Lest we forget..

June. She won't be forgotten. The girl is extremely stubborn and has become quite a voice in our family. Her opinions WILL be heard! She's also extremely loving and lovable (as always), and although she demands we take her seriously, she doesn't take any of us seriously. She laughs and giggles (mostly at or with Cole) whenever Geof or I are trying to teach a point, and it's almost impossible to get angry with her. June, thank you for always being such a light to our family. You goof!

When I cut my hair. June brought my pony tail to church mutual that night and was fascinated with it. Had to show everyone. 

She's taking regular piano lessons now and has good posture and strong fingers! 

Basketball. She picked it up!! Made six baskets in one game!

Bon Air's got Talent. Sang, That's No Way to treat a Ladybug, with her friend, Caroline. 

My favorite lunch date. 

Cousin Brielle, Kendall's youngest. 

Finally! Her own AG doll! (;  

..and there's more

Our Dayne..continues on in her creative quests. Geof and I are amazed at what this girl has figured out at a young age: do the necessary (homework, chores, etc) efficiently and without making a fuss, so I can move on to what REALLY interests me (which changes daily; dancing, playdough doll clothing designer, more dancing--which she loves to teach June, and of course duct tape crafting). She is popular at school and happy. Besides her parents, she might have the hardest time leaving Richmond. This year she really has blossomed and I'm afraid to admit that I'm seeing a little bit of a young woman emerge. :((
Lucky to have a heart as kind as Dayne's in our family.

2nd season of basketball. I'm so glad my girls did basketball. I was (am) terrified of this sport. Just want them to be confident. 

And then a few months passed..

..and I felt this urge to write.  To somehow encapsulate my kids in the stage they are now...which is swiftly fleeting. Cole is 12! My baby is twelve. Yes, I know I've already posted about his bday, but I still can't get over that we have an almost teenager in the house. And I can sincerely say that I feel I'm becoming a better mom to Cole and that's nice. So nice. I've let go of all the guilt that constantly nagged at me and didn't even help the situation. What a waste! So freeing to let go of it and accept the present situation, what's happening, and to just live. I did pull Cole out of school two weeks ago, and although I've had to threaten him a few times that I'd send him back to school, overall, it's been a good thing and I'm seeing a much happier, more confident boy. He's excited and possibly a little anxious for our move to Spokane. I hope he thinks of it as a fresh start and a time to make some lasting Friendships. When we drove back from out west this summer, the kids and I stayed at my best friend from middle school, Tiffany's. We told stories all night and laughed and laughed. I want that for my kids. And I know Cole wants a good friend like that. I also know Cole has a good heart and wants to be Good. I think that's why sometimes he isolated himself from kids at school...just hadn't found a group that had the standards that he was used to living. He has developed some new friendships in the last few months, though. So glad.
Cole's favorite, almost daily thing to do, is to go out back, and either with recycling or leaves, start a fire. We don't mind bc it gets him outside and cleans up our yard. Cole has also always been trustworthy with these kinds of things. He seems to be aware of what is dangerous and what's not. Even more than most kids his age. I appreciate that about him. He's pretty self sufficient. I sure love my Cole boy.

Cole made a three layer carrot cake as part of homeschool. Gosh, home school can be great..

Worker boy. Whether it's shoveling snow or rocks, we've kept Cole busy working these last few months. 

Always up for snuggling Junie.