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 7/1/11

I know I'm guaranteed a few shots with the boys on my birthday because they can't say "no"...so that is what I did and had fun doing this with them as they freaked out as cars drove by. (especially Nick ;) ). Love having these moments documented every once in a while.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/23/11

Kickball feet...our team of 5 is now back and complete...love this photo of the boys and their feet. I barely got Zach's foot in but I did, and I think this may ultimately be one of my favorite photos of the summer...the photo itself and the story of our "Family Kickball Night" we have almost every night/day in the summer.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/18/11

Camping trip #1 of the year is now in the books...Buffalo Peaks...campfires...cold nights...hanging out...awesome breakfast...wolves howling in the distance...Nick didn't bring a sweatshirt, thus quite chilly...worst part: putting up the tents...best part: being there...

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/18/11

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/6/11

REFLECTIONS: A great day yesterday...you three reflect all that is good in the world and what life is all about. I love you, mom

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/30/11

Grammama knew that I would be over to visit and was pleased to see me as I saw her, but when the boys started walking in individually, I truly saw a look of almost overwhelming joy as she said each of their names and then hugged each one. I don't even think she was aware of it, herself, but she could not contain her happiness in seeing them. We all sat on the floor while she and Harvey chatted with us for a little while and then she was off to have her hair done at the beauty parlor at "Sunrise"...their new home. While it is quite an adjustment and is not "home", I think they will find a comfortable lifestyle there. I was just so happy to see her running around with her walker and being "well" instead of rehab or a hospital. What a pretty color she had on and looked so nice with her scarf on. For me, it was a happy Memorial Day moment.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/26/11

FIELD DAY 2004: This was the final field day that all three boys were in...Nick in 6th grade, Chris in 3rd grade and Zach in 1st grade. Tomorrow is Zach's final field day...and they now call it "Fun and Fitness Day" which makes it not quite as "fun" as Saddle Ranch's old days. I will be there cheering Zach on. It's one of those moments that was once a "beginning" and is now coming to an "end."

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/24/11

As if 11:15 this morning, I am now the proud mom of two ThunderRidge highschool students...a senior and a freshman. It just came to my realization (well, I knew but hadn't thought so much about it) that Nick will finish up his highschool career with Chris right there with him. It has been a long time that they have been in the same school together and the thought of that just makes me happy. Nick brought Chris home from school today and I anticipate fun times ahead for the boys this summer. Hang in there Zach...only a few more days filled with field day (or "Fun and Fitness Day" as they call it and we think that is a dumb name), fun field trips and a final continuation ceremony in which I am sure to cry at. Nick had his best semester yet in highschool and Chris finished up extraordinarily well. Now, as I sang this to them as they came downstairs this morning..."SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER"

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/18/11

Reflecting back on these photos taken on Mother's Day...I loved that the waterfall was going, that we were home all together and that I got to be these 3 boys mom...I can't believe that they are 17, 14, 11 and they are getting so tall and so very handsome. I would like to go back and pull photos similar to this from past years and may do that later. They have all 3 grown up so much in the past year holy cow! Thanks for letting me take these photos, guys!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/17/11

Loved spending time with Nicky T today...he didn't have school because it was TR graduation so we went over to visit mom at rehab, did some shopping at Kohl's and then had lunch at REd Robin. I know that next year, it will be time for him to graduate, but for now, I'm going to enjoy every moment I can with this amazing kid and appreciate this time as well as enjoy where he is in his life right now.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/12/11

It's the beginning of the end...end of the school year, that is. Chris got to turn in his books today and the final weeks are in progress. This year is the fastest one so far and I'm looking forward to summertime with these guys and want that time to go more slowly. Goodbye to Algebra, English and US History...new books will be back soon enough.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/11/11

SNOWY COLD DAY ON 5/11/11...nothing about Colorado weather should surprise us. It started raining last night and it has been a rain/snow mix all day long with the high of 39 degrees so far. What is a bummer is that Chris was supposed to go to the Rockies game with his Dimensions in Literature class today and the game was postponed until tomorrow and their field trip was completely cancelled. Because of that, I wanted to at least give him some sort of cozy treat after school, thus, the hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and mint milano cookies which are his favorites. Nick enjoyed this treat also and I'll have it ready for Zach when he gets home. The saying is "when life gives you lemons...make lemonade" but in this case, "when life cancels your plans...make hot chocolate and eat cookies."

