Spring Break 2017

I'm dreaming of Spring Breaks past...The Canary Islands, Normandy France, Marbella Spain, New York City.

And then there's this year. Matt and Maxwell are visiting colleges in Michigan and Ohio and Henry, Vivian and I are holding down the base here. It feels so weird, and downright wrong, not to have a grand trip (heck even a mini grand trip) planned. Months ago we started planning Spring Break in Playa del Carmen but my vision of a warm beach and a cold drink was nixed thanks to the boys lacrosse schedules. Then we started planning a few days away in Vegas but that was thrown out the window thanks to a couple of college visit invitations. Dang college. Always screwing up my plans.

So here we stay. Matt goes back to work on Wednesday. Henry and I have a couple of medical appointments. Maxwell has a youth job fair later in the week and then will test for his drivers license, and Viv just hopes to make it to an indoor pool one day.

Wow, how times have changed!

St. James Volleyball

This spring Vivian is adding volleyball to our sports list. At this age (3rd and 4th grade) they don't really have "games". It's kind of odd...it's more like who can get the ball served over the net and then which team can get to 21 first. Not gonna lie, the first "game" was painful. Lots of volleyball serves went straight backwards (Viv's included), but by the second week they weren't doing too bad! Viv got four serves over the net and even scored. She was thrilled!

Hanson #10

Let's go Jayhawks!!

Bishop Machebeuf Lax - Game 3

Bishop Machebeuf - 15
Bear Creek - 8

Let's go Buffs!!

Hanson #5 

6 goals, 3 assists

Bishop Machebeuf Lax - Games 1 and 2

Game 1
St. Mary's - 5
Bishop Machebeuf - 4

The Buffs lost their season opener to St. Mary's by one goal. Considering last year they lost to the same team by 16, they feel good about how they might be able to shape this season. As Coach says, "new team, new season"!

Game 2
Bishop Machebeuf - 17
Denver North - 4

3 goals, 4 assists and a 1:30 min penalty. That sounds more like Moose!

Hanson #5

Assist to #22 for the score...

...and a little celebration afterwards

He finally knows the school song well enough to lead it 

Let's go Buffs!! 

Oh and Maxwell was named Player of the Game by MaxPreps :) 

Henry Bean

Henry's birthday day was just ok. It was his standard school day followed by lacrosse practice. Kind of the same old thing. But his birthday night. His birthday night was pretty great.

The face of a happy young man who finally got to open presents 

A birthday jig for the one thing he asked for -- a new scooter

Reading the birthday card that Maxwell got him...

Beansie

I love you broski. You have been my best friend through

 thick and thin and travels around the world. Thanks for always being there for me 

and for getting the family smarticles, cuz I don't want them. 

Love you bud. 

-Moose

All of this AND a surprise summer trip to Mexico -- 

it was a good day to be a Henry Bean! 

Happy Birthday, Birthday Boy

14 years ago today, Henry Pablo Hanson entered this world and made it that much better. Henry always has been and probably always will be the quiet one. He didn't make a sound the first few days after he was born. He didn't talk until he well over 2 years old. When he started school the first thing his teachers commented on was how quiet he was. Today not much has changed. He would rather people watch than engage with them. He would rather work independently than in a group. He would rather hang out with one or two buddies than to have ten different people around. He would rather stay in than go out and he would much rather listen than talk. He has a heart of absolute gold and an empathetic spirit  that most 14 year old boys don't have. He sees life through a different lens. And kindness. Henry is so, so very kind.

Happy 14th birthday, my sweet boy. I love you so much and in the upcoming year that will be full of changes, I can't wait to see how brightly you shine.

REBORN

Lately, my path has been a little winding. I've been wondering how I can give more back. How can be more impactful? How can I do more to make a difference in people's lives? And then yesterday my brother sent me this link. I was filled not only with pride but with humility.

Read. Enjoy. Pay it forward.  Think about how you may change someone's journey without even knowing it. Small ripples make big waves.

Marcus, thank you for sharing this with me. It has been food to my soul at just the perfect time.

Marcus Garcia's REBORN Success Story