Kennedy all grown up!

Kennedy is TWO now. She is very excited about it and already proclaims she is three. For some reason she wants to skip two. Terrible part...I would like to skip too. Yes, she has perfected the tantrum. Thank goodness she is so cute and full of good times, so I can forget the tantrums.

I was looking through her photos last year. I couldn't believe I still have her in some of the same outfits. She is just growing taller, not wider at this point.

Here she is a year ago. Here she is now. Where did the time go?

Kennedy also decided she wanted to potty train. As ready as I am to get one more out of diapers, I am not ready to find mystery puddles. Oxy will be my friend. Kennedy likes to hide. It sort of makes me miss the confined spaces of our apartment. So far so good. She loves her big girl potty and panties. Once my kiddos start themselves, I let them stay the path. Yes there will be accidents, but here we go!

Kennedy is full of spunk! She loves doing whatever Cohen and Taylin are doing. Her new thing is grabbing a bag/purse and whatever else she feels appropriate for her "outing." She then tells us all goodbye, see you later and such and off to her room she plays. She is talking a bit more, but would like to talk more. When David gets home the kids have so much to share. Kennedy likes to add her stories too. It isn't the words, but her expressions and change of tone that make you want to listen to her cares of the day. She is determined, as all our children are. She is also such a lovable doll.

We love our grown up girl!

I had a birthday...

...two weeks ago. Cohen celebrated his fourth birthday and is sooo proud. He still talks about it along with his prayers that STILL include "Santa and all the other Santas." He makes me laugh!

Every year is a special year, but we try to make every fourth birthday a big birthday...usually a friend birthday. Since we just moved here, we just went a little bigger on gifts and yep, Chuck E. Cheese!

David was on call Saturday through Sunday, so we celebrated as a family Friday night. I tortured him. I set it all out on the table...cake and gifts thinking David would be home soon. I ended up having to distract Cohen and Kennedy for an hour. That's the life! We played music freeze. The kids seemed content.

Spiderman cake, transformers and Bolt...then off to Taco Bell. That is what we told him. He was so excited about that, David and I started to get nervous he might be let down we didn't go there. Oh, no...his reaction was so worth it! Didn't catch it on camera. He was so sweet!

Cohen's favorite part was chasing Chuck E. Cheese. He came out two or three times and was so disappointed he didn't get to talk to him. He was shy when there was a big crowd. When the crowd faded (because CEC was going to his "mouse hole") Cohen followed him all the way into the kitchen. I grabbed him just in time. He would shy away when Chuck E. came up to him.

His was all over the games, but his favorite was air hockey. Yep, he is my son! We will work on the skills later.

Saturday, his actual birthday we went to the Mesa Temple for a Primary Activity. He was so excited as were the rest of the kiddos. We sang to him at church before we caravaned to the Temple. If I could just capture and share with you the pride in this boy, you would smile too! Everyone knew it was his birthday. The primary president said we were going to sing to someone special..."Does anyone know who it is?" While sitting straight up Indian Style, his hand shot straight up and stiff in the air with a big grin...so everyone pointed at him. I have never seen him grin soo big and his dimples shine so much!
The children enjoyed the time at the temple grounds. It is sooo beautiful!
What a sweet moment and now 4 is a very important number. If I give him five cookies, he still wants four. Everything has to be four if we can help it! He is budding into quite a little character. He continues to surprise us with his brightness! Love this kiddo!

Baby Blessings

June 7th, 2009


This was something we did early upon our arrival in AZ. We knew there would be several Sundays David wouldn't be able to attend church. We wanted to bless Teague before the hectic schedule and before he outgrew the blessing outfit. My boys bulk up pretty quickly apparently.

(He wasn't up for pictures...but I didn't want to put the outfit on again later. We tried that with Kennedy and we waited so long, her outfit almost didn't fit. This was the first...he just got more red and upset after this.)

Cohen tried to help. So sweet!

Although we missed having family here, it was a beautiful day. Low key and low stress too! We haven't really had down time since a little before Teague was blessed and not much of a recovery time after he was born.

Teague did great and we feel so blessed to have a precious child of God in our home. His blessing gave him much guidance in facing the challenging world we live in. He is going to be one tough kiddo. He has to be! I know the Lord loves each of his children and has entrusted them in our family! We love you Teague! We are thankful to have you as a part of our eternal family!
May 3rd, 2009

Teague was just days old (that didn't keep us from anything...he just lived in a sling) and we went to Houston to witness the blessing of our nephew/the kids' cousin, Luke. David blessed Luke Samuel Galloway. He was born in February just a few days before David's birthday. Such a sweet baby boy! We love his smiles and miss him. He has grown so much! That is what babies do!

He was so handsome in his little white suit!

Will I Ever be Caught up...on anything!

I am way behind in my blogging and trying to catch up. So I have had a few entries on the very latest, but realized I have left a lot out. No, we haven't been unpacking all the last three months. We have made use of our time. I love this picture though...I had boxes just sitting...decorations, ugh! I love the large amount of space. My goal is to keep it fairly clear. It has it's days! Finally, I decided to empty them, so it might annoy me enough to put them away. Nope this is what we saw until it bugged David enough. Surprisingly, the kids didn't bother them either. I sorted through them and made a new box of things I won't be using for the time or future garage sale items. We have had some pics up for a while. Some still need a nail to hang on...or someone to put the nail in and like where it is at.





