Spirit Games 2019

Cold. Wet. Crazy. These are the words to describe Matthew's first experience of Culver Academies' Spirit Games. Matthew kayaked participated in the Bucket Brigade. Needless to say, he was a bit wet. I asked about the games after seeing the pictures online and his response was "Cold. Wet."

Personally, to me it looks like these kids are having way too much fun. I have never seen so many pictures of Matthew smiling since he has started Culver. I think he has found his niche. He did the Learn to Row program and did so well, he was able to participate with the JV team in two competitions. Hockey tryouts are over and Matthew will have his first games in two weeks. He is one of the Top 5 Cadets for his unit. This boy is flourishing and is so happy, it makes my heart soar.

My favorite Cadet

Full Moon

Two nights ago, I noticed how bright the moon was and remembered how much I appreciated full and full-ish moons when driving back from Nashville during hockey for all the practices.  I am so grateful for the time driving Matthew in the car. I trulyam thankful for this gift of time from God now that he is at boarding school so can continue his passion for hockey AND get a fantastic education. And...that being said, I am so incredibly grateful to not having anymore late night drives home from Nashville. i am blessed by God for His protection from flats, darting animals, and crazt driverd. So glad to not be driving!

Hard to believe this is a military school ;-)

Matriculation Ceremony

So proud.

I won't be typing much here since my right arm is in a sling. We will title this a picture is worth a thousand words.

Culver Week One

A parent posted a bunch of pictures to the FB Parents' Page so I downloaded as many as I thought might have Matthew to play "Where's Waldo" and those showing the bonfire last night....now I know why he didn't call when he got his phone back...In other words, "Yes, Matthew, I'm stalking you."

Pictures GALORE...now get a magnifying glass and find Matthew with me!

Today is the DAY!

It's here. The day that I have been dreading. The day that Matthew has been looking forward to...the day the dynamics of home change from loud to quiet. It's the day Matthew learns to be on his own. The beginning of a new chapter in his life for academics and hockey. Today, I drive Matthew to Culver Military Academy. It's the beginning of the big adventure.

Sunshine Kinda Day

Today I understood how my dad, raised on a farm, was not just a morning person, he was a really early morning person. As I watched the mist rise from the darkness of the cornfields to the colors of the sky as the sun nudged itself towards a glorious sunrise, It was a revelation. This must have been what his youthful self would see each morning. It was a beautiful quiet moment.

The beauty of this morning made realize how much I wish my dad had lived to meet Hannah and Matthew.  Dad would have been so proud of his grandchildren. He met Lauren when she was a baby and doted on her and her cousins. It has been 30 years since he passed away and oh, how I wish he could see Hannah's senior pictures...the farm boy in him and the gardener in him would have just loved this photos.