Living, Loving, Learning

  This guy turns 18 today!  What a year it has been.....filled with unyielding love and consuming terror, with partings and reunions, with first romance and first steps to true independance.  The closing door to childhood and the rest of the journey just beginning.  As a parent, it has absolutely been the most challenging and heartbreaking year yet.  I know most parents have BIG FEELINGS as they watch their children finish up high school and start making decisions about the next chapter, but ours has had a lot of unexpected twists and turns to navigate.  I've learned many lessons about letting go, trusting the process and loving my kid even when it is really hard.  And boy do I love this guy.  My first child, my only son, a huge piece of my heart out walking around this earth.  I know the next years will bring him so many challenges and accomplishments, joy and sadness, love and frustration and I hope to continue to have a front seat to love him through all of it.   Birthday Interv

  Heyyyyy!  It's been a long time!  First of all a warning, this post is going to be photo heavy.  Over the last year I've basically completely cut myself off from social media (fantastic decision for my mental health!) but I would love to have a space for the kids to be able to look back and access photos quickly.    This has been quite a  year for Lucy.  She has had many incredibly happy experiences and some truly tragic ones as well.  Throughout it all, Lucy has remained strong and loving and positive.  She has spent her year getting back into the groove of "normal post-Covid" life.  She is conquering 8th grade without breaking a sweat.  She has developed several deep and meaningful friendships that bring her so much joy.  Her skill on the flute is truly impressive.  She is an avid reader, enjoys creative pursuits and LOVES talking with her people on facetime.  Her analytical mind has been a perfect fit for leading her school's Future Problem Solving team.  She