This was my facebook post today.  I feel like it pretty much hits right where my heart is on this day each year.

The major thing that sticks in my mind from 9/11/01 was dropping off Carter at day care, he wasn’t even 2 yet and hearing the word terrorist come on the radio. I was like “no way” that wouldn’t happen, it was a mistake. Terrorist wasn’t a common word at the time and we never thought something like this would happen HERE. Since I worked at the Kansas City Business Journal we were very much watching the story unfold. I stood there, 9 months pregnant watching the tv in the newsroom as the towers fell and then as the pentagon was hit…the sky was raining giant airplanes. It was terrifying and I couldn’t fathom how the world would change, what was ahead for all of us but especially my babies, one at daycare and the other in my stomach. Then I felt terrible for my husband…this all happened on his birthday. I know his mom really hated that for him too. So we allowed ourselves to watch a summary of the information then turned off the tv and concentrated on our family. It was a year later when we really let ourselves be affected by this extreme tragedy. We watched the documentaries and weeped. We tabled the grief and worry so we could focus on bringing our daughter into the world. We shielded our son who loved planes, trains and cars too much to introduce the fact that airplanes could crash into buildings and kill thousands of people. We kept our cocoon safe from terrorists and the scary things they make us think about. Carter is now watching a documentary about that day and is fascinated. At almost 15 I think it is time for him to understand the events leading up to that day and what has followed. He will better understand the extreme bravery his Uncle Kyle Brown showed when he enlisted in the Marines and protected us on their soil during three deployments. And he still fights as a Reserve. This is a day to honor all of those people who protect our country, those who have died for our country, the first responders all around the US and the families of those lost but also the families who love those brave men and women. I appreciate and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

9-11-14 and 9-11-01 ***borrowed and reposted from tumblr

Kyle and the guys

So my brave big boy thought up a great way to ask a bestie gal pal to homecoming. It’s their first one and he made it a show stopper!!

He had been scheming and trying to keep it all to himself but I encouraged him to let me be his taxi and at least organize the plan. So we ran around between soccer and dance to get the goods.

At the crack of sunshine we picked up Bre his across the street BFF and headed to Starbucks. He asked the Barista to write HOMECOMING? on her Caramel Frapachino. She smiled and told him what a great idea that was.

We headed to the school with her “white girl” drink, bag of twix and *red* roses. On the way to pick flowers he said he didn’t know anything about that but was very definite in wanting only red roses.

So I dropped them off

And they disappeared inside…and I was left to wait and watch for Bre and friends to post pictures of the big, FIRST ASK…

Here we go!! In a flash it happens, taking deep breaths and live in every moment.

It feels like I was just stressing about the kids being home alone all Summer and poof…they are back in school!  The BIGS seem to be off to a very focused start which is polar opposite of last year when they were both resisting organization.  I think they realized that mom really doesn’t want to be a helicopter and doesn’t have to be if they keep it together on their own.  Hoping for an easy breezy year!

Carter, my big Freshman!

Whitney Jane in 7th

Big Russell holds down VSE in 3rd

They all left at different times starting at 6:30am.  It made for a sleepy day for me and dad.  So far Carter has been doing a great job getting up on his own but has been all “preppy” so I have to iron for him.  He has tried on his own but it takes practice so hopefully he’ll master ironing soon.  Whitney wore a really cute outfit topped off with really tight headbands.  We told her they were too tight and she’d get a headache…she did.  Someday she’ll trust our advice.  Russell was easy breezy, no fussing over an outfit, just pulled something out of his drawer.  The funny thing is they each independently picked out their outfits and they all coordinated.  Too bad I didn’t get my official three together shot that morning with all of the wake up times being staggered.

Thankfully picframe, #rhonnadesigns app and Instagram give me my scrapbooking fix and allow me to produce a *these 3* picture to satisfy my first day tradition.

We went to dinner to celebrate so I snapped them all together for the side-by-side *look how they’ve grown* pic.

Left 2014 Right 2013 First Day of School

Wow I could cry, they are so big!  Carter was horrified he was in the same shorts.  I told him he just grows up not out and when you are a grown up you wear the same clothes over and over.

So my photography business is booming!  Yay!  Brides, babies, families and seniors have consumed my creativity outlet!  I love it of course!  It makes me so happy to stare at these darling faces and capture the love they have for each other.  Thankfully I’m surrounded by some really awesome people who are very easy to photograph.  I think opening newly edited pictures is like Christmas morning and am so thankful I get to do that for people.  I AM BLESSED!

