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Friday, July 25, 2014

Graduation...

I had this typed and was planning to post it with Evan's Graduation Posts...but I forgot!
This is a letter I wrote to my son approaching his high school graduation...I love you so much Evan! 


Dear Evan,
Proud does not even begin to describe the way I feel!  From the moment your dad and I got married, all I ever wanted in life was to be a mom.  God gave us such an amazing blessing when He blessed us with you.  When you were born and struggled with your health those first 13 days in the NICU, I was terrified.  I hated that I couldn’t be with you every moment of every day.  I felt that I couldn’t smile or be happy until I knew you were going to be ok.  I couldn’t stop crying or praying for you.  I remember making one of my daily phone calls to check on you before I came to visit, and the nurse said, “Hold on, I can’t find him.”  Um, that’s not what a new momma wants to hear!  Frantic, I waited on the phone until she came back and said, “Congratulations! He’s moved out of NICU and into Intermediate Care!” I was so happy you were doing better!  You finally came home on that 13th day and you were a joy ever since.  You never cried.  You were so pleasant.  Everyone thought you were perfect.  You have never given us a minute of worry or trouble.  We have always known we could trust you to make wise, solid decisions.  You have good friends.  You don’t question dad and me (even though you may not always like what we say or do).  You always obey and are respectful…not only us, but other adults, teachers, church staff, parents, neighbors…everyone has always commented on your kindness and fine example that you set for others.  I know that life hasn’t 

always been easy for you.  You have had your share of physical setbacks, yet you still don’t complain.  You do what you’re supposed to in order to overcome those setbacks.  School hasn’t always been easy with some of the difficulties you’ve endured.  Yet you have maintained AWESOME grades, being on the honor roll, and even earning academic scholarships!  Many times, I have told my friends that I want to be just like you because you are my example.  You are kind to everyone, you don’t judge anyone, you stand up for the underdog, and you always stand for what’s right.  You don’t put up with bad language, gossip, or 


bullying.  The awesome thing is…people think you’re so quiet…but the reality is, you don’t let ANYTHING “wrong” continue.  You are quick to step in and speak up.  Don’t think that because you’re shy or quiet that people don’t notice that.  They do.  I’ve gotten many notes from teachers who notice those little things!  You and your brother may have your “spats”, but I have seen you and Nate tells me little things.  I know that you are quick to defend him and watch over him.  I have to admit, I’m glad you chose to stay at home (at least this year) and go to college close by.  I don’t know if “I” am ready for you to leave!  I know that day will come, and I know you will do fine.  But I know that I will cry my eyes out when that day does come.  I look back at all of the fun times we had when you were little.  You and I had some good times, just the two of us (when dad worked 2nd shift, before Nate was born).  We’d go to D&W for salt bagels.  We’d get cinnamon almonds at the mall (remember chipmunk cheeks?).  We’d go shopping and get cheese fries.  Hmm, funny how all of our fun times revolve around food, eh?  Haha!  Sometimes I wonder how you turned out so awesome because I am such a scatterbrain of a person.  You are not only smart, but wise.  You are truly a “good” person.  You have friends of all different backgrounds.  You help people and animals.  You are fun to be around.  You have an awesome sense of humor (though corny, which probably comes from Papa, haha!).  You are a handsome young man.  You will go far in life.  Keep God first, family second.  Never give up.  Do your best.  And I will always be here for you, no matter what.  I love you more than you’ll ever know.
Momma

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Celebrate your "NOW"!



Middle age...

I recently read a story that a friend shared on Facebook.
It was a blog post someone wrote about that "middle" phase of life.
It got me to thinking...

Many people dread this stage of life.
They look at it with sadness.

Many are sad they can no longer have babies.
Many are sad they don't have young children anymore.
Many are sad the "nest is emptying".

True enough...
I have no cute baby photos to post anymore.
I have no silly toddler stories to share.
I'm not included in the latest "mommy conversation" about field trips, remedies for fevers, or cool toys.
{My Evan}

{My Nate}

What I do have is...
Some awesome pictures of my teenagers...
Receiving awards, graduating, parties, and more!

 
{Evan's high school graduation}

{Nate's Champion Chix Award}

I am excited.
I always have been.
I have never been the mom to say, "Oh, I miss the baby stage." or "I wish I could keep them little forever."
I enjoy every milestone and celebrate it!
From infancy to graduation...it's amazing!

Sad?
No way.
When we travel now, we don't have to plan our daily routine around naps, feedings, and bedtime.
Date night?  No problem.  The kids are old enough to stay home alone!
It's liberating, LOL!


