Jay's "better late than never" grad party

When Covid happened and everything shut down I knew we could not have a graduation party for Jay in May or June. It appears that until we have a vaccine Covid is here to stay.  We try to live as normal as possible which these days is challenging - given everything that is going on but yesterday was just a little slice of heaven.  For weeks leading up to Jay's party I didn't even think it would happen because nothing I've planned this year has come to fruition. I was cautiously optimistic the party would take place. Not only did it take place but we had beautiful weather.  It was hotter than you know what but no rain and if I had to pick I'd choose heat over rain any day. I could not have had this party without Mike. He set up tents, tables and chairs and helped me get the food ready (for once we didn't cook, we had it catered).

Mike has worked so hard on our backyard.  I tell the boys all the time we have a great yard to get married in (wink, wink).

Aunt Karen came with Uncle Kerry and Michelle and Jocelyn. I'm always so touched by her willingness to drive to all my family events. 

I stole this idea from Jay's friend, Ayden. His mother had displayed Ayden's pics on this wooden pallet.  It was super easy!

My girls! As always Jenny was missed. Sarah and Mary are such beautiful friends.

I love this group. We have known them since our boys were in elementary school.  It's our boys that cemented our friendships! 

We could not celebrate Jay without having Miss Christy. She wrote him the sweetest note in his card. Jay started going to Miss Christy's house when he was 2! Jay still talks about her sausage biscuits that she made him for breakfast.

Our neighbors! Laura and I have literally raised Savanah and Jay together. We took so many walks together wondering how on earth we were going to get them raised and stay sane at the same time. Through the grace of God we did it! Savanah is an outstanding young woman with a bright future and Jay aint bad himself - ha!

The boys! Jay has a unique group of friends. I've never seen a group of boys that has each others back as much as this group of boys. I enjoy each one of them and Jay is blessed to have them as friends.

I could not have done this party without my sister. Back in May when I was super depressed about Jay's senior year and all the festivities coming to an abrupt end she brightened my day by putting together a photo slide show and video for him. Then she helped me play his grad party, helped with the food and was great entertainment too - as only Kim can be! Even Jay's friends thought Aunt Mimi was pretty cool!

Uncle Mike brought mom out.  I was so thankful and so was mom.  It was so thoughtful of him to drive all that way to take his sister! Mom loved coming out and seeing everyone. God bless her though because it was blazing hot!! 

Nick is a detasseling fool these days.  It's been horrifically hot and because it's peak season he is working everyday, sometimes up to 10 hours per day. He comes home hot and smelly! But he hasn't complained....much. He just keeps thinking about the money! Last night he missed some of Jay's party but we were all there to greet him when he got home from another day in the field.

Jay's party was a success but as usual I got up this morning worrying that I didn't do this or didn't do that or I didn't get to talk to this person very long or I hugged that person and I shouldn't have (because of covid). The list of personal criticism was endless when finally what I believe was the Holy Spirit gave me a stern wake up call and reminded me to see the joy in the party and trust me there was a ton of joy! We laughed with our friends and family while we celebrated Jay. And given the uncertainty right now, Jay's party was the first thing in a long time that I had planned for and it actually took place!  That alone is something to celebrate. 
I'm exceptionally proud of Jay. He has a great work ethic, he's dependable, respectful and an easy kid to be around. Although his road right now looks a little blurry without a lot of direction I am confident that in time his road will be made clear and God will use Jay's talents!

Living his best life

Things are so uncertain during these days and everyday I am thankful to be in my home, working, and the health of my family. I feel my country slowly slipping away. It is good to see Nick doing normal things. Despite all the uncertainty, Nick is loving life. When our neighbors go out of town Nick feeds their goats and cattle. He loves it.  I sometimes go with him and enjoy watching him. He has named all the animals and talks to them like they are buddies. It's so funny! The picture above is Nick this morning at 5:30 a.m....notice his smile.  Yep, he really was that happy at the crack of dawn.

Nick started detasseling this morning. It has been a scorcher these days too. 90 plus degree heat. When he got home today he said it wasn't that bad - no complaints. 

And on top of everything else he started football last week.  He has 3 hour nightly practices.  We just got notice today that masks have to be worn now during practice. I can't even wrap my head around that but I trust the coaches and that demand didn't come from them but from IHSA.

We are living during a time that we're right on the edge. I pray to God He has mercy on us. And that the way we have loved our families, worshipped, and worked, all freedoms we have enjoyed since this country was founded. We are not a perfect country but we are Americans and I pray our freedoms do not disappear, becoming a thing of the past - a past my children had a taste of but their children may never know.

July 4th weekend....2020

Happy Birthday, America! 2020 is a year like no other.  I'm sure historians could compare it to past years, like 1918, the year of the Spanish flu or due to the civil unrest there could be many similarities between the 1960's and today. There are so many things these days that leave me feeling sad, frustrated and uncertain. It's times like these where honestly I don't know how people who don't believe in God cope.  I read an article the other day from a journalist who said we and we alone must turn things around, that we as a people can do it, not God.  I wanted to scream....we are the ones who got us into this mess! We are not capable of fixing this disaster alone. It's only by God's grace, mercy and wisdom will we come out of it.  I pray next year at this time we are unified nation under God with our freedoms still intact.
Normally we have a shrimp boil every 4th but this year a few of the other parents had an out of state softball tournament so no shrimp boil this year.  Instead I am taking my mom (and Nick) to my uncle's house to watch the fireworks!  It will be a great day to spend with family.