The Panther's

Evan Hulburt..Future hall of Fame Recipient !

                                                                



Yesterday was Evan's Football Game!  Because I have been so busy the last few weeks, this was the first game I was able to attend. I was so excited as I was driving to the field but when I drove up I did not know where the boys were playing. I saw Daylee walking with a group of friends so I hurried, parked the car, grabbed my chair, and started following her.  The closer I got, I noticed the boys appeared to be in their teens and Evan is only eight.  Surely this was not his team! I finally caught up with Daylee and she told me Evan was playing on the opposite field! She was just hanging out with her girlfriends! Now I had to make the trek across the field.

By the time I made it to the other field, the game was at the end of the first quarter. Luckily, I had not missed any great plays and neither team had scored.  Tiff was running up and down the field as each play was made and Jesse was holding the marker thingy ( OK, so I do not know anything about football)!

Jesse

The game was a nail biter. The boys on both teams were playing a great game and by the half..neither team had scored.  I know all the panther Mom's were hoping for the win and all were encouraging their boys to push forward!  They were cheering, one Mom even pulled out cash to bribe her son to win the game! It was amazing and we were all having a great time!   It was an overcast day..pretty chilly for this time of the year..but the walk-running up and down the sidelines was taking the edge off of the cool weather.

                  

You can see the low cloud cover on the mountain!

The game continued into the third quarter. Several times during the game a player would get the wind knocked out and all the other players would Take a Knee until the player was able to walk off the field. Remember, these boys are only eight and they were all very brave!

Taking a Knee

 Because team is short players,  most of the boys (including Evan) have to play the entire game, every game! I would think this is very tiring for the little guys but you would never know it.  Evan is the Quarterback and he plays another position...??? do not ask me what it is..something in the back ..I will have to ask Tiffany!!!    : )              

  

Evan and one of the Coaches

Our Little Man

                                          





 Like I said before, this game was a nail biter and by the end of the third quarter the score remained 0-0!
Tiffany was getting a little frazzled and kept encouraging Evan and his teammates to push harder!

Come On Guys!!!

You Can Do IT!!

In the mean time, Daylee had come back to play with her little cousin. Brother's game is OK but playing with the cousin..so much better!                                                                              

Daylee 

How cute is this!!

As you can see in the picture, Daylee did not have shoes on! I asked her if she was cold, but of course she said "no".



By the end of the game the score remained 0-0!  Now the boys would have to go into overtime. I tried to calculate how many more hours they could play when one of the dads explained to me that they would now be starting at the ten yard line. Well, what a novel idea that was..why couldn't they do that from the start!!  : )

  The Panthers won first ball and the real game began. You want to talk stress, this was it!
The Panther's made a TD and also made the extra point. Now if they kept the opposing team at bay...we would have the win.  Unfortunately, that was not to be. Dang if the other team didn't make  their TD and extra point. We would now go into double overtime.  STRESS!!

It is OK Tiff..they will win!

All the parents, on both sides, were on pins and needles. The opposing team made their four plays and were unable to score. Now we really had a chance. The Panthers had the ball and were unable to score the first two plays..then the coach huddled the boys and a plan was made. I knew this would be big.  One of the coaches from the other team kept yelling "watch for the little boy!"..well who was the little boy?

The play started..where was the ball??    Then I saw it..a boy was running with the ball sweeping to the left.. I started screaming   "GO GO...RUN!!!!!"    The other team had no idea where the ball was and when they did..it was TOO LATE!!  

Now that is how you play Football!!



Every parent, grandparent and friend on our team was  jumping up and down, clapping, screaming..Yeah They WON!  What a wonderful feeling!
                                

One Proud Mommy!

  I had such a great time, it was so much fun watching the Mom's root for their little men!  They all had such a good time laughing, joking, nail biting, encouraging their son's, stressing and laughing some more.  If the boys stay on the same team,  these women will make long lasting friendships. Heaven help us when the boys are in High School.. because the Moms will have to take a sedative before each game!!

I could tell the Coaches were having a great time and instilling good sportsmanship in the boys. This will be a wonderful foundation for the boys as they go forward in sports.

