School Resumes.

Thursday, August 21 was the first day of school. With this comes some changes in our houshold. Ones I actually like. I love the lazy days of summer, but I also like the routine that the school year brings.

Earlier bedtimes.

Exhausted children.

Planned meals.

A daily schedule.

A greater sense of organization.

When a new school year resumes, without fail, I travel memory lane. Here we go.

Justin is a 4th grader. I vividly remember 4th grade. Mrs. Donaldson. Meanest teacher I ever had. I don't remember specific things I learned that year at Smoke Rise Elementary, but I do remember that the work load was more intense, the books were bigger and there was a whole lot to remember. I also remember things about that teacher. She was rude and loud and definitely didn't teach b/c she loved it! I remember her stapling notes to kids jeans pockets ( i thought this was horrific) and always making you feel less than adequate. I do remember my friends. I remember that was the year I got my ears pierced. I remember that boys and girls started liking each other.

Mitchel is a 3rd grader. For me that was Mrs. Middlebrooks. My first African American teacher and man did I love her. She made me nervous at first, she was loud and had a vocabulary of words I had never heard before. Pass meant go. As in when we were lined up to go down the hall she would say Pass. I reemmber that I memorized the Preamble to the Constitution that year ( I can still recite it ) and we learned a ton about Back History. I was Phyllis Wheatley in a play. She had high expectations and I learned a lot. I was also a favorite in the class along with my friend Shannon and we got to do all sorts of fun things. Clean out her closets. Decorate her bulletin boards. Oh, and we had pizza parties. She would order pizza and sneak it in the back door. It was cool.

Ashley is a first grader. In the first grade I had Ms. Bennett. I know that I loved her. She taught me how to read. She had this fabulous place for reading in her room. It was like a train car - a huge rectangle made out of wood, up on casters or something b/c I know it didn't just sit on the floor. It was open only on one side and it was filled with cushions and pillows. That is about all I remember. My mom liked her too. She even baby-sat for my family when my parents went to Mexico for a week. We stayed in touch with her for several years.

On the first day I took the kids to school. Normally they ride the bus, but I decided to drop them off. They sucked in their pride and let their mama photograph the big day. They found comfort in the fact that the Pollard girls (neighborhood and ward friends) were in a similar predicament - their mama had her camera too!







School starting back, means this mama is back at work as well. I opted out of the photo! I am happy to be on board with our district this year as an actual speech therapist with a provisional contract. The real deal contract won't be had until I am all done with grad. school, but I am inching my way there day by day and am loving it.

Jenny.

Jenny and Elli have come and gone. My heart felt such gladness as soon as Jenny and I embraced and I held that sweet little Elli - the little girl I had only seen in pictures. Did you know you could fall instantly in love with someone? Well, you can. I held that little girl. The daughter of such a dear friend and I'm tellin' ya, I was in love.

Our visit was perfect. I love how good friends just pick up where they leave off as if no time at all has passed. We dove right into the nachos and cookies and hours of talking and laughing. It was absolutely wonderful. Every minute. Good-byes are always hard. Especially when you never know when next time will be. But I will savor the memories of a perfect visit with a perfect friend.

Ashley was instantly in heaven with Jenny and Elli here. She loved having a little sister for the week and she loved that little girl's mama even more! Jenny fixed Ashley up with all things girly. Jenny did Ashley's nails, complete with flowers. We made beaded bracelets and hair bows. Ashley soaked up every minute. Jenny even let Ash do her hair as well as Elli's - Ashley's talent is amazing. We know.






We mostly just spent the days doing nothing. And the nothing felt good. We just hung out and talked. We did manage to go to the zoo and treat ourselves to yummy shaved ice a few times. And when kids were retired to bed and Josh was on a 2 day hiking/camping trip, we indulged in card making until the wee hours of the morning. Lovely that was.




Did I mention that we were all in love with having a little girl in the house for a week?




Jenny and Elli - we love you! Thanks for choosing to spend a week in our chaos filled home. We loved every minute of being with you both.

Company. Part 3.

Now it is Saturday. I am giddy with excitement about our next guest. Our bestest friend from South D. is coming. Jenny. and her baby Elliana. She no longer lives in South D., but that is where we met. She now lives in Phoenix. I saw her briefly on my visit to AZ last year. Before that we saw her at her wedding in October 2005. So, its kind of been a while since we've had a lengthy visit with this girl we love so much.

