The Window is still Cracked Open

Erin

"Er Bear"

This week my baby Erin started back to school for her last year of public education. Wow! As I sat back after she left for school, (actually I really didn't sit, I kept busy working) and pondered the event, I suddenly realized that this was the last time I would send a child off to school. I then thought back over all the years of sending all of my children back to school. Each year I remember always feeling so excited for each of them but also so sad because I loved having my children home for the summer. They were all my little buddies and I missed each of them when they were gone. I remember most all the other Moms talking about how excited they were to have summer over and sending their kids back to school. I always thought there must be something wrong with me because I didn't feel that was AT all. Well, now as I worked in my yard, I thought about the windows in our lives. A big window is about to close in my life, and that means a new window is about to open. That is an interesting feeling. I don't quite know how I feel about it at this point. I would have to say a little sad and a little excited.

Erin and her new Viola

Now, I do believe that was about the fastest summer we have ever had. Time flew by soooooo fast. I don't know why, because I can't really even remember what we did. I know we worked a lot because we didn't vacation much. Well, I would have to say we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish though.

Beautiful

These were our goals for the summer. Erin decided she was ready to invest in an upgrade in her viola. We thought her old viola would last through High School, but she has improved to the point that she was ready for a better one. So, we decided to start shopping. We have learned a lot about musical instruments, how they are made, what makes one different than another, and on and on. I was very surprised at how much different each instrument can be and how unique they are. I was also so surprised at the different prices. Our goal was to find one before school started this fall and we barely made it. She also was working and saving her money so that she could pay cash for it. I was so proud of her. She is really growing up right now and this experience has really helped her learn a lot more about life and the value of money. She has a much greater appreciation for all those Fruitfull runs and raising good 4-H animals. She also is practicing with greater quality and intensity. This is paying off. She is really improving right now and we are sure enjoying it. She also started up taking piano lessons again. She realizes that if she wants to pursue her education in music, she will need a better piano base. So, lucky me, I get to hear her practice the piano too. It seems like that is what she does with every spare moment, play viola and then play piano. And since she is the only kid around now, she can just leave it out and it is safe and convenient to play easily.

Happy

Her next goal was to complete a home study Social Civic coarse so that she could graduate from High School early. She did it. I am so proud of her because I didn't know if she would make it. It has been my observation in the past that she kind of has a problem with procrastination. I don't know how she got like this, because it is not like me at all and it drives me crazy to watch a procrastinator. She did it though, and I lived through watching the first half of the summer before she even opened the book. I was also very careful to not say anything about it. I really thought that this might be one of those hard learned lessons of failure, but I was wrong. Even procrastinators can get things done on time.

Erin and Victoria (her viola teacher)

Erin has a dream.. She wants to get a music scholarship and major in music performance. But at the same time, wants to get a certificate in something like Visual Tech, Surgical Tech, Respiratory Therapy or Phlebotomy. That way she can get a job while she is studying what she loves. She is working on her pre-requisites at Community College now to get her into one of these courses now. What a smart girl. I am so excited for her. I know she can do it.

Life is good. I Love you Erin. Thank you for being a part of our family.

I LOVE BEING A GRANDMA!!!

This is about the most horrible picture of me ever, but just look at the adorable new crop of babies. Sorry Jodi and Chris, but I think this beats your new crop of beets, cabbage and cauliflower. I am so lucky.

Last week we had such a great time at our annual family re-union. We started out at Jodi and Chris's place in Annabella on Friday afternoon. Saturday morninig we all got up and some of us went on a beautiful bike ride down the canyon starting at Big Rock Candy Mountain. I loved it. I think the bike bug is creepping into the lives of my kids. How FUN! I think that Lincoln's #1 word in his vocabulary right now is Bike Ride.

