May 2023

Silas's fourth grade field day was in early May.  It happened to be rainy that morning, so field day was moved inside to the gym. Interestingly Silas's group of students (4th graders this year) has never gotten to have an outside field day.  It has been bad weather every time their field day was scheduled.  What?!?!? Fingers crossed that next year in 5th grade they will get to have an outside field day.

He picked to participate in the bean bag throw, hula hoop contest, two running events, and limbo.  Then a tug-of-war of sorts with pairs of boys from each 4th grade class.

Silas received blue first place ribbons in all of his events.  The yellow was a participation ribbon, which each student received. Good job!

Popee came to watch Silas compete in field day, then stayed to eat lunch with Silas.

Sarah's last softball game of the season was a home game against Newton.  Campus easily beat Newton.  Below, Sarah and her friend, Jax.

Silas and his DUDES group ran in their 5K Race.  It was called the race to BELIEVE, and it was held in Maize, starting from the high school.  It was a beautiful morning for a race.

Silas finished third out of the sixteen DUDES.  He ran a little slower of a race than he had hoped for (26:31), but did well, placing fourth in his age bracket for the entire race field.

Below, some great fourth graders and friends, Silas, Owen, Isaac, Camden, and Levi.

Below, Silas and his race buddy, Mrs. Driskill.

We got to watch Will's soccer game one Saturday afternoon.  He plays so well.  He runs fast and likes to compete.  We got to see him score a few goals.

EP and Lindsee took Salsa dance lessons and performed at a Cinco De Mayo celebration downtown with their dance group.  It was fun to watch them.

Phoebe choir performed their last concert of the year.  It was a fun concert filled with Broadway Musical hits.

Eric celebrated his 45th birthday.  He says his birthday is just another day, but we celebrate him no matter how much he protests.  Seriously, we are all so thankful for him and love him so much.  He opened the cards he got in the mail and gifts from a few family members.  Then he opened cards and gifts from the kids and I.

For my birthday back in September, Sarah painted me a very meaningful picture of one of my favorite places in the world (a Colorado Aspen tree grove near our family cabin), so for Eric's birthday she wanted to paint one of his favorite places too.  I helped her with a picture of a place that I know he loved and will always be so special to him.  It is a picture of a tree toward the back of his Grandma's land, near where her house use to be.  The tree was north of her house near the white fence.  It is also the location that holds memories of one very special dog to Eric and I, (Drake).  She captured this place so perfectly.  He knew exactly what she had painted for him as soon as he laid eyes on her painting.  He was speechless for a minute as he absorbed the picture and memories flooded his mind.  It was a thoughtful and perfect gift for him.  In one of the pictures below, you can see her painting, and she is holding up the picture that I had taken of this place over fifteen years ago.

After gifts, we all enjoyed brownies and ice cream.  Happy Birthday Eric!

Sarah won a "taping" award in her Sports Medicine class. They had learned and practiced all sorts of injuries and tapings, then at the end of the year had a contest to see who could tape the most efficiently the quickest.  She won! And, had a lot of fun in the process.

Our five new chicks are getting bigger.... I'm loving their colorful and fluffy feathers.

Every spring I look forward to when our Peonies bloom. They are always so beautiful and smell wonderful.  They usually do not last long, the wind and rain can ruin them quickly.  So, when they start to bloom I make sure to look often, smell often, and tell Eric and the kids to "look how beautiful they are" and "take a whiff" too.

Phoebe's choir, the Silverbacks, took a group selfie during one of their last days of class.

Mother's Day was sad for me this year. And different. Eric and the kids did a good job of making me feel better about the day. We went flower shopping and got lots of pretty things planted in our yard.  We went to Maurices and had a little spending spree on myself and the girls, and Eric grilled delicious hamburgers for us and made us milkshakes for dinner.  We visited the Clearwater Cemetary so I could leave some flowers for Mom. Man, I miss her and her reassuring voice, and the way she was always happy that I called. And, the way she looked forward to her kids and grandkids events, and the joy of telling her exciting news, her smile, her caring nature. My heart just keeps hurting. She was a wonderful mom, I know...that is why I miss her SO much. We all do.

I went on the end of the year school wide Zoo field trip with Silas.  I got to walk around with a few of his friends and some of their moms (my friends)  The weather was perfect that day and the kids had a nice time.

Below, Avery, Silas, Kael, Isaac, Owen, Tyson, and Caelyn.

Below, friends, Stacee, Kristen, Brandi, and Sarah.

Silas played his first game of the baseball season in Mulvane.  He had a nice little fan club cheering for him.  I am so glad my family, especially Dad comes to support my kids in their activities so often.  It means so much to them and me.  Thanks family!

Silas performed with his honor choir on the last day of school at the school talent show.

He was also selected to perform by himself.  He sang, beautifully, Amazing Grace.  It made me smile and cry. My mommy heart was full and I am sure my Mom's heart would have been full too.

Last day of school pictures with a couple of his friends, Silas, Tyson and Isaac, and his teacher.

Popee, Lindsee, and Will were here for the last day of school so we had some fun that afternoon with them.

We ran into Dad's cousin, Susan, at an estate sale one Friday morning.  They are always so happy to see each other.

We went to Dad's house to be with family one Saturday and to help celebrate Uncle Ernie's birthday.  Happy 78th birthday, Ernie!

We moved mulch all over our yard one Sunday afternoon.  Belle took a couple rides in the trailer as we shoveled and hauled mulch to different areas.

We have caught Lucy sleeping in this box bed a lot recently. Sarah made it several years ago when she was hoping we would get a cat.

Memorial Weekend, another hard one.  We always decorate graves as a family. This year we didn't have Mom with us.  We had to decorate her grave. I swallowed the lump in my throat over and over that day. Things are different and hard. Is this real? Yes, I know it is, but I catch myself thinking "how did we get here...a life without Mom/Nanee?" often, especially on these significant days. It takes my breath away, I swallow the lump in my throat, I fight the overwhelming sadness that could easily overtake me, the feeling of just wanting to crumple up on the ground and sob for what we've lost. But, what would that help? Be strong. Head up. Keep going. That's what Mom would want me to do. I know. Positive attitude like her...I can do it. Everyone needs me to do it. So, I will keep trying, for Mom. And, the things that I remind others, I will keep silently reminding myself...One foot in front of the other. One step at a time. I can do hard things.

Below, or family, left to right - Jerry (Dad's cousin), Charles, Wyonna, Eric, Phoebe, Silas, Sarah, Dad, and Stacee.

Below, a few first cousins, Charles and Paul (brothers), Susan, and Jerry.

We tried out the kayaks that we got the kids for Christmas one warm Sunday afternoon.  We also got out our small boat.  Eric and Silas fished from it for about an hour.

Belle's toys have lasted a lot longer than I thought they might.  She carries them around the house, plays with them, and sometimes gives them a little chewing.

I came home one day to Dad/Popee all tied up on the couch.  It was apparently his idea.  He didn't think the kids would do such a good job of actually tying him up though.  Hilarious!