April

Lacy and Lizzy's reptile birthday was amazing (me) horrifying (Rory). He barely would even hold this baby chick earlier in the day so we were not shocked he kept the arms crossed over the chest, do not approach signal up for 90% of the show. Silas was up for all the creatures.

 

We had an early celebration with the Hofts for Logan's birthday, Ian's baptism, and Easter. We had to get the yearly porch steps picture even though we were missing the official day. The cousins have been won over to Dr. Pepper. So proud.

We went to Missouri for spring break and my Grandma's funeral. It is hard to say goodbye to the person who let me put a squirrel sticker on her car window and left it there for years. I would literally never. I got a pillow back that I made for her. It still had the bow I wrapped around it. Like she loved it for just being a gift from me. Aunt Jan worked so hard to make everything very nice and lots of Grandma's nieces and nephews were there. Nate did a great job with the service and drove round trip from Dallas in less that 24 hours to do it. That is love too. 

I think we had my favorite Easter ever with a family service on the dock. My Dad preached about the resurrection, Trenton played the tunes, and Trevor and the cousins prayed or read verses. It was very precious and no one scooted their chair back too far and fell in. We also had an egg hunt with the Williamsons. Conn stuffed them with the big bucks and there may or may not still be $20 hiding out there up for grabs. We went to an amateur wresting show across the line in Arkansas. It was everything you would expect and Rory joined the ranks of Mr. Roebke and Trenton in fandom. Now we are wrestling every evening and it either ends in a win or tears. This does not bode well for the WWE birthday party in the works.

 

We had one happening weekend back home with a rodeo, Monster Jam, and a Fireflies game.

These cool things have popped up in our neighborhood. Golden mushroom?!?

March

I had a blast on our mini girls trip to Charleston with Denise, Allison, Anne, and Libbi! We did everything! Escape room, markets, haunted carriage ride, fancy dinner, seaside lunch...

Back at the skating rink with cousins.

Saw the Lady Gamecocks play in the first round of the national tournament!

Read Across America

Grandma

My whole life has been lived with the undercurrent of your love. Your house was a haven. There was something about the fancy textured wallpaper, pink bathroom, and endlessly offered plates of cut fruit and pudding. There were cousins and weekends at the lake and drawers of recorded VHS tapes waiting to be thumbed through. There was Nickelodeon! I felt rich just walking through the door. Then there was you. I thought your hands were the loveliest I’d ever seen. I still do. They didn’t even need the rings. We were “buddies and pals”. You made me feel special every time we were together. You let me claim your front closet as a “bedroom”. I had a place. I belonged. You braided my hair and feathered my bangs. I was cared for. I was beautiful. You were a factory of the cutest snowmen, Santas, and cross stitch, yet the rock I painted sat displayed proudly in your cabinet. I was creative. I was an artist. We read piles of library books in your recliner and practiced multiplication tables on your oven timer. I was smart. I made you proud. Some days I still only believe these messages about myself because of you. Because you showed up to my games and Grandparent’s Day breakfasts. Because your Cadillac was parked in my driveway when I got off the bus to sit and chat and get an ice cream. When I lost the pocketknife Dad bought me, you took me to get a secret replacement. Half my house is furnished by you. You gave me a car. A lot of the things I could brag on you for seem material but really they are just artifacts of you always being there. You never ended a phone call without telling me you were thankful for me and your family.

When my students share during class and mention their Grandmas, I always ask, “Is she the strict type or the spoily type?” I ask, thinking of you. You are my standard. I am so blessed to have the love of many amazing people. I think that none of them love me quite like you. I hope I have brought you a fraction of the love and comfort you have given me. You are so much more than just my Grandma, but you made it easy to believe that being that was your favorite thing. I also am so thankful for you and our family you built. I hope you are free of the hindrances of age and celebrating God’s perfect kingdom in pure joy. I hope you are riding Old John with your family and my mom and Aunt Jean over the streets of gold. I will miss you dearly. I still hope to put your influence out in the world in the best parts of myself. You are the Grandma of my dreams! I love you so much!

February

Here is Rory's class dressing for the 80's with 80 school days left.

Here is Silas's ALERT class testing their wind powered cars. From what I saw of Silas's Lifesaver/straw get up, I can attest that there was at least one that did not move.

Skate night. Rory was obsessed. Silas hung with buddies and maybe did 5 total laps. I accidentally stole the walker Rory used because I thought they were just out for grabs and found out at the end of the night that you had to rent them. Minus the rampant theft, I love our school culture. Mrs. Fitz is the new Ms. April and dotes on Silas like crazy so we all love her.

 

The neighbors had us over for pre Superbowl Philly cheesesteaks and a football toss complete with cash prizes! Rory lost his first tooth. He was a little iffy about the whole thing until Fairy Mary made him rich.

I got to go with Silas's class to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. We had to sign away our lives, but they did drive us around the track speedy fashion...in vans.

The boys finally just made themselves at home at Home Depot because we literally made 20 trips there trying to redo our bathrooms. We didn't even do that much. Someone else did the tile and new vanity. No before pictures because I don't want anyone saying they like those better. :)