Sweet 16

Big Sigh! I can’t believe Kelsey is turning sixteen!!  Back in the ancient days before digital photos, we scrapbooked.  I went through my photo books to find some pictures of Kelsey growing up.  I don’t recommend doing this.  Especially when you may be on the emotional, bawl for no reason and eat lots of ice cream, day of the month. It wasn’t pretty.  You forget how little they were. And then you remember how you expected so much from them when they were SO LITTLE!!  And you look at their chubby faces and you wonder how badly you have messed them up?  Did they turn out with the personality they were supposed to?  Did you help or hinder them because you were just a kid yourself and you had no idea what you were doing and you still don’t? Looking at your children’s photos brings on a wide range of emotion….and for a second you wish you could rewind time and go back and do it better.  Because they deserve better. And then you sit there for a moment, wipe a tear and vow to be better.  You think about dances, dates, graduation and weddings to come and you smile because life goes on. And you hope they forget a lot and remember the good stuff.♥

Take a stroll with me down memory lane. (please excuse the photo of a photo- remember, no digital)

This young lady changed my life forever on January 15, 1996 at 3:59pm.

  

     

Was that sad for you?  No? Must just be a mom thing.

On to the party.  I REALLY wanted to throw a big sweet 16 party for Kelsey. I had been planning it for a few months before her birthday. I had the location picked out, the chaperones booked, the invitation designed and I was so excited to surprise her. When Kenny lost his job, we decided to put the party on hold to be as conservative as we could with our finances.  I was pretty bummed.  Instead we had a party at home with the family.  There is always a big 18th party to look forward to.

Happy Birthday, Kelsey!  Everyday of my life I will always be thankful to God for sending you to me. You have blessed my life and I couldn’t imagine this world without your sweet spirit in it.  I know I’m the mom, but you teach me all the time.  You always have, even when you were little.  There are so many things I wish I had done differently but I look at the beautiful young woman you have become and I figure I must have done something right. You are so kind and thoughtful and you have a good heart. I am proud to be your mom.

Pizza Hut Partay!

Look at this handsome guy!  I cannot believe Kendall is turning 14! Seriously I cant get over how good looking he is.  Kendall is in 8th grade this year and does not love school….except for band.  Other than the trombone playing, he is not a fan of education.  He has come up with some pretty good excuses for needed to miss school.  For instance, he called me at work one day and said I needed to come pick him up because someone at school had lice and he needed to leave for a few days so he wouldn’t get it.  Or the one day in the whole school year he was late for class, he decided it would be much better for him to stay home and do chores (ya right) than go to school because he was 15 minutes late. He cracks me up.  Kendall seems to be changing before my eyes.  He is growing like a weed and his shoes and pants have an average life span of 3 months before he outgrows them.  He is in love with Coca Cola, a habit I am trying to break him of….without much success.  Kendall is picking up snowboarding and we got him a new coat, pants and gloves so he will be stylin when he hits the slopes.  I am pretty sure he likes the girls, but as Aunt Kristi says, “Kendall is a man of few words.” So I’m not sure we will know much about the ladies in his life.  I love Kendall and I am so thankful to have him in our lives. Happy Birthday, son!

I must pause here a moment to say how incredibly good looking my husband is.  I LOVE him with facial hair. LOVE IT! My favorite is a 2-3 day all over scruff.  I find this is a very particular subject for women.  Either they love facial hair or hate it.  I ‘m all in favor of mountain men. Or I guess I should say I am in favor of MY mountain man. Which is it for you? Clean shaven or scruffy?

Who do you think Kendall resembles most?

Carter was so excited to give Kendall his gift…. a pirates coloring  book with stickers!  Ha ha.  So cute.

Aunt Kristi decked him out with some American Eagle cologne spray and a sweatshirt.  He loved them.

This is Aunt Kristi.  And Tyke.  Not sure what is happening here. It’s cute though!

                

Thanks for the snowboarding hat, Grandma and Grandpa Simpson!

Happy Birthday, Kendall. We love you.

Another Year Older…..

I turned 35 in April.  Yay. Happy Birthday to me!  This birthday was a weird one.  Not saying that because I am getting older, but because I was just having a really bad couple weeks leading up to the day. I was mad. At everything. And I was taking it out on my husband. It was miserable for us both and with the way I was acting (read: brat) I wouldn’t have blamed him if he ignored me all day.   But he is good to me and he loves me even when I am not being nice. I was touched by the effort he made to be sure I had a good day because I certainly didn’t deserve any special treatment, birthday girl or not.  At work I received the most beautiful bouquet of roses I have ever seen.  SERIOUSLY. They were breathtaking. The day only got better.  I went to lunch with my mom (she gave me the cute top I’m wearing in this picture) and then Kenny took me out to dinner and to a movie.  It ended up being a great night.    

-Thank you babe for making it a good day for me. Next year I will be nice. I promise.

Happy Birthday Kylie

My sweet Kylie turned ELEVEN in April!! Time sure flies.  I still remember bringing her home from the hospital with her fuzzy hair that stood straight out on all sides.  Kylie is such an amazing girl.  I love that she is so unique.  She is a free spirit with a love for all animals and nature.  She doesn’t play the catty games girls her age play. She approaches all friendships with an open heart and innocence.  She looks out for everyone, even those who are mean to her.  She is creative and I love the things she makes for me. My favorite is the picture frame in my office made from cardboard, duct tape, colored with marker and holding a picture of her.  She has big dreams that change all the time from being a Vet to a Rock Star.  I love her raspy voice and her beautiful brown eyes.  I am so proud to be her mother and I am looking forward to watching her grow  into an amazing young woman.  Those who know her are truly blessed to have her in their lives.  Happy Birthday, Kylie! ♥

She invited a few friends over for an Easter party and we played a really fun game, Bunny Tails.

The bunny tails go on the floor. The player gets two spoons and a bowl. 

And a blindfold.

One minute to scoop bunny tails into the bowl.

Fun for everyone to laugh at when you are putting in scoops of air.