The Grad

It's all a blur now, but it sure was an amazing experience.  

 

William once again lead our family across a 

huge milestone in life and GRADUATED from KHS.

As our oldest, 

he is often the test subject of new and different experiences. 

It's scary for sure, but that's life.

He has proven time and time again 

that he is up for the challenges and often

 shines above all others

 as he grows, learns, and experiences this 

great.big.world.

These boys have grown up together and 

we are grateful they were able to share 

in this moment. 

The first of many..... 

Thank you William! WE LOVE YOU!

Skittled & A Big Heart

So I picked up David after school yesterday.  Our typical after school conversation goes something like this.

Me:  Hey buddy! How was your day?
David: Hi! Good.
Me:  Do you have homework?
David: Yes.
David: What's for snack? (Hoping for something sweet)
Me: Oh I don't know.....something healthy for sure though.
David: Can I play with Joseph?
Me: Ummm..... let me think about it.
David: Do I have practice?
Me: Yes.
David: Do you have to leave for Firecrackers?
Me: Yes.
David: When will you be back?
Me: Hopefully soon. :)

But yesterday we had a slightly different version.  

Me: Same ol' same ol'.

David: It was good.....except lunch.

Me: Why? What happened? Did you get in trouble or something?

David: No.  I just got Skittled. Do you know what that is?

Me: smiling....Uh-no.

David: It's when you get a Skittle from a girl and you HAVE to go out with her.

Me: Really? Who was this Skittle from? Do you like her?  

David: He tells me her name....but it doesn't register because I'd never heard her name before.

Me:  Oh....well how long do you have to "go out" with her?

David:  A month!  That's the rule.  You can't break the rules.  Well I mean, I broke up with her....but that's only for me.  For her we are still boyfriend/girlfriend. You know....cause that's the rule.

Me: soaking it all in.....hoping to come to some conclusion as to how to break this unwanted Skittle hook-up.  

He changed the subject.

David: Can I donate $20 to Leukemia?

Me: pulling in the the driveway Um....sure!  That's nice....when is it due?

David: Tomorrow.

Me: of course it is.  and like the Skittle-givers name.....i don't think of it again. 

........Flash forward to this morning ~

Me: Hurry buddy!  We've gotta go.  Whatcha doing?

David: Getting my $20 to donate to childhood Leukemia.  It was tucked away in my lego truck. That's my piggy bank cause no one will think to look in there.

He smiles at me.  I smile back.

David:  Do we know anyone with Leukemia?

Me: No.  Thankfully.....no.

I am humbled by his sweet action and his caring spirit. What a beautiful example of a pure giver's heart.  No strings attached.  Nothing in return....no lego set....no nerf gun.....no video game.  Just a gift from his heart because he cares. I'm so proud of him! 

I love you David!

Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas! 

Love, the Powells

We I barely pulled it together this year.  I'm not sure what was going on, but I just wasn't

 in the spirit.  In the past, I couldn't wait to pull out the lights, ornaments and the decorations that we have carefully collected over the years.  However, I wasn't feeling it this season.  It felt like a chore more than anything. Another mess.....only to be cleaned up by me later. 

The sad tree that Dave and the boys brought home was horrific and mostly dead....kinda like my Christmas spirit. I'm not kidding, we've put post season trees by the curb that looked better. He finally realized that the branches were never going to "fall into place" and the lights weren't going to cover the bare spots. Thankfully, the second time was a charm and it even smelled like a fresh pine tree. The kids were beyond excited and ready to decorate. I rallied as best I could.

Perhaps I'm learning (the hard way....of course) that doing it all is NOT what it is about. It seems silly to state the obvious and I'm embarrassed, that after 45 years of celebrating Christ's birth, to admit my heart was not in the right place.  It's not about making it perfect......it's about the only Perfect. Jesus should always be my center and focus, but especially this time of year. 

This year's Christmas card reflects our imperfections.  Four out of six un-showered, in sweats, hats, a dusty coffee table, and filthy carpet. Somehow an entire year has gone by and not one family picture has been taken....not one.  So this is it.....one truly blessed family. 

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting  Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6 

Growing-Up

We are in the final quarter of 2014.  The year had its fair share of ups and downs, firsts and lasts, hard decisions and easy choices.  Regardless of whether our kids are struggling, trying to make that uphill climb or hit a bump in the road while coasting down the other side, they are constantly learning, growing and finding their own way. 

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Anna gets braces!

Before

During

After

Stay tuned for the big reveal in a few weeks!

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Meet our newest additions.

Mr. Tumnus

 and

Lucy

Couldn't you just die???

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A long overdue visit from Claire.

A before and "10 year" after photo.

Hilarious. 

I guess you could say they have changed.

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July 21, 2014

David was diagnosed with T1.  

He was trooper through the whole ordeal.

He continues to be an inspiration to us all.

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John takes the plunge!

If you know John at all....then you know what an incredible leap this was.  

This amazing pictures was featured on the GoPro web sight.

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William begins his SENIOR year!

*sniff*

William and his XC buddies at their "last" first meet EVER.

