First Day of School

I'm shamefully "late" in posting these pictures. To my defense, I was not home on the first day of school this year. That fact makes me a bit sad. It's one day that I really try hard not to miss, but this year, it was unavoidable. Each year the kids get older (duh!), but the realization is that in getting older they'll soon be moving on. They are incredible young women ready to conquer the school year!Mariah: 16 years old, Junior at Jordan High

Elle: 14 years old, 9th Grader at Mount Jordan Middle School in Sandy, Utah
(She is really a Freshman, but this year 9th grade is still at the middle school.)

Dominique: 12 years old, 7th Grade at Mount Jordan Middle School in Sandy, Utah
(Had I been home that morning, this child would have never left the house with that much eye make up on! She's trying to grow up too fast, and it's tough when you have two older sisters who are allowed to do things you're not yet allowed to do. We've got a nice compromise all worked out now with regard to the eye make up...at least for now...)

They're growing up!!!!

I try and try and try to convince these two girls that they are absolutely beautiful without their eye makeup, but it is a losing battle. They so want to wear it, and it makes them so happy. I try to tell them that it is not what is on their face but in their heart that makes them beautiful. They listen, nod...then ask if they can buy blue mascara. AKKKK! ANYTHING but blue! There is a line from the movie "My Girl" with Jamie Lee Curtis. She is putting eye makeup on Veda for the first time and she says, "The number one rule about eye makeup is that you can never have enough blue eyeshadow." That movie took place in the early 70s, and that statement might have been true 3 decades ago, but it isn't true now. There has been an alarming resurgence of 80s styles, though. Stay tuned for more fashion happenings from the Davis girls.

Back to School

I love this time of year! It's that time of year when the days of summer wind down, it starts to get darker a bit earlier each night, and it's time to go back to school! New clothes, hair cuts, new teachers, in some cases new schools...new beginnings. The advent of fall means the anticipation of football season, crisp days and changing colors.

This year, I'm a bit reflective. When Bradley first came to school in Utah, he was eleven years old and in the 6th grade. Today, Dominique is 11 years old and in the 6th grade. That blows me away. On top of that, Bradley is a SENIOR. Honestly, there were times that I didn't think I'd live to see this happen. It's been a very, very hard road to get him to his Senior year, but I'm hopeful that it's all down hill from here. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it doesn't seem to be a high speed train that will smush me.

Each year on the first day of school, I have the kids line up in their outfits and pose for pictures. These pictures end up in the family scrapbook. I'm really bummed that this year will be my first year EVER with the kids that I won't be there on the first day of school. I have relegated picture taking duties to Dean. Ironically, Dean is typically gone in the morning by the time the kids have left for school...so I suppose it's his turn.

Every single one of the kids said something like, "What? You won't be here? You are always here on the first day of school. I can't believe you're not going to be here." It bummed me out and warmed my heart at the same time. I'm hopeful that we've established family traditions and routines that they have come to know and expect. "First Day of School" is one of those predictable events. Thanksgiving is another. Halloween is another. Christmas is another. Easter is another. I hope that when they grow up and leave and begin their independent lives which they so desperately crave that they will remember the predictability of some of the things of their youth.

I hope we've done a good enough job teaching them manners, teaching them responsibility, teaching them boundaries. I hope they love our Family Home Evenings. I hope they love "beer and pizza" night. I hope they love Sunday dinners.

I'm not a perfect parent, and if I could re-wind my life to 6 years ago when I first got married, there would be many, many things that I would do differently. I hope the kids forgive me for my failings and remember the better parts. I hope they see their home as a place where they have a dad who loves and adores them more than anything in the world and a step-mom who did the best she could.

I will miss them on Wednesday as they leave for school...a Senior, a Sophomore, an 8th Grader and a 6th Grader. My how time flies! This year Dean will be taking the pictures, but I will cherish all of the "Back to School" days in my memory!