Mrs. Donovan

About a month ago, Josh and I flew out to Vegas for my dear friend, Amy's wedding. Amy was the first friend I made in the teaching profession and we have been close since the day we met.

During this trip I also got to meet her new husband, Terry. He is PERFECT for her and I was so thrilled to meet him and see them together. The weekend weekend was fabulous. I got there on Friday and Amy and terry came right down to greet me at the registration desk. They both looked so happy and excited. From there I got situated and then met up with the majority of the family and the FABULOUS Matron of Honor, Amy in the suite and just kind of hung out while we worked on favors and people talked about details for that night and the following day.As everyone kind of went their separate ways, Amy asked if I'd like to grab some food. I got 2 hours ALONE with the bride before her big day. Yes, this was my favorite part of the whole weekend. We got to catch up and I really got to hear all that was going on. It was so special to me.

That same night we all met up for drinks at the lounge at the top of Mandalay Bay. It was so lovely. Josh and I had a fabulous time meeting new people, like Terry's family, and reconnecting with Amy's family and friends. Then the girls peeled off for a night of dancing and debauchery. :)

The wedding day was lovely. Josh and I planned on walking the strip in the morning and then hitting the pool in the afternoon before the 5:00 wedding. As we were walking, I got a text from Amy (the bride) and also Amy (the Matron of Honor) inviting me to stop by the bridal suite to see Amy before pictures. Of course, I cut our plans short and headed back to the hotel. I wasn't missing an opportunity to spend time with the bride on her wedding day. I expected to stay for a few minutes. Nope! The door was opened and Amy (MOH) handed me a glass of champagne and I got to spend the next two hours there while Amy (bride) got ready. It was SO special to me. I felt like I was part of the wedding and I just loved watching my friend get ready for a day she had been waiting for all of her life. I will never forget being part of such an intimate time for her.

I cherished the fact that Amy (MOH) included me in everything. She is an amazing woman who went all out with details to make our dear friend's day spectacular. I adore her.

The ceremony was so moving, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. I am so honored that I was able to be part of such an amazing celebration. Amy deserves this love she has been waiting for. It was a beautiful weekend with beautiful people.

And, of course, while in Vegas you HAVE to get a ridiculously huge slushy drink.
CHEERS MR.AND MRS. DONOVAN!

Kindergarten and 3rd Grade

Here they are on their first day of school! Ryan was beyond excited about going to Haley's school now. Now that he's in kindergarten, the world is his oyster. Haley was nervous and excited as well. The nerves were gone after she came home on day 1 and her teacher "wasn't mean."

I loved meeting the teachers at Back to School Night. They are great fits for my kids. I love our school.

And, of course we went for ice cream afterwards.

A Permanent and Constant Gig

Being a parent is no joke. It's is hard work. The hardest work I've ever done. And not only is it hard, it's constant. And the truth is...I have no idea what I'm doing.

I love my kids. I act and react in the moments that require me to. I pay attention- at least I try. I listen- at least I try. These children are just absorbing the world around them 24/7. They listen to us. They watch us. They understand our interactions and non verbal communication. I love being able to hear what my children have synthesized by observing us. Comments like, "you think Daddy is handsome, don't you?" or " You love being with the family. It's your favorite thing" or even one time when I got upset with Josh about something around the house and Haley said, "are you going to get a divorce?" These comments cause us to pause, as parents, and dig deeper into why these little working brains came up with what they did.

Sometimes moments are hard and trying because kids are being kids- tattling, whining, arguing, not listening. As they get older these times get fewer and farther between.

Other moments are hard because you are put on the spot by your child and need to react as a parent. This can come in the forms of questions out of curiosity. You know- why things ARE the way they ARE. Some things have an easy explanation and other things do not.

