The Birthday Girl

Nine. My girl is 9 years old today. My little love who from her first days was along for the ride. She napped in the car on the way to get her brothers, she nursed at practices, she played in her bouncy chair while the boys did their homework. I've always said that  -- Viv is along for the ride and just happy to be alive.

Happy, happy birthday to my one and only girl, who loves as hard as she plays. Who is easy with a laugh and always free with a hug. My little love who has never in her life met a stranger or missed the chance to make a friend. She makes my world a better place. She makes the sun a bit brighter and the rain a bit cooler.

Happy birthday, Vivian Jayne. I hope your smile and love of life never fade and the wind always blows through your hair.

Machebeuf Football - Game 1

Bishop Machebeuf - 44
Pinnacle - 0

Bishop Machebeuf. I guess that's us now, and whaaat?!! We won!

For a kid who fought us on "having" to play football this year, Moose sure did have an awesome game and a big 'ol smile on his face when it was over! At Machebeuf he's starting center, first string linebacker and special teams. Not too bad for the new kid. I can't tell you how good it was to see him taking pictures with his teammates and classmates after the game, and then to ask if he could go out with everyone else to celebrate the win. At Machebeuf the post game celebration means going to "The Tavern" by the school...parents included...it's a win all around!

I know that what Maxwell really wants to be doing right now is playing lacrosse. Lacrosse all day, everyday, all year long but Matt and I (mainly Matt - I just went along with it to show some solidarity) felt pretty strongly that this year especially, Maxwell needed to play football. He's such a social kid and we know that he's happiest when he's a part of a team. So him playing football isn't about the game itself -- it's about him making new friends and being an important part of something bigger than himself. And as usual, he's embracing the challenge.

So, with that...

GO BUFFS!!

Hanson #50

Hanson #50 at center

Views of downtown Denver and the mountains...not too shabby

Taking a break in the 4th quarter...he stuck close to Father Paul 

 Machebeuf has a fight song -- who knew?! Not Maxwell!

Next week, he'll be completely prepared for it though!

Go Buffs!!

Out of Order

Thank goodness we have the family secretary/letter writer/note taker in times like these....

Back To (New) Schools (Again)

The kids were at it again this morning -- back to being the new kids.

I wish when I dropped Maxwell off at kindergarten 11 years ago, someone would have told me that it was only going to get harder. I cried like a baby at that kindergarten drop off and I cried again today. The difference was today was a thousand times harder for a thousand different reasons. How can these kids be so resilient and strong?? How can they be the new kids time and time and time again and do it with smiles on their faces and with wide open hearts? I have no idea, but am so very thankful that they do. Thank God they are so much stronger than their mama!

Maxwell -- 11th grade at Bishop Machebeuf

Henry -- 8th grade at St. James

Vivian -- 3rd grade (and loving life!) at St. James

August 11, 2016

Nothing To See Here

Nothing to see here, except those four teeth beside Henry. Those four teeth that were inside of his mouth about eight hours ago. Little sleeping beauty here has had quite the week. Braces a week ago and 4 molar extractions today. About 10 seconds after the surgeon pushed meds to "take the edge off", Henry's said to me, "I need a strawberry farm. I just need to buy a strawberry farm" and then he was O.U.T.

That strawberry farm must've been a great place because he decided to stay awhile -- he took forever to wake up at the dentist's office. Once he was wheel chaired out to the car, he immediately fell asleep again and started drooling...blood. As I pulled up to the gate guard on base this is what Henry looked like...

There we were, straight out of "Weekend At Bernie's". I tried to prop Henry's head up to keep his bloody gauze from falling completely out of his mouth. With one hand on his head and one hand holding my ID out for the guard,  I acted like nothing was wrong. Nothing to see here, sir. Nothing to see here. 

Estes Park, CO

The boys -- all four of them -- were on their own this weekend. Estes Park was calling...