Jumping rope

A couple of months ago Naomi developed jump rope fever.  I forgot how difficult it is to master.  Case in point...

In her defense she did eventually get the hang of it.

The Drapers.

While Naomi and I were having a serious "We need a little Christmas" dance party last night Talmage looked up, and without a second thought said, "And there are the Drapers." 

As if that explains something. I can't decide whether to be insulted or flattered.

Nice One.

Talmage has a new catch phrase. "Nice one." I hope I never forget how he says it.  He loves to use it when Andy makes one of his really bad jokes or when someone says something that he thinks is clever.  It's awesome because he feels like a grown-up when he gets a joke and nobody else does.  I love it.

One more thing I hope I don't forget: I love how Beti smacks her lips when she is sleeping.  So cute.

"Something kind of good happened today..."

Tal: Something kind of good happened today. We were doing a fitness test in PE to see how many pull-ups we could do.  The record was four pull-ups and I did six!  Then everyone was giving me high-fives 'cause they wanted to be my friend!!


Talmage now knows one of life's little secrets.  People want to be your friend if you're freakishly strong.

I feel like I should give a shout-out to Tal's Aunt Rachel.  Law family legend is that in 4th grade Rachel out-pull-up'ed the entire class - including the boys.  Must run in the family.

Breaking up is hard to do.

Moving is hard.  Just to be clear, I have no doubts that we are in the right place.

It's just that we have grown and growing is hard.

And more than that, my beloved Texas friends are moving on...without me.  And it breaks my heart a little.

Seeing pictures and hearing stories of Halloween, camping, races, and girl time that I should be participating in with my peeps leaves me with a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat.

I'm happy for my friends - I just miss, miss, miss them.  I know it takes time - I'll make new friends - life will go on....but it hasn't yet.

So, for today I am sad.  'Cause breaking up is hard to do.

Talmage

Talmage turned 8 a couple of weeks ago.  It's a big day when you're first child turns eight.  I feel like we are transitioning to a new phase of parenting and I'm not sure I'm ready for it.

What a blessing it has been to have Tal as our first child.  He has a truly kind heart and a generous spirit and he makes our home a better place.  That's not to say he doesn't have his moments, this summer brought the first mood swings I have seen from him.  He tried to tackle Andy one day (in anger) and that in itself is a sure sign of some raging testosterone :)  But he is a wonderful, wonderful boy and I am so glad to be his mom.

We baptized him in the preacher's pool.  Both sets of grandparents were able to make it.  His confirmation blessing was beautiful.  All in all it was an incredible day.

No shallow end?  Who needs it? Tal just stood with one foot on the ladder until it was time.

Beti-ism's

A few of my favorite quotes:

"Mom, you makin me cwanky"

"I yuv you so so much"

"I wust cannot bewieve dis"