Done with Elementary.........

It was hard on me while driving to work Nic's last day of school. It wasn't just because he was done with another year of school...it was because he is finished with elementary and on to junior high. My baby is growing up an moving on. Granted he is only 12 and has several years to go but it just hit me and I started to cry. I am a crier by nature so I should not have been suprised but I was. I emailed my mom to see did she remember if she was such a woos but all she said it I was a very good mom who deeply cared about her son. We want them to have independence and grow up but we still want those moments where we are their everything.

So here is Nic on his last day of school at Shaw Road Elementary. He has completed grades K-6 and we have 7-12 to go. Wish us all luck and mail me tissues at those milestones. We are on to Kalles Junior High where he will do great, have tons of fun, meet new kids, be a leader to his peers, enjoy honors math/english/science and play the sax.

I will make it!!!!

Disneyland was fun & it was good to see Chelle & her family. Those kids are growing up so fast and are just the cutest thing. At times I miss not having a little one around. Nis only 12 but we have moved past that stage. We are now into (almost) Junior High, sports, homework & the testing of boundries. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Nic will be off to 6th grade camp May 3rd to the 5th. It sounds like loads of fun. It reminds me of Girl Scout camp I attended for a few summers. Horseback riding, camping, crafts, friends, archery, earning badges & cooking an egg in a orange shell over a fire. The last item was not good. Michelle & I hated the taste & ran off looking for water. Those were the days.
Baseball is in full swing. Practice, games & tournaments fill our schedule these days. I am still taking one class that is only one day a week. That is enough for me. Bring on the sun and the shorts tan. I am ready!!!

Happy Birthday Brian. Today you would have been 16. Learning to drive, enjoying high school, playing sports, dating, being the best big brother, camping, hiking and casuing you parents grief.

You are missed by many and loved by many more. The question of why is still not answered for me and may never be. I still see you waving goodby to me that day and I also have the memory of you in the hospital. I try to keep the first memory in the front of my mind more.

Even though you didn't come from me you were my first little guy. My first opportunity to be an aunt. I am so grateful Bill & Tamie shared you with us. We loved you before you were born and love you now. You are forever in our hearts.

Love your Aunt Mae & Uncle Steve


Brian Eugene Hinman
Born March 3, 1991- Died November 23, 1994

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Did you see the moon last night? I was perfect....large, round & glowing. I was walking out of Costco toward the car and it was right in front of me. Very impressive and filled me with a sence of wonder. I had to say a small prayer of thanks for the wonders of this world and the pleasure I get from them. I am not a preson who regurally goes to chruch but I am still spiritual. I believe in God and strive to be the type of person he wants me to be.

We are postponing our trip to Disneyland for a few weeks. Chelle has to have another surgery and she needs time to heal. The poor girl is in serious pain and she needs to feel better. No more bleeding into the stomach or systs forming. Just normal days where she can work, go to school, play with her kids and enjoy life. She is my sister and it is hard being away when she needs help. Oh to be rich enough to be there for her and not worry about missing work. Or even to live close enough so that dosen't matter. We have been friends for over twenty nine years. What a blessing she has been in my life.

Nic is a little bummed but optimistic that when we do go he will be missing school. It is already starting and he is only in 6th grade. He does like school and does very well but is a typical kid. He is also my baby and I love him.

Steve and I will have been married 17 years this Saturday. At first Nic & I were going to be gone but now we can enjoy our Anniversary together. I am thankful every day for him and love him with all my heart. He is my one and only! Love you baby...!!!!!

I am reminded daily how fast each day pases. We are always thinking toward tomorrow and not enjoying now, today. On Sunday I was waiting for Monday night to watch 24. Right now I am thinking about the trip Nic & I will be taking in February to Disneyland. Granted I am excited to see Chelle & her family but I should enjoy each and every day for what it is and what it has to offer. I am going to try to "stop & smell the roses" as they say.

