This Is Us.

Crazy Hair Day

2026-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Kehlani.

Yesterday was crazy hair day at school.

Of course, Isis made sure she was ready for it!

Kehlani is just the absolute sweetest, most compassionate little sweet pea.

She is the kindest big sister, the biggest helper, always giving so much love.

We are SO blessed to be her papa and gigi!!

Coloring with Jane

2026-10-28T07:36:54.163-07:00

I got two new coloring books last week.

They are naughty-worded coloring books.

Unfortunately for the moral part of me, I really like the flowers in the books.

So, I began coloring.

Cooper told me that Janers had bought herself some markers.

She came right over and we colored!

And colored.

Focus on the flowers, Jane. Focus on the flowers!

Last night, the boys were at their mom's house.

I was glad about that.

They haven't spent time with her for a while.

Whilst at her house, I started getting texts from Coopy.

Tigger and Piglet all day everyday, Coopy!!

After this text, he called me.

"What size am I?"

"What size am I in a onesie?"

"What size should she get me?"

I hope they never stop calling and texting me to get all the important answers.

Logan Visits!

2026-10-27T09:20:23.236-07:00

Logan was here for a minute.

A literal minute.

We were able to love on him for that minute and I am so grateful!

It's been years.

He got to meet four of our grand babies and was overwhelmed by all of the movement and noise!

We laughed, told stories, ate yummy food, and loved on him some more.

Brandon, and his wife Carrie, were there with their two boys - Asher and Anson.

I got some amazing snuggles!!

Melanie didn't feel good and loved on Gigi before she wanted Papa.

Then Delilah fell asleep on Gigi!

Miracles!

And my big youngest boy loved on me, too.

Sweet Diana has just a couple more days!

So fun!

The End.

2026-10-26T08:28:49.549-07:00

These boys.

The coaches.

Once again, a football family formed.

The season, and Ryker's little league football journey, came to an end on Saturday.

They lost in their semi-final game.

My heart did break for them.

Ryker has gotten SO MUCH better this year under the teachings of new coaches.

The team got so much better as the season went on.

I love these kiddos.

I'm sad for them.

Next year, most of them will be on the high school frosh team.

Pooped

2026-10-23T10:27:53.656-07:00

This mama had my every three years colonoscopy yesterday.

This one was ROUGH.

I didn't eat any solid food since Monday.

The bucket of flush ick started Wednesday night.

Finished it yesterday morning.

Burke took me to the surgical center with my Diet Coke and pebble ice ready for after the procedure.

I had a great nap.

Woke up nauseous.

Ate some Kneaders.

Went home.

Took another nap.

Woke up nauseous again.

Watched football.

Nauseous.

Went to bed.

Woke up nauseous.

Sitting at work.

Nauseous.

The good news: don't have to go back for FIVE years!

Also, I love Burke.

The end.

W

2026-10-20T07:19:07.219-07:00

These turds won their quarter finals game on Saturday.

It was a GREAT win.

I have to be honest...

I was feeling like a loss would be just fine.

I obviously haven't told my kid that, but...

Once the game started and I saw the heart in these 17 kids of mine, I wanted a W for them so badly.

They played hard.

I was so proud of them.

Their heart was in it and mine about burst when they won!!!

Onto the semi-finals this Saturday!

October Family Dinner

2026-10-19T09:04:21.402-07:00

Everyone besides Kaydon, Mia, and Tyler were at family dinner.

I just really stink at getting pictures of everyone.

The cousins were very busy!

These two big girls are so cute.

So grownup!
Delilah hangs out with them and they are so good about it!

Melanie does what she wants!

Hudson and Hendrix play like boys play!

Next month, we'll have another baby!!!

Lunch Dates

2026-10-16T09:36:01.759-07:00

Every Thursday, on Burke's one day off, he goes grocery shopping so that I don't have to.

He goes to Costco and Walmart and gets all the things.

He also gets me flowers each week.

These are this week's beauties.

These are the ones from last week, still blooming and still smelling splendor...

So he put the new ones next to the old ones so I can continue to enjoy them.

When I got home from my lash appointment, he and Ryker took me to lunch at Kneaders.

Kneaders is our fall-back go-to place when we can't decide where to eat.

It's that comfort food AND the sweets!

Oh Dammit

2026-10-15T08:00:58.029-07:00

This sweet Squish is having some health issues.

His mommy and daddy have had him at several doctor's offices.

Yesterday was yet another visit with a new doctor.

Today, they are trying a very aggressive flush.

We are praying specifically that his body and the medication will work in unison;

That his pain and discomfort will be minimal;

That is body will work the way it should during the flush and after;

That he will feel comfort and peace;

That his mommy and daddy will also feel comfort and will be able to soothe him.

Snapshots

2026-10-14T09:27:33.416-07:00

A parent (one of my favorites) took this picture of me at the team party on Sunday.

Literally standing in a corner while the coaches gave out the player gifts.

Right after this picture was taken, I walked across to go get the coaches gifts.

Suddenly, they start talking about me.

