Switching Places

This morning I had all intentions of pulling my world together for work.  When working a family business, you find small things, are really big things. Like not having your side kick best sales dude around to help with what he always has.  Calls, people, support and such.  My world that deals with taxes, payroll, utilities, and tons of emails and daily duties that make a business run in such an average day to day way.
Nothing else matters to me right now but to get my boy better.
However, a responsibility is on me to keep things running so we all survive as well.

This morning I spoke with Kris right when I woke up and he said he had a rough night of no sleep.  They were in his room for a few hours trying to pull blood from his port, and pretty much just doing what they do to keep things going.

I pulled up to the building like I owned the place.  Parked in the front with Bucksie in tow, and delivered a breakfast burrito.  As I walked in to see his smiling dimple, I could also see and feel he was uneasy.
As we began to talk, his lip quivered and he began to cry.  Of course I tried to stay strong, but the words melted out of our mouths.  His once again words "Mom, if I don't live through this, at least I can say I've had a pretty good life, and have seen things that so many people never got the chance to see"-  I have met some of the nicest people, and have been treated very well"
I just don't want to go through so much and not make it.
"YOU WILL make it Kris"-  we have to fight. 

I knew I had to get going.
My immediate text went out to Wayne to see if he could go sit with him.
Later I received a text from Kris that his port is bleeding, and he has an infection on his ankle causing them to halt treatment until the antibiotics can start to work.

It's these little set backs.
It's the fear that I want to run from.
I can't.

Today Bill sits with him, and will help ease his worries.  If not that, maybe they can talk car talk.
Or fish talk.  Or whatever.

I still can't believe my baby is there.  If I could switch places with him to make him feel all right.


Pray for him, everyone. 

Lisa

The Days

The minutes are blending into hours, the hours into days. The messages into delete mode, the returned calls fading away. I'm becoming more and more of a sassy pants girl to be a rounds and yet I get up and fight. Each day that walk into his room, and that smile he offers with a dimple so deep it speaks "Hi Momma" as he says.

Friday was a cheerful one. One that led walks in and out of his bathrooms he sat staring out his window asking all the WHY'S. Why me Mom. He was up in spirit. We had more laughs. He ate like a champ. More than he's eaten in months. His requests for whatever had me jam to my car and back again to watch him woof it down. He walked the halls with the love of his life. He still beams when she walks into the room. She always starts her greeting with a kiss on his belly. They both smile.

Yesterday we knew would be Chemo. The last Chemo round was one that I hope we can all erase from our memory sometime soon. He said it was the gnarliest thing he EVER experienced. Yesterday's treatment had my tummy in rumbles. Many walks down and around the hall as they were setting up that drip line full of poison right into his heart. He takes it all like a champ. He sincerely does.  As we sat there through it all a friend of his from the fishing world stopped by. The Wagleys. They've experienced some incredible heart break this year in losing a full term baby that she had to birth. We talked about how bodies go through trauma and yet the world just moves on. So surreal that they stopped by. Without warning or invite, but I'm beginning to feel so many little signs are happening for a reason. I'm putting it all together in my head as to why. I'm also beginning to believe that God is part of this whole plan. I can't source out more than that, but there has been some wild signs.

Once the chemo was finished, they pulled the bag aside. Washed it all off. Tested his blood sugars and life just went along. Crazy you guys. He will inevitably begin to feel worse. The shit will hit the fan before the rain offers any sort of a rainbow.

I'm currently blogging a quick note to you all while Bill coordinates movers loading Kali's things to move her back to San Marcos. That's a whole nother' punch to my throat.

One day at a time kids. One day at a time.

Pray for my babies. Pray for healing. Pray for strength and pray for this mama soul.

Tomorrow brings hope.

Also, for my loving friends out there. Please don't text me after 9pm. My restless soul is trying to break down my day. I fall asleep and have been woken twice in the last two days from texts of help and love at 10:45....and 11:00pm. My phone currently resides 6 inches from my head. I'm on high alert and the last thing I need is that jolt.

Big hopes and praying for a rested body to help fight this fight.

May you all go in PEACE..

This Warrior Mama Lisa

As they say..