With the rest of my post...I think...I will be sharing mostly pictures, so I can catch up. Most don't need explanation, but I might find a need to explain...that's just me! Some moments I did have my hands full (imagine that), so I didn't get pictures. I missed getting pictures of some memories/family/friends than I had intended. Enjoy the read or just skim and look at our fun family adventures!

Car Converse

It is always fun to pick Taylin up (yep...ALL...three days so far) and hear about her day. They will be spending the first few days/weeks learning how things work. I am already getting this response:


Me: "What did you do today?"



Taylin: "The same thing we did yesterday?"



After further prying we get a little more. She met her principal today and he read them a book. She liked the book. Instead of asking her what she did today, I have tried to change it up (i.e. What was your favorite part of the day? Was there anything challenging or uncomfortable about today? etc.). I am sure they did so much, she won't want to explain every detail (Of course that is what I am looking for, although I would never admit it.) after an full day.


My favorite is the conversations the kids have. Taylin will be so excited to see them and ask them about their day. She then asks if they missed her in the sweetest way. The conversation with Cohen went like this today *chuckle*.



Taylin: "Did you miss me today?"

Cohen: "Yes."

*pause*

Cohen: "umm, no. I didn't cry when I got home."

Taylin in all seriousness: "Well you will cry tomorrow. Cuz you are going to miss me. I am going to be gone ALL day." (They have only been going until 1PM...now they will go until 3PM with the rest of the students.)



That was much better than yesterday after school. I made my poor girl cry. Yep! I didn't word my questions just right. I noticed she had marinara sauce on her cheek. I didn't pack anything that might leave that mark. I investigated a little. Come to find out she didn't hear the teacher when it was time to put her lunch in the lunch bin. When it was time to go to lunch her lunch was still in her backpack. She didn't realize anything different until they were already in the middle of their journey to lunch (yes, it is a journey with several kindergartners). I don't know exactly how everything went, but she ended up getting a lunch from the cafeteria. She felt bad. I was frustrated about a few things that were out of Taylin's control. She felt it a little bit. One, I made sure to go to the store late Monday night to make sure she had a good lunch the next day. Two, she had her lunch...why couldn't they get it. I do understand they don't want to take 12 plus kids back to get their lunch. Ho hum! $2, no biggy and her lunch was made for the next day. It isn't hard. They hardly eat a thing!




I know I have shared a lot about Taylin starting school. It has changed the dynamics of our day drastically. We are adjusting and learning how to organize our day. Half day feels like we are at the school all day. This morning we wanted to go to a library after we dropped her off. I went to two thinking they just might have different hours. Nope, Phoenix libraries don't open until 11AM Mon, Wed, Fri. They do open at 9AM Tues, Thurs, Sat. That was a lot of driving for nothing. I think it has to do with the infamous "Culture Pass." It is pretty neat you can check out museum admissions. It is a first come first serve basis. There was a family waiting at 930AM. I know it is free, but no thanks! An hour and a half in AZ heat...three kids, phew! All that was left after I picked Taylin up from school was the Heard Museum. David and I would enjoy it, but the kids might be done after 15 minutes. I guess it wouldn't matter...free...and didn't have to wait. Someday I will figure that out. I was frustrated, because we didn't get anything done in an hour.




In honor of our unproductive hour this morning, I let the kids go "swimming" when we got home from the library.
She was mad, because I wouldn't let her take the camera to the pool. I know! I am the meanest mom ever. She is pretty good at this. She tests my will power. Of course giving her the cookie or camera (not so cheap) or whatever else would be easier. That is what she wants me to think.

OUR first day

Taylin did great! Mom did okay too! Taylin picked out her outfit today. It wasn't my ideal first day outfit, but I wanted her to be comfortable and happy her first day. She did good and is a cutie!

I wasn't the only one going crazy with a camera. I was actually fairly mild, since I had my entire clan with me. I was the crazy one still going home with three ;) I tried to get a good video for David, but my memory card was full. I wasn't sure the best time to video.

(I love the large backpack...had to be big enough for a folder to fit.)

I thought we were supposed to take our children to the playground and the teachers were to pick them up at 9. Yes, 9AM...we are up for hours before school starts. Well, I would have been a horrible parent. ALL the parents were on the playground. I parked as far away as possible, because that is all that was left. Loaded the stroller and hiked up to the school. Really wasn't that bad except, my four year old decided he needed to be carried (this is something I have been working on...seriously, he is lucky he is a little guy and I didn't want to spoil Taylin's first day with a tantrum from Cohen.). Our large clan watched Taylin line up and said our goodbyes. I was fine until, she put her bag in her class line and then looked around wondering what was next. Poor thing. I wanted so bad to go stand next to her until her teacher came. She hasn't met anyone yet. She was so excited it didn't bother her. This was my one moment I teared up...then quickly asked Cohen to quit climbing the fence.

