Lunch with Mom

I got to spend a few days back up at home.  I got to spend quality time with my sisters.  I got to visit and have lunch with my mom.  It was a nice treat.  

Boston Strong

This is a throwback picture to some time last year.  He's got the same shirt on today sporting it with jeans.  Boston Strong!  BTW, he will be the one watching the marathon replay.

Two Miles!

He broke ten minutes in the two mile!  His official time was 9:59.25!!

He's got another meet this weekend.  We are hosting but the weather does not look promising.

Leadership Collierville

Our town has a youth leadership program.  Peanut participated.  It runs all year.  The students learn lots about where they live.  Graduation was last week.  Yeah, Peanut!

Anniversary Dinner

A new restaurant is in town.  I'd say it is primarily Japanese.  The Big Guy was a wonderful sport.  Asian is not normally his first choice, but he suggested it and went with it.   The lighting from the window is not the best for the photos, but you get the idea.  Peanut came along.  The restaurant doesn't have its liquor license yet.  So, we brought our own bottle to celebrate.  It was nice to have Peanut as the DD.

Peanut and I shared the love boat.  It was fun to try the different items.  I think next time we will just stick with sushi.  He and I enjoy trying all different kinds of sushi.

Pumpkin face timed us while we were eating.  Loved the quick chat with him.  It was Monday evening and kind of a bit early for dinner.  We were so thankful there weren't too many other patrons in the restaurant.  We were kind of loud - laughing and talking with Pumpkin.  We finished up the night with cupcakes from Muddy's.  It doesn't get any better than the Pucker Up cupcakes!

It is so funny.  I enjoy a glass of wine but it knocks me out.  The boys were teasing me by saying, "goodnight, momma."  Sure enough.  The Big Guy turned on some sports documentary and in a few minutes I was nodding off on the couch.  I think there is a blackmail photo to prove it!

Twenty Four

Happy Anniversary!  Happy Anniversary!  We've been married for 24 years!  That makes me married for as long as I was single.  It's been a wonderful ride.  Hard to believe how quickly the years have flown by.  Here's to many more!!

Buck Naked

The Easter Bunny brought all the boys some Buck Naked undies.  Word from Pumpkin is that they are the best!

Easter Sunday

Peanut gave up sweets for Lent.  To celebrate, he wanted a chocolate chip cookie cake.  I would have preferred to make one, but that is not what he wanted.

We kept the tradition alive by going to sunrise mass on Easter morning.  It was a bit chilly, but wonderful, as always.  We missed Pumpkin but got to talk to him on the phone.

After I posted this picture, Pumpkin came back with this picture -

Its almost as if he was right there with us!  Lol!  We scrambled and mowed the yard taking advantage of the weather window.  Then, we came in and enjoyed an Easter dinner.  It was a lovely day.  I had my share of sweets and stuff.  Now, I need to get back into the eat healthy mentality!

Memorial Service

They had a Memorial Service today at the Academy for friends and family.  The best thing, it was live streamed.  I postponed my hair appointment and sat in front of the screen watching the entire service.  They did a nice job.  It is still very sad and hard to grasp that two moms will not be able to hug their boys.

Speaking of boys, my boy is in the back row of the choir on the left side.  Of course, my mom radar picked him right out.  They sang a song called Mansions of the Lord.  Here are the lyrics:

To fallen soldiers let us sing

Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing

Our broken brothers let us bring

To the Mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding, no more fight

No prayers pleading through the night

Just divine embrace, eternal light

To the Mansions of the Lord.

Where no mothers cry and no children weep

We will stand and guard though the angels sleep

Through the ages safely keep

The Mansions of the Lord.

A very powerful message.  Again, so thankful he stuck with the singing.

Early on when the singers were just getting settled.  I zoomed in and grabbed this.  His roommate this semester is to his right.

To be honest, I focused on what was being said and watching my son, if only from a distance.  Looking at the portraits and uniforms is heart wrenching.  I pray the families find peace.

I texted with Pumpkin after the service.  He made my day texting "I just need a hug from my momma." Doesn't get much better than that!  In about 50 days, I will be able to do just that!  But, who is counting?