A Day in the Life...

A long time ago (2 months) I told my sister I had a HUGE announcement to make but that it wouldn't be ready until September 21st.  I asked her to save the date and to plan on a big family party for the reveal.  She thought for sure I was pregnant.  Or moving.  Or building a house.  Or adopting.  Or making Ryan pour cement in the backyard. I couldn't have known the days before would be full of a viewing, funeral, family in town, a baby shower, a crisis with Tim's family, and people getting sick.  By the night of the 21st, I was plum "peopled out" and didn't really want to have the party.  But, I knew all the nieces/nephews on my side were coming anyway because it was my scheduled weekend for the cousin sleepover, and my sister was going out of town.  It's her and Ryan's anniversary but they promised to come back early to help celebrate our big announcement. Yikes.  I think if she'd have known the big announcement was the two dogs' first...

My grandma Janice Detomasi Sager Olson (Bottema) was born in 1937 and died on September 13, 2019.  I am not surprised she died on Friday the 13th, though I was surprised to hear it was fast and peaceful.  Knowing my grandma, I'd for sure have guessed it would have been full of dramatics. My grandma was a FUN grandma when I was a kid.  Full of drama, loud, loved to be the center of attention, loved to write and perform skits with us, loved art, loved to camp, loved games, and loved loved loved pranks.  My mom was with her, the only one with her, when she died, and it was literally in mid-sentence.    In the hospital, she was flirting with male nurses and howling like a dog when someone remarked that the bruise on her eye made her look like a dalmation.  Nurses tried to talk to my mom and aunt about dementia; but no, it wasn't dementia- it was just grandma.  Life of the party even when she was in the hospital. My grandma had no idea she was dyi...

For their upcoming 1st birthday, Amber and I bought the dogs matching bow-ties... and top-hats.  There's a special surprise around the corner! Copper tried out for the 5th grade student council.  She had to give a speech on leadership.  She found a quote and we talked about ideas related to that.  I wanted to let her know that if she didn't make it, that it means nothing about who she is.  We had a great talk about what it means to love and what it means to win.  I was soooo happy to see she typed it into her speech!  She came home disappointed that she didn't get voted in but I'm especially proud of her speech, her courage to give it, and her humility to accept the outcome.   Micah left me a note about what kind of "smart" she is.... I love it! Field trip time with Kota and Micah... off to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.  It is so phenomenal; I should remember to go every year! Night fishing ...

I think I've had body image issues since I was a kid- maybe for as long as I can remember.  I've never liked my body and could always find something wrong with it.  I just knew I'd like myself once my skin cleared up, then once my hair was decent- not permed or fried or uneven because I'd try to cut it myself, haha.  It didn't matter that I didn't hit 100 pounds until I was 22, or that I was smart and caring and all around a good person.  I just felt worthless, unworthy of being liked, unworthy of good things- and my imperfect body proved it.  I felt like there where no parts of me to love.  Right?  Wrong, but it's how I felt and sometimes how I still feel.  Especially after the crazy, downright super weird ways my body changed after giving birth.  In fact, in some ways my anxiety about my body has definitely worsened since becoming a mom; and sometimes that body anxiety causes me to forget my own worth. It drives Tim bananas. But being a...

Cameron and Wyatt share a little electric motor bike.  The girls all love it and now Kota wants one for Christmas.  I was a bit worried at first but it's slower than they ride their bikes and they had a ball! Micah is a note writer. Sometimes they are sad, sometimes cute, sometimes funny.  I love our note exchanges!  I find gifts and notes all over the place- like this one... it's her soccer medal from two years ago, hooked with a carabiner, and with a hair elastic so I can wear it as a bracelet.  It also is decorated with a US stamp.  So we had a little talk (again) about the function of stamps after I  thanked her for such a creative little gift. Copper and one of our neighbor daughters (Zoey) at the Freedom Elementary back to school swim night.  Fun times!   My older brother came into town and brought Taryn a gift... of a new (used) vehicle.  I'd say it's a year early since she's not 16 yet, but it's a ...

Back to School Night: the girls were excited, nervous, and tempted by all the things PTA brought for parents to buy.  None of which we actually did, haha. We already knew who the twins were getting but hadn't seen her classroom yet.  Mrs. Laycock showed up at our home a few days before back to school night even, which I think helped Micah's anxiety.  They love their teacher. Copper got Mrs. Clyde and she loves her too.  Back to school night always leaves the girls feeling excited about the upcoming school year and sad for summer to come to an end.  The girls were all the way ready for school by 7:20 and riding bikes outside on the first day of school.  They all had a wonderful day.  Fifth and third grades- watch out for these cute girls!