Dad Stephen

Burke's dad is on hospice.

Burke's parents divorced when he was young.

When they divorced, two of the boys moved in with his dad and two of the boys moved in with his mom.

Burke split his time between both.

Burke's sweet mom passed away a few years ago.

We remain close with his stepdad, Dave.

I first met his dad, Stephen, last year when he was in the hospital with an infection.

His health has continued to decline and he is now home, on hospice.

We've spent time at his bedside the last two Thursdays.

Yesterday, he was much more restful and peaceful.

The agony of his pain seems to be much more under control than it has been.

We were both grateful for that.

We were able to hold his hand and tell him to rest.

Although he wasn't fully coherent, we know that he knew we were there.

That's what matters.

 

Party

This is the official invitation for our April "Family Dinner."

I wanted to make it LOOK so fun.

Like, who wouldn't want to come when you see this invitation?!?!

It's actually not a "party."

It's a "fix all issues with the pool from last year, reset concrete pads, make sure the frame is in place correctly, fill the pool up party."

But, we sure will feed the helpers party-goers pizza with endless soda!!

 

Cooking Coffee

When Hudson was an infant, we'd have him overnight sometimes.

Papa would take him out of his crib and out to the kitchen so Gigi could get some sleep.

He would put him in the front carrier or the bouncy chair and "they'd" make coffee.

When both Braxton and Mia were working overnights/early mornings, we'd have Hudson dropped off at around 5 AM.

Papa would get up and "they'd" make coffee together and watch Bluey or Mickey Mouse or football.

Somehow, some way, Hudson has very vivid memories of making coffee with Papa.

He ALWAYS asks Papa if they can "cook" coffee.

It's always long after Burke is done with his coffee for the day.

We had him Sunday morning.

Hudson FINALLY got to "cook coffee" with Papa!

It made his dang morning!

They even frothed the milk!

He is getting wayyyyyy tooooooo big.

So fun.

So cute.

So smart.

So funny.

SO polite.

 

Run & Prom

Saturday was a BUSY day for Cooper.

He and I left home at 7 am to drive to Logan for a track meet.

He could have taken the bus, driven himself, driven up with friends...

But, alas he wanted me to take him.

It was a beautiful morning when we arrived.

We were early, but then the FIRST lightening delay came into play before the track meet even started.

He just slept in the car next to me.

It was clear that I was going to miss his ONE race because of the delay.

I had to pick up his corsage for prom by a certain time.

When the delay ended, he went and joined his team.

I drove back home to get the corsage.

As I drove home, after not even being able to see him run, I was grateful that this big 17 year old still wants time with me.

My big boys were just like this.

It goes by way too fast!

I got to the floral shop in time.

His prom stuff was laid out for him.

There were three more lightening delays.

Finally, their coach called it a day and told everyone to head home and enjoy prom!

I can't believe how fast they grow up.

I felt like this with my big boys, yet it still surprises me watching Coop and Ryk.

This is such a good group of kids.

They are a friend group.

No one is dating anyone... they are just all good friends and hang out all the time.

Kenley even has a boyfriend, but he was so cool with Coop taking her to prom.

The girls all go to a different high school than the boys.

They never even made it to the dance... they were too late after dinner and pictures.

But no one cared.

They had a great time!

 

Trippin'

Papa & Gigi are heading to St. Louis on May 1st.

The Dodgers will be in town for the weekend to play the Cardinals.

EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!

One of the guys that Burke works with has tickets behind home plate for the St. Louis games.

Burke's team is the Cardinals!

We were invited to go watch and I cannnnnnnot wait!

I grabbed me a Dodgers shirt (showing off the 9X world champions fact)!

Burke got each of us a cup to take.

His is Cardinals; mine is Dodgers.

We are going Sunday (day game!!!!).

We are also going to go Friday (night game).

I'm quite excited.

 

Gigi Update

I crack up at this picture.

I walked into one of the offices and all the guys said, "Ohhhhh, Sis is a librarian today!"

So I took my serious librarian self to the bathroom and took a selfie!

I am feeling really pretty good!

I am still on all the things:

Estrogen patches

Progesterone capsules

Estrogen/Testosterone cream

Vitamin B shots (once a week)

Tirzepatide shots (once a week - micro dose)

Magnesium gummies

Vitamin K & D3, Fish Oil, DHEA, CoQ10

Collagen peptide packet & Electrolyte packet

I have lost 19 pounds (trying to just maintain now... no more losing)

I am sleeping better.

My skin is looking so much better.

My gut is so much happier.

It's all positive!

 

Grab a Mitt

When I got home from work last night, Ryker was waiting for me.

With his baseball mitt and ball in hand.

Wanting to practice his pitches.

Right then and there.

“Grab me Dad’s mitt, bud.”

And then we baseballed in the front yard for an hour.

And I was reminded, again, how blessed I am.