Time

It's so crazy how quickly time gets away from us!
This photo was taken in July 1991. 

The little guy in the photo is The Boy. The handsome guy (with the cheesy grin) is my brother. I just realized that The Boy is now almost two years older than Tom was when this photo was taken.  Isn't that just too crazy? And mom, I'll send you a copy of this photo!

The Un-Lost

After my little mishap with The Boy's dress pants (post graduation), I thought I would never again see The Boy all spiffed up.  As luck would have it, I have actually found his "missing" dress pants.  The only negative is that I didn't find them until after buying him a new suit.  Can you believe it?  Those pants have spent the last 5 months not in the landfill, but hanging in the back of my closet.  How do I explain this?  Simply said, I can't.

The Boy called me last week to inform me that he needed a suit.  This is the same boy who has never owned a suit...  Has never worn a suit...  Has never had need for a suit...  Actually owns a t-shirt that says "Suits Suck."

After much creative negotiating (on my part) I consented to buying The Boy his suit.  He is now the proud owner of a gray suit with pinstripes.  And I have to say it, he does look handsome in his suit. 

The Boy donned his new suit, put in his new contact lenses, and knotted his tie.  He looked so grown up!  Of course, he is in college now, maybe he actually is growing up...  What a thought!

But now, on any given occasion, he has his choice of dress pants or a full fledged suit.  Who woulda thunk...  And how many of those occasions do you think will come his way?  Plenty, I hope!

The Boy

The Boy moved out. I knew the day would come when it would be time to push him from the nest... But I can't deny that I may not have been entirely ready. In some ways it really isn't that strange to have him out of the house. After all, he has spent summers and holidays away with my ex-husband for years. But there is something more permanent about his absence this time.

I worry about whether or not he is taking care of himself. I wonder if he's eating. I hope he isn't living on mac-and-cheese alone. I feel distress over the fact that I can't log into Power School to make sure he's staying on top of his assignments. I hope he's making friends. I hope I would approve of his new friends. I pray that he's making wise choices...

I'm not sure if having a child become an adult is harder for the child or the parent. The Boy certainly seems to be taking it in stride. I, however, worry. I worry a lot. Does the worrying become bearable or do you just get over it at some point?

Although The Boy has a bed in an apartment full of strangers, we do still spend time together. I meet him at the grocery store to help him restock (yes, mostly with mac-and-cheese). And he's been known to stop in at dinner time if I've mentioned a favorite dish. But there will never again be a time when he is completely dependent upon me. I know it's a good thing, but I'm still feeling the growing pains.

2009 Graduation

This is how a 2009 Lone Peak High School Graduate looks.

Isn't it awesome?!

Proud Momma

I'm gonna brag just a little bit (ok, maybe a lot!). If you don't like that kind of stuff--feel free to move along.

You've been warned... Here goes...

The Boy started his senior year of high school in a precarious situation. He had not passed many classes, due to lack of effort, not lack of ability. He claimed to be bored, and never seemed to stay focused long enough to get his assignments finished and handed in. The past few years have been a frustrating struggle. But at the end of last year, he decided to make a run at graduation. I really didn't think he'd make it, but today I got a text message from him that said,

Cap and gown in hand.

Last summer, and for the whole of this school year, The Boy has worked like a madman. He attended school, working hard to keep his grades up. And after school, he worked with a private tutor to get some independent study courses done. I think his tutor must be part slave driver, and part magician. When she said she could help him to graduate with his class, I thought she might even be a little delusional... But no, she's just amazing!

The Boy worked under the supervision of his tutor-extraordinaire, and took his last exam today. He had it done by about 9am, which is cutting it a little close given that his grades all needed to be turned in by noon to qualify him for graduation... But he did it! YAY! My boy is graduating!

I know that his Senior Year wasn't all he hoped it would be. There were not many afternoons left free for friends. Nearly all his time was taken up with course work, reading, commuting to the tutor, going to BYU for testing, and listening to us tell him how important this is... And I couldn't be prouder of him for all his hard work. It has really paid off. And someday, I hope he realizes what a great accomplishment this is. He has achieved what I thought was going to be impossible. And he's done it well. Congratulations! You did it! I'm so proud of you!

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY

Hey Handsome! We hope you have a great birthday today!

