Seventeen years and counting.....

Seventeen years ago I walked onto a college campus just like any other 18 year old, ready to spread my wings. From what I can remember, I don't believe I knew a soul on that campus and that was exactly the way I wanted it. I was filled with anticipation. Excited for the people I would meet, the lessons I would learn, the fun to be had. Looking back, I can't really remember what my expectations were of college, but that doesn't matter now. What I know now is that I was standing on the edge of one of the most important times in my life. I had no idea that within those first few days and weeks I would find the friends that would mold and sustain me for years to come. I do believe that our circumstances were unique and God knew that we all would need eachother in the years to come. The lessons I have learned through these frienships are countless. I have learned what loyalty and faithfulness look like. I have learned what it feels like to be carried by the prayers of true friends. I have learned what Godly encouragement feels like from a loving friend. I have learned that laughter truly is a medicine. I have seen the beauty through the ashes as these beautiful women have walked through loss that no one should ever know. I have learned about romance as we all watched eachother fall in love & marry our God given companions. These friends have always been faithful to remind me that God is good, He is love, He does have a perfect plan, He does answer prayer, & to be thankful at all times.

And, now after 17 years, after all the changes we have gone through, the friendships remain. And for that I am more thankful than I can express.

The first weekend of this month, 5 of us were blessed to be able to meet in Minneapolis for a weekend to remember. Not all of these friends that I have described were able to make it, but in so many ways they were there. As we walked those familiar halls and streets it felt like they were there as all the memories came flooding back. To those who were there, and those who weren't, THANK YOU for your friendship! Thank you for the part you each played during some of the most formitive years of my life. Some of my most favorite years of my life. Thank you for the continued friendship and support. You are each a blessing to me and I LOVE YOU!

i hate not knowing

Do you know what I mean??

I like to know. I like to plan. I like to picture in my head exactly how things will be. I like routine. I like stability.

Change isn't easy. Unmet expectations are frustrating. Stumbling along on shakey ground is exhausting.

But, today I choose to thank my God. My God knows the unknown. My God knows His plan. My God settles my restlessness. My God fills my emptiness. My God steadies me when the world around me is shifting. My God gives me peace when I can't make sense of the confusion.

Another first, but not really....

Well.....we thought that this was going to be Gavin's first soccer game. BUT, as it turns out, the idea of actually getting out there and playing is just a little too intimidating for him. He LOVES practice, loves his team mates, loves his coach. We tried again the following Saturday and the result was the same. He just watches and talks about why he just isn't sure he wants to go out yet. I think for now, we have decided to continue to take him to practice and skip the games for a few weeks. Sports are supposed to be about having fun at this age....so we are just going to let him do the part that he finds fun. In all honesty, it is mommy and daddy that are the most disappointed that he won't play and it really isn't supposed to be about us, right?

September is almost gone!

I absolutely cannot believe that September is practically gone. So much life has happened in the last 3 weeks. Our little family of four took our first big roadtrip down the west coast. We enjoyed sunsets, crashing waves and tide pools on the beautiful Oregon coast, we hiked in a grove in the Redwoods and stopped to see a drive through tree. Aaron's sister, Kristy and her hubby Scott, happened to be in Carmel the same weekend we were there so we spent some cherished time with them. We went to my sweet brother's wedding in the beautiful Carmel, California. Sam and Ana had an amazing string of wedding events from a bonfire at sunset, to a perfect rehearsal dinner where we got a chance to get to know our new family, to a beautiful wedding day on the coast. My boys were the ring bearers with thier sweet cousin Shiloh as the cutest flower girl ever! It was amazing for the boys to spend time with all the aunties, uncles, Makka & Grandpa and thier sweet cousin. On our way home we made a stop at an old college friend's house where we got to know her amazing family. When we arrived home after 17 days of being on the road, we hit the ground running. Gavin had his first soccer game and Auntie Rara came down for the weekend. THEN! Gavin had his first day of preschool. This was a BIG day for mom.

