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

Colton's Football Prowess

Last week Colton was chosen as one of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier's Preps to Watch.

We are proud of the way he has played this season so far and look forward to advancing in the State Playoffs.

I have copied and pasted the article from the October 18, 2018 edition of the Grundy Register.

Rebels down Cougars for district title

 The Grundy Register ACKLEY – The Gladbrook-Reinbeck football program is no stranger to big games late in the season. This year’s 8-man Rebel group feels different, though, perhaps precisely because of their lack of varsity experience coming into 2018. G-R fought off a second-half charge from AGWSR, putting some distance on the Cougars in a 44-19 win in Ackley that clinched the district title and a postseason spot for the Rebels in their first season of 8-player football. This season has also been the first taste of varsity football for many of the Rebels. “This means a whole lot,” G-R quarterback Jackson Kiburis said. “We come up as underclassmen, and we watch the classes that have graduated before us in the past and it means so much to carry on that tradition for us and for our coaches. It’s great to play Rebel football.” Kiburis finished with 15 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown and also completed four catches for 141 yards and a score on a 60-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Wyatt in the first quarter. Colton Clark was the standout in the ground attack, running the ball 24 times for 175 yards and four touchdowns, including two touchdowns in the second half that scuttled AGWSR’s hopes of a second-half comeback. The Cougars had a large hill to climb, falling behind 28-0 in the second quarter but getting a bit of relief when Brody Roder picked off a busted G-R pass play and returned it for a touchdown to cut G-R’s lead to 28-6 with 42 seconds left in the half. AGWSR football head coach James Koop laid it out for his players in the locker room. “’If you’re going to play like [the first half], just stay in the locker room,’” Koop said. “’If you’re going to play like the team I coached for the last five weeks, that got better every week, then let’s go.’ … That was the worst first half we’ve played all year.” The Cougars came out with some fire as Titan Opperman connected with Chase Harms for a 34-yard pass play that set up an Opperman touchdown run three plays later to narrow G-R’s lead to 28-13 with 9:42 left in the third quarter. G-R punted away after a three-and-out on the next drive, but got a huge stop on 4th-and-1 from G-R’s own 10-yard line to keep AGWSR from driving near the Rebel endzone once again. The Rebels were backed up, though, and G-R couldn’t find a first down and this time the Cougars came up with a block on the punt attempt, recovering the ball near where they had turned it over on downs moments earlier. “They came out with some energy,” Olson said of AGWSR. “And when the field position is bad. as a playcaller you start to [overthink]. I’m new to this game, too. We could’ve done some things a lot better.” Opperman didn’t let this opportunity pass by, running in a 2-yard touchdown with 2:41 left in the third quarter. The two-point run attempt to make it a one score game was stopped by the Rebels, however, keeping the score at 28-19. Kiburis immediately broke off a 45-yard run on the first play of the next G-R drive, setting up Clark’s third touchdown of the night in a Rebel response that took exactly 60 seconds to push the lead back up to 36-19 with 1:41 left in the third. G-R’s defense adjusted for AGWSR’s next drive, and a combination of that and penalties against AGWSR prevented a response as the Cougars had to punt before the end of the third quarter. “Our defensive coordinator Brett Bengen did a good job of making adjustments,” Olson said. “We had five guys basically