Tayler's Drill Review & Senior Recognition

Tayler & Garrett

Tayler & Cody Barber

Senior Girls 2011

Tayler & Shian

Garrett escorting Becca Hunt

Cody escorting Tayler

Senior Recognition

Escort Dance

Garrett doing Pom Pom Dance

Space Jam

Kick Line Dance

Rockin Robin

Last night was the last Drill/Cheer review for Tayler. She is a senior and will be graduating soon. It was amazing to go and see how much fun she had doing all the dances this year. She is an amazing dancer! Cody Barber was her escort this year and he was also a super fun dance partner. He escorted her onto the floor in her formal for Senior recognition. Then they did an Escort dance to "Baby Baby" by Justin Beiber. Everyone had a good laugh over that, but the dance was wonderful. Tayler looked so beautiful! All of the escorts including Garrett did the Pom Pom dance. Or should I say attempted to do the dance. It was so much fun to watch the boys out there and to see how much fun they were having. I am so proud of my son for doing this even though he wasn't sure about it. It was such a bitter sweet night.. my little girl won't be dancing or cheering at anymore games. I have always enjoyed watching her perform. Sandy and I had to write down our parent remarks for the senior recognition and I am going to try to remember exactly what we said so that she can always look at this and remember how we feel about her.
"Tayler is and has always been a big bright shining star in our lives. She has taught and given us more as parents than we could ever give her. She is full of love and potential. Remember you have the world on a string. You are the trip I did not take. You are the pearls i can not buy. You are my blue Italian lake. You are my piece of forgein sky. We love you, Mom and Dad."

The Mother of All Dirty Words!

I have to say first of all that I am a much better parent with Parker and Slade than I ever was when Tayler and Garrett were their ages. Now that has been said I can tell my story. My kids always come into my room after school since my surgery to let me know they are home and for me to ask my 3 favorite questions.
1. How was your day?
2. What did you learn?
3. Did you ask any great questions?

Well this past Thursday Parker came in and I asked my first question. He looked at me and said "Not so good". I of course asked why and what had happened. To say the very least it was not the answer I had expected. He said "I said a swear word today Mom". Oh my what is a mother to say. I told him that wasn't good and asked what he had said. He told me "I said the F word". His poor little face just dropped and he was so ashamed of himself. I asked him what had happened to make him say that. His reply was "Well you know how I always say What the Freak? Well (insert name here) bumped into me really hard and I meant to say what the freak but i said what the F instead. I am so sorry Mom." Here is where we need to back track to the week before this happened. Parker and I had talked and he had complained to me about a couple of girls who he has to sit by in math class. He complained that they swear and distract him all hour and that he hates it. I told him that I would have him moved. Up until today they still have not moved him. I will be speaking with the principal again tomorrow. So back to the story. I explained to him that when we say something that sounds a lot like a curse word it often makes it a lot easier to slip and say that word. That maybe he shouldn't use that phrase anymore. I also looked at him (here I think is some of that good parenting) and said "Thank you so much son for coming in and sharing that with me. I really appreciate it and I love you." What a novel idea, to be open and listen without expectations and disapproval! He walked away glad that he had told me and feeling good about himself. If only I had learned that sooner. I love my little man and couldn't be prouder!

Parker riding with Tayler and wearing her shades to keep the sun out of his eyes. Super cute!

Senior Pics

Tayler was called recently by a photography studio in our area to model for them. She is a senior in high school this year and of course she is beautiful. They wanted to use her to advertise. Showing that you could have pictures done by them and not have to settle for school pictures. All of her pictures turned out gorgeous. I am so proud of her. She has grown to be a wonderful woman with great qualities. She is very caring and thoughtful. She isn't afraid to stand up for what is right even if she is the only one. She doesn't let anyone push her around. She is incredibly smart. She can achieve anything that she sets her mind to. And she is loved by everyone she meets. How could I be so blessed?!