Can't see me.

Those eyes.  Even the deer should be frightened.  And I'm guessing they were frightened away since it was the last day of hunting season and Will didn't get one.

Well, at least he was warm while he waited the day away.

May God Bless You and Keep You Always.

I consider myself to be a Braverman.  They joined my family (or rather I joined theirs!) in 2010 with the very first episode.  I haven't missed one since.

We watched births, deaths, marriages and divorces.  When they cried, we cried.  When they laughed, we laughed.  And when they loved, so did we.  There has NEVER been a television drama that was so parallel with everyday life.  With our life.  The lives of our friends.  Our childrens lives.

I'm heartbroken that it's over.  

But I included it here for a reason.  If there was ever a show that I hope the boys watch when they start a family of their own, this is it.  I promise, it will make them better parents, husbands, brothers and friends.  It will remind them that each day is precious and that nothing is more important (or more frustrating) than family.  It was wonderful to have shared in each moment.

Goodnight, Zeke.  And may you stay forever young.

The news.

The good news?

We received Will's letter from Ohio State today saying he'd been accepted into the Engineering program!  He'll be designing cars before we know it.

The bad news?

I think he may have missed his calling as the dog whisperer!  Seriously, they wait at the door every night until he comes home.  And if he gets here earlier enough to sit with them for a few minutes...this is what it looks like.  They're not going to know what to do with themselves when he leaves for school.

But until then.....

Technology and Teamwork

While I know not one of you would point it out, the last few months of being couch bound (as well as the whole quit smoking thing!) have been hard on my waistline.  Not one person mentioned the 1lb bag of Swedish fish, the dozens of Christmas cookies or the cravings for 1500 calorie burgers.  And while I love everyone for it, something had to give.  Turns out, it was the size of my jeans.

So now that I've been given an "almost" clean bill of health, it's time to get these pounds off before camping season starts.  I'm determined to hike through the hills for the summer...and I'd prefer to be leading the pack as opposed to having someone carry me through.

Commence OPERATION: SKINNY ME.

As you guys know, Jeff is a technology genius.  Nothing hits the market that he doesn't know about.  So when I opened by gift from Santa, I knew who had whispered in his ear.  It was a Gear Fit.  This great watch counts my steps, records my activity and basically kicks me in the butt and reminds me to get moving.

Pair that with the newest app for my phone (again, thank you Jeff!) that counts my calories and records the activity from my watch.  Dear heavens, it does it all.  Well almost.  I'm still responsible for the food I shove in my pie hole.  Something about the watch and the app makes me a little more accountable.  No one is checking it, but just in case, I feel the need to be honest and not "cheat".

And the best part?  Jeff's doing it with me.  Not because he needs to, but so that I don't have to do it alone.  I can honestly say, that after three weeks of working hard, I'm excited to step on the scale tomorrow.  I'm determined to be back in my jeans by graduation!

Oh my!!

I absolutely hate when I forget to take pictures!  Although, it must mean that I had such a great time and just didn't have time.  

I managed to take a picture of the lease.  Yes, that's Hunters first lease.  To his first apartment.  An apartment with roommates.  Roommates that are not his brother or the dog.  Holy cow, his first apartment!  

Maybe that's the reason I forgot to take pictures of our family luncheon.  The boys opening Christmas presents.  Ryan having a "snowball" fight and lots of laughter all around.  It's rare that gifts bring me to tears (although Will doesn't agree!), but the coffee mug may be my most cherished possession.

We did manage to make it back in time for an open house, a surprise birthday party and an on call shift.  Of course, none of those were together, but at least we got a few hours to laugh it up.

Merry Christmas all, I love you!

Home.

We're getting ready for Spring!  I know it's a little early, but in the dead of winter, the hope of Spring are what get me through.  Especially on days with grey skies, biting winds and snow flakes.

My fairy garden plan is in full swing.  I've been working on designs, trying to plan where and what and who.  I have lights and homes...and now I have gnomes.

Today was a little stressful and Jeff found the perfect gift to celebrate!

Mr and Mrs Gnome have found their home.  I can't wait to add them to the bed out front.  Thank you, Jeff!  And yep, they kinda look like us :D

Perfect North!

Once upon a time, 

there was this fearless guy.

He waited all year long

to see snow fall from the sky.

Bundled up in lots of layers, 

he's covered from head to toe.

Just waiting for the minute

the hills are covered with inches of snow.

Swiftly cutting through the powder, 

and racing down the hill,

He moves faster than lightening

his heart beat standing still.

My little adrenalin junkie,

anything for a thrill.

I'm so glad it cold enough to go,

Happy Winter, Will.

Overkill?

And this is why tuition is so high.  Three letters, all address to Will.  All one page.  All from the same office.  And so it begins.....

For just a buck!

It doesn't take much to excite us in Maineville!

Today was a no school day (Happy MLK Day!) and we celebrated by checking out the grand opening of the Dollar Tree!  I know, I know.  It's a dollar store.  But seriously, it's awesome.  As Will put it, where can you buy Star Wards fruit snacks, q-tips and and air freshener for your car....all for just $3?  I stocked up on nail polish, Easter buckets and some really cool football cups.  Oh, and emery boards since Mom and Michele were appalled I didn't have any.

Somehow, we managed to spend $31 at the dollar store.  Well worth it to spend an afternoon with Will!

Happy Sunday!

After yesterday (which felt like the longest day in the history of days), we got a play day!

An extremely long lunch at Mama Renie's was just what the doctor ordered.  It was a free "diet" day and thank goodness for that.  The pizza was amazing.  We made a short trip to camp (it was really cold) to check on the camper and make sure all was well.  Other than a few branches and an incredibly muddy deck, all was in order. 

