The Latest

I guess it's about time for a good old fashioned update. Time is just slipping away and my kids are growing up and changing everyday. Since I can't seem to slow things down I figure I better at least record the things I hope I don't ever forget...

This kid is slowly turning into a man and it's heart breaking. He is enjoying his first year of High School and is excelling in every area. He amazes me and is so much more grounded than I ever was in High School. Much more responsible and focused. Thank goodness! He gets himself up at 5:00 every morning and goes to early morning seminary. He is seminary president for his class and has only missed one day so far this year. I usually don't get my lazy butt out of bed to see him off but I don't ever have to worry about him not getting himself out the door on time. He is taking a tough schedule of honors and AP classes and has managed to pull a 3.9 his first semester. He has some lofty goals and I have no doubt he will accomplish those. He finished an impressive season of Cross Country and is contemplating running track in the Spring. He's playing trumpet in the Jazz band and is really, really good. I love that he works so hard and takes everything he does so seriously. He is such a great kid and I feel so very honored to be his mother.

This girl is one of a kind! She will be turning 11 in January and just thinking about her becoming a teenager in a couple years gives me major anxiety. She's beautiful inside and out and I have really enjoyed seeing her grow and mature into the lovely young lady she is. She is super helpful and I'm not sure what I would do without her constant assistance. She is playing the violin this year and is really enjoying it. I bite my tongue when she hits those painful notes because I know it's all part of the learning process. She will resume private lessons next week and I'm hoping that I can live vicariously through her as she becomes a pro at the violin. She is still crazy obsessed with the Jonas Brother's and it's a little (a lot) annoying. I just smile and hope that it fades sooner than later. I really love spending one on one time with Kennedy because she just talks and talks and I just listen, listen. She's wise beyond her years and oh so sweet. Now, if I can just get her to quit taunting her younger sister.

Sarah keeps me on my toes and that's a good thing. She and I have really bonded over the last few months as she has dealt with some emotional struggles. She has the most kind heart and tends to wear it on her sleeve. I love that she always wants to make others around her happy. She is so very smart and I learn so much from her everyday. She could be having a really rough day and unlike some of the other children, I can just hold her and spend a few minutes telling her how much I love her and she instantly feels better. She has been doing really well in school. She has the most amazing teacher this year. I owe so much to Mrs. K and all the love and patience she has shown Sarah. What a blessing. Sarah is so much like I was as a child but she is a lot better at expressing her feelings than I ever was. I love this girl and know that she was sent to this family for a particular reason.

Lorenzo B. is loving life these days. He's most happy when he's learning or discovering something new. He loves anything science related. He's really good at math and is a super good reader. He's such an easy going kid and really easy to please. He is growing up way too fast. I find myself sitting in his room and just wanting so badly to slow down time so I can just enjoy the stage he's at now. He says the funniest things and I'm trying to remember to write them down. I love how out-going he is and how he doesn't know a stranger. I wish I was more like him in that way. Such a great boy.

This girl is sassy and sweet all rolled up into one cute ball of crazy. She is a little unpredictable but we put up with it because she's really cute. Painfully cute actually. She is turning into quite the little talker. She can now have complete conversations with me and I love it! She has learned early that she has to make herself known around here. She has to work a little harder than some of the other kids to get the attention she wants. We are working on her social etiquette right now and I'm hopeful she will become a polite and refined young lady someday. She has a very strong personality that I'm certain will take her far in this life. She keeps us all entertained and brings me more joy than I can sometimes contain.

Tait is the boy with many names. He is a bug, a tug, a tuggy bug, a buggy bug bug... He answers to all of them because he easy like that. Tait is for sure the most easy and content baby I've had. Extremely easy to please and almost always happy. He just goes with the flow and requires very little energy. He has been such a source of joy for the entire family and we feel really blessed to have him in our family. He is a big boy! He weighed 25 pounds at his last doctors visit at 13.5 months. He's still not walking but we are completely fine with that. He will crawl and stand up in the middle of the room but just has no interest in walking. We figure as long as he's walking by age 2 we are ok with it. He's our last baby and I'm hanging onto every little bit of babyness I can because I know it's going to be gone fast!

As for me, I am doing good. Life is a little more hectic than I would like it to be but I'm managing pretty well, I think. The kids suck the energy out of me but it's so worth it. I'm still trying to recover from the marathon that was a month ago. I'm not sure my body will ever be the same. My joints are thrashed and I'm pretty sure I aged 20 years in the process. I signed up for a half marathon in January and I'm still holding out hope that I'll be able to be ready to complete it. I am resigned to the fact that I will never be fast. That's ok with me. The only person I am competing with is myself. Life is good and I feel extremely blessed with a wonderful family, good friends, health and the little bit of energy that I am able to maintain. What more could I ask for?

Last weekend I was lucky enough to get to fly to UT for the weekend by myself and witness two very special events. My new niece Charity was blessed on Sunday. She is the sweetest baby and so beautiful. She was born into a wonderful family that I admire so much.

I also got to be there for my niece Blythe's baptism. This girl is very special to me and we share a close bond that will never be broken. She loves me and I'm certain that I am her most favorite aunt. It was a great weekend with family and a much needed break for me. I'm lucky to have such a great husband that is willing to take over for a few days with no complaint. He even tackled Halloween by himself for the first time in 10 years. The house was clean and the kids were happy when I got home. I owe him a few rounds of golf, at least.

Rob is doing great. He loves his job and is very busy. He works hard for our family and comes home ready and willing to ease my load. He never complains about all that he has to do. I try hard not to take him for granted. I am totally aware of the fact that I am lucky to have him. I hope he knows how much I appreciate him.

Life isn't perfect and my kids aren't either but I am so very thankful for all the imperfections in my life.