SURPRISE!

I had a hair appointment today and was not planning on leaving the salon with an entirely NEW look, but decided to make a major change while sitting in the chair. It has been almost 8 years since my hair was this length! I thought I would feel really sad to cut it all off, but it actually feels really good to have happy hair!

Question of the Day!

Taylor: "Mom, do you think I look prettier today or yesterday?"

Me: "I think you looked pretty yesterday and today...I think you always look beautiful!"

Taylor: "I know, but which one is it?"

Me: "I think you are always pretty, but what do you think?"

Taylor: "I think I look prettier today!!! Will you take another picture of me?"

Taylor's First Day of Kindergarten

I really do have the BEST friends EVER! I was surprised with a couple of survival and pampering kits left by friends to help me through Taylor's first day of Kindergarten. My V.T. brought over "Kim's 1st day of school survival kit," which included: a cheery box of tissues-in case I got the blues, a bottle of gatorade to ward off dehydration, pretzels-something salty to remind me to drink to avoid dehydration, Take 5 candybar so that I wouldn't forget to take a break from crying, and a Reader's Digest Laugh Riot to laugh, laugh, laugh. It was just so cute and really made my day. Second, my great friend, Melissa, surprised me with all the must-haves to get through the day. She must know me really well because she gave me the latest issue of People magazine so I can catch up on Britney Spears, one of my all-time favorite candybars, Take5, Oreos, and something salty and sweet! There is nothing I enjoy more than munching and reading some good gossip! I can't believe my baby is going to Kindergarten! I wanted her to look just right for her first day and spent more time on her hair than she wanted. She kept saying, "why are we doing church hair today?" I just told her this was a special day that required special hair. For those of you who know me, it is very rare that you see Taylor without bows or topsytails in her hair, but this summer I have let it slide a bit and she wasn't too happy to fall back into the "hair" routine.
All summer long we have looked forward to Kindergarten with Taylor's best-friend Avery. A few weeks ago we found out that Taylor had afternoon kindergarten and Avery had morning. We were so sad! Anyhow, to make a long story short...Avery's mom negotiated Avery into afternoon kindergarten AND into the same class as Taylor. It couldn't be more perfect!
We arrived early today to take pictures of this special event!

As all of the students lined up on the black top to walk into the classroom, Taylor was a little nervous, and, as you can tell, wouldn't look at us.
But, finally, we got one last smile and she even blew us a kiss goodbye!
Luke and Blake watched as she walked away...I think Luke was just as excited for Taylor to start Kindergarten as she was.
As she walked away, I admit, I couldn't help it, I cried! I looked at my little baby, whose not a baby anymore and how beautiful, smart, and grown-up she has become and couldn't help it, but cry. When I finally picked her up, she hadn't missed me one bit and was gleaming from all the fun she had on her first day!

Quote Of The Day!

Taylor and I were having a conversation today regarding her and Luke's play dates and the conversation went like this:

Taylor: "But why can't Blake go with Luke and Jack to the park to play, he's a boy too."

Me: "Because Blake would be too much work for someone else to watch at the park and he needs to stay home and take a nap."

Taylor: "But, Blake likes the park and now that he is an American he is a really good boy."

Devoland

The kids were going through Disneyland withdrawls so we decided to create our own Devoland at home for Family Home Evening.

What Happened to Yesterday?

Taylor Yesterday and Today...

With only 10 days of Summer left, I am cherishing every moment with my little girl before she starts Kindergarten. It makes me wonder where time has gone and how it is possible that I have a daughter old enough to go to Kindergarten!

Evidently, my mom cried all day the first day I started kindergarten. I cried, all day, my first day alone, in a new state, away at college. Since I have the "crying" gene it is inevitably going to happen and these are a few things I plan on doing that day to put my crying at ease:

1. Stock up on Gatorade and water. I have been hospitalized for dehydration twice before and DO NOT want to go through that again! 2. Look through old photos to remind myself that she is still my baby.
3. Remind myself of all the things a 5-year old can do that a 1-year old can't. Just to name a few:

• Sleeps through the night



• Brushes her own teeth



• Washes herself in the shower



• Is toilet trained



• Sits through church quietly
  
• Dresses herself


• Entertains herself and others around her (so Mommy doesn't have to)


• Watches movies


• Makes her own snacks


• Pick up toys and does dishes


• Buckles her own seatbelt (Devon's favorite!!!!)
  
