Such a BIG Kid!!

My baby is no longer a baby! I couldn't believe it when she showed me that she had a loose tooth. But then Monday, she came running out of the school when it was time to go home and she had a sticker on that said "I lost a tooth!" She was so proud. Her teacher helped her put the tooth in a baggie to take home and she gave her the sticker. My shy little Erin was all the talk at school Monday. So funny.

Empty Chairs and Empty Tables ...

I want to post this without crying, but I know that's not possible. So if you want to cry with me, keep reading. Otherwise, I would suggest skipping this post.

In March, Tash moved in permanently. She got her first job.
In April, she was baptized. She smiled in a way I had never seen before. True happiness.
In May, we had family pictures taken. She learned how to drive.
In June, we went to Girl's camp. She was a leader and gave her first "devotional." She learned how to cook dutch oven chicken.
In July, we went to Youth Conference. She danced with a 15 year old at the dance.. we laughed. The adoption was finalized.
In August, school started. She registered for drivers ed, seminary and got into the CNA program for next semester. She gave her first talk in Sacrament meeting.
In September, she was made first counselor in the Laurels class. She proudly told everyone her brother would be passing the sacrament for the first time. She went to the Utah State Fair for the first time.

In October, she ran away.

I will never understand. I've decided to stop trying. I just wanted to post this so that I can find a way to have closure. We are all hurting. The wound is still wide open.

We love you, Tash. Always will. No matter what you say or do - we love you and you can't change that.

There's a cute little WiTCH with a HAT

Oh how I LoVe Gardner Village. Especially in the fall. I started going to "The Mill" when Jer and I were engaged (almost 15 years ago). His mom introduced me to it and it's been my happy place ever since. The girls and I went last Saturday with my mom and Cari and there were a couple of the shops/houses for lease. I'm thinking about moving in.



I can't wait for Witchapalooza at the end of the month. There is so much witch "stuff" at the Mill - I could have spent hundreds. I will be back to get a hat.. for sure..

A DoZeN

I am surely not old enough to have an eighteen year old, but am I old enough to have a twelve year old? What does this mean? It means big boy Scouts and Young Men's and passing the Sacrament. I'm not sure I am ready for this. There is no doubt that Josh is ready and has been. He has always been ready for the next step long before it comes.

So, he is big. He does big kid things. But, for some reason, he is going backwards in maturity. He is crazy. He is a lunatic. He is a weirdo. And, at times, he is embarrassing. But, his friends laugh. So, he does it more.

I did not get one "normal" picture from this Birthday. And the gifts he got from his friends when right along with the mood... dill pickles, spam and a card game that is for smart non colorblind kids.

There is only one cake for Josh on his birthday: chocolate sheet cake. He loves it so much, he prefers one all to himself. This is the one I made and he did share with his friends. On Wednesday (his actual bday) his grandma brought him his own. That one was hands off for everyone but Josh.

The geekness spread as the night went on.. even the girls were scaring me.

I would like to think that Josh had a good birthday. I didn't see him much on his actual birthday. He started by doing Safety Patrol at school... had donuts with his class... got out of school and went right to Scouts... came home and changed and went to Young Men's (he needed to finish up with the 11 year old scouts)... and then came home and chilled for an hour before bed. He is an on the go kind of kid.

If you ask him, the highlight of his Birthday was definitely becoming a deacon and passing the Sacrament. He got his Temple recommend that day so that we can take him to do baptisms for the dead. I honestly could not be more proud of Josh and the priorities he has. He is an awesome brother, son, grandson, student, scout and friend. Love you, Josh. (p.s. Thanks for the hug.. I know it was hard, but I appreciated it).

Devil Inside

Does anyone know who this guy is?

Last Saturday (9/11), a bunch of strange people got together in South Jordan for a race.

Look at these crazy's. And they are smiling after running just to run.

Notice they all look thinner already??

He has no idea we are all screaming and cheering and taking pictures. It's all about the music in your ears that keeps you going.

Brent and Karen King, Lisa Harmon, Jer, and April = Team Devil Inside

Look how early it is! Not only do they run just to run, they get up before the sun to do it! I don't understand.

My baby's gone....

When Erin was only 2 and a half years old, I had already figured out that she was a mommy's girl and leaving me for anything was not going to be easy. She had almost 3 years of preschool because I was concerned even back then that come time for Kindergarten it was going to be difficult. But, she has completely surprised me!!! She gets up early, bathes, gets all ready and then we walk over to the school. She lines up with her class and goes right in.

Today I asked her how her first week went and she said "I love it! Kindergarten is fun!" She said she would even like to stay all day like the big kids. I'm not sure I am ready for that.

Back to School (with a little bit of Pirate Pride)

I don't have a back to school picture of Erin yet because she doesn't start until next week. But, I do have the other kids. And oh how happy Josh was to have yet another picture taken of him.


Abby and Emma lining up for class on the first day. Emma has done so well so far! 3 days in a row of staying all day. Whew. I know that sounds pathetic but it's HUGE progress after how last year ended.

This picture is for all those alumni that had to do the Pirate hook and "argh." Tasha came home from school after the first day and said she already had homework. She needed a picture of herself for one of her classes. So we took some pictures. Too fun. For someone that is a Wolverine thru and thru, I'm seein' some Pirate pride in her (maybe it's the giant C she is standing next to).