Family pics

Here is what I've figured out about families, each new addition makes it that much more impossible to capture a family picture. Here are some a friend took for us. Hope you enjoy!!







Maybe I should be embarassed but really I'm kind of proud.

Hooray for families and the Fall too!!!

The Sage continues

So my last post was not supposed to have another chapter. Sadly though it does. I watched as my mini-van got towed away this morning. I'm sure your thinking it was for something illegal. Luckily (or not luckily) it was for breaking down in our garage.
That car has given us more grief then could ever be expected. It's been so loyal to us for four years and then three weeks in a row, bam, bam, bam!!!
On our way to church we go to turn over the engine and nothing, dead as a doorknob. (Instead we hope in the Nissan, drive there in a hurry. Chris pulls to far forward over the crub, (you know the sound effects of that crunching sound) reverses only to have half of his bumper hanging off. ..... Back to the mini-van - Chris tinks around last night, charges the battery all night and nothing this morning. It was time to be towed away to find help that neither me or Chris could give.
The starter wires had gone out, corroded away. It wasn't a super huge fix and was back by tonight. This was dissapointing though because the only positive I ever see in having your car worked on is getting a really great loaner to cruise around in for a few days. Since it was towed, and such a quick fix, I didn't even have time to pick one up.
My positive take on the situation is that I'm glad it happened in our garage. Apparantly, there's no warning for such a failure and can happen anywhere, anytime even while in route. The last time we were in the car was Saturday night at a Halloween festival. I can just picture the five of us making our way down main street fully costumed with a wild monkey falling behind (Mason). And then I feel grateful it was only in our garage.
My negative take is, we just the van repaired two weeks ago, and the inspection done last Thursday, could you not see anything then or was this a bad case of super speedy corrosion?

I'll Re-finance the house officer

We'll we're not really going to do that but I'm sure those couches I was all ready to purchase will be put on hold.
Let me share my bad news, this is definately a stormy rainy forecast.
I was innocently coming home from dropping off Rozlyn at preschool to put some beef brisket in the crock-pot. (otherwise I would have stayed in the area and shopped around for three hours like I do every other time. However, I had to take some food that night and needed to return so it would have time to finish. I like to blame this whole story on the beef brisket.)
Next thing I know is that I hear some sirens. I look to see the cops right behind me. As I try to change lanes and move right he follows me. How long has he been following me? I have no idea. I begin to wonder if I was speeding and figure I probably was. Curses!!!!
I'm very nice and our conversation is very amiable, "Do you know why I pulled you over? Is there any reason you were going to so fast?" I answer honestly and say I wasn't paying attention, I don't know how fast I was going and sorry about that. He asks for my insurance and license. He looks at my license and asks if I live in Tomball, to which I reply no, I live in Allen. I can't find the insurance right off and so he says I'll go start this (start what?) while you look for it.
Now Chris is the master of being organized and making sure the right insurances are always in the right cars. I really can't see it, so I call him frantically and ask where in the heck it is. He realizes that we left it in the loaner car from the prior week of having our car fixed. When I dropped it off I didnt' take it out. Never even thought of it, didnt' even realize it was in there.
I get out of the car to tell the cop, which apparantley is a huge no-no. I didn't know this, but the cop was mad and he treated me like a criminal. "Get back in your vechile mam." Do I look that scary?
He comes back to give me the ticket and alerts me that I've commited 4 violations today. Here is the breakdown
Bad information on the license : $265.00
No insurance: $380.00
Expired Inspection: $155.00 (Now this one needs some explaining. It expires in September, when we took our car in this was on the list to be done. (It was expired for 5 days or something dumb like that. When they sent us home, it hadn't been finished because lights had to reset or something. Anyway, I was supposed to take it back it and hadn't got around to it yet.)
And last and really the only reason I thought I was there, speeding: 200
That's right baby, the grand total ringing in at $1000.00 cha-ching.
Beat that!!! I have to go to court and hope everything goes down a very significant amount. I'm going to have to learn to like these old couches after all, because it looks like they'll be with us awhile after all. (and bytheway, the beef brisket turned out great).
Should you want to make contributions to my illegal ways feel free to contact me personally.

