Eleven Years

Today is my anniversary. Taylor has done this thing lately where he buys me gifts on occasions on which we have not normally bought each other gifts. He doesn't discuss this with me first either, so I am caught off guard with no gift for him. I can't really be mad at him though when he gives me a book like this. He said he didn't think it would be nice to call his wife a dummy on her anniversary so he changed the title. Isn't he thoughtful?

Eleven years went fast! This year has taught me a lot. Taylor has been away from us more this year than ever before - away physically for weeks at a time with his doctoral work. Often when he is home his work load causes him to be away mentally even if present physically. I wish I could say I've been the perfect supportive wife through it all. The truth is I haven't always handled this well.

After 11 years of marriage I'm TRYING to learn how to be supportive when I don't support something. Yes, the truth is I didn't want him to pursue this degree at this time in our lives. I like life to be simple and try to avoid extra stresses. But Taylor, he loves to learn and challenge himself. This is who he is. Isn't it often true that the things we love about people are also the things that drive us crazy?

So though I still roll my eyes as he spends another evening at the kitchen table in front of his computer and though I cry like a baby when he drives away from home for 2 weeks, I'm learning that this too is part of choosing to love...loving when the frustrations are high, when I'm feeling lonely, when I wish he was home to put the kids to bed. I hope I'm learning to show him grace though I know I have a long way to go. At least I have 2 more years of doctoral work to get the hang it!

Last year on our anniversary we saw my favorite artist, Andrew Peterson in concert. He wrote a song about marriage that Taylor has posted to his blog before that has really defined marriage for us. For Christmas I gave Taylor a picture of us from Hawaii with this quote on the back from the song, so he always knows I'm on his side (even when I don't act like it).

We bear the light of the Son of Man

So there's nothing left to fear

So I'll walk with you in the Shadowlands

'Till the shadows disappear

'Cause He promised not to leave us and His promises are true

So in the face of all this chaos

Baby I can dance with you.

Let's go dancing in the minefields

And sailing in the storms

This is harder than we dreamed but I believe

That's what the promise is for.

Memorial Weekend

The kids and I kicked off our summer by spending the weekend with Grammy and Bumpaw.

Bumpaw introduced Sophie to Parcheesi.

On Saturday we spent the evening with the Hamiltons.

Sophie and Tate played great together.

Grammy made snocones.

Can't wait to all be together at the beach!

The kids were exhausted after church on Sunday.

After naps we went over the visit Mimi and swim in her pool.

We finished up the day with dinner and playtime outside at Central Market.

When we got home we packed up some dinner and headed to our pool for the first time this summer. John Curtis is getting very brave!

Last Week of School

Sophie finished up 1st grade this week. It was a very busy week for her. On Wednesday her class had a Luau.

On Thursday evening we went swimming with some friends.

Friday was the last day of school. We took Gracie to school for Pet Show & Share.

Then she had an awards assembly.

She got to share the fairy tale she wrote along with the mermaid she made.

So long 1st grade!

Hello summer!!!

All Things Ballet

We had such a great weekend.

On Friday night Sophie and I went to An Evening of Dance to watch a ballet performance the girls in Levels 3 and 4 from her dance studio put on with some professionals. G-Momma and Poppa were at our house when we got home. The kids were very excited to see them.

Sophie had been working hard on getting her ballet steps down.

Spelling may not be her greatest strength, but it's too bad you can't spell phonemically in French

On Saturday morning the girls went to Sophie's ballet rehearsal. This was the only time I was allowed to film her. They were much more together during the actual performance and all looked so beautiful in white leotards and tutus.

After rehearsal was over we met the boys at River Valley Cafe for a yummy lunch. Then G-Momma and Poppa went with John Curtis to check out our new library while Taylor and I took Sophie back to the River Stage.

We are so thankful to have grandparents who travel for many hours to see their grandkids.

We were very proud of her. She seems to really enjoy ballet and will be taking part in a summer workshop and performance at her studio.

After a hot afternoon outdoors the kids cooled off at G-Momma and Poppa's hotel pool.

Today was Sophie's last ballet class before summer and it was parent observation day. Normally her classes are closed so it was fun to see what she does every week. Not being a dancer, everything is new to me and I'm amazed that she knows what to do when her teacher yells out some word that I don't even understand. We have really loved the classic ballet style of the school and are enjoying watching her grow.

Lots of School Fun

Wow! It's been a busy week. The kids have had so much going on at school to celebrate the end of the year. Both of them had such wonderful school years with great teachers. We are very thankful for the ways in which both have grown this year. I think the schools have a goal to wear the kids out during their last weeks of school so they'll sleep late when summer hits. Hope it works. After 2 field trips this week and an AR party today, Sophie got off the bus barely awake this afternoon. She said she had fallen asleep on the way home.

While Sophie was at Mr. Gatti's on Wednesday making pizza and having fun, John Curtis and I were having a picnic with our classes and parents.


On Thursday Sophie loaded a bus bright and early and traveled with her class to Sonora to tour the caverns there. This was such a neat experience for her. She especially loved riding the charter buses with TVs!

That evening her school celebrated Dia de los Ninos. They had a parade, dinner, and silent auction. They also had a talent show and dance, but we didn't make it that long. Sophie was barely standing at the end and I'm not sure how the teachers were still going.

This is Sophie's doll she got to show us that night. They wrote their own fairy tales and got to sew characters that went along with it. This is her mermaid. Sophie really enjoyed this project. I'm so thankful for how many different things she was exposed to this year.

Today was John Curtis's last day of school and Water Day. We all had so much fun. Since it was my last day too I had some fun squirting my 3 and 4 year olds with the water gun.

We're gearing up for a big weekend of ballet and family and then Sophie's last week of school with LOTS more activities. Summer is just around the corner!