Living his dream

From the day Kamden could talk, he has always said he wanted to be a race car driver when he grew up.  So Justin and I felt we could not deny him the opportunity to follow his dream.  This began the search for the perfect quarter midget car, investing in a new trailer to haul it, and collecting all of the required safety equipment that a race car driver needs.  And today, Kamden was able to live his dream of driving a race car!


He is starting out in the red rookie class.  This morning, Kamden, along with his daddy and grandpaw, sat through his first driving class.  At the end of the class, they got to walk along the race track.  Then it was time to get fastened into the car to take a practice run on the track.  I am so thankful that I was able to get there to see his first lap!  He drove on the track for a few laps by himself.

Then it was time to take a few laps with other race cars.  There were only three of them, and since this was his first time, he was the last one on the track.  It appeared that each driver was keeping their distance from each other as they went around the track.  Then they started to get into a pack. And all of a sudden....CRASH!  All three of them ran into each other, and one of the cars ended up on its side.  It startled me, and brought tears to my eyes.  This is real!  And my little boy was in his first crash the first time he was on the track with other drivers.  I kept wondering if this would scare him away.  The other two cars must of had some damage as they were taken to the pits.  And Kamden drove successfully around for several more laps, building his confidence with each one.

At the starting line for his first "race"

When I asked him if the crash scared of him, he responded with "Nope!  That happens!"  Keep up this great attitude, Kamden!  I can't wait to see you improve with every lap you take, and I hope you can continue to follow your dreams! 

Christmas Pictures!

 Christmas Eve at the farm

Kadence loves her new stool

It's even a puzzle!

A gift for Kamden and Grandpaw...a r/c boat for the pond

Boxes are just as much fun as the gifts!

Christmas Eve...Santa and his elf

 Christmas Day

Santa arrived!!!

Santa brought Kamden a Lego train

Grandpaw came down Christmas morning to help give Kamden his race car!

Kadence giving her new baby a pacifier

Dancing on a box in her new boots!

Grandma and Kadence dressed alike

Kamden got a guitar like his teacher Mr. Walker

Life as a leaf

In the fall, Mark Twain Elementary sent home a flier about drama club for grades K-2.  Kamden is always singing, dancing, and is very outgoing, so I thought this would be a fun after-school activity for him.  He was a little reluctant at first...what kindergartener has heard of drama club or even knew what was expected from him?  So I asked him to go the first day and give it a try.

After the first night, I asked him if he liked it and he did.  I asked him what they did and he told me he was a leaf.  A leaf, huh?  This should be interesting!

He came home with lines but would not practice them with us.  However, several times I heard how well he was doing and that his practice was evident.  I chuckled inside...what practice?  Anyhow, I was excited to see what my son had been doing for 6-weeks, and tonight was the performance!

Practicing before his in-school performance...He looks so serious!

The play was about several leaves who were afraid to jump/fall off the tree.  Kamden was the confident leaf trying to convince everyone that there was nothing to be afraid of.  He did a great job and I was very proud of him!

Kamden is growing up so quickly....it seems like just yesterday that he cried every morning at preschool drop off. 

A visit from St. Nick

Every year the Westerville Police Department makes arrangements with their families to have Santa Claus come visit their homes.  I love this Officer St. Nick program!  It was the only way that Kamden realized that Santa Claus was safe and ok to sit on his lap.  I am hoping Kadence will realize that some day too!  She cried from the moment he walked into the door until the moment he left.  She even pushed the present away that he gave her, with no interest in opening it!

This year, Santa Claus brought Kamden a remote-controlled mustang and Kadence a purse full of Doc McStuffins characters!  Thank you, Santa!

Christmas Preparations

Being silly taking photos for the Christmas Card

It's impossible to get a 16-momth old to sit still for a picture!

The only good picture of the two of them!

Early Snowfall

We had our first snowfall of the season today.  Kamden could not wait to get outside and play!  And Justin was just as excited to go plow the snow with his four-wheeler.

Kadence, on the other hand, had no idea what she was getting herself into.  I bundled her up in her snowsuit and boots that were too big (which means she struggled to walk), and plopped her down in the snow.  And she just stood there!  But after Kamden and I showed her how to play with the snow, we got some smiles from her.  I think her favorite part was sliding down the snowy slide on the swing set.

 

The last time.....

A year ago I met my aunt Tammy at Skyline Chili for lunch.  It was the day before her open heart surgery...a surgery that I thought was routine.  She wanted to see the kids and I before she went into the hospital.  Luckily I was still on maternity leave and I was able to take time out of my day to have lunch.

We talked about trivial things and made plans for Thanksgiving.  Tammy and Scott always hosted Thanksgiving, and she was hopeful that she would be out of the hospital for this special holiday.  We took pictures from her phone of her and the kids.  Why didn't we ask the waitress to take a picture of the four of us?  I really didn't think that this would be the last opportunity to take pictures with Tammy.  I didn't realize that this would be the last lunch out, or even the last real conversation that I would have with her.

Tammy and the kids at Skyline Chili, the day before her surgery.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about Tammy.  I think this is ironic because I know that when she was alive I did not have these daily thoughts of her.  Did I take advantage of this relationship I had with her?  I don't think so....but I never thought the relationship would be cut short so soon.

When I talk about my aunt passing away, I am sure people have an image of an older lady.  But Tammy was not old.  She may have been hard of hearing and you had to repeat yourselves several times or look directly at her when you were talking.  But she was young and loved life.  My aunt was only 55 years old when she was taken from our family.  Much too young!!!

A lot has happened since Tammy has passed away...

Kamden turned 5 years old, started Kindergarten, and lost his first tooth.

Kadence turned one, is eating real food, walking, and learning to talk.  She loves to give kisses and hugs...maybe she gets that from Tammy.

I turned 40 and had laser eye surgery so that now I have 20-20 vision.  I also had a baseline test done to make sure I was not at risk for heart issues....It came back with 0%!

Grandma has decided to sell her home of over 60 years and moved into a condo.  She is also very depressed....I am sure part of her depression is because she misses her baby girl.  I can't imagine.  I just try to step up to plate and call her daily to check in with her (something that Tammy did every day)...Unfortunately, I am not always at good at that as Tammy.

Scott appears to be doing well.  He will always be a part of our family, and we will continue to take care of him as Tammy asked.  I see him light up when he is around the kids.  Tammy was so proud of Kamden and Kadence, and he is sad that she is missing out of seeing them grow up.  He makes sure he is there for their birthday celebrations and to play pool with Kamden like Tammy used to.

I miss you, Tammy!  We all miss you!  But I am sure you are cheering on the Buckeyes and having a beer with Grandpa!