I Am Having A Ball

I hang up the phone and shut down my computer as the stack of unfinished tasks grows larger and larger on my office desk.  I grab my keys and my purse and hand a file folder to Wendy as I dash out of the office.  I am in a hurry to make it to Fredericksburg in time for the Bill Riley Competition that my daughter will be competing in that afternoon.  I stop at home to pick up Karissa and make sure Christian has a bite to eat before he heads off to the ball diamond to get ready for his evening baseball games.  My mother pulls into the driveway shortly after me and we anxiously await my husband who is racing home from the river with an unloaded semi to make it in time for the competition as well.  Whew ... it is nothing short of a miracle when we all manage to be buckled in and heading down the road just a few minutes behind schedule!  

Once we arrive in Fredericksburg, we are joined by others from the dance studio, as well as Karissa's Aunt Holly, as we check in and wait for the competition to begin.  As we watch the commotion from our lawn chairs beneath a tent, I feel a cool breeze and realize that it is much chillier than I had expected.  I guess I didn't need quite so much sunscreen after all!

The competition begins and I am amazed at all the talented performers ... from piano players to vocalists to gymnasts and dancers ... the performers compete as their names are called one by one.  As the final performers in their division, Karissa's and her partner, Brooke's names are finally called to "be on deck" and my mother and I move closer to the stage to get a better view and take some photos.  The sun becomes much brighter as we move out from under the tent and I adjust the viewfinder on my camera to accommodate.  The announcer finally states their names and they enter the stage.  Through the quiet hum of the crowd, I zoom in for a closeup as the music is about to begin.  I snap a few pictures as the girls stand in position, their bright green costumes glistening in the sun.  The melody bursts from the stereo and the girls begin with a smile.  The music flows through them as their tap shoes move in unison with every heel-toe, shuffle and turn.    Each move seems effortless as they dance with poise and ease and they clap along to the beat.  As the music comes to a close, they lift their arms into a final pose with a smile.  I glance at the judges to see if I can assess their opinions and then I quickly turn my attention back to the girls.  The audience (at least the ones under the Expressions Dance Studio tent) launch into cheers and applause!!  My heart is full of pride as I meet the girls coming down from the stage and I congratulate them on their awesome performance.  I snap a photo of the two of them together as we wait for the judges to make their decisions.  After what seems like an eternity, the announcer finally comes on stage with the results.  First they announce third place, which goes to another group of dancers from the dance studio.  Way to go girls!  Next, we hear the words ... "Second place goes to the Tap Dance Duo of Karissa Kleve and Brooke Herold."  Woo hoo!!!  We cheer loudly and applaud with pride.  I move toward the stage once again with my camera to get a photo of the girls with their fellow winners.  First place goes to a well deserving young gymnast/dancer from Iowa.  I snap a photo of all the girls on stage as they proudly accept their ribbons.  Pretty impressive for the first competition of the summer!  Way to go girls!!  :)

After photos, congratulatory remarks and pats on the back, we fold up our chairs and head to the van to head for home.  As we drive, we can't help but sing along to the silly song that one of the contestants danced to during the competition ... "Butterfly driving a truck" ... the words become catchier every time we sing them and we can't get the song out of our minds.... "butterfly driving a truck" ...

Upon returning home, Karissa quickly changes her clothes and we trade in our lawn chairs for bleacher seats and head to the ball diamond to watch Christian and his team.  The first game is a JV (Varsity Reserve) game and we eagerly watch as Christian takes the field.  His favorite position is catcher and he does a good job at it too.  As we watch, the pitcher and catcher find their rhythm and then Christian pops up from his squatting position to grab a ball that was higher than the pitcher had intended.  As strike after strike pass the plate, a getaway ball lands in the dirt and dust flies as Christian stops it with his entire body.  "Nice block, Christian" I hear someone say from the stands.  Eventually a ball is hit to the outfield and a runner makes it to first base.  He steals and slides into second base about the same time as the ball hits the second baseman's glove... "he's out!" I hear my mother-in-law exclaim with excitement ... however, the umpire disagrees and the runner takes his base brushing himself off from the slide.  The game goes on and on with hits and strikes and outs and runs as we cheer from the stands.  Karissa holds out her hand for money for concessions and I send her to my husband for change.  As I watch him hand her a couple dollar bills, I try to recall if she has a game tomorrow ... I wonder if she will pitch again.  I focus my attention back to the ball field.  Time has passed and our team is now up to bat.  There are two outs, a batter is up and Christian is on deck with his bat.  The anticipation is overwhelming as my heart goes out to the batters ... I grunt with each throw of the pitch and each swing of the bat....

