Pre-Kindergarten Graduation

With all her loot - balloon, flowers, and stuffed kitty.

(Isn't she just gorgeous)

This past weekend was Mackenzie's graduation. I am so proud of my little girl. Aaron and i were beaming with pride. She had a speaking part in the opening poem - of course they wanted to start off with their best foot forward! -

I'm glad you came to see us,
And so are all the rest
We hope you like our program,
We'll do our very best

She said it PERFECTLY. You couldn't help but laugh and smile through the whole thing. I mean, there truly isn't much else cuter than any program at this age. Mackenzie will miss her teacher, and her teacher will miss her. Shhhhh, don't tell anyone - but I think she may have been the favorite :) She has come so far this year, learning to read, knowing so much. The school was great, both her teachers very opposite, but both wonderful. She loves going to school and I'm sure will love Kindergarten just as much.

When they started playing the march, it was like I could see that 13 years from now when I'm at her HS graduation, this is still who I will still see walking down the isle getting ready to take on the world all by herself.

Saying goodbye to her teacher. i remember the first day after she had switched classes and I asked her if she liked her new teacher, and Mackenzie told me that her class was a lot louder because when she asked them something, they all yelled "yes" to her. She had great energy and the kids loved her.
All the grandkids loving on their Grandpy

And with Great-Grandma D

And Nana and Aunt Cheryl

Grandpy hung out with Austin once he started getting restless so I could watch my baby's program.

Aaron seems to think that the stubborness gene runs through this bloodline~ (I may have to agree) lol

My goodness, sometimes I just can't get over how handsome this little guy is.

We weren't a bad looking bunch if I say so myself.

And one last picture - totally unrelated to graduation. I was putting away laundry the other day and the kids were playing in my closet with the door closed. Mackenzie comes out saying that she is dressed like mommy because she put my shirt and shoes on, and that they dressed Turner like daddy. - I just had to grab my camera

I think I can make it through anything now that our trip is booked!!!!!!!!!

Done trying

Today I'm so tired, tired of trying.
Tired of trying to lose weight,
Tired of trying to get tan,
Tired of trying to keep the house clean,
Tired of trying to figure out what to do for dinner,
Tired of trying to make the kids eat,
Tired of trying to find the time,
Tired of trying to go on vacation,
Tired of trying to better myself,
Tired of trying to better others,
Tired of trying to talk people into wanting to be around us,
Tired of trying to be enough....

So today, I'm too tired, so I quit. I quit trying. Aren't the things that should be, just be? Shouldn't I not have to really "try" for everything?

So today, I will be fat without a tan, sitting in messy house with the mirage of a vacation on the horizon and the kids might eat candy for dinner. That is all fine, we will all survive, we will be together. But if I stop trying on people will they all go away. Will the kids and I end up sitting here alone, together, in our own world. Is it better to have to try to not be alone, or be alone without the hassle of trying? Is that better or worse. Is it better to keep trying or to stop, or am I just worried what will happen if I stop. Will other people try if I stop trying?

So now I'm just going to have to try to stop trying - and I don't know if I can even do that.

My New Baby

Hi everyone....meet Charlie. He is - my Mother's Day gift 2009, my new baby, about 5 weeks old.....

Look how little bitty he is!

Austin is about the cutest thing ever running around after him calling "Charlie, Charlie, Charlie"

I'll find you........

I got you.........

I would have thought that Austin would shy away after he realized that he was "real", but not a chance. You'd think the kid was on crack the way he obsessed right now. Charlie is gonna have to learn to fend for himself quickly! lol The funny thing is that you would think he would run for the hills when he saw Austin coming for him the way he has man-handled him so far, but I think Charlie kind of likes it. Just trying to make sure he doesn't get hurt. Mackenzie is taking the typical "big sister" role to Charlie and is trying to do her best to protect him from Austin. She will be much happier when he is declawed. And Turner - crazy as it may sound - is probably the most scaredy cat (no pun intended...he he) but Charlie reminds me a lot of Turner, so I think they will be great friends. But all in all, Austin has him claimed for now. He does already seem to know who his momma and daddy are though and is curled up on Aaron's shoulder right now sleeping. Oh it feels good to have a new baby in the house again......

Mother's Day 2009

Turner, Mackenie, and Mason - after a long night of playing

Our family Self-Picture

Wow, what a great Mother's Day Weekend. Yep, I took full advantage and made the whole weekend all about momma! It was such an awesome weekend. I don't think i had a single bad moment the whole time - it was perfect. Friday night I came home and grabbed Mackenzie and Turner and headed to Mackenzie's gymnastics. We dropped Mackenzie off and Turner and I ran up to QT for a coffee for momma. I ended up getting him a slushy and a Rice Krispie Treat and I had him tied around my finger for the next 2 day! Amazing how something so little makes them feel so good. He was just ecstatic that he was getting to go in with just me, and kept talking about how we were getting to have our special time. It was only an hour, but seemed like so much longer, was amazing. Turner, you melt my heart little guy...... Once gymnastics was over we dropped Turner off at home, picked up my neighbor Cheri and headed to a spa Margarita party at my friend Kelli's house. Was great to get out with the girls, and loved having my #1 girl with me. Mackenzie loved doing the spa stuff, and looked just stinkin adorable with her hair back for her facial and her special socks on. She loved it and was just precious. Mackenzie, you make me so incredibly proud to have you as my daughter. You give me the assurance that I've done something right being a mother, because you have turned out perfect.