Whew....so there you have it. Maybe this pace is normal for some people, but up until now, the Boeger household has taken a stand against being too busy. But, if you want to see some pictures from all of these adventures you can click on the link below where I made an album on facebook. You don't have to have facebook to see the pictures.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=241638&id=737464549&l=76714fc8ab

Another "first" done

I have always wanted to slow time down a little as it seems my boys are growing so fast. But my 4 year old is really pushing it lately. Everytime we turn around, I feel like we are experiencing another first in his life. A couple weeks ago, Auntie Alexis (Rara), had Gavin over for his first bag-packed, toothbrush & pillow in tote sleep over.

He had a wonderful time. Leading up to it he kept telling me "he just wasn't sure about it," but as soon as things were in motion he was ready for a good time. Home was definately a little strange without him and Keagan kept asking, "where brother?"

Gearing up for soccer

Someone in our house is getting ready for his first season of soccer. I still have my concerns about how well he is going to handle it all. He doesn't do well when called upon to perform for people he doesn't know. But going to get the shoes and gaurds definately got him more excited about all of it. We have been practicing alot more in our backyard. I know one thing for sure....Aaron and I are really excited about it.

summer time

I just LOVE these boys......and we are lovin' us some summer time!

This time 2 years ago

My little men are growing too fast. To think that this picture was only take 2 years ago. Why o'why does it have to go by so quickly.

Boeger Family Bash 2010

We just got back from an amazing trip to Colorado. It was a great reunion with everyone from Aaron's dad's side of the family. There were 19 of us there in all. We stayed at a beautiful home in Breckenridge. The views were amazing and we had so much fun reconnecting with everyone.

And now, let the fun begin.......Everyone arrived on Thursday....

Here is AJ and Megan.

Uncle Dave and Keagan checking out the theater roon on the lower level!

Kasey and Adam on one of our gondola ride days.

Uncle Scott and Auntie Kristy having a little breakfast with Keagan

Birthday presents for the boys from Scott and Kristy!

Keagan's robot toy from Scott and Kristy

Gavin LOVED having time with Kristy and Scott. He said he wanted them to come live with us too!

Uncle Don and Aunt Jolie.

Scott and Kristy....sweet newly weds at the top of our gondola ride.

Gavin and Keagan enjoying the amazing views from up there.

Gavin LOVED the ride. We went a couple days in a row. On the second day Gavin and Keagan both got to ride the alpine slide. It was all just so exciting for our BIG 4 year old.

All the Boeger cousins together!

Sweet sisters....Kelly and Kasey

One night, Alexis, with her amazing creativity, planned a murder mystery game. I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked, as I was trying to solve a murder with everyone else.

Here is Alexis....as detective.

The scene of the crime......

My husband....William Templeton....the 75 year old millionaire. I don't have a picture of me, but I was his 28 year old golddiggin wife....on my 4th marriage and with some hidden secrets in my past......

The Texans who recently moved to New York

The mullet sportin gardner of the victim....very suspect...

Clarice....fashion assistant...

Our last day there.....Here is Uncle Dave and Aunt April

Seth, playing pool with the boys

World Cup day!

Finishing the World Cup upstairs in the kitchen since the projector overheated in the theater room!

Kirsten and Seth....

Scott and Kristy in the study....SERIOUSLY...the house was enourmous.

A little movie break for the boys.

The Boeger men.....

Awwww.....brothers!

Keagan is 2

Well, I am a little late on this. Our sweet Keagan turned 2 a little over a week ago. It was a sweet family day of loving on our little man. He brings us so much joy and we are so thankful for the gift that he is to our family.

Here we are singing to him the moment he woke up.
Keagan is our sleeper-iner and slow waker-uper....so he wasn't exactly ready to jump up and blow out his candle.

A little more awake and blew out that candle so fast I almost didn't get the picture.

A picnic lunch on a rare sunny day in June this year. It came out just for Keag's birthday.

A birthday boy and a big brother in an itty bitty pool.

Just loving his day

BIrthday pizza time

And now some presents.

Gavin is always ready to help.

A little man sporting his birthday hat and new shoes from Auntie Rara while playing with his Buzz Lightyear from Makka and Grandpa.

Birthday Lego play

Bubble blowin'

And now time for the cake. Just love that sweet face!!!!

Makin noise! A boy has turned 2!!!! Always more fun with our Rara.

Big 2 year old enjoying his cake.