Back to and First Time at School

Mina on her 1st day of Kindergarten

I wish this big brother attitude came out more, but we'll take it when we get it!

Isaac ready for 3rd grade!

As mentioned in previous blog's, Isaac and Marina started school this week. Isaac had his first day yesterday and really enjoyed his new teacher and is excited to be a 3rd grader. He has also been very helpful with preparing Marina for her first day of school. Last night he read to hear and barely left her side this morning as she got ready. Marina had no reservation going to Kindergarten today and while we're not sure how her day went she started on the right foot. As we got to the outside of the school her teacher was lining up the students and she ran up right to her and gave her a big hug. Sometimes Marina seems to be shy and unsure of herself, this morning she was Miss Confident and ready to embark on this journey.

Reflections in sight of new Horizons!

The kids had a great time spending their last "free" week (whatever that means since they were officially trapped in daycare) swimming, Chuck E. Cheese, and visiting the Wildlife Experience. I am very proud of Marina and how well she has done without me in a new environment. It has given me a lot more confidence about how she will do this first week of kindergarten. I have decided she is wonderful for everyone, except for Dad and I. So, with that epiphany, I have little worries in regards to her success at school. Isaac is so big and independent. Just this weekend while crossing a parking lot, he told me he didn't want to hold my hand anymore. "You know Mom, I am getting bigger." I told him that I gave birth to him and that gave me unlimited hand holding rights. At least I still got a laugh out of him. I remember just a few weeks ago when I was tucking him in bed, and he grabbed my hand, and told me how he missed holding my hand that day. He said we hadn't gone anywhere so he hadn't touched my hand. He held my hand in his and stoked it gently. Isn't it a good thing that even though they can't wait to grow up, there are a few minutes like that one!! I will cherish it even more now.
Well with all that in mind, me and my babies(not so babies) start school this week. Dad gets to be home due to the DNC (Democratic National Convention) and he will be helping to pull this first week off. I am hoping that alleviates some stress for me. I will take what I can get. Thanks to the Democrats for that one.

"GO!"

So, in a nutshell, I woke up last Sunday and it hit me. The summer was officially over. As I studied my calendar, the blood ran from my head...no matter how hard I try to prepare to return to the crazy schedule and life of being a fulltime working mother and wife, I am never ready!!! I knew the race would start soon, but I was still waiting for the "ready, set" part when someone just said "GO!" It was then I realized I had forgotten the kids' doctor appts. I could have cried. You know scheduling doctor visits are difficult anyway, but almost impossible when I am working. UGH! (Oh well, those shots and meds. will have to wait a week or two.) Then in my attempt to resume full speed this week, I forgot Marina's last dance class, and Isaac's scout night. I know I should cut myself a little slack, because one of those days I came home dizzy and light headed from work. Maybe it truly was all the blood rushing from my head, it just took a couple of days to take full effect.
Well, Danny likes to remind me about something he read... how women due to their ability/tendency/necessity of multi-tasking, loose their short term memories faster than men. Doesn't that figure!! I'm doomed!
Combine all of this with Danny being gone for about 14 hours a day between work and his practicum for his masters, and I am feeling a little overwhelmed with my responsibilities. Danny offered up a suggestion of buying blackberries to help my scheduling issues. This is a nice thought and maybe I will take him up on it, but I don't think it's really going to replace him.
So in comes the next step, FAITH. I've been doing a lot of talking with my Father in Heaven about this. I know that while this week was rocky, that things will smooth out and in no time I will be back on the steady mach 10 pace, with less glitches. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have the gospel in my life. It is such a natural and normal response to call upon my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when I fall short. I am so grateful for the knowledge that my Savior lives, loves me, and knows me. What greater source of comfort can one have? I can only give credit to Them for all that I have accomplished and continue to achieve each day. What an immense blessing in my life to know this truth. (V)

Las Vegas

New York New York, Las Vegas

So, I've returned from my girls' trip to Vegas this last week. I don't have a lot of pictures to show for it, because when it's just two of you, what do you take a picture of? That one person the whole time? Danny said we should've traded cameras so that we would have a picture of myself, but I really don't mind not having that either. We stayed at New York, New York and had all the makings of a terrific slumber party...Ben and Jerry's ice cream, chick flicks, long hours of talking, in conjunction with...dinners without kids, shopping, and a fabulous Cirque de Soliel Show. It was relaxing and fun with one of my greatest friends. Thanks Brooke for a great time, and thanks to our husbands for allowing us to celebrate our August birthdays and friendship this way!!!

What I do have a picture of is the enormous steak that we shared for dinner about 3-4 inches thick and larger than my hand in length and width. No exaggeration here! The collosal bake potato was a large as my hand. Together we ate about half of everything. The waitor cut it in half for us, but we put it back together to take a picture. The restraunt staff had a good laugh at our expense. :)

Brooke and our incredible steak dinner:)

Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn

Okay so I jumped on the bandwagon with this one! Tiffany was so kind and let me borrow her books. In the last three weeks I have read all four, oh yes, that's including the most recent to hit the bookstores on Saturday! Reading this series has been amazing from the start. What an amazing author! What an amazing story! What an amazing way to spend the last few relaxing days at home before returning to work! Thanks to you all for sharing. You've made my summer. Oh yeah, did I say AMAZING!(V)