Lasts

The clock is ticking. I hear it so loudly in my ear. Anthony will be leaving for college in just 6 weeks. I wish I could slow time down. It's already the end of July, and I don't even know how that has happened. 

I don't know how many more times I will have all of my babies in the car like this. I'm starting to notice those little things. The things you're not sure of will be lasts...but they could be. You hope not. But you don't always know when it's a last, do you? 

There's going to be a lot of lasts. So many things will change. And I know that's ok. It's how things are suppose to go. There's always lasts....all throughout life. And my track record for making it through them is 100%. So as hard as they will be when they happen, whether I know it to be a last or not, I'll make it through. 

But please don't let this one be the last.  

With love,                                                                                                      Mama Hauck

Damn Little Lady

Just a funny little video Molly and Anthony made while out together for lunch at Big Jims. I didn't want it to get lost on my external. So now it also lives here. 

With love,                                                                                                      Mama Hauck

Anthony's Yearbook Dedication

Anthony's yearbook finally came. They normally get them before school lets out, but the shipment was late, or the school's order put in late, or I don't know...there was an issue. So we were bummed when the kids didn't have their yearbooks for all of their friends to sign before school got out, but at least they are here now. 

And this years is special, obviously, since Anthony is a senior. For as long as I can remember, for the high school yearbooks, parents are able to order a 1/4, 1/2, or whole page and write a dedication to their senior. I always knew I would be doing this, and I was so excited this past Spring when it was time to work on Anthony's. I spent days thinking of the perfect thing to say, and doing a deep dive on our external to find the perfect photos. I was very excited for him to see it. 

Anthony,

 I blinked, and suddenly a man stood where a little boy used to be. I wish time wouldn't pass so quickly, but it has been nothing short of our greatest joy watching you grow into the finest young man. Anth, I see you. I see your beautiful soul. You have a moral compass firmly rooted in kindness, compassion, equality, inclusion, and love. You are, without a doubt, the most amazing friend...always showing up, supporting, and loving people for who they are. You have a curious mind that questions everything. We love that about you! You are creative, charming, thoughtful, reliable, resilient, silly, and the greatest comic relief. Truly, you have given your Papa and I so many reasons to be proud of you. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us over the years.

 Continue to question everything, love deeply, and spread kindness wherever you go. Continue to prioritize your health and happiness above all else, because really, that's all that truly matters. Everything else will fall into place.  I promise you, this next adventure, while maybe not always easy, will be meaningful and help you on your journey to your authentic self. Life gets a whole lot better. We are excited for your continued growth in mind and soul, and we will be here to support you and help you thrive in whatever life you choose to make for yourself.

 We love you as deep and endless as the Universe.

 With love from your biggest fans,

Mama & Papa

I also wrote one for Anthony's core group. We've watched many of these boys grow up right alongside Anthony since primary and middle school. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to them all, and watch everyone go off on their new adventures. But ohhhh how excited we are for them all! 

Owen, Kevin, Rowan, Storey, Carson, Christian, Sean, and Jacob,

 The days your laughter filled our home have truly been our absolute most favorite days. For so many years we have loved you like our own, sharing hearty laughter, meaningful conversations, and unjudging support. It has been a pleasure to watch you all grow into amazing young men!

  You all have been such a bright light in Anthony's life; showing up, loving, and supporting him. Thank you for that. We have always been so proud of that fact that Anthony had the most spectacular group of friends. We are so thankful the Universe conspired to bring you all together.

 Please remember, our doors will always be open. We will be here to offer our love, support, and encouragement in any way we can. We are so very proud of you!

 Always in your corner,

Mama and Papa Hauck

I'm pleased with how they turned out. The yearbook staff did a great job. I really hope Anthony and his friends love it. 

With love,

Mama Hauck

Do Epic Shit - Whitewater Rafting

In celebration of reaching 2 Years NED, I wanted to do something epic. 

White water rafting it was!! I have been feeling a bit stronger, and felt like I was up for the challenge. 

We booked a 3 hour, 12 mile river rafting trip on the Deschutes River with River Drifters out of Maupin, OR.

The trip was amazing! 

We showed up already dressed in our swimsuits and water shoes, but did buy a couple hats, a wet bag, and a bunch of water bottles. You are asked to leave your phone in the car, but we brought our little water proof camera so we could be sure to get some photos. I'm super glad we did! 

We slathered sunscreen on, heavy! Then once everyone who scheduled a rafting trip for that day arrived, we all got some life vests from the guides and loaded up on the bus that was to take us to our starting point. The guides did a safety talk, which I was thankful for, and then they checked and tightened everyone's life vests when we arrived. Our guide was Pippa, and she was amazing! Couldn't have gotten a better guide. She was friendly, funny, easy to talk to, and gave clear instructions on rowing the entire time. She definitely made us feel at ease on the river. 

 

I was anxious, I'm not gonna lie. Mostly anxious about the kids not liking it, or falling out. However, after the initial "are we really doing this?" jitters, the kids quickly got the hang of rowing and LOVED it!! And in fact, I was the one who wound up falling out!! On only the second rapids too, hahaha. Our raft completely tipped to one side, and my foot slipped out of it's nook. I also was worried about Timothy falling out, because we were on the same side, so I used one hand to shove on his back, which help facilitate me falling in. I really didn't have time to be worried or scared, because it all happened so fast. One second I'm in the raft, and the next I'm in the water. I never went under, otherwise I might have freaked. But I just reached for the rope on the raft, and hung on until Pippa was able to get the raft out of the rapids and pull me in. It actually wound up being my favorite part of the whole experience! I'm also pretty proud to report that I didn't let go of the oar the whole time, haha! 

The best part is that River Drifters has photographers at certain points along the 12 miles, and they capture photos for you as you go by. Unbeknownst to me, there was a photographer stationed on the bank at the rapids where I fell out! I didn't know this until we got on their website later that night to check out the photos. I about died laughing when I saw the photos! I mean, talk about being in the right place at the right time to capture such a magnificent set of photos! 

After experiencing falling out, and everyone seeing that all was still well, I think everyone really dropped their anxiety and threw themselves into the experience. We truly had a great time. It was hot out, 106+. And even the wind was hot. But ohhhh did that water feel great! I'm glad we remembered sunscreen. I can't even imagine how badly burned everyone would have been without it. 

 

There were a handful of quiet areas where you could get in the water and float along with the raft. Everyone did this periodically, but it was Timothy's favorite thing to do! Definitely a great way to cool off and catch a break from the sun. 

 

Once we were getting close to the end, I told Pippa about my special Do Epic Shit t-shirt I brought with me. This t-shirt was given to me by my cousin. It was my Uncle Steven's who passed from esophageal cancer. So it holds a lot of meaning. Pippa loved it, and was totally cool if I changed into it real quick for a photo. Even better....she said there was a quiet river part coming up where a photographer was stationed and I could unclip my life vest for a photo in it as long as I was standing in the middle of the boat. Once we got there, we got a nice sitting family photo, and then I got my Do Epic Shit photo! The photographer even called out to me that he loved my shirt. It was so awesome, and the photos turned out AMAZING!! My favorite of the whole trip, and definitely frame worthy. 

10/10 experience. Totally epic worthy. I would definitely go white water rafting again! I'd love to go with some friends, and I know the kids would love to do it again too. 

Feels good to scratch something off my Do Epic Shit bucket list!! 

With love,

Mama Hauck