The game goes on and on to the top and bottom of each inning ... I think we have a chance to win this thing!!  Our team once again takes the field.  As the pitcher throws a few warmup pitches, I lean over to my sister-in-law and sing "Butterfly driving a truck" ... I think it has been a long day!! :)        

The JV game comes to a close and the Varsity team takes the field to warm up ... I am beaming with pride as Christian takes the field with the team for warmups and dons the catchers gear once again.  They announce the names of the starting players and they run onto the field...

As the crowd rises from the bleachers and faces the flag, I glance with pride at the baseball field.  Christian stands strong in his catchers gear with his teammates.  Karissa whispers in my ear, attempting to sing along with the National Anthem using the incorrect words she used when she was a small child ...  "...Babe Ruth through the night, that our flag was still there..." I smile at her as we share the memory.  I sense my husband beside me respectfully holding his cap in his hand as I am surrounded by family and other South Winn fans.  It has been a perfect summer day ... and I am having a ball!!    

Mother's Day Blessings

Earlier this week, I had aspirations of writing something deep and meaningful about motherhood in honor of Mother's Day.  However, in reality, I have been too busy chasing after my kids this week to find the time .. I have been too immersed in the act of being a mother to find the ability to step back and see motherhood as anything philosophical.  At this point in my life, being a mother is made up of day-to-day moments, ordinary daily occurrences, the adrenaline rush of keeping up with my children and exhaustion when the day is complete.  So, rather than attempt to say something deep and meaningful, I will simply give you a glimpse into the events of my own Mother's Day weekend ...

I will begin with Saturday morning ... I had gotten up early and was doing my own thing while the kids were still in bed; however, once Karissa woke up, she officially banished me to my bedroom while she worked to make me breakfast in bed.  She graciously let me bring a Diet Pepsi and a book (I started out with the computer but she decided she needed it to check on her recipe instructions).  From my room, I could hear her banging pots and pans and slamming cupboard doors.  I heard her asking her brother for math advice as she measured and stirred.  She would pop in and out of my bedroom periodically with questions as to my preference on such things as peanut butter versus jelly and blueberry versus chocolate chip.  As she worked and I waited, I decided to give my mother a call to chat since I had all the time in the world.  We chatted a while and she eagerly waited for a return phone call with a report on the breakfast.  I couldn't help but chuckle when Karissa came in to ask me if pancakes would be okay if they are scrambled ... I assured her that the pancakes would taste fine ... even scrambled.

After somewhere around an hour later, she finally appeared at my bedroom door with a tray full of goodies ... I had my camera in hand to capture the moment.  The snowman tray that she carried wobbled under the weight of a variety of mismatched bowls.  One bowl contained scrambled eggs and she had filled another small bowl with my favorite, vanilla yogurt with added blueberries.  She lined the tray with a few small slices of peanut butter toast and a cookie.  The item that impressed me most was the fact that she had made chocolate chip blueberry pancakes from scratch using a recipe she had learned from You-Tube.  I was very impressed!  Yes, the pancakes were rather "scrambled" but they tasted perfect ... I didn't even need to use the syrup she had included on my tray ... the melted chocolate chips and oozing blueberries made the pancakes delicious!  I asked her to grab an extra fork and join me!


Mother's Day Sunday officially dawned the next morning.  I woke early to pick Christian up from a friend's house.  Meanwhile, my husband even took some time away from the field and made it home from the farm by 9 am.  Once our family was once again all intact, we headed to Luther College in Decorah.  We were honored to share and enjoy Mother's Day brunch with both my Mom as well as Shawn's mom.  Shawn's sister and her boyfriend joined us as well.  It was a nice morning of good food, family bonding, and conversation.  I savored, my favorite, cheesecake which melted in my mouth as I sipped my hot coffee.  Yum!  Once we all finished eating, we exchanged "Happy Mother's Day" wishes and parted ways (although only for a little while).  The kids and I dropped my husband off in the field where he continued planting.  I was grateful that he had taken a little time away to spend with family for the morning.  After dropping him off, the kids and I spent a little time sitting outside in the fresh air ... it was a perfect, calm, sunny day ...

