Another new responsibility

This is something that was completely Jason's realm. He always filled the propane tanks for grilling. This is just one more thing I guess I took for granted that he took care of for us. As time has moved on, it's different small things that are creeping up that he took care of, sometimes without me even being aware of that now I'm having to deal with. It makes a simple task just a little bit harder. 

Round two

We knew this day would be coming sooner than later. It probably should have happened a while ago, but that's the way it goes. This kid is going to be back in braces soon. We got started today, but they are going to fix his overbite first so it's just bands for a while before the actual braces. He's looking at quite a while 18-24 months so hopefully he'll do what they say so it's on the shorter end of that. 

Project of my own

I've been trying to get some things around the house cleared out and organized. That sometimes requires new things so I bought a new cabinet for the front room and had it delivered. I knew it was going to take a while for me to get it put together but I was still going to do it. 

Once I got going I had to make stops in my progress. It was a little emotional at times because this was our thing. Jason had a love of building things and any type of woodworking. But putting things together was something we always did. Whether it was building something from scratch with my sketchy ideas or just assembling furniture we were a team. 

Once I completed it, it was just the way it should be, with its crooked drawer and all. A few hinges on backward that had to be redone. A smashed thumb and a few bad words but it was finished. And I sat there knowing that it would have gone the same way if Jason was beside me. I looked at the finished piece wiping away a few tears and proud of myself for doing one more thing on my own. I don't like it, but I CAN do it. 

The finished product. It came out pretty good if I say so myself. I really like it even though I'm trying to figure out the decorations to put on top.

I just hope Jason is watching and cheering me on doing these things. I hope he's proud of me. It's hard without him here but we just have to keep going. 

Brothers

These two seriously hate each other on any given day and want their own rooms to get away from each other. They have always shared a room but as they are getting older they each want their own space. It might happen one day if I get the office cleaned out. But it's on days like this I wonder if that's what they really want. It's days like this where they get along and are kind to each other I wonder if I should split them up. Probably. 

PS. Even though it looks like JJ is longer/taller than Jared he really isn't. At this point, he's about 6 inches shorter than Jared. It's just interesting to see their different body shapes. 

Next Chapter

A new uniform and new number but still the same game. This girl officially threw her first pitch in her college career of softball as a Glendale Gaucho. They started their fall ball play this week and they seem like they will be a decent team. The level of play I'm seeing is a little better than we saw at 18U so it should turn out to be some good ball this season. There are still things that they need to work on together, but I think she likes it enough. I  just don't know if she will stay beyond this year. However,  I am grateful she has this opportunity and gets to experience this. It's just a testament to all her hard work and dedication over the years.

This weekend was a college showcase for a lot of the club teams. So they played 6 games. She didn't get a whole of time in the circle but when she did, she got the job done. I think she threw maybe 35 pitches all weekend but was very effective. The girls were slow to start in some of the games but were able to figure it out. I'm not sure what Jaynie's role will be but hopefully, it's enough for her whatever it is. Needless to say, being out in the heat wore her out even if she didn't play that much! 

Jaynie and Sammi have played together on Crossfire/Blackout for like 4 years now. They were always twins because they were the only skinny blonde girls on the team. But they became good friends. Sammi was also one of my outfielders I got to coach. Such a sweet girl.

Ready for a nap. She is either sleeping or eating. But wouldn't change it for the world.

Bella

Mom and dad came down for fire school and since the kids can't get enough we got to dogsit for the week. The kids love having Bella but they are all about the fun part of having her, not the work part. But really look at that face. What's not to love? She really is a hyper, crazy, psycho dog most of the time but that's just her breed. But we love her anyway.

We're really doing this!

It's finally here! Oh my gosh. We've waited so long to take this trip! I'm a little giddy and a whole lot of nervous that everything is going to go the way I hope (planned) and that we all get along and have a good time. The kids were a little excited to get to the airport and act like they knew what they were doing. Getting checked in was really quick at the curb and we made it through security pretty easy so it was just a waiting game to board. 

Jared had fun finding our flight on the screens. It was kind of fun telling them what everything meant and a little of what I did working for the airline. Not the same as in the airport but I think they were impressed with my knowledge of airline things. WOW! Who knew I did something before being a mom?!

With the boys having never flown before we paid for early boarding so we can get seats together. They all fought over who was going to get the window seat so we had to compromise. There is still a flight back home. Jason sat with the boys and this time didn't fall asleep as soon as he sat down. But instead, put on his headphones and watched a movie. I loved hearing the boys behind me and Jaynie and everything they were trying to figure out. It's interesting to see things through other people's perspectives, especially when it's the first time for them. 

As we headed east we left the sun behind. The kids took a ton of pictures out the window the whole flight. This is the calm before the storm because I know the next eight days are going to be chaotic filled with laughs, fights, and sleepless nights.

This is really a once-in-a-lifetime vacation for us. The only reason we can afford it is because of covid. Having to still work and not be able to spend any money helped us save. Honestly, though I have questioned going on this trip since I reserved it last year. The money could go to something more important or we could use it for emergencies. I don't know but something other than such an expensive family vacation. But after we lost Tommy so suddenly it kind of made the decision for us. We aren't promised tomorrow and don't know what is going to happen. We need to make the most of our time together and make those memories. So it's off we go!