McKayla turns 18

I'm honestly at a loss for words. That isn't going to stop me from writing about the "coming of age" of my eldest baby. I held her like one, today. It was a lot more awkward then when she was a newborn... 

In my mind, I will always see her like this: 

Anyway. She celebrated her birthday with a few friends and a movie. Currently she is working at Ross part time and (slowly) getting her GED. The last few weeks, she has been pushing to make her own decisions and I am so proud.  

These are a couple pictures from her birthday party: 

 

Ice cream, because she doesn't like cake 

Presents! 

 And, just because I am a sentimental sap, 18 years of pictures. 

 

Newborn - 29 October 2005

First Birthday - 2006

Meeting Natalie - 9/6/07 

Second Birthday - 2007

Third birthday - 2008

Meeting Liv - 8 April 2009

Fourth birthday - 2009

Fifth birthday - 2010 (she still fit in a grocery bag!) 

Sixth birthday - 2011

Seventh birthday  - 2012

Eighth birthday - 2013

Ninth birthday - 2014

Double digits - 10th birthday - 2015

11th birthday - 2016

12th birthday - 2017

13th birthday - 2018

14th birthday - 2019

15th birthday- 2020

16th birthday - 2021

17th birthday - 2022

And this year: 

Thanks for reminding me that you will always be my baby. 

PS If you want to look at the other posts about Miss M's birthdays? CLICK HERE to read them all. 

17

Two weeks old: 

to seventeen

Pretty sure it happened in the blink of an eye. I can't believe I only have a year before she's considered an adult! To be honest, this birthday has been the hardest yet for me. I don't want to let her be a grown up, but I know that it is inevitable. 

This last year she has made a couple pretty adult decisions. She decided that she is going to get her GED. She decided that counseling is working for her and that she is going to continue with it for a while. 

I have been having trouble even finishing this blog post. Here it is November 3 and I've yet to hit post. One last thing to do I guess, a letter for whenever my kids decide to read this blog: 

McKayla, it is hard to believe you are 17 now. I honestly don't know how I have been a mother this long already. Feels like you were just a baby... Now you are basically grown, making decisions that will be forever. You are such a strong girl. You have proven over and over that you are resilient and brave. Standing up for your family and your friends to anyone who dares to try to hurt them in any way. You may be small, but you are most certainly mighty. Keep that fighting spirit going. Keep smiling and know that there are good things in this world, things worth working for. You can do absolutely anything you set your mind to. Praying that this year is simply amazing! I love you SO MUCH! 

If you want to re-visit any of her previous birthdays (I missed a few) you can see the ones I blogged about here: 

Her 16th birthday 

Her 15th birthday 

Her 14th birthday

Her 13th birthday 

Her 10th birthday 

Her 9th birthday 

Her 8th birthday

Her 4th birthday 

Her 2nd birthday 

Wordless Wednesday

McKayla and her brother, now 11 months old 

 

Good News!

Linking up again this week with Mama Kat for writer's workshop. If you are interested in learning more, click the box at the bottom of this post. 

The prompt I chose this week: Share some good news!

My good news for today is that McKayla finally made a decision about her future. 

For two years now, she has been struggling with feeling comfortable and safe at school. She has anxiety and it is manifesting in physical symptoms. As a result, she's missed a lot of school and the more school she misses, the further behind she gets. The further behind she gets, the more anxious. It is a terrible cycle. 

We have her in counseling and have been regularly seeing her doctor about medication and such. She was just going to school when she can, trying to do work from home, ect. Not very successfully. 

Since both Jimmy and I could see that the traditional school setting isn't working for her, we have been discussing other "non-traditional" options for school. Finally yesterday she decided that she will be perusing her GED. 

Today I purchased two of the workbooks that will help her get ready for the testing. 

The decision was a big one, and one that I wanted her to come to on her own. She can take ownership of her life this way. While having her "drop out" of school isn't what I would have liked for her, this is the best decision for her. 

This is all good news in my book! 

Some more good news: Stephen has a new psychiatrist and we both love her! His previous psych went into another position, so he couldn't stay with him. The change was required, but not something he was happy about. After meeting with her twice now, he's happy with her. Since having a good relationship with your psychiatrist is so important, this is a win in my book! 

Yet some more good news: Jinx is fitting into our household quite nicely. He's quickly learning words and how to best get attention. Three weeks home now and I couldn't be happier with our baby. <3 

This post inspired by: 

Sweet Sixteen!

 So, I missed it, but McKayla's birthday was on Friday - SIXTEEN years ago she made me a mommy. At least this way, I got to share what we did (with pictures!) 

 We had a great day celebrating. Started out with her free birthday Dutch. I didn't take any pictures of that. While relaxing at home, Stevie made her some birthday brownies (weirdo doesn't like cake!) 

Her and Stevie got to go see the new My Hero movie together and spoiled themselves with movie theater treats. 

The brownies went with us to Dad's house where we celebrated. 

she loves it when we sing to her! 

