Everyone keeps asking me if I'm sad that Emily has started preschool. I just give a resounding, "No way! Are you kidding me?" I love my little girl, but it's only once a week for two hours, and I'm loving my one-on-one time with Jonny while Emily's at school! Last spring, I teamed up with some friends to create a "joy school" type of preschool where we take turns teaching in our own homes. It's the best arrangement, and we all love it, so we decided to continue on this fall. Since Kathy and Brynn have moved (I miss you guys!), Elaine, Traci, and I found three more moms to join our group. I'm so excited for when it's my turn to teach!
(L to R): Audrey, Holden, Emily, Etta, Annie, and Adam.
Last Monday was Emily's first day back to preschool since the summer break. After I dropped her off, Jon and I went to the park to play. We met up with my new friend, Jenica, and her darling daughter, Addie. Then we went to DI, where I scored a killer deal on two cute purses for only $1 each, next to Toys R Us, picked Emily up from school, and finished off a great morning by eating lunch at Paradise Cafe. It was awesome! Yesterday, while Em was at preschool, I took Jon grocery shopping with me to Harmons. They have THE best customer service on the planet, so I actually look forward to grocery shopping. I don't know what I'll do next Monday for fun, but I do know that we're lovin' preschool!
After eating dinner and yummy homemade peach pie, we took turns playing the Wii, while the kids wrestled and had a pillow fight. Here are a few pictures of the cousins being silly together, while Wade and Jeff are so "into" the game. haha You know how guys are with any kind of game system, right?
We put the kids in their pajamas, turned on Peter Pan, and let them cuddle with the cool Halloween quilt Elizabeth made, while we played the Wii upstairs....but it didn't last long. Within ten minutes, the kids were back upstairs playing around us. Typical, huh? :) It was such a fun night. Thanks guys!
Here's Emily with Lindsey's, daughter, Emmaline playing on a pole. We both call our girls "Emmy," so whenever we're together, it just gets confusing as both girls turn around and respond. :)
Black and white cows are by far my favorite because that's what you can find on my Grandpa Callister's farm. Aren't they beautiful? Since Jon is also a big fan of cows, it was nearly impossible to get him to stay put in his stroller while taking this picture. He was trying with all his might to climb out of it, so he could get a closer look at the "moo-cows."
I thought this was a great photo opportunity with Emily petting a goat. When I was growing up, I remember feeding and petting the goats on our family farm and that they were such gentle animals.The Past 8 Books I Have Read:
If you read this entire post, you really should get an award or something. I didn't write it to appear funny or witty or spiritual. I just needed to journal something like this for me, so I could stop my stupid pity party and start remembering the things in my life that make me happy. I don't know why Satan works so hard on me to get me feeling depressed, like I really can't do this anymore. I'm tired of miscommunicating with people I care about, especially with my little boy who is desperately trying to tell me something, but I can't understand him, so then he throws a tantrum, and it makes me want to flail my arms and curl up and cry just like he does. And if I try to hide away for some alone time, my two very independent children suddenly become so dependent on me and need me that second. It's just so hard, and I need to get those feelings out, but I know I shouldn't complain because I'm lucky to have two beautiful and healthy children, who love me more than anything in this world. And as challenging as motherhood can be, it's nice to know I'm needed.
Although we are enjoying our sleep now that the Olympics are over, we wanted to pay a tribute to the athletes that inspire us by sharing with you some of the athletes that make us laugh...Enjoy!
Just for fun, I thought I would share this photo of us on Ruthanne's first day of 2nd grade and my first day of 5th grade. My friend who lived next door, Emily Jones, is in the green. Of course we are all sporting the famous rolled socks, because it was "the look" back then. :) 
This was the first day of school the year before. We took a summer sewing class and made these outfits and the bags ourselves. I think they're pretty rad. Don't laugh too hard at my puffy bangs or my gigantic hair scunchie!
I love you, sis! You're going to do great next week!