano in our home to help us strengthen our talents and expand our knowledge. I love having a piano to play whenever I feel like playing! We are keeping it for a friend while she is living in Hawaii for a few years. Yay for pianos!!

Better late than never, right?

Ok, so Derek turned 8 July 3rd. I am way late in posting about it, but it was such a busy time and such an important birthday, it's worth posting late. We went down to New Orleans the week before his birthday and had a great time with our family and Mom and Dad Scott. We got home the day before his birthday. On Saturday our community had a 3rd of July bike parade for all the kids in the neighborhood. The boys had a blast participating in that parade! We then made preparations for Derek's baptism to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's so neat to now have two children that have been able to be baptized on their birthday (Kaleb was, too). Mom and Dad Scott, Papa Whited, and his cousin Colby were able to travel from afar to be at his baptism. Derek loved having his loved ones here for him. After his baptism we ate somewhere that is escaping my memory right now and headed home for cake, ice cream and dessert. When evening fell we had a bit of a firework demonstration, as well. It was way cool! :) We had an amazing day! I am so proud of Derek and the wonderful young man he is becoming. He's a joy to have in our family and I feel lucky to be his mom!

Here's 8 reasons I love my Derek:
1. His spontaneity in some of the things he says.
2. How he keeps growing older without looking much older.
3. His entrepreneurial spirit, following his daddy's footsteps.
4. The way he loves everyone unconditionally.
5. His huge personality.
6. His tender heart and brilliant mind.
7. How his laugh is so contagious.
8. What a spiritual giant he is becoming.

I love you so much Derek! Don't ever change for anybody!!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

K ind
A mazing
L oving
E nergetic
B rave



T errific
Y earns for
L aughter
E xcellent
R ighteous



D arling
E nthusiastic
R adical
E ccentric
K isses



L oveable
O utgoing
G iant hugs
A nimated
N aturally sweet



D etermined
A miable
D riven
&
M eticulous
O utstanding
M usical




This has been a crazy year, to say the least. There have been a few life changing events occur in our lives since moving to Nashville. TurnItUp Media took a turn for the worse, so the Lord provided us many opportunities to learn and grow through trial and faith. Will is now working at a great company and seems to be pretty happy there. He's still working on his own thing on the side, keeping busy. He's also found a new love in playing the guitar and writing songs.
Another life changing event was deciding to homeschool the boys. The school district here is lacking, to say the least, and we felt we should teach them here at home. So, not only do I take on a full time teaching career, but I'm also trying to keep up with every day life. It's been a big adjustment. Yet my love for the boys has grown exponentially this past year, it's been a great change in our family!
Kaleb turned 10 this year and is really stepping up in his duties around the house. It amazes me at how mature he is and how much he feels needed when he is given more housework. His reading is really starting to take off and he's finding a new love for books and the stories they hold.
Tyler turned 8 in January and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That day I saw his life flash before my eyes and I realized how fast he's going to grow up and he'll be off on his own way too soon. Tyler's reading comprehension is really starting to take off and he's enjoying homeschool very much.
Derek is 7 1/2 now and very excited to be baptized next year. He's becoming a little business man here in the neighborhood, selling mints he purchases from his dad for great prices. He's following in his Father's footsteps, that's for sure!
Logan turned 4 in March. His hugs, smiles, and kisses still melt the heart of whoever he is doling his love to. He is enjoying Pre-K and gearing up to learn how to read very soon. He learns very quickly and loves to color.
During this season of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we hope that you find peace, love, and faith to be abundant in your life! Merry Christmas!!

May Christ bring more into your life
during this season and the whole year through

Slacker

Man I feel like a slacker in this blogging world, but it's just one more thing I have to make time for...and I don't have time for everything I have to and should be doing already. So a quick note...we're all doing well. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Dad Whited and Mishy (Will's dad and sister). It's gonna be awesome to have them here. It's the first time anyone in his family has been able to visit us since we moved to Nashville. So, I will try to get a Christmas message up here after that. I'm probably not going to get around to Christmas cards this year...I didn't start them early enough. Maybe next year...maybe. I'm off to do a little house cleaning and toy sorting. We're going to contribute some unused toys to a good cause this year. Time to de-clutter and what better way than to give them to someone who needs them. It helps my boys let go of more things...it's all just stuff.

I hope you all have a great season preparing for the celebration of our Savior's birth! Lots of love and good tidings coming your way from the Fleming family!

An Unexpected Posting

Alison is such an awesome person, wife and friend. I love her to death and I know I just don't really show it a lot nor do I tell her enough. One thing I do know for sure though is how much I love her and the example she sets for me with her unconditional love.

This love isn't just given to me, but she shares it with her kids and friends. Lately she has really been having a hard time missing her friends and family in California. Well my wonderful wife... here's to you with all my love. I know it is short, I just didn't have a lot of material to work with. I hope you and everyone enjoy.