After enjoying a little bit of time at the Nielson's we headed up the canyon to do some good old mountain camping. We left equiped with 4 wheelers, tents, trailer, fishing poles, dogs and plenty of good food. I can hardly believe how much the chemistry of our family changes each year. What a big difference it makes for each of the grandkids to grow in one year. All of the Mamas and Papas were extra busy attending to their own little growing crop of kids. Jay and I hardly saw each other the whole time we were there. We were both so busy just trying to take it all in. We both had so much fun just playing and watching all of our kids being parents. And the Grand Kids. Oh my, they had so much fun playing with each other and they are so dang cute. And what great bonds they have with each other.

Like my post said:

I LOVE BEING A GRANDMA!!!

And this is why!

Levi

Levi came into this world about the cutest baby I have ever seen. Way too cute to be a boy. He was also very stubborn. I saw this as a future gift. He has great values and holds to them very firmly. He also has an extremely sensitive and sweet side to him. He seems to care about others feelings and is very sensitive to them. He has tons of energy and goes and goes. He makes a great big brother and cousin and we all love him.

Casey

Casey is extremely sweet, kind of quiet, really pretty, and really smart. She is usually sitting back quietly watching, listening and paying close attention. She has an incredible attention span. When I am around Casey I find myself striving to be better. She is also a great big sister to Whit. He is crazy about her.

Heston

I love Heston. He is a rascal but he is melted in my heart. He is a thinker and has very interesting thoughts. He is really a big tease and is fun to play with. He is also extremely athletic. He can be serious, goofy, happy and funny. I love to talk to him because he tells me exactly what he is thinking and it is always interesting to hear his thoughts. He is honest. He is also like velcro. He sticks right with me.

Dantsel

Dantsel is my little Bug a Boo Girl. She is a girly one. She is a princess through and through. She is really fun and sweet. She is smart, kind and pretty. She loves to look pretty and wear jewelry, have her nails done, and has beautiful hair styles and cute clothes. She also loves horses. Maybe she will be a rodeo princess some day. She looks like her Dad!

Emery

Emery had kind of a rough start in life. She surprised us a little early and had colic to boot. But she has outgrown her misserable start and is a total joy now. She is as cute as a button and so so sweet. She is a little social butterfly. I love to listen to her cute little chit chatting and singing. She is always surprising me with her intelligence. This girl is going places in life. She is full of determination.

James

James is about the best natured little person I have ever seen. He is also goofy and funny. He is brave and athletic like his Mom was when she was a little person. Jameser Boy is just dang cute.

Lincoln

I believe that Lincoln and I were great buddies in the pre-existance. When he was born, he looked in my eyes and when I said hello to him, he looked in my eyes and seemed to say to me, "Oh, there you are." I just love this little guy. He loves anything mechanical or with wheels. He wants to know how everything works. He can't stop talking about bikes and four wheelers. I love it when he follows me around.

Whit

Whit is so cute. He is his own little guy. Everyone loves Whit. I think he is going to always be everyones friend. He is acually the first of my grandkids that I think resembles me a bit. Look at that face. Oh, I love you Whit.

Gwen

Gwen is adorable. She has Zachary's cute cheeks and Nikki's beautiful eyes. She is full of smiles. She melts my heart.

Kaven

Here is Tiny Tim. He is a clone of his father in looks. He is a sweet little package from Heaven. He is so mellow and sweet. He melts my heart when he nuzzles his little face up to me and cuddles. He also has the cutest little grin. And ohhhh, so good natured. NO COLIC! Yeah!!!

Duncan

Little Duncan is another little replica of Brandon. He is bright eyed, and very good natured. How Cam and Brandon get such perfect natured babies is a mystery to me. We can already tell he is another special little one.

So there you have it. I love all my little sweetie pies. Thanks for making my life so wonderful. You are all so unique and different from one another. I think of you all like little warm fuzzies. Love just grows and grows and grows. The more love there is, the more their is to share. If we hold back, the fuzzies will turn to cold pricklies. Not in this family. Not ever. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

Grandma