Interesting development

The whole family has taken turns with strep the last couple of weeks. It's been unpleasant. The interesting thing, for which I am SO GRATEFUL is when Sara has chosen to be MEAN to me, disobedient, defiant, etc, Scott has CHOSEN to be exactly the opposite. He has chosen to try to help Sara calm herself down. He has chosen to speak in a calm, quiet voice. He has chosen to tell me that he doesn't hate Sara and to remind me that she will calm down eventually. He has chosen to do kind and gentlemanly things (such as opening doors for me, especially as I carry a screaming, kicking Sara through the door). He's been WONDERFUL whenever she's been awful. What a blessing! :-)

Sara's early birthday present from her Aunt Ashley

Ashley's boss' son was not taking care of his hamster. He asked Ashley if she knew anyone who would want it. She immediately thought of our family. :-) The next day, Sara received a surprise, early birthday present. I tried uploading the video of Sara receiving the hamster that she promptly named Ring. Unfortunately, the audio didn't record and it won't upload, but I have some pictures that have. She was SO EXCITED, but she knew she MUST be gentle, so she was super calm whenever the hamster was near or in her hands. When someone else was holding him, she was excitedly pouncing Ashley over and over again with excitement and giggles. I don't think Ashley has ever had that many hugs in such a short time outside of her husband. It was SO CUTE! :-) Sara excitedly tells EVERYONE about her new hamster and makes sure that anyone who might want to hold him will follow a set of careful rules. It's SUPER cute. She's really protective of him and I still fear she may maul him to death. She's now heard lots of stories and warnings about how hamsters can die easily and she must be ultra careful. She's doing well, as are Gregory and Scott. :-)

Sara moving laundry independently

This girl will do ANYTHING to be independent! :-)

Catch up. . . :-)

I'm obviously not good at blogging yet. . . :-) I just want to list a few cutenesses from my family.

Saturday:
We left Target at 6:30 p.m. It was dark outside. Gregory said to Kyle, "Is it bedtime?" Kyle answered, "Yes!" Gregory asked, "What time is it?" Kyle looked at his watch and said, "18:10." Gregory said, "That's only SIX!" Kyle: "You suck." :-) Gregory has learned military time behind his dad's back (with my help). :-)

Friday morning:
Sara comes to me while I'm loading the dishwasher and says, "My baby is with the babysitter." I asked her where she's going. She said, "I'm going to my drill and then to a very special wedding." Kyle performed a wedding two days after Thanksgiving for a soldier. :-) We all went to the reception. Sara is SUCH a military chaplain's daughter! :-) She just might end up being a soldier when she grows up. We'll see. . . :-)

I actually exercised 2 times last week! That's two more than usual. :-) I'll probably use the treadmill today. I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed and believe my brain will work better if I can work out some of the stress through exercise. (Is that really me talking?) :-)

I have 3 more assignments and my Graduate Research Methods class is over! :-) It's actually been a fun class, but I'm always ready to move to the next thing.

I interviewed for a job on Friday and had a WONDERFUL time. I'm praying and hoping it's offered to me. I should know early this week, probably tomorrow. :-)

Bragging on kids

I just have to brag on the kids for a moment.

Sara and I went to Sam's Club today for a few items. She decided that she would push the cart. She didn't want any help and steered REALLY well. The cart began to get heavy and still she wouldn't take any help. She did a GREAT job and had a super attitude the whole time. We then went to PetSmart to get dog food. She wanted to help me lift it into the cart (35 pounds, she's around 40). :-) We then pet the cats and she got to hold a guinea pig. She was SO GENTLE with the guinea pig! :-) She also noticed that I was taking the trash out this afternoon and she proactively put a new bag in the trash can while I was taking the full bag to the outside trash. :-)

Gregory has also been wonderfully helpful with no complaints. :-) He helped me find the key to the lawn mower (it was having trouble starting, so we decided to try the optional key instead of the pull cord). He tried pulling the pull cord and also tried turning the mower on with the key. He's been helpful and kind all afternoon.

Scott has been sharing a treat he got from a neighbor with his siblings and he and Sara have only had one real fight this afternoon. :-) It's been quite nice. :-)

First Family Blog Ever!

Welcome to the Kyle and Catherine Wiberg Family Blog! This is our first family blog. I haven't even told Kyle that I've set this up. :-) My intention is to update family members and friends who don't use Facebook on the goings on in the Wiberg family. This will also be journal-like for me, especially because journalling is not my strong point, but I would like to change that. :-)

Summary: Kyle is working on his EDD in Pastoral Community Counseling through Argosy University. He's taking his classes online through the Chicago campus. He currently carries a 4.0 which is both wonderful and stressful for him. :-) He's an Army Reservist chaplain and we're hoping to go active duty - he has the packet in process right now. He has worked in security, so I will have him review and edit blog entries to be sure I don't put anything compromising. :-)

I am working on my MBA with a fast track doctorate (called the Doctoral Advantage program) through Colorade Technical University. My doctorate will be a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Behavior and Change. I am doing my classes online through the Colorado Springs campus. I started in April 2011 and have just begun my 6th class. It's still somewhat odd to be back in school having received my bachelor's degree in Business Administration in October 2001 and having not returned to formal school since then. I am enjoying my classes, overall, and thoroughly love the learning and its application in my future goals.

Gregory is in third grade. He claims to hate school, but appears really to love it, for the most part. He does well in school and his teacher loves him. He wishes he had more time at home so he could have more screen time and less work time. He loves Netflix, Wii games, World of Warcraft, and his Nintendo DSi. He's studying Merpati-Putih (MP) which is the martial art of the Indonesian Royal Family and is taught in only one location in North and South America which happens to be in Ogden, Utah.

Scott is in second grade. He loves his teacher. He loves his friends. He hates to do his work, but loves the rewards he can earn at school when he gets it done. He's able to do the work better than he gives himself credit and he's really bright. His teacher loves him and works hard to help him see and reach his potential. He's also studying MP and enjoys what he's learning.

Both boys love sparring at MP and were overjoyed when we got them their sparring gear so they could start that process.

Sara is in preschool. She's writing her letters and numbers well and LOVES attending her "preschool that it's a house." She has school three times per week for 2 hours per day and I think she would happily stay longer if she could. She loves doing her homework and showing everyone she meets how well she studies and practices. She got her ears pierced the last Saturday of August because she stopped sucking her thumb for one month straight (we're occasionally still working on that reminder) and still loves to show everyone she meets the earrings she wears. She's so PROUD of her accomplishment and her cute earrings. :-)

That's a pretty good overview for now. I will add cute things and pictures in future blog entries. :-)