Week Twenty-one

Kate kicked off the week in style. She and Hagan attended Prom. While they were out, Hagan's parents joined us for dinner. We've never developed a relationship with our daughters boyfriend's families because we have seen the consequences of too much involvement. However, our brief encounters up to this week have been enjoyable and we think we are all fairly level headed about high school relationships. Kate loves their family and it isn't difficult to see why. What the future holds for Kate and Hagan is well beyond my pay grade but I sense they will always at least be friends. He has been a pretty sweet first relationship. The fact they like spending time together with family is a perk I'm not taking for granted. 

Hair and makeup were a sister effort. Erin was there for entertainment purposes.

In other news, we bought Austin a sandbox. Although Diesel is quite certain it was meant for him. 

We have a family Life 360 account. I have notifications turned off and only use it when I can't get a hold of someone. Kate, on the other hand, uses it to ask where I'm going on the off chance I leave campus during the day. Who authorized this role change? Anyway, I always answer and laugh every time. Someone needs to be in charge around here and to be completely honest, I'm kinda tired anyway. 

This sweet face greets me most mornings. This on top of the tea Greg always delivers to my bedside makes for the best start to my days.

I wrapped up the school year hosting an Indy 500 race for all the students in our building. I was challenged to a race by a co-worker and knew I couldn't decline. Greg was less than thrilled when I told him I'd likely be injured before the end of the day but couldn't pass up on the challenge. I *just* got out of the boot so I saw his point. However my friend called in "sick". I'm guessing my athleticism scared her. Officially this means I win, right? I woke Wednesday with muscle aches in New places. It was the good kind of discomfort. It means I felt well enough to play. 

But can you play two games at once? #skills

Lauren, Austin and I ran errands Wednesday and it meant Austin entertained me while his momma shopped in peace. It was a pretty sweet trade. 

Her students colored her dress. It was adorable to see her kiddos showing their grown-ups what they drew for her. 

Miss Makenna graduated her first class of students with the cutest song, poem and Snoop Dog affirmation. Eighteen little people are kindergarten ready and she is almost ready to let them. Almost.

Today Austin and I cleaned the house in anticipation of a relaxing weekend on the deck. One of us was more efficient than the other but he makes up for it with enthusiasm. His trusty sidekick is just about as helpful. 

Week Twenty

Austin loves surprises and could not wait to decorate the house for Aunt Kate's birthday while she was at school. 

Hagan's family joined us for Kate's birthday dinner. We loved exchanging stories and laughing together. The fact this is what Hagan and Kate also wanted for their prom dinner says a lot about how much they like being around all of us. PS. The moms collectively decided they needed to go to dinner with friends on their prom night.

Her graduation theme is, "she's ready to soar" and the birthday bracelet landed at the perfect time.

She's becoming a regular country concert groupie. This one was a couple of song writers explaining the back story to songs they've written and then performing them. She loved the low-key pace and atmosphere.

This week we celebrated a milestone birthday for Kate. How on earth she is eighteen is beyond me. I guess I blinked. We had a date for a photo, lunch and shopping together Saturday to connect and catch up on all the big life moments she is processing right now. She has prom this weekend and graduates in two more weeks. All her senior projects have impacted her in ways she didn't anticipate. Capturing final thoughts about her life up to this point has been a bit emotional. We are so proud of the young woman she is becoming.

Mother's Day was a loud affair. It usually is. My brood is anything but dignified and subdued. I absolutely could not contain my laughter when I opened the gorgeous package surrounded by flowers......

Makenna said, "oh! Wear it over your dress! It perfectly matches Erin's complexion!"

Our grandson met our neighbor. Within mere minutes of their acquaintance, he was on the ground demonstrating a seizure like his dog had. Lauren, with as straight a face as she could muster, explained he was processing a lot. I can't tell this story without howling with laughter. Thank God our neighbor is wonderful and adores children.

Oh you know, just watching Nat Geo with Austin. This episode about the wild cats in India clearly captured his full attention. Google lens insists Diesel is a Rhodesian Ridgeback which happens to be a breed initially used to hunt Lions. This doesn't fair well for living in peace with Oliver. 

Both boys try to steal our bed in the evening. Both remain disappointed every time. But it's a sweet little ritual none the less. 

My work week was challenging in ways unanticipated but there were redeeming moments with students. There always is. I watched my kiddos from last year graduate from elementary school and oozed with pride. I can't help but want to bubble wrap a few of the more tender hearts. I pray middle school is as kind as middle school can be to my young friends.

Sarcasm for me is like a pressure relief valve. It keeps my head from exploding.

A close friend became a grandma this week. It seems impossible I wasn't *just* at the hospital meeting his daddy. Time flies when our babies are involved.

My favorite human and I went on a little adventure after school today. He loved using his new boots to explore. I loved watching him more. 

Week Nineteen

In recent weeks, I've repeatedly stated I would like to write the ending to hard stories for people I love. If only I could fill the gaps with redemption, compassion and grace, then perhaps the current pain would be bearable; possibly even worthwhile. 

Sunday, Greg and I trekked to church after a significant storm system blew through. We routed around downed trees and navigated debris in the road after preparing for church without power in our home. We arrived just in time for a message on the book of Job. My heart always skips a beat at the mention of this particular book in the Bible because the narrative between God and Satan leaves me questioning and struggling every time. I seriously wanted to creep downstairs to serve in pre-k where my spiritual maturity is likely better matched. I am pretty good at loving on littles. Accepting God allows suffering for what appears on the surface to be no reason, is not my area of expertise. 

I love redemption stories. The idea any horrible thing can be used for a greater good speaks to me. So in the aftermath of trauma, loss or grief, I watch for the God-wink; the part that says, "see, I've got this."

A daughter is in intense pain and we are in a station of support but have no control. As much as we seek restoration and health in this situation, we are unable to write that story. And oh how I wish I could. Prayer time during communion literally pointed out how strongly we want to write our own stories and how little we know about what God has planned. I've prayed for my version of a fairy tale ending and God peacefully told me once again to stand down. "We must trust GOD, not only WHEN we do not understand, but BECAUSE we do not understand." Dr. Stephen Lawson

She loved the Derby

None of us can get enough snuggles.

Miss Louisville

He likes "fast yoga and Mimi likes slow yoga."

When Aunt Kate and Hagan take him out, shenanigans are guaranteed. As it turns out, treats are too.

Monday evening, a bird flew into our sliding glass door during dinner and broke it's neck. Austin and I saw the little thing take it's final breaths and he was pretty torn up about it. He wished it's mommy had been there to fix it. He wished he'd been out there sooner so he could have saved it. He wished he could have kept it. I calmly explained it could not be kept and we needed to dispose of it. That did not go over well. Thank God his mom arrived within about ten minutes of the drama because Mimi worried she was going to say something wrong; more wrong than suggesting we needed to throw it away. Yes. I did that. I won't make that mistake again. It took quite a bit of convincing, but ultimately the dirt pile in the construction area behind our house became the bird's final resting place. 

I had the cutest lunch date today while his mommy had an appointment. After lunch, he shook down the librarian for Pokemon books.

Rumor has it he was running around to avoid a shower so Pops put him with the trash like the other rotten things.

Lauren and I had a float appointment after work today. She enjoyed it as much as I do. We agreed the other girls would hate an hour and a half of silence. It's a mom thing. They simply wouldn't understand.