...gotta prove to daddy that I'm not a fool....

Back to school! Back to school!

Yep, I'm singing it out loud today! My house is beautifully quiet! In a few days I'll miss the chaos that I enjoyed all summer long. But I have to mourn my loss for a few days. And, I don't plan to rush the process!

I love back to school pics. I love that they capture the giant personalities of my crazies. I love that they provide a measurable record of their growth: not just physical growth, but I can see the changes in their confidence, maturity and enthusiasm.

Alright...here they are. Back to school 2013

 Lu's version of standing still and smiling nice...

 The caboose of this crazy train has more personality than the others before her. I don't know how that's possible, since I don't have a quiet, plain Jane personality kid. But Landri is so much fun...she is a blend of all the others, benefiting and suffering from the tricks of her siblings! Can't imagine my days without her sunshine!

 if this isn't my 'Double Trouble' pic....

 Love my little sparkplug. If I have one kid that mirror's his daddy's energy and love of life...its Eli. Sure, the kid makes me crazy some days, but so does his dad! Kidding...sort of! Seriously love this little monkey.

 Yes, Avery is back to dressing in full fashionista mode. She has a sense of 'fashion' all her own, and I love that it compliments her little happy-going personality. She's a treasure, always happy and easy to please. I love knowing that her teacher will fall in love with her immediately, as she's almost impossible not to love! Grateful she's mine...

 Yes, hello sixth grade...and MASCARA. Be still my heart, why must we have to grow up? I love this kid. I could do without a little of her sassiness sometimes, but am also very aware that her little stinky-streak is what allows her to keep her standards. Her conscious(sp?) is so on the surface that it makes me giggle, and her constant reminders of what I need to do, when, make me bonkers. But I love this kid to pieces. She's a mini-me, and in her goals last night she rattled off that she'd like to start for the 7th grade bball team and get straight A's. And...I dare you to hold her back!

 My Bo-Bee...

 I am entirely looking up at this boy. He just took off this summer and I swear he grows every night. Perhaps placing his bedroom by the food storage room wasn't a good idea, as I'm forever finding chip bags under his bed. I thoroughly enjoyed Kolbe this summer. He has a calm, funny way. He is slightly dingy, like my mom. I look forward to this year with Kolbe...he smugly informed me this morning on our walk to the school that he's 'a big 8th grader....the kings of elementary' this morning. Oh, how I love that they have such cocky swagger already!

 my favorite!!!

 right where Lu belongs: toted by Kolbe and Kenna

Catch up...

We were a bit limited on our vacationing this year, as Nate doesn't have any vacay time with his job until Jan 2014. But we managed to get out camping  several times and I think the kids would still report that summer vacation was a success. And...really, I lOVED my time with all of them home all stinking summer, right up until last week! At that point their beloved swimming pool closed and the incessant chants of "we have nothing to do!" started and mommy's patience thinned. I took them all to the café yesterday for a back to school celebration(we all celebrate for different reasons, wink wink).  And this morning, its just me and little Lu, snuggled up under a blankie watching her favorite toons. It was her request last night, as she weaseled in 10 more minutes in my bed claiming to be 'so faweezing in my bed'.

I love this time of my life. I love the giggling of my children. I love their friendships. I love their stinky little bodies, still brown from summer fun. I love it all.....well, most of it! :)

my happily ever after....

Well anyone who reads this silly blog knows that I don't hold a lot back. I believe in TRUTH. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
And I can't help but get a little nostalgic this morning as I sit at the table and remember my life 16 years ago today. All of it.

I was 19. And scared to death. Oh sure, I was giddy excited too. I woke up at the horrific time of about 5 am and showered, loading all of my princess accessories into the back of my parent's vehicle. We were heading north, crossing the border. I was getting married.

Because not every marriage is a 'Cinderella Story', my parents were terrified. I had only known and dated Mr. Wonderful for a few months. They peppered me with questions of 'how much do you know him? have you prayed and fasted about this?' and when my stubborn 19 year old attitude would fight back, they'd recede their concerns, at least vocally. And the funny thing is, MY fears mirrored theirs! I just didn't tell them :) Now, before you get carried away thinking I didn't want to marry Nate...I'll correct you. He was nothing short of perfect in all our dating. And I loved him. But I can't even call those emotions I experienced 16 years ago 'love'.

In our faith we are given the opportunity for a Patriarchal Blessing. This is simply a blessing, offered from a specific individual who's been given the authority and privileged this calling. The blessing is different for every person. A Patriarchal blessing offers only some insight into your life, and promises of what happiness awaits a righteous life. Sometimes there is wisdom for trials we may face. Its directly a message from a loving Father to YOU. It can be very specific, or very general. Mine is the latter: its short. And one of the few tender messages within my blessing counsels my preparation in choosing a husband...the 'most important decision I will ever make in this lifetime.'
Despite my fears 16 years ago, I remember the day I prayed specifically to know if marrying Nate, so incredibly fast after we'd met, was truly as 'right' as I felt it was. And I remember the calm, happy feeling that immediately came. I remember the way I could just 'see' my life with Nate. And I knew. I knew that despite the jitters that were ravaging my insides...this was it!
I cannot express how many times I have been annoyed with myself for those fears long ago! Oh, man, was I blessed! These 16 years have indeed provided me an understanding of why selecting the right spouse is THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION I WOULD EVER MAKE.
Because of this choice, my children have a father. He expects much of them, but is the first one to rush to their support in any and all things they do. His enthusiasm and pure love spills over into everything he does, and my children are evidence of that. In a world where families struggle, my children know complete security. Its not something they can appreciate yet, or at least vocalize, but I recognize the strength of this blessing. My children are led: our church released a Proclamation about the importance of families many years ago. In it comes the counsel that fathers provide, preside and protect. How perfectly my husband does these things. He is forever trying to make sure our family is provided for, temporally and spiritually.
So many times in the last many years I have been told, even publicly, 'wow, you did good Julie'. How I know this!
16 years. I can't believe I'm old enough to claim that, but I'm so stinking proud to do it! I have the best husband. He has been my source of constant. I always know what to expect of him, how he'll react, what he'll do and say in any situation. Its a huge strength to know exactly what I'll be living with from day to day. He is kind, and has never even raised his voice at me. He supports me in everything I do...he tolerates my stubborn streak. He is loud. He values those things that matter the most to me.
I am eternally grateful this man is mine forever! There is no way I could have ever imagined our life together on this morning, 16 years ago. I was thinking in very immediate terms. But now, with a little experience under my belt, I am dreaming of what the next 16 will bring!
I am so incredibly grateful this morning for the answered prayer of a scared 19 year old girl. And for the incredible life I've been blessed with!
Happy Anniversary to me!