So long, farewell!

I was going to spend a few minutes apologizing for my absence, but I've decided against it.  Everyone needs a break from time to time.  But I didn't want to miss today.  It's the last day of what has been an incredibly long year and I feel the need to reminisce...if only to remind ourselves of the special moments.

January's cold temps and record snow falls meant we got to spend what seemed like a million snow days with Will!  Jeff and I cuddled next to the fire, watching The Waltons (which we soon gave up on since we just couldn't get into it!).  And Hunter kept warm singing along with Luke Bryan (and I'm still jealous).

February brought banquet preparation and A LOT more snow.  However, it also brought our first 60 degree day and our first taste of Spring.  It brought Hunter home for a quick visit too!

The banquet was quite the introduction to March.  For the first time, we moved the date and the weather was even worse!  But we did have some awesome people brave the snow and ice to help!  Thank you again, Mom and Charlie!  The weather cleared and our Magic Bands arrived....along with the golf cart.  Spring was definitely in the air....until we got to Disney during a record cold spell.  Nothing says Disney Magic like 45 mph winds and 30 degree mornings.  But our hearts were warm as we watched Will and Miranda marching down Main Street in the Electric Parade.  We also found the pink drink so the trip was a complete success (wink, wink!).  And while we were in frigid Florida, Hunter was visiting Lady Liberty (and was just as cold!).  It was a month full of memories!

April started with the party of the century!  Mom's 70th birthday brought us all together for a weekend of fun.  Long time friends and family made it quite a celebration.  Shortly after, we got our first weekend of camping in...just before a late snow fall and cold snap arrived.  Will spent most of the month learning all about lacrosse and before long, the last weekend of April arrived and it was time to officially open camp.  Who knew that the late snow would freeze all of the water pipes and we'd spend opening weekend replacing them all?!  But honestly, Jeff and I had a blast!  Spring was finally here!

May brought Hunter home with it!  After 18 months of short visits, he headed back to Cincinnati to start his summer internship.  But not before we got in a short vacation at camp!  It's not often I get to spend a few days alone with either of the boys so it was wonderful!  And the perfect distraction to quit smoking.  And just an update...I'm just four days short of the SEVEN month mark!!!!  But back to May.  Prom and Mothers Day got melded together again and Mom was here to join us.  Will looked as handsome as ever....even with his braces.  Just two days later....his pearly whites were metal free and he's been smiling ever since.  The month came to a close with a fun filled weekend of camping.  Summer had arrived!!

Will's last day of school took us into June.  He was officially a senior and I was officially terrified of how fast time would fly.  As we celebrated our 10th anniversary at camp, I realized exactly how fast it would go.  It flew while we were in Georgia, but then again, a week at the lake always flies by but we managed to take senior pictures, devour bacon cupcakes and sing along with the oldies (the songs, not the people) while we were there.  But then it was time to rush home and get the house up for sale.  I'm still not sure if that was a great day....but it was definitely a memorable moment.

July was consumed with the house.  But heck, I just can't pass up the opportunity to repost that one!

The first days of August was my favorite of the year.  Canoeing, kayaking, laughing, bonfires, fried oreos, golf cart racing, corn hole tournaments...I could go on and on.  I can't remember the last time we all had so much fun.  It was a perfect week.  Right up until it was time to take Hunter back to school.  One day I'll get used to it..but it hasn't happened yet.  I think I cried all week....right up until we closed on the Duck House.  I still can't believe we were lucky enough to find it.  Then Will started his the first week of his senior year and the tears began again.  Heck, I'm still teary about it.  Oh, and we bought the truck!

September started with a bang!  Or rather, with a boot.  Labor Day weekend was spent watching football with my foot propped on a pillow.  But a visit from Abby and Jenny rounded out a great, relaxing weekend so no complaints.  The boot arrived, school was in full swing, the showings came more frequently and our normally quite evenings became marathon packing sessions.  And then everything came to a screeching halt.  As Will said good bye to a friend, our community mourned with him and his classmates.  Time stood still and the emotions were overwhelming.  The Class of 2015 would begin a journey of remembrance and healing that continues today.

Fall snuck up on us and it was already time to close camp.  We managed one last fun filled weekend of trick or treating and bonfires.  I don't think I'll ever get tired of spending a weekend at camp with all three of the guys!  It was a quick trip so we could focus on the most important day of the year...moving day.  To this very moment, I'm not sure how we pulled it off.  It was one of the most exciting yet heartbreaking days of my life.  Will was thrilled that he didn't have to keep his room clean anymore.  Hunter and Jeff were excited that the lawn at the Duck House would mow itself (ok, not literally, but all the same).  But if I close my eyes tightly, I can still here small feet running though that house, calling my name.  I can see a hand with a frog in it, a wiffle ball game in the yard and Seven.  I am so thankful for all of the memories.  We closed October with Will's application to Ohio State.  See, I told you this year would fly by!

