August meetings

 Eight years ago I took a big leap of faith.  I quit my 16 year job that I had gotten when I was in college.  At the time there were a few people who thought I was nuts.  My sweet grandmother was one of them.  I desperately wanted to work from home.  I was confident I was doing the right thing.  It was a door God opened for me and I walked through it.  I have never looked back.  When I made the bold decision I knew God was orchestrating it.  He protected me for what was to come.  My entire department ended up losing their jobs or being forced to take different jobs.  Mike, who also worked for the same company at the time, lost his job.  I remember hearing about all this from the comfort of my basement office.  I started this job when Nick was in kindergarten and Jay was entering 4th grade.  I've been able to be present for them.  It relieved a lot of stress for me - no more commuting and flexibility to attend their school functions.  God is good.  My department has changed people over the last few years but we have one awesome group.  Wanda, our fearless leader, hired me eight years ago and since then her unit has only grown.  I'm very thankful!

 As usual August meetings did not disappoint.  Here I am with Brian and Nancy.  We were waiting for Keith Urban to perform.  I really like Keith Urban but I had no idea how excited I was to see him in concert until he came on stage!  I literally stood for the entire concert, dancing and singing.  I didn't care.  I was having fun!!

Until next time, Cincinnati!  So thankful for my group of co-workers and my job God blessed me with 8 years ago!

Senior and 8th grade

Last night it finally occurred to me I didn't post a first day of school picture and this is Jay's official last year of his first day of school!  Geesh!  It's been a busy couple of weeks.  School started on Aug. 14.  We've settled into our school schedule.  Jay has senioritis but seems to be doing well.  He isn't working but mows Nana's lawn every week and works for his landscape company when they need him.  Nick is tolerating school.  He still complains but it doing better.  He's playing football again this year!  Here's to a great year, boys!  Love you both bunches.

I'm tired

Mike and I are knee deep in the comings and goings of teenagers.  To all the young parents with babies, let me tell you how it really is.  Most of you are probably in your 30's.  For the first year of your baby's life you will get little to no sleep.  For me, some days it was a wonder I even remembered how to dress myself, let alone my boys!  Eventually you move on to raising toddlers.  More sleep comes during the toddler stage but not much.  When Jay and Nick stopped napping at age 2, I was devastated.  Then you hit elementary school and as far as the sleep department goes, it is bliss!  By elementary school your kids are much more self sufficient and after baths, teeth and a bedtime story, then it's fair game how you spend your time after that.  In general in our house Jay and Nick (in elementary school) were in bed at 9:00 pm and slept through the night.  I had no idea how good I had it.  It was a small window that was gone before I knew it.  I didn't have to track the boys on our smart phones, give them curfews or lay awake at night until they got home. Fast forward to our current situation.  Jay is 17 and going into his senior year and Nick is 13, entering 8th grade.  Nick is a social butterfly but he's still at the age that he's home and settled by 10pm!  Jay, on the other hand is a different story.  He has met a really nice girl and they are spending a lot of time together.  When they are at our house I feel it's important I stay awake.  I usually watch TV until she leaves to go home.  I admit that some nights Mike takes one for the team and stays awake until she goes home but most nights we yawn together on the couch, trying for all that is holy to stay awake.  We are "middle age" you know! This summer in particular it doesn't help Mike has literally worked the last 6 weeks without a day off!  And because we are middle age I find it is rare that I sleep much past 6:30 so most nights I run on about 6 hours of sleep.

I am encouraged by Rachel Hollis.  Her blog posts inspire me and motivate me except for one teeny little thing.  She says that it's vital we all get a good nights rest!  Well duh!  But seriously this woman does not have teenagers yet, nor is she 45!  I'm telling you your sleep goes to SH** when you have teenagers and you're pre-menopausal.  You literally come full circle from being up in the middle of the night with babies to staying awake (15 years later), waiting for your teenager to walk in the door at night.  When I hear Jay pull in our drive at night I literally exhale, close my eyes and thank Jesus for his safe return.  Mike would say that within 5 minutes I am snoring logs!  Yes, Mike gets even less sleep than I do!  Considering I have another teenager to contend with (who will be driving in 3 shorts years) I use my favorite verse from my childhood book, "I think I can.....I think I can....I think I can."

Jay's Ozark Adventure

 Jay's "boys," as he affectionately refers to them are really a cool group of boys in that they are tight knit.  Kaden's parent have a condo in the Ozarks so last weekend the six boys and Kaden's parents went to the Ozarks for the boys to have one last fun summer weekend together before they started their senior year.  It did not disappoint, except for one minor issue - a dislocated shoulder (see below).

 On Friday, their first full day Jay was tubing (see below) when he dislocated his shoulder - Ouch!  Kaden's mom took Jay to the ER and they popped it back in and then all was well.  Sadly, however, Jay could not return to his landscape job but thankfully he only lost 2 weeks of work.

Jay is the kid all the way to the left in the black jacket.  Truthfully as I look at this picture I wonder how Jay was the only one that dislocated a shoulder - ha!

Kaden's mom sent me this picture once Jay was all "fixed up and ready to go."  It was not a pleasant experience and now that he's back home he has to go to physical therapy which I think is kind of ridiculous.  In any case, Jay and his "boys" have a great weekend!  It was a weekend none of them will forget and will continue to laugh about in the years to come!  Senior year, watch out, because here they come!