Flag Football

Today David and Drew are in Bend at a post season race, so I had kid duty with two kids that had activities at the same time! I decided Caleb needed to make his game over Hannah's ballet practice.

The bottom picture he is carrying the ball. In the next series he will actually make his first touchdown!!! It was quite funny. He first bulldozed through two smaller boys (remember this is flag, not tackle), then he thought he heard someone yell "stop" (so he did), then he heard them yelling "GO", so he spun two circles round then ran 50 yards for a touchdown. I guess he got it done one way or the other!

We also had to have a discussion about who his parents were. Attachment challenges children need constant reminding that there are differences in the way you should treat people. That just because your coach is nice, that does not mean you can lean all over him and talk his ear off about your entire life during the game.

Caleb took the advice well and corrected his overly friendly behavior. He has actually thanked me a couple of times recently for this, as he says he forgets and likes to know he is doing the right thing.

We are making progress! He was looking to me first for approval after each play.

Fun Run

Last night David, Caleb, Hannah and I ran in a local school's fun run.

Caleb is easily picked out of the crowd!

I think he is waving to the camera man here.
Hannah and I missed out on the pictures, as I was over wrapping David's ribs for his upcoming race when ours started.
And yes, David ran broken rib and all! No, he is not supposed to be, but to tell him not to is to blow into the wind! Interesting that Drew is so very much like him!!

Running the Talk

The title I gave this post "Running the Talk" instead of 'walking your talk' seemed appropriate in light of last nights track awards.

Hebrews 12:1-2 The Race of Faith

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Drew got his varsity letter, most outstanding male athlete, and all-state recognition.

But as a parent I must admit those awards are cool, but the comments on his leadership, his hard work and his character definitely top the awards for me.

I am very proud of how Drew has developed his leadership skills among his peers and chosen to use his position to direct the team in positive ways (when he is not leading the shaved ice fight!)

Last summer he was given the opportunity to attend two leadership camps both of which you had to be nominated for and were completely free for the nominee. One was in conjunction with the Olympic Trials and was all about leading in your running. The other was put on by Rotary (Drew being their first ever homeschooler to attend). He learned so much and has grown so much from the experience. I have watched him direct the team when the coach is gone, he has encouraged the new runner on the team, he has encouraged working hard at the right time and playing hard at the right time. His ability as a runner has put him in a position of leadership, but it is his God given leadership qualities and his love of the Lord that has allowed him to lead with integrity.

When I am asked what makes him such an outstanding athlete? All I can say is that he loves it and works harder and through more pain than anyone I know, except maybe his Dad and Sister.

God has given Drew an amazing talent and I am praising the Lord that he has chosen to develop that talent, show humility in his success, and seek the Lord's leading in where his running will take him.

It is high praise when your coach refers to you has his 'little brother', and I know Drew has very much apprecitated all the time and dedication Peit has given to the team. So 'Huckleberry', as coach usually calls him, will look forward to returning next year for his senior year and all that lays beyond.

Thanks for letting me have the time to love on my son in words of encouragement and praise.

Daily Smiles

We were happy to spend the day today with my Dad. He brought down a couch for Erinn, as she is thinking of moving to an apartment this summer.

Drew promptly claimed it as his own. When I put my foot down about trying to get it up the stairs to his room, he very decidedly moved his room to the garage!! No kidding. He moved a large part of the garage around pulled an extra dresser out, has is hats hanging on the wall and everything. I put my foot down at bringing any clothes out.

For some reason he thinks it will be cooler there, than in his room this summer. At least he has his own space for the moment!

Hiking and Cold Water

The Beautiful and Wild Rogue RiverOur beautiful Hannah, sporting her patriotic colors and her toothless grin.
Caleb, Hannah and David about 2 miles into our 4 mile hike.

Caleb showing off his great smile when we finally see the bridge (2 1/2 miles) in the distance.

David G. and Drew--pre-hike.

Drew and David drove to the end of the trail and hiked in from that end to meet us. I was getting a little worried when we were not meeting up with them on the trail. We finally found them on this bridge (only about a mile in) throwing these huge branches into the river on one side of the turbulent river and watching them come under the bridge! Ever read Winnie the Pooh? Think Pooh Sticks! They were also using these as swords and having sword fights!

The beautiful river we followed.

My wonderful older son drying off after he had just jumped into the freezing cold river!

Me with my beautiful younger children taking a break after running about a mile on the trail.

One of the awesome waterfalls though this volcanic gorge.

David trying to stay in the water long enough to get numb. Not to comfortable. David, David and Caleb freezing their legs off together!

I will never understand the male mind!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day Remembrance 2009

We were blessed to be able to attend a memorial service to honor those who have served our country in military service. There were about 200 people in attendance at our local National Cemetery. We want to remember all those who have given of themselves to protect our freedom.

We also want to remember those who serve us now.

Here is PFC Ryan Fowler with Vice President Biden, whom he met while being part of his security detail in Kosovo.

Below is PFC Korn, PFC Graber and Specialist Woodford in a picture taken while serving in Iraq. They are all currently stateside.

PFC Fowler is Danielle's fiance and PFC Graber is Erinn's boyfriend.

We lift these men and all those serving in our military up in prayer for their safety physically, mentally and spiritually.

1500M State Finals

State Track and Field Championships 2009

Day 2 1500M

Newspaper picture of the Start.

