Reflections on 42, Part 2

I sit down to write, and the baby starts to cry.  Oh, I have been given such great blessings in my children!  Crying in the night doesn't happen often anymore, as Bart is now over 2.5 years old...the days are passing so quickly, and I'm trying to soak it up and enjoy each moment, as so many have advised me over the years.  (Oh, if I could only remind my anger streak that in a few years, whatever it is that's making it flare up isn't going to matter all that much anymore.)

My birthday...it was just as it needed to be.  Memorable, but rather than the "what" that made it so, it was the "who".  My mama is here, so yesterday was a celebration of me AND her.  She made me my favorite brownies, I introduced her to Cheesecake Factory, we went to Bible study together, and we watched Perry Mason...sort of.

CBS All Access should be renamed CBS Some Access.  Or CBS Some Access Sometimes Whenever It Decides To Work.

But enough about how much I love technology.  Let's talk about my mom.  She's awesome.

These last two months have been a whirlwind, to say the least.  Highs and lows, lows and highs.  I have to get to my to-do list eventually, but each day that passes is full of such emotion, such I-can't-believe-what-has-happened, such "Lord, help me!"  I am still numb in some ways, and that's part of why I didn't want yesterday to be a big thing....I love my birthday and normally love celebrating it, but yesterday...low-key, quiet, mostly-just-me-and-Mom is how it was supposed to be.

For dinner, we had pizza.  Mom and I love eating pizza together.  Then after dinner, we serenaded whoever was listening with a little piano duet action.  Then we tried to introduce my friends to Perry Mason. That was....frustrating at first, then eventually fun...before becoming frustrating again.  Eventually, Andy (Griffith) beat Perry in an arm-wrestling competition, and we closed the night out with some good, solid black-and-white DVD playing.

Mom's only here for a few more days, but I'm determined to enjoy every minute.....love you, Mama!

18 months!

18 months of love today...here's Bart hanging out with his favorite Aunt Becky in all the world!

Number 85

Today my dad and uncle turn 85.  I wish I had been home to celebrate with them, but it sounds like Mom, Dad, Uncle Jasper, and Aunt Gela had a lovely time together...and I'm so thankful.  So thankful that they have each other and that, despite several scares where we thought we were losing one of them, the Goin boys (including their younger brother, my Uncle John) are all still going strong!

I love this picture so much...Becky sent it to me, and when I showed it to a friend, I was asked if Mom and Aunt Gela are twins!  Funny.  "No," I said, "but Dad and Uncle Jasper are!"

It was 85 years ago, so the story goes, that my grandfather waited, anticipating news of baby's safe birth.  After having four daughters, he was hoping, of course, for a son.  That son would bear his name, and when the doctor opened the French doors into the living room, his announcement brought much rejoicing:  "You have a boy!"  Grandpa ran out the door to spread the news:  Jasper Calvin, Jr. had arrived!  Upon returning to the house, joy turned to double joy:  "You have another boy!"

It's hard for us, in the age of 4D ultrasounds, to appreciate the reality that a mother didn't know that twins were coming, but that was life in 1930.  Their family went from six to eight that day--surprise!  And since they didn't have a second boy name picked out--why would they?--my dad was given surnames for his first and second names, as well as for his last:  Hunter (my grandmother's maiden name) Dewitt (her mother's maiden name).

Great story...great legacy.  Dad, Uncle Jasper...I love you.  Happy 85th birthday to you both!

Merry Christmas Morning

Five happy Hoffkids on Christmas morning! Merry Christmas, every one!

K5 Thanksgiving Feast

Tom was very proud to choose to be an "Indian"! I continue to love watching their relationship grow...so thankful for my sweet Pilgrim and my precious Indian!

Wedding pics galore!

My handsome nephew...

...now a husband!

It was a beautiful setting...

...and an absolutely gorgeous day!

The perfect cake (Seriously...doesn't this look like it should be on the cover of a wedding magazine?)...

...and fabulous dancing for old and young alike!  (Here, my great-niece, B, gathers rose petals on the dance floor while Beth leaps in the background.)

It really was such a wonderful day all around....I am very thankful for the way everything went and for the fact that Stacy is now an official part of our family!

Before the ceremony, Beth and Bart wait with Grandma....isn't my mama so beautiful??!  I hope I look like her when I'm her age!  Love you, Mama!

Helping usher Rex with his boutonniere...he took the job very seriously and was fabulous in his first-ever usher job!

Rex is poised and ready for Grandma as Pa starts the walk down the aisle.

I love this picture!

Richie and Stacy used a fingerprint tree as their guestbook...great idea!

My girl....what can I say?!

Giving a toast was fun....I really am so glad to have Stacy as a NIL now.  That's Niece-in-law.  :)

I love this pic of Beth, too....also love that Richie's Aunt Rhonda is laughing with my great-nephew, T, in the background.

