September: Joseph's Birthday - 15!!

Oh, this amazing kid made me a mom 15 years ago. Being a parent brings so many emotions with it. I was 24 when I had Joseph and thought I had a pretty good idea of what life was all about and how to navigate it mostly. Well, Joseph has been my introduction into the unknown. He is a great kid and has helped me learn and understand so much about this world and the people in it. He has humbled me, loved me, forgiven me, and made me laugh. He offers his joy and laughter to anyone willing to join him in his happiness. Joseph seeks for goodness, light, fun, righteousness and obedience. 

 One giant pancake for my man child. 

 Due to early morning seminary, we did not have our usual birthday breakfast. So, Joseph asked for breakfast for dinner. He also asked for bundt cakes for dessert and I was happy to oblige- thank you Nothing Bundt Cakes. 

And then, this happened a few days later- He passed his Eagle Board of Review. So proud of him! 

September: Races- Tour de Fleur and Tough Mudder

I ran the Tour de Fleur at the Dallas Arboretum in the middle of September and it was a wonderful day for a race. This is such a fun race and the after party is so great- there is so much food! 

I love the group of ladies that include me in their running circle. 

 Pre-Race

 My final time.

Post-Race

Above is the pre-race and the below is the post-race.

At the end of September, Peter and I ran the Tough Mudder. It had rained and rained off and on for the days and even weeks leading up to it. The race was on though and gratefully we had an earlier start time. There was so, so much mud! The past 2 mud races I have done the trail between obstacles was dry dirt or sidewalk or road. Anyway, this time the trail due to the aforementioned rain was like unto a swamp, bog, mud bath, pigsty- choose your happy muddy place. We walked more than we ran due to not wanting to get hurt. They actually shut the race down a few hours after we finished due to medical help not being able to get to those injured on the trail. 

 Above: pre-race and below: post-race. This is the same spot and notice the grass has disappeared. 

 

This is my friend Stephanie Yost and I hope we have many more running adventures ahead of us. 

September: Samantha 1st Day of School, Work, Skating Lessons, Snow Party

She has been waiting so long for this day! She was so happy about having her turn to go to school. She is in Mrs. Hammond's class at CCDC. She was eager and marched right in.

 I had a crazy patient at work that ended up taking a helicopter out due to the severity of his injuries. It was really exctitting! 

 Lily and Arabella decided to take skating lessosn this year. It has been fun to see them progress.

I made these 2 boys do a little clothes shopping with me but I rewarded them with delicious hamburgers. That made the prospects of an hour shopping seem a bit more bearable. 

 Peter came up with the hair brained idea of a snowball fight. It took him months but he steadily froze nearly 20 blocks of ice. As you can see we had a really good turn out and it was great fun! 

This may be a new annual tradition. 

September: Labor Day weekend

I went for a great early morning run and caught this great sunrise. 

 We had a great time swimming with the Ostermiller's and soaking up the last bit of summer. 

 Jane hung out with us on Sunday while her parents took her brother Peter to the emergency room. He was a sick little guy but after a few hours of fluids he was doing better. Samantha loved the day of fun with a friend. 

We took the kids skating on Labor Day and Peter and Samantha each won a skating party. We sadly, never used the free party but it was cool they won. 

Labor day was a really rainy day and so after skating we took the kids to have lunch at Sam's Club and then took them to see the movie AXL. They all enjoyed it! 

August: Finishing off the month in style

So this happened! I had not planned on starting until next fall but a co-worker informed me that the application process for Texas Women's University had changed and they deadline was in September. So, I decided why not and submitted the application. It was a bit of a leap of faith and when I sent it all of the plans and thoughts of possibly going to school again one day became a reality. I felt brave and bold and nervous all at the same time. 

 The girls and I did a little sewing project that last rainy week of summer. We made their skirts and Arabella's shirt. They were them the same day and so we captured the moment. 

 18 years of wedded bliss! We went to dinner and then a movie after a crazy rainstorm cancelled our plans of going to a Hot Air Balloon festival. So grateful for this man by my side to roll with the ups and downs that life brings. 

 Frank got really fluffy for a bit because we were really bad about brushing him. Check out that fuzz!! We have since bought a new brush that is much better and he is not quite so fluffy! 

 Samantha and I had a lovely morning doing puzzles one morning. 

 There was a court of honor and both boys earned all kinds of merit badges and awards! I am so proud of them. 

 Samantha meeting her preschool teacher Mrs. Hammond (of course I did not get a picture of her with her teacher- silly me). She has been so excited for her turn to go to CCDC preschool! I love her enthusiasm but I have missed her companionship as well. 

The last weekend that the splash pad was open we headed over for a bit of fun! The girls were so creative. They pretended they were pioneer children whose parents had died and so they were travelling by themselves. I guess that is what you get when you visit Nauvoo and then watch the movie 17 Miracles the Sunday before. We also had a fashion show as displayed by their fantastic poses. I want to soak up all of their creativity and imagination. 

Thank you August for your heat, humidity, rain, and many memories! 

August: First Day of School

Here they are ready for great new adventures! 

 Arabella 4th grade Valley Ridge Elementary

 Lily 1st Grade Valley Ridge Elementary

 Joseph 9th Grade at Killough Campus - Lewisville High School

 Jon 7th Grade Huffines Middle School

 Samantha with all of her babies enjoying the last few weeks of her summer before she starts Pre-K! 

Samantha and I went to the store the day school started and found this awesome slip and slide on clearance. It was a lovely warm day and so the girls had a great time testing it out. 

They crack me up!