Odd Life...

I took the girls to see "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" last night. I am so glad I did. I cried like a baby, of course, but there was more to it than that. If you have ever struggled to conceive, never conceived, lost a child, adopted a child, or if you are a child you should see this movie.

Many aspects of this movie struck home for me, but something jumped out at me that I have never really thought about.

One day my parents were just a married couple (10 years in) dying to have a child, and the next day they had this 6 1/2 year old kid under their care. In almost the blink of an eye their lives were changed forever. I thought about how they had no notice and little experience. Yes, they were both school teachers, but educating a child is much different than raising a child. I now wonder about their conversations in bed those few nights after they tucked me in. I wonder what dumb/silly things people said to them in regards to their new "baby." I wonder how long it took them to fall in love with me.

I'm sure they struggled as new parents, but they never let me in on it. I love them for that and so much more. I am grateful for my new perspective.

Fresh Syd!

My oldest has started high school. This is just weird. She absolutely loves it. I am so glad. Before school began, Maranda took pictures of Sydney for me. I want to have them, so we can compare her senior photos with her freshman photos. Not to mention, when Sydney is a senior Mallory will be a freshman. Maranda and I have huge plans for that photo shoot!!!

Thank you so much Urban Chic! I love you!

Back To School!

These three started school today:
Mallory 6th
Maverick 2nd
Strider Kindergarten

I took a ton of pictures.

I Like Thomas Wyatt Lemmon!

~I like to write his name on scrap paper when I'm bored at church. Then I stick the scrap paper in my scriptures somewhere to be stumbled upon later.


~I like to wear his birthstone...not mine. I will put one of my two ruby rings on once in a while in hopes someone will ask me about the birthstone I'm wearing.


~I like to design tattoos using his name or his initials (no portrait tattoos or footprint tattoos, thank you) and know the entire time I would never actually go through with it.


~I like to pull down his box of pictures once a year and go through each and every one of them all by myself (selfish me).


~I like when Bob and I talk about our kids and how they all look like Lemmon's, and Bobby will tell me "T" looked like me (sweet lies).


~I like when family and friends text me because they are unsure of what to say but want me to know they remember.


~I like acting tough, so no one feels uncomfortable.


~Most of all I like knowing that he is my son forever. I like knowing I will be his mother for eternity (and eternity is a long time).


~"I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always." ~ Robert Munsch

Summer Adventure #2 Julian!

Katie reserved a cabin for her week off this summer. She was so sweet to invite up any of her siblings who were available to join her. I jumped at the chance, and I brought Mallory along. The cabin was just beautiful, and the weather was a nice escape. We went a week without cable, Internet, or phone service. Strange but nice. We read, played games, slept, and watched movies. Delightful.

Not quite like the cabins we stayed in as children.

The kitchen and view were my two favorite things about this cabin.

We did a lot of reading...my favorite pastime.

A Downing family tradition.

Mallory had hours of fun with a few rolls of tape.

Life is good.

Kibbee's 11th Birthday!

Katie, Mallory, and I spent a week together in Julian. For the 4th of July, we loaded up and headed to see Kelly and the family for the holiday and to celebrate Mallory's birthday. Katie was so wonderful to plan a little party for Kibbee.

Summer Adventure #1 Oceanside!

My mother invited Sydney to go with her to my grandfather's timeshare in Oceanside this year. I invited myself to tag along. She pretty much told me I could only come if I brought the boys (long story made short). We had a wonderful time. We had a ton of family up there, and we kept plenty busy. Did I really have a choice with two boys?

My mother...The only human being on the beach wearing jeans. Love her!

Thank you for a wonderful trip, Mom! Thank you, Grandpa, for the hospitality.

Father's Day in Roll!

I didn't take a ton of pictures on Father's Day. I was too busy visiting, but here are a few, so my aunts can snag them and print them out. It didn't seem to matter how many times I told my grandfather to look at me and the camera. Not a one of the ten had his eyes on me. Auntie Joyce enjoying her first grandbaby. Adam was busy helping with the baby. Grandpa Harley getting once last kiss in before he hit the road home. My brother and my father. Lucky me.

Buddy & Behavior!

I was at Sydney's promotion while Bob attended Maverick's class awards ceremony. Maverick received several scholastic awards, but this behavior reward was by far our favorite! We apprecaite Mrs.Brooks, and her recognition of Maverick's fine behavior.