…And His Visit is Over...

Yesterday, they squeezed in as much Xbox as they could.  He is not allowed to play at the Academy.

He had to take civilian clothes with him and opted for this goofy Vanderbilt hat.  I think it is one he doesn't mind losing.

 We were at the airport early for a 6:20 am departure.  It was a direct flight for him.

And…he is off to the winter swim training trip.  From Florida, he will head right back to the Academy.  We aren't sure when we will see him again...

It was wonderful having him home.  I ended up sick on the couch on Friday and today.  He claims he gave it me.  Who knows!  I guess if I don't feel better tomorrow, I will stop into one of the urgent care places.  Ugh!  Hope the other two in this house don't get it.

Christmas 2013

We went to vigil mass on Christmas Eve.  My Cadet was looking pretty handsome in his freshly dry cleaned uniform.

Peanut waited patiently until about 8:30.  We walked Buddy then woke up Pumpkin.  Merry Christmas!

 Buddy was a trooper.  He wore his Christmas stripes all day!

Pumpkin gave Peanut a swimming brief wrapped in a cardboard tube.  Pumpkin claims that "real" swimmers wear briefs.  Peanut wore his to practice this morning.  We will see if he ever wears it again!

Pumpkin got lots of practical gifts.  Our challenge is to figure out the best way to get them back to the Academy.  He might have to schlep them on the plane via Florida.

We finished off the day having family over for dinner.  My FIL requested hot dogs with chili last year. It stuck for this year.  It was very simple.  I think we got off easy.  Wonderful holidays!

Now…my prayer is to slow down the clock and enjoy every minute of these two days!!

Home for the Holidays

Love that I got a smirk.

Love that he is home!

…Adjusting to him being home, but not necessarily home:-)

We are staying home for Christmas.  Plan to take in all the festivities.

Thanksgiving 2013

What a wonderful weekend!  Pumpkin actually got in earlier than expected on Tuesday night.  We are grateful for the Delta agent at BDL that walked over to him in the gate area getting him on the earlier flight.  Weather was a bit of a mess.  He even got upgraded to first class once he made his connection.  It felt great to give him a big hug.  I impressed myself.  I maintained composure with just misty eyes.

On Wednesday, we were sitting on the couch.  He leaned over and put his head on my lap.  Wow.  As I rubbed his hair, tears swelled in my eyes.  Where did all the years go?  It seems like just yesterday he was on the couch with his pacifier.  So. Very. Proud.

The boys, my SIL, and nephew braved the chilly temps and ran the Turkey Trot 4 miler on Thanksgiving.  Other than the cold, it was a beautiful morning.

Peanut took third in his age group.  He ran well even as he was really struggling to breath.  He's got some bronchial thing going on.  Fortunately, it does seem like it is getting better.

 The Big Guy's entire family was together for Thanksgiving.  It was a lovely evening enjoyed by all.  Very.  Grateful.

 I can't even express how nice it was to be a family of four - all in one place.  Loved it!

We hung out the rest of weekend.  We did just a little bit of shopping and lots of football watching.  Then, the time came to head to the airport.  We left the house just past 4am on Sunday morning.  We were all tired.  I got my big hug at the airport and my cadet was off, again.

Best thing ever - he is coming back on the 17th!  Got lots to do between now and then.  Already feeling behind the eight ball as we did not decorate yesterday.  This morning I am doing Pumpkin's laundry from the weekend and I don't mind a bit.

T-3 and Couting

Yesterday Pumpkin had a swim meet at Connecticut College.

I was able to recognize his shoulders and arms without missing a beat.  The Big Guy made me confirm with Pumpkin that this was really him.  Yes it is him!

He said he did not swim all that great.  He is tired.  I am sure it is getting to be a bit of a challenge to focus.  I know I am excited.  Fresh sheets are ready to be put on his bed.  The house is about clean.  I've got a few more things to cook and lots of leaves to rake.  Can't wait to hug this swimmer, late Tuesday night!

T-5 and Counting

We had some fun with the puppy dog this evening.  He's gotten used to getting a bone after dinner.  We  tested him to see if he'd grab it out of the Big Guy's pocket.  He just followed him around.

The Big Guy finished the dishes and sprawled out on the living room floor.  It was too cute.  Buddy just sniffed and paced around the Big Guy.  Finally, we pulled it out just a bit from his pocket and Buddy was able to pull it out.  He chewed it up in no time.

