The very best part of my summer vacation was having the guys home, if only in shifts.
I was so excited about capturing great photos of the family together with my new de-cluttering camera.
It's in the genetic code.
I had hoped for simply one good pose....
Please?
The least goofiest.
Davis technically has a bed at Hillcrest Cottage, but he is also seventeen... enough said. Add that he worked a golf course job with the alarm ringing at 4:45 a.m. Football practice days meant sleeping- in until 6:00 a.m. (woo hoo!) followed by work in the 100 plus degree temperatures.
This summer was the hottest in Arkansas history. The thermometer registered 130 degrees on the football turf during two-a-days.
Another one of Davis' weeks was spent as a Spina Bifida Camp counselor. He loved camp and the awesome campers. At closing ceremony he received this:
Stuart remained at college for first- term summer school. Very understandable. That's what college sophomores do.
Chancellor's List two semesters in a row. (My mom said, "Well... that's a first for our family. I never know that list existed!" Ha... me, neither.) The month we had Stu at home, included some incredible bike rides.
My sweet son (with a speedier bike) who waits patiently for me to catch up.
Having him under the Hillcrest Cottage roof is always one of my greatest joys.
Did I just say roof?
Hillcrest Cottage, built in 1923, has long been in need of a new roof. Construction people are shocked when told our roof had four layers which included the original 1923 wood shingles. (La la la... fingers in ears. "Just do the job, and quit wagging your head" is what I say to any people performing work in our cottage. )
Finally... wind damage and insurance decided to pay for the job. It was a long and tedious two weeks.
Seriously... a crazy two weeks. Mac and Lucy had to jump over this pile just to go outside. We were held captive inside for two weeks... arggh.
Oh... that nice clean, organized attic exposed to the world. Really? Rain? When the roof is off?
Yup.
Another casualty of the new roof... my beloved blue hydrangea bush sacrificed its life in the process.
R.I.P. I loved you so much and shed actual tears over your death.
Clayton was home for a week before traveling to France... to meet his high school honey who was taking a class in Paris... to get engaged... pretty big deal. We are thrilled beyond words.
He returned home for a week before heading to South Korea for his West Point internship. Sadly, he got mold poisoning from the barracks which kick-started him into a three week bout of tonsillitis so severe he ended up in the hospital receiving morphine. I will NOT share the picture he sent of those same tonsills. Wow.
And... when all of Hillcrest Cottage's men plus future daughter-in-law were at last home together... the upstairs air conditioning unit broke. One hundred degrees in the master bedroom. Lots of sleeping on couches.
But,I am very thankful that when one third of my entryway plaster ceiling crashed to the floor unexpectedly, it missed my future daughter-in-law and her mother, if only by literal seconds.
"A Hearty Hillcrest Cottage Welcome" to Future Mother-in-Law who was experiencing her first visit to our house. Glad we did not kill you. Gotta love the 'charm' of an eighty eight year- old cottage.
Pay no attention to those candles... he has dyslexia.
Included in the celebration were notes and a phone call from my guys (They know how much I treasure their notes!), a seventeen mile bike ride with Stuart, and an Italian dinner out (Ravioli is my favorite.)
Seven months later... still... de-cluttering.
The attic project has led to the photo project....
Every photo of my life, from tin- types to digital, organized into year boxes. Call me crazy. This will take a long time.
Davis began his high school senior year.
The annual pose.
We had fun driving Stuart back to school to begin his college junior year.
Stuart's house in the background.
Clayton just received his West Point ring (more on that in the future).
That ring is actually on MY son's finger! Notice his well-manicured fingernail (additional mom-pride). Clayton, you have earned this ring... I am so proud of you, you awesome West Point Firstie. Dad and I would have given anything to have been there to see you receive it.
And, now, with two graduations (on the same weekend) and a wedding looming ahead this school year...
And, now, with two graduations (on the same weekend) and a wedding looming ahead this school year...
Mac... buckle your seatbelt, or leash or whatever dog's do, and get ready for one... wild... ride.
Wow! You have so very much to look forward to! Hopefully, you will do it dry, and in the air conditioning.
ReplyDeleteI feel your "rain while roof is missing" pain. We began an extension/renovation project on the house on Palm Street the first of this month -- got the trenches dug for the footing, and the rains came. For a solid week. Then the contractor learned that the house is in an "Historic District," and as such, required a survey and and inspection before the foundation could be built. (The contractor obviously hasn't done as extensive work in Hillcrest as he suggested!). Inspector was backed up and didn't get there until yesterday. We're already 3 weeks behind.
Sigh.
Loved, loved, LOVED this post! As usual! And also as usual, I smiled through the entire thing :) Not only do you have such delightful story telling abilities Bev, but your family just makes me so HAPPY. I know it has a lot to do with you and I leading such parallel lives (a fact I LOVE), but my favorite reason is because of who you are and how you and your husband have raised such. amazing. boys. It just warms my heart :)
ReplyDeletexoxo