Growing Greggs - A Love Story

Monday, March 10, 2025

Senior Night

Senior night. Like with so many pivotal moments in life, it seems like just yesterday that Joshua was starting his four years at Belmont Abbey, and last October he played his last home game. It was a good night for all as all 18 seniors got playtime, those who played on the developmental team even got a chance to start which I thought was a really nice touch.

Because there were so many boys playing no one got a ton of playtime, but that was okay by me. I was just glad that all of the boys got on the field and were honored for the hard work they put in these past four seasons, especially those from the developmental team who have never seen first team playtime.

Almost immediately after Josh was put into the game, he had an assist on the fourth and final goal of the game. The boys won 4-0 which is always nice when you can end your collegiate home games with a 'W'.

Besides the five of us (Andy, Sarah, Elizabeth, Bobby, and Me), my parents came down to watch Josh play (as they have at least once every season) and also my in-laws (who saw his very first game). Josh's girlfriend, Liz, was also there to cheer him on.

To be honest, because of what an emotional roller coaster these four years have been, but especially his senior year, I was not sorry to be done with home games at Belmont Abbey. I was sad for Josh because I know how much he loves the sport of soccer and how important his teammates are to him, but I wasn't sad about ending the heartache these four years have brought.

The end of an era ended that night, but a new one will begin again soon as Josh seeks out coaching positions for the game he loves so much.

A photo of Josh, Jessie, and Drew celebrating after Jessie just scored off of Josh's assist. Josh is on the left smiling widely with his head turned facing Drew on the right who has his arm wrapped around Josh. Jessie is behind Josh with his arms wrapped around Josh celebrating their goal. Jessie's left hand is wrapped in white sports tape. Josh has his left wrist wrapped like he used to do, but has no writing on it. The boys are on the soccer field.

Josh and two of his teammates after having supplied the assist to the young man behind Josh who scored a goal.

Liz, Andy, Josh (holding the sign Elizabeth made), Elizabeth, Sarah, and Endre (holding his sign) - front left to right. Liz is wearing a black winter coat with black leggings and her straight hair down. Andy has his arms around Liz and Josh and is wearing his new black winter coat with jeans and black and gray sneakers. Josh is holding his sign in his right hand and has his left hand around Elizabeth. He is wearing his red #14 jersey and red shorts with red socks and white cleats. His hair is tousled and wet with sweat. Elizabeth is wearing a black hoodie and black flared leggings with white sneakers. Her hair is pulled back from her face in a ponytail. She has her arms around Josh and you. You are wearing one of Josh's Belmont Abbey sweatshirt with black leggings and your purply/gray sneakers. Your hair is pulled back into a braid. Your arms are around Endre and Elizabeth. Endre is last. His right arm is around you and his left hand is holding his sign. He is wearing his red #24 jersey and red shorts with red socks and white cleats. You are all standing on the sidewalk in the space between the chain link fence and the bleachers. The sky is dark and the field lights are still on.

From left to right: Dad, Josh, and Me standing on the sidewalk in between the chain link fence and the bleachers. The sky is dark and there is a field light glaring in the background of the pic. Dad is wearing his glasses, a brown zip up sweater, blue jeans, and brown dress boots. Josh is wearing the same uniform as in the previous picture and is holding his soccer sign with his arm around me. I am wearing a black and white striped t-shirt with a black long sleeve open sweater with a pair of blue jeans and black slip on shoes. My hair is straightened and down. The black flowered purse you gave me is hanging diagonally across my body and my arm is around your brother. We are all smiling while looking at the camera.

From left to right: Papa, Josh, and Nana. Papa is wearing a black baseball cap with a zipped up brown leather coat, blue jeans, and black sneakers. His arm around Josh. Josh is holding his sign in his right hand while his left arm is wrapped around Nana. Nana is wearing a pair of glasses, her hair is curly and short. She has on a long-sleeved Belmont Abbey shirt with a pair of blue jeans and a pair of brown slip-on shoes. To the right of them is a royal blue foldup sports chair. It is nighttime and there are various strangers in the background of the photo.

