Basketball and book club

 I am so behind with blogging which makes me sad because I love to blog.  I enjoy keeping "up to date" with my blog and lately I've just been too busy, which is ironic because this is the season where things tend to slow down for me, but this March is proving it has other plans.  About two weeks ago Nick's basketball season wrapped up.  See pic above.  And our high school boys shined this year!  They went all the way to sectionals.  Nick and I went to watch them play.  Jay was sick.  Jay got sick at the end of February and was really sick.  There were several days he went to school for half days and one day he stayed home and several nights he would come home from school and not move from the chair.  The sickest I had ever seen Jay was when he was 5 and got pneumonia, and the virus he got this past February was the second time I've seen him so sick.  He's finally bounced back. 

 Nick and his buddy, C.  My friend, Erin, was at the Oly game and we sat together.  We were packed in the gym like sardines.  It was hot and smelly!  But it was a really big deal for our team to make it sectionals.  It was such a fun season to watch the boys play. 

Last week my mom and I, with a few members from our book club, traveled to Chicago for Renee Rosen's book launch of her new book, "Windy City Blues."  We had such a good time.  If I had the time and money, I'd travel the country going to book launches for my favorite books and authors.  We laughed a lot and got to experience an Uber.  Sadly, my mom lost her phone in the Uber (another situation of being packed in somewhere like sardines), but our Uber driver was awesome and found my mom's phone and mailed it back to her.  Thanks Melanie from Uber.  Now I can't wait to start my new book which Renee signed.  I know, I'm am such a book nerd (and proud of it).  I can't imagine my life without books.  Thanks mom for planting that seed for me.

Am I losing it?

Growing up I was challenged by processing issues and as a result my mom was careful to only give me one task at time.  For example, if she was doing my hair she would send me to get a comb.  Heaven forbid if she asked me to get the comb, hairspray and any hair accessories.  Sometimes when people talk to me it's like Charlie Brown's teacher.  I'm just saying.  As an adult I try really hard to keep things in order and get done what I need to get done, but as all humans do, sometimes I fail miserably and lately I have felt that way.  Yesterday, my friend Laura, called me, horrified because she had missed a very important meeting for her daughter at school.  She said even as she was walking out the door that morning she had a nagging feeling she was missing something, but she couldn't put her finger on what it was, that is until the school called her to tell her she had missed the meeting!  I laughed with Laura, encouraged her and told her she had picked the perfect friend to share her story with, as I was doing the same kind of stuff in my life!  Just this week Nick asked me if I knew that a watermelon and a water-Malone were the same size??  Kid you not.  First off I think I have an ear infection so I can barely hear anyway.  Secondly Nick asked me this question in the car, at night, so not only am I trying to concentrate on driving in the dark (yes, I know I sound old) and then you throw my lack of hearing on top of it and you have a real cluster.  Thirdly, you really have to know Nick and I mean really know him to understand the humor in this story.  Once I realized he was serious about this question, I had to ask more questions.  According to Nick a water-Malone is a cone shape and clearly a watermelon is an oval.  I was starting to wonder if I was losing it!  I tried googling a water-Malone but to no avail.  Who knows what the heck Nick was talking about but I'm going to just call it a Nick-ism, and leave it at that! 

It's all in the details......pertaining to the bathroom

I live with boys.  The bathroom situation can get disgusting.  I can clean a bathroom and within 3-4 hours it's gross again.  I've learned to adapt.  The biggest challenge is I share a bathroom with Jay and Nick.  I love taking a bath every night.  I shower in the morning, take a bath at night.  It's my thing.  Jay, Nick and Mike all like taking a bath at night also.  Our routine (especially in the winter) is for one person to take a bath, followed by the next, and so on.  If I had happen to be the 3rd person in line, I draw the line (literally).  I refuse to be the 3rd person in nasty boy water!  Gross.  Tonight Nick took his bath first.  After his bath he asked if I wanted to go next.  Our conversation went like this:
Me - Is the water hot?
Nick - Yes!  And it's fresh.
Me - How fresh?
Nick - I didn't pee in it
This is like gold in my house!  I took off and took my bath.  And that is how we roll in our house! 

Our week - the up and the down

 This week was Valentine's Day.  The kids at school could design their own Valentine's day box and Nick was one of the winners.  He made a robot, and as you can see the robot is holding the Valentine's day box.  The robot looks like he's falling backwards.  Nick called him, "The falling in love robot."  So cute and so creative.  It's hard to believe this is Nick's last Valentine's day party (for school). 

