Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Buckley AFB - Final Out

It's been a long month since graduation weekend, and with all the emotions that came along with that weekend, our PCS loomed. Big.

We made it though. We packed out and loaded up and drove away. Lots of emotions came with us, but for now I'm going to focus on gratitude. Matt and the kids and I celebrated the joys of the last two years together and fought through the hard together. It wasn't always easy, but we have a lifetime to be thankful for. 

So long Colorado. For now, at least.



Viv was worried about leaving the sign...
Matt didn't have a problem taking the sign!
It's crazy how a house can look so empty from the outside...
Farewell dinner at Lowry Beer Garden hosted by the Exec staff
Driving back to TLF we were treated to this last Colorado sunset...
Maxwell's buddies were our "family" at the Change of Command ceremony



#milehighhansons
He was holding on tight! Didn't want to give op that guidon...
Matt's final salute from the 460th Medical Group.
It was an absolute honor. 


Saturday, June 30, 2018

The Short Story - Final Edition

Leaving houses is hard. Each of our houses has had a story to tell. Every time we pack out memories come flooding back to me of what the kids did here or there. I can picture bringing a baby through the front door for the first time, or putting together a backpack in the living room before the first day of  kindergarten. I can see two little boys throwing a football in the backyard or a little girl learning to ride a bike down the front sidewalk.

Here's the story of the Buckley house. Henry's story. It's a great story, but still. Looking at the back of this pantry door for the last time tugged at my heart a little. This house saw Henry grow from a little boy to young man. Now on to the next house. The next story. The next flood of memories.
6/19/2018
5' 3.5"


Thursday, June 14, 2018

The Graduate

We survived.

I survived.

I woke up the day after graduation and the sun had risen and the world was still turning and Maxwell was still Maxwell and I was still his mom. I wasn't sure any of that would happen after I watched my boy walk across that stage but it did. Thank God, it all did.

I couldn't sit down as we waited for the ceremony to begin. I was nervous. For what, I don't know. I just wasn't ready and then that dang graduation music started and the teachers and the kids all flooded in and I still wasn't ready. I needed just a second. I needed a minute. I needed 18 more years. That's just not how it works though. I couldn't will another second or another minute or another year.

And then he walked by...
And I was still standing. I was crying, but I was still standing. A good sign, I suppose. 

The ceremony was beautiful. Encouraging and pride-filled. Some of the kindest words said to me afterwards came from my sisters-in-law. They might not remember, but I always will. The love and support that our families showed us did not go unnoticed and was more appreciated than we could ever express. We love, love you all. 

4A All State Lacrosse Game






Bishop Machebeuf High School 
Graduation Day 
May 25, 2018























"You have learned it. Now go live it."
Go out and make it happen, my boy.