praiseworthy

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Shanda

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others
cannot keep it from themselves.”

Baccalaureate was yesterday at 4:00. Ethan almost didn’t go….

It was one of those “we almost didn’t bother” but we did and it was amazing. God likes to do that now and then. Totally unexpected SOUL FOOD.

The 2016 class, the faculty, the volunteers from the community, teachers, friends, parents, and ministers all came together for a heart-felt, spiritual service. I sat in the pew with Seth, Sarah, David, and Caleb and soaked it all up.

If you’re reading this and you had a part—THANK YOU.

pride, joy, smiles, tears, song, words. so good.

Hunter reading Scripture.

Glad there was a program so I could study it and learn names.

High School choir in beautiful harmony.

Caleb (Grace’s boyfriend) reading Scripture.

I learned a new hymn and I loved it!

Rachel and Sarah singing with their Dad playing guitar. Making us cry.

Rachel spoke to her class some encouraging words.

They were given candles as “Go Light Your World” played.

Whoever put this service together was thoughtful and gave the kids so much to remember.

They will go far.

The Pastor of the church was kind and down to earth.

I held it together until Grace became emotional and then realization flooded over me again that this is a season of changes, not just for me as a mom; but for my children as close brothers and sisters.

The love they share will never change.

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friends

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

blues (a little)

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Shanda

I don’t want to write, because the stuff in my heart will come out through my eyes.

oh, feelings!

My darling, my joy, my pride, my second born, my son, is graduating from high school in four days.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m super proud of him, I’m not sad in the least. He is ready, he’s 18 years old and ready to move on to the next chapter in his life.

What I’m grieving is the little boy I used to know. The one who used to pick me flowers and hug me around the waist. The one who was a happy sidekick to his brother Jacob. The one who was busy catching turtles, boiling up the random cray fish, writing funny stories, reading The Series of Unfortunate Events and other books, making rafts, being 100% nature-boy. Dirty bare feet, happy cookie eater, pancake maker, mama’s boy.

Ethan has changed!!!! He is a man, the strong, silent type. When he does speak, I can’t hardly make out what he’s saying because his voice is low and quiet. I say, “What?” and then get it. He’s in love!!!! And his extra attention goes to his girl. I never know what he’s doing unless I outright ask! Sometimes when I think he’s texting his girlfriend, he’s really playing Tiny Tower and that makes me smile, because he recently discovered it again after playing it a lot when he was like, 11. flashbacks!

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He’s 18, of course this is the way it’s supposed to be!! I’m happy for him. He’s a man now and does not need his mama. Rich says, it’s enough for E just to know I am here and proud.

But I miss him.

I have three more younger boys! Who are very similar to how Ethan used to be at that age.

But I miss my E, the way he was as a youngster…..pure goodness, pure sweetness. It went by so fast, I enjoyed every moment, but it went by too fast.

I know he has a lot on his mind, changes ahead that he will be experiencing on his own. He is internalizing a lot these days. But I hope he realizes that he will always be, just a little bit, my own little boy, always. And I vow I’ll be here with the cookies and the pancakes, ’til death do us part.

Ethan took Tessa to his Senior Banquet on Friday and I was able to have some quiet time with them (and the camera). Standing in front of the pond he grew up in.

The natural progression of time……it’s a beautiful thing. Just makes a mama’s heart ache now and then. You know.

He’s so happy with Tessa!

And she’s such a sweet, fun girl. I couldn’t be happier for them both. They make such a good twosome.

*****

With his sister……(Grace went to the banquet with her boyfriend)

Well, once again blogging has surprised me. Writing has surprised me. I’ve got it all sorted out at the moment (my heart, that is).

You’ve got to give a little, take a little,
and let your poor heart break a little.
That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love.

You’ve got to laugh a little, cry a little,
until the clouds roll by a little.
That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love.

As long as there’s the two of us,
we’ve got the world and all it’s charms.
And when the world is through with us,
we’ve got each other’s arms.

You’ve got to win a little, lose a little,
yes, and always have the blues a little.
That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love.
That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love.

father and sons, etc

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Shanda

Rich and Ethan worked together on Sunday morning. But first, they gazed into the waters of the pond, longing to see their beloved fish. They saw three under the dock, two by the pipe, and one near the shore.

