Liberty Difference Makers - Groovy & Bright

Yesterday I was fortunate to work alongside an amazing group of young people (and a couple of AWESOME advisors, Jenifer Secrist) at the Liberty High School Difference Makers Groovy & Bright Winter Festival For Kids community event The kids planned and worked hard and long hours. Our community provided donations and then showed up to support them and celebrate the holiday season. Vendors sold their goods with smiles and appreciation for the opportunity. The kids raised money (their first goal was the family-oriented kids event and raising awareness - did that!) for children with life-threatening illnesses. My heart wanted to burst multiple times for what I experienced. And I am so proud of Graham for being a leader in LHSDM and a leader in creating this event. Way to go kid. Plus he's got his brother involved and his grandparents surprised all of us by driving 2+ hours to support him. My heart is full. To those of you who made it happen and to those of you who attended, THANK YOU.

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Liberty Homecoming - September 30, 2023 (Graham)

Liberty Homecoming 2023 - Graham (senior). He (and I) is fortunate he is surrounded by this amazing group of humans. I'm soaking in these moments because the year is going by so quickly already. The untucked dress shirt then no dress shirt = signs of independence, comfort, being a senior and me forgetting to take a photo of just him earlier!! College life kept Ava from the game and dance. September 30, 2023

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Bolt Game Day!

Friday Night Lights Week #4 - taking on Cedar Falls in the UNI-Dome! The switch to 5A has brought added determination, grit and excitement for Graham and the Bolts. Graham has 1000+ yards in three games (doesn't happen without solid teammates!), players making hard tackles, returning kick-offs and recording multiple touchdowns. At 1-2 (lost to West 28-35, beat City 41-14 and lost to Pleasant Valley 39-56), they have lost to good teams, kept Zeus at home and are hungry for another win! Proud of the team and love the Bolt Community. Best of luck to my GB QB #8 and all the boys tonight! (photos from the last three weeks capturing Graham, the team's love for teammates no longer with them and some of Graham's best fans) ⚡💜🏈

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Cup of Chai from my kid

This morning is the start of the last week of Max's first year of college. How is this possible??? I feel so blessed that he choose to go to the University of Iowa. It's given us a special bond and opportunities to see each other. He doesn't stop in my office often and primarily it's when we've arranged something or he's picking up/dropping something off for himself. Today, I got one of those perks of him being here and growing in his thoughtfulness. He got me a chai (even had it made with skim milk and told me so) when he stopped at Cortado. The drink is cold but oh how the gesture warmed my heart. Love this kid so much. 

Birthday

Just told Graham good night and that tomorrow was all about me. My birthday. One day about me, that I make 364 days a year about them. Actually 365. He laughed and said "probably true." At least he knows. I told him I was happy to make every day about at least one if not all of my kids. He said I cannot have three days about me so not to think it goes from our time tomorrow - Starbucks and pedicures with the three boys and then Andy joins for dinner!!! - to dinner out with all of them, my parents, Ava and Alyanne on Saturday. Told him he had a MONTH. Again, laugher and "I guess I did." Love that kid so much. 

(This partially stemmed from Andy telling me earlier today that they could make one day for me - or two partial days as we celebrate tomorrow and Saturday: that I make 364 days, or 365 about them.)

Regular Season Finale!

Last regular season game tonight! What fun and excitement Liberty Lightning Bolts Football has given us this season with more to come! Keep working hard boys! Love you GB QB #8!

💜🏈⚡️ (photos 10-07-22) game)

Parenting....

Maybe the most important things of parenting are patience, empathy, consistency, flexibility and love. Yes, consistency and flexibility sort of butt heads. However, there are lots of things in parenting that do so it probably makes sense.

Walk-A-Marathon approaching

In two weeks, Graham and Graham will walk third Walk-A-Marathon to support the North Liberty Community Pantry. They will walk a loop starting and ending at our house with a goal to raise $4000 and awareness of the needs of our local community. Please consider supporting them/the pantry with a gift or stop along their walk on July 13!

Note: they cannot reset the fundraising website so they started at the $5,218 this year (the total from 2020 and 2021 combined) and are working toward $9,218!

