still swimming

I like that line from the Finding Nemo movie where they say "Just keep swimming."  Life has been a little bit crazy, a little bit busier than I would like, and a whole lot of random activity shoved into a couple of weeks time.  My goal for 2019 is to try to savor more of these moments and enjoy where I am at in life.  At the end of the day, I can honestly say I try. Sometimes when I look at the calendar though, all we can really do is just keep swimming (upstream, upside down and the water is cold!).  I teach a class on Wednesday nights.  I remember a time when Wednesday was sort of a protected church night.  That is just not the case anymore.  As a matter of fact, every week is a struggle.  Luckily, Mallory really likes teaching, and is not opposed to teaching a 3rd grade RE class at the end of a day of teaching 2nd graders!  She covered my class so Jim and I could go watch Quincy's choir concert.  Quincy's choir sang a couple of songs by themselves, and then they sang a few songs combined with the high school Choraliers.  Overall, it was an enjoyable concert.  Quincy honestly loves singing and being in the choir.  I foresee a lot of choir concerts in her future.

While we were gone, Preston and Andrew got the Uhaul completely unloaded.  That both impressed and relieved me (it is cold outside and I hate the cold!).  By the time we got home, the girls had returned from RE, had a bath, and got to hold their niece for the first time!  They were absolutely giddy!  I think it is safe to say, they want to keep her! 

It seems like Evie and Bailey (Madison and Andrew's dog) are both settling in well.  I do feel a little sorry for both of them, as they left where it was warm to come here where it is definitely NOT warm!

Cameron decided to run for student body senate.  He was elected.  We are very proud of this accomplishment of his!  He is really enjoying college!  

scholars and homecomers

Preston tried out for and successfully made the 8th grade scholar's bowl team.  His first meet was also the league meet, and was held last night in Wellsville.  I volunteered for bus duty, so that I could go watch.  I really enjoy watching quiz bowl.  Does it make me a nerd?  Probably, but we have already long established that anyway.  The stuff that these kids know is truly impressive.  The math that they work out, is incredible, and the fact that they do the practicing and learning voluntarily is amazing to me.  I like it a lot!  Plus they are good kids who are fun to hang around with, so that is also a bonus.

Preston's team took 3rd in the league.  It was a tough competition, and they only lost by a couple of points.  The season is short, but these kids have big plans for doing better next time!

After the quiz bowl meet, we went home and anxiously awaited the arrival of Madison, Andrew, Jim and Evelyn.  Jim made it home from driving the uhaul and towing Madison's car around 8:45.  The rest got in around 9:30.  We were so happy that everyone made it home safely.  I am glad to have my kids all back in Kansas!  I was also so thrilled to be able to hold my granddaughter for the first time!  She is an absolute angel!  Everyone in our house is over the top happy to finally meet her, hold her and see her sweet face!  

Babies really are God's greatest blessing.

club day

 

Today was county club day for 4-H.  Our kids did a model meeting.  

They missed a lot of practice due to the weather, and when we did have practice, it was pretty much a fiasco.  I did not have a good feeling going into today.  Even the half hour before we went before the judge, they were pretty uncomfortable with their lines and parts.  Then we went into the room with the judge.  The judge happened to be my old junior high math teacher!  I know he is a person who loves 4-H, but also loves order, and things being done correctly.  

The kids acted like little professionals.  It was like it was a totally different group!  I sat in the back with my mouth hanging open with shock!   They took top purple.  I am still in shock. 

 

Regional club day (and a lot more practicing) here we come!  I am pretty proud of them for their performance....but more importantly they are learning some parliamentary procedure, and that is a life long skill that will serve them forever.

 

Daddy is leaving tomorrow to head to Arizona.  All trips need a good luck picture right?  I love how this kid is always thinking, and taking care of everyone.  Making us all gifts,  making sure we know about the insignificant holidays (and imaginary ones).  She is amazing.

 

I got this from Cameron.  It cracks me up that they purposefully dress alike.  When they were little, had I suggested them dressing like this, they would have thrown fits!  And the fanny packs?  I got nothing on that!

other stuff in a long week

This week has been long.  When I say long, I mean LONG.  As in, will it ever end, and can you just put me out of my misery already.  I know that part of the reason is anxiety over Jim, Madison, Andrew and Evie traveling, and moving.  Anxiety and Anxiousness.  That is what is going on around here with me.  Unfortunately, it did not stop the weather from being gross, or the kids from having activities.  Added all together and this is the longest week ever!

