August 24 First Day of School

How do I put into words the first day of school. All I can say, is I am so very, very, overwhelmingly proud of my kids. I took the day off so that I could take them to school and pick them up. Ry was so beyond excited and looked beautiful. Jake was all smiles and acted like such a big kid.

Rylee is an amazing young woman. Her inside is as gorgeous as her outside. I can not believe that she is a third grader. School has not come easy for her, yet amazingly she has a love of it. Have you ever seen a bigger smile?

Then there is Jake. His first day of Kindergarten and look how proud he is. I have been so scared for this day. I have no idea how Jake is going to do or the many obstacles that he is going to have to face. But the fact that Ry has had it so rough and still manages to have a love for school gives me hope for Jake. I am actually excited for my boy. There were no tears, but a new surge of "everything is going to be okay."

I'm such a proud mommy!

Ry and Jake both survived the first day and were still smiling.

Jake, Ry, Mim, Anneka, and Abby

Mimi is in the Kinder class next to Jake's and has they have become best buds. As we were leaving Mimi walked up and took Jake's hand. It was so sweet and I am grateful that Mimi is being such a good friend to Jake. How cute are they?

August 23

Tomorrow the kids start school and we had to do some last minute school shopping. We headed to the mall and bought Jake some new shoes, Ry some hair accessories and earrings and then had a relaxing lunch at Rubys. It was a nice morning.

After shopping, Rob dropped Ry and I off to celebrate my 2nd cousins, Saydee's first birthday. Ry loved trying to hold Saydee, but Saydee wasn't to happy about it.

August 22

One of the last days of summer vacation and we spent swimming at Grammy and Papa's. Look at the smiles on their faces. Ry and Hannah are so much more than cousins and they have so many extraordinary memories. It was a good afternoon of family.

August 21

Rylee and jake's last official day of summer break and Ry spent it with me at school. She was so helpful and was great with my kids. I wass so proud of her and grateful that she is MY daughter.

We left work and met Rob at Jake'se school for a "Meet and Greet" with his teacher. We were happy to find out that Jake got to be in a all Kinder SDC class and even happier after we met his teacher. She seems really patient and loving. I have a good feeling about this year.

Decorating Jake's name tag for the first day of school.

August 20 TS Support Meeting

This is a building that we spend a lot of time at. Tonight was a TS support meeting and it also where our Neurologist is. Rob and I really enjoy going to the meetings and seeing other families that live with the disorder. Tonight our Epilepsy specialist was talking and it was extremely informative. We found out more about side effects to some of the medications Luke is on and it was not very reassuring. We also learned some new info. about focal seizures, which may be why Jake does not sleep well at night. It is always scary and overwhelming when we come home from these meetings. Sometimes it is nice to survive day to day and live in our own little bubble. These meetings are a reminder of the severity of the disorder and the fear is always a little more tense. Knowledge is key, but it also scares me to death.

August 18 Swedish Pancakes

Rob's speciality is Swedish pancakes and they are the kid's favorite! Rob is such an amazing dad and he takes such great care of our kids. We all know I am not a cook, so having Rob treat us to a nice breakfast is always special!

August 17

Watch out, here comes trouble. Luke loves climbing the stairs and Jake and Somer are always sure to follow. Look at the focus on his face. He is going as fast as he can before daddy gets him.

August 16

I love purses and bags. It is one of those things that I can't explain, do not need, but always want more. Over the years I have built a good collection and all have some sort of great memory.

Rob and I got this one in Vegas when I was pregnant with Luke. We had gone for our anniversary. On the drive to meet up with my parents I got the call that Luke did in deed have TS. It was an amazing trip and the beginning of a new chapter and roller coaster of our lives.

Rob surprised me with this one for Christmas. It was a purse that I had been checking out for months, but never dreamed of getting. I actually cried when I opened it. It reminds me of how thoughtful my husband is and I loved Ry's reaction when I finally opened it.

This is another gift from Rob. I had seen it in a store and fell in love with it. For my 31st birthday, Rob surprised me by showing up at my work with a big Coach box. It was so much fun.

