The Rest of Summer, in a Nutshell

Well, here I am back tracking and catching up once again. My summer posts are coming close to being done--just in time for most of you to be turning your heat on and wearing long sleeves. But those days are nowhere near for us, my friends. It's still summer as far as I'm concerned. So, this post pretty much sums up how we spent most of our time in the dog days of summer. I know this comes as no surprise, but summers in Louisiana are hot. And humid. And gross. And sticky. And you are miserable no matter what you are doing, whether it's getting gas, getting groceries, walking to the house from the car. It is just not fun. And I have done a whole lot of complaining about the summers here since we moved here in the thick of summer three years ago. I have used very strong words to describe my dislike for summers here.

BUT, I must say I think this summer I hit a turning point a little bit. Although the weather didn't change and I didn't necessarily like the weather any more, I do feel like I at least got somewhat used to what you do and don't do during the summer when you live here. My expectations fell in line this time, and therefore I wasn't disappointed by any attempts to do something "fun" that turned us into melted puddles of flesh. Instead, we just stayed home a lot, ran the required errands, and went swimming. Lots and lots of swimming. And I think when it's all said and done (granted, a 3 week getaway to Idaho--the land of perfect summers--did probably help my attitude a little bit this year), we'll go ahead and chalk it up as a "fun" summer.

Although, I was a little worried that it wasn't going to be that way when we first started hitting the pool early in May. I put Tyler's floaties on his arms just like always and put Sam in a baby float inner tube and headed out. Sam lasted about 30 seconds before he was freaking out and wanting out of the tube. I tried holding him and walking around the pool and playing, but he was like 'mom, this is soooo not fun'. He wanted to have every ounce of freedom possible, but that's nearly impossible when you're only 20 months old at a swimming pool. He was squirming, climbing out, running around, just being impossible to control. So, the first few times we went, we didn't stay long since I was quickly exhausted from chasing him around and (at times) scooping him up off the bottom of the pool. Yes, the boy was fearless, and I feared that we wouldn't be heading to the pool much at all this year (as long as I was by myself, anyways). He wanted nothing to do with any kind of restraint system whatsoever. So what was I to do???

These first pictures were taken back in May when we kicked off our pool season. Garrett was obviously with us this trip, otherwise there would have been no way under the sun that I would have been able to take pictures and save Sam from his impending death of drowning.
Looks safe, right?







"You mean you're actually going to try and stop me from jumping in the deep end, Mom? Get real, lady. I'm doing it whether you like it or not." Yeah, this is what I generally got from Sam for our first few outings. Fun (or not).

So, after trying everything I could think of, I thought maybe some arm floaties would work (I hadn't tried them before because I thought 20 months old was probably too young for them). But I put Tyler's on him and oh my goodness!, it was fabulous. He could swim with them and he swam all over the place and I didn't have to worry about him. I was SO glad!

So, eventually we also got Tyler a float suit (he called it a life vest), which also worked wonders for him. So by June, I was able to sit back, relax, and soak up some serious sun and hardly worry at all about the boys. It was fantastic! The boys were happy, I was happy, this was going to make summer a success! So, now the rest of these pictures were from the last week in August (almost three months to the day from when the first set of pictures were taken). And oh, how far we've come.



Here is Tyler's jump, in 3 pictures:


And here is Sam's jump, in 3 pictures: (he tries to imitate everything Tyler does, of course!)




The goggles might be on upside down, but they sure are cute on this little booger.



And now we're left with one week until our pools are closed for the season. And as much as I am sooooo ready for cooler temperatures and to start seeing a touch of fall, I have to say I am actually a little sad to see summer go this year. And I've never felt this way before. But it was a fun one and had a little bit of everything in it. So farewell, summer. I think you're growing on me. Although, Fall is really my first true love, but you're coming in a close second. See you next year!

Yesterday

Yesterday, this little young man turned 2 years old.

Yesterday, this little young man started pre-school.


