To our 10 year old girl...

Sweet Presley,

You woke up this morning and immediately asked if you were officially ten years old.  When I told you yes, you showed me 10 by using all of your fingers.  You were so excited and you sat on my lap and I made a comment about how this is how I held you in the hospital 10 years ago.  I went into the story of the day you were born, how fast you came, how I held you in the middle of the night all by myself and told you about your big brother and your family, how your face was bruised and you had little sideburns.

As I went up to bed on the 19th, I took a quick last picture of you as a 9 year old.  You sleeping with your One Direction pillow, blanket, and nightgown on, next to the picture book I read to you after you asked me to snuggle with you and read to you that night, the one I've read to you hundreds of times, that your probably have memorized.   I think this sums up your ninth year pretty well.  Most of the time still a little girl, loving on her mommy and daddy, playing girly things and dressing girly, occasionally joining us in our room when scared at night, and still very innocent.  And once in a while, showing us a more growing up side of you--rolling your eyes at me, listening to your IPod with your headphones in, picking out your own outfits, complaining about still riding in a car seat, or asking about getting a Facebook account (Logan has never even asked for one, so the answer was no).

You love when I tell you little personal stories of you as a baby or young child.  You like to hear about what you called Logan when you learned to talk (Du-gan) and then you'll call him that for a while.  You like to hear the stories of about how you only loved me, how when others would try to hold you, you'd cry.  You like to hear the story about how when you were 3 I took you for your shots and you didn't flinch when the needles went in.  You like to hear the story of when I cried when I dropped you off at kindergarten.  I love sharing these stories with you.  You like to tell stories too, but your stories are super wordy and long and noone can follow them quite to the end yet.  Once in  a while, you'll come down with some super cute outfit on with a bow in your hair and you'll light up when I say, "Oh Presley, you are still my girl".

Presley, you are so beautiful it sometimes takes my breath away.  I'll catch you out of the corner of my eye and I'm caught off guard and just like to stare at you for a few seconds, in awe that I had anything to do with your beauty.  But more than the beauty on the outside, is the beauty I see on the inside.  We talk alot about that...how to give others grace, how to be humble, how to let other people's hurtful words and actions roll off your back, how you can only control you, how to be a friend to everyone, and our favorite recent saying "modest is hottest".  I was reading a magazine with some racy ads and I asked you if you'd ever wear something like that and you quickly said, "no, that's not appropriate".  So now we say, moddest is hottest.  Your school has taught you the concept of "fill your bucket"--when you do or say something good/kind to someone else it fills your bucket and their bucket.  Sometimes I'll ask you, "did that fill your bucket?".  We like that saying.

I think you're the perfect combination of funny and intelligent and sarcastic and sensitive.  Logan said something mean to you this summer and you immediately fell to tears and said, "I try not to let it get under my skin, but it shoots right to my heart and stings".  He apologized to you and then you cried some more and told me "these are happy tears cause he was sorry." And recently Logan was stung by two bees and you said, "It must have been the queen bee attracted to your Axe".  You four have been playing this tiger/baby game with Harper and Ry and you've named the baby tigers Jonathan and Diamond.  You're really funny and you don't even realize it.  You have a really great laugh that we love to hear, and we're so lucky that we do get to hear it often.  You have had a happy 9th year.

The world needs more girls like you Presley, we love you to the moon and back.

My first look at my ten year old this morning. 

Sibling birthday picture

These three boys love you more than anything.

You wanted a dark and light blue cake. 

Presley is 10: Our Interview

What is your favorite food?  Spaghetti
What is your favorite thing to do in school?  Reading
What is your favorite color?  Blue and green
What makes you happy?  When someone compliments me
Where in the world would you like to go?  Paris
What was the best thing about being 9?  How much we went swimming this summer
What are you scared of?  Spiders and sharks
What is your favorite sport?  Basketball
What is your favorite thing to do?  Read
What do you like most about our family?  We go to lots of places together
What do you want to be when you grow up?  A teacher

Pool Party, Birthday Fun!!

On Sunday, August 4th we travelled to the Tri-Cities to celebrate August and September birthdays.  The Nelson's were 4/6 of the birthday party (Dave, Logan, Presley, and Harper) and the other two were Legard's (Dave and Connie).  We had a fun time visiting, swimming, opening presents, eating BBQ-style, and having cake and ice cream.

The boys played pool basketball

The kids went down the slide lots and lots

Ry and Harper were tossed in the air by Papa

Harper dived (I think she's seen this before watching Presley's swim lessons)

And she picked her nose

These sweet cousins hot-tubbed

(Harper, Alyson, Holly, Mylee, and Presley)

We sang "happy birthday" and the birthday people blew out their candles

The three sisters

And the three brothers-in-law

Saying good-bye to Grandma and Papa before we head home

Logan is 12!!

Logan-berry, you're 12!  And I can't believe it!!