As we left the field, the clouds remained over the mountain. One thing for sure, there was a brightness in the boy's faces.  They had Won their first game!!  The smiles were so big on everyones faces that you could not help but feel the warmth in the air!  

It was a very special day and I can not wait to attend the next game!


  I am one lucky NANA!                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Blogs

 I am sitting at the computer after reading the blog that Kendra, Wendy's sister, posted on our wonderful Labor Day Weekend. For some reason I can not quit crying and felt the need to sort my feelings.I have been working on a blog about the Loveland fire, but that will have to wait.

Through Kandra's eyes ( camera) I continue to have new, and emotional feelings, about that first meeting. The first time I was able to touch Wendy is a feeling that I can not describe in words. I sit here trying to think of a word that could describe the sheer bliss of that feeling and am unable to define, or translate, what it felt like. At times, my body aches to hold the little baby that I saw in the photo albums, but reality is, I have a beautiful, 42 year old birth daughter.  The moment when I was finally able to give her that first hug I realized my life was now complete.  If God took me today,  I would have no regrets!

I so love my children, the ones I gave birth to and  raised, and now I have been given the gift of knowing the one that I had to give up so many years go.  I have always loved my first child, but never thought I would meet her. I knew I had a daughter but was never allowed to hold her, tell her how much I loved her and always wondered if she hated me for giving her up.  Shortly after Wendy's birth, Ma Eve told me that she would always know that I loved her...but would she.

Dawna shared with me a time when Wendy yelled " I hate my birth mom because she must have hated me because she gave me up!"  I hope I stated this right..but it so sounds like a teenager!  Dawna assured Wendy that I gave her up because I could not take care of her......but you know GIRLS!

On a brighter note, one of my favorite pictures is the one with Dave. He is a true and genuine man and you can see this from the picture. I love him and will always be grateful that he loves, and cherishes, Wendy.

The Skousen family is truly amazing. In the short time we were together, I formed a deep and everlasting bond with them.I have looked at my pictures so often that I wonder if my Ipad will fry!   I can not wait until our next meeting.   I am so proud to have these five,wonderful and loving Grand Kiddos to add to our Clan!

I am such a lucky woman to have Wendy..the first born and her Teddy Bear Husband Dave
and..
Erin, as a child so book smart with no common sense, now the athlete, the Wonder Woman. a very special friend and daughter that does not mind spending time with me! I so enjoy our phone calls!
and..
Shawn..the teacher..the easy going..never a care..it is all good..My Son and his lovely wife Mary..who puts on a great party..has a beautiful smile and makes my son happy.
and..
Tiffany..the stylist, my party girl..has a host of friends..  is always busy with work and friends and although we do not spend a lot of time together we have a great time when we are able to ..and her husband Jesse..these TWO Peas in a Pod make the perfect couple.
and..
Aaron..my free spirit, the adventurer, was the dare devil..my 2nd son..and his beautiful bride Kelly..our over achiever who hopefully will be accepted in a PHD program..the perfect match who challenges Aaron and pushes him to be the Man he is meant to be!

And my Amber..the strong woman..who has always had a mind of her own and not afraid to share it..the psychologist..my new travel partner ( thanks again..you were amazing)..the one who went through so much as a child with grace and was always so brave! Our hero!

Then I have Bills kids:
Debbie..oh yes, we could have a great time together ..!!!!!!!!!!
Thomas..I so admire him for raising three beautiful girls.
 Lisa..always keeps in touch with her Dad!
 Lara do not know her well but would like to!


Then I have all the Grandchildren..with Wendy's children..I have 12  Summer, Autumn, Skyler, Hunter, Clay, Emma, Jonah, Jaycie, Daylee, Evan, Ryan, Sarah..  with Bills we have a total of 22!!!;  Whitney, Lenaea, Nile, Yma, Mesa, Meadow, Chunsi, Mignon, Delaney and Dillon

 Life can not get any better!

