Ten Years

And so it is that ten years ago today, the world changed.  And not for the better.  While the death and injuries and defeat were obvious, what these terrorists did for us that was even worse was they destroyed the trust of a nation.  And they ruined the entire innocence of not only a country, but the entire globe.  Never again will the our thought process not involve terrorists.  And just a little bit of fear.  And just a little bit of anger.  And yet, in the midst of the rubble, good still prevails.  And there is the pride of a great nation.  And what an amazing memorial at Ground Zero.

I remember that day like it was yesterday.

I was 20 years old.  Young and invincible.  And this was a dose of reality that I don't think I even grasped at the time.

I woke up late for a 8 am class with my beloved Dr. Zuroff.  My best friend Holly called with all of the vigor that she always had that early in the morning.  I on the other hand, was grouchy and irritated.  And when she told me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center, I thought she was trying to get me to wake up and participate in any conversation.  And so we went to class and nobody knew a lot of details, but we all knew it was bad.  And class went on because that is the kind of professor I had.  Business as usual.  And then it was onto our next class and between the two, we somehow found out that it was indeed bad and it was continuing.  And I had a sister in London getting ready to fly home after visiting extended family with my Grandma.  And I didn't know if she was flying, waiting to fly or what because of the time change. 

After classes we headed back to a friend's apartment and sat and watched the coverage.  And it was scary.  And I was young.  And I honestly didn't know what this meant for me.  But atleast I was in Montana, which was a long long way from New York City.  I hoped it was far enough.

And so life went on and before I knew it it was Veteran's Day.  And I was doing an observation at a local elementary school.  And they had organized a Veteran's Day celebration with a focus on the 9-11 attacks.  And the entire student body of little kids...innocent kids....acknowledged this event and sang songs to remember and recognize and event that they surely shouldn't have to worry about. 

I will never forget when they turned on Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" and the tiny and sweet voices of the kids sang it with all the gusto and pride that they had to give.  And I sat in the row of teachers and I cried.  Because I didn't know what else to do.  And I knew this was bad.  And I didn't feel much different than those little kids.  Confused, but going along with it.

And so life went on.

Ten years later.  I am a mother of three.  And in love.  And all of a sudden, life isn't all about me.  It's about them.  And I can't help but look at the 9-11 attacks as a mother would look at this event.  I can't even begin to imagine what this must have been like for the mothers of the victims.  Or the children who lost their mothers or fathers in the tragedy.  And so, today, it is scary in a whole different way.  And what about the mothers of the men who caused this to happen?  It really gives you a lot to think about.

The families who lost loved ones in the 9-11 attacks.

Stop and pray for these families.  You know they never forgot about 9-11.

Back to School

See...I told you I'd be lining her up in front of the same bush and sending her off to school!  Thursday was the big first day of first grade.  And she came home smiling.  What a beauty!  Cannot tell you how much I love this girl!  So excited for her to discover reading, writing, and all the fixins that first grade has to offer!  It also helps that she has such a phenomenal teacher, not a doubt in my mind that this year is going to be awesome!!!!!

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 The ever important backpack shot.  An icon for the scrapbook.  I'm such a nerd, but there's something about a new backpack that just makes me positively giddy!

 Neighborhood gang off and running.  Brody ready to rock it in the pink car.

Officially 30

A while back, we were eating dinner at Red Robin.  Across the room from us was a bunch of tables pushed together with a bunch of "kids" sitting around it, eating their dinner and smiling and laughing and some had presents and it was clearly a group of close friends who had gotten together to celebrate one gal's birthday. 

I was intrigued with the bunch because it reminded me of something that I would have done with my group in college.  Back in the day it was Applebees.  And we celebrated there a lot.  In fact, we celebrated a lot when there really wasn't anything to celebrate.  And so I just kept finding my eyes wandering back to that table and watching the carefree attitude.