Liz and Josh (from left to right) standing on the sidewalk between the chain link fence and the bleachers. The game must have just ended as there is a large crowd of onlookers waiting at the fence for their soccer players to approach them. The sky is dark and the field lights are still on. Liz has her long, straight hair down. She is wearing a black winter jacket with black leggings and white sneakers. Josh is in his uniform. Between the two of them is Josh's soccer sign. They are both smiling.

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Forney Creek With Andy

Andy is a super busy kiddo between work and school he is rarely home, but a couple of weeks ago, he unexpectedly didn't have class in the afternoon, so we decided to go for a hike together with Miles down at Forney Creek.

Forney Creek offers several different trails to choose from, and the one that Andy and I chose was one that he had never been on. It was raining, which is actually my most favorite time to hike the Forney Creek Trails. The trails are devoid of people, and all is very quiet in the woods except for the pitter patter of rain falling on the water, ground, and trees.

We brought Miles with us to run out some of that puppy energy he still has. He had himself a grand time finding sticks, running around with said sticks, and then trying to chew them. He, as always, was living his best life.

It was so nice to get out and spend some time with just Andy. I miss him now that he is just so busy with laying down a foundation for the life he wants to lead in the near future. We both love nature so much that it was the perfect place to spend some time together just the two of us.

At Forney Creek with Andy. He is walking around the second pond with Miles by his side. I am taking the photograph from behind them. Miles is to the left, caught in mid sprint, his ears both sky high as they flop around from him sprinting down the path he and Andy are walking on. Andy is wearing his new orange jacket, blue jeans, and hiking boots. The foliage around us is barren and bleak. Everything is dormant waiting for spring to come.

These next three pictures capture Miles in various states of playing with a stick. In this first picture, it is just him, next to the second pond. He has a stick placed horizontally in his mouth. Each side of the stick is sticking out about 6" on both sides of his mouth. His head is back and he is standing erectly on all four legs. His tail is curled upwards. He is in his element right now and is happy as a hippo.

Same spot still, this time Miles' head is more level. He is still standing on all four legs. His tail is less curly than in the first photo, but he is still enjoying himself with the same intensity.

Miles, still by the second lake, but this time he looks like he is howling at the moon with a stick in his mouth. (Except that it is daytime and there are only rain and clouds in the sky at that moment.)

Me and Andy standing side by side (me on the left and Andy on the right.) He is taking a selfie of the two of us on the deck at the first pond area. I am wearing a navy blue raincoat with a gray zip up sweatshirt. My hair is pulled back off of my face. Andy is in his new orange jacket. His hood is up over his head. He has a small crustashe on his upper lip. His arm is around me as we stand in the rain on the deck.

The Very Last Game

The very last game.

Ever.

After playing soccer for 18 years, Josh's soccer career came to an end last November with a loss to Young Harris. The Belmont boys went down 3-0 and were never able to recover. Josh went in right after the second half began (we weren't sure he was going to see the field at all, so this was an immense surprise and gift). He played solid, solid game. He played left back and had a couple of shots on goal which were so close to going in.

It was almost the perfect game to go out with. The Young Harris fans were awesome in their intensity and support of the home team. There was an air full of excited energy. The home crowd was chanting and heckling our boys from their sideline (almost all of what they said was so funny - even as a mom of a kiddo who was being heckled), and they had a full house of supporters with the entire men's baseball team showing up to cheer the soccer boys on along with Young Harris student spectators that filled up three or four bleachers along with the moms and dads there to cheer their sons on.

Bobby and I were on the fence about whether to go, prior to making the trip. It was quite a distance away from us, and was on a weeknight with a start time of 7 pm. Plus, as I mentioned above, we were pretty certain Josh was not going to see any time on the pitch, and so we had no desire to dedicate any time to a team we could have cared less about and a soccer coach whom I loathe. (I will be happy to share more details on why once Josh graduates.) It turns out though that Josh really wanted us to be there, and so we went. I am really, really glad we did.

