It's Official

Jason Graduating 8th grade

It is Official. I am finally at the age where I remember my parents were at once but actually remember it well. As of today I have a 9th,10th,11th and 12th grader~! Holy Smokes! I swear I am going to have to start taking some extra vitamins this year to keep going.

Giving a speech

Our youngest son Jason graduated 8th grade this weekend. I am so proud of him! Now we have four high schooler's and life will be as busy as ever. He really has grown up so much in this last year. His grades have been good, he has made a lot of new friends and smiles all the time. Its good for any parent to see.

Jason accepting his diploma

He had to do a speaking part and did an amazing job. We were all clapping and hollering as he got his diploma! All of us so proud of him! I was not only happy about him graduating but his best friends as well. I love seeing my friends children grow up and accomplish these milestones in their lives also. I have two amazing friends who have kids in Jason's class. We love to work together and also have fun together. These are Jason's BFF also so that really helps too. They are amazing people who support our family with such love.

Three moms with our... (Becky, Rae, Megan)

three great kids...(Jason, Reagan and Cooper)

I am thankful so many people love him. As you know we are a blended family. My oldest and youngest aren't biologically mine. They have a mom that lives 500 miles away who loves them. We have had Jackson full time since 8th grade and now Jason full time as of this year. Before we had them every second they weren't in school. Its an awesome feeling to have all four kids love one another so well. They have all been together as family for 7 years and don't see each other as anything but brothers and sisters. I know I maybe just the step-mom to some but to me they are just as much my kids as any others because I love them SO much. All four kids I feel the same about. Biological or not. Blood doesn't mean much to me in that way but my four kids do!

Jasons Biological Mom, Jason, Ryan and I

Ok, back to what I was saying. Jason is really loved. We were thankful that my dad and stepmom were able to come here. It was great seeing them. We also of course had my mother in law here Sally and then of course Jason's mom Theresa. Its pretty special to see three sides of family all supporting one kid and all with a smile on their face! He is one lucky kid. I know this isn't always the case for families but we all strive VERY hard to ALL be on the same page for the kids.

All of us together, Just missing Josh (he was sick)

Makes the kids much more stable and happy. I mean we are going to see each other every major event in their life so making the best of it is always the right choice in my mind. We all seem to do it rather well.

Collins Family and our fav MIL Grandma Sally

My Stepmom, Dad and Jason. So thankful they came love them.

After Graduation they have a dance and a celebration. Its pretty cool how the school works because all family is invited. It helps to have all the students have a party and have the whole school celebrate with them. We are so thankful to the school, their teachers and all those who helped them get to this milestone in their lives.

Another picture of Jason just because I love him so!

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My dad told me we might as well make this a family reunion time because starting next year for the next four years I will have someone graduating from High School! These four years are going to go by so fast. I just want life to slow down! I want all these precious moments with my four kids. I love them all so dearly and hate how life just seems to fly by so fast.

Our kiddos...Jason, Cassie and Jack (Josh was sick)

Its going to be an interesting summer. All the kids are going to their other parents house for a month. Its going to just be Ryan and I and the animals. I am happy they get to be with their other parents but I already miss them dearly! This month can go by fast....but the rest has to go slow....ok people! :)

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Teenage Driver

I have four teenagers and that freaks me out when it come to driving! Today though I have my first official Teenage Driver. Jackson got his license after having his permit for a year. He is our oldest and although we have two kids who are of age to drive only one is interested in it. Cassie doesn't even have her permit yet and says she isn't ready. So we are waiting.

I am freaked out thinking about driving! I know in away there is a relief of all the driving I have to do with four teenagers that he will be able to run to the store or take himself to a meeting but I am still freaking out. FREAKING OUT! LOL!!

I remember turning 16 and being so excited to drive. My parents let me drive to the corner store with my sister and I thought I was the coolest person in the world! The ENTIRE WORLD! All we did was go to the corner store, buy a soda and come home. I remember seeing my dad peeking out the window. Ryan and I aren't much different.

We live on this really long road. Its oh about 3 miles and you can see all the way down it before you turn on the main road to go to our town. Its pretty funny because we let Jackson drive to go and get celebratory pizza and there was Ryan and I looking in binoculars to make sure he wasn't speeding past the neighbors house at the end of those 3 miles. Sometimes I do crack me up!

It has been funny day. When Jackson was standing in line to get his license you could see the excitement in his face and the dread of "what if I don't pass" feeling. Then what happens? We left one of the papers at home that we needed. So we had to go all the way back and get it and get back to the DMV. I think that stressed him out more because now he was overthinking everything.

Finally we are back with everything and he gets to get in the car. Ryan and I wish him luck and he starts walking out. We hear the lady say, "Which car is yours?" and hear him reply, "The Ferrari at the end there". Mind you he is actually pointing to my Chevy Equinox. She quickly retorts, "Well put the top down and lets go cruising" LOL! I am glad he had someone who helped him get into a relaxed mood but really took her job seriously.

As Ryan and I waited you could tell we were anxious because we kept looking out the window and talking about how old we were now! Teenage drivers scare me. I think that is why we waited till he was more mature and 17. I knew though when he got back whether he passed or not he would try to say he didn't.

As he walked in and tried to look sad and said he didn't pass. I laughed and then he laughed. He couldn't lie to save his life. He passed!

He finished his paperwork and the lady told us all his provisions since he cant drive between the hours of 11pm to 5am and he cant have friends in the car for the first year or till he is 18 whichever one comes first. She told him that we can take his driving privileges away at anytime. He told her that he knew that because we had been telling him since the day he got his permit. :) We were pretty pleased too because she said he had gotten the top score of the year. Mind you its April too not Jan 3rd or something:)

So I have a teenage driver. I better get used to it because I have 3 more kids to go one after another. We are going to take this slow. I wanted him though to have the memory that I did on the day I got my license of being able to go out. I asked him how it felt and he said it was pretty awesome. I am sure it helped that he saw a friend or two in the store. He got his license. Still funny that he told his friends that he was going to a Dr appointment just in case he didn't pass. Yep...that's my kid. Just happy he is happy and got his license.