Conversations with Zach {Basketball}

When Zachary was 10 years old he began playing basketball.  The first team Zachary joined was at the local YMCA.  Basketball was the perfect sport for Zachary because his wardrobe consisted of basketball shorts or sweat pants.

10 years later...

 Zachary is asking me why did he wear sweat pants during the basketball games.

Zachary:

Why did I always wear sweatpants when I played basketball for the games at the Y?

Me:

You refused to wear jeans. You always wore sweatpants.

Zachary:

Why would I wear jeans during a basketball games. That's more Redickulus than sweatpants. 

                                           {Re-dick-u-lus} ????

Me:

That's not what I meant. Just that you preferred to wear sweatpants.

Zachary:

Yeah but I saw pictures of when I played at the Y.  I mean why would I wear basketball shorts all the time except when I'm actually playing. 

He has a good point.

Fears I am facing

A mother always worries about her children, whether they are young or older.  The fears I am currently facing are about my children.  I am scared of...

• Ahren being stuck in a job he hates and talking about getting a new job that is hours away from home.
• Zachary graduating from college and potentially getting a job on the other side of the country in CA.
• Brandon going away to college in the fall.

These things may not seem scary, but as their mother, it is. I'm sure other mom's out there can understand how I feel.  The fear of your child moving far away is bad enough, but all three of my boys?!  It's devastating!  I know, I know... all children grow up and leave the nest.  They may be ready to leave, but I'm not ready to let go.  The feelings of sadness, grief, depression, emptiness and loss are overwhelming.  I'm having difficulty coping with the thought of an empty nest.

Ahren, me, Brandon and Zachary

Most of my life I have focused on raising my boys and caring for the home and family.  It seems like all of a sudden my kids are gone!

What do I do now?  

Recently a good friend made a statement that has helped me through a few bad days. She said "Congratulations, you are blessed! Give yourself a big pat on the back for raising wonderful boys!".  She is right!!  I am very blessed.

I will begin this new stage of being a parent whether I am ready or not.  I have to learn the delicate balance of letting the boys know they have my support but at the same time allowing them to be independent.

Often easier said than done.

50th Wedding Anniversary

April 10, 1965

Stan & Judy celebrated their wedding day.

50 years later  ....

2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, 4 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.

from left to right:

Ahren, Tyce, Tami, Brandon, Maddox, Judy, Zachary Morgan, Stan, Todd, Chad and Heather.

Stan and Judy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the same church they were married in, having a luncheon with family and friends.

 I was in charge of making a new wedding album and the welcome table.

 I thought it would be nice if each guest wrote a memory they had of Stan and Judy.  

All the cards were collected and put into a 'treasure' box.

My sister-in-law was in charge of the table decorations.  

I loved the gold tablecloths, simple and elegant.

 My good friend, Heather has her own cake business. 

 I think she did an amazing job making the anniversary cake.

Judy made the party favors.

Happy 50th wedding anniversary to my wonderful in-laws!

Spring Break

Zachary has been home on spring break for almost a week.  It's been nice having him around again.  

I'm glad he was home to celebrate Easter with us.

Egg hunts are a thing in the past. 

 My boys think they are too old for an egg hunt, but they are okay with getting Easter baskets on Easter morning.

We spent Easter with Todd's parents and his brother's family.

Maggie's spring break was spent with a cone around her head.

 Poor baby.  

She had surgery to get spayed.

The vet also tattooed a state license number on her.  In the state of PA, you have to apply annually for a dog license.  Because Maggie is tattooed, we never have to get another dog license for her.  That save a few dollars.   Pretty soon the cone will come off and stitches out.  Maggie will be good as new!

Adventures of Ellie & Maggie {snow day}

We've had a lot of snow this winter.  Not as much as the New England states, but enough to crave the warmer air of spring.  This was Maggie's first major snowfall to play in.  I hope you enjoy watching them play as much as I did!