And yesterday, the mama of these two little men choked back a lot of tears. Yesterday, this mama sat in the car pool line at school for the first time. How is it possible that my children and I are both old enough for this to be happening? Life is moving, changing at a rapid pace and there are just days that it gets to me. I love watching my babies grow, but have a hard time watching them GROW UP sometimes. Because I know they will not need me like they need me now, and most of the time I really like to be needed. :)

And of course, Tyler loves school. LOVES IT. I had no doubt whatsoever that he would. He is so ready for this, and that helps a lot. He jumped in the car and told me "it was GREAT! It was just really awesome!!!". It's just me that has to cope with the fact that I don't get to be right by his side watching him learn and grow. But all that aside, I feel good about where we've put him in school--which is a really big deal here, believe me--and the amount he'll be going. I think three mornings a week is going to be the right amount all the way around... (by the way, his pictures were actually taken on Friday when he went to class for just an hour as an orientation...yesterday there wouldn't have been a chance to take pictures since we were doing the full on carpool thing. And he was all ready with his BYU shirt and everything since they were going to be here playing Tulane the next day. Not that anyone there would have known that since we realize now Tulane has about 3 total fans...more on that event later)

And Sam's birthday was busy but fun. Poor kid had a frazzled mama for the day trying to get everything done. It was a lot to pack in for one day. But it was so cute watching his delight opening presents and blowing out candles. I just love that kid. I'll be posting more to recap his day later as well.

But speaking of yesterday, wasn't it just yesterday that my babies were really babies and I was snuggling them in my arms??





With all the events of yesterday and all the thinking I've been doing, I of course have come to realize that I absolutely have to embrace the NOW. No matter what the now is. I can't be filled with thoughts of the past or wishes for the future, but only prioritize the present. In case you didn't know...I adore these boys!

BYU vs. OU--Sept. 5, 2009

So, I'm skipping over a whoooole bunch of stuff for the time being because I want to blog this event while it's still fresh in my mind (and I'll be going back to the rest of my pictures soon). As you may have heard, BYU played a little football game in Dallas this past weekend...and we were there! Garrett got the idea back in April (or so) when it was announced that BYU would play in the new Cowboys Stadium against OU. When he mentioned it, I thought 'sure, why not? I love BYU football games and haven't been to one in ages', so we put in our request for tickets and made some plans to go. Garrett also talked his dad into making the trip. Then, the closer things got and I realized what a BIG game this was going to be for BYU, I started getting SO excited.

So, lucky us, Grandma & Grandpa T showed up Thursday night, we hit the road at 4 am Friday morning and arrived in Arlington at about 2:30 pm and hung out, hit the pool, and relaxed the rest of the afternoon. And then Saturday arrived. Game time was set for 6:30 pm and tailgating was to start earlier in the day. Things got more and more exciting as we were out around town and started seeing quite a few BYU shirts out and about. It was fun to see that people had poured in from all over the country to support BYU in this big game.
So, we headed to the game (Garrett, Jim, and I), found our seats in that massive stadium. Grandma and the boys headed back to the hotel for the evening. And I took note at that moment that I suddenly felt 'young' again. Like the 19 year old girl that married Garrett and lived in Wymount and walked to every single BYU home game for three years, and his dad often joined us for those games. So it was totally nostalgic (except we obviously weren't going to LaVell Edwards Stadium) to head over to the stadium, the three of us, and not have a child attached to me, a stroller to push, a diaper bag to carry, snacks packed, sippy cups filled, etc, etc. I didn't even take a purse or a camera bag (which I seem to have at least one of those items with me at times that I am away from my kids)! So, I was reaching for things I didn't have all night long, but I must say it felt GREAT--I felt so free! :) And I can't thank Sheila enough for watching the boys for us.
And as you all saw (since I know you all watched the game!), it could not have been a better game. I was hoping it was close, if nothing else...and it was close indeed with BYU on top in the end. Honestly, the best game ever. The excitement there was amazing! So, here are some pictures of our big day (remember, I didn't take my camera, so these are all courtesy of our little point & shoot, so pardon the quality!).


The stadium really is enormous--just like everything everybody has been saying about it!

And the HD LCD screen--words can't even describe it. It was amazing...crystal clear. And here are the happy Sooner fans, before the game!

I'm not sure how I'd feel knowing my face was taking up the entire screen on a screen of that size. It was crazy to see every detail on the quarterback's face before the play.

And, it's a huge upset we'll never forget!!







I've had a lot of people ask me if there were a lot of BYU fans there. This is a picture I took after all the OU fans had filed out of there and it seemed like most BYU folks were still around. So, this is who was there. We were told that BYU told 20,000 tickets and then some people purchased after that through the Cowboys office...so I guess there were over 20,000 people or so. Not too shabby, if you ask me. Considering OU fans were driving a couple hours maybe but most BYU fans were flying in or driving a looong ways. It was awesome to be amongst BYU fans again!

And now we are feeling totally spoiled that BYU is coming to town tomorrow to play Tulane. We get to see them again! Two weeks in a row, after having gone 6 years without going to a game! It's a great time to be a Cougar!