Eyes on Sam

Sam had his one and only home Cross Country meet August 29.  School hadn't even started yet!  Sam did a great job preparing and finished 10th!   Today, Oct 26, the CC team leaves for Ricori for the regional competition.  Thought this would be a good day to organize and post some pictures.

Sam is the tall guy on the right side.

I love this shot.

...and this one.  I was just using Sam's little samsung camera to take these photos.  They actually turned out pretty good!

At the end of his run, there were tears.  Sam shared tears with his dad as they missed grandpa at the finish line.  Grandpa would have been there... cheering Sam's name, hands in the air, smile on his face .....his eyes on Sam.

And then there are friends.  What a great group of kids these are!

thank you, dear friend

A friend of mine shared this reading with me ...


I didn’t know what to pray. So, I just prayed for God to open doors, or for Him to close them. I would be content with either outcome.

I kept expecting closed doors. And God kept opening them.

Imagine my surprise when God blew away my meager expectations with his amazing grace and his incredible generosity.

Why did I expect less than that? 

I think I prepare myself for “less than” in order to avoid crushing disappointment.

God opened one door after another, in only a way that He could. Not only that, but he blew open the doors in a big way, bigger than I could have ever hoped or imagined.

And I praise God for knowing the desires of my heart, and for blessing me with them, despite me not believing he would. I knew that he could, but would he? Why would we deserve this blessing? Why would God give us such an incredible gift?

It is not because of works. We don’t deserve this any more than anyone else. It’s not because we have more faith, or better prayers. It’s not us at all. It was an act of God. Completely and totally.

blessed are those

 found this in a blog I read...some images and messages are too important or too beautiful to leave behind.  and so I capture them and keep them.

the day he left

Ben left for college 2 months ago.  Hard to believe.  He's coming home tonight for the weekend and we anxiously wait.  The day he left, I took a bunch of pictures and I'm finally taking a closer look at them and getting them organized.  It wasn't an easy day.  I remember the pit in my stomach and the ache in my heart.  Once he left, the anxiety eased but then there was sadness.  Dropping him off and leaving him... no words. 

The week before he left was crazy.  Crazy with activity and emotions.  The day finally came.

....getting ready to head out the door.  :( 

 Had to take a picture of our car full of his stuff!  Ben's car was also full.

 Copper always knows when someone is leaving.  He kept a close eye on us and stayed near.

 He got a little closer to Emily.  Maybe he could make them stay if he sat on her feet!

Ben's car is full and almost ready to go. 

 Sweet kids.  Do you know how much I hated to see you go...

Had to take a shot of them in Ben's car as they prepared to drive down the road.  It was exciting!  I was just so sad.  Emily rode with Ben down to Fargo and then rode home with us.  She didn't start school for another week!

 And there they go.  No words...

I'm glad he's happy and I'm glad I don't feel like throwing up anymore.  I'm glad that he isn't so far away and that he will be home tonight.

a video for mommas and the families they love

I'm captivated by Amy Krause Rosenthal.  This video was especially moving to me ... her words captured the feelings in my heart perfectly.

KINDNESS

Kindness Thought Bubble

This is a short film/meditation on the power of kindness. Animated and produced by the Toronto-based design firm Thought Bubble. Written and narrated by Amy. Original music by Nick Gage.

Selected Best Animated Film at 2011 Peace on Earth Film Festival

Go to Amy Rosenthal's website and click on Amy's videos to view more videos.  It looks like she has a lot of other good stuff!

Last Home Game

Isaac, #85, watching from the sidelines with his friend, Carter.  This is the last home game for the 8th grade football team.  We played Crookston and Isaac had the chance to play quarterback.  He usually plays tight end.

Steve is standing behind Isaac.  Steve often held the down marker during games.

Isaac is on the far left preparing to call for the ball.

Here he passed and it was incomplete.

Next pass...touchdown!!

Game over.  Prowlers beat Crookston 30-0.  Isaac also ended up running the ball in for a touchdown when he could not find anyone to pass the ball to.  Woo-hoo!

End of the home games for the 8th graders.  Fun kids...fun season.

....and then there's the fan section!  What would we do without our devoted fans :)

Reminiscing

Sam was practicing his piano lesson the other night and one of the songs was a version of  "the hokey pokey".  A memory was stirred--"Grandpa's Magical Toys"!  I immediately opened up youtube and found the trailer.  I showed Sam and he didn't remember it.  Sam must have been about 1 year old and Ben was 3 when we watched this vhs tape.  I can't tell you when it was released.  It is part of the Wee Sing series.  Our  boys went to daycare at grandmas and I'm thinking "Grandpa's Magical Toys" played on grandma's VCR at naptime everyday for many days!  We would borrow the tape and watch it during the weekends.  I'm surprised how much of the story I remember!  Looking at it now, some may describe it as "wierd"-- or worse.  I don't know.  It's different than the shows that are popular today.  But the times and memories attached with this movie are strong and good.  And so my memories of this movie are strong and good.  Happy times with my babies.  funny----




ok...how bout this one?!  Remember it?  Another popular naptime movie.   

Homecoming Day

Hope this worked!  It took me forever to figure out how to embed a video into my blog...ugh.  This is the LHS staff performing on Homecoming Day during the pepfest! :)

The Homecoming Day celebration began with a parade!  This is the Lincoln and Franklin Middle School bands combined. Isaac is somewhere in the middle.
  

There he is!

Sam and the other Junior attendants...

Cool shot.

During halftime at the football game, the court was introduced.

It was a gorgeous night.

Sam joined his family at the game for awhile.  Ben and Emily even came but I didn't get a picture of them.  shoot.  And it was her 19th birthday!  It was a fun week--and the Prowlers won!