From the first days of admission, from the ER room to Room 4111 where I have officially named it "Kamp Kris" we were told it would be a rollercoaster. With that said I continue to try and find what kind of rollercoaster they speak of. Speaking for myself, I am petrified of rollercoasters. So much so, that I wouldn't spend 5.00 on Six Flags. And so I try to break down the analogy for myself. There are days like Wednesday afternoon and evening that felt like the one and only time I rode a ride at Knott's Berry Farm that took off going 50 miles and hour to flip us upside down to hit it backwards going even faster and the entire time all I could think was "I want off this fucking thing". Excuse my language but truth spoken. Moving forward to yesterday where Kali and I walked into a smiling Kris and a face so happy to see us it made me feel like any second a doctor would walk in to say this rollercoaster ride was a mistake and in we should start packing to go home. Throughout the day we heard his counts dropped lower, with the realization that Chemo is doing the poisonous job it's suppose to, but also killing the good cells. Masks were placed by the front door, and the wiping down with chlorox wipies began by me.

We were told to make absolutely sure no one travels in from any outside area especially by plane without washing, covering and keeping their distance.
Of course the three of us made the best of it. We played board games,mate good yummy foods, listened to music, and watched movies. He sat in the window sill watching the workers down below and chuckled with me about the silly things we do.

I left for home with the feeling of content as I knew the love of his life was just pulling in. She felt the same feeling as I sent her pictures throughout the day. That he was content. Happy and silly, the way we love to see Kris.

This morning his oncologist came in to give further findings. That his chromosome fault is called
Philadelphia Chromosome...
As I was trying to pack Kali for her departure Sunday he called. And he was beyond scared again.
The blood rushed from my soul and out the door. I grabbed my belongings, his freshly washed shorts and blankies and started making calls. First his doctor, and second an old friend that specialized in transplants for years.
As we spoke, she calmed my nerves and said "This is fight-able Lisa"
We later carried on about how things happen for a reason, and people come into your lives for a reason. And this life unfolds by purpose.
I am beginning to believe that some where and some how there is a reason in all of this.
We might not understand now, but perhaps maybe we will.

He is young. He is strong. And we will fight. Even when we weep and hold eachother in fear. We will get through.

I am beyond afraid of this rollercoaster. I really just want off.
But I must pull the strap tighter. And hold on for my boy.
We are in it to win it.

No stopping me now. Pray for him. Pray for my family. And pray for answers.



I am a warrior.

Big love,

This Mama Lisa

Port In.

A full day of waiting on Tuesday for yet another procedure. At this point, each procedure looks like a mountain of flurry up to, and yet he walks through it like a champ. Each day his platelets dropped down to 6. Normal range should be 230ish. When platelets drop that low, the risk of bleeding is the concern. I've noticed his body looks pale and frail. After they infused him twice on Tuesday they finally did the Port Insert at 5. As they prepped him to head to the procedure room, the look of fear was apparent and yet, he took it like a champ. Smiles and quick kisses, he was off. Upon returning he was so happy to see Jen. I could also feel his exhale relief that another "hill" had been taken down. As a parent, you know the feeling on our babies faces.

Wednesday morning we thought would be the start of Chemo. After a long day of more waiting and more tests, they finally had the Chemo nurse come to start the procedure. With no prior experience in this field, I just continued to ask questions, and make him feel as comfortable as possible. The whole set up took about an hour. Once they started the infusion, we felt he would be fine. At about 30 minutes in his body started to convulse with a reaction and the puking began. My Aunt Annette (nurse) Bill and Jen stayed while I stepped out for comfort from any nurse I could find. My sweet Kali had moved further down the hall in tears.

After a couple of doses of Demerol he slipped into a quiet peaceful sleep. I left for home first with Kali and Bill soon came home. Once Bill knew he was settled and had answers of peace for me.
Soon a text came in from our boy and he said "guys I'm better now" and before bed another that read "Night momma I feel fine, see you tomorrow"
In the morning Jen texted me and said "he chatted with the chemo nurse until midnight"

I'm back here bedside today with a mask on. Kali is down at the Hematology center being tested for HOPEFULLY a match with her big brother.

I remain the vigilant mama warrior full of hope and faith that this year will be one to close out with awesome outcomes.

Right now visiting will be monitored by nurses and us, because his white counts have dropped.

This mask I wear will someday be a long distant memory...

Pray for him. Pray for Kali and our entire family. WE will get through it.

Jen has been a rock like no other. And for that.....I owe her the world.

Love is love, faith keeps us going, but the bond and tie of a family is something never to be altered.

Give big hugs to you and yours. Live for today.

This Warrior Mama Lisa- So crazy to blog from my ipad. And the typos? Well...it is what it is...

The Day Our World Stood Still

A post with no pictures. But a post with lots of information. More information that I would never in a million years think I would ever have to share.