  

4. Remind myself of all the things a 1-year old can't do that a 5-year old can...

• Think they're the mom and order time-outs
  
• Can't figure out the words mom and dad try to hide by spelling, such as i-c-e-c-r-e-a-m and so on.
• Talk Back
  

5. I will remind myself how nice it is to take only 2 kids shopping (and feel even happier when I remember that two times a week I will be down to only one child at home).
6. I will try not to miss the extra hugs and kisses.
7. Or the extra I Love You's...she always tells me she loves me numerous times during the day!
All in all, I guess this is supposed to be a good thing, I'm just not so sure I have convinced myself of that yet. Looking back over these old photos really makes me feel as if she was this "little" girl yesterday and realize how quickly time really does fly!

Please Play Along!

I found this fun idea on my cousin Christie's blog. The idea is this: Write two blurbs for your alumni newsletter, updating your life. The first version is the perky, show-off kind that everyone writes (and the one that everyone hates). The second should be the darker, more real side of honest. Here's mine:

Version 1: Kimberly married Devon 7 1/2 years ago. Education and family have always been a priority and Kimberly was happy to complete her Bachelors in 2001. Although many Elementary School principals were anxious to hire Kimberly to teach at their school; Kimberly made the difficult choice to leave her career behind and start a family. Kimberly and Devon now have three beautiful children that bring more joy and happiness into their lives than they ever could have known. Devon loves working in the mortgage industry and enjoys the challenges that come with it. Kimberly loves her role as mother and wife, enjoys spending time teaching her children and serving the youth at her church. Amongst these responsibilities, Kimberly finds time to embellish her muscial talents, scrapbook, and to jog and do pilates. Kimberly and Devon and their family are very happy living in San Diego and enjoy all of the diverse opportunities this wonderful community has to offer.

Version 2: After 5 years of dating, Devon convinced Kimberly it was time to get married. Kimberly happily accepted his proposal, but, shortly after marriage, their fairy tale was put on hold as she and Devon discovered the disappointment of paying bills and working hard to make ends meet. As Devon explored a new path of career, they put their house up for rent and moved into a family members basement while Kimberly continued her education and worked hard as a bill collector. Neither of their jobs quite covered their living expenses. Shortly after moving out of the basement, Kimberly graduated and became pregnant with their first child. Although excited, she felt quite overwhelmed and unsure about the responsibility of becoming a mother. Five years later, they live in San Diego and now have three beautiful, smart, creative, friendly, lovable children. These children bring much joy and happiness into their lives, but are, at times, a constant source of frustration, energy, and sleep deprivation. Each day, Kimberly finds herself constantly picking up toys, changing diapers, doing laundry, cleaning the house, playing make believe, reading stories, making snacks, arranging for play dates, and hoping for a nap. Although she has many talents, she can't remember what they are and rather indulges in weekly episodes of "Big Brother 8," "One life to Live," and blogging and reading other loved ones blogs. While Kimberly spends most of her time caring for their three children, Devon continues to work very hard to make ends meet and spends endless hours at the office as well as at home on his onesie business. Kimberly is currently obsessing, dreading, and mentally preparing for turning 30 in the fall and spends her free time (a.k.a. nap time) exercising on the treadmill and doing pilates.

Happy Birthday, Robyn!

Today is Robyn's 27th Birthday! 27 Years old and she is still a HOTTIE! Robyn, here is a shout out to you for your Birthday!

Reasons I love my Sister...1. She is always upbeat and Happy! Her smile lights up a room.
2. She is adventurous...she will do anything...she traveled all the way to Denver with me to audition for American Idol!

3. She is very caring, sensitive, and thoughtful of others. She always tries her best to make others happy and feel good about themselves.
4. You never hear her complain...she is always positive.

5. She is a great Aunt and Mom.

6. She is a good listener and gives good advice.

7. She still talks to me even though I tricked her into eating a dead fly on a brownie when we were little.

8. She can laugh at the fact that I tricked her into singing "Chuck, Chuck bo-buck, banan-fana-fo-****" when we were little even though I would repeatedly try to get in her trouble for saying a bad word.

9. I don't think she's afraid of the Peanut Butter Monster anymore. My mom made up a monster that she thought wouldn't sound scary, but as the older sister it was my job to make it sound scary. I would run up the stairs screaming "the peanut butter monster is coming..." and Robyn would running screaming and crying behind me.
10. She has a great sense of humor and is good at making people laugh.
11. She loves to sing and has a great voice. I always enjoy singing with her.

12. Robyn is always on the go...nothing can stop her if she is determined to get it done. In High School, she sang on stage with me despite the fact that she was in a wheelchair with a broken leg!

13. Once you become friends with Robyn, you are a friend for life. She is a great friend to all!

I am sure that there are a million things that I could write about Robyn, but these are just a few. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful sister and friend. She inspires me every day to be better and to enjoy the simple things in life. My life wouldn't be the same without her and I love her! Happy Birthday, Robyn!