Updates

Thought I'd update you on what's been going on at our house the past few weeks.

Kaden has started first grade. So far so good. Anyone who asks Kaden what grade he is in gets a reply of "first grade again" or "I am doing first grade again". He is fine with the transition. He hasn't handled Chase going to college quite as well, and has shed many a tear for his big brother. Chase was kind enough to tell Kaden he could take anything of his from his room if he wanted. Kaden was so proud of how he decorated his room with all of his brothers things. Think it would of been easier for him to just move to Chase's room! But whatever helps!

Carson started 4th grade and has gotten contacts. He looks so grown up! He has adjusted a little easier to the fact that Chase isn't at home. He misses him and thinks it just seems "weird" without him.

Kohl is a senior. Football is in full swing, they had their first game last night. He had an awesome game. He has begun the college search and received his first acceptance letter. He has not made any decisions yet, we will keep you posted.

Chase has started his college career at Clarke. Think he is transitioning much better then the rest of us! He has his first cross country meet in a week. He has gotten two jobs on campus and joined a few clubs.

Bob is getting ready to have some sort of hip surgery. Not exactly sure how it is all going to pan out quite yet. He had more test yesterday and we should have some answers this week we hope. So please keep him in your prayers.

Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

I run, but not for exercise.

I went for a much needed run this afternoon. Inside with air conditioning and 2 fans blowing right on me! (I am not brave enough to run in this heat outside!) When I run, it's my quiet time, my "me" time. We all need that now and again. I have my music and more importantly my God. It may sound silly to some of you, but it's often the time when I can "talk" to Him. I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed and a bit stressed lately. I seriously felt like God was standing next to me, and He reminded me not of the things I am doing, but of the things I am not.

I didn't have to bury my son this week, sit on my mom's death bed, or have my new born fighting for life. I didn't have to bail one of my son's out of jail, or admit my husband or children into rehab. My house didn't burn down. My family isn't sick. I am not wondering what I will fix for dinner and hope it's enough. I'm not homeless in this heat. I'm not a lot of things.

I got the message God. Thank you. I will be patient. You are busy. I will continue to pray for all of those who are all of the things I'm not. I am blessed and grateful. A bit humbled. Thank you for taking the time to run with me today.

At the bare minimum today I have heard "I love you" and "thank you" at least 5 times each. I am reminded that right now, that's all I need. Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

Magical Memories

We recently surprised our kids with a trip to Orlando to visit Disney and Universal Studios. Keeping the trip a secret was a task in itself, but we did, and they were surprised! I think Disney is the international melting pot of happy. You can't help but be happy when you are at Disney. You walk in the gate and smiles magically appear where maybe they weren't before. People from every land find their way to Disney. A smile is a smile no matter what language you speak. Screams of thrill and or terror sound the same in every dialect. As you can see from some of the pictures, my kids figured out where the cameras were on the rides and gave us pictures we will treasure forever! We really got a chance to enjoy each other, not that we don't always, but it's different when there are no interruptions. No work, practice, camps, games, computer, limited phone and TV. We ate 3 meals a day together, now that we are home I can't tell you the last meal we were ALL at.  We were home a week and then went to Door County for a week. A trip we always enjoy. Now it's back to reality and here I am on the computer, Bob's at work, we have had football camp and finished up the baseball season, started back to school shopping, and nobody is home for dinner :) Life is good. Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

Schools out for the summer!! My favorite time of year, I love having the kids home. It has been a crazy spring so I am anxious to see what the summer has in store for us. I know we will have at least one baseball game a night possibly more, hockey games, trips, the pool, and preparing for the next school year as football camp has already begun. So I guess my saying I love having the kids home is kind of silly as we are not ever home! There is a song that reminds me of our family sometimes...the years start coming and the don't stop coming so we hit the ground running! I think this summer has taken on a new appreciation however as we also prepare for Chase to leave for school. When your kids are born you have so many people who say to you, "enjoy them while they are little, it goes so fast". At the time I think we think to ourselves - yeah right. But the fact is that is probably one of the best bits of unwanted advice I ever got. It goes to fast, I have loved every minute I've had with Chase and I know my moments aren't gone, just changing. But it has made me savor every word, every look, every everything with all of my kids more. So, this summer as we hit the ground running I think I am going to try and enjoy the run even more than usual. Happy Summer everyone! Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

