My heart, it is a breakin

I have been trying in vain to not think too much about how our lives are going to change soon. Only because if I think about it too long I start to cry.  And my mascara is expensive so I don't want to reapply.

Kate is leaving in a month to go to BYU. She is going to be amazing and do amazing things and experience amazing things.  And I could not be happier for her. She has worked hard and earned this moment. Even though she already knew she got in to BYU, we still gave her a surprise party. Cuz we're fun like that. Jeff's cousin is an amazing baker and he sent us these cookies to help with the surprise.

I have been trying to soak up every moment with her.  I have always been like that as a mom, all too aware how quickly it goes. I love being a mom, I love being her mom and I am so thankful for every day I have had with her. I would honestly shave my head, or eat cooked liver, or do a polar dip, just to be able to go back and spend one more day with her as a little girl.  (Those were the worst things I could imagine).  But what a blessing to know her as an adult and get to experience that as well.

She is an amazing sister, unifying everyone and connecting us with her unique gift of get-along-with-everbody-ness.

And oh the joy of watching her and Julia be best friends since birth.  What a gift to both of them and to me. They have had a friend everywhere they have ever moved.

I know I am not the first or the last parent to ever send a child out in to the world.  But its a first for me. Check back soon for more blubbering as we all adjust to our new normal. Only 5 kids at home. What will I do with all my time')