Fourth and Final!

Tiny started preschool this Thursday. He will be attending twice a week this year. If I were not working this could have possibly been my best day ever, but alas...I dropped my boys off and went to work. The thought of having an empty house for a few hours twice a week WAS very exciting at one time.

Nevertheless, Tiny had a great first and second day. He didn't have much to say about it, but he had no idea this morning that he had to go again. He thought/hoped it was a one time only type deal. "Oh! I go again?!"

Kinder King or Kinder is King?

I was in no hurry for my girls to begin school. I wanted them to stay my babies forever. Maverick on the other hand...

For two weeks now he has been sleeping in his own bed and going to bed on his own at a reasonable hour...Okay, reasonable for Maverick.

I beat myself up all day because I didn't take him myself to his first day. Bobby took him, and I was able to take him for his second day. My new and improved schedule for this year is not proving to be so improved.

He started kindergarten at Hand In Hand, and we were on time day one and day two. This is a good omen. He was also the first leader, so that started things off with a bang.

We decided to keep him at Hand In Hand for the kinder program for several reasons, and I have no regrets, yet. They might have regrets for accepting him, but I can only speak for myself.

These pictures show capture Maverick perfectly.

Middle & 4th!

Today is the first day of school for my girls. Maverick starts kinder in ten days (counting down).

Mallory is starting fourth grade today, and she is not thrilled with having to tuck in, she didn't get the teacher she had hoped for, and she has no friends in her class. On a positive note though, she met her new teacher Friday and thinks she is super nice. She also knows several kids in her new class, so she will have many opportunities to make new friends.

Sydney is starting Crane Middle School today. She was up bright and early because school begins just a hair after 7:00. She was pretty excited when she left. She knows her way around the school pretty well and has her grandma and Kay-Lanie around for support. Bob and I are the nervous ones. She seemed fine.

I start back tomorrow. I will be working Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Wednesday afternoons at Rancho. I'll be working with migrant kids (4th-6th) and running the new lunch detention program. I am as excited as my girls. I love the first day. It's around the thirtieth day that you wonder what you signed up for. My mom started her 31st year today. We talked this morning. Nothing quite like the first day back, even after so many years.

I better go. It's time to lay out my outfit for tomorrow.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow!

The girls got their annual back to school haircuts. Our friend, Kevin, opened a new shop. It's called "Tease." We were excited to try it out. He did a great job. Sydney said afterward, "I'm ready to start school now." I still can't believe she's going to be in JUNIOR HIGH.

Totem Times!

Sydney went to her first year of church camp last week. There was a survivor theme, and Bobby was asked to make a totem to represent Yuma's 5th Ward. When you ask Bob to do something you had better prepare yourself! He goes above and beyond where my imagination can take me. Sydney was proud of her dad and the totem.

Jace & Joan!

I knew it was coming, but it is now official.

To Jace I ask, "Do you know what you are getting yourself into?"

To Joan I say, "The Downing clan goes way back with the Noble clan. It was written in the stars for our powers to join one day."

I'm so happy for them. Now let the planning begin!

Reminder To Self.

This year Thomas's birthday came and went. I avoided blogging or talking about it for several reasons.

One being that I'm almost out of pictures of him to post, and that brings me more sadness than I am ready for, so it's just easier to avoid.

Second reason is it seems as the years go by he is less and less remembered, and this year my girls asked what he looked like, and it hit me that they are losing the memories, as well. I tell myself that this is life and how the brain works, but as I struggle to hang on to his images in my mind I struggle at the same time to keep the tears at bay.

Third reason is that I have been feeling a little shorted lately. I am getting older. We have decided not to have anymore children, and because of this I guess I think/feel I was shorted one baby.

I know, I know he's in heaven waiting for me. I get that. That doesn't change the fact that he's not here and now. The human part of me struggles with these feelings. These silly mortal feelings. I know without a doubt this lifetime is just a drop in our eternal bucket of life. I know life goes on and on after this little, silly life. Now, if I can just convince this mere mortal/myself that there is a time and place for everything. There is a bigger plan than I am aware of. This too shall pass. It will all be worth it.

I guess I just had to write this post to remind myself.

Summer Quilt!

Sydney started a quilt just about a month ago and finished. Grandma Patty taught her the moves and away she went. I'm so proud of her summer accomplishment. Thank you, Grandma!

No Sparkles Here!

I just finished "The Passage." I don't generally do book reviews. I hesitate to recommend books because we all have different tastes, standards, and expectations. I am making an exception in this case.

"The Passage" is 800 pages of goodness. My sister's friend referred to it as "The Crack Book." This is accurate. I have accomplished next to nothing over the last seven days. Side Note: Why is it that when I finish a book I feel so accomplished then?

It's not my usual genre. It came highly recommended, so I took a leap of faith. I'm so glad I did.

Cronin writes very much like Stephen King, and that is a compliment coming from me. If you hear the word "vampire" associated with this book just ignore it. We call them "virals" or "jumps" in this book. They do not sparkle, fight werewolves, or drive fancy cars (not that I mind all that).



Complaints:
- "F" word
- Overuse of the "ascends" and "descends"
- Long
- Not long enough
- 1st in a series

Praises:
- Awesome
- Addictive
- Creative
- Familiar
- Unfamiliar

I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. Until then, all lights are on!

P.S. I love my Nook! Thank you, Bob. It makes reading so much more convenient. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing?