Taelee's Kindergarten Photo Shoot

I am so grateful for my talented sweet friend Kylie with kyliecphotography who asked if Taelee would be a model for her back to school mini sessions she is offering this month. I LOVE Kylie's work and I was thrilled to have these beautiful pictures of our little Kindergartner! Thank you Kylie for capturing some beautiful photos on such a hot humid morning!

We are proud of Taelee and the beautiful, smart, kind, and happy little girl she has become! I am excited  and terrified (probably more terrified than anything) to see her go off to Kindergarten. She thrives on learning new things and asking questions. She is strong. She is full of life. She is going to love school. She is going to excel. 

Come the 26th however, someone might need to drag me out of the front doors because I will be crumbling to pieces as I watch my baby embark on a new adventure. I will sit in my car and bawl before I drive away, I'll continue to cry all the way home, and my eyes will continue to poor as I go about the day without my sweet Taelee.  I will be first in line to pick her up at 2:50 and listen intently to every detail she shares with me about her first day! and once again I will be amazed by this sweet girl who blesses our lives each and every day.

My favorite shot of this little "princess"!!

 I absolutely LOVE this picture! This is her favorite book! She has many of the poems memorized and does an amazing job reading the rest of them. This is one of her favorites to quote-

How far and wide the fairies fly

On bright and golden wind,

But when they settle down to sleep 

A gentle song they sing. 

Sweet Queen of Night

Soft silver stars

Were glad ou are so near

We seek our beds

We Rest our heads

Without a moments fear.

On thisledown

In hidden nooks 

We watch the wanning light

The joys of sleep 

Upon us creep

We wish you all good night.

Goodbye UTAH...

HELLO...

My family threw a little goodbye party tonight for us. They gave us a nice preview of Texas with pulled beef sandwiches, BBQ ribs, beans, potatoes, yummy salsa, and oh yes 104 degree weather! My entire family came out sporting awesome I heart Texas shirts. I really appreciated how supportive and fun they made this night!

I love how Taelee says Texas, it's very quiet in this video so be sure to turn the volume up!


Taelee putting her Texas on, and my brother showing her how it's done!

Taelee loved the heart on everyone's shirt!

This picture really shows just how much Taelee loves her Nana!

Taelee loved her heart shirt too, when we tried taking it off for bed she freaked out saying heart shirt so she ended up sleeping in it.

Taelee liked her hat until mean old Mom binged her with the elastic when putting it on!

I loved Taelee's face in this picture! Everyone put different things on her head and she loved it.

I love my family so much! I am so grateful for all they do for us! I couldn't ask for a better family! I know i'll see them, but not as often as i'd like...it was a tough goodbye, but we are so excited for this new adventure! Thank you!!!

Prayer

Just now while I was putting Taelee down for a nap I was touched by something she did. We have created a lot of ROUTINES with Taelee, mainly for my sanity, but also to help her be happy and healthy. I thrive off of these ROUTINES for a lot of reasons: Because Taelee is used to them she knows them and expects them, she will actually sit on my lap and I can cuddle with her for a few short moments while I read to her, they allow me my structure that I so desperately need, and they make nap time and bed time so much easier! Today has been proof to me that these ROUTINES are something worth doing. Every night we read a book; look at pictures of President Monson, the Temple, and Jesus; read scriptures; sing a primary song; then say a prayer. For her nap we eat lunch and then go read a book. Well I really think that praying with her EVERY night and for all meals has really payed off because for breakfast this morning I sat down with her food and she immediately folded her arms and said "prayer". Also as I was putting her down for her nap we read her normal book and then as I was going to lay her in her bed she said "prayer," I asked her if she wanted to say a prayer and she looked at me and said "yes prayer". I then knelt down with her to say a short prayer...I am so grateful that the idea of PRAYER has stuck with her and that she is starting to understand what it is. She is such a blessing in my life, she teaches me everyday, and she makes me want to do and be better.