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.

"Show Me Your Virtue"

You need to check this out! One of the most entertaining things I've seen in a while.
Enjoy!
Elder Moon, Man What Will You Do? (Show Me Your Virtue)

Reflections on 2008

What a year! Saying we have experienced highs and lows would be an understatement. I reflect on the biggies.
In March, Sara joined our family. How grateful we are to have been blessed to have her. She is such a joy to all of us. What a joy it has been to see how the older kids have responded to her. I love watching them dote over her. She adores them all and responds in squeals to each of them when she sees them.
Just weeks after Sara's arrival my Grandma Felt passed away. Sara and I were able to fly out to Utah to be there to honor her life with the rest of my family. She was an amazing woman. I feel blessed to have been touched by her life. She was so kind, patient, giving, and unconditional. What an amazing example she was to me.
Early fall, Ike hit and knocked us on our rear. We were blessed in many ways;
food and water - 72 hour kits and food storage
no damage to our home or property
a generator that Mike's uncle was gladly willing to lend us (went 10 days with out power), he also brought gas cans full of gas, when gas was very hard to come by
old fashioned family time, really helped to bring us together - it's amazing how much interaction there is when there is no tv or computer
wonderful giving neighbors
We never realized how much Ike would really affect us. We made it through, unscathed, and with a stronger testimony of the importance of following the counsel of the prophets.
With the passing of 2008, I am indeed filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the highs and the lows. For the things I was able to learn about myself and my little family, for the blessings that I have had in my life.
So, here's to the roller coaster ride of 2009...
Keep your arms and legs in the ride at all times,
Hold on tight,
and Have Fun!