 On Friday I went to visit Mary for her 44th birthday.  What in the world would I do without this girl?  I could devote an entire blog to her.  She is one in a million and God sure blessed me when He brought her into my life over 20 years ago.  John graciously took us out to dinner in downtown Chicago, to one of Mary's favorite restaurants.  I ate things I wasn't use to.  I tried sushi, and loved it.  I laughed that the country girl got out to the city!  But I needed that night.  Mary said she was so glad I came, but it was me who was the most delighted! 

                         Me, Mary, and Shannon.  Shannon is another blessing.  Love her too.

                                                            Happy Birthday sweet friend

 Mary and her hubby, John, bought a farm about 8 months ago, and they have big plans for that farm!  I am so excited for her.  The name of her farm is, "White Barn Co.." The picture below is of the barn they are going to use to sell their vegetables, herbs and yes, items made especially by yours truly, Cornerstone Custom Carpentry.  Yes, the barn needs some love, but that will come.  Such an exciting time for Mary and John! 

Yesterday Nick went to his friend, Noah's house.  Noah use to live across the street from us.  They moved, but still live very close.  Praise God!  Noah and his sister recently got calves.  Nick had such fun with them, and tells me it's no easy chore taking care of them.  Ha.  Those were all the ups from our week.  Our big down was Mike's dear friend, mentor and supervisor of 12 years (at his former employer) passed away unexpectedly a week ago.  We attended his visitation this week and hugged his 6 children and wife - all of whom are so raw and shocked by his devastatingly loss.  Dale was a man of integrity and was there for Mike when he needed him most.  He was a pillar in his community and loved by everyone.  It was no surprise his visitation was packed.  I pray daily for his wife and children.  It must be so hard in knowing he's gone.  At the visitation Mike said to me it just wasn't fair that Dale was taken so early (he was only 65).  I agreed with him.  There are some things we simply can't explain.  However, I am reminded of something I've heard recently.  We can't base our feelings on our feelings, but God's truth.  God's truth promises us life in eternity with Him.  Dale was a man of God and it's made me smile this week in knowing he's in heaven and given what I know about Dale, my bet is his crown is pretty amazing! 

February funnies

 I looked at my blog and couldn't believe I hadn't blogged since Jan. 25, but that is how busy February has been.  February is always busy for us because of basketball.  It's like Jay's team and Nick's team tries to pack as many games as possible into February.  It's insane!  I'm happy to report that as of this weekend Jay is done with basketball and Nick's season will be winding down.  I have so much on my mind lately and I will blog about that but tonight I simply wanted to catch up some of the things we've been doing that don't involve basketball.  On Friday I went with Nick on what was his last elementary school field trip.  It was bittersweet.  We went to Springfield and went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.  I've been before and it never disappoints.  I truly enjoyed the day with Nick.  Earlier this week I was called for jury duty and was put on a jury.  Thankfully my jury duty ended in enough time so I could go on the field trip with Nick.  Although you can't see Nick in the picture above I promise you he's in the picture.  He just has his head turned.  That boy!

 Nick and K.  Nick and K went to Pre-K together and her mother and I enjoy getting pictures of the two of them.  We tease that that we're going to submit all these pictures to their senior yearbook!  But seriously, aren't they the cutest? 

 And guess who turned 6 this week?  Yep, Lukie!  I adore this picture.  It shows my mom's delight with her youngest grandchild and it shows Luke true personality.  Happy Birthday, Luke!

And here's mom with her oldest grandchild.....the one with the broken finger.  Jay broke his ring fingr in a basketball game this week which ended his season.  Thankfully the season was almost over so Jay only ended up missing 2 games.  Jay always loves playing basketball but I gotta tell you, it was a LONG losing season.  Jay's team only won one game the entire season.  I know it must take such a toll on Jay, his coach and his teammates to constantly lose.  It's one of those situations where it's not so clear what Jay and his teammates are supposed to be learning from all this but as a parent I hope and pray all this losing is for something!  Somehow every season the same group of boys make it through the season and continue to come back every year.  They are a good group of boys! 