I spent the entire day on Saturday worried about Sarah because she was running a fever and complaining of a headache. After her surgery on the 3rd and her procedure on the 10th, everything in me wanted to rush her to the hospital for fear she had an infection, but logic and my husband held me back. Thankfully, on Sunday she woke up fine but pale so we stayed home from church to give her a day of rest. (Rich didn’t want to go without me because he’s going to be away half of this week on a business trip.)

The chicken coop needed its spring clean-out. Rich let Ethan drive the tractor for the first time and the two of them scraped all of the old bedding and hen droppings out of the coop and drove them in the bucket to the vegetable garden.

I watched from the porch as Rich coached Ethan VERY thoroughly in turning the tractor back around. I wondered why so much laughing was happening, and why Rich was so interested in Ethan turning around “just so” when Ethan has been driving for over a year now……

And why on earth Ethan found it all so very funny……and then…..I saw what was happening…….

Rich was instructing Ethan to back over my shoes which I had kicked off while cleaning up my flower beds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good boy, E, for not doing it!

After they got all the old bedding into the garden, Rich rototilled it all into the dirt. I asked him three times NOT to disturb my beloved rhubarb, and he asked me to come over and show him exactly where it was. And what did I see through the window when I was in the house making lunch? Something that very much looked like running over AND digging through the very spot I had showed him NOT to disturb. “Did you dig up my rhubarb?” I asked as soon as I got the chance. “I might have,” he said sorrowfully. I. could.not.believe.it. “Why did you ask me to show you where it was when you were just going to run it over anyway?” I cried. He said, “You are acting like I did it on purpose! I didn’t! I just forgot it was there!”

I cannot tell you how many times over the years that this man has forgotten “something was there” in the garden or lawn and ran it over, mowed it down, or dug it up. And then he wonders why I get upset. After all, it was only an innocent accident!

(You would think he would be more understanding when I ACCIDENTALLY put his clothes in his son’s dresser! )

David went to his favorite “junk” store downtown and bought an army jacket for 15 dollars. He said there was a name on it that the lady picked off with a seam ripper first, because the man didn’t want his name out in public. David had me wash and dry his jacket, although he did enjoy smelling like the store for a day. (aromatherapy)

David was instructed to prune back branches and briars from the edge of the property and guess what he did? Because he is his father’s son, he also cut down one of my favorite white birch trees! And then when I reprimanded him he got offended and hurt that I was upset and bringing it up repeatedly. He thought I had a mean expression on my face and was treating him unlovingly! Am I really expected to hold these men in my arms and soothe them by saying “there, there” when they accidentally destroy all my plants? He spent a bit of time with his friend Michael cleaning up the tree and all the many branches. There is a pile out by the driveway to be burned.

I didn’t get pictures of Grace’s first driving lesson. She drove my car (with her Dad in the passenger seat and Ethan in the back) from the top driveway to the lower driveway. Sarah and I leaned over the porch railing clutching our hearts and watching, running from railing to railing to keep an eye on her. When Grace got out, Sarah yelled “Good job, Grace! You only made two mistakes!” She was very proud of her sister. Ethan got out of the back with a look on his face that said, “Did you see that mom it was scary.” Grace had a bounce in her step and thought she did well. “Although I don’t think Dad realized at first that when he yelled at me to do something it would make me do it faster.” (like brake?)

Grace read her book all over the place. On couch, on porch, on patio, on swing. She was reading a Janette Oke book, remember those?

I began planting spring bulbs. I saw worms! I accidentally cut one in two, as a matter of fact.

Rich took me to admire the freshly cleaned chicken coop.

Caleb was coaching his friend Logan across the stream. Logan was yelling nervously, “Caleb! I’m on a wobbly rock!” Once he was safely to the other side, I heard Coach Caleb inform him that it had taken entirely too long.

I sat on the back of the truck and watched the birds come to the feeder which I hung in the bushes by the driveway. They were chirping and peeping and fluttering all over the place. It was quite dizzying. As soon as one took a seed, it flew to a branch to eat it while another bird quickly took it’s place at the feeder to do the same, and over and over they took turns.

