Back to school

I am NOT sure how this happened but its back to school. Again.

Jimmy is going into this 2nd class year at VMI (junior) studying International Studies with a minor in Homeland Security. He's (hopefully) in the Jazz Band, on the football team (moved to defense this year) and a Title 9 assessor for Rat Line. SUPER proud of him, his ambitions and hard work.

Kay is a kindergaten para at Meadowbrook. It'll be interesting to see how this compares to 1st grade last year. Olivia (neighbor) is in her class so we'll see how that goes, they are both incorrigible and kindred spirits. Kay seriously kicks ass at her job and the other para's, kids and parents love her.

Billy is a senior. Good god. He also will turn 18 in December and we'll have 3 adult children. URGH~!!!  He is taking a bunch of fun classes this year (sing language, 2 different orchestras, photography, AP Stats....) and is looking forward to film club and rugby again. Not to mention senior pictures, we need to get those scheduled. ... He finished his common ap for college and now is the hard decision of where to apply. Right now, in the running, Stevens Point, SUNY Cortland, U of Vermont and his stretch school Brown.  U of M is also a consideration but might be too big. He's looking at mid size (right now) but we all know how that can change as you get into senior year.

Tom is in the 1-3rd grade rooms, before and after school and lunch/playground supervisor. Of course he is famous and ALL the kids in the neighborhood brag that they are friends with Mr Tom. The parents are also so grateful for him, he's helpful beyond measure with anything that comes up.

Cheers to a good school year! I am so proud of each of these amazing humans. They are kind, hardworking, generous, determined, frustrating and funny.

My loves....xoxoxoxox

 

80,80,54,50,48

 

last year Tom's family (ie: siblings and dad) went to Florida - they had a blast.  This year, we wanted to celebrate my parents turning 80 and Tammy turning 50.  Orginally it was a girls only trip to Costa Rica to stay with Julie but... the glamorous life of Solomon McC forced us to reconsider.  We decided on a "just us" vacation to Glen Arbor and our parents cottage. It was unbelievable. Fun, active, relaxing, funny, touching...it was so nice to just be without having to be "mom" with 3 kids and all the cousins.  I DID miss Tom and the dogs but we made the most of every minute. It doesn't hurt that their cottage and that area is my favorite place in the whole world. We all felt so blessed and lucky. We did everything. Walked, hiked, biked, paddle boarded, golfed, shopped, ate, read books, drank wine, watched funny TV, watched old videos of the kids when they were babies (Ced was hysterical, he kept falling asleep in his food).  It was really a magical time, in a magical place with the people who loved me 1st and whom I've love longest in this world.  Everyone should do this trip. Now. Magic.  

GEtting ready for a nap

Hiking the dunes to Lake Michigan

Skipping stones

Cairns on the hike 

Pure bliss 

Family selfie

Biking

5 some 9 hole scramble, Mom, Tammy and I won

Julie learning to use her new skateboard

Sunsets!

Golf

Matchy Matchy

Dune hike

I even got a walk in at the cemetery! My favorite!

Kissing the moose at Michigans oldest bar

More sunsets

Getting picked up from the airport for a quick road trip up

My fit of strength for the day, pulling the boat out of the water

Michigans most dangerous intersection - also don't forget to look for deer 

Dog walk in Grand Haven on my way home 

Big Glen at sunset post an ice cream run 

The girls

Hike on Lake Michigan 

Paddle board yoga - no that's not me 

Not a soul in sight 

Biked around Big Glen, its SUPER hilly and its the 2nd time this summer that Mom has done it!! 

You are here... 

Biking!!

What I did on my summer vacation by Jimmy Murphy

It was another fantastic summer filled with all the things Jimmy loves to do.

The school year ended in Mid May and Jimmy was home for about 2 weeks getting some down time and packing and preparing to head back to DC for another summer internship this time with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security.

Jimmy totally loves the DC vibe working and meeting all the politicians  and working for his Country.

Once he returned from DC he was able to have a few weeks of R&R. First off he went to a friend of his and hooked up with Will and Mario 2 of his besties from Hopkins. Then it was golf, golf, golf. He played with Tom, Pat and Brian, several rounds with James O and even around with James O, Doug and Tom. 

Jimmy also played a couple rounds with his other family the Kims which lead to the Annual Murphy/Kim Korean feast. This year we added the addition of Alex's finance Megan. Both Kyle and Noah switched shifts at work to make and of course Anne, Bob and Sonja.It is always a ton of food, fun and great cheer. 

There were days of hanging around and playing with neighborhood littles giving them popsicles and chasing them around the yard. Jimmy living on his own has learned to make basically 2 meals, Rice, Broccoli and chicken as well as scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. So one morning  he demonstrated his skills by making billy breakfast. Billy survived..

In the middle of all this Kay turned 19 and asked if we could wait to celebrate her birthday family dinner when Jimmy came home so yes we did. ( See previous blog) Jimmy also made time to vote which is another thing he takes pretty serious, I am not going to get into all of his political carrying ons however I willl say that this election he voted for his first Democrat, enough said.

It was great to have him home we spent several nights and countless hours sitting of the front porch with the dogs sometimes Billy a cameo from Kay, but Jimmy, Tracy and Tom just talking and spending time with each other, super fun. However football was calling so we had to say goodbye.

Dropping him at the airport to head back to VMI, two years ago was a tearful event this time around knowing what awaits him and seeing how he has matured it was sad, not heart breaking.

We love you Jimmy, glad you had a great summer good luck with football, GO VMI!

more to come...