So the Teenage Years Begin.....

Our sweet baby Beau is now 13! I still can't believe it now a week later, but he is, and boy....is he a teenager.  Would lose his brain if it wasn't already in his head.  He knows everything.  He thinks his parents are stupid, his sister is dorky, and he is the coolest guy ever.  From talking to our friends of other teenagers......basically he sounds normal.

But let me tell you something about this boy.......he is truly so kind. His heart is huge.  He loves his momma. I still get hugs and kisses on the lips and he puts his arms around me. He generally cares for my well being, his Dad's well being, and honestly, he really does love his sister.  His pup is one of his best friends. He thinks all of his grandparents are just about the greatest.  He loves his cousins - big and little - and all of them LOVE him.  He is infectious.  His big heart and caring nature.....make you want to be around him.

When he goes with other friends and parents and we are not around, they rave about how great he is. How talkative he is. How mannerly he is.  And you know, if he drives us nuts, but is a good person to others......then we are doing okay.

He loves sports. Loves to play them, watch them, and read about them.  He is still a Thunder fan, but is wavering on the Detroit Tigers and leaning to the Cardinals.

His birthday was all about baseball. From numerous NBC baseball games here in Wichita to watch, he actually got to see two Major League baseball games for his birthday week. Lucky little duck.

I love you so much, Beau Charles Grant. Here's to puberty, pimples, and your parents getting dumber by the minute.  Some day when you look back and read this, you'll know your parents are DOPE and we just wanted you to give it HUNDO-P.  And if you remember how much you HATE when we say those two things......it will be worth keeping up with this blog. Love you, son.

CARDINALS GAME!!  

Free Hat!

And now the Royals game with Nolan Crumrine!

And this is from the NBC Baseball Tourney............spent several nights here.

Best part was collecting balls and getting autographs!

This is my 500th post and it's all about......

Brenley.  Yes, it may be Beau's birthday, but I am waiting for the weekend to get over before I blog about him. But Brenley, you see, is 8 1/2 years old today. Her half birthday. Reason to celebrate, right?

Well, what I really wanted to capture was a little bit about her summer.  I don't know what it's like to stutter, but I know what it's like to get teased.......and be insecure because you are not like other kids.....and well, my Brenley takes it all in stride.  She is so brave and so strong.  I'm not kidding. She makes me want to be a better person.

This summer she was facing a rather "different" summer. One with a lot more free time, one with random camps where she knew no one, not even the teacher.  She was even facing a camp at a college university with all boys, up to four years older than her........and she never whimpered or stirred or cried.  She got up every day ready to face the day with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Didn't matter which camp, or which day......she was ready.

She rocked her Fluency camp at Wichita State University putting the College Instructor's mind at ease the first day - making friends with all the studying pathologists.  And while she started the summer in a stutter slump......she is speaking so well right now.  Ordered breakfast this morning at a new restaurant like a boss. She is excited to maybe have a new school speech therapist this year - not ashamed at all that she gets extra help at school.

The other major thing Brenley did this summer is she is a now full fledged swimmer. Literally a month ago in San Antonio she was wearing a life jacket around the water park, barely dog paddling. Now she is jumping into the pool from the side, from diving boards, sliding from slides.......and then swimming laps back and forth and back floating like a champ.  All less than a month with just a little help from a woman at the Y that wouldn't let her do anything but be a swimmer

Believe in this little girl and she is going to move mountains some day. I just know it. She is so smart. She absorbs EVERYTHING.  We are constantly amazed at her mind.

We love you so much Brenley May Grant.  Here's to a big year of 3rd grade my sweetness. Mommy is so proud of the summer you have had. xoxo

I'm sitting here going

Through the pictures on my phone and I missed some good vacation shots. So in no particular order.....San Antonio vacation continued....

And these are sister's treasures from vacation. She has a flair for the gawdy. 

OSU baseball camp

I think my hubs got just as much out of baseball camp as my son. 

Brian loved what they taught. Here are his notes (now I'll find out if he even reads our blog!)

 Beau loved being around the players, coaches, and facilities. 

I loved being in Stillwater able to celebrate my birthday with my family. Bren loved being in Garber with MeMa and PaPa. It was a win win situation all around. 

Go Pokes! 

Ribbie

And then there is always Ribbie.....