Its one of those friendships that we can't even remember how it all began. All we can remember is asking her to babysit one night back in 2002 and we've been friends ever since. Sure we remember that she graduated from BYU-I and came to South Dakota to go to dental hygiene school b/c her family lived there. We remember that her parents then moved to AZ and she was left in that place that is no place for single girls. There just weren't options for boyfriends or friends for that matter. So she settled for us and the rest is history.

We hung out every weekend for 2 years. She was the first person that found a way to Mitchel's heart. The first person that could actually relieve me from my non-stop duty with him! We seemed to just click, our family and her. She wasn't just my friend. She was Josh's friend. The kids friend (and second mom). We laughed and ate and talked. For 2 years. We seriously did so much together. She was always there with her smile helping with the kids, helping me in the kitchen, listening to Josh talk about something I am sure she didn't really care about, but she listened. Cause that is just the kind of person she is. She thinks we were this tremendous blessing in her life. We know she was a tremendous blessing in ours. It was just a friendship meant to be. One of those relationships that enrich my life.

Occasionally I let too much time pass without calling. I then fear that it will be awkward and our friendship will dwindle. But one of us will call. We'll chat for as long as possible. And all will be right in the world. We've just got that connection. And I love it. In-person visits do amazing things for friendships in my opinion. So, with much anticipation I look forward to an entire week together where we can catch up and bond and eat and laugh. She is definitely good company.

Company. Part 2.

On Thursday, one of Josh's brothers came for a visit. Joey, his wife Rachel and their almost one year old daughter Avery. It has been almost 2 years since we have seen them. We may be 10 years older than they are and in a different phase of life but we still benefit from a relationship with each other.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about relationships and how each one is unique and of value to me. You don't have to have everything in common with the person/couple/family, be the same age, have all the same interests or do things the same way. The relationship still has significance and edifies my life. Teaches me things, makes me laugh, makes me a better person, allows me to give love and feel love in return. I love the fact that I have all sorts of relationships that make me happy. I also know that I need to work hard at keeping relationships and doing things to strengthen them. I only have 2 siblings and no sisters so it is quite fun for me to develop relationships with Josh's siblings. I love the relationships I am developing with the wives of Josh's brothers, namely Kaley and Rachel. I finally have sisters and I love it.

It too was a short visit, just barely 24 hours, but we had such a nice time. Waterslide in the backyard. Ping-Pong at the hangar. Nachos and Wii. Kids in love with baby Avery. Lots of catching up. Hard goodbyes. We love you guys.

Company. Part 1.

company |ˈkəmpənē|
* the fact or condition of being with another or others, esp. in a way that provides friendship and enjoyment
* a person or people seen as a source of such friendship and enjoyment

I love having company. Love that we finally have room to have company. Comfortably. Love the fact that people want to visit us.

Love visiting and just being with friends and family that we don't see all too often.

This past Monday some friends from Sioux Falls came. The Buchanans. They just came for an evening. Dinner and visiting. Kids played on the waterslide and shot some hoops. I didn't take a single picture. I was just enjoying catching up with them. And on all the happenings and people in Sioux Falls. I love that friends are friends, even when you move away. Thanks guys for taking the time to stop by and visit us.

New Look.

I am in love with Ashley's new look. I love the way it frames her face. Makes her look like the first grader she's about to be.

She kind of fancies it herself. She loves tucking it behind her ears. Moving her head and have it swish back and forth. Looking in the mirror several times a day. Asking me if it can always stay like this. Thanks Aunt Rachel!

Hair Cut.

Ashley was in need of a hair cut. Or more truthfully said, I wanted her to have a cut. A new look. Something to make her look more grown up. I've been debating for months on cutting it off to a bob. The last time we cut it I had her take off 5 inches or so, but it was still "long".

Joey and Rachel came for a visit and I knew who I could ask. Rachel. Hair is what she does and I always like what I've seen her do. I asked her what she thought. She said it would look great and she would do it the next morning. Ashley was totally willing b/c it was Rachel. When the scissors came out I was a teeny bit fearful that I may not like it. But, its hair. It grows. And I was trusting Rachel.

