Nick's Junior Homecoming

Nick's homecoming was last night.  He took Taylor, a senior.  Aren't they the cutest?  I love seeing these kids get all dressed up.  The girls always look gorgeous and the boys so handsome.  

Taylor's mom got this picture.  I think it's hilarious.  Notice the picture below.  Mike usually ends up with this job every year.  Ha.  

Thankfully the weather cooperated last night.  It has been so cold this week but the temperature warmed up to 70 yesterday.  What a great group of kids! 

Friday morning breakfasts

This fall Nick and his friends came up with an idea.  They decided to make breakfast in the school parking lot.  They started doing it one Friday of every month but recently they upped their game and have been doing it for our Friday home games.  I just think this is the coolest thing!  Our administrators agreed to it and often times they come out to talk to the kids and eat breakfast.  At the last breakfast the kids had a "donation can" and they got enough donations that Nick went out this week and purchased all the food from the donations.  This past Friday was our Homecoming game so this particular breakfast was a big deal.  Thankfully the weather cooperated.  As you can see Nick's role is cooking and serving!  He wears my apron and gets to work.  

 

It's Nick's world, I just live in it

 It's homecoming week and Nick is living his best life.  This is the first year where homecoming will be normal.  There was no homecoming due to Covid his freshman year and last year the kids were still in masks and although they had a dance, it was outside due to you guessed it, freaking covid! This year there are no more restrictions.  Yesterday Nick and his buddies went and collected wood pallets for the bonfire this week.  Yep, that's Nick with his arms raised on top of the pallets.  Nick and his date, Taylor went shopping over the weekend for his clothes.  I was glad to pass that torch to Taylor this year.  Ha.  I'm sure it will be a great week! 

Nashville to Dallas

What a wonderful fun filled week I've had.  Last Tuesday (Oct. 4) I left for Nashville for a work trip.  In March 2020 my work team and territory changed.  It has been two years of uncomfortable growing pains. My team has lost a lot of people along the way but I finally feel that as a team we are settled.  I believe my boss, Amy, would also agree.  Me, Amy (left of me), and Shelly (far left) are the only "originals" of our team.  Now we are a team that stretches from the east coast (VA and GA) to the midwest to the west coast (ID and CA).  My company paid for us to meet somewhere "central" to all of us so we could enjoy some time together as a team.  It was nice to be with my coworkers in person instead of our monthly team meetings over camera.  Our central location just happened to Nashville.  What a fun city!  Amy arranged a food tour for us (our guide is the woman right up front in the picture). While on the tour we ran into Governor Lee of TN so of course we asked him for a photo op.  

On Thursday, Oct. 6, I left Nashville and caught a flight to Texas to visit my girl.  Jenny and I toured the Dallas Arboretum, shopped, watched the AL game on Saturday night and just relaxed.  Although I was ready to get home on Sunday, my heart was full.  Four years have gone by since the Ausili's left and although I miss them dearly, the wound from their move has healed.  I am always thankful for each and every visit with them.  Everytime we visit we pick up right where we left off.  What a blessing it is to have a friendship like the one Sieb and I share with Mike and Jenny.    
 

Grace & Rest

 Today is October 1 and we Illinoisian's can feel the change in the weather.  I am wearing gloves and a sweatshirt on my morning walks.  The air is crisp and as much as I love fall weather it's also a reminder winter is right around the corner.  Winter is no friend of mine, just saying.  This week Hurricane Ian hit southwest Florida and wrecked unimaginable havoc.  I believe I heard it was the 4th or 5th worst hurricane that has hit the states.  It effected family members of mine who had to relocate during the storm.  They are thankfully all okay and their homes are intact.  There are thousands of people who aren't okay and have seen their lives change overnight.  My heart is broken for the losses Floridians are having to endure.  I was reminded of several things this week.  As much as I hate winter, Illinois is my home.  It's not my forever home but it's my home here on this earth.  It's where my roots are planted and the older I get the more I feel drawn to stay.  My grandparents farmed in this state.  I was born and raised here.  My boys experienced a childhood filled with wide open spaces right in our backyard.  Just as Floridians love their state, hurricanes and all, I am thankful for my home state of Illinois, terrible winters and all.    

As I enter this fall season I am most thankful for the answered prayers of grace & rest.  Once mom was settled in her new community I was able to catch my breath.  This summer was the most challenging set of circumstances I've had to endure.  God knew what I needed and through my prayers and the prayers of  dear friends God delivered.  I know one day when I get to heaven I will be able to see even more clearly the things His hand of protection shielded me from.  For now I intend on enjoying the season I'm in with a thankful heart.