Saturday, December 14, 2019

My Christmas Present

Hello and Merry Christmas-ish! I know it is eleven days until Christmas but I finally have my Mac laptop. After years of saving, Greg bought me the Mac with his bonus. Yay!

My first post will be of the first pictures I downloaded to the new computer. The photos are my Christmas present from Lauren. I had a wall that was crying for a photo collage of my three blessings. The tough part will be narrowing the pictures down to fit on the wall. I think the photographer took 180 pictures and they are ALL great. The pictures capture the blessings' personalities so well. This is going to be tough...I will share some so you can see how tough this is going be to whittle down to fit to canvas prints for a wall.

I went along to watch the photo shoot and as we were getting out of the car Matthew's words to me were, "You're not going to be in them, are you?" My stylish son was probably sizing up my lack of makeup, un-styled hair, and old age...The photographer's question was, "You're going to be in these, right?" Ummm...no. Not stylin' today and not feelin' photogenic....so yeah, there are a few of me at the end of the session and I am glad I did it even though I wasn't quite as beautiful as the young people...I am still debating about publishing...It's late, I'm tired, and I am going to bed. It has been a really long day....more about that later.


Pictures were taken by Kasey Leigh Photography

































































Thursday, November 28, 2019

Girl's Road Trip

Three Day Weekend + Matthew's hockey = Road Trip to Culver.






Matthew's Hockey Game. Beautiful Supportive Sisters, right here


The Girls and I loaded up the humidifier, my wedge pillow, snacks, coats, boots, mittens, scarves, and headed north. Lots of Starbucks comfort stops and lunch at Chuys in Kentucky was a a fun way to get the weekend started. God gave us blessings for the trip in all of the best ways possible, no traffic, no car troubles, a room upgrade to a suite, perfect timing for breakfast at a popular restaurant in South Bend, replacement drinks when we inserted the wrong store on the Starbucks app, etc etc.

Hannah's highlight (after seeing Baby Brother) were the infamous Black Horses at Culver. She even took the complimentary apples from the hotel to buff up her friendships with her new found friends, Clyde and Dale (Clydesdales, of course). She was ready to transfer to Culver in a heartbeat after meeting her long legged buddies. Unfortunately, they do not accept seniors for transfers and I have a feeling she would have slept in the barn and we would get notes from the counselor she was missing her classes because she was in the barn.


My little apple feeding Horse Whisperer



Matthew was excited to leave the campus and get FOOD. The boy is always hungry (have I mentioned the care boxes filled with snacks?) We went to South Bend and found a delightful restaurant on TripAdvisor meeting the mandatory pancake requirement of Lauren's. The restaurant was selling Pete for President tee shirts and realized how busy Matthew's schedule was when he didn't know the mayor up the road was running for President. Lauren drove us through Notre Dame where we ooooo'd and awwwww'd over the campus. Matthew was hungry and again and needed a Chipotle fix. Really? We just ate two hours ago and he just had a grande peppermint white mocha.


South Bend Downtown Starbucks (note the football mural, love it!)








Breakfast at Pegg's

and

Mandatory Chipotle




We got to see Matthew sporting his new look for hockey. The team won and I loved the salute the team did for the audience after the game to thank them.



We raided the Bookstore for some serious merch (including scarves for warmth) and stood in the wonder of snow during the Veteran's Day Ceremony. I'd like to say the cannon picture is mine but it was taken by Matthew's Counselor, Mr. Mo. Camilo Morales is an exceptional photographer and we are so blessed he is Company C's Counselor. We have absolutely nothing to worry about with him down the hall from Matthew's room. How Mr. Mo takes care of 50 young men is a marvel.

The trip home was snowy until we hit middle KY, then it became sleet until Middle TN when it became threatening to sleet. Lauren drove, I had deer watch, and Hannah had weather watch. We stopped in Nashville for some dinner and found things closing early for the weather. We had some fast food at Culver's and pressed on to home. We made it through the mountains with no problems. God is good.


Waiting for the Veteran's Day Ceremony to begin next to 
Lake "Max"


These pictures I downloaded from Mr. Mo.







Monday, October 28, 2019

Busy Weekend




Company C Cadets...a little team building


Indianapolis Rowing Competition






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