Big Day for AJ

My blog for this year would not be complete without a post about AJ getting his driver's license.  Even though he turned 16 in May he could not get his restricted license until he had his learner's permit for a year.  You are probably asking, "Why didn't he get his learner's permit before his birthday last year?"  Well, long story short, the State of Kansas changed the rules on me and I didn't read all the fine print.  So yesterday was the first day we could go to the DMV and get the license.   After spending hours looking for the safety deposit key to get AJ's birth certificate, after waiting for the bank to open only to find out that the birth certificate was not in the safety deposit box, after finding the birth certificate at home  we were on our way to Wellington to the DMV. (FYI we didn't need the birth certificate.)  It took less than 20 minutes to get the license that allows for him to drive anywhere during the day and to work or school activities until 9:00 p.m.

I have mixed emotions about this big event.  Of course, I am happy that he will be able to transport himself most places he needs to go.  But at the same time I am nervous about him driving especially outside of Mulvane.   Should I make him call/text me when he gets where he is going or should I just grab onto the adage, "No news is good news."  I know that these anxious feelings will diminish as the newness of AJ's driving wears off.

Perhaps, the advent of AJ driving is a reminder that I am growing old.  The last of my five children has the license that gives them their first taste of freedom.  I think I will miss driving him around.  I will miss that time that afforded me a little conversation that gave me a glimpse into his world.  When you think about it, at birth they are totally dependent on their parents and then, step by step. they become independent.  They don't need us to wipe their noses, tie their shoes, or pour milk in their cereal.   They can ride their bike out of the neighborhood,  stay all night with friends, and go to the pool by themselves.

AJ holding his driver's license outside the Wellington Court House.

But this is how it should be.  Our children grow up and consequently, I am blessed.  God is good.

Progress

While I was on my little "vacation" in New Orleans,  progress was made on the construction of the Oblinger's new home.   The most noticeable change is that the masonry is complete on the front of the house.  There was some question as to whether we would have enough stone to complete the garage--but no worries.  WGO, Ty and Lucas worked over the weekend to get the cedar pillars up at the front door ready for the light fixtures.  The masons are working on the chimney now and then will complete the porch and put stone and brick on the fireplaces inside.  The cabinet maker installed the cabinets in the mud room and the vanities in the bathrooms.  The trim carpenter completed the master closet and the shelving in the pantry.  One of the beams is up on the ceiling.  Progress is good.

Brick on the Chimney

Cedar Pillars Set

The Mud Room

Another View of Mud Room

Still Another View of Mud Room

Niche Cabinet

Upper Cabinets on the Niche

Vanity in the Master Bath

First Beam Set

Another View of the Beam

Upper Shelves in the Pantry

Lower Cabinets in the Pantry

As WGO and I were standing outside the house this evening, I made the statement that it doesn't seem real to me yet.  It seems like he is just building a house for someone else.  I don't think I believe that this is going to be the home we celebrate Christmas in, the home we have Sunday dinners in, the home we will grow old in.  Is this really the place we will refer to when we say, "I'm going home"?  God is good.  I am blessed.

New Orleans 2012

I'm back!   I spent the last week on our parish Mission Trip.  Twenty-six teens and eleven adults left Mulvane at 7:00 p.m. on the 16th for an overnight bus ride to New Orleans, LA.  We spent the next few days at various work sites with 200+ other campers from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida.  Some of us scrapped and painted houses.  Others spent their days hanging sheetrock,  fixing roofs, floors, and walls.  Some had the experience of working at  a day care center or a homeless shelter.  In the process we made new friends, laughed a lot and cried a little. We slept on the floor and showered in outdoor makeshift showers.  We sang.  We danced.  We cheered.  We worshiped our God.  We were reminded that we are children of God, loved beyond our understanding.

Friday we spent the day at the French Quarter.  We ate a beignets and a muffuletta.  I walked on Bourbon Street and toured the St. Louis Cathedral.  We even tasted alligator sausage at the open air market.  We ended our week relaxing aboard a steamboat cruise on the mighty Mississippi River.

Leaving Mulvane

Arriving at Camp

Group 13 Scraping

A Carpenter Commando Training Exercise

Brothers cleaning the cafeteria.

Scarey

Painting

More painting

6 really great kids

No caption needed

Shake it off

What could be better than a world famous beignet and a coffee.

A street entertainer.

My sight-seeing companions.

Bourbon Street

Sunset on the Mississippi.

I was doubly blessed to share these experiences with my son!

I am most definitely blessed to have the opportunity to attend this Catholic Heart Work Camp. God is good all the time.

Tomorrow.. pictures of the house ....  a lot is happening.

