Taking one for the Team

Sam is playing as a second year U10 for Hastings. She was pretty bummed that she didn't make the 'A' team until Grandpa Loken laid it out there a different way. Sam could either be a top skater for the 'B' team or an average skater for the 'A' team. She's still working on developing her stick handling skills but has come a long way on skating. During practice she likes to be first. When they're skating between the different lines, she takes off, and usually finishes first half the time. The other half you can tell she just isn't trying. Early in the season, Sam was moved from wing to defense. She's friends with Emma, our goalie, and has become protective of her. When the other team gets a breakaway, the team can count on Sam to get there and knock the puck out of the opponents control. Sometimes she tries too hard and ends up in the box. Parents yell from the benches "Way to go Sam!" She may be in the box, but at least she stopped a goal.

I'm really proud of her this year. Her skills have taken off, and so has she!

Beach Day

We're spending Labor Day at Lake Edna this year. Sam and the littles have been playing at the park and having a lot of fun. I'm thankful for my mom with her watching them while I plug away working on the Fridays I've been up here. I'm especially thankful for having the ability to work when not in the office. 

Sam has been freely going to the beach with her friends. It's her first year being allowed at the beach without an adult. She's matured so much over the summer. 

Adelynn is testing her curiosity in the water. As much as she likes the security of her life jacket, she has been venturing out without it. Later this month she'll start her swimming lessons. 

Noah on the other hand is still cautious of the water. He goes about waist deep and calls it good. 

Seth... Well he ditched us to go drive tractors. 

Work Hermit

Sam joined me at work earlier this week. I offered her my chair but instead she crawled under the desk and read books. 

She opted to stay until 4pm with me rather than meeting Nick on my lunch to go home with him. She watched some Netflix and sat quietly. I'd bring her more often if I could. It was great having her there to see what my days are like. Seth was supposed to come next week but we'll have to reschedule that for a later date.

My Next Thrill Seeker!

Adelynn has really taken to tubing with Seth, Sam and JoHanna. We went out on Lake Byllesby yesterday for a couple hours and met up with some friends. Our bigs are at their dads so the littles weren't interested in floating on the tube or jumping off the boat. Adelynn wanted me to go tubing with her so I took her up on it. She's got the thumbs up/down under control to tell her dad how she liked her ride. Thumbs up and hollering "faster daddy, faster!" She finally got him up the the speed we pull the big kids at. Adelynn was flopping around like a pancake and I had to put my arm over her waist to make sure she wouldn't flop off. "Too fast daddy" after a good two minutes at that speed. He'd slow down, she'd say speed up. I'd have to hang halfway off the tube each time we slowed down so the front of the tube wouldn't nose dive.

We pretended to sleep on the tube and even held on with only one hand. Towards the end Adelynn sat up along side me and waved at everyone she went by.

The bigs have taken a switch in roles since last summer. Seth isn't fond of tubing anymore. He probably wiped out harder than he liked last summer. Sam, who used to hate it, now can't get enough of it. Maybe she's finally realized the fish won't eat her.

I think it's time to get a knee board or skis for next summer.

Mowing for an...

Egg. Yes, an egg. He mowed a family members lawn and they paid him with a duck egg. Seth thought it was better than money. He went back to grandmas house and fried it up. He said it was pretty yummy too!

Don't fight it

After a hour of quietly playing in bed during nap time he was called out of his cars bed to watch The Lego Movie with Adelynn and myself. 

Eight minutes later...

Grateful

Just a few days ago I started taking care on a little 7 year old girl who has a poor prognosis on life. Her night nurse quit which lead to my phone ringing. Through the end of November I'll be spending my nights with her. Making sure her airway is clear and that what's left of her life is good. I don't know what she was like her first two years of life, prior to her diagnosis. I do know the last three years have been scary for her. If she's even aware of what's going on. I sit by her bed and watch her sleep. Imaging her smile, her giggles and exploring the great world in front of her. I watch her parents stand by her bedside and bless her. I watch them hold her hand and stare at her. They too must be thinking back on their time together.

I sit here and thank the Lord that my children are healthy. He gives her parents strength. Strength to overcome the feeling of helplessness. The sorrows of what has been taken from them. Their sweet little girl.