The night was crisp, but not too cold. During part of the game there was a decent amount of rain coming down which only added to the whole vibe. Between the crowd, the weather, it being the playoffs, it was such a cool experience. I wish all of Josh's soccer games could have been this way - it would have changed so much about our own family's experience with collegiate sports.

Because I knew going into this game, that this was my last chance to see my son, who has been so passionate about this sport for almost his entire life, play competitively I really made sure to be in the moment from the time he stepped on that field until the last buzzer signaling the end of the game. I cherish those moments so very much.

When the game was over, my sweet boy walked over to me with tears in his eyes and a quivering lip, and all of the tears that had been pooling in my own eyes spilled out onto my cheeks and down my face. I hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear that the game had ended exactly as it should have - with him on the field playing the game he loves so much.

Josh running on the field alongside an opponent and Ian. Belmont boys are dressed in all red (red shirt, shorts, and socks) and the opponent is dressed in all white from head to toe. The sky is dark and it has just finished raining. Josh is sprinting back to defend the Belmont goal. The field is turf and the scoreboard is in the background on the left hand side of the picture. There is twenty-nine minutes and fifteen seconds left in the game. Belmont has zero and the opponents goal score is not in the picture, but it is either 2 or 3 at this point in the game.

The back of Josh on the field. He is wearing his number 14 jersey. His jersey, shorts, and socks are all red. He is wearing white cleats. In the foreground there is another (unknown) Belmont Abbey soccer player and then two players from the opposing team. Those players are wearing all white gear. The opposing goalie is in his goal and he is wearing all green from head to toe. It is pitch black out. The field is made up of turf. The ball looks like it is out of play at this point.

Josh facing Belmont's goal, waiting for the ball to be passed to him. There is on other player in this picture, number 8 from the opposing team. He is also facing the Belmont goal. His back is to the camera as he waits for the pass. The American flag is flying in the background showing us that at this point in the game it was windy.

There are three soccer players in this photo - two of them are walking together and are players from the opposing team. The third player is your brother. His body is facing the camera, but his head is turned toward the right. If I had to guess, he is getting reset for a goal kick or the other team has just scored and is he waiting for the ball to pass it back up to the 50 yard line. There are no other indications as to what is happening at this moment in the game, but that is beside the point. I just wanted to capture a few moments of his last time on the field.

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Apple Picking

I find that we are constantly looking for ways to pick fresh fruit and vegetables ourselves here in North Carolina and are continually disappointed. When we lived in Ohio, we could apple, pumpkin, and strawberry pick with ease. In New Mexico, I didn't expect to find many picking opportunities - and we didn't, but we weren't disappointed because, I mean, we lived in the freaking desert. In Oregon, fruit/veggie picking was abundant in ways that I never imagined possible. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, apples, pears, pumpkins, and just about every vegetable you could imagine were available to pick. It was a u-pick pickers heaven. When we moved to Indiana, we had an apple orchard right down the street that also had some raspberries available to pick as well. When we moved to North Carolina, I thought that fruit/veggies would be abundant again. I just assumed (incorrectly) that the south had loamy soil suitable to grow a wide variety of crops like in Oregon. We have found places to pick strawberries, but the picking season is so quick (like two weeks - and that is dependent on good weather) that we seem to miss it every year (except one). Apple picking is sparse - here and there you can find an apple orchard, but most of them are located in the mountains and are 2+ hours away. We did finally locate an orchard about one hour away from us this past fall, and when my mom was visiting because she loves u-picking as well, we headed out that way to grab some fresh apples.

If you are a picker, you know that there is absolutely nothing like fruits and vegetables that you pick yourself. The freshness is out of this world and is nothing at all like anything you will buy in any grocery store. We ended up picking a good number of apples and ended up making a couple of apple pies with them as well as just plain old eating them. So good.

I think we'll head back to that same orchard this fall but will go earlier in the season to grab some different varieties of apples that weren't available to us when we went this past fall. In fact, I could see us going out there a couple of times, depending on who is still living at the house and available to do so.