Saturday we woke up and Turner and I snuck out of bed without waking anyone up and headed to QT for mommy's coffee (yes i am a true addict to QT coffee). This time I didn't get him a drink but let him get a donut and pick out one for sissy, so now I had him doubly wrapped. Once we got home i got my kitchen floors mopped (beyond disgusting) and got out laundry room cleaned. Who would think that a room dedicated to cleaning stuff would get so dirty. But now it is decluttered and clean, and feels so much better to be in there doing laundry. Then Mackenzie's soccer game was cancelled because the fields were too wet, so we decided to make a day of it and head to the zoo. We packed up a picnic and off we headed. It ended up being the PERFECT day to be at the zoo. The temperature was perfect and all the animals were out, and the kids were perfect. We stopped and got some steaks to BBQ on our way home and ended up with one of the best dinners ever - and then sat out with neighbors and friends for a night around the fire pit. Got to let the kids make smores - and of course I had to have a couple myself.

Woke up this morning and headed out to a local flea market. It was the first time we've gone and it was so neat. Like 1 big garage sale - how fun! Then we stopped at the Waffle House for brunch, came home and even though I had big plans of getting out in the garden, I ended up take a LONG nap on the couch - I was OUT! After dinner, the kids and I made cookies together, and now we are all just hanging out. I got a present from Mackenzie that she had made at school, it is a tile with a flower painted on it by fingerprints. And she has made me numerous pictures. Aaron made me a list of top 10 reasons I'm a good mom. All in all, I wouldn't have changed a thing about the whole weekend other than to make it not end. Thank you to my beautiful wonderful kids for making it so easy to love you and to my husband - because without his support I wouldn't be able to be the kind of mother I want to. Waht a lucky lucky girl I am.........

Ice cream in your jammies, does it get any better than that!

(Mackenzie, Turner, Maddie, Adelyn)

Snuggling with Aunt Pam for story time.

Turner and Maddie

Me and my old time friends - so good to see them.

(Matt, Pam, Me, Christy)

We had the best time this past weekend. The kids all got along great, everything was so relaxing and laid back. I got to hang out with one of my best friends and my little nieces. I just can't get enough of those little girls. With they lived closer to their aunt Jen too :( Friday night I got to hang out with Matt, who was with me every single day for an entire summer - and now we hadn't talked for like 8 years! It was AWESOME to see him again. Then I got surprised by Christy - who we actually lived with for a summer - with news that she is pregnant with her second! LOVE IT. She was such a trooper for coming out with us for the night. It was so comforting to be around these people, these are the three people that probably know every deep dark secret - and they still love me! I sure miss them, wish I got to see them more often. It will NOT be another 8 years though.

Saturday we headed over to Great Wolf Lodge. I recommend it for anyone ready to have a good time. The kids had so much fun and so did us adults. I forgot how much fun it is to go down a water slide! Mackenzie and Turner were fearless, going down slides all day long by themselves. Austin was a little more hesitant at first, but warmed up by the second day. Christy and her little girl Maddie came back on Saturday for water park fun too, it was a so good to be around them. The kids were all wonderful. It was great to have Caitlyn with us - thanks sis. I'm already ready to plan the next vacation. I love the family vacations.

On a little more negative note - I don't know if I have mono or what. I am so super exhausted, beyond anything normal. I don't like driving right now because I'm worried I'm just going to pass out at the wheel. Wednesday i didn't go in to work, and today I was ok until about 10:30 - I then it just hit again and I had to come home. Took a long nap and I can barely keep my eyes open right now to type this post.......

Austin’s 15 month stats

32 inches height – 70%
27.4 lbs – 70%
19.25 head – 90%

These were from last week and wanted to make sure that I had my record of them. He is getting so grown up. He is using his "sign language" now. Mackenzie told me the other day that she taught him to use his sign language because he now nods his head to say yes! lol So adorable. he is a little monster, gets in to everything right now. Is always up on the chairs, table - you name it. He has a very strong personality, but is oh so very soft at the same time (just like his daddy). Speaking of which, he is totally Aaron's mini-me still. Looks so much like him and is more of a daddy's boy. Probably my biggest frustration with him right now is the mess he makes eating. Here is where a dog would come in handy, but surely the dog would be obese by now. Austin sits there and eats so nicely - until he has taken his last bite when he starts to very methodically pick up anything that is left on his tray and drop it on the floor. As if to say, I'm done and can't even stand the sight of this food anymore! Of course 5 minutes later he is up on a chair picking at Mackenzie or Turner's plate. The kid is a natural soccer player - seriously, I'm not joking here. He can dribble the ball and actually keep control, he knows exactly what he is doing. everyone that sees him comments on how incredible it is. I even had one of the dad's on Mackenzie's soccer team say he should get his picture taken with him now because it will be worth some money someday!
Austin is still such a perfect kid. Of course there are times that he drives us crazy, and I think he may already be hitting his terrible twos some days, but it is all a phase. I can't imagine our family without him. He has brought us so much happiness.