Rainy Day

Hello from rainy, muddy California! It's been awhile since anyone has posted and since I haven't been outside in FIVE days because of this storm, I need something to do! Haha. The weather has been crazy! I'm loving the rain, but I guess a tornado even touched down in Ventura last night. That seems a little extreme to me!

Otherwise, things have been pretty mellow. Around the house, I have been getting a lot done. I painted the whole living room/dining room and finally just finished the bedroom as well. We got a new washer/dryer and built some cabinets around those. But there is still a LOT to do. So I'm not ready to show pictures or brag about our accomplishments until it's all done. I'm kind of thinking we need to hire Mika to help us finish things up!

With the photography biz, things are plugging along. I've had 2 jobs this month (actually PAID) and have a few more possibilities lined up for coming months. I'm also starting to enter my photos in some contests, just to see if I get any type of response. I figure if I can even double my tiny income from last year, I'll be on my way.

Paul has been working on a new show called "Teach" where Tony Danza (from Who's The Boss?) teaches English to high school students. He has been working a lot of long days to get the show off the ground. But he says it's actually a pretty good show. A lot more real moments than some of the others he's working on.

Gadoo is fat as ever. He still gets spurts of energy here and there, but mostly likes to be cuddling next to me as much as possible. And if I'm working on my computer? Forget about it. He wants to be the center of attention and will sit directly on the keyboard (or at least make it really difficult for me to get anything done.) Turd Ferguson is his other name.

Anyway, that's it for now. Would love to know how everyone else is doing (if you ever get the time!)

Another Baby in the Fam

Cousin Amy & her husband Greg had their 3rd little baby boy today! Just wanted to share the good news. Here's the info:

Born: July 9th, 2009

Time: 6:43 AM

Weight: 7 Lbs 13 Oz

Don't know the name yet, but I know they were debating a couple - Easton, Sawyer, and (the boys voted for) Luke Skywalker. Hahaha! I'm sure they'll go with one of the other two.

Anyway, congrats to them! Can't wait to see the little bugger...

pics

Just going through the pics from the weekend, these were two that caught my eye right away! Love 'em! More to come :)

MARKUS

What a great weekend we all had - thanks to Markus graduating High School! I am a very proud momma, and I am certain Markus is glad to be out of High School. It was so fun to have all the brothers and sisters and Paul together for the special occasion. We missed Jessie and Luke but hope to see them later in the summer at the Family Reunion in Arnold Nebraska. It feels a little unsettling when my youngest child is old enough to go to college or start life after High School. When Markus was born I was certain I was going to be in a wheel chair by the time he graduated because 53 sounded so far away and so very old! :) I have changed my mind. Life starts at 50 so I am only three years past that!

Thank you all for making Markus' day special and celebrating with him. Food was yummy as usual and the talks and staying up all hours of night was definately worth it. I am the luckiest mom alive - you all are such great people. Thank you for loving each other and getting along. There are families out there that don't know what they are missing!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend - enjoy

Love and hugs.
MOM

Markus' Big Day

So hard to believe but it is finally here. Markus is graduating High School! Where has the time gone? The Big Day is May 22, 2009. Graduation Ceremonies are going to be held at the Dixie Burns Arena @ 11:00am. It would be wonderful to see you all here celebrating with Markus - afterall 12 years is a long time to get someplace. Let us know if you are planning on coming so we know how many of you will need a place to stay.

Another exciting summer is just around the corner. Ron's family reunion is July 4th weekend and I will send out information to all of you so you will know what is planned. My sister Leena called me this week and was wondering what we were doing this summer. They have plans on coming out for three weeks this summer and hopefully they can attend the Family Reunion also. Wow, when you think your life is going to slow down a bit, that is not going to happen. But all this is going to be FUN!!

Happy Birthday to Jessie - big 30! Enjoy!! We love you.

Nugents Funniest Home Videos

This was super bowl day and we were having a super ball! Always a hoot, this kid is...

America's Funniest Home Videos anyone?

Our Son Rocks!

Alright, I'm just going to go ahead qualify my next few statements by saying I'm not usually one to brag--in print, anyway... usually, but you should all know that you are related to a GENIUS CHILD!!!

Luke got straight "A"s on his report card. I was happy about that. His teacher (who apparently thinks I have a mentality equal to that of her students and am somehow more impressed by my own son's report card for every extra exclamation point and hand-drawn smiley face she adds!!!! :) ) wrote a nice note on the front about how much she enjoys having Luke in her class.

However, this spectacular report card is not so spectacular as to inspire a blog post alone. Oh, no.

Attached to the aforementioned report card were his reading and mathematics standardized test scores. His reading score is simply outstanding. He tested at an 8th grade, 3 month reading level. (I know, right? I actually broke into applause when I saw it!) His target reading age should be late 7th grade to early 8th grade reading to continue to improve his skills.

And, yet, I'm not sure I would've felt compelled to sing my son's praises via the family blog had I not flipped the page to reveal his math score!

Are you ready for this? He tested at a senior in high school, 5 month math level! His target math study should be in Algebra.

Well! You can just imagine what I did when I saw that! I picked up the phone and made about nine phone calls to family and friends! (Like I said before, I don't usually do my bragging in print.) It was actually pretty funny, because Mika was on his phone calling people, too!

In hindsight, though, it's actually somewhat bittersweet. Luke's school doesn't have any accelerated programs, so Luke will have to sit in class practicing his times tables with everyone else. You know that has to be a real drag.

Mika and I talked about maybe sending him to a summer camp for video game design. We want to equate excellent academics with what he is passionate about. I can send him to an actual summer camp in cabins on the lake, and he would be grateful and enjoy himself. But I think if he gets to see his hard work pay off toward his own PERSONAL goals, it will snowball into a passion for academics. Who knows? Maybe he'll follow in Krista's footsteps with a math degree.

Well, thanks for letting me boast for a bit. We're really proud of him and wanted to give you all the chance to be as well.

I hope this finds you all well!

Jessie