Volleyball 2018

Katie and Naomi both played Volleyball this fall. 

Naomi played on the 8th grade team.  She is an awesome server, and plays mostly middle hitter.  It was fun to watch her team play this year and see all of the improvements they made along the way.

Katie played for the fresh/soph and JV teams, and was promoted to Varsity at the end of the season.  She has only seen varsity time in two sets so far this season, but we are proud of the effort she has put in.  She made 4/4 serves with 3 aces, and had two kills out of three attempts.  Not bad for a rookie.

"She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her."  Proverbs 3:15

2018 HOMECOMING

Homecoming Week was the same as most years.  The high school and elementary school each assigned dress up days for the students to participate in.  Colton and Katie dressed up for a few.  Katie wore this one day.  I think it was Decade Day, and she was dressing as a toddler.

Thursday evening was Homecoming Happenings.  Colton was selected to the Homecoming Court.  Although he was not selected as King, we are still proud of him and the effort he made to get Dakota on the Court.

I'm pretty sure he had the biggest fan club in attendance.

Shannon got to be a troll in the parent skit.

The football game on Friday against Melcher-Dallas was a complete blowout.  Colton scored three touchdowns and had two fumble recoveries in the first quarter.

Saturday night was the Homecoming Dance.  Colton and Ingrid went together. 

Katie and Drake were a couple, and traveled in a group of several teens.  They went to Peppers for dinner before the dance, and afterwards, came back to our house to have a bonfire. Brooke's sil did their hair and makeup before the dance.

"For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck."  Proverbs 1:8

Homecoming 2018 Prep

Homecoming 2018 is approaching quickly.  

Colton was selected to the Homecoming Court.  The King and Queen will be announced next Thursday at Homecoming Happenings.

Colton asked Ingrid, G-R's new foreign exchange student from Norway, to be his date for the homecoming dance.

Today Katie was asked to the homecoming dance by Drake. The really exciting part?  She gets to keep the soccer ball!

"A faithful man will abound with blessings,

but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."

Proverbs 28:20

Changes

It occurred to me last night that with the start of the new school year and Colton, my favorite middle child, being a senior, our parenting gig is halfway over.  

The kids have been enjoying reading back through the old blog posts from years ago, and I don't want to have that end.  Facebook kind of took over as my go-to daily recorder of things going on in our lives, but it makes me sad that I've missed several years here on the blog.  I'm hoping to get back into posting things here so we have a record of events to look back upon in years to come.  

To start us off, I'll post our First Day of School picture.  Colton is a Senior, Katie a Freshman, Naomi is in 8th grade, Hudson is in 5th grade, and Macklin is in 2nd grade.  

Colton also played his first football game of the season last week.  Our district dropped down to 8-man football this year due to low enrollment.  We were scheduled to play Don Bosco, the defending 2-time State Champions.  It wasn't a pretty game, but with a few tweaks and position changes, and a whole lot more experience, I'm confident that if we meet up with the Dons again at the end of the season, we will look like a totally different team.  Colton's fan club consisted of Alex, Katie, Naomi, and Hudson.  Shannon and I were also there.  Shannon has been taking stats for the team for a couple years, and I make sure the refs make the right calls throughout the game.

Until next time...

Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares. Proverbs 1:20

Leaving

This evening Shannon, Chase, Bryce, Colton and I left Iowa for a mission trip to Canada.

We began planning this trip months ago. I have been going back and forth deciding whether or not I was going along. The original group was around 20 people interested, but as the date arrived, our number decreased to just 10.

We planned ahead and got passport cards for the kids. We made arrangements for the little kids while we would be gone. Everything seemed to fall into place.

And then I got cold feet. Could I really leave the country for nine days and leave my littles behind?

Yesterday I was ready to stay home. There seemed to be just too much to get done, and not enough hours in the day to complete each of the tasks.

It just didn't seem like it would be worth the hassle.

But we are on the road.

Katie, Naomi, Hudson and Macklin are at Grandma and Grandpa's house this weekend, and will be with Alex and Moriah the rest of the week. Although there were tears last night, our hugs goodbye this afternoon were handled pretty well.




Nine days.

These are the things moms long for. Peace and quiet. No cooking or cleaning or laundry. Beautiful scenery. Time to recharge and refocus.

And yet I miss them.

We won't have phone or internet service at the camp we will be working at. That worries me.

Nine days.

I won't hear Katie chatting incessantly. I won't get to brush Naomi's hair. I won't get to see the evidence of Hudson's imagination, whether it be a new game he has invented, or a picture he has drawn. And Macklin. EVERY morning he climbs in bed with me and snuggles. We sing 'our song' to each other.

Nine days with no Mommy-Macklin day.