There was a male cardinal moving about in the leaves underneath. I did so want a photo– but they all looked like this:

FINALLY, after much patience on my part, the cardinal went into an open space:

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The neatest thing happened while I was watching. All of a sudden, another cardinal way off in the distance called, and this one IMMEDIATELY without hesitation flew away to see what it wanted. I wish my kids were like that. 😉

candid camera

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Shanda

Can you feel the love? This is my favorite picture from Ethan’s 18th birthday party, he’s in a love sandwich between his girlfriend, sister, and cousin. And then there is Emily hugging a cat behind them, and Seth sitting on the couch, amused.

MORE PICS—all from my phone—

This is what Sarah, Seth, and Caleb have been doing all weekend…riding scooters. They are only 27 dollars on amazon and we just ordered a black one for David as well. I love them because it’s a fun activity that they can do outside and we let them ride them in the house, too. It’s the sweetest sound to hear their wheels running along the floor as they enjoy their scooters.

The dining room became a small wrestling gym on the day of Ethan’s party…..

Rich wrestled Jimmy, who actually showed some promise! He goes to our church and isn’t from our town so alas cannot join our team next year.

Getting pinned by Coach

Caleb (green shorts) was the ref.

I took pictures and periodically screamed be careful.

Ethan and Zak

soon everyone wanted to wrestle and I did a cartwheel.

There was loud music going on, too.

later on that night Caleb (G’s boyfriend) and Rich did a sit up contest that went on and on and on…..

They each did over 500 before Caleb cramped up and had to stop, Rich kept going for another 20 or 30 sit ups and then he stopped, too.

I discovered all these goofy selfies disrespectfully left on my phone so yeah…they’re going on the blog….**payback**

We watched movies, ate food, had pie and cheesecake as birthday cake, ice cream, and I went to bed at like 9:00 pm but Rich stayed up with them until 3. When I got up at 6:30 there were kids sleeping all over the place, I walked into each room to check on them with a smile on my face. Ethan woke up and made pancakes for all of us using his Grandma’s recipe. Then came a turn for everyone in the shower and a trip to church where several of them had a hard time staying awake because of their long but fun night.

rejoicing in the day

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Shanda

This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no ficklenss, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

My darling Ethan Gregory made his appearance on a beautiful but cold March afternoon, making our little family all the better and giving Rich and I an amazing set of boys to watch grow up together. I can’t even believe that Jacob is 19 now, and Ethan is 18. It has been the joy of our lives to see these two brothers together throughout their childhood. Times, they are a- changin’, and the brothers will be going their separate ways within the next year, and indeed have already begun growing apart slightly as Jacob is in college now and working. They do not share a room anymore for the first time. David shares Ethan’s room and Jacob moved down to the basement with the little boys and sleeps on the couch. Such is the way of life, and it is all very good indeed. Whatever happens or where they go, I know our family will always be close and always be there for each other.

Ethan has plans to go into the service as a SERE specialist (he is in the first steps of making this happen so we can’t say definitely that he is accepted into the program yet) which he considers a dream career. Even if he isn’t accepted into this particular program, he will no doubt do something similar and he will be a great addition to any program or company. As for now, he is finishing up his senior year in High School, active in sports year round, has lots of friends and a sweet girl friend named Tessa, he is involved in church and loves Jesus, likes playing Clash of Clans and Skyrim, trying new recipes in the kitchen (especially pancakes), playing the guitar and singing, and watching Harry Potter movies. Ethan is the strong silent type and does NOT talk much, he enjoys dressing nice, but he does NOT enjoy cleaning his room.. He’s a great guy. Truly. He always has been, always will be. I’m very very proud of him, to say the least, and so is his Dad and the rest of our entire family including aunts and uncles. 🙂

We took some portraits this morning to mark the occasion of 18 years old. These young adults years are going to be great years for Ethan! He has so much adventure ahead of him and it will be fun to see what he does.

Happy Birthday once again to my son, someone I admire and love with all my heart. I rejoice in the day that God gave him to us.

