A bright Sunny Saturday to bury G.G.

Today was the service for G.G.  We decided to do the visitation and funeral all in the same day.  So many dear friends and family came for one or both.  Two of G.G.'s first cousins were there along with her sister.  All of our immediate family of course, and so many others who loved her and who love us.  Andrew and Thomas helped with the casket, and it was an incredibly bright and sunny day.  If I remember correctly, the day we buried my grandfather was very similar.  I spoke, along with my mother and my uncle.  I loved, absolutely loved, getting to spend the day with my cousins and their kids.  I'm so grateful for how close-knit our family is.  That is a gift from my grandmother.  She absolutely adored her family, and she would've loved today.

I don't think it has really hit me that I'm never going to see her again.  I don't think it is real to me yet in that regard.  I do know it was too soon after losing Aunt Cathy, but I also know that losing Aunt Cathy probably accelerated things with G.G.  Today was truly a blessing.

Blessings in the sadness

"This too shall pass.  It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass."

I saw this quote recently, but don't know the origin of it.  It sums up our week perfectly.  This has been the toughest week of my life.  My children, all of them, have made very poor decisions this week.  Catherine and Thomas have suffered some consequences at school, some at home, and some are just natural.  Andrew and I work so hard to guide them through life, but we realize that their lives are their own.  It's just really hard some days.

I've had several people ask why we've all come to school all week.  A death in the family is definitely a legitimate reason to stay home.  Honestly though, I am so grateful that I've had a job each day.  I'd rather be sitting here working and distracted, then home dwelling on things I can't control.

There are blessings in all of this.  To say that our family has been wrapped in love and support from school is an understatement.  We've had a co-worker offer to have our kids live at her house if we needed to leave town.  I've received more hugs than I can count, words of support, smiles, concerned expressions, and encouragement.  So have my kids, and so has Andrew.  It's been a hard week.  A really, really hard week.  Andrew even said to me last night that he didn't think he could take any more.  My easy-going, mild-mannered husband who never lets anything bother him had reached the end of his rope.  Each time I think I might get there myself, another hug, another word of encouragement, another friendly smile, another "thinking of you" comes along.  I am so, so grateful to be surrounded by so much love and support!

I've changed

I've felt a change coming on inside me for some time now, and it's grown stronger lately.  Things have happened that have changed my perspective in life, not to mention that we are simply in a season of life change.  I am no longer the mother of little children.  Two of my children are legal adults, and the other is a teen.  It changes things.

As my grandmother passed this week, I couldn't help but think about her life.  My grandfather made certain she was well provided for and she never had to worry about anything in terms of finances.  But my grandfather died when he was 64 years old, and G.G. spent 33 years (and one day exactly) being a widow.  I'm sure that's not how she pictured her later years when she was younger.  My other grandmother is 89-years-old.  She was 65 when my grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and it was only another year or two later when her entire life came to be about only caring for him.  She was 73 when she became a widow.  I'm sure that isn't how she planned to spend those years when she was younger.

My mother became a widow at age 60, after my dad having been ill for 17 years.  Dad still did so much in those years, but the last year he was pretty much confined to the house.  Any amount of travel out of the house took a major toll on him.  After losing Dad, she herself battled cancer, and then she became a caregiver of sorts to both my aunt and my grandmother before they passed.  While I know without a doubt that my mother would tell you it was an honor to be able to be helpful, I am certain that none of any of that was how she pictured spending these years.

I think about my mother-in-law.  She is being such a tender caretaker for my father-in-law, who once never needed any such thing.  And they took care of my brother-in-law for several years before he passed away.  They never left to travel anywhere, even to visit us once he needed them, and now they physically can't.  They did have about ten or fifteen years before all of that where they traveled and had so many wonderful adventures.  I'm so grateful that they did, but I am sure this was not what they had hoped for the last ten years.

Thinking about all of this has changed me, as my children are now nearly grown.  I will always be their mother, and I will always worry about them.  Their choices are their choices though, and I will live with them just as they will.  They are at ages now where, for the most part, I just have to know that I've done the best I can.  Their lives are their lives.

So what does all of this mean for me?  It means I should live life.  Take a trip?  Let's go.  Spend an evening with friends?  Tell me when and where.  Hang out with the kids?  Can't wait.  Quiet time at home?  Sounds great.  I should live my life and love what I am doing.  Will I work?  Absolutely.  I will work, but right now we are blessed such that I don't have to live only for work...I can work to enjoy life even more.  I will pour myself into work while I am working, then I will pour myself into my family while I can, and I will pour myself into my friendships when I am able.  It isn't draining, it's filling.  It's filling my life with love and laughter.  It's creating memories to last a lifetime.  It's being present in each and every moment.