To be Amish

.....but I don't want to be Amish. On Sunday night after a crazy weekly planning session Chris, in all of his wisdom gets this great idea that the Amish lifestyle is the one for us.
This is so ironic because that day in Church a lady made a comment how she really appreciates the Amish attitude and lifestyle. Now I start to wonder if this is a sign. Why has my life been free from any discussion of the Amish for 3 decades (minus one fabulous Amish dinner in Kansas during college) and now I'm showered with thought of the Amish. I shouldn't question Chris because he is much wiser then me and all of his points make sense. If we had no T.V. no internet, no email no telephone, etc. life would be much simpler and we would have way more time to enjoy as a family. I tried to explain that I barely have enough time to heat up the T.V. dinners, how does he expect me to grow my own food and make my own bread? My arguement that our family doesn't really get along that well together when we're with each other didn't pull much weight either. It is so convenient to just email someone and getting a response rather then waiting for the mail system. I could always communiate in person but that would take awhile to get to people's houses because I'd have to walk with my stroller since we dont' have a horse or buggy. Chris's commute is also going to stink without a car. Not to try and keep up with the "Jones" all the time but I coudlnt' stand to know that my neighbors are watching T.V. and eating out and I'm not. So my husband is convinced to become Amish.
To test him, since I knew he'd never go for it I consented and said "Great, you've talked me into it, I'm in, I'm cancelling satellite, electric service, cell phones, internet and we'll try it for 1 month." I'm sure my willingness panicked him but he was no longer into our conversaton because he couldn't take his eyes of the T.V. Oh, the irony of it all.
In the end, being Amish would work great only if we lived in the community or if all my friends decided to do it with me. So who's in??

Back to School

So 6 its been just over six years since I proudly walked through the line at BYU to accept my degree and enter the whole new world of parenting. I was two months pregnant when I got my degree. I was so excited for this soon to be new adventure and was sure I'd be the best mom. Contrary to my hopes, my lack of parenting is what drove me to start back up in school six years later. I'm studying the very thing that I finished school so I could do: Welcome to Love and Logic 101.
Now I knowthere are a million parenting philosophies and different theories out there and I'm not on the campaign trail for Love and Logic. However, in a desperate moment as a mom of 3 I'm up for any tips and advice. So I paid my tuition, go each Wed. from 7-9 and definately sit on the front seat.
It's my own intervention, "Hi, I'm Rainie, my five year old doesn't like me and my three old chokes my baby." On to the next person. To everyone in there I'm phyco because of all my comments I make. The more you keep quiet the better parent you look. If your talking, its only about your disfunctional family, but I'm there to get help so I can't keep my mouth shout.
How hard can being a parent be? I hope to graduate with honors in another 5 weeks but so far I seem to be failing the course. We have 5 years of parenting junk to make up for but it's baby steps, right? In the end my goal is to have a fun and happy home. One where we all like to be and where we all get along. A house where my kids are responsible, with high self esteem.
I love these 3 kiddos to pieces. Sometimes I look at them and see how cute they are and wonder why they give me such grief. I'm so thankful for the funny things they say, and the smiles that melt my heart that make all this hard work worth it.

Looking for a plant identifier

So I was going to title this post "How do solve a problem like Rozlyn?" but it seemed to negative for the title and so it just made it as the first sentence. I do love her to pieces but I don't think calling her a problem is going to far. She sure gives us trouble and I keep waiting for it to end.
She is super independent and loves to go beyond my authority or control. At the pool during some great birthday party awhile back I refused her to invite herself over to the party and have some cake. After getting no help from me she waddle into the huddle herself to plead with the strangers for a piece of cake. Of course they gave it to her and it was Rozlyn 1 point, mom 0.
Last week at the library she really wanted this book called "Trashy Town". Now I promise, this is no book review. It's hardly reccommended. Anyway Charlotte used to request books before walking in the doors but the first book she saw of any interest quickly drove her to forget her original request. Not Rozlyn. It was time to pick books, she kept asking "where's Trashy Town?" I kept saying it probably wasn't there and showing her other great ideas. I had grabbed "Hey Mama Goose" (now that is a book reccommendation!! I love it.) None were good enough. As I insited it was time to go we left with her head hung low. Just as we were about to make the exit she walks up to the circulation desk and says "I wanted Trashy Town and you didn't have it and I'm sad." At first I think there started at how articulate this small person is. I kept giving them the mom eyebrow and I that says it's O.K., don't worry about it. However Rozlyn had already won her heart and she was rapidly in the catalog searching for the author (that was the unknown information). After assuring the lady that we didn't need to find it (please not another week or reading trashy town) she walked right back to where it belonged and grabbed it for Rozlyn. Rozlyn grabbed it and shouted "Thank you very much, I love Trashy Town". It was all so dramatic, and I'm wondering why is she so smart that she knows how to get around Mom's authority and always seems to know who to find that will help her with her problems.
This morning while we were outside waiting for Charlotte's ride to school Rozlyn made a confession and she said "Mom, once I ate two of those berries on that plant and they didn't kill me, they really didn't. You said they would kill me and they didn't." What?? Who is the kid, why does she do these things. I guess I didn't really know if the berries would kill her but I didn't know if they wouldn't. I'm no identifier of plants. (I tried to post the picture of the plant but it's not working). Why does she have absolutely no amount of respect for the things I say. Have I been caught lying enough times in her three years that she now doesn't trust me, and how will I earn it back? No I'm fretting at the future scenerio where she does need to trust me and won't. So I ask you again, How do solve a problem like Rozlyn?

