And just like that she turned 16 as if it was no big deal just squeezed into the middle of a crazy month. She feel all grown up and at the same time little, ready for the added freedom and still in need of a lot of guidance. We as the parents are pretty unsure of what this next season is going to feel like but we LOVE her, this we know, and we're going to do our best to keep her grounded and close and FED, even as we more and more start letting go and watching her launch.
Volleyball continues. These girls and coach have their eyes on State for sure. We tease Sadie regularly as she comes home exhausted and sometimes overwhelmed by how hard she's being pushed "Road to State!" Everyone knows it and it's exciting and it's A LOT of pressure especially for the 3 who are new to the team, 2 of which we're related to.
This is an article that was recently written about the team.
Quinn and Sadie
October included 9 regular season games, 11 practices, 2 Saturday tournaments (one an overnight), league playoffs on a Saturday, and lots and lots of emotions as the girls and I'd say parents or at least these parents were pushed to their limit. At one point we had an injured and irrational teenager on our hand refusing to tell her coach, at one point we had a very frustrated teenager who was being told she'd be pulled and they'd run a 5:1 if she didn't push harder, at one point we had a text saying that "luckily" our daughter could be home for dinner on her 16th birthday because they'd already decided not to practice that day but that's not always an accommodation that can be made, and in league playoffs we had a very sad teenager as she was pulled for the last 3 points of the match and a player who'd been pulled up finished serving and setting the last 3 points. Crushing.....but I guess what doesn't break you makes you stronger and each time after a momentary "set back" she'd return to the court ready to prove she'd earned her spot and wasn't about to give it up and we'd see a new level of play from her. Not sure about this method honestly but I'm mom and it's a lot to walk with them through this kind of pressure and disappointment. I will say Sadie gained a lot of grit this season and I pray she'll carry that with her as she faces other difficult things in life.
What have we learned?
1. Keep her fed.
2. Give her time to make the right decision "on her own" even though it makes you feel crazy to wait.
3. Don't jump on the roller coaster with her.
What's high school coaches don't understand or seem to appreciate is that while sports are great we're also trying to raise littles and trying hard not to loose time them in the midst of it all. It's hard to navigate but we know they still need their bedtime stories and dinner before 9 p.m. and all the things that we didn't have to work so hard for with the older kids.
I love watching little girls be little. Soaking it in these days.
Brandon loves it too but he more loves the making them squeal and giggle part.
Jog-A-Thon
The school hosted a jog-a-thon to raise money to buy equipment for the new turf field. Hazel practiced at home and ran her heart out the day off. There was a prize for whoever ran the most laps in each class and she won for her class!! Hazel works really hard, maybe harder than any of our other kids, and it isn't always recognized. We're really proud of her!!!
Hazel
Evie
Carter
Wyatt
The highschoolers didn't run but they got out and supported the kids running with them between classes and I'm pretty sure during some classes :) It was fun to see the school community participating together.
Jog-A-Thon Awards
Helpful Hero Day
Aubrey
Maddie
When you're #6 and #7 you just take matters into your own hands I guess. They wanted the training wheels off so I took them off and said they could try with Hazel and I'd be out in a minute and I came out to this. They've go this.
See I thought I was behind when I was wrapping up Summer but here we are in almost January and I'm posting pictures from September.
Cooper and the other House Leaders enjoying some team bonding at Chick-Fil-A.
How cool is our Jr. High
High School is pretty fun too! They go to Camp Tadmor every September and one of the activities is a class lip sync. These are our freshman boys.
2nd Varsity Volleyball Tournament at East Linn
The girls took 1st place and then headed out to the lake to hang out. Oh to be young again...
His Eye is on the Sparrow
The Keeping Company
I bought this bird house from The Keeping Company as I waited the E.R. with Wyatt after is allergic reaction to a hornet sting. I received an email that this company from Canada was struggling under new tariffs and they were asking to customers to purchase before they all went into place. Anyway, I love, love, love this company so it was hard not to make a purchase. They make the Cross to Cradle wreath and so many other meaningful pieces. Anyway thought I'd share this new little favorite spot on our my new entry table which I didn't photograph but love my Blue Silo vase and the blooming dahlias and basil from the yard.
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside of your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Tournament #3 in Saint Paul
Once again they took it all with a huge win over Crane and Salem Academy.
Praying for a injured player on the other team.
These tournaments are long days and it's hard to manage it with all the other kids but its an exciting game and were really enjoying watching Sadie grow and play with this great group of girls.
While we were at the tournament Cooper was racing go-karts with friends for a birthday party at K1 speed and the littles were celebrating Tommy's birthday out in Springfield at the Thiessens house. These kids get invited to some pretty fun stuff.
Sadie got her braces off just in time for her birthday!!!
Great Grandpa will be moving to Arizona next month and these two little girls are going to miss him like crazy!!!
We tried a charter school this year. Ended up being more than I can manage but it was sure fun when all the supplies came. It was like an early Christmas. We got lots of educational things as well as basketballs and footballs and jump ropes and soccer gear for Evie.
Finally squeezed in a firewood weekend at the Zuidemas.
Not sure what the scowl is about as Aubrey loves Ranger rides with Ms. Ashley.
