Homecoming!

Well we did it. We got this girl off to the Homecoming dance.  Last year she didn't want to go.  She didn't think it was something Freshman did.  Then her friends invited her to the pre-party.  I made her go.  She hung out for a bit and was sad that she didn't try to go (you had to buy tickets weeks in advance).  She didn't realize all of her friends were going and she missed out on getting all dressed up for fun.  

We shopped around and had a heck of a time finding a good dress.  And by "good" I mean "kept her bits and pieces covered while she danced".  

She heard about a little store downtown from some friends and hours before she was due at the dance we checked it out.  They had plenty of dresses to choose from and she quickly found a winner.  The sales staff were excellent, as proof of their superiority I submit the fact that I bought her two dresses, a pair of shoes, accessories for her hair and neck, a necklace for me and a bracelet for Adell.  Expert Sales Staff...

Lorien had her makeup done by her dear friend, Melanie.  Melanie is going to cosmetology school in January and already has makeup skills I will never posses.  

She looked so beautiful!  Did I mention how much I bawled after we finished dress shopping and I dropped her off to get her make up done ?  I cried like a baby.  I mean, it's not fair!  We have these babies and they grow up and do things like go to dances looking lovely!  I cannot stand it.  I don't know how I am going to do this with four more kids...forget about the fact that I have to do it two more times with Lorien alone!  It is not cool.  

I took Lorien up to a friend's house for a pre-party.  Earlier in the week Lorien told me that we might have to host the pre-party.  No big deal (really it was a huge deal).  Thankfully, that fell through when another friend volunteered her grandparent's house.  

Sydney, Lorien and Anna

Lorien and Grace

Lorien, Sydney, I don't know...Lorien help me out, and Grace

Ava and Lorien (Ava is another friend who homeschooled with Lorien that one year)

We had been getting some light rain when Lorien was out getting her make up on and I was taking Adell Halloween Costume shopping.  By the time the party was over it was raining CATS AND DOGS!  Thankfully, it was quite warm so it didn't stink too bad.  If it weren't for the fanciness of the party I think Lorien would have been out running around in the rain.  I helped shuttle kids from the party to the dance and then helped my friend, Rachel, set up for her post-dance-party.  It was a great night.  Lorien had a good time and I am so thankful that she had so many good friends.  I am also endlessly thankful for her friend's parents and grandparents who will host parties for these awesome kids.  Oh what a night!

**edit in December 2016**This day will always be memorable for me.  Not only did we send out first kid to Homecoming (including dress shopping which was fun and emotional) but we found out that the offer we put in on our house was accepted.  We are going to buy a house!