What a Change!

Those of you who know me, and have known me for a long time, have probably never seen me with full bangs. Unless, you are Jeanne, who has known me since I was a very young child.

That would be because I have not had full, straight bangs since I was about 10 years old! I have sported the "whispy bang" and the "side bang" (and even "no bang" for a short period) for the whole of my marriage and even long before that. Well, boredom got the best of me on Sunday and I figured it was time for a change and what a change it is!!

I am now sporting the full straight bangs that have been missing for years and I have to say, it certainly takes some getting used to. I do like them, my kids LOVE them and Chet is still not used to the look.

I have had the same hair and "look" for years and years and this has been a fun change. Maybe it has to do with approaching another year older that had me seeking something different and being so brave as to cut my own hair! Either way, it's a new me and I am actually enjoying it...for the time being! :)

The Kiddos

It's time for fall pictures again! The nice thing about having my own camera is I no longer have to pay someone else the expensive prices for school pictures...and most the time they aren't that good either.

So, we took an afternoon and got lots of pictures...Sorry for posting so many of them, but it's just too hard for me to pick only a few to post.

Along, with the pictures I guess I should give an update so far on what is going on with each of them.

Starting with Kylee, she is loving ninth grade and can't wait to go to Bingham High next year. She could get her learner's permit soon and starting getting her driving hours in...YIKES! She is working hard on her tumbling and cleaning things up for cheer tryouts this spring. She is doing really well with it...she has her standing hand spring, tuck; double standing tuck; working on her half twists and layouts.

Makayla is working really hard in school. Sixth grade has given her a good dose of homework every night. She is dancing with C&C Ballet Academy taking Jazz. She is also loving Young Women's....I still can't believe she is a YOUNG WOMAN!!!

Talon is busy every night with football. He works really hard and has a lot of heart. We are SO proud of him for his effort. He is not the biggest or most athletic kid out of the team, but he sure tries hard and goes up against the biggest boys with out backing down. He is having lots of fun and is SO happy to have his dad coaching him.

Hunter has finally adjusted to going to school all day in first grade. He had his first field trip of the year on Friday and was SO excited to go to the zoo on a SCHOOL BUS! He is doing good in school and loves playing with his friends. He also loves going and watching his brother play
football and wants to be a football player when he grows up!

As for Cash, he is...well, Cash. All boy, a little spoiled and REALLY stubborn! But he is just so dang cute we just have to love him. He is 19 months now and busy, busy, BUSY!!! He gets into trouble most days but I love watching him play and learn. He already knows where to put the soap in the dishwasher and how to start it. He loves the toilet water, likes to go "bye bye", and has some fascination with watching toys and objects go flying down the stairs! (I am constantly picking up and finding all kinds of things on and down the stairs.) He is talking a bit more saying "mom" instead of "mama", calling his milk, "coke" (now where did he get that word from???), and starting to call some of his sibling by name.


He loves balls and books. This boy cannot sit still for anything so church is pretty much out most weeks. (But we keep trying)
He is so full of personality and we just love him so much. We are SO happy he is part of our family.

I think that is it for now! (I am so proud of myself for posting so often this week...woo hoo!)

Fleming Sealing

My Aunt and her husband of two years got sealed in the Boise, Idaho temple back in August. I had the fun opportunity of being their photographer.

Beautiful Temple, beautiful family....thanks guys!



























The reception was an Asian theme...


With the BEST Thai food I have ever tasted, including the best mango, coconut sweet rice. MY FAVE!!!

Love Always, Mom

Out running errands and came home to beautiful roses sitting on my counter with the most beautiful note:

To my beautiful daughter Kimberly,
I want you to know how very proud
I am of the woman you have become.
I am Always with you and love you
More than you will ever know.
You've grown into a beautiful daughter,
Wife and Mother.
I know this month has been hard,
But please know I am closer than you know,
And my arms are always around you.
Love Always,
Mom

Gosh, I still cannot read that without tearing up. My heart is full and I feel so blessed. I love my husband more than words can say, and even though my mom could not physically do that, knowing her, I have NO doubt that she had a hand in inspiring him to do it and what to say.

Very touching and very cool!

Bad Day

Poor baby boy had one rough day. Earlier in the morning he was walking, with blanket in one hand and sucking on his sippy cup with the other, wbhen he tripped over his blanket, (I think) and fell onto his sippy cup really coming down hard on it. I am not certain on exactly what happened because I was putting on my make up and most of what I saw was peripheral vision.