banged up in this game, knee issue here, shoulder issue there, and the guys sucked it up. … It came down to Bengen adjusting, maybe a bit of luck and just the physicality of making [AGWSR] earn some of those drives.” The Rebels burned four minutes of clock to start the fourth quarter and punted the ball back to AGWSR. Once again, G-R’s defense came up with a stop to take over on downs, and this time Clark got open in the run game, streaking across the field for a 37-yard touchdown run and the final score of the night for the Rebels. “Our line was able to block the defense and give Jackson time to get passes out or block so that I could get out running,” Clark said. “Without them, that wouldn’t have happened. … Once we were working as a team to get the ball moving we figured that we could get this going.” “The guys have stepped up,” Olson added. “Kiburis has stepped up, Aidan Walters is doing a great job making calls with the O-line, Tyler Beenken hasn’t said a word all year but he shows up and does a great job, Sam Mussig at center, Kale Hasslemann, Jace Petersen, they’re all getting it done up front, and Colton Clark’s a really special player.” AGWSR’s Zach Crain and Jacob Haley both left the game with injuries in the second half and Koop indicated that there may be some reorganization in the lineup for the Week 9 game against Twin Cedars. The Cougars can still qualify for the playoffs with a win at Twin Cedars and a Colo-NESCO upset of G-R in Week 9, which would make AGWSR and G-R co-district champions and both automatic qualifiers. Otherwise, it’s unlikely that AGWSR would be able to get a postseason spot based on the new Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) that was introduced this season by the IHSAA to deterRebels down Cougars for district title AGWSR's Chase Harms tries to make the catch, battling with Gladbrook-Reinbeck's Keagan Giesking during last Friday's game in Ackley. (Jake Ryder photo) G-R 14 14 8 8 — 44 AGWSR 0 6 13 0 — 19 Scoring summary G-R – Jackson Kiburis 13 run (run failed) G-R – Aiden Wyatt 60 pass from Kiburis (Keagan Giesking run) G-R – Colton Clark 26 run (Giesking run) G-R – Clark 9 run (Giesking run) AGWSR – Brody Roder interception return (kick missed) AGWSR – Titan Opperman 4 run (Christoffer Hansen kick) AGWSR –  Opperman 3 run (run failed) G-R – Clark 13 run (Giesking run) G-R –  Clark 37 run (Wyatt pass from Kiburis) Rushing G-R – Clark 24-175, 4 TD; Kiburis 15-84, TD; Eli Thede 1-25; Giesking 10-23. AGWSR –  Opperman 20-91, 2 TD; Jaden Penning 15-46; Cale Culver 2-(-4); Chase Harms 2-(-4); Roder 1-0. Passing G-R – Kiburis 4-6, 141 yards, TD; Giesking 0-1-1, 0 yards. AGWSR – Titan Opperman 5-21- 1, 68 yards. Receiving G-R – Clark 3-81, Wyatt 1-60, TD. AGWSR – Harms 3-58; Penning 2-10. Tackle leaders (solo-ast-total) G-R – Giesking 4-7-7.5; Kale Hasselmann 3-7-6.5; Sam Mussig 4-5-6.5; Jace Petersen 4-4-6; Thede 4-4-6. AGWSR – Tanner Weichers 8-5- 10.5; Opperman 7-7-10.5; Zach Crain 5-8-9; Harms 7-3-8.5; Roder 5-6-8. Interceptions: G-R (Kiburis); AGWSR (Roder, TD). Fumble recoveries: G-R (Thede). mine at-large postseason qualifiers. All of those factors, plus a chance to finish 2018 with one more win than last season, should be used as motivation for the Cougars next Friday, Koop said. “I told the kids that if they didn’t like losing district title games, that should motivate you in the weight room in the offseason. … But we responded in that second half, and we have to build on that,” Koop said. “We have to get back to what we do best. We might have to figure out some different positions for people due to injury, but that’s part of football, too.” Kiburis and the Rebels will have a chance to make it an outright claim to the district title on Friday in Gladbrook. “We need to focus on Colo-NESCO, and that’s all the next four days of practice should be about,” Kiburis said. “We need to keep getting better every game.” 