I saw a mom kiss her child goodbye and it dawned on me how horrible I am. I wanted to make this as easy as possible and didn't even send her off with a kiss and my well wishes. I toted my crew in the playground. Left them for a moment and quickly gave Taylin a kiss and wished her a good day. She was so sweet. Off she went with her teacher and had a great day.

Cohen was the most upset. He is so use to going everywhere with Taylin. He thought he was supposed to go in her classroom with her. He insisted he just needed to see her.

We went to our PTA meeting to get introduced to the principal and PTA, of course.

We came home. Teague was asleep. Kennedy was ready for a nap (three hours early) and Cohen was content on playing with his toys. Seriously, was this a new trend. I could really get use to this. Well, today wasn't so blissful...

...I did drop Taylin off today. She knew where she was to go. I was a bit nervous because several parents were still around, so it is hard to see little people around them. I was confident she knew who to go to for help and where her classroom was if she needed to get there. I didn't want to have to convince Cohen again that he couldn't go in. I will see how her day went at 1PM again today.

We came home. Teague refused to sleep unless I was holding him. Kennedy bugged Cohen. I refereed a bit. Off I went to a "normal" day. Yesterday must have been just to ease my nerves.

Now if I can get Kennedy to sleep past 530AM and Teague to sleep more at night, aaahh!

See Taylin...awwwh, poor thing! I wish I knew what she was thinking at that moment. After watching this, I can't beleive I was just watching from afar taking a video. I knew I couldn't be beside her the whole day and it was time for me to step back. Thank goodness we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who is by her side always and especially when I can't be there.

First Born Apron Strings Trimmed

This day has been talked about for sometime at our house. Taylin has wanted to go to school for a year and a half...or forever. I use to think, until five months ago, I will be just fine sending her off to school. Then we moved and I picked up the registration form for Taylin's home school. As tears filled my eyes behind my sunglasses, I worried if the school was the best I could give her. The hunt was on. Three months later, she is in the school I am most confident in and it is one of the closest of my top five choices.

Then came the reality. I still find moisture behind my eyelids.

My oldest is going to school. Sure I am excited for one less child at home. She is my most dependable. She can't go. Not Taylin, she is my helper. She potties on her own. She can entertain herself if she needs to. She could make a sandwich if I were really desperate. She understands directions and is obedient. She does exercise agency at times. Why would that make my day any easier to send her off? Well, that just means she is ready, right?


I have thought a lot about why parents are so emotional about dropping their child off the first day of school. Is it because I will miss her? I am sure I will. I am handing my child over to a teacher I met four days ago for most of the day. Is she ready? Yes, she is excited to learn and make new friends. What about those days that are harder and I am not the one that is there to lift her up until 3PM. Did I prepare her to stand up for what is right? To be a friend to all? To respect the adults? But run, kick and scream if you don't know them (that is everybody right now)? Can she open everything in her lunchbox? Mostly, yes. She will be getting new packages with the convenience of sending a lunch (I didn't think about this until the note came home about sending things they can open. Of course no teacher wants to open 17 plus food items.). What is she going to learn not just from her teacher but from her new peers? Will I like it? Not always.


I now have reached a new phase of motherhood. I actually might have to wake up before the kids to assure I am ready to go before any interruptions and I can then get them ready. I no longer feed my kids when we are finally hungry. I send a lunch prepared ahead of time. I will have to make sure the kids, at home, eat early enough to nap before it is time to pick their sister up. I have to be somewhere everyday before 9AM and again at 3PM. I have no idea what my child is doing for six hours of the day. I can only trust the notes that come home and my child's elaborate details of the day (that is a little sarcasm...I am sure the details will fade and my child will have done the popular "nothing" at school).

Cohen will be "the big man on campus" now. He and Kennedy will grow closer. Cohen sure will miss his big sis! Buddies! I can just see it now when Taylin gets home wiped out. Cohen will say,"Taylin, let's play this, and this and that. Taylin, come on let's play!"

I will be that first time mom with the camera sending her off to school. Especially since David is on call and his last well wishes were Saturday night and a tender phone call the night before. I am tickled to see her in her over sized backpack and her new outfit that she so excitedly wanted to go into the fitting room for. She is so tiny, but so grown up!

Will I be that annoying mom that knows exactly how perfect her child is and everything the teacher says against my child can't be true? Will I be that annoying mom that is a certified teacher and thinks things should change...or just let the teacher teach? Can I just be the perfect mom that helps, but knows when enough is enough and supports her child's teacher?

Well, time is up. All I have taught her for now will have to get her through the first few days of school. I can only hope we can have an open communication and I can buffer whatever she learns from her peers. I hope that I have enough faith that my prayers will be answered. I hope that I can be a good example while she is home and love her enough and more that she knows how special she is no matter what comes her way. I hope she knows I love her, God loves her and she can conquer that world she is stepping into.

Yes, it is just kindergarten. It is the world. I will be rethinking my role as her mother at other steps she takes. I have complete confidence in Taylin. I have faith in the Lord.


I love you Taylin! My big girl! Spread your wings and soar!