Raising a family brings growth and change.
Change not only in your children but in YOUR life!
Embrace it!
Try something new!
A hobby, traveling, a career!
I am going back to school after 23 years and getting my teaching degree!
If all goes according to plan, I'll graduate college the same year my oldest son does!
I'll be starting a new career as my youngest son ends his high school career and begins college!

Scary?  A little.
Exciting?  YOU BET!

Will I miss my kids when they move out on their own and start careers and families?
Sure.
That will be hard for me.
But that just means the next stage of life...daughter-in-laws and grandbabies!

Live your life celebrating your NOW...not wishing for your past.
Make plans and...
CELEBRATE!

 
 

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island July 2014

 We started our trip off for an overnight stay in Mackinaw City.
We like to do this so we can relax after the drive up and get up and catch the first ferry without rushing.  We always go to the beach and play in the water/sand.  This year it was really chilly in the water.  I stayed on the beach which was really nice.
The boys always like going down to "rock beach" over by the Mighty Mac (bridge) and skipping stones.



 The seagulls are crazy.

 My three guys at the lighthouse.

 My happy little family in front of the Mackinac Bridge.
...and a happy little family of ducks!
We have to stop for ice cream at Mickey's.  They have the most giant ice cream cones for the best prices!
 Fun in the sun on the beach!
 The next day we headed over to the Island.
The weather was crazy chilly for July.
I wore a jacket most of the time we were here!
But we still managed to get ice cream at Sadies at the Grand Hotel!
 Lilacs!
I was sooooo incredibly happy there were still lilacs in bloom!
My favorite flower in the world!
I am convinced that heaven smells like lilacs.
I could sniff them all day!
 Silly selfies at Arch Rock stairwell!
We were so happy the new stairwell was complete at Arch Rock after being rebuilt for the past 3 years!
 People always ask us, "Don't you ever get tired of going to Mackinac Island?"
NO!
I think the reason people ask, is because most people think there's nothing past the first block of touristy shops on Main Street.
We always manage to find something new each time we go.
This time we found the "Crack In The Island".
It is so cool!
Here's my three guys guys standing thigh deep in it.
 We're loving the new Coke bottles.
We found one with our last name on it at Doud's Market!
 Another new place we discovered this time was "Cave of the Woods".
It was a neat little cave hidden off on a trail we'd never discovered until this trip!

 The flowers in the summer time at Mackinac are amazing.
 Point Lookout...with Sugarloaf in the background.
 We stayed at the Murray Hotel this time and they leave "bedtime cookies" in your room each night!
 They also make amazing donuts that we like to get for breakfast.
 We walked up to Fort Holms one day and there were some beautiful wildflowers.
 These are planted in front of tons of the hotels and inns and are so beautiful and smell amazing!
 My three guys overlooking Sugarloaf!
 Nate always likes to try his luck at the arcade.  He's awesome at the skill crane game.  So much so, that we've named him the "crane master".  He won all three of these animals in 2 tries!
 We went biking one day and stopped off at Turtle Park.  This guy (spider) was in the restroom with me!  Eeeek!  There were also three snakes along our trek that we came across!  One dead and two alive!
We stopped off at the Cannon Ball for fried pickles along our bike ride.  Ya can't go to British Landing and not stop there for fried pickles!
 July 4th manicure!
 The flag at Fort Mackinac is so huge...and beautiful!
 Nate and I...selfies at Ft. Mackinac on July 4th.
 The small Mackinac Island "parade" on the 4th.  Pretty cool to watch.
 Me and my babes at the Fort on picnic day!
 Jam and the boys.
 We spent all day at the Fort Mackinac and attended the All American Picnic put on by the Grand Hotel.  It's a lovely bar-b-que picnic, 38 gun salute, cannon firing, soldiers and ladies in period costumes, games, and dancing...a lovely affair.
Afterward, we went on the Shepler's Fireworks Cruise out on Lake Huron.
They take you under the bridge and then out in the middle of the lake for the fireworks show.  We always wear glow bracelets each year!
 Another giant spider who followed us on our walk today.
 We took games along and played either Uno or Bananagrams each night.
Forget the t-shirts...for my souvenirs, I got new cookie cutters and cupcake pins/magnets!
We had a wonderful trip and I can't wait to come back!
I'm hoping we'll be able to make it back in August like we usually do.
There's something magical about Mackinac...and it will always hold a special place in our hearts!