A view from above of the apple picking container that we chose with 8 red apples in it. The apples are forming a circle on the outer rim of the bottom of the wooden basket.

You and your sister are standing, facing each other. You are on the right wearing jeans, sneakers, white ankle socks, and a short-sleeve army green t-shirt with your hair down. Elizabeth is on the left wearing her hot pink dr. pepper t-shirt with black sports shorts on and white ankle socks and her white sneakers with the baby blue nike swoop on them. Elizabeth's hair is pulled back into a ponytail that is then braided in a single braid. You are both in front of a row of red apples. You have your cane in your left hand. Elizabeth is handing you a red apple. The sun is shining and the sky appears to be cloudless.

A close up picture of a single red apple growing on a tree. The photo was taken in portrait mode so that the apple is the main feature of it, but you can also see the leaves of the tree and other branches in the background.

There are two apple baskets sitting on the wagon that we pulled through the orchard. The main focus of the photo is the basket on the righthand side which has a bottom layer of red apples (as mentioned before) and then quite a few granny smith apples. The basket on the right is about 2/3 full of apples. The basket on the left is a smaller basket and is red in color instead of our basket which is a natural wood color. The few apples that can be seen in the left hand basket are red. The basket looks like it is almost completely full of apples.

There are three apples trees in view all set against a cloudless black drop of a bright blue sky. The trees are lined up in a triangle shape in which the middle tree is sticking out farther than the trees to the left and right of it. The middle tree is also taller than the other two trees beside it and is completely full of red apples at the top of it. The apples become fewer and fewer the lower on the branch the view goes.

A view taken of the apple farm from out in the orchard. In front of us is the paved trail that we took to walk out to the orchard. At 11 o'clock is a secondary rock path that branches out into a different part of the orchard. In the distance, at 12 o'clock is a view of the barn and a hill covered in leafless trees. The sky is a crystal clear deep blue and at 1 o'clock is a single beam of lights coming from the sky and hitting the grass to the left of the photo.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Miles 1st Birthday

On November 7, 2024, our most favorite rascal ever turned 1. Elizabeth and I took Miles to the vet for his annual visit. He got so nervous when the vet was examining him that he peed all over the floor (and himself in the process). In spite of this behavior (which was quickly forgiven by the vet), Miles received a clean bill of health.

We took him to grab an ice cream cone at Dairy Queen and into our favorite locally owned dog store where he got to pick out a toy (or two).

Overall, I'd say he had a great day. He got his treats, toys, and (as always) tons and tons of attention which is just how he likes it.

We are so happy to have this little guy in our lives. He brings us so much joy and love, and we couldn't imagine our worlds without him.

Happy 1st birthday, Miles Gregg! We love you!!!

Miles sitting down on the white(ish) tile floor of the vets office. He has his blue collar and leash on and is looking straight into the camera. He is panting pretty good from the heat and nerves.

A close up of Miles snoot and mouth as he eats a vanilla ice cream cone. He has an ice cream mustache. Elizabeth and I parked the car in the parking lot of the dairy queen so that we could keep him from getting the whole car caked with ice cream. He is standing up in the trunk of the car while Elizabeth is feeding him his cone. He is leaning into it without abandon, and probably would have fallen right out of the trunk if we weren't making sure to keep the cone away from the edge of the trunk. His long blue leash is in the background on the left-hand side of the pic.

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Elizabeth’s Tournament

This past fall Elizabeth had a soccer tournament in Asheville, NC. Bob and I joined Elizabeth for the weekend, and spent the time watching her team play 3 soccer games. The girls did not qualify to play in the fourth game as the games were all worth points (3 for a win, 1 for a tie, 0 for a loss) and we did not have enough points compared with our competitors to move on.

