Get summer started 2016!

      Last weekend, we spent 4 glorious days at the Lake Of The Ozarks. We drove down right after I got off work on Thursday, and arrived about 8:30pm. The boys were so excited to be there!
Some of their favorite things to do at the lake are walk the docks, ride the waverunner, and (new this year) fish.
   
      Friday morning, bright and early, those two little monsters had Papa down at the docks, ready to take the waverunner out! Apparently, they don't tire of this. We made a quick trip across the lake to check out Under Armour and Nike outlets (Jax birthday is right around the corner), and had some lunch, and then back to the condo. It wasn't quite nice enough to take the boat out, so we hung out on the docks, fishing and lying in the sun. On Friday evening, we went to our absolute favorite restaurant at the Lake, Baxter's. The food is fantastic, and the view is amazing!
     
      Saturday morning, I got a 6 mile run in and the boys got some more waverunner time. Then lots of fishing time. Lunch at Redhead Yacht Club, which has a great (heated) pool for the kiddos. Back to the condo, more fishing and lying in the sun! Burgers on the grill for dinner, and then some cards (Old Maid-this was hilarious, because Cole would laugh hysterically if he knew who had the Old Maid-but then was super bummed when he got it!), And then a couple of games of Apples to Apples. Also so funny, since Jax didn't know any of the people on the cards, but used them anyway. Getting the kids to bed is always a challenge, but after days spent in the sun and on the water, it was slightly less challenging, and they both went down pretty easy.

      Sunday morning, and guess what the boys wanted to do-fish and ride the waverunner. So, that's what we did. Lunch at the condo, boat all afternoon (the kids got in the water, actual water temperature 68 degrees Fahrenheit-no thanks), more fishing, and then to Backwater Jack's for dinner.

     Monday, same deal, different day. Lots of fishing, waverunning, boating...
On Monday evening, at the spur of the moment, we decided to go to the Opry. I always think its a great show! The theme this year was fun, 60's, 70's, 80's hits. The kids didn't know many of the songs, but still had a good time. Every year, at the end of the show, they do a tribute to the Armed Forces, singing the song for each branch of the military, and having any members of that branch present stand and be honored. I do not even make it though the introduction, and tears are streaming down my face by the time the first veteran is on his feet.  I am humbled and in awe of their service, and always wish I could thank each one personally ( I just shake the hands of the ones nearest us and thank them for their service.) Words cannot describe how grateful I am for this selfless act.  As Memorial Day is approaching this weekend, I am reminded that so many of our fellow Americans have fought and died to protect my Freedom and the Freedom of my children! And for that, I am so very thankful.

On Tuesday morning, we got up, packed up, and headed home. Poor Jax didn't feel well (combination of lack of breakfast and poor roads), so we stopped a few times to get fresh air. BUt we all made it home in one piece, and basketball camp started the next day for Jax, with golf clinic on Wednesday for both boys. Full Steam ahead, summer has arrived!

God Bless America by Karen White

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home

From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, my home sweet home

Grandparents are a blessing.

Grandparents are such a blessing.  I know someday you boys will appreciate how amazing your grandparents are, but for now, I am going to tell you.  My grandparents and great-grandparents have played a huge role in my life.  Although I only ever met one of my great-grandfathers, all four of my great-grandmothers were living until I was in high school (women have long life spans in my family, I guess).  I remember very distinct things about each of them. 
Great Grandma Iola Harper (Grandpa Harper's grandma on his Dad's side) loved to crochet and knit, and she and her daughter Aunt Dorie Lowther would do it all the time. 
Great Grandma Hazel Long (Grandma Harper's grandma on her Dad's side) lived in St. Joseph, so we got to see her fairly frequently.  She was a tiny little lady, with a very soft voice.  She always had candy for me and Ryan.
Great Grandma Fern Stufflebean (Grandpa Harper's grandma on his Mom's side) lived in Brookfield, MO (where Grandpa Harper grew up).  She collected salt and pepper shakers.  She was also a crocheter.  She lived just down the street from Grandpa Harper's parents (Jacks and Shirley Harper), so I saw her very often growing up, too.  She died of Alzheiner's Disease while I was in high school.
Great Grandma Pearl Lajoie (Grandma Harper's grandma on her Mom's side) also lived in St Joseph.  She always claimed we are related to John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed), and Henry Lajoie (I guess he was a famous babseball player).  I will have to look into that someday.  One of the things I remember most about her was her love for cats and birds.  She collected china dolls, among other things-which is probably what prompted my collecting them when I was a teenager.  She died when Jackson was a baby.
All of these women were such blessings to me.

On to my grandparents:
I have one living grandparent: Grandma Catherine Virgene (LaJoie) Round, better known to Jackson and Cole as Grandma, Too!  She lives here in St. Joseph, so she gets to come over and play with you guys and babysit sometimes.  I remember getting to stay with her in the summers as a kid.  We would play, swim, go for walks, and read books.  The ones that come to mind are the "Thingamajig" books.  She always knew the most fascinating people.  One summer I met a man from Czechoslovakia, and he taught me some words in his language. 

