Happy Birthday, Bankers!

 For Banx's 11th birthday, I took her shopping with Piper. It was so fun to see what stores she loves and how her fashion sense is already maturing into a young lady--how is that possible?! I love you so much Bankers, I hope you had the best birthday ever! 

Piper and Ayva

Piper has a new BFF: Ayva. She talks about her non-stop. She was able to go to Ayva's birthday party at the playground in the church, and they were so cute together :) 

 

Happy Birthday, Shawn

We celebrated Shawn's birthday by going to Hello, Marjorie for drinks (my new favorite bar) and then Splash for dinner. I was with some of my favorite people celebrating one of my best friends birthday. The food was amazing, the drinks were delicious, and I had caviar for the first time ever :) I hope you had a great birthday, Shawn. Thank you for being the best friend to all of us!! 

 

Sleepovers at Papa and She-She's

Whenever we need a babysitter, my dad and Shari are the first to not only take our kiddos, but ASK for them :) I don't know what I would do without them---they are a key part to our village! The kids love going to Papa and She-She's house. Piper is still a fan of stealing Papa's pillow and always wants to cuddle with him in bed. Melts my heart every time I get pictures of it too :)

 

Happy Birthday, Mom

Another birthday passes by that you're not here to celebrate it with and for. It's not right. It's not fair. And I know I will never understand. I think of you every. single. day. I miss you every single day. No one has ever or will ever understand me like you did. And that, I think I miss the most. I've been wearing your Coco Chanel a lot lately, so I remember your smell. I remember your smile. I can still hear your laugh. But how it felt when you hugged me when I was upset, that memory is fading. And I would do just about anything to get that back.  

Keep sending me signs, please. They keep me going and pushing through.

 

Let Basketball Season Begin

Beau is on a travel basketball team this year, and so far, he is LOVING IT! And secretly, so is his mama! :) I have been waiting for this moment to get to take my kid(s) to travel ball games just like my mom did for me growing up. I absolutely love the game of basketball and love seeing Beau enjoy it just as much. He is learning and growing every week, and it's going to be a fun season! 

 

Signs From HER

 

While I was sitting in the crowd at the state volleyball tournament, my watch/phone went off saying "Mom" was calling me. My heart stopped. I froze. My friend sitting next to me said I turned ghostly white and instantly asked if I was okay. In a matter of probably 2 seconds (which felt more like 20 minutes) I had a rush of emotions overtake my body. I have been missing my mom so much the last several months. And I had been praying for a sign. And literally, I had her name come all across my phone. I didn't answer because I think I was in so much shock I didn't know what to do. Then, as I'm sitting down trying to quickly process it all and put the pieces together of why she would be calling, she texted me asking "are you watching the game". 

As I type this up, I am weeping to reliving the moment. My mom would have loved to have gone to the state volleyball tournament with me. Just like she would have loved going to state for the boys basketball a few years ago. She is missing out on everything---more like I am missing out on everything with her. 

Once the text came through, I messaged back saying "yes, are you?". Then I realized, one of my former volleyball players and students, now has my mom's phone number as her own. 

I didn't feel sad that someone else has her number---the girl who now has my mom's number is so sweet and I selfishly love knowing that a sweet soul is now carrying on that 1477 number. When the texts came through, it was a reminder of how I would always still text my mom, even after she passed. I kept her number for a couple of years, but it was time to let it go and let that chapter close. 

I fully believe in signs and that my mom's spirit is always with me. Do I think it was a coincidence that I had been praying for a sign from my mom, and then one of my volleyball girls called me? No. That was my mom for sure. Letting me know she's here. She's listening to me. She hears my prayers. She sees me weeping. She see's me happy. She sees it all. I know she does. It gives me faith and hope that we will one day be reunited again. Until that day, I will forever weep for her and miss her. 

Thank you, Mom, for keeping my faith alive. I miss you just as much as I did 4 years ago. 

I love you to Heave and back and back, 

P

State Volleyball: 2021

Our girls made it to state this year for volleyball, and it was such a proud and exciting moment! The last time our volleyball team made it to state is when I was in school---over 14-15 years ago! The boys and I drove up to Cedar Rapids to cheer them up, and it was a thrilling environment to be in. Even though they were beat in the first round, they played incredible and we were so proud of our Osky Indians! 

 

Piper and Grandma Chelle

These three (Piper, Michelle and Harvey) make my heart so happy. Piper adores her Grandma Chelle and is always asking to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. She loves to listen to music and eat popcorn with Grandma--and they are definitely two peas in a pod! 

 

Weekends With Friends

The other weekend, Kendall and Khloe came to hang out with the boys for awhile. Piper absolutely adores Khloe and gets so excited when she knows she will see her. I love seeing them all play together--even with the age gap.

 

Halloween at Dance

 For dance class, the kids were able to dress up in their costumes. Piper's Elsa costume was kind of a hot mess, but what's new there ;) She loved dressing up and pretending to be a princess---even though that can be a normal occurrence for her:)

Best Buds and Night Time Partners

 Even though we have six bedrooms in our house, Beau and Baine refuse to sleep alone. In fact, they want to sleep in Piper's room 99.9% of the time. Joe and I tease all of the time we don't know why we have such a big house--we just need a small 2 bedroom apartment ;) I truly love how they want to sleep together, though. I know this is a phase and won't last forever, so I will cherish it for as long as I can. I love seeing them cuddled together and waking them up together. Priceless. 

Daddy's Packers Crew

Because I am obsessed with pictures and memories to have forever, Daddy took advantage of his Packer Crew for Sunday Football. 

 

My Halloween Diva