Weekend

Friday:
Kayson had a little birthday party to attend Friday night... his friend, Colton.  They had pizza and went to a movie.  It was a sleep over, but we opted out of that option...  I guess we just felt it wasn't necessary to stay over/be up late/and get all messed up.  Kayson had a great time, and was home around 9:15.  Perfect.
While, K was gone - Cora, Ryan and I went for supper...  We had a good supper, sat outside on the patio and listened to some live music.  Cora did well and we had a nice time with just her. 

Saturday:
K had flag football, and played one of his good friends... so that was fun.  K did well - caught the ball a couple times, got a touchdown (2 point conversion???), just did well.  The team lost, but that's ok.  Grandma JeanAnn came to spend the day with us... so we grabbed lunch out (with an owly Cora, again - I think we just need to keep her home as a hermit!)  
The afternoon consisted of Cora rested...  Ryan resting...  and the rest of us just hanging out.  

Ryan and I had a wedding to go to, so we got ready for that... JeanAnn stayed with the kiddos.  The wedding was super nice... short and sweet!  They had a very nice reception following, in which Ryan and several others watched the Iowa game on their phones...  somewhat funny, somewhat annoying as well.  ha.  But we all got into it (even me!), but in the end, Hawks lost at the last second.   HUGE bummer and totally put a damper on the evening.  We went home.  ha. 

Sunday:
I slept like maybe 4 hours... struggled so bad to sleep, tossed and turned, played musical beds...  coughed some (getting a little cold - or just drainage down my throat, yuk). Terrible night.  We all just hung out this morning - we didn't have church, but Ryan attended some sort of mission work this morning - helping out at a consignment shop place.  The kids and I did an errand - prepping for fall.  We got some pumpkins and a few mums, which was fun.  

Kayson needed jeans, so we went to the mall and found some, after what seemed like forever!  But we got a couple pairs.  Back home to just relax...  Quiet afternoon and evening.  I know I'm wiped out, and hope I can sleep through the night!!!  ha. 

Buddy Carter White

Every.Single.Night - Bath and bedtime drama!

Our lives (at home and work), are a routine - we've always been a routine family.  This should be nothing new to our children either! 
The last couple weeks, Cora (and Kayson) have been having HUGE debates with us about our evening routines and bath and bedtime.  Yah, the weather's been good... so as long as Kayson gets some of his homework (reading and/or math) done, then the kids go outside for awhile.  Sometimes it's longer than it should be because then we are rushing, etc... which I know gets them all in a huff (me too!)  We sometimes try to put too much into a short amount of time - and I get it, I want my kids to play outside as much as they want to - but homework needs to be done, quiet time needs to happen and maybe even a conversation between the 4 of us!

They both were very disrespectful over the weekend at bath time, so we took their iPads away... and we've actually stayed with it.  #YeahParents  and they've both survived, which is amazing, right?!

I listened to a webinar about a month ago about 'not yelling at your kids'...  and trying to talk with them, etc.  Anyway, I feel like I've really tried hard to not yell lately...  I mean - really tried.  I've stayed calm, I've spoke to them in a stern voice, I've walked away when they have been talking back - but unfortunately, it just doesn't work for them/me.  Typically Ryan has to speak up (loudly) and then they listen and cry.  UGH.  (We go from one extreme to another!)

I even pulled Kayson aside the other night and explained what I was trying to do.  Not sure if that's the right thing, but I want him to understand (also think he should understand since he's almost 9!) what we (as parents) are trying to do... and trying to help with... and trying to just keep the kids happy/safe/etc.  Being a parent is so damn hard! 

Anyway, our evenings haven't gotten any better over the past couple weeks... typically there is bawling involved (from Cora), stomping away (from K and C) and just being super SLOW... lolly-gagging as I like to call it.  ha.

1. Someday they'll listen to us the first time, right?!?
2. I'm done complaining!

Alzheimer's Walk 2017

This year we got everyone here for the Alzheimer's Walk, and I couldn't have been more moved. 

Friday night Ash, Linds and Hope headed to our house to sleep...  no reason for them all to get up at the crack of dawn, so they came and hung out with us.  I don't know when the last time I laughed that hard... those girls, man we had a good evening.  

