Riggs' Real Birthday- Happy 12th!

You have to celebrate on your REAL no matter what! SO today we celebrated Riggs's Real birthday on his Real Birthday! He chose Hometown Pizza with his buddies that could come!

 Of course, the Family and the Timmerings were there to celebrate too!

 I can't believe he is 12...next year he will be a Teenager! I hope we wishes to be little forever on his requested Dairy Queen ice cream cake. (sniff....sniff....)

 We opened presents ......

 and I love that he got a Flash shirt...he lived in his Flash costume when he was little!

 It was a fun night....

 Even the car ride home was full of laughter!

 Back at home the boys played basketball.....

 and he got more presents....

 all in all..I'd say he had a great day on his 12 th birthday! We sure love you, Riggsy!

Pam

I saw this on Facebook a week or so ago...I didn't hit like...or share it...I scrolled on...

Sometimes that is what I do...scroll on....we all do...we pass by the moments...thinking there will another one to follow...I do it when Lila asks me to read a book when I am making supper....I do it when Sarah Kate asks me to see how much she has read in her book in the living room when I am all the way upstairs in the laundry room....

I pass some moments and get the next one...and I know that is normal.

One moment I didn't pass was this one....this past September 11th...just a few weeks ago. I am ashamed to admit that I wanted to pass it by before I went. It had been a long day...late night at cross country...hard night to get Lila to bed.. I was overwhelmed...tired....and had so much to do. I wanted to stay home but instead I got in my car and drove back over to Goshen for the 5th time that day. 

In P's garden...I sat by candle light and just listened to my friend Pam talk. She talked about her journey, her hope, her cancer, her frustrations, and I listened. I was there in that moment with her.

It was the last time I saw her...hugged her...told her I loved her....days later she went to the hospital...and by the time I was able to get to the hospital to see her...it was family only....
She passed last Monday morning....

Pam...who was a light in this world....a giver.....

an amazing mother full of fun and energy....and goodness.....

This is how I see her when I close my eyes...big hair framing her huge smile...heart full of love for her children....this was one Mothers Day we spent together at the soccer field...a memory I cherish so deeply.

She was a good friend and I, like many, am blessed to have know her...and to love her.  She fought so hard to stay here  on this Earth....for more time with her children. She inspires me to be a better mother...a mother who tries not to let too many moments pass by....a mother who gets deep within her soul that the days are long but the years are short.... See you in Heaven, sweet friend.....hope you are painting up there and sending us down your love. I am pretty sure you were responsible for the beautiful pink sun set last night...so thank you for that and for everything. I miss you already......

North Game

We are North people now....funny how we just slipped right into loving this new school as Riggs started middle school. Tonight was the football game the North Cheer clinic was performing at so we headed North! My crew was excited to go!

 We tailgated.....

 and enjoyed the game and the touch of fall in the air...with our jeans and boots and sweatshirts at the ready.....

 The boys ran around......the girls cheered......

 It was a fun night for sure! Instagram approved!

Sweet Patoka

We got a little taste of Lake Patoka last summer....and we just fell in love! SO we just had to go back....just one last day in the sun before school and the scheduled days begin.....

 Everyone was so excited for our day!

We all had a ball on the tube!

had a fun picnic lunch on the to of the pontoon.......

jumped in....over and over....laughing and smiling with every jump.....

We just took it all in...the warmth of the sun.......

the carefree feeling of summer........

and heart to hearts with our BFFs.......

As the day closed...we headed back to the dock....and back to get ready for school...tomorrow is a school night......

It has been a wonderful summer...and I am so thankful we had this perfect day of friendship and fun to end it on!

Cheers to MIddle School!

Riggs had all his buddies over for one last big sleepover before school starts! They are so excited about middle school! They had a great time and we made root beer floats at midnight to celebrate! Cheers to Middle School!

GNO

It's been a while since we had a girls night out......so one was in order for summer!

We all chipped in and got a car to drive us but we let the littles take a spin init before we left!

We were headed to listen to some country music at Manny and Merle's

 and have a "Mannyrita" or two in a mason jar! I love this place!

 Fun night....fun girls!