I have a preschooler!!!!! WTF! LOL!

Madison River Linn started preschool today. They asked the parents to come on the first day to go over the calendar for the year, policies, field trips, etc. Madi was in a different room the whole time, but it really bothered her that Mom and Dad had to stay at school. She can't wait for Thursday when she gets to go ALL BY HERSELF! I'm not going to lie, I started tearing up several times while Miss Bobbi talked about the year. I didn't think I would be sad, but I am! So sad. I just can't believe that we are already here. So weird.

My Name is Doyle Doherty...

This last month has been really hard. REALLY HARD. My Grandma Doherty passed away on April 22nd. My mom, Aunt Rosie, and I were with her when she passed. It was a very sacred and spiritual experience, but it was also heart breaking. My Grandma is gone. I knew since the beginning of January that this day was going to come sooner rather than later. She just declined so fast. I feel like I didn't get to say goodbye to MY Grandma. The last couple of weeks of her life she barely communicated or even stayed awake long enough to get her attention. I'm grateful the time that I did have with her early this year when we could talk and laugh. When we could tell each other how much we loved each other. I think part of the reason that losing her is so hard, is that we have lost our last connection to Grandpa. It's almost like losing both of them at the same time. I miss him more desperately now than I have in years.

Until I was 11 years old I lived just down the street from her. I literally saw her everyday of my life until we moved to Carnation. When my Grandpa died just a few months after we moved, I became her traveling companion. Some of the best memories I have of her is in Hawaii. I really believe that is her heaven. Whenever I think of her now, I picture her there, on the beach.

Heavy Heart...

My friend Joie lost her little boy Lincoln yesterday afternoon. He just didn't wake up from his nap. I am completely devastated for her. My heart is broken. Lincoln was the sweetest little boy. He had a grin that lit up the room. He had eyes that looked into your soul. He was also special needs. He had just started to crawl. He was clapping. He was progressing. He brought joy into the lives of everyone around him. He oozed love. He was a fighter. His parents are perfect examples of unconditional love. They were completely obsessed with him and could not be prouder of his accomplishments. I am grateful for my testimony of life after death. I am grateful to know that Lincoln is in the loving arms of his Heavenly Father. I am grateful that he has been made whole through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I pray that Joie, Shane, and Jezelle will be comforted as they grieve and they will feel the love of everyone near and far.

Are you Santa?

Madi met my parent's neighbor Henley today. He has long white hair and a long white beard...some would say he is a hippy. Okay everyone says that. Anyway after a few minutes of staring at him and not saying a word she pops out with "Are you Santa?" to which he quickly replied "Well some people call me that." hahaha!

Taxes when you are 2.75 yo?!

Madi 'Mom, how come you don't work at my house anymore?'

Karen 'I work at Granny's house. She needs my help with taxes.'

Madi 'I need you to help me with my taxes puz they are so tricky.'

Crescendo

The other night I was trying to get Madison to stop talking and fall asleep.

She said 'But Mom I am doing Crescendo.'

'Crescendo?'

'Yay, I am making my voice get louder and louder. Little Einstein's taught me that.'

Thanks again Disney Junior for educating my daughter.

Mack the Moose

Troy met us at the airport last night with two dozen long stemmed roses and Mack the Moose. Mack is a 4.5 ft stuffed moose that Troy picked up yesterday for Madison. She decided to wait until she had a nights rest to name him, so first thing this morning he was dubbed Mack.