Grandpa Eugene Round (Grandma Harper's Dad) was an amazing man.  He was in the Air Force when he was young.  He lived in Illinois and Kentucky for most of my life, so I did not get to see him as often as my other grandparents.  He always tried to make it back to Missouri for graduations and other important events.  He came back for my wedding.  He got to meet Jackson a few times, but sadly, died (after a long struggle post open heart surgery) when Cole was only 8 weeks old-having never gotten to meet him. 

Grandma Shirley Lee Harper (Grandpa Harper's Mom) was a lung cancer survivor.  After smoking for 30+ years, she quit cold turkey and found out she had lung cancer 13 years later-boys, never smoke!  She first got lung cancer when I was a senior in high school.  After surgery to remove part of her lung an 56 weeks of chemotherapy, she was declared to be in remission.  She was diagnosed with lung cancer again about 8 years later.  At that time, she was living in a nursing homedue to her Alzheimer's disease.  When I found out I was pregnant with Jackson, I was so excited to tell her she was going to be a great-grandma.  I told my Dad, who visited her often, not to tell her I was pregnant.  I wanted to tell her myself.  So, I made plans to visit her on her birthday, November 3rd.  I walked into her room, she looks at me (don't forget, she has Alzheimers), and says 'You're gonna have a Baby'.  I was a bit taken aback, since I was not showing at all at this point.  Come to find out, Dad had told her I was pregnant, thinking she would forget, and get to be pleasantly surprised twice.  Well, she never did forget.  Every time I would see her, she would tell me 'Bring me that baby when he is born, I am going to meet him'.  We were told she wouldn't make it through the winter that year with the cancer being back and her having emphysema and Alzheimer's.  Jackson was born May 29th, and on June 17th, off he went to visit his Great-Grandma Harper.  She was ecstatic!  She said 'Ashley, Jack would be in hog heaven right now, he would be so proud'.  She died four days later, peacefully, in her sleep, knowing she was a Great-Grandma.  I absolutely believe she was waiting to 'meet that baby'.

Grandpa John (Jack) Wesley Harper (Grandpa Harper's Dad)
I don't know where to begin. 
He used to swing me!  I don't mean, like, go to the park, get on the swing, stay for 15 minutes.  I mean, for hours he would swing me.  We would swing so long I would fall asleep (happy as could be) on the swing as a child.  He was still swinging me as an adult every time I would visit.  I wonder how many times I said,  'Grandpa, will you swing me?'  I don't think he ever told me 'no'.  We were kindred spirits. I can think of no other way to describe our relationship-we were so close. I could go on for hours about this man who was quite literally the heart of my heart. He was my person. 
I spent weeks at a time at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Brookfield. Much of my childhood was spent in their home and that backyard swing. So many memories were made on that half-acre of land and the surrounding town.
Grandpa-isms:
Grandpa would say "You know what?", to which I would always respond, "What?", and he would say, "I Love You", and I would say, "I know."
Grandpa would always tell me he wouldn't trade me for a ranch in Texas, apparently to him that means I'm priceless. 
Grandpa would tickle me until I couldn't breathe, and then stop when I begged, only for me to take a deep breath, and tell him to "do it again".
 Sadly, Grandpa died just a few short months before my wedding, so did not get to meet these two amazing people we created. He would be bursting with joy and pride.

The Dash
by Linda Ellis copyright 1996

​I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
​the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before. 

If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

​So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?

School's out for the Summer.

So, far too long since I last posted. I feel like I should start over.
Those two sweet little boys I started writing about years ago are now 6 and nearly 10.

      Jax has just finished his 4th Grade year at Oak Grove Elementary, the very new school that was practically built in our backyard. He is getting so tall and I see glimpses of the young man he is becoming. He has a little attitude with TJ and I at times, but when reminded to get it in check, he can pretty quickly. His teacher says he is always surrounded by friends, and that people seem to be drawn to him. I hope that continues throughout his life.  He loves life, and is such a sweet young man. He intends to spend his summer playing golf, swimming, and playing with friends. He is playing competitive basketball, but really he's just biding his time until flag football (his one true love at this point) season starts again. We hired a nanny for the boys last summer on the days I work, and she is coming back this summer! The boys love her, and she keeps them busy, which I love.
     
     Cole is now 6!! And his last day of kindergarten was yesterday (insert me being emotional here). Last fall, on his first day of kindergarten, I wore sun glasses to drop-off, and needed them. With school being so close to our home, I walked home slightly lost without my little boys' hand to hold.
Cole thrived in kindergarten. His teacher, Mrs. Lowe, says he is an absolute delight to be around, and has a great personality. He doesn't love school, but I get it. That whole sitting 7-8 hours a day thing isn't for me either, and I am an adult (most days). But by the end of the school year, he had tested into the 1st grade reading level, and is a math whiz (like his father). Cole, like Jackson, intends to spend his summer being a beach bum, golfing, and hanging out with Mom and Dad.

I intend to soak up every minute of my summer with these two little people and TJ, because it will go by in a blink, and I will miss them when school starts again. We have a couple of trips to the Lake of The Ozarks planned, and we went to Arizona in March for Royals Spring Training. We also hiked South Mountain while there and took a helicopter tour of The Grand Canyon-simply breathtaking.


So, let Summer begin!!