My Giant Wyatt

A lady at a restaurant over the summer murmured to her lunch companion that my kids and husband were clones of one another. :)  She's totally right.  But it's not just the kids who resemble Josh. Sometimes he reminds me of them.

*

Josh cried after his wisdom tooth removal, which he will hate me sharing with you, but the dentist told me that he had to use as much tranquilizers as they would have used on a horse to get Josh to calm down.  He said he was so alert, they just kept pumping him full.  Because of this, it took a long time for him to fully awake.

As he woke up, he kept putting his hands to his mouth. The nurse did not want him to do that, so she kept putting his arms down.  She was very rough with him and had a horrible bedside manner. His eyes were closed, but he was in full fight mode. It was so sad.  He finally opened his eyes and when he saw me, he started signing for water.  He couldn't have any, so I told him no.  He kept signing, water, water, water.  Finally he broke down in tears.

Once he started crying, I just wanted to wave my magic wand and get him out of there.  I wanted to scoop him, my giant Wyatt, up in my arms and make it all better.  He was breaking my heart.

He grew up signing, so when he couldn't vocalize his needs to me, he signed them, with his sloppy exhausted fingers and even more so he resembled our boys.  Quick as I could, I convinced him to move into the wheelchair so we could get him in the car. I knew that as soon as we got him home I could get him some water.  As I drove us home, I felt completely unequipped for caring for this giant sad boy.  Somehow we managed to get him from the car to the bed, and then I was finally able to get him the water he wanted.  Over the next few days as he healed up, I felt such gratitude for his health. We're so blessed that my caretaking of him was temporary.  What exhausting, emotional work.

***

Small Group Girls

One of my sweetest, slowest mornings of summer was spent with my small group bible study girls from seventh grade.  Yep, I've known these lovely ladies since the days of choker necklaces & converse low tops.  For years we met on Monday nights at Nancy's (she was our small group leader) and as we ate our way through her Life Savers Wint-O-Green mints (only occasionally sneaking into the bathroom to watch as they lit up the mirror when we bit them in the darkness) we would share our innermost fears & wishes.

We wrote vows to our future husbands, promising to save ourselves for them; shared prayer requests and more than once, shed tears together as we grew from awkward pre-teens to beautiful grown women.

Getting together this summer, we got to connect as wives & mothers, and they were the most deep and meaningful conversations.  Each of us, at one point, was moved to tears during our time together.

These girls hold my history, my prayers and my relationship with God.  They know my struggles, my triumphs... my very heart.  And it felt good that morning, to be cradled by them.

I love you girls.

And I am forever grateful you are in my life.

Branstetter Reunion

Part Two of Reunion Tuesday is our Branstetter family reunion.

It has become tradition that each summer we do a Branstetter reunion at Lewisville Park.  The Branstetter side is my mom's side, and includes my mom & her two sisters (plus all their offspring, and their offspring's offspring) as well as their uncle & his wife, and their children.

My cousin Kasey showed up on motorcycle and Wyatt was thrilled to jump on.

He thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Jack is STILL talking about how next summer cousin Kasey is going to give him a ride around the neighborhood!

Kasey's older sister, Kris & her wife Ang, have twins who are Wyatt's age, a boy & a girl.

Simon

& Sidney

The person I most look forward to seeing comes all the way from Hawaii with her hubby and two sons.  Amy is my mom's cousin and is the sweetest person ever.  

I love talking to her about living remote and raising rambunctious boys!

Her son Kahlil.

Her little sister Stefani also has a little boy, Cole, who has the most beautiful brown eyes you ever saw.

My cousin Kasey's daughter Elexus was in love with Wyatt.  

They were even wearing matching Saltwater Sandals!

My mom, dad, sister & her family were there as well.

That's my mom pushing Ferris (my nephew).

Boy pileup on the slide!

My dad & Kasey

Stefani, Amy, Hailey, Jenn, my mom, Wyatt & Logan

I love so much sitting around visiting with these girls.

I can't wait for next summer!!!

Leah & Martin

Part One of Reunion Tuesday (a holiday I invented all on my own so I could blog about some fun reunions from the summer) starts with our best Alaska friends Leah & Martin.  

Leah, as well as Martin, came to visit & stay with us when there was a training in Portland Oregon this summer.  They stayed with us for a week in our summer rental.  It was so fun to have them meet some of our family & get a taste of life in the Pacific Northwest.

Leah is a kindergarten teacher, whom my boys adore; and Martin is the assistant principal in Marshall, whom Wyatt is particularly fond of.  I am so grateful for all the friends we have in Alaska, and spending time with them this summer helped me feel good about heading back in August.

While Leah was staying with us, I had to have her try Tillamook ice cream.  She's from Pennsylvania, so she'd never had any before. Just looking at that makes me miss home-- I want some Grandma's Cake Batter!!! 

Alvin's Birthday

This summer my oldest nephew turned 17.  He is a huge Oregon Ducks fan, so naturally his little brother (in true little brother fashion) bought him an Oregon Beavers football! Ha!  We were all cracking up!

Alvin has a huge heart, always wanting to spend time with my boys, especially Wyatt.  He's also incredibly helpful.  If you need something in a pinch, Alvin will do it.

Alvin, 

You are the best! 

We love getting your letters. 

Keep working hard at school.  

We can't wait to see you this summer!!!

Kari's Baby Shower

One of my oh-so-sweet friends Kari is expecting her first, a girl, so her sister and I co-hosted a shower.  And by co-hosted, I mean that Kori planned everything, and I vacuumed my house!  It was a beautiful, quiet shower with lots of good food and meaningful conversations.

{Mom of Honor Kari}

{The cake was a challenge to cut, but delicious to eat!}

{Kori's boys were there, and they were AMAZING the whole time!}

{Twin sis Kori}

{Kaylynn}

{My sister & Kari... Sorry, Kari. I had to!}

{My mom & new-mom Nicole}

At Carter's Logan picked out that fuzzy suit for Kari.  Unbeknownst to him, Wyatt had the same one when he was a baby, and Kari's baby will be born during winter in Michigan... so it will come in handy!

Kari-- I am so happy for you.  

In a few months you will meet Cadence and will be what you've always dreamed of: a mommy.  I wish for you joy in the last bit of pregnancy and health throughout the delivery and homecoming.  

I can't wait to see her!!!

~Shelly

*

PS: Yes, readers, a lot of things you see in this post (mainly the pom strands & the lanterns) were gifted to me once the party was over and now live joyfully in my playroom/schoolroom in Alaska.

PPS: If Kori Hiser ever invites you to a party, do yourself a favor and RSVP yes because she has epic game prizes and out-of-this-world gift bags!  I won a year subscription to US Weekly!