Faithful

I am currently engaged in a once a week pilates class, and I love it.  However, pilates isn't the point of this blog (maybe next time).  Mike had the privilege of working on the pilates studio where I now take my class.  He and the owner collaborated on ideas and wow, does the studio look amazing.  Customers see a great shoe rack to put their shoes on.  A handy purse rack for their purses, and a modern looking coat rack to hang their coats on, and amazing shiplap wall.  I, however, see so much more.  I see how God used Mike's talents for His glory.  I see how He he made sure the paths of Mike and the owner of the pilates studio would cross (who Mike and I now consider a friend).  And every time I catch a glimpse of Mike's wooden cross he made for the studio as I'm trying to breathe through one of the pilates ab moves, I'm instantly reminded of God's faithfulness.  Last January I was a mess.  I may not have shown that to people, but I was a cluster of emotions.  I vividly remember thinking how I wished I could see what the following January would look like.  Here I am exactly a year later taking a weekly pilates class in the studio that was worked on by my husband's hands and it gets me every time.  My faith grew immensely when I was in despair.  The fear of the unknown no longer frightens me, as I have lived and witnessed God's faithfulness.  As things in my life have gotten "back to normal," I must confess my prayer life has gotten more laid back.  I am not as deliberate or intentional.  I understand now more than ever why God allows our suffering - it's his way in building a bridge for a deeper relationship with us.  I know He gives me an extraordinary amount of grace and above all, He knows and understands I'm human.  Not a day goes by (not a day) that I don't think about this past year and am utterly amazed by God's faithfulness. 

Fifteen is keen

 My "baby" is 15 today.  My grandma use to write me poems on some of my birthdays.  Although I don't have the poem she wrote me when I was 15, I remember she entitled it, "Fifteen is keen!"  So although Jay would think the title of his 15th birthday blog is totally lame, I did it in honor of his great grandma and really, in truth, fifteen is keen!  How does 15 look on Jay........TALL!!!!!  And he's still growing.  Jay was 3 in the picture above.  Could I have possibly imagined what he would look like or be like (below) 12 years later?  I think not.  I was too busy worrying, feeling guilty and questioning myself at every turn.  Jay took an incredible amount of energy in his early years.  I wish I could tell all mothers who have a young Jay to stay obedient, patient, consistent, and most of all calm.  I still have many years of parenting Jay ahead of me, and life has certainly taught me that it can change in an instant, but this boy has been a pleasure to parent (especially these last 4 years). 

 Jay just started driver's ed this past weekend.  He's obsessed with finding a vehicle.  We've told him he needs to come with some "sweat equity" which translates to $3,000.  Needless to say this boy will need a job this summer.  Jay has a dry sense of humor.  His favorite responses these days are, "It is not my hour," (take from Jesus himself) and "I'd love nothing more."  These are his "fun" responses to things I ask him to do.  I respond by rolling my eyes and telling him I don't care, get to it!  He has really come into his own this past year and feels comfortable in his own skin (as much as any 15 year old can feel comfortable in their skin at 15).  I look for any opportunity to spend time with him.  I follow a blogger who recently joked that when her college age son asked her if she could go to lunch, she cancelled a scheduled conference call, threw on a bra, and darted out the door!  I can totally relate.  Spending meaningful time with Jay these days is slim pickings.  He doesn't get excited like he use to when I'd take him to the park or the petting zoo.  Go figure.  

 When I was going through pictures this week in anticipation for Jay's birthday I came across this one.  These two boys have my heart.  Jay and Reece have been friends since they were in second grade (when this picture was taken).  When people tell you that the friends your kids pick is HUGE, they aren't kidding.  I see that more and more as Jay ages.  I find myself praying that both of my boys have a Mary Fox and Mike and Jenny Ausili in their friends.   

Jay and Reece as freshman as their first homecoming.  If I were giving out advice to Jay, and more importantly, if he were listening, which at 15, he's not too interested in what his momma has to say, I'd remind him of who he is.  He is a boy who has been challenged by ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, being 2nd string on his basketball team for years, and if he were to be honest, there have been times he's felt less than (as we all have), but he's risen above all that, and has not allowed those things to define him.  I would tell him to keep God front and center, and I get that at 15, being "godly" isn't the "cool" thing to do, but I'd tell him that based on the choices he's already made, he's doing just that.  I would remind him that when life gets tough, it's not how you started the race, it's how you end and that anything that is worth something from the work he'll do to the friends he will have, the bride he will someday marry (hopefully), to the children he will have a hand at raising, that none of that comes easy - anything that is meaningful is hard work and through God's grace and love, this thing we all call life this side of heaven can be his greatest testament. 

I sure do love you, Jay Michael Siebert!!!