2013-14 School Year

And... finally it was the first day of school.  :)

Lexie had to be to school at 6 am for Drill practice, so... this was taken AFTER school. :)  You have to catch her when you can.  She is a busy girl.  This year, Lex started her Sophomore year at Layton High School.  Go Lancers!

 

This was a BIG year for Jackson.  He started 7th grade.  It was quite a bit for him to process AND it was his birthday so that made the day extra hard.  Who wants to go to the first day of school on your birthday!  Simply cruel!

 

From Instagram:  Oh myyyyy... I have seriously thought about this day since he was born. Jr. High can be brutal. In a way, I felt like I was throwing him to the wolves. Never before have I dropped him at a curb. We went to orientation, found his classes, and practiced his locker combination. Nothing else for this momma to do but send him on his way. After all, moms CAN'T GO in with you on the first day of 7th grade. Not cool. I'm sure we will have some bugs to work out, but I hope this will be a GREAT year. Plus.... IT'S HIS B-DAY TODAY! Happy 13th birthday Jackson. You are one amazing kid!

 

Oh myyyyy... I have seriously thought about this day since he was born. Jr. High can be brutal. In a way, I felt like I was throwing him to the wolves. Never before have I dropped him at a curb. We went to orientation, found his classes, and practiced his locker combination. Nothing else for this momma to do but send him on his way. After all, moms CAN'T GO in with you on the first day of 7th grade. Not cool. I'm sure we will have some bugs to work out, but I hope this will be a GREAT year. Plus.... IT'S HIS B-DAY TODAY! Happy 13th birthday Jackson. You are one amazing kid!
Read more at http://web.stagram.com/p/531096388939193262_45003493#hfTg7yXPk1bLTe6c.99

Oh myyyyy... I have seriously thought about this day since he was born. Jr. High can be brutal. In a way, I felt like I was throwing him to the wolves. Never before have I dropped him at a curb. We went to orientation, found his classes, and practiced his locker combination. Nothing else for this momma to do but send him on his way. After all, moms CAN'T GO in with you on the first day of 7th grade. Not cool. I'm sure we will have some bugs to work out, but I hope this will be a GREAT year. Plus.... IT'S HIS B-DAY TODAY! Happy 13th birthday Jackson. You are one amazing kid!
Read more at http://web.stagram.com/p/531096388939193262_45003493#hfTg7yXPk1bLTe6c.99

 

Collin started 4th grade.  He was so excited to be out of French and he landed one of the best teachers, Mr. Reeve.  We had high hopes that it was going to be his best year yet!

 

Izzy started 2nd grade with Mrs. Arnell and Mdm. Hassell. We had a break through - no tears the first day.  Way to be strong, Izzy!

 

 

2nd grade.... When I was doing her hair she said, "Mom, I'm not going to cry this year". Then, when I was walking her down the hall to her class she said, "I'm not crying, I just accidentally poked myself in the eye so my eye is just watering.". When she found her desk and sat down she was all smiles. She is either a GREAT actress or is excited to be in school. Maybe it is a little of both. :). So proud of this little minute for conquering her fear. Love you Izzy Busy!
Read more at http://web.stagram.com/p/531100821823592460_45003493#EQGomustF5afkGbb.99

 

Our Dopp crew at school is shrinking.  With Jackson leaving, we are down to five Dopps.  Next year adding Tolly will balance Ari's departure. :)

Do you like Collin's red vans?  When we were school shopping, they were his top priority. :)

 

From Instagram:  2nd grade.... When I was doing her hair she said, "Mom, I'm not going to cry this year". Then, when I was walking her down the hall to her class she said, "I'm not crying, I just accidentally poked myself in the eye so my eye is just watering.". When she found her desk and sat down she was all smiles. She is either a GREAT actress or is excited to be in school. Maybe it is a little of both. :). So proud of this little minute for conquering her fear. Love you Izzy Busy!

 

After school, we continued our tradition of grabbing a Yogo Togo Frozen Yogurt to celebrate the day.  Jackson was teary when we picked him up.  It was a long day for him.  He was sad he had to spend his birthday in school and that the other kids had early out and beat him home.  Life can be so hard.  But... after we had our yogurts he seemed a bit better.  We went home to celebrate his big day with cake and presents.

