Uh, thank you, thank you very much....

Thankful for......

*Our church

*Healthy, happy family

*Good jobs

*Time to spend with people we love

*Kids we love and like

*Turkey and all the extras-like Devilled eggs!

*Things that make us laugh

*Our home

*The Pilgrims? :)

*Most importantly--Freedom to worship Our Savior

Play-offs!!!

As of Friday, Andy's team is officially in the playoffs! They had the opportunity to play a team from a state training school Friday. It was a great experience. On the way home on the bus, he texted me that it was the best game he'd ever played in. He told us that they helped them up, told them good job and after the game, told them "Good luck in the playoffs!" It was encouraging to see young men changing their lives for the better and getting a chance to change their future.

We just found out that our high school was chosen to do a "High School Game Day" on TV tomorrow. The kids need to be at the school at 5 AM and will be interviewed and have a chance to mimic "College Game Day"--it will be a great memory for them. (The football coaches aren't thrilled to say the least--loss of focus, loss of sleep, etc., but they told the boys they trust them to make the right decision about being a part of it---Andy took that to mean he should go. :) )

My Moss Roses A Lily in Our Pond My Rose Tree

The seasons are changing, it's time to clean up the yard for winter and my hummingbirds and finches won't be around for long. So, I thought I'd share a few pictures of summer before it's gone for a while. I have a fascination with the little hummingbird, so tiny, yet so industrious. We have a few types that frequent our backyard and I never tire of watching them flit from our apple tree to the feeder to the flowers and back again. The thought of battening down the hatches for winter is not something I like to think about, because I so love being in the yard, walking Betsy, and fishing. Having pics like this help me remember that the next season is always just around the corner!

All back to school....

The school year has started for the kids and me (Laura). It's always a bittersweet time. It's exciting to have everything starting up again--sports, school activities, UNI games, etc. but I also get a bit sad that another summer is gone and another year of having the kids at home has passed.

Andy had his first game Friday. We won 34-7 and he did well. Pete's first one is tonight. We'll be traveling quite a bit for the next few months. (That also means I'll be praying a lot for safety for them and the other boys. :) )

Yesterday I was reminded of the importance of being a Christian Monday-Saturday where I spend most of my time-at home and at work. I'm going to be more intentional about showing Whose I am through my actions in those places. It's easy to do that at church, not so easy the other 6 days!

Blessings

Craziness!

I love the craziness of having 3 teenagers--it's kind of like having three kids under the age of 4 again! Someone is always coming, going, needing something, eating, laughing...you get the picture. As they get older, we see the adults they will be someday and it's exciting. More importantly, I love that they love Jesus and each other. This weekend they are going on a road trip to Minneapolis together--yes, I'm a little nervous, but I'm so happy they like to be together. As the boys battle the 100 degree heat at football and Lilli finishes a summer of taking 15 college credit hours, they find time to have fun together and that does a mother's heart good.

(Andy attempting to help his siste and brother tube at the lake-he was very patient!)

Football time! This is our favorite time of the year! The boys started 4-hour practices this week and will have them until school starts on August 18th. Then when games start, we'll have 3 HS games a week and one college game. I love it! We had our first football injury last night-Pete came home with a 1-inch long gash in his mouth from where his braces connected with his lip and someone else's head. (I think he'll be wearing that braces mouthguard from now on. :) )

On a different note, today Joel and the boys put a roof on Pops' garage (that's Joel's dad), so they could learn how to roof. They did a great job and now they'll be ready for when they buy their own homes someday.

Helping with RAGBRAI

Yesterday was an awesome day! Joel, Pete and I got the privilege of helping when RAGBRAI came through Waterloo. Perfect weather, great location, and 25,000 people riding or helping riders makes for a fun day. We got to work at Hawkeye Community College-the "quiet" camp. Over the day we talked to people from Canada, Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa--not to mention all of the people we talked to, but don't know where they're from! (I think there are people from every state.) It is amazing to see that many people having fun together and seeing our state.

If you like to bike, you should definitely give this a try. If you don't like to bike, but want to be a part of it anyway--you should also think about volunteering or being a support person.

Today we're helping a friend move in a torrential downpour!--wishing for yesterday's weather. :)