Leaving on a Jet Plane

Last week I had to let go.  I had to step back and watch my boy grow up just a little bit more.  The fourth grade classes were given the chance to go on a day trip to Carson City.  When we first heard about it, Stryder was super excited at the thought of going on a plane (which is a big deal since he once told me is wasn't going on a mission because he was afraid of heights and refused to fly in a plane).  With the help of my mom and dad, we paid for the trip and got him all ready to go.  He was counting down the days the whole week before.  We were at the airport by 4:00 am meeting the group by 4:30.  I was so worried about getting to the airport and finding the group that I gave us plenty of time and luckily it was pretty easy.

Of course we rode on the moving sidewalk.  We found his teacher and stood around and waited for everyone else to arrive.  I was starting to get really nervous about him leaving on a plane without me and spending a whole day away.  It was about then that his friend Zach and his sister Brittney showed up.  Brittney was Stryder's group leader.  She's a young gal in college I think, that helps a ton in their class.  She had her cell phone and immediately text me her number and promised to text throughout the day.  Oh what a relief that was!  Then another mom from our ward that was going on the trip showed up and promised to text me too.  I was so extremely grateful to these ladies throughout the day as I received these pictures.

On a plane for the first time headed to Reno.  This was his group the whole trip.  They were so lucky to have so many parents volunteer that it was one on three.  Once they arrived in Reno, they loaded up into buses and headed for Virginia City.  Their next stop was a mine tour which Stryder said was cool but creepy.  Then they rode on a train.

This is a picture of the souvenir he bought.  He wanted to show us how he wasn't wasting his money.  He's a funny kid.  They walked around this town learning about it's history.

 This is from the Fourth Ward School which is 137 years old.

Then they rode buses to Carson City for tours at the state museum and state capitol.  They each received a coin with the Governor's face on it and had a fun time seeing where he works.

This was at the end of his very fun long day.  He got a window seat on the plane on the way home.  He said it was a bit bumpy but he loved everything about it.  He didn't stop talking the whole way home.  I'm so glad he had a great  time and very grateful for this growing experience, even if it was a little rough on this momma.

Our Neighborhood and School

I love our little corner of Henderson.  My family has lived here for about 21 years, in an area I have always known as Section 27, known as the horse streets, to many others.  Other than our 1 year in a condo and our 1 year in Salt Lake, I have lived in Section 27 since I was 9.  I kind of really love it.  I was walking Soren to school a month or so ago and just fell in love all over again with this little community.  

Cactus can actually be pretty especially when it blooms these gorgeous flowers.  The desert can really surprise you with it's beauty if you take the time to really look for it.

River Mountain Park is simply stunning and it's so nice to see the seasons change on the lush mature trees here.

I love love the kids school.  I always joke about "Once a Wolf, Always a Wolf" from our high school and while that is definitely true, I also think "Once a Diamondback, Always a Diamondback".  I'm going to be spending a lot more time there next year as I train to become the new PTA president.

Speaking of school, the kids had their Field Day back in April.  They should move it to March because April is already getting so hot and the kids were lathered in sunscreen and wore hats.  Good thing they love the water games and have fun regardless of the temperature.

Dooley also recently held their Academic and Art Extravaganza!  Each kid had a picture they drew up on the walls near their classrooms.  We were glancing by them when we noticed that Shelby's had a green sticker.  The green sticker means she won Best of Show (there were only 2 in the whole second grade that we saw).  Didn't I just mention she was super talented?!  

Finally, last week was Teacher Appreciation Week.  I love this week.  I'm not a teacher but I love being able to show my deep and great appreciation to the wonderful teachers at Dooley.  This was my 4th year decorating doors.  I seriously love it!  From left to right: Ms Jappe, Ms Rehm, Ms Greenough, Library, and Ms Carlson (which I didn't do and can't take credit it for but I loved it so much that I had to take a picture of it).  I also helped bring in food for the teacher luncheons a couple days and of course did a handmade gift for each of the kids' teachers.  I seriously love the teachers and administration and I'm really looking forward to working with them more over the next couple years.

She's So Talented!

