The Progression of Peg

And in the beginning, there was a porch, in a small town in Utah, and a mother
with her children all around.
The eldest of these children was a daughter named Peggy LaRee.

And there was a handsome father, who loved music, his beautiful wife, and all of his many children.
Peggy LaRee loved her father, and she especially loved to hear him sing.

These are the many children. It's hard to get lonely in a crowd like this.

When Peggy LaRee was 9 years old, the family moved to Arizona, where Peggy met Kalene.
They became best friends almost instantly.

They were still best friends many years later when they stood next to each other at their respective weddings.

And 40 years after they first met, they still have lunch together and share pictures of their grandchildren.

Peg grew up and became a singer in a rock n' roll band, fell hard for the drummer, married him, and became a Grimes.
23 years later, he married someone else, but she kept the name and the kids.
She got the better end of the deal.

This right here is Who got her through the divorce and every other ugly thing life has dealt her.
He is the center of her life.

And this right here is the better end of the deal.
Six fantastic kids with bows on their heads,
gathered around a cake they bought for their mother's 52nd birthday.
The cake said "Whatever, Mom" on it.
They knew just what Peg would want them to do with it...

This.

I am Peg, and these are my funny, creative, and amazing kids.
Kylie, Jeremy, Zach, Brecklyn, Ethan, and Sean.
They had a cake fight in my honor.
What is cooler than that?

This is my friend and soul sister of 25 years, Kathleen.
We travel, laugh a lot, and figure out the world together.
This was last year in Jerome, when we decided to spend the night in the haunted Grand Hotel.
On Friday the 13th. In a blizzard. It was a blast.

These are my two favorite cats, who sleep with me every night.

And these are couple of my Favorite Things.
Thing One and Thing Two join me on my 50th  birthday.

My favorite meal?? Not really, but I am a fairly devout Fan of Seuss.
You have perhaps noticed this from the pics thus far.

More of my favorite things. Horses, and anything blue.
And some things I really love,
In no particular order...

This motto to live by.

Seeing my mother holding my grandson, and hearing her say,
"He looks familiar."

My beautifully fashionable and perfect dog, Katie.
1995-2007

All the stuff I have thrown away since the divorce.

My dad's straight-leg Levi's from the '50's.

My youngest son, Sean, in his pre-school circus.
Photographed by his sister in a prize-winning shot.

With my daughter at her disastrous Vegas wedding.
It didn't last, but look what she got out of the deal...

These.
Dalton and Guy.
Adorable, feisty, and ever racing each other up the stairs.
One day Guy will win, and Dalton won't look so smug.

My amazing parents at their 50th wedding anniversary.
Still going strong, and still my biggest supporters.

And the thing I love the most.
Watching, listening, and cheering  for my kids as they
carry on the musical tradition.

I love this photo. I took it last month, of these wonderful birthday gifts, given to me by my daughter, Kylie.
I love it because it is evidence that my children pay attention and know what I love.
Fairy tales, Seussical rhyme, and a little bit of melting time.
Life is good from where I sit.