Bring on No Shave November!!  We voted, we unpacked, we got a quick visit from Hunter.  And then we unpacked some more.  Mom and Michele came to see the new house.  And then we unpacked some more.  Throw in a few doctors appointments, Thanksgiving and about a million Christmas projects and the month just flew by.  Right up until the Michigan/Ohio State game (Will's first!).  Those few hours seemed to last forever.

And then it was December.  I can't believe we're here again.  I think it took me longer to write tonights post than it did for the year to pass us by.  December flew by with work,  surgery, school and a whopping 9 blog posts.  I'd apologize again, but as you can see, this year has worn us all out.

So my promise to you (and myself) is that I'll be back tomorrow...and every day.  We're days away from Will's birthday and the last few months of his senior year.  Lots of upcoming events!!

But for now....here's our sign.....

From all of us,  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's the Eve....

The presents are wrapped, the stockings are hung and we're anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival (everyone is anxious except Willow!).  Since the boys won't be home until noon, I think we're the last house on his route.  But it's been quite a month, so one day of sleeping in will make his elves a little merrier.  

They were here....

and just like the Flash....they're gone!

I think Hunter was home for 5 minutes before they took off.  Ok, maybe a little bit more than 5 minutes, but that's what it felt like.

But I'll still sleep better tonight knowing that they're hanging together!  At least tomorrow night, it'll be at home :D

Happy Christmas Vacation!

Well, it's not quite vacation time yet for all of us, but what the heck!

Will finished the first semester of his senior year, so he's officially on break.  And Hunter is done today with most of his RA-ish duties, so while he can't come home until the end of the weekend, he's getting some much needed rest.

And tomorrow is Friday, which will give Jeff the opportunity to have a short weekend before his short week.

How do you celebrate the beginning of Christmas Break?  I think Will summed it up the best!

12/13/14

There are always days were you just need a little "pick me up", right?  Today was one of those days.  Christmas will be here in no time and I'm frantically working to make sure that everything is done before Hunter comes home so we can all spend the holiday time together, having fun.

Thankfully, I have Hunter for those little pick me ups (insert wink or sarcastic eye roll)!  Today, he took a break from studying for finals to let me know that today was the last sequential date I would see in my lifetime.  It's 12/13/14.

I tried to explain that given the medical advances, I might just be here for the next one.  He told me they'd have to invent a new calender for that to occur.  Gotta love the young!

So here was his follow up!  I'm guessing he figured out that he'd have to live to 109 to see the next one too.  Ok, so his chances are much better ....
providing he gets through finals!

School.

I love when the boys have a great day.  Ok, so it was just Will that had a great day.  It's so nice when you have friends that REALLY know you!  I feel bad for the mouse, lol!

Unfortunately, Hunter's day wasn't as exciting.  He's been spending every waking minute doing this....

Final begin on Monday.  I don't envy his weekend!

Christmas Perfection!

All I can say is thank you.  It was really important to me to decorate this year and I'm less than helpful right now.  So this is what Jeff came up with!  I'm in love with the way it looks.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Now, just to wait until the boys come home.

Go Bucks!!

Yet again, Ohio State has provided Hunter with the experience of a lifetime!  

Last week, Hunter wouldn't even consider tickets to the Big 10 Championship game.  The loss of JT Barrett made a win seem unlikely at best.  Thankfully, he changed his mind and stood in line for hours for tickets.  

When they boarded the bus, they were four point underdogs.  But now, they're Big 10 Champions!  

Congratulations to Buckeye Nation.  I have my fingers crossed that come this time tomorrow evening, you're one of the top four.  GO BUCKS!

 

Merry IT Christmas!

Nothing says Christmas like a TechnoloTree!  Can you tell that it's getting close to Christmas Break?  I love that our schools still allow Christmas celebrations.  In a time when most schools are having "Winter" parties to prepare for "Winter" Breaks, Little Miami is celebrating Christmas!  There's something to be said for living in small town Ohio.  Political correctness hasn't reached us yet.

Bye Bye!

 

It's December!  I'm not ready for the cold.  I'm not ready for the snow.  I'm not even close to ready for Christmas.  But I was so ready for today.

GOODBYE to NoShave November!

Go Bucks!!

I apologize for missing yesterday.  After that game, I was physically unable to blog about it.  I have since regained my composure and although I'm still a little bitter, I'm definitely thrilled to share the wonderful day the boys had.

