First Game Back

Under stern warnings to take it easy, we let Troy play in his soccer game this past Saturday.  It was so fun to watch him back playing his favorite sport.  It was also fun that he got to play against his good friend, Matthew.  Troy's team was excited to have him back.  Troy desires to win, and loves to score, but he's also great about setting up passes to his teammates so that they score too.  Troy and the Dragons had a great game and also their first win of the season!  (Shhh, don't tell the Doc!)

It's Off!

Just a couple of quick shots to show that Troy is now free of his cast!  It was a LONG eight weeks.  He was quite patient and learned to function very well with his left hand.  It's been interesting to watch as now he is still favoring his left hand.  We are under strict orders from the Dr. to be VERY careful.  He has a splint to wear to school which will be a good reminder to Troy and others to stay clear of his arm.  She also told us no sports, but I think we are going to let him play...

Wonderful Get-A-Way

We were blessed with a little "get-a-way" to the desert this past weekend.  It was a wonderful time away spent with our family (minus Katie) and some friends. We definitely felt spoiled and now feel ready to face another busy few weeks!

 Troy mastered swimming with his cast up in the air!

 Who knew Pastor Scott gave swimming lessons?!

Kamryn Elise

Just a little update on our middle child...Kamryn is now the proud wearer of soft contact lenses.  She has traded in her glasses for the work of getting lenses in her eyes each morning.  She also is a newly elected member of the student leadership team for her middle school.  Only two kids were elected from her class.  I honestly was a little surprised when she told me she was going to "run" for office.  We loved her speech as it was pure "Kamryn."  She talked about working to bring back powder puff football and to fight for equality in their math class (there's a story behind that).  She also talked about using her gifts for the Lord and not making "empty promises."  Well, it must have worked because her classmates voted her in!  Great work Kam!  We're proud of you and it's fun watching you grow up!

Tomorrow we will celebrate the life of our friend, Tom.  Tom and Vera and their kids and grandkids have played a special part in the life of our family.  Tom was an elder in our church in Visalia who helped guide a young, sometimes "radical" youth pastor named Scott.  Vera hosted a baby shower for us when Kamryn was born.  We were included in their family Thanksgivings and Fourth of July celebrations.  Katie and Ashlyn, their grand-daughter, have been good friends since kindergarten.  We have many great memories of a healthy Tom.  At family gatherings, he was often found sitting in his chair by the computer desk in the family room chatting with different people.  He always had on coordinating outfits (bought by Vera, I'm sure.)  I always appreciated his quiet nature.  During our conversations,I could count on him asking me how teaching was going and how my parents were doing.  I can still hear him chuckle at something one of the grandkids or Scott would say.  After Tom was diagnosed with Leukemia, we made a stop in Visalia to see him after a tough round of chemotherapy.  He was in a lot of pain and we couldn't get too close.  He sat in his chair and we talked and Scott read scripture and prayed.  As soon as we sat down to visit, though, Tom wanted to make sure that Scott was doing OK in his new church.  Tom felt after reading Scott's Christmas letter that Scott just wasn't his carefree, happy self.  He said, "I always knew that Scott was a bit radical, so I was kind of worried."  We quickly reassured him and Vera that we were doing fine and that things were going quite well, actually.  I just thought it was funny that here he was so sick, but was worried about us being OK.  It also meant a lot that in one of their visits to So. Cal. last spring after Tom was feeling better, they wanted to come to our church and to our home.  This summer we were able to attend the wedding of one of Tom and Vera's grand-daughters.  Scott had teased Briana several times that one day she would marry a "hairy man,".  Scott was overjoyed to see that this actually came true.  It was kind of little joke at the wedding and Tom thought it was hilarious!  It is a great memory to think about laughing with Tom about Scott's joke with Briana. We have been so blessed by this man of God and are thankful that he was a part of our lives. We know he is in a wonderful place, but will miss him!

Troy Boy

Troy seems to make friends wherever he goes.  We have been blessed to have some nice boys in our neighborhood again for him to play with.  Troy is happiest when he's outside kicking a ball and it's helpful when there's a willing friend to do it with him.  (Then I don't have to! :)  We also have great next door neighbors who are understanding and don't mind boys running over their lawns. Sidenote: Some of these pictures may contain non-approved activities for a boy with a broken arm...We can't keep him down all the time. :)  

I'm noticing other blogs with cute pictures of children going apple picking and doing other fall-type activities dressed in sweatshirts.  It's difficult to get in the spirt this year as we are still getting temperatures over 100 degrees!  I'm not complaining because I love the heat, but we are all ready for a little relief.  (Tomorrow's supposed to be 106!)

Kam Plays V-Ball

Kamryn has been trying a new sport this fall-volleyball.  She's picked it up quickly and has enjoyed playing on her school team with a nice group of girls.  In some of these shots Kamryn is not wearing glasses.  That is because we finally were able to get her contacts.  She has adjusted pretty well to them.  It only takes us a few extra minutes in the morning to get the contacts in.  At this point I still have to put them in her eyes for her, but she is able to take them out by herself.  Not having to deal with glasses makes life a lot easier when she's playing sports.