Your elementary years are behind you and you're officially tween-y. You're headed into middle school this year and I have no doubt you'll do just fine. Your teachers and us have always considered you a leader amongst your peers and a kind friend to everyone.  You do have a good circle of friends and you can make a friend wherever you go.  Continue to smile often and be kind--it costs nothing to be kind and generous to others and it'll pay you back so many times over.  You have never been bothered by peer pressure.  Stay strong and true to your beliefs--take the road map that we've been drawing together to help guide you.  Don't let your friends influences change you.  There will always be people who will like and respect you for standing up.  Remember to reach out with a helping hand.  You have an innate ability to show compassion and empathy towards others-continue to do so.  It's a great gift.

Presley, Rylan and Harper are very lucky to have you as an older brother.  Seriously.  You've set such a good example and I'm so thankful that they get to follow you.  I am thankful to be witness to a true sibling relationship between you and Presley, and what I see is sometimes good and sometimes bad.  But the love is there.  Sometimes I catch the way Ry looks up to you, with just pure love and adoration for you.  I love that you play babies and house with Harper.  I love that sometimes you purposely let them win just to make them feel good.  I love that they have all helped you "train" this summer by playing soccer and basketball with you.  I love that you are patient with them.  And, I'm so happy that I can run an errand or two and that you're now old enough and responsible enough to stay home with them.

You have always been an easy kid, you have broke us in as parents very gently.  We have continued to enjoy your company this year, you're just fun to be around.  We love that you seem to have a great sense of humor (much like Dad), you get our jokes and you like to watch You Tube video fails and funnies, and you like to go to the theatre and watch movies with mom (Hunger Games) and Dad (any Superhero movie).   You will still sing and dance in the kitchen with mom, say I love you on the phone,   you still hold mom's hand out in public and hug me in front of your friends, you accept our advice and listen to us carefully, and you remember to write thank you notes.  You have given us lots of attention, and we love that.  Remember it's still cool to hang out with us.

Continue to confide in us:  your joys, your disappointments, your ambitions and your angsts.  Don't stop now.  We will always have your back and do everything we can to make your dreams come true.  We'll go through hard times and decisions--Mom and Dad are always the ones looking out for your best interests.  Never forget that whenever you feel lost, home is where we will be waiting for you.

It is our greatest joy to be your parents Logan. We love you.

August 5th, 2013:  First look at my new 12 year old. 

With you new West Coast Goalkeeping gloves. 

The kids ready for some cake. 

Grandma and papa Nelson gave you some neat Seattle Sounders gear. 

No problem blowing out your 12 candles. 

The four Nelson boys. 

(Daddy came straight from surgery to have cake and ice cream with us)

Presley and Harper had gymnastics earlier this evening. 

Mom and Dad with their birthday boy.

Edited to add a sweet story:  Papa Berries called to wish you a happy birthday and you guys couldn't communicate well with the cell phone reception and I heard him say a couple times, "i can't hear you real well Logan".  You did talk about O'Boy Oberta winning the Hydroplane races in the Tri-Cities and then Papa was giving you a bad time because he didn't win the next week-end at Sea-Fair.  When you hung up the phone with Papa you turned to me and said, "I really like that man" and I said, "me too Logan".

Love and Marriage

Today marks our 15th wedding anniversary.  

I don't think we've changed at all.

August 8, 1998

We were 24 and 23.  We had just graduated from college at Central Washington University and been offered our first jobs, me as a first grade teacher, you in the rehabilitation program at Wenatchee Valley Clinic.  We honeymooned in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.   Shortly after marriage, we bought our first car together.  Love was wonderful, marriage was wonderful.  I guess we thought the world was our oyster.  3 days short of our 3rd anniversary, (August 5, 2001) we held our first son Logan, 5 years into our marriage we welcomed our oldest daughter Presley (August 20, 2003),   8 years in we saw our youngest son Rylan for the first time (February 27, 2007), and finally, we completed our family after celebrating our 11th year, Harper (August 23rd, 2009).  We've had job lay-offs, job changes, moves, I've become a stay at home mom since Presley was born,  one miscarriage, we've built 2 houses together, bought sports cars, SUV's and mini vans, and just went through the motions of life.  

Together.  

For 15 years.  

And it doesn't really feel that long.  

We haven't watched our wedding DVD in a long time together, but I remember Amy and Thomas on camera in their reception interview saying something like, "never forget why you got married".  And Cristy saying something like, "I'll be looking forward to celebrating your 25th wedding anniversary with you."  People say marriage is hard work.  It hasn't been THAT hard, it's good work, it's the kind of work where you get out of it what you put into it.  Maybe thats the sign of a successful marriage: when you love someone,  it doesn't feel like work.  Marriage books will tell you to always put your partner first, that he's the person who will be there after the kids leave.  I know I haven't always put you first, that there have been many times when the kids' needs and wants (and mine too) have come way before yours.  And I know you haven't always put me first, the stress of work and being the sole income for our family has put you in some  "I can't make it tonight" predicaments.  But those times have only been the minority, a very small percentage of the whole 15 years, certainly not enough to make me wonder why we got married, definitely not enough to make me think we just aren't in love anymore or that the grass is greener on the other side.  I know in the thickest of times, you've got my back and I yours.  We're not perfect, we agree to that, and we've long since accepted it.  I think in the beginning we had a very romantic type of love which has evolved into a very mature type of love.  I think this is probably the successful cycle of a good, solid, loving marriage.

