Milestones.

Life is all about milestones. When I was a kid I would count the days until that upcoming life changing milestone. Once we become older and we have children of our own, it becomes about their milestones...the first time they roll over, when they take that first step, or when they loose their first tooth. Soon it is when they start school, when they turn eight and are baptized. Then it is all about the AGE and the freedom that comes from each advancement. When they are twelve they are ready for middle school and get to go onto YM/YW's. Once that long awaited moment comes it is met with their longing to be fourteen so they can attend dances, Youth Conference, and high school! But alas, even though that day was surely the highlight of their lives..it is not near as great as it will be when they turn SIXTEEN! Then the dreaded ( for mom and dad ) double D's..driving and dating! (group of course) However, turning eighteen to them, will be the greatest of all because it is off to college and they are officially ADULTS! Shortly after, the harsh realty will set in that ADULT= responsibility! This year we are reaching or have already reached many milestones in our family. I am truly enjoying the changes that come from each.



Chandler has reached the exciting milestone of turning eight. He had been so looking forward to that day when he could be baptized. It was a wonderful day. He is my only little boy and I enjoy him so much. He is a typical boy, I think...if this means he plays outside all day (even forgetting to eat sometimes ), he could wear the same thing every day and if it hasn't been washed that makes it even better, and he jumps over everything, throws everything, and destroys quite a bit in the process. I love watching him pal around with his dad but at the end of the day he is still momma's little boy!









My little SuzyQ. Her milestone is the one that breaks my heart! She is going to be an official MIDDLESCHOOLER! The end of the innocent. She is going from the somewhat kind and nurturing world of elementary to the harsh, crazy, eat you alive, world of middle school! what happens to kids between elementary and middle school? Somehow, they become hormone raging, fist fighting, teenager wannabes, trying to figure out where to fit in. I dread her being in this environment. Luckily, we have had great success with private school and a HUGE majority of those issues are not such a problem. Kids will still be kids but over all it is a much calmer environment. Doesn't the idea of someone being mean to your child make your blood boil? The very idea of someone hurting my Suzy's feelings gets me very upset. Aren't all parents that way? She is so sweet, creative, smart and makes friends so easy. I hope her experience will be a positive one and that she will make good friends. Oh, if I could protect my kids from the world...but it just doesn't work that way.


Sweet Kayla! Her milestone is one I can remember so well. Turning 14!! This allows church dances, youth conference, and EFY!! She is so longing to be able to participate in these things. She has watched her older sister be able to do all of them and hear how much fun they are! I told her the other day I thought when you are the oldest you can't wait to do things that you will be able to when you reach that certain age but it is not as bad because you don't really know what you are missing. But when you are younger, you know EXACTLY whet you are missing because you have an older sibling to remind you! She is such a social bug and thrives on being with people! She will start high school shortly after she turns 14, another milestone. She is so adorable and is pretty darn smart! She will have a blast going to the dances. Most of her friends are already going and that makes her even more anxious. No one likes to be left out. They look forward to her going too because she is so fun to be with and can definitely get her groove on!




Hayli's milestone is the least we are ready for. My baby is growing up! I am not ready for the double D's. Her driving scares me to death. Not her driving specifically, it is just the act of driving itself that I am afraid of. So many kids are killed nowadays on the roads! I got my license when I was 16 and was out driving on my own..with very little experience! It is a wonder I didn't kill someone or myself. (I did have an accident within a week or two of getting my license but thank goodness it was minor!) The second D ( dating ) I am less concerned about...although my husband is going to probably have a nervous breakdown until she leaves for college. ( Too much interest in his little girl and he doesn't think any are good enough for her...typical Dad, right?) We are VERY fortunate. When it comes to boys, Hayli is unteenagerly-like smart! She is very spiritual minded and the idea of having a "steady boyfriend" is years down the road in her mind. She wants to date ALOT but she just wants to go out with good guys, mission bound a must, with no pressure. Needless to say this narrows her choices, but she is perfectly okay with that! She is kind of shy and wouldn't know if a guy liked her if he advertised it on a billboard. She is so beautiful inside and out! It is going to be interesting to watch..I hope her Dad can survive it!