Mark Twain Said it Best

 This past week I celebrated my 50th birthday.  I won't lie, I wasn't looking that forward to it. I asked that we not have a party but celebrate as a family.  It didn't have to do with the number, but more about what society makes of the big 5-0, especially for women.  I don't feel half done, or like I'm falling apart, or forgetful.  To be honest, I feel pretty damn great!

I am blessed beyond belief.  I am loved.  I'm not nearly as stupid in my choices as when I was younger.  I'm still learning and trying new things.  I'm confident and more in touch with who I am and what I'm about.  

Mark Twain said it best, "Age is an issue of mind over matter and if you don't mind, it doesn't matter." 

Matt and Gracie spent the week making me feel loved and appreciated.  Thank you for celebrating me and loving me.  You two are the best gifts I will ever receive. 

Thank you to everyone who called, text, sent gifts and cards.  Thank you God for 50 years of life. I am blessed beyond measure. 

Thank you Matt for the beautiful diamond ring.  It is absolutely beautiful and I will cherish it.  It certainly makes my regular manicures sparkle.

Lily and I are Marvel fans.  The new Eternal movie was released this week.  Gracie offered to pay for us to see the premiere on Thursday night for my birthday.  We headed downtown for dinner first and then went to the 9:30 premiere.  It was so late but so much fun! 

This was us leaving the theater at 12:45 am.  Luckily Lily had a field trip to the art museum  the next day with a 2 hour bus ride to Ohio so she could sleep.  We laughed at what loser parents Matt and I looked like letting our kid attend such a late showing with school the next day.  

Lady Saints Named Team of the Week

 After their last home match Monday night, local news came out to feature the girls as this week's Team of the Week!

2021 SAC Champs

 Today was the SAC tournament and the Lady Saints came together as a team to take the win.  All 5 of our girls placed in the top 10.  Lily Grace had a great day and after a nose bleed held her up on the 5th hole, she went on to shoot an 88.  She tied for the lowest score overall and took second based on the score from the handicap hole.  It was a special win for these girls!

Saints Homecoming 2021

The Saints may have lost the football game, but these girls had a great time.

It was a USA theme and they embraced it with face glitter and all.

 

A Fun Match

 

It doesn't get much better than when one of your sweet friends you've made through golf is your opponent for the match.  They may go to different schools and were paired against one another, but they had fun all along the way.

Sophomore Year Begins

 

It's that time again!

 While there's still a week before school starts, high school golf is in full swing.  

The girls played Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Invitationals and took 3rd place yesterday.  

Love watching Gracie play!

Go Saints!

She's Driving!

 Gracie finished her last week of driver's ed last week.  Yesterday, she and her good friend Jackie took the driving test.  

In the state of IN, if they pass the driving test at the end of the driver's ed course, they won't have to take it at the BMV once they turn 16 and 3 months.  They simply turn in their form showing where they passed and get their driver's license.  

Matt and I took them to lunch and afterwards I took them to take the test.  They both did great and passed.  I have to admit, I was nervous for them as I watched them parallel park.

Lily Grace has been driving us around and I have to say, I can't believe we are already at this point.  Matt made her start by driving "Bunny," our old 4 Runner.  This is actually the car Lily Grace came home in and now she's driving it.  It totally melted my heart the first time.  

Taking her driving test.

Two very excited and relieved girls!

She rode home in the back seat of "Bunny" when she came home from China and now here I sit in the back watching her drive us.  

Braces are off!

 

We have a Driver!

 Lily Grace is taking Driver's Ed through her high school this summer.  She's one week in and has one week of classroom instruction to go along with a week behind the wheel.  

Today she went to take the written test for her permit.  She was scared to death.  

We arrived bright and early at the BMV and by the time we left, she was all smiles.  She passed, only missing one.  She was even pleased with how her picture turned out. 

She couldn't wait to head over to daddy's office to share the news and show him her temporary permit. The permanent one arrives in about a week.  

Looking forward to being driven around by you Gracie. (well...maybe I won't look- ha! ha!) So happy for you!

Taking the test

All smiles with her new permit

Waiting on dad- Getting your driver's permit is definitely a good reason to interrupt a meeting.

So excited to share her news and show him her permit