Celebrity Sighting: THE Ref

Once upon a time... we went to EVERYTHING we could for all the cousins... when you have your own kiddos later than your siblings the littlest cousins show up... it's just what we did... and we loved it.... when it was in our own district even MORE fun (cuz local with littles is def. easier than our 7 hour trips in one day for a bball game) and the core memory of Do-Do's senior game is one of our FAVORITES

Fast forward to Husband coaching golf and he got to know the ref that Miss B had a special relationship with... Mr. Burnell... Mr. Burnell's son worked at the golf course... and last year Mr. Burnell was at the bball game that Miss B missed because she was sick... we were SO disappointed....I was REALLY hoping for a do-over picture....

Last night my dream came true! :) Husband had emailed him last week to let him know we were coming but unfortunately he said he wasn't going to be able to make it... bummer. 

As soon as Husband and I walked IN though... there he was on the bottom of the bleachers!!! HOORAY! 

Typically I would NEVER, EVER, EVER see or talk to my kids before a game. They are getting ready, mentally, physically, talking with their team, etc. BUT.... I saw some girls from her team in the hallway and I knew her coach was already in the bleachers, so I asked them to go and get Miss B....

and my DREAMS CAME TRUE!

Such a FUN and SPECIAL MOMENT FOR ME!!! I remember Do-Do's Sr game like it was yesterday, I remember her little voice coming back to the bleachers and telling me "he asked if I was going to be a CHEERLEADER MOM!" So fun to snag her in her BBALL uniform... with our fav ref! :)

The game did NOT end up like we wanted....

But the fact that my daily lunch date made her a poster.... was HER favorite part of the night....

FOR SURE!

The Weekend Report

 But truthfully... the only day I took pics was Saturday.... 

Bri-Bri and SIL L hosted a joint graduation party for my gals... my BIG gals that is...hip hip hooray for Chloe and Sky!

My view for most of the party... the littles have NO CARE about how cold the water is and these parents are TROOPERS for getting in the ice bath!!

At the end of the party they said yes to my crazy ideas.... as they usually do ;) 

Inspiration

They were SO accommodating to recreate some of my favorite memories...

but by FAR my all time favorite.... 

I love these gals so much! I am SO proud of them and their educational accomplishments and so THANKFUL for the example they have been to my girls to put family first, work hard at everything and have a BLAST while doing it! LOVE THEM!

Broken Hearted

Last Thursday after Minnie's basketball game, CountryDad came to the house to deliver devastating news that Uncle Mike had passed away that morning. Reeling is the only word I could describe... out and in...in and out... I could not make sense of it... an apparent sudden heart attack shortly after grabbing a breakfast of Aunt Carol's famous chocolate chip cookies.

In our grieving and heart break, I am finding so much gratitude and thankfulness... for ALL the time spent with him...ALWAYS making time to hang out when they came to visit, for text messages but especially for our most recent trip to GA. Other than this picture....

I didn't take any other photos of he or Aunt Carol or us together... but in my memory.... are the conversations, the car rides, the deep couch sitting, the story telling, the advice he gave me and his thoughts and views on different aspects of relationships and my life. 

Through sobbing tears I told Husband AGAIN how so very GRATEFUL I was for that trip and how supported I felt by him to be able to spend the money and time away with Minnie. Those conversations with Uncle Mike (and Aunt Carol) will forever be some of my most favorite. 

To say that I am sad doesn't scratch the surface... heartbroken... physical hurt from sadness and missing this guy that was WAY more than just "Uncle Mike" to me...

Uncle Mike Posts

Wordless Wednesday: Reminiscing