August 2023: the best month ever.

To say it's been an eventful August would be an understatement. From a 4-day power outage to a new grandbaby and 7 brand new aunts and uncles, to a newly permitted driver, to a week away at camp, to the start of football, to the start of high school, to a brand new home for Maria, Tyler & Rosie, to a perfect night on the lake with friends, it has been a really wonderful month.

Obviously the birth of Rosalina Hannah Hope on August 11, 2023 at 7:51am after about 30 hours of labor for Maria was THE highlight. The birth story (in retrospect) is that Maria's water broke on Wednesday night late. They waited until Thursday morning to go to the hospital and since she was considered in active labor they stayed and one of the doulas was there for the waiting game of part one. The waiting game of part one I was in the dark for most of after a 5-word cryptic text from Maria at around 2pm that said only: "I think Rosie's coming early." Finally at 4:42pm on Thursday I got a text from Tyler that clarified Maria was having contractions every 4 minutes and had been checked at admission around 9am and was 2 cm, 80% effaced, -1 station. At that point I let work know I wouldn't be in Friday and Mike and I made the call to drive out to Jenison and stay at the Devries and wait for baby. Tyler's parents were up at their property with family in town so we took Peter and the two girls since both Mateo and Mikey were at football practice.

The second part of labor (for which the second doula was there for) I was also mostly in the dark. After a looooooooooooooooong 12 hours without much update at around 6:30am I was able to get an update from Kelly (Ty's mom) that it seemed like pushing was eminent. Ty texted me back around 7:20 to let me know she was "actively pushing" and in the middle of Meijer in Jenison, I found out Rosie had been born! Mike and I had been getting some snacks and such to bring to Ria and Tyler so we loaded up and headed to the hospital leaving Peter at the DeVries with the girls. At around 3 hours old both Mike and I got to meet Rosie and after an hour-ish visit we headed to a Mass of Thanksgiving across the street at St Andrew's Cathedral and then went back to get the kids some late lunch. We drove by their new house and Mike took a nap and then in the evening we went back to the hospital so the kids could see their niece and just passed the Devries in the hallway. Knowing Maria and Ty were likely exhausted we made a quick visit so Auntie Paulina could see Rosie before camp and then left for home that night.

At the first "team meal" of the season the seniors present a jersey to their parent(s) and say a few words. I had spent the previous night and most of the day with Maria and holding Rosie and helping her get some things for Tyler's birthday party and then drove right to FGR for this moment. It feels like too much good all at once to have senior year of football AND Rosie all in the same month!!

At the end of July we were supposed to go out to the lake to hang with the children and grand-children of one of Paula & Raul's best couple friends (and actually see the other couple). These are just a few of the grandchildren of Paula/Raul, Caroline/Joey and Samira/Peter Essa. In the background is the beautiful new home that was built where a modest duplex cabin used to be.

What a picture perfect evening our re-schedule ended up being!

First football game of the season was also almost canceled due to storm. It was 90+ degrees on game day so they moved it from a 4pm start in Detroit out to a 7pm start in Howell. The boys played University Prep, beat them soundly 33-0 and then we all rushed home to beat the tornado warning storm cells that pretty much started the moment the clock ran out!

I love this cheer squad. Absolutely wonderful group of girls who I am learning names for...LOL...I know all their faces but I'm afraid I'd fail the test if I tried to name them L to R!!

I had the time of my life announcing after a quick one-quarter training from my good friend Lydia's hubby Scott. It was hot as balls in that pressbox but worth every drop of sweat to get to say 33-0 IRISH WIN!!!!! into that mic :)

More pics from senior night: Jake and Trey below

Colin's first year as a senior on the left and Tomas hugging mom on the right.

Both Eli and his mom gave the most moving speeches. What a great family we have gotten the pleasure of knowing better since FGR and moving to HVCS!

Gavin and his parents Sherry and Lance. 

Look at those boys smile to hear their friend shout out his parents <3

Pat and his parents Michelle (TSG extraordinaire) and Dennis

Nick and his mom DOCTOR Elizabeth Sorenson and another Tomas/Des hug :)

Charley and his mom Shannon. She is also Teaghan's mom
(a cheerleader who convinced me to buy the $15 green wig on Amazon for game days!)

Words cannot describe the heaven that is holding Rosie. She is so sweet. She smiles and coos and makes all kinds of noises half asleep in her milk coma and I couldn't love her more!!

3017 Beechcrest Drive

The Condits and Joe Jordano at the new parent reception at FGR. I went directly from this lovely event to holding baby Rosie and then back to FGR for the senior team meal!

Both Garett (pink shirt) and Andy (gray shirt) were classmates of Maria's from K-8 at SSA. They are roommates and live in the GR area and attend the same church as Tyler and Maria do. So I got to see them on my visit and Andy has also been selected to role of godfather along with Tyler's sister Jenna as godmother.

Speaking of godmothers, just before Sam left for NET Amy was kind enough to invite me over for dinner and to pray over Sam the night before he left. What a treat to be an honorary Ekblad and have a godson doing so much good in the world!

Camp Sancta Maria's 90th year was Summer 2023. We got the pleasure of driving Zuzu up with us who Paulina had met last year at camp and who's dad is the music minister at OLGC where we normally attend Mass. Upon arrival they got moved into the same cabin so they got two years together!

Green & White Night - this year we got in line and got to ride the horses/ponies!!

Blessing the athletes! That's a lot of athletes!

The Devries backyard. So cool! I didn't even realize all this was back there until we stayed!

I have so many wonderful friends in my life. I really can't believe how blessed I have always been in this department! Jen and Lydia both belong to Chippewa pool in the summers and were kind enough to invite us along (or I probably invited myself! lol) for a swim before the craziness of school starting!

Let's be friends, BEST FRIENDS.

The first week in August was my favorite, dance camp at the Kopinskis! Both Giana and Stella do such a super job with the girls and Jen and Peter are so kind to open up their home to us and let their girls share their love of dance with these little ballerinas!

Happy 15th Birthday Peter!

After Isabel left for Texas, we moved the double down to the basement for Peter and the twins upstairs for the girls to have their very own room! Just in time for Kindergarten!!

Quick trip on a hot (but turned out kinda cold...oops!) day to Kensington. They gave Lucy about a half an inch forgiveness so she was able to even try out the water slide!