I know that I will always be a worrier, but I'm learning to just enjoy each moment of life.  Each moment is a blessing and will never be recreated.  Not all of them are awesome, but regardless of how fabulous a moment is or isn't, the next one will be here before we know it.  I am so grateful for so many moments that have been, and am grateful for all the moments I have left.  My heart is full.

The end of February

I'll be honest, March really can't come along quickly enough.  This end of the month has been tough.  I was able to spend Tuesday afternoon/evening with my mom, aunt, uncle, cousin and his wife.  We made the arrangements for G.G., and had dinner together.  As is always the case with my family, we laughed a lot, and I'll always be grateful that our family is that way.  I love being so close with everyone, and I'm so grateful.

Yesterday was testing, so the kids and I had no school.  It was so nice to sleep in.  I am still suffering from the lingering effects of last week's illness, and extra sleep was much appreciated.  In addition to all of the emotions of losing G.G., yesterday was also the one year mark of a friend who lost his step-father in a tragic accident, and today is the ten year anniversary of dear friends who lost their six-month-old.  So much sadness has happened this time of year.

To be completely honest, our family could use some prayers.  Catherine and Thomas are fine, but we are all struggling to deal with the decisions of another family member.  I'm sorry I can't go into more, but please pray for my children especially, that they have peace in their hearts.

Rest in Peace, G.G.

G.G. passed away last night.  I'm so very grateful that she didn't linger any longer than she did.  Her passing was peaceful, and she was ready.  All of these things provide solace and comfort.

I am here at school today, but am leaving early to go and spend the afternoon with family.  That is the one thing G.G. is leaving behind...more than anything else...is a close and devoted family.  We love to spend time together, and I love how many family pictures we will have to display at her service.  She loved and adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She will be very missed.

G.G. is still with us

G.G. is still hanging on, although both Mom and I agree it will most likely be this week.  She really wanted to pass yesterday.  Sounds odd, doesn't it?  Yesterday was the 33rd anniversary of the passing of my grandfather, her husband.  She had told my cousin on Friday that she wanted to pass on Sunday (yesterday).  She is still here though, although unresponsive.  She is being monitored by Hospice care, and many relatives are popping in and out daily.

Honestly, our family is struggling with some things, and we could use some prayers.  My kids, and especially Thomas, are hurting.  While I know they are going to be okay, he is not processing his emotions very well, and my heart hurts for my kids.  Last evening, I laid in bed and spoke to God.  Honestly, I couldn't even pray.  I am beyond knowing what to pray for.  I just trust that God knows what is in my heart, and prayed that my heart be open to His Guidance.  If anyone has any spare prayers, especially on behalf of my kiddos, we would appreciate them!

This has been a tough, tough week

It's been a while since we've had a week this tough.  Andrew and I are feeling better, although low on energy.  I've prioritized, and I am worrying only about things that absolutely have to happen this week.  I got payroll submitted for church, and that may be all that happens there.

Last evening, my mother let us know that Hospice feels that the end is very near for G.G.  I am praying it is a peaceful passing, and that she is as comfortable as possible.  I need to get to work organizing family photos for the services, but hopefully I've got a couple of days.

When I picked Thomas us from set construction today, he was in tears because his girlfriend had broken up with him.  Apparently some students are spreading rumors about him, and his girlfriend believed the rumors.  He was so upset.  He has been so inconsolable.  It breaks my heart to see him hurt this way.  He knows that it will pass, and I'm so grateful he is willing to talk to us and share his emotions.  With my emotions already on edge, I shed a few tears along with my son.

Andrew and I made an appearance at a baseball coaching dinner this evening.  Catherine texted on our way home telling us she was pretty sure she has what we had.  Sure enough, when we got home, we took her temp and she is running a fever of 101.3 degrees.  I hated that we hadn't been home for her.  I hated that we had to leave when Thomas was so upset.  I hated that I wasn't home working on photos for the services, and I hated that I haven't been able to be more help to my family in dealing with things with G.G.

This is a tough week.

The end of our sick week

Our week was pretty much anti-productive.  I pretty much never got off the couch from the time I got home Tuesday after school until I got up this morning.  Except of course for last evening when I had to deal with a car accident, but we'll get to that in a minute.