Remember the Sunshine?

I just found this photo on my computer...

Now I'm daydreaming about hot summer days.

I'm wondering if we'll ever see the sunshine again...

Today's the Day

Ah--The Ticket. Today is the deadline for paying the fine without having late fees added on top.

The Eldest has been paying his penalty for his speeding ticket. We've had him clean windows, shovel snow, pick up The Buddies' toys, and fold laundry (among other things). Tomorrow he's going to experience the joy of cleaning up after the kitties. Remember those adorable little balls of fluff that he just couldn't live without? Well, I can live without the little surprises they leave in the corners of the garage...

All in all, The Boy has been a good sport. I just hope he learned his lesson and he doesn't get another ticket anytime soon. Otherwise the fees and time spent in Traffic School will have been a waste.

Slow down, boy! Don't let life rush past you so quickly!

The Two-Fer Post

The inevitable has happened (and only 5 months into licensed drivership)... The Eldest got his first speeding citation today while driving the Volvo. To be fair, he was driving down a very steep (very long) hill where the speed limit is only 25. I've had experience with this particular hill. I know for a fact that the only way to keep your speed under 25 is to stand on your brake pedal. Obviously, he was not standing on the brake pedal...

So the question of the day is this: Was I just looking for trouble when I handed him the keys to that awesome machine of powerfulness? Let's recall that it's the exact same vehicle that Edward Cullen drives in the Twilight books (and it's way awesome-r than the car they used in the movie...). Yea, I shoulda known it was gonna be reason for harassment...

The Eldest's Version:

*sigh* OK... let me start by saying Edward is a dork. I love his choice in cars... but Alice's 911 turbo is just hot.

This fine evening, after freezing my toes, fingers, rear, and brain while sledding, I was headed off to get dinner with a friend. I just happened to be driving 9 MPH over the posted limit that I had always thought was 35.... I got a ticket for going 34 in a 25. But that wasn't the worst of it, do any of you lovely readers know "Killer's Hill?" You turn south at the light in front of Micron. THIS HILL IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!

First, this cop wasn't even behind me. He passed me going the other way, then took the lovely opportunity I gave him to turn around and catch up to me 3 minutes later. For all I know, he might have tagged someone else!

And so we see that Lehi cops are stiff (and BTW, Alpine cops are just bored out of their skulls).
So, don't speed... it's naughty, and I officially hate Lehi. My hometown is better. ^.^

Christmas Greetings 2008

Another year's ending, I'll give you the gist.
Events kept on happening, sometimes with a twist!

We traveled, played soccer, and danced up a storm.
By the end of it all, this family was worn!

We're happy to say we survived yet another.
And we're glad to report that we still love each other!

Where does the time go? I can't believe that we've already come to the end of another year. This year was full of ups and downs, but for the most part, we all survived it well!

This year brought many opportunities for travel. The Mister and I took a ten day cruise to French Polynesia and The Cook Islands. It was a new experience for us to spend time alone together, I think we should do it again sometime! The Princess and I spent about ten days in New York City for a national dance convention. In October, we went to Orlando to play at Disney World. From Orlando, we took a family cruise to The Bahamas on the Disney Wonder. I think it's safe to say that this was our family's all time favorite vacation.

The Buddies took up soccer this year. The Mister coached their team. While it wasn't exactly a winning season (ours was one of the youngest teams), the boys had a really great time. The Buddies started kindergarten this year--what a change that was! They are in separate classes and enjoying making new friends. JJ's teacher loves him for making her smile. Max is in the highest reading group in his class. Zeke is friends with all the girls--yes, all of them...

HRH, the Princess, is dancing on Teen Company at her studio. Age-wise she is only a Junior, but she competes against the older dancers. We enjoy traveling to conventions and competitions, and she will be competing for another national title again this summer. HRH is only in 7th grade and is already studying Algebra II and getting straight As. She's such an over achiever!

The Eldest took a little detour this year. It was a great decision and we are proud of him. I think our whole family has benefited from his choice. He is back home and going back to school in January. I can't believe he will be graduating this spring! He continues with his music, art, and voracious reading. The boys now reaches six feet tall and is officially tall, dark, and handsome!

We hope 2008 brought you as much fun and excitement as we enjoyed.

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!