High Five for Friday (8.16.24)

One

While I'm not necessarily high fiving about the arrival of Will's senior year, I am high fiving that we were able to take his senior pics (those for the yearbook and in his cap and gown) as planned. 

You see, three weeks ago Will went into the brush in search of one of his discs and emerged - as he would discover 36 hours later - covered in poison ivy. And when I say "covered," I mean COVERED - either from direct contact or from spread, the rash affected his ankles, calves, lower thighs, entire torso, arms, neck, ears, and face. We ended up in urgent care, where he was prescribed a 14-day steroid taper to help him battle this full-body itchy, uncomfortable, and at times painful rash. 

Will's photo appointment - which I had scheduled months earlier - was on the calendar for six days following our trip to urgent care, and I had no idea if he (his face, specifically) would be healed enough to take photos. Thankfully the photographer was more than willing to work with me if we'd needed to reschedule...and even more thankfully, Will's face cleared enough that we could keep our appointment!

Photos to come...

No, we didn't take pictures with the Tiger, nor
was this the backdrop we used. I think this was
just for fun selfies, which Will did not take.

Two

School is underway! 

Will is already living his best life as a senior: he's happy with his classes, excited about his teachers, and thrilled to be back with the Lads. Oh, and he's pretty psyched to be charging second breakfasts and both first and second lunches - and not having to prepare any of these meals himself - once again. 

Hallie is finding her way. She's slower to find the good in new experiences and opportunities, as she's not a fan of change (she most certainly is her mother's daughter), but I hope and pray she'll get there with time.

 

Three

I'm, um, busy. I'm still on the board for Ballet Brazos. I'm still on the School Health Advisory Council for our school district. I'm still on the board of the kids' high school's PTO as the Volunteer and VIPS Coordinator. I've added to my plate, however... I'm now on the board for the choir booster club, helping establish and on the board for the brand new orchestra booster club, the boys soccer liaison for Tiger Club (the high school athletic booster club), and both "the bank" and the parent manager (I made up the title, but the job is very real - my friend Kristen created it and did it so well for the last two years, and I can only hope to do it half as well as she did) for the Lads. 

I'm so grateful to have all of these opportunities to serve my community as well as the kids' school district and school. I'm already tired, but I'm going to give it all I have this year. I don't want to miss a thing. 

Four

My beloved USWNT just won the Olympic gold medal in soccer. I'll have much more to say about this victory down the road, but for now, cheers to these amazing women for doing what many thought they couldn't do: crushing this opportunity for redemption and bringing home the biggest and brightest hardware.

This picture makes our living room television look
tiny, but it's not. (Though my family constantly tells me
it should be bigger.) This is how Tom and I watched the
entire game - we were too anxious to sit down, and I
walked 1,000 steps during those 90 minutes.

Five

Happiness Highlights

She still smiles when it's raining.

And in the car wash. 😂

Another weekend, another volunteer opportunity! We try to take on
as many as we can during the summer months, because once the school
year starts, the girls have dance almost every evening and on Saturdays.

Genetics are crazy, amiright?!

School day #2: Popeye cries and cries at Will's
bedroom door. This moment wasn't happy for Popeye,
but knowing how much he loves Will makes me happy.

Popeye gave up on Will and joined Plié in their new
tower. (He's in that bottom cubby, since the top shelf
is a little tougher for a tripod to reach.)

Happy weekend, friends!