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Kevin J. turned twenty years old. This felt bigger than when he went from 9 to 10 (you know... into double digits) or even when he turned 18. 20 just sounds so adult. He turned out pretty well in spite of the fact that he was the practice child, hopefully one gets most of the mistakes out of the way on the first kid. :)
Happy BIrthday Kevin, you are an excellent young man.
Kevin as Dr. Who last fall
not-so-serious Kevin
In my 20's I loved football. The Chicago Bears. Walter (Sweetness) Payton, William (the Refrigerator) Perry. Big fan. I still hold out hope for the Detroit Lions every season. Really.
I knew I would likely have big boys and always thought I would make a great football mom. Till I realized they could get hurt and would hardly be able to walk on racked up knees in their 40's. So I resisted football. Then I gave birth to 'the jock'. Dominic is always up for any sport, especially football. So we signed him up for NFL flag football this spring. It was a good experience, good coaches and nice families. This is one of those situations where it's important for me to set aside my mom angst and let him take a risk. I am sure we will find a way for more football in his future.
The Steelers had a winning 5-2 season . Dom made lots of good plays.
Our parish's youth group retreat was called Advent in June and appropriately included a snowball fight and green Christmas themed tee shirts. They were joined by several priests, seminarians, St. John the Baptist and the Three Wise Men. The goal was to grow deeper in knowledge of and in relationship with our Incarnate Lord. And they had fun. :)
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
the snowball fight (on the hottest day of the year)
Alex winds up
lets it fly
Monica in the middle of the action
My teens have a grand time, sleep little and come home spiritually refreshed. We have excellent retreats.
Alex turned 18. We all wanted to get out of the house but Lydia had been sick and we didn't want to expose anyone. We found a quiet picnic area at a metro park and had the whole area to ourselves.
the handsome birthday boy man
Dad came straight from work, hence the tie
brought a case of rootbeer, we all enjoyed that!
since we were alone, they might have let loose a little :)
Lydia imperiously called Blaise away from frisbee to push her on the swing because I wasn't pushing her high enough... she's feeling better
Dad demonstrating his frisbee throwing technique
the huge snapping turtle the kids found in the Huron River
We are very proud of you Alex, you are an excellent man. Always willing to help, a mind like a steel trap, my fix-it guy, and an excellent big brother. Congratulations on your graduation from St. Augustine's and your 18th birthday. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for you.
Our first day at St. Augustine's many years ago, Alex had a hard time. The whole classroom setting was a huge adjustment for him. I remember observing him and wondering if we had made a mistake. Alex continued to have struggles through his high school years but was thriving in many areas thanks to St. A's. He never struggled with the content. He loved what he was learning and could discuss the most complex topics from Logic to Philosophy. Alex was blessed through his St. A. years with fabulous tutors who cultivated his strengths and a group of the best kids anywhere as friends.
Today he graduated. We are very proud of Alex.
grads waiting for everyone to arrive
last minute instructions from the headmaster, Dr. Russell
walking to the church for Mass
St. Augustine's schola and some alumni sang for the Mass
St. Augustine Class of 2013
Pomp and Circumstance on harp and flute ~ beautiful
Dr. Stan Williams gave the commencemnt address
Dr. Russell gave a farewell address, he does not like to see the kids go
Dr. Williams and Dr. Ben Brown
Happy grads