When I Grow Up....

Every child has lots of ideas about what they want to be when they grow up. Brooklyn has got her job future figured out. She wants to be a mom and have 10 kids, yes literally 10 kids-that never changes. I can totally see that with how much she loves kids and BABIES!!! She self titled herself "Baby Lover of the World". Before she is a mom she wants to be a dentist or a professional scrapbooker. I love that!!

On any given day Bronson would tell you a "fiter fighter", an astronaut, a house builder (taking after Papa, Grandpa Bill, and Daddy), a cowby, a rancher, or many other things. Today he said "When I grow up I want to be a scuba diver, and I REALLY want to be one of those guys that pierces people's ears." I hope he didn't mean the kind covered in tattoos with body piercings and gauged ears! Should I be worried?

IT'S ALL FOR SALE!!!

About a month ago we were washing the "fleet" as Billy calls it, which included our new Sequoia. Yeah! :) We had not yet sold our Jeep so Bronson took it upon himself to do that for us. He put up some of my real estate signs and proudly announced that our house was also for sale. (Too bad he didn't use my 1st USA signs, I could have had some good advertising out to my neighborhood!) It was so funny to watch him sit in the garage waiting for someone to drive by and buy it all.

Get in the Zen

I wonder where they learned this?!! Meditation quickly erupted into laughter and wrestling. Too bad it was so short-lived...I was enjoying the peace :)

Morning Backyard Fun

My kids LIVE outside during the cooler months, it's not quite that time but with all the awesome rain we have been getting it's been a little cooler in the morning. We have a big backyard, but unfortunately we don't have a playground, or a clubhouse, or a tree house (things they wish we had) so after they get bored with the trampoline it's time to get imaginative. They have been really wanting a zip line, so they can play "Nim's Island" so they decided to make one themselves. They worked on it for a few days and were so excited to try it out. Bronson slid down once and I was actually surprised at how it held him. Poor Brooklyn had about a 1 second ride before the knot came out. They were both disappointed after spending so much time on it, but they learned about team work and enjoyed being together.

Bronson, Phone home.....

Today I got a call from the school office receptionist saying Bronson needed to talk to me. I immediately felt a pang of nervousness thinking he got hurt on the playground, wet his pants, spilled his lunch or some other 5 year old's "catastrophe" and I wasn't there to hug him, kiss it better, etc. Our conversation:

"Hi Mama." (in a solemn, yet winy voice)

"Hi Bud, are you okay?"

"Yes." (solemn once again)

"Is something wrong, did you get hurt?"

"No"

"Well............how's your day going?"

(I'm trying to sound positive and happy, although very confused)

"Fine"

"Is there something you need?"

"No"

"Did you just want to call and talk to me?"

"Yes"

"Okay, is there something you want to talk about?"

....silence...."No"

"I love you Bronson. I think it is time to go back to your class. I don't want you to miss any fun activities."

" I love you Mama."

"I love you too Bronson. I will see you soon, okay."

"Okay, bye Mama"

I'm so not ready for my baby to be gone all day in school. I don't know if I will ever get used to that......

1st Day of School

This is not my favorite day-I'm not a fan! Our kids started school today, Brooklyn 3rd & Bronson started kindergarten. As much as I love to have them home with me I am so thankful for the AWESOME school they go to. I feel totally safe having them at Edu-Prize and know that they are in loving hands. I would not want them to be anywhere else!

Brooklyn is an old pro at 1st days. She knew her teacher from last year, having her as a reading teacher, so she wasn't nervous at all! Yes, the "NOT YET TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN" (as we call her sometimes) did make an appearance this morning. After trying on the most important "1st day outfits" last night, we realized the shorts we thought she would wear didn't look good. So the plan was to, TIME PERMITTING, go get a pair that we had previously tried on that looked great. Due to a few unscheduled "activities" (ie. watching t.v. instead of doing morning chores) and wanting curled hair time ran out. Fortunately, it all turned out okay and she settled for the white shorts. Yeah- happy girl=happy mom!!!

Brooklyn is such a sweet girl and is totally ADORED at school by parents, teachers, and kids. Being separated from ALL her friends this year will enable her to expand her circle even more. She is sooo good at making new, GOOD friends. Brooklyn is an AMAZING writer and excels at math. I know she is going to grow and develop so much this year! I am so proud of all she has accomplished thus far, but more importantly for who she is and the example that she sets. Go GET EM' GIRL! STAND FIRM & BE TRUE to YOURSELF and FOLLOW YOUR HEART! IT WILL ALWAYS LEAD YOU TO YOUR BLISS! I LoVe YoU!

Yes, it is kind of an ugly background, but we use the door handle as measurement to see how much they grow from year to year. Bronson's height is deceiving because of the positiion.

Man, look at those rosy cheeks and summertime freckles.

Miss B and best friend in the whole wide world Declyn-

They did get separated this year! Huge bummer!

New totally cute, fun & spunky 3/4th grade teacher Mrs. Quiroga

My 2 "Baby Bear's" getting packed up.

