Sawyer's Day - "It's great to be eight"

August 15 was actually the day of my 20 year high school reunion. I have to admit that I was pretty bummed we couldn't head out to UT for the event. However, I couldn't have asked for a more special day.
Instead of flying out to UT and visiting with old friends and family, I got to watch my oldest son baptize his little brother. It was a awesome! The spirit was strong and we were grateful to the friends and family who joined us for the special day.

Facing Fears

We went to Georgia the week of the 4th. It was fun to spend some time with the family, just wish more of them could have been there. We're a crazy bunch and it's never boring when we get together. On the 3rd, we took the kids to 6 Flags. Probably not the best idea doing it the day before the 4th of July especially considering many people got the 3rd off since the 4th was on a Saturday. The lines were long! The kids had a lot of fun anyway.
That morning before we left, I actually suggested leaving Sawyer home. Rides, not really his thing. There tend to be a lot of tears, even at water parks. Mike insisted that we take him anyway.
The day played out mostly like I thought, Sawyer sitting on the sidelines of the majority of the rides. He did ride a couple. As our little group made it's way toward the "American Scream Machine", Sawyer decides he wants to go. I ask him if he's sure, and he insists that he does in fact want to ride it. I think it may have been with a lot of encouragement from his cousins Will and Sam. These boys are fearless! Below is an excerpt of a description of the ride of Sawyer's choice.

"Experience the terror of timber. Considered one of the greatest rides in existence, The Great American Scream Machine is still one of the world's longest and tallest wooden roller coasters. Rocket along the banks of the Chattahoochee and manufacture some screams of your own."

So, as we proceed through the long lines, different conversations going between all of us, I look down to see Sawyer. My son is in tears. His face is red, crying, hands covering his face. I ask him, "Sawyer, what's wrong? Are you okay?".
"Mom, I'm so scared."
I reply, "Buddy, you don't have to ride it. It's your choice. We can get out of line right now.".
My son looks up at me with tears streaming down his face, "But Mom, I want to face my fears.".
The poor kid looked so pathetic, but it was one of those proud parental moments. So, when it came time to ride I went with him. He continued the crying, which turned into screaming for his life, for the entire ride. I held his hand, I tried to talk him through, he was oblivious to me. I just started to laugh. Nothing in my parental experience had ever been similar.
When the ride of terror ended, and we had come to a complete stop, the biggest smile came across his face. I asked, "Did you like it?". He vigorously shakes his head no. "No way! But I'm so proud of myself!"
My heart was about to burst! If you really know Sawyer, you will know that he is a very timid kid. He is not a thrill seeker. He stood in a line for over 30 minutes terrified of the unknown, of what was to come, but he faced it head on. Tears and all.
What a kid!
(We did get a picture after the ride was over with him in front of the roller coaster, but the camera is still in GA with Taylor. As soon as he gets home, I'll post it.)

The High School Graduate

Congratulations Taylor!

Okay, granted it is a little late. I need to be a bit better about this blogging thing, won't argue that. On May 30th, 2009, Taylor graduated from Kingwood High School. Where has time gone? Seems like just yesterday I was graduating. We are so proud of him.

Times are changing...

We have a lot of changes happening with kids as far as school goes. On Saturday, Taylor will be graduating from High School. Arghhhh!!! I am not ready for it. I just graduated 20 years ago. Landon is finishing up his final year of middle school and will be heading off to HS in the fall. No break for Mike for the early morning seminary, Taylor's done, but Landon gets to enjoy the blessings. Emma is finishing up elementary school and it's off to middle school for her. This, I am really not ready for.
Emma. You just have to say her name, and anyone who knows her will smile, shake their head, and say, "That Emma, I love her!" She is silly, talks constantly (& loudly), giggles over nothing and everything, smiley, sweet, dramatic, totally social, yet happy to be by herself, loves & hugs everyone, and drives me absolutely batty. I love her more than words can say.
I am not ready for her to grow up, yet excited at the prospects of who she's going to become. I know that this lil' caterpillar is going to become a beautiful butterfly!

The Beach

Some of my most favorite memories growing up were the summer vacations in San Clemente California with our CA cousins, with some of our other family joining us too. We would stay in a condo just a stones throw from the beach, (actually down some mega stairs, across the street, and under the railroad tracks). We would lay in the sand, body surf, swim, you know, all the things one does at the beach. In my mind, the parents laid on the beach reading their books, and we just did our thing. Played in the ocean, went to the little store, back to the beach for more H2O time, up to the condo to watch movies, back to the beach. Good times! Although there was the one year we watched JAWS, and I think the majority of us chose to just stay out of the water for the remainder of the time. Who thought to throw that movie into the box? Good one, Uncle Stanley!
Anyway, this past weekend we took the kids to Rockport and met up with some of Mike's family. It's no San Clemente, but it was fun. It sure took me back to the good 'ol days, but this time I was the parent with the book. :)

2009 Bluebonnets

It's hard to believe that it's been just a month shy of a year since we did this the last time. We took our sunny spring drive today and took pictures of the kids in the bluebonnet fields. There was a lot less yelling and crying this year. Mike really held himself together this time :) JK! I love being able to just get in the car and drive. Somehow, it all turns out good. At the beginning of the morning, I was wondering. Taylor and Landon were fighting, Sawyer was whining, things were not looking good. However, it turned out to be a great day! I know that the time is drawing near when we won't all be on our little "Hardy Adventures" anymore. For now, I'll cherish every moment.

Happy Birthday Sara!

Hard to believe it's been a year. Sara turned one on Saturday. She is a stinker but the light of all of our lives. She's changing so fast, every day there's something new. She's now has 5 teeth, has a few words, and is really trying to walk. Okay, not really walk, run. I have a feeling we are in for a ride.