My Birthday Girl

26 years ago today, I received an unprecedented gift of joy in my life - my second beautiful daughter, Julie. She was without a doubt the most cheerful baby ever. And she was so darling, people would stop me in the store and say "What a beautiful baby! She looks just like a doll you would buy at Pennies." Her golden curls, blue eyes, and infectious smile won over every one that was lucky enough to see her. How can I ever express proper gratitude for the privilege of being her mother? Her first birthday cake had her nickname "Boogee" written on the side. (pronounced boo-GEE) She was such a barrel of laughs and had such exuberance! She would be smiling even though she couldn't keep her eyes open when I would get her up in the mornings. When Julie turned 6, she had a Barbie theme birthday. She received 6 or 7 Barbies as gifts. She was certainly the queen of Barbies that year. I also made her a big cake that had a frosting Barbie face on it. I used to get quite a buzz out of doing fancy cakes for the girls' birthdays. This birthday we had a house with a pool, and her 7th birthday party was a big SPLASH! One of my most memorable experiences with Julie was when she allowed me to be present at Ava's birth. It is a treasured memory. It reminded me of her birth and how happy I was to have a precious baby girl to teach and love. Julie lived in California and I lived in Utah. I flew out to Long Beach before she was to go to the hospital. She picked me up at the airport and we spent the day making those last minute preparations before Ava was born. Julie and Ava were in Utah when Ava was blessed. Here is a picture of Julie taken when she, Katie and their darling children came to Phoenix to visit. She is a beautiful woman, of whom I am very proud. She works very hard to provide a living for herself and her daughter. She is a wonderful example of doing what is right, even though it may not always be the easy way. I love you so much, Julie! Happy, Happy Birthday!

Thoughts on the eyes getting old . . .

Last month, I got it in my head that I was really tired of wearing glasses all the time and wanted to try the contacts. There is a new kind that holds more moisture in the eye and is supposed to be a bifocal, which I must have. I really gave it a fighting try for three weeks! I couldn't see to my satisfaction with the first pair - the power for distance was too strong so it was all blurry. The second week I had another pair that was a little better, but everything in the distance was still fuzzy. The third pair was okay, but words all had a shadow or a "ghost". I had one really good day with the third pair - even wore those suckers for like 13 hours. When I got home and took them out, my eyes were so red! and the right eye had these huge red blood veins running from the inner corner to the iris - it was really gross. Besides, I have "dry eye." So I quit wearing them until my appointment on Saturday. The Dr. said the redness came from the cornea not getting enough oxygen and that I just wasn't a good candidate for contacts. "It is harder for someone your age..." I was so disappointed! Getting old really sucks! Guess I just have to keep wearing the bifocals - but I am going to get new frames and try the "rimless" kind if you get that in a BIFOCAL!!! Ugh!

Sweet 16

Yesterday was Nick's 16th Birthday. He has been looking forward to this one. He got his learner's permit at the start of summer and has been driving all summer long. He told me he was not quite ready to go solo to get his actual driver's license yet. He wants a little more experience. I think he is doing a great job. We did the birthday cake thing, and I had a couple of boxes of candles. Some of them were trick candles that will relight after you blow them out. It was funny to watch Nick try to blow out the candles. He is such a good kid. I really enjoy him.

School begins

Don't they look cute for their first day of school?

Becca got a cute new haircut with layers,

and Nick got his much shorter with highlights.

Monday, August 13th, was the first day of school for this year. Nick and Becca looked so cute, and I think they were ready to go back. You know, that summer boredom sets in at the end of the season and they kids are looking for something to do. I don't think they consider school the thing they are look for, but it seems to help get rid of the "I don't have anything to do" mentality. Becca wishes her favorite friends were in her block. She was a little sad last night over the class divisions. I hope she can still have a great 8th grade year. Nick is already involved with 6:30 AM drum line practices and is missing Seminary to do that. He did some home study sessions last year so he could get credit. I'm not sure how we will handle it this year. There is a group of Cortez students that meet one night a week to make up their Seminary. Maybe we will do that....

The first day of school at work was very busy and hectic with those who waited until the last minute to register for school. Why do people do that? The first thing I did when I moved here was get my kids registered for school! And I didn't wait until school had started.

The DREADED School Shopping!

Tonight, I bit the bullet and took the kids school shopping. It has not been a favorite activity of mine in the past, as I have been told not to walk too close, not to talk, and not to contribute anything but $$$ to the expedition. However, it was a whole different experience this evening. I took Nick and Becca together to the Arrowhead mall wondering what on Earth I was doing to myself after a long day at work. But they both found lots of cute outfits and had great success. There were no cross words or impatient comments. It was actually enjoyable! They were even patient while I cruised my favorite store - Christopher and Banks. I treated them to Carl's Jr. for being so good. It was difficult to get them to pose for the pictures, though. Becca was just so cute while laying her stuff out on the floor, but tried to avoid the photo. I asked Nick to put on his clothes so he took the plastic bag with an outfit in it and put it over his head. His comment: "I'm wearing my clothes." I missed a great Kodak moment there. I'm so glad that I have such cute and good teenagers in my home. It is truly a great gift. Two very good looking kids! Aren't they cute in their outfits? Becca looks so beautiful in blue - it really brings out her eyes. Nick is such a cute boy! I'm so glad they get along and are such good friends. It makes my life a whole lot easier, and it is fun to be around them.