As parents, we do our best to guide and direct them. We have that unique ability, because we've known them since they were wee-lil'-babes, to see their great potential. Because of this unique insight, sometimes mostofthetime I am guilty of the "Mama knows best" phenomenon.  I believe, "If they would only do as I say", or at least head in that general direction, then they would avoid the pitfalls and delays along the way.  But I admit, I'm not the Mapmaker.  I tend to be more of a GPS than anything else, with that annoying voice "Exit ahead", "Make a U-turn" or "Turn around when possible!" 

Thankfully, God sees the bigger picture.  He made each road, drew each map, and without mistake, created each of my loved ones just as they are. He knows where they've been. He knows where they are.  And He knows where they are going.  

I pray that I will learn to trust that God's plans are far better than mine.  I pray, my kids would follow Christ and desire His will for their lives. Thank you Heavenly Father for these blessings that you've entrusted to me. Help me to let them go as needed, and have the faith that YOU will always have them.  

In Your Son's Name......Amen

Satisfied

It's taken 17 years, but I finally got it.  

It happened this morning.  It was your average runofthemill scurry that happens every morning in our house.  However, there was more of a frantic flavor as we were running about 20 minutes behind schedule.  With a 7am departure time, combined with a 6:39 wake-up call, equals a morning "fire drill".  Without going into the nitty gritty of the morning, amazingly the kids were in the car at 7:03.  I'm not going to lie.  There is usually quite a bit of behind-the-scene action going on and this morning was no exception. But we were blessed.  No raised voices, miraculously clean & matching socks, shoes were found.....right were they were left, and so on and so forth. 

As I walked out in the rain to say goodbye and to hand John his breakfast sandwich....William sweetly grabbed my hand and squeezed.  He looked up at me and said, "Thank you so much for making it so easy for us."  

OMGosh!!!! I died.right.there.  Those sweet words almost brought me to tears. As if something clicked in his 17 year old brain....he got it.....and I'm to holding onto it.  A rare and completely unsolicited grateful heart. 

Honestly, I do believe my kids are great.  But they are kids, and share the same tendencies as any other normal kid.....lazy, self-centered, loud, selfish, dirty and occasionally smelly.  But oh,  when the light comes on.....it shines brightly. They clean the basement (without being asked), share school & friend stories with me, ask me to tuck them in and say prayers at night, and on occasion give a sincere apology or a heartfelt thank you. 

There is something very satisfying when your kids turn the corner.  Today was one of those moments, and I'm grateful to be happily satisfied.  

William ~ looking very satisfied before the Homecoming dance.

The Facts of Life

"You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life....the facts of life!"

It's not just a catchy 80's theme song.....it's the truth!  This past summer our family grew through a one of life's unavoidable experiences.  It's been said, that one doesn't grow through one's successes, but through the difficult and trying times. Sadness and hardships are part of life.  

About mid-summer, one of those defining moments hit us. We realized the time had come to say goodbye to our beloved Wally. What a GREAT dog! We had been blessed for 13 wonderful, fur shedding years. We spent his final days together, loving on him, sharing memories, crying and laughing.  Each of us grieving in our own way.  

No doubt about it.....losing a pet is hard.  I've never thought of myself as a dog person.  I mean, I love and care for our pets.....but they are animals, and in the grand scheme of things......in our household anyway....they are the bottom of the totem pole. However, in certain situations and in sweet moments, I find myself remembering him.  

Every.single.morning. for the past umpteen years I have cut the crust off the kids' sandwiches while packing their school lunches.  And somewhere along the way, Wally and I started a habit....a secret, bad habit.  The Powells are firm believers in not feeding animals "people" food. I mean really.....who likes a beggar??? 

But, he was there. And, it seemed so wasteful to throw away the pile of bread, slivers ham, peanut butter or what-have-you.  He knew he had a good thing. Somehow, able to distinguish that one meal from any other, he would make his way into the kitchen and find his spot next to my feet.  More than once we were busted by the food police. I was usually able talk my way out of the interrogation with some lame excuse. While Wally, eversocarefully tried not to give himself away. Casually waiting, he sprawled the kitchen floor, causing a hazardous speed bump in the high traffic kitchen, during the morning rush hour.  It worked.  It was our thing.  It was our special bond.  

Most mornings, I'm reminded of his absence.  I'm thankful for the quiet memories that slowly replace the summer's harsh sting of reality.

It's a fact of life.  If we want the good,  we must except the bad.......we can't have one without the other.  But somewhere, in the midst of it all, we find the joy of life.

WE MISS YOU WALLY WINDCHILL POWELL.....you were a good one!

Summer 2013

Summer 2013 came and went.
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Marco Island, Fl 

Kids enjoyed fishing right out the back door every morning.

John broke his finger riding the Mader's Green Machine.

Not a fun way to start the summer.

Random:

Anna and the Firecrackers performed for a Japanese Game Show "Q".

A fun visit from Jacob. We introduced him to Whit's! 

William ran 500 miles this summer.

Boys kept up their wake boarding skills even though we 

never made it to the lake. 

David decided to play football! 

Look for #10! Go Knights!

Growing up!

William finally got his license....and a car!

Despite the business of our lives, we are grateful for every moment.

Goodbye Summer 2013!