For the last few weeks Kris has been under the weather. Nothing a normal virus would offer, but ill non the less.
Shortening the story after a series of different blood tests we were called last Wednesday evening to get to the ER immediately.

From that hour of being told a normal persons blood platelets are I a range of 230ish, his dropped daily from that to 80ish, 40ish to Wednesday at 18. That very reason made him sit in a room as oncologists, ER physicians, nurses admitting nurses expressed the idea that "we would be here a while". The next day Kris went through a series of chest X-rays, bone marrow biopsy, cat scans, more blood work that a normal person would do in ten tears. And most of all, a series of intense scans.

Kris was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia. What went from a shocking night that made a Mom and Son lock eyes of the most intense fear is a nightmare we aren't soon waking up from.
His treatment will begin most likely tomorrow because his platelets are too low for a port. It will be intense. It will be a long duration. We have so much faith in our team of doctors. We have a family vine like no other. Our circle of friends is a blossoming flower. It's like a bouquet that just keeps evolving.  As of this morning he has expressed his fatigue and need for rest. He is fearful yet ready.

I've been blogging for 7 years and crave posting happy loving good times. Times we shared that offered love, food, wine, boating, fishing, my babies, our grand-Doggo Buckie Boy, our friends, family and most important the bond I share with my birdies.

The chapter has been flipped to the most fucked up page I wish to ever write. Much less read later. So for now, my blog will include this fight for and with my boy. I will research more about something I never fathomed would walk into our lives. The outcome will be for the best. If you choose to reach out to me, email me at surfers4peace@aol.com. I will do everything under the sun and the moon to find the best of the best for him. I told him that with a promise. Just as the day I birthed him. I made a promise to protect him from all things bad. This is bad.

Pray if you will. Love as you do. And don't ever take today for granted.  I watch him lay here in his hospital bed smiling at me to keep me strong.
Kris deserves the world. He deserves to get back on a boat. With a pole and rod in his hands.
Sunshine on his cheeks.

It just might take a year to get there.

May we all walk in peace. And love.

There is so much to cover, yet I'm just covering the bases. I'm very sure you can only imagine this nightmare.

With love, and strength as we walk through the darkest days, we can do it.

This Mama Warrior
Lisa

Water And Fire.

A combination we all know very well. 

And yet this combination isn't meshing together. 

Mother Earth, we hear you calling. 

Fires all over. 

Cuesta Fire.

Horse Fire.

Warm Fire. 

Lincoln Fire. 

Walker Fire. 

Mother Earth have mercy on us. 

I pray for my parents.  My aunt, uncle and cousins up north as they wake to a blanket of smoke over their heartland each day.  That Mother Earth have mercy on us, and water will come sooner than later. 

That the storm we so desperately need will make its way to us with ease, instead of more anger on sweet Mother Earth.

We pray that our lakes fill up with your loving gift of water. 

Mother Earth we pray that you no longer suffer, and that you have mercy on us.

We pray for our Fire Fighters as the put their lives on the front line to protect our land. 

And to protect our parents, and loved ones. 

Have Mercy On Us.

"WE DO NOT INHERIT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS, WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN"

Native American Proverb

 

On this middle of the week day as we all struggle to make ends meet, may you find some sort of peace. 

Wherever, and however.  

May you walk in peace. 

Love, 

Lisa Lynn

Celebrating Chapters.

Saturday afternoon turned our patio and dock table into a celebration for Chapter Twenty Six dude. 

Nothing huge and fancy.  Just small and peaceful. 

Basically, just the way we like it.  You know as I say..."no plans, are the best plans" type of thing.

Raise your hand if you suck at shaded pictures---------------

A patio sprinkled with Kris, Kali, Jen and of course of couple of  his friends.  No pictures to attach.  Just memories.  I had a couple of friends paddle over...so instead of a camera in my hand, I had a corona.  Imagine that!

The day was warm.  Very warm.  And so filled with love.  Zack brought me these.  Talk about winning a ticket to my heart.  I love them Zack.  Thank you 

  Popcorn head.

 Cheers to you dude!

 Of course our restaurant of choice was for this fine dude.  Zimzala's in HB-located inside The Breaker Hotel.  Pet friendly, and an instant win to us!

Photobomb on point back there. LOL

The plan Kris knew was having dinner with his lova.  What he didn't know was his family would be there waiting.  My sis, Wayne, close friends Corey and Zacky made it.  His friend Chris and Michelle drove down from Santa Clarita where it was 180 degrees.  

And the world was just a better place on Saturday evening....

