Fishing vs. Football

 Right before football season started in the summer of 2022, Nick's junior year, Nick made the decision not to play football.  I wouldn't say it was that hard of a decision for him.  His heart has always been with fishing.  His friends, especially his best friend, Chase (who has his foot on Nick in this picture) were totally supportive of his decision.  They were sad they wouldn't play their last few years of high school together but understood Nick's decision.  The football players are having a great season.  This picture was taken yesterday at the play off game (which they won!).  Just as the boys were supportive of Nick's decision not to play football, Nick is supportive of his boys also.  He was their water boy for the game.  I asked Nick the other night if he had any regrets about not playing football.  He didn't hesitate with a strong No.  He has loved fishing competitively these last two years.  Neither of us could have predicted how successful our new fishing team would be.  It's opened doors of opportunity for Nick and I have no doubt Nick will continue to coach and mentor anglers after graduation.  As far as football goes, the boys advance to their second round of play offs next weekend.  Best of luck to them!  It's wonderful to see them win. 

Midwest fall weekends are the best

I always say that there is no comparison to the summers and falls in Illinois.  They are pretty much perfection.  The springs and winters, not so much.  Summer and fall seem to carry me through the dull drums of winter and spring.  Nick started his weekend catching this monster.  The biggest bass he's ever caught.  Sadly it wasn't for a tournament but still exciting.  He finished his last fall tournament of his senior year yesterday.  He'll fish again in the spring.  It will be nice to have him home a little more over the next few months. That being said Nick doesn't let any grass grow under his feet.  He's up at 4am every morning to go to work.  He works until school starts then he attends school and after school he goes right back to work for another few hours.  The kid is a beast. 

Sweet Shannon and I at church yesterday.  Mike and I started attending a new church and I love it!  I have a mind set of "never miss a sunday" attitude.  Shannon has a pastoral leadership role and I'm so proud of her.  She is sure using her God given talents and blessing others through her kingdom work. 

 As part of my effort to be more intentional and plan my weekends better I bought symphony tickets for Mike and I.  This is us before we left for our fun night.  I bought the tickets knowing it was really more Mike's thing.  I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. so much so that it's something I'd gladly attend again.  It was a really nice evening with my sweet husband.  

Jay

 Once upon a time I used this blog to write about the crazy things my boys did.  They continue to entertain me, just in a different way.  I laugh way more with them these days, rather than trying to keep two steps ahead of them.  I don't blog much about Jay because he's an adult.  I try to respect his privacy.  When Jay graduated from H.S. in 2020 I could not have predicted how our relationship would evolve and how precious these past three years have been.  The truth is I've had to work harder at my relationship with Jay.  I'll just be honest my relationship with Nick comes more naturally.  That being said the Lord assured me when Jay was 13 that He had him.  I'm well aware that the Lord has Nick too but God knew I needed to hear it directly from Him about Jay.  I've worried more about Jay.  It's taken Jay longer to get comfortable in his own skin.  When Jay moved out in 2021 Mike predicted he would be back and sure enough three months later he was.  Mike said our boy just needed more time on the runway.  Fast forward to now and Jay is ready to take flight.  He is in the career he wanted to be in since he was a kid.  He's making decent money.  He has a good group of friends and God willing he plans on purchasing his first home in the next year.  The picture of Jay and Walker is from this week.  Most nights I crawl into bed early.  I mindlessly scroll on my phone or read.  Often Jay will come chat with me.  He has no idea how much I have enjoyed this time with him.  I don't make a big deal out of it with Jay in fear of jinxing it.  He'll invite Walker up on the bed with us and Jay will show me tik tok videos of recipes he wants to try.  I'll occassionally ask him a question or two.   Sometimes he'll share a work story.  We pet Walker and laugh about things he does.  Mostly I just enjoy Jay's presence.    

Mike's Visit

Mike is in town this week for work.  He came out last night for dinner.  We had such a nice time catching up with him.  Both boys were able to be home.  Many laughs were shared.  The true beauty of good friends, who are like family, is the ability to pick up right where you left off.  I thank God for the 30 plus years of friendship we've had with the Ausili's.  It's a rare treasure.  

 

My weekend

These days I am trying to be more intentional in how I spend my time.  During the day I am alone from about 6am until at least 5pm.  It's a lot of solitude.  Any opportunity I have to get out in the evenings with my friends I take advantage of.  On Thursday night me, Betsy and Laura made fall pots together.  

On Friday morning I drove out to school to take pictures of Nick making breakfast out in the parking lot.  Nick started this tradition last year and I love that the kids get to do this.  They set up their grill on the mornings of home football games and make breakfast.  I got Nick this apron which he plans on signing and passing down to the next class to keep the tradition going.  

 Sweet Lauren. Also on Friday I took the afternoon off and took my mom to her preop appointment for her upcoming eye surgery.  After the appointment we went out to my house for a light dinner and cocktails.  Cole made himself comfortable on Lauren's lap.  

The rest of my weekend was relatively quiet.  Mary, John and Erin came out for dinner on Saturday night and this morning I went to church.  The weather wasn't great and the crispness in the air is just a reminder that winter is coming.  

Lauren's Freshman Hoco

 My sweet niece is going to her first homecoming tonight.  I did her nails and got to chat with the girls for a bit while they got ready.  I loved it but let's just say it's an entirely differernt experience than with boys.  Actually with boys there is no experience.  They throw on their clothes and you snap a couple of pictures as they complain and call it a night.  I loved being able to spend time with Lauren, Kim and Lauren's friends.  What a fun time! 

The Last Time

 There have been a lot of things with my boys that ended up being the last time but at the time I had no idea it would be a last time for me or them.  Clear as mud?  Let me explain.  I have no memory of when the last time I read them a story before bed or gave them a bath.  If I'd known it would actually be the last time I'm positive I would have cherished and lingered in that present moment.  When Jay and Nick walked off the football fields their freshman and sophomore years I had no idea it would be the last time I would see them play.  When Jay walked out of school in March 2020 of his senior year I had no idea I would not get to see him graduate (thanks Covid!).  Nick went his what was his last homecoming last year.  He decided he didn't want to go this year and just like that my days of enjoying homecoming with my boys are over.  Yesterday Mike spent his entire day under Nick's truck.  Some of the time I'd find father and son together under the truck, discussing what needed to be done.  I joked with Mike that one day there will be a last time of being under a truck with his son.  Mike joked that would be a good thing.  This morning I spontaneously took my mom to church.  She was thrilled.  One day there will be a last time for that too.  What's my point in all this?  Enjoy and live each moment because you never know when that last time will be.