My very non type A ways

So here I find myself celebrating the two month anniversary of living in my house. Do I feel moved in and organzied, not in the least. So help me all of you wiser organizers then me. Here are some specific issues on the top of my mind. There are many more then I can list but can I think of them, no, because there not written down anywhere because I'm not organized.
First comes kids clothes, I have one big laundry day a week. I can only do it one day a week because it takes me the other six to fold, iron (who am I kidding?), and put away. So why do there seem to be enough kids clothes to last the month. We're not even having potty accidents any more, its an amazing mathmatical mystery. I'm considering keeping x number of outfits and throwing the rest out. Advice? How many clothes do a 5,3,and1 year old need?
Next problem is old memorabilia, how sentimental does it have to be to stay. Letterman jackets, dance costumes. What can I throwout without regretting years from now.
Next, toys. We have way to many. This summer in our apartment many toys lived in storage, did the kids miss them, no did they have plenty, yes. However whenever I need a break I think the largest stash of toys should come to the rescue. Endless fun for all. However they still just want me. They don't understand that sometimes the toys are babysitters. So should I just chuck them with no regrets or try to do the rotation. Initially I'm scared at the rotation because of my lack of organization. Advice, advice I need it pour it on.
Last for now receipts and bills. How far back do I need to keep bills, I have files of old bills from companies who no longer provide service for us. I'm always spooked that 5 years from now Disn Network is going to request alot of money that they say I never paid. How far back do I have to go to save things.
I know I seem pathetic but I'm determined to get organized once and for all. So go ahead, motivate me, please!!!!!!

Boston

So Chris and I were lucky enough to have his mom come and relieve us for a few days while we headed to Boston. This was the best break for the whole family. The kids loved having grandma here. They get so much love and attention, I get an adult to talk to while Chris is gone, and Chris has an excuse to eat out at the best restaurants. Definately a win, win, win (for you Office watchers).
If my trip would have ended with the plane ride I would have been satisfied. Traveling alone is really taken for granted. Unlmited time and interuptions to check out the Sky Mall magazine. We met my sister, brother, their spouses and 300 other BYU faithful.
Boston was beautiful and the weather was perfect. It was so fun to be on a BYU tour with tonz of BYU diehards. We were definately the youngest but I think all the old people were really glad we were there. I guess the older you get the easier it is to be entertained because they were all amused with us. We were quite popular to dine with and sit next to on the bus. There was plenty of laughing for all.

We were only in Boston one day which wasn't near enough, we got in all the major highlights from our city "Duck" tour but could have spent an entire day at each landmark. Another trip is definatley necesarry. I did get to drive the "Duck" when we got on water, which allows me great bragging rights (and I was a great driver too!!)
Our next day was Vermont. Again the drive alone would have been worth it. It was beautiful, quiet, peaceful. It was our first time at church history sites and it was amazing. We visited Joesph Smith's birth place, and the surrounding sites. It was so great and the spirit was so strong.
Now it was time to get rowdy, game day (again with all the oldies). Man do those guys ever get mad and yell. Boston College was fun to see and we did get treated good on campus, even though we were decked out in our BYU drag.