It turns out, I've been working harder than ever right now trying to keep fiberglass flowing in the direction of people's truck beds.  All with the light tap on  my shoulder each day that our daughter is in fact returning to college.  With that said, it's packing her. Moving her. And placing her in the land of San Marcos...again...
What I didn't realize until today is we have ten days.  Ten days kids. To do the whole recipe all over again.
No more lolly-gaggin around Lisa. No more.  Time to wake up. 

 And so I don't continue to leave you hangin' for those boat shots...here's a couple.

Three Six Nine, The Goose Drank Wine.....and kicked serious ass....

Now if I can just jump into a career of racing boats, versus working with the products that build them, we'd all be in the money....right?  HA! Who am I trying to kid. 

I need to sell flowers.  That's it. Flowers. 

Go have a good life kids. 

Get some sleep.

Get dirty. 

Play hard.

Drink good wine.

Eat good food. 

Pray for me. 

May you all go in PEACE-

This Mama Lisa

Happy Sweet Birthday Ava, Alex and Danielle-  You three fill many hearts with love....

26 Years Ago.

I labored hard.  And I pushed even harder. It was painful. It was euphoric. Yet so rewarding.  Especially during an arguably "bad time" to have a baby.  19.   Trust me, I get it.

 

Soon time fell by the way side and TWENTY SIX years have landed on my calendar.  Twenty six years of hoping and praying that he'd stay alive and healthy. 

I remember that moment like it was this morning.  I truly do.  I also remember the very morning I felt his first kick in my belly.  It was actually like a lump that gathered into a little ball, and would subside.  But I would gently push on it, and it would gather back up.  I was nineteen.  And so in love with this little thing in my belly. 

It's so crazy to think that was almost 27 years ago.  The beginning of someones life.  The creation of a being. Of someone that is strong, yet very sensitive. Someone that is selfish, yet very giving.  Someone that was spoiled and treated "too good" as he said to me recently.  That I shouldn't have spoiled him. A real reminder to those raising boys out there.  Let them do things on their own. No hovering. Make them mow a lawn. Make them fix their own things.  Make them fight their own fights.  Innocently enough, I only did what my soul thought to do.  In other words, I did too much.  But just enough to say I am proud of who he is.  And the kind gentle being that his soul provides. 

I took him home scared to death. Each cry. Each poopy shit filled diaper I remember thinking, oh my god. What have I done. 

The days turned into weeks, turned into months.  And I fell in love with him more and more.

I couldn't believe I made such a perfect little thing. I couldn't believe that the belly I rubbed for months was this little guy that had a quivering lip and a perfect little dimple when he smiled in his sleep. He reminded me of a potato bug if I'm keeping things real here. He called orange juice "bubblebink"- he would also ask us to "hold you" to hold him.  I guess he'd hear us say "do you want me to hold you"...and so we let it go because it was so cute...he climbed trees, yet wouldn't run at soccer so we had to quit because "his legs hurt" where, in fact, he was just lazy.  You still won't see him "run"...

I signed us up for anything mommy-me that existed.  It was like even in my young age I kind of just knew the days would fly by, and I wanted to be the greatest mommy on Earth. Point being, I really had no compass to follow.  Just my gut.  My gut said love hard. And don't listen to anyone but myself.  Even though deep down inside I constantly questioned whether I was doing "things" right. 

More importantly as we entered his high school years and I was scared shitless that he'd end up a wild banchee. I would make appointments with his school counselor just to let him see we ALL knew he was on track. I never worried about him with academics.  He's a brain.  He always excelled in school. His brain works on over load.  He's beyond smart.  It was more trying to fit in...

Tattoo's, smoking, bikes, hanging places and with people I thought were shady, and yet I'd put money on the table that parents were thinking the exact thing of him. 

 

I mean....(I think the shirt says FUDGE)

The reality of raising a boy, and a girl, is there really is no perfect way.  

You do what you feel, you give because it's all you know.

You are raised one way, you want to offer the opposite. 

 I vowed to be there for both of them.  I have made parenting, and loving my whole life.  It's the only thing I feel I've done with my whole heart, the whole time. Not that I've done a stellar job, or even close to perfection. 

I do know with each passing year that I am here, I will feel love from them, and give the love right back. 

I know that our bond is pretty thick, yet I'm learning to let go. Of many things. 

That they will be okay.  That this life is fast.  

 They will go through phases, and cycles.  Just like the Earth. 

They will grow to know who their true friends are. And the ones that have left was a lesson. 

They will give up hobbies that held them close to climb onto the next set of passions. 

