Home Turf

Yesterday was a special day...a good day. Tyler headed to Sectionals here at home, while my parents took Gabi to her basketball game. I am happy to report that her team score was only 4-8 and they played the first team they played again (since there are only 4 teams all together). This is a GREAT indicator that our girls are only getting better! From what I heard Gabi did great. She almost made a shot and was so proud! A HUGE thank you to my parents for keeping her for the day and getting her off to her basketball game!! Ben and I headed to North Central with David to watch Trenton wrestle at B Team Brawls. I was also excited to know it would be held in the original wrestling room. Alot of history there...and first time we have seen Trenton wrestle in there! Trenton thought he would be going with the varsity because of some injuries on the team but at the last minute the coach asked him to stay back and wrestle at the Brawls. He went 149 lbs. again. His last words after the tournament, "man, this was an awful lot of work for a B Team Brawl!" and he earned his 3rd place spot from the wrestling indeed! Not only was Trenton giving up quite a bit of weight but there were 11 wrestlers in his bracket. What made the day even more special was the fact that he asked his dad to "be in his corner" and coach him. I will never forget Ben's reaction after Trenton asked him. Ben turned to me and said, "he asked me to coach him since alot of the coaches are gone today, he must really mean it if he asked me, huh??" and as you can imagine, a HUGE grin from ear to ear. Ben was very excited. It brought back lots of memories for him and this was something he will never forget. Trenton was actually seeded 3rd at this tournament and faced a Manchester kid (Adam Ulner)first beating him 7-0. His wrestling was great and Trenton said he was going to work on his riding time. I think he got it for just about every match too. Next up, a Knox kid (DuGan O'Connor) that he beat 4-0. The next round was against the #1 seeded wrestler from Ohio Northern (Nick Hoopes). This wrestler was good, in fact, Ohio Northern is a Division 2 school. Trenton went into third OT with the score 1-1 when the Ohio Northern wrestler ended up riding him out thus winning 2-1. A heartbreaker, but a very good match. Trenton wrestled excellent. I have to admit I was a bit worried he would exit the tournament mentally after this loss but he didn't. He had to face a Whitewater Wisconsin wrestler (Adam Spatahek) to see which would be wrestling for 3rd place. Another good match and Trenton came on strong beating him 8-3. Trenton's last match was against Wabash (Garrett Payne) for third place winning over him 7-4! We were so proud of him and Ben was all smiles all day. We ended our day by taking Trenton out to Chili's for some steak and shrimp. It was a good evening with Dave, Ben and Trenton. Good wrestling, good pics, good meal and good times...couldn't ask for more. And SOOO SOOO proud of how Trenton is wrestling and how he is doing so well in school. He has adjusted very well to having wrestling and homework. Very proud. And I was excited to have captured a pic of Trenton sleeping on the mat while some matches were going on...it was actually of his headgear...his maroon and white ones. Just a subtle reminder of where he came from and loved...Mishawaka! Loved it.

Depressed

Last Friday after getting off the treadmill I noticed a pain in my foot...one that REALLY hurt when I walked. NOT HAPPY was my initial reaction. So I stretched and just kind of tried to ignore it most of the day. The weekend came and went and my foot was feeling worse. Ben was calling me "hop along" at this point so I said if it still hurt by Thursday I would see a doctor. I couldn't get into Dr. Graham (the boys' orthopedic doctor) because he was out of the office till next week so I opted for my regular physician. His immediate diagnosis was a possible stress fracture but would like me to see an orthopedic specialist right away to confirm this. So they set me up for one in Mishawaka (won't name them) for that next day (Thursday). I had remembered this doctor from taking Trenton to them when he was in elementary school. I just remember them telling me they wanted to give him inserts that cost WAAAAY too much, but I kept an open mind. My next question, should I just go to this doctor or wait for Dr. Graham to get in in Monday. Well, my regular physician wanted me to get in before Monday so I said I would go. Upon the orthopedic specialist's examination he noticed my left leg being differently shaped than my right one. He said my right knee led into my tibia in a curving manner to make my foot land flat while my left knee was straight leading my tibia to be straight as well, causing my foot to land off the left a bit. My immediate thought was "okay, here we go, he wants me to buy these overpriced inserts now" but he continued to check out my foot and he called for an x-ray thinking I may have a Jones fracture. The x-rays came back with no Jones fracture and he said I was lucky I didn't have it because of my foot and the way I was landing on it. He did notice a small area that he said was probably a small stress fracture of my fifth metatarsal but stress fractures rarely show up on x-ray. Because this was the only area, he basically told me I just needed to rest it for 3 weeks and that he would suggest (yes, this was where he went into inserts)...$400 inserts that are not covered by insurance. I am just amazed at how I have been running for the past idk like 6-7 years and I have a stress fracture and now I am in deep trouble of possibly fracturing my foot because I land wrong???? I called Dr. Graham's office after leaving and explained the situation. The nurse there suggested I wait for three weeks, get some inserts at Metro Walk and Run or even Walmart and try those. If the problem persists, maybe make an appointment with him. I am opting with this suggestion.
Sooooo, at this point. I am just not happy. Not happy that I cannot run for three more weeks, not happy that my foot hurts and is just a nuisance. It makes easy things (sweeping the floor, putting on my shoes in a hurry, etc) difficult for me and is just in the way and I don't like that. I am frustrated that I have to start all over in my running plan now...Let's hope the weekend brings some relief to my frustration.