Back to Work '

Back to work today..after having two weeks off that alarm rang awful early and the music was blaring so loud I jumped about three feet off the bed. I was so excited to see the gang and tell them about my wonderful weekend. I had hoped to open my blog and show them all the pictures we had taken while in Phoenix.

First of all I sat at the computer and tried to log on..Darn I had forgotten my password. I could not believe in only two weeks I could not remember what it was. I tried every one I could think of. Finally, I called Tech Support and reset my password..wrote it down so I would not forget, and logged on, made my way to Google and typed in my web address. Guess what!!  They   ( the higher ups!)  have blocked my access to the blog!!??  GRRRRRRR!!

Now mind you, I can get into Wendy's blog..but mine has been blocked. I have probably logged on three times at work to show my friends and now I am blocked. Can you BELIEVE it...Boy..they have their eyes and ears and noses and everything else watching each little thing we do in the computer. Luckily, I had my phone and was able to link into the website.

All's well that ends well!

Moral of this story....I do not know...maybe quit messing around at work!!!!!    :)

The Weekend!

This was such a special weekend that I hardly know where to start. First, I need to thank Amber for joining me as she was much wiser than I was and  knew I needed a family member on this journey! Amber kept me grounded and was a constant source of encouragement, psychological support and was able to keep the conversation going in those few awkward moments when there was silence. It was fun traveling with Amber,  seldom do we have one-on-one time together and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for our late night talks and glad we were able to walk around old town!

When we arrived in Phoenix I could feel myself tighten up with anxiety..how was I going to get through the next few hours before the first meeting? We arrived at the hotel and of course it was too early to check in so we freshened up in the lobby bathroom. I changed, tried on a few pair of pants and blouses before Amber chose the outfit, and reapplied makeup before I deemed myself presentable for this very important first meeting!

We arrived at Wendy's hotel just a little past noon, went into the lobby and had the desk person ring their room...No Answer!!??  I then called Wendy's cell and she said they would be right down..Amber was facing the hall and she got one of those crazy grins..and then I see WENDY..the child I had given up those many years ago, I was able to put my arms around her for the first time, touch her face and feel her warmth. I can not describe how emotional this was..but I did not cry. I think I was taken aback by all the cameras and the video camera that I felt a little uneasy. Although I did feel uneasy, I am so glad they had the forethought to do this and it will be fun to look at the pictures. Although, I will probably look like a deer in the headlights!

After meeting the family, we settled into chairs to review Wendy's life via family photo albums. Dawna had brought many albums to share and told delightful stories of Wendy as a child. I think I had trouble concentrating because I could only think of the ones that showed her as an infant when they first brought her home from the hospital. Dawna was able to fill in a few blanks for me and it was so nice to know how much she weighed at birth, the time of her birth and how long I stayed in the hospital. At this time, I can still see the pictures of that sweet little baby and feel so grateful that Dawna thought to bring the albums with her. 


To say that Dawna and Frank were kind would be a terrible injustice..they were unbelievable! I knew when I saw their pictures on FB that I would enjoy meeting them but the emotion that I felt knowing these two wonderful people raised Wendy..well I can not describe it in words. Suffice it t say, I will be for ever grateful to the Greer's and hope to form a deep friendship. I so enjoyed Frank's humor and loved when we took the illegal U turn..You Go Frank!!!

This is so dark but I wanted to put a picture of Dawna and Frank

                                                                                                     

Wendy!!! What can I say, she is Beautiful!!!

                                                                                                       

Wendy and Dave..let me tell you it only took about two minutes to fall in love with Dave

Kandra, Wendy's sister, and her husband Jarred. It was so nice meeting these two!

                                                                                                             

Dawna- the woman I could never thank enough!!

                                                                                                    

  After looking at the albums and hearing stories, we were all hungry and decided to go for a late lunch. Thank you again, Frank, that was so kind of you! I still remember how good the Portabella Mushroom sandwich tasted and only wish I had a picture of the cheesecake!

I love Sweet Potato Fries!!!

                              

Yummy!

We had a great time visiting during our lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, then back to their hotel where we continued our visit. Kandra, Wendy's sister and her husband, Jarred, and their little boy Gavin decided to leave to make the drive back to Heber. It was so nice meeting them and that little Gavin ( or G Man) is a doll and although he must have been very tired he was a very well behaved little guy!  

