My Kids

Karlee Girl or Charlie

She will be in the 8th grade this year.  She signed up for honor classes, choir, and yearbook.  She is super excited for the new school year.  She spent several weeks with her half sister Amber in TX.  I enjoy her company when we get a chance to have time together.  She is adored by her little sister Sara.  Looked up to for help or protection by her little brother Kyle.  Tolerated by her teen-age step brother (isn't that normal though)  She is full of energy most days and loves to hang out with her friends, she is a little social butterfly. My mom started calling her Karlee Girl, she and my mom are close.  Micah nicknamed her Charlie and it sort has stuck and I find myself calling her Charlie.  I look forward to the new school year with her, as she continues to grow and change in a beautiful young woman.

Dillon or aka Pickles or Dead eye

Dillon will be a sophomore this year at Coconino High .  He is looking forward to the new year at school.  He signed up for Autos and Welding and has both this year.  This summer he enjoyed shooting, playing in the water, playing video games, and exploring at Chaparral, hunting down tranchulas, staying up late and watching movies.  He also spent most of the summer going to work with his dad.  Shortly after we met Dillon the very first time, Karlee nicknamed Dillon pickles. Grandpa Larry started calling him Dead eye last summer after realizing how well Dillon shot at the clay pigeons being throw up to shoot at. He gives good huge wrap around hugs and can make you laugh. He can't sit still much, always has to be doing something.   He is constantly day dreaming about the day he will be able to drive.  He plans on looking for a job soon.  I look forward to watching Dillon develop into a young man as he explores his interest in Autos, welding and getting his learners permit.

Kyle my buddy.  Also known as Bubba or Hot Rod.  

Kyle will be in the 6th grade this year.  He will start a new adventure in the world of middle school.  He is ready for his new adventure.  He has spent his summer having fun in the sun at the skate park, playing in the water, shooting, video games, catching frogs, and staying up late watching movies.  He will be challenging himself this year in a program called MI-TE, its a combination of advanced science and technology that involves lots of projects.  He is my buddy, I love spending time with him one on one, he is so sweet and sensitive.  When he was small we called him bubba. Grandpa Larry calls him Hot Rod because he found Kyle a little hard and awkward for him to pronounce. He loves his sisters even though he may not show it at times.  He loves to hangout with Dillon.  In fact when Dillon is grounded Kyle struggles with what to do with himself. He has changed so much since he's turned 11 and then this year he will be 12, right around the corner of being a teenager too.  I look forward to watching him grow into the young man he is going to be.

Sara or Sara Bear, Muffin and Butterfly  

Sara will be a 3rd grader this year.  She is so super excited!  She can't wait to see her friends, meet her teacher and oddly enough "get more homework" than last year.  Since to her that means she is getting older and in a higher grade. She will miss having her brother at school with her and that will be an adjustment but I know she will be fine.  Sara has kept busy with friends in the neighborhood, playing in the water, singing and dancing in her room,  just being her happy, bubbly, talkative self.  I love spending one on one time with her.  Her little mind is always at work thinking of all sorts of things and asking lots of questions.  I love her hugs and kisses.  Sara Bear has been a nickname of her since she was a baby in the nursery.  She would stretch out in her crib and make little noises, so one of the ladies called her Sara Bear.  When she was a baby I use to call her "baby cakes" then as she got older I called her "muffin".  I think at this point she will always be my muffin.  Her Grandpa Larry calls her his "butterfly". I love watching her grow, she is my baby and as much as I'd like to hang on to that idea she does have to grow and change.  I look forward to exploring the little girl she will be this year.

Now as for me, well this year will be full of keeping the kids in a routine of snack, homework and chores (all before free time).  It will be full of driving them here and there and everywhere to activities, sports, and friends' houses.  Back to planning out the meals for the week and making sure they shower, brush their teeth and go to bed at a decent time.  There are times I wonder if it was easier when they were small but I think no matter what age they will always be a joyous work to lead, guide, help and watch grow.