To the BEACH we go!

Ivan and I are off for our annual beach week with my family!  Good times ahead!!  See you on the flip side.

I don't know why I love you but I do...

Oliver's favorite place in the house...the fridge!

I'm about to admit something that I am not proud to share: I didn't want to love Oliver. Sure, I wanted to like him. I was planning to like him a lot, but love him? No. The pain when we lost Sherman was so awful I was convinced that I did not want to go through that ever again. However, as always God has a better plan for us than we have for ourselves. In short, I have fallen so hard for this sweet little guy. His antics make me laugh out loud daily. I love to watch him explore the house and yard. I enjoy playing with him, except when he nips me...not loving that. I enjoy watching him nap too. In short his presence here has been more than just a balm for my soul, he has shown me that my heart can (and has) grow.

Swimmer of the Week!

Today Ivan was awarded Swimmer of the Week at our swim club! The coaches award this honor once a week in each practice level. Ivan is in the 6 and unders this year and he was recognized as the Boy Swimmer of the Week in his practice. This is Ivan's second year on the swim team and he is doing great. The coaches announced what makes someone swimmer of the week and I think that is what makes it such a wonderful recognition.

The Swimmer of the Week is described as follows:

*The swimmer comes to practice every day

*The swimmer works hard during practice

*The swimmer has great sportsmanship

*The swimmer has a positive attitude

I must say that when they were describing what makes the swimmer of the week I thought to myself "that sounds like Ivan!" I'm his mom I know, but he's a good kid who works hard and really does stay positive! He is not one of the top swimmers, but he goes to practice every morning and works on whatever the coaches are instructing about that day.

Ivan was really excited about the whole thing. He got a new QHST Swimmer of the Week backpack to keep and carry. He took it to Nana and Papa Wayne's last night as his overnight bag.

I'm so proud of who Ivan is becoming.