Maddy's Senior Shots

Pictures by Me!

STOCKYARDS

Fort Worth, Texas

But, how?

How do you let your children grow up and leave?  How is it okay that they want to move on and start their own life?  {even though we will be paying a healthy premium for that independence?)

When we brought Maddy home from the hospital, John and I were slightly stunned, and frankly surprised, that they let us just take her home.  They ensure that you have a car seat and a pediatrician, but other than that, you are on your own, Bucky.

It was the same with all of those milestones along the way:  Nursing, transitioning foods, sleep-training, crawling, walking, going to Kindergarten, learning to ride a bike, teaching about the Birds and the Bees. You just have to figure it out.  You are in this boat and whether it sinks or floats is all up to you. 

With the help of:

Prayer, parenting books, and LOTS of chocolate.

And now we face the dreaded exciting Graduation Day. Graduation from high school, graduation from Seminary, graduation from living at home full-time...

Again I ask:  But, how do you let them leave?  How do you just stand by when they happily make their plans to fly the coop?   pick their classes? dorm room? meal plan?  How do you let them pack their bags? Is is too dramatic to say that it feels like my heart is being ripped out by that guy in the Indiana Jones movie? 

I guess you just do it.

You do it because you want them to be happy and you are glad that they got good grades, are confident,  can make decisions, and have a plan for their life.

You do it because what is the alternative?

Unemployed?  in Greenland??  {sorry, Princess Bride keeps coming to mind...}

But really. 

I would be very disappointed if Maddy didn't have the confidence and smarts to go on to college and pursue her dreams.

I would be sad if she were sad to leave me {sniff, sniff} behind and was afraid to take the jump into her own life.

So, what is this post about?

Whining, mostly.

and being a proud Momma.

But mostly whining. {sigh}

Maddy Got In!!!

School Days

First Day of School 2010

Maddy is a Senior!
Steffi is a Junior!
Lilly is in 2nd Grade!
Nicky is in Kindergarten!

In the Olympic Spirit...

I really have the funniest kids. Stephie made this little morsel. 
Enjoy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Spring Formal (aka Mormon Prom)

In our area the youth in our church have an opportunity to attend a fancy spring formal with other youth from the region. This year there were about 1200 kids in attendance.

Maddy was happy to be one of them.

Our sweet friend Lisa did a lovely job on her hair.
I wish that I would have taken come close-ups of the back and sides.
So pretty!

One of her best friends, Creytn, asked her to go with him.

He even went out and got a purple tie!

They exchanged corsage and boutonniere.

Maddy with her friends Lauren and Katy.
They all looked so pretty!

The whole gang enjoying dinner at Eddie Deen's Ranch House.
It was a pretty neat venue in Downtown Dallas.

All in all the night was a success with tons of teenagers, great music, good food and lots and lots of dancing.

(John and I were chaperones and managed to sneak in a few slow dances- we weren't allowed to dance fast, per Maddy)

Maddy's Sweet Sixteen

This is a little late, but enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Quote-of-the-Day

Nicky: 'Holy Cow' is okay to say, right?

Me: Yes.

Nicky: But 'Holy FREAKIN' Cow' isn't, right?

Me: (Gasp!) Right, Honey.

Note to Self: Talk to Maddy

Let's Dance!

Stephie's First Dance was this past weekend. I think that she looked so pretty! I can't believe (and neither can her older sister, Maddy) that she is getting so tall!

For the Big Night, Maddy did Stephie's eyeliner and gave her a quick lesson on how to dance with a boy. {sigh}

What a lucky mom I am. Not only are they beauties on the outside, but treasures through and through.

Stephie (left), Maddy (right)

Texas Homecoming (Mum's the Word)

Round about September a very interesting section pops up in the craft stores here in Texas. There are ribbons and trinkets, beads and flowers and bells and whistles and other amazing items in the local school colors.

It is Homecoming Season in the Great State of Texas.

"For the uninitiated, a homecoming mum is an oversize mum corsage decorated with three-foot long streamers in the school colors, bells, charms, banners, little plush animals done up in bows, sparkly letters, even Christmas tree lights.

It is usually worn in the middle of the chest like a breastplate with the streamers flowing down the front of the body almost touching the ankles. It is, in short, a fashion statement.

But homecoming mums are so much more than that. They are a sign that somebody loves you. They’re no longer given only by boyfriends. Mums can come from friends, your mom, dad, aunt, or even a booster boy (a boy-friend who is not your date)." ~ from TheArtfulCrafter.com

Well, this being the weekend of Maddy's Sweet Sixteen marked her very first date. She was asked to the Homecoming Game.

In Texas tradition, the boy gives the girl a Homecoming Mum and the girl gives the boy a Homecoming Garter. So, off we went to a friend's house for a quick lesson; to the craft store for some supplies; and to the coffee table to create.

Here is the Garter that Maddy and I made for her date.
(red and gold are her colors, but he goes to a different school which has black and gold as their colors- so we added token black accents)

Here is Maddy wearing her Homecoming Mum. It was truly gorgeous! Her date made it with his sister's help. There were so many beautiful ribbons and trinkets.
They also made her a cute little Finger Mum.

Here they are wearing their Homecoming garb on their way to the game.

Her school lost. They were creamed, actually. She didn't care one bit.

Camel: The Other White Meat

Going on 3 hours of sleep and just having completed a cross-country training run--

"I am so thirsty, I could eat a camel!"

Maddy's Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Blank family tree - Family tree template

Chipmunk Cheeks

Sweet Maddy got her wisdom teeth extracted on friday morning. OUCH!

She did really well; we had and awesome oral surgeon, and she was a great patient.

Due to a promise made before the surgery, I am unable to post any pictures. But... this might give you an idea--



Actually, I totally did that for a laugh-- she looks great! She was great about keeping her ice on and getting rest. Sometimes I just can't help myself. :D

Maddy's First Day of School

Maddy is a freshman in high school. It really doesn't seem that long ago that she was a baby and learning to walk and be a chatty toddler. (tear)

She is getting used to her rigorous schedule of early morning seminary class and homework.

Each day brings new things. Maddy is thrilled and mom tries really hard to be!

All in all, growing up is a good thing, right??