The name of my blog is........

The name of my blog is "This moment is where we belong". Well, several times this weekend I questioned that sentiment. Friday was a day of delays and missed flights trying to get to Kirksville to see Hannah graduate from JBA. I needed to be there by 5 and did not arrive until 6:30. I had just sat down when her class was called up to receive her certificate. WHEW!! I looked up to heaven and just said thank-you Lord. I belonged in that moment. Not the 90 minutes before but right then. On Saturday we drove the 3 hours to the airport and patiently waited for our flight. We got on the plane and sat there for 2 1/2 hours. After having not seen my daughter for almost a month we used that time to catch up (she slept in the car). That moment was right where I belonged, reconnecting with my daughter. Then it was announced our flight would be going nowhere and was cancelled with no more planes leaving that night. Hannah and I scrambled for a hotel and then went to a very late dinner, once again talking and sharing stories about her time away. That moment was right where I belonged. We finally arrived home this evening over 24 hours late. Could I be angry and frustrated about all that has happened? Yes. But I am slowly realizing that every moment good or bad is right where we belong.
P.S. I will post pics of Hannah at Truman State and Jeff from his big Houston tournament later in the week.

Reaching for the dream.......

Jeff's baseball team is off to what is the "Big Dance" of a tournament. They are going to the Field of Dreams in Houston for the State tournament. The boys are all very excited and of course want to win it all. The fields are replicas of some of the more famous field in the U.S. Imagine being ten and playing in Wrigley Field or Fenway Park. Too cool! All the boys are bleaching their hair blonde and carving the teams initials into the backs of their heads to show unity, I guess. I think it's just an excuse to do something we would never approve at any other time. Although, those of you that have known me for awhile know I have no room to talk when it comes to hair color or style! On another note, I will not be going to Houston because I get to go get Hannah!!!! I miss her a lot and can't wait to have my baby girl back. She told me the other night she missed us but wasn't ready to come home. Even though it burst my bubble a little when she said that I am very proud of the independent person she has become. I will let you all know next week how the games went.

They say everything in Texas is BIGGER!

When we moved here 7 yrs ago everyone said everything in Texas is bigger. Come to find out they were right about that statement. The houses are bigger, the cars are bigger, the malls are bigger :), the cinnamon rolls are bigger which causes our butts to be bigger too! Trust me on this one my butt is a whole lot bigger since moving here! I will show you a picture of the cinnamon roll but not my butt!

Always a bridesmaid,never a bride......

We had another tournament this weekend.....what's new! And yet again our boys made it to the championship game and came in second place. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely proud of the boys for doing as well as they have but they want first place. They want it, need it, and can taste it. Coming in second is not acceptable to them anymore. It also didn't help that we lost to a team that is very unsportsmanlike and down right rude. They act and talk nasty to the other teams they play and the parents aren't much better. As they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. On another note. Roger Clemens, yes the rocket, was out at the games this weekend and also was down right rude. We all understand he was there to watch his kids play baseball but when you are a famous baseball player out at a kids baseball tournament you have to expect to be mobbed by the kids that look up to you (even if us parents hate that). He chose this life and in that choice came certain responsibilities, like it or not. Their opinion of the rocket has not been tainted yet by the accusations of steroid abuse and unfaithfulness ect.... In light of everything he has been through as of late he should be ecstatic people still want his autograph. But no, he wanted nothing to do with it. After telling a group of our boys that he would sign some autograph's after his childs game he ditched them and told them to not follow him. Actually told them to turn around and walk the other way in a very not nice tone. Their opinion of him has now been tainted by his actions toward them not the media. Shame on Roger Clemens for bursting the bubbles of a lot of kids but at the same time this parent also thanks you because there are certainly better athletes for my child to look up to than you!

Is this how it will be?

So Hannah has been gone since Saturday (officially without me) and I have talked to her twice. Two times in almost a week. NOT ACCEPTABLE! I was expecting a nightly check-in call telling me how class was, that her homework was done, that she is taking a shower and brushing her teeth nightly. Not only am I not getting that but she was in a terrible hurry to get off the phone! SHE told ME she had things to do! What things? More to the point, what things that are more important than talking to her mother? Is this the beginning of the end? Is this how it's going to be when she leaves for real college?

It turns out.....

So I thought that with Hannah gone Jeffrey would be quieter having no one to argue with. Well as it turns out Jeff is more than happy to talk, sing, and argue with himself. No older sister required. So much for a peaceful 3 weeks!

Unexpected moments.......

As I write this blog I am sitting in my hotel bed in Kirksville Missouri. My daughter Hannah is still asleep (what's new!) and I am looking out the window and some surprisingly beautiful countryside. In a couple hours I will drop Hannah off at Truman State University where she will spend the next 3 weeks............without me, her Dad, her brother, or any family for that matter. Am I nervous? Definitley. Am I going to miss her? Without a doubt. Is Hannah nervous? Definitley. Is she going to miss me? Without a doubt. Will she miss her brother? Absolutley not!! How do I know this? Because she told me. I am so glad I decided to bring her instead of putting her on a plane in San Antonio. She is old enough (14 if you read the last post) to fly unaccompanied but the time we had together without the distractions of home allowed for some wonderful conversation. My daughter is growing into a sweet, wonderful, exceptionally brilliant dare I say woman. Sitting in an airport for hours waiting for lost luggage gaves us ample time to catch up. Hannah actually put the IPOD away several times to talk with me. My heart has been warmed! In a few hours I will be driving back to Kansas City sad and already missing my baby girl but also proud of her and looking forward to picking her up and talking about her experience.
Wish her luck my friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!

Today is our daughter Hannah's 14th birthday. We are so proud of the beautiful young lady you are becoming. When you entered this world 14 years ago we knew you would be something very special and have a great impact on our lives. Little did we know what a brilliant person you would become and how many other lives you would have a positive impact on. We love you more than we could ever tell you!!