SWEET 16

It becomes harder and harder to believe, and I'm in complete denial that Ryan is getting older by the years, months, weeks, days, seconds, etc...Why??????????? He's my baby, my sweet baby Ry. It's probably not healthy for me to keep looking back and wishing time would stop, but I am not going to be a happy empty-nester. I miss my kids. I love it when they come to visit, or when we can go and visit them. I'm trying to enjoy every last second I have left with my very last child still at home. Sorry Ry, you get the sappy and never-ending reflective mom. It's crazy how time and circumstances change perceptive. I remember a time when all I really ever wanted was time to myself to shower or just use the bathroom, but now I have all the time in the world for those things, and it's the tiny fingers slipping through the bottom of the bathroom door, or the constant yelling of the word, "MOM" that I miss. So, wherever you are in your MOM journey, be sure to enjoy every single moment!!

Ryan is now officially 16, so per my yearly birthday post here are 16 fun facts about our Ry to celebrate:

1. He is not close to getting his license(sorry Ry - probably parent's fault/kinda)

2. Loves a good skate board

3. Favorite brand is VANS

4. Attending his 2nd Twenty-One Pilots concert(Thank you Andy & Janelle!)

5. Still and will probably always love a good PB&J(but only with home-made strawberry jam)

6. Math is not his favorite subject

7. All his siblings want to be him(last child at home), but he'd rather have them all here and give up that role

8. Sweet and sensitive

9. Favorite meal is a good steak

10. I really thought Ryan was going to be a girl. I bought a pink beanie to use after she/he was born. I was going to name her Elizabeth Ann, so Andy likes to call him Ryan Elizabeth☺

11. Favorite dessert is chocolate ice cream

12. The only child who was born in the South, maybe that's why he's the ONLY one who likes okra

13. Loves to have his head and back scratched

14. Favorite Subject is history

15. Does not enjoy competitive pressure

16. Most frequent meal - Zaxby's Wings & Things - tongue torch flavor - Dr. Pepper to drink(#lastchildperks)

He likes to take my phone and my glasses and take selfies...

Skater boy...

Happy Birthday Ryan!! We love you lots & lots!!

UTAH - IDAHO

I enjoyed a quick trip out west. My nephew was getting baptized, so I went to stay with Kaitlyn and Alex for the week in Utah. It was really fun to visit, shop, eat yummy food, run in the cool morning mountain air, and see family♥

We met up with Grandma Ritz for a visit. It's always so nice to see family and be able to spend some time catching up. It's hard to live so far away from everyone.

I also found a photo flashback. This was taken right before Casey and I were married(28 yrs.) - Crazy how fast time flies. We were so young!! Where does the time go??

We drove to Idaho for the weekend to attend Cole's baptism. It was so fun to see everyone and enjoy all the fun birthday/baptism activities.

It all went by in a flash. I needed more time! The older I am, the faster time seems to go. It has been a family goal to slow things down, enjoy the little things in life and each other more. Time is fleeting, and before we know it the memories are all we have left. I was able to make some great memories over this short visit, and I'm so thankful for the time I had with everyone. I ♥♥♥ my family-near and far♥