This little man has a surgery on Friday.

It’s a minor procedure.

But he is beyond anxious about it. So scared.

It’s really yuck to watch as fear just overtakes him at any given moment.

We will be so happy to get past this next step.

Max asked me this morning:

“Is Quincy going to get special treatment this week?”

My answer:

“Yes. Yes he is.”

——–

These two were our ball players first…

Really thankful they have gotten to play together for a couple years.

Max, who is our ultimate encourager, has helped to make that a super fun experience.

Some of their fans…

And the Dads/Coaches and their boys.

It’s been such a fun year with these sweet friends.

That’s about covers it right now.

Nana and Papa are here for a couple weeks.

We let Dawson skip a little school for lunch yesterday. It was so fun to hear all the boys compare 3 generations of stories from the ball field…

Took my camera with me today.

And well….if this isn’t a picture of pure boyness….

These two. Just too much.

And my upcoming 13 year old. Heaven help us.

His eyes disappear in his smile. Love it.

I think Papa is enjoying the grandson time at the field. There are plenty to watch around here right now…

It is most definitely nearing the end of the year.

We are all losing it a bit.

Still here in the bleachers…

But Dawson and Gabe are trading their uniforms for a Music Man costume a couple days this week.

They did amazing! We were super proud of them and the ginormous mustache…

And Zeke is just always right there.

So it’s another Zeke and Mom Photo of the Day.

I know the days where they will be an option will not last forever.

He does share his affection with one other lady…

I’m starting to wonder if we are actually going to make it to the end of this school year.

It’s debatable right now…

This has been a challenging one. What are the chances that we get an “easy” one next year?

(Don’t answer that.)

Mother’s Day 2013.

We soaked in the sun this weekend. Rumor had it that Washington was breaking up with it for awhile again.

We gathered in a friend’s backyard for football…

Then baseball…

Luckily Zeke and Kora took their positions very seriously…

And this. Well, this is too much…

Andy worked in the yard some too.

And when we say “worked in the yard.”

We mean this…

And I’m sorry, but it’s pretty cool to have a brother to throw to…

And I labeled this originally “A boy and his Dad.”

But someone said it’s more like “A man and his Dad.”

And it really is….

Love them something fierce.

Happy Mama’s Day, everyone.

Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day Tea #1.

Second grade is a perfect age.

Still loves me. Not embarrassed. Happy to be with me.

And plus I got a coupon for one free “take out the trash” and one free “do the dishes.”

Can’t beat that…

And really…”I love you to the moon and back.”

Adorable.

—————–

Mother’s Day Tea #2 was supposed to happen the next morning.

But I got UN-invited to that Tea after making the audacious request that said Jr. Higher get out of bed and go to school.

It made my heart a little sad. The days of cuddling over cupcakes and Mom interviews are over. There are days I can hardly get him to acknowledge my personhood. But oh my goodness, I still want him to know how very much I love being his Mom.

But don’t worry. The same child brought home a Mother’s Day card years ago that said:

“You are the best Mom in the world. People always say their Moms are the best. Those people are stupid heads.”

My bar is pretty low.

And honestly, it is this reality that makes a Mother’s love so miraculous.

I do love him. To the moon and back.

—-

Mother’s Day #3 and #4 were spent with these two precious, precious people.

They were thrilled and oh so sweet.

And Kora drew this which is clearly too much.

And I say it every year.

Children born to another woman call me “Mom.” The magnitude of that tragedy and the depth of that privilege are not lost on me.

Truly. Truly.

—-

And then there was this.

Which I’m so proud that at least this kid is practicing his pick up lines on me….

Be still my heart.

—-

And finally Gabe wrote a very poetic letter with this:

“I can smell the tropical forest detergent in the air. I can see the shiny countertops in the kitchen and hear the water bashing against the clean dishes. The wonderful smell of clean opens our noses.

I feel when I grow up, I hope one day, even as a father, to clean even if I’m not asked.”

It was beautiful.

So beautiful.

—-

There is still some debate about how exactly you pronounce “gala.” So I have resorted to calling it “dress up party.”

But regardless, it’s coming up!!

May 20th in NYC.

Remember last year? SO fun.

Well, it’s happening again. And it’s shaping up to be absolutely amazing.

If you are near or if you can get there…you absolutely should.

Pretty much a room full of some of my favorite people.

Working together, enjoying an evening…all with the purpose of empowering men and women around the world with opportunity.

It’s pretty much a win-win.

All the info is here.

Get your tickets soon. There are a limited number.

Yay for dress up parties with great vision!

Early Sunday morning my brother and Kari welcomed my newest niece!

I was going crazy. I love myself a newborn baby.

And seriously…Seriously.

Miss Finely Mae Lorenzen.

We didn’t really know what to do since they are in California.

So we took some welcome photos. We love her.

This is Max’s church outfit….which well…it’s OK with me.

It was yesterday that he was that tiny sweet newborn getting kicked out of the hospital nursery for screaming too loud…

The making of a family is a miraculous thing.

Andy and crew played a fun little beach party on Saturday to help celebrate a sweet friend’s birthday.

IT was a perfect day for it.

Zeke joined in a bit…

And somehow the kids talked Jim into this…

    

Zeke also offered, “If I move this rock from here to over there, will you pay me one dollar?”

I didn’t jump on that.

But Jim did….and he was happy.