Pumpkin is so excited to see Buddy in FIVE days!  I can count them on one hand!!

T-7 and Counting

One week from today!  It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.  Gotta get a grip, huh?

I have cleaning to do, some shopping to do and some baking to do.

Pumpkin is so sweet.  He said that I only need to clean for guests and he is not a guest.  Gotta love him!  Can't wait to hug him tight.  If I am excited, I can't imagine how the atmosphere at the Academy is.

I'm also trying to squeeze in a few Thanksgiving gifts, gifts of gratitude.  They serve as a great form of procrastination.  Hope to post pictures...

T-9 and Counting

Down to the single digits!  I just get giddy thinking about it.

Meanwhile, at home Peanut is driving in the dark to dinner

The Big Guy is cleaning the boys' bathroom grout.  Yes.   You read that right!  He is a keeper!  The before and after are amazing.

 Buddy tried to help himself to some tissues in the garbage.

 Then, he headed to the bridge to supervise...

I finished up some knitting and am formulating lots of lists in my head.  I'm gonna head out to the stores to find some new black pants.  Love black pants, but they fade so quickly.

T-10 and Counting...

I can count the number of days on two hands!!

Random thoughts for today - -

Peanut is an assistant ref on the competitive fields.  This is his first time hoping the parents treat him well.  It was also the first time we'd been to the fields since he stopped playing.  Both the Big Guy and I looked at each other saying that we don't miss it.

Pumpkin is off to another swim meet.  Wish we could see it.

We are trying to assimilate all the furniture/decorations we inherited from my inlaws.  Some how that has led us to purging the Big Guy's closet.

Thinking about baking and stocking up for Thanksgiving.  We are going to have a few nephews stay with us for a bit too.

Last night, we dropped Peanut off at a friends.  It was after dinner.  The romantic pair that we are stopped at Marshall's.  The Big Guy got Ghiradelli chocolates and I got a bottle of balsamic vinegar.  Then, we went to Home Depot.  What have we become?  The good thing is we both enjoyed the time together holding hands in silly stores.

If you haven't seen this video, give it a watch.  It is so very touching with all that is going on in the Big Guy's family.  We talked about it this morning joking that our boys will be cycling the both of us around.

T-11 and Counting

Note to self - don't share selfies on a regular basis!

New do!  Loving the short cut, but gotta work on the wrinkles.

Do you think Pumpkin will notice the short cut?

T-12 and Counting...

Cool weather is the perfect time for Chicken Pot Pie.

The top of this one says it all - - 

T-13 and Counting

Less than two weeks!

Thrilled for Archbishop Kurtz.  He was Pastor of our church in PA for a few years before he was promoted to Bishop in KY.  We were so impressed with him.  Pumpkin was a little boy who could not always make it through mass.  The Big Guy and him would head toward the back of the church as there was no cry room.  On nice weather days, they'd head just out the front doors of the church.  Don't worry.  They weren't the only ones out there.  During this time, the Pastor got to know Big Guy and Pumpkin's names.  If he was not celebrating mass, he'd hang around to meet and greet the parishioners. He took a vested interested in the congregation.  He was known for memorizing the pictures in the Church Directory in an effort to address you by name.  It was impressive.  Congrats, Archbishop Kurtz on your election to President of the Conference of Bishops.

T-15 and Counting

So proud of our Cadet on this Veteran's Day and everyday

This video of the 2013 commencement is worth a listen.

So grateful for all those who served and are currently serving.

Thank You!

T-16 and Counting...

The swim meet against Wheaton yesterday.  The Big Guy got to see some good swimming.

He took more pictures, but gonna wait to see them until he gets back home.  He saw lots of smiling and laughing too.  It warms a parent's heart to see that as the days at the Academy can be very stressful.

I know he is enjoying the time with Pumpkin.  Only 16 more days 'til we are family of four back together…again!

T-18 and Counting

Feeling a bit crafty this afternoon - - I put this sweatshirt on in preparation for Peanut's first swim meet.  The hood was bugging me.

 Took a sharp scissors and cut it off.  I am enjoying this sweatshirt so much more!

Peanut had a good showing for his first swim meet.  I'm sure Pumpkin would have loved to have been there to cheer him on.  Only 18 more days!

T-19 and Counting

The weather is turning cooler.  I'm loving it!

I work all day on Thursday.  Gotta pick easy recipes for dinner.  Made this yummy soup.  It was perfect with a tossed salad.

