Brayden's first day of 1st grade.

And I though sending him to 1st grade ALL day long was bad!

Well, High School registration was tough! They were throwing words around like ACT score, GPA, Foreign language, Seminary, Drivers Ed, College Apps, AP classes, full ride scholarships, 4 short years…..

I swear someone was trying to get us both to have a heart attack! Surprisingly, I wasn’t the one freaking out the most! Don’t get me wrong I am glad, proud even that Brayden cares as much as he does about school. If he keeps it up he is right on track for that scholarship he is so determined to get.

 But then comes the flip side to that …the poor kid was hyperventilating the entire time! We have decided (for the mental health of everyone) now that he is registered for High School we are not going to talk about again until Aug! (Try not to that is)

He is a great kid and maybe that is why I just want him to slow down sooooo bad. I see and hear things some kids his age are doing and it makes me sick with worry!  I really wish he could have stayed 6 for a few more years. So far he is growing up to be a really good young man and I am so proud of him and pray my guts out for him every single day! I know these years of life he is going through are tough and the pressure it great. I never realized that the stress of watching/ experiencing Jr. High years as a parent would be so traumatizing.  But with any luck and LOT of prayers and love we will make it through and laugh about it later. Right?

Yes, I cried when I put this picture up... some days I just miss my little 6 year old and all of his snuggles! Don't get me wrong I love my 14.5 year old but the snuggles just aren't the same or as cool! I know I am a big fat baby!!!!

Growing up...

I love these little BFF's who like to do EVERYTHING the same!
Can you tell by the matching outfits, (one of many)
and now matching nails.

Well, Tyler got her first set of beautiful nails done. She paid for them with her very own hard earned money... and she  couldn't be happier. Trav on the other hand couldn't believe I  let her get them. ( I love it when I am not the only one that wants our kids to stay little forever)

I just love these guys!

Yep, this is what I live for......

This picture says it all.
She has him wrapped around her finger

He is getting big so fast,
but lucky for me I still get at least one of these a day!

Hottest man alive....and he is ALL mine ;)

My favorite sidekick!

HANDSOME BOYS!

 Our Valentine's Day was kind of a crazy one. We had just gotten home from a 5 day trip to St George, which was BEAUTIFUL (70*) and  MUCH needed! And seeing how Valentine's  was on "Crazy Tuesday" (at our house Tues. are the busiest day of the week. Tyler has clogging in Genola 1.25 hours away and Brayden has Karate. We don't all get home until after 9 on this day...SAD) this year we got to celebrate it running around our crazy kids that we love around all day!   Brayden and Trav got to have dinner and a little game time together and Tyler and I stopped at Chick~fil~a for our valentine's dinner . It was delish!

Hope you all had a great day!

My Karate kid!

Doesn't he look tough ?

Tonight Brayden got his purple belt!

 He did such a great job on his test! I am amazed at how far he has come. (It seems like he just started karate not too long ago.) I am glad he has found something he loves.

Way to go Brayd!!!

COMPLETE DENIAL!

How did we go from this...

to this... and so fast?

Let me tell you what triggered this whole, I can't believe my kids are growing up so fast pity party this time;

So Brayden brought me a paper that said "Please make a 30 min appointment with your child’s counselor so we can register him/her for HIGH SCHOOL" WHAT!!!! How can my little guy be registering for High School already? (Just so you know I am in complete denial and I am taking the latest appointment possible) I know some of you are probably rolling your eyes about now  wondering if I really do get this upset.... just talk to Trav he will assure you I really am this crazy! In fact I told him I just wouldn't go, I wasn't ready, so he said he would (and I quote) "one of us has to be responsible and go register him" I told him "I am totally responsible! Tt is the rational part I always have a hard time with. It gives me a knot in the pit of my stomach to think about how fast my kids are growing up. But I was brave and called to make our appointment. While I was rereading the note (so I wouldn’t sound like a totally idiot) I noticed one of the last sentences has a number to call for any extra counseling that may be needed… hmmm, I wonder if this is for all the moms who can’t believe their kids are going to be in High School…I am sure I can’t be the only one freaking out!

                                                                RIGHT?

Wish us all luck!

I just love this girl!

 She too is growing up so fast, but unlike her brother she hates it almost as much as I do. The other day we were talking about when she gets older and she said "Mom, I will live at home until I get married at 25 or 28 and then we will live no more than 5 mins away and I promise I will call you at least 10 times a day!"

OH HOW I WISH!!!!!!!!

Tyler age 10   (2012)

My little piano player
2012

Brayden 14 years old

This kid is my FAVORITE little man EVER!

I can't believe how fast he is growing up. (It breaks my heart)

I keep telling him to SLOW DOWN and he just smiles, gives me a hug and laughs.

He is such a great kid and brother. The kids stayed home the other night while Trav and I snuck away on a little date and when we got home we went and tucked the kids in, I asked Brayd how it went. He said "good" (he is famous for his one word answers) but when I went to tuck Tyler in she went on and on about what a good big brother Brayd was and how he played with her and was so nice to her...Aww, just what a mom wants to hear! (And believe you me; Tyler doesn't just give out complements unless they are earned)

I am sure I have said more than I am allowed. So I better just leave you to marvel at how much he has grown this year.

P.S. he is now 5'8" and wears and 11.5 shoe