Been Years....

I knew it had been a while since I blogged but didn't realize it had been 2 years!

We are living in some crazy times right now as the world is being overtaken by the Corona Virus.  About 50% of the states have been issued "Stay at Home Orders" and are only supposed to leave the house for essential business.  People are working from home.  School has been dismissed for the year in the school buildings and is being taught online through Zoom.
I am teaching my workouts via Zoom or Facebook Live.
People are wearing masks and gloves as they go out shopping.  Scary. Crazy. Stressful.

The positive to all this is the amount of time our family has had to grow back together.  We had become so accustomed to our crazy schedules and running to practices, lessons, school functions, etc. and it caused us, like others, to dismiss the true value of spending quality time with your family.
We have watched several movies, played games, danced, went on bike rides, shot baskets, played catch, grilled out, made smores, and it has all been wonderful!

Back in March, our Lady Pups basketball team made it to the State Tournament.  We opened our first round versus Basehor Linwood and won!  We were set to play in the Final Four and were going to get a rematch with St. Thomas Aquinas.  That Friday evening, after we had played, we found out that KSHAA was going to cancel the remainder of the tournament and all Spring Sports and activities.  This felt like a tough punch in the gut.

Our team had worked so hard and truly faced more adversity than any other team I have ever been associated with.  We started the season missing 2 seniors and lost a 3rd after the second game.  We gained the first two back.  Lakyn Schieferecke was recovering from her ACL surgery over the summer and Emma Ruddle had compartment syndrome in both of her legs and had surgery the beginning of the season.  Andrea Sweat tore her ACL in practice after game 2.  All three of these seniors had already signed to play NCAA D2 basketball.  Our fourth senior, dealt with plantar fasciatis throughout the season and she had signed to play college Volleyball.  We had subs step up and make a HUGE impact on the team.  These subs could easily start for other programs!  It was not until the 19th game of the season, that we had every on the floor together.  They all battled so hard to get back and then it's ripped away from them. 

I spend so much time with these girls that they begin to feel like my own children or little sisters.  It hurt to see them hurt.  It felt so empty knowing all the time and work we had put in...then didn't get to showcase or try to use the developed skills to win another State Title...our 10th.  These seniors will never have the chance to do that again.  They didn't know that that game was their last.  They didn't know that once they checked out for Spring Break, that they were never going to walk the halls of MHS again...that they were not going to get to see their friends in the high school setting again...no prom...no graduation...Over.

Our children were stripped of the last quarter of their 3rd and 4th grade years.  Kamryn really needed this time to better prepare for the challenges that lie ahead with 4th grade.  Graham thrives on a routine and looks forward to school most days.  Both were starting their spring sports and that came to a screeching hault. 

We are blessed to have an incredible gym in our backyard so we can continue to lift weights and exercise the way we like to.  The kids can practice hitting with the net down whenever they want. 

Change is scary.  This kind of change....sucks...so many unknowns.  We are fortunate that Gabe has a stable job!!

Through all the craziness, we have so much to be thankful for.  We are growing in our faith in God and love for each other!  We are watching church online, LIVE via youtube.  Walmart is now limiting the number of people allowed to shop at once.  Aisles are being marked one way only.  We have so much to be thankful for! 

Our journey continues.....