Going places, this one...

my baby turns 18

I have a son, who is my heart. 
A wonderful young man, daring and loving and strong and kind. 

- Maya Angelou

And as the story goes, I followed doctor's orders and took that prescribed bath, with a glass of wine, and met her at 'the baby factory' the next morning. It would take all day of labor and patience for my youngest to be born (foretelling) but he arrived and has been a "walkin' talkin' sass-a-frass" ever since. And he is ours. 💙

Welcome to the world, Oliver. With becoming an adult, our future is in your hands. Be kind. Do good. Serve with pride. Love with all you've got. xxoo

Spouse Challenge on FB Day 5

Day 5 : Father of MaBoys

Tender, stern, loving, sarcastic - all traits he possesses and is hopefully passing along to his boys. When I was pregnant with Oliver, we decided that JP should become an early-AM #maninbrown so he could also be a stay-at-home Dad. We would 'tag team' around 8:30 am every morning and I would head into work. This was not the easiest decision for me as I would have loved to trade places and stay home with my little boys in a heartbeat. But it worked, and I wouldn't have made a different decision to this day.

Masterworks Concert 2016

The choir students showcased their music last night in preparation for the Spring local and regional contests coming up.  Oliver sang with the Freshmen Madrigals, Henry sang with Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. It was short, sweet & wonderful to hear them perform!

Winter Band Concert 2015

These two!
All dressed up, looking so darn handsome, if I do say so myself.

Makes me so proud that they continue to love playing in band.

A couple of pieces from last night's winter concert for those near and far
who couldn't make it to the auditorium.  Take a listen to the talent on this stage!

photobomb!

Oliver | Fifteen

Fifteen and serious.

He didn't want to give me a smile on his birthday.  And then the neighbor hollered happy birthday Oliver across the fence.

And he smiled.

So wise beyond his years.

He came home a couple of weeks ago and said he was thinking about joining the military.  The recruiters at school waved him over to their lunch table asking what he would be doing when he graduated, assuming he was 18.  He was only 14 at the time.

This boy of mine has a generous, compassionate heart.  Someone was standing along the off-ramp with a sign saying he was homeless.  More often than not, these folks have been panhandling for a living, but that didn't deter Oliver.  He pulled all of the money out of his wallet and handed it over to me to hand out the window.

He's growing up in a time and world that is hurting.  He doesn't seem to be phased.  It will not deter him on his mission to love God and make a difference in his lifetime.

I wished him a happy 16th birthday in his card.  He laughed at me, walked back over and said, "did you want to fix this?"  He's always been older than his age in my mind.  Guess I can use that card again next year now?!

He didn't make the school freshman basketball team.  He was crushed inside, I could tell.  He will persevere and use that drive in other ways.  Lacrosse is in the spring and winter league & training throughout the next few months.  There's also intramural basketball to keep them busy and energized.

Music is also one of his passions and while he has been tempted to quit band the last two years, he is loving marching band and looking forward to the Outback Bowl over winter break.  He made Freshman Madrigals too and the concerts in December will have both of my boys playing and singing their hearts out on stage.

This kid makes me smile.  Tough on the outside, soft and beautiful on the inside.

Happy birthday, Oliver.

i love you,
xo  Mom

Oliver Summer LAX

Oliver's U15 lacrosse team ended up going to state without him due to a basketball camp conflict, but he had a great season and was able to play many positions this summer!

got his opponent tied up!

As much as I thought Oliver would lose interest in this sport and focus on basketball only, I do believe this summer has only solidified his excitement to continue into high school.

Bring it on!

Journey of the Cross | Ox Lake

Year after year, the thing my boys look forward to each summer is Camp Wapo.

Oliver, Tommy & Emily

throwback to 2009

Summer Sizzle - Oliver LAX

Spent the weekend at the Summer Sizzle in Circle Pines with Oliver and his U15 ACYLA team.  They fought hard and played well.  The temperature and heat index were close to 100* by the time they finished up the tournament Sunday evening.

A lot of SPF, hydration and fun for boys and parents alike.