By early afternoon, the kids and I followed my mom and her husband, Karl, to my Grandma and Grandpa Einck's house.  There we all spent some quality time talking with my Grandma, Grandpa, and other extended family.  We visited together in the screened-in porch where we could catch a glimpse of the afternoon breeze as we watched a variety of birds make their way around the yard.  My kids took a few turns at the bean bag game as we watched.

A few hours later, our time was cut short when I received a phone call from my husband.  He was getting low on fuel in the field and needed my assistance.  Since I am pretty low on the totem pole of experienced farmers in my husband's life, he rarely asks for my help with farming related tasks.  Therefore, I was happy to help and eagerly jumped at the chance.  Once we got to my mom's farm where he was planting, he gave me explicit instructions on how to go about filling the tank (I didn't think I needed quite that many instructions!)  Anyway, I won't bore you with the details of our duties, but once we had completed our tasks we made our way back to the farm.  Since it was getting later, we brought supper to the field.  I was rather excited to share a little family picnic on the grass as we waited for the tractor to fill with fuel.  (I was a bit afraid I would accidently sit on itching weed or poison ivy or at least a thistle ... but I didn't!)  As we headed back to the van through the tall grasses of the waterway, I couldn't help but do a little "Laura Ingall's Wilder run" with my arms outstretched.  My family chuckled at me ... okay, so I am a little crazy! :)

Once back at home, the kids decided to do their own things for a while.  Each of them headed into their rooms and I opted to sit on the porch to enjoy a little more of the afternoon.  I texted responses to my brother and his wife who had sent me messages earlier to wish me a Happy Mother's Day.  After a while, I suggested to the kids that we spend some time in the back yard playing ball ... of course they jumped at the chance.  We played catch a while and Christian assisted Karissa in perfecting her pitch for Little League this year.  She did a good job!  When we came back inside, I noticed I had a missed call from my Mom ... I quickly dialed her back and we dove into yet another conversation ... I know, I know, I had already talked to her a lot that weekend ... but that is nothing new ... I can always find more to talk about with my mom!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!               

Endings and New Beginnings ...

The end of the school year is fast approaching with concerts and recitals, field trips and tests galore.  Students and teachers are scurrying to finish up end of the year projects and preparing for exams, while parents are consumed with sack lunch requests, field trip forms and last minute calendar changes...    Students are cleaning out classrooms and de-cluttering desks and backpacks.  Each student has accumulated memorable experiences, friendships and knowledge that will not be forgotten ...  cherished moments caught on camera, in essay, poem and report card.  At the same time, each student is looking forward to summer and a time to step back and enjoy some leisure time in the sun.  Soon time will bring them back around to return again in the fall with brand new notebooks, freshly sharpened pencils, and uncluttered desks and minds … ready to start a new school year.    Wouldn’t it be nice if the rest of life could be like a school year … with time to finish up all projects and clean out cobwebs and clutter from our lives and our minds to start with a fresh slate with the next coming season …

I think today of graduating seniors … my children have not reached this part of life yet … and I hope the next few years go by in slow motion!  I know that many seniors are feeling bittersweet these last few weeks as they are finishing a wonderful chapter in their lives … while also getting ready to write a whole new novel as they embark on bright futures.  I recall my own high school graduation and I have many fond memories of that time of my life.  Those memories helped make me who I am today.  But wonderful as those memories are, I would not want to step back in time for I have had many new beginnings since then … I met my husband just weeks after graduation and we went on to be married and have two wonderful children!  And I continue to anticipate new endeavors  on the horizon.  