Our last night we went canoeing on the Charles River and had one more seafood dinner before we went to bed, only to wake up to having to leave it all behind. The best food, no dishes, beautiful sites and a featherbed for four straight days, what more could of I wished for. (a BYU win would have been nice, but I can't have everything)
No major disasters happened while I was away (besised running out of toilet paper). Cheryl told me that worrying does actually work because everything you worry about never happens. The kids were so fun to see and I was ready to be a mom again. It's funny what a good break will do to renew your parenting powers. The kids weren't as excited I was back. They keep praying that I can go on another trip and that Grandma Cheryl can come back very very fast.

I'm getting off the bandwagon

First I'd like to apologize if this is offensive to anyone. I know everyone has there passions that they love and this could be one of yours. I.K.E.A. Yes, I'm climbing of there bandwagon. Here is some history. Before adventuring out of the states of Idaho and Utah I'd only heard of this mysteriously fabulous store out there in the big cities. Everyone raved about it and told us how it should be a pre-requisite for which city we choose to move to. Hello Houston, Hello I.K.E.A. experience #1. It was exciting I'll admit, huge, fun, bargains everywhere. The anticipation was equally as big. I found my self going back from time to time to this great new novelty. We'd even take our Idaho guests as a real tourist stop. I pushed I.K.E.A. copying all the lines that had sold me initially. "It's so exciting, you feel like you've just ripped someone off each time you leave." After several visits, and spending plenty of dollars I began to wonder what I was missing. Maybe it just isn't my style - is that bad to say, but I would see my most modern and stylish friends decorate there homes amazingly with furnishings only from I.K.E.A. I think I'm to behind the times because I couldn't make it work.
When we moved within 5 minutes of I.K.E.A. this summer, (a real real-estate selling point I guess) we've been back several times. There are way way way to many people in that store. We have to hike a mile each time just to get in. Then there is a 30 minute waiting line to put your kid in the playplace. We put Rozlyn in her biggest shoes and biggest hairbow so we could sneak her in, still she's 1/2 inch to small. Everytime this happens and everytime we go through the drama of waiting and measuring only to have her little heart broke. I did tell her she'd grow if she ate more vegetables so we'll see. Then it's the maze, why can't you just leave when you want to without going through that crazy maze. They force you to look at every single item known to man before allowing you to exit. Next to the hot dogs: I'll admit, this is the best part about I.K.E.A. (is it embarassing to profess my love of hot dogs?). and .50 you can't beat that. But when its so overcrowded and filled with unsupervised children buying there hot dogs there are frustrations: like blocking the mustard dispenser, everyone lines up to get there sodas, not using the ketchup or mustard. Can't they line up on the other side away from the dispensers? I get angry when something comes between me and my mustard. Then incase your thirsty they give you a snowcone cup to put water in. What good is that for, you can't set it down, and I can't enjoy my hotdog when all hands aren't free.
The last frustration is when you finally exit and see the row of the faithful. Hundreds of cars in the loading zone just waiting to load there purchases that probably won't fit. But it doesn't mean there without faith. We've been there before loading our own goods hoping by some miracle that they fit.
As I left after my last visit, I thougt about just how crazy this place is. To make all you in Houston feel better Dallas I.K.E.A. is a million times busier. It's a zoo. My mile walk back to the car gave me time to come to the conclusion that 1. I.K.E.A. has no edge over Wal-mart for me these days and 2. I go crazy when I'm around that many people. Wierd panicky systems in my body start to kick in and make me all crazy. Tonz of people and tonz of noise, it's to much for me. Maybe with time I'll cool down, and I'm sure when people come I'll still take them just so they can see the massive amounts of people for themselves. Until then I'll find myself back at the Wal-mart up the road, with home furnishings in my cart, miscellanous junk, and eating a hot dog at the deli - covered in mustard.
I'm so happy to have this blog where I feel like I can vent about such issues.
Can we still be friends?

Numero Uno

The Big Birthday arrived. We had a fun family celebration. Mason of course loved the cake. I'm sad he's already one. He is the happiest, funnest baby and I'm no hurry for him to grow up. He really is such a big boy, and just so squeezeable. He has just discovered reading. Everyday when I read to the girls I just let him roam free and play. Well now he's discovered the trick to getting on the couch, bringing us books. He brings us book after book. He used to be destructo, which is why we just let him play. However now, he brings the book, climbs on my lap and keeps his hands to himself while I read. He just didn't want to miss out on the action. He only picks out books with dogs on them, none of which are my girls favorites. When friends are over he weasels them into reading to him as well. He grabs a book and goes and climbs on their lap and grunts until you open the book. He's so cute!! Is there any way to freeze this phase?? I'll take any advice you have. I have more cake pictures still on my camera which we'll put on later.

