How well I remember the days of serving corn dogs to Easton and his posse of friends on the back deck or fixing mini tea party sandwiches for Kalinee and her playmates.
I thought they were "the best of times." I remember anxiously awaiting the return of little elementary school children and thinking that there was nothing better than being sooo busy! I was wrong.
I have spent the past few years trying to get used to having adult children under my roof. I have agonized and complained about my lack of control. I have lamented my short, interrupted nights and my chaotic and dirty bathrooms.
What I have neglected to recognize is the untold joy of being surrounded by really GREAT people. They are not perfect - but they are perfectly enjoyable.
Easton turned 18 this past month.
That makes three legal adult children in the family. What it really means is that I am getting old. Easton has the most diverse and unique group of friends of any of our children.
They are varied in their beliefs, their backgrounds, their ethnicity and their hobbies. Some play football, while others play the guitar.
Some snowboard and others ski. It is a potpourri of great personalities. Having them around makes our life and home rich with conversation and perspective.
I love hearing them plan for upcoming dances, watching them prepare for the next football game and witnessing their crazy fun spontaneous adventures.
Chandler is Alan in every way.
He is a true entrepreneur. He doesn't have a 'conventional' job but has his hand in so many things.
He is running a photo booth business, putting together dance parties, selling 'stuff' and coming up with a new idea every day.
In the midst of all that creative energy there is a practical and hard-working individual who is excelling in school.
He is carefully and thoughtfully mastering his college math class (after not taking any Math for about 6 years).
I wish that I could bottle the happiness, wittiness, zest for life and quirkiness that is Kalinee Hansen.
She makes me laugh. From a rousing rendition of "Rain is a Good Thing" to a rap version of whatever rappers rap about, Kalinee makes life seem like a party.
She breezes through school and bounces from one social group to another.
"Don't worry, be happy" appears to be her motto. Even a season-ending injury in her first Varsity soccer season at the high school has not set her back much. She bounds out the door on her "air cast" with a bag full of clothing layers to keep her warm while she WATCHES practice.
"I like where I am in my life right now!"
There were days in the past when I would have paid big money to hear those words come out of Haley's mouth. Luckily, I didn't have to pay a cent.
She has worked through her uncertainties and opportunities. She has forged ahead with the typical Haley approach. She has become involved, met new friends, joined new groups and shared her personality. The outcome is as it always has been - a whirlwind life filled with fun, friends and options.
Teagan has the most important job of all - he keeps me young!
We have a great time riding to school together, and I sincerely love his company whenever I can get it. He still likes to go to the store with MOM- the smart child knows that there is always something in it for him.
Teagan is so very good. He wants to please, never wants to get in trouble or do anything wrong. His goodness is refreshing and inspiring.
This weekend Al and I will have been married for 24 years. It doesn't seem that long, but the adventures that have colored those years are plentiful.
I don't believe in marital 'bliss." What I do believe is that the moments in life that have been both blissful and challenging have been made better because we have each other.
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