Spring/Summer Recap-- Part 1

It is time for some major updates.  I used to update my blog weekly, but due to several things we are involved with as a family (one of them being LIVING LIFE!) it has been a real challenge for me over the last 6 months or so.  So, this is my attempt at an overview of the end of spring and beginning of summer.  Which just for the record, was awesome.

My youngest turned 14.  She is a very special girl to us and we are thankful for the 14 amazing years we've had with her.

When you turn 14, you are invited to go to dances that are held every-other month for youth ages 14-18 for kids all around Minnesota from our church and their friends.  It is cool because they have fun activities, games, dancing, and food.  I went to these same dances when I was a girl, so it is special to see my girls have this experience also.  And it was awesome to go with her big sister.

Speaking of dances, there was this little thing called prom.  Whew- what an undertaking.  A great big group of kids got together and contributed a little money and had someone cater an amazing meal.  The parents dressed like waiters and served them.  A few moms got together and decorated the room they ate in.

 I be-jeweled that dress!  It took me my neck and hands weeks to recover, I tell you!  It was worth it, though.

 The shoes are almost as important as the dress- sepcially the tennis shoes.

 They took a million goofy pictures.

Here is my oldest at her last choir concert of Jr Year.  Here are 3 buds, all juniors.

Memorial Day Weekend we made time for a hike to Willow River State Park in Wisconsin then walked around Stillwater afterwards.

We were at this building for and the sky was amazing.  It looked like the heavens were opening up.

 This was the last parade that my daughter will dance in ;o(  This was the first of many "lasts".  It feels really bizarre and is unbelievable to have a child grow up to this stage.  Very bittersweet!

I was part of a committee that helped to organize the visit and performance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir when they came in June.  It was a once in a lifetime experience.  Little do people know they really are excellent entertainers.  I think most people just expect a spiritual or church-like performance.  That is one element, but they are also fun, funny, entertaining, you will laugh, and you will cry-- and you will get chills over and over again at their power.  

One of my favorite memories was meeting Alex Boye.  Look him on Youtube.  He has tons of free videos and is amazing.

Could I be any luckier?  I was standing right in front of him during rehearsal as he sang.  Front row seat sarinade.

Yea right…. my husband a rock star.  Keep dreaming, Honey ;o)

I can't say I minded standing with the choir as they rehearsed!!!!  

Or getting a bird's eye view of the force and power that Mac Wilberg puts into conducting.  It was amazing to see him from this vantage point.

Here they are at rehearsal.

And here is the performance.  So many people came.

And here we are at the end of a very long and amazing day.

And summer wasn't even half-way over at this point.  This will have to be part 1!  More summer re-cap pictures to come….

Labor Day Weekend and The First Day of School

What could be more appropriate on Labor Day Weekend than the Birthing Center at the Minnesota State Fair?  Warning:  graphic pictures are coming.

My youngest and I stayed back, while the other two headed to the fair.  We've had such a dry August, and wouldn't you know it- they encountered pouring rain while they were there.

The highlight was watching a cow give birth.  It was pretty amazing.  I am telling the story as my daughter told it to me:

The poor mother cow had been in labor for hours and nothing was happening.  So they reached into her body and attached a chain to the baby and pulled it out!

That is what this picture is.  You have to really study it.  Look for the legs and head coming out of the mother cow:

The baby was covered in something gooey.  

I love this picture.  A lot of action going on with the vets and the cameras and they started feeding her pretty quickly.  And not to gross anyone out, because it really it is the most natural thing in the world…. the umbilical cord hanging from the mother still.  That means the placenta hadn't come out yet.

We dedided to spend the last day of summer with a bike ride around Lake Calhoon in Minneapolis.  It was kind of quiet there because everyone was at the fair and it was a little chilly.  But we had fun renting bikes and then stopping at the greatest ice cream ever at Sebastian Joe's.


Planking- the girls said this is not "in" anymore.

I sure was thinking back on our entire summer on Labor Day as we were getting ready for school to start.  I had that gut wrenching "You love your kids so much it hurts" feeling all night.  Motherhood brings so many emotions:

--I am so ready for them to go back to school and get on a routine.

--I am really going to miss them.

--We have been so blessed with wonderful teachers and friends and education.

--I have to share them with others, why can't I have them to myself?

--We reached all of our summer goals!  Everything from hiking in the mountains to trips Up North and summer camp, etc.

--Everytime I learn something new in motherhood, there is something new I realize I need to learn.  Somethings get easier, some things get harder.

--I am not alone-- a lot of my friends are going through the same emotions.

--Allow yourself to feel the sadness of having them grow up, because you will discover that everyting has it's opposite, and you will realize that behind the sadness there is joy.

--My oldest is a senior, it is going to be an emotional year!

Here they are…. can you tell which one is excited and which one feels a little overwhelmed?

Excited!  Seniors rule!

I am a freshman…. ug!

Being with my friends makes it all better!

Here is to a great year for both of my girls.  We are so thankful for a wonderful summer and the joy you bring to our home.  We love you and are excited for the growth and experiences and learning to come this year!