The kids have missed a bunch of RE due to the weather.  It seems like every storm hits on a Wednesday!  This week, we had a snow storm and school was closed, but by the afternoon, the sun was shining and the roads were clear, so they decided to not cancel class.  Harper was my only student that night.  She enjoyed doing a review of the sacraments, and some craft projects.  I enjoyed having a little time alone with her! 

Harper is fairly shy, and sometimes has a little anxiety.  We are seeing more and more of her starting to outgrow that though.  Last night, after the basketball game, Jim had a meeting.  At the meeting, a local pastor told Jim that some kids were performing a play at school today, and that Harper had a part in it.  She didn't tell us!  This morning I asked her if she wanted me to come over and watch.  That was met with a very resounding NO!  She did agree that Mallory could video it for me to watch later!  I am proud of her for doing it though - even if I am not allowed to see the performance!

As I mentioned, we had Wednesday off school.  I decided to take the day off work, and we spent the day clearing out a bedroom for Madison, and shampooing carpet.  The kids were all pretty helpful, and we got a lot done.  We have a little more to do over the weekend, but I am feeling good about it.  

We are using Cameron's old bedroom for Madison and Andrew to stay in for a few months.  When cleaning out Cameron's stuff, you just never know what you will find.  The boy had an old metal bread cabinet.  Wait....what?  Why?  I texted to see if he wanted to keep it.  He said "you can throw it away, I am done with it."  OK but WHAT were you doing with it?  Never did get a clear answer on that!  I guess it is Cameron, so you just never will know.  

The puppies have their eyes open!  They are starting to get around pretty well too!  We are having a blast playing with them and watching them grow! 

Snow day dancing.  She may or may not have done more dancing than helping with the many cleaning projects we had going on!

Saige's teacher is doing a history unit.  The first week was about the student, with a picture and story about them.  The second week is about the parents.  I had to dig deep to find a photo of Jim and I together.  Maybe we should think about taking one that is a little more current?  I think I know why my parents thought we were "babies" when we got married!  

Last game

Preston played his final 8th grade game.  Actually, his final junior high game.  He was pretty sad about it ending.  He says he is just not ready to think about high school, because he is enjoying where he is at!  I have no doubts about his ability to adapt, and I know he will be fine, but I am thankful he likes this phase of his life.  Teenage years can be tough, and we have been lucky that mostly, our kids have avoided a lot of drama and crazy!  

Oops....got off track there.  Preston's team has had a pretty good season.  They went 5-4 (I think).  They won last night against a team that was pretty good.  They played great.  Jim was right in saying that although Preston did not score any points last night, he made a tremendous impact on the team.  He had a bunch of steals, and 5 blocked shots.  He had a ton of assists and was a general beast on defense.  It was fun to watch, and I have enjoyed the season.

I had this really awesome blogging app.  It worked great.  And then it didn't.  I cannot figure out what went wrong, and I have even tried deleting and re-installing it.  Anyway, these pictures are out of order and messy, but it sort of matches my life.  haha! 

It is sort of hard to tell what is going on in this picture, so I will explain.  The FBLA had a half time fundraiser.  Pay a dollar, and shoot a free throw.  If you make it, you win a 2 liter.  Jim was pretty sure he would make it, and said he was going to be the only one to take his shot granny style.  Well, he did indeed take a granny style shot, but he did not make it!  At least he didn't split his pants! 

I always get excited about winter sports ending, because I figure it means spring has arrived!  Remind me in a couple of weeks, when I am freezing my rump off at track meets why indoor sports are better!

Healing

Squirrel girl had a re-check appointment on her arm yesterday.  They showed us how the new bone  is forming around the buckled place.   She was actually looking sad because of her disgusting skin and the slight odor!  We washed her arm off in the sink before they re-casted it.  

Much to Mallory’s delight, she chose an orange cast!  This one will be on for 2 weeks and then hopefully we will move to a soft (and removable) splint.  She doesn’t seem to have any pain and is happy to have a fresh cast!   This time she says only people with nice handwriting will be allowed to sign it!  She is a hot mess.