Kandra, expecting her second baby, looks tired!

                                                                                                   






  Since Amber, and I, had been up since 4am we were both tired and decided to go back to check into our hotel room and call it a night.  It was sad to leave that night because I knew that Dawna and Frank would be leaving in the morning and we probably would not see them again this trip. Hopefully, this will be the start of a wonderful friendship. I wish I had some pictures of Amber, but she was my photographer!!










MY  BFF Debbie and her husband Dennis were having a BBQ at their  home in Surprise and had asked Amber and I to join them on Sunday. I was torn because that would take a day away from Wendy but I did need some down time to process and I so wanted to see Debbie this trip. Well, we had a ball! Dennis' sister, Donna, who I have not seen in about 16 years, was there with her husband. It was so much fun catching up with her especially since she had not been at our 40th High School Reunion. Also, Dennis' mom and dad, Donny and Twila, were there and Debbie's sister Kim and her husband.  Of course,  Jennifer and Chad, Dennis and Deb's kids, and their children were there. What a wonderful time. The kids swam in their beautiful pool, Dennis made a great BBQ, we sat on the porch and talked and laughed just like the old times. Boy I miss those two!

Looks like a Resort!

                                                                                                 

Debbie (MIMI) and two of her Grand Kids

Dennis, I have known him since I was 5 or 6

                                                                                                       

Donny, Donna and Elmer

Sister, Kim

Now, this is a BBQ!!

     After we got home from the BBQ, we went down to the bar and had a glass of wine ( Amber had a beer) and rehashed the last two days! It was so much fun spending the time with Amber. We called Wendy and made plans to take her  out for lunch on Monday, just us girls!  I could not wait to see Wendy and her family!       






We got up on Monday morning, Hunter's BD, ate breakfast and took off to do some shopping. I knew what I wanted to get Wendy as I had been scoping  out the gift stores in Thornton and Loveland. I wanted to get her a   Willow Tree Angel, something that I could add to over the years!  Also, I wanted to pick up at gift certificate for Hunter. What a treat to be with them for their birthdays!  It did not take long to find what we wanted and then it was time to pick Wendy up at her hotel! I was so excited and knew it was going to be a wonderful day!


When we got to the hotel, we asked the desk clerk to suggest places to eat and she was kind enough to give us a printed list of all the local restaurants.  Then we asked Wendy, actually made Wendy, pick out where she wanted to go for her Birthday Lunch!    Let me tell you, Wendy has decida-phobia, just like me!  She did choose Maggianos' and off we went!  Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures during our lunch, but we stayed there about three hours talking. Amber quizzed Wendy and i learned so much about her childhood, her religion  and her family. It was such a special time, I will never forget it!  Wendy is an amazing woman!




After lunch, we went back to her hotel, took some pictures with the kids then it was off to the Sugar Bowl for Ice cream!

Wendy, Autumn and Summer

The Man!  Love the blue shirt!

We are both on our knees..that is why I look taller!

Amber and the Gang!

Aunt Amber, Nana Shawn and the Skousen kids! I already love each and every one of them!

Love you all!

These two look so much alike! It is all in the eyes!

                                              After taking a few pictures we went to our hotel to open birthday gifts.

                                                            
                                                             Giving my daughter the first Birthday gift in 42 years

                                                                                

                      I hoped she would like this, it meant so much to give her the first birthday gift.



I gave Hunter a gift certificate, then found out that they do not have a target in Pinetop, soI traded him for cash..i think this was to his liking. Now it was off to the Sugar Bowl for ice cream! Unfortunately, the Sugar Bowl was closing early so we could not take the Trolley. Off we went in cars and it was so nice to have Summer and Autumn with us. In this short time we felt so close to these two lovely women and I can  not wait to see them again.

                                                                                    Summer and Autumn


Summer is definitely  my Tiffany and Autumn is quieter like Erin was. Hopefully, this is the first of many fun times together!