Family Traditions

I would like to think our family is rich with traditions. We have something for everything. Every holiday, birthday, season, we even have traditions for when someone has surgery or breaks a bone! Easter is no exception. We get up early, see what the Easter Bunny has left. Go to church, go to Grandma Karen and Grandpa Bill's for baskets and breakfast after church. Return to our house for a fun hunt with our cousins, stuff ourselves with delicious food and then, well then it's one of our favorite traditions. It is literally a very silly tradition, but one of our favorites. The family silly string fight. We head to the park armed with cases of silly string. This fight includes men, women and children. There is no mercy. We run around like crazy people shooting each other with can after can of silly string. I have to say it's one of the most fun moments of the year. Maybe because it's one of those times everything stops and we just get to be silly and have fun. Life gets so rushed, so serious, so exhausting at times. If you need a good stress reliever, stock up on some silly string and start a new family tradition! I promise you will laugh till it hurts! Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

Answered Prayers

As I have posted in previous blogs Kaden has had some things to deal with this year. And he is dealing, and progressing. Unfortunately progress isn't always an instant fix. It takes time. Many times a day I'd love to reach for the big red easy button they show in commercials. But there isn't one. No one ever said life would be easy, they just said it would be worth it. For the past few (many) months Bob and I have had endless conversations about Kaden's future, and what the right thing to do for him is. It seems it should be easy to know what's right for your children. We have been discussing retaining. First grade times two. It seems like an easy decision, but there are so many aspects to consider. It's not just an educational decision, it's emotional and so, so much more. We stress, we worry and at the end of the day in our prayers we turn it over to God knowing He will show us the way. But alright already-show us the way. We try not to compare our kids to one another. They are all different, but honestly it's hard not to compare sometimes. This situation however is very different and the worst thing we could do is compare. None of the others had letters dancing all over the pages. In his quiet way Kaden knew he was not learning like the others in his class and at home, but he didn't know why. It took us months to help him figure it out, and now we have and we are building on that. And we pray. I hate to waste my energy on things I have no control over, but the things I do have control over are worth every last drop of energy I have. I somehow feel we should have control over this situation. But,  I feel so helpless. I don't want to mess this one up. And we pray.

One night when Kaden was having trouble sleeping he wanted to cuddle. I love my cuddle time.  Our conversation somehow got to school. He was saddened by the retirement of our schools 3rd grade teacher. "She always gets eggs for the kids to watch hatch, what if the new teacher doesn't?" We talked about the cute baby chicks. Suddenly he looked at me with the most serious and innocent eyes I have ever seen, and says (and I quote) "Mom, God has spoke to my heart. I am not ready for 2nd grade." In the next second that seemed like years my heart melted, grew and raced all at the same time. I am searching for the right words to respond. All I can manage is "Ok Buddy, are you sure?" "Yes, I am sure" again all I can manage is "Ok". I want to race to the phone and call Bob at work, but I can't move. As Kaden grabs my hand and we both drift off to the best nights sleep either of us has had in a very, very long time.

God answers prayers. We have no doubts what the right thing to do is now. We were so afraid and now we are not. Sometimes answered prayers come in a smile, a nod, a gesture. They are not always easy to spot. But somehow coming from the mouth of an innocent child I know our prayers and uncertainties were answered. With triumph comes trial, we know it's not going to be easy. I am a very laid back and patient person, but I know the first time I hear of someone teasing or taunting my son my mama bear will come out all claws bearing. But trust that I will close my eyes and see the picture of my sweet baby and the moment that is forever etched in my memory and on my heart and will have a certain calmness that will take me back to my happy place.

A lot of what I know, I learned while my son was in first grade. Thank you for teaching ME Kaden and helping ME to grow. And thank you God for blessing me so, so immensely.

Way to go Kohl

The past couple of weeks have been pretty remarkable for Kohl. But why am I surprised? He is one remarkable person. He first was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. What's that you ask? I had to! Founded in 1984, NTHS is a non-profit organization established to recognize excellence in workforce education and award scholarships to its members. NTHS membership is now considered America's highest award for excellence in career and technical education. He was nominated by his Cisco (computer) teacher. The day after the induction ceremony we received a letter in the mail that he has been selected to the National Honor Society. Eligibility for this is based upon scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Final candidates are chosen by a committee of teachers who have observed Kohl's performance in the above areas while he has been a student in High School. Then he took his talents to track and field and managed personal bests in the high jump, triple jump, 100 and 400 meters. You would think maybe he'd be wore out by then but no, he and a group of friends danced their way to first place in a talent show held at their school. All this while maintaining great grades and having a part time job. The great thing about Kohl is he is so well rounded. He knows when to be serious and when not to be. He is always loving and caring and one person I know I can always count on. Sounds like maybe I am bragging a bit, but the thing is I am not. I am just very proud. Proud because we can guide and suggest but ultimately it's the children's choice to do with what we give. I'd like to think I had something to do with it but the truth is, I learn more from my children then they will ever learn from me. I thank God for choosing me to be their mom and I pray we are raising them in a way He will be proud of. Thank you God for blessing me immensely.