Iowa

While in Iowa for Grandma's funeral, it was super cold and snowed a couple times. Kaylee and Trace built a snow man they named Fred. We stayed at my dad and Sue's house so got to spend quite a bit of time with them. They're always so sweet and let my mom come over and play games with us, which was great. We also had a family meal with Trevor's family before Trevor, Kianna and Trace flew back to Florida on Friday for a busy weekend of soccer and basketball.

Kaylee and I decided to spend the weekend in Iowa, so we had some extra time to see some friends. I had a girls night out with some of my girlfriends from church: Angela, Jackie and Tammi. We went out to dinner and then sat and talked for three hours. It was great. Kaylee went to Brittney's basketball game and then spent the night with her. Then on Saturday, we were able to watch the Iowa Women's Basketball team play Nebraska. It's always fun taking in a home game at Carver Arena. We were excited to see Caitlin Clark play in person. She had 33 points. She is quite the player! It was great being back in Iowa, despite the circumstances. 

Grandma Carie

Today we laid to rest my sweet Grandma Carie. Here is what I shared at her funeral:

"My Grandma was a wonderful lady. We made so many special memories together over the years. From childhood, I remember her and Grandpa coming to watch me play basketball. I remember visiting them in Arizona many times. Grandma told me one time I asked her if she was a midget because she was so short. She always got a kick out of that. I remember picking strawberries together and just visiting. She loved to visit. 

After Grandpa died I feel like that's when she and I got extra close. She taught me how to make her yummy strawberry rhubarb jelly. We took many trips to her doctors and shared many meals together with some of our favorite being in Kalona to see the amish. She loved to hand out candy on Halloween with our family. Oh and I can't forget our sister, Mom and Grandma weekends together. I think they began around her 95th birthday and continued every year since. We usually rented a house either in Galena or Lake Geneva and then spent the weekend eating, playing games and visiting. One year we even had a dance party and Mom tried to do a somersault. We laughed so hard! Our girls weekends together were extra special. 

The most recent memory was this past summer when she came to Florida and stayed with us for a week while my mom took a much needed vacation. Stacie and I took turns taking care of her and our week together was so special. She was full of gratitude and was always saying what good care we were giving her and that Mom always gives her. She thought the world of our mom.

In her later years, Grandma tended to repeat herself, whether it be asking "How do you like living in Florida" or "Do you consider Florida home". I would answer her questions in depth, only to have her repeat the question right after I finished. Naturally my answers got shorter and shorter. Grandma loved to visit.

While in Florida, she and I drove across the state to meet up with Mom and John. On the way, she kept commenting on how the clouds in Florida look so different than in Iowa. Over and over and over again. When I found out she passed, I looked up at the clouds and smiled thinking of her and our road trip.

I'm so thankful for all of the time we spent together. I have so many things around my house that remind me of her. Whether it be the Christmas stockings she knitted for each of us or the reindeer she painted. She was the best Grandma to me and I'm so thankful that she got to be Grandma GG to my kids. They too were blessed to know her and make their own memories. She was one special lady and will be missed dearly. I love you Grandma!!!"

Senior Night

It's hard to believe that 12 years of basketball has come to an end. Senior Night was so much fun! The senior moms and Jen Jackson planned the night. The seniors and their parents were announced. We had programs made for the occasion. The dance team performed and cheered the girls on. The crowd was given big heads of each of the seniors, along with pom pols and thunder sticks. Kaylee scored 10 points and 7 rebounds. Kaylee's friends Izzy and Rachel came to watch her along with Uncle Patrick, Kianna, Trace and of course Trevor and I. It was such a great night. 

Kaylee ended up missing the next two games due to Grandma GG's funeral and then had one remaining play off game, which they lost. Kaylee ended her basketball career with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The team ended the season 11-13. She had a great senior season. We're so proud of her perseverance and hard work.

JMS Soccer

 

Trace had a great experience playing in the field for his middle school team. His team made it the championship game. The runner up game ended in a tie with penalty kicks to determine the winner. Trace made his penalty kick and the game ended in an exciting win. It was a fun season!!!

Trace's 14th Birthday

It's hard to believe our baby is 14 years old. Trace is a great young man. He has gone through a major growth spurt and is proud to have passed his sisters and is just shy of me. He's super proud of his abs and has to be reminded not sent pictures of them to his friends.

Trace loves to tell jokes and make others laugh. He enjoys going to youth group and is making some new friends at the Gardens campus. Trace is very athletic and continues to love all sports. He is the goalie for his travel soccer team and played in the field with his middle school team. He really did a great job! He gave lacrosse a try last year and enjoyed learning the game. He's hoping to give football a try in high school.

Trace's favorite classes are PE and history.  Trace has decided that he doesn't like vegetables. He has quite a bit of self control when it comes to his eating, but does love a good burger and pretty much any kind of pasta.

Trace is quite the ladie's man. We're not sure if he's officially had a girlfriend, but he definitely texts quite a few. We've found a couple in our backyard in bikinis, so have definitely been setting some parameters. We love our little T and agree he's quite the catch. We plan to walk beside him to teach him how to treat a woman with the love and respect God desires. 

Trace loves his soccer teammates and invited them all over for a pool party. Trevor planned a scavenger hunt type activity for the boys to complete around the neighborhood. They shot half court shots, made pyramids, danced in the street, picked up live animals, played bags, etc., The night ended with pizza and a pool party. He was well celebrated!

 

Yoder's Visit

Libby, Kevin, and Addy came to visit us for six whole days. We got to watch Addy experience sand, the ocean, sea turtles and Busch Wildlife Center. We played pickle ball, drove in the convertible, had a lovely double date at U-Tiki, watched movies, played games, watched Trace play soccer and Kaylee play basketball. We had a great time. We hope they come again soon! 

 

Kianna's 1st Day Back at Jupiter Christian

Kianna is happy to be back at JCS after spending a year and a half at Jupiter High. She had a rough semester battling an ADHD flare up that led to academic trouble for the first time ever, clinical depression, panic attacks, and some mean kids. We decided that Kianna would benefit from a smaller school with a biblical worldview. We're proud of her for standing strong in her faith despite a lot of negativity around her. Since deciding to go back to JCS, she reconnected with her old friends, Jessica and Courtney. She has joined the basketball team, but since the season is almost over she is only able to practice with them and is the team manager. She plans on trying out next week for the school play, "The Wizard of Oz". We're praying that this change is exactly what Kianna needs.