1st Day of School 2021-2022

Our Junior drove our Sophomore and her boyfriend to school this morning, leaving the house at 6:30 am. They also hit up Dunkin’ for a little pick me up on the way. Mommy drove Mason to school but he will be a bus-rider going forward. Even though masks are required, we are happy they’re back in the building- praying it stays that way for the year! 

5th Grade Here Mason Comes!

Mason is more than ready to have Ms. Beaton again for 5th grade. She will no doubt, prepare him for middle school. Here’s to a fabulous (and hopefully normal-like) school year! 

Pawley’s Island 2021

We ended our summer on a very positive note. With a sort of last minute “yes” to join Josh and the girls and Grammy and Poppy to Pawley’s Island, it was worth the 12 hour drive, to say the least!  Daddy couldn’t join us due to work and Jordyn was unable to drive down with us so caught her first-ever solo flight out of Louisville, to Midway, to Charleston on Monday, 7/26. She rocked out traveling alone!

We spent most days at the beach and eating at some local restaurants. Our favorite was Wicked Tuna. The salmon and sushi were out of this world!

We also enjoyed shopping at the Hammock Shops one rainy morning. 

We spent Tuesday of our vacation in Charleston where we enjoyed a cruise to Ft Sumter and a historic carriage ride tour through downtown. The O’Mahoneys were so helpful in navigating this trip!  I felt so blessed to have this time with the kiddos as I know times like these are numbered. They’re growing up fast! 

Raelee’s July 2021 Check Up

Raelee is improving all the time. It’s amazing how far she has come. To think this time last year, she was just getting back from her 5-day stay in the hospital, on steroids, and definitely not feeling herself. Only to the take another bad turn with fevers, loss of appetite, and feeling overall crumby. She is running (has now ran 7 miles), leading a very active social life, working, and getting ready to start her junior year. 

Her numbers were impressive upon her visit and labs with Dr Schmidt. ANA and Direct Coombs were both negative. Hemoglobin continues to rise, ESR and CRP are normal. She is off Cellcept, and we hope to keep it that way. She is strong. She is relentless. 💕

It’s a Mason Day!

While the girls went shopping with Damon, Uncle Josh and the girls, Mason was sure to let Mommy know that he wanted to have a fun day too. So, Mommy texted Barbie and we planned an afternoon at Main Event with Blake and Trace, and lunch at Blaze Pizza. He had a blast playing laser tag, bowling, doing the gravity ropes and playing in the arcade. 

He is such a fun kid to hang out with. I’m not sure who had more fun! 

Happy July 4th 2021!

Family, friends, and lots of fun! 

Raelee Has a License to Drive!

On Wednesday, June 30th, Raelee, Mason and I headed to Etown for Raelee to take her road test. She passed and has the official sticker to prove it!  

She drive herself to work that afternoon (and home) and to Broad Run this morning for a run. 

Cocoa Beach 2021

Cocoa Beach was just what our crew needed after a long and challenging 2020. The Atlantic beaches offer more waves, great sand for building sand castles, and a beautiful pier. Our favorite place we ate for dinner was Rising Tide, but 4th Street Filling Station was awesome, as well. We relaxed, played some putt putt, and relaxed some more. While we think we’ll be headed back to Gulf Shores next year, we truly enjoyed our trip to Cocoa. 

Mason Joins Another Level Basketball

Daddy had to deliver the tough news that Mason made the decision to no longer play for the Mount Washington Bobcats, to Coach Aaron and Coach Troy. Mason had been attending Coach Shawn’s skills training sessions on Sundays for months. We had no idea ALB had teams as well. Mason has had one practice and played three games in a tournament at Mid America East. He did get some playing time but man is he small. It makes sense though because he is the very youngest on the team. He has some work to do but he’s up for the challenge. He told me when we got home from vacation, “tomorrow I start real basketball”. In the second game against Kentucky Heat on Saturday, he scored two points, had two rebounds and one assist. Let’s go Mason! 

Last Day of School 2020/2021 School Year

I failed to take pictures on the last day of school. Probably because we were all too excited to pause. But as I reflect, I realize how hard this year has been. From NTI, to going back on a hybrid schedule, to full time for Mason and 4 days a week for the girls- there have been lots of changes to student learning and the Hawkins crew did amazing!

The girls both ended the year with 4.0 GPAs and Mason got all 3s and 4s, and perfect attendance. 

School might never quite look like this again, and for that we are thankful! 

Mommy’s last day: May 28th

Kid’s last day: June 3rd

Raelee is Fully Vaccinated

Raelee received her second COVID shot on Sunday. While she had a slight headache and her arm hurt pretty bad, she handled it very well!  She’s ready for life to get back to “normal” and so are we!

Last Game- Bobcats 2021

Mason’s team lost in the final championship game with Jtown League on Friday. While it was a long, tough week for so many, I’m so proud of how Mason fought during this game. 

The team celebrated after at Recbar and had a blast!  

Mason’s 1st Bellarmine Basketball Camp

8:30-4:00 every day last week, Mason and several of his Bobcat teammates attended the Bellarmine Boys Basketball Camp at Knight’s Hall. 

His 5 on 5 team ended the week as champions for 5th grade and he won a knockout game among 5th graders that week, too. He was exhausted!  Especially on Thursday going from camp all day to practice with the Bobcats AND on Friday, going from camp all day to his championship game for Jtown League with the Bobcats. 

So proud of his hard work!

Raelee’s 2021 Summer Redo

Raelee’s 2020 summer was awful. And while 2020 in general was awful for most, her’s was especially challenging. So this summer we’re making the most of it!  She has spent a great amount of time with friends, began running XC again, hanging with her team at the Christmas’ house, and even hosted a party where about 40 people came!  

Raelee’s Lupus Journey- 1 Year Later

What a year. We are so proud of how tenacious and determined Raelee has been this past year. It’s crazy how far she has come since her symptoms began, Memorial Day Weekend 2020. Since then, hospitalization, nightly fevers, steroids, a diagnosis, diet changes, Retuximab infusions, Benlysta, vitamins, green smoothies, rest, exercise, IPL, micro needling, dermal infusions, and everything in between has led her to a remission period. She is the strongest person I know. We created a video for her one year later, gave flowers and wrote her messages of encouragement and pride. 

We headed to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to meet with Dr. Lovell in Rheumatology on May 19, 2021. During our appointment on the 20th, he examined her, had lengthy conversations about how she felt and made his own recommendations. We proceeded with eliminating Cellcept medication due to her labs (which were amazing) from April. She is on her way. 

Keep fighting! 

BEHS Takes State & 2021 Cheer Banquet

BEHS also takes state! 

Jordyn knows how blessed she is to be a part of this amazing team. Not only are they extremely talented, they are crazy smart too!  Jordyn walked away with her first high school varsity letter and an award for maintaining a 4.0 GPA her freshman year. She was asked by Makayla McMichael to give her senior send-off speech. It was honor for sure. Jordyn is really going to miss her. ❤️