FIFTEEN Years

When I married Erick fifteen years ago, fifteen years sounded like a long time. Now, I realize fifteen years is just the beginning. I don't feel like we have reached some sort of threshold or that we've made it. I am still amazed every day that I get to wake up next to my favorite person - even when I don't want to admit he's my favorite.

Fifteen years ago, we were kids. We're still young and have a lot to learn about each other and ourselves. It's the best part of my life. And I have lots to be grateful for. 

Horses!!!!!!

Hey this is Sophia! Today I would like to tell you how my dream came true. Well, almost... Today my mom told me that doing horse back riding for a month is almost as expensive as pasture boarding a horse. ( That means we would get to keep our horse in the pasture. ) So my parents said that if I take a break from lesson, didn't do shows, and no pony club. I could possibly get my very own horse. Now I know you are probably thinking, " Sophia, just wait to get a horse until you can do all that!" But you don't understand, I have wanted a horse ever sense I started horse back riding almost 4 years ago. So the fact that it is possible to get a horse of my own. I would get to ride anytime I wanted to. My mom said I could do practice shows too. So yeah. But my parents said, "We will not be getting a horse in 2017." But 2018 is so far away. :(  But by the time 2018 rolls around I might be a lot better of a horse rider and not need as much work as far as lessons go. Having a horse would be a time commitment, but one I am very ready to take!

Captain Tradition

Every year, the Captain fourth and fifth grade chorus sings either the National Anthem or God Bless America at the beginning of a Cardinals game. We have been to the game to hang out with our school friends most years, but this was Sophia's first year to get onto the field herself. They sang God Bless America and did an amazing job. Sophia was little nervous. She was more nervous about getting back  to her seat than singing the song, but the music teacher has yet to lose a kid on this trip.

I'm putting this picture here because I love it so much. These two people are just the absolute best. And they are at their happiest at a Cardinals game. So I had to take advantage of that.

I am deeply in debt to our friend who taught Sophia to keep score. She always prefers to watch the game to talking or playing, but now she is fully engaged in each play. Far more than I am.

The hardest part for me to believe is that she only has one more year of this tradition. I hate this growing up thing. It really puts a different twist on things. 

Grief and Joy

This isn't really going to be a post about grief. I haven't done one of those in a great while, but I'm not going to focus on that part today.

This weekend, Sophia, Erick and I went to his family farm to say goodbye to his grandma. We hadn't seen her in about three years, as she has been living in Oregon, but Erick did get a chance to talk to her occasionally. She would have been 97 this week! What a long, full life she lived.

The weekend was, in turns, heartbreaking and joyous. Sophia and I have not had the chance to get to know Erick's extended family well, with just a few exceptions. When I asked Sophia about her takeaway, she declared that it's a family of "unique individuals." Not a one would disagree with that, nor take it as slander, since that's certainly not how she meant it. There's very little that she values more than individuality. So what a treat to find that she comes from such interesting folk.

As families always do, we ended the weekend by saying that we mustn't wait for the next sad occasion to bring us together. I truly hope we can keep to that as I'd love to get to know these guys and their families!

Fishy Field Trip

In fourth grade, Clayton kids get to go fishing in Forest Park. Here's the key. There is one little set of ponds that are not open for public fishing - just fishing by school groups and such - because they stock these ponds with countless fish to ensure these kids have a positive experience.

Sophia's group of five girls caught (and released) probably fourteen fish - bluegill and sunfish, but still! It was quite exciting for them. It was messy work for me and the dad that was with our group because we had to take them all off the hooks. Actually, that's not completely accurate. If I held it still, Sophia would take the hook out of its mouth. And on the final fish, she did the entire thing by herself!

It was a great time. A gorgeous day in Forest Park to hang out with some sweet little girls. I never forget how lucky I am.

Pet Drama

We've had Leo for 2 1/2 years. Gabriella has been here almost six. That's weird to think about. Anyway, she's hated him from the first moment she laid eyes on him. He thinks she's awesome. He loves the way she hisses at him and bops him on the nose when he rushes at her. He thinks it's cool the way she keeps him cornered.

It's really too bad she can't understand how much Leo likes her because they could be great friends - or at least cofounders of the Gabriella Fan Club.

Once in a while, when I'm sitting on the couch next to Leo, Gabriella will get in my lap. This happened over the weekend with the following result. Gabriella petted the dog. He was pretty much trembling with excitement and trying not to look at her. He knows from experience that eye contact makes her angry. So they had a moment.

That will have to last for a while, I think. Gabriella has been too busy trying to steal fish from the kitchen counter and blocking the bathroom sink to worry about making friends with the dog.

Litter stinks, LITERALLY

Hey, this is Sophia. I am here to tell you about my new project I am doing. It has to do with cleaning up my neighbor hood. I am very tired of walking by stinky trash 5 times a week to go to school. I am fed up with it. so sense no one did anything about it I took matters into my own hands. Now who wants to go to a national park and see this?No one, thats who. My project is called "Neat And Tidy Neighbor Hood". So please help me, and don't litter. Also maybe even pick up a piece on a family walk or something. THANKS!