Two more games for Oliver this season (Monday and Thursday this week) before he's done with LAX for the summer.  Then it's time to hang up the stick and get the basketball ready for tryouts in the fall at the high school.

In between, he will be having surgery on his foot for OCD.  No, not that kind of OCD, this kind.  We are hopeful that the surgery will be quick and his recovery swift.  There is also marching band rehearsals that begin two weeks after surgery in August.

Please say a little prayer for this kid  - who doesn't sit still long.  We would love this surgery to completely heal his foot.  Apparently many people have this type of issue and never know it or have the pain that Oliver has had...  he's just one of the lucky who is affected by the pain, and we're hopeful this surgery will do something for his complete health healing and sports years ahead!

Until then...  two more games, Camp Wapo next week, a basketball camp the weekend following and THEN we found time to fit in his surgery.  {smile}

Oliver in his new bucket hat on the way to his game.

8th Grade Choir | Oliver

As if I couldn't already be beaming with "music-Momma" pride...  the cherry on top was definitely last night!

Deo Dicamus Gratias
V. Johnson
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended. 





Build Me Up Buttercup
McCauley, D'Abo | arr. Funk
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended. 





He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
Scott Russell | Arr. Althouse
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended. 

Siyahamba

South African Folk Song | arr. Moore

All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended. 

8th grade choir

Oliver - 8th grade band

Oliver's last middle school band concert. He began playing trumpet in 5th grade. He wasn't sure he was going to continue into high school but has since changed his mind. Four years under his belt and moving on to Marching Band and high school in the fall. So very proud of his accomplishments in music and dedication to getting better with each year.

8th grade band

Final song combined both 7th and 8th grade bands together.

Masterworks Concert 2015

Both boys were in the Masterworks Concert last night at Armstrong High School.  Oliver is once again participating in the auditioned small group called Sola Voce; his final year in middle school.  Henry is in the auditioned small group Varsity Madrigals this year.  They make my heart sing!!

Similar to last year, this event highlights a couple of songs from each group.  This year they also had an external group, the Plymouth Rockers, join them under the direction of David Halligan.  I recently found out a good friend of mine used to direct that choir.  Pretty fun history to share!  Great music to share among the generations and show these kids that you NEVER have to lose your desire to sing!

I wish I had gotten a better picture of them standing together this year, but a Mom takes what she can get. They were standing together in rehearsal, but then didn't end up that way in the final song.  Happy to have ushered and gotten this shot!

Because I was busy running around last night, I didn't get to sit and video anything for personal archives.  The concert will eventually be posted on the district website, however, if you're interested in listening.  You will be able to find it here.

As always, the boys did a wonderful job in their respective choirs.  They truly have a passion for music and continue to get better each year.  I was talking out loud to them last night that I have four more years to relish in this type of event during their high school years!  A good friend and grandparents were also in attendance with us this year.

Masterworks Concert Program 2015

Music of the Season | Day 16

A few musical performances by my very own boys (and a hundred or so back-up singers).  {grin}

More to come when I can properly add the titles & information to each song.  For now, enjoy one with the combined Freshmen Madrigals, Varsity Madrigals & Chamber singers:




And the 8th Grade Plymouth Middle School Choir (183 members strong) with Oliver on the first solo.





Please forgive the poor quality video - the lighting is not kind to phone video and I couldn't find my "real" camera.  If you close your eyes, however, you will hear their joyous voices in song!  They did a fabulous job last night!

Will update more later when time permits.  Thanks for sharing in my holiday joy!  Three more concerts this week and I hope to have better quality videos to share.

More videos from Winter Concert can be found here.

Cooking with Oliver

Oliver had to complete a cooking assignment for Spanish class.  He chose beef enchiladas.  The boys both ate them for dinner and they're "brother approved".  The video editing isn't the greatest (by little ol' me), but the homework has been submitted!

Fun to see him enjoy his homework, literally and figuratively!



