Happy New Year!

As I reflect on the year we've had I realize what a big year it's been. A year of growing. A year of new chapters in all of our stories. I am looking forward to a new year and adding to the pages that lie before us.

Chase faced a lot of decision making this year. He chose to not attend his high school graduation and attend the sectional track meet with his relay team, which proved to be a good choice as they qualified for the state meet. He chose to attend Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa which has also proved to be a great choice. He runs Cross Country, track, has two jobs on campus and is majoring in business. He has made a lot of great friends and makes us proud every day.

Kohl is in the midst of his senior year of high school. He finished his last football season with receiving a very nice award, scholarship and was named  All Conference Honorable Mention Defensive Back. He has also decided to attend Clarke University. He works at a local restaurant, and has been my right hand man here on the home front. We are proud of the man he's becoming.

Carson is a fourth grader, with straight A's. He participated in basketball, baseball and soccer this year. He gave up his glasses for contacts, and his teacher is trying to stump him in vocabulary. He is looking forward to being able to possibly start and follow in Chase's footsteps this year and start cross country. I learn from Carson everyday! He is such a joy.

Kaden has probably grown the most this year as he's overcome some obstacles that he's been faced with. He is in first grade and doing very well. He just finished a sleep study this week as we still try to figure out his sleep apnea. He has become the "helper" of the house. He played basketball, baseball and soccer this year too. Kaden brings us laughter lots of laughter, something we all need.

Bob had surgery on his left hip December 1st, and had surgery on his right December 29. The most recent surgery is proving to be the more difficult of the two, but he's doing well. We try our best to entertain him. He's pretty immobile and non weight bearing. He's been off work for 31 days and only has 42 more or so to go, but whose counting! He has been an excellent patient and truth is we are all enjoying having him around just wish it was better circumstances.

I have enjoyed my first year of blogging, and watching as my family grows. There are moments when I wish I could keep them young and at home, but knowing that's not possible, I want to do my best to preserve our memories, and help them tell their stories someday. After all home is where their stories begin. So here is to a new year, new stories and of course lots of memories. We are wishing you a Happy New Year full of love, laughter and memories....Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

Brothers

Not that I didn't know already, but it was brought to my attention this past weekend how close our boys are. You know, I think brothers are the only species that can go from beating the living life out of each other, to high fiving, fist pumping, knuckle pounding, loving the life right back into you in a matter of say seconds. Chase and Kohl have been back to back in school, so as Kohl started his college search I thought maybe he would be looking at colleges at the opposite end of the country from Chase. When he started looking at the same college I was a little nervous that he was so use to following Chase in school that maybe he thought he had to. We wanted to Kohl to make his own choices, we made it very clear to him that they were in fact his choices and he could look anywhere at schools. He kept coming  back to the same college as Chase. This past weekend Kohl officially signed a letter of intent to attend the same school as Chase and be on the same track team. Watching them together I knew it was a good fit for them both and they are both excited about yet again being together. Chase has made it clear however that they may room together at some point, but Kohl has to live with someone else his first year to have that experience. Wise. Our younger two are excited that they will be able to visit both of their brothers at the same time. I have noticed over the years, but more and more recently how much of a bond these four boys have. Sometimes I wonder if it's their age or mine that is making me more aware. Probably a little of both. They cheer for each other, pick each other up when needed, hold hands when they are scared, celebrate each other and of course beat the living life out of each other to end up wanting to spend at least three more years together. Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

It's going to be alright...

As Chase readied for college I worried about so many things. How will he do with new responsibilities? What will it be like for him in a strange town with no one he knows? How will he handle school, athletics, a job or two along with being in a strange town with no one he knows? You see I am a mom first and myself second. That's the way I like it. For the past 18 years Chase has been my purpose, my reason for everything. So now I worry did I do enough to prepare him? Had I done my job?

Every time we talk to Chase, he sounds so happy, so connected, so ok. We went to watch him run this past weekend and from the moment I saw him I had a feeling of "this is exactly where Chase is suppose to be". He's perfect. Through the work of God we found this school, this place, these people and in the few weeks he has been here I can tell Chase shouldn't be any where else on earth.

So have I done enough? Have I done my job? I think I've done alright. I am not done, although my purpose has new purpose, God gave me the assurance I needed. You see after Chase ran he was gathering his things and he handed me his shoes and asked if I'd mind taking them he'd get them later he didn't want to put them in his bag as they were wet. At first I kind of thought really, you are in college and you need me to take your shoes? But ok, whatever give me the shoes. We go our separate ways and will meet up later. I arrive at the hotel and go to unload our bags, and there are the wet, smelly shoes. I drop one and see some writing on it, now I am thinking you are in college and you write on your shoes? But ok, whatever pick up the stupid shoe. I pick it up and I read it, I look at the other shoe, and of course being the crier I am I tear up. This is what I found....one shoe reads "run for God" the other "run for yourself" with his and his brothers birth dates. Chase didn't give me the shoes so I would see that, God did. God knew I needed something. He always provides exactly what I need. Thank you God for blessing me immensley.

Pickle Pete

The mammoth grid called for pickle making this week. I had this naive idea that with Chase gone to college and not having cross country meets 2-3 times a week that we might have some free spaces on the mammoth grid calender that we live by. WRONG! Don't know exactly what it is we are doing, but those free spaces I was thinking would happen - not happening! Carson is the picky eater out of our crew. He's been asking to try making some pickles. We have had cucumbers picked for this pickle making several times, needless to say the process never happened. So this week we bought some cucumbers and with time running out on these pickle prospects we had to get this done. Carson cut the cucumbers and followed the recipe all by himself. He did a grand job. Carson is our quiet little man. He is so easy going and eager to please. He is quite responsible and I sometimes listen to him talk and have to remind myself he is only 9. His teacher asked me at the beginning of the year how we taught him such a great vocabulary. Truth is we didn't. It's self taught. She is trying to stump I think and hasn't been able to yet! I can tell Carson's mood and feelings by looking at his eyes. May sound funny but I can tell how he's feeling by looking the boy in the eye, he has a sparkle, a shine. I don't think I can explain it. All kids do I know. His is identifiable. I mentioned that he is our picky eater. Even this he does politely. He would never tell us he doesn't like something, never ask for something else. He will not eat vegetables. (Except potato soup and french fries if those count!) But he LOVES pickles! So, hence the nick name Pickle Pete. And how were Pickle Pete's pickles? Well, here at Cafe Le Gregory, they were best pickles we've ever had!  Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

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.