The Loud Americans: 2019

Wow, our Billy Baloo, Billy ya, Sour Patch Kid, Shawnie, William....is 15 years old. How did that happen?

Just yesterday he was looking at us with those soulful brown eyes, asking a millions deep questions, making profound statements and observing the world around him with an intensity you couldnt imagine.

Wait... that's still Billy!

He is funny, kind, patient, insightful, gracious, committed, hard working, relaxed, zen, understanding, accepting, curious, insightful and profound. He doesn't say much but when he speaks its amazing. He's still an 80 yr old man trapped in a 15 yr old body.

Every day, we literally say.. "thank god for Billy".

He is the kid that we know the least about (from a birth family perspective) and yet the kid the causes us to look internally and examine our actions and motivations.

He's endlessly patient with us and forgiving. He still holds Tracy's hand and gives the best hugs. He says "I love you too" and dotes on the dogs.

He loses himself in taekwondo and his video games and is fiercely competitive about getting better an d improving his skills but he's also the most gracious winner (and loser!) you'll ever meet.

Today 2 classes sang him happy birthday and taekwondo gave him gifts. He did NOT want all that attention. As I write this, he is snuggled in bed with the puppy, a hoodie and headphones. A true introverts dream space.

What did we ever do to deserve this amazing person that competed our family? We have no idea, we just know we are blessed by Billy.

Thank god for Billy. We love you beyond measure.

XOXOX Mom and Dad

This week marked 16 years of Kay in our family and we love her more each day. She's fierce, frightening, determined, funny, kind, creative, gorgeous, a risk taker and talented. She's also frustrating, self sabotogizing, emotional, volatile and can hold a mean grudge. Its hard to tell how much is personality, anxiety, teenage angst or something else. But, I guess it doesnt matter, the whole combination is Kay and she wouldn't be herself without each part.

The start of the school year has been rough with Kay pushing boundaries and not feeling engaged in school. Yet, she also got a job with the school teaching "littles" gymnastics and passed her drivers permit. She's actually a really good driver, much better than Jimmy at her stage. Tom has even ventured out on the highway with her, something Tracy is not quite ready for. She's determined to get her license by spring and at the rate she's going, she'll do so with flying colors.

Thankfully gymnastics has started up again and thats always a good outlet for her energy. She picked super spunky floor music (as always) and seems to be excited to be back with the girls. The 1st meet is next week and ... while we aren't invited... its always good to get the 1st meet out of the way.

She continues to have good friends at both Hopkins and Armstrong. We do worry that they all might be more of risk takers than we'd like but...they also do seem to be good kids at the core.

Tom taught her to mow the lawn and it was a HUGE help this summer as well as this fall when the leaves turned. And, it was a great way for her to earn a bit of money for her endless supply (need) for makeup and nail care. She recently asked if she could go to cosmetology school and we all think it would be right up her alley.

Here's the year in pictures. XOXOX

She actually purged her room