fall la la la

         Go Aggies !!!!

We attended an open practice for the USU Aggies.  It was a lot of fun.  The boys were especially thrilled when after the practice fans were allowed down onto the field to get player autographs.  Ethan actually hooked up with a player and they played catch for quite a while.  We asked him how that happened and he told me he saw a player with a ball and asked him if he could borrow it.  The player said yes but said he needed to use it with him.  Ethan cracks me up.  He is totally not afraid to talk to anyone, even a big football player.   Adam joined in as well.  The player was very nice.  He said he had little brothers.  He was impressed with my boy's arms.  We got some fun pictures and video.  We had a really fun time and plan on making this a new family tradition.  I am not a huge football fan.  To be honest I go to the games for the treats and the company.  I have to admit it was pretty neat to go down on the field and look around and see everything and everyone close up.

 

Silly boys   

There was a dress up station at their back to school night.

 Ethan

 

 

Adam






First Day of School

August 25, 2015
 

Our beautiful 9th grader.

  Watch out boys.  She still can't date for two more years and she has 4 brothers looking out for her.

Excited boys for their first day of 1st and 4th grade. 

Ethan in his brand new clothes.  The shorts only made it being worn once as permanent markers are really permanent.  Thank goodness for good sales.

 

 

 

So Ethan has been so excited for 1st grade since the last day of kindergarten.  He couldn't wait to ride the bus again and to have more than one recess and to eat school lunch.  His older siblings tell him this excitement will end quickly for him as they don't like doing any of this.  Hopefully they are wrong, however, I doubt they are.

 

I have to admit I wasn't quite as excited for the kids to go back to school this year.  Yes, they had started to drive me nuts with their teasing and their boredom, but thinking about the start of the new year brought me some sadness and heartache.   Jaime would be starting the 9th grade this year.  Ryan never even finished the 8th grade.  She actually passed him up in age last month as well.  Ryan will be forever 14 in my mind even though I still wonder what he would be doing today and how he would look.   This would also be Ryan's senior year in high school.  He would have been so excited to only have one more year of school ahead of him.  He would be driving and would probably have begged me to let him drive the first day of school.   And of course that would have only been possible had he received his Eagle scout award, which I am sure he would have left to the last minute like his older brother.  I am also reminded that he would be less than a year away from serving a mission and I am sure would have been excited and nervous at the same time.  Sometime during the winter I am sure he would be turning in his mission papers.  So at this time of the year my heart aches for my loss.  I miss my son so much.  With this being said, I am so thankful to know this is not the end and that I will be with him again someday.  I can't imagine not having the knowledge that families can be together forever.   I am so thankful that Alex is in the Philippines sharing this wonderful message with those who aren't aware of it yet.  I am so thankful that Ryan is waiting for us and that some day I can see why he needed to be called home so early to complete a special work up there.  I am so blessed to be his mom.  I am so blessed to have two sons serving the Lord right now.  I am so happy I can give one of them a big hug in 9 months and I will patiently wait to give the other a hug when the Lord sees fit.  I trust in my Heavenly Father and accept his plan and his will, even though it is so hard at times.  I know it will be worth it in the end and that keeps me going.

 

I also dreaded the start of this school year because I didn't  know if was totally ready to have all the kids gone all day.  It's the first time in 19 1/2 years I will have this time to myself.  I wasn't sure I was up for this yet.  Well, I don't have much choice do I.  I joked with Mike that I would just home school the kids.  That would be a disaster just waiting to happen.  Well, the first day of school came and with tears in my eyes I sent the kids off to school on the bus.  I had really wanted to take Ethan to school the first few days but he was so excited to ride the bus.  He promised that if I let him ride the first day then I could take him the next nine days in the car.  He's so cute.  He was so brave and here I was in tears.  Adam also promised to make sure he got to his new class.  Really this wasn't even necessary as Ethan already knew where it was but I still wanted his big brother to look after him.  So I took a deep breath as I hugged them and sent them off to school.   Then I went in my room and had a good cry.  Luckily it was half day all week so that did make things easier.  I also had plans with my mother-in-law later that day.  So after a few minutes I regrouped and got ready for the day.  Staying busy was perfect to keep my mind off of things.  It worked and I was fine the rest of the day and am fine now.  I have stayed way to busy now that the kids are all gone all day long and so far the time has passed quickly.  I am doing good and am glad they are happy and are enjoying school.  And I am excited to say I have even had a few much needed naps. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So we went out to eat a few weeks ago and I took this picture of Ethan.  Instantly it reminded me of Ryan.  So I looked through some pictures and I was right.  It's not exact, but it's close.  It's crazy at how many similarities I see with these two.  I admit sometimes it makes me smile and sometimes I have to hold back the tears. 

 

Jaime continues to enjoy her riding lessons.  She was so excited to be able to go on an official trail ride last month.  She is very brave and learning quickly.  I continue to ride as well.  Mike hopes to one day see me compete in the barrel racing at the rodeo.  Dream on!!  But who knows, miracles can happen.  JK

 

 

The huge package headed towards the Philippines and a starving missionary (JK)

Just a portion of the stash of Alex's package.  The package ended up weighing 86 lbs.  I wish I could see his face when he opens it.  It contains many of our necessities of life and his Christmas presents.  I have encouraged him to share with his companion.  It takes about 2 months to get there and the freight charge is much cheaper because of this.  It's crazy this is the last big package I will be sending him as he comes home in 9 months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hooper Tomato Days

 

 Jaime and her friend were in the parade carrying this banner.

Adam had no trouble climbing this.  He was to the top in practically a blink of an eye.  Ethan chose to jump on this kind of trampoline thing.  He was strapped into a harness and then could bounce and do flips and things.  He said he was having fun but the look on his face showed otherwise.  He looked pretty scared.  He barely bounced and had no desire to do flips.  I doubt he will ever want to do that ride again. 

Adam, Ethan and Jaime volunteered and helped run some of the kid games.  I was in charge of rounding up all the help.  Thank goodness for Jaime and her friends and all the other teenagers I happen to know who helped.   I didn't let the boys help until later in the day when it was much slower.  They were so excited to help.  Mike and I purchased a few tickets and played the games the boys were helping at.  They thought that was pretty fun to help their parents.

We had a fun weekend at Tomato Days.  We enjoyed a town meal, catch and release fishing in a ditch across from the park, the rodeo, yummy food, good company, a mini soccer tournament that Ethan played in, and seeing all the wonderful people from Hooper and surrounding areas.  I was co head of the Hooper Cherry Tomato Baby Pageant.  That went great thanks to all of Jaime's and my friends who helped with various tasks and judging.  We also enjoyed watching the fireworks from the cemetery near Ryan.  This has become a wonderful family tradition of ours since we lost him.  We love Hooper.  There will always be a piece of Heaven on earth in Hooper.







Ethan has had a blast playing soccer this fall.  After one game where he had scored a few goals he remarked, "This is the best day of my life!!"

 

I have officially stopped paying the boys for goals and touch downs as we are going to go broke.

 

Adam is a natural playing flag football.  I guess it comes with having brothers and all the practicing at home.  He keeps trying to talk me into playing tackle football.  After what we went through with Alex and his football injury, I am just not ready to do it.  I actually don't know if I ever will be.  So for now, I just tell him that we will see.  That's my nice way of saying, "Quit bugging me about it and be grateful I am letting you play this."  JK 

 

 

 

 

 

September 12, 2015

 

We love you Ryan.  You are never far from our hearts.  We can't wait to see you again some day.



I have so much to be thankful for !!!!!