Kelsey Rae

***I've tried to post this three times now! Hopefully it works this time!***

Kelsey Rae Marie Schuster turned 21 on September18th, 2010.  I have celebrated 4 birthdays with Kelsey now, and each year, I find myself more and more amazed.  Amazed that I have got to spend four years of my life with this beautiful (inside and out) young woman.  Amazed that we have been able to have *real* conversations, about life and love and everything inbetween.  Amazed that I have had the privilege of being her step mother, and *quite* jealous that I don't get to be more. 

Kelsey, you have been a joy to get to know and to continue to know.  I love you so much, and I couldn't ask for a better daughter. You have become an independent woman, who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go for it.  You care how other people feel and you do your best to not hurt others with both your actions and your words.  You have matured, from a sweet young lady to a lovely, strong woman.  I am proud of you.

I hope that today, on your 21st birthday, you will remember how much you are loved, and that in the year to come, you will be reminded of that every day.

Always,
Nicole

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My day got considerably better after a visit from my sister and her husband.  They recently went on a trip to NY city and came by with gifts for the kids!

Thanks guys, for making my day end on a good note!

Today Sucked.

photo by Marcy Penner

Okay Wednesday. You win.  But just so you know, I plan on kicking Thursday's ass.



Huh.

My two year old walked out of his bedroom this morning, looked at me dressed for work, pointed to my dress and said, (and I quote) " no yike dat mummy". 

First day.

We had a lot of "firsts" at our house today. 

Brett had his first day of Grade 8.  It was also his first day of his last year at this school.  It was the first time I've seen him NOT dreading his first day.  It was *NOT* the first time I've wanted to hug him and tell him I love him. 

Khai had his first day of Grade 1.  It was also his first day of full days at school.  It was the first time he went through the front doors at school.  It was *NOT* the first time my heart strings were tugged as I watched him walk through the door. 

Today was Justin and Magda's first day of second year of University.  It was *NOT* the first time I've been terribly proud of both of them.


Today was my first day back at work.  
I still don't know how I feel about that.

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This, is what it felt like on my drive to work today. I'm not kidding. The leaves were falling like they were in a Mazda "zoom zoom" commercial and the car had just driven by quickly enough to just leave falling leaves behind.  It was surreal.

I love fall.

Life.

It all seems to happen at once, doesn't it?

Tomorrow, I head back to work.  Tomorrow, the kids go back to school. Tomorrow is Justin's first day back at university.  Last Thursday, our basement flooded.  Last weekend, Helmut was so sick, he actually stayed in bed for most of 2 days.  Last week was VBS at church.  The weather has changed.  The leaves are falling.  Declan is in daycare.  We've taken down our pool.

It's been a crazy last couple of week since I posted.  Things haven't stopped moving and happening around here.  I feel as though I've had no time to prepare for going back to work.  There were so many things I wanted to do before then. 

But, tomorrow is upon me, and I feel excited, nervous and sad all at the same time. 
I don't think I even really shared how this whole going back to work thing is going to work, did I?

Well, this is how it will work.  Helmut will leave to get Declan to daycare by 7:30.  I will stay at home and walk/drive Khai and Brett to school.  When they go into the school, I will go to work.  In the afternoon, depending on who is busier or whether Helmut is needed at the office, one of us will leave at 2:30 (most likely Helmut) to go get the boys from school, and I will stay til 4:30 and pick up Declan and head home. 

It works out so nicely in theory...the true test will be tomorrow when we actually try it!

I promise to blog first day of school pictures tomorrow and a first day back at work report!