All hail to the Virtual Pet....

We have mourned, Oh how we have mourned. Tiger is especially missed when it is convenient, like bedtime, or practice time. We gave it a few days & then gave Baylee the proceeds from the sale. Is it any wonder what she chose to spend her money on? Tiger is now virtual and for the first time in days, Baylee went to bed without crying. Whew. I have to say, I am liking our new pet, he really is perfect in every way.....he doesn't need to be let out to go to the bathroom, doesn't need to be fed (at least by me) and he can be turned off whenever we are done playing with him. Thank you Nintendo.

Taking on the world makes me tired....

Shay came home yesterday & informed me that he can no longer ride the bus to school. Apparently we are 1.99 miles away from the school & they will only bus you if you live outside of a 2 mile radius. Ok....no big deal, buy the kid a bike, right? Yes, except for the fact that most of the trip is on River Road...one of our busier St. George streets, no sidewalk, no place to cross. The school transportation department said that the city is who we talk to about cross walks or crossing guards, the city claims that it is the schools responsibility. You get the picture. It seems I spoke a little too soon....maybe the school district is a little 'over budget' & thus cannot just add a bus for those that can't possibly get across that street. I know that 1.99 miles is not that far to drive him...however, I must whine just a little because all of my children go to different schools, none of them have buses now, and none of them go at the same time or even in a time frame where I could drop 2 off in one trip. That means four trips to four locations in four different directions, over a 2 hour period. Then get home in time to get some lunch & off we go again to pick them all up. By the time Shay can drive....we will be buying him a car & celebrating!! In any case, part of me wants to fight this fight just on principle alone.

Go Thunder!!

Some call it a waste, I, on the other hand call it fabulous. If I have to pay taxes, I am at least grateful that my kids get to reap some of the benefits of those monies.
They opened a new High School this year & I went to Back to School night a few nights ago....can I just say WOW!! High School is not what it used to be. Biotechnology lab, a separate vocational building, a college level gymnasium & auditorium & a classroom marked "sewing". I almost wanted to go back to school myself. Another blessing a new school brings....a seasoned principal who handpicked his staff. Public education seems to have gotten it right here in St. George.
Shay is taking a sports marketing class (I know....it is soooooo Shay), where they are designing logos & setting up their own fantasy football league. They will also get to set up the website for the schools sporting programs.
I feel it is my duty as a mom to point out, daily, how lucky he is to have such a nice facility that provides all of these opportunities for him. His response, "I know Mom, I know."
Incidentally, Tanner is also at a new school with a great principal, staff & wonderful opportunities. So far, they both seem to be using it to their advantage by completing all of their homework without too much persuasion from me.....but alas, the year is still young.

Pain

If Baylee asked me today if I would rope the moon, I am pretty sure that I would try. Last week we made the unpopular decision that finding a new home for the dog would be in our families best interest. After many tears, Baylee decided that Tiger, if "she had to give him up, she would like him to go to Makayla". (Some friends in Pahrump)
I imagined the scene in my mind, but really nothing could have prepared me for it. Another friend was here in town & offered to take him to his new home, she later described the experience as being like she was with CPS, ripping a child from their home. Baylee's pain was so raw that you could feel it and I found myself at a loss as to how to help her through. In her mind, this was the end of the world & I thought how life sometimes just stinks...and as a parent, when you child is hurting, sometimes all you can do is put your arm around them (if they'll let you) & reassure them that it will get better....that, this too shall pass.

10 little snippets of JOY

1. Rain in St. George forcing the temperature to read 73 degrees.

2. Watching Tanner's face when I asked him if he got to the part where Edward turned Bella into a vampire yet (he's reading eclipse).

3. Showing up to pick up Shay from early morning weights & having to wait 10 minutes because he was in a deep conversation with his coach. He has some great coaches.

4. School shopping with Baylee.

5. Just about every time Keaton opens his mouth to say something.

6. Having energy enough to mop my floor.

7. Watching my body heal. AMAZING, really.

8. Coming home to a mowed lawn. I didn't even have to beg.

9. Having a 'no accident' day with the dog.

10. Watching my husband fulfill his calling.