I'm glad we ended up in Sue Lombard Hall together, I'm glad we chose each other all those years ago.  I'm glad we make the daily choice to love each other and serve each other.  I'm glad we laugh together and show love to each other in little ways.   I'm proud of the family we've created and the memories we're still making.  You're the one for me, and you've definitely not made me feel like it's been 15 years of marriage.  

There's a lot of love in our family, and it started with me and you.
Fifteen years ago today.      

Logan's 12th Birthday: Our Interview

What is your favorite food?  Spaghetti
What do you like to do in school?  Writing
What is your favorite color?  Purple and gold (Wenatchee Panther colors)
What makes you feel happy?  Getting new stuff
Where in the world would you like to go?  Hawaii
What was the best thing about the age 11?  Winning the Washington State Cup in soccer
What are you scared of?  People being upset with me
What is your favorite sport?  Basketball and soccer
What is your favorite thing to do?  Playing basketball and soccer
What do you like most about our family?  We always forgive
What do you want to be when you grow up?  A professional something...

Summer is flying by...good-bye July

I was telling the kids earlier this week that around the end of May I start dreading the idea of summer and finding enough activities and events and scheduling play dates and just generally having the feeling that there will be all this sibling fighting and whining and boredom.  And, don't get me wrong, there is that to deal with.  But, here we are at the beginning of August, with only one month left of summer break, and the long days of summer have gone by so quickly. And every year at this time, I start dreading thinking of fall coming and homework and sports and activities and living by the schedule of it all.  I love summer more and more each year,  and, as always,  I'm wanting to slow the time down and enjoy the laziness of sunshiny days.

July did not disappoint in the heat department.  Woah, Nellie...it got hot, hot, hot and there was no rain this month.

It was so hot that I captured Logan sleeping with a blowing fan aimed directly at his face.  Our air conditioner didn't seem to be cooling our house down so we had the AC man come out and he filled our unit up with coolant.  Ahhh, the sweet comfort of a cool house.

July 3rd, Dave and his Dad took the kids to an Apple Sox game. 

 Harper and Presley both started gymnastics this month.  

We cleaned out the garage and had a yard sale too. 

It's really hard for me to go through boxes of the kids' old "stuff".  We had so many clothes and each little outfit brought me back to a different time or a special memory.  I saved some of Harper's things for Samee and Nate's baby and Harper inherited some of Presley's things and Ry some of Logan's clothes. I came across these Power Ranger jammies and Harper and Ry have had a fun time playing in them.

Presley and Logan (August 2006, ages 4 and 6)

Harper and Rylan (July 2013, ages almost 4 and 6.5)

Samee texted me and told me she's really enjoying swimming this summer.  I sent her this picture and told her she's welcome to use our pool anytime.  

Oh, Ry...

Play time this month. 

Logan was leading the kids in some game this night, where their eyes are supposed to stay closed. 

The kids had a fun couple of weeks with the big inflatable slide in the backyard. 

We spent lots of afternoon at the Cashmere Pool.  

Cristy and my Papa went to a lookout on Blewitt Pass and came by to surprise visit us.  That would have worked out so great, but we didn't know and we were at the Cashmere pool and I didn't get the text til later in the afternoon.  They hung out in our backyard and then met us for a quick ice cream treat at Tom, Dick, and Harry's.  Harper saw Cristy and immediately asked her, "where's Geezer?"

Papa was telling Ry and Presley something funny. 

Logan is growing up and he needed to have a man chat with Dad.  I don't know what they were talking about but I went by the window and saw them sitting out there talking for a long time.  

At the end of the school year Presley signed up our family to help out at Sunnyslope Garden.  This last week of July was our week to pull weeds and water the plants.  Presley took the watering business very seriously. 

Two little conversations with Presley: 

She told me she thinks it would be really fun to have a picnic out in an orchard for a first date. 

We saw a teenage boy get out of his car and help out another driver who's car had stalled by pushing the car to a gas station.  She said to me, "This is what I like about teenagers...they always do the right thing."  To which I quickly replied, "yes, and they always listen to their parents too."

Ry tried a tomato fresh from the garden. He didn't like it. 

Oh my,  this rough and tumble girl.  She has taken quite a few falls and has many scrapes, scratches and bruises from playing and riding scooters.  She was crying one night after falling yet again and Dave made her this award with an old lanyard he found..."Tough Girl Award".  She was quite proud. 

I love making summer memories with these kids!!