With thoughts of graduating seniors, special memories and new beginnings …

This week, a well deserving Decorah High School graduate will be receiving the Adam J. Bohr Memorial Scholarship and another deserving North Liberty student will be receiving one as well.  As my family and I attempt to clear some of the cobwebs of grief from our hearts, we cling to cherished memories and recall many ways that my brother, Adam, enriched our lives.  It is comforting to know that Adam’s spirit will continue to enrich the lives of others as his memory lives on in graduating seniors each year as they embark on their own new beginnings with endless possibilities …    

A Trip Down Memory Lane

As I turn onto Town Line Road I am instantly filled with memories and my stomach churns as my tires meet each familiar dip and noll.  The smell of dust seeps into the car and fills my sinuses.  As I reach the farm where I grew up (which my husband now farms), I slow to nearly a stop as I turn into the driveway.  I am greeted by the memory of Todd barking me a greeting from the end of the sidewalk.  Suddenly, I am consumed with visions of my past as if time itself applied it's brakes and entered reverse.  I stop near the garage and envision Rob coming from the haymow with his basketball in hand. I consider walking up the sidewalk, pausing by the big pine tree.  First I sense a vision of a sandbox filled with playful memories and then in a flash I sense my teenage self on the lawn mower eagerly rounding the tree engrossed in my thoughts or a popular 80's song.  Next, I flash to see my whole family and perhaps friends shaded by the pine tree as we talk and laugh and enjoy each others' company.  I can feel the cool grass on my toes and can hear the crickets chirping on a summer evening.  I am drawn to more recent memories of the swing beneath the tree.  I envision my children swinging there when they are small.  I smile as I leave the tree and head toward the house.  I catch myself wanting to peak around the corner to the patio to see if Mom or Dad or one of the boys are sitting there.  I am brought back to reality when no one is there.

In my mind, I climb the front steps and open the squeaky screen door.  I can hear my mother's voice calling from the kitchen "shut the inside door!"  I chuckle to myself as the words seem so real.  I have half a notion to hop up on the freezer to my right to enjoy a phone conversation with a friend.  As I look ahead into the dining room I expect to hear the squeak of the closet door and see my Dad reaching inside.  I can smell supper frying on the stove and I hear the lid of a pan rumbling as the potatoes quicken to a boil.  As I enter the diningroom I can see my Mom through the phone nook above the desk.  She is in the kitchen turning the steaks that are frying in the pan and flipping off the burner to the gas stove.  I throw my coat on the loveseat and enter the kitchen with stories to share with my mom.  My brothers, Adam and Rob are already there fighting me for her attention and I scramble past them for the last twizzler or nutty bar from the top of the microwave nearby.  I hop up to the bar to continue my story.   Mom hands me the plates to set on the supper table and I head to the other side of the counter.  There I find my Dad sitting in his chair at the table with his head resting in his hand.  I try to clear the cloud of smoke that encircles him as I set the table around his ash tray...

I invision my family at the table playing a game of cards.  "500" was a family favorite for many years.  "Kendra it's your turn!"  I hear one of them yell ... "okay ... what's trump?"  :-)

From there my memories peak through the kitchen door back out into the diningroom where the stereo sits quietly ... in my memory a country melody bursts from the stereo as my Dad sings along with "the man in black".  Sweat drips from a loose strand of his hair as he dances around the room with a playful grin.  He strums his fake guitar and croons the words luring us into his world.  Rob and I attempt to sing along as Adam takes over the fake guitar with a smile.  For a brief time, we are giddy with love and drunk on life.  Now the albums lie buried, but the memories will not be forgotten.  The songs are forever etched in my mind and continue to play in my heart! 

Through my tears, my memories envision my mother coming down the hall from the bathroom with a load of clothes to fold.  She pulls up the diningroom table to make room for the clothes and warns my brothers to be careful.  Suddenly I hear a bang on the stairway door as one of the boys hits it in an attempt to block the other from making a basket in the nerf hoop.  As they finish the play, Adam reaches over and grabs me lifting me over his shoulder.  I scream for mercy and plead to be let back down.  As my feet hit the ground, my vision shifts to the boys and I near the stairs reading books we are pulling from the bookcase.  I teach each of them to read from the "Happy Day's" Book and later we quiz each other on the order of the Presidents from the encyclopedia.

