Growing Up!!

These babies of mine are growing up in what seems faster than ever!!! 

Schedules are full all around and we're all having a blast enjoying every day to the very fullest!!

I'm lagging like a champ, but imperfect progress is progress, right?!? 

Love you Munchkins & here's to me doing a better job of getting the deets down for you to look back on someday!! 

PS... How is this possible?!?...

LOTS of party prepping going on around here!!! 

It's going to be a fun, fun weekend!!! Lots of love & a beautiful little girl to celebrate!!! 

Hugs & more hugs!!! Kisses too!!!

Grandma Jean...

Dearest Grandma Jean,

I know you are up there looking down over all of us with a huge smile across your face. You are smilin’ because you are able to see all us gathered here to celebrate. Celebrate your life. Celebrate the blessing that you have been to ALL of us. Celebrate the love that you and Grandfather have instilled in every one of us. This is a true celebration.

As I grow older myself, I’m realizing that this one life is really all that we get. It’s busy, beautiful, and blessed. I know I’ve been spoiled having such AMAZING grandparents, as not every kid gets to grow up with that kind of love and unconditional support. Trust me, I count those blessings every single day. Blessings that will stay with me FOREVER and blessings that I aim high to give to my own little ones. Blessings that, I hope, one day they will be able to share with my grandchildren, because above all, above all the money and material things in this world, love is what makes things go round. Love and family are two of the many values you displayed on a continual basis. And, I want to THANK YOU for being such an amazing role model. A role model whose impact has trickled down every single branch on this huge family tree of ours, eventually leading to all of those beautiful great-grandkids of yours and beyond.

So, THANK YOU!

Thank you for ALWAYS being there to support me. From the stands at just about every stinkin’ one of my hundreds of softball games, watching and cheering, to every single Christmas celebration filled with the warmth of home and smiles and laughter that gave me memories I will never, ever forget. From our little, entertaining, once-a-year comical cousin skits to the kid friendly games that my little ones loved being a part of. From high school and college graduation ceremonies, to baby quilts capturing all that special, little newborn information. From birthday cards sent to each and every one of those always changing addresses, to “Goldies” that my kiddos had the opportunity to drop into their own little piggy banks, with thoughts of Great Grandma Jean & Grandfather on their minds. From long distance phone calls, just saying “HI,” to the annual grandkid ornaments that will FOREVER hang on our Christmas tree. From hotel room sharing and story swapping at the Get Busy Livin’ events, to those Kodak moments you let me capture of you holding each and every one of my little babies. From opening your heart and accepting Jason as one of us, to those daffodils that will forever bloom in your memory. From Arrowhead tailgating to that crystal, engraved “communication” bell that will forever remind me to stride towards living a life full of all the qualities you embodied.

So, I need to say farewell for now, with our last moments together bringing a smile to my face. Moments that were good for my soul. Moments that make me a better Mommy. Moments that make me a better person.  The moment you and Ty played “balloon” from your chair. The moment you wiggled those toes when I asked you if you wanted a foot massage. The moment you said you’d have to “consider it” when I said I charged a lot for those massages. The moment we snapped our last picture together. The moment Dad fed you ice chips and au jus with at least three different spoons, thanks to Aunt Jan searching for the one that worked the best. The moment Grandfather got those tears in his eyes as he watched you take a drink. The moment his love for you couldn’t have gotten any stronger. The moment we crossed paths with Uncle Denny and Aunt Val as we were leaving, stopping for a quick hug, but knowing that you had more love and support headed in to pick up right where we left off.

I love you so much Grandma Jean and will miss you physically being around when we all get together, especially on April 27^th. But, I won’t miss your spirit because I know it will never be far away. So, go now, grab Dylan, Grandma Meier, and everyone else you’re seeing again for the first time in a long time, give them a big hug around the neck from all of us and smile. Smile having confidence in the footprints you are leaving behind. For those footprints will forever lead us in the right direction.

BitterSweetness,

which probably isn't even a word, but it definitely sums up our little adventure down to Ottumwa last week. Jason was born in raised in Ottumwa and played many games under those Friday Night Lights of Shaffer Stadium, and eventually spent 9 years coaching there as well.

East played Ottumwa in Ottumwa and I'm sure it was very bitter sweet for him to stand opposite the sideline that pretty much was his second home for all those years. This is the 2nd match-up for the Scarlets and Bulldogs for Jason, but last year, the Bulldogs ventured up to Des Moines. I know there were many emotions leading up to this game....

