Galveston

We headed to Galveston for a weekend a the beach. We went with our good friends, the Gilchrists and the Walkers. It was a celebration weekend for Davie's birthday. We like those kinds of birthday requests. So glad we have such fun vacation friends.
Katie and Jesse looking for dolphins. They actually swam with the dolphins that day. It was amazing!
Katie can dig in the sand all day.
Jack loves to boogie board.

So many emotions

I'm rounding the bend, the end is in sight. Hard to believe this journey is rapidly coming to an end. When I started back to school 4 1/2 years ago, it seemed so far away. Now my countdown is nearing the final days. It's an interesting set of emotions I am encountering as I get closer to completing this chapter in my life. I am really looking forward to having a life that does not involve busy busy all day and study all night. It is draining and exhausting and guilt inducing because I never feel like there is enough time for my family. I love learning and have a sincere desire to learn as much as I can while in school. I know that when I'm done I won't have a requirement put on me to attend special lectures and read text books and scientific journals. It will be hard to find the time to make those things a priority when I won't have someone grading my performance. I hope that I will continue to want to learn everything about my field and keep up with all the latest research.

I recently took the Praxis and on the day of the test I was quite emotional. This exam has been the big exam looming over our heads since we first learned there was such a thing way back in undergrad. When the day finally arrived, I knew I had finally arrived. All those who I placed on a pedestal and thought surely I would never know enough to pass such a comprehensive examination represented where I finally had arrived. I was now taking that test, demonstrating what I had learned. This was a big day, a big accomplishment. And I did it. I took the test, I passed and now I'm in the group I had once looked upon with such awe. I am so proud that I have come so far, that I've done this with my family right beside me. We did this together because it took great sacrifice on everyone's part. I know it was so much more difficult going to graduate school with kids at home. But I think that I have appreciated it all the more because it has not been easy. I have also had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of so much service and love. I don't think I really understood how wonderful the people in my life are. I have some of the best friends in the world. So many people who have helped me to accomplish my goals. I will never be able to repay them, but I hope it will make me a more compassionate and charitable person. I hope I am able to help others the way I have been helped. What an incredible journey. The countdown is nearing the end. I am both sad and anxious to see what lies around the next corner.

Snow Day!!!

Katie

Katie's 7th Birthday

Katie wanted a white cake with black stripes for her birthday. She's such a teenager. Scary. It was fun to be home on her birthday for a change. Can't believe she turned 7 this year.

Sydney turns 15!

For her birthday, Sydney decided she wanted to just stay home and do nothing. She didn't want a party, didn't want a bunch of friends over, didn't want to go to the mall or bowling or movies or any of the other multitude of things I suggested. She asked that we have sushi for dinner and watch scary movies. So that is what we did. I think she had fun. I know we all enjoyed the dinner (especially me since I didn't have to cook it).


Justin came over to celebrate with us. He'd never had sushi. What a good sport for trying something new.
Katie worked hard to practice her chopstix skills all night.
I can't believe this was my little baby just 15 years ago.
Katie was so excited to give her a cat collar for her new kitty. She picked it out and paid for it with her own money. She loves her sister
Jack gave her a cool red watch that matches her school uniform. Very blingy.
Guess who the evolution shirt is from. One of the few things she asked for. Funny girl.
Aunt Amy didn't forget. She left gifts in the top of Katie's closet. She gave her a purse with a stylish contact case.
Justin got her the first and last book in her favorite series, Artemis Fowl.
Silver sent her some pillow spray and lotion to help her sleep better at night.


We did a cookie's n cream ice cream cake this year. It was amazing!!!

I love this girl and couldn't be prouder to be her mom. What a wonderful day.

Katie's unbirthday

Katie had her 6 1/2 year birthday in June. I have been so busy I never posted pictures. She had a fun time. She even got to have a friend slumber party with many fun friends. She's getting big.

She's in!!!

Sydney's wait is over. She got the call that they had a spot for her at FWAFA. She is such a happy girl. I'm very excited as well. Hopefully it will be everything we are hoping for.

Exciting, exciting

FWAFA called. I have to go over and fill out paperwork today! Hopefully more good news to come.

Dutcher Family Reunion 2010

I feel incredibly blessed to have just attended another successful family reunion with my mom's side of the family and ever member was in attendance. We are getting so big but we still all manage to get together. I love seeing everyone and had the most fun this year. What a wonderful family I was born into. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for kicking it all off:)
I just think my husband is the most beautiful man on the planet. He doesn't love the paparazzi action, but I can't help myself.
Katie rode the knee board for the first time. Obviously she LOVED it!!!
Jack didn't stop swimming except for food and sleep. I think he was officially worn out at this point.
My mom is so dang cute with her short hair cut and her super cool lifejacket. She's just getting back from a ride on the jet skis. I hope I am so spunky at her age.

Galveston

We decided to drive down to Galveston for the weekend with our friends. It was a lot of fun and wonderful that it's so close to home.

Jack's Done

Jack had his 5th grade program tonight. I had no idea how awesome this program was going to be. The entire 5th grade sang songs from 8 or 9 different Broadway musicals. Some of them had the words altered to fit the occasion. Others were sung just as written. There were slide shows to go with each performance. The slides included pictures of the 5th grade teachers dancing and singing and also the 5th graders participating in all sorts of activities. It was so fun. The best part was the end of the program. They do something called a bridge ceremony. This is where they line up all the teachers from Kinder thru 5th grade. The children are called one by one and they make their way down the line. They hug each teacher along the way. It was absolutely beautiful. This shows the culmination of each of the efforts of teachers through all the years, not just the final year. It symbolized 6 years worth of love and work and patience. I can't say enough good things about the school Jack and Katie attend. My mother-in-law says it best all the time when she says "This school just has it right". I feel sooooooo lucky to have found such a great place for them to establish a solid foundation in learning. Not only do they learn, but they love to learn.

Oh, and did I mention I cried like a stinkin' baby. This night was heartbreaking. I am not ready for him to leave elementary school level. Middle school feels like the beginning of the end. Jack already seems so independent and doesn't really need his mama like he did when he was a little guy. Middle school can only get worse. He's not going to need me anymore and there's not much I can do about it. Where did my little fat baby boy go?