The guy in the red and the one beside him in the white have two of the fastest times in the nation. The guy in purple is the one who beat him last week. Drew is in the middle in black.
100m in and they are out fast!

500 m in and this is the chase pack.

900 m in and in the middle of the chase pack.

300 m to go. Drew will catch the guy in front of him for 7th place.

There he is 7th place with a personal best of 4:00.88 That is one second off the school record and a six second record for himself!

Way to go on day two Drew. We are very proud of you!

Thanks Coach Peit for all your hard work and dedication to getting the team ready for today!

3000M State Finals

State Track and Field Championships Day 1

3000M Final

They are off!
Lap 1
Running at historic Hayward Field.
Home of the 2008 US Olympic Track and Field Trials

Around again for one of 7 and 1/2 laps to complete the 3000M run.

Sammy and Nathan take off. Drew and Patrick trying to respond to the pick up in pace.

Drew leading the chase pack. I like this picture with the height difference in the runners.

Drew and Patrick with 500M to go.

Drew is third back. He will catch the runner in front of him to finish 4th in the 6A race at State.

Final results.

1--Nathan 8:33.31a
2--Sammy 8:35.12a
3--Cesar 8:42.41a

Drew Jordan
8:43.37a

This is a 3 second PR for Drew and a new school record.

Way to go Son!

Off to State

We are off to watch Drew run the 3000M today and the 1500M tomorrow at the state track meet.

Praying for swift legs and a heart that glorifies the Lord!

Broken Rib!!

My wonderful husband, who works hard and plays hard, was just informed that his extremely painful rib is indeed broken!!!

He is playing on the city softball league with our church's team. He has been enjoying pitching this year. On Sunday evening there was a pop ball in front of third base and he leaped to get it. With his arms outstretched he landed on his rib cage unprotected! You know like you see the guys in the big leagues do!! He immediately knew it was bad, but shook it off to play the rest of the game.

Finally under the growing pain and encouragement from his wife and his employees he finally had it checked out.

The verdict is the 6th rib on the left side is fractured!!

Mostly this is just information, as they really do not do anything for broken ribs any more. He is just not supposed to do anything that is painful. Any of you who know David, know that is like almost impossible for him to do!!

We are now waiting for a call from the rheumatologist to see if there is anything extra we need to be doing because of David's AS.

Pray with us for complete healing. Also that his AS will not respond negatively to the added inflammation in this area, thereby increasing the bone fusion in his rib cage. Also that David will be able to take it easy to allow the healing.

Regan Ranch Clip

This segment was aired on Good Morning America this morning. It will give you an idea why Danielle loves her job!

Testing Done

Caleb and Drew finished their required state testing today!! Actually the testing is required for Drew to participate in public school sports, but for Caleb it was optional this year. We thought it best to give him an idea about what it was all about before he had an official one. When he got up this morning he said he was not hungry! If you know Caleb, you know this is a first. Well I made him eat, knowing he would need energy for 3 hours of testing. When I picked him up he said his stomach hurt, then threw up when he got home. Praying it is only the last of nerves about a test and not the flu. Drew's state track meet is tomorrow and I would hate to have a sick kid to deal with and I don't want to miss the race either!!

Being Deliberate

Thanks to a couple of blogs that I read, I was motivated to think about "how 'deliberate' is my parenting?"

It was a question I needed to ponder. It is a question I would have thought crazy to even think about with the older kids.

I was deliberate with the older set, especially when they were younger. I guess as they got older and more independent I just lost the intentional hands-on, because they need you to step away little-by-little as they test out their Independence.
Then Hannah and Caleb came into our lives and things got so crazy with the integration into the family. And the older kids were still moving fast into their independent lives, which is good, I want to raise adults!

Sometimes we were moving so fast as a family it is hard to stop and think about where you are going.

Well this is where I found myself when I came across the 'deliberate parenting' phrase on more than one blog. Maybe God was trying to catch my eye-you think?
What a blessing this time of reflection has been for me, to reset me on the path with my younger children. To tell the truth, parenting has been much more fun in recent months! Being deliberate and present in body, mind and spirit is not only engaging for the little ones, but rewarding and peaceful for me. The struggle of being a mom to adult children and young children is being put aside and peace is being found in all quarters.

As I was reading Psalm 3 this morning, I found verse 3 and 4 going round and round my head, in fact they have blessed me all day!

"But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain."

My cry to the Lord has been for a more peaceful and restful home. Amazing how life is still flying by at an amazingly fast and furious pace, but I am finding peace in the midst of the busyness. I am finding joy in parenting such a wide age range. And I KNOW that this is NOT in my strength! He is my Shield, my Glory, and the Lifter of my head!

Happy 20th Erinn!

Happy 20th Birthday Erinn!!

One year old sweetness!

Our 3 year old mischievous grin!

Five and cute as a button in pig tails!

Fifth grade, moving from little girl into all that lays beyond!

Eighth grade in a new town, new friends and a new puppy!

Varsity water polo team 9th-12th grades. Team captain last two years.

High school graduate 2007

And our 20 year old lovely young lady, ready to take on all that comes her way.

Erinn, we thank you for your wonderful, kind and giving spirit. For your active and diligent work ethic. For your love of the world's forgotten that have been stolen away into modern day slavery and those who live each day in an orphanage without hope. And most of all for your love of the Lord and His word. We pray the lord guide you in all your decisions and in all your paths that you may seek His will!