Memories in the Making: The beautiful month of May

Jack's pre-school graduation

Isn't May just an awesome month? I mean really, who couldn't love the month of May? Beautiful weather, and monumental events: graduations, birthdays, Mother's day, and the start of summer!

It was 8 years ago that I fell madly in love with Adam during the beautiful month of May. I can still remember the way he made me feel, our first dates, and the unbelievable force that drew me toward him. Once we met, we never spent a day apart.

Last May I was both petrified and excited as we upheaved ourselves from our first home, the place our family had began, and moved into our new home. May was full of boxes, organizing, de-cluttering, and preparing for the next chapter of our lives. It was full of hard work and determination, full of forging ahead and not looking back.
AND...3 years ago our baby girl was born in the month of May.

That's right, NonaJane turned 3 on May 10th! It was another reason to celebrate, and we decided it was her turn to have a big birthday party. We decided on a bouncy themed party. Jack helped me come up with the wording for her invites- "Let's Jump and Bounce, Laugh and Play, come have some fun on NonaJane's 3rd Birthday!" We had planned to give NonaJane a trampoline for her birthday, but ended up giving it to them early (back in March because Adam and I are TERRIBLE about waiting to give presents. We're always so excited about the gift that we give it early...) but anyhow, the trampoline was the inspiration for her party theme.

NonaJane looking beautiful and poised beyond her years

Me with my two brothers, Mom and Dad

Holding NonaJane's birthday party turned out to be a bit tricky seeing as it has been particularly rainy. Which normally would really annoy me. BUT now that we have this BEAUTIFUL pond in our front yard, suddenly rain has a new benefit. When we moved in last year our pond was about 10 feet low. It is now FULL, right up to the dock and I couldn't be more pleased! I remember saying "our pond will never be full. I can't imagine that it could ever rain enough to fill it" and in saying this I apparently jinxed the state of Kansas to a year of rain, rain and more rain!! oops. (you can tell I really feel bad about this). Anyways, the weather man said that we only had 4 dry days in the entire month of May. We ended up having to postpone Nona's party- twice. But nevertheless the party was held, the weather was beautiful and the celebration was fantastic. Over the past year I have absolutely fallen in love with our home, and being able to have great parties is one of it's greatest attributes. It's awesome having 20 plus people over at the drop of a hat, and my house can stay spotless (making my neat-freak self oh SO happy!). The party barn serves as a perfect place for buffets of food, fridges of beer, and evenings filled with music, friendship, and outdoor enjoyment.

our family lunch

Matthew T looking particularly handsome

In fact, we were also able to host my Mom's 60th birthday party this May as well. We pulled out my grandfather's croquet set (that we grew up playing with) and played our first family game of croquet in probably 15 years. It brought such joy to my heart. The memories of the croquet set, the games we played with Bobo and Dado, their HOT back yard, and fire ant hills. It all came flooding back to me. My brother Mark had drove all the way from Wisconsin to surprise my Mom. Probably the best present ever. The 5 of us, the original Crabb clan, went out for lunch and spent some time together before joining the crazy kids and spouses back at our house. There was something about having just the five of us together that was reassuring and cathartic. Our family ties are still strong despite the miles between us, despite our busy lives and our aging years. We still cherish each other and hold tight to those years we spent growing up together. Our childhood still bond us- a bond that holds memories, inside jokes, and a shared understanding about our lives and dreams. Another bitter sweet part of life. Our years together, just the 5 of us are no more. But we all have beautiful children, amazing spouses and jobs that take us in different directions. My Mom turning 60 was a reminder that as time continues to relentlessly march, that our family has only become bigger, sweeter, and more full of love than ever.

The croquet crew

My brother attacking his wife :)

Looking back at this May, my heart is full of gratitude. I'm thankful for my husband that I fell in love with 8 years ago. I'm thankful for a job that I am passionate about, I'm thankful for my amazing Mom, my beautiful daughter, and everything else that the Month of May has to offer. This May, though wet, has been a beautiful kickoff to what I hope to be an amazing summer.