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 4/4/11

Remember the Alamo...Chris is finishing up his work on the "scene" for his History I-Search project. He is so good at building things and of course, drawing. His English teacher has asked for him to paint a book cover on his "podium" so he starts that tomorrow. What a talent he has and does it without even having to think about it. It will be fun to see how he continues with his creativity all through life...may he never lose it or put it aside because he's too good to do that.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/29/11

What a fun day with Shari, Katie and Michael...this day reminded me so much of the times we would all get together and spend the days together. After lunch at Red Robin, we rocked the bowling lane 13 with some amazing bowling. Between the 5 of us, we scored 401...not bad for amateurs ;). More pics to post when uploaded...and maybe even a little video of the Pro Bowlers Women's tour next to us who just took it a little more seriously than we did. :) One thing that I know for sure is that WE had more fun! Look how big these 3 kids are getting...and to think they are the "younger ones"...so glad we have this lifetime friendship with all of them.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/27/11

The outside of the club was filled with springtime flowers (more pics to follow) and I am so amazed at these 3 boys...so handsome, growing up way too quickly and very kind.

Love this photo Todd took as Nick helped Grammama out after lunch. She isn't as strong as she used to be and this is just, for lack of a better word, touching. It makes me want to cry.

Oh, my sweet Grammama...she always loves me and vice versa and just getting to spend some time with her is something I always look forward to and I am so grateful we continue to have this time together. I don't think there is anyone who loves me in quite the way she does...and that doesn't discredit anyone else...just a special way.

So thankful for such a beautiful time today at Cherry Hills Country Club with my family and Grammama and Harvey. We had made plans to do this for quite some time and it was a beautiful spring day to enjoy it out at this beautiful club that holds so many memories for me. Growing up, it was such a great to get to go out there with Grammama and Grandad Dell and it is still a pleasure to go out there when we get these opportunities. Every time we go, we all say that this may be the last time...and it may be, but I will always treasure these times I have spent there. Grammama and Harvey are getting older and life is just not as easy for them, but to have this time today is something that is never taken for granted and always appreciated. I enjoyed hearing Harvey tell about his time at University of Wyoming when he had to go there for a year and would hitchhike back home to Longmont on weekends (which, at that time wasn't a bad thing as truck drivers were happy to bring home someone in uniform...Army) until his "folks bought him an old Ford" to get back and forth. I also didn't know that he commuted to college in Boulder (CU) every day and never lived on campus. We have been very fortunate to have time to really get to know eachother and appreciate eachother and I know he loves me very much, and again, this is vice versa 100%.

When reflecting, I fear the day my Grammama is not here with me physically. I know it will happen and although I can't imagine it happening for awhile, I am scared because I have never known life without her. One time, after Grandad Dell died, I told her that when she died, I wanted her to let me know she was okay and to give me a sign, but not to scare me...just let me know she wasn't very far away. So thankful I said that and I have no doubt she will...but not yet, please.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/25/11

NEW SHOES: MENS SIZE 8...it is official...all 3 boys are now considered "men" in the shoe world. Today, Zach went to get a new pair of shoes and has been at the highest size in kids and not quite ready for "mens" sizes, but today was the day when all that changed. Thank goodness, because, as I have now found out 3 times, it is very hard to find shoes that fit between the transition of sizes. Zach is very particular about what he likes and wanted something with some color (not white) and was looking for purple or green along with a neutral color...he did a great job finding these and they were a perfect fit.

Today, I took Nick to the DMV to get a new license after losing his wallet in Santa Fe. Thankfully, it was a very easy fix and the wait was not bad at all. Later, Chris, Zach and I met Tami and the kids at Brunswick Zone for a round of Laser Tag and lunch and then we all went over to Kohls. It is so great how all the kids are such good friends and really watch out for eachother. Josh came over for a while afterwards which ended a very fun week for all of us.

Nick and Chris go back to school on Monday for the final stretch before summer break. During that time, Chris has his final quarter of middle school (which he is very happy about) and Nick finishes his JR. year with a tough school schedule, taking the ACT at the end of April, 3 college visits in April (to Wyoming, UCCS and CSU) and then the AP Euro History test at the beginning of May...along with regular school work and tennis. It will be interesting to see what schools he likes and if any of them have a good fit for him. It will also give him a feel of what college will be like and qualities he is going to want to find that are right for him. Can't even go further thinking about this, but just want him to have options and feel good about it.

Finishing up my final Stone Mountain yearbook this weekend along with getting ready to send Dad's book of to be printed...life is busy and oh so good...