Days with the Dorans

  I LOVE boat rides- especially mid-week rides when the lake isn't crowded and we can just toodle around the lake, but for some reason we didn't get out on the lake much and I'm really not sure why. So when we were invited for a boat ride late in the season, we gladly accepted! I think it's safe to say we were ALL happy we went. pups included!

  We left in the 4s, as in 4:00 in the morning to drive to Kalamazoo for Band Day! We took Victor and there were a handful of other Knights there. Dumb me didn't realize that it was for ALL HS kids- We should have taken Zach... Next year! When we got there it was still early so we went to the library thinking we could get some work done. No luck! The library was even closed. So we went to Maggie's and had some yummy breakfast while Joe and the band played on! Jeff and I did a bit of tailgating and driving more down memory lane! We went and got Big Apple Bagels (the ONLY place that seems to have my beloved tomato basil and cheddar herb bagels) even though we were stuffed- and we also drove by Chime Elementary where I did my student teaching. It is still there but no longer Chime or a part of KPS which made me sad. After our walk (or drive) down memory lane we headed back to campus and ran into the kids for a bit. We did make it to the library and worked for an hour or so until g...

It's no secret that my dad is NOT a fan of our dogs, but...

  Well, somehow I pulled it together! We were able to do a Second Annual Because of Andrew 5k run/walk (or rollerblade-Dan, Scoot- Sean & TZ, kayak-Pam). I was later in planning this. There has been so much going on from Christie being sick, school, just the regular chaos of momming four kids. I was SO touched by all that showed up for the run! Old friends and new friends, and running friends, and people I didn't even know! We ran the Air Line Trail this year and boy was it HOT! I was going to walk because my foot has been really bugging me- it's like there's a rock in it- but momentum overtook me and I ran. In addition to our family, Nana, Papa, Uncle Dan, TZ, Ellie, Matt, Sam and Dave all joined us live! It was so awesome! This year I made it FREE to everyone and just asked people to make a donation. I liked it this way better- it may not have made as much money but people could spread kindness in their own unique ways which was awesome! We did raise over $2000 for th...

  With me missing the 15th for the Boys' birthday, there was no way I was going to be able to miss another day to see Joe run (though I HATED missing it). Joey ran the Spartan Invitational at Michigan State. My parents took him there which was awesome! Seriously... what would I do without them! Love you, Nana and Papa! Nana also saw the photo opportunity when Joe met up with two of his best friends who are now Spartans! There were 229 runners there (in his race alone- there were other levels there too) and so it was very cool that they found each other. I believe Bradley ran for the MSU club team (which Joe plans to do for WMU next year- WMU does not have a XC team).

  One thing that has come with Covid is some cool technology. Timmy Ziggy was very excited to give us a concert and so was Sean. These new musicians rocked it!!

  I have not worked on September 15th since 2003 and every year except 2004 (when there was a memorial at U of M for Andrew), I have spent time at the garden. I started my day redoing the "Because of Andrew" run from last year. I actually ran a 10k because I just wanted to listen to the whole thing. I cried through it and was so touched.  After my run I went through Tim Horton's to get my tea and when I pulled up the girl said, "Would you like a dozen free donuts? It's later and we are going to close soon so we can't sell them all." I thanked her and told her it was my son's birthday and to please take a tip. I had a $20 with me and you would have thought it was $100! She had tears in her eyes and I knew that that was my Andrew Act of Kindness! I mentioned Andrew to her and that made her cry too~ but I think it was a good cry. The morning was perfect! When I got to the garden though it was no longer perfect... The garden was actually roped off!! So I...

  Eighteen! I can hardly wrap my head around it. I remember the day like it was yesterday (but clearly it wasn't). I took the day (as I always do) and it was hard to wait so long for Joey to get home from XC practice to celebrate, but we were all there when he came home a sweaty mess! I kind of went with the "adult" theme for his birthday this year- A "Vote" shirt, some raffle tickets and some other things (no cigarettes).  He got some great gifts and it was wonderful that Nana and Papa were able to make it over to celebrate too! Jonasen, you are so very much LOVED! Won $60! Not too shabby! His reaction to Sean's card. One of Sean's Quotes. He's famous for them! Measuring Joe- Don't worry kid, you'll grow! Even the school wished him well- so weird to see 18!!! Sister who never posts on social media even made a post! This from from the 14th, we treated him to an early birthday dinner after an awesome meet! So proud to be "Joey's Mom....

HOMECOMING!!! It was so fun to have the kids go off (albeit in different directions) for their Homecoming Dance. The weather was PERFECT and the dance was outside which was awesome since... Covid. Nana came with me and we tried hard to get to all the places to get pictures but we failed miserably! We started with Joe- but they were kind of running behind, then we went to Ali- where I missed all of the pictures, and finally Z- well... we got him there in time.  This post is basically a big photo-dump and I actually have a lot more. Ali's best friend, Ellie, posted a video that I took so I could see it again and you can see that HERE . I'm so thankful I have one kid who takes pictures (even if it's not mine!) They all had a GREAT time and this mama's heart was so full! We did get home from the meet in time to watch Al get ready. It's weird that she needs no help from her mama! Twin Sarah found my girl and took a picture! See, I rely on everyone else! They did find eac...