Wow! Do I feel old...

So last weekend Dan and I travelled to Toronto for a wedding. I first met Michael (the groom) when he was 6 months old, I was 14 or 15 at the time. I started babysitting him and did so till he was around 12. Two sisters came along, Jenilyn and Kristy. Two cousins, Ryan and Lauren...I changed all their diapers, rocked them all to sleep, spent weekends with them, went on vacation with them, played with them, influenced them (and oh by the way - i'm also told I made the best mac and cheese!!) and played a pretty significant role in their lives. It was Michael who started calling me "Lynnie" and from then on...that was who I was to all of them (still to this day). So we get to the wedding and I'm filled with such emotion...seeing these five kiddos, all grown up and now men and women, it's so strange. I then discover that one of the groomsmen is Jonathan. He was the very first child I ever babysat, I was 10 or 11 and I would go over and watch him (he was around 10 months or so) while his mommy did work around the house, etc. I babysat him and his 3 siblings for a long time. So there I was sitting in the hall watching "little Michael" get married and seeing all the others standing up there with him - it was the first time I have actually felt OLD. I totally believe in the African proverb: "it takes a village to raise a child." I spent a LOT of time with these kids, I watched them grow up, I like to think that I did help their parents raise their sons and daughters, that I had an influence on them. As I think back to people in my life (other than my parents)that truly made a difference, I know that the role they played in my growing up was significant. It was so great to see them and visit with them and chat with them now as adults, so surreal! One by one they will all get married and eventually have kids of their own, and just maybe when they tell their little ones that the babysitter is coming over they will be reminded of a young girl that loved them dearly and always wanted the best for them...and just maybe they will realize that they lack the knowledge of knowing how to make really great mac & cheese!! :D

p.s. the picture from left to right: Jenilyn,Jon,Mike,Me,Kristy,Ryan&Lauren

...until later then...Lynnie

Homecoming

Last night Caitlyn and Megan attended their first Homecoming dance. Eight of their girlfriends came over and around 4:30 they began the looonnngggg process :) of getting ready...there were curling irons and flat irons EVERYWHERE! Make up and sparkly stuff all over the place! And of course LOTS of laughter and LOTS of noise!! All ten of them sat down around 5:30 to have dinner and then they got their dresses on...it really is too bad that they are all SO ugly!!! ha! ha! Oh my gosh they were all so pretty! Of course I am a just a little bit bias about two certain young ladies! Dan was funny - he couldn't believe how long it takes girls to get ready...men just don't understand do they?! hee! hee! It was so fun to see them getting ready and hearing all the fun and laughter; they really do have an awesome group of girlfriends! Around 11pm they came home and told us all the funny stories from the dance...wow! the two of them together, plus a few added friends...guess what? it was LOUD again!! Dan keeps telling me that it's my fault our children are so loud...i don't like to think of them as loud...but more as joyfully exhuberant and filled with passionfor the moment! They left and went to spend the night at their friend's house...peace and quiet once again resonated around our home. I am proud of these two girls, they work hard at making good decisions and they want to always do the right thing...it's not easy being a teenager these days, and I'm thankful that they have each other and that they are willing to come talk to me about life. They love each other, they love their family, they love their friends, they love Jesus...makes a mama proud.

..until later then, Lynnie

Play Ball!

It has been a weekend of sporting events for Dan & I! Friday night started us off at the Arizona Diamond Backs game, then Saturday night the ASU Football game. Both nights we had AMAZING seats - really close to the field, like we could see the sweat on their heads!! :D I don't regularly follow both these teams - sure my boys keep me posted on ALL the stats, but I normally wouldn't be grabbing the remote and a bag of chips to watch the game! I love sports...I prefer to play them - however there is something to be said about putting on your team colors and standing amongst all the other fans!! The atmosphere is fantastic! I prefer the college games - they are not playing for money, they are playing for the love of the game! At one point last night at the ASU game, our team on the field looked up at as all and started raising their arms at us, telling us to get on our feet and cheer...of course we obeyed and one by one a sea of maroon and gold stood up, and the noise level raised a 1000 decibals! It was AWESOME! I LOVE to eat at sporting events! I dunno, a hot dog tastes way better at a baseball game, don't you think!? And so does ice cream and pretzels, and...okay, so maybe I went a little over-board, but i'll work it off at the gym Monday morning (LOL!). It was great to go out on TWO dates with Dan - in a row!! We needed the time off together, it has been a long week for both of us. Just to be together laughing, enjoying the game(s), sharing a diet coke (I know...a collective "awwwww" just sounded out), high fiving one another when a run is scored or a touchdown is made - I love it!! After the D-Backs game (which we won) they had a fireworks show...more fun! It was romantic as we sat there (okay, amongst 27,000 of our closest friends!!) snuggling in the seats in our matching game shirts watching the light show. Unfortunately ASU lost...you could literally feel the sadness in the stadium - it went from loud, enthusiastic cheering, to literally silence and heads hanging low. O well, there's always next time! For me and Dan, it was just great to get out and go play together! So if anyone else has some free tickets to send our way, please by all means we'd be happy to take them off your hands! :)

...Until later then, Lynnie

Engaged!!!

Well it is exciting around here! Our oldest daughter got engaged over the weekend! Wow! Christopher flew down from Canada, surprised Elyse and proposed! Of course she said yes! I am so excited for this next adventure in our family. Now, I feel just a little bit too young to be "mother of the bride" :)! No seriously, I am looking forward to planning the wedding with Lysee and going shopping for dresses, etc, etc. I want this to be a really fun experience - and as stressLESS as possible! So any advice out there from you seasoned wedding planners?! It is so fun to watch Elyse and Christopher and their excitement, as they plan their future together. As I see Elyse glance down and look at the sparkle in her ring, and I know & understand that skipping heart beat and joy and expectation that comes with being engaged. Smiling right now for her is pretty constant! :D We know that Christopher will take good care of her...he has looked both Dan and I in the eye and said so - as a mom, and I think more as a dad - that is important, so very important!! So, i'll keep you posted on all the progress...so let the planning begin!!

...until later then, Lynnie