My fever was over Wednesday evening.  Andrew however, began a fever yesterday morning and is still running one as of today.  No one picked up his sub assignment, so I got to cover that class first thing this morning before going to cover Sophomore English for the morning, then covering Geometry this afternoon.  Lots of fun!  I also have to get payroll submitted for the church today, but I plan to crash once I finally make it home.  In fact, dinner is probably going to be lazy frozen pizza.

Yesterday was quiet an experience.  Andrew went to the doctor late morning, and it took forever.  When he went to pick up his prescription, he was told it would be 45 minutes.  There was no way he had the energy for that, so he came on home.  Catherine drove him back up two hours later when she got home from school, and he was told it would be another 30 minutes.  Ugh!  We finally sent her up another three hours later, and that was when she managed to rear-end another vehicle because she was looking at her phone.  Thankfully, both she and other driver are fine, there were no other passengers, and she took full responsibility and handled everything as she should.  We pulled our sick selves together (we hadn't even brushed our teeth!) and drove to check on her.  The car has some pretty significant damage, but that can be fixed.  The other vehicle has only very minor damage, so we are grateful for that.  The other driver was also very kind about everything.  So much for saving the sick people from having to go out for the prescription.  Oh, and it STILL WASN'T READY!

Because of the car situation (Catherine was driving Andrew's car last evening) and the fact that he is sick, Andrew won't be visiting his parents this weekend.  Catherine works 20 hours this weekend, and Thomas has set construction all day tomorrow.  I would love to get caught up with laundry, but our fridge is empty, and grocery shopping tomorrow might take everything I have in me.  On the upside though, it is Friday, it is the weekend, the sun is shining, and everyone is okay overall.  I'll take that anyday!

More sickness

I feel better today in the sense that my fever broke last evening.  I am still laying low.  Andrew is also home sick today.  He also has a fever, but his cough is very different from mine.  I was full of congestion, but his cough is dry and "barky".  He is planning to go to the doctor soon.  Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!  Not sure if he will make it back to work, but I do!  I hated missing two days worth of pay.

I am so, so grateful that the kids, at least so far, are doing okay.  Prayers that it stays that way!

Running a fever

This morning when I woke up, I still didn't feel well, but I was scheduled to work so I wanted to try to go to school.  I didn't think I felt warm, but I decided to take my temp just to check.  Sure enough, I was running a fever of 101.2.  Definitely not going to school.  I have felt pretty miserable nearly all day.  My fever hasn't been below 100 at any point, even when medicated.  So tomorrow is another day at home, and we'll have to see about Friday!

I have to admit I am sick

I have to admit I am sick.  Not so sick that I can't function, but awfully darn close.  It started yesterday, I could tell something was coming on.  By last night I had such horrible chills and was miserable.  I felt better after dinner though, and some hot tea helped even more.  I was worried about how I would feel this morning, but because I am subbing for the Health teacher who practically schedules his appointments around me, I didn't want to cancel my job.  I went to bed early, although I couldn't really sleep, but woke up this morning feeling much better...at least while I was still in bed.  After exerting my effort to take a shower,  I quickly realized I was in for a long day.  As I was walking into school, I was really beginning to wonder how I was going to bel able to make it through the day.  I was very grateful that I didn't need to cover any other classes, and I even began to think that if I could just make it through the first two classes, I could leave and I had a plan for how they could cover the rest of the day.  I was coughing and I ached.  No fever though, so I keep telling myself that I can't really be that sick.  I have a church council meeting this evening, but I already sent an email explaining that I don't think I will be there.  About the middle of the morning I started feeling really good again, and was beginning to think I have overreacted about everything and was just fine.  And then the cold medicine and Ibuprofen began to wear off, and ugh again.  I am looking forward to going home, medicating, wrapping up in a blanket, and sleeping.  I am scheduled again tomorrow, but I am optimistic this is just a cold, and this will be the worst day of it.  And for tonight, we have dinner all ready to go so I can just veg the entire evening.  Can't deny it though, I am definitely sick, even if it is just a cold!

