Life with the Ootens: colt

Ten descriptions of the past few days.

Whirlwind

Fun

Exciting

Fun

Tiring

FUN

Busy

FUN

Emotional

FUN

Yes. We have had fun. We have been going full speed. We have been enjoying life and living it to the extreme. Life is full... that's not even close to being the right description.

As I blogged on Thursday, I had seven kids at our house for a sleepover. The kids did wonderfully. All seven of them were great (well, except a few times when Bailey ignored me and forgot to listen). They had so much fun. I think I enjoyed it as much as them. They were so cute. And, I was a little emotional... maybe because I knew that the babies weren't babies anymore. Or maybe because I knew that this was just the beginning of a lot of long nights of shrieking girls and wild boys. I think a lot of it was because I was reminded of my own childhood and I realized that so many things in life have come full circle. I'm now the mom who is giving the rules and letting them get broken for a sleepover. I'm not the little girl pushing the limits anymore, but am dealing with my little girl who is. :) Brad and I sat on the couch for a few minutes while they all played and talked about how nice it was that we knew they were making some of the best memories ever. The funny thing is, I'm not sure if they will remember it as fondly as I will. I hope and pray that we have many more nights like this in our future... that the kids will always love to hang out at our house.

Some photo highlights for your viewing pleasure:

On Friday, I braved the pool with all 7 kids. Sorry... no photos. :) I am sure you understand why. Haha. They were excellent and we had a great time. Actually... I do have one. :)

That evening (yes, we are crazy for packing any more into that two-day period), we celebrated at the house with Dawn and Brandon, who recently sold their home and will be moving away. I say celebrated because I know that they are happy about this opportunity. However, I would be lying if I said that I felt anything like celebrating this move. I have mentioned it before that I moved around a lot as a kid. That means that I'm used to saying good-bye to people that I love and care about. It usually isn't that tough for me... not because I'm a cold-hearted bitch, but because I know that change is inevitable in life. Yet... I am not looking forward to them leaving. I mean, I totally support my friends in their move and I am so happy that it has worked out for them. BUT... I am so going to miss our evenings on the back deck, our impromptu get-togethers, and simply knowing that if I need someone to help me with anything, they are just down the road. Our friendship will not end, I know, but I know it will change some, too. And, that just makes me a little bit sad. Dawn, Brandon, and the boys are a big part of our lives... and we all consider them a part of our little Lexington family. It is so rare to meet a woman that you just love to death and then have her husband and your husband get along well... and the kids enjoy each other, too. We love you guys all so much... and hope that we all do what we say and visit each other a lot. :)

On Saturday morning, we got up and the kids went to tennis lessons. Then, we straightened up the house, packed a couple of bags and headed to eastern Kentucky. We spent the evening with Brad's mom and her boyfriend. It was a nice relaxing evening. We were all exhausted when we left to go to my parents' house that night.

On Sunday... we were all geared up and ready to go to the wonderful, incredible, amazing Camden Park. Now, if you don't know Camden Park, well... you just don't know what you are missing. :) It's a little bit rundown. It's a little bit old school. But it's the same old Camden Park that I remember when I was just a little girl. There's still the Hot Cat. There's still the log ride. There's still the Big Dipper. We all had a great time. The boys acted like big babies... getting sick over the spinning rides. I have to admit that age has done the same thing to me, but I could suck it up. Colt and Brad were just big wimps.... as these photos show. :)

The kids had a blast. Bailey loved the Big Dipper. She will try anything at least once... although she assured me that the haunted house would not be visited a second time. Jake, on the other hand, is typical Jake... he had to warm up to the bigger rides and still refused to ride the Spider, despite his love for it in years past. Corndogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, and icees... oh, how I do love the carnival food. :)

On Monday, we crashed. I mean, the kids and I did. We spent nearly the entire day inside. I didn't get up until almost 9. I did, however, clean up the house, did some laundry, and then actually made time to go for a run. Thank God... I finally got over the hump of never wanting to run again... and I ran 3 miles. The bug is back... I think. :)

What does the rest of the week hold? Hmmm... it's too early to tell. But, I have to say... I love this summer.

When I look at Bailey and see that she is starting Kindergarten in August, I think about another little boy who started Kindergarten not that long ago... or so it seems. It was actually in 1996 when he started Kindergarten. I was getting ready to turn 16 and he was 6 and the highlight of our entire family's life. I can remember being a little sad that he was starting Kindergarten, kind of like a mother would be. The truth is that I've always felt like he was more my child than my brother. Being ten years older than your youngest sibling will do that to you.

So, as I am facing the great realization that my baby girl is about to start school and begin rushing her little life away, I am also watching my little brother, or my first baby as I often refer to him, graduate from high school. On Friday night, Colt officially graduated high school and will now go off into the great, big world. He'll go off to college, get a job, get married, and have a life all his own. Even Brad, who met Colt when he was only 7, sees how fast the time goes. It does not seem possible that he is already grown up. But he is. And, like I said in an earlier blog about Bailey growing up, I have enjoyed each age that he's gone through. I miss him being little in a lot of ways, but I love it that he's old enough now to hang out with us as an adult instead of a kid. I'm glad we don't have to worry about what we say or do when we're with him, because I know he's an adult. Not that we ever really worried that much before... he's always been an old soul. lol.

I have to talk about how proud I am of him. He is an incredible person. Sometimes moody, sometimes hateful (especially if he's hungry), but always considerate, always ready to work hard, and always ready to do something fun. He's been through his fair share of bad deals and had enough tough times for a kid his age to deal with, and yet, he is positive and grateful. He has strong faith in God and he shows it. He isn't a follower... he never has been. And everyone loves him. Everyone who meets him, loves him, despite his very quiet, sometimes seemingly hateful personality. Everyone just thinks he's wonderful.

He has accomplished so much. He graduated in the top of his class, with straight A's. He has an academic scholarship to attend Marshall University. He just went to the state tournament for track and field, throwing the discus. He has a wonderful girlfriend, who I just love because she is a lot like me. lol. :) Not to mention that she is great to him and he's insanely crazy about her (which I really did not expect to ever happen!). :) I could just go on and on about how great my little brother is and how proud I am of him.

So, I guess I end this with the hope that he continues doing well, stays faithful to God and to his family and friends, and continues to grow into a fabulous man.

I might always remember him like this (sorry about all the pics, but I couldn't pick just one!):

But I am so happy that he has accomplished so much and become this wonderful young man:

Me and my little brother, all grown up...

Me and both of the little brothers (although I am arguing that I do NOT look like the oldest one... but the baby sister only). :)

The family (minus spouses - someone had to take the pictures, right?!)

Mom, Dad, and Colt

The two who act so much alike you would think THEY are the siblings... :) Except that Colt is like me and closes his eyes in pictures all the time... sorry, I didn't realize it before it was over. Where were you Cilla?!