My "baby" girl....

...started school today. REAL school, the school I went to in 4th and 5th grade. It frightens me. I cried as I walked home alone. What a kid though, she had a wonderful time and already made friends. My Lexi-bug is a social butterfly...to say the least. She loves everyone, is very outgoing and energetic. She's very fun to spend time with because of her sweet nature. *sigh* She also wears her heart on her sleeve, like her momma. That's where the frightened part comes in. I was teased terribly all through elementary and high school because I've always had boobs. Started wearing a bra in 1st grade, just developed early. Wasn't chubby or anything, but was also tall for my age, just like Lexi is tall for hers, so they teased me for than too. (Lexi is 4' 4" and not even 5 1/2 yet!) I know I've rambled before about this before, sorry. I KNOW she will do well. The "bullying policy" is much differnet than when I was in school. It is simply NOT tolerated, thank God! There wasn't even such a policy when I was young. This school is a very small one. Just 132 students K-8, 13 of which are in Lexi's class. So teacher/student is very low, that also helps. If you pray, please pray that she has a great school year, that she does her best and that she is kind to all...even those who tend not to be (and that her mommy doesn't make herself crazy with worry in the process!).

Hello again...

Here I am, it has been quite a couple of weeks. Weekend before this past one, my family, 2 groups of friends and their kids spent the weekend up at Canyon Ferry Lake. It was a gorgeous weekend, up there trying out the new boat hubby bought me for my birthday. Saturday was awesome...for the most part. After a fun-filled day, Aaron and I took the boat out, to see how fast it would go, about 8pm. Had a nice trip around the lake and we were pulling back in to the dock. Aaron told me to jump out and grab the rope to secure to boat. We were anxious to get back up, put all the kiddos to bed and throw back a few over some cards with our friends. Well, I was apprehensive, but I did it...I jumped...bad idea. My left foot made it to the dock, my right foot pushed the boat out from under itself and I fell into the water. Well, all but my left leg. We heard this horrible popping-snap. That was my ham string tearing. It was so, very painful. On a scale of 1-10 about an 8...and I've delivered 2 kids! Aaron had to take me to the ER in Helena since we were so far from home. I also hyper-extended my knee. There is a massive lump just under my left butt cheek that is a nice DARK shade of purple. When I sit it feels like I am sitting a top a baseball. I have to keep it wrapped with an ace, use crutches and stay off of it, since there is a risk of blood clots getting into my blood stream. I'm doing much better today. I've started physical therapy, thankfully, I won't need surgery. The therapy has made a tremendous difference on the wieght I can put on my leg. I go again Thursday morning.

This past Friday, my kids had the neighbor girl over to swim. She is David's age and a little firecracker. She brought her puppy, a min-pin/chiwawa, (don't know how to spell that one, so figure it out!) tiny, little thing. She was trying to make the puppy swim and through a series of events, (trying to gather from each kids story), the puppy drowned in our little, kiddie pool. Aaron tried to revive the poor thing, it was so sad. Her dad is so mad at us. I'm not sure why though, the dog had no business being here in the first place, (she's not allowed to have it out of her yard, we didn't know she'd brought the puppy over or we'd of sent it home). He says that David drowned the puppy on purpose, because that's what his 4 year old daughter told him. Of course she did...do you think any little kid WANTS to get into trouble? They avoid it at all cost! Aaron and I sat our kids down seperately and got their sides of the story. David and Lexi's stories were nearly the same, being VERY far apart from the story Kylie told her dad. It was an accident. The kids never put the puppy into the pool with the thought-out intention of killing the helpless, little thing. Lexi and David feel aweful. The dad has told me to keep my kids away from his, he doesn't want them playing together for a while. Fat chance! We live in a "village", with 37 houses. Our girls go to the same, little school and Kylie and David are in the same pre-school class that starts back up next Tuesday. I can totally understand that he is upset, but come on guy, she always drug that little puppy around by the neck, you'd have to assume SOMEday SOMEthing would happen to it!

There you have it,highlights of my last 2 weeks. I can only hope the next 2 are a whole, heck-of-a-lot better!

Simple Pleasures

Goodmorning, I hope that everyone had a nice rest. I slept pretty well, which is uncommon, so that's good.

Yesterday my kids were outside playing with friends in our neighborhood. While cleaning up, I noticed my little man forgot his helmet, (we don't allow them to ride outside of the yard w/o one) so I thought I'd go track him down. I jumped on my bike and found his outside of his friend's house, so I just hung his helmet from the handle bar for when he was ready to ride again. I got back on my bike and started to reminisce. I still live in the small town that I was raised in. It's a safe little village where everyone knows their fellow residents and the kids can go to anyone's house if they needed something. I was remembering being a kid, riding around with my friends. The wind in my hair, sun shining on my face. Ahhh, it felt nice to feel 10 again.
I realized, I don't ride my bike nearly enough.

Goodbye Summer...

Ugh...it has gone by so fast. I have reddish/orange leaves on the tree in the middle of my yard. Can you believe that? Lexi will start Kindergarten the 31st. She is so excited to start "real" school. Her teacher is a family friend. She grew up next to and still lives beside my Gram in town. She's been patiently awaiting Lexi turning 5 and being in her class. Lexi and I will go back-to-school shopping in Missoula in a couple of weeks. That will be fun.

Our big family reunion was this past weekend. I, as many of you already know, was the coordinator this time. It went off without a hitch! Everyone loved the plans I made and the T-shirt I designed for it. It was so nice to see everyone again. There were about 55 of us in all. The kids had a blast getting to know and playing with all of their cousins.

It has been raining here for 2 days straight now. Stops for a bit and continues again. Big thunder storms. Lex used to be TERRIFIED of the thunder, it would actually make her shudder poor thing. There was one time, she was probably around 2, we had a terrible storm and we all ran into the house. Each of us thinking someone had grabbed her. She was out in my mom's greenhouse and we heard a HUGE clap of thunder, (the kind that rattles the windows) followed by the most horrified shriek come from outside. My mom ran out to grab her and she was just shaking, she was so scared. Now, she doesn't really care for the storms at night, but if there is thunder during the day, she'll ask you to sit outside and listen to it with her. Yesterday, there was just thunder with some tiny sprinkles. She and I laid out in the hammok for probably 1/2 an hour spotting the lightening and listening to the thunder. Those are the times so enjoy my life most. No worries, with my child, enjoying nature and the symphony the Lord provides. Thank You God, for my wonderful life...

A Great Flik to Share...

My sister and I watched a VERY amusing movie last night. If you haven't seen Guess Who? yet, I suggest it. What a great laugh-out-loud comedy. It's about an interracial couple, Ashton Kutcher (sp?) playing the fience' who goes home with his girlfriend to meet the folks at their 25th wedding anniversary. The twist...daddy doesn't know he's white! Let me know what you think.