It was a really nice getaway with just the three of us. This was Elizabeth's first (and last as she has aged out) season with this team, and she didn't really jive with too many of the girls, so she spent a lot of time with Bob and I instead of hanging out with the girls from her team. (It's hard to make friends/acquaintances with girls who have been playing together for years, and you are the new girl who only will be around for one season.) We loved having her with us as it was nice to spend time with just Elizabeth.

We had really good weather which is always a plus when you are committed to a weekend of soccer games. There wasn't too much time to do many activities in downtown Asheville which was okay as we have been there multiple times prior to this weekend and weren't really missing anything. In fact, we had planned to spend Sunday afternoon exploring Ashville after all of the games had been played, but we ended up just going home after the third game because we were all pooped.

Elizabeth's soccer team wearing their sky blue uniform tops with navy blue shorts are sitting on and around the team bench before a soccer game. The field is turf. The sun is shining and the field is surrounded by a chain link fence. Three sides of the field are surrounded by trees/woods. The 4th side of the field (the one in which the picture was taken and is not in the picture) are metal bleachers.

Dad, Me, and then Elizabeth taking a selfie in a restaurant parking lot. Dad is on the left, I am in the center, and Elizabeth is on the right hand side. Our arms are around each other. Dad is wearing his glasses and his green fat-heads tshirt. I am wearing sunglasses with my hair down and straightened. I am wearing a black and white striped t-shirt with my purse strap across my chest hanging over my left shoulder. Elizabeth is wearing her pink dr. pepper tshirt with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. The sky is blue and the sun is out. In the background of the photo are random cars parked in the restaurant parking lot.

This is a photo of our "hotel" room. I had to take it because the room was run down and gross. The deal dad got - he got for a reason. The walls are all painted white/off white. There are two full beds in the picture both with matching yellow(ish) comforters and white sheets/pillow cases. The sheets are pulled down slightly on the made beds. There is a nightstand with a lamp on it in between both full beds. On top of the farthest bed are my bags. I brought Elizabeth's rainbow bag and also the floral fabric shopping bag that Aunt Jessica gave me.

We tease Bobby because he is always looking "for a deal". He described this hotel to us as some luxury resort and was pretty stoked to show it to us. We were not impressed and Bobby got bamboozled. This place may have been luxury in the 1970's, but it was anything but luxury now. We told him he was no longer allowed to book lodging for us without showing us the accommodations prior to making the reservations.

Another selfie of the three of us in some random parking lot (I think - its hard to tell). The sky is blue with white fluffy clouds here and there. There are a couple of stop lights in the distance with several trees scattered here and there. Dad is on the left of the selfie wearing his blue fatheads t-shirt, glasses, khaki shorts, and crips white and black sneakers. I am standing the middle with my hair pulled back into a bun with my sunglasses placed on top of my head. I am wearing a black tank top with my fluffy mustard green skirt and black flipflops. Elizabeth is on the right. She is wearing a blue bike MS t-shirt, black shorts, and very clean, crisp white tennis shoes. We all have our arms around each other.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Moose and Miles

Moose is a one-of-a-kind cat, never able to be replaced or replicated. Miles is a one-of-a-kind puppy that has more personality than I ever thought possible in a dog. The happiness that these two four-legged family members bring to our family is limitless. The love that I have for Moose and the love that our whole family has for Miles is as wide as the sky. Our family would not be what it is without them in it. They make us laugh and are constantly creating memories for us to cherish forever.

A portrait of Miles sleeping soundly on my unmade bed. The picture shows just his head and one of his front paws. He is snuggled up among the covers.

A close up of Miles face. The view shows just his head resting on one of my decorative pillows. His eyes are partially open and his nose is front and center.

A different angle of the same shot. This is taken from his left side (if looking straight at him). His head is slightly tilted and more of his body is showing.

A picture of Miles chewing a large stick while on leash sitting at one of Elizabeth's soccer tournaments. Dad and I were sitting in our fold-up chairs. We are sitting on grass outside the fence where the field is. The sky is sunny.

Miles laying down and chewing a long thin stick. He is entertaining himself for a short while while Dad and I watched Elizabeth play in her soccer tournament.