18 Years

Ben and I are celebrating our 18th Anniversary today! I just cannot believe how the time flies!

God knew all the plans for us way back when we first started dating and I never would have imagined we would be where we are today. But I am so glad. I am so happy with where we are, where we have been and I am excited for where He will take us in the future. I am so lucky to have such a loving husband. One who would do just about anything for me and his family. Happy Anniversary, Ben! I love you!! Thank you for taking this fantastic ride with me!!!

Trenton

Trenton turns 19 today!!! At exactly 4:30 am this morning in fact. My 6 lb. 4 oz. baby has become a 149 lb. college student/wrestler. A young man. So proud of his accomplishments and very proud that he is doing so well in college. Last semester he got a 3.4 gpa and hopefully still doing as well this time around. Working to become a teacher and a wrestling coach. I can see it all in his reach. He would be an awesome teacher and an even better coach! We are so bummed that he is away today at school and really wish we could spend some time with him on his birthday but unfortunately, we can't. Trenton is reffing a little kids wrestling tournament today in Naperville....hoping and wishing he has a WONDERFUL DAY! Love you bud! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

ICE Game #2

Gabi's team lost 5-24 but wow, what a defense we have! Because we went to watch Trenton last weekend Gabi was unable to play. Supposedly our opponents today played the team we played last week by 30 points! And our team kept it close last week. Our girls are learning more and more each week! And so proud of Gabi. Ben worked the clock and the fella that was with him even said that Gabi had good "ball handling skills." She even got one of our 5 points during a free throw! Looking forward to our dinner this evening at Das Essenhaus, just the three of us...

Elmhurst, Illinois

Some may call us crazy but we packed in the car yesterday about 5 pmish and headed out for Chi town...Elmhurst, Illinois to be exact. To surprise Trenton at his dual meet. Trenton had to go 149 lbs. this time around because of an injury to the starter. This would be a big meet for Trenton as Elmhurst was ranked #8, North Central at #12. This meet would pretty much seal the deal for CCIW champions. All of this played into Trenton's nervousness. I know 149 is not his favorite spot because he ends up giving up so much weight in the end. It is truly amazing to see how much bigger the guys are at 149 then Trenton is. But, he stepped up and did his part for the team. Trenton wrestled a senior from Elmhurst being recognized last evening during their "Senior Night" with a record of like 12-2 for the year. We knew it'd be a tough match but Trenton wrestled as well as he could have with being smaller (weighed in at 145 lbs.) and a roughed up knee (bursed bursa sac) - he lost 2-12. The team stepped it up though, and put Elmhurst in their place leaving the team score 25-14! A good win for NCC. We brought Trenton his favorite sweet tea (2 gallons worth) and I baked 2 1/2 dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies all for him because his birthday is Sunday. To see his eyes get big and light up when he saw us walk in to watch was priceless...absolutely PRICELESS. And his text to me afterwards saying "it meant alot to me that you guys came" just verified our craziness to go. It may have been midnight before we got in but it was well worth it and I would do it all over again.

Manchester Invitational

We made our way to Manchester College today to watch North Central's team and Trenton! Tyler was able to go with us, along with my parents and David. Alayna and her dad even got to come watch. With it being only over an hour away we wouldn't miss the opportunity. North Central did not bring all their starters so Trenton was able to go 141 lbs. We were a bit concerned when we first saw him. His knee had been very badly bruised and looked swollen. He explained that it happened in practice and would probably get it checked out next week. Trenton had 13 wrestlers in his weight class and would face the #2 seed first round (Matt David from CU). Trenton had a great match winning 10-7 strong. Next up, Josh Patterson from Trine. Josh was a former teammate at Penn during Trenton's freshman and sophomore year so we were no stranger to this young man. Trenton won 12-3 but the match left his knee feeling very sore. The trainer wrapped it in ice and Trenton decided to continue. He wrestled Brandon Burkett of Heidelburg Student Princes the next round. He lost 6-7. Unfortunately, Trenton was called on an illegal move right off the bat (which we blatantly saw the other kid do as well) and he was hit with 1 penalty point. Trenton ran a takedown clinic and basically Burkett stalled the entire rest of the match. With Trenton's knee feeling pretty bad at this point and the trainer again escorting him off the mat to the table, the coach decided this tournament was not worth the risk of injuring his knee anymore than what it was. Trenton would forfeit the remaining matches (two more) to finish him out at 6th place. Very proud of him today. It was so nice to see him and it made it even more hard for me to leave him knowing he was in pain. Great wrestling today. It made my day being able to watch. Let's pray for the best about his knee when he sees the trainer on Monday. North Central placed 2nd overall at the tournament!

