Why I love my Molly Dolly Doodle

Molly turned 8 this week! I can't believe how fast time is going and what a nerd I feel like when I say that because it's always what the "old" people said when I was growing up. Molly is such a blessing to our family. She has a sweet heart and a deep sense of integrity that I admire about her. She is such a worrier; she worries so often about so many things. She is constantly considering the worst case scenario in all circumstances. Over the weekend she had a roller skating birthday party, a family barbecue, lots of cake and presents. I love my Molly so very much, I love watching her grow into the beautiful and amazing young girl that God created her to be. Here are some photos from her birthday,...and I couldn't resist...I had to share the card that she made for me at school yesterday.
Costco cake is the happiest. ever.


Ellie doing the limbo!!!


Super Skater J.T. Harrison


This is Molly showing off her guitar necklace



The gift of dangle earrings.....gasp!



And Barbie!! from her cute friend Bobbi



I loved Molly's face when she opened this box!!!



And the rest of the girls' reactions when they all saw that it was...MAKEUP!!!!!



AHAHAHAHAHAHAH

AND NOW.....the card that Miss Molly made me at school this week.


The front

and the inside...

just in case you can't read it: Dear Mom, I love you and I hope you are so young so
you don't die. Love Molly to: you

Does it get any better?

If I had more than two thumbs I'd put 'em all up!

I had heard about this book on a morning show a few weeks ago, and then again on a friend's blog after that; so when I saw it in Walmart at the beginning of this week I bought it. I am not too much of an avid reader, but for some reason this week I have read through two really great books. This one, however, is the probably the best I have ever read. After getting about a quarter of the way through it I had my friend Jessica over to give her a massage. I really wasn't wanting to stop reading when she came over so I thought for the heck of it I would see if it was available on itunes so I could put it onto my ipod. To my surprise it was only $3.49!!! I asked Jess if she wanted to listen to a book while she was getting massaged and that I would start it from the beginning. We both became completely captured in the story an hour and a half into it so when it was time for her to leave she needed to know where to go get it so that she could finish it. I gave her my book and told her I would finish it on my ipod. By the end of the night we were both finished. (big huge sigh) WOW.

I loved this book.

I love the fact that the guy who wrote it wasn't even an author. I never usually get emotional during books. This time was not "usually". I laughed. I cried. I got chills. I felt angry. My heart hurt. My stomach hurt. I felt convicted. I felt embarrassed. I felt joy. I felt peace. I felt filled up completely. It made me want to change some perspectives that I have on some things. Anyone who has ANY sort of difficulty going on in their life right now, any struggle, any past guilt or shame, any feeling of hopelessness, worry, fear or any desire for comfort and direction. This. is. the. book. Even if you just need to know you are loved with no strings attached. Get it.

My baby is in KINDERGARTEN

That's right. Ellie just finished her 3rd week of "real" school. She finally got her wish of going to school with her brother and sister and is now in full day kindergarten. I am not an emotional person by nature; and thought nothing of the fact that my last child was heading off to school all day and I would be home. Alone. I was so excited for her (mostly because of the outfits she had picked out for the week). She was a trooper when we got to school because we had to walk Jeffrey and Molly to their new classes and meet teachers. When they were confident and safe in their class lines, Ellie and I walked to the other side of the building to where her class is. It all started when the first morning bell rang signaling the kids to line up. I suddenly had a strange pit in my stomach and a tiny lump in my throat. The line for Ellie's class was the funniest...new full day kindergartners on one side, and an even longer line of sappy parents on the other. We were able to walk them into the classroom and help them find their names so they knew where they were to sit. We were instructed on where to put their lunches, new crayons, backpacks, etc.. Then it happened. The last bell of the morning rang and Ellie's teacher said, "OK parents! It's time for you to say goodbye and go"! I just wanted to stay and spy on my adorable 5 year old in her sassy cute red shoes and fantastic hair band! The lump in my throat started to grow as i slowly walked out with the other parents. 'Would they really notice if I just peered through the window for awhile'? I thought. Sigh. Alas, I walked to my car, got in, and went home. Where did the last 5 years go? I thought I would be jumping for joy at the thought of being home alone! My kids are growing up too fast and I sound like one of those "old people" who say 'my kids are growing up too fast'!!! Anyway, so far so good. The kids all love their teachers and the start to their new year has been great!

Kindergarten, 5th grade, 3rd grade ...here we come!


Ellie in her new seat.


listening intently so she can be a good rule follower.


day 2...curly hair and cuter than ever!!


going into class. sigh. she's so big.


Ellie's first assignment. Don't worry...I think that is Maisy's tail.

The Magic Bus

Since I am OH SO terrible at blogging lately and have had a couple requests to post some of these pics...I am going to post briefly about our quick trip up to Reno for a wedding a couple of weeks ago. A very close friend of the family, Allison Sawyer, got married. Her BEAUTIFUL wedding was up at Lake Tahoe. About 14 of my family members were invited... soooo my uncle arranged a way for us all to drive up together! Enter "the magic bus". We had appetizers and drinks on our very short drive to the wedding, watched Allison get married, had some wonderful food (minus my near death allergic reaction), and cut some rug before returning to the magic bus for the drive home. It was a crazy fun night,...and always awesome to party with family!

Uncle Mark...aka "Director of the magic bus"


Sussa and Bri


Becci and Dad


classic El and Ro pic


Aunt Richelle, cousin Chelsea, sista Sarah


The magic bus crew


Harry and Allison ~the newlyweds!


Chelsea and Jillian (super cute sisters!)


How funky is your chicken?? It's funky! it's funky!

How loose is your goose? It's loose! It's loose!

So come on EVERYBODY!! "WE'RE COMIN' WE'RE COMIN' "

AND SHAKE YOUR CABOOSE! YEAH SHAKE YOUR CABOOSE!


two of my most favorite people.


sista sussa. aren't we cute? I am very shiny. neat.


hottie hubby and brother Brian

I would also post the pics from the magic bus "on the way home" photo shoot...but unfortunately alcohol and dancing make "some" people feel kind of "frisky" and I'm afraid those pics would be PG-13 and this is a family joint.