Last week, Shelby sang in the school talent show.  She sang the song "When will my life begin?" from Tangled.  I was so proud of her getting up there and performing.  They had a performance during the day at the school for all the kids and then later that night she performed again in Basic's theater for all the parents.  She was so nervous and it showed a little as her timing was off but she said it was hard to hear up on the stage.  We still think she did an amazing job and love that she is willing to show off this beautiful talent at such a young age.  It gave me a glimpse into the future and I know this will not be the last time she graces a big stage.

Shelby also has been tested and accepted into the G.A.T.E. program for the rest of elementary school.  I am constantly blown away by this girl and so proud of all she's accomplished this year.  

Good-Bye 20s...

Hello 30s!  On March 29th, I turned 30.  Man that is still so weird to think about.  I'm 30!  No longer in my twenties and inching closer over that hill.  Craziness!  Well my 30th birthday was pretty rad.  My awesome sister was determined to dress me up and make me feel beautiful for my birthday and DID SHE EVER!!  She did my makeup and hair and bought me a new shirt and watched my kids so we could go out to dinner.  Then she baked and baked so many delicious desserts for a little party we had with family.  I felt so very loved and very beautiful all night long!

Katie also bought me JT's new album and dang I love it!  Mirrors is my favorite and I could listen to it on repeat over and over again. Benny took me to P.F. Changs and it was good!  I love that husband of mine, he's so handsome and oh so good to me.

So I may not be where I pictured myself at 30 and I haven't got it all figured out yet but I don't think I would be who I am without all those years of experiences that led me to this moment in my life now.  Things are no where near perfect but I have to say that, so far, life is good at 30.

Life According to my Phone

 Back in the early part of March, we got new phones, iphones to be exact.  Well I love mine so very much and have joined the world of instagram and phone pictures.  It's so easy and convenient and I love capturing the every day moments.  So here's a rundown of our life through my phone.

1. Blooming trees at the park while spring was here for a minute.
2. Hooray for Fridays!
3. Mutual activity looking at the sky, hello moon.
4. St. Patrick's Day on our way to church.
5. The Solar System for Shelby's class.
6. Kitty loves when someone will actually play with him.
7. Little treats for my lucky charms.
8. Spiderman!
9. Nothing beats a desert sunset, I love them! 

1. My snuggle buddy.  2. Jump for joy, Spring Break is here.  3. They called themselves the plain white tees
4. Braids to match with NCAA on all the time in March.  5. Scooters.  6. Noodles arms? Nope, muscles!
7. Scooters at the park.  8. Craft time during break.  9. Park time while the weather was gorgeous!

1. Sleeping like I used to, with a foot propped up.
2. He talked to some women police officers at Subway and thought they were super cool and loved getting a junior deputy sticker.
3. Bus ride for a field trip.
4. Singing with his school choir group and totally getting into the music.
5. Legos...all over their room!
6. At the Smith's Center for a play with Shelby for her field trip.
7. Dixie got a ponytail after her bath.
8. Road trip to Utah for a baptism and blessing, so much fun!
9. Beautiful open road heading home.

This Week...

Time has gotten away from me and I can't believe I haven't even blogged about my birthday. But this week has been unusually challenging. 
A stomach bug hit Shelby- she is a violent puker and its no fun seeing her sick
Money is minimal- I don't like talking about this but funds are so tight as we try to get approved for a home loan
Boston bombs and Texas explosions- Stryder asked me to stop watching the news and I gladly obliged, too much scary stuff
A computer crash that almost cost me my 13,000+ pictures- so grateful Ben figured out how to save them all
Fights and tears from all three kids- I think we are all so very ready for summer break
All of it makes for a super stressed out and tired momma. A momma who is dealing with her own mess of stuff that has her overwhelmed. It felt good yesterday to make and bring a meal to a friend, it fed my spirit.
I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. And maybe I'll get around to blogging more next week.

My Favorite Faces

 On Easter, my sister snapped a few family pictures of us.  It was a little bit bright so we got lots of squinty eyes but I love these.

 Then a week later, I made the kids throw on their clothes again and captured a few individual ones with more eyes showing. 

Oh how I love these faces something fierce.