Bri's Big Day!

Drew, Briana, Brenda

December 8, 2012.  Briana's BIG day!  On this day, Briana Sue Vander Wege graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Pyscology becoming one of the newest "Lakers for a lifetime!"  I couldn't have been more proud!







   Drew and I arrived in Grand Rapids early that morning and met up with Bri's Uncle Larry, friend Tammy and BF Matt.  Graduation was held at the VanAndel Arena and it was a very busy place!  More than 1000 new graduates plus all their friends and families and yet, despite all that, I ran into a friend whose daughter was also graduating!
   We found seats near the top of the lower seating area, very near where Bri would be seated down on the "floor."   We had nearly an hour to wait but it was necessary to arrive that early just to get a seat. And then, we heard it.  Pomp and Circumstance!  And the graduates began filing in.  What a sight!  We finally found Bri, it brought a tear to my eye.  (Having woken up early with an allergy flare up and a blistered and teary right eye, that one was already "ahead of the game", ugh!)   Susan Ford Bales was the speaker and she is an emotional speaker to be sure.  She only added to the tear factor.      
   And, I kept thinking about Jeff.  How he would have loved to be here.  How proud he would be.  I found myself rubbing his wedding band (which I wear on my thumb) and I  did feel his presence.  I knew this would be a difficult day for Bri and I.  In fact, for me, it was the most difficult day yet.  Talking with Bri later it seems it was for her as well.  Unbeknownst to me, Bri had made a maroon awareness ribbon and put it on her cap in honor of her dad.  Yup, cue more tears!  What a sweet thing for Bri to do!  

Ribbon for Dad!

   The ceremony lasted about 2 hours and was done very well.  Waiting for Bri's name to be called seemed like it took forever and then they were announcing her, how wonderful to hear!  We all cheered very loudly for Briana:) 

Goosebumps and tears for mom!  So Proud!

  We met up afterwards, took a few pics and then were ushered back outside into the cold and snow.  

 



Drew and I headed back to Holland and Bri and Matt to GV for just a bit. Bri and Matt met us back at the house a bit later for a few pics:)

Proud mom!

Thinking of Jeff!

Great job Bri!

   Next, we all headed out for a family dinner at a local restaurant.  Almost every grandparent, Uncle and cousin were there along with a few GF's and BF's.  What a great night, how wonderful that so many could come out to help celebrate and support Briana!  Thanks to all who were there!

Family dinner celebration

Bri and Matt

Drew and Hillary

   The kids and I ended Briana's BIG Day back at home by popping the cork on a bottle of Warner's Brut Champagne and sharing a toast:)  Then, I think we all "hit the wall!"  We were exhausted, sleep deprived and emotionally spent.  It was truly a wonderful day spent Making Every Moment Count!

CONGRATULATIONS Briana Sue! 




(((Hugs)))
 Brenda

Adventure with my boys

   My boys and I have been trying to get together for a "Day Adventure."  This is easier said than done when you factor in 5 jobs and a full load of classes between the 3 of us!  Then factor in the availability of yet another "Key" persons schedule and, well, we finally managed to find a date!
   The boys and I wanted to start our day with breakfast out and that presented yet another challenge!  Finding a restaurant that had Gluten Free selections for me was proving to be difficult if not nearly impossible!  It was looking like coffee only would be my breakfast until I called City View Bistro and hit pay dirt:)  The breakfast was great and we had a very nice time!

Drew & Chase.  Great "Dates" for breakfast

   Next up, a "mini road trip" of about 20 minutes or so.  
   To back track just a bit; Chase and Drew and I had an idea about a year ago but never had the time to act on it.  We got back to this discussion this summer and all agreed that now was the time.  In all fairness, we did invite Bri but, she politely (actually, vehemently!) declined, lol!
   We wanted to do something to honor Jeff. And so, after being highly recommended, we visited Dav and Jay at Love Tattoo in Jenison.

Nice place, Nice guys:)

   We each knew what we wanted and all were similar and yet a little different.  We all chose a different size and spot to do this but all were on our "right side."  I'm not sure how or why but, that's the way it worked out!  

First up, me:)    

Ready to go:)

Dav

Yes.  To answer everyone's question, yes, it hurts.  But, just a bit and not the whole time!  Most of the time it is just annoying.  And, to put it in perspective (for me anyway), after everything Jeff went through, this was nothing!!!

