The "Finnster, et al."

Today Will asked me to help him get Play Doh out of the containers. I wasn’t helping at the speed that Will thought sufficient. So he asked with a tone of frustration, “What are moms for?” I turned and curiously asked, “what are moms for?” He replied indignantly, “to help children!”  Loud and clear Will Begley, loud and clear. 

One day in September 2020, a little black chicken wandered into our yard. We had no idea from where she came.  We all thought that it was pretty neat that a chicken was in the yard - but we didn't think that she would stay very long.  As night fell, we noticed that the chicken was roosting in one of trees on the other side of the driveway.  When we woke up the next morning the chicken was pecking around the driveway.  We were stunned that she was still hanging around.  What made her continued presence all the more puzzling was the fact that she didn't seem to mind that she was constantly having to dodge certain death.  Meg, the cat that catches everything that moves (snakes, moles, birds), was always just a few feet behind ready to pounce on the chicken.  At first we kept Meg locked in the house until we could find the chicken's owner.  We wanted to return the chicken to the own alive instead of in a stew.  Much to both our surprise and her o...

As a Fifth Grader, Finn was able to participate for the first time in organized school sports at Davidson Academy.  In order to get in shape for other sports, Michael felt that it would be a good idea for Finn to run Cross Country.  Cross County practice began during the summer months.  The kids practiced every Monday through Thursday during the week.  Once school began they continued this same practice routine - but after school.  This caused quite a schedule stir for our family as Sam and Will were released from school at 3:00 and Finn did not finish practice until 4:30.  This meant that I regularly picked Finn up from practice. While the drive was not particularly fun, I really enjoyed my alone time in the car with Finn.  We were able to talk about a lot of thing in rush hour traffic.  We discussed politics, spiritual matter, bullies, relationships with friends, silly stuff and everything in between. I remember one day being astonished that he ...

For our Fifteenth Wedding Anniversary Michael and the boys stopped by my office and brought me flowers and Skittles.  For our actual anniversary dinner, Michael took me to Rosie's in Hendersonville.  I had blueberry lasagna.  It was interesting - which is code for not my favorite.  I don't regret ordering it though because it is what they are known for. I did spill blueberry sauce on my white blouse, so that embarrassing.  After dinner we stopped by our friends Greg and Erica's house to visit with them before he began Chemo.  The greatest game of Jenga ever to be played.  This is how I attended judicial conference this year. I hate zoom. 

Fourth of July at Nana and Papa's this year was loud and awesome.  It is always loud when all six of those boys get together, but it become particularly more loud when you throw in fireworks and hamburgers. This year we added chicken fighting.  The boys are getting old enough to really start to have fun with us! Finn and  Zac dominated.  The fireworks this year were impressive.  Papa had set a big table out in the front yard.  Our safety standards have much improved this year. I think the Roman Candles and parachute men were everyone's favorite.  I'm not sure sure what had me so cracked up.  I wish I could remember.  After our fireworks, we brought chairs to the end of the yard and watched a very impressive fireworks show put on  by the neighbors across the street. 

To celebrate the Fourth of July this year we met up with our friends the Sahs, the Claytons, and the Burtons and spent the day out on Center Hill Lake.  We all brought out kids and they played in the water together while we chatted in the boats and floated in the water.  We had dinner out at the Marina and then settled in for a fireworks show. 

Before Tommy had to leave to go back to the work site,  Deneice scheduled a family photo session with my neighbor Tim West. I don't have the edited proofs, but I had a few unedited to remember the day.  Will was pretty miserable all day because his shorts were too big.  He spent most of his time either complaining that his shorts were falling down or trying to pull his shorts up.  He was also bare foot most of the day and I can't really remember why that is.  It was also dreadfully hot. We got a couple of good shots and really good one of me and Will. It was a complete accident.  I was actually dragging him down the a gravel road against his will to the next picture.  For me at least, it was the best shot of the day.  Sam hasn't quite figured out how to smile naturally yet.  Most of his pictures look like he is contemplating murdering us.  Finn doesn't know what to do with his hands and insists on keeping his top button buttoned.  A...