8-12-2012 Week in Review…

This was a CRAZY week for me. If not because of all we did, then simply the emotional strain of it all.

Monday Ella’s class was working on balance!  (You can see her back there in the orange. – Thanks to her teacher for taking tons of fun pictures of Ella during the week and letting me use them here!)

Tuesday, Sylvie and I went to see if we thought she’d like a local preschool.  Not sure what we’re going to be doing this next year…

Wednesday I went to visit my OB for the last time! YEAH! This 6 weeks seemed to take FOREVER.  While I was at my appointment, Dade took Sylvie out on her first date!!  She wanted to go to the Museum of Art so they dressed up in their best duds and I even curled her hair! :)

They had  a great time together and (lucky for us) my awesome friend (and fellow photographer), Leah, happened to be there and caught a few pics of them in the museum with her phone. Dade caught a few, too.

It was SO hot that day but Dade & Sylvie were troopers and I made them pose for my camera once I came to pick them up.

Then Leah found us again. She Rocketh.

Sylvie’s hair’s not quite the same but this is one of my favorite pictures EVER. I sure love my kids. And I really love how they love each other!

That night Dade had an interview with our bishop before heading off to school.  We then zoomed him over to a wii party with all of the young men at church.  The sky was AMAZING!!  The rainbow on the left and the one on the right are the same rainbow. The left is Leah’s view from her house and the right is the view from Dade’s get together in the next neighborhood over.

Thursday Dade was packing and packing and packing. It was starting to hit me that he was leaving…

Ella was all smiles after school as she got dressed for her date with Dade to the movies!!  He took her to see Ice Age and then out for ice cream.  Dade said he was loving all the adoring looks from the elderly women the last 2 days as he’s walked arm in arm with these beautiful little sisters of his.

Friday was all about getting stuff done.

In order to make tomorrow morning a little smoother, the girls headed over to a sleep over with some great friends! We had planned for them to be with my brother and his family but he’s having emergency kidney stone surgery today! (After my experience in April I’m so glad he’s getting them cut out instead of trying to pass a 6mm stone!)

Saturday we got up very early. Dade (Xander) wanted to be the first one there.  He’s decided to try a new name since he’s at a new school.  It’s hard for me but we’ll see how it goes.  He’s super excited.

We got there early and met up with his roommates family (have I mentioned how much I LOVE them?!)

I tried to smile, I really did…  Thanks to Dallin’s mom, Amanda, for hanging with me all day and helping things to go better. I don’t know that I could have done it without her!

When we were all done, Dade walked me to the car and we hugged good-bye.  I know it’s not like he won’t be coming home on weekends and such but the truth is he’s growing up and he’s moved out. As he walked back inside I sat in the car nursing Collin and realizing the impact of that moment to my heart. One holding close to me depending on me for every thing and one walking away as the apron strings are snipped…  I know that Dade is an amazing young man and he’s going to take the world by storm. I know that he’s strong in the gospel and that God is watching over him and trusts him, as do I. I am so blessed to have raised such a wonderful young man. I am going to miss him SO much!!

In the mean time, the girls went to a baptism and a birthday party!! (Isn’t their hair so cute? You’d think I could figure out how to do this…)

Sunday…needing to get Dade leaving off my mind I decided in the wee hours of the morning to take the girls on an adventure. So…we got up and drove 5 1/2 hours north to the 2nd annual Picky Eaters Convention!!  What a day! It was so comforting and exciting to sit with folks who eat just like me!  We talked about all the aspects of life that being a picky eater affects and so many of them lamented with me that they hadn’t had children because either they were afraid they couldn’t give them the proper nutrition or because spouses were too afraid their kids would be picky eaters. Can you believe that someone would actually refuse to have children with someone over this??!!  My heart was breaking.  So grateful for my beautiful kids and love them so much!  This was a long day but so so so so worth it!!  (And I managed to do it all while keeping the Sabbath. Hard but also worth it.) On our way home we came around the bend and saw the Washington Temple standing as a beacon in front of us. The girls were in awe.  Totally made my day complete.

In the mean time, Dade was at a mixer to get to know his hall mates and sister hall mates.  You can see him in the far back right facing the camera with the black shirt on.