And here is a link to the news coverage from KWWL

https://kwwl.com/sport/friday-night-heroes/2018/10/12/gladbrook-reinbeck-wins-44-19-against-agwsr/

"Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life." ~Proverbs 12:13

Hudson's Final 5th Grade Tackle Football Game

I did not take another picture of Hudson during his game on Sunday, because it was cold, rainy, sleety and snowy.  I was toasty warm in my Under-the-weather Tent while my boys exhibited their manliness and suffered in the elements.

Hudson's team won the game, finishing off the season 4-1 (I think).  Hudson scored 5 touchdowns and two interceptions, and tackled a kid so hard they had to call the ambulance.  Turns out the kid was okay and he didn't have to leave in the ambulance.

We're super proud of his hard work and dedication to the team.  He gives it his all when he is on the field, and he listens to his coaches and tries to do what they ask of him.

Shannon enjoyed being an assistant coach on his team, along with about 8 other dads.  Not a bad ratio for 8-man football.  Jackson was also seen on the sidelines most Sundays as a guest coach.

Can't wait for next season!

"When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble."  Proverbs 4:12

Chase's Fan Club

Chase played in his Homecoming soccer game Saturday against Calvary.  His team won 3-0.  He scored one goal.

After the game, his fan club asked him for his autograph.  They also gave him their autographs.  I love the way he makes them feel important.

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

Keeping watch on the evil and the good."  Proverbs 15:3

Thunder and Lightning Football

Hudson started playing tackle football this year.  So far he has played in the Jamboree and has had two games.  The consensus is that he is kind of a beast on the field.  

He runs hard and he doesn't go down easy.  He's thrown some passes, but mostly plays running back on offense and linebacker on defense.  He scores touchdowns and stops touchdowns.

I haven't done a good job taking pictures of him playing, but I did  get this shot of him coming off the field at the end of his first game, and a picture of him following his game on Sunday.

Maybe this week I'll remember to get some action shots.

"Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble."  Proverbs 3:23

Game Day Breakfast

We hosted the G-R Rebel football team at our home this morning for breakfast.  They have a game tonight, but no school today, so the coaches like them to get up and not lie in bed all day.  

We made scrambled eggs with sausage and ham, cinnamon rolls, and chocolate milk, white milk, and orange juice.  

We were hoping to have them eat outside on the deck, but it was kind of windy and rainy-ish, so they stayed indoors. 

We're hoping for our first 8-man win tonight vs. Turkey Valley.

  Do not eat the bread of a miser,

Nor desire his delicacies;

Proverbs 23:6

       

FBBC Eagles Soccer

Chase is planning to play soccer again this season at FBBC.  His first scrimmage is this Saturday vs. DMACC.  We're looking forward to seeing him back out on the pitch.

"For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the Lord;"

Proverbs 8:35

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

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

Des Moines Regiser 1st Team All-State Football Selection

Chase has added another honor to his list of football accomplishments this year. Today The Des Moines Register announced their All-State Football team selections.  Chase was a 1st Team All-State Selection as running back.
 
He was also a Class A 1st Team All-District selection at running back, District Offensive MVP, Academic 1st Team All-District selection, and Player's Choice selection for Sportsmanship, Offensive MVP, and Overall MVP, and was selected as the Waterloo Courier's Prep of the Week in October.

Chase led Iowa's Class A football in rushing with 2,122 yards this season.  He ended the season being the 4th leading rusher in Iowa in 11-man football.

He set a new school record for single-season rushing yards, surpassing the record he set last year by over 700 yards.  He broke the school TD record, scoring 25 TD's this season (49 career).  He also set the season record for # of carries, and has unofficially set the school career rushing record with 3,950 yards.  He has led the G-R Rebels in rushing the past three seasons. 

Chase has worked incredibly hard for all of his accomplishments, and has maintained the top academic rank in his class as well.  The hours he spent in the weight room and running drills have given him the preparation needed to succeed on the field.  He has demonstrated a humble attitude throughout his success, and has been quick to point out that he is part of a team and without 11 men on the field, no one can succeed.  
 
We are proud of the honors Chase has received, but more than that, we are pleased with the manner in which he has received these accolades.  He remains humble, and not once have I had to wince on the sidelines as my son showboated on the field.  He demonstrated the self-control to simply walk away when provoked on the field, and generally just calmly handed the football to the referee after scoring a touchdown and then lined up for the next play.

