How do you title a post like this?

Today I found out that a young girl who I coached in volleyball in 2007 died early this morning in a car accident.

When you get that kind of news your heart just stops for a moment. As a mom I can't imagine the pain her mother is facing right at this moment. As a coach I can't imagine the (extremely) active girl gone. As a Christian I am torn apart...wishing I could be rejoicing instead. As a role model, I hope I did my job well. I was around her a LOT when I lived in Butte...I just can't believe it.

The last time I saw her was in May, when Kate was 2 weeks old. She held Kate and told me over and over how beautiful my baby girl was. She was getting ready for a dance, and she was as talkative and bouncy as ever. (And if you knew Rachel, you know bouncy might very well be the perfect word to describe her.) I'm glad I have that one last memory of her.



My 2007 volleyball team at my house for an end of the year party. Rachel is the girl in the green and white striped shirt. She was a spitfire, for sure. She was a leader, never a follower, and made us laugh a LOT. She was a typical girl who giggled a lot, talked even MORE, and had a new crush weekly! And sometimes drove us adults crazy! We loved her anyway!

If you think of it as you go about your day, say a prayer for her family and friends.

Kate's outside adventure had us pooped!

pun intended.

Since I usually post about Kaden, I had to tell you about this afternoon with Kate. You wouldn't think a girl who can't even roll over could have caused such a scene.

So there I was, relaxing by the pool, watching Kaden play, and enjoying Katelyn in her seat beside me...happily fed and changed.

Suddenly, I heard it. Her diaper was no longer clean....I was afraid to look. So I didn't.

A little while later I noticed she was getting tired and rubbing her eyes so I ran in grabbed a diaper, wipes and blanket. I found a shady spot and went to changing her diaper. Unfortunately, she had BLOWN out...all over her onsie, which spilled onto the blanket. It was horrendous. I stripped her down, used a TON of wipes and got her cleaned up, all the while trying to keep her on the teeny tiny clean part of the blanket.

Then it happened.

My contact fell out.

What do you do when your hands are gross from changing a diaper, your contact falls out, and your 1 year old is in the pool, so you can't exactly leave the area.

I had a great big laugh, then threw the contact in the grass, and took a hose to Kates clothes.

Outside

"Out-tide...Out-tide...OUT-TIDE.."

That is the sound I was serenaded with as Kaden fought naptime this afternoon.

We spent the morning outside with his friends (and mine) Mallory, Ashley, and their mom Marissa and Aunt Lindsay. The kids screamed, splashed, slipped, and scrambled in and out of the pool. Back and forth they went from the driveway full of trikes, bikes, cars and wagons, to the pool with the slide into it and a few cups and balls to splash around with. I can't get over how kids can just sit in a pool full of hose water and not even FLINCH. BRRRR.





From the moment we came inside...through lunchtime...through his Dr. Appointment...back home and until he finally fell asleep for a nap, I heard nothing but his pleading "Out-tide...out-tide..." I tend to find it somewhat annoying, but as I think about it, I realize that he is just a little boy who LOVES loves, LOVES, to be outside, and has no other way to express it. When he grows up I will miss these moments.

Who's in your Neighborhood?

Last week I had Kaden out in the front yard and he saw the neighbor across the fence was mowing the lawn. He was so taken by her mowing and insisted on sitting on the fence (it is a pretty low "fence") and watching. Of course, I needed to be there to to keep him from falling off. She would wave to him each time she passed him. After mowing she came over to talk to him and while we were all talking her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson who is a little younger than Kaden showed up. Of course, Kaden had to meet them, and play with the boy for a while.

Fast forward 1 day.

The next day I took Kaden out and I mowed and did my best to keep an eye on him. The next thing I knew he had completely dissapeared. I almost freaked...until I found him knocking on the neighbor's (same one) door....and the neighbor was bringing out her grandson to play. She had quite the confused look on her face! (Afterall, who lets their not even 2 year old go knocking on doors ask to play?)

I will always remember that moment when I looked up to see him knocking. What a big boy--thinking he can just go play. And oh to be one again, and not scared of crossing boundaries or being rude!

I am thankful I have such an outgoing little boy (even if he does keep me on my toes!) to help me overcome my quiet ways! He is such a good icebreaker, even when it is awkward!!!

My Big Boy (and I don't mean Luke)

Since putting Kaden in his new, and v. exciting big boy bed, we have found him in some intestesting positions. I will admit, I am not as good at grabbing the camera as I should be, but I did manage to capture these two.




Also, he likes to be daddy's helper lately. I think it's adorable. so I take pictures.




notice the spade in Kaden's hand.

He likes to be mommy's helper too, unfortunately, that's a little hard to take pictures of! He is just the best boy a mom could ask for!