Beautiful is......

Lastnight I picked Shaylee up from Activity Days. Let me just start by saying that Shaylee is awesome. I'm not saying that because I am her mom-she really is-I believe Heavenly Father sent her to me so I can learn from her. She has so much to offer. She is completely selfless. Very thoughtful. She makes birthday banners for everyone in our family on their birthday-she even made one for herself one year. Pathetic-I know. I totally felt like mother of the year that year! She's like a 10 year old social worker. She loves to be a helper to kids at school that have it rough-she's always befriending a foster kid or the handicapped kids. She blows me away. Family Night when Shay is in charge? Watch out-she's over the top. Truly amazing girl.

SO...back to picking her up from Activity Days....here's our conversation:

Shay: "Mom-I love my Activity Day leader. She is so so so beautiful."

Me: "That's cool Shay. She really is pretty."

Shay: "Ya. You are pretty too, mom. But it IS way more important to be pretty on the inside. That's what you are."

Take that.

I already feel like I am looking at a fun house mirror every day-what the crap happened? Little chubby? Gray hair? Hello!? Now I know what my 10 year old thinks....

I still love Shay. I really do. I might just add a few minutes to my morning treadmill time-maybe get a pedicure even though it FREAKS ME OUT to have people (especially ones that don't speak a language I understand) touch my feet-and even though I am SUPER CHEAP about keeping up on my hair color maybe it's time to splurge. Any positive suggestions are welcome.

What True Love Looks Like.....

I am not a photographer. Never have been-never will be. It's the whole paying attention to details-I don't have the patience for that. This little beauty was at the Tooele Demolition Derby that Casey & I attended Saturday. The car drove away as I was snapping the picture so I didn't get what I wanted in my picture. If someone else-anyone else-took the picture you would be able to see that this fella painted "I Love Rach" on the side of his car with a huge yellow heart. Sweet....

For sure he loves her. A lot.

I've been married for almost 15 years. Casey is awesome. He works hard. He loves his crazy wife and his 4 kids that make us tired. We are so lucky to have him. He does a lot of sweet things for me. He's not the kind of guy that thinks to randomly bring home flowers BUT if he knows I've had a rough day he'll grab me a diet coke and a treat. He's super fun and comes to the grocery store with me and helps me cook dinner so he can visit with me. I love being married to my best friend. He makes me laugh every day.

My question is this-what does Rach look like? What does "fella" look like? I'd like to see this reality show. I know relationships are different and there are all kinds of good marriages. Being at ANY fair makes for great people watching-being at a demolition derby increases the quality of the people watching atleast a few notches-we sat by some doozies! I had a hard time watching the cars crash into eachother because there was too much entertainment in the stands...Pretty sure watching Rach & fella could be kinda fun. Not every guy paints the love of his life's name on the side of his car-especially when it's about to get crashed into. Does he love Rach or is it a joke? Do you paint your ex's name on your car if it's gonna get crashed into? The whole thought just makes me laugh! I'm positive Fella & Rach have been photographed at Walmart together.....

KiNdErGaRtEn for the 4th time.......

Jaycee with some of her cute friends in her class-it's going to be so much fun for her!
Jaycee with her super cute friend Kennedy-I love this kid almost as much as I love Jaycee! ;)
Jaycee sporting her brand new Twinkle Toes-they're the latest thing! ;) and her super huge back pack.

Ahhh...the baby of your family is always such a life changing experience. I remember the day Jaycee was born-it was the last time I would ever meet my new baby and spend precious moments in the hospital staring at my new miracle. She has represented lots of lasts in life. There was NOTHING sad about the last time I bought a package of diapers or the last time we went for kindergarten shots. I wish the last time I sent a child to kindergarten was like buying that last package of diapers! ;)

I knew this day was coming and knew it would be bittersweet. I know Jaycee will thrive in kindergarten. I know it's going to be so good for her. Her kindergarten teacher told me when she took her baby to the 1st day of kindergarten she sobbed in her car for a few minutes and realized she could go to the mall by herself. I know that a-ha moment will hit me also. Right now it's just weird and lonely-I miss my buddy! The school provided cookies & kleenex and I was super grateful for them! The only other thing I needed was a diet coke! haha I have to admit I cry on the first day of school for each of my kids. I'll probably do the same thing when they go to college. I think they are awesome and it makes me emotional to see them start a new grade and realize they are growing up. It's all happening so fast!

As for Jaycee-she's super ticked right now that she can't have Mrs Karren. She loves her. But I know she has an amazing teacher and will change her tune with time. She's got spunk and loves to learn and is surrounded by so many fun friends from our neighborhood! It's going to be a great year.....

The other kids 1st day of school pics? Didn't happen. Alyssa left for Oakcrest on their 1st day of school and had our camera. Dangit. They are loving school & have amazing teachers, also. Here we go!