I 

have mixed feelings about the first day of school! Part of me loves it, the new backpacks, new shoes, new clothes, autumn on the way. But, also, I hate the end of summer! No

 more late nights, no more easy going days, and most of all, my big kids are gone! I miss them!!

I love having them home, 

not just to help me,  which they do, alot, but it's 

nice to have them to myself and enjoy their fun personalities!!

I remember when

 I was growing up

 my mom always said, "remember who you are" when I left the house and thin

king, What the heck is that supposed to mean?

Well, now I know and I say it to my kids too. It means not only, that you are my baby and I love you, and you have values to uphold....but also, you are a child of God, with hugely infinite worth. Don't ever forget that! Don't let others or things ever make you feel inferior. You have so much going for you, don't settle for anything that in any way takes away from your self worth.

It's a valuable lesson for everyone I think andI'm glad my mom taught it to me!

                                       

       I am utterly in shock that I have a child old enough to go to high school. Josh started as a Sophomore at the new Salem Hills High and I feel old, yet I remember so well those high school days. The pressure to fit in, the joy OF fitting in, the pain of not, and the freedom of becoming a young adult. I'm not sure that I'm ready for that for my baby boy. He is such a great kid, I am so spoiled, and I hope he stays like that! He is taking some tough classes and of course, can't wait for basketball to start!

Jenica is in 8th grade and I think she will love it! She is in show choir this year and is so excited to sing Wicked songs, and perform on stage. This year is a toughy for newly acquired "teenage-dom!" 

 She likes boys and wants them to like her, but we won't let her go to dances, still has limits on her cell phone, and we still have rules! What a bummer! She is an awesome, very responsible girl, I am so happy to see her grow into such  a sweetie!

                 

                 Brennan is almost 10 and in 4th grade. I am also blown away by that! He has Mrs Tuckett, who Jenica had and is getting to be quite independent! He is learning that he has a lot of friends that look 

up to him and watch him. I hope he will be a good example to them and not push all the limits, he tends to try to "get away"with whatever he can!!! I love his personality and his willingness to always 

help whenever he can. He is very sensetive to other people's needs, I hope he always stays like that!!

My little Ty-Bug is almost 8. I can't describe how I feel about his little life! He came so close to not having one, that every achievement and accomplishment is so amazing for him! I am so proud of him and how he's growing. He is learning so much and like most 2nd graders, has funny little fears and anxieties. He is convinced there is going to be a volcano or flood at any time! He has a great teacher this year, and I know he will just love it. I am so thankful for Ty, he always has a hug and kiss for me and his siblings and tries so hard at everything!

I will miss them while they are gone during the day, but I'm so thankful that they can go to school and learn and grow in so many ways. I have so many hopes and dreams for all of them and I hope they can fill their potential. I guess mom's always hope for better things then they had, I had a lot of opportunities, but I know they have more and I am banking on them going for it! Making great things out of their lives! I am so blessed to have them and even though I'm sad to not have them home with me, I know they are where they need to be!!

I love you guys!! Remember who you are!!

Rachael's and Jared's pics and s'mores!

I am so excited for my baby sister! She is marrying an amazing guy who treats her like a princess and will make her happy! She deserves it! I got to take some pictures for them in our backyard, they will be having their wedding dinner here and we are honored to celebrate that special day with them! After the pictures we had a great time pigging out on s'mores and playing outside! S'mores for FHE is the way to go!!!

A day at the lake!

We had a fun day playing at Deer Creek. We rented a boat for the day with Jared and Becky and their kids. We had so much fun on the tube and in the sand! What a fun summer day, it's nice to do an activity that makes EVERYONE happy!!!!

Canada Day & the 4th of July

We get to celebrate 2 great holidays from 2 great countries in July! July 1st is Canada Day and July 4 is Independence Day in the US. We had a fun BBQ , complete with Canadian "All Dressed" chips and Nanaimo Bas and with s'mores and fireworks in Richard and Kimberly's back yard, they have such a cute new house and it has a fire pit in the backyard, perfect for roasting marshmallows. The kids absoloutely loved it!!!

On the 4th we had everyone over to our house for yet another BBQ and swimming too. We had a blast in the pool, and then the winds picked up, or should I say, the hurricane blew in! We packed up everything and headed inside for the rest of the night It calmed down in time for fireworks, Josh's favorite. He loves the 4th because the next day is his birthday! It was a fun day both days!!!

Oh Canada!

It was amazing to go back to my "hometown"Winnipeg Manitoba Canada. I got to visit my old High School, Vincent Massey Collegiate, which was wierd, but fun. It doesn't seem like it's been 18 years since I graduated!!! The BDI holds many, MANY memories for me....oh my!!! Needless to say, the ice cream is really great, but the bridge over the Red River, where you walk to eat the ice cream, is even better!! There truly is nothing like a prairie sunset. This picture was taken at 9:30 at night, the sun goes down late in the North, plus there's nothing blocking the sun! I love and miss those beautiful, endless sunsets. Most of all, I enjoyed every single minute with my Grandma Bennett. She is a beautiful, amazing lady and I learn so much from her. I admire her and respect her more than I can ever explain. She has had a huge impact on my life, and I love her so much. I'm so grateful for the chance I had to go "home" this summer, it renewed my sense of who I am and where I come from, what I need to teach my children, and how I need to be! I am truly blessed to have come from a place like this, and sometimes it takes going back to our roots to feel and know that. It was a great trip, one I will never forget!

Baby it's hot out here!

The kids headed out to enjoy the 97 degree weather! I think they each had 8 otter pops and were on a huge sugar high! It was fun to watch them being silly and jumping around in the heat!

Jenica's Competition in Vegas

Jenica and I had a great time in Vegas! Their team did better than they ever have, placing 1st in lyrical and hip hop! They also placed 1st in their big Best of Show and we so excited!!! We had fun hanging by the pool and stuffing our faces with delicious cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory. Most of all, I enjoyed seeing my cute girl so thrilled and spending rare one on one time together! Way to go Stars!!!!!