Picture of the Week - 7/30/2020

 Can you believe it's already the end of July?  The last 6 months have somehow simultaneously felt super long and super short.  Such a weird time.

Spencer and Quinn are on their way home from a wrestling tournament in Myrtle Beach.  I think they had fun, but ran into some club teams that recruit - some nationally.  It was tough competition and a good way to get some "in the fire" experience.  Spencer also hurt his ribs, so I'm hoping he can heal quickly and get back to it.  

Zane and Beck have started football this week.  It's mostly a conditioning week.  They won't get into pads until next week.  Bob is coaching Beckett's team again and Zane is working with the same coach (and most of the players) as last year.  No matter what happens with the season, I think it's going to be a fun time.  Fingers crossed that we get to play some games!

We were at the park the other day and Beck's team was done so we were just hanging out waiting for Zane.  Beck hopped up onto the fence and I had some major deja vu.  So I had to go back and find the old picture from 2017.  I love that crazy child.  

I hope you all have a great week.  The boys get to go meet their teachers on Tuesday during a parking lot sorta drive-through open house.  We were assigned 15 minutes slots to arrive to ensure social distancing.  It will be really interesting to see how this all goes!  

Picture of the Week - 7/23/2020

 There's a lot going on - again - and so much uncertainty.

The start of school has been delayed for a week.  I get it...  the teachers need time to figure out how this weird Back-to-School is going to work.  I'm not upset about the delay.  It's just something to deal with.  The school calendar has been loaded into my calendar for ages...  and now that has to get updated.  Not a big deal...  just another thing...

Then last night a rumor came out that the state may delay the start of school until after Labor Day.  For some reason, that put me into a tailspin.  I couldn't see a logical reason for it.  Couldn't wrap my head around what that would mean.  Just got fed up with CHANGE and UNCERTAINTY.  

Today is better...  the state decided to stay out of the local school board decisions and we are still "on" (at least for now) to go back to school on August 13th.  I don't know if it'll stick.  I don't know how long it'll last.  I am trying hard to be OK with taking things one day at a time.  It's not a comfortable place for my personality type...

I worry about my elementary boys.  They would be very challenging in an online experience.  Zane would be OK, but Beckett was hard in the spring.  Bob and I have already planned our "Plan B" and figured out where we would set up their space, what additional technology we need to buy/upgrade, etc.  We would get through it, but I don't want to...

And I worry about my high school boys.  Senior and Junior this year.  This isn't what the upperclassman experience should look like.  They should be walking through the crowded halls with their shoulders back on their way to meet up with their buddies.  They shouldn't be wearing masks and social distancing.  I know, I know, I know...  it's the same everywhere - worse in many places - and we just need to deal with it.  And we will.  They will.  But I don't have to like it.

Here's something I do like...  check out this picture.  Spencer has on 2 pairs of sweatpants and 3 sweatshirts.  He's cutting the grass.  It's at least 90 degrees and high humidity.  He is, which is obvious to anyone who's ever been around a wrestler, cutting weight.  LOL  Poor guy.  He's dropped about 15ish pounds in the last week and is down to the last pound and the last few hours before weigh-ins for the Deep South Duals tournament this weekend.  Stay tuned for updates!  I'm so excited he's getting some real wrestling matches!!

Have a great week everyone.  Say some prayers that Bob and Spencer stay safe and that he has a fun and successful tourney!

Picture of the Week - 7/16/2020

 The world is straight up crazy right now.  I almost said impossible, but since we are actually getting through it day-by-day, it is clearly possible…  just insane.

Covid cases are going up and up and up – do I trust all the numbers – nope nope nope.  I think many new cases are reported because many more tests are being done now.  That isn’t a bad thing because the covid death rate is mostly flat.  So none of it makes sense.  None of it.

And yet – here we are.  We are in a situation where we have unreliable information that is being used to make important decisions that impact everything.  Literally everything.  Insane.

School districts are making decisions about school in the fall.  It’s all over the place.  Our school is opening for face-to-face instruction on August 6^th.  That’s just 3 weeks from today.  Some districts RIGHT NEXT DOOR have decided to do online only to start.  Some are delaying their opening.  It’s all over the place.  It’s insane.

 

And what does any of that mean to sports?  Who knows.  It’s impossible to guess what is going to happen.  We just do one day at a time and try to make the best of it.

 

For us – and I am not saying this the right decision for anyone else – this is a no judgement zone – we are taking advantage of every opportunity we can for our boys.  We are operating from a place of caution, but not fear and have kind of resigned ourselves to the fact that Covid-19 is going to be around for a long time and we can’t sacrifice too much trying to avoid it.  (Before anyone feels the need to “correct” our way of thinking, don’t bother.  We wear masks and we are making choices we feel are right for our family.)

 

All of my boys are going to in-person school this year.  All will go on the first day.  The younger 2 will be riding the bus to and from.  All will have masks which I will expect them to wear, even though they are not mandated in our school district. 

 

All are doing sports as we are able.  Zane and Beck both had football evaluations this week.  Who knows when (or if) practices will start and if we will actually have a season.  If we do – they will be ready – and Bob has picked up all his coaching gear so he can lead Beckett’s team again this year.  Check out the packed trunk of his car – fully of football pads and pool stuff.

 

Speaking of pool – our neighborhood pool delayed opening, then DID open but without furniture, and now is closed again.  Sigh…

 

It’s seriously an insane time right now.  The only way is through it…  one day at a time.

 

This week has been Zane’s most exciting camp yet.  He’s doing the “Outdoor Adventure” camp which we’ve tried to get them into for years.  (Beck is a year too young.)  I had no idea how cool this camp was!  He’s climbed trees and kayaked and swam in a waterfall and ziplined and hiked a ton and is tubing down a river today.  He’s totally exhausted every day – and loved every minute of it!  Beckett is back at the Dojo this week for “Fieldtripapalooza”!  So glad they are having fun this weird, insane summer!

 

Surgery last week went well.  I underestimated the intensity and duration of pain.  It’s not been a fun week.  And while I feel so very blessed that I have a houseful of guys who are here to help me – and have been awesome – I also have to lament the fact that there’s no one in this house who is capable of putting my hair in a pony tail!  LOL  They are all quite bad at hair!  Recovery is ongoing…  but all is well…

Picture of the Week - 7/9/2020

 Greetings!

So last week I skipped my Thursday POTW in lieu of some high quality relaxing at the beach.  I don't regret it!

We had a great time.  The weather was a little dodgy...  we got chased off the beach a few days, but we didn't have any totally rain out days.  And it's pretty hard to even get upset about some rain when you are at the beach...  The boys were all easy this year and everyone seemed to have a great time.  It's just such a shame that it goes so darn fast!

This week has felt busy and a little chaotic.  Maybe it's because it's the first week we've tackled after being away for a while in months.  Maybe it's because all kinds of things are ramping back up and need tending to.  Who knows...  

We've had lotsa medical dental appointments this week.  Nothing bad - just normal stuff for the boys - and some extras thrown in to get me ready for shoulder surgery tomorrow.  Say a wee prayer if you are so inclined that all goes according to plan.  Also if you see Beckett, remind him to do a better job brushing teeth.  I'm sick of getting cavities filled!

Thought I'd share this picture of Brutus, who was neutered on Monday.  Poor dude...  he's SO BAD at managing that cone.  He runs into walls, people, doors...  it's as funny as it is sad!  He should only be in it for a few more days though and then back to normal.  In the meantime, he's still smilin'!

Have a great week everyone!