Finished!

I decided, before I got home this day, that I need to go back and have a tiny red heart added near the bottom of one of the "tails" of the ribbon.  I actually can't wait!

Next came Drew.  Chase would soon be in with Jay who is quite the artist and quick as well!  We were all impressed with these guys and the facility.  Very clean and professional!  Very nice!

      Drew getting started...

"In for a penny...

in for a pound!"

Soon, Jay came and got Chase so he and Drew were being tattooed at the same time.  Chase needed to get to work!  So did I for that matter...

Making sure it looks centered

Jay getting started on Chase

                                                             A work in progress...

I know, to many this seems like a strange "adventure!"  Breakfast and tattoos are not exactly your typical day out with mom and the boys but to us, it was a wonderful, meaningful day!  A great thing for all of us to do together!  I am so grateful for these boys! 

Chase, Drew, Brenda

Thank you to Dav and Jay for helping us to continue to  
  "Make every moment count!"


(((Hugs)))
   Brenda

The Happy Wanderer

     I'm a walker:)  I have always been.  I grew up in an area where, unless you lived miles from school, you walked.  I live smack in between my elementary school, middle school and high school.  I walked every day (unless the weather was horrible.  Like a raging thunderstorm, not just rain!) until I got a car in high school.  I don't remember ever minding the walk, even when we arrived at school with frozen hair and eyelashes!
   As an adult, I have always enjoyed walking for exercise and for pleasure.  It is like meditation for me.  I don't walk with my i pod.  I like feeling like I am immersed in the sounds of the wind, the waves, the birds etc.

I am lucky to live where I can head out the door with my walking companion and walk to any one of these places to explore.

Bear, my faithful walking companion!

     I live in an area where we have a wonderful bike/walking path system,  where I can walk to so many interesting places. 
   I can and do walk to and explore 2 different cemeteries. 

Beautiful morning:)

I have loved this since I was a child!

  Riley Trails is wonderful for walks.  

Great hiking

 I have recently discovered that I really enjoy "Off Road" hiking or "Trail Hiking"!  Riley Trails is just one of several great spots for this:)










                                     Keppel Forest  Park has been a long time favorite place of mine!

The Cabin

Pond complete with large croaking bullfrogs

     When the kids were little we would walk or bike there and have picnic lunches:)  It is where Chase did his Eagle Project. It has always been one of my "Peaceful Places."

     Kamp Kiwanis.  When I was a little girl and stayed with my gram we would walk through the woods to Kamp Kiwanis.  I camped there once when I was a Girl Scout.  The boys spent a lot of time there (as did we) for Boy Scouts.   It is nice to go back and walk there:)

With a short car ride, I can be at some great trails for walking and Bear is always up for a hike (where he is allowed).

 
    Always a pretty place to hike, any time of the year!  

 

I have become a huge fan of climbing and hiking at Mount Pisgah this year!  Such a beautiful place and always a great workout .  The views are constantly changing but always spectacular!

As we get closer and closer to winter, I keep thinking every walk or hike will be my last!  But, we have been Blessed with an amazing autumn and i keep getting in "1 more hike!"  Today, Drew met me out at Felt Mansion and Shore Acres Park where he loves to go Disc Golfing!   Jeff and I always loved it out there and even had an opportunity to tour the house when it was about 75% of the way through the renovations.  We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the history!  The property has come a long way and is beautiful for hiking, golfing, exploring and picnicking!  Drew and Bear and I had a lovely time!

Drew was impressed with Bear's ability to trek through the woods and up and down the hills and dunes:)

                                                                                    

Lake Michigan

Happy Bear

And, Drew even got to show off his Disc Golfing skills to me, I am impressed!

   We certainly live in a beautiful area with no shortage of places to visit, explore, hike and enjoy!   I have a list of places I have yet to visit and explore and they are all with in 15-20 minutes of my house!  It doesn't get much better than that:)   

   And, as winter looms large and my hiking days would be winding down, I have decided that I would like to try snow shoeing.  This could open up a whole new world of opportunity and beautiful views!  

And, I will continue to 

Make every moment count!

Happy Trails 

and 

(((Hugs)))

Brenda