My new friend

In the world of a big move comes lots of new friends. Friends are scary to make because what if someone gets attached to you and later on you find out their crazy. Well my new friend I pay tribute to today I believe is crazy, she sits next to me at gymnastics each and every week. Gymnastics is somewhat of a challenge with three kids. Between wrestling Mason the entire time and my friends shocking comments there was always something to look forward to on Tuesday afternoons.

Impression 1: I was told what a disadvantage my kids had because there were more then two of them. (She only has two because of course, she's perfect). They'd have less of my time and be involved in less activities because we couldn't afford it. "Each additional child, is one the less thing they'll all get to do".
Impression 2 shocking comment: Charlotte is allergic to peanuts. She asked me if we can go to chick-fil-a. I told her no, or at least not when Charlotte's with us. She then told me if any kid of hers was ever allergic to peanuts that she would disown that child. I tried to reason with her by telling her that she wouldn't (it's not that big of a deal), saying that you'd look at them, see how cute they were and not even care. I guess she thought I felt attacked because she told me "No, I wouldn't disown Charlotte, I'd disown my kids. I couldn't live with out Chick-fil-a.
Impression 3: Mason had just thrown his bottle after he'd finished drinking it, a bad habit I know. She went on to tell me how her friends son did the same and really hurt her friends head because the son would throw it while they were driving in the car and it would bean the back of her head. Her friend asked her (phyco lady) if her kids ever chucked their bottle when they were finished to which she replied "Is Sydney still breathing. If that was my kid I'd be pulling over on the side of the road and giving them a little smack, smack, smack." Hello???? Oh so I guess I'm supposed to start beating him right now.
Impression 4: (Are you starting to see the things I look forward to hearing each week.) Our internet, phone and cable T.V. are all the same, if the internet is down so is every source of media outlet in the house. I told her how I'd been without a phone all day. To make me feel better she told me that her internet company had recently called and asked her to switch and get a phone through the computer. She told them "What, do I have stupid written all over me?" Which apparantly I do because 30 seconds prior I told her thats how we were set up.

I realize this is the longest, probably boring for you all, grammatically incorrect post ever. There is plenty of confusing "he said, she said". I just had to share the news of my gymnastics friend. I'm switching days of gymnastics to the evenings or Saturdays when Chris can watch Mason, and in a wierd sad way I'll miss the shocking comments. A week never went by with out one, I only filled you in on some of my favorites. I thought it appropriate to finish with a tribute to her. For your own enjoyment I wish you all success in the future at finding a phyco friend to sit with at some extra curricular activity.

A New Monster Lives in our House

Charlotte is her name. The good news is that she loves school, the bad news is that she wants to make sure she doesn't miss it and so she wakes up at the earliest hour. The first few days of school I had to go in her room, shake her around, talk to her, tickle her, carry her downstairs. Well she must have amazing body rhythym because this is no longer necessary. She wake up 1/2 hour earlier then needed like clockwork. We can throw the new cock-a-doodle do alarm clock away.
I can't have her wake up before 7, because there are certain mom jobs I have to do before I need her help, making the lunch, showering, reading, getting ready, all things I'm great at by myself.
Yesterday, she woke up so early came running down stairs yelling "Mom you said we could make stickers today, I want to make stickers" (writing on scotch tape, and ripping the piece off). That activity definately shouldn't happen before 10am, let alone 7am.
Last nigth Chris and I went on a date, she was with the babysitter going crazy when we got home at 10:00. Now school nights, she's in bed at 8:00, so I'm thinking she'll sleep in this morning, after all it's Saturday. However, I wasn't willing to take any chances, so I had a lecture of you stay in bed as long as you can. Then you come downstairs wait quietly on the couch, and read a book quietly. Most importantly don't wake up mom or dad. At 6:30 am, on a Saturday, I wake up to "see Dick run, go Dick go, oh Dick" in a loud voice. My precious sleep had been robbed once more.
What am I to do with this Monster?

