Freshman Year in the Bag & a Little Jaunt to Puerto Rico

 M ~

Can you believe we're wrapping up your first year of high school? Crazy how time has flown. From such a rough start to the beginning of your time in high school (unexpected schedule changes and covid, to name a few of the issues) to finishing the year pretty damn strong (having made good connections in that giant school to coming up with your own healthy strategies to kick ass academically). It's been amazing to watch you grow into an even more responsible and self-aware person as you navigate the peaks and valleys of teenage-hood. 

So, heading into spring, we spent our usual Easter at the Wilkinson's 

you even helped me with the dishes

I jumped out of the car to snap the pic below of Memaw and Papaw saying goodbye to us from their porch. I thought they looked so cute and someday I know we'll be nostalgic for moments like these.

Then one day we sat outside in the sun on the porch and I helped you with a poetry project for school. I love when you ask me for my input, especially with one of my loves, poetry. 

You and Daddy also spent some time together at an escape room. None of us had ever experienced that before so it was interesting, and while you did not "escape", you had a good time anyway.

After the escape room, you headed to an exhibit called "Otherworld" which the only word to describe it was "trippy".

With spring upon us, I took Lao Lao to Groovy Plants Ranch to find some new plant buddies to bring home.

And then I spent all afternoon and into the wee hours after dark repotting many of them.

And planted my first ever garden on the side of the house!

While Daddy fixed the power washer and was feeling pretty proud of himself.

Then a date night to Hoof-Hearted Brewery in Marengo. Fun fact, Grizz's first foster mama, my friend Sarah, part owns this brewery. Her husband started it from scratch with a couple of his buddies. Cool, huh? 

Evidently my head lamp isn't just good for late-night potting, but also reading on the porch with the cat, too. Dad found me like this and thought it was hilarious. 

Mother's Day eventually rolled around and you gave me this sweet, heartfelt message in a card. Albeit, a card that obnoxiously sang when I opened it. 

Because it's the end of the school year, we also attended some end-of-the-year concerts for friends. This text I sent to Dad cracked me up. You're too cute.

And just like that, it was the last day of school!

Our celebratory last day of school meal at Melting Pot. Mere had never been and wasn't exactly a fan, but at least she got to try something new.

Dad and I had another date night to celebrate the beginning of summer. Bossy Girl Pin Up Joint. Pretty cool local bar.

Remember how I said you are becoming so much more responsible? Well, you took one for the team and gave Grizz a bath when she made a mess of herself. Thanks, kiddo!

Then for some reason, our neighbor brought home a two week old baby goat for a night. We're not complaining though. Baby goat snuggles and kisses are the best.

Of course, don't tell Double G, he thinks his kisses and snuggles are the best.

The weather was finally warm enough to take the dogs to Hoover and let them take a dip. Hoover was always Abby's absolute favorite so I can't go here without her presence heavily in my heart, but these two knuckleheads clearly enjoy it almost as much.

I took a stroll at Inniswood by myself one day and stumbled, quite literally, on this giant owl sunning itself. I had no idea they did such things. 

Then, at the beginning of June we got exciting news that Tom (from the World Walk) and Bonnie (and Savannah and Cleo) were moving to Ohio for Bonnie's residency. We ended up meeting them at their new house and helping them move their stuff into their new home from the giant semi they'd used to haul their belongings across the country. Hopefully we'll all be able to see them more while they live a bit closer for the next 4 years. 

me, Savannah and Daddy

Tom, Bonnie, and Bonnies aunt and uncle in front of their new home
(I took the pic by climbing into the back of their giant semi 
trailer that was basically blocking the entire road)

Daddy and I taking a break with a little lunch on the Ohio River before driving home.

In early to mid June we finally took a bit more of a tropical vacation again and met Brad, Stacy, and the kids in Puerto Rico for almost a week. It was a nice time with ups and downs but always a lot of laughs. This is the first time in a while we've vacationed in a place where the primary language is not English. Although it's still a US territory, it sure felt like a different country. It made me realize we all need to travel more, as much as we can. 

we got to PR after dark, but just had to walk the beach
(this was a pic you snapped...very cool night shot)

me with some driftwood, walking the beach our first morning

Breakfast on our patio...

