A Little Bit More of Life Lately

Life lately has been quite busy.  Semi-retirement hasn't quite been what I thought it would be. I expected a slightly slower pace!  I love every minute I spend with my sweet grandbabies, so it's all worth it!  We traveled to watch Reed and Lillian play this week.  Sadly, they played at the same time, so we had to split up.  We will do the same this week and swap.  We are 95% complete with a bathroom renovation, and will soon be taking down walls and redoing the kitchen. It's lots of work, but I love seeing the progress.  That's about it for this week!

This little guy is rapidly approaching being a year old.  He is an absolute joy!  

Sweet brothers going for a little ride!

If you need any chickens wrangled, just give this guy a call!  They literally lay down for him to pick them up.  

I was in the house and heard them calling for me.  I was just a tad bit surprised to find them on the roof.  Please don't tell his mom.............I also have a picture of him on the roof with Maddie, Lillian and Reed.  Since I am deathly afraid of heights, I just don't get it!

I have watched many soccer games now, and really still don't understand it.  I find myself saying inappropriate things like, "Back up your team" and such.  I still may not get the rules and such, but I really enjoy it.  I not only enjoy watching Reed play, I love watching Josh and Maddie coach.  I just wish he and Lillian didn't play at the same time most night.

Lots and lots of running in this sport!

I am so glad they are in this together!

Now this sport I understand.  Every time she bats, runs or catches a ball, she reminds me of her mom. The only difference is that Lillian is not left handed.

I had a ball with these two sweet ladies at an consignment sale.  We worked the sale and shopped. We look forward to this for not only the great bargains, but also the opportunity to hang out together!

More to come.  We are headed to watch another soccer and softball game this week. I can't wait!

Life Lately

 Life lately includes a fishing trip to Louisiana, softball, soccer, yard work, a bathroom renovation and more! We are actually headed to a soccer and softball game now. Jack is now walking, and they are all growing up way too fast! I will add more soon!

I would travel a thousand miles for that smile and wave during a game.

Lots of fun for this crew!

I so love watching this girl play!

This little guy is just an angel!  He is growing up so fast!

And this little blue eyed cutie is also growing up too fast.  He's the best big brother.

Spring

We have been working hard in Papa and Grandmother's backyard for awhile now.  In the past it was literally magazine worthy-simply gorgeous!  Our goal is to get it manageable without having to spend hours each day maintaining it.  We have weeded, transplanted, rearranged, mulched, given away plants and more.  We have pulled more thorny vines and poisin ivy than you can imagine.  Multiple roses, dahlias, fruit trees, crepe myrtles, a cherry tree and other new plants have been added!  We are by no means finished, but we can see the fruits of our labor!  Bulbs that haven't bloomed in years are simply gorgeous this year.  Grandmother's running roses are thriving, and will soon be in full bloom. We will continue to a small degree working on the outside, but we are moving back to work on the inside now. We still need to replace some landscape timbers, and I will be transplanting lots of things from our house there soon.  It will never be what it was in the past, but we are happy and think they would be, too.  Reed is working on the front bathroom now, and we will soon be taking down a wall and redoing the kitchen and dining/living room area. The den is complete, and most of the house has been painted.  We still have work to do in the back bathrooms, although we have started on both.  It's definitely lots of work, but I think will be totally worth it in the end. We are very  blessed that he can do this work himself. I have tried to get him to contract some of the work out, but he truly enjoys it.  

So pretty!

Multiple blooms are fixing to open up!  Most of this stone walkway had been covered in dirt and weeds for years.  I spent many hours on my hands and knees working on it.  My knee wasn't too happy about it, but I love it! The kids love playing hide and go seek back there.  We also added a zip line awhile back that goes from one end of the yard to the other! 

We have lots of happy fish, and have multiple babies this year. 

I'm letting the yellow pansies enjoy life another week or two.  The beds are planted in verbena, Creeping Jenny and sweet potato vine.

I was not at all on board with moving when this adventure started.  However, I am ready to make the move and get settled in.  I think the hardest part will be packing up thirty four years of memories and stuff, and moving it all up the street! Much more to come on the renovation. We are headed east for a soccer game! 

Soccer and Stuff

 Spring sports are in full force for the big grandkids.  They seem to have a soccer or softball game every night.  I have missed two of Lillian's games this week.  They are currently undefeated.  She has gotten a hit every at bat including a double and home run last night.  I will watch her play again this Saturday.  I watched Reed play this past Tuesday, and he had a great game.  Even after several years of watching, I am still learning about soccer.  All I can tell you is that I love watching my babies play, no matter the sport.  During this hard fought match, they battled to a 0-0 tie!

Maddie, Coach Josh (Better known as Daddy) and Reed

Maddie isn't playing this spring, but she is the best assistant coach around!

This might be my all time favorite sports picture.  Reed was in the middle of his game, and the ball went out in front of me.  I missed his cute wave, but I managed to get this precious smile right before he threw the ball back in bounds. It makes that 6 hour drive to watch a 45 minute game worth every mile!

More action shots-

John Sawyer and Jack are enjoying the roller coaster and little house that Lulu gave them. It's hard to believe the others have outgrow them.

Reed, Josh, Maddie and Reed are headed to Louisiana to fish this weekend.  I'm headed across the state to watch Lillian play ball.  It's a busy time, but I sure do enjoy the time with my babies.

Twelve

Twelve years ago, Maddie entered our world, and our lives haven't been the same since.  She introduced us to a love that we didn't know existed!  I cherish our relationship and every minute we are able to spend together.  She is smart, kind, humble, and simply a joy!  She is growing up incredibly fast, and I want to enjoy every minute possible.

Following Lillian's games, we moved on to Maddie's birthday celebration.  Two of her friends joined her for lunch at their local Mexican restaurant, followed by a little ziplining adventure.

After our meal, we headed to Wind Creek.  Such a beautiful place, and such a beautiful birthday girl!

Maddie doesn't like cake, so she requested muffins! So muffins and ice cream it was! Pop got a little nap while waiting on the Zip Line session to begin.

Maddie is the adventurous one of the bunch.  I was so proud of her friends.  One (like me) is afraid of heights, and one was just scared!  Both did fantastic though!!

I don't think there is enough money in the world for me to do this!!  Maddie literally sprinted across the platforms and took off on the zip line!

These two were slow and steady, but they did it! I think they really enjoyed it, too!

Fun was had by all!  I can't believe she will be a teenager next year.  

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!