Air Force/Army Ball

At the end of a VERY LONG and STRESSFUL week (which needs a post of it's own!!) Jacob was able to enjoy a fun night out at the annual military ball.  Looks so sharp in his uniform!!

(Last week involved Jacob being selected to be WING COMMANDER for the week.  A very trying, rewarding, exhausting, and hopefully fulfilling leadership experience.)  

Naval Academy match for Hannah

Hannah had a very big match at the Naval Academy on Saturday - so glad she got a chance to shoot there.  The targets are all electronic and it is a completely different experience from shooting at her club.  Much of the day is spent hanging out with team members after you finish your relay, as evidenced by the pictures below.

Yeah, there ARE a couple of boys on the team... haha  

Matt moving out...

 "Through the blur, I wondered if I was alone or if other parents felt the same way I did - that everything involving our children was painful in some way. The emotions, whether they were joy, sorrow, love or pride, were so deep and sharp that in the end they left you raw, exposed and yes, in pain. The human heart was not designed to beat outside the human body and yet, each child represented just that - a parent's heart bared, beating forever outside its chest.” 

― Debra Ginsberg

Today was a sad, sad day for me.  I have loved every minute of having Matt at home, and now he is leaving for a new adventure. He is moving to Baltimore to focus on his online coaching and other business ventures.  However much I will miss him and feel sad, I am happy for him!

Here is my little cutie at five...

And 20 years later at 25...

  

Bottling the gold one last time

Wendy's

Okay, this is a really strange post, but we went to Wendys the other day and I wanted to take pictures of it for memories sake.  We used to go there often for lunch after church, and when we went there the other day I realized that it had not changed at all.  Still the same carpet, the same chairs, everything.  I guess knowing we are moving makes me nostalgic about everything.  Even Wendys.  

Indy's annual checkup

A not-so-thrilled-to-be-on-this-table look from Indy...

We all miss him

Even Indy.

Bye bye to Jacob

Took Jacob back to the airport in Baltimore today, but stopped here for a famous crab-mac hot dog!

Hannah's First Match

And WOW did she do great!  She even surprised herself!!

 Got her first pin too.

Three Position Air Rifle - 542!!!!

Not my best moment...

I hit a car coming out of the parking garage this evening...but my hero sons came to my rescue.  Within seconds they jumped out of the car, told me to leave a note, took pictures, and called Danny (who wasn't available so Ryan got Matt on the phone to confirm what to do).  I felt so stupid, but they were so encouraging - reminding me how crowded the garage was, how big the car was sticking out at the end of the row, and how big our car was.   I felt much better and felt so secure having them there.

Then I remembered I still had to face my husband. 

Who, by the way, was also very gracious.

I love the men in my family.  I truly have the best in the world.  Hannah and I are very lucky.

The Doodler

Couldn't resist taking this picture.  Hannah often doodles on things.  Even on her Gatorade bottle.

Check in later for some pictures of her REAL art work.

A thought for Lent

So nice to have him home

 Just to have all the kids home at one time is something I will never ever take for granted.  I cherish every moment.  Nice to see Jacob playing with the dog...

and I have enjoyed making some of his favorite foods.

Day in DC

Today was a beautiful day, so we decided to head down to DC and tour the US Capitol Building.  I had never done it before, and found it very interesting.  Days with family are ALWAYS good days.

 US Supreme Court

 US Capitol Building with scaffolding for repairing the 1000 cracks in the dome

 Found myself a new hero - and I am only partially joking.  During our tour we found out that this is the man responsible for the invention of AIR CONDITIONING!!  haha  Anyone who knows me, knows how important this is to me...

(note that he is from Florida)

One of the two statues representing Colorado 

At last...

Spring is peaking it's little head around the corner.  Warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and melting snow.  I just had to get some spring flowers to bring the season along even quicker.

He is home...

Going to bed one very happy, content, and peaceful mom. 

Another foot of snow!

Shoveling every couple of hours still couldn't keep up with it all.  Even Hannah helped shovel today!

Will winter ever end?

Drove out today just to get out, but as it was so dreary out, I am not sure it really helped.  We have had so much snow, ice, and rain this winter, and more is coming tomorrow.  Seriously, I cannot wait until spring.

Dreary day, dirty snow.

Thank goodness for puzzles!

Cuddly Dog

Sunday evening