This post is for them.  So they look back and remember what it was like to share the day together.  I got to spend a few minutes with Will when he returned and I got to talk to Hunter for a bit on the phone.  There is no doubt that both of them had the time of their lives.  And even more so because they got to spend it together.  It makes my heart happy to see them enjoy their time together...especially because it doesn't happen all that often.

So here are the highlights...hopefully they'll forever remind the boys of the unforgettable day they had!

Black Friday!

When asked what they thought of Black Friday....

No, just kidding.  Although Hunter did love it and Will did sleep through it.  They were in such a hurry to get out of Cincinnati and off to OSU that I didn't have time for a second shot.  But that's ok.  I know they're both thrilled to spend the weekend together...the game is an added bonus.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see tomorrows picture!

The First Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our break together was short....just over 24 hours.  Tomorrow morning, both of the boys head to Columbus for game day!  And although I'm more than a little jealous that they're going to be at the big game, I'm even more thankful that they were home (even for a short time) to celebrate the first holiday in the new house.

We started the day with Christmas decorations!  Yep, Hunter won the battle (although the war is still ongoing) and the big tree made it's annual entrance.  Will even spent the afternoon decorating all by himself.  And for the record, I didn't follow behind him or move them around.  Now, if I could only find the Disney ornament we brought back from Will's trip this year, we'd be all set.

While the boys and I (more the boys than I) decorated, Jeff outdid himself making a wonderful turkey.  Truthfully, I think he made most of the dinner.  My contribution?  This awesome spoon!  I mean really, those potatoes deserved a special utensil all they're own.  My version of a housewarming present for our first turkey day.

We had a wonderful time.  The Lions won.  The Eagles won.  The dinner was fabulous and the house is all decked out for Christmas.  It may not have been as long as I liked, but it was as wonderful as I hoped.  Only a few more weeks and we'll all be back here again, for a few weeks instead of a few hours.  We've all got a long few weeks ahead, but it'll be worth it!

I'm taking a break.  Just wanted to let you know that we didn't fall off the planet.  I'll be back for Thanksgiving.  Have a great couple of days!

The countdown!

I didn't forget, I'm just a little late!

I must admit, this is getting harder and harder.  It's a struggle more times than not to find something to say about our day.  Not because I don't have a lot to say, that'd never be me.  But having something that involves the boys is getting more difficult.

With Hunter's busy schedule, I'm lucky to get an update here and there.  And Will, well I'm pretty lucky if I can see or talk to him once or twice a week.  With Senior events, friends, work and school...he's barely here to sleep.

So instead of including pictures tonight of the puppies or the lake, I'm just going to say Happy Friday to everyone.  It's been a long week and I know I'm looking forward to the weekend and short work week.  But most of all, I'm counting the minutes until both the boys are home for Thanksgiving!

Thank you!

I've been on the fence for months trying to decide on new colors for our bedroom.  I'm a few tag orders away from a new bedding set since ours is 10 years old, dated and doesn't do justice to the room.

So when I stumbled on these awesome wall hangings, the Lowe's guy offered to discount them just to get them out of the store.  $50 worth of decor for just $12.  He made my mind up for me!

I'm loving the colors!  Now I have to find a bedding set to match!

Thank you, Mr. Lowe's Employee.

Triumphant!

To the world, it's just a hamburger.  To me, it's the very first hamburger that we made for dinner and Will actually ate.  It's a good thing I'm quick with a camera because this one was gone in a minute and he was back for a second.

Yes, you read that right.  Will ate not one, but two hamburgers for dinner.  In fact, these were his idea.  He convinced Jeff and I that if you added taco seasoning to a burger, he would love it.  And who are we to question that?  So Jeff made his now famous taco burgers...complete with sour cream, lettuce and cheese.

Success is ours.

A snow day!

A snow day in November!  Although I could live without the bitter and the snow, an extra day with Will is always on my list of favorite things.  Even better, we didn't have to spend the day shoveling or blowing the snow!

And just when I thought it couldn't get better than that, this arrived in the mail today!  Jeff and I won a raffle held by Howl at the Moon...a Husky rescue in the area.  I couldn't pass up a few tickets, they do such great work.  Now I just need a big Golden Retriever wreath for the other door :D

Pretty Unproductive!

Does this make you feel as out of shape as it made me?  While I was still catching some zzz's this morning, Hunter was running his first 5k.  He loved it!

This one was at work when I was still sleeping too!  Dear heavens, I'm starting to think that I sleep too late (although they were both out and about at 6:30am...on a SUNDAY!).  But getting an early start meant that he made it home to enjoy most of the afternoon.  This is what we spent our time doing!  I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it.  It's perfectly...well, perfectly Will.  It's the logo of his favorite band.  Not much different than the posters I taped to my walls as a teenager.