Yes, I am still alive, and no, I have not emotionally abandoned this blog

I know it has been almost a year since I have written on this blog.  I have a million excuses why I haven't, most of them because I have been busy, and some because I haven't had the emotional energy, but mostly because I haven't taken the time to feed my own likes and hobbies since I am supporting those around me.

Colin is 15 and has completed his first year of  the wonderful world of High School.  I feel that he deserves his privacy and the opportunity to create his own online life.  He is amazing and talented and funny.  All of the things I was dreaming of for him are coming to fruition.  His wise-beyond-his-years personality has finally caught up with his chronological age, and it is so fun to watch him grow into himself.

Ryan is 10.  He is still a bundle of energy and joy and light.  He still makes me laugh every day, and he still makes me crazy.  His smile could light up the sun itself, but he also has the dead-eye stare that will one day strike fear in his children's hearts.  I think he got it from my dad.

In the last year, we have survived and actually enjoyed a season and a half of marching band, winter and summer swim, travel baseball and travel basketball.  We lived through Freshman Year in high school, and third grade.  All of this alone is a good excuse for why I haven't been writing.  I can thank Ryan's guardian angel for getting him through third grade math.  Thanks Sara!

This year we are living the high life as a member of safety patrol.  That has single-handedly made fourth grade the Best Year Ever.  I am a bit worried what is going to happen when the florescent sash has to be passed to the next guard as this is only a one month position.  Only one person gets to be the safety patrol captain who gets to be in charge all year, and there is some fierce competition.

As for me, I will continue to drive the kids to and fro from hither to yon in a quest to give them the same experiences that Dave and I had when we were growing up.  The chance to be a part of a team, and feel like they are involved in something bigger than  them.  For us, it is the chance to watch how far they have come, and dream about how far they can go.  After all, isn't that our job?  If not, tell me because this is a lot of work if I am doing it wrong.