 

Happy Birthday, buddy.  This year you turned 13!  It has been quite a journey for all of us.  We are so proud of you for all of your accomplishments.  You have to work hard every day to keep your world stable.  Some days are easier than others.  As much fun as this life is, I'm really looking forward to the day that you are free from the limitations of this life.  You have such a strong spirit.  Your mortal body hinders you in so many ways and clouds your mind.  I'm proud of you for all you do to make progress.  You have come so far and I know that in the next 13 years you will make great strides as a young adult working his way to adult life and independence.  We love you Jacks! 

 

 

And... as a bonus, here is a pic of Jackson and his / Ryan's :) Science Fair Project from 6th grade.  He tried to identify the best recipe for GAK. :) 

 

 

 

Since Ryan was out of town, we tried to end the night on a good note by going out to dinner.  It was SO nice to see so many smiles.

Snapshots from the cabin...

Our family loves going up to the property in Idaho.  It is only an hour in a half away, but once you get there, you feel removed from the stresses and pressures of home. 

 

For the past few years, my greatest desire for the property was getting a hammock.  Laying under the trees with a book sounded like heaven.  Something about the cabin makes one oh so sleepy. 

 

On one of our first trips to Idaho, we came across this inexpensive hammock.  It was perfect for testing my theory of proper cabin relaxation.

 

 

I was right.  It was heaven. Sometimes.... I even share. :)

 

Here are few random pics of Collin.  Lex is always cornering Collin for fashion blog pictures.  This time it was Lex who was behind the lens. 

 

I also found this pic on the camera.  One of Lexie's favorite memories of the cabin is sitting around with Grandma Dopp and painting or working on some sort of craft or art project.  For a few years this sat on our table in our trailer.  Now I think it has found a more permanent home by the cabin.  We are so lucky to have our own private Garden of Eden.  Hopefully our early spring will last.  We can't wait to get back up to Idaho and open the place up for 2014.  Bring on summer!

2013 This is the Place...

Last summer we finally made it to This is the Place State Park, by Hogle Zoo.  I've wanted to take the kids ever since they were little, but.... I'm kinda cheap and that place is a bit pricey when you have a big family.  So.... I waited for the free day.  They have a few each year AND we were even given a ticket for free ice cream.  It is hard to beat FREE!

 

Even though summer around here is pretty dang warm, we braved the dust and heat and found our way to the park.  The kids liked the old houses, petting zoo, the old school house, tee-pee, pioneer towns, and mercantile.  Can I just say once again, I'm so thankful I wasn't a pioneer.  Yes, I know... they didn't have things like pornography, illicit and easy to find drugs, as many social pressures, etc.  But.... they also didn't have great medication and simple things like microwaves and lotion.  I'm thankful I'm a 1973 girl.  Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he sent me to earth at this particular time. :)

 

 

Love this boy.  He is challenged.  For him, every day life is a dichotomy.  He wants to go on outings, but they are challenging.  Outings include lots of people, lots of walking, heat, having to endure siblings for an extended length of time, and so much more.  Life would be easier if we didn't have to do anything and we stayed in pajamas all day.  Some days, I totally agree with him. 

 

 

This picture is so great.  Look how patient he is letting "sister" (love that nick name) kiss him.  This was a good day.  On other days, that would elicit a HUGE ole melt down.

I love all my kids.  Each one is unique.  While the family adapts and finds ways to make peace with Jackson and his constant need for accommodation, they each should be recognized for what they bring to our family.  Alexis is our fashionista with an old soul and caring heart.  While she lives for social opportunities and events, she also values our family and the relationships we're building each day.  I love that some days she'll choose hanging out with me over friends.  How many 15 year old girls will do that? :)

 

Collin is our gentle soul.  While he loves to tease and be a times, a pestering brother to Izzy, he also is sensitive, quiet, and introspective.  He LOVES hanging with his dad, listening to adult conversations, and watching out for our family members.  I can always count on Collin to be helpful, polite, and thoughtful.  Even though he hates to clean his room, we always know that he loves us and would rather spend time with us than friends.