“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude”. ~Ralph Marston

wrestling photos

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Shanda

I went to Ethan’s wrestling tournament on Saturday and I was too late to watch his first match in which he lost…..I arrived just in time to see this bleak scene. I was able to sit by Ethan and try to cheer him up by saying things like, “Do you want a drink? Do you want a banana?” “I’m going to sit right here and not leave your side, E.” “Do you want me to rub your sore shoulder?” Although he didn’t want anything, I did finally get a few smiles out of him.

I am of the opinion that, even as a mere spectator, wrestling is extremely draining! To anticipate the matches and then watch my own boy plus the other boys (which are also “my” boys) wrestle….to see them fight so very hard, get hurt, bleed, lose, win. It’s all quite exciting. I hate it in some ways. The gym is a bee hive of activity and so very loud, for instance. But it’s also a lot of fun and I’m always always impressed by the strength of every wrestler.

Rich has someone tape each match and I noticed that Gage is always quite eager to watch himself right after he’s done with a match. One of my wrestling mama-buddies is Nicole in the striped shirt (her son behind her is a great friend of Jacob and Ethan).

Sarah runs as wild as possible, plays with Seth and James (the other coach’s little boy) and this Saturday she had a silly situation with static charged hair.

Grace is a team manager and keeps score with the book.

Seth took his shoes off so he could get on the wrestling mats as much as he could, got scolded for it several times, but he is like everyone’s little brother and they love him. I took this picture because he was actually standing still, watching a boy get his ankle examined by a trainer. He would silently look at what the trainer was doing and then look at the face of the boy. The only thing that scared me was that he might have gotten it into his head to think an injury would be really cool…like, it’s a sign of being a big-time athlete.

Well, E had two forfeits to wait through and then low and behold, he was up against the very same guy who beat him badly the first match. But this time Ethan came very close to winning.

He fought so so hard. As usual, I felt as if I were fighting along with him. Oh how painful it is to have them lose by only one point! But his dad was thrilled to see him come back and fight hard.

After the match discussion.

Well, the next day was Seth’s turn. Finally he could be on the mats all the time he wanted. His first match was a loss and he got dumped on his head a few times. It was quite deflating for our boy Seth. But after resting on Dad for a little while, he very bravely wrestled three more times and won each time, receiving a 2nd place medal.

Seth working on pinning a boy.

Caleb wrestled three times and lost each one…however, he was braver by the last match and was much improved.

David wrestled twice and lost both, however he still received a third place medal because there were only four boys in his bracket. He wrestled much better than he did last year and was exciting to watch.

David smiling because he’s getting away from Mom’s camera.

******

My three younger boys only have one more tournament to be in but Ethan will have several more opportunities to wrestle before the High School season is over.

it is well with my soul

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Shanda

“I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him…..”

“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”

“Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery.”

“The Lord says, I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer, I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with long life, and give them my salvation.”

Good morning, friends,

I have been absolutely exhausted this week, hence no blogging. I’m sure you can imagine all that entails being a mom of seven and wife of a busy hard worker. I love the life God gave me, but there are “crash days” when the responsibilities I have seem overwhelming and pressing. I don’t even like to write these things, because it seems like a complaint when God has given me blessing upon blessing and I am ashamed of my weakness (although HE delights in it for only then can He get the glory for supplying my need) How dare I cry and be sad? However, exhaustion is no respecter of persons and no matter who or where you are, it can hit and cripple for a time. And that is how it has been for me this week.

Well, that’s not exactly true, I certainly have NOT been crippled. I have done all the things I had to do. I’ve read chapters to my sick one, I’ve gone to the pediatrician twice, gotten medicines, drinks, teas, foods. I’ve gone to a soccer game with a smile on my face. I have a heart of love and longing to serve my family. I’ve held and snuggled warm children. I ordered vomit bags off amazon. Yes, all these things have happened when deep down what I really wanted was to spend a week on a beach in Hawaii.

