Off to Charleston

On Friday our very own Mt. Zion Braves were playing our very own Macy!!! Leah and Kiersten both invited a friend and we headed to Charleston. We stopped at Freddy's first for a a quick dinner. That's always a hit! When we got to the gym I automtically sat on the visitors side. I saw some Mt. Zion friends. It didn't take long for me to realize that cousin, Megan Myerscough, was playing for the Charleston 7th grade team. So I then I knew that Uncle Kevin and Aunt Cindy would be there. I sent Hattie across the gym on her own and boy were they surprised to see her! It was fun to see the reaction. Hattie came back over to me and between games we went over to sit with them. It was a great game and Mt. Zion pulled it out in the end...down to the wire.

Matt, Cynthia, Colby and Jackson arrived shortly after. We were cheering on our Macy girl...but I also knew a lot of the Mt. Zion players. Charleston took the first game easily. Mt. Zion came back and won the second set. The third set was a close one, but Mt. Zion took the win. We were happy for our hometown team but sad for our Macy. After the game we headed back to Freddy's. We met the Mt. Zion team there, but thankfully we were able to grab our custard and hit the road. We have many more years to watch the girls Braves battle my Charleston Trojans!

Winter Wonderland

As I mentioned before, this weekend we had a fantastic snow storm. My girls have been playing outside non-stop. They come in every two hours and thrown their stuff in the dryer and head right back out. So when our friend Lisa posted on Facebook that she wanted to do snow pictures I jumped all over it. Snow like this is few and far between in our area so I knew I had to get these pictures. When Lisa suggested taking them at our house I wasn't sold...I wasn't even sure how that would work. But she worked her magic and I love them. She used the evergreen trees right by our driveway. You can't beat pictures at home, especially when it's 20 degrees out.

Snowflake

This weekend we got hit by a crazy winter  storm. We get snow in Illinois...but not often is it like this. We had probably eight inches, and lots of wind. I figured that by the time we needed to leave for our swim meet the roads would be fine. I was WRONG. The visibility was non-existent. But by the time we got to an exit and thought we could turn around, we were already half way there so we decided to keep going and prayed that the roads would be better on the way home. They actually ended up being better the closer we got.

And I was so glad we kept going. It was a great day for Leah. She made US Regionals in her 50 back. Mitch and I were totally shocked. We planned our vacation to Mexico for that weekend. We didn't figure she had a chance...but that was back before the asthma diagnosis. She's so happy and we are happy for her.

One of the greatest takeaways from swim the past two weekends was watching these kids come together as a real team. They are so encouraging and are standing at the end of the lane cheering on their teammates and cheering them on hard. There are lots of high five-s and way to go-s, and that is truly spectacular to see!

Seth Dunscomb 2019

This weekend was the annual Seth Dunscomb New Year's Opener for our YDSC Gators. The kids did so fantastic. I was so proud of the whole team. We had a great showing. The meet went so smoothly. I think our visiting teams also had a great experience. I worked the meet both days as a timer, so Mitch was in charge of the girls. Leah had set some big goals. She's getting stronger everyday.

Since this was a US Swimming event Hattie wasn't able to swim. But she was a good cheerleader. Leah looked so strong. She cut time in almost every event. Before the meet she had already qualified for Y State Meet in two relays but she really was pushing to qualify in the 50 back, 50 butterfly and the 100 IM. We were so excited for her when she made the state cut in the 50 fly. She's so close in the other two events and will have another shot next weekend in Springfield. She was thrilled to be the 3rd place medalist for the meet.

Kiersten really had a strong showing this weekend as well. While she already made State time in relays and the 25 breast, she also qualified in the 25 back. Unfortunately she ages up a week before the meet. I'm heartbroken for her, but she's handling it like a champ. Proud of these girls and their team.

January 2nd tradition

I can't even believe this! One year ago today...Jan. 2, 2018 we went to the eye doctor and Leah was told she needed glasses. Fast forward to Jan. 2nd, 2019, we went to the eye doctor and Hattie needs glasses. What are the odds!

What's even more unbelievable is how much these two look alike! Next year we won't be going to the eye doctor on January 2nd!