SoftBall

Kelsey finished up the spring softball season the first week of June.  Watching her play for that 6 weeks, we were sure she'd make the All-Star team.  At the end of season swim party, the team was announced, and sure enough, she made the team.  She was thrilled! We had been so hesitant, and worried for months about her, but seeing the smile on her face assured me that we did the right thing.

8th Grade Promotion

 I can't believe how fast time flies by!  My little Aly was promoted to ninth grade.  High school!  I wasn't ready then, and I still don't feel ready.  But, like it or not, life comes at you fast, and the best thing to do is just hold on for the ride and hope for the best.  (I hope the next few years take forever!)

Jr. High Talent Show

Aly's school held a talent show a few weeks before school got out.  Aly and her friends, Kylie and Aly H., thought it would be fun to do a Hannah Montana knock-off.  Aly was Lola, Kylie was Miley, and Aly H., was Hannah.

Aly, Aly H., and Kylie

I LoVe these girls!  They are so cute.

I didn't get to see them in action, but I hear it was funny and the school loved it.  Kudos to them for being so creative!

Spring Recital

Aly had her Spring Recital with her dance group on May 27.  She did a great job, and looked beautiful.  Of all the pictures we took, this was the only one that turned out.

We were a group of very proud parents, a sister, and Grandparents.  Our baby is growing up so fast! We love you Aly!

MoAb

 At the end of April, we made our yearly trip to Moab to play on the rocks.  There were about 6 vehicles in with us, and we had so much fun! The new (newer) Jeep was awesome, though driving a stick shift on that stuff took some getting used to for me.

 The weather was perfect! 

 Steve was very sweet, and let me do most of the driving!

 Aly, Jayce, Kelsey, Jayden, and Jaxson

 Our family

 While on a trail with sand, rocks, and even water, Jeff got going a little too fast..... and rolled over.  We were right behind him.  It scared me half to death!  It was like watching it in slow motion. Thank goodness no one was hurt, and for roll bars and the fact that he rolled on to the sand!  Our Jeep pulled him back an all fours, and we went on our way.

 

Family pictures on "Wedgie".

                                                      

Spring Has Sprung

 Springtime for us means, watching the earth renew it's beauty, planting flowers, and Steve's birthday. We enjoyed a nice little party, just the four of us.

  

 I'm not a very good gardener, but I do like to try!

 I patiently watch and wait every day, until my flowering tree flowers!

I had to add this picture.  Kelsey brought these to me to hang in my office.  It's our family's portraits. (7 months later, they still hang there.)

I'm Baaack!

Well, it's been almost 9 months since my last post. For the most part, I kind of slacked off, but then, something happened to all the text in my blog, and I thought my blogging days were over. Thankfully, my good friend Megan was able to figure it all out today, SO, I'm back! I've been thinking for the last few hours of how I'd get all caught up. I thought about just skipping over Spring and Summer, but the last 9 months have brought us some very humbling experiences that I wanted to include in this blog. Bear with me as I slowly, but surely attempt to get all caught up!

Courage, lot's of courage!

Around the first of March (2010), we found out that Kelsey was getting sick again. Her doctor wanted us to have Kelsey admitted by the end of the month. After discussing options with Kelsey, I learned more about my little 10 year old in that 15 minutes than I had her whole life. She told me that she didn't want to be admitted for a few months. Softball season was just starting, we had our Moab trip planned, not to mention she hates missing school. I tried to explain how small those things were in comparison to her health, when she made it very clear to me that I did not understand what it was like for her. She was tired of this "thing" (that has still yet to be diagnosed), slowing her down and keeping her from the things she enjoys. To be honest, she was absolutely right, I had no idea.

I decided at that moment that I needed to let her have a little more say, and a little more control over her life. Her doctor recommended that we wait no longer than the end of April, but we had to trust that Kelsey knew what she could handle. So, we went ahead with all our plans, including trying out for an accelerated softball team, going to Moab, and not missing 1 day of the rest of the term. I saw this ring and it overwhelmingly reminded me of Kelsey, so, I had to have it.