I heard the cry and immediately knew he was hurt bad. He was grabbing at his nose and mouth, bleeding horribly from both. Then he started throwing up and that continued on and off during the day. Later in the afternoon he was sporting a fat lip, scraped up upper lip and super sore looking nose! (and mom was doing lots of cleaning trying to get blood and vomit out of just about everything!b) :(

But we still managed to get a smile throughout the day! :)

September Morn....

Sitting in my kitchen with Cash, playing blocks and listening to my favorite Neil Diamond tunes. Track #14 pulls up and "September Morn" begins to echo through the room. The song doesn't help what is already a melancholy mood. The tears begin to fall and my heart, once again, begins to ache.

You see, Neil Diamond was my mom's very favorite music artist. One of her favorite songs was "September Morn" and here it was on a September morning that she was born. That she was married. That she died.

Even though the words of the song are meant for lovers the first verse has it's own special meaning to me.

Stay for just a while

Stay, and let me look at you

It's been so long, I hardly knew you

Standing in the door

Stay with me a while

I only want to talk to you

We've traveled halfway 'round the world

To find ourselves again


September morn

September 14, 1951 My mom came into this world and blessed so many lives in 35 short years. She married my dad in the Salt Lake Temple on September 10th, which was also the day that she was buried, and died in a car accident on September 5, 1987. I guess the song could even be interpreted as "September 'Mourn'."

Usually, when the anniversary of her death rolls around each year I really do..okay. This year however, it has hit me really hard. I can't stop crying and I can't help wishing she was still here. Always wondering how my life would be different if she were. Maybe it's because I am now35, (almost 36) the same age she was when she died, and I realize how young she really was.

I miss her. I miss everything about her and what is even more difficult is the fact that I am having a hard time recalling her voice. I can still, however, remember her "smell"... Her perfume, her gum. I hope that never leaves me.

(Grandma and Mom)

She was an incredible person. The glue in the Diamse family, in MY own family. I dream of her and each time I do I spend the entire day playing that dream over and over in my head, trying to hold on to her image and her voice for as long as I can.

I don't mean for this post to be so depressing, but I really need to express my feelings on this particular September morning....what would have been her 59th birthday. (Darn you Neil!)

Happy Birthday Mom....with love ALWAYS!

(Mom and Tracy)

Month in Review

Okay, I admit...I have been a HORRIBLE blogger. What can I say. I have been SO incredibly busy that I have had little time to do anything else. Football has begun and as team mom, it has consumed my life lately. However, I have had good intentions! I've taken pictures, thought about what I was going to post and even logged onto my blog...BUT, the phone rings, Cash needs me or something ends up pulling me away. So, I will quickly sum up this last month...adding pics when I can!

{FOOTBALL}

As I said, Football has begun and this time we FINALLY have a son playing. Chet is coaching Talon this year in his first year as a Gremlin. I think Chet is mostly shaking his head and asking himself "what was I thinking?!" but Talon is having fun and the whole team (mostly consisting of new players) is learning a lot.

Talon decided to pick his dad's number...40! He is doing well and even though he is little he is holding his own. We are so proud of him and his effort!

{A NEW SCHOOL YEAR}

Great, just when you think that summer has FINALLY come, it is over!

A new school year has begun!

Kylee is now a big NINTH GRADER and ready to take charge of the school! I am hoping that this year will go by slow because the thought of her going into High School next year scares me!

My cute little Hunter Jay started his first year going to school ALL DAY!!! He is a first grader now and I think he has finally adjusted to the "all day" thing. He loves school lunch and playing at the "big kids playground!" He has got to be the cutest little first grader in that school....just saying.

Makayla is now a SIXTH grader! She is loving it and is so excited to be the big wigs at school! I can't believe this is her last year in Elementary School. Can she really be going into Middle School next year???? The thought makes me sad! :(

Talon, my little dude! He is now in Fourth grade and having fun too. It's just too funny how boys act when they see their friends and classmates again when a new year has begun. They are just "cool" about it....'hey man'...standing all cool like.

And then you have girls that squeal...and giggle...and HUG! Makayla and her little posse ready to take charge as the big wigs of the school!

{BIRTHDAYS}

My baby girls are growing up and I don't think I like it very much! Kylee turned 15!!! really? Can that be right??? That means there is only one more year before the driving and dating begins...YIKES!!!! Her cute dad sent her some roses...

My beautiful Makayla...she just turned 12 and is going into Young Woman's. She has been so excited. Her Beehive class came and surprised her at 6:30 in the morning, woke her up and took her to breakfast. She also got a special date with her Grandma Viv, shopping and to lunch. She is such a sweet and special girl and we just love her so much!

I think that pretty much covers it. Crossing fingers I will be better in the months to come!