We Have an Issue With Birthday Cakes Around Here

Once upon a time, Ryan had a birthday.  I made him a chocolate cake with HOMEMADE frosting.  I put it in the fridge to cool since it involved melted chocolate.

We were going to Chili's for dinner, and on the way out the door I noticed chocolate crumbs ALL OVER the floor by the fridge where his cake was cooling.  I opened the door, and this is what I saw

Yes, the top of the cake had all the frosting eaten off of it.  Then Caroline comes around the corner with chocolate all over her face....  Of course, in true Carrie spirit (or is it laziness) we put candles on that bad boy and ate it.

Well, this year for Kelsey's birthday she wanted a cookie cake.  This involved a trip to the mall...  Not my favorite thing to do - but it was her birthday.  So I ordered the cake, and sent Eric to fetch it.  Since it was a surprise, I hid it in my closet. 

We were at Sophie's soccer game.  When we came home to the twins who were in the same position they were in when we left hours ago - planted on the couch with the TV on.  All of a sudden the dog comes running out of my closet with CHOCOLATE ON HIS FACE.  Yes, you guess it.  That *&%%$ dog ate about 1/3-1/2 of Kelsey's darn cookie cake.  This is what remained:

Of course, we cut around the dog chewed on parts, and ate it for dessert.  She still loved it, but it did not last forever like she might have liked.

Moral of the story?  Caroline at 2, and dog at 2, both ruined birthday cakes.....hmm wonder what that means for the future???

TMHS Homecoming 2011

Tomball Memorial High School had it's first homecoming - which really was not homecoming since it is the first year this school has been open.  It was a dance, and it involved mums, garters and all the trappings of homecoming.

Since Sophie is not 16, she could not have a date - even though according to her it is not a date (we are working on her definitions).

She had a soccer game at 4:00, so she did not make it to dinner with her friends, but met them at the dance.  By the time she was ready, it was dark.  That did not make for great pictures, but I tried.

Sophie does not get dressed up very often - she does not wear make-up very often.  When she was all put together, she was beautiful (and not just because I am her mom).

She even wore heels...  And she could walk in them!

Kelsey and Brooklyn were here to see her before she left - they gave her the homecoming stamp of approval!

She had a great time at the dance.  She and her friends went over to one of her guy friends house after and what did Sophie do?  Play soccer....She got home late, and by all accounts it was a great evening.

Next week is Kelsey's un-homecoming homecoming...  More later.

SEVENTEEN!

My baby girl is seventeen!  Don't know how that happened...  But it did.  In true teen-aged spirit, Kelsey spent the whole day away from her family, and with her friends.  She was "surprised" that she did not get her gifts from us until today, Sunday, when we were allowed to spend time with her...

This past year has been one in which I have seen so much growth in Kelsey.  I can see the young woman she is becoming.  Since getting her license and having access to a car, she has embraced this freedom with a vengeance. 

She should think about becoming an attorney - she can certainly argue!  She likes to go head to head with me, and does not understand when I drop the ultimate mom argument, "because I said so!"  She is feisty, independent, and strong-willed.  All of these attributes will serve her well in the future - and all of them keep her on the right path now.

She earned her YW award this year.  The main thing she asked for her birthday was a set of scriptures.  Her faith has grown this year -and it continues to grow.  She questions almost everything, but has faith in the end.  I know her testimony is one she has earned one step at a time.

This is how I will always remember her:

That may be how I forever see her, but this is how the world sees her now:

She is a beautiful young woman.  I am proud of her.  She works hard - both at school and at giving me the reasons why her grades maybe are not the best....  She runs cross country - even though, like me, it does not come easy to her.  She works hard every step and I am so proud of her for that.

When I look at this girl who really looks like a cross between her mother and father, I realize the personality is all me (the good and the bad).  This is not always easy to admit, but it is true.  I am sad her time at home is dwindling down....  The last two years of HS go so fast!  I will just have to enjoy her while I can. 

Happy Birthday to my Kelsey Belsey!

The Boy is Gone Again

It was a quick two weeks at home with Ryan before he headed up to BYU-I for the fall semester.  He did manage to see 2 BYU football games, have lunch with both Allie and Caroline, go to the movies with Caroline, play tennis with Sophie, go to a Tomball HS football game with Kelsey, go see Tomball Memorial band (oh and I guess he watched the football game as well), play games with Allie and do the basic packing and unpacking that is required when you walk away from mission life and into real life.



Allie, Ryan and Caroline at TMHS football game.

 It was nice to spend some time with him.  We hit all his favorite restaurants, including Mel's Diner, and Whataburger.  He got a new phone, and has been easing back into technology.  Funny story that I think shows he was a good missionary (I can brag - it is my blog after all).  I am working with the T-Mobile guy getting his phone, etc, when I hear him talking to the other employee.  Then I hear him testifying that Joseph Smith was a prophet.  That we have prophets today.  He then got a referral for our missionaries.  It was a sweet glimpse into Ryan as Elder Pearson.

I got to fly up to Rexburg with him.  We got to drive through some of his mission - that was fun.  Of course we did not hit Rexburg until Sunday night - and school started on Monday (but according to him it was worth it to see the UT/BYU football game).  I was able to spend a few days and help him get settled.  Then, to be totally honest, he was ready for me to leave.  He was ready to move on and jump into school.  He seems to be enjoying school, and he seems to be having fun (as is evidenced by the picture below which I stole from facebook)

I am glad he is having fun.  I am glad he is adjusting to life post mission.  I am not glad that my family is changing, and I need to figure out how to change with it.  I need to let him be, as I was told by President Pack when he was released, a man.  I need to let him figure life out.  Easier said than done.

I am proud of him, for his service for two years, and how he is adjusting to life now.  I am grateful for his example to his sisters (and maybe even his parents).  Now I just need to let him go......

Watch Out Houston

Kesley passed her driving test.  She is now a licensed driver!

As she drove away, I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach - I remember it with Ryan.  The fear for them while they are gone.  I guess no matter how many children you have, you feel it each time.

I am the most excited I now have someone to go and fetch me my Route 44 when I need it....  Isn't that what kids are for?