Swim State

Oh goodness, I'm heartbroken for my sweet girls. It's been such a fun swim season. They have worked so hard. Kiersten has about the worst birthday you can have for swim. Cut off for State Swim is March 15th and her birthday is March 8th. So last year when she qualified in about every event, she aged up and didn't get to swim. She's been waiting for this season. She pushed herself so hard. And my girls made state cuts in her 100 IM, 50 Breaststroke and her relays. Leah as an 11 year old qualified for her relays. She has minimal time left to drop to make state time in several events next year.

With all the Covid-19 news and with it spreading, we knew it was coming. Today they cancelled state swim. Big picture, everyone is healthy, and they will have plenty more opportunities to swim. But we are sad. Tough loss for all our little Gators who were excited to swim this weekend.

Covid-19

This past week has been a weird one. Some would even say surreal. In all actuality 2020 as a whole has been a little bit over the top. And now we're faced with a pandemic...Covid-19. More commonly referred to as Coronavirus.

We first started hearing the news in early January. An outbreak in WuHan China. People were sick and people were dying. But we don't need to worry about that here...or do we?!?! 

By mid-February the United States had its first case. Two weeks later at least a dozen dead, mostly in the Seattle, Washinton area. But then there was a case here and then there was a case there. At this time Italy has declared a state of emergency. People are quarantined and not allowed to leave their homes. Cases begin to spread around the East coast, and then Chicago. I don't know very many people from Chicago. And I certainly dont know many world travelers. But I live in Decatur. A Central hub for both ADM and Caterpillar corporations...with lots of international travel. Maybe we need to pay attention to this?!?! 

Right now the reports are that its affecting the elderly and the immunocompromised. You better believe I called Hatties doctor and asked if her Henoch Schonlein purpura means she's immunocompromised...she's not. They said she's immunoactivated. So how concerned do we need to be? Stay tuned...

Happy #10 Bug!

We spent the day enjoying the beautiful weather, but even more so, we spent the day celebrating our beautiful Bug! Today my sweet middle is 10...Double Digits!!! How is that possible? So fitting that her birthday is in March because she definitely  came in like a lion after 30 hours of labor, and a trip to the NICU. And the irony that she waited until just after midnight on March 8th, International Women's Day, is not lost on me. She's so very smart, she's inquisitive and challenges everything. She is wise beyond her years, but she's also very kind hearted. There is no doubt that this fierce little girl will grow up to move mountains. And I'm so thankful to have a front row seat to it all...blessed to be her mom.

We kicked off the day with giant cinnamon rolls and lots of presents. We hit up Dairy Queen for lunch where we had to get blizzards to celebrate the 80th birthday of Dairy Queen. We ended the night with tacos...the kind with Doritos shells, because that's what she wanted. I hope she enjoyed the day as much as I did. Happy Birthday, my little love Bug, bug-a-boo. Ten came much to quick for this Mama's heart.

Districts 2020

There is something so very special about watching your kids excel at something they love! We spent ALL weekend at the pool for YMCA Districts and these girls definitely had their game faces on. Leah (11) is struggling to find her "thing" but you'd never know she's questioning swim by her performance and attitude. She's a little disappointed that she didn't qualify for state as an individual, but she'll be there with the relays. And she has set herself up perfectly for next year. There are LOTS of state cuts coming for her next year. But this meet was an absolute win for her. She dropped in every single event...and not just small drops. We're talking over 4 seconds in her 100 breast and more than 7.5 seconds in her 100 FLY.  Even better, in morning while the little kids swam she was on deck at the end of the lane cheering on her sister and friends.

Hattie swam the 50 backstroke,knocked off another half second and spent the rest of the weekend enjoying snacks and playing with friends.

Kiersten set one goal for the weekend. Shes been slowly chipping away at her 50 Breaststroke time. She only needed to drop 1.9seconds. First race of the meet she crushed her 50 breast and qualified for state in her second individual event. She dropped 1.7 seconds like it was nothing. I may have been crying in the stands. Today her relay...that had never swam together before, jumped in the pool and took 6th. Great job, Gator girls...so very proud of you. Now on to state!

Escaped

Our February is just out of control busy...and March isn't really any better. We have Districts and then Spring Fling and then on to State Swim. Oh, and Spring Break in Arizona immediately after.

So we decided to have a little birthday bash for Bug early. She knew she wanted to go do the Krave Escape room...it has a super fun Willy Wonka theme right now. I was worried that she and her friends were a little too young but I was wrong.

They had so much fun. I could hear them whooping and hollering the entire hour. These smart little cookies actually cracked the code but didn't get the door unlocked before the time ran out.

Afterwards we headed down to Las Margaritas for dinner and cake. Kiersten got to wear the sombrero and they brought her friend ice cream. She said it was the best party ever!

Do Work

So yeah...yesterday my kids had a day off of school. The sub zero temperatures meant that they got stay home and play. But me?!?! Not so much. I'm in grad school 2.0 and there was plenty of work to be done...and those junior high eligibility reports weren't going to run themselves. I kid, I kid...

But anyway, I spent yesterday busting out a 5 page paper on vulnerable populations of students in public schools. I'm not saying this to pat myself on the back, I'm not sharing it for pity. I snapped this picture real quick so I could show my girls that even in my 40's I'm STILL learning...that education is something that can last a lifetime. But I'll also encourage them to get ALL their schooling done before they are settled with three kids that need to get to tumbling and piano and dance and swim every night of the week! No rest for the weary!

Hattie Love

This kid is such a bundle of love! She still wants to cuddle with mom and she gives her hugs so freely. She doesn't know a stranger. She wears her heart on her sleeve but she'll do everything she can to protect the heart of her family and friends.
She's still fighting the fight against HSP. Protein and blood in her urine have been at high levels and her BP is a bit too high for our liking so we went back to the nephrologist yesterday. So far her kidneys are holding their own. But we did have to start some BP meds. Her blood vessels still leak on occasion and from time to time she has bad stomach pains and swelling. But she never complains...just rolls with the punches.Say a prayer this passes soon and she stays healthy. And today I hope she enjoys the best Valentines Day party ever! A big thank you to the mom friends who sent me pictures.

Valentine Classic

What a great day for the YDSC Gators at their Valentine Classic swim meet. Leah dropped time in all of her events today...and thankfully didn't struggle with her asthma at all. Hattie didn't drop time, but she was there, and a happy camper...which is a big win considering she's STILL on the struggle bus with leaking blood vessels, blood pressure problems, swollen joints and more. And Kiersten just left it all in the pool! She dropped 9 seconds and qualified for state in the 100IM...I cried on deck. No shame in my game. She dropped time in all her events and missed the state time in her 50 breast by .19. She's super excited her swim sister Ariel is going to state too! The whole team looked sharp today and it sure was fun to watch! Shout out to Mitch for taking great pictures.