                                                                   Aunt Amber and Hunter (the birthday boy)
                                                                            
                                                                            

                                                                              Clay..one of my favorite pictures!
                                                                

                                                                                                     Yummy!
          
      

                                                                                                    Dave and Wendy    
                                                               

                                                                

Clay and Skyler

What is not to like about this?

After our ice cream splurge, we went back to our hotel and watched a video of my side of the family.  We talked and I know each one of us hated to end the night..but it had to be.  When they were leaving I had this great sadness wondering when I would see them next.  In these few days I had gained such a strong bond to them and did not want to let go!

The Whole Gang!

After they left I talked with Tiffany on the phone for about an hour! Amber and I talked then Erin called! I can not begin to express my feelings that night. I felt such love for a family I had just met. The Skousen's are everything I could have hoped for and more. They are a very loving family and welcomed Amber and I with open arms.  Wendy is an AMAZING woman. She is beautiful, loving, a wonderful wife and mother. I was so impressed with her openness , her spirit, her sense of humor..OH YES ..I am in love with Wendy!!  What a blessing, God has given me this beautiful new family..what have I done to deserve this?  I so love all my children and grand children, and now we add this beautiful family to ours! I can not wait to continue this journey! 

Wendy..you were always in my Heart!

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

Friday...!!! !!!

Today Is Friday, a day of Sadness because it is my last hour as the Stay-at-Home Mom
a day of Joy because it is the day before I meet my First-Born Daughter!!

I've had such a good time with the kids this week and will try to write about the week at another time. They are such wonderful kids and it has been a pleasure staying with them, even if they did beat me in a game of scrabble. Jonah has a knack for putting Letters together and have it end up being a word..and when I challenged him...It Was A Word!! OK, maybe once but so many times I have lost count!

Today, Papa will pick Jonah up from school and they will go on their annual dove hunt with Uncle Shawn and Ryan. Since this is Ryan's first year, his job is to get the doves after being shot..he will be the Go-fer. Emma was the Go-fer the first year she went and now the torch is being handed from Jonah to Ryan. By the way, Emma does not like hunting anymore..she is now quite the animal activist and doesn't want to see any living thing killed.

Emma will be going to Aunt TT's for the weekend. Tiff and Jesse have a function to attend so Emma will watch the kids. She will have a great time as I think they are planning on going swimming.

I did not sleep well last night because Moder, the monster cat, did not come home. I stayed up until midnight waiting on him..(hmm sounds like RC) but he did not come in through his door. Because he is an outdoor cat, he has a kitty door he can come in and out of through the day and then at night, after he comes in, we lock the door so he can not go back out! Last night he did not come in but when I came down this morning he was coming through his door. Well, sure isn't the first time I have lost sleep over a man not coming home. : ). !!!!!!
              

Moder...coming in after a long night with the gals!

                                                                

Today will be very busy. After getting the kids off to school, I will clean the house, then pack up and head back to the Condo. I will need to get a check cashed, clean the Condo,get gas for the car, PACK, make sure I print an E ticket, work on the pictures then Bill will come down and we will have dinner, hopefully get to bed early so I can get a good nights sleep.

Tomorrow is The Day!! The most wonderful day I could ever imagine coming true. How can this be happening to little 'ole me! I had given up so many years ago (about 21) thinking I would hear from Wendy (Deanna) and resigned myself to knowing I never would. What a wonderful ride this has been, from hearing from the Search Angel until today when I will pack for my trip to Phoenix to meet her. Yes, the nerves are starting to hit and I have been more scatter brained then usual. I have waited, almost to the day, forty two year to meet her. At first, I thought I wanted to make this journey by myself, alone, just me so I could focus on Wendy and her family. Luckily, Amber was wiser and said she was coming with me. Now, I truly wish everyone was able to join us. I would love them to meet Bill, I know they would have a lot in common..we do not know many conservative people in Colorado! I think that is one of the reasons why he likes our church in Lakewood, he gets to have coffee and talk with the men after the service.

Well, I do have a great traveling partner. Amber, my psychology major, will help keep me in check. We will have a fun filled weekend.

