Another year....

Yeah, I had a birthday recently and it turned into a wonderful weekend plus of time with friends and family.  From breakfast to brunch to lunch to dinner I was treated to some wonderful meals and thoughtful gifts.  So...what's it feel like to be 62?  Well...I think I'm lucky.  I tire more easily than I used to but I can still keep up with toddlers.  I grab a nap when I can but for the most part, my health is good.  I still fit into clothes I've had for longer than I care to remember, and I can still wear a size 6 shoe.  I enjoy traveling when I can, but also am fond of rainbows, sunsets and a really good biography.  I don't take any medication except a baby aspirin every day and nothing really needs replacing yet (!)  Yes, I color my hair but I am not quite ready for what I know is almost a full head of gray hair.   I am lucky to have a few really good friends who call when they want to take a walk, who remember my birthday and often provide support when I need it.  I have a partner who understands my need to be involved in my kids' lives and even cooks supper for me most of the time.  Now if I could just get him to do the laundry....   I have children that appreciate, respect and honor me.   And my children have spouses that understand my idiosyncracies and accept me anyway.   I have 10 healthy grandchildren that provide endless fun and adventure.....a pretty good life.  And Jesus still loves me, this I know....

April 16

Everyone knows that your first child changes

your life forever.  But your second child

changes your life in ways you could

never expect.  My second child, Scott Andrew,

was born on April 16 a few years ago and

nothing has been the same in my life since.

I always said that if I'm ever stranded on a desert

island and only get one person with me, I'd choose

Scott....not because he can build a raft, light a

fire or catch a fish.  But it would be entertaining!

I chose this picture because it captures some
fun with Grandpa, my dad, brother Chad
and cousin Jer.  Also, my Grandma Mieska

A Vikings fan even back then...

I didn't take this picture but I always
think it captures Scott perfectly.

Scott and me on his wedding day.  Being his
mother is always (usually) great, but this was one
of the best days.

becoming a father

His family...Everleigh, Ami and Briggs
Happy Birthday, Scott!
Can't wait to see what the new year brings...

No Foolin'

 Briggs, meet Chad & LoriAnn

Chad & LoriAnn, meet Briggs

 some Ketcher kids

 Everleigh and Briggs with Chad & LoriAnn

 New baby Ethan, brother Andrew and Chad & LoriAnn

 This is what you get when you ask 4 boys to

take a random picture.

 Same 4 boys with campfire and smores :)

 Brighton & Nathaniel spent a day with me at

Everleigh & Brigg's so we went to a nearby park.

 Andrew (and Ben) joined us.

 Then we met the next day at the Mn Zoo.

(Brighton is in penguin-pose.)

 A warm April day for an outdoor picnic...nice!

 GAS stopped by and this was our Best attempt

at a group shot.

 Princess (the dog), meet Everleigh

These boys are overtaking me!

A last night around the campfire and the smores.

So when Chad called me last Saturday and asked if

they could come for the boys' spring break, I wasn't

sure if it was "April Fool's" or not.  They were still

in Naples so I wasn't really sure until early Monday

if they were serious or not.  They were!  They only

had the 5 days but we filled it with unplanned stuff...

time at a nearby playground, bonfires at night,

visits to meet new nephews Briggs (born in Oct)

and Ethan (born on Mar 28), spend a day

at Everleigh and Briggs' house, go to the zoo,

spend an evening with GAS and Julie, and a final

supper at my house with Ami and the kids.

Whew!