I have such great friends that I work with. I have worked with some of these girls for over 8 years and love them very much. We all try to get together at least once a month to spend time together, usually with our kids but this time we went to Red Rock pool without them. It was so nice. We all have birthdays really close together and so instead of spending lots of money on each other we just all went to the pool one day and had a cabana to relax in. It was a great way to spend the day.
I'm not really sure what world he lives in but I got a kick out of this..
Sorry the pictures are so blurry...taken by my cell phone in horrible lighting!
I CAN'T BELIEVE JAMIE IS GRADUATED!! I am still trying to be in denial, but his future is coming at me full force. College is just around the corner and trying to let go is nagging me every day. This is probably the hardest thing thus far in parenting I have experienced because you don't know what you should help with and what you should let them figure out for themselves. If you are like me, you learn best by failing and figuring things out on your own....I'm not sure what Jamie's like yet. He's always been very obedient, but I can feel him pushing the rules and trying to break free. (I wish my rebellions were as bad as his:))
Graduation was bitter sweet for me. I was so proud of him and ecstatic that this day had finally come but was disappointed that we weren't able to truly celebrate this day with him. Unfortunately things with his Mom and us have been very strained for a while so we decided not to mix the celebrations this time. It's the first time ever we haven't invited her to our planned festivities. We decided we would have a party the weekend before with my side of the family so that when she came Jamie could spend that time with her and not have to choose who to be with. Needless to say we didn't see him at all the week of graduation. It was very difficult for me to know that we have sacrificed so much to get him through school and been there for him every day but couldn't celebrate that day with him. I got through it but wished we would have had more pictures, more conversations, more time....then I humbled myself and realized that Shannon probably feels like that every day....so I let them have the short time together that they did and remained extremely proud of our son from afar. He impresses me more and more every day. I get very emotional about him when I think of how far he's come and all the possibilities he has in his future. I hope I can be the kind of mom he needs and also the kind of example that will inspire him to be a better person. I know I am very inspired by him every day....
Abuela came to visit for Jamie's graduation! We were so happy to have her here...it had been almost 2 years since she had visited. I was scared she didn't like me anymore because she wasn't coming to see us. But as I soon found out why, I realized she is the most humble, selfless woman ever. She had been saving her money these last 2 years so that she could help Jamie through school. She took us to dinner the last night she was in town and awarded all the kids "scholarships". Madelyn and Kai got $20 a piece for graduation and then she gave Jamie $2000. I was in shock as well as was Jamie. My mother-in-law doesn't make hardly any money being a school teacher in Puerto Rico and she has to work very hard for what she does earn. It was a huge sacrifice for her to give that money to her grandson. I felt very grateful and a little bad that I hadn't made more effort over the last 2 years to include her in our lives. I decided to turn over a new leaf and try to do better at involving her with our events and build a stronger relationship with her and the kids. With her help, Jamie was able to get the majority of his tuition paid for to attend BYU. He qualified for a grant through FASFA and was also awarded a scholarship through the Air Force Aid Society. His grandpa Michael (Shannon's Dad) gave him $500 which will also help immensely. We are so thankful for Jamie's hard work and for all the people that love him enough to help him. I can't believe he is off to college in less than 2 months.
I was so sad that I didn't get to go to Kai's graduation but luckily James took a video and a lot of pictures. Kai was so adorable. All the kids got to dress up as what they wanted to be when they grew up. Kai wants to be a skateboarder...hopefully he'll make a lot of money one day! The program was so cute. They sang many songs and even did a song in sign language. All of the kids got to announce what they wanted to be and it tied into the cutest song. I am so proud of Kai, he really loved Kindergarten. It helped a lot that one of his favorite people was his teacher. Mrs. Evans has taught both Madelyn and Kai and has done such an amazing job with both of our kids. She is moving to a new school and I am beside myself that Malak won't have her as his teacher, but she will still love close by us at least.
Kai has become such an amazing reader. He is really into reading and as long as I don't push too hard he will do it almost every night. He's really grown up this year and become very independent. I really hope one day he will sleep in his own bed...but that honestly might take a miracle so I won't hold my breath. I will be grateful that he loves school and that he is a good student. He will be going to 1st grade in August and we are finally switching to 9 month school! I am so happy about that and very excited that he will have Ms. Batista who also taught Maddy. She is very patient and kind. Congratulations on finishing Kindergarten, Kai. I am very proud of you!
