Picture of the Week - 12/15/2022

 Wrestling isn't for the weak.  It's not a casual sport.  It requires, if you want to succeed, dedication and determination.  

I'm really proud of both Zane and Beckett for embracing this lifestyle.  It's not glamourous - and it hurts.  (See picture of Zane who came home from last weekend in Virginia Beach with 2 black eyes and a singlet splattered with blood.  His blood.)

Bob and I have taken a pretty "long game" approach to wrestling with Zane and Beckett.  We didn't go "all in" while they were really young.  This is partly because we were busy with Spencer and Quinn, but it was also a direct result of my favorite parenting super skill - perspective.  

What we learned watching Spencer and Quinn - and their peers - is that many of the kids who were successful at high school had lots and lots of experience.  They didn't have lots and lots of youth state championships.  We also noticed along the way that there were kids who were absolute stud wrestlers in 6U and 8U who disappeared after middle school.  Our goal with the boys has been pretty straight forward - 1) don't let them quit and 2) make sure they have fun.

This year we have intentionally stepped things up a bit.  Actually this started last summer...  when we sent them to a wrestling camp in Missouri because it had a great reputation for teaching techniques that match how our boys wrestle.  We decided that this year we are going to continue doing what we're already doing, but layer in some additional opportunities for them by watching for - and being willing to attend - travel opportunities.  Will this work - in the long run?  No idea...  but along the way we are going to have some fun!  

This weekend we are staying local and wrestling in a tournament on Saturday.  What's up next is a little up in the air.  Maybe Kentucky the weekend after Christmas.  Maybe South Carolina the first weekend of 2023.  Maybe both...  Stay tuned for more updates - and if you need to know how to get blood out of a singlet, give me a call.

Picture of the Week - 12/8/2022

 Quick update today because it's kinda more of same - except I think I have the flu and feel pretty crappy.  

Bob's got Zane and Beck this weekend in Virginia Beach with one of their wrestling teams for a big weekend of wrestling.  Last weekend was a vacation with a little wrestling.  This weekend is wrestling in a different state.  Big difference!  It'll be interesting to see how they do.  I expect a lot of learning.  ;)  If you aren't winning, you are learning, if you get my drift.

Quinn got home yesterday for winter break.  It's nice to have him here for sure!

Spencer gets home on Tuesday - I think.  Details are always a bit sketchy when it comes to Spencer and plans.

I'm going to spend the next 3 days trying to get well - and wrapping Christmas presents.  :)  Maybe I'll even bake something.  Maybe I'll just watch nonsense TV instead.  LOL

Here's a fun picture of Beckett from breakfast this morning.  Zane has been on a bit of a weight cut - prob last one this year.  I'm certain he's looking forward to dinner tonight after weigh-ins!  (In case anyone is curious, there's less than 10 lbs between Zane and Beck right now.)

Picture of the Week - 12/1/2022

 I thought I'd take this week as an opportunity to share our family picture from Thanksgiving.  

As casual as this is, I love it.  It's not fancy.  No one matches.  There are unshaven faces.  There's a turkey onesie.  It's us.  In all our crazy, chaotic glory.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving week - and are gearing up for all the awesomeness of December.  

Tomorrow morning we are pulling the boys out of school and heading to Gatlinburg.  We're going for a wrestling tourney, but really, it's just an excuse to go see Gatlinburg decked out in Christmas lights while staying in a rented camper* in an RV park.  There will be some wrestling, but mostly just a quick family trip and a break from all the "stuff" going on in real life.  

* for anyone unaware, we've been looking at possibly buying a travel trailer for a while now.  We've got one all picked out even.  We have researched (to death) and a trial run trip in a rental is basically the last hurdle.  Wish us luck!  Maybe someday soon I'll get to share pictures of our new camper!

Picture of the Week - 11/17/2022

 This week is so fun!  And so full of STUFF!  The kind of stuff that's leaving me mentally stressed and emotionally excited!

My parents are currently in the Caribbean somewhere.  Bob is in the frozen tundra (Fargo, ND) for work.  And my big boys are still at school.  This time next week - they will ALL be in my house.  I mean, if that's not enough to make a mama heart happy, I'm not sure what would do it.

In the meantime, I've got lists (to-dos and check varieties) and a spreadsheet of what needs to be done when.  (Turkey comes out today because it's an enormous beast.)  I haven't hosted Thanksgiving since before Spencer was born.  Feeling a little rusty - and also up for the challenge!  (So long as there's wine involved!)

In the middle of all the Thanksgiving prep - I'm also trying to get things ready for Spencer's first trip home since August and Quinn's return tomorrow as well.  I want to surround them with reasons to want to come home again - college parents out there, I know you get this...  I'm making Chicken n Dumplins for Quinn tomorrow.  I've got Chili fixins for Saturday.  Oh and the wrestling club's annual Thanksgiving Duals is on Tuesday.  I may be running all stuff that happens off the mats.  (Concessions, Hospitality, Volunteers, Signage, Decorations, etc.)  I love this tourney - it's my favorite of the year.  It's at our own high school.  It's very early in the season - so no stress or pressure.  It's MY official launch of the holiday season.  And I get to spend the whole day with my friends.  It's a really fun day.  (But it's also a lot of work!)  

It'll all get done.  Or it won't.  No one is going to die.  And all will be well.  

I'm grateful to get to live this crazy, chaotic life.  Wouldn't trade it for the world.  (Although I would prefer Bob be here instead of freezing in North Dakota.  And he needs a hat, right?!?!?)