She brought out the scissors and went to town.




Drying it and making some final snips.



Ashley's hug of approval after she looked at herself in the mirror.

Underwear.

no more diapers. ever.

This means we no longer have any babies. I always thought I would be so sad about this. From the time I was a little girl I wanted nothing but babies. I longed for the day I would have my own. I still am crazy over newborns, could hold them all day and night. I love the way they smell and feel and curl up in your arms and on your chest. It is pure heaven.

But my baby is not so much a baby any more. He is approaching his third birthday and he now wears unerwears. There were a few days I thought we would never make it to the day he wore underwear. The day he peed on my floor 7 times I just wanted to throw in the towel. I called my mom in near tears and told her I hated potty training and I didn't think I could do it. She rallied me (and offered major prayers on my behalf ) and the next day he only did it 4 times. And by the third day it was only once. I saw hope. I saw the light. We then arrived at our busy weekend with the cousins where we were hardly home and I got scared. But guess what? He didn't have one single accident! And he was even telling me when he needed to go. Although it was tiring running to the bathroom with him a million times, it sure beat changing diapers. And I knew we had made it.

And I am not sad. I feel ready for this new chapter in my life. I always thought I would long for babies. Thought I would never know when I was done with babies. But I do know and I am content. And it feels good to be moving on.

Girls Weekend

This past weekend was our second annual girls weekend. Last year our destination was Phoenix, AZ. This year we stuck closer to home. Mom is not quite up for far off travel yet and my budget preferred a closer destination. We chose Salt Lake City and it proved to be a good choice.
The girls were me, my mom, my aunt Cindy and my sister in law Jan. Kristy (who was one of the girls last year) couldn't make it this year...we missed you!
We spent the entire weekend shopping and eating. It was absolutely wonderful! I bought some fun clothes, a few cute accessories, and definitely ate some of my favorites, but the best part was just getting to be kim. It is nice every once in a while to escape the mama role and just be me. I ate my food while it was nice and hot. I could talk without interruption. I went to bed when I wanted and woke up when I wanted. That alone is pretty dreamy! I always enjoy some good girl talk too.

Our weekend went like this.

Left IF on Friday around 10am. Picked up Jan in Willard at her sisters who was keeping her kids. Pit-stop in Bountiful to get Cindy's glass rocks for her yard. Lots of traffic. Reminder of why I like my small town. Check into hotel and head one block east to PF Changs for lunch. Yum. Love that place. After lunch we headed to the Gateway where we spent the rest of the day. California Pizza Kitchen around 10pm. Fulfilled the dinner and late night snack requirement.

Breakfast Buffet at the hotel Saturday morning and then it was off to another full day of shopping. This time to Fashion Place Mall. Great stores and a chick-fil-a for lunch. I felt happy. Sure wish we had one of these closer. Then more shopping. Dinner at Macaroni Grill. You know I am all about the food. This too hit the spot for me. A stop by best buy to purchase a DVD player so we can watch the girl movie we had brought with us. Our dumb hotel (marriott ressidence inn ) did not have one in the room. I checked to make sure there were connections on the ancient tv.

After dinner and our fashion show modeling our purchases, we settled into jammies for our movie. Ahem. I get angry here. The tv has no button to change the input, neither does the remote. the front desk is totally put out by my request. I could go on and on and tell how angry this made me, but I will stop. Just know that I was totally annoyed. I couldn't beleive we were in a hotel in the yer 2008 and we were unable to watch a DVD movie. A maririott hotel at that. This was not the super 8. anyway, we did not get to watch our movie. boo-hoo.

Sunday morning we arose early so we could head to the conference center for Music and the Spoken Word. I had never been to the conference center, so that in itself was neat. The music was great and I was fascinated watching all the cameras recording this - its a live broadcast. We finished our morning out with the breakfast/brunch buffet at the Marriott right by temple square. As always, it did not disappoint. We then headed back to the hotel for check-out. Girl's Trip was over. After a car ride of just over 3 hours, I was snapped back to reality. No more uninterrupted conversations. No more uninterrupted sleep. No more hot food. But I don't think I would trade all of those things (as nice as they are) for the "wub you's" and "i missed you's" and the big tight hugs.

We were successful at the shopping.



Cindy, Mom, and me.



us girls at the conference center.