Growing Up

As Katy is turning 8, I am having quite the plethora of feelings!

On one hand:

I am soooo excited for her to grow up. I love seeing her make good decisions. I LOVE that she is getting baptized. I am excited for her to experience life!

On the other hand:

I hate that my baby is growing up! I hate that she doesn't have to be my friend or want to be around me. I hate that the baby I held in my arms is now a big girl that likes loves but wants to run off and play with friends.

I am FAR from the perfect mom...but I try! I try to keep it even and fair. Katy tonight was in tears that she had to walk in the house and didn't get carried. Growing up is hard! I have always heard that...what I didn't realize is that it is hard on the mom and dad too!

Tonight I go to bed with a 7 year old tucked away in her bed...tomorrow I wake up to an 8 year old! I swear it was only yesterday that we were giving a first bath to her at midnight! In many ways I wish I could go back with the knowledge I have now and enjoy that time more. I wish I could have breathed in all in more!

I hope I can move forward in the future with more love, compassion and awareness that it is only a split second and they are grown up! This year more than ever, I really hope and pray my girl wants me as a friend, a confidante and a mom! I hope just like I want a friendship with my mom...she will want a friendship with me! I need to be better about giving that to her now so that when she is 30 and has kids of her own, she will want to spend that time with me!!!

Happy Birthday Baby! You are sooo loved and adored! Thank you for making me smile. Thank you for being so good! Thank you for being my baby and letting me be your mom!

Katy Turns 8, Let's Celebrate friend party

Next Tuesday, July 27, my baby turns 8! That is HUGE! I can't believe that I almost have an 8 year old. What a huge blessing she has been in my life. I love and adore her more than I can put into words. I do know that she and her sister are the reasons I was put on this earth and that I need to do all in my power to protect and raise them right!

With such a big birthday around the corner, we had a super party for Katy. We planned and put it together on Tuesday and we went on Friday (yesterday).

For the party, we went to the Utah Olympic Oval. Aunt Shay was AWESOME and got most of us in for free. It was WONDERFUL! Almost every kid there had NEVER been ice skating before (and Katy had a LOT of kids at her party).

The kids in attendance for ice skating were: Katy, Elyse, Brookie, Dustin, Tanner, Alex, Josh, Isa, Lexi, Claire, Morgan, Margaret and Dorothy.

I got out on the ice with many of them for a while and then I was also on the sidelines with some of them for a while. We all had so much fun! I can hardly believe how well ALL of them did. I was so proud of them for trying something new. Some walked away thinking it was the best thing ever...others glad they survived!

After we skated we headed to my parents' house. It was extra fun having Katy's Aunt Erin (Ben's sister) come with Ethan and Oakley for the presents and treats. We fed the kids some pizza and then opened presents.

Katy was DEFINITELY spoiled! She got a purse, a backpack and school supplies, zuzu pet and clothes, playdoh and fun pencils, a webkinz gerbil and necklace, "K" necklace and earrings, some bracelets and ipod speakers, barbie doll, star wars toy and pokeman. I know there are some more things in there that I am forgetting but overall that is the loot! What fun presents!!!

After presents were opened, the kids sang happy birthday again and had some donuts and ice cream (Katy decided on donuts instead of cupcakes). The kids played in the backyard for a bit then it was time to send them all home. As they were leaving we gave each of them pictures (that my mom was great about going and getting developed while we finished ice skating) and a bottle of bubbles saying, "Katy was bubbling with joy that you came to her party".

I was EXHAUSTED at the end of the day! It was a fun but LONG party day.

When I asked Katy her favorite part she said, "Ice skating and having my friends over". I am so grateful we were able to pull off the party for her! It really was a blessing!

Thanks Mom, Dad, Shay and Jana!!!