And they will offer more fish than all of our freezers can hold, and so you remind him of the unfortunate people of this world.  To pass on the good fortune. To give where you have plenty. And do it with the same passion that keeps you going on the path you are on. 

 As long as your soul is fulfilled.  Do it.  Whatever this fast life has to offer do it with passion.

I wish you a very happy birthday KMS, and so does this fine feller.  He wishes you all the love and peace this world has to offer.

 Happy Birthday from your Mama.  The young girl that made you a son.  And me a mom.  The girl that makes the best enchiladas, right?  The girl that makes the best grilled cheese with pickles, right?

Her.  Mom. Mommy. Mama. 

Thank you for being my son.  I love you Kris.  You have been the reason I am still here.  You and my other..

i wasn’t prepared for how
raw I would feel
when you came into the world
how much like an open wound
my heart would become
bare nerve exposed to every passing wind

i couldn’t have known
how i would be cleaved open
by your tiny hands and infinite eyes
that there would remain this chasm in me
a threshold
for unmatched joy
and unfathomable love
that could never again be filled
by anyone
or anything
but you

sometimes at night (now)
laying in the dark
i am devastated by sadness
knowing that just below the surface
of every moment we share
lies one inescapable truth:
we have only one lifetime together
days
hours
minutes
absurd
that a connection so eternal
could be bound by chains so finite
could be bound by anything at all
it’s a cosmic riddle i cannot comprehend
the work of a cruel and unfeeling logic
i do not wish to understand

but though my heart may cling to ignorance,
i know this much is true:
death will have to drag me
kicking and screaming
from this life with you

-a.

Why Boats.....

When you can listen to songs that make you cry.  Boats?  Or Sap?  I chose sap today.

At least for me. 

And this song gets me every single time. 

So today as I sit at work, with my Pandora running it's fingers through my hair....

Keeping me sane while I cover the bases for my boy as he fishes to his hearts content today celebrating the 26 years he's toddled around this big Earth.  His birthday is Monday...

I leave you with this tear-jerker.  But man...I love love love this song. 

It's meant for love, for those that have left us.  For those we yearn for. In loss, and in heartbreak.  In love forever. So many thoughts run through me everysingletime I hear this one...

This song.

The Promise

Enjoy your weekend kids...

I hope it's peaceful.  Or filled with laughter, love and lots of good food.  

Remember to look around and be thankful.  

I promise to post my boat shots, in place of tearful songs next week.

Just having a moment that's all. 

PEACE out friends...

Leese

ps. An old friend of my parents stopped by the shop this week.  His signature ray-ban glasses, his voice, his hugs, and his ever so sweet "Love you girl" when he left...made my week.  I love you too Buster. (excuse the blurry non-scenic shot...but man, talk about take me back to some wild child hood days..)

Tid-Bits.

I few things to share about me.  

In case you didn't know.  

And yes, call me a weirdo.  But I haven't got my shiz together on a good post.

• I have 5 watches.  Some designer.  None work.  If they match, they go on. No Battery, No problemo
• I love hats.  The more the merrier.  Especially trucker hats. 
• I love Carrot Juice.  Organic preferred.  I can drink a gallon a day.  My eyesight it shot, but ya.
• The older I get, the less tolerant I am to knuckleheads.
• I sometimes like animals more than humans. 
• I make my bed the minute we get up. Can't handle a messy bedroom. 
• I love my bike, but kind of chuckle because it's way too bling for me. I LOVE IT BILL!
• I take Sundays way too serious still. 
• I still tend to laugh at inappropriate times. Worse case scenario is in a drive-thru. 
• I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee.
• I find I am wasteful with many things. Like pots of coffee. Trying to be better.  
• Water conservation is super hard for me.  I love to rinse things down. 
• I still can't stand perfume. 
• Most of my makeup is cheap off brand.  My favorite lip gloss from Wet and Wild. 
• My due-date for Kris is today. 08/11/2015
• I wish I could feel a baby wiggle in my belly just one more time. Sad those days are ova...
• I love to decorate.  
• But hate to shop for clothes. 
• My favorite moments are those spent on the lake in the boat alone with my dude. 
• I love to see my kids laugh. That will never end.  
• My fear of heights is getting worse. 
• I have severe anxiety on car rides.  THAT is getting worse too. 
• My sleep is still rough. Wish I could get at least 7 hours each night. 
• I still can't wrap myheadaround the whole Cait Jenner thing.  A new picture emerged of him her in a bathing suit.  I just....can't. 
• I have convinced myself that this move for Kali is gonna be best for her.  Hate to admit, I tear-up thinking of her leaving. Again. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

And that's all folks.   

