On turning 44.

So next Saturday is my birthday and I'll be 44 years old.  I don't know why but that seems old to me.  Like I still remember being my kids age and thinking that 44 year old people were old people and now I am one of them.

I think part of the reason I feel so old is my kids are getting older.  This past week, Ian spent at a JROTC cadet leadership camp.  He looks so grown up in his uniform and it scares me to think that I only have him to myself for so much more time and then he will be a grown up.

I mean seriously, stop growing up kid!!

I don't know that all the problems women my age have is hormonal.  I mean we just have so many emotions running through us all the time.  I'm proud of the people my kids are growing up to be but scared for them because the future is still uncertain and I want nothing but the best for them but I know I can't control everything and make it easy and perfect for them and I have to trust that I have done the right things for them when I can so that when they have to go out in to the world themselves they have the tools and smarts to make it all work out.  *deep breath*  Let's just say at almost 44, I cry a lot.

And because I don't want Evan to feel like I don't ever post pictures of him, here he is getting his star rank at our Boy Scout court of honor a couple of months ago.  I'm really proud of this kid too because he pretty much just does stuff on his own without us having to help him and he is SO SMART, I mean like crazy scary smart.  He wants to work for NASA building robots that will explore other planets and I have no doubt in my mind that if when he is done with college that is still what he wants to do that he will be doing it.

I've been getting the weird itch to scrapbook again.  I don't know if it is because my kids are growing up so fast and I still have so much to catch up on in scrapbook time but I might try it and just see what happens.  My problem is all the supplies and stuff that are out there now are so artsy and made for these layouts that use these tiny little photos instead of 4x6 photos that I have.  And have I told you I had to buy myself reading glasses this year so tiny prints isn't something I want to use!!  I'm going to pull out some paper and see what happens.  Maybe I can bring 4x6 back into vogue!

Last day in Dubuque

Before we went and had breakfast and then hit the road to head back home, I wanted to get a couple of pictures of the boys with my parents and also me and my parents.  I should have thought to get one with Sally and me with mom and dad on Thanksgiving day.  Next time!!

Happy Thanksgiving 2016

I ended up going home a week early to visit with my mom and dad because my dad was in the ICU for a couple of days because of some internal bleeding.  He's going to be fine and he was back home before I got there but it was nice to spend the time with my mom and dad and make sure that he was taking care of himself so he gets better.

It was also nice because I got to spend some extra time with my niece and nephew.  Evelyn and I went and saw the movie Fantastical Beasts and I taught 5 year Grey how to play chess or at least that in the rules it says that white always goes first (baby steps).

After Thanksgiving dinner once my boys were all there, we did a big family photo.  It is nice to see how the kids have changed over a year.

First Day of School 2016

Today is the first day of school.  We had to take pictures in the house because about five minutes before this picture the skies opened up and it was pouring outside.  Maybe tomorrow I can get a good outside picture.

Evan is in 6th grade this year and is hoping to be on the Student Council again.  He also wants to be a yearbook editor and on the robotics team.  He was asked by the school to be on the color guard and put the flag up and take it down every day at school, which he is really excited about.

And this one is in high school this year.  9th grade.  A freshman.  How the heck did that happen?  Wasn't he just learning how to read and tie his own shoes?  He gets to start the year wearing that super cool boot because of stress fracture in his foot and hopefully it won't slow him down too much. He is nervous about finding all his classes but as you can see, he is also ready to start high school.  He is in the JROTC and wants to be in their spirit club, rocket club, color guard and orienteering/land nav team.  He also signed up to be on the student council and chess club and the technology club.  He really is jumping in with both feet (HA HA one's in a boot though).

Zoo Day June 2016

I asked the boys what they wanted to do today and they picked going to the zoo!  It was a nice day there, we got there really early and had the place to ourselves to start with.  I loved watching the boys feed the fish and baby ducks and I also loved watching the hippos swim.

Pool Day

First time at the pool for the summer for the boys.  

Troop 343 61st Court of Honor

Evan was the stand in for our scribe and was very excited to get to light all the candles.

Evan earned Nuclear Science and Archery Merit Badges.

Ian earned Nuclear Science, Archery and Camping Merit Badges.

And Ian was re-elected to ASPL but this time in the programs role instead of Advancement.

Clemens High School Graduation 2016

So are part of graduation, all of the feeder schools send a representative and the principal to walk up their school banner at the beginning of graduation.  Evan was chosen to represent Wilder Intermediate School and he was so proud.  I loved watching him march his banner up!

Last Day of School 2016

Last day of being fifth and eighth graders!!

Told Ian to stand up straight and be proud of how tall he is!!

Last time waiting at the bus stop!!  He'll probably be most happy about that!!

Last day of school just happened to fall on National Donut Day -- I celebrated!!

Met Evan part of the way home to see my fifth grader walk home for the last time or was it my sixth grader walking home for the first time?

And now I have a high schooler and we are done with Junior High!!

Evan's 5th Grade Awards Ceremony

Darren and I got to go visit Evan at school to see him get some awards.  He got a math and reading award, an award for straight As for all four quarters, a certificate for leadership for being on the Student Council and I swear there was something else but I can't remember.  Luckily Mrs. Dauphinais made him stop so I could get a picture even if it was really too bright, she's a good one!

Evan and his teacher Mrs. Suarez.