Chicks...

We have chicks!

With two teenage boys in the house you say, "of course you have chicks," and though our boys do like girls, they're not that kind of chicks.

We have feather-covered chicks! Two of them.

The jabberwocky here finally flew the coop and a little pair of swallows moved in, feathered a nest in the birdhouse, and laid eggs.

We could tell when the eggs hatched because the cheeping chorus was a fortissimo and the parents were flying in and out every few minutes for days. They were stellar!

 

Then a new little face appeared...and spent the day looking out.

And before we knew it, she was gone. We saw her try to clear the fence with her new wings once - hit the fence - and slide down. Ouch! But it wasn't long and she was almost indistinguishable from all her neighbors. We never saw the second baby take off, but the parents appear to have laid more eggs...

Mothers Day and a senior...

Mothers Day...how I missed that beautiful little dark-haired, 

blue-eyed woman yesterday. 

I felt her near - thanks Mom.

I wonder what she thinks of this...

We have a senior. Ready or not, here it comes. 

He's jumping out of the nest.

There is definitely a feeling of sadness 

at not seeing that face every day, 

yet at the same time, it's more exciting than I'd ever imagined! 

He's such a fun, lighthearted guy with always a smile and hug to give, 

snazzy dance moves, fast to forgive, 

pretty tidy (that's comparatively speaking of course), 

and not enough fear of danger if you ask me. 

The world will be blessed by having him in it. 

I'll never forget a conversation we had one evening 

as he was beginning his early college experience. 

It had been a very long day for a 16-year-old with college classes 

from 9am till 9pm. 

He was still up way past 11pm and studying hard. 

I was worried that somehow we'd talked him in to this "early college" thing 

and that maybe he didn't know this was his choice. 

I asked him, "So do you know that lots of people, 

in fact most of us, go to college after high school? 

You don't have to do this. 

Do you know that?" 

He responded with a direct but gentle, "Of course I do. 

I want to do this. 

It's okay Mom, don't worry."

See what I mean!? No fear...

He was right. It all turned out okay. 

He's an amazing worker. 

Grandpa would be proud, so proud!

One of my friends mentioned that the bad thing 

about the Mr. and I having our kids so close together 

is they'll all leave home practically at once. 

We were beggars, not choosers, 

when it came to having children 

so there was nothing we could have done about

 "when" the twigs finally made their appearance, 

but it did bring me a new perspective.

That means, soon this awesome guy will be leaving the nest. 

And then this little bird will follow.

Another friend referred to this as "The Exodus". 

Yuck! 

"The Exodus" thought has filled me with dread...till the last few weeks...

when the feeling of so much excitement for my senior 

came rushing in the door with the graduation cap and tassel. 

Yahoo! 

I'm for sure not in any hurry, 

and will savor each day with these twigs, 

but at the same time...bring it on! 

There are great days to come! 

Spread your wings my little birds. 

xoxo mom

The weekend of hats!

The oldest twig had a weekend to remember and it all involved hats. 

The first hat was bright purple and had a tassel hanging from it with a big number 14. 

There aren't enough thanks we can give to all the people who contributed to this accomplishment. To teachers, counselors, administrators, staff, and those who make the early college scholarship possible... with much emotion and gusto we say, "Thank you!"

This twig is one hard-working dude. I still have trouble imagining that a 17-year-old boy can earn an Associates Degree before graduating High School. Congrats big guy! He wasn't alone either, as a whopping 55% of this High School graduating class earned their Associates Degrees. Amazing, absolutely amazing!

The second hat was a gem-encrusted shiny thing. 


He came home from Prom wearing it.

There's a king in the house. Rumor whispered that an awesome friend (Zach V.) may have had something to do with the nomination. Thanks dude - you rock!

I've been thinking what it means when a girl or boy is crowned Prom Royalty. I believe it means that:
The ones wearing the crowns have the very very best of friends: unselfish, kind, thoughtful, generous friends who see the best in others. Friends who make a difference in others' lives and never even know it.

“Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting thing to have.”
― A.A. Milne


We're crazy about these boys!

A huge shout out to the Hansons who, as the group plans were being made, seemed to get more and more to do. What amazing people, great photographer & cook, and how about that fabulous back yard! 

Just two nights later, the oldest twig was wearing a third hat. 

This one brought with it years of scouting memories: campfires, crazy deep-fried concoctions, night games, friends, blizzards, and service. 

For his High School Capstone Project, he earned his Venturing Trust Award and shared his beliefs and experiences in a presentation about scouting and its purpose of teaching boys to become honorable men.

The most important of these memories are of honorable, devoted men who have taught and shaped him. What a difference they've made! We send to all of you our heartfelt love and gratitude. We will strive to live each day to repay the debt.