big sports weekend

We had a big sports weekend in July.  On Saturday, Brett's soccer team participated in the "world games".

 All the teams scrambled to form new teams.  Brett was on team Germany.

 Part of the time, Brett was the goalie.

 Then we were up early the next morning for a full day of baseball.

Reggie's at-bats started out less than stellar but once he got his swing straightened out, he hit two homeruns.

 Reggie's team came back from behind and won the tournament!

Reggie also got a trophy for farther throw - over 100 feet!

 And very dirty.

find joy in the garden

When my kids wonder where I am, they always know where to look.

Because I find joy in the garden.

My favorite season: strawberries and sugar peas

Sometimes I choose veggie varieties because of their unique blooms.

Sometimes I choose veggies because they promise a quick harvest like these zucchini.

This is my first three sisters garden: corn, pole beans, and winter squash.

Yum!

(The second place they look is the laundry room. ☹)

camper cabin

This year we tried something different and exchanged our backyard campout for a night in a camper cabin at a state park about a half hour from our house.  It was cute, secluded, and comfortable enough.

We'll do it again, I'm sure!

spotlight on Brett

 Last day of 3rd grade!

 Stop growing!

 We bowl almost every week through the kids bowl free program.  Tuesday is $1.50 tacos!

This spring Brett expressed an interest in playing soccer.  I found a soccer clinic in the area and he had fun, but he wanted to play games. I was nervous about signing him up.  Most kids who play soccer have been playing since they were four. I was afraid he would not be able to process the game fast enough and it would be a frustrating experience for him.  I expressed our dilemma at our districts' special education advisory council meeting. Little did I know the coach of the TopSoccer team was sitting in the meeting!  I had never heard of TopSoccer (this is an example of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed).  TopSoccer is a soccer program specifically for youth with disabilities.  "Youth with disabilities" is a very broad stroke.  We didn't know if it would be a good fit for Brett.

We decided to give it a try.  We were a little late with the registration but, encouraged by the coach, we just showed up at the first game.  They put Brett in right away, and he didn't even know which direction to kick the ball.  (This is the point where I would typically feel the other parents' judgements weighing me down, but there was no judgement here - only support.)  Brett sorted it out and scored his first goal.  Sitting on the sidelines, masked by my sunglasses, I cried.  I cried because I was proud.  And I cried because Brett was in a place where he belonged. And I cried because this was that place.

TopSoccer has been a great new experience this summer and I suspect it is around to stay.  Brett is having a lot of fun!

 The best things in life are...large boxes.

Brett still loves basketball!

 Brett can fall asleep anywhere.

 We also love the kids skate free program. Aren't they cute?

Last week Brett woke me up in the middle of the night complaining of a stomach ache.  I have never been a very good nighttime parent.  In my half-awake state, I mumbled to try using the bathroom and went back to sleep.  The next morning, I was feeling pretty badly that I hadn't gotten up with him.  I asked him how he was feeling and told him I was sorry I didn't get up.  He said, "That's okay, God helped me."  Later, he told me he prayed and his stomach felt better.  At first, this made me feel worse!  But then I was reminded of Hebrews 13:5 - "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  How good to know that God is there for you even when Mom is too tired!