Just wanting to share how thankful I am for Macie.  She and I butt heads and have our fair share of arguments.  She doesn't always tell me the truth and she definitely doesn't clean up after herself.  She thinks I am too hard on her and gets annoyed with my nagging.  As much as we don't always seem on the same page I can honestly say that she is a fabulous person.  Nothing specific brought me to this conclusion.  No great act or amazing moment.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.  During the times when she's talking to me and telling me about her friends, boys, school, whatever...I realize what a good head she has on her shoulders.  She doesn't always make the right decisions but so far she makes good ones on things that count.  She is different than other teenagers in that she can see outside of her little world and how her actions and words affect others.  Sometimes she saves the ugly stuff for me but I'm fine with that.  I see how she treats others and listen to her talk about people we know and know that she is going to do great things.  Her personality is quirky and dorky and she's fine with it.  She is absolutely fine with who she is and makes no apologies for being herself.  She doesn't have some huge social network of friends.  The friends she has are good people and treat her well.  If they don't she moves on.  She is a no drama girl and these days that is hard to find.

Fall

Our niece, Brooke

A glimpse of our lives...August and Sept 2012

Andrew's first birthday!

Owen-Summer swim

Chase-left side getting ready to make a tackle

Avery-check out the tongue!

Beautiful Macie

Big O

She's all style!

Avery and Emmet

Chase, Owen, Rowan, Will, Sophie, Macie and Avery(Emmet was alseep)

Busch Stadium tour

Busch Stadium tour

Busch Stadium tour

Macie

Avery

Chase

Avery

Coach Parker

My 41st birthday

Macie-School assembly 8/24/12

I could not be more proud, impressed, awed, amazed, I'm running out of adjectives! She is finally not just singin' she is actually SINGING!!!  Sing it Girl!

Transitions

So I'm a little late on the back to school post.  After the busy August and September, I am lucky to be sitting at the computer gathering coherent thoughts.  School began in early August, my first time in 13 years without a child at home.  Chase beginning a new chapter in middle school, Avery starting kindergarten, Macie and Owen in 8th and 4th respectively.  All I can say is that the first quarter is coming to a close, so far so good!

Yay for Owen

Owen participated on a math team at school this year.  They met every Friday during school and worked on specific skills.  The team culminated with a national test that other teams around the country took as well.  He scored the highest in 3rd grade at our school and received National Honorable Mention which means he scored in the top half of his age group in the country!!!  Yay for Owen!  Smart Boys Rock!

Chase-Rolling In The Deep

Chase performed in his last talent show at John Weldon on Friday.  He even skipped football practice so he could go!  I love that he has something in his life other than sports.  My favorite part is when he hits the really high note partway through. :)

Mother's Day 2012

Sometimes they take you by surprise and let you know that you are doing something right.  This is a poem that Macie wrote for me on mother's day.  It brought a tear to my eye and smile to my heart.  I love this girl.

More than a friend or protector,

better than any other, 

my guardian angel.

Lending an ear,

spreading kindness, and being there,

through the good and bad.

Helping my through my mistakes,

making her own,

and still having the strength and courage 

to get back up and try.

Life has its ups and downs, 

but one thing remains constant.

Mom

We enjoyed a beautiful day together.  The kids (and Stew) made me breakfast.  We all went to church and then came home to work in the yard.  Scott, Laurie and Andrew came out for dinner.  It was lovely.  I am certain there was a time in my life I thought I'd never get to this point.  They have all grown and changed so much.  They are just great kids and I am so blessed that they are mine.