Thursday, Friday, The Day

Today should fly by it is 6:15, I woke up early (15 min. ago) because Jonah is reading a good book and he asked me to wake him early so he could read before school. I do not remember any of my kids wanting to get up early to read unless it was for homework they did not complete the night before!

Last night while were at the condo, waiting to pick up Emma from dance, I was able to work on my album. Our family has had so many good times together and made such wonderful memories that I can not wait to start making memories with Wendy's family. I only wish we lived closer but Arizona is not that far away and when Dad was sick I was going home every couple of months. I do not mind the drive and have done it by myself a few times. Anyway, long story short, somehow I am going to get those pictures downloaded so Wendy can see this side of the family! Times like this is when I wish I had actual pictures and not just the ones I have in the computer. I do have some albums I took when we cleared out Mom's house but they are too heavy to take on the plane. Jonah was looking at the pictures of Wendy's family and said " Wow, you mean we have five more cousins!!".


When I chatted with Hunter on FB a couple of days ago he said he is so excited to go to Phoenix but his dad is a little nervous, which is what Wendy had shared with me a few weeks ago. Since then, I have been trying to put myself in his shoes and figure out what his greatest concerns are. I am nervous but it is more of an excited nervous. At first I worried, like anyone would, what if they don't like me, but I had to get rid of that feeling real fast because I am Who I am! I do not feel that is Dave's feeling. I keep coming back to the feeling that he is afraid Wendy will get hurt, that she will be disappointed after searching for so long. Maybe he is concerned about how I will fit into their family. Well, we are different but so are many family members who have a long history together. Even the children I raised are different but they still love each other. The Colorado girls are so different it is hard to believe they were raised in the same family! I wish I could ease his fears, and concerns, but I do not know how to address them. We will take one day at a time then go from there.

NEWS FLASH: I went upstairs to wake Emma and guess who had fallen back to sleep!

I think I was rambling in the last paragraph, so just let me say, deep in my heart I know this journey is a good thing. Wendy will be the one to decide where she want's our relationship to go. If she chooses to continue, I will be there, if not I will respect her wishes. In the final scheme of things...Wendy's feelings, wants and needs are of the utmost importance to me.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday..The Day

Here it is Wednesday, hump day, and the time is flying! I received such kind, and heartfelt comments from Dawna yesterday responding to my blog. Hopefully, by reading the blog, it will ease those first few moments of our first meeting and it will feel like we already know each other.

Confession time: I was pulled over by the police last night while driving Emma home from dance lessons. I had just made a right hand turn..knew I used the blinker..was not speeding..why in the heck was he pulling me over. I rolled down the window and he asked me "Is this your car?' Well, of course it is my car! "Can I see your license, registration and insurance card?" Yep!   I found everything but my insurance card, I did not have my glasses and could not read so I just handed him the papers and let him look through it..I think he got frustrated and handed me the pile back then asked "Is there any reason that you were driving with your lights off?"  MY LIGHTS ARE OFF?? I had no clue. Sometimes when I turn my blinker on I accidentally hit the lights and they turn off but I usually notice it right away. This time I did not! Oh well, the officer probably thought he was pulling over a drunk driver..HA HA HA!  After asking me where I was going he just turned around and left...

Maybe I have been a tad bit distracted but I know my lights were on when I picked Emma up from the dance studio! I didn't even have to pull the I AM A NURSE card..Woo Hoo!

I talked before about Wendy's album and my hopes to complete the upload into my IPad before leaving for Phoenix. The completed album is not going to happen. While updating ITunes in my new computer there was a flag that said if I synch the IPad I will lose anything purchased from the last time I synched. I recently purchased 2 books for my library and am not willing to have them fly away into outer space. Luckily, I have a portion of the album on the IPad which I uploaded (or is it downloaded?) when we were playing around with it two weeks ago. I have most of the pictures I wanted to share but not all, and not in the right order...guess that gives me a goal for the next time we meet.  Like the saying goes Don"t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Tonight Emma has dance lessons, Jonah and I will wait at the condo, pick Emma up, go back home, get ready for bed and then another day has ended.