My memories draw me into the tiny room that once held the toy box as well as the piano.  My fingers can feel the rough keys on the old piano as I play "one last note" to finish my song.  Next I flash to a vision of my brothers pulling games from the cupboard to bring into the livingroom to play.  I picture us playing Sorry or Clue or more recently Outburst or Taboo.  I follow the memory into the livingroom.  I envision Rob as a little boy as he lies on the floor in front of a basketball game on TV.  He is engrossed in the latest VC Comic he is writing.  I envision my Dad coming from the kitchen chewing on a slab of bologna as he slices an orange.  I envision our whole family cozy in our chairs watching movies on the VCR we rented for the weekend.  I flash again to the cozy feeling of the livingroom floor as I lie in my sleeping bag late at night while Mom and Dad watch the 10:00 news.  I can still hear Craig Johnson's voice... 

Memory after memory continue to flood my mind as I gaze around the house.  I meander back outside and pick an apple off the tree.  My lips pucker as I devour the juicy sourness and I wish I had a salt shaker.  I grab a couple extra for the road and head back to my car.

Back in my car, the years race back to reality and I remember that I actually stopped by to bring supper to my husband who is working in the field.  The kids yell "Mom, he is coming!" as we hear the sound of the tractor coming from the field.  I wipe the tears from my eyes and smile at my kids.  I wonder what parts of their childhoods they will envision when they are grown?

April Showers Bring May Flowers

It has been raining lately. As I look out the window, I notice an eerie calm has settled in the sky and the cool air sends a shiver up my spine. Although it is late afternoon it feels like night has begun to fall. I take a deep breath and consider curling up in the chair with a good book ... but I better keep on keeping on ... perhaps I can curl up with the family in a few hours. Karissa tosses homework questions my way and I receive a text that Christian will be home soon. I begin washing up some potatoes as well as lettuce for salads as I wait for the oven to get hot enough to bake the cod fillets. The water drips from the strainer similar to the way the rain is falling on the window. Talk about April showers ...

It is hard to believe we are half way through April already. It seems like just yesterday it was January 1st and many people were making a variety of New Year's Resolutions. Shortly thereafter I began writing this blog encouraging you all to join me in creating bucket lists (aka New Year's Resolutions). I also encouraged each of you to make action plans you could start on right away. Hopefully at least a few of you jumped on the bandwagon with me! :)  With the year almost a third of the way "accomplished", it is time to look at those lists once again and assess how far we have come. In an attempt to shed the pounds you gained last year, perhaps you made action items such as starting an exercise program, eating healthier or maybe you simply decided to trade in your morning capaccino for a glass of orange juice. Maybe you have had some success ... maybe you even managed to lose a few pounds. Perhaps you went on a bucket list adventure ... or scheduled one for sometime this year

... or maybe you simply managed to save a few dollars toward the adventure you are hoping to be able to afford in an upcoming year. That is all something to be proud of! You may be able to cross some items off your list (or mark them as "done") and you can even add new items for the rest of the year. Some items may show progress but still have a ways to go -- these items can remain on the list. Maybe some items were just too hard and need to be revised to be more realistic ... that is okay too ... don't get discouraged! If you are one of many people who put your New Year's Resolutions aside and never attempted an item on your bucket list ... that is okay too ... it is only April after all ... you have over half the year to try to tackle those items before next year! Keep at it ... remember ... what we do today will create a bright and happy tomorrow ... as they say "April showers bring May flowers!".     

Take Time for You Today

Stop everything ... right now ... yes, right now.....just drop what you are doing (well, okay ... finish reading this blog first) ... but then stop what you are doing and take some time for yourself!  You are worth it!!  Make yourself a priority.  Although many of my blogs have been about taking action and getting started right away on the items on your bucket list ... I've decided we all need a break today!

Those of you who know me, know I am a bit of an introvert.  Some may call me shy (and I suppose I am to some extent) but I am definitely a person who enjoys my alone time.   You see, I have learned from experience, that an important part of keeping a positive attitude and a healthy mind, is taking time to just let yourself be you.  I have also found that when I have been "going" and "doing" for too long and I have been in the throws of stress with all the tasks on my to-do list staring me down, I tend to be rather hard on myself!  There just isn't enough time in a day to accomplish everything that needs to be done!  (But it is important to remember that your inbox will eternally  be full...and that is okay.) I have learned that it is important to take time, often, to just calm your mind (and your body) ... taking time to reflect ... but let it come to you slowly ... first you need to clear your mind.  Remember, it is okay to relax  -- even God took a day to rest!! 

