May 2023 (Part 1)

“All things seem possible in May” – Edwin Way Teale

PART 1:     May 1 - 14 (this entry)

PART 2:     May 15 - 31 (linked) - includes books read

May is full of hope!  And new beginnings, beautiful weather, and Oklahoma storms.  She is full of love, and joy, and the bloom of spring with the promise of summer on the horizon.  And for the Weavers, May is ALWAYS busy.  This one takes up 2 entries!

As I continue my 2023 blog with the promise of celebration - as this is my One Word for 2023 - I am halted by the reminder that sometimes, we have to celebrate things lost, as well as things gained.  And this May was full of both.  A complete roller coaster and yet so full of love family, friends, memories, and hope.  We celebrated birthdays, graduations, new beginnings, life, and love.   But we also celebrated a life well lived, and mourned the loss of a dear family member.  All of these celebrations, as always, were captured in photos - a few of which I will share here.

The Month started off "All About Finn" as he started his annual State Testing in his classes, and we went to an orientation night at the middle school he will attend the next year. And of course, Jake had basketball practice in the evenings,  We also made a few trips back and forth to Stillwater as Britt's dad has been admitted, and was not recovering as expected. On May 5th, the family called in hospice care to prepare for end of life.  This heavy experience was buoyed slightly by looking forward to the next 2 weeks filled with the girls' college graduations, 21st birthdays, and their trip to Central America, but we also knew many of our plans could be changing.

Finn's middle school looks fun!  Their mascot is a cougar.

BeReal went off while these two were shooting hoops in the driveway.

Visiting Grandpa Jake in the hospital

Finally remembered to order, then waited patiently for, the girls' announcements!

Emma's Graduation

Emma and Austin!  <3

It was during Emma's graduation ceremony that we found out about Jake's passing. These pictures are so precious to me.  Life changing in so many ways in just one day.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity.  Sunday, we headed to Stillwater AGAIN to enjoy church at Univeristy Heights Baptist Church where Lara has worked for the last 3 years as they honored their college graduates. And of course - went out to lunch afterwards!

Jake had a fun and unique opportunity with his high school basketball team to join up with the Mriacle Baseball LEage in Edmond to help work a baseball game they were having.  Any he and I made memories as we walked through our neighborhood recording video for his final woAP World History class project on Pearl Haror - during a tornado watch.

  

The closing shot

And, we planned a funeral for Friday...  Surreal.  But it was a beautiful service filled with memories, family, friends, and all our loved ones.  Jake was one of a kind and he is so dearly missed.

 

Jake's Funeral

 

 

Lara's Graduation

 

Third Gen OSU Business School Grad!

Jake was not at Lara's graduation because mere moments after the funeral on Friday, he was whisked away to Dallas to meet his Team Griffin 16U Select team and finish out the tournament they were playing in.  Here are a few highlights:

AND, because there was much to celebrate and our days had been so heavy, we had a little mini photo shoot with Emma and LAra to commemorate college graduates and their 21st birthday - here is a sample of those shenanigans...

 

 

  

  

And a nice little weather shot from our drive home before we got PUMMELLED by rain!

And then they Turned 21!

I took Lara to a little hole-in-the-wall bar in Guthrie for her first drink.

We crashed a birthday party!

 

 

We facetime'd Emma - she was in her own world!

And it was Mother's Day...

WHEW!  That was A LOT in to weeks!  The boys are still going to school every day at this point!  Jake is gearing up for Finals and Finn is practicing for end-of-year ceremonies and planning parties!  Flip to Part 2 for more Weaver Fun!