My youngest nephew, N, along with Bart and my great-niece, K.  Bart and K are just two days apart.  Bart is older, but K is doing absolutely everything before him!

Without a doubt, one of my favorite pictures taken of Dad in a long time...love you, Daddy!

The kids enjoyed the dance SO much...maybe more than the adults!

Last but not least, one of my fave pics of the day....me and my beautiful sister.  Becky was absolutely glowing as she walked down the aisle with her son....it was such a special moment.  Bek, I love you so much....Congratulations on your new daughter!  :)

Richie: The Wedding DayOf

It was a really beautiful day...I can't believe that the little baby I knew all those years ago is married now!  I remember the day Richie was born like it was yesterday not that long ago.  He was my first nephew, and becoming an aunt just a few days after my 11th birthday was very special! I love you Richie...you will always be my (big) buddy!

Our family with the bride and groom!  Rex was a usher and did a fantastic job! :)

Mama and baby at the reception...my very sweet boy!

With no prompting from us, Tom asked Beth to dance during the first dance.  I love how they are framed against Richie and Stacy...

...and then we got SILLY at the photo booth! Hoffbeast can never resist a good nose photo bomb!

CONGRATULATIONS, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hardin.....we love you!

Back to School!

THIS is what I saw when I walked outside...

Oh, be still, my beating mama's heart!

Have a great day, kiddos!  Praying for your day and your year...may you have joy and grow in Jesus this year as you tackle K5, 3rd grade, and 7th grade!

Number Twelve!!!

Twelve years ago today, two families were given the gift of these beautiful two children. What a blessing it has been for Rex to share his birthday with his good friend, M! Breakfast tradition at the Original Pancake House--delicious!  Happy birthday, Rex...we love you!

Three Years!

Three years ago today, we left home for an around-the-world trip to meet this precious little guy...what a gift he has been to our family! And now, just eight more days of K4...how did that happen?! He's growing up so fast!

40 Days (Day 5)

I loved my whole (birth)day.  But one of my very favorite parts, by far, was spending an hour alone with this beauty.  People say she's a mini-me…I only wish I had the sweet little heart that I see God developing in her.  I love the way that He has made her, and I am so, so, so privileged to be her mama!  Every day, she brings me joy…His grace to me is so evident in her.  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my sweet Beth.

Gobble gobble!

Bart and I joined Tom and Beth for their Thanksgiving feast at school today!

Rollover!

It's a milestone!  Here's what I wrote on my Facebook status tonight...

"Did I really just leave my baby in his bed, happily watching his mobile, and walk back in to find him ON HIS TUMMY??!?! I missed his first time rolling over....I can't believe it. But he ROLLED OVER! Isn't that great??! — feeling conflicted."

Blink.

And just like that, in the blink of an eye,

Summer is over.

Bart is here, and life as a family of 7 is well underway.

Summer in the City 2013 is in the history books.

We have a new boarder living in our front room.

And school is starting...

Tomorrow.

6th grade, 2nd grade, and two kids in K4.
And a baby.

That's our life, starting...

Tomorrow.

New memories,

New friends,

New challenges,

New tears,

New victories, starting...

Tomorrow.

Goodbye, summer 2013.  You were beautiful in so many ways...and, starting tomorrow, a new kind of beautiful arrives.

First Day!

SCHOOL is back in session, and this time, a signifant difference is felt in the Hofffamily.....

...little Beth joins big brothers, Rex and Neil, three days a week!

We are so thankful, yet again, for our kids' teachers and are looking forward to what they will learn and how they will grow this year.

Beth was super excited and didn't even cry (I didn't either, surprisingly!).  While she was standing on her tippy toes, hanging up her backpack for the first time, another mom walked past and said, "Oooh, she's so tiny!"  Yep.  Tiny but mighty, folks.  She is brave and strong and still our little princess.

Beth immediately went in and started working on a puzzle next to her new friend, K.  Mrs. H and Mrs. M are fabulous, experienced teachers, and I'm sure that Beth will do great in their class!  In fact, she's already had good reports!

Rex's teacher didn't waste any time and had the kids sitting and getting organized right away!  When I ducked in to say goodbye, she shooed me out....nicely, of course.  It was time for the mama to leave the building and let the middle schooler be.  (Yes, I said middle schooler.)

This is the best picture I could get of Rex--through the closed door!  Yep, I stood outside the door taking pictures--sure did!

How did my baby get so big??!  He's a first-grader now....WHAT??!

Neil has already gotten wonderful compliments, too...he is a kind, helpful, eager student (for the most part), and his teacher has noticed already!  We are so hoping that his enthusiasm for school continues...

I will be volunteering in the lunchroom once every other week, and I started on the first day of school.  Tom. was. so. excited to be able to see his siblings.  On our way into school, Tom turned to me and said, "I love my brothers, and I love my Beth."

So far, so good...we're off and running!  (I really can hardly believe Beth is in school, but there she is, eating her pb&j like a big girl!)