A new chapter...

Oh my...where to start. This new chapter in Austins life has been a really hard milestone in MY life. He is growing waaay to quick. I look back at some of his baby pictures and find myself longing for this sweet, loveable, little guy. Now he's a teenager and full of A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E!!

We went to back to school night and as we approached the school he tells me that he is getting so nervous. "It looks so huge!" he says. Of course I reassured him that he would be just fine. We had to jump through a few hoops to get his schedule, but once we did, we went through the school, found his locker and all his classes. After we went through it once I told him it was his turn to take me through. With a few nervous butterflies he led me to his locker and opened it...then to his first class...and his second. "Wow mom. This is going to be easier than I thought!" Being relieved inside, I just encouraged him on. When we successfully made through the night he was once again nervously excited for school the next day.

All day I waited anxously for him to come home so I could hear all about his first day. When he got home he played way casual...like it was no big deal. I asked him how he did finding all his classes, and this is his story...When he got to school and went to his locker there was some other kid in it. "Hey dude, that's my locker." "No it's not, it's mine." replied the other kid. After going back and forth like that a few times the other kid says, "Look, here is my locker number." He showed Austin his schedule which had the same locker number as Austins. Not wanting to put his stuff in a locker with a complete stranger, he just kept his stuff in his backpack and proceeded to class. It was English, and the teacher called his name. When Austin went to the front to get his book from her, he was greeted with the same kid that had his locker. The teacher had only one Austin Allen on her role, but there before her stood two Austin Allens! What are the chances? So she sent them both down to the office to get it all figured out. It ended up being that they gave us the wrong Austin Allen schedule. My Austin is actually on the records as Austin R. Allen. So they gave him his new schedule, and locker info. and sent him on his way! Talk about overwhelming the poor kid. So here he was left to find all his classes on his own. All the walking we did just the day before was for absolutely nothing!! He said he found everything just fine. It all ended up being worth it in the end because he likes the location of his locker better and he actually has a few classes with some friends. He told me that he was glad that he had a new locker because there was a really cute girl with a locker next to his. Oh my...he definately IS growing up toooo fast!!

What an eventful day!! He is really excited about Jr. High. I just hope he keeps up the positive attitude when he has tons of homework and doesnt want to do it all.

Hold onto your britches...we've got a teenager!

I still am in total shock that Austin is 13. Where has the time gone? I so vividly remember the day I had him. What a happy memory. When I was pregnant with Austin, I was in such a dark place in my life. Heavenly Father knew EXACTLY what I needed to bring me back. Austin entered my life at just the right time. I hate to even think about where I might be without him. The Lord really does know our needs and truley does bless us accordingly.

Austin IS "Something special to me". He is such a good example to everyone around him...including me. Sometimes he amazes me with the things he already knows. He has such a strong testimony and is so close to the spirit. I have had several oppertunities to have long talks with him...sometimes about nothing at all...but he never seizes to amaze me with his sweet, strong spirit. I can really see why the Lord saved him for these last days. He most definately is a "great and noble one". What I have ever done to be blessed with such a wonderful boy, I will never know. I am just thankful that my Heavenly Father loved me enough to send me this sweet young man. He has such a tender heart and would do anything for anyone.

Happy birthday Austin...I love you!

I promise to do my best to try to stay patient through these awkward teenage years. We're in it together! :)

Steel Days 5K

Last year we went to watch Jake run this race and Austin decided then that he wanted to do it too. He was so excited to run this year.

The kids got up early to come and cheer them on. ( I dont think they realized that it would be very little watching, and a lot of waiting!) They found their own entertainment while they patiently waited, and waited, and waited!

Jake placed 4th in his age group, and Austin placed 7th in his. He did a pretty dang good job. His time was 29.27. Not to shabby for a first run. I am so proud of him. He says he wants to do it again next year, and even Preston wants to run! I dont know where they find the energy to do it, but I am soooo glad they do!!

Good run bud! Keep up the good work.

You'd think they just got done running! I guess getting up at 6am wasn't all the fun they thought it would be.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!

I have had sooo much fun playing with these pictures on fotoflexer. I think it is so cool what you can do to a picture. I never would have thought that this could be so much fun. I know, I know...simple pleasures for simple minds! Oh well, I thought I would share them anyway. If nothing else...the kids are so freakin cute...I just love em to pieces!!

ROCK ON!!

Now this is the Birthday Girl I wanted yesterday...she is doing MUCH better! Darn those 24 hr flu bugs. So as promised, we are going to celebrate today. She wants to go to Arctic Circle for a shake and then swimming!! Hopefully my sunburn from a few days ago wont give me any trouble!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAILEY

This little girl of mine can endure more than what 5 people together can endure. Here today is supposed to be a happy, fun day, and it starts with a little knock on my door at 6:30am. "Mommy, my tummy doesn't feel so well. I already threw up on my bed, and it still hurts." Are you kidding me? Poor thing!! I guess we will have to celebrate tomorrow. She spent the rest of the day on the couch. If she wasn't sleeping her head was buried in her puke bowl!

Kailey was born at 8:38 in the morning, weighing 7lbs 4oz and 20 in. long. She started life out with a bang...here to prove just what a strong little one she is. Right off the bat the nurses realized that she was having a hard time breathing. They put her on this C-PAP machine hopeing that it would bring her lung function up to normal. After a few hours of this they soon realized that she was getting worse and had to transport her from Orem community Hospital to Utah Valley Hospital. There she would spend 10 days in the NICU.

Oh what a happy day it was when we finally got to bring her home! The nurses had always told me that being in the hospital and being intabated for so long would do one of two things to her. She would either become extremely high maintance or she would be very laid back and easy going. I would have to say for the most part she is very easy going.

It has been so much fun having a little girl. All the things a mom wants to do with daughters. Looking back at it now, she probably was my little doll that I got to dress up and show off. I pierced her ears when she was 3 months old, she ALWAYS had a bow or ribbon of some sort on her head,(Due to major lack of hair!) and I think she was always the cutest baby around.

How can you not just love those dimples!?

But dont let that cute smile fool you!! She is true to her red-headed nature! When she has attitude...she's got it good.

Kailey is such a joy to have around. I marvell at her strength, and her will. I KNOW that she is a choice daughter of our Heavenly Father. For one so small to have endured sooo much in her young life. I almost fear for her and what the Lord has in store for her. He sent me such a strong spirit, one that he truely saved for these last days.

Happy Birthday Princess Girl!! I love you so much. Sorry that you where sick for your birthday, but we will party it up tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Preston!

I really cant believe that it has been 9 years! I remember this day like it was yesterday. Preston is truely a specail boy. We had a few scares during my pregnancy...which lead to his early arrival. He was almost 4 weeks early. (That might explain why he is such a runt!!) But I really believe that it was time for him to come. After a few tests to make sure it was okay to induce, we found out that all his organs where completely developed and even his lungs where strong enough to breathe on their own. The Doctor didn't want to wait any longer. He has been such a joy to have around.

He will come up with the darndest things (but then what child doesn't) He really keeps me on my toes and laughing most of the time. Even when I should be mad at him, he just has a way of making me laugh.

I love you so much Preston and am so proud of the kind, loving kid you are. Thank you for being such a good kid, and always being willing to help me out. Your smile brightens my day, and I am so glad that Heavenly Father loved me enough to entrust me with you.

Happy Birthday Preston...I love you!