PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 9/15/11

While we watched TR Boys tennis into the early evening, we had a beautiful view of the sky and the sunset. To me, it looks like a tennis ball in motion (going the wrong way, but you get the effect). It didn't last for long, but the sky was so beautiful and we had a great view. This was taken right as Nick was playing his 4 doubles match which they won 6-3, 6-2. Sure hope they keep the energy they have together because they are a good team together. Thankful for being able to be there to watch him.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/27/11

Way to go TRHS Boys Tennis. This weekend they came in 2nd or 3rd (depending how you look at it) in the Air Academy Invitational Tournament. Nick and Trevor won 3 out of 4 of their matches and figured out how to play together. When Coach Hanson was handing out the ribbons at the end, he specifically said that Nick was a "leader" and that word means as much to me (and hopefully, to him) as it means to be a good player (which he also said they were). I hope this season, for Nick, is fun, without drama, successful and just a good final summation of 4 years of tennis at TR. He has definitely worked hard, never given up and did his best and is an amazing player...much better than he should be for the time he has spent on the courts in lessons and off season play. I am very proud of him, but more than anything, he should be proud of himself as he is a class act on and off the court (I may have written this same thing in an earlier post, but it is true).

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 8/23/11

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 8/19/11

A couple times this year, I have driven up to home during the day and saw Nick's car parked in the driveway as he came home between classes. He has 2 periods off this year and a the afternoon off of classes on Wednesdays so it is extraordinarily cool to have him home at more random times and just "drop in." I took this photo the other day because I didn't want to forget this. It still is a little crazy to see him drive up into the driveway but it always makes me smile and appreciate that he is here. The bittersweet part (which I've been feeling a lot of them as his senior year starts) is that this is definitely something to notice and appreciate because next year, it won't be the same. UGH...I said it...I try very hard to just live in the moment and treasure the time with all 3 of the boys, but the impending "college is coming" gets to me sometimes. For now, I will look forward to him walking in the door in the middle of the day, asking "what do we have to eat" and "hi, mom" usually followed with a quick hug. You're growing up, Nick, and that is really great, but don't ever forget that you always have a home to come home to and just "drop in".

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/1/11

Final summer tennis match means that the school tennis season is right around the corner. Nick played really well this summer and his TR Green team came in 3rd in the standings very closely behind a Columbine Knolls team and a Ken Caryl team (like by 5 games only). He played in all but one match so he was a major reason for having so many wins.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/25/11

SUMMERTIME TENNIS...nothin' better to play in the summertime and even better when your grandparents are there to support you. In Nick's tournament on Saturday, Grandaddy came and saw some of the best tennis Nick has ever played and then today, for his tennis team match, Gram Gram and Grandaddy came to watch and see him win in singles 6-0 6-0 and in doubles 6-0 6-3. They didn't want to miss an opportunity to see him on the courts and they certainly weren't disappointed in his incredible playing. He is really an amazing player with a great court presence. Most importantly, it is very special how the boys grandparents love and support my boys.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/7/11

These are just a few options for NIck's Senior pictures we are having taken tomorrow. Shari Kimmey Photography will be doing our session :). It's funny because I can remember the day my senior pictures were taken and my mom worked very hard to come up with clothing options for those pictures and they were perfectly ironed and ready to go. At that time, I didn't "get it", but I can definitely say now that I do. I'm trying to not overthink the thought that Nick will be a SENIOR IN HIGHSCHOOL and just trying to enjoy each step of the way and time with him.

Before I get to "mushy", I will get back to the focus of the "emsembles" (a new Tracy-ism word). When I call them "outfits", the boys quickly tell me that "boys do not wear outfits." I'm quite sure ensembles is right up there with them, but it's my word and I'm gonna use it.

