Almost time...

One week until I send Jordan back to school. Oh my, a junior, an upper classman...one of the big boys! He has been working hard at getting ready for football, first preseason game on Friday. New coach, new program and the kid's seem to have a new attitude. All good :)
Academically Jordan decided at the end of last year he wanted to get an Honors Dipolma...he will have to stay focused. Great grades will take him a long way when it comes time for college. If we made up a "play book" for grades, scholarships and colleges maybe we could keep him better focused on what is really important. Hard work will reap him rewards. Let's stay in the game buddy!
I'm hoping time will not pass as quickly as it did with Sydney. Two years until graduation seems like a long time but I know all too well it is not.

To the one I love!

Twenty-two years after our "I do's" and I still choose you. You're still the one. I'm ready for twenty-two more, although we both know my memory is horrible and by then you may need to remind me you're still the one. That's what husbands do you know(and I know you'll be there for me). Happy anniversary.

Happy Birthday Nana

Today my mom would have been 88 years old. I'm missing her. I'm thinking about the things she has missed out on...a great grandbaby, Sydney's graduation and a new grandpuppy. And the upcoming event, Andrea's wedding. All these things would make her smile, laugh and shed a tear. She is missed but without a doubt I am reminded of her everyday. It could be from wearing something she gave me, seeing something around the house with a ladybug or smelling Sydney at night after she has washed with Noxema. Happy birthday Nana.

One month away...

...and then I will have to let the baby girl go. Thankfully, 30 more days because I am not ready yet. Her friends are starting to go too, Matthew moved into his room at George Fox today. I think Kendahl spent her day packing, she leaves in the morning for University of Portland. And tomorrow is the day Hannah has set aside for packing. She will leave Thursday for Pacific University in Forest Grove. I sure hope their parents are ready for the "letting go" part of this college experience. So, we're on the countdown! I have been collecting things for Sydney but what I need to be doing is collecting boxes of tissue. The tissues that will collect all the tears...from me...from Steve and I think Jordan is "good to go." Remember, he has Harley!

Are You Ready For Some Football...2010 version

And before I forget...Jordan weighed in at 190lbs., 5' 10 1/2" yesterday. My big boy is growing up (and he is not a ninja). He is healthy and ready for football. Are you?

changes

Next week our world will change...we will know something is different but maybe not be able to put our finger on what it is. I'm gonna put this out there so we will know why our hearts might be a little saddened. Today we had visits from Hannah and later Kendahl. They are leaving for college next week! I'm excited but will miss them terribly. Back to school barbeque minus some faces. Won't be dropping in for movies, dinner, games...Wow! I'm already looking forward to Thanksgiving. Never too soon :(

And she speaks!

Wow, did we really just hear the dog? And what is she barking at? Well, it only took ten days but she does speak. Simply said...Libby! She has been wanting to make friends with Libby so badly but Libby really doesn't want to give in. The two of them will get pretty close but no real signs of affection. Even eskimo kisses ever so carefully when they are sniffing each other and checking each other out. Harley has had patience but now follows Libby any chance she gets. Tonight she took off down the hall and the dog took off after her with a bark too! Play nice!

Her ears

Do I even need to say it? I love, love, love her ears but they are gonna be the death of me. At this very minute she is eating. One ear in the bowl, one out :( Oh, the other in the bowl, guess it's time to switch. Uh oh, we're going for the water bowl. Yay, she managed to keep them out this time. Can you visualize us chasing her down to wipe her up. Yep, she's going to be some kind of fun. We've got a towel in every room dedicated to her!

Will we be able to "let her go?"

God has been preparing our hearts to "let her go" for awhile now. "Let her go" is what I have named this phase where Sydney is outwardly showing us her grown up independence now that she is a high school graduate. An expression of her free will to tell us no, her know-it-all attitude that our opinions really don't count and that she knows best! Hmm, we will see how this serves her in the future. I have been told these new behaviors we are seeing are a natural progression if the circle of life and that it is God's way of making it easier to "let her go" come fall. I have faith that God knows what He is doing and that He wouldn't give us anything we aren't prepared to handle. The dad is in a mode as well...he is busy trying to help her get the things she needs for college life. Pretty much would give her the moon and back, nothing is too good for his Baby Girl. At this point, they will not be having any unsupervised shopping outings! In his own way he is busy preparing for her departure too. In the previous post I said Harley will fill the void of Sydney leaving for Jordan but why now did my husband agree to the dog he said we would never have? Does she make me happy? Yes. But this dog will be another daddy's girl just like Sydney...and like Libby. They all like him best! We have the replacement child and yes, we will be able to let you go Sydney...45 days until your departure. We will miss you and look forward to your return!

We bought a HARLEY!

Not what you were thinking, right? Meet Harley. She is a 10 month old basset hound and so lovable. She is so easy going, wants to meet everyone, smell everything and so far is very quiet. I am interested to find out what it will be that will make her bark. So far, she is making herself at home...I do wonder when she will forget where she came from and accept our house as her new home. As far as Libby is concerned, she is not so in love with her but I'm going to give her some time. And Harley is indifferent to Libby...has seen her, has tried to make friends with her but Libby isn't going for it. Right now she is snuggled in with dad, he is early to bed and early to rise but I think Jordan has his heart set on sleeping with her later tonight. Harley is Jordan's solution to Sydney leaving for college. Instead of Jordan sleeping next to Sydney on her floor, we hope he will be content with this big pup sleeping next to him. If this all goes well, Jordan will be able to "let Sydney go!"

And so ends another season of baseball!

State champs?! No, but the boys gave it a shot. They won two and lost two over the long weekend...I think the key to winning the state title is either to win the first two games so you are in the running or to host the tournament. The local teams of Pleasant Hill and Thurston were the two teams who played the championship game. Lol. I have to say, I am sooooo proud though. Newberg has been to this state tournament two years in a row. Awesome kids...talent and heart! And a great coach! Great season...thanks for all the great baseball.