Halloween 2026

Halloween is alllllll about our grandbabies and I love it!!

 

Sadie's

Janers asked Coopy to Sadie's this week.

Fun ridiculous fact: They can't actually go to the dance. Janers goes to a different high school and that high school does not allow kids from other schools to go to their dances.

I have a lot I want to say, but will find my filter...

Note:

My Cooper is #9 in the region out of all defensive linemen!!

 

Crazy Hair Day

Beautiful Kehlani.

Yesterday was crazy hair day at school.

Of course, Isis made sure she was ready for it!

Kehlani is just the absolute sweetest, most compassionate little sweet pea.

She is the kindest big sister, the biggest helper, always giving so much love.

We are SO blessed to be her papa and gigi!!

 

Coloring with Jane

I got two new coloring books last week.

They are naughty-worded coloring books.

Unfortunately for the moral part of me, I really like the flowers in the books.

So, I began coloring.

Cooper told me that Janers had bought herself some markers.

She came right over and we colored!

And colored.

And colored.

Focus on the flowers, Jane. Focus on the flowers!

Last night, the boys were at their mom's house.

I was glad about that.

They haven't spent time with her for a while.

Whilst at her house, I started getting texts from Coopy.

Tigger and Piglet all day everyday, Coopy!!

After this text, he called me. 

"What size am I?"

"What size am I in a onesie?"

"What size should she get me?"

I hope they never stop calling and texting me to get all the important answers.

 

Logan Visits!

Logan was here for a minute.

A literal minute.

We were able to love on him for that minute and I am so grateful!

It's been years.

He got to meet four of our grand babies and was overwhelmed by all of the movement and noise!

We laughed, told stories, ate yummy food, and loved on him some more.

Brandon, and his wife Carrie, were there with their two boys - Asher and Anson.

I got some amazing snuggles!!

Melanie didn't feel good and loved on Gigi before she wanted Papa.

Then Delilah fell asleep on Gigi!

Miracles!

And my big youngest boy loved on me, too.

Sweet Diana has just a couple more days!

So fun!

 

The End.

These boys.

The coaches.

Once again, a football family formed.

The season, and Ryker's little league football journey, came to an end on Saturday.

They lost in their semi-final game.

My heart did break for them.

Ryker has gotten SO MUCH better this year under the teachings of new coaches.

The team got so much better as the season went on.

I love these kiddos.

I'm sad for them.

Next year, most of them will be on the high school frosh team.

 

Pooped

This mama had my every three years colonoscopy yesterday.

This one was ROUGH.

I didn't eat any solid food since Monday.

The bucket of flush ick started Wednesday night.

Finished it yesterday morning.

Burke took me to the surgical center with my Diet Coke and pebble ice ready for after the procedure.

I had a great nap.

Woke up nauseous.

Ate some Kneaders.

Went home.

Took another nap.

Woke up nauseous again.

Watched football.

Nauseous.

Went to bed.

Woke up nauseous.

Sitting at work.

Nauseous.

The good news: don't have to go back for FIVE years!

Also, I love Burke.

The end.

 

W

These turds won their quarter finals game on Saturday.

It was a GREAT win.

I have to be honest...

I was feeling like a loss would be just fine.

I obviously haven't told my kid that, but...

Once the game started and I saw the heart in these 17 kids of mine, I wanted a W for them so badly.

They played hard.

I was so proud of them.

Their heart was in it and mine about burst when they won!!!

Onto the semi-finals this Saturday!

 

October Family Dinner

Everyone besides Kaydon, Mia, and Tyler were at family dinner.

I just really stink at getting pictures of everyone.

The cousins were very busy!

These two big girls are so cute.

So grownup!
Delilah hangs out with them and they are so good about it!

Melanie does what she wants!

Hudson and Hendrix play like boys play!

Next month, we'll have another baby!!!

 

Lunch Dates

Every Thursday, on Burke's one day off, he goes grocery shopping so that I don't have to.

He goes to Costco and Walmart and gets all the things.

He also gets me flowers each week.

These are this week's beauties.

These are the ones from last week, still blooming and still smelling splendor...

So he put the new ones next to the old ones so I can continue to enjoy them.

When I got home from my lash appointment, he and Ryker took me to lunch at Kneaders.

Kneaders is our fall-back go-to place when we can't decide where to eat.

It's that comfort food AND the sweets!

 

Oh Dammit

This sweet Squish is having some health issues.

His mommy and daddy have had him at several doctor's offices.

Yesterday was yet another visit with a new doctor.

Today, they are trying a very aggressive flush.

We are praying specifically that his body and the medication will work in unison;

That his pain and discomfort will be minimal;

That is body will work the way it should during the flush and after;

That he will feel comfort and peace;

That his mommy and daddy will also feel comfort and will be able to soothe him.

 

Snapshots

A parent (one of my favorites) took this picture of me at the team party on Sunday.

Literally standing in a corner while the coaches gave out the player gifts.

Right after this picture was taken, I walked across to go get the coaches gifts.

Suddenly, they start talking about me.

I wanted OUT.

The head coach was saying nice things about me, then the boys, then parents.

I just wanted it to end.

And it did.

I was so grateful for their words.

This snapshot shows my fatigue.

This snapshot also shows me showing up.

That matters.

This was the next day.

After some rest.

After coloring.

A hot shower.

And hugs.

This snapshot shows me rested.

And still showing up.

That matters, too.

 

Dear P

Dear P,

For months and months before you got on that airplane, you told me that Gage would be the one to take over for you whenever it was that you left the city.

I would ask you how you knew that, why you thought that, why Gage... why are you bringing this up to me?!

Then you got on the plan.

Then I had a stroke.

Then that other guy was hired to take your position.

And I lived in an actual hell for 7 1/2 years.

Hell.

Fear.

Sadness.

Confusion.

Abuse.

Day after day after day.

It wasn't the way you told me it was going to be.

But I hung in there.

Here.

I kept showing up.

Then that guy retired.

And Gage came.

And the sun started to shine again.

I stopped being afraid (literally scared to death) to go to work every day.

I started to do my job again.

I started doing my job again and doing it so well.

I started to blossom.

Heal.

Smile.

Yup, there's stress.

Yup, there's overstimulation.

Yup, there's craziness.

But it's safe again.

Nice things are being said to me.

There's laughter again.

It's just the way you promised it would be.

You knew all along.

You helped me to keep going when I just wanted to quit.

Dear P,

It's all better.

Thank you.

PS

I formed a city-wide administrative assistant boot camp.

My idea started with goals and a vision.

It now holds space for 40 people every month.

Two hours every second Thursday.

Gage has been my biggest cheerleader... in the flesh.

It's a HUGE undertaking.

But I'm doing it.

Every month.

And I know you're proud.