My Bucket List

While I don't plan on leaving this earth any time soon,  one of the things I have always wanted to do is ride in a hot air balloon. The area we live in has several balloonists who take advantage of beautiful days like today! We happen to live in a path that they frequently fly, so our very own back yard is a prime spot for watching as they glide through the sky.

Mike, the kids and I, stood in the front yard and waved as they passed us by...

The Giving Tree

Mason agreed, with a small amount of coaxing from mom, to be the tree from one of our favorites, The Giving Tree in our book character parade at school yesterday. My third grade team chose to represent the classic Charlotte's Web, and by default, I was chosen to be Templeton, the rat.

For the love of the game

Am I a lover of football? Do I rush home from church on Sundays to watch the afternoon game? Do I wear jerseys representative of my favorite teams? Do I predict scores and scream at the referees? Does the anticipation of sitting in the bleachers on a cold, rainy Friday night excite me? Is being married to a football coach definitive of my favorite pass time? Do I eat, sleep, and breathe football for the love of the game?



No, no, no, no, no, no, and no....BUT!

Am I a mother who loves and supports her son? Do I get a rush of pride when I hear his name called over the loud speaker after a great play? Is it thrilling to sit with other mothers who are cheering for the success of their children? Do I appreciate seeing the bond between a child and his father that most kids never know? Is it enjoyable to watch my daughters yell with the cheerleaders? Is wrapping up in quilts with my youngest son, and sipping hot chocolate my idea of a warm night? Am I grateful to be married to a man whose career is based upon shaping the character of our youth? Do I eat, sleep, and breathe football for the love of my family?


Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!!!!

Mitchell is #89

 

 

 

This picture of Mitchell nearly made me cry when I saw it. He looks like a man, no longer the little boy I have raised and loved for the short time he has been mine. All too soon, age will define him as the man I see in this photograph.

Mike and his team of young Spartans

 Coach Anthony doing what he does best...

Making things simpler...

I have decided that covering my gray hair with blond highlights is too much work! So it is back to the brown of my youth (minus the gray!)...at least for the winter! :)

Playing Dress Up

 Never too old to try on Momma's dress...

I was given this as a keepsake, and have cherished it since the moment it was mine. While going through some items I'd packed for our last move, I came across my mother's wedding dress.Tucked neatly in a box, holding memories from a time long ago...I pulled it gently from its corner and held it up to my frame. Feeling like a young girl again, a rush of spontaneity overcame me. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the mirror, admiring the simplicity and elegance of this beautiful, white gown.

While for some women, the glitz and glam of ruffles, sequins, satin, and frill are required. My mother needed very little, because she was the most beautiful thing in the room for the occasion. I regret that I didn't wear her gown on my own wedding day. It is interesting how perspective can change the way you view things when you grow older, looking back on the things that truly matter. I am grateful to have a piece of her history that I can share with my own daughters (who happened to have been the ones taking my picture!). McKenna even asked..."Do think Poppy would mind if I wore it when I get married?"

Bring On The Vampires!

Want my blood? Come get it! You couldn't leave me any worse than I was left yesterday after having it drawn for routine blood work! OUCH....