Taking after his father?

new school year

The boys are beginning 8th (Oliver) and 10th (Henry) this year.  Oliver didn't have a whole lot of positives to share when he returned home after his first day, Henry was the opposite.  Funny how they can be so different in attitudes and view points, yet are the product of the same household/child-rearing.  Guess it really does go to show that they're individuals in every sense of the word!

I'm sure they'll both have great success this year and get through the rough bumps of the first week of school ~ thankful that it's only 4 short days too!

Henry said this morning that the thing he was looking forward to the most was a nap after school.  Ha!  All those lazy summer days will take a while to work out of his system.

Ice Bucket Challenge

Oliver was challenged by a friend to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge...  his brother was more than happy to help him out!  Whatever would we have done had this challenge began in the winter months, right?  As it worked out, the sun was shining and Oliver only shivered slightly.

While Oliver doesn't have a Facebook account to share his video, he apparently did so through his Instagram account.

A former coworker of mine, Ken, was recently diagnosed with ALS.  He's been on my mind and in my prayers since this total "awareness and donation" campaign began this summer.  I've told the boys about the disease and also sat down as a family to watch Pete Frates story so they understood where the ice bucket challenge started.  Such a horrible disease, but it can be managed as I've seen a few friends who have family members with it -- who has lived 17 years after diagnosis and is still thriving - so much so that his family helped HIM do the ice bucket challenge.  It brought goosebumps to my arms and a tear to my eye.  Bless all of you who are living with or caring for someone who has ALS.

Don't ever doubt the power of social media!

Grab a bucket and challenge a friend today!

Keep up the challenges and donations!  

Camp Wapo 2014

Every year, toward the end of summer, the boys head off to Camp Wapo (on Lake Wapogasset) in Amery, Wisconsin.  Anticipation drips from their faces and the discussion takes a hurried pace as they pack the weekend before camp.  "Mom, we don't have enough bug spray!  Mom, I don't want to bring a sleeping bag this year, I get too hot.  Can I just bring sheets?"

Each day has a theme to go along with the week of camp as well.  This year is no different!  There are servant days, high ropes courses, horseback riding.  I would encourage anyone who has children in the area to consider sending their kids to Camp Wapo. You don't even have to be part of a given church to attend, just the greater desire to be part of something bigger than you.  Bring a friend, join the fun.

The games, the canteen (filled with money from Mom & Dad), the swimming, the food, the friends, Agape, Bible study, and campfires, worship & music!  I think they'd be hard pressed to tell you what they love most about their week at camp.

playing 9 square

Henry is taking part in TIM Team this year.  He is joined by other senior high youth and will hopefully find a way to continue being a part of this wonderful experience next year.  Henry will be confirmed on October 26 after three years of confirmation studies.

TIM Team is a leadership development opportunity for Senior High youth. TIM teamers commit to one year of service as leaders in their home congregations working primarily with younger youth. TIM Teamers will spend time at both Ox Lake and Wapo during the 6 day experience. TIM Teamers will have lodging at Ox Lake, as well as experiencing the Low / High Ropes Challenge Course. During the week, much of each day is spent at Wapo interfacing and participating as leaders amongst the younger youth from their congregation.

It does a Mother's heart good to see the social media updates posted by both the camp staff and Calvary youth staff.  Don't get me wrong, we are enjoying the peace and quiet around 3513, but JP actually said that the house was too quiet this week.  Yes, we miss the boys, but wouldn't let them miss this experience for anything!  The boys have been going every year since third grade.

Oliver is headed into 8th grade next month and his second year of confirmation.  He has grown to love WNL and Bible study with a small peer group.  Joining together with his friends above, I am sure that not much slumber has happened in their little cabins in the woods!

Selfie with Youth Director Tim

waiting in line to take the "swim test" that gets you a band for the deep water (Henry, far left)

staying hydrated & happy smiles for these TIM Teamers

Cannot wait to hear their stories of camp when they get home tomorrow!  I'm sure they will both be exhausted, full of bug bites, but with happy smiles of another successful year at camp.

A circle of Calvary youth, gathered in a field, bonding...

#teamJesus

This is what camp memories are made of! 

2013 Wapo