I wanted OUT.

The head coach was saying nice things about me, then the boys, then parents.

I just wanted it to end.

And it did.

I was so grateful for their words.

This snapshot shows my fatigue.

This snapshot also shows me showing up.

That matters.

This was the next day.

After some rest.

After coloring.

A hot shower.

And hugs.

This snapshot shows me rested.

And still showing up.

That matters, too.

Dear P

2026-10-13T08:31:18.103-07:00

Dear P,

For months and months before you got on that airplane, you told me that Gage would be the one to take over for you whenever it was that you left the city.

I would ask you how you knew that, why you thought that, why Gage... why are you bringing this up to me?!

Then you got on the plan.

Then I had a stroke.

Then that other guy was hired to take your position.

And I lived in an actual hell for 7 1/2 years.

Hell.

Fear.

Sadness.

Confusion.

Abuse.

Day after day after day.

It wasn't the way you told me it was going to be.

But I hung in there.

Here.

I kept showing up.

Then that guy retired.

And Gage came.

And the sun started to shine again.

I stopped being afraid (literally scared to death) to go to work every day.

I started to do my job again.

I started doing my job again and doing it so well.

I started to blossom.

Heal.

Smile.

Yup, there's stress.

Yup, there's overstimulation.

Yup, there's craziness.

But it's safe again.

Nice things are being said to me.

There's laughter again.

It's just the way you promised it would be.

You knew all along.

You helped me to keep going when I just wanted to quit.

Dear P,

It's all better.

Thank you.

I formed a city-wide administrative assistant boot camp.

My idea started with goals and a vision.

It now holds space for 40 people every month.

Two hours every second Thursday.

Gage has been my biggest cheerleader... in the flesh.

It's a HUGE undertaking.

But I'm doing it.

Every month.

And I know you're proud.

Ryker's Last Regular Season Game

2026-10-12T09:37:28.341-07:00

Saturday was Ryker's last regular season game.

I hate to say this, and am sure I'll think differently a year from now, but I'm SO grateful this season is almost over.

I'm exhausted.

These boys played the best game they've played all year!

The MUSS showed up to cheer on our boys.

Literally.

One of our players has a cousin, who is the president of the MUSS.

He gathered some fellow MUSS friends and they made signs and cheered on our boys.

I cried.

Crying at this made me realize how exhausted I am!

Last night, we had their football party.

I had rented a pavilion at a local park, but we had a mama who offered up their stake center.

This weather has been nuts and I was so thankful that she was able to get us inside!

I love these boys.

I do.

I appreciate their parents.

It's overall been a good year, as team-momming goes.

Their first playoff game is this weekend.

It's lose and go home.

I really do hope that they do well!

Last Regular Season Game

2026-10-09T08:26:59.315-07:00

Well, this is weird.

Cooper played his last regular-season game ever last night.

But first - Hudson time!!!!

Hudson took up all of Cooper and Jane's time with cars and Legos.

I'm sure it was good game-prep!

Hudson was the best little fan.

He was pounding his feet on the bleachers to make lots of noise when "Uncle is #95 on that field!"

On the second defensive play of the game, my boy had a SAFETY!!!!

By the way, there was a truck vendor there from Aggie Ice Cream.

I may or may not have tried a few of these flavors!!!

Pumpkin

2026-10-07T07:39:37.796-07:00

Burke decorated the front yard a couple of weeks ago for spooky season.

We added the pumpkins the girls and I brought home on Saturday.

I absolutely love mixing Halloween with warmer Fall weather - I love the spooky, cute stuff mixed with flowers that are still holding onto life.

I think it's so cozy!

June Bug & Rose Bud

2026-10-06T08:04:17.831-07:00

After Ryker's football game Saturday, Jackson and Isis dropped Delilah and Melanie off.

The girls were not pleased that Papa had to go to work.

NOT PLEASED.

I loaded them up in the wagon and took them down the street to a cute little pumpkin patch.

They grabbed as many pumpkins as they could and put them right in the wagon.

Gigi grabbed seven bigger pumpkins - one for each grandbaby... including Baby Boy due any time now!

I then loaded them ALLLL in the wagon, with the girls and pulled 250 pounds allllllllll the way back home.

I vomited when we arrived home.

Whoooopsie.

It was a bit much for Gigi!

I put them in their swimsuits and filled up the baby blue pool.

The real pool is too chilly now for the babes.

I gave them the bath gels and crayons and they had a blast.

Melanie Rose even put her floatie in the baby pool!

Otter Pops for the win.

And popcorn.

Gigi slept very well!

The end.

Cooper’s Senior Night

2026-10-05T08:42:39.789-07:00

I've been preparing for this for months.

In the end, I just needed to be present.

I told Coop that my goal was to not cry until after the pictures were taken.

I nailed it!

This was it.

Coop's senior night.

One more regular season game... then he's done.

Forever.

It feels so weird.

Some of his biggest fans were there.

This little girl played with Hudson at last week's game.

She was gobsmacked that there was ANOTHER boy that belonged to me!