Chase was a very intense kid when he was young.  He's always been super competitive, and those attributes served him well on the gridiron.  He doesn't do most things half-way, and doesn't like to settle for being second-best.  Just because he was the third Clark Boy wasn't going to mean that he wasn't going to strive to be the best.  All those years of rough-housing and wrestling in the living room paid off in tenaciousness as he hauled 3-4 potential tacklers down the football field before they brought him down.  All those backyard football games hauling his brothers and sisters around benefited him.  We have been known to set up obstacle courses around the acreage and have the boys carry the younger siblings on their backs as they executed the course.  It's kind of unconventional training, but it certainly didn't hurt anything.  


We are proud of Alex and his college soccer career.  Jackson is still working out with the Wartburg Knights football team as they continue in the postseason playoffs.  Bryce led the G-R JV football team in tackles this season, and Colton had a successful first season of middle school football.  We will likely continue to be unconventional as we continue to support our family in their extra-curricular pursuits.  After all, we're noticing a lot of similarities between Chase and Macklin.  Perhaps in 15 years he'll replace Chase's name with his own in the record books


Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

This verse, I feel, sums up Chase's football season.  He plays big and bold on the field.  

During the Rebel's State Playoff Quarterfinal game vs. defending state champions Wapsie Valley, Chase suffered a pulled hamstring in the third quarter, preventing him from carrying the ball throughout the rest of the game.  He was able to play a little bit of defense, but had to come to terms with watching the game from the sidelines.  It hurt my heart as a mom to see him struggle with that, and the "unfairness" of the situation after all of the hard work he had put in.  He finished the season 50 yards shy of his career goal of 4000 yards.  He spent many series on the sidelines throughout the season while the second team players took the field.  He could easily have surpassed that goal with a few more carries.  BUT, God knew before the season began that Chase would pull his hamstring, that the Rebels would not make it to the dome, that there would be disappointments.  Stats are just stats.  What matters is the way we handle the successes and disappointments that come our way, and I think Chase did a great job demonstrating Who is in control of his life, and where his blessings come from.  

 “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  Matthew 3:17

We couldn't be more proud of the man Chase is becoming, and for the rest of our family who love and support each other in every aspect of their lives.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

~State Football Playoffs.  Our first playoff game is next Wednesday.
~my Friday Spaghetti Ladies. 
~Bryce.  He helps me.
~the beautiful weather we had Monday for Jackson's Sr. pics.
~Shannon.
~my parents for helping out with the kids.
~that Papa Joe is much improved.
~soccer season and the opportunity to see my children run and play.
~email.
~Jackson's abs.  How else could he do this?

 "There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

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

Gladbrook-Reinbeck rallies to beat Hudson, 29-21 - KWWL.com - News & Weather for Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City, Iowa |

Highlights of my boys from the local news channel.  Watch it now!

Gladbrook-Reinbeck rallies to beat Hudson, 29-21 - KWWL.com - News & Weather for Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City, Iowa |

Chase had two touchdowns and Jackson had one, plus a 2 pt conversion.  Of the 29 points the Rebels scored, 20 came from the Clark boys.

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so." Proverbs 3:27

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful~

~that Naomi got a perfect score on her first spelling test of the school year.
~that my bathrooms are clean...and we're not even expecting company!
~for the breeze coming in through my windows.
~for football season.  Chase had a good game last week.  Jackson will likely get to play tomorrow night, too.  His knee is healing nicely and we expect great things from him this season.
~for our youth group.  I enjoy my time with them.
~that my big boys let me help them with their homework.
~that Colton and Katie are enjoying school...even after the first week!
~that I got the lawn (weeds) completely mowed last week. 
~for Shannon and how much he enjoys our children.
~for a healthy family.
~for the food we have to eat.
~that Alex has started soccer practice at FBBC and is able to stay with Shannon's sister and her family this semester.

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."  Proverbs 27:1

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful...

