Break from Class

On Sunday, I was just looking up earlier flights for D-man and we realized it would only cost $10 to come back to Nebraska on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. With his schedule, he was able to get a good flight and also take the chartered bus from campus. And huge bonus to not have to wake up at 3:00 am for a flight on Wednesday morning. 

The flight was a bit delayed out of Chicago, but we arrived right as he landed so it was good timing all the way around. 

Yay! 

Bros 

Walk About Town

I took some time during the day to enjoy the nice weather and get outside. I walked all around Pender and even ran into my niece while walking up town. 

I also enjoyed one walk with my Mom and another with my Dad. A good day to be out and about for sure. 

You run into people in Pender 

Hunting Season

We took off early on Sunday for our drive to Pender. We each took a turn at the wheel and pulled into Pender a little after 6:00. 

At the Runza on Broken Bow, it felt like we were the only non-hunters around.  

We made it in time to watch the Geisert girls in their one act play which was a mix of The Princess Bride, Space Balls and Star Wars - T-man and Marshall really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it, but didn’t really understand it. Ha! 

Deer in the truck next to us at Runza…. Notice the bullet holes??? 

Taking the last shift 

Horizon outside of Wisner 

Volunteering

We got some easy volunteering in this weekend when we put hooks on ornaments for a local “Christmas Shoppe” for less fortunate individuals. Marshall even got in on the activity. 

Love that Marshall has his “Santa’s Helper PJs ok for this activity 

Playing with a Full Deck

After a full day of Ultimate Frisbee and the team party, Marshall got a bit of time at home to relax on his birthday. 

We chatted with D-man for a bit and he was “with us” while Marshall opened his gifts. The flip flops were a hit! Alana and Paul came over a bit later and we had some champagne and cheesecake to celebrate the birthday boy.  

Have Fun and Play to Your Potential

These were the words of the coach during the Ultimate end of season party. I think that is a good reminder for many facets of life (and especially me as I sit on the sidelines). 

It was a chilly two days on the sidelines, but no wind or precipitation and sunny conditions make for a crisp and beautiful day to be outside - long underwear and blankets also help. 

We were able to run to a hole in the wall Mexican place for lunch on Saturday. On Saturday evening, we took it easy and all three of us watched a show together. 

Sunday was a later start and started with a victory. Unfortunately, they lost the last game and T-man was bummed about how he played. But, there are many seasons ahead. We wrapped up the season with a nice party and a good reminder of the goal of the sport. 

Ready to go

All bundled up 

Our boy 

Cheering on his team with his teammate 

The Sunday view 

Ready to defend 

The party 

Birthday Boy

We celebrated the birthday boy a couple days early at DJ’s Watering Hole - a new BBQ place close to our house. We had about 20 folks throughout the evening and eight of us closed it down (9:30 in Louisville). 

We had an after party at the Wright’s to wrap up the birthday celebration. I have said this many times, but we are fortunate to have such a great group of friends. I did a terrible job with picture but folks sent me a few. 

Waiting for the guests to arrive 

Birthday boy 

Random Musings

Three votes submitted this year - glad D-man came home and was able to complete his! 

Cows on my walks - working to take walks in the middle of the day when it is sunny and nice 

Full moon rising on an evening stroll with Marshall 

Us on the stroll - don’t ask about the fuzzy…. 

Leading in my fantasy football league 

Continual attempts at latte art…. Harder than it looks! 

Changes

I have been warned that parenting adult children is harder than parenting younger children. I’m glad I have been warned, but even with this warning, it was difficult to accept. 

After D-man left on Friday evening, the next time we saw him was 48 hours later (with minimal contact during that time and no minivan available for our use). 

I know this is what is “supposed” to happen. It’s still hard. We never went through the angry teenage stage and I would much rather have this kind of separation. But it is still hard. I reminded myself that I can’t control the situation, but I can control how I react to it and that is where I focused my energy (and getting moral support from friends on Saturday night). 

When we finally got to spend time together it was great. The boys had time together. We made pizza. We played pool. We made the most of our time together. And for that, I am thankful. 

Playing with Snapchat filters - lots of laughs 

Drinking some clear mind kombucha - hahaha 

Firing up the pizza oven 

Blessed indeed 

Pool time 

All together 

3D printing 

Surprise!

After what had been a difficult work week, I was doing employee checkins and had just started one at 9:30 when D-man walked up to the front door. 

I promptly ended my call and got a much needed hug and shed some happy tears. D-man had a bagel and went to take a nap after being up all night. He had quite the travels: 

1. Go out with friends and grab an energy drink from the vending machine in the dorm before heading out 
2. Catch the Greyhound bus at 1:40 am to Arlington Heights 
3. Take the Cincinnati public bus to downtown Cincy
4. Walk around downtown and made his way to bus stop 
5. Do some coding while waiting for the bus 
6. Take the bus to the airport
7. Board the early flight to Denver 
8. Take the RTD bus to Louisville 
9. Walk home on a cold snowy morning inappropriately dressed for the weather
10. Surprise your mama and make her heart happy 

After a few hours of sleep, he met up with his gf and surprised his brother picking him up after school. They headed right to Sweet Cow. ❤️

They all came home for an hour or so and we chatted while D-man completed his ballot. And then they were off for dinner in Boulder. 

Marshall got home for his work trip around 7:00 and I was able to not slip up about the surprise. While T-man, Marshall and I were playing some pool, D-man came hole and surprised Marshall. We played a few games of pool before D-man headed to Boulder to hang with his Monarch friends. 

Not sure how much we will see of him, but so glad to have him home (and glad he has this home to come back to - some of his friends are not so fortunate). 

So so happy 

Sleepy time (couldn’t sleep in his bed because it was cleaning lady day) 

Bros at Sweet Cow 

Voting! 

With Marshall after the surprise 

Blurry - but captures the happy 

Tough Days

Today was a tough day and the wrap up of a few tough weeks. The ups and downs of tech companies and start up life have many, many benefits (which I am well aware of), but days like today are definitely the other side of the coin in that life. 

And while this all processes, I will be ok with the uncomfortable emotions and know that all the various emotions and feelings are valid. I’ll continue to practice my breathing and taking care of myself and do my best to take care of those I work with and move forward. We cannot control things around us as much as we sometimes want, but we can control our reactions and how we handle tough situations. I will continue to practice my reactions and also learn and grow from this as much as I can. 

My mug for today 

Today’s quote 

A gift box from my boss today contained this “blessed” decoration as well as a candle and essentials oils bracelet (peace scent) 

The card from my boss which really means a lot 

Snow today 

Take out sushi with Tanman (who beat me in pool two nights in a row)…..