The weekend started with family, more family and even more family!
We had lots of visitors in town to celebrate Eric's HS graduation. Wow, my brother is onto college (OU) this fall...
Wasn't it just yesterday that we were all little and playing on our old, rusty play set in the backyard at the Bear Creek house?
Wasn't it not long ago that we were playing on the banks of the beautiful Arkansas lakes and exploring the waters on a pontoon boat?
Wasn't it just the other day that we were all jumping on the trampoline together being silly and care-free?
I swear it was in a blink of an eye we went from kids to young adults ready to take on the world!
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Brother:
Do you know how long I waited for you?
Do you know just how much I wanted a younger sibling?
Do you know that I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad jealous when you were born? (ha!)
Do you know how funny and entertaining (and big!) you were as a baby and toddler?
Do you know how I used to love when you and Michel would follow me around when y'all were toddlers?
Do you know blessed we were to have a kid-at-heart mom who would go to Academy to buy a boat and paddle so we could all rescue the abandoned ducklings at that lake? Then she let us keep them in a baby pool?
Do you know how you and Michel used to be two peas in a pod?
Do you know many very long, endless road trips we made to Slidell, LA to visit family?
Do you know HOW MANY TIMES I HAD TO WATCH BARNEY????
Do you know how secretly I didn't mind watching Winnie the Pooh and The Lion King with y'all in the truck over and over and over...?
Do you know how much I always watched you play sports? And how much I secretly loved you always stood out in every one of them!
Do you know how early on we all knew how special, smart and determined you were?
Do you know that you gave me a tattoo that one time you threw a pencil at me? (it's a dot on my finger!)
Do you know how much I terribly missed you while I was away at college?
Do you know how I felt so sad and disconnected to you and Michel during those years?
Do you know that it's the absolute #1 reason I moved back to Sugar Land - to be there for you and Michel and watch you two grow, learn and thrive?
Do you know how many times I've cried in the past year just thinking about you moving away? (seriously - ask Brett!)
Do you know how SO SO proud I am of you? For being the Christian man you are today? For being a SMART student? For putting God and family first? For being a DEDICATED athlete? For aiming so incredibly high and never ever looking back? For standing up for what you believe is right even when the majority doubts you?
THAT is why I look up to you little brother. You are an inspiration to me and countless others. I pray your new journey in life is a bright one...and a Godly, enriching time in your life. Soak it all in. Every minute.
And always Thank God every day for your blessings.
Love you always,
your big sis,
Patricia
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Mirror Brett made for Eric's graduation gift.
You could say Eric was supported at graduation! And this isn't even all of us.
Orien made the graduation ceremony quite eventful :)
My heart was bursting with JOY and PRIDE for him this weekend.
Aunt Wanda and O getting some cuddle time in.
Aunt Brenda on her "sports car" :)
Then we headed to Lake McQueeney - our first trip of Summer '11!!!
Man, I love this little guy!!! Drinking queso straight from the bowl. Yummmm.
My sweetie pie.
The men at Gruene's General Store.
Pez.
We can all agree it's the best shot of the weekend.
This shot reminds me how blessed I am. My two men just hanging on the curb people-watching in Gruene on a breezy, summer night eating Pez. Life is good.
Cheetos for breakfast. (Daddy was in charge!)
Sweet kiddos playing.
Lots of popsicles were eaten this weekend.
These boys couldn't be more opposite. It cracks me up.
Beautiful boy!
Whose husbands are these anyway?
Thankfully the two 2 year olds slept for three hours letting us big kids play and swim on the Guadalupe!
Pretty nice lookin' fam!
This one's not bad either.
Our colors coordinate well :)
The kids.
And...the going-home-exhausted-and-sleeping shot of Orien.
What a wonderful weekend at the lake with amazing friends. God is good!
HAPPY MEMORIAL WEEKEND.
-The Boettchers
I love the tribute. Pictures are great too. Love you.
ReplyDeleteAgree about all the Eric stuff; and glad to see ya'll had a fun time with friends. Thank you and Brett for the hospitality, the swim was a nice diversion.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time. Wish I was there. Love your tribute to Eric. I know it meant a lot to him.
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