Another angle of Miles laying down chewing his stick. This picture is taken with me standing right over Miles as he chews his bone.

Moose staring straight into the camera while he lays down on the back of the couch. He is looking so very handsome.

Miles and Heron sleeping together on the ottoman. Gloria is sleeping blissfully while Miles is sleeping with his head nuzzled up over Heron's neck. (You are in the background of this pic being the big spoon to Miles.)

Moose sitting regally in the white chair in the living room corner by the window. He is (once again) staring into the camera lens, he has adopted a lion pose with his front paw hanging over the edge of the chair stretched out.

Miles and I in the car together. I am in the drivers seat and Miles is standing on the middle seats with his head looking over my right shoulder.

Miles sleeping on my unmade bed. He is on his back with his head slightly tilted. He has a smile on his face and his front two paws are standing straight up, but folded at his ankles.

Miles walking toward me on the Forney Creek Trail. The picture only shows the bottoms of the trees and the pathway with brown leaves littered throughout the forest floor.

Moose sitting on the left hand stool in the kitchen. There is a light blue apron hanging off the back of the chair with bright pink, large flowers scattered all over it. Moose is looking away from the camera. His fluff is extra fluffy and one of his front paws is tucked underneath him while the other one is only peeking out about a quarter of the way, showing only the white of his paw. This paw is hanging off of the chair very, very slightly. He knows his picture is being taken and he is trying to look very demure.

A view of Moose from the back. He is sitting in front of the left hand window of the front room. The plant stands are to his right with a variety of green plants hanging down here and there. The ottoman, a small part of the loveseat, and a chair are in view as well as a rocking chair on the front porch. The white curtains are hanging down to the left and right of the window.

Moose sitting on the planner book on top of the dining room table. He is looking to the right with his eyes halfway closed - giving an attitude like he can't be bothered. My markers are strewn across the view in the photo and there is a single candlestick in the picture towards the back.

Moose standing on his hind legs drinking something off of my nightstand. He is standing on the little area rug I keep beside my bed. The window to the right of the nightstand is open (or at least the curtains are open).

Miles sitting on his dog bed looking out the window with his "poor me" body posture. The curtain is open as well as the window and he is just hoping and wishing to be able to go outside in the sunshine. He is giving a Rapunzel vibe - like he wants all of the people outside to see him sitting in the window and feel sorry for him and rescure him from his tower.

Moose, sound asleep on your old bed. King Julian is beside him as he lays in a crescent moon shape half on his back, half on his side. He is surrounded by pillows.

Moosey laying on your bed - basking in the sunshine. The window is open and the sun is shining brightly. Your white curtains are open so he can get a good view out the window. His body is facing your closet all stretched out, but his head is turned to the left to get a good look and judge all of the people/creatures he sees outside. Your bed, I mean Moosey's old bed, is made nicely.

Miles, laying down on one of my area rugs in my room, his laying on his back, but all you can see in this pic is Miles' face. His face is turned toward the camera toward the left. You can see one eye as as the other is smooshed into the carpet. His jowls are drooping down toward the side with his mouth slightly open. He has a super goofy look on his face.

Miles and Heron sleeping together on the living room carpet. The ottoman is to the right and the coffee table is in the forefront. Heron is the big spoon and Miles is the little spoon and both are sleeping soundly.

Miles adores Heron. Heron? Not so much.

On a sunny day, Moose is laying at the end of my made bed near Elizabeth's school supplies, and on top of Elizabeth's school papers. . He is laying down with his tail tucked around him and is paws underneath his body. He is looking up at someone with an annoyed expression on his face. (Looking handsome as ever.)

A close up of Moose's front half. He is laying on top of the coffee table in my room facing the chairs/me sitting in the chair. His front paws are placed in front of him and he is sitting primly waiting for something (but who knows what). He looks very handsome.

Moosey, sitting on the kitchen island, smelling roses and baby's breath flowers making a face that shows his dislike of something about the bouquet. His eyes are squinted and his ears are pinned back on his head.