One day we took a trip to El Yunque National Forest. A rain forest on the island. It was beautiful and they had this tall tower in the middle so Daddy and I decided to climb to the top.

beautiful view

you waited at the bottom...a big nope to all those stairs

you and Laurel, in the middle of a tropical rain
forest...on your phones. ha #teens

I just had to get a coco frio on the way out of the rain forest from this food stand / home (you can see behind me)...

Laurel getting a pedicure from Stacy

KK did your hair...clearly you love it

The pictures above and below are of a cafe that we visited. The woman in the greenish dress (in the middle of us) lives in the home under her rooftop cafe (green building above) and much of the food she serves comes from her very own garden. Brad and Stacy have been visiting her here for the last 10 years and she was so welcoming to us all. Her genuine warmth and hospitality made me cry. She's been through so much, including the devastating Hurricane Maria, having to rebuild almost her entire life and business during that time. I'm in awe of folks like this with indomitable spirits. And they are everywhere. If we just stop, pay attention, and listen to each other's stories. 

I just loved this little alleyway overlooking the sea in Old San Juan

The photo below is me in front of Casa Sol. It's a bed and breakfast that had the foresight to build solar panels and place a garden on its roof, prior to Hurricane Maria. During that devastation, they became a community hub where news was funneled and dispersed via bike messengers since transportation and communications were so sparse and also where community members could come and charge their devices or keep supplies and medications cool since the electricity grid of the island was decimated for quite some time. Now, this bed and breakfast has rebuilt itself and continues to maintain alternative sources of power and holds a beloved place in its community. Remember what I was saying about indomitable spirits? The folks who own and operate Casa Sol are definitely some of those visionary souls.

The below pic was just a pretty building in the middle of Old San Juan. I loved the plants along the terrace.

cool stairway in the heart of Old San Juan

Below is a photo of just before the first time you ever snorkeled. You and Daddy searched high and low for these special masks and finally found some. You loved it! Exciting to watch you try something brand new.

On our way so you and Dad can further test out your new snorkel gear.

random shelter built on the beach

When you need to bring 4 drinks to the pool but only have 2 hands...

One night we all went out to dinner in thrifted outfits that we picked out and surprised each other with; clearly some of us got better ends of the deal than others. Poor Daddy! Ha.

Along with all the silliness, I think each of us had a rough time at one point or another in PR. Real life, man. What can I say?

When Stacy was having a go of it, us moms snuck out and ran away for some deep conversation and mojitos on the beach. It was much needed and so worth it.

It's always OK to not be OK. And knowing when you need to step away and regroup, relax, find support, and love on yourself is one of the keys to a good life, kid. Remember that.

We headed into another town for a quick bite on our last night there where they had this beautiful mosaic seaside wall.

On the way home from dinner, we also saw this pony transport vehicle. I guess if you don't have a trailer, you make due with what you've got. Crazy!

When we got back to the house that night, we played a final game of silent karaoke. It had us all cracking up. See, one person wears ear buds and hears a song and has to sing along while everyone else has to guess what they're singing just by the ear bud person's (mostly questionable) karaoke skills. It was a riot and I was SO happy that you played and had fun with it, too! Good times, for sure. 

And then, it was time to fly home. Delay after delay made for a long, long trip.

With bright spots of random furry travelers along the way.

Back to the grind once we got home, but also enjoying an "illegal" driving lesson with you in the empty parking lot of my agency's old building. We even found some abandoned construction cones that we stole to help you practice parking. Shhh, don't tell anyone.

And also back to outings with Mere and her family. Something tells me you weren't quite ready for this picture on your way to the Asian Festival. Ha.

Of course, never a dull moment with your lao lao. Below are some texts from her with updates on the progress of her crazy new pelvic floor exercises. Ha ha. Oh lawd!

And of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to reply...

Ha. Well, kiddo. Like it or not, you're stuck with us as your family. We may not be the most appropriate, but at least we're not boring. 

Love you!

Mama