Nick has a very cool vibe...in the way he handles himself and in the way he dresses. Here are some of the "Nick trends" right now:

skinny jeans (and he pulls them off really well)

hats, hats, hats...forward, backwards , baseball and drivers caps...this is nothing new, but a continuing "trend"

plaid shorts

brighter colors

a bit of an edge in look and clothes...nothing too trendy or 'fancy'..."just him"

black

Vans/shoes similar to vans

flip flops

Something that endures the test of time:

his bright green eyes

a super smile that lights up a room

his laugh and personality

his passions and interests throughout his life

love of cars

his love of his family especially his grandparents

friendship with his brothers

cool, laid back, content life

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/27/11

It doesn't seem so long ago that both Nick and Chris were taking tennis lessons at Redstone Park in the spring and summer...for that matter, it doesn't seem so long ago that I was playing summer leagues every summer from the age of 8-17. I guess that when I think of summer, I naturally think of tennis. I also look very forward to Wimbledon being played every June near my birthday. I can't remember a year I haven't watched it. Chris and NIck both took some lessons when young and Chris continued through several years up until somewhat recently. I do wish he would start up again but time will tell. Nick started playing again the summer before his freshman year and has really worked himself up the ranks. He is a very good tennis player and is stronger this year than ever before...today, he won 6-0 6-1 and was frustrated because he didn't think he played well so he's got that competitive spirit. I'm thinking that Zach should play some just to see if he likes it but once again, time will tell. For now, I will have fun cheering Nick on (as quietly as I can) from the sidelines and enjoying the second week of Wimbledon.

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 4/26/11

This photo was taken early morning 4/27 as Nick is heading off to take his ACT test at school. I learned a lot from my mom and made sure he had a good dinner last night (steak potato veggies salad fruit) and then this morning (orange juice, hard boiled eggs and fruit). I remember that my mom would always make sure that we had healthy, protein food prior to big tests and took such good care of us. I am betting, just knowing what I remember, that the boys will remember that about me, too. I can't take the tests or do the homework for them (even though I wish I could sometime ;) ) but I can do the best to help them out and take care of them.

I know that NIck is having his test scores sent to both CSU and Wyoming, and while he has other opportunities to take the ACT a second time, I hope he feels really good about these results regardless. Today, he is wearing his new CSU shirt and wore his Wyoming tshirt during the weekend. Sometimes, I wish I could look in a crystal ball and see exactly where he was going and what he wanted to do, but I guess that's part of the excitement of life...it will be fun to see and remember "the best is yet to come." Good luck, Nick! :) I will always love you and be your mom.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 4/18/11

CSU Visit Day! It was so nice to be back on campus and so much had changed, but so much had remained the same. I was pleased how much Nick liked the campus and is interested in the school. He's an awesome kid and we had so much fun together. I will always be thankful for this day!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 4/11/11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY DEAR NICHOLAS TODD SCHMITT...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I can hardly believe Nick is 17 today. It honestly seems like a blink of an eye and time flew. What a very cool person Nick is.

He loves to play the guitar, laugh with his brothers and friends, adores his two dogs, thinks his parents are usually okay except his mom nags waaaaayyyy too much, plays a game called Dark Orbit, takes his ITouch to school every single day, texts his mom during the day from school, knows that his grandparents are so important to his life, has a favorite Aunt Tami and aunts and uncles that love him very much as well as cousins who think it's cool to have such an old cousin and a mom who loves and adores him very much (but that is a given). Thanks for 17 amazing years and I look forward to all the years to come...you have an amazing future full of milestone moments and I will support you and love you every step of the way.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE 4/8/11

Nick and I spent the day touring UCCS in Colorado Springs. While a beautiful setting from within the campus...and an amazing view of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, this school is most likely NOT going to be where Nick goes to college. There are various reasons, and, as he just said, it would be a good school for people, but not for me. I would have to agree. I really can't picture him there now or long term and the engineering program seems good but not overly dynamic and competitive. Who knows if that is our interpretation, but it's a relatively small program with room to grow, but without the perfect fit all the way around, this isn't it. What was really awesome about today is that Nick and I got to spend the day together and had some funny experiences and that counts as much as anything in the world. So hard to imagine he will be 17 on Monday...for a little while, I had a flashback of all the years leading up to this day. Next stop: CSU on April 18. Whether he goes there or not, I think he will have a good feeling about it.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 4/3/11