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/north-liberty-community-pantry/graham-beckman?fbclid=IwAR15ZmLved5Ofsq7g4EGcCwRNSVrGZveVKBCJzF2t2uJcgiH4Fin6pMLCjc

G&G receiving the 2021 North Liberty's Community Hall of Fame Award

 

Class of 2022 Senior Parents Challenge - Days 7 & 8

Last fall, lots of parents did the "Class of 2022 Senior Parents" challenge. I was nominated and like many was busy, ignored, said I'll do it later, couldn't pick photos, was in denial, etc. Well, now I wish I'd done it. So to those who nominated me or shared their kids photos with me, thanks. I'll take my turn and cram the ten days into 5 so I'm done before graduation. And I'll spare everyone the nominations because well, everyone's already done it. Cheers to all you parents of seniors doing this emotional time with me! Here goes...

This is Days 7 & 8 of 10 day “Class of 2022 Senior Parents” challenge. I will select an image from a day in the life of being a parent of a senior and post it without explanation. That’s 10 days, 10 photos 0 explanations.

 

October 1, 2021 (Pierce's birthday)

February 17, 2018

Class of 2022 Senior Parents Challenge - Days 5 & 6

Last fall, lots of parents did the "Class of 2022 Senior Parents" challenge. I was nominated and like many was busy, ignored, said I'll do it later, couldn't pick photos, was in denial, etc. Well, now I wish I'd done it. So to those who nominated me or shared their kids photos with me, thanks. I'll take my turn and cram the ten days into 5 so I'm done before graduation. And I'll spare everyone the nominations because well, everyone's already done it. Cheers to all you parents of seniors doing this emotional time with me! Here goes...

This is Days 5 & 6 of 10 day “Class of 2022 Senior Parents” challenge. I will select an image from a day in the life of being a parent of a senior and post it without explanation. That’s 10 days, 10 photos 0 explanations.

 

October 2, 2021

November 3, 2013

First Day. Last Day

My how the time has flown.
First Day of Kindergarten - August 20, 2009
Last Day of Senior Year - May 24, 2022

Max is ready for his next chapter. I'm going to embrace it with some tears! Love this kid so much!!

• Montessori Children's Garden (pre-K)
• Van Allen Elementary (K)
• Buford Garner Elementary (1-6)
• North Central Junior High School (7-8)
• Liberty High School (9-12)

(Plus a little mom fun decorating our senior boys' cars today!)

#classof2022 #senior2022

August 20, 2009
First Day of Kindergarten
Van Allen Elementary

May 24, 2022
Last Day of High School
Liberty High School

Mom's doing a little decorating

Class of 2022 Senior Parents Challenge - Days 3 & 4

Last fall, lots of parents did the "Class of 2022 Senior Parents" challenge. I was nominated and like many was busy, ignored, said I'll do it later, couldn't pick photos, was in denial, etc. Well, now I wish I'd done it. So to those who nominated me or shared their kids photos with me, thanks. I'll take my turn and cram the 10 days into 5 so I'm done before graduation And I'll spare everyone the nominations because well, everyone's already done it. Hugs to all you parents of seniors doing this emotional time with me! Here goes...

This is Days 3 & 4 of 10 day “Class of 2022 Senior Parents” challenge. I will select an image from a day in the life of being a parent of a senior and post it without explanation. That’s 10 days, 10 photos 0 explanations.

#classof2022 #senior2022

April 4, 2010
Easter

October 10, 2014
Hawkeye Homecoming

Class of 2022 Senior Parents Challenge - Days 1 & 2

Last fall, lots of parents did the "Class of 2022 Senior Parents" challenge. I was nominated and like many was busy, ignored, said I'll do it later, couldn't pick photos, was in denial, etc. Well, now I wish I'd done it. So to those who nominated me or shared their kids photos with me, thanks. I'll take my turn and cram the 10 days into 5 so I'm done before graduation And I'll spare everyone the nominations because well, everyone's already done it. Hugs to all you parents of seniors doing this emotional time with me! Here goes...

This is Days 1 & 2 of 10 day “Class of 2022 Senior Parents” challenge. I will select an image from a day in the life of being a parent of a senior and post it without explanation. That’s 10 days, 10 photos 0 explanations.

#classof2022 #senior2022

April 16, 2006
OJ in a cordial glass

December 6, 2015
On our way back from the Big Ten Championship

December 5, 2015
Big Ten Championship