This one was another birthday present, except this one came from my parents. They took us all to Vegas for my 30th birthday and my mom took me purse shopping. I LOVE this one. Really durable, cute and filled with great memories. It was right before Luke's seizures got bad.

These two are probably my most stylish. I always feel so together when I carry one of these, and I picked these out for myself.

This one was another anniversary present from Newport Beach. Rob and I got a night away and had a blast walking around Fashion Island. It ended with rushing to Loma Linda because Luke was spiking temps. and seizures wouldn't stop. It is kind of how a lot of our dates end.

One of the reasons my purses mean so much to me is that each carries an incredible memory. My purses have helped document some of the best and toughest times of the last few years. Each time I use one I am reminded of how I got it and no matter the circumstances I always smile.

August 15

Rylee has been wanting her haircut for months now and so I finally gave in. She went with me to get my hair done and ended up getting 8 and a half inches cut off. My girl was so happy. She just kept flipping her hair around and playing with it. She is so beautiful and grown up.

After the haircut, we went to my parents for a welcome to third grade party. Ry and Hannah both worked so hard to be at grade level. Hannah worked on it all summer and both are now at grade level. We swam, played some games, had a third grade gift, and had cake. Ry said it was "the best day of her life." It was a good day.

August 14 Softball

Rylee is soooo excited about playing softball this year. My sister's boyfriend, Rob, has been giving her hitting lessons and she is doing pretty good. I think my girl has a lot of natural ability, but the issue is the mental focus. I admit I am not super excited about becoming a softball mom. I love the sport and the fact that Ry is playing. I am not looking forward to figuring out how to juggle the practices and games. Life is already a complicated balance without throwing something else in the mix. We are going to do our best and trust it will all work out.

August 13 Open House

It has been a long week and today was a LONG day. It was our Back to School Night, which means a long day. My students made paper dolls of themselves and they came out pretty good. I only had ten students show up, which is dissapointing, but expected. I never have a good turnout for Back to School or Open House. It is okay, because the students and parents that come are worth it. I really do love teaching!

August 12 Bye, Bye

It makes me so sad to drive away from my family every morning. Since the kids are still home from school, I hate not being home with them. The usual battle rages on, the job I love and being there for my family.

August 11 Trouble

Rob has been busy trying to bring his grass back to life, so he has been out watering as much as possible. While he waters, Lu sits in his car and watches. When I drove up Luke just looked like trouble. I love this smile because you can actually see his brain working and the bright eyes.

August 10 Dinner

Today was a long day and I was beat. On my way home, I called Rob to see what he wanted to do for dinner and he said Don Jose. We ended up meeting there and had a really nice dinner. It was a good to see my family and relax.

August 9 Washing the Car

We have now officially had the car for a week. In an attempt to keep it clean, Rob and I set out to wash it. It was so fun washing such a small car. The kids helped by playing outside and we got it done. It was a nice way to end the weekend.

August 8 Lake Elsinore

Today was a busy day that started out with a roadtrip to Redlands. We loaded all three kids up in the back of the new car and went to Coffee Bean and Tea before picking up some paper work that Adrianne kindly sorted for me.

Then it was off to Lake Elsinore with my dad, sis, her boyfriend Rob, Hannah and Ry. We do not get to go out on the lake very often because the boys can not handle the over stimulus or the heat. Today my mom stayed home with the boys and Rosa, so that Rob and I could go out on the boat. I love skiing, but have had very little opportunity these last few years. I was able to get back up on a single ski after I had both Ry and Jake, but have not had so much luck since Luke. I struggled to get up today and did not manage to get up. It felt good to try, but bums me out that I am not able to do it.

Despite my frustration at not getting up on skis, the day was a blast. Ry had so much fun with Hannah and Papa. My dad let her drive the boat, and helped her try skiing. I was so proud of her trying to get up on skis, she managed to hold on for two attempts. My daughters adventurous spirit and spunk amaze me.