Final Day at the Lake

We took our final boating day at the end of Sept. I am not sure what made this day different from rest of the times we went boating, but it was probably my favorite boating day of the season. Maybe it was the cooler temps; maybe the calm water: maybe the fact that we caught fish. Or maybe I went down with a better attitude. Whatever it was, we all enjoyed it.

 

Brandon let the girls ride in the back of the boat on the way to the ramp. They loved it. (until I combed their hair later.)

 We hit the jackpot on fishing! I drove and fished both so Brandon could enjoy it. Actually, he fishes while helping all his "needy" fishing ladies. We can be high maintenance.

 And then there is Maisie. She's not in to the fishing thing. However, she was happy reading her books. Now that I think about it, I wonder where she gets it.:)

 That is a true, genuine smile.

 After fishing, we took a boat ride across the lake. Brandon did something to make the wake right next to the boat. The girls thought it was cool.

 After we got off the boat, we drove over the dam to meet up with Derek and Braylen who had been 4 wheeling. Each girl took a little ride with him. And each girl loved it. Their Uncle Derek holds a special place in their hearts.

 We really didn't ride like this. :) However, I did take my first 4 wheeler ride. I'm not interested in driving one myself, but I enjoyed my short ride with him.

 And as the sun sets across the lake, out boating season comes to a close.

Go Big Re-ed!

Back in September, Analise had a dream come true. She has known for a few years that when she was eight, she would be able to go to her first Husker football game. Since February, we have heard her talk about it. A lot. What made it more exciting was knowing that her cousin, Aaron, would be going this year, too.

Grandma brought  it up late summer, and the hunt for tickets began. It was going to be difficult finding six seats together. But God is good, and we found some.

The Saturday finally arrived. And what a crew we were. Brandon decided he needed to stay home with the girls, and he was so encouraging about letting me go. Sarah went in his place. Grandma was going to go but came down with a UTI the night before. Kaleb went instead. So, we had two 8 year olds, a 10 year old, a grandpa and two moms. Most importantly, we had a great time!

Look at all the red all "red"y for the game!

Grandpa brought along a red hat for Analise to wear. 

 

The kids with Lil' Red at our parking lot

 

We got there in plenty of time to take some pictures outside the stadium.

Eating lunch in our seats.We were way up high, but they were still good seats. We sat three in one row and three directly behind, so that made it fun.

 

Eating her lunch and holding on to her balloon.

 

Analise loved the fact that when Memorial Stadium is full, it's the third largest city in NE.

 

A panoramic shot

The first time NE scores, everyone lets go of their balloons. We didn't have to wait long this year.

 

 

One of the kids' favorite players - Rex Burkhead

 

And a Kearney kid. We love watching him kick!

 

We figured we would win against Idaho State, but we had no idea it would be a blow out.

We had so much fun.

I love how some of the players pray after every game.

So thankful to have this mother, daughter time.

 

Some things I want to remember:

1. Doing the wave. Oh my goodness - I've never had so much fun or laughed so hard doing the wave. We did it the normal way, then super fast and then super slow. Hilarious.

2. Getting thirsty way up in the stands has its challenges. The water boys seem to run out of water right before our row. After several attempts we got some. At the same moment we got our water, an injured player walked off the field. Naturally, everyone clapped. One of my nephews asked, "Are they clapping because we got our water?"

3. Before the game the cheerleaders ran onto the field. Analise said, "Wow. I  have never seen a cheerleader run before." Cracked me up.

4. Enjoying the girl talk time with Sarah on the drive.

5. Watching Grandpa treasure this time with three of his grand kids. And enjoying time with his daughter in laws, too, where most dads may prefer having their sons go.

6. A loving, sacrificial husband letting me go. He enjoys games, too, but he knows I get almost giddy about going. And as much as he wanted to be there for Analise's first experience, he chose to stay home with the other two so I could go.

7. The weather was perfect. God really smiled upon on family today. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for making it a SUPER day!

 

Oh and dear, feel free to get season tickets whenever you want. :)

Patience

Thank you to everyone for being patient as I (slowly) figure out this private thing. Thanks to a friend in AZ, I have been able to get this converted. Some of you however, received 5+ invites; I am SO sorry! I told my SIL that I was going for more readers than the library has.
As much as a hastle this has been, it's been freeing, too. Now to just get caught up....

Going Private

After much thought and encouragement from my husband, I am going to make this blog private. I've always tried to be vague on what I put on here, not knowing who reads it. However, there are times I wish I could be "not so vague." I know this will mean one more step for my readers; you will have to enter an email address before reading. And I am sorry for the inconvenience. However, I believe my family's safety is something I need to put first, and I want to honor my husband's wishes.
Be patient with me as I figure this out, too. If you need to send me an email address for me to give you access, I would love to add you! Email or FB message me.
This is my family scrapbook, and I will continue the memories in a little safer method. THANKS!