~for my husband.  He's bringing home lunch.
~for my children.  They are quite helpful at cleaning up the messes they create.
~for my mop.  It's getting a workout today.
~for my Dyson.  It too has been busy.
~for Macklin.  Without him, who would I pull off the kitchen counters, wipe up after, and duct tape diapers to? Oh, and he's napping right now.
~for Bryce, Naomi and Hudson.  I can hear them cheerfully chatting in the other room.
~for my friends and family.
~for a good first day of school.
~for FOOTBALL!  The first game of the season is tomorrow.  We're anticipating great things from our boys.
~for cooler weather.  I love having my windows open!

Gotta go.  Macklin is awake.

"Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife."  Proverbs 17:1

August 2011 Recap

August in our household means FOOTBALL.  Practice generally starts the first week of the month.  Jackson and Chase played varsity ball this season.  Bryce played on the middle school team, and Colton played his first season of tackle football with the 5th & 6th graders.

The boys all had successful seasons.  Jackson was honored with a 2nd Team All-District selection at tight end.  He also played outside linebacker on defense.  Chase was also selected to the 2nd Team All-District team as running back.  He was the leading rusher for the team.  They each sported a new hairdo for the season.  Jack started with the mullet, then changed to a full fledged mohawk.  I cannot locate a single photo of the mohawk.  I'm sure I took some, but they've disappeared.  Chase was a little more reserved in his football hairdo.  The Rebels once again made it to the State play-offs, but were unable to advance as far as we would have liked. 

It was fun watching the boys play.  We had great weather most of the season.  Once again I helped organize the Friday afternoon Spaghetti Dinners for the team.  We have a great group of ladies that prepare the meal and serve the guys.  It's my treat after a long week of school!





















Bryce played on the line for his team.  They went undefeated for the second year in a row.  Bryce works hard and takes his job seriously.  His team is fun to watch.
















Shannon had the privilege of being part of the coaching staff for Colton's team.  Colton enjoyed hitting guys and running the ball.  They had a winning season as well.










Colton, Katie and Naomi also played soccer during the fall season.  We were constantly running to practices and games.  Shannon co-coached the girls' team again this year.  I'm thinking it's time he retires, as the only games the girls won were the games he wasn't able to be at!



The biggest change for our household occurred when Alex left home to begin college at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny.  He was excited to head out on his own, and was especially excited to have the opportunity to play soccer for the Eagles. We made many trips to Ankeny and throughout the state to watch him play.  We even went to Canada to see him play in their regional tournament. 







We also started our school year at home in August.  I love brand new books, nice neat schedules, and eager students.  Someday, maybe I'll have that ;)  We continue to persevere, and really do love the flexibility it provides our family.  Jackson and Chase continue to work their garbage route on Tuesday mornings.  This keeps them in gas and date money.

As I try to recreate some of the events that happened last fall, I've found that I have missed taking TONS of pictures.  Perhaps that's because Macklin is a little whirlwind, and it's hard to hold a camera and keep track of a little dynamo at the same time!

Note to self:  Take more pictures!

"Therefore hear me now, my children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth."  Proverbs 5:7

Ga-Ga Ball

On Mother's Day we made a trip into Waterloo and bought some lumber to build a Ga-Ga Ball Pit.  It took us about an hour to build.  You just can't beat the Clark Assembly Line when building things.  I think we've gotten our money's worth out of it already.

You can find the official Wikipedia Ga-Ga Ball rules here.  Our kids learned to play at IRBC.

We enjoy it because the whole family can play.  The big boys are usually nice about letting the little ones get their fair share of game time.

Jumping to avoid the ball.

One of the main hazards of the game is bloody knuckles.  We've invested in a super-sized box of bandaids.

Hudson getting in on the action.

The agony of defeat.

Chase wrote this endearing message with his blood...

Macklin gets to watch from outside the pit.

We were hoping to have nice weather for Alex's graduation open house so the little kids could be outside playing.  Unfortunately, it was rainy, so we didn't get to share that day.  We have had a couple opportunities for friends to come over and play since then.

Wanna come play?



"Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession."  Proverbs 28:10