Such a great long weekend

I absolutely loved this past weekend, as I knew that I would.  Our family had so much time together, and getting to start it Wednesday evening with a little bit of time together was even better.  Thursday evening we did potato pizza and watched a movie before following up with binge watching some episodes.  Friday was potato soup and more episodes.  Saturday was a REALLY long day for everyone with double swim meets which required our volunteer time, but we were still home early enough to watch more episodes!  Sunday Catherine worked all day, Thomas had plans with his girlfriend, and Andrew and I had plans with friends.  Yesterday was a major "catch up" day as we attempted to accomplish things we had kind of let slide throughout the weekend.  I just absolutely loved how much time we got to spend together, and laugh together, throughout the weekend.  This past weekend was exactly the time we needed to "recharge" a little bit after the hectic winter swim season, and it will go down as one of my favorites!

This speaks to me today

The first evening was exactly how I hoped it would be

Last evening was exactly what we wanted it to be.  We made pizza, we watched a movie, we hung out together as a family and laughed.  My heart could not have been more full last night.  As I said to my aunt yesterday, we are all too aware of how quickly this time is passing, and how it won't be long before we are down to only one kiddo hanging out here on a regular basis.

This evening we are planning potato soup, euchre, and more family fun.  This long weekend is such a blessing!

Less than 90 minutes until our long weekend begins

Can you tell how excited I am about this upcoming weekend?  Part of it is just the fact that we are coming out of the swim season which is so involved.  Part of it is just the fact that this time of year there isn't much sleeping in on the weekends.  Regardless, we have four days of no school, and I don't think I have to leave my house at all tomorrow.  Woohoo!

We had thought that today might be a snow day, and honestly, I am very glad that it isn't.  I am in French class, which is my favorite sub job in the entire building.  I love getting paid to sit here and not have to worry about the students because they are so fabulous.  I'm glad I"m here and earning a paycheck.

The kids have a meeting after school today, then Thomas and I have to run a few errands.  I expected to be home by 4:30 at the latest.  Andrew needs to take our sweet pup to the vet.  She is having her teeth cleaned tomorrow and is required to stay overnight.  He should be home by 6.  Pizza is for supper, and we have family fun planned for the evening.  Andrew and I are also going to share a bottle of champagne as an anniversary gift.  It will be an awesome beginning to a fabulous weekend!

Last evening was a lovely preview to our weekend

Last evening ended up being really lovely, and kind of a preview to our weekend.  I had a hair appointment after school.  Sleet had begun falling as I left school, and as I was leaving the appointment I fell in the parking lot.  Fortunately it wasn't anything serious, but I was a little sore.  I was supposed to attend a band meeting last evening, but since the weather was supposed to continue to get worse, I was sore from the fall, and I hadn't missed a meeting in over four years I decided I just wasn't going to go.

Thomas was working on homework, and Andrew, Catherine, and I worked on making dinner.  It wasn't a fabulous dinner, but it wasn't awful, and most importantly I appreciated the help from others.  As the evening progressed, the weather (and road conditions) continued to deteriorate.  Andrew was supposed to have baseball practice last evening, but the coach made the wise decision to cancel.  We were all thrilled!  The kids had taken early showers, so we had the evening to spend together.  I had picked up Season 10 of Modern Family from the library, and we all settled in to begin watching the episodes.  Our family "discovered" this show late, and so it is a series we have binge-watched together.  We laughed so hard.

We will pick this up again this evening, and we are all looking forward to it.  I LOVE these times we have together!

So ready for this weekend

I am subbing in a Math job I very much enjoy today, and it is early day...yay!!!!  The weather is cold and yucky though, and I don't love that I have a hair cut and a band meeting this evening, but life goes on.

Tomorrow I will work in French class, which is my favorite job!  And the best part is that tomorrow is the end of our week!  Yes, I am using a lot of exclamation points, but I am very excited!!!

I am so looking forward to lots of "hanging out" time with the family this weekend.  Tomorrow, we will all be home by 5:00.  The plan is to have some pizzas and binge watch some TV.  Friday we all get to sleep in, and we WILL!  Catherine has to work at Noon, and that evening we will be having potato soup and watching a movie together as a family.  It will be awesome.

Saturday will be a longer day as we have swim obligations pretty much from 10AM - 10PM.  The kids' seasons are over, but our school is responsible for staffing the district meet.  Our family was asked to take some extra duties.  Sometimes it stinks being a family that "will always help out", but it's the right thing to do, and I'm grateful that my kids know that as well.

Sunday Catherine has to work all day, and the rest of us have church in the morning.  That evening Andrew and I are venturing north to hang out with dear friends.  It will be late before we are home that night, but that's okay because Monday is another day without school.  We won't know until this weekend whether or not Catherine has to work, but regardless, I'm sure it will be a day of catching up and getting ready for our week.  At the same though, there might be some fun thrown in that day as well.