Saturday morning the rest of the group came to the house, including Dad and Monette and Gary too, which was super nice.  We got downtown, and got our 1,000 pictures taken... and got some tears out, and then the walk began.  Super awesome to see the sea of purple again... and just makes you ache even more that so many people are affected by this terrible disease.  

We then continued our busy day by watching Kayson play football... then back to the house to have a late lunch.  We all just hung out complaining about our legs hurting and being tired and laughing!   Some of us continued on and went shopping a little (I went, but more just because I wanted to spend more time with the girls!)...  football was watched at the house... and that's about it.  

What an amazing day with my family.  I just wish we were closer to my sisters and Dad - because we have so much darn fun with them.  

Friday night fun pics:

Alz Walk pics:

Dad was a Grand Champion due to the money he donated.  #ENDALZ

#teamHardy

Sisters rock especially thru the bad stuff.

Kayson - Orthodontist

Well...  Kayson has the Hardy teeth.  And man I feel so bad!!!!!
So in August when we were at the dentist - our dentist explained (which we knew most of this), that Kayson has some major crowding of teeth (small mouth - huge teeth!), and there is a back baby tooth that is not coming in straight down - it's kind of angled.  So... he suggested we see an ortho.

This morning we had our evaluation with the ortho.   Kayson was all nervous... oh he's my child. 

The ortho talked with us and looked over K's teeth -- and then decided that we could insert a spacer in that back tooth to maybe help it move straight down...  so the hygienist put that spacer in.  It was pretty slick, but Kayson says it feels weird - like he has popcorn stuck in this tooth.  And that sucks!!  ha.

And then in the future - we will need to have some baby teeth pulled in order for the permanent teeth to come in where they need to.  That will be a challenge, and OH so nerve-racking too.  Poor kid. 

Anyway... we will go back in about 6-8 weeks for another check up.

I have a feeling I'll be writing a lot about Kayson's teeth over the next 3 years... and we will be spending a lot of money as well. 

Cora - Tumbling (Season 2)

We are doing tumbling again at Charlee's...  same class (which was suggested due to her age).  Fine.  I don't understand it... I just want her to be strong and learn stuff.  And she is.

This year she has a new teacher - Miss Audrey.  And the class is big - about 9 kiddos, AND our friend Dax is with Cora too.  So that's kind of fun.  Cora said she would help Dax.  ha.  I don't think he needed help, but whatever.  :)

 

How adorable.

Cora - Gymnastics

Well, we've signed miss thing up for gymnastics (along with tumbling).

Gymnastics is on Thursdays for an hour... at Jacob's.  I think it'll be a good fit for her... she did really well last week (first week).  Seemed interested, and totally was all in.  And she was exhausted afterwards.

I only got one pic... as it's impossible to get a pic of her in the gym. 

Weekend

Friday:
I took Friday afternoon off... had lunch with Colleen, got my oil changed, and that was my 'free' afternoon.  Seems to go fast.  Friday night we just hung out at home... played outside, that's about it. 

Saturday:
Ryan went to work for a bit... kids and I fiddled around - played outside a little, got some groceries... and then started watching the famous Iowa/Iowa State game.  It was a nail biter, literally til the end - in overtime - the Hawks won.  Ryan and Kayson both were on edge!  ha.  

Following the big game, Kayson had his first flag football game.  It went well, and was fun to watch him out there. 

Then we scooted home quick... got cleaned up, then we met some church friends out at church.  One of the couples has a 13 year old - so she and a friend offered to watch the 6 littles for a couple hours.  Meanwhile, the adults went out for dinner, then bowled a game at the bowling alley near by.  We had a really good time... and I did win out of the 8 of us, just as an FYI.  :)  It was super fun, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  The littles did ok... I think it might have been a lot for those two big girls, but they all survived.  

Sunday:
Church... and that's about it.  A quiet afternoon at home.  

Me and Holly

Kayson - Flag Football

Kayson has started flag football...  he's on the Patriots, and we went through the Waukee HS program.  I think that's what it's called. 
Anyway... they play at the Waukee HS football field, which is really cool.  They split the huge field up into three smaller fields, and we get to sit in the stands.  Pretty cool, I think. 

Here are a few pics from his first game... and it was a win!  More to come!

with friend Hudsen.