Hope this Tuesday is good to you....and remember- YOU are lucky to be ALIVE. 

As hard as life feels at times, we must remind ourselves that many have been taken way too soon....

Big love guys,

This Broken Watch Wearing Chick.

Monday Has Me Like....

Hey, raise your hand if you think Mondays have you feeling kind of like this!

And if you think I am taking this perfect opportunity to show you how a day at the races Kali had.  You are right. That look right there says "Seriously you guys, you didn't say A.L.L. day"-

 

After hour #3, she was a bit over it....but you know, she had no choice.Plus, she kind of hogged the towel.

As for me and my soul, I was completely smitten as a sandwich of K and K. 

Twas' quite the fun day out there at those races....

xo

 

ps. Trillions of pictures coming your way.  Same boats, same turns. Just different years.  Sure wish I could put the sound and smell in a capsule for you Dad...

 

The Strum Of Your Guitar...

 With an introduction like this, it's clear to us, a partaay was had. 

As I mentioned earlier this week about the meaning of time. About minutes, and hours, and weeks....

They are getting ready to fly the nest again.  5 days to be exact. Back to the land of Texas. And Colorado. And LA. And Santa Barbara....

Wrapping things up. 

Tucking all the good memories away in little jars up on our shelves.  Close to our hearts. 

The laughter. The beers. The dancing and tilting your head back for a picture your auntie is snapping in the moment. 

When Rolling Rock is rollin' its way in.  I mean, this is pure college goodness.  Right Maddie?  Right.

And if you are offended, please step away from the plate. 

 UCSB, TCU, LMU, and MORE....LMU! Baddabing!  And as I type this post, these two hotties are currently hiking Machu Picchu...talk about doing summer well. 

#whenyourslipshows

 

We didn't have bonfires this summer.  We didn't camp around a camp fire.  We didn't pup a tent.  But we did surround ourselves with good friends.  Love and good wine. We danced in the sand by a band.  We watched friends hug and love eachother. We sat waterside by the dock side as the sailors raced in at the Yacht Club. 

 We smooshed together trying to get that perfect shot, and praying that deep down you'd find perfection. Yet deep in our roots we are beautiful.  And whats more beautiful than a smile, with a glass of whatever in your hand. 

 We praised this fine boy for making Captain Corp. And of course proving his way again and again.  Excelling in everything he tries or touches.  It's Mr. Personality slash handsome dude making us all so proud. 

 It's being reunited with your brother from another mother that stretched across the land, to come back together, making the world a better place again. Right Cullen?  

 Especially when you give side eye to your girls....busted Cullen!  HAHAHA!

 It's college Graduates that still gather each and every year for this party.  To give love, and take some right back.  To wherever they all land back to....the original bond of Lacrosse organically brought friendships closer than they had imagined.  Not to mention the parents. 

 My homegirl.  This woman can sew, cook, draw, fix, clean, mend, decorate, makeanything, style....and do anything you can possibly fathom.  I will forever hold her close to my heart.  Our girls will be together until the end of time, and rest assured, we will too.  Cindy, you amaze me around the sun, times ten.  Be strong as you send your littlest and your biggest away this month......You still have us...xo Big Love Cindy. & Thom!   Damnit. I'm crying.  ugh.

Empty nest will feel so raw.  But remember....YOU will get through. Just like you always do.....

YOU should be so proud! GO MITCHELL!!!

 

Heeeey Maddie....Where's that Rolling Rock?!

I walked up on this conversation as they were comparing their recent "Run-In" with our kids having parties.  While we were away.  But Dad....It's just a LITTLE gathering. No bigs.  So ya.  It happens, when the cats away....the little mice will play.  --------> Beer Pong.

 Susie, your hair lookin' fab like A.L.W.A.Y.S.

Tres Amiga's

Partner in Crime...

 Lacrosse Bonded and Insured.

 We laughed too much, we ate too much, we drank....well, too much.  Another Garage Band Party in the books, up on a shelf.  Thanks again Jacob family for another blend of love, life, good music, and my ever favorite wine. 

To all the kiddo's headed back to school.  You keep us proud.  Because in the end....its YOUR lifestyle that we must be proud of later. 

Go get em! 

Happy Fri-FREAKING-day!

Go play, and we'll see ya at the races?

   "----Through the years I have learned, some things worth the tellin,

And you'd be right in guessin' that each and every lesson they were hard won----"