Beth Moore and More

The Day after the funeral, I attended a Beth Moore Simulcast at our church. I was excited to go and be encouraged and challenged in my faith. More on that in a bit.

While I was there most of the day, Brandon was with the girls. I thought they were going to go to the lake, but like most times, plans change. (Am I the only one who struggles with last minute change?) Anyway, he made the most of his day anyway. He called Sarena and Dave and hung out with them.

 

First stop - indoor mini golf

 Nephew Daniel

 From there they went to the park and went up the tower.

Brandon was grateful for the time he had with them, and the girls always love it, too!

 

While they were off having fun, I was with about 300 (locally) and 150K (internationally) other women worshiping with Travis Cottrell and diving in the Word with Beth.

I am so thankful for a husband that knows I need these spiritual "boosts" and encourages me to go.

What I love about the simulcasts with Beth (for being a planner like I am) is that she doesn't tell you ahead of time what she is going to speak on. That's because she doesn't know until a week or so before; she waits for the Holy Spirit to lead her in  her topics. So I know I am getting what the Holy Spirit inspired for us to learn.

 

Here are the highlights from that day and what I learned.

She started with the statement that we have come today for a revival in our faith.

Psalm 68:11 (NET) The Lord speaks; many, many women spread the good news.

 

The passage we focused on was from 2 Kings 4:1-37 where we looked at two women in this passage, and though they were in completely different circumstances, they both needed a miracle.

 

The main points from that passage: (and I know they won't mean as much to you as they do me since I was there.)

1. Personal desperation can jar us out of second hand stories.

2. God didn't call us to fine; He called us to faith.

3. Fear is the crippler of a walking, talking faith.

4. Faith trusts that every call to forsake is a call to also take.

5. Faith faces the fact that there is no formula.

6. Faith rests its case on the resurrection of the dead.

 

At bedtime that night, I was home with the girls putting them to bed. (Brandon was at a movie I chose not to see: 2012.) I got Analise's Day by Day Bible and read this same passage to my girls. I was able to share with them some of the things that I had learned earlier in the day. What a true blessing that was for me.

A Hard Week

We had a crazy and hard week awhile back. My SIL, Sarena, from out of state came home with my new nephew. (This isn't what made the week hard.) On Monday, Sarena, Sarah and I went out for lunch. It was a great time, and we enjoyed the food and the company. However, we weren't back very long picking up the kids when my MIL got a hard phone call. Her mother was taken into the ER and wasn't doing well at all. She quickly packed her bags and headed out of town.

I invited Sarena over for dinner. It was special having her here, and the girls loved it.

Grandma continued to decline. By Tuesday I was telling/encouraging my husband to get over there to see her one last time, and he should take Sarena with him. They went back and forth in the decision making and finally decided to go. In addition to that, the girls and I picked up out of town family at the airport and brought them to our house for awhile. Brandon and Sarena then loaded up with them to head out of town.

Wedsnesday morning we got the news that Grandma had passed into eternity.

She had lived almost 30 years with Parkinsans, and though we were sad to see her go, we were excited for her to be reunited with Grandpa and to have a healthy body.

 

The Funeral was Friday. The other GG came to the funeral, so we made sure to get a picture of her with the girls.

 After a very sweet, and God honoring ceremony, we made went to the cemetary with family for a brief graveside service. The weather was beautiful, and we enjoyed being with Brandon's extended family.

 The siblings:

 Each of the girls picked out a flower from the bouquet.

 A panoramic shot.

 

The girls knew and loved GG, and they will miss her - and her peppermints. Maisie is convinved that when she sees GG in heaven, she will give her a mint.

A couple of funnies from the funeral. It was in a Lutheran Church - something my girls and nephews aren't familar with.

When my nephew K saw the Pastor come out in his white robe, he asked, "Is he going to do karate?" Grandma corrected him, and Analise piped up, "Oh. I thought he was in old time clothes."

During the ceremony when we stood to read from the hymnals, my nephew A put his hand over his heart like he was saying the pledge.

And then when Sarena was singing "Amazing Grace, " Maisie leaned in to ask me, "Is this the song from Lion King?"

I am thankful that despite the sadness, we were able to enjoy the day with family and even find things to laugh about.

 

We will miss you GG! So thankful it wasn't a final goodbye!

 

Family Saturday

We enjoyed a family day a few Saturdays ago. First, Analise had her first volleyball game, and we enjoyed cheering for her. After her game we decided to head to a park for a hot dog roast. The weather was nice, and it sounded like a good way to spend our afternoon.

While Brandon roasted the hot dogs, these two played in the rocks. Analise had taken her volleyball, so she and I worked on passing and serving. (It was apparent after her first game that she needed to work on some things. :))

 

 Hot dogs always taste the best at a picnic.

 We then went for a walk on the hike bike path. We let Caramel loose since no one else was around.

 At the bridge going over the river.

 Later that night we cozied up to watch some football. This is how we ended up watching - sooo comfortable. :)