Happy 19th birthday to my youngest baby, The Mayor. I can’t believe he’s already 19 years old. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home. After Goalielocks was born, we were certain that two kids were enough. Fortunately, God felt otherwise and brought us the Mayor. He’s been an absolute blessing.
This last year, his first year of adulthood, has had a lot of ups and downs. His older brother’s getting married was definitely a high point. I was so proud of how he showed up for both Jake and Melody in the lead-up to the wedding and the wedding. His diagnosis of type 1 in the fall was a nasty surprise, but he’s done an incredible job managing his blood sugar.
I’m excited to see what the future holds for him. Over the last year, he’s proven again and again that he’s resilient. His ability to persevere through life’s challenges will carry him far. He’ll graduate from high school in a few weeks, which will be a bittersweet moment for us. It will mark the end of an era for my hubby and me, and the start of a new chapter in our lives. As we embark on our new chapter, the Mayor will determine his next steps.
2025 Goal Tracker:
Run a 5K: in training
Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
In March, I hit level forty-five. It was the weekend after the state tournament, which was nice. For many years, my birthday was in the midst of the tournament. As much as I love hockey, a birthday during the middle of the tournament is not the most fun. Since we had no hockey games, I could celebrate it as I wished.
For my birthday, some friends, the Mayor, and I went to a puppy yoga class. It was heavenly. The puppies, mini-doodles, and shitzus were precious and so sweet. The combination of two of my favorite things—yoga and puppies—along with some of my favorite people, was the perfect way to spend my birthday. It was a calming and happy experience. I love it.
After puppy yoga, we grabbed lunch at Yard House in Mizner. Yard House is such a great spot. I love their appetizers, food, and drinks. Yard House prices its food and drinks quite reasonably, considering it’s in the middle of Boca Raton. After lunch, we headed to Total Wine and Target to pick up a few things for the evening. We finished the night with pizza with the Kennedys and the Minnesota State High School boys hockey championships. It was an amazing birthday.
In the lead up to forty-five, influencers and friends flooded my social media feeds with perimenopause reels, posts, and memes. Honestly, I found it not only to be a calamity of sorts, but also insulting. Why would I care about perimenopause if I’m not even middle-aged?! Oh, the sad realization that as a woman in my forties, I’m there hit me like a ton of bricks. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep that drove it home or the emotions that were all over the place. Whatever it is, I’m not here for it. More on the perimenopause in a later post.
2025 Goal Tracker:
Run a 5K: in training
Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?
I love Christmas. We host our way, which means we’re not scattered all over the place. Or at least, we’re not usually scattered all over the place. I host a delicious brunch for family and friends. In years past, we played paintball after brunch. Now we nap and maybe head to Christmas dinner. I love Christmas!
Today my great Grandma Brown turns 104 years old. Can you even imagine all that she’s seen and experienced in 104 years? Her early childhood would have been marked by the First World War and the Spanish Flu Pandemic. She lived through the roaring 20s only to experience the dust bowl years of the Great Depression. As the Depression ended, the world had plunged again into another Great War. At this point, you’re not even thirty yet and your life has been full of tumultuous events. Not to mention, you’ve already lost your twin sister to an automobile accident.
My Great Grandma, her twin sister Zella and their motherMy Grandma and Great Grandma
When I contrast that to my life as a product of the 1980s, I realized how much easier my life has been than hers. Notably, I’m not speaking of the ease technology has brought us, but rather the relative stability and peace my generation has enjoyed. Well, until the last couple of decades and this year. Apparently, this Covid-19 disease wants to give a Spanish Flu a run for its money in the pandemic space. Unfortunately, we seem to be in a place where we are more worried about the perceived affront to our freedom that wearing a mask and washing our hands presents.
My Father and Great Grandma
I digress, but you get my point. My Great Grandma, who happens to be my kids my Great Great Grandma is an absolute gift. Truly, to share this earth with my great grandma is a rarity and I treasure that time. My fondest memory is of my most recent visit to her on Jake’s farewell tour. She was so moved that we took the time to drive up and visit her. During that visit, she was recounting working the fields and watching “Lindy” fly over practicing and tipping his wings to them as they waved. To us Lindbergh’s legacy is complicated, but to her he was just a local guy that made it big.
Jake and his Great Great Grandma
That visit meant the world to both Jake and my Great Grandma. It meant so much of her that he took time before leaving for the military to make sure he visited her. Moreover, throughout the visit they connected on a level that’s hard to quantify in words. Nevertheless, it forged a link and interconnectedness of love, appreciation and respect that will never be broken. Sometimes I think we get caught up in the big gestures failing to realize that it’s the simple and earnest things that really matter. I hope that we’re soon able to safely travel, so my family I can go visit her again.
Today is also Armed Forces Day, the day where we recognize active duty airmen, coasters, marines, sailors and soldiers. So if you know anyone that is active duty, please make sure you reach out and acknowledge their service. As a military mom, it was the perfect opportunity to text my airmen without feeling like I’m being overbearing. At any rate, I’m super proud of my airmen and so grateful to him for his service to this country.
Tonight’s dinner was pork chorizo sausage enchilada courtesy of Blue Apron. This was another simple and easy to follow recipe. Naturally, I wasn’t sure if my boys would eat it as they can be unusually picky. However, you can imagine my surprise when both boys ate and enjoyed the enchiladas. Yep, I almost fell out of my chair!
My Hubby and His Grandpa
Lastly, please say another prayer for the Hubby’s grandfather. He was taken to the hospital last night after a fall. Fortunately, the x-rays showed no fractures. Unfortunately, the tests did show some congestion in the lungs. Consequently, he was tested for Covid-19 this morning. The test results will determine whether or not he will be able to go back to the memory care facility. As of press time, his Covid test results are still pending.
*Attended Melaleuca’s convection. I’m super excited for their new skincare line including the Vitamin C collection and the rose collection, which comes in bottles with a pretty rosy hue.
*Virtual school torture with Goalielocks and the Mayor
*Obedience training Anakin courtesy day Goalielocks
*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks
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Tonight we should be celebrating hubby and his 35th birthday. Alas, he’s finally oldest enough to be President! Unfortunately, we both spent our days toiling away at work. I don’t know whose boss is worse his or mine….. The problem of course is that after a day of work we had hockey practice. Consequently, we’re exhausted.
While he’s at hockey practice, the Mayor and I are making a nice hearty dish of Vodka sauce pasta for him to enjoy. Jake had previously picked up a Menchi’s cake for us to share after dinner. Afterwards we’ll give him his well deserved present and cards.
One of the things I love most about my hubby is that he’s a good man. He’s undeniably honorable, smart, honest, patient, loving, an amazing father, coach, craftsmen, etc. Honestly, I could go on for days. He’s truly a fantastic husband, partner and father. I couldn’t ask for more. Happy Birthday Hubby!