Aaron and Christina #instagramfilter

We capped off a truly insane sports/dance year with Whitney’s Dance Nationals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Despite the two day drive there and back it was nice to change up our traditional Branson trip for Nationals.  Our team danced their hearts out and looked so beautiful on stage.  Our Line is just so incredible, I can’t get enough and am so glad I have a video to watch whenever I want to go back and marvel at this team!  This dance has Itty bitties from age 7 to our 18 year old senior, including our sweethearts we have 75 dancers on our team!  Rock Stars!

Our awesome dancers on the beach, lovely ladies!

Carter had fun at the beach and played with the girls.  Who wouldn’t have fun surfing all day?  Man I love this kid!  He’s really growing into an awesome young man.  Headed to high school in just a few weeks!

If you can’t beat em join em!

And BIG RUSS celebrated being 8 while we were gone.  We celebrated before, during and after…he’s still hoping for a friend party and we are still trying to find a hole in the calendar for it.

BIG RUSSELL turns 8!

I still have 500 photos to edit from our trip but haven’t had a second to sit.  Here is a fav from my iphone.  I can’t wait to spend time editing these of my favorite girls “the OGs” and two families I took photos of as well.

The OGs from the Hen House

My love bugs in Nashville. We had fun exploring as we passed through on our way home.

We got home, went back to work then had an awesome visit with my Aunt Mary and Uncle Harley from Hawaii!  They are such cool, brilliant people!  It was fun talking with them and I think the kids got a kick out of them too.  Aloha Aunt Mary and Uncle Harley!

Then another wonderful week of busy-ness that included celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary at the Royals game then we enjoyed the Justin Timberlake concert!  The tickets were in my stocking Christmas morning so needless to say I was pumped it was finally here!  He was totally awesome of course.  He seemed very appreciative our crowds which packed the place two nights in a row!  Kansas City loves some JT!

Wow 19 years of marriage! Go Us!

Whitney and me #selfie

We are also packing in the last days at OOF and WOF and are lucky enough to have some mama friends who will take the kids while we are at work.

Carter and his posse’

We find out TODAY what dances Whitney will be in next year!  So excited to hear about all of the songs they picked etc.  It’s going to be an awesome year!

My wild child on the left and poised Taylor on the right. They make each other laugh!

Another successful weekend of baseball results in our 2nd championship! I can’t help but beam with pride and am just so happy for this team who has grown so much in spirit and strength! I’m also counting my blessings after learning about a shooting that took three lives and a motorcycle wreck that took the life if a friend’s young brother. I feel selfish in my celebrating it know I’ve spent too much time grieving in my life and the opposite is the kind of joy I have in my heart.

During this Holy Week I’m thankful mostly for my faith. Knowing I have a loving God looking over me, my family and friends gives me strength. I’m thankful for everyday I have on this earth and must remember this each day.

Here is a picture I took if our team yesterday as they said their pre-game prayer. The rain had stopped (it rained on and off through two games until it poured), the boys were quietly praying next to a beautiful pear tree in full bloom. My heart hurts for those families grieving today. I pray they will come out of the darkness and into the light sooner than later.

Well no to be totally boring but O-M-G it was an insane week.  I wasn’t home until after 9pm every night which isn’t totally unusual but I think I must have been sidelined a bit with Brad’s injury and not on the go as much.  So this week was full of extras…on top of Valentine’s Day prep for Whitney and Russell we had watch week, Ash Wednesday service, final touches for dress rehearsal and the finale was a very fun date night with Brad at the Zach Brown Band concert.

Yes, the Woods went to a country concert!  I texted a friend and said “I feel like I’m on the wrong planet but it is fun and friendly.”  Then the music started and I loved every second of it!  Plus they played our first wedding dance song, Into the Mystic.  Zach Brown even rapped!  So fun!

Whitney wanted to go out with a bang for her last Valentine Card exchange so she designed a mama-made card.  I used some photos from this Summer and some graphics I had from a Heidi Swapp album I made last year…couldn’t find the link online or I’d pass along some props.

Front of Card

Back of card

These were printed 3 x 3 and she taped candy to the front.  Pretty cute!

The Dance Team dress rehearsal sent me promptly over the edge on Saturday.   We had an 8am call time and Carter had his last basketball game at the same time.  I dropped her and her gear and rushed off to make his game then back to the studio after a very heartbreaking loss…By the time rehearsal wrapped up at 2pm Whitney and I were balls of moosh.  As soon as we were home we were passed out and napping the second our heads hit the pillow. Thankfully I had nothing on the books Saturday night, I enjoyed a snuggly night with my3moons watching the KU game while Brad watched it live in Lawrence.  I needed that down time and so did my babies.

I’ve been contemplating what I’m giving up for Lent.  I think I decided on chips and dip, fries and sweets.  It will be hard but I need that one extra step toward healthy choices.