 

Izzy Busy..... what a cherubic end to our family.  My heart hurts for this little one.  She will never have little siblings to hold, but she'll be blessed in other ways.  The other kids are a little jealous of the opportunities she'll have in life because of her placement.  They already talk about their childhood vs hers. :)  Even though she is the first one to give hugs, she also inherited Lexie's swag and sass.  She may be little, but we already know she is mighty.

 

 



 

We have fun adventures.  The only sad part.... dad is at work.  We're grateful that his efforts make our lives possible!  We love ya, Dad!

My Drunken Kids....

We (the kids) seem to take a lot of pictures.  These are just a few of the beauties I found on the camera when I downloaded pictures.  That's a root beer bottle folks.  Imagine what kind a pictures I would find if it were the real thing. :)

2013 Last Day of School

When the last day of school hits, it is always astonishing to look back and see how quickly the year has passed.  The 2012-13 school year was no exception.  Here is a peek back at the kids on the last day of school.

Izzy and Collin had grown so much.  They would both beg to differ.  Most likely they will always be one of the smallest in their classes.  I often tell them being small is not always a bad thing.  After all, you usually get to sit on the front row on picture day.  That is a perk. :)  Then, when you are looking back at your class pictures ages from now, you'll be easy to spot. :) 

Izzy finished 1st grade, Collin finished 3rd.  Yes, Izzy's shorts are kinda short.  It was the last day.  What are they going to do, send her home.  Some days it is all about what clothes are clean.  Ya know? :)  I'm not sure why Col chose jeans.  Boy how things change.  Last year he wouldn't wear shorts.  This year I have to remind him it is snowing and that shorts aren't appropriate. :)  I sure love that boy.

 

 

 

 

This was a big day for Jackson.  He finished 6th grade and completed his time at Sam Morgan Elementary.  It was a bitter sweet.  Even though we are so grateful for his progress and success, we knew the end of elementary would bring a whole new element of challenges to his life.  Junior High can be brutal for any kid.  Add in disabilities, curriculum, anxiety, locker combinations, A / B Day schedules, gym, insane lunch rooms, etc., and you have one nervous mama.

 

 

After getting all the kids out the door and on the bus, I headed down to the Jr. High to watch Lexie.  It was her last day of 9th grade and her last day as a Fairfield Cheerleader.  The squad was performing in the final assembly and I didn't want to miss it.  They did a great job on their dance and their stunting.  The squad endured several challenges during the year.  As I watched them perform together this final time, I couldn't help but feel proud of them.  When they started, they were such a young, fresh team.  Many of the girls had never stunted before.  The final assemble was so fun to watch.  I hope the girls were proud of themselves for coming together to form a strong team.

 

 

 

Ryan picked up a little treat for the kids and left it for them on the dining table.  It was a fun surprise for them to find when they came home.  Ryan is a great dad.  He is always looking for ways to surprise and connect with the kids.  We are so lucky.

 

After stopping at the Jr. High, I headed back to the elementary for Jackson's 6th grade graduation program.  Ryan was already there as we had to divide and conquer to be able to hit all the kids' programs.  He recorded the first part of Jackson's program for me so I wouldn't miss a thing.

 

 

Jackson receiving his diploma from the principal and his teacher.

 

 

 

Jackson's teacher, Mrs. Chesley.

 

 

 

After his program, Ryan and I took J to our favorite local frozen yogurt shop to celebrate.  See that smile?  Those are kinda rare so when you see one, you know it is the real deal.  We are so proud of him for completing this milestone in his life.  Even though he has many challenges, he works hard every day to keep all the balls in the air and function as best he can.  Way to go.  You will always be our little J-Bird.

 

 

After frozen yogurt, it was back to the Jr. High to pick up Lex and her friends.  The school descended upon K-town fast food establishments and eateries.  It was fun to drive her crew around and see all her friends one more time.  Sophomore year was going to bring big changes for these kids.  Sadly, they would be split between two local high schools.  Even though they are great friends now, life happens, and some of those friendships will fade.  As they exited the car one last time, they waved and said, "Thanks for the ride, Mama Dopp! (their fav nick name for me and my big, white Denali)".  I hope the kids' paths will continue to cross.  They all have such bright futures ahead of them.

 

Next up.... SUMMER!