Did I mention that I'm counting the days until Spring?

Eventually, Jeff had to drag me out of camp so we could make our dinner reservations on time.  Ok, so Caines doesn't take reservations, but Hunter and Ashley were on a pretty tight schedule.  

We've made it home, a little more joyous than when we left.  Sometimes, everyone needs a break.

Worth the wait!

Patience is not my strong suit.  Honestly, I'm one of the most impatient people I know.  I ordered this from Scentsy in September.  I knew they were back ordered and I'm a reasonable person but by New Years day, I was getting a little annoyed.  

Look what arrived today!  It was so worth the wait ... I'm totally in love with it.   What do you think?

Meant to be!

We've all been waiting patiently for today to arrive.  Well, to be honest, not so patiently but waiting none the less.  Hunters been calling every afternoon.  Will's made it home from school every day without a minute to wait.   Jeff sends a text every afternoon to check.  And me?  I jump out of my seat every time I hear the mail truck.

And today was the day. 

The envelope please......

Congratulations to my newest Buckeye.  Although he'll be spending his first year on the Newark Campus, he's thrilled to be pursuing his Engineering Degree at Ohio State.  Personally, I think the smaller campus and smaller classrooms will be a far better experience.  I'm hoping Will agrees :D

So I sit here tonight in tears.  Although I knew today would come, it's hard to believe that he's heading off to college!  The only thing that makes it a little easier is knowing that he'll love each and every moment of it.  

Congratulations Will.  We're so very proud of you.  You've been a Buckeye since birth, but this is going to be the experience of a lifetime.  

Champs!

Go Bucks!  Needless to say, we're all incredibly tired (except the Buckeye that didn't have class until 5:30pm today and got to sleep in!).  But it was worth every yawn.  I've never been so proud to be surrounded by a family of Buckeyes.  So in honor of their win, I thought I'd share all of the awesome images I found!

Congrats to the National Champions!  If it couldn't be us, I'm glad it was you.  And I look very forward to meeting you next season ;)

O-H-I-O!

There's just not time to blog!  The big game is on!

I'll be back tomorrow with the good, the bad and the ugly!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Happy Birthday, my little William.  I know you're now 18, an adult.  You're a foot taller than me ... far from little.  But in my heart, you will always be the little man that sat at my feet silently taking in everything and everyone around you.

Today, you are the same.  More quiet and thoughtful than anyone I know.   Your tender heart melts mine and your witty sense of humor makes me laugh each and every day.  I know this sounds sappy, but I've truly never met a person that exudes the peace and calm that you do.  From the moment you were born, spending two minutes with you melted away all the stresses of the world.

I really never thought today would arrive.  I really thought you'd stay little forever (seriously, I wished it more times than you'll every know).  But today, sitting across from you at dinner, I realized how much of an adult you are...how ready you are to face the world.  We're both so proud of you!

So after kissing you goodnight (thanks for letting me!), I sit here in tears.  Not because you've reached adulthood, but because I'm so lucky to have been with you every step of the way.  I love you bunches, little one.  Happy Birthday.  

Just before....

Dang it!  Two minutes late again!

Would you believe me if I told you I was giggling and racing around the living room and kitchen to get in 250 more steps to reach my 10,000 for the day?  If you believe me, stop laughing.  If you don't, you'd be wrong!

But anyway, I thought I'd have all sorts of new pictures to post today!  Instead, after unpacking and cleaning out boxes, I found some wonderful old pictures.

It seemed appropriate on the eve of Will's birthday to share my picture from the same age.  Taken just before motherhood and sleepless nights and toddlers and chicken pox.  Just before being spit up on and bit.  Just before Barney and Cars and Boys Scouts and Nascar.  Just before bedtime stories, bubble baths and school projects and band concerts.  Just before first dates, first cars and broken hearts.

Just before I realized what my life was all about.  Just before meeting the two boys that would make my life complete.

Fun Friday!

His birthday weekend has arrived!  I know he's been waiting for it for the better part of 18 years.

The weekend long celebration started tonight with the Cavalcade of Customs Car Show.  Ryan couldn't have come up with a better plan.  If there was ever a doubt about Will's love of cars, it ended tonight.  He would have driven them all home if he could!  I'm pretty positive he'd have traded in his college fund for any one of them.

He's definitely chosen the right career path.  He's gone from the little boy who had a car shoved in every pocket to the adult that would like keys to every car shoved in every pocket.    Seriously, I can't believe his birthday is in 2 more days!

Would you like to be a duck?

It's officially cold.  School is cancelled.  The fireplace is on.  Even the dogs don't want to go outside.  But just when I started to think about complaining... I realized how thankful I was that I wasn't a duck.

Jeff's been waiting for the lake to freeze over.  Today, I felt so bad for them that I'm hoping for a quick thaw!

I also felt bad for these guys!  Apparently it was just as cold at work.  On a side note, no one really makes the trip to McDonalds in subzero temps!

It's been a great winter so far....but I'm really ready for Spring.

Brrrrr!

The bad news?  It's friggin' cold!  Not see your breath cold,...but see your breath crystallize and fall as snow cold.  

The good news?  The cold just delivered Will another snow day.  One they called the night before so he can sleep in.  

Two snow days in one week?  I would consider that an early birthday gift!

Snow Day! Snow Day!

Given the craziness of the last couple of weeks, I can definitely say that I was beyond thrilled to get an extra day with Will.  He spent most of it cleaning his closet (nope, I didn't make him!) and catching up on a years worth of laundry.  But we got lunch and Arrow so no complaints here! 

And since he doesn't have to make up snow days at the end of the year, I wouldn't mind a few more. Minus the wipeout in the driveway, it was a pretty great day.   Who can complain about snow when it looked like this....