So, the kids and I made the trip down after school on Friday and found a comfy spot on the visitor's side. It was soooo different than our old Friday Night experiences. Our usual "end zone" location didn't quite pan out like it used to and I think I saw maybe five plays the entire game!! It was sooo good to see some of our old friends and all of the people that we don't have the opportunity to run into as often as we'd like....it was fun to catch-up on the new and remember the old. It reminded me just how wonderful the people in that town are. They're seriously the ones that make it such a great place to live. They all welcomed us from day one and almost all of them are going to be impossible to replace!!!

The kiddos had a blast eating popcorn, running around, and cheering for Daddy. And, EAST WON!!! Which always makes for a fun, fun time!

All geared up...it was WEIRD walking into that stadium NOT wearing Bulldog apparel. I mean, Trey and Ty spent sooo many fall Friday nights at that stadium. We'd get there when Jason's sophomores hit the field around 5 and not leave until after 10 o'clock!

The guys getting the team warmed up...

LOVE this pic. I was trying to get Jason and just happened to get Trey's little thumb in there giving his Daddy a thumbs up before game time! ADORABLE!!!!

Jason's working that defense....

He probably spent at least 250 nights standing on the sideline directly across from where he's standing in the pics above. Memories for Life.

Calling plays...

Doing what he absolutely LOVES!

Tay all tuckered out....

Catching a little face time with a great group of ladies!!!

THANK YOU, Ottumwa Bulldogs for all the fabulous memories....there will never quite be anything like good old Shaffer Stadium!!!! With that being said, WAY TO GO, SCARLETS!

GBL!

We LOVE you, #9 and truly know that you are our inspiration to Get Busy Living!!!

A couple weekends ago, I hit the road by myself and headed towards the 2nd Annual GBL 5k Run. Once again, I was absolutely MOVED by the turnout and the large amount of support that showed up to the stadium in Pittsburg, Kansas. It was a fun time, full of catching up with family, running, and enjoying our favorite Dylan memories.....It's so hard to believe that's he's been gone for two years. It's seems like just yesterday, I was getting a phone call on that awful day. I still feel like Dylan is out there, traveling the world, living life and that I'll see him at Christmas. In my heart, I know that his spirit still is and I will, one day, see him again. And, what great laughs we will have!!!

For a re-cap of last year, click here and enjoy the pics from this year.....

Post Run....Doug (my sister's boyfriend), Cory, Kyle (my brother's buddy), and me all flashing our 9's!!!

Grandma Jean and Grandfather helping bind shoes....in addition to the GBL run, Shadley brought attention to a wonderful program called, Soles 4 Souls, and over 600 pairs of shoes were collected!!! What a fabulous cause....click the link above to learn more!!!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Dylan! He's so genuinely happy and loving life....he was truly always living and this picture does nothing but makes me smile through the tears. (I snapped the pic from one of the two huge banners that were hanging at the run. Dylan's infamous Kiwi and Operation Mother Russia e-mails from his travels/journeys abroad were featured....he definitely had a knack for the written word!)

All of us (that were able to attend) together for a group picture....

What a great shot!!!! Looking forward to many, many more years of the GBL 5k Run!!!

So, Dylan, we enjoyed running in your honor and will continue to get out there and Get Busy Living!! You have inspired so many people to do things beyond their comfort zone and "find" themselves amidst challenges, only to come out a stronger and better person than they were before. Many people love and miss you for many different reasons and in many different ways, but, bottom line, we ALL feel BLESSED to have had you be such a tremendous part of our lives. Until we meet again....continue to shine down brightly on us and remind us to not waste another second. Life is what we make of it and you've helped us all open up and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead!!! You will never be forgotten, #9!!!

Now, everyone get out there and GET BUSY LIVING!!!!

My Munchkins....

have been such TROOPERS this past summer and continue to amaze me as we begin to FINALLY get into a daily and weekly routine....Trey's officially in Kindy, Jason's full blown coaching and his school year is under way, I've been back to work for two full weeks now, and Ty & Taylen are settling in nicely to their daycare and Grandma Marcia days. I think, for the first time in a LOOOOONG time, we are beginning to feel a sense of "normal" and "home"....and we are LOVING it!!

The three of them have really been taken for a ride between the move and having an entirely new set of people in their lives and have done remarkably well with the whole thing!!! We made this move and all these changes for the family and they've made it that much easier.

Now, I'm not saying that things haven't been trying at times and still won't be in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, but, overall....it has definitely been a journey to remember.....

Thanks, cuties for making life SO worth living ;)

LOVE you, and keep on smilin'.....all three of you!!!

This last pic would be one of those "maybe challenging" times ;) The good part is even though he's not cooperating for a little family pic, he still has a smile on his face!!

Happy Summer you three and here's to EVERYTHING that lies ahead for us...The Weite's!!!