Things are good here. Nic is enjoying basketball & school. He had (along with others) a test yesterday to see if he qualifies for honors math in junior high along with a normal math test. He also received back his biography report and poster and was excited about his grade. We are so grateful he really enjoys school. He is learning more and will be beyond my help with math shortly. Time to call in Aunt Chelle. Thank goodness the cell phone has unlimited long distance.

Steve is ready for his Legacy Mill so we shall see when we actually buy it. It might be time for a quick trip to Utah if the shipping is too much. Mom & Dad will enjoy the visit. As Steve says my Dad really needs the railing to help him up and down the stairs. He dosen't need to be falling off the stairs.

Happy New Year!!!

It is hard to believe we are almost into 2006. The more Nic grows up the faster time seems to fly for me. I can't believe he is in the 6th grade and just about as tall as me. He will be turning 12 in a few weeks and before you know it he will be driving. I don't think I am ready for that. All I have to say is to enjoy each and every day!!

Steve is home fighting off some bug my mom and/or dad left during their Christmas visit. It was good to see them even with a trip to the convience care and mom being sick. At least this year they were here and not in the hospital like last year. By next year everyone should be 100%.

I am back to school on January 4th. Just one class a quarter for me what with everything else, but I am hoping to get my AA. I need to see what credits transfer so I don't have to retake everything. That will save time & money. The class is one night a week but I have to drive over to the Lakewood area. Once we have more daylight that should not be too bad.

I hope everyone has a super, great & safe New Years. Happy 2006!!!!!!!!!!

The day before Thanksgiving & my mind keeps wondering what I might be missing for dinner tomorrow. I have two things on my list but the big question is can I remember all that I am missing.

It won't be too bad since it is just the three of us. I also have tickets to the new Harry Potter film at the IMAX theater in Seattle. We have never been there, so it should be fun.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving & stays safe in their travels.

Now I can say it is hard to believe it is November. I need to try to keep in touch more. Things happen so fast, it would be nice to write some things down.

Football is over. We lost in the championship game to Puyallup Roughriders but the kids had a fun season. Nic really liked playing and going to all the practices. He is interested in playing for the Wolfpack again next year if Coach Craig in the head coach. We now have a few weeks until basketball practice starts. Nice to be able to work out after work and not have to run off anywhere.

I have signed up for a beginners French class with the parks & rec dept. It starts this Thursday and runs through the 5th of January. It should be fun. Lets hope I learn to pronounce words correctly.

Harry Potter is out this Friday & I would like to see the movie this weekend. It will probably be crazy but you have to try. I reread the book to make sure I remembered everything from the first time. Steve isn't interested in fighting the crowds so we will just have to see it again with him. Nic & I don't mind too much. Too bad I work on Friday or we could see the one that come out at midnight.

Hard to believe we are already into October. Next thing you know it will be Christmas time. Our typical Seattle weather has started to roll back in but not as bad as some think. Yes we get gray skies & rain, but people would be suprised to see how many days have sun. Over the last several years this area has started to change its weather pattern. Now that I have put that into print we will get tons of rain & more snow than predicted.

Now if we received snow that would be something special. Where I live in the greater Seattle area, I am south of all the fun white stuff. Normally the east side & north end get snow & the south end is left just getting wet. Maybe this year thing will reverse themselves and we will get snow. I don't need tons, just a nice storm once a year. Something between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Nic would really enjoy a few snow days, but he dosen't realize that will keep him in school more of the summer.

I have been trying to create my first "posting" but seem to keep deleting it. This time it will work. Lets hope the third times a charm.

Nic is playing real football for the first time this year with the Valley Wolfpack in Sumner. What is interesting is his baseball team is also the Wolfpack, neither team is associated with each other. He seems to be enjoying it and learning how to play. Steve & I wish he showed more aggression. I know he will get there.

Hard to believe he is in the 6th grade. He has grown so fast. This year has just started & he seems to have more homework than in the past. Thank goodness he is a great student & really cares about how he does.

Steve & I are preparing for our vacation next summer. We decided this summer to go to Hawaii. We have been dieting & working out so we get into the shape we would like to be before we go. Time to save, save, save.