I am so grateful that our family will have this time together!  I am so looking forward to it!

It's almost the best of both worlds

I had been scheduled to work today, but last week the teacher let me know he was going to have to cancel.  I totally understood, and was certain something else would come along.  Nothing did though, so I went to bed last night knowing that I was going to get to sleep in this morning.  Always nice!  On days that I don't have to work, my alarm is set for 45 minutes later than a work day.  However, I did take a shower right before bed and having things ready, just in case I get a morning call!

And I did get one today!  It's in for a senior English teacher.  Senioritis is coming on strong, but overall it's a good group of students.  I am thrilled to be here and getting a paycheck for today.  Between my doctor appointment last week, the snow day on Friday, and the upcoming four-day-weekend, I am extremely grateful for the work day.  I'm only scheduled two days next week, so it makes me even more grateful.

It's kind of like the best of both worlds...I get a paycheck for today, but I also got to sleep in.  I suppose getting paid to be home would be even more awesome, but since that isn't going to happen, this is kind of like the best there is!

Visiting my grandmothers

Yesterday I decided to make a trip to my hometown.  I had ordered some puzzles to give to my paternal grandmother, and I hadn't been to town in a month.  We visited for a little less than an hour, and it was a lovely visit.  I really enjoyed the conversation, and she always completely amazes me at how well she is doing at age 89.  She is absolutely fabulous.  She was so excited about the puzzles I had purchased for her, and I suspect if she isn't already working on a puzzle, she has started one of them.  She enjoyed my visit, and I'm so glad I made the trip.

Then I drove over to visit my maternal grandmother.  I had seen her a month ago as well.  Mom had mentioned to me how much she was declining, and I felt I should get up there.  She is currently in the rehab nursing home that is on the same campus as my paternal grandmother's retirement community.  Although Mom had been telling me how much G.G. (as we call her) was failing and I was the one that convinced Mom to call in Hospice care, I was completely unprepared for the woman I encountered.  She is definitely fading away.  She did remember who I was, although she was confused about my sister and cousins, and she also couldn't remember where I lived or anything about that.  She didn't remember much about my kids, although I was amused by some of the things she did remember.  My gut tells me G.G.'s days are probably measured in weeks, and certainly nothing more than months.  I miss the woman that she was.

I am so incredibly blessed that I have had both of my grandmothers around to be a part of my life for forty-six years!  I am so grateful for them.  I am grateful that they both know my children, and more importantly, my children know them.  I know, especially with G.G, that loss in on the horizon, but my heart is incredibly full.

The same Anniversary card

Today is the date upon which my husband and I were married.  It's a Saturday which is awesome, but he has to work at a hockey game this evening, and we were invited over to some friends' house after the game, so we went out to dinner last night.  Since we had a snow day, it worked out really well.  We weren't too tired from the week to enjoy ourselves, as sometimes happens on a Friday.

Today we were up early because Catherine had to be at school shortly after 8, and Andrew was supposed to have baseball practice.  That ended up being cancelled, so we just hung out until Thomas got up later morning.  It was so sweet, Catherine texted us from her bus ride when she remembered the date.  She is a fabulously thoughtful young lady.  I headed to work at the church office around Noon, and after work I ran to pick up some groceries, and I also grabbed an anniversary card. 

When I got home, I noticed a card sitting on the counter that had a very similar envelope to the card I had just purchased.  I gave Andrew his card, and he gave me mine, and we both roared when we opened them.  We had purchased the exact same card for each other!  I really thought it was a perfect card for our relationship/anniversary, and obviously he agreed!  Or maybe we have just been married too long. 😆

I am so, so, so grateful to share each and every day with my husband.  I really don't think there could be anyone more perfect to go through this crazy life with.  I am so incredibly blessed.  More than anything, I hope my kids are able to find someone who makes them as happy as I am!

We got a snow day!

The first call this morning was a 2-hour delay, but an hour later the call came that we would be closed for the day...and it leads right into the weekend!  I am a little disappointed because it is a Friday after all, and I was supposed to work.  I don't love the loss of income, but life goes on.  We all enjoyed sleeping in this morning.

Thomas will still have swim sectionals this evening, and all our weekend activities will still go on.  Overall though, our weekend isn't crazy, and we've got all day today to spend together.  It stopped snowing about an hour ago (just like predicted) and it's really lovely outside right now.  Today is such a blessing!

