Happy Birthday, Buddy Boy!

There is nothing more challenging or worthwhile that I’ve done in my life than being a mother. And that all started with Maddix. He alone is the hardest challenge I’ve ever encountered, with the most rewarding payoff. We just celebrated his 11th birthday and I am so proud of the young man he’s becoming. This kid is RESILIENT! He can adapt. He’s used to changes and disappointment, yet never stops shooting for the moon! There is literally nothing he can’t accomplish someday! 

In his short life he has: 

-moved 8 times. 

- lived without his dad for 2 years. 

- Lived in one bedroom with his mom, brother, dad, and dog

- flown on a plane a dozen times 

- lived abroad 

- built his first snowman ever, in Poland

-learned to ride his bike on the streets of New York 

-Visited 8 countries

- been to 22 states 

- Lived through 3 extremely record breaking cold winters, all in different locations (Poland, New York, Iowa) 

- traveled exclusively by sled and buses

-mastered the NY subway system 

- Is a diehard Yankees fan (to his mom’s dismay) 

- been to 5 different schools 

- actively participates in daily political conversations (his passion) 

- Continually adjusts and adapts to the ongoing COVID-19 world we’re living in. 

- And finds his joys in baseball, mountain biking, reading, Star Wars (legos, especially), video games, being with his family, and being right 😏

Surely this child won’t have given me wrinkles for nothing…. Maddix Liam, you were made for great things! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY!! 

Family In Town!

We’ve had a lot going on. We went biking up in Cuyuna, Mn. We have been on a truck hunt and felt blessed to find one! We’ve hosted a baby shower, been enjoying this gorgeous fall weather. We had our annual Apple Day with Garett and Gloria. We enjoyed getting pumpkins at the local pumpkin patch with Gpa Vaughn and Gma Lori. We’ve been Diving into school, fundraisers, and trying to become good students who can listen and not interrupt. And then Travis and I drove to Sioux Center and competed in our first 1/2 Marathon. The weather was rainy and cool so it kept the bugs away, which was great! But it was all uphill! We did not train did that… since our town is so flat! But I can’t wait to do another one! And in between that all, we’ve been lucky to have family come into town to visit! 

U. Garett & A. Gloria came to town and brought baby Luke to visit. It was fun having them here to see what life looks like for us on a daily basis, and not feel any pressure to have to entertain them.  I enjoyed watching the boys play catch out back with dad and Garett, hearing them laugh and yell during video games, and having extra adults to help clean, wrangle kids, watch movies with adults night, and run errands with. But best of all for me was being able to snuggle Baby Luke all week long! It’s a weird thing to experience, and I don’t know if I ever mentioned it, but when we went home to Utah and I held Luke and Mackenzie’s baby, Lily, I was so smitten with them and LOVED snuggling them…. Bbbuuuttt that was it. I had no hunger for a baby. I felt love for them, but no envy. Joy for all those firsts they were getting to experience, but no longing. And when each baby started to cry, or I had to use the bathroom, I was more than happy to hand them back to each mom! And I knew I was done. I finally feel ready to close that chapter and officially move into the next phase of just growing with my kids. Travis will tell you he knew we were done as soon as I was pregnant with Avery! Ha ha. Guess I’m slower to pick up on things than he is. 

Two days after they left, Gpa Vaughn and Gma Lori came for a quick visit. While they were here they hosted  mad hatter tea party and joined us for a pumpkin patch outing. Their trip was quick and short, but we were so grateful they were here and made time to see us. And their exit was quite eventful. They needed to leave to the airport, but left late. Just as they were leaving they noticed they had a flat tire so we had to hurry and throw the donut on! Then they ended up at a local auto shop to fix the tire… so they missed their flight. Plus Vaughn was typing away trying to submit his work before his deadline. They eventually found a different flight that would get them into Vegas in time to make it Garett’s white cost ceremony, and Vaughn for his work finished… phew; it all worked out!!