FUTURE WYOMING COWBOY??? Time will tell, but Nick was very impressed with the campus and opportunities there and liked the landscape and the entire overview. It would be a great school for him and not TOO far away from home, but the thought of that right now is almost more than I can imagine and bear. It was sure nice to have him HOME after his visit. We head to UCCS this Friday and then CSU on the 18th to check those campusses out also. It will be interesting to see what he thinks about that. What a great opportunity for him to see what he likes and doesn't like about different campusses. U Wyo didn't have any minuses in his mind.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/1/11

So glad to get to play with Elli one day a week again. She came in this morning and knew just what to do and happily greeted Mocha and Cocoa, ran upstairs to say hi to Liza and then yelled "toodle-oooo" to Zach as he walked to school. She really has grown up a lot and is such a fun, funny and spunky kiddo. She was talking about her cousins and listing them and then included Mocha, Cocoa and Liza also. We have had a fun day.

Nick had a practice ACT this morning and then came home since he doesn't have CSAP's this year. Elli was very glad to have him here and we all had a picnic outside for lunch (McDonald's Happy Meal for Elli and Big Mac Meal for Nick) and then they even did some homework/drawing together.

I remember when Nick was about the age of Elli and it doesn't seem that long ago. This is a classic picture of "biggest and littlest" cousins and I think this is truly a treasure.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/25/11

I watched you as you worked on your Architectural drafting assignment and was amazed. You knew exactly what you were doing and you did it well. I don't know what you will ultimately do Nick, but I do know that you will be capable doing whatever it is...architecture? engineering? something totally different? It will be fun to see but what I do know is that you should be creative, never stop doing what you like to do and always give your best...when you do that, you will always be a success.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/6/11

GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE SUPERBOWL CHAMPS 31-25! Before the game, Nick predicted the score would be 31-24 so he was oh, so close.

QUOTES OF THE NIGHT:
"I heard that heart attacks go up 25% during the Superbowl and now I believe it." (Nick)

"I didn't think I would care so much, but I do." (Zach...as the clock was ticking down in the final minutes)

Chris' favorite player from Green Bay : Greg Jennings

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/27/11

We just got back from Nick's yearly asthma check up, and for the second year in a row, his numbers have gone up and once again, they have lowered his dose of daily meds. He is now taking Advair 100 once a day to try for a while. His levels were at 104 and last year, I think they were at 97 so they continue to improve. I get very emotional when we hear this kind of good news because this kid went through so much as a little boy and had more medications and treatments than I would ever wish on anyone. I truly believe that it has helped to have the allergy shots he had for almost 5 years and the dr said today that he was in "remission" meaning he still has asthma, but it is maintained and controlled and not active. Thank you , God. This just is something I could never have imagined and am so thankful.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/18/11

Oh Nicky T, you know that I'm a crazy photographer and I can't help but capture the daily life. You came down this morning and looked so handsome/cute and I just knew that I needed to document the way I felt. You see, I know you don't understand, but you are growing up so quickly and it hurts my heart just a little. At the same time, I am so happy you are the amazing, talented person that you are and I wouldn't trade this time with you for anything. I think to the future and the thought of you going to college is almost more than I can imagine...I push you to do your best and plan ahead so you are prepared for the future, but deep down, I just want to keep that little boy who spent many hours bug hunting, reading dino books, coloring and drawing amazing trucks at a very young age with me. I guess I do have that with me because I have the memories and photos to bring those back in a second. I just pray for you to have the best future anyone could have...and I'm hoping that someday, you will look back and say, "thanks mom...you were a pain in the butt sometimes and nagged a lot, but those little tips you gave me and time you spent made a difference." Until then, I will probably still nag and give you my input, but I can't help it...you've never known me to stay too quiet, but please know that is always done only out of love and caring and may you take from it what helps you now and always. The look on your face (after you closed the garage door on me and locked me out ;) ) as you drove off is something that has made me smile all day long...well, most everything you do makes me "SMILE". (like the song by "Uncle Kracker") I love you, kid!