Life's Markers

Chan's preschool graduation was a special night for him. It marked his passage into REAL SCHOOL. (Or so he thinks...) Next fall, watch out Pre-K because there will be a new man in town and he is ready to learn and be like "the big kids". When Chandler's teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he quickly said, "a teenager". So it looks like mom and dad are going to have their hands full with this one for sure!

Brenna has officially finished school and is technically classified as a high school freshman. It is hard to believe that she is a freshman and that I am a mother with a high school student! She aced all her classes (again) and has a full academic load lined up next year complete with a little R&R with the high school swim team. I'm glad she will have the social aspect back in her life but oh, how I'm going to miss my Brenna girl. [The last 1/2 of the academic year, she finished school with an online charter program taking Geometry, High School LA and Spanish - along with other classes.]

MeKenna had a project to reconstruct London in 3-D and give an oral report on her country. She did an awesome job presenting because she was well prepped by her older sister. Brenna and I were happy to help her get this project behind her and reclaim the kitchen space.

Carter and Taylor finished their football season and are looking forward to trying tackle football in the fall. They had fun with new friends and gained new skills on the field.

Tanner's baseball season continues and though the team isn't doing very well, Tanner is holding his own on the mound. It has been a difficult season with an inexperienced coach. Sometimes it is amazing what we learn when we are placed in undesireable circumstances.

As for Russ and myself, we are just doing well to survive the hectic days and the emotion that results from decisions others have made. I can't control choices that are made out of my realm but I am learning how better to cope with those decisions that impact my life. I've been blessed with wonderful friends who support me, allow me to cry on their shoulders and some who even insist on bringing my family dinner. With friends like that, I can get through these trials.

In the end, I'm very grateful for Russ and my children. Most men don't listen but want to "fix" everything. Russ is good about validating my feelings and emotions, holding me when I need to cry, and lightening my load in the house. Sometimes he'll even take the kids out for "daddy time" and let me have time by myself. I love him so much!

Playing Catch-Up with Modge Podge Events

I have been slothful in keeping our blog updated as we have whizzed from one event to the next. After looking at the lack of pictures we have taken due to a loss of my camera, I decided to post a mirage of events into one posting with pictures taken from my handy-dandy phone. Thus, the title "Playing Catch-Up" becomes apropros.



We've been blessed with many visitors the past few months, all of which we became aquainted with in Georgia. I can not express in words the feeling I have when I see a familiar "Georgia face". Deep down, I am giddy - while also very appreciative to Heavenly Father for continuing relationships. When I see our Texas friends, I feel the same way!

Anyway, our family friend Steven Lord came to visit one Sunday afternoon for a chimichanga dinner. He played with the kids on the tramp and then everyone roasted marshmallows that evening as we sat around talking. We haven't seen Steven since he left on his mission 3 years ago. He looks really good and has grown so much - physically and spiritually. I witnessed a maturity in him that was gained during our 3 year absence. (Hopefully it wasn't gained BECAUSE he was away from us for three years though!) We hope to see more of him. I don't have pictures of Brandon Clay's Sunday afternoon visit with us. Maybe the next time he is around, we'll snag some and get them on a post.

Lee-Lee Hughes and Ruthie Hughes Meacham brought little Chase to visit us shortly after he was born. Chandler couldn't get enough of him and was very attentive to this baby's gestures and stretches. Russ and I took the kids to Provo for Chase's blessing and went with the family afterwards to Santaquin for a brunch. I wish I had captured on camera Chandler and CJ playing together, but the one picture I did manage turned out blury. I'm sad Ruthie and Todd are moving but hope they visit Utah often and we get to "hook up". We've known Ruthie since she was about 12 and watched her grow, marry and have children of her own. Talk about making us feel old! We really hope Lee-Lee continues to come and visit. I've missed her so much and was very grateful to be able to spend some time with her one evening driving around!

Tanner is the starting pitcher for his baseball team and is keeping his pitch-count down most games. He has worked hard and his loser mom has not gotten any pictures of him on the mound this season to post. (She'll have to work on that!) Also, the "mom" needs to work on gathering pictures of Carter & Taylor playing spring flag football. We weren't able to convince the twins to play baseball and it broke our hearts. However, they are old enough to make their own sporting decisions so I am keeping my fingers crossed they'll go back to the diamond next year!

Chandler is playing t-ball for the first time and what an experience it has been. It is fun to watch Russ coach the team and bond further with little ChanMan. The kids are so cute out on the field watching the ball roll past them. You can almost see the light go on in their heads with the electricity spreading to all the players at the same time as they suddenly kick it into gear and chase the ball - ALL of the players at once...to the SAME location! Once in a while there is a little bit of a struggle to convince a player to throw the ball and where to get it to. Its a good thing they don't keep score for this age group. Each player bats and runs the bases every inning. Chandler gets excited because he "hits homeruns" all the time. :)


Russ has been working very hard the last month with a side project and regular full time work. He had some extra free time this last week and took Chandler fishing for the first time. It must be in the hormones because I've never heard a girl talk about a fishing trip for as long or as consistent as ChanMan. He would fish morning, noon and night if someone would take him. Our biggest problem is that we don't really have fish lovers at the house. Maybe he could start a business and sell his profits of the day? Russ says everytime he casts into the water, he gets a bite. Hmmmm....We'll have to think about this one.





One other thing that I do have pictures for this last month is my niece's baptism. Here is Kenna with Addy. Lately, Kenna can't get enough "Addy time". A positive about our move is the witnessing of cousins becoming good friends.

Brenna is in this picture with her cousins, Lauren and Amanda. I wish I had the picture I took of these three together playing dress up when they were little girls. They aren't so little anymore. Where does time go?

Last but not least, Russ had his birthday on Mother's Day. With our running around last month, we decided a quick get away was in order. We're very grateful for our children's help in keeping the house picked up and allowing us to be away for a night at Park City. It wasn't cold but it wasn't warm either. The weather was perfect - and so was the company!