Gotta get the chili recipes out now...

T-20 and Counting...

I guess it is the dog's prerogative.  He wasn't having any part of coming into the house on a beautiful fall day.

We went to Peanut's Cross Country Banquet last night.  We attempted to snap a last minute selfie to send to Pumpkin.

We were pleasantly surprised.  Peanut received the Freshman of the Year Award!  It was a nice evening.  He is going to miss the cross country.  As these seasons go, we are already off and running with high school swimming.  His first meet is just a few days away.  I volunteered to time.  It will be odd not having Pumpkin around and odd not having all his buddies in the pool.  The best thing, though, the Big Guy is flying up to the Northeast to see Pumpkin swim this weekend.  Very jealous!  Very happy they get to spend some time together.

And, as the post title states - - only 20 more days until he is here!!

T-21 and Counting...

From Halloween, but just received today

Made my day!

Gotta get up there to visit...

T-22 and Counting...

Can't see Peanut?  I barely picked him out either.  These are "official" pictures taken and posted on the TSSAA website.  If you look closely, his head is over the left shoulder of runner #715.  Looking at the few glimpses we got of him running makes it all even more impressive.  He is not breathing normally due to congestion.  In typical Peanut fashion, he did not complain or use it as an excuse.

I have ironing to do, washing to do, dishes to do, cleaning to do, and work to go to.  It is Monday!

T-23 and Counting

A great way to start the day - with an extra hour of sleep!  Even with an extra hour, we were a few minutes last to mass.  How does that happen?  After church, we went out to breakfast.  It was a bit chilly but the only tables available were outside.  We braved it.  I was excited to try this brunch menu.  It was only okay.  We will still have to keep searching for THE place…Peanut had a heart healthy (not!) meal of chicken and waffle.

Look at my boy in his winter uniform!  Can't wait to see it in person!!  I think this weekend's been a sort of tough one for him.  He had a swim meet and swam well.  The military stuff did not go as well.  Even so, he sounds like he is handling it all.  Again, I can't wait to see him!!

T-24 and Counting

Getting in the mood for running…

Peanut had a good run.  The course is a bit more challenging than what he is used to.  That combined with a stuffed up head, we were pleased with his performance.  Peanut's had so much fun this season.  So grateful for the cross country team and how it helped the transition to such a big high school. Kudos to the senior boys that took Peanut under their wings.  He will miss them!  The weather was perfect.  My niece game out to the course.  It was fun to spend some time with her.

Had to snap a picture of just the Big Guy and I.  We came to this park the first night we met.  Hard to believe that was more than 26 years ago!  I'm sure we don't look a day older.  Ha!

Only texted with Pumpkin.  He had a swim meet and swam well.  He also had an inspection while he was gone.  Apparently, it did not go too well.  He did not find out the details until he returned.  He said that he'd let us know.  This is when it is hard to be the mom SO far away.  He has a re-inspection in the morning.  The time change gives him an additional hour to do what he's gotta do.  I know it is all a learning experience.  It is a learning experience for me too!

T-25 and Counting!

November, you are finally here...

In just 25 days my Pumpkin will be home!  We all are catching the excitement bug.  He called three times last week.  We loved every minute of it.

Starting the month off with a trip to Nashville for the State Cross Country Meet.  Peanut is stuffed up.  Ugh!  Hope it all comes out in the run and does affect how he feels.

Old Farts

This weekend the tables were turned.  The cross country runners held a race for the parents.  I don't have a love for running.  As a result, I opted to cheer the parents on.  I was very impressed with the turn out.  Some ran competing for time.  Others ran/walked enjoying the day.  It was a fun afternoon.

The Big Guy is a great sport.  He'd been cycling, but dug his running shoes out a week before.  He's now alternating in an effort to get ready for the Thanksgiving 4 mile run.

Cross Country Regionals 2013

The Cross Country Regionals were Friday afternoon.  Peanut's had a great season, but who knew?  It was a bit chilly, but, overall, great running weather.

We weren't quite sure about this face as he approached the finish line.  He was trying to get to the line and was giving it all he had.

His face morphed into a smile sneaking in at a very fast 17:00.00.

We were hopeful the team would qualify for State.  Wow!  We were pleasantly surprised to find out Peanut qualified individually!!  Not too shabby for a freshman!

The team was the Regional Runner Up.  We are heading to Nashville this weekend - running on Saturday.  Apparently, our boys will get a taste of some hills.  Wahoo!