Family Photos

While listening to my three oldest in the car Friday night, I laughed so hard I literally couldn't catch my breath. They are wickedly funny, to say the least. Makenna suggested our family would make a hilarious reality show and I was overcome with a sudden and horrific feeling we could actually be living one.....and I am the only one without a script. 

The kids, for reasons even they don't understand have called me Sheryl Crow, or Sheryl for about a year now. They say it so often, I answer to it and their friends are understandably confused as to what they should be calling me. Makenna uses the hashtag, "typical Sheryl" on social media. Her friends say I am twitter famous. I have no idea what that means but apparently it is rather entertaining for the under 30 crowd.

Life in my world is anything but boring. These people who live with me exhaust me and amuse me. Family photos are a task only the strongest of souls should undertake and we are once again thrilled with Erika's talent and patience.The oldest three insisted on dressy family photos this time. I was happy to have their buy-in but added ice cream at the end of our session because I have to keep it less dignified in an effort to maintain truth in advertising.

#typical Sheryl

(Almost) Wordless Weekend

Sunset tonight because sometimes God shows off

I may or may not have swiped his bag of peanut M&M's. He came begging with his walker for some.

Kate was my travel buddy to see her Grandparents this weekend. She introduced Grandpa to Stack the States.

Friday night sleep-overs make it increasingly more difficult for me to find a spot to sleep in my own bed.

For the briefest moment on Friday morning, the sun shone. It was stunning.

Kate's Birthday Survey

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A police officer
What is the best part of your life? My family
What is the worst? Boys at school
Favorite food? Olive Garden salad
Favorite way to celebrate? Party
What is something you hope to achieve when you are eleven? Back handspring back tuck on the ground
What are you most proud of? Mastering all my math facts
Favorite music? Justin Bieber
Favorite book? Babysitter Club
Biggest fear? Someone breaking into our house
Biggest dream? Going to the Olympics
Best memory? Accomplishing my cherry drop by myself
Something you wish people knew about you? My last name is pronounced "Boffman"

Happy 11th Birthday Kate Ryan!

Thespian Banquet

In anticipation of this year's thespian banquet, Makenna fell in love with a pretty powder blue semi-formal dress at our favorite consignment store shortly after Christmas. She sweet talked and begged me to get it for several weeks. I felt it was over-priced, especially for a second-hand store. I finally spoke to the shop owner about the dress and she knocked a significant amount off the price so I was able to surprise Makenna with the dress of her dreams (for this moment in time anyway). It was nice to check something off the shopping list without any tears in fitting rooms so it was almost too good to be true.

About two months ago, Makenna made a commitment to start eating better and exercising in an attempt to reign in her migraines and feel stronger overall. As it turns out, she lost a fair amount of weight. Imagine everyone's surprise when she went to try on her dress the night before the event and discovered the dress no longer fit. We investigated every possible angle for quickly altering the dress while Makenna cried and I thought about the budget.

Thank you to Ms. Lewis for this photo 

We found ourselves shopping the day of the banquet for a replacement. Of course we did. Did I mention Erin's best friend was getting married that same day? It is always something around here.

But Makenna had been nominated for three awards and ran for the thespian board. Her evening was beautiful and successful; just like her.

A mom who ran the event was able to snap a few shots for me since the banquet was at the same time as the wedding. It's not easy being in two places at one time.

As Seen With My Phone

It is a ruff life around here.

Ava turned five months this week and has decided her swing is the enemy. I no longer have a contraption to entertain her when I can't hold her. It's awesome. Or not. There is a reason she is so cute.

Miss Anna. 

Layla has mastered sad puppy eyes. She really wanted up on my bed. 

At the end of a particularly long day, the cat got caught in a rain storm and the results had me literally doubled over laughing. Oliver was not as amused.

John Mellencamp went to Famous Hoosier Day at school.

A foggy sunrise this week left me a bit reflective on how I need to seek light and color when my life is chaotic.

Once my plate was empty, Levi worked his way across the table.

In her defense, "Get down" sounds a lot like "sit down".

Roger and a few of his adoring fans at the "I Do BBQ"

Horse or dog?

I asked for a photo when he elected to dress up for Carlyn's wedding rehearsal dinner.

Kate can't wait to get home from school to this sweet baby.

A few months ago AT&T determined the time had come for me to upgrade my six year old Blackberry and stopped servicing it. In their defense, they not only warned me repeatedly for over a year but they also reduced my monthly bill when I finally complied and selected a new phone. To say I was reluctant would be an understatement. But I really like my Samsung despite disappointing all teenagers everywhere who are only impressed if you own something with fruit on the back. Anyway, the camera is awesome and I love having it at my fingertips when something captures my attention. So thank you AT&T for pushing me out of my comfort zone. I don't hate this change after all.