So for today ... set aside all house work, yard work, and office work and even set aside all bucket list tasks (as invigorating as they may seem).  Get a babysitter for your kids if you need one (yes, I said that ... those of you who know me, also know that I am not one to voluntarily leave my children very often.)  Turn off the television, computer, Ipod and phone ... make yourself a cup of Tension Tamer tea and draw yourself a hot bath.  (If you want, light some candles like they do in the movies ... but that sounds like work ... this is supposed to be relaxing.) Now set your mind at ease ... think of nothing but the warm water and the taste of the tea (assuming you like the tea ... a glass of wine would be good too).  Let your body fall back into the water ... relax ... breathe slowly and deeply ... listening to the sound of your breath as it echos in the water.  Just lie there ... relax as long as you like (or longer than you like ... sometimes it may take a while to calmly remind yourself that doing nothing is truly okay.)  Remember ... you deserve it - let yourself lie there soaking in the pride of everything you accomplished yesterday and the day before ...   

Now go for a long walk ... If you are lucky enough to live in the country, go for a walk in the woods or a pasture or field ... otherwise, find a nearby trail or just meander around town if that is the best you can do.  Notice the leaves on the trees ... notice the smell of fresh mowed grass ... follow a butterfly's flight ... smell the roses (or even the dandelions for that matter).  Sit under the tree in your back yard.  Lay on the ground like you did as a kid ... notice the clouds as they move over head.  Say a prayer.   Ponder about the things that are truly important to you.  Tell yourself you are a great person ... you don't need to give yourself evidence ... just let yourself believe it.   

           

It doesn't even matter if the neighbors drive by and see you doing nothing ... they probably won't even notice (okay, they might give a second glance if you are laying under the tree) ... but don't worry about  them ... they don't know the things you accomplished yesterday ... they don't know the secrets that are in your heart ... they don't know the dreams that lie deep in your soul ... they are not you ... their opinions don't matter ... just enjoy YOURSELF today!

Now schedule a massage (the full-body kind) ... do yoga ... eat your favorite food (whatever is your vice).  Now go to your  husband ... pick up your kids... or call up a friend ... sit on the porch or on the deck  ... have a cookout ...  enjoy some time with loved ones ... feeling rejuvenated and in tune with the world. 

Tomorrow you will be surprised at what you can accomplish ... you will feel a sense of a new beginning,  a fresh start, a quiet calm ready to tackle the world.  Don't forget to take time for a walk during the day  or just do nothing  on a lunch break.  Although some may feel there is no time for this,  you will find  that it will give you a similar sense of renew each time you return.  

Now bring on tomorrow ... we are ready for anything!!

Today is a New Day

I am not the same person I was 10 years ago  ... or 5 years ago ... or even last year.  Neither are you!  We are each a product of our own experiences ... our circumstances, our surroundings, our doings, our thoughts, our accomplishments and even our failures.  Everyone makes mistakes ... yes, everyone ... we are human, after all!  Some of the choices we made yesterday may have been wrong, but more than likely, many of our choices may simply have been different than the choices we would have made today.  But remember, we are no longer the same people and today is not the same day!   

We have a choice each morning (as well as each night) regarding our reactions to these mistakes and whether or not to have regrets.  Harboring regrets is similar to holding a grudge or worrying about the future.  It only serves to rob us of our happiness (and often a good night's sleep).  Yesterday is over ... last year is gone ... and ten years ago is but a memory.  We can choose to remember the good things we've done ... time spent with loved ones, bucket list items accomplished, smiles and hugs each expressed.  That is what I choose to remember. 

I also choose to live today in an effort to squelch possible regrets of tomorrow.  We can choose to try our best at everything we do today ... living life to the fullest and learning from each of our mistakes.  That is really all anyone can ask of us ... including ourselves!  If you are a person needing concrete advice, I suggest adding a category to your bucket list to include items that you want to do today to avoid future regrets.  Although we will all still make many mistakes, perhaps we can do things a little better and tomorrow we may have fewer regrets.

Today is a new day and you are a new you ... so pick yourself up and dust yourself off! Make that phone call ... say "I love you" ... smell the roses ... say "I'm sorry" ... do your best ... and most importantly ... forgive yourself ... TODAY!