But enough of me, I hate writing about myself sometimes because it seems so annoying and self-focused. Blah blah blah. Hey, but it’s all the truth as I see it and that’s all I want to do here on my blog, write about my honest life which is very much feelings-oriented to me (which is why I especially appreciate the logical people in my life that balance me out). And praise God I have eternal hope and salvation…..this current life is only the first page of what life is really going to be for me. There is so much to look forward to, amazing unspeakably glorious things.

I love you all. I’m so thankful for my Mom, husband, brothers, sister, friends and for all the verses words offered to me on FB when I wrote this week during a fit of crying on my part. God has given us each other to help us get through the tough times! There is so much to be thankful for and usually at least one thing that makes me sincerely laugh every day. (like this morning when Dave’s kitten proudly carried in a dead mouse that one of our other cats caught and left on the porch).

Here are the pictures from Ethan’s senior soccer night (last night). It was wonderful sitting on the bleachers next to my friend Caroline and watch our boys play. Our husbands were there with us, and Jacob and Emily brought Caleb and Sarah as well. The sky darkened into night and there was a time when the sky was so blue, as dazzling blue as sapphire fiestaware.

He only has three more games left and he’s determined to make them last out the season. They’ve been great soccer shoes and have served him well.

Warming up with his best friend, Zach, before the game. Oh, these two. It’s been a joy to watch them grow together. They are as close as brothers.

During drills and warms ups they did this exercise where you jump up and bump your teammate. Made us smile.

They called down the parents of the seniors for a short presentation. They called out names and each player was given a rose (to give to his parents).

After a team picture they played their game and won 1-0. I took him to the pizza place in town to celebrate with his friends and one of the other Dads brought him home afterwards.

We’re so proud of you, Ethan!

why I have the jitters

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Shanda

I sat down this morning after I got the kids on the bus, to write a blog entry, which I do so love to do, seriously— it is like therapy to me. Then I thought, well, I better just call the Pediatrician first *just to make sure* I have Sarah’s appointment time right. I thought it was at 10:30. Nope, I called and they said it was for 9. Which meant I had 15 short minutes to get myself looking presentable, find all my stuff, and go to the school and pick her up. The jitters begin.

(mind you, this week I kept David home two mornings for a dentist appointment. The first morning ended up not being the right day, consequently I don’t trust myself)

I went to get her from school. The office ladies looked at me blankly. “But she just got here.” “I know, I know, blah blah” I had to explain myself twice, after which the ladies laughed and understood and reassured me that everyone does it now and then.

I took her to the docs and guess what. The UTI hasn’t healed.

You see, we go to a group of doctors. The doctor that diagnosed the uti last Monday put her on antibiotics for 5 days. When today’s doctor (#2) found out, she thought that probably Sarah needed to be on a full course (10 days) of antibiotics in order for it to clear up. She also told me glumly, that Sarah’s iron was low and to give her iron-rich foods and a suppliment.

So I left with my sick child to go to Target to pick up the prescription. Sarah was and is acting FINE, happy, cheerful, bossy, she doesn’t act like a sick person. She is pale, however. That and the urine test are her only symptoms of ill-health. But in my mind I want to wrap her up in a blanket and hold her on my lap and not let go until she’s all better……

TARGET DID NOT HAVE THE MEDICINE FOR HER. The jitters are getting worse.

I left Target and took her to school, while she periodically yelled from the back seat, “HURRY! I have to get back to school!!” If she was even slightly unenthused about going I would have taken her back home with me for snuggles and fussing over.

I picked up her prescription in town at Rite Aid and am now home.

I haven’t told you about last night, though.

(clears throat) So. It was about 4:30 pm and the phone rang. I figured it was Ethan. Ethan typically calls after soccer practice is over so that we know when to go get him. Well, it wasn’t Ethan. It was his coach. “Ethan had a little accident….” I have a rush of adrenaline, and a mild panic attack, “…he cut his toe in the locker room. He’s going to need a trip to the ER to get stitches.”

All the way to the school I was wondering to myself how on earth he did such a thing. He didn’t break a leg during practice, or a knee, or hit his head, or anything….no, my son cuts his toe. THE PINKY TOE, the most insignificant extremity.