Mother's Day Weekend

My nephew, Brennen was celebrated Friday evening for his outstanding student status with a ceremony at the local middle school. We made an overnight trip to join the festivities. My favorite moments were spent on the back patio reflecting on the days my big girls weren't so big.

Kate's 11th Birthday is coming up before we all get together again so a small celebration was in order.

Ty couldn't wait to give me the gifts he made at school so during a quiet moment Saturday night, he beamed with pride as I opened his gift. The coupon book was hilarious. He clearly had no say in the contents as big kisses and a foot rub were included. I know better than to expect those particular coupons to be valid as my little germ-a-phob isn't going to kiss anyone and most certainly will not be touching feet.

Makenna babysat while Greg and I went to The Home Depot for project supplies. Apparently we don't know how to go on any other kind of date. But we have a deck to refinish, a garden to plant and landscape to spruce up before the wedding. We know how to celebrate Mother's Day around here. In all honesty, it really was perfect.

Erin says only the best mom's get Kate Spade. I love my cheerful tea pot.

It was a great weekend.

Memories

As a project for Lauren, I have been going through all the journals I kept for the kids starting in the year 2000. I am pulling entries from each year and putting together one journal for her as a wedding gift. Memories from those years have been flooding back and I find myself recalling their sweet voices as I process through this project.

We've been gathering around the TV and watching old home videos during nap time the last few days because I need something to cry about, apparently. Throughout the old movies, I have learned a few things about myself. First, I am a bit thicker these days and second, I was so beyond naive in my early parenting years. It is difficult to read and listen to my arrogant, know-it-all younger self. I know why God sent me Kate and Ty. I needed to chill out already.

Seeing my babies as babies again has left me awestruck. We are so blessed to have each and every one of them. They really are remarkable. A few images have taken my breath and others have had me laughing until tears filled my eyes. Of course those tears are resting in the corners of my eyes quite a bit these days anyway. I still can't wrap my head around how quickly time has slipped through my fingers.

Just moments ago, a baby became a big sister and she was enamored. That baby sister is planning a wedding and I am still a little stunned to have arrived at this season already. The sibling dynamics captured in their early years proved to hold-out for the long haul. These girls could bicker with incredible skill but have always supported each other. Having Lauren request only her sisters as her attendants is proof of their chosen friendship.

So we are planning a wedding and all the details that pop up are being handled quickly as we really don't have the time to invest in decision making. As a result of the short time frame, we have accomplished a lot in the last week. My motto is, "it will be what it will be" and it's saving some sanity as I had very little to spare. My walks down memory lane have been bittersweet. Anne posted this video to Facebook today and I can't help but watch it repeatedly. The message is so simple, beautiful and timely.  

Our Family is Growing

The first time I met Taylor, he spent the day with us at a friend's farm. It was the first time in over two years I witnessed Lauren return to her free-spirited, happy self. She laughed, jumped into a creek, played with animals and never once concerned herself with what anyone thought of her. She was relaxed and comfortable. She was back from the dark cloud of the previous two years. I also noted the first time they hung out together outside of work with a group of friends, he let her drive his truck and I had a gut feeling there was something special about this boy.

When I was pregnant with Lauren, I walked around for a week dilated to 5 cm with irregular contractions. The moment Lauren was born, she literally busted into our lives without a doctor present and no warning other than 37 minutes of intense contractions. I should have known then who Lauren would prove to be. She sits on the fence about all major decisions until she makes up her mind and then everyone is hard-pressed to keep up with her fierce determination as she barrels through whatever action she determines must follow.

Keeping up with Lauren has never been for the faint of heart. She is a force to be reckoned with and we are delighted with Taylor who has navigated many storms with our spirited girl. He has been her confidant, companion and calming voice the last two years. We couldn't be happier to have him in her life and ours.

Last week Taylor made some major decisions in his life and enlisted in the Army. He is utilizing the training and education to pursue law enforcement with the federal government. His enlistment meant he and Lauren would be making some serious decisions about their future. The original plan was to have him complete four years of college and then get married. She would then follow him wherever his job required. The Army has moved up plans for this couple. Within a few days of the decision, they also decided to get married. Soon. So very soon.

We are planning a wedding and no one is more surprised than us, except perhaps his parents. We've run through a whole host of thoughts, concerns and tears but in the end, this is their decision and they have our support. Rather than have them run to the court house alone, a quiet ceremony for immediate family will be held in the back yard next month; the simplicity perfect for this young couple.