At the same time, I was noticing just how young these kids looked and so I figured maybe they were high school students or, at the most, young college age.  And so when the waiters came and sang the song and handed off the ice cream sundae, and I heard them say it was my 22nd birthday, I just about fainted.  Because I'm pretty sure that I never looked that young at 22. 

And last week we went to Roaring Springs for our late summer family "Hurrah" before school starts, and I'm pretty sure that this year they must have lowered the age of the lifeguards to eight.  They are so young!  And then I realized as I looked around, that I am so not. 

And so, I am sitting here watching Jimmy Fallon on my last night of my 20's, I can't help but think that age truly is relative.  And maybe it's just our perspectives that age and change.  But I don't feel any older, and yet, in comparison to the others around me, I must have grown up somewhere in the past couple of years. 

And I can't help but think what a successful 30 years it has been.  Full of blessings.  Full of love.  And I am nothing but content.  So here's to the next 30 years!

Because I am old and Wise....

Another Milestone

The first lost tooth.  And of course I wouldn't expect anything less than a huge dramatic lead up, because everything Cameron does is huge.  And dramatic.  And exhausting.  But she lives life to the fullest and we love her for that!  Sweet girl!  And so here is the end result after we FINALLY got that tooth out.  She walked around here for a good week and a half with it just hanging by one root.  And I can remember enough about loosing teeth to know how irritating that is to try and eat and have a tooth flopping around.  So, for the love of Pete, I don't know why she just didn't pull the dang thing out, but it has to be Cameron's way or no way. But I have to say that when she decided to get it done, she took control and pulled.  So here is just another proof that my baby is leaving me.  Even her baby teeth have decided they are through.  And now she has the big gangly first grade smile with half of one huge tooth growing and the rest of her teeth looking quite tiny all of a sudden.  Can't believe how fast she's growing up!

 I love this shot of Matt trying ever so hard to be "nice" and not just grab that tooth and yank.  I had to remind him about 50 times that if he traumatized her on her first tooth experience, then he wouldn't have the opportunity to help with all of the others.  So we let her do it her way.  But you can just see the temptation in his eyes.....

Success!  Finally!

Horray for Cameron!!!!!  Yes, Brody is going to be 11 months old this week.  Speaking of where does the time go......The kids is so BUSY!  Prefers to eat standing up.....

School Shopping for The Diva

Today we went school shopping.  And I am learning that Cameron and I have the exact opposite (mostly) taste in what is cute and what is not cute.  And when she holds something up that I don't like, it is everything in my power to bite my tongue and gently sway her in another direction.  But, can somebody PLEASE tell me when it became okay for six year olds to dress like hookers?  Seriously!  Call me old (I am going to be 30 this week--boo) but all of a sudden the front racks at Target have mini skirts attached to torn fish net stocking?????  In a size 4??????

So we talked about what was appropriate for playing on the playground and why we are not going to dress like hookers at age six.  And Cameron, in all her innocence, agreed.  But I know she doesn't understand why.  And I shouldn't have to explain it.  It shouldn't be okay that this is being thrown at our daughters at such an early age.  What happened to jumpers and mary janes?  I can promise you now, my daughter will be dressed to the nines and completely appropriate for the setting, probably spoiled and over dressed, but I can't help but worry about the pressure to be beautiful, sexy, thin, and perfect.  I just thought I had a few more years before I had to say, "You absolutely are not leaving the house in that outfit Young Lady". 

But I can say the school shopping is done...or should I say done until we can afford to finish (what the hell is up with the prices of things?????)  And Cameron is ready to start the beginning of her first grade year.  Can't wait to post pics!!!!

Cameron's First Day of School Shoes

Counting Down to Freedom

I say this with as much love as I can muster, but there are 18 days left until I stand Cameron in front of this rock and snap her 1st Grade photo and then she will be off.  From 9-3:30 EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!  And Tucker will also get stood in front of the rock because he will be off and running to Preschool THREE DAYS A WEEK!!!!  I love summer, but dang, I'm over it.  These kids are bored and they are DRIVING ME CRAZY!  Whose with me?