Chase's car broke down and he is thinking of transferring colleges. Bryce was at camp. Our car needed to get to the body shop for repairs. Jackson rented a house and is moving out this weekend. So many things are going on.

And I am leaving the country.

I am confident that big changes will happen this week. I pray that I will be a blessing to others. I pray that I will come back a better mom than the cranky, harried one that left. I pray that I will come back a better wife, because Shannon deserves better than what he has been getting.

Nine days.

Please pray that lives will be changed. Pray for my babies, both those that are with me and those at home. Pray for those caring for my babies. They have a lot of fun things planned, and the kids will likely wish we would go away more often.

See you in nine days.

"For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man." Proverbs 3:2-4




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19 Games and Counting

What a way to end the soccer season!







1-2-3  The Rebels competed in the IHSAA State Soccer tournament on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.  They were able to win two of the three games, securing a third place finish in Class 1A.  Bryce's team stayed in Des Moines, while we had the pleasure of making the trip three times.  It was a great opportunity for the boys, and an awesome way to represent our school district.



Colton, Katie, Naomi and Hudson each participated in the Cedar Valley Cup soccer tournament on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Cedar Falls.







4-5-6-7  Hudson played on a team with some friends from Grundy Center.  They won three of their four games, earning silver medals.  They are super fun to watch at his age.  They played hard and had a great time.  I suspect they will play together again some day.




8-9-10-11  Naomi's soccer team, the Hurricanes, played four really tough games this weekend.  They hustled and gave it their all, but were not able to secure a medal.  They played hard and had fun along the way.

12-13-14-15  Katie's soccer team was riddled with injuries throughout the weekend.  They earned bronze medals, and played some really close games.  Shannon takes these games and these girls very seriously, and mourns each loss.  He was proud of the girls and the way they played through their pain.  They're confident they'll bring home the gold next year.




16-17-18-19  Colton's team, the Runnin Rebels, placed third in the Cedar Valley Cup.  He had some hotly contested games, and some not so competitive ones.  They are a great group of guys, and he is looking forward to moving up to high school soccer next spring.



We appreciate all of the time and effort each of the kids' coaches puts in.  They sacrifice their time away from their families to practice and coach each week, and spend many hours on the road and on the soccer pitch.



Yesterday I packed away all of the soccer shoes and shin guards for a couple months.  We'll start up with league ball again in August.  I'm sure there will be many backyard games played in the meantime.



We love soccer, and cramming 19 games into a 3.5 day span really isn't such a bad way to pass the time. 


"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise" .Proverbs 11:30

Last Day of School

Is it just me, or did this school year go by REALLY FAST?!?

This is our first day of school picture.

And here is our last day of school picture.




Yesterday afternoon I received a call from the Middle School.  My heart usually skips a beat when I see the caller ID from the school.  I'm not sure why, because I've never gotten a call saying my kid was in trouble.  Actually, my first thought yesterday was that someone must have gotten hurt during Track/Field day.

The middle school and elementary school secretaries and I speak often.  I have them on my 'favorites' list in my cell phone.  Each day it seems someone needs to go a different direction after school for practice or to a friend's house.  I think Angie and Joan would be pretty disappointed if they didn't get to speak to me each week.

The reason I got a call yesterday was to let me know that Colton would be receiving a special award at their end of the year ceremony and we were invited to attend.  Although Shannon had to work, Grandma Shirley and Papa Ken were able to come with Macklin and I.

Both Katie and Colton were recognized for their service on Student Council and for having grade point averages over 3.5. Katie also participated in Battle of the Books.






Colton received the Gladbrook American Legion Auxiliary Citizenship Award for the Middle School. We are very proud of him.




Naomi and Hudson also had an awards ceremony today.  Naomi received recognition for being the student who has learned by Leaps and Bounds (along with a frog beanie baby), a certificate for being 100% all Three Trimesters, and a Certificate of Participation in the IFAW Animal Action Art & Writing Contest. 




Hudson received The Baby Ruth Award for being a team leader inside the classroom and out.




Shannon and I have a bunch of pretty awesome children, and we are proud of each and every one of them!

"To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion—A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel," Proverbs 1:2-5

Papa Joe Turns 90 Years Old

On Wednesday Papa Joe turned 90 years old. We celebrated by having dinner with the family. Shannon's brother John flew in from Virginia, but the rest of his family were not able to come along.

Today we had cake and ice cream at Papa Joe's house. Several of Papa Joe's nephews and their wives visited, as well as my parents. I did not get a photo of the entire group, but did get one with the great-grandkids.










Papa Joe passed his driver's exam,so he is legal to drive for the next two years. We're trying to convince him to stay within city limits.










Jackson was in charge of cousin patrol. What could possibly go wrong?

Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. ". Proverbs 8:18


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So Many Things...

This time of year we have so many different things going on.

Of course, it's FOOTBALL season.  Jackson and Chase play on Fridays.  Bryce plays on Mondays and Thursdays.  Colton plays on Sundays. Whatever day they're not playing, they're practicing.  I'm helping out with the Varsity Spaghetti Dinners each Friday afternoon.  The Rebels have qualified for the State Playoffs, and have one more district game this week before Playoffs begin on the 24th.  Jackson has had a short season due to knee surgery last month.  He only played in 3 games, but has done very well.  He had his first college recruiter come to his game last Friday night.  Chase has had a successful year.  He's within striking distance of the school record in rushing yards, despite a burst bursa sac in his right arm which has caused him some grief.  Bryce just played his last JV game last night.  His team won all but one game this season.  He will continue to practice with the Varsity team until the season ends.  Colton played his last game on Sunday at Wartburg College.  He did a great job as running back, too.

 It's also SOCCER season.  The girls are on separate teams this year, so we have different schedules and games for them.  They practice twice a week and play on Saturdays.  Colton also practices each week and plays on Saturdays. We will finish up games and practice within the next week.

Oh, and there's school, too.  The public school group seems to be enjoying it and they are all doing very well.  I miss my time with them, though.  My home schoolers are doing a great job this year, too.  Several people have asked me how the transition to public school has been.  I like to think of it in terms of childbirth.  I delivered two babies by c-section.  I delivered five babies naturally with no medications.  I delivered two babies with epidurals.  All of the babies were healthy, perfect little creations.  Same result, different means to the end.  The no-med deliveries, much like home schooling, is difficult and hard work, takes a lot of discipline and self-control, but is very rewarding.  My epidural deliveries, much like sending the kids to public school, is less painful, easier on the mom, a bit selfish, but still results in the desired outcome.  Clear as mud, right?

Sunday was Jackson's 18th birthday.  We celebrated with our friend Conrad.  He turned 21 on the 12th, and is an avid COD player.  The boys like to have COD marathons on the weekends and waste tons of time and miss out on their beauty sleep.  After Colton's football game and Naomi's soccer game, we finally got the opportunity to bake a cake.  It's not much for decoration, but it tasted good!  We took Jackson out for dinner Sunday evening for his birthday dinner.  We also did a quick shopping trip to get him some new clothes for his senior pictures, which he had taken on Monday.  It was a beautiful Fall day, and like Jackson says, how could they possibly turn out bad when he's in them?  I'll post some as soon as I get permission from our photographer to do so.

Alex and Moriah spent the day with us on Sunday.  Aren't they cute?  We enjoyed the time with them, and they were good sports about sitting out in the rain and cold through both Colton and Naomi's games.  It meant a lot to the littles for Alex to be there and see them play.  Alex continues to play soccer at Faith and will be competing in his conference tournament this week in Kansas City.   Regionals are next week north of Minneapolis, and if they continue on, nationals will be in Florida.  We've not been to as many of his games this year, but have still seen the majority of his home games. 

As our sports schedules wind down a bit, we've had the opportunity to get up on the roof and we are just about finished shingling.  Yesterday was a perfect day to be up there working.  I wish July and August had been so nice!

Yesterday was the anniversary of Alex and Hudson's car accident and subsequent air flight trip to Iowa City.  We continue to thank God for the blessings He has given us, and are thankful for the complete healing for both of our boys.   I read through the post regarding all that happened last year, and I am so humbled.  What a difference a year makes!

  

"The man's heart plans his ways, but the LORD directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

First Day of School

Today was Jackson, Chase, Colton and Katie's first day of school.  We made the decision to send them to public school this year.  Bryce and Naomi opted to stay home with me.

Jackson is a senior

Chase is a junior

Colton is in 6th grade

Katie is in 3rd grade

Jack and Chase left home about 5:30AM so they could pick up a friend on the way and make it to the weight room by 6:00AM.  Yikes.  It was still dark.

Praying while waiting for the school bus.

 Colton and Katie get on the bus at 7:14AM.  They both ride the bus to Gladbrook, where Colton gets off, and then Katie and the other 3rd & 4th graders go to Reinbeck.

Happy to be home at the end of the day! 

 

 And a cake to celebrate their first day of public school.

Bryce, Naomi and I are not starting school until next week.  It has been such an ordeal getting the others scheduled for classes that I haven't spent any time getting their classes ready.  It's not going to be too difficult.  I have all of the curriculum I need.  

Hudson and Macklin are going to hang out while we do school.  Macklin is in a rather challenging stage of life, so pray for us!  

"A wise son makes a glad father," Provers 10:1