Hendrix had a blast with her!

Coopy's bestie, Nathan.

We love Nathan!

Porter and Brooklyn came.

Bubba & Suzanne.

All of us!!

He and Janers.

So proud of him!

Boobs on Wheels

2026-10-02T07:48:59.408-07:00

How handy was this?!

Soooo handy!

I got my annual mammogram on Wednesday.

In a trailer!

I walked in, checked in, put the "shield" on, got my boobs smashed, put my top back on, and back to work I went.

Brilliant!

Boobs on Wheels!

Decorating with Irie

2026-10-01T08:40:51.364-07:00

The rain affected our ability to decorate the senior football players' windows on Monday.

It was rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon, but I couldn't leave work.

I sent an SOS text to another football mama & asked that they NOT decorate Cooper's truck so I could that night at home.

I was outside getting chalk markers ready and our darling next door neighbor, Irie, came over to see what I was doing.

She jumped right in and started helping me.

She made the truck SOOOO perfect.

Her stars.

Her hearts.

Her backwards #95!

Her little jersey with the backwards #95!!

His truck is absolutely perfect for senior night tomorrow night!

My tear ducts are not ready for this, however.

Sorbi Sol

2026-09-30T08:18:07.873-07:00

Kaydon started a small business out front a shack his in-laws live in.

It's similar to a Fizz or Swig.

It's called Sorbi Sol.

He told me it means, "Sipping on Sunshine."

It is quite difficult to get supplies there.

He said ice is the hardest.

They have just been freezing water.

He has a few things on the menu and is marketing the best he can.

I pray this is successful for him.

I sure to miss him.

Decorating

2026-09-29T07:24:01.945-07:00

Yesterday morning, I walked inside the locker room at 6 AM.

A few moms got to work to decorate the senior football players' lockers.

I got right to work on my boy's locker.

His best friend's locker is right next to his, so I got his done, too!

It's senior week at the high school.

We were supposed to meet back at the school yesterday afternoon to decorate their cars, but the rain knocked that plan out.

Moms will be back today to decorate the cars. This mama can't leave work again, so hopefully his will be epic!

When I got to work yesterday morning, I decorated my office for the spooky season.

It's Halloween vibing now and is so fun!

Also...

last night.

Last night, we took 17 boys to IHOP for pancakes.

Burke (Coach Smith) promised them pancakes if they got five pancakes in their game on Saturday.

They ate 80 pancakes last night!!

Another Football Weekend

2026-09-28T07:14:15.893-07:00

We had Hudson on Friday night.

Hudson is a little harder to keep off of the football field - especially when UNCLE is the one on the field.

He did great!

Papa & Hudson walked down to the field at halftime so he could give UNCLE a pep talk.

Then they got Sprite and popcorn.

Everything was all better.

Saturday was Ryker's game.

They shutout the other team, which was so fun!

These boys have had a rough year!

Gigi only has TWO more regular season games!
I can do this!!!

Tooth Fairy

2026-09-24T10:23:20.048-07:00

Beautiful Kehlani lost her first tooth last night!

Daddy pulled it out and "it didn't even hurt!"

Papa & I were Facetiming with them when this all went down!

She was most excited to show her teacher today.

Cutest little bug!!!!!

#95

2026-09-23T08:39:47.426-07:00

A photographer captured this picture of our boy and sent it to us.

Forever grateful for people's talents, those who share them, and the way they bless all of us.

My boy is struggling right now.

Sports can be hard.

There are expectations, personal and outward.

He had the best game ever in their first game of the season.

He hasn't had a repeat of that since.

He is down.

His coaches are down.

He is frustrated and sad and tired.

I just want to make it all better, but here we are.

Teaching and learning - all of us.

Speaking of football, this is what my kitchen counter looks like every Sunday.

Football pads and helmets and chin straps laid out.

Jerseys, tights, girdles, shoes, socks, pants are in the washer (they go through two wash cycles).

I sanitize their football pads and helmets every Sunday.

They stink so freaking bad.

They go back Monday with clean, healthy, disinfected stuff and this mama feels better about life in general.

Speaking of Coopy, he sent this to me Monday morning.

I love this boy.

Showering Grandbaby #7!

2026-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

We got to shower grandbaby #7 and his parents on Saturday.

Colton & Diana were absolutely covered in love!

SO many people came.

SO many adorable, needed gifts.

Nana made SO much food.

Isis and Jackson decorated and prepared the cutest games!

It was so fun to prepare them for Baby Boy!

Braxton made that crate with the swing.

SO cute.

One of his friends from school made this bassinet with a little closet!!!

I cried!

Hendrix Sleepover

2026-09-20T11:25:13.809-07:00

Papa & Gigi got Hendrix time.

First up, Uncle Cooper’s football game under Friday night lights!

Muffin Man is busssssssy!

He never stops.

Sitting two and a half hours is not a thing.

Papa, Gigi, and Jane all took turns chasing him!

Loves for Uncle.

Then sleepovers!

He slept great!

Papa & Gigi— not so much!🤪

Love this boy!