PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/26/11

Fun photo of me and Heather...

Nick ran over for this photo right before he started his match..

Aidan and Andrew sitting on those hot bleachers. When Nick was playing, Aidan had his fingers crossed and said, "I'm crossing them for good luck...I'm going to cross them until Nick wins"

Cute Emma with her missing teeth...

Nick and his team played in the Air Academy Invitational tournament this weekend in Colorado Springs. Heather, Aidan, Emma and Andrew came to see him play in his first match and it was very special to have them come. I know it meant a lot to Nick and, me too. As a kid, it's nice to know that you've got family support in all you do. The match went into a tie breaker and the rain came so they had to finish that match the next morning, but Uncle Todd went over to the courts as soon as he could hoping to catch Nick playing. It didn't work out, but he did talk to him when Nick was at the hotel. It was nice to spend the evening at Todd and Heather's and hang out with my little brother. Their house is very comfortable to stay in and I even crashed out on their couch before Todd got back. We went out to get something to eat, took Shiner on a walk and watched tv. Just a nice relaxing, fun day all the way around. BTW...Nick and Trevor DID finish their tiebreaker on Saturday morning and WON! I think Aidan crossing his fingers the day before made the difference.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/25/11

How much do I love this quilt? This is a treasure among all treasures. This was in the trunk that Grammama had in her garage and then my mom got it. Within it was this quilt created by my great great Grandmother Beeson. So many questions about it...where did the fabric come from, how long did it take her, who used it? To me, it is a piece of artwork passed on through generations. I'm wondering if she thought that her great great granddaughter would someday have this and be so glad to possess this treasure? Now, I want to find out more about Great Grandmother Beeson and make sure that she was the one who created this beautiful family heirloom.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/24/11

What a fun night last night to meet up with everyone at Celtic Tavern to see our Dreher cousins. Tami and I spent a lot of time with Jann and Elise during a couple of summers and I always look forward to seeing the Kansas Drehers when they come into town. It's special to be able to connect with relatives that you don't see often, but are important in your life now, and in the past. It is also a connection to Grandad Dell and his family. I know he would (and probably was) smiling seeing everyone together including us with our cousins, Spencer, Chris and Andrew. The only one we were missing was Todd :(. I am looking forward to spending time with him this weekend when I'm down in the Springs for Nick's tennis match.

When I was young, Jann and I were often told that we look alike...I always loved that and I still do. She's looking good and she was always extra special to me as she was like my older sister as a child and as I grew up.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/23/11

GO GRIZZLIES! Nick's first match was yesterday against CastleView and he played 3 doubles. At the beginning of the match, it was apparent he and his partner had never played together before, but they got into a groove and got some coaching in the second set and carried it into a third set and then WON! Their match secured the win for ThunderRidge as up until then, the score was 3-3. If they won, it would give us the win and win they did. The final score was 1-6, 7-5 6-3. Way to follow through and never give up and what a great start to his senior year tennis career. It was very apparent that he was really pleased also and he and his partner, Trevor McCord, found their groove and looked good together. I have to admit that I'm a bit of a "tennis mom" and I get really nervous. At the end of the match, when the final point was scored, I actually screamed out and jumped up in the air...total reflex. I have said it several times, but watching Nick on and off the court is quite a pleasure (what a word..."pleasure" makes me sound old ;) ). He is a class act and very poised and polite and just a great person. Way to go, Nicky T...well deserved. You've worked hard these past 4 years and it is your time to shine, kid.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/22/11

Her name is "Pear"...just "Pear." She was chirping in our, well you guessed it, our Pear tree in the front yard. She would chirp and then wait to hear if her mama would chirp back. She also would flap her wings which would make them stronger for her toFLY! She was ready to take off...ready to spread her wings...but wanted to know her mama was close by. Later on, she had taken off and I wonder where she went? Did she go back to her familiar nest, cruise the neighborhood or what? I guess that is what happens with kids as they grow up. They want the familiarity of home and mom, but need to strengthen their wings so they, too, can take off and learn how to FLY!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/21/11

Todd made it to the top of the world...or at least to the top of Mt. Sherman. He took over 250 pictures of his trek up the 14er and back down again. I don't think I ever see him happier and more "kidlike" than when get goes out and does this kind of thing. I hope he can do more of this and that he can enjoy that feeling he gets when he reaches the top.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD

This is my very favorite photo of my parents on their wedding day...it was as they were leaving and it was raining. So happy!

45 Years ago on August 20 at HIGH NOON, two of the best people in the world were married at Rockland Community Church overlooking the Continental Divide. Many years later, their oldest daughter was also married there...on July 18, 1992 at HIGH NOON. I love being able to look back at these photos and see them with the people they loved celebrating this special day. The church, to this day, looks similar and I can just imagine how they were on that late summer day in 1966.