Bronson had VERY nervous feelings as a new little kindergartner starting about 5 days ago, as did I as a mother of a kindergartner. This morning he actually got up early, made his bed, got dressed, and was okay. Until we arrived at school. Brooklyn starts first so after taking her we walked over to the other playground. It was mass hysteria I tell you! He went to play for a few minutes until the whistle blew. It was so weird! I was looking for him through the crowd and then as if by divine intervention the crowds parted and there standing at the end was Bronson. He looked so small and alone. He ran to me, hugged me and that's when the trouble began....

He looked up at me with tear filled eyes and said, "Mama, I don't want you to go." How could I NOT start bawling. Fortunately, I purposely left my sunglasses on as to disguise the tears in my own eyes. I bent down trying to reassure and comfort him but I could not even talk! He clung to me for the next several minutes as lines were being organized and as the line started to move into the school he again said "Mama, don't leave me!" I decided to at least walk into the school and then go. That plan didn't work. After walking through the hallway his teacher, Mrs. Lang who is very kind, had to pry him away from me and then I had to turn and walk away. He was saying "No Mama, Don't go!" My heart was breaking and I wanted to turn around and say back "No Bronson, Don't go!" I felt my heart being ripped out of my chest as my little man was being taken into this big, harsh, scary world and away from my loving protection . Another mom watched him for me as he started to walk down the hall reluctantly at first, on his own. There were several of my friends standing in the hallway. Thank goodness they were there-we all cried together!

I know he will have a great year once he gets into the swing of things. Bronson is not a creature of change. He is totally a homebody. Even on outings with Dad he cries sometimes and has to call me SEVERAL times. I am so grateful that he loves me so much and wants to be with me! Just the thought absolutely melts my heart! It is so hard to let him go! I cherish and will never turn down one of those calls or stop loving those billions and hugs and kisses he gives before we separate.

I just pray that I prepared him enough to be out there alone, of course never really alone, but sometimes it sure feels that way. Thank goodness for angels all around us to help us get through! I LoVE YoU BaBY BeaR! Stand TALL, WALK STRONG, and BE TRUE my BRAVE LITTLE KNIGHT!

Diggin' the new HUGE backpack

Bronson & good friend Tyler- Declyn's brother

Thoughts on Motherhood and Ice Cream

I read this the other day....it really hit me. Being a mother is one of the most trying "jobs" in the world but definitely the most important and most rewarding. I need to seek out the good things and hold on for dear life. I NEED to live more in the "now". “…the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make…I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of [my children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.” --Anna Quindlen Her daily motherhood tasks are done…nothing but a faded memory. It’s true that mothers always have a never-ending list of things to do. We check off the things on our lists that we “get done,”…Pay the bills. Do the ironing. Clean the house. Do the shopping. But are we really accomplishing our goals if we didn’t notice the look on our child’s face as he just did a "cool trick" on his scooter that he had practiced over & over until he got it right; if we are always in a rush to complete chores so we can get to those “important projects”. Sometimes success is when we don’t get through the “to do” list. Instead, we stop long enough to NOTICE THE LITTLE THINGS. To savor every moment. Not only to notice the delight in our children’s eyes, but to help create that delight. BEING WHERE YOU ARE, WHEN YOU ARE

and staying there as much as possible. Getting down on the floor and "getting delirious over the praying mantis your son just caught instead of perusing a fax or filling the dishwasher while he is yelling for your attention and you distractedly say over your shoulder: “Oh, honey, isn’t that a pretty bug.” It’s about being attuned enough to notice when your kid’s eyes shine so you can make your eyes shine back.”

"It's learning to love the journey, not the destination"

I desperately want my kids to see my eyes sparkle and shine when I play with them. I want to get down on the floor and "get delirious” over the simple things that inspire and entertain them. I want to enjoy and discover the world from their perspective. This time with our young children slips away so fast. But the joy that I feel while I’m in the moment with my kids will not fade over the years like the pictures and the memories, it will become part of me. And it will become part of my kids. There will always be moments, okay, DAYS of frustration. When I've re-cleaned the same room 14 times, and already washed the load of laundry when someone hands me clothes that should have been in it. It will always take time to get everyone out the door for school with lunches and homework and clean teeth. But I’ve committed myself to changing my outlook. I am so blessed! There are those out there with children suffering from illness, who can't make the pain go away. Those with children who are missing or who have died, and those who can't even have children! I am so blessed that I don't have those kinds of experiences. Even a "bad" day should be a great day because I have the opportunity to be a mother of these most precious souls. I have the opportunity to snuggle up with sweet smelling, clean kids in soft pajamas and read to them. I get to laugh when Bronson (truly) accidentally flings meatloaf off his plate which goes up into the air and then lands smack dab on his face. I get to listen to them declare "We're sleeping together !!" I get to hear them having a marvelous time belting out Camp Rock songs at 6:30 AM. When I savor and soak up those day to day "moments", it makes all the frustrating stuff not so bad.