Tonight Haley came into our room with her eyes filled with tears. She said, "Sometimes at night I get sad."
I put her in my lap and asked what made her sad. The conversation went as follows:
Haley: I get afraid that people I love are going to die
Me: What makes you think that?
Haley: I don't know
Me: Has anyone around you had any loss in their family?
Haley: No
Me: Does anyone in our family seem unhealthy or sick?
Haley: No, but people can just die in one moment or from growing older.
Me: You're right
Haley: I don't like when people are sad
Me: Who have you seen sad?
Haley: You, I can't remember when. Daddy, when Aunt Jackie died.
Me: Yes, I can feel sad and Daddy was very sad when Aunt Jackie died. I am sorry you are feeling scared but that's not something I want you worried about. Right now everyone is healthy and strong.
Haley: ok
hug, kiss

This is what I mean. We have not had a recent loss. What brought that on? I ask myself, did I react accordingly? Did I acknowledge her fears? Did my response provide any comfort? Was my response unrealistic?

It's crazy when you let the responsibility really set in. How am I helping? How am I hurting? Basically, what am I doing to land my kids in therapy?

Parenting is no joke.
Although, we find ourselves laughing through lots of it.

Last Days of Summer

Here are just a final few pictures of our last days of summer.

 This one cracks me up because it looked so "teenager." These girls had been running around, digging in the sand, swimming in the surf and when we gave the 5 minutes warning, after being there for hours, they decided to bask in the sun a bit. Looks like they had been lazy all day.

 We swam- probably our favorite thing to do in the summer.

 We hiked and explored with friends.

We enjoyed bowling this summer. We enrolled in a bowling program that allowed the kids to bowl 2 free games every day of the summer. So fun!

Back on the Field!

 Soccer season has begun! This is Haley's 5th season and Ryan's 2nd. Haley is now U10 and is playing by all the real rules of soccer on a regular size field. They're playing some true soccer out there! Haley is still apprehensive on the field but she has made HUGE strides. She's getting her foot on the ball and is learning some skills.

 Ryan's U6 team is just about the cutest group you've ever seen. Nate (my bro-in-law) and I are coaching the team this year. We are having a great time. Ryan has made huge strides too. Such tremendous growth in these kids.

AZ Reunion

Yes, these posts are late, but I am getting caught up. 

 This summer we were treated by visits from the U of A crew. The Meyersons came to stay with us since their daughter was swimming in a meet at a local high school. it just happened that while they were visiting, both Tom and Graham were in town. It was so great to have these guys back together and for me to get in some quality time not only with the guys (including Tom and his creepy mustache), but with Jenny and Emily as well.

 I have often referred to Jenny's blog on this blog. She hasn't been writing in quite some time but is just as spunky as ever. She is a wonderful soul to be around. We had a great time reminiscing and reconnecting.

One of the nights we had the guys over for beer. We all sat around the couches while telling stories of the old days. I even heard some new ones! They bring out such joy in each other. The teasing was in full effect, of course.

I did love going to Emily's meet one of the mornings. I swam for about 7 years as a kid. Being at the pool and seeing the swimmers and smelling the chlorine brought of of those memories back- Jason and I riding our bikes to practice every summer morning at 6:30am. The long meets on Saturdays. Competitive swimming wasn't really my passion, but I learned a lot as a swimmer and it was cool to relive some memories.

It was very special to have those 5 days together this summer.

Transition Time

It's time to get back to school. I am up and about to get ready to return to work in 2 hours. The kids start on Monday. I always feel the same way at this point of the summer. Not ready to go back- a bit addicted to my time off with the kids.
Highlights this summer:
1. Sleeping in. Everyone slept in this summer and it was heavenly. The mornings were leisurely and there were days we were known not to get out of our pajamas until the afternoon.

2. Swimming. We swam an average of 3-4 times per week. That's pretty amazing seeing as how we don't own a pool. We were all pool rats.

3.  Play dates with our pals. We had quite the social calendar this summer. We enjoyed going places with our friends like the beach, bowling, Great America, Rancho San Antonio, Raging Waters, each others houses, San Francisco, different parks, and hikes.

4. Vacation- as you read in previous posts we camped and went to Tahoe.

This has been the best summer yet. I know I say it every year, but it just keeps getting better. I think my kids are cool to be with and I enjoy the little people they are. Ryan has been a nice job of making the transition back to work a little easier by whining straight through the last 2 days (ugh). I'm sure he's only doing it to help me out. See? Such a selfless child :)

I loved this summer. I delighted in playing with the kids. It was a fabulous vacation.