All in One Weekend

Friday, Sam was able to attend an all-day voice clinic with Francisco J. Núñez, a renowned conductor. After working all day with other junior high boys, they performed that evening. They did amazingly well! Junior high is not an easy time for boys and singing, but it was wonderful. Michael and I were so proud, and Sam had a great time. 

Saturday we kept busy chasing these naughty great-nephews around. 

A little naughty and a little sweet. Love these boys.

In the evening Sam and I went to a friend's backyard party. This was the only picture I took the entire evening as I was enjoying good food and great friends. I snapped this picture to send Libby, as Milo is one of our favorite people. He's one of Libby's dear friends, so I had to let her know we were all hanging out. Without her. That will show her the next time she thinks about moving across the country.

While at the party, everyone kept asking after Michael. Alas, he had chosen not to accompany me. He was in prison for the night. 

With his friend Andrew. 

Michael even managed to land himself in solitary confinement (Siberia). Thankfully his phone was not confiscated; otherwise, he never would have managed all the selfies. 

After being released for good behavior, he was given a balanced dinner of bread, beans and beautiful fresh well water. 

He settled down for the night and prayed to be released in the morning. 

Why Michael and Andrew actually paid money for this experience boggles the mind, but they seemed to enjoy themselves. It certainly helps the first dinner they were presented was actually a joke and they were fed a catered meal. 

By the time Michael came home on Sunday, we were both exhausted. It was a great weekend, but we were quite happy to spend Sunday resting peacefully at home.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Libby knew she wasn't ready for college, so she opted for a gap year. After a lot of thought, work, and filling out forms, she decided to volunteer with AmeriCorps. Then there was more paperwork, interviews, and so much waiting. Months after she started the process, she accepted a position in Lewes, Delaware, staffing an after-school and summer program for students who need a little extra assistance.

That led us here:

4 am on Sunday morning; dropping Libby off at the airport with Michael helping her tag her worldly possessions for the next year.

We hugged her,

a lot.

 

We dried our faces and sent her out into the world on her own. As hard as it is, I also felt a deep sense of contentment watching her walk away from us. I'm so glad she has the courage and skills to take on the world and help other people. What more could parents ask for?

9 pm on Sunday Monday (Libby edit: It was like 36 hour later, 12 hours later makes me sound pathetic) evening; my phone rang. Libby did not feel courageous. She had a headache, no medicine, and no way to get any. She was scared, sad, alone, and overwhelmed. She wanted to come home, desperately. She may be amazing, but she is also deeply human. I love this girl so much and am so proud.

Photo's she has sent me:

"view from my living room"

Me, "How does it feels to be so fancy?'

Libby, "Lonely"

Her entirely ghost free beach. The jury is still out on the hauntedness of her apartment. 

"jealous?" "camp library"

Wednesday morning; She has found Advil, bought hangers, gone beachcombing, started her training, and worked on arts and crafts. She still has not gone food shopping (no idea what she is eating), but she is feeling a little more grounded. The grand adventure has begun.

New Pet?

We found this guy hanging out on our fence one evening. 

As much as we wanted the seven legged wonder to stay, he decided the back gate wasn't a peaceful place to live. 

 I hope our silver garden spider finds peace in his journey. 

Pride

A lot has happened in the last few years, and this is what our latest Sunday morning looked like: 

Michael put a lot of time and energy into decorating his bike. 

Grace volunteered Saturday night.

Sunday morning, she walked in the parade. Does it count as walking in the parade, if she came through before it started, asking for donations?

Michael was able to pause in the parade long enough for me to snap a picture.

Maybe next year I will march with my co-workers, this year I was busy serving as a taxi service. 

I ran into these cuties while walking around the park. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, full of happy people, love and acceptance. 

 

Salt Lake

On Monday we took a quick trip down to Salt Lake. My Aunt Hazel was moved to hospice, and my mom wanted to visit. Aunt Hazel wasn't feeling great, so after a couple hours of a sweet visit, we turned around and headed home.

Mom mentioned that she had always wanted to see the great Salt Lake, so Michael made a brief detour. 

As expected, the lake was smelly and salty. Mom and I each dipped a fingertip in it, and decided we had done our duty.  

The view was quite spectacular, as long as one tried not to breathe too much. 

We then started the trek back home. 

 We didn't have time to stop on the way home, but I did admire the fields and hillsides of wild sunflowers. 

It was an emotionally and physically exhausting trip, but I am deeply grateful that we were able to make it happen.