Thought: Summer

A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.
~ St. Francis of Assisi

Being a child at home alone in the summer is a high-risk occupation. If you call your mother at work thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you.
~ Erma Bombeck

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.
~ Hal Borland

Lagoon

LAGOON 2010

Janet invited me and the kids and Dan's family to Lagoon with them. It was really fun to go with all the kids and see how much fun they have together. For me and my kids it was especially nice to have someone to go with. We only had one issue...Jayden got lost with Kali (or rather found himself lost and decided to take advantage of being "lost") and ended up spending $37 on the games! $37 down the drain all while I was searching frantically around the park trying to find this "lost" little boy. I was livid when I found out that he'd been playing games and used all of his $27 he brought and the $10 I had given him to go and get me a Coke with. He was pretty bummed when he didn't get to keep the dinky stuffed animals he won and didn't get to ride the rides for a few hours. I have to admit (now that's it's over) he was really sweet when he was trying to figure out how to get out of being in trouble. He told me that he would give me half of his paychecks for the rest of his life....even after he was married.

Mckelsie & Jayden

Mckelsie and Jayden....we're never too old for the swings, even if they are for the "little" kids.

Icecream in Pioneer Village

Chris, Mikale, Jayden, Kali & Janet

Kali & Mckelsie

Kali, Jayden, Rebecca & Mckelsie

The girls.... Kara, Mikale & Mckelsie

Janet & Jayden

(I think this was the only ride Janet went on....)

Adam & Rebecca

Jayden & Adam

(they were the best of buds as usual...)

Adam, Jayden & Ali

I was trying to capture Jayden's face here. He's on the very back row on the end.

The picture is a little too small though to see it very good.

Jayden, Teghan & Kali

It's where the fun is......

Quick Trip to Minneapolis

Happy Retirement Mom!

8th Grade Promotion...

I cannot believe that my little girl is going to High School. It was so surreal as I sat in the audience watching all of these 8th graders "graduate".

I remember when Mckelsie was just a little baby (although it really seems like my memories are fading now more and more) and when she was a toddler. She was the happiest little thing. Her hair was the prettiest blonde and full of big beautiful curls (once it finally grew....she had her first haircut when she was 3 years old). She had her own language for a long time, which even though it proved frustrating, was very cute. She loved to arrange things (ropes, rocks, chalk etc) in certain orders (...and no one messed with "her" order), wasn't sure about a new baby brother (I remember her asking if she could sit on Jayden), LOVED (and still does) the water, wore swimming goggles everywhere, loved oatmeal (which she now hates), would run away like mad the second you got in a store, enjoyed taking naps with Mom and so many other countless things I can't even name right here.

I cannot believe that my little girl is growing up. Time really does go by fast and have always been told that by other parents (whose kids were past the "little" kid stage) but now I truly believe them. I am so proud of Mckelsie, as her Mother. She is a bright young lady (even though she will burp so loud in the middle of a restaurant and laugh....and laugh) with so much love to give. She is a good daughter and sister.

I am lucky to have been blessed to have her call me Mom.

I love you Mckelsie!

A few random pics....

Thought:

Some joys are better expressed in silence,

as a smile holds more meaning than words.

When I was asked if I enjoy having you in my life....

I just smiled!

Thought:

When a GIRL is quiet ... millions of things are running in her mind.

When a GIRL is not arguing ... she is thinking deeply.

When a GIRL looks at u with eyes full of questions ...
she is wondering howlong you will be around.

When a GIRL answers ' I'm fine ' after a few seconds ... she is not at allfine.

When a GIRL stares at you she is wondering why you are lying.

When a GIRL lays on your chest .. she is wishing for you to be hers forever.

When a GIRL wants to see you everyday... she wants to be pampered.

When a GIRL says ' I love you ' .. she means it.

When a GIRL says ' I miss you ' .... no one in this world can miss you more thanthat.

Life only comes around once make sure u spend it with the right person. Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will stay awake just to watch you sleep.

Wait for the guy who kissesyour forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats and who holds your hand in front of his friends.

Wait for the guy who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you and how lucky he is to have you.

Wait for the guy who turns to his friends and says, ' That's her!!