Fall Means Back to School

After summer comes and school starts, my mind automatically shifts to fall. The changing colors of the leaves, the crispness in the air, school shopping, cooler nights, hoodies, football games, school supplies, holidays approaching. There is something magical about fall!

Well, here in San Antonio, we don't really have fall. It's a little bit sad. I keep waiting and waiting for the weather to cool down, but the temps continued to stay warm! I LONGED for just one cold night where I could wear a hoodie and sweat pants! It didn't happen! And most of the trees here are live oaks, which means they are green year round. It's beautiful, in it's own way, but my heart ached for many beautiful colors of fall.  

I was so thrilled to see this tree at the entrance to our neighborhood!! One of the only ones in our neighborhood to change colors!

Some of the only trees that change color in our neighborhood!

The kids were so excited for school to start this year!!! Here is Makenna in her favorite shirt! 

And here is her hair-do of choice! It sure needs practice!

 Here is McKay in his "Harry Potter" shirt. Such a cute smile!

 And here is my big boy, Connor-- ready to start 7th grade!!! Can't believe it!

He picked these clothes out from the store! He looks so handsome! 

These Guys Kept Him Sane.....

These guys are great guys. 

These are Brett's classmates. They have known each other for only 30 months, but they are the closest of friends. They have been through a lot together.

For instance: Jake and Brett lived together while doing a clinical rotation in Hell El Paso, TX. I think Jake is one of the reasons why Brett didn't quit. I am SO GLAD they were able to be down there together.

Brett has been able to commiserate with these guys. He's been able to talk about what it feels like to be taking someone's life into your hands for the first time.

They have been wonderful. 

Thank you for taking care of my husband!!!

Michael, Brandon, Brett and Jake

Can You Guess....

What this post is about?

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

Can it really be that time of year again? Say it isn't so!!!

The big boy on campus, sixth-grader Connor. 

This year Connor wanted to try something new. He wanted to be an "early bird", which means he goes to school at 8am, instead of the "later-gator" schedule that we've been on the last few years, which entails arriving at school at 9:15. I actually thought this was a great idea. Connor would be up early in the morning and get his things done and be out the door to give me some one-on-one (or two) time with the twins. Then, Connor gets to come home from school early and I have an hour alone with him. I think it's going to work out really great.

Cute 3rd grader, Makenna

Sweet 3rd grader, McKay-- don't you love that shirt on him?

The twins showing of their new shoes! 

McKay and Makenna in the sea of students at their school-- waiting

As I was dropping McKay and Makenna off for school, I saw Connor and his entire class, with their teacher, walking out for a mock emergency drill. I ran up to him and loved on him pretty good in front of all his friends. He gave me a big squeeze in return. After he was home I asked if that embarrassed him and he simply said, "No."

Bless his soul......I still have at least one more year to be the "cool mom" and not the "embarrassing mom". We'll see how long it lasts.

First Day of School 2009!

Presenting the Rush kids in order of youngest to oldest:

Sweet little McKay in 1st grade!!!! (I know, I can't believe it!)

A very mature-looking Makenna in 1st grade! (Of course, she wanted her hair straight!)

Connor-- the big man on campus!!! 4th Grade!!

Connor is in the ALL class this year. ALL stands for "Advanced Learning Lab." We'll see how this goes. You have to test to get in and Connor was so excited to test and just thrilled to get in. But now comes the real test: all the work! They had an orientation last year that gave us a pretty good idea of what to expect, so we weren't totally blindsided...but Connor is used to everything coming so easy, being challenged, is going to be a challenge for him. We've got the first 2 weeks down and so far, so good. He has a couple good friends in his class with him and he really likes his teacher.

The twins got the teacher they wanted for 1st grade. She is the sweetest lady! She is in our ward and the kids just LOVE her! They are so happy to have her!!

Here's to another great year, with great friends and great teachers!

First Day of School! (Updated)

Here is Connor in his first day of school outfit. Isn't he so cute with his goofy little smile!? Yes, he chose that outfit himself. Sports shorts, and a nice polo shirt.....hmmmmm......At least it matched, right? I can't believe that this boy is 8 years old and in 3rd grade! Where does the time go? I remember taking him to kindergarten and the ensuing years have just flown by! Attention all mothers: ENJOY THE TIME YOU HAVE WITH YOUR BABIES WHILE THEY'RE STILL HOME! It doesn't last long! You'll have your own time soon enough, but you'll never get those little babies and toddler years back! *Sniff sniff*



Here is Connor right by his bike! He loves riding his bike and has rode it every day since school started. He missed riding his bike during the summer because it found a new summer-home: hanging up, at the top of the garage. Why the banishment, you ask? Well, Connor was riding down the street one day and was picking up some pretty good speed, and turned left onto our street, only to find himself face to face with a car! Luckily our good neighbor, Jeff, was watching and driving very slow. Connor was fine, but I watched the whole thing and almost had a heart-attack. Seriously. So, he was banned from his bike for more than a month! Before letting him get back on we've had lots of safety lessons and some new rules. He ALWAYS has to wear a helmet, and any time he crosses the street he has to get off his bike and walk it. I know that's lame sometimes, but he is not experienced enough on the bike to be able to look behind him and really, in front of him, before crossing. I think in a year or so, that will change. But for now, that's the way it is and he is more than happy to oblige.

Makenna on the morning of her FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL . She is beyond thrilled!



McKay loooking a little sleepy, but happy to be going to kindergarten, nonetheless.

The twins on their first day!! I can't believe my babies are in school! They look so big!

I just had to include this picture, even though it wasn't the first day of school. This is McKay and Makenna on the 2nd day of school, "Red" day. Makenna was so excited to wear a dress and Mickey was super happy to be wearing spiderman!

The kids are loving school! I'm very happy with their teachers so far and they all seem to be adjusting well. I seem to be adjusting well, too. The first week was hard. The first day was hard! I held it together at their school and then when I got home I lost it! I bawled and bawled for and hour or so. I just felt so lost! For 8 years I've been at home with at least one child at my side, and now, they're all in school! I knew I had plenty to do and lots to keep me busy, but no babies at home with me! No one to go to the store with. No one to go to Costco with and share the joy of all the samples. No one to weed the garden with, no one to fold the clothes with. To me, it just signifies that we're out of that baby stage, and we don't want to be out of that stage, that is just the way things are right now. This is the beginning of the end! Once they get in school, the time just FLIES!! Then they start to get more friends, mom and dad become less cool and before you know it, you have teenagers! Well, I have learned to enjoy the moment! Enjoy every second: every diaper, every feeding, every thing you can!!! Don't wish life away thinking of time alone or older kids, or less dependant kids. It just goes by too fast and we all need to be grateful for the blessings that we have right now. I am so thankful for my 3 wonderful kids! We are so blessed to have them in our lives. We are also grateful to have good teachers and a good school right by our house!

Kindergarten date with Grandma Rush

Brett's mom had McKay and Makenna over for a little kindergarten date. She gave them each a present (a new school shirt) and then took them out to McDonald's for lunch. They got to eat and play and then she let them choose out a movie to rent. They both agreed on Barbie Mariposa. McKay didn't seem to mind. Anyway, the kids we just thrilled to be going on a special date with grandma and are so excited to go to kindergarten! They also got to go along with their cousin Kiera. They had a wonderful time. Thank you, Grandma!