A Touch of Spring

It was so awesome and beautiful yesterday! We headed for the deck and enjoyed soaking up the sun. Knowing the forecast, we appreciated the sunshine all the more.

Puzzled?

For Christmas, my mom had us choose a puzzle of several that she had. So, knowing me, I go for the one with the least pieces that looks easier than the rest. Somehow though, my dear husband came into the room and saw the one I had chosen. Not seeing near enough of a challenge to it, he proceeded to tell me which one he thought I should choose. And being a good wife, I put my 'easy' one back and brought home 'the monster', a 1,000 piece monster. (Whatever happened to the kids being excited to go from the 24 pieces all the way up to the 100 pieces puzzles? Or even those wooden ones that were an easy A for all preschoolers?!)

Puzzles confuse me, and I'm already confused enough, so when Will and Dirk joined forces last week to tell me it was time to get the puzzle out, I sighed and stiffened my spine and we went for it. I am using the term "we" very loosely here because even though I did (really, I did!) put a few pieces together, I didn't do enough to take credit for the puzzle that after only one week lays complete on our downstairs table. The credit for the biggest part goes to my middle child, the thinker. Dirk and Will spent quite a bit of time pushing forward in a project that I had termed 'impossible' after about five pieces. I've already decided we need to buy another puzzle. Maybe this one, I'll even take the plunge and get a 1,500 piece one. And I will even do my part and try to put at least five pieces together before leaving the rest of it to the less confused of the household.

Tournament Champs!

Just when I thought we were almost to the end of basketball season, along comes the opportunity for more. In truth, I was sort of sad that this would be Ally's last year to be playing basketball since our local school requires her to take seven of eight classes to be eligible for sports. She made the decision that this wasn't the direction for her so I just prayed that if God wanted her to continue on in basketball, He would provide the opportunity. Of course, I didn't know it would happen this soon. I was kind of thinking along the lines of next year. The coach from another town called our coach to request Ally playing for their team after her team finishes. So, she will be continuing to play a few more games this year but the exciting thing is that he plans to put together a traveling team for next year that she can play on! Yay, God, and Thanks too!

Need for Speed

I'm a goner! We bought the new Need for Speed Wii game for our kids yesterday and now I'm driven with this 'need for speed'. It is so much fun to take off on these race courses and no matter how many times I wreck and roll, I still finish the race and occasionally even win!

Sister Time

After a huge gap of 25 years, my sisters and I recently got together for a tremendously fun and wonderful time away. The five of us sort of holed up in the coolest hunting lodge I've ever been in. (Okay, so I've never been in a hunting lodge before, but it was so much more than what I had pictured in my mind.) The lodge had four bedrooms but we chose to all bunk together. Not sure it was the best idea for sleeping purposes but the laughter went way into the night. We woke up each morning to my earlybird sister already having the fire blazing and took our time just enjoying being together all day long. We made trips to the local town for supplies and a pizza meal (which we all regretted), and took in a funny movie as well. I learned that all six of our brothers would have been ashamed to see how pitiful we played pitch. I taught one of my sisters a special 'shotgun' technique that was taught to me by a nephew (and I think her husband will be calling me for it). :) I learned that no matter how old you are or what is happening in your life, you never have enough sisters and each one of them are special beyond words.

Tough Guy Update

Last night Cole rolled his ankle (again)! Sometimes I wonder if his desire to play ball is greater than his ability to think beyond the gym floor. We never thought anything in his life would take the place of food but sports seems to have literally outweighed the food since he's now 25 pounds lighter than when he began sports in the public school arena. After a whole lot of ice packs, ibuprofin, and 'discussion' between Cole and his father, it was decided to take him to the local clinic just to make sure something wasn't broken or torn. Our local clinic was sure he had broken something so we ended up in another town for ex-rays. Cole seemed to lose some of his steam once she began talking about surgery, etc. Thankfully, nothing is broken or torn! He has a severe sprain which she suggested he stay off of for a week. The swelling was severe enough that she said it showed up on the ex-rays. After more discussion, she did say he could play if he wants to, as long as he is as protected as possible. This afternoon called for another trip to our most local sports store for these 'adorable' ankle braces that he will be wearing from now on.

There was a time (wasn't it yesterday?) when he would run for hours all over our farm letting his imagination run wild. I still see that wonderful spirit when I watch him on the court doing what he loves, he's just a whole lot taller, older, and if possible, loved.

Trying to Process

The tech cordinator at school gave me access to all the photos she takes. So, I spent several hours going through masses of photos. By the time I was done, the dizziness from focusing on the computer screen was kind of getting to me but all in all it was fun to see the photos and enjoy this part of Cole's life. I was even able to go through the football photos and found some with Dirk and our friend Matt in the background. :)

High Point Scorer!

Ally had an awesome game today and ended up being the high-point scorer, actually the only scorer, for their second basketball game. She played a really great game in spite of having what we thought was food poisoning. (Now we know it wasn't the fish sandwich from Wendy's.) She was coached by some really sweet girls from our high school basketball team and had a great time in spite of the fever, chills, and junk she's going through now.

They lost their games but Dirk always tells the kids that he comes to see them play and winning is just a bonus.

We finished off Dirk's birthday with pizza and xbox. Happy 44th, Dirk! We love you!

A New Vehicle!

Our one-vehicle family was beginning to go through a great deal of stress in the transportation department. Dirk has been very busy with church activity, the kids are needing to get to practices, games, and other activities, and it's just been putting a big cramp on our lives in general. We took a major step and a local salesman brought by a car for us to test drive. It was a great car and Cole even thought he wouldn't mind driving it. We just didn't have complete peace with it so as we continued praying, we were given the opportunity to go to an auction. Dirk and a friend took off with no real specifications from me on what type of vehicle I would want and came home with a wonderful vehicle that was four years newer and over $1,000 less than the other vehicle! Yay, God! We love our new vehicle!

Tough Guy

Cole had the usual basketball games this week but what was unusual was the severity of his sprained ankle. He rolled it during the JV game on Tuesday, but was afraid he wouldn't get to play in the varsity game so didn't mention to his coach what happened. When he got home, it was at least twice the size of his usually-sized rolled ankles. Being the concerned parents we are, I threatened him with coming to visit the school if he didn't show it to one of the coaches the next morning at school. Thankfully, he took me seriously (even though I wouldn't really have done it--don't tell him, ok?) His teacher made him ice it through the class and then made sure they taped him for practice, etc. It's doing much better now although we are in the process of getting ankle braces for him.
I'm so glad he has a great work ethic and wants to play that badly. The theory of it escapes me, but I'm happy for him.