Here I Am

Wow! I didn't realize it's been so long since my last post, but I guess it has been. I need to catch up here and now that we are getting into fall, life slowing down a bit, here I am! 😊

Summer was great! We had a really great summer break this year. We decided to have a stay'cation, so no major vacation to be told about, but let me tell you we enjoyed every ounce of being home. We enjoyed the pool, our little town, and simply just being home! It was really nice! Colin was so fun this year! I took my workdays down to 2, so I got more time to be with him and I really enjoyed it. We enjoyed the golf cart, our little town, and having simple days by the pool. He was just so much fun! He's growing up and things are clicking more and more for him. His personality and humor bring so much joy to me. You can tell he's coming into himself and it's just the cutest to watch. Ethan started work at Provia and has now seen that there is more to the career he is choosing than staying on a golf course. Not that he wouldn't have enjoyed that, but he realized there is so much more to being a golf superintendent that he just was unsure after working at the course fulltime. Even though he didn't voice it, it was a trip to Salt Fork last spring that I realized we needed to pivot for him and funny how God works, because Provia fell in his lap. He's really enjoying it and it makes my momma heart happy to see him liking it so much. He's not a sports kid, but he loves to work and I think he might've found his place. Well, at least for now! Sometimes an atmosphere change can do wonders! 

Starting back to school for the boys went well, too. Ethan started his first year at BCC and is really liking his lab and being there all day. Again, that atmosphere thing has really been helping him! He loves being out of the IV building and just feels like he is finally on a path he can relate to. So, he's continuing to work at Provia and accomplishing the goals that he has set for himself. He has homecoming this weekend, so he's excited for that. Colin had a great start, too! The biggest thing for him was the bus change and that was just because I couldn't stand him being on that thing for an hour and a half in the afternoon. It was just too long, so we pivoted and now I pick him up every day. Let me tell you, that took a few days to get that down pat, but we eventually got it and now it's just his new normal. He's rode the bus since starting kindergarten, so he wasn't used to me being there after school and he had to get it in his routine for it to feel right, "get in the car" is what he does now and my heart is full again! Nothing more I'd rather do than be able to make these boys of mine lives simpler. Some think I'm crazy, but you know, I enjoy every ounce of it. I'm so proud of the life Brenton and I have created for ourselves, and I would change nothing! These boys are growing up fast, but you can't stop time, so I've learned to embrace it and never take any of it for granted. 💙

Enjoying the Moments

Last month, Colin turned 14! Another of those life moments of "holy crap, how did we get here?" He had the best time and it's fun to watch him celebrate now. He loves his birthday! It took us a few years to get to this point, but it's so sweet to watch him because he gets it. He still doesn't like big parties, so we just celebrate at home and it's perfect! I love this kid! He brings so much joy and each year it's a reminder of just how truly blessed we are.....

It's so hard to believe that summer break is now upon us, too! This school year has flown by! I know I say that every year, but wow just seems like we got started. I'm not complaining, because we are all ready to have a little downtime, just things are going so fast anymore is all. We have chosen to not go on a vacation this year and instead having a 'stay'cation. I'm pretty excited about it too! I wasn't feeling it this year, however, was willing to go if everyone else felt like it and slowly we all came to the same conclusion a few months ago. So, gonna try it and see how just being home is? I'm sure next year everyone will be ready to do something, but for now, we'll enjoy the pool and a few local things. Here's to a start to new memories for the Summer of '23.....

Life Is Happening

It's been a bit, but boy has life been happening at our house! We now have an official driver! We made it through all the drivers ed stuff this past winter, a long & expensive process, but he made it and did great w/ it! Ethan turned 16 & got his license last month, we got him a truck, and man is it weird seeing him drive off all on his own. Kind of surreal, honestly! How in the world did we get here already?!? It's good though and he's a really good driver, so that does help to keep my momma heart in check! Well, until both boys drive off together and then the tears start flowing! Yep, I'm that mom! LOL! It's been a good season though.... we had a great Christmas, Brenton turned 45, Colin is doing well, and we just celebrated Easter last week. Our winter was a good one and spring is starting off well! It's been a bit, so going to leave this post with a few pics to get up-to-date.....

The Passenger Seat Life

You know those conversations you had with folks about the "one day" stuff when your child is young and the response of "yeah, one day," all the while thinking, "it's ok, it's so far away!" Yep, I had those many times! For some reason, the "it's so far away" thought would always calm my heart for that moment, because it truly did feel so far away! However, I'm now realizing, it's just not the case anymore. The teenage jump was hard, but driving? Wow, this moment has hit me hard! 

Last week, Ethan hit the 6-month mark from his 15th birthday, which meant he could take his permit test! Yes, again, I had that same feeling 6 months ago that we had time, but when he asked LAST WEEK if he could take the test, I had to check the calendar to make sure it was true! OMG!!!! It took a minute for my heart to catch up to my head that it was true and indeed, he could take the test if he was ready. He spent the week studying and by Sunday, he passed the online test! It was official, he could literally be behind the wheel, with us for now of course, but he could operate the car nonetheless! I was so nervous for him, but he did awesome and passed all on his own! 

The next step, the BMV, to get everything else done to make it legal. Man, I got teary eyed there and I just couldn't hold back the emotion. Yes, the clerk noticed and helped me feel better, but man I was so sad, in good way, on the inside! Here we were, my first born who now stands 6'1'' and towers me, was filling out his own paperwork and smiling for his permit picture. I was so excited for him and as I wiped a tear, he came up beside me and gave me a side hug saying, "are you crying, it's ok mom!" And, you know what, it truly is! He's growing up and I'm reminded how awesome God is watching it! This child has my whole heart and I love being his mother! These moments, though bittersweet and a constant reminder of how time is flying, I wouldn't change any of it. I finally know what my mom felt when she had to stand back and let me grow up, too. It's hard, but fun all at the same time! I mean we parents know this is the natural progression of life, but it doesn't make it easier when it's your turn to face it! He's ready, regardless if I'm not, so I'm embracing the moment and enjoy watching him as he keeps spreading his wings and doing this growing up thing! Yeah, I'm not a big fan of it.....hahaha! Brenton and I have worked hard to build our little family and I'm so blessed to have a spouse who I rely on in these moments, because man I'm such a sap! Life is happening and I'm going to hang on tight to it, just in the passenger seat now.💗

This Growing Up Thing

And, so it is...another summer in the memory books! Wow, 3 months sure did go fast! It's funny, because we thought we had so much time this summer, with 3 full months off, but here we are school is back in session! UGH! I'm never ready, but to be completely honest, I do enjoy the routine that school brings our house. So, I am looking forward to having that back, but it's still the thought that more time has passed, I guess. I don't know, it's just going really, really fast!  

This year, we had a very successful 1st day with both. Probably the best, yet, especially for Colin! He was nervous, but man he rocked it! It's definitely showing that he's growing and adapting, which makes life easier! I'm trying my hardest to hold on for dear life to these boys, but man this growing up thing! LOL!

Sophomore Year

Ready to go

7th Grade

Off he goes