When did she grow up?

I seriously do not know when or how, but Hailey is all grown up and going to Kindergarten. She has been so excited for this milestone and I have had mixed feelings about the whole thing. I wondered if I would blubber and cry in true form, or if I would be able to hold it all together and let my daughter go off with dignity. I am proud to say that I did not blubber. My eyes welled up a few times as I watched her line up and head into the school. And then again when I watched her climb off the big huge School bus. But I held it all together. The fact that she was so excited and happy, made it hard to be sad. She started school last week and has come home every day as excited as if it were the first. She loves her teacher and loves, loves, loves recess. I still get a bit emotional when I think about how it seems like just yesterday that Dave and I struggled to get her strapped into the carseat to bring her home from the hospital. Everyone tried to warn me not to blink or wish away a single stage, but you never can fully understand until you reach these milestones and find yourself thinking: "how did this happen? When did she grow up?"

Hailey all ready to go to school.

(I love how she popped her foot in this picture--too cute!!)

Hailey and Connor outside of the school

Hailey lined up waiting to go into her class.

Hailey stepping off the school bus after her first day.

(She looked so nervous climbing down the big steps, it nearly broke my heart)

Happy first Day of school Hailey!!!!!

Something I never want to forget.

Tonight was just one of those nights when your kids make you feel like you are going to explode, not because your mad, but because they are so amazing. As I tucked Hailey in tonight and listened to her cute little prayer, she said: "Please bless the sheep that they will be safe and stay together in the group." After she finished her prayer, I asked her to tell me more about the sheep that she had just prayed for. She pointed to the Primary poster hanging in her room, the one with Jesus holding the little lamb, and said, remember the story you told me about the sheep? Those are the sheep I was talking about. First, it made me smile because she remembered the story and second, because it was just so darn cute. Next, I went into kiss Connor goodnight and he asked me to sing to him--I love it that he still wants me to do that. Ever since he was little, he has had a list of special nightime songs that he wants me to sing to him. Just as I would finish a song, he would request another. I love to watch him while I am singing--he is so sweet. As I am writing this, I think to myself: how could I ever get mad at these sweet little people in my life? I wish I could bottle these feelings and open them up for those times when I want to explode with anger instead of joy.

P.S. I am also exploding with happiness cause Dave washed all the dishes that I used while making freezer Jam today. Real men do dishes!!!

5 going on 25

This is the exact conversation I had with Hailey today:



Hailey: "Mom, when you first got married to dad, did you go camping?



Me: "Yes, we went camping once or twice when we first got married."



H: "Did you sleep in a tent?"



M: "Yes."



H: " When I grow up and find a handsome boy and get married, I want to go camping."



M: "That sounds fun."



H: Long pause ,"I can't wait for my kids to come."



In my mind I am thinking, Lets just get through the first day of kindergarton!

Other funny kid stories:

The other day, I was reading a Junie B. Jones book to Hailey when she asked, "Why doesn't this book have pictures?" I told her that you have to imagine the pictures in your head. She closed her eyes and after a few seconds, she opened her eyes and said, "The only thing in my head are letters."

While driving in the car I heard Connor say, "Hailey, you know what? Heavenly Father made these flowers.

One night after Dave had put the kids in bed, Connor came out and said, "Dad, I can't sleep, my room smells like Dog Poo."

Today, Connor told me he likes Olivia's eyes because they are sparkley.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to us!!!

7 years of almost marital bliss! Thanks for all the memories. We have grown so much toghether. We have laughed and cried, at least I have (ha ha). Here are 7 of my favorite memories:

1. Seeing you in the waiting room of the temple on our wedding day in your blue suit and red tie.

2. Dancing on a stage in Mexico in front of all of the locals.

3. Looking at that apartment in salt lake that had a toilet in the shower in a closet in the kitchen. I guess it was charming, if you like that sort of thing.

4. All the times you dress up in silly outfits to make me laugh, especially the time you dressed up in my maternity jumper and stuffed a pillow up it so we both looked fat.

5. Riding with you to shovel snow at 2am and heading to Dennys for breakfast afterwards. Sorry I wasn't much help, I tried.

6. Watching the first season of American Idol together in our first and second apartments.

7. Hitching a ride with the baptists when our car broke down on a Kansas Highway. Do you like tuna fish? Yeah...thats good!!

Good Times. I love you more today than yesterday!!!