Just Livin...

I haven't posted in a while because we haven't been doing too much around here. Basically just goin with the flow. Staying warm and just enjoying life. Gabi has had basketball practice twice a week which is not too bad. Tyler goes to wrestling practice here and there but he admits it can be tiring just sitting and watching. Took him to the doctor on Monday and he was sooo excited that he only has 10 more days of keeping it immobilized, then comes the therapy. Went to the Lakeshore vs. Mishawaka wrestling meet last night. That was a late one! I have to say the ref was the WORST I have ever, I mean EVER seen. Illegal moves allowed, points not given, pins not called...it was bad. Have to admit though, the atmosphere was GREAT! Much like team state and that is EXCITING!!!! I love that surrounding and the feeling. Mishawaka won 30-18 and both teams brought 9 ranked wrestlers to the mat. Mishawaka is ranked #1 in Indiana and #22 in the Nation! Exciting stuff. Still makes it hard to swallow knowing that Tyler is not able to be an active part of that team. But we are coping and we are still supporting our team and the wrestlers. American Idol started up this week. I always enjoy the auditions. Makes me laugh and I need that. So for now...we are just goin with the flow...

Iowa National Duals

Trenton had to make weight at 141 lbs. today. Unfortunately, he wasn't a starter at this tournament but is thankful for the opportunity to go and be at the Iowa National Duals at the Unidome where all divisions compete in the same complex! Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, NAIA and Junior Colleges - only the top 15 teams in each are invited and it is a barn burner! Trenton called after weigh ins and said we need to make the trip next year because it is just an awesome atmosphere. What a great opportunity for him!!!

First Round against #14 ranked Williams (MA) NCC over Williams 23-16

Second Round against # 2 Augsburg (MN) NCC loses to Augburg 25-12

Third Round against #11 ranked St. Johns (MN) loss by nearfall criteria! 15-15

So sad for NCC...unfortunately, they are finished and only get to watch tomorrow so it looks like Trenton will not be able to wrestle this time around. He did say he got to say hello to legendary coach Gable! Just being in that place had to be really great for him. Even though they took a hard loss, what an awesome, awesome trip for Trenton!

ICE Game #1

Gabi had her first basketball league game today at ICE Athletic Center. The coach is her friend's dad and the team is pretty much made up of all her little girlfriends from school. They all played at school also so this is going to give her and them great opportunity to take it to the next level. Unfortunately, the our team (not named yet) lost 9-17 but the girls really came together during the last couple periods. And Gabi had a great time and felt so good with us there to watch along with maw maw and paw paw and grandpa R. That's all that really matters :)

Remembering 2009

I have not really had a chance to reflect on 2009 until today as I was going through my blog and looking at all the entries. I just know on New Year's Eve I was not happy to see 2009 go away (like I was in 2008)...I was somewhat sad. 2009 had been good to us in many ways. We had more highs than we did lows that year and I pray that God blesses us as richly in 2010! So, enjoy looking back at our 2009 in this slideshow, and be sure to click on the little sound icon on the top left corner. 2009 will be a year to remember always...

Nothing

We have been doing alot of this lately. And we have been seeing alot of this. Just alot of R & R and "nothing." In between I shampooed our rugs and Ben did put down some new flooring for our bathrooms and I am in love with it. I guess a whole lot of "nothing" turned into something :)He has also been Gabi's favorite by taking her sledding over the weekend. What a great daddy he is!!!! And look what came in the mail over the weekend!! My big gift from my parents!!! My blog from the beginning through 2008! ABSOLUTELY LOVING THIS!!!! Thank you mom and dad! You have helped me preserve so many memories for my children! Now it's back to the grinding board...lots of work to do in the office and I got back on the treadmill this morning after a week off. My butt was dragging but I managed. Follow up appointment for Tyler today after school and Trenton started classes today (second trimester). Busy day.