Prayers

I've always been a Christian...  growing up; we went to church, we prayed, we talked about God, we lived...  and things were good.  Growing up, things went right - I never really remember things being bad or stressful (I was a kid - so everything seemed 'great', right?!). 

Now I'm older...  much older... and I have much more responsibilities... and worries... and thoughts... and well, everything.  Everything is heavy on me - as it is on every other adult probably.  Life gets hard.  We get wrapped up in work (stressing about dumb stuff that shouldn't be THAT stressful, but we want to do a good job, we want to make an impact; we want a GOOD job that pays well, etc.), we get wrapped up in our kids behavior (and I just guess I hope we are doing something right to guide them to have better behavior when they are older - or at least in public!!)  We just get wrapped up in 'stuff'.  I know I do.  Everyday.

Along with the responsibilities - I worry about something, everyday.
I worry about driving and getting in an accident.
I worry about my kids at school - are they listening, are they learning, are they being respectful, are they getting sick?   I worry about when they are playing with friends - running across the street. 
I worry about Ryan - is he happy, he works so damn hard at his day job.
I worry about my Dad - is he really doing ok without Mom?  how's he holding up?
I worry about my sisters.
I worry about my nieces and nephews - are they all safe?  are they healthy? are they making 'good choices' as they are still young.
I would say I probably worry about something all the time...  I'm a nervous nelly, that's for sure.

And knowing that I am like this - I have been praying like crazy lately.  I know this has all started (or became more evident since Mom passed).  I hate that she's gone... and I didn't do or say the things I should have when she was here.  There's always those feelings of guilt...  so now I need to pray for strength to get me through stuff...  get me through my worries and responsibilities. 

So with this today... I pray for my niece Eden.  She's having a surgery today...  so if everyone reading could just stay an extra prayer for her, the doctors and my sister/brother in law that everything goes well, and we have answers in a week or so.  Give us all strength and healing.

Good rambles for the day.  :)

Labor Day 2017 & Great Grandma turns 101!

We had a nice long Labor Day weekend...
Saturday:
First Iowa football game.  As usual, the boys headed over - but this year was just Papa Mike, Ryan and Kayson.  Low key, which was good, I think!  It was a win, and they had a nice time...
 
JeanAnn came and hung out with Cora and me...  we fiddle-farted around a little, then went and got their toes done again.  Spoiled little girl.  But it was great watching her...  she intently watched and sat perfect for the nice lady to 'do her toes'.  It was so sweet. 
 
The rest of the day was pretty quiet...  a snooze for all of us.  ha.  Then around 4:30, Cora and I went up to Ankeny to meet Dad and family for Dad's birthday.  Ryan and Kayson had just gotten home... and Kayson looked exhausted and was a little owly with me... so they just stayed home, which was fine.  We had a nice supper with everyone... lots of laughs, then back home.  Quick visit, but Dad seemed good... about the best he's seemed in a long time.
 
Sunday:
Church in the Park.  Super nice, short service during a beautiful morning.  I just kept breathing in the fresh air and easing my nerves there...  it was so nice.
 
Then we got all packed up and headed down to Creston/Diagonal.  We ended up spending nearly all afternoon at Grandma's farm, which was fun.  Some cousins were there, and we just sat outside and visited and let the kids play, went fishing too... great day.  And exhausting!  We got a fairly good nights sleep too...  I mean, I did sleep in the basement away from Ryan.  :)
 
Monday:
Official Labor Day... and officially Great Grandma Ann's 101st birthday.  YES!  We opted to skip the parade Monday morning...  it's just not necessary to go watch 100 tractors, and get candy that my kids don't eat!  ha.  So we headed down to Grandma's farm again... Ryan, Mike and Kayson did some more fishing - no bites, but I think Kayson had fun.   Then the remainder of cousins showed up... so the day was enjoyed outside and just played.  4wheeler rides, basketball, golf, and lots of laughs.  We just had a really nice time... and was special being there with Great Grandma Ann.  Just like last year - truly amazing how well she's doing, and what a special life and family she has built.  Brings tears to my eyes. 
 
Here are all the pics from the last 4 days.

 
 

 

 

 
 

K & C got a ride in a 1956 Thunderbird Sunday morning at church