Denver

Matthew's second travel weekend was with his dad to Denver. I don't have a lot to say about the trip since I wasn't there. I am grateful for the dad who is streaming the games on YouTube. I am a bit jealous of my eldest daughter who can watch on their TVs, I am still old school watching on my computer and phone.

The boys met the internet sensation Olly and Jacob...or is it Jacob and Olly. No idea. Greg had to send me the link to see their videos.

A few pics and links for all things hockey/Matthew:

How Lauren watches

How I watch

How Matthew celebrates, Social Media Post of a teammate

Jacob or Olly got cut out of the Picture...BAD Greg

Another Celebration Post 

And We're off

Fall is here and hockey travel has begun.  I drew the first trip with Matthew to St. Louis for some friendly games. We packed the Prius and found it's kind of like a clown car...it's tiny but you can just keep putting more stuff in there. However, the small size does bring you closer to the hockey stench.

A few pics in order:

   

Travel/Sleep

Play Hard

Eat at your favorite place with some teammates

Social Media

It's always fun to find a post of your child on social media...however, I question my mothering instincts when I don't recognize my own child in a post...to be fair, Hannah had just cut her hair (to my dismay, I miss her signature locks, what can I say?) She's still adorable but my brain is still processing the change.

Finally Fall...

I have been looking high and low for Fall. My favorite season of colorful foliage had been hiding from the high 90s temperature and is peeking out to see if it is safe to come out yet. I saw a glimpse of Fall on Monday while driving to Nashville. There are golden autumnal hues gently emerging from the pervasive green covering the mountains.

Today it is raining, a warm rain but still my favorite type of day. Tea in one hand, book in the other, while heaven provides a nice long drink for the earth.

I always feel closest to our Creator when I look at His creation. Fall speaks to my heart. The closing of Summer, the approach of the holidays....Fall fills the middle with a nice respite from it all. Time to breathe before the busy. Time to be grateful. Time to be still.

Then and Now

Social Media is great for screenshots. Facebook put a memory of Hannah up from six years ago so I took a screenshot. One of my favorite memories, Hannah riding her tiger at the Nashville Zoo and then I stole some pictures from Hannah's Instagram. One of these days, my kids are going to block me from their social media accounts....

Cleaning Up

I was cleaning up my files and totally forgot about serving at Men's Night at Church.

A fun night of food, cars, and a Word

Greg and Matthew had a blast

August 2018

And we are off! School has started, hockey practice is in full swing, colleges are being looked at....

Matthew started high school, Hannah has begun her junior year, Greg has started his evening class, drives to Nashville have commenced. September is just around the corner and we will be kicking things up another notch, I am leading a Small Group for high school girls, Matthew's travel will begin and Greg has a birthday this weekend. I am trying to catch my breath just reading this...

I may have bit off more than I can chew with the Small Group. God really laid it on my heart but not even my own daughter is interested in a book study. I will have to trust God that if just one person shows up, that is the person He wants me to love and pray over.

We did have a movie night to see Christopher Robin this month. The kids brought a buddy and we filled up most of a row. I love all things Pooh, so I had fun...still trying to figure out if I liked the movie but the Pooh characters were adorable.

Matthew and I went to Iowa for a hockey camp and was able to see my brother....tried to surprise my mom but she wasn't home until it was time to leave...so much for surprises.

A few pictures from this past month...

I was playing with the You Bible app and I thought this verse hysterical for hockey (the app somehow pics an appropriate verse for you picture, magic)

Matthew and I cruising Iowa in a BRIGHT blue Hyundai with a little Tedashii

Hannah trying on a few cars

Stolen right off Lauren's story

First Day of School (right after 6 a.m. prayer)

Movie Night

My Small Group Study

More of me playing with my Bible Lens (You Bible App)

This food was served in the Cedar Rapids Airport and tasted just as good as it looks....thank you, Bible Lens for ramping up my picture a few notches