Blowing out 16 candles!

proving she knows how to wield a knife

After brownies her dad took her, Natalie, Alivia, Adler and Gabriel (her cousin) to Haunted World. 

We got her a special hoodie to celebrate (custom made by Hazelle). 

From everything she says, she had a great time for her birthday. The weekend overall was packed with a bunch of stuff. 

Happy sweet sixteen McKayla. I love you so much! Praying that this year brings you even more joy and amazing memories. 

Looking forward to October

Linking up again this week for writers workshop, got to keep my writing skills fresh! The first prompt I choose is: Write about something you are looking forward to in October.

This October 29 is my oldest daughter's sweet 16. I am looking forward to that milestone, to taking her out and celebrating. Still kinda shocked that she will be SIXTEEN! Un-freaking-real. She would like to visit a humane society and pet some cats. 

I also like Halloween so that's on my "looking forward to" list. My girls are really into it, so it's fun to hear them talking costumes and plans. 

Living in Boise, the weather is usually pretty mild so we can really enjoy the fall season. It is one of the reasons that I love living here. We have four separate and distinct seasons. 

We are bringing Jinx home on October 15. I am definitely looking foreword to that! Found out yesterday that it's a boy! So, that's exciting. 

I also recently found out I will be starting a new position on October 10. This will be a big change from what I've been doing the last four years or so. Excited to start that new adventure. 

What are you looking forward to in October?

This post inspired by:

Wordless Wednesday

 

Soon to be 16... 

Alternative Options

 Last school year was a nightmare for many people. I know I wasn't in the minority. While Alivia managed to thrive in the hybrid and online setting, both McKayla and Natalie struggled, a lot. Natalie will have this year to recover, since she was "only" a 7th grader, but since McKayla was technically in her freshman year of high school... Lets just say she has some catching up to do. 

You see, in the school district where we live, they go to elementary school until sixth grade, junior high 7th through 9th and high school 10th through 12th. So, even though she was still in junior high, she was earning credits for high school. She earned four credits last year. That means to go into her sophomore year, she would need to have at least 10 credits. 

The end of last school year, we talked with her junior high school guidance counselor and he recommended an alternative school. At first I was a little concerned, I hear alternative school and I think of those rough kids who can't be handled in school. The behavior problems, crime. I didn't have a good picture of the idea. 

Needless to say, after the transition meeting we had on Friday I am feeling a lot better about things. This school does a semester long course in just 9 weeks. The block schedule they have would allow for her to "catch up" with the credits she was missing to go into her sophomore year and take the sophomore classes. If she does well, she will earn 18 credits. This will put in right in line to re-join her class at the traditional high school next year. The class sizes are smaller, there is more support staff to help if she needs it and she won't have homework. They have time set aside in the school in complete assignments daily. I love the set up and she seems to be happy with the plan. 

Now we just wait and see what happens this year. I will do the best I can to support her and make sure she knows whatever she chooses, I will be here for her. Her plan right now is to use this school year to catch up and then transition back to traditional school. I would be happy with that but worry that she might not do well again. Maybe she will love her new school, make friends and want to stay. I am just praying she will be happy. The fact that she hated school the last two  years has been ROUGH for this momma. 

We are so blessed to be in a school district where this is an option. I'm not sure what we would have done if we lived somewhere else where we didn't have choices. My hometown wouldn't have had these options. I will try and keep this blog current so you know what is going on with her. 

Oregon Vacation: Part 1

Saturday, July 17

Natalie still loves taking the selfies with my phone - sometimes they include the dogs!

Saturday, July 17

My bff's youngest. Another pic. Shared the first one here.

Sunday, July 18

The first kitty on our vacation edition of "Tour of Cats." We came to see her newest addition, Munchkin, but she was feeling under the weather. This is Nutmeg who graced us with her presence. Usually she's hiding from company. 

This is a picture I "stole" (asked if I could use) of Munchkin. Feeling much better now. We briefly saw her during our visit. 

Wednesday, July 21

The usual view I had of Natalie and McKayla. Alivia spent all her time with Roselyn, my brother's 8 year old daughter. 

Thursday, July 22

McKayla seems to be the cat whisperer. She's always loving on them! This is Smokey, our friend Tabi's "barn cat" (just means he is an outdoor cat who is responsible for keeping the mouse population down around her property)

Thursday, July 22

Natalie not amused with mom taking pictures of her. I think this one just shows how freaking long her legs have gotten! 

Thursday, July 22

And Smokey just being a cat. He was so freaking friendly! 

Saturday, July 24

My father in law's cat Kit. Not so friendly (she's an only child with a single dad :P) but super playful

Saturday, July 24

She has two kinks in her tail which makes it look almost curly lol. 

Saturday, July 24

Stephen took us by this cool totem on our way home from his dad's place. I had to stop and snap a picture. 

Going to stop there for now. Will add more pictures (and stories) later this week (maybe next)