I arrived at the school to see Ethan waiting for me with the athletic trainer and the coach. His pinky toe is wrapped up in tight white gauze.

We loaded him into the car and drove to the ER. Once the toe was unwrapped I could see that yes….he for sure needed some sewing.

The soccer team goes off the field after practice, directly into the locker room through a heavy door. The door is locked from the outside so if a boy gets stuck he has to stand outside and pound on it for one of the guys to let him in. Yesterday, the guys were in the locker room after a rough practice, getting dressed to go home. Ethan didn’t have his shoes on, as is typical for Ethan, and two of his friends were goofing around on each side of The Door, one kid was pulling to get in, one was pushing to keep him out. Ethan “thoughtfully” offered to help out and the door ended up slamming shut on his toe. He didn’t yell, he didn’t cry. “I said, ‘Matt, my toe is stuck in the door, would you please open it?’ And he did, and we all stood there looking at my toe. It was bleeding everywhere. I thought for a second it might be gone, or half gone. Then Mitch said, ‘Oh shoot, E, you’re probably going to need stitches,’ and he picked me up and carried me to the trainer’s office. Blood was dripping the whole way. I told Mitch to take pictures but I don’t think he did.”

The trainer stopped the bleeding, called the custodian to clean up the blood, and had someone call me. I was told later that Ethan said, “My poor Mom.” which totally melted my heart.

(He felt bad because his Dad hasn’t been home since Sunday. Dad is on a business trip–coming home tonight. Meanwhile, the little boys had practice. And Grace needed to be picked up after school. Thank goodness for Jacob and his car!!!!!!!)

And praise the Lord for the athletic trainer. He stayed with us in the ER the whole time and it would have been a lot worse without him there. Because of him we avoided an x-ray and got out probably an hour or more earlier than we would have.

The pain from the numbing shots almost sent Ethan through the roof. He admitted it was worse than the actual cut. He started feeling weird and broke out in a sweat, but he kept his composure like a man…which he is….a good strong man through and through. Although one wonders if a real man would have ended up in this situation?

I call it “frankentoe”

While we waited, I got Ethan a soda and a candy bar from the vending machine and we had conversations about all the strange things happening that day…Ethan wasn’t the only one with a freak problem…..some crazy kid microwaved raisins in the school to make smoke and cause a small raisin-fire, also the school lost power for 45 minutes because of a car accident, another kid showed up at the ER after getting his foot ran over by his dad, someone fell off a ladder, someone else fell and to make matters worse was on blood thinners, the board at the nurses station was FULL of patients at our small hospital in which hardly anything happens. What was going on? We decided it was quite possibly caused by it being the first day of Fall????????

Regardless, they kept us waiting forever because the doc decided at the last minute that Ethan should have an x-ray because if his toe was broken he wanted him on antibiotics. The other patients in the ER were the priority so finally Daniel the athletic trainer used a tuning fork test on Ethan’s toe which indicated that it was not broken. The doctor agreed but put him on antibiotics anyway as a precaution….(why do the x-ray then I internally cried???)…..and three hours later we left the hospital, it was now almost 7:30, and dark outside. We picked up the medication, picked up the boys who did NOT get hurt at football practice (thank goodness), and got food at the McDonald’s drive-thru.

Ethan went to school today wearing flip flops and he can’t even put a cleat on his foot until Monday, IF and only if his toe has healed sufficiently.

These are such small and typical problems, in the grand scheme of things, I know. I am jittering, but I am also laughing a little, too, and thanking God for everything, always.

(Sarah, this morning, while waiting for the bus.)

(Seth and Gentleman Gray, this morning).

news!news!news!

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Shanda

The news is this: Ethan passed his drivers license test last Wednesday!

On Friday we picked him up early from school to get it from the DMV.

As usual, it took a very long time for our number to be called.

It was way past lunchtime and we were all so hungry. This is a picture of Ethan after they called his name out to receive his license to drive.

To the right you see his Dad’s hand asking to hold it and see it.

He noticed me taking pictures with my phone and gave me an unappreciative but semi-amused look.

Proud Dad and oblivious brother.

Congratulations, my son.

{this moment}

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Shanda

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.