A Little Vacation

I was blessed to get away for a little vacation last week.  WGO and I hit the road early Wednesday morning headed for Colorado Springs.  The purpose of the trip was for WGO to attend the annual board retreat for the Association of General Contractors.  The meetings were held at a posh resort called the Broadmoor.  It was a beautiful, spacious facility nestled in the mountains.  The customer service at this place was outstanding; every employee I met was friendly and very accommodating.  They all seemed to love their job.

 There were hiking trails real close to the resort.  So on Thursday morning we did a short 500 ft climb.  After lunch in Colorado Springs we went back and did the "Seven Bridges" hike.  It was about 800 ft.  climb that crossed over the creek seven times.  After the meeting and luncheon on Friday,  WGO and I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  Touring a zoo is one of my favorite things to do.  I am always amazed at the great imagination of our Creator.  The evening included a nice dinner with the other members of the board and their spouses.

After the meeting on Friday, we decided to spend the afternoon relaxing in the room--out of the sun.  Fortunately the Catholic Church was right across the street from the resort which made it  a very convenient walk to attend their 5 o'clock Mass.  We really didn't want to dress up to go to any of the resort restaurants or go into the city so we did something that I have never done before--ordered room service.  Forty-five minutes later,  a very friendly young man brought us our hamburgers, French Fries, and Bud Light with a lime and served them to us on our little deck.  It was a very relaxing and fun evening with my hubby.

We left early the next morning to head home intending to stop for breakfast.  Instead we ate a Granola bar and decided to stop for lunch in Salina.  Instead we ate beef jerky and drove on home to a house that had no food in it.  Needless to say we made good time on our trip and I was really hungry by the time we managed to pull a meal together.

We did stop by the house and check on the progress.  It was great to see brick and stone on the house.  It was great to see the trim around the windows in the Great Room.

God is Good.  I am blessed.

The Broadmoor's Front entrance

the view from our patio

Wedding Bells

We had another busy and blessed weekend.  Our son, Tyler and his high school sweetheart, Laura were married on Saturday.

The activity began on Thursday, as all 5 my sisters gathered at my mom and dad's.  Some of us cleaned up the yard from the storm the night before.  Some of us worked on cutting out the last of the quilts for mom to sew.  And some of us prepared food for the bridal brunch.   I had to leave before the chicken and noodle feast because I had a meeting at Church.  But I was pleasantly surprised to find that all of my sisters had come down to see our new house.  We sat in the great room, drank a beer, and talked until darkness overtook us.

Friday was the bridal brunch, hosted by my sisters, daughters, and daughter-in-law.  It was held at the Second Hand Ranch.  We had egg casserole,  assorted breads, fruit salad, and yogurt parfaits.  The food was yummy.  It was great to meet all of Laura's family and her bridesmaids in a relaxed atmosphere before the frantic bustle of the wedding day.

After the brunch, my daughters and daughter-in-law did a little shopping and pampered ourselves with a manicure.  I got to the rental in just enough time to get ready for the rehearsal and dinner.  The bridal party gathered at the Hereford House for a delicious dinner.  From there we headed to the church for the rehearsal.  We ended the evening by cutting into a powercat cake.  

Saturday is kind of a blur:  hair appointment, breakfast with some of my family, dressing and heading to the Church.  WGO spent his morning at the house on the bobcat.  It was great greeting family and friends as they arrived at the church.  I was escorted to my seat by my youngest son looking very grown up in his rented tux.  I managed to get my candle lit without tripping or lighting myself on fire.  The bride looked radiant.  Her smile lit up the room.  The groom looked handsome and happy.   Laura almost cried when she was reciting her vows.  It was a very tender moment.  

The reception was awesome.  The room was gorgeous, the food wonderful, and the mood celebratory.  Even though I was told that I have no rhythm whatsoever, I did enjoy dancing with my son to Shania Twain's "Today Is Your Day".   And anyone can dance to the chicken dance, right?  I watched as my son, my special birthday buddy, drove away with his bride with mixed feelings;  sad that my little boy had grown up but proud of the man that he had become.

Sunday was busy too.  We spent some time with WGO's family who had traveled here for the wedding from New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Illinois, New York, Kansas City, and Burns.  We headed back to Mulvane  to watch Ty and Laura opened their gifts at a party hosted by her parents.   Then we headed to Valley Center to meet with WGO's siblings at their cousin's farm.  It has been a year since their mother died.  We gathered at the tree where we buried her ashes, we ate fast food that reminded us of MAO and toasted her with a bottle of Boone's Farm wine that we found in her apartment when we cleaned it out.  WGO and I dragged ourselves home and to bed.  Exhausted but blessed.

The Bride to be and the hostesses of the bridal brunch.

Rehearsing the Vows

The Groom's Cake

Tyler getting a haircut (or vacuum?) from the barber who gave him his first haircut.

AJ, all grown u.

The traditional cake cutting.

The car complete with red solo cups.

Opening Gifts

No caption needed.

WGO with his brother and sisters.