Family Pictures

We had a Norris Family reuninons this summer to celebrate Tim's parents 5-th wedding anniversary.  After spending part of the week at a Dude Ranch in southern Utah.  We returned North and had family pictures taken.
The whole gang...

The kids with Grandma and Grandpa

Tim with his parents and 3 siblings.

Our Family.

October

Where did October go???
Oh ya.  It went here.

Kayleen has been involved in the Musical at the Middle School.  They are doing The Little Mermaid.  She is a sea creature and a lagoon animal.  We spent a good share of fall recess creating costumes for a fish and a frog.

Jarom is in the Musical at his High School.  They are doing the Will Rogers Follies.  It is a always a huge production which requires a lot of practice time. And not enough time for homework. 

Robby is doing swim team this year.  At the end of the month they started morning practices.  So he leaves at 5:15 in the morning and comes home after afternoon practice at about 5:15 in the evening.

Spencer, currently just gets to come home and hang out (and be available for whatever I call and ask him to do!).

I drive.  Mornings, afternoons and evenings.  Someone always need to go somewhere.  It's always crazy and insane.  But.  I have to say that I am proud of my kids and all that they are doing.  They don't get their willingness to put themselves out there from me!  

Murder and Mystery

I decided that this was probably my last chance to throw Jarom a big party for his birthday.  We decided to do a Murder Mystery and to make it a Masquerade party.  Jarom created the guest list and invited 32 kids.  Yep. 32.  And they almost all came.
Luckily the weather held, and our plans to hold it outside were successful.  I loved that the kids all got into their parts and came with masks and ready to participate. It was fun to watch.  I laugh, because the instructions said that the host would be able to participate.  I chose to just host, and it's a good thing!  It was busy just keeping things going!  Three rounds, with appetizer, dinner and dessert and finally the murderer was revealed.  He kind of let it slip before we got through the confessions, but it was still good.  The movie (Sherlock Holmes, of course) was a little. but all in all I think it was a fin night.  Certainly Memorable!

Just a few pics....

Happy 18!

I have an adult child.  I've been telling myself all week - or actually months, trying to get used to it.  And now it is here and real.  Despite the emotional toll that this is taking on me, I have to admit, that I am grateful and amazed to have such an amazing.
Jarom is...
thoughtful, caring, conscientious, courteous, smart, sensitive, strong, diligent, and handsome.
No bias here!  I am truly in awe of the young man that he is and the potential I see for him in the future.

Happy Birthday!  I love you!

Homecoming

I think that the point of a child's senior year is to get their mother's used to not seeing their child as much.

That being said, it was homecoming this week at Hillcrest.  Although I got to help a little with some of the behind the scenes, all of the day's events took place over closer to the high school.  Luckily Jarom took lots of pictures.

They had lots of fun, starting with Moses asking the girls in choir class, the girls answering with a bazillion sticky notes, camera hide and seek, dinner, dancing and a movie.

I can't believe how grown up he looks!

Back to School Night... Identity Crisis

Wednesday was back to school night at my school.  For the last how many years, I've attended the opening with the teachers, and then have branched off and attended my kids teachers knowing that I was in the building and the office would let me know if there were any parents that wanted to see me.  I don't usually get very many parents that come to see me on Back to School Night.

This year, of course, I don't have any kids of my own at the building.  I stayed busying working on schedules, helping out with questions, and talking to some of the great parents that came by to see me, but felt a little nostalgic.  For years I have been Robby's mom, or Spencer's mom, or Kayleen's mom, and I feel a little lost being "only" the "speech teacher" this year!  Empty nester feeling at school!

Luckily, Jarom's choir kids like to call me "Mama Norris"....

Thank Goodness for 3 day weekends...

Life with 4 teens.

Crazy.

Everyday after school someone has somethings and I'm not quite sure how to split myself into different pieces so that I can get everyone where they need to go and where I am supposed to be!  Monday was a nice labor day.  The van didn't leave the garage once!!

This week...
Tuesday - Jarom -  auditions
Wednesday - Kayleen - audition workshop, Spencer - Cubs, Me - Back to School Night
Thursday - Me - Dentist, Jarom - pick up, Robby - Swim mtg, Kids and Tim - Temple, Me - Financial Aid Mtg.
Saturday - Brigham City.

The biggest drawback that I can see is that by 8pm I'm exhausted and no longer in any mood to be social.  Just want to sleep so that I can get up at 4:45 and start again...