Preschool Drama

So kindergarten has started and its going so great. . . . .and now for Rozzie's turn. Since Charlotte started school Rozlyn has been so excited because she wants to do anything that Charlotte does. On Tuesday when we dropped Charlotte off at the school, Rozlyn in her nightgown, went wandering into the classroom crying to go to school. Thursday was her very own big day. I really wanted to keep her at a home preschool, rather then a more traditional school. This was my first error. She was going to Miss Shelia's preschool, a lady who has done it for twlevle years. She seemed like the pro (despite having a 1:12 ratio of 3 year olds), but I knew it would work because it had for all those years. While I can barely handle a 1:3 ratio, I just figured she knew what she was doing. At the conclusion of her first day, Rozzie came stumbling out in her backpack that is bigger then her with the mysterious pink letter. The pink letter indicated that Miss Shelia had recently gotten her Real Estate's license and from time to time the two (preschool and real estate) would conflict. So lucky for us she hired this great assistant, her 18 year old son, Mr Lindon. Hello????? Now instead of the expert we have a teenage boy ALONE with 12 kids. Would any of you be alarmed? Would you ever sign up and pay for your child to attend a preschool where she has an 18 year old BOY for a teacher, by himself with 12 kids? (not to mention he is a home schooled kid - I know there are homeschoolers that turn out great, however my general stereotype is not a positive one). My lesson learned is that when we decided to do a preschool in a home we lost out on alot of professionality and accountability. A public place would not allow a teacher that just came and went as her real estate business permitted. There also would be more then one adult, for emergencies, comforting, bathroom assistance, etc. When Mr. Lindon has to attend to an emergency, call a parent who knows what the other 11 will be doing. In addition Rozzie has bad boy phobia. So no more preschool for Rozlyn for now. She doesn't know the news yet, it will break her heart because she was just so excited. My sister-in-law suggested that I tell her preschool is only one day. She is on a waiting list at several other places. When you wait until August 10th, the slots are usually full. Chris is doing the "break-up" today in exchange for a large desseret. I was to afraid of the confrontation. Thank heavens I can bribe him with sugar to do my dirty work for me.

All about Mason

3 things that scare me:
*Mom's dinasoar sound effects
*The electric drill
*My sisters love

3 people that make me laugh:
*Mom
*Dad
*My Sisters

3 things I love:
*Food
*The gameroom
*Stairs

3 things I hate:
*When the food runs out
*Holding still
*Diaper changes

3 things I don't understand:
*Why I can't be set free on the stairs
*Why mom puts up baby gates
*Why the feedings have to end

3 things on my floor:
*wagon
*books
*horse

3 things I'm doing right now:
*Sleeping peacefully
*Recharging my energy
*Dreaming about stairclimbing

3 ways to describe my personality:
*Busy body
*Happy
*Energetic

3 things you should listen to:
*My new chatterbox vocabulary
* mommy singing
*ESPN sports radio

3 things I want to do before I die (in other words three things my mom wishes for me):
*Marry a girl just like my mom in the temple and have lots of babies
*develop a testimony of my own
*Serve a mission

3 things I love to eat:
*strawberries
*Dannon Activia, its a real boost for my digestive system
*anything else I can find and fit in my mouth

3 things I'd like to learn:
*How to walk so I can play sports
*How to communicate so someone understands me (I have feelings too!)
*How to drink from a sippy

3 babies I tag:*Bailey *Kotter *Mia

The best toy!!!

So I'm always searching for that one magical toy. The criteria is 1)keep my kids entertained for hours 2)Mason can't choke on it 3)it doesn't make noises or sounds that annoy me 4)doesn't cost alot of money. I've found just the toy - pipe cleaners. You might have all discovered them quicker then I did. As for myself and my children we just became familiar with them a few weeks ago. They've given us nothing but happy hours ever since. They make people out of them, letters, spell names, necklaces, bracelets. Even I enjoy scuplting creations with them. We even took them to church because they're even quiet, an added bonus. Anyway if you were slow to learn about these magical toys like me, go grab a bag. I hope they give you an afternoon's worth of time to get something done like they do for me.
As a side note, Kindergarten really happened. Plenty of tears were shed and I fought boldly to contain myself while Charlotte was with me. There should be a prize for that because it was no easy task. She seemed so ready, and acted so brave which gave me another reason to want to cry, tears of happiness, tears of sadness. It's an emotional roller coaster. So she's there as we speak. I'm a short 2 hours away from picking her up and hearing all about her new world. As a tribute to Charlotte here is a picture of her this Monday morning and a picture of her last Monday morning. My crazy wild friend is all dressed up and in kindergarten now.