Our Street

After dinner, the kids and I set off down the street to the mailbox. Dillan on his scooter and Leah in her car. On the walk back up the street, we waved to some neighbors who were out front and the kids were suddenly surrounded by a bunch of neighbor kids. I went into the house and they followed Dillan to the backyard. They asked if they could ride his bike out front. Then Dillan yells "Mom, we're going out front to play with our new friends, OK?"
So this is a first for us. Playing in a cul-de-sac. At our condo, there was a parking lot, but not a lot of space with all the cars. More kids came out, more toys came out from the backyard. It was awesome. The sun just seemed to never disappear. Parents emerged and greeted me, welcoming me to the neighborhood.
A teenage boy kept watch over the kids while on his skateboard and was especially protective of Leah. He was right there when she'd get stuck pushing her car, or when another kid got to close to crash into her. I thanked him when it finally did get dark and we went inside. You're Welcome. Anytime. Genuinely nice and polite.
It was straight out of a movie. I loved it. I can get used to this.
Why didn't we do this sooner???

Home Sweet Home!

So after 16 months of trying to short sale our condo, we have finally ESCAPED! We were fortunate enough to find a new home and move out in just 2 short weeks. AND WE LOVE IT!
The kids have their own rooms, we now have 700+ more space to enjoy, PLUS a backyard!
We are still working on getting settled, unpacking boxes, moving furniture around, and filling up the space. Not so glamorous right now, but we hope to be past that soon.

We still live in the same school and ward boundaries as before, but it still feels like a big change!




Speaking of change, we are also expecting a big one around the end of January! ;)
Just not too big, hopefully.
We call it Baby #4.
Here's the math: 2 kids + 1 in heaven + 1 on the way= 4.

So far everything is going great. It has been a great test of faith and submitting our will to the Lord's will. We know it is in His hands. We have been so extremely blessed!

Leah goes to school!

She has been waiting for this day since FOR-EV-ER.
She's watched Dillan go to and from school for oh so long.
Now it's her turn!



We got up, she brushed her hair, picked out her favorite dress, brought me a hair tie and flower clip to put in her hair, put on her backpack, and said, "Let's go to MY school Mom!"

She had met Ms Carol & Ms Melissa last year and had no problem walking right into the classroom, giving both of them hugs and sitting down with the rest of the class. I got this, Mom, don't even worry about it! Seriously, when did she stop needing me???

I tried to get her to explain her whole day, but she wasn't saying too much. Only that she played, there are boys in her class, she ate pizza and cupcakes for lunch, and that she wants cupcakes and candles at her birthday party.
Definitely going to be a great year!

Story from last week (also titled "Why my 2-year-old daughter no longer needs me"): Since I've been packing up the house like a crazy person all week, she has been finding ways to entertain herself when Dillan's at school. The other day she crept into my bathroom with her own idea of what to do. I noticed it was quiet, but when I called for her, she replied that she was playing. Soon after she came out to the front room. "Look Mommy! Pretty toes!" Yes, her toenails and fingernails were painted bright pink. Not to poorly, either. Breathe, breathe. We went into her bathroom and washed her hands and feet as calmly as I could. I tried not to think about what my bathroom looked like. Keep breathing. Slow pulse. When I got there, I was shocked.
She had moved the rug to the side, got out a tissue, a Q-Tip, nail polish remover (she didn't open), and had put the polish back neatly in it's pouch. WHAT??? She had done everything that we normally do when we paint our toes. Plus...there were only 3 spots on the tile. Tha-Ree. Tiny spots. Nothing else. It was unreal. Some phantom toenail painter had to have been here. SHE'S ONLY 2!!! Going on 17, obviously.

KINDERGARTEN BOY!!!

His new favorite nickname.


The first day was great. I loved being there with him and seeing his teacher, Mrs Iverson.
I know he is going to do well. I hope he loves it.

Today was harder for me, saying goodbye. I just hope he's happy. When he gets sad, he shuts down. I hope he doesn't get sad. He lined up with all the other kids and we waved back and forth for a few minutes before leaving, Leah screaming and crying that she wanted to stay.
We carefully made him a lunch and packed it up in his backpack. Yesterday the parents got to write a note that they are reading in class today.



Mrs Iverson also read "The Kissing Hand" at school yesterday. It has become my favorite book. She gave the parents small little foam hearts to kiss and stick on our child's backpack. When we got to school I showed Dillan the heart and kissed it and reminded him that "Mommy loves you!"
I think he was paying attention to me as I tried to share a special moment, but he was also anxious to join the other kids.



Dillan, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you! We can't believe you are starting Kindergarten. We know you are going to do so well because you are so smart! It is the beginning of a great adventure for you and we can't wait for you to share with us all the new things you learn and all the new friends you will make! Leah wishes she could stay with you at school! You are such a good example to her! Have fun at school! Be good! WE LOVE YOU!!!! Mommy and Daddy

My 2 Grads

Disclaimer: Photo taken before Chris was "hooded."
I take full responsibility for ordering the wrong pic!

My two boys both graduated this summer. One at the very end of his school career and the other just beginning!

Many have congratulated both of us for getting Chris through school. Really, I believe we were richly blessed while he was in school. I never felt overwhelmed or unsure if we would make it. It was as if homework became a part of life. Chris was miraculously able to balance everything so well. We never felt neglected by Daddy being so busy, he found time to do everything and do it in good spirit. I remind him of how much better of a student he was than I. I know he had difficult classes and relentless professors, but he buckled down and pushed through it all. That's essentially what our family motto became: full steam ahead, get through it. It went faster than I thought, and I still can't believe it's actually over!

Dillan's just beginning his education. He's always been smart, and I hope his hunger for learning will continue. His excitement for Kindergarten is OFF.THE.CHARTS. Right now it's waiting for his backpack to arrive in the mail and deciding which shoes he's going to wear. I'm excited for him, I know he is going to do well, but I can't help but feel a little nervous and sad. I just can't believe we are already to this season of life!
Kindergarten starts in less than 5 days!!!

Thank You Shaver!

Leah, 99% of the time


Swim time!


Leah, Daddy, Dillan with Baby JoJo


Floating


We found a treasure map!!!


He was brave, but it did not end well


2 seconds later he jumped. Without help. Without fear.
The picture is forever implanted in my mind.

Thank You Shaver, for

-Bringing all the family together
-Reminding us how unique of a family we truly are
-Teaching my children about swimming
-Allowing us to bask in your beautiful surroundings
-Bringing my sister back for a little while
-Reminding us of what it means to be at peace
-Teaching my child that it's ok to use a potty that's not at home
-Allowing me to laugh till I cried
-All the good junk food I get to eat
-Teaching my child about courage and jumping off your big rock
-Always having perfect weather (even the rain drizzle was great!)
-Reminding us to put on sunscreen
-Making us exhausted at bedtime
-Reminding me of how blessed I am
-Reminding me of how spoiled I am by my parents
-Inspiring me to work on my mad wakeboarding skills for next year (like remembering which foot goes in front)
-Lovely Lindsie and her patience with my children (oh, and brother)
-Getting all the grandkids together
-Reminding me that I still have so much to learn from my grandmother
-Allowing pirate treasure to be hunted daily by some very excited children
-Remaining constant. Constantly perfect
-Only making me car sick on the way home so my week wasn't ruined
-Allowing me to make it to the other side of the lake with no life jacket on, even in my "condition"
-Being the best vacation of the year that we look forward to

Didn't realize one little lake could do so much for such a big family.
Til next year then!