Speaking of savoring....I love that as a family we can create our own traditions. The night before school starts we have a tradition that we really "SAVOR" (more like salivate for :) ). Kind of like our "Salute to Summer" celebration. The girls get pedicures. And then we go out to dinner-for ICE CREAM. We are a pretty healthy family when it comes eating, needless to say the kids really enjoy dessert each night after dinner. But sometimes rules need to be broken, so we throw em' all out the window and pig out on ICE CREAM! I don't know exactly how this started, but anyone who knows me knows that I lOVE ice cream so I'm pretty sure it was my idea. They get to choose whatever flavor & toppings they want. MFY is one of our favs so they chose Golden Spoon, which is pretty much the same thing.

Filling up on each and every last bite of that sugary goodness....YUM!

I'm pretty sure that "finger" was NOT intentional!

The GREATEST Show on Earth

"Mom, This REALLY IS the GREATEST SHOW on EARTH!" Brooklyn exclaims! We had so much fun at the circus. For the full 2 1/2 hours they were completely immersed and entertained. Yes, I'm sure the fact that their mouths were stuffed full of cotton candy the whole time contributed to their entertainment. It was a great family night...

"Mama, I want to be a Bird"

I want to be a BIRD so I can FLY...I hear this phrase from Bronson almost daily. He wants to fly and soar through the air... FREEDOM. He always calls my attention to the graceful hawks gliding on the wind. This morning while I was working on the computer, he was looking out the window at our big beautiful tree. He was watching several birds only about a foot away from the window in nests. He says, "If I could catch a bird I would name it Red Wings. I would take care of it and it would be with me forever. Maybe I could learn to fly."

It made me really stop and think how fleeting these moments will be as our children get older. I wished I could just hold him tight and stop time. Oh, how I long to savor every moment. How intrigued Bronson is with nature. He really soaks it all in trying to figure it out. I find myself discovering and appreciating more and more the beauty and wonder of God's creations. I am so thankful that my children have helped to remind me to find joy in the little things. And Bronson, I hope you NEVER lose YOUR SENSE of Wonder.

Concerts in the Park-okay in the backyard

The "Program"

I know it's been a while...this is our concert from when, out of the blue, it got cold and rainy. I LOVED watching them out on the tramp, just happy as could be, singing together, in the rain and a coat.

Father's Day Celebration

Because of his work schedule we celebrated Father's Day for Billy on Saturday. The kids were so excited to shower him with all the cards and gifts they had for him. Our house was decorated with huge banners and posters they had worked so hard on. I love their excitement when it comes to gift giving!

We went to dinner at Benihana. The kids and I surprised Billy with homemade fortune cookies on his plate with fortunes that we had written. It was cool to watch the chef prepare our meal right before us. Brooklyn & Bronson liked the little smoking "volcano" the best.

Billy works so hard for our family. He is so dedicated and passionate about what he does. He is so fun to have around and our children absolutely idolize him! He is very loving, so kind, and playful. Our children LOVE to snuggle him on the couch and hang out with him by the computer and listen to music. I can't imagine my life with out you! I love you Billy! 789

HAPPY FATHER"S DAY, DAD!!!!

"MAN"icures

Billy & Bronson loves the song by Brad Paisley "I'm Still a Guy". In fact Bronson know pretty much all the words-funny cuz I didn't even know he had heard it enough to have it memorized. My favorite part they sing is "These days there's dudes getting facials...manicured, waxed, and botoxed..." HEY, there is NOTHING wrong with guys doing a little "MANscaping" and Bronson has no problem being hygienic. Being the little Romeo that he is, he is always teeth brushing, hair combing, deodoranting, cologne spraying, mouthwashing...etc. Today he decided he wanted to give me a manicure & pedicure. Since I already had freshly pedicured toes he said it was okay to just get a manicure. After about 10 minutes of "testing" colors he finally chose the color that would look best on me. Bronson slowly painted so carefully & actually did a very good job. He was so proud of himself. Later that day, after the polish on my skin had washed off, he says, "Wow, I'm better than I thought. I should get a job doing this!"

Sunday Bobbing.... for Apples

Sundays are my FAVORITE DAY of the week. I love getting feeling renewed & spiritually "fed" and I LOVE the fact that I don't have to go anywhere. We can just be together as a family. Early 8:30 am church means the rest of the day to hang out, rest, play, watch movies, bake, and scrapbook. Today the kids had planned "BOBBING FOR APPLES DAY". A bucket filled with water, a few apples, a homemade shower cap (invented by Miss B and it really did work), and they are good for the afternoon.

This is Bronson's impersonation of Richard Nixon

Horton Hears a Who

We had a super fun day today. I heard about the IHOP Dr. Seuss meal and knew my kids would love the idea so I called but they no longer offered it. I was disappointed but also kind of glad (because I am a health freak and like the idea of home cooked nutritious food) so I recreated it at home. I surprised the kids with a YUMMY lunch of "Who Cakes" with Beazleberry drizzle, "Green Eggs and Ham", and "Jo-Jo" Juice to drink.

This may be a tradition...it was soooo good! Then we headed to the theater to see Horton Hears a Who- totally loved the movie. On the way home the kids and I had a great spiritual conversation sparked by the movie message. I was so grateful that they were able to get what it was all about!

We spent the rest of the day swimming, being goofballs, and hanging out with family. It was a perfect "ALMOST SUMMER" day!

Brooklyn & Bronson hanging out with Uncle Kole