A new year, a new beginning to my blog!!!

The past year passed by amazingly fast. I found myself just barely keeping up with life, with no time to update this blog. I'm going to try to be much more proactive this year and update my blog at least once a week. Here's my update for the first week of January:

Nate:
In the last few four months of 2010, Nate advanced three ranks in Boy Scouts to the rank of First Class, he started 6th grade in middle school, he went on three two Boy Scout campouts, participated in one Eagle Project, and one community service project (clearing trails at a local campground), and two rounds of Boy Scout fundraising (he was #1 in the troop for his popcorn sales!). He's becoming more responsible, more mature, and still just a great kid - growing up way too fast...
Nicole:
Nicole started in the accelerated learning program at school this year, and it's been a big change for her. Having to work hard in school is a skill that she's never had to master, but she's figuring it all out quickly and loves her new teacher and her new school life. She is making new friends, is in several after-school clubs, and is still her happy self. She is becoming much more independent and is figuring out what she wants to do in her spare time and working hard to make that happen. Taking an art class is her next big endeavor, and she's really looking forward to it!

Amanda:

Amanda is doing wonderfully well in school, making more and more new friends every day, and is playing the viola in orchestra. She rarely has homework so she gets a lot more time to play. That's been a source of conflict between the three kids but they are learning to work things out together.

John:

John has been working with the Boy Scouts and has gone on every campout with Nate. He stays busy with work, tasks around the house, and monthly campouts with the Boy Scouts. He still has his Blazer (the kids named it "Speedy") and loves to tinker around with it as much as he can.

Me:

I've been helping out with the Boy Scouts, working at Nate's school store twice a month, and helping keep all three kids caught up at school and home. I'm more busy now than I've ever been, and I'm loving every moment of my life. I've got a wonderful husband, three beautiful kids, an amazing house overlooking the water, and the most amazing family that I could ever ask for. This year promises to be another great year for the Fortner family!