We were really hoping for a delay

Overnight, the forecast was for rain to transition to freezing rain.  It was supposed to be the worst in our area around 5AM...perfect for a delay!  Last evening when Andrew came home from baseball practice, he mentioned that the trees all had a coat of ice, which I thought was a great sign!  Sadly, when the alarm went off this morning, no phone call had come.  Nothing around the area was delayed, and it turns out that although things were wet, it just wasn't cold enough.  SOOOO disappointing!  There is a chance of snow overnight, but I don't think we are going to get enough to have an impact.  Maybe there is a chance for a delay, but I really feel like this morning was more probable so I don't feel it looks good for tomorrow.

Our family is tired...really tired.  The end of swim is this weekend, and we are all grateful for that.  Swim schedule is intense, but I'm glad my kids enjoy it and get to be part of something so very successful.  They are ready for some down time as well though.  Honestly, I don't remember the last time we had a day to just all hang out, or even half a day for that matter.  This is a tough part of the year, but the craziness is from the blessing of opportunities.  This weekend is pretty scheduled as well, but the weekend after is a four day weekend.  There are some things planned, but generally speaking it is a day for us to just "be"!

Christmas was six weeks ago

I felt like January flew by, but yet Christmas feels like it was forever ago.  Six weeks since we all got together to celebrate the day.  Time passes, no matter how much we try to slow it down.

Swim season is coming to an end.  Catherine has only three practices and one meet remaining in this, her final year.  She has a good perspective on all of it.  I'm so glad that she's excited about the next step in her life, but I am also grateful that she is sad to see it come to an end.  It means it's been a good experience.  I'm also glad that the laundry load of swim towels is coming to an end!

Next week is just a bit of a lull.  Swim has ended and baseball hasn't yet started.  Even this week, without swim workouts, we've had family dinners when we can.  Andrew isn't necessarily the best about managing his time like he says he will, but we've done what we can to make it happen.  It's so important to us.  Even when baseball practices, we should still be able to do dinners for the most part.  It isn't until games begin that it gets challenging again, and of course Catherine will work more as well.

We are enjoying our time together while we can!

Our Super Bowl evening

I really enjoyed our Sunday evening!  I didn't particularly care about the Super Bowl, and I didn't think any of the commercial were phenomenal, but I loved the fact that I got to spend the evening with all of our family together.  I made a chili/cream cheese dip, and a giant bowl of popcorn, and there were some french bread pizzas as well.  Andrew got some grading done, and the kids were only half paying attention to the game, but we all enjoyed watching the game together.  I am so grateful to have those moments!

A very quiet Sunday afternoon

It's been a very quiet Sunday afternoon, and that was much needed.  Catherine had to work, and Andrew took Thomas to a friend of my mother's house to collect some scrap metal.  Poor Andrew, he's really worked hard this weekend.

The house is all picked up from the swim meal Friday, and we've not really been home to mess it up since then.  I allowed myself to take a nap and work on some things like laundry and dishes...nothing major.  I needed a little time to myself, as it's been such an emotional few weeks.  As my children get older, the parenting feels so much tougher.  I wouldn't trade one day of being their parent for anything, but it's so hard to watch them try to navigate this huge world.  I never want to see my children hurt in any way, and I just can't make that happen.  It's draining beyond words, and I know every parent understands.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to recharge a little this afternoon.  We are hanging out as a family this evening to watch the Super Bowl.  Nothing fancy...some french bread pizzas and a big bowl of popcorn for a snack.  The important thing is that we get to be together!

Swim team dinner and league titles #14

Yesterday, we hosted 25 swimmers, the coach, and his family all here for dinner.  The coach's wife did all the cooking, we just needed to provide chairs and tables for everyone.  It was a little tight, but we really enjoyed it.  Swim kids are good kids!

Tonight was the conference meet.  We were all pretty certain that the boys team was going to win conference title #14...all in a row!  The girls had matched the boys each year for 13 years, but this year was much, much more in doubt.  If everyone placed according to the seeds based on their times, we would win, but only by nine points.  Way, way too close to even think it was a sure thing.  The first race though, the girls raced much faster than the seeded time and we began to beat the team that was going to be close competition.  It was a fun evening.

While our kids are no where near competitive swimmers, our kids cut seconds off all of their